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The Demon Rake: Regency Romace
The widow of a soldier, Lady Victoria March travels to England to meet her late husband's relations for the first time. She's astonished by her reception: suspicion and insults abound. However Lady March cannot leave. She's on a mission that has everything to do with family and the things that bind them together. A Regency Romance by Gayle Buck; originally published by Signet.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1986
11 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Buck
55 books18 followersGayle Buck has freelanced for regional publications, worked for a radio station and as a secretary. Until recently, she was involved in public relations for a major Texas university. Besides her Regencies, she also writes fantasy and romantic suspense. She lives in Bandera, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 10, 2020
Another good one bites the dust. Self destructs!
From an exciting, engaging beginning and premise, the plot loses steam and we have a sub-average fare - one that fails to deliver on the promised, the expected and the obvious!
The ‘meet cute’ is as dramatic and exciting as possible. And the sensible keeps-her-counsel h seems a good foil for the arrogant you-must-recognize-my-name rakehell.
*With spoilers* The book, for most parts, has the feel of a play - with an exit-stage-left movement of characters and quite a few asides by most everyone. The secondary characters, especially a diabolical but somehow likeable uncle, are all well etched.
I even forgave the measly h/H interaction, forget romance after that great beginning. The h’s cool and distant and he’s affable and distant. Friend zoning ahead.
There’s a worthy ow who provides much heartburn and vampy moments but the author had to redeem her and ‘befriend’ her. Not fair that!
But what’s really indigestible is the H’s sudden interest in the ow after ignoring her for much of the book. Her wiles seemingly start working - he finds her ‘exciting’ (read arousing) and even kisses her - and the h happens to witness it. And it happens in the act 3 of this play. The H never recovered in my estimation after that - even as he kisses the h soon after and decides he prefers the h’s kisses.
And I did not like her reaction as well - after the initial snit, she get all calm and accepting.
The ending is loooong winding and everyone’s friends again and live happily ever after!
* The blurb's somewhat misleading. The one with the kindle book is more correct. The H never propositions her or proposes to her - he's just suspicious and insulting. The uncle is not that powerful - just nosey and interfering! And the marriage idea is just in the uncle's and the dead father-in-law's mind and doesn't crop up between the h/H till the end.
From an exciting, engaging beginning and premise, the plot loses steam and we have a sub-average fare - one that fails to deliver on the promised, the expected and the obvious!
The ‘meet cute’ is as dramatic and exciting as possible. And the sensible keeps-her-counsel h seems a good foil for the arrogant you-must-recognize-my-name rakehell.
*With spoilers* The book, for most parts, has the feel of a play - with an exit-stage-left movement of characters and quite a few asides by most everyone. The secondary characters, especially a diabolical but somehow likeable uncle, are all well etched.
I even forgave the measly h/H interaction, forget romance after that great beginning. The h’s cool and distant and he’s affable and distant. Friend zoning ahead.
There’s a worthy ow who provides much heartburn and vampy moments but the author had to redeem her and ‘befriend’ her. Not fair that!
But what’s really indigestible is the H’s sudden interest in the ow after ignoring her for much of the book. Her wiles seemingly start working - he finds her ‘exciting’ (read arousing) and even kisses her - and the h happens to witness it. And it happens in the act 3 of this play. The H never recovered in my estimation after that - even as he kisses the h soon after and decides he prefers the h’s kisses.
And I did not like her reaction as well - after the initial snit, she get all calm and accepting.
The ending is loooong winding and everyone’s friends again and live happily ever after!
* The blurb's somewhat misleading. The one with the kindle book is more correct. The H never propositions her or proposes to her - he's just suspicious and insulting. The uncle is not that powerful - just nosey and interfering! And the marriage idea is just in the uncle's and the dead father-in-law's mind and doesn't crop up between the h/H till the end.
November 16, 2024
2.5 stars
Other than naming our hero Lord St Clair St Clair (no joke), this was a pretty standard category romance. Nothing egregiously wrong with it but it’s pretty dated. I don’t think our couple spent enough time together in page for this to be a convincing romance. And the so-called demon title seemed to have been forgotten pretty quickly.
Basically it was fine, probably a little better in a few chapters.
Other than naming our hero Lord St Clair St Clair (no joke), this was a pretty standard category romance. Nothing egregiously wrong with it but it’s pretty dated. I don’t think our couple spent enough time together in page for this to be a convincing romance. And the so-called demon title seemed to have been forgotten pretty quickly.
Basically it was fine, probably a little better in a few chapters.
October 22, 2008
A PAIR OF PROPOSALS
Incredibly handsome Lord Damion St. Claire made no secret of his nature—or of his intentions toward lovely young widow Lady Victoria March. He was the most incorrigible womanizer in all the realm and Victoria was merely another potential conquest.
However, Damion's powerful uncle, Sir Aubrey St. Claire, had an entirely different proposition for Victoria: To save the St. Claire name, Victoria should become Damions wife in a marriage that would give Victoria title and fortune, at the price of enduring a wedded lifetime of infidelity.
Surrender her honor to a man who made her senses swim? Or exchange vows with a man certain to break his? How could Victoria say yes to either pernicious proposal? Yet why was it so hard to say no...?
I did enjoy this book very much. It had determined characters with strong personalities. Lady Victoria March comes to England to visit the father of her dead husband on his invitation. She was at first regarded as a fortune hunter but now the old man wants to make amends. On the way over she meets Damion St. Claire who, as a relative and not knowing she has been invited, treats her as the low birth fortune hunter he believes he is. Lady Victoria however is not about to let him mistreat her so and maintains her composure. Once they get to the March home however he realizes he was quite mistaken about her and she discovers her father in law as passed away but is invited to stay for a while by his brother, who also tells her of his late brother's plan to have Victoria and Damion marry.
Despite this bad start Damion and Victoria are attracted to each other from the beginning. But since he is known to be a devilish rake, a reputation he clearly embraces, she is determined to keep him at a distance and from the beginning refuses to take the late Earl of March's plan seriously. Soon they are joined by Damion's cousin, his wife and her sister who his actively pursuing Damion.
I think what makes the story so good is how they start to get to know each other slowly, without hidden motivations. By chance they have to live in the same house and so it's inevitable that they spend some time together and like what they see in the other.
I did feel though that the book dragged a bit in the middle. When it seems clear that they love each other and are on the way of revealing their feeling the author introduces an element of surprise and the last part of the book is shadowed by the love triangle I mentioned earlier. I don't think was really needed but I must say she wrote an interesting second woman, not totally a villain, and hinting of a happy ending for her.
One thing annoyed me though. The heroine is mentioned as being half portuguese but her name was spanish and so was her father's name. That was really weird. Unless Gayle Buck thinks we speak spanish...
Grade: B
Incredibly handsome Lord Damion St. Claire made no secret of his nature—or of his intentions toward lovely young widow Lady Victoria March. He was the most incorrigible womanizer in all the realm and Victoria was merely another potential conquest.
However, Damion's powerful uncle, Sir Aubrey St. Claire, had an entirely different proposition for Victoria: To save the St. Claire name, Victoria should become Damions wife in a marriage that would give Victoria title and fortune, at the price of enduring a wedded lifetime of infidelity.
Surrender her honor to a man who made her senses swim? Or exchange vows with a man certain to break his? How could Victoria say yes to either pernicious proposal? Yet why was it so hard to say no...?
I did enjoy this book very much. It had determined characters with strong personalities. Lady Victoria March comes to England to visit the father of her dead husband on his invitation. She was at first regarded as a fortune hunter but now the old man wants to make amends. On the way over she meets Damion St. Claire who, as a relative and not knowing she has been invited, treats her as the low birth fortune hunter he believes he is. Lady Victoria however is not about to let him mistreat her so and maintains her composure. Once they get to the March home however he realizes he was quite mistaken about her and she discovers her father in law as passed away but is invited to stay for a while by his brother, who also tells her of his late brother's plan to have Victoria and Damion marry.
Despite this bad start Damion and Victoria are attracted to each other from the beginning. But since he is known to be a devilish rake, a reputation he clearly embraces, she is determined to keep him at a distance and from the beginning refuses to take the late Earl of March's plan seriously. Soon they are joined by Damion's cousin, his wife and her sister who his actively pursuing Damion.
I think what makes the story so good is how they start to get to know each other slowly, without hidden motivations. By chance they have to live in the same house and so it's inevitable that they spend some time together and like what they see in the other.
I did feel though that the book dragged a bit in the middle. When it seems clear that they love each other and are on the way of revealing their feeling the author introduces an element of surprise and the last part of the book is shadowed by the love triangle I mentioned earlier. I don't think was really needed but I must say she wrote an interesting second woman, not totally a villain, and hinting of a happy ending for her.
One thing annoyed me though. The heroine is mentioned as being half portuguese but her name was spanish and so was her father's name. That was really weird. Unless Gayle Buck thinks we speak spanish...
Grade: B
February 7, 2021
We first meet LADY VICTORIA MARCH and LORD DAMION ST CLAIRE in a hostelry – she is traveling in England for the first time to visit family, or perhaps friends? There’s a bit of a mystery there initially as to what she is doing in England.
And he? Well this is a book of its time – Lord St Claire is obviously a rake who is “at once haughty and compelling”. He’s keen to find out what Victoria is doing in England and takes control of her situation almost immediately.
What did I like about the book?
Although less forceful than some heroines, Victoria stands up for herself and is capable of looking after herself as well.
She is depicted as loving her first husband and although she (obviously) falls in love again, there’s no sudden diminishing of him in her memory.
The female nemesis isn’t all evil and in fact there’s some nice scenes between her and Victoria later in the book.
What did I not like about the book?
The ‘Misunderstanding’ seemed silly and definitely something that could have been worked out simply by talking to each other.
Also there’s a lot of talk during the book of Victoria’s property back in Spain, and her desire to return. It’s obviously important to her and yet at the end of the book that is all forgotten.
It all seemed a bit too pat – one minute she’s keen to return to a place she loves, and the next she’s forgotten all about it thanks to her new love. I would have liked a bit more acknowledgement about what she was giving up, particularly from Damion.
So how did I feel at the end?
That’s really the important thing isn’t it? Did I feel the HEA was right? Was I left with a warm and fuzzy feeling or wishing I could get my money back?
Well, apart from my disappointment about how Victoria’s return to Spain was handled, I really liked the HEA. The final scene with Victoria’s nemesis and Damion was subtle and humourous. And yes, the misunderstanding was all cleared up thanks to some simple conversations.
I’ve re-read The Demon Rake a few times so although I’m not left with a warm and fuzzy feeling I definitely don’t want my money back.
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
And he? Well this is a book of its time – Lord St Claire is obviously a rake who is “at once haughty and compelling”. He’s keen to find out what Victoria is doing in England and takes control of her situation almost immediately.
What did I like about the book?
Although less forceful than some heroines, Victoria stands up for herself and is capable of looking after herself as well.
She is depicted as loving her first husband and although she (obviously) falls in love again, there’s no sudden diminishing of him in her memory.
The female nemesis isn’t all evil and in fact there’s some nice scenes between her and Victoria later in the book.
What did I not like about the book?
The ‘Misunderstanding’ seemed silly and definitely something that could have been worked out simply by talking to each other.
Also there’s a lot of talk during the book of Victoria’s property back in Spain, and her desire to return. It’s obviously important to her and yet at the end of the book that is all forgotten.
It all seemed a bit too pat – one minute she’s keen to return to a place she loves, and the next she’s forgotten all about it thanks to her new love. I would have liked a bit more acknowledgement about what she was giving up, particularly from Damion.
So how did I feel at the end?
That’s really the important thing isn’t it? Did I feel the HEA was right? Was I left with a warm and fuzzy feeling or wishing I could get my money back?
Well, apart from my disappointment about how Victoria’s return to Spain was handled, I really liked the HEA. The final scene with Victoria’s nemesis and Damion was subtle and humourous. And yes, the misunderstanding was all cleared up thanks to some simple conversations.
I’ve re-read The Demon Rake a few times so although I’m not left with a warm and fuzzy feeling I definitely don’t want my money back.
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
September 12, 2014
Uneven traditional Regency story. Recently widowed Lady Victoria March travels from Portugal to England to visit her estranged father-in-law per his invitation. Right before she gets there, she meets Lord Damion St. Claire. Their initial liking to each other turned to his contempt as Damion learned Lady Victoria's name and destination. Damion thought that the widow came to see if she can willed some inheritance from her desisted father-in-law. This misunderstanding cleared up very shortly and we see characters growing attraction blossoms despite and because of many secondary characters. My main criticism of the story is that it dragged in the middle. Also, I was confused with some of the timelines and events. For example, one of the secondary characters started as slightly pregnant, became very pregnant, delivered a full-term baby in the span of what seems to be two months.
January 15, 2014
it got a little annoying how the book stressed how big and bad the demon rake was, or at least his reputation. it seemed like there was a lot of build up for an event or the possibility of an event (the will, the revealing of the other heir, the birth of a child, etc) but then the book would continue on like nothing really happened, it was a bit too long.
*****spoiler summary***
widowed victoria travels back to england on her father-in-laws request, but due to weather arrives sans maid and in the arms of Lord Damion, the infamous demon rake. Since her father-in-law just recently passed. Victoria is forced to stay for the reading. daimon's uncle Sir Aubrey says there is a codicil in the will that says she will have a larger amount if she marries Daimon. The entire family either thinks victoria is daimon's mistress or a grasping army brat here for her pound of flesh. she is neither, she was born and bred a lady in Portugal, deeply loved her husband, came to england only to see if she should introduce her daughter to her other relatives, is very prosperous in her own right. and for some reason falls for the demon rake
*****spoiler summary***
widowed victoria travels back to england on her father-in-laws request, but due to weather arrives sans maid and in the arms of Lord Damion, the infamous demon rake. Since her father-in-law just recently passed. Victoria is forced to stay for the reading. daimon's uncle Sir Aubrey says there is a codicil in the will that says she will have a larger amount if she marries Daimon. The entire family either thinks victoria is daimon's mistress or a grasping army brat here for her pound of flesh. she is neither, she was born and bred a lady in Portugal, deeply loved her husband, came to england only to see if she should introduce her daughter to her other relatives, is very prosperous in her own right. and for some reason falls for the demon rake
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2013
This book felt like it was at least 600 pages not 240.
Enough said? ;)
Enough said? ;)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews