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The Untouchables #6
The Duke of Danger
After killing his opponent in a duel, Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is known as the Duke of Danger. Tortured by guilt, he shields himself with a devil-may-care attitude. However, when he kills another man in another duel, he’s beyond redemption, even though it wasn’t his fault. He refuses to smear a dead man’s name, especially when he’s left behind a blameless widow who doesn’t deserve an even bigger scandal.
Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents’ choosing or beg unsympathetic relatives for support. The only way out is to ask for help from the one man she’s sworn to hate, the man who owes her anything she asks, the man who killed her husband. They strike a devil’s bargain in which passion simmers just beneath the surface. But her dead husband’s transgressions come back to haunt them and threaten their chance at love.
Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents’ choosing or beg unsympathetic relatives for support. The only way out is to ask for help from the one man she’s sworn to hate, the man who owes her anything she asks, the man who killed her husband. They strike a devil’s bargain in which passion simmers just beneath the surface. But her dead husband’s transgressions come back to haunt them and threaten their chance at love.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
425 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Burke
208 books2,280 followersDarcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
April 1, 2023
⭐⭐💫
2½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Enemies to lovers.
Widowed heroine.
Animals/pets in the story.
➖ What I disliked:
Jumbled and disjointed plot.
(Too many stray storylines/too much going on and too implausible)
The romantic build up and chemistry between the main characters was rushed and lacking/unconvincing.
The sudden and quick change from a very antagonistic relationship to a passionate/erotic relationship between the main characters was somewhat jarring.
Annoying/unlikable and selfish heroine (some of it is understandable… but most of it is very over the top)
Too many inconsistencies.
Inaccurate info about dueling. (the challenged person chooses the weapon and not the challenger etc.)
The main characters are kind of formulaic in how they are written/portrayed …. it would be much more interesting and add depth if the there was more variety in appearance/looks/personalities etc. in this authors books or/and in this series.
2½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Enemies to lovers.
Widowed heroine.
Animals/pets in the story.
➖ What I disliked:
Jumbled and disjointed plot.
(Too many stray storylines/too much going on and too implausible)
The romantic build up and chemistry between the main characters was rushed and lacking/unconvincing.
The sudden and quick change from a very antagonistic relationship to a passionate/erotic relationship between the main characters was somewhat jarring.
Annoying/unlikable and selfish heroine (some of it is understandable… but most of it is very over the top)
Too many inconsistencies.
Inaccurate info about dueling. (the challenged person chooses the weapon and not the challenger etc.)
The main characters are kind of formulaic in how they are written/portrayed …. it would be much more interesting and add depth if the there was more variety in appearance/looks/personalities etc. in this authors books or/and in this series.
Read
December 8, 2020Yowza, this plot was like a woman that wears all her jewelry at once. The honorable H who hates duels has had four duels and almost a fifth. That’s a lot of duels even for the fictional Regency era! On top of the Duke of Duels there is a blackmail plot, evil tailor masterminds, two ex-mistresses, bad parents, bad exes, and the sudden transition of a chilly relationship into eye-opening erotica straight out of a bad Kindle Unlimited.
The H is a really nice guy that loved his mother, adored his father and is kind to small animals. It’s just that he keeps getting pulled into pesky duels because of his honor. The heroine was a silly creature who eloped with her now dead husband, dead via duel by guess who. She has a spine of steel, and has plans of revenge on the H by cutting him direct but marries him instead. This part was pretty entertaining to be honest. She’s a beeyotch, and I had to keep reminding myself that he did kill her husband after all plus she never knew what a stinker her dead husband was.
She’s going to make him suffer they rest of his life or a week, whichever comes sooner. That’s when the house of cards of blackmail, scandal, guilt explode and it went from a 3-4 star to a 3-2. Just too much going on and too implausible if entertaining.
The H is a really nice guy that loved his mother, adored his father and is kind to small animals. It’s just that he keeps getting pulled into pesky duels because of his honor. The heroine was a silly creature who eloped with her now dead husband, dead via duel by guess who. She has a spine of steel, and has plans of revenge on the H by cutting him direct but marries him instead. This part was pretty entertaining to be honest. She’s a beeyotch, and I had to keep reminding myself that he did kill her husband after all plus she never knew what a stinker her dead husband was.
She’s going to make him suffer they rest of his life or a week, whichever comes sooner. That’s when the house of cards of blackmail, scandal, guilt explode and it went from a 3-4 star to a 3-2. Just too much going on and too implausible if entertaining.
September 28, 2017
The Duke of Danger is the sixth installment in Darcy Burke's addictive Untouchables series. I have read every one and I see no sign of Burke slowing down! She has a lot of material to work with and I enjoy the world she is building a little bit more within each new book. Honestly, I think Burke is super woman in her ability to consistently publish books that are this good every few months!
This story features a jaded Miss Forth-Hodges (friend of Ivy and first featured in Duke of Deception and Duke of Desire) who is now Emmaline Townsend after a scandalous elopement. The book opens with the hero, the Marquess of Axbridge (friend of West from Duke of Desire), accidentally killing Lord Townsend in a duel. The marquess, Lionel, is eaten alive by his grief, especially because this is his third duel and the second time his opponent has died from wounds sustained. As a result, he impulsively approaches Emmaline and tells her that she can always call upon him for anything she needs.
Emmaline has been transformed from a light-hearted debutante into a disillusioned, bitter woman as a result of her marriage and the tragic results of the duel. Needing someone to blame, it is easy for her to direct her anger at Lionel. Debt-ridden after her husband's death, she is forced once again beneath her parents' thumbs, she soon finds herself in the awful position of a forced marriage with a lecherous man. In desperation, she tells Lionel he must marry her on her terms. Lionel, who is burdened with his own demons and believes he deserves no happiness, agrees. And this is where the book really starts.
As you can probably tell by the set-up, both characters have some serious baggage. While Burke usually creates layered characters with hidden pain, I believe that this may be her darkest book and hardest won HEA yet. Lionel is a gorgeous hero whose only real flaw is his honor, which, because of it, leads him into violent situations time and again on behalf of others. He doesn't believe in happiness for himself and has become convinced that he deserves to be miserable the rest of his life as penance for the lives he took. Emmaline is harder to like, but I kept turning pages because I could tell that she was a damaged woman in want of redemption. First her parents, then her husband, and then her fate is torn yet again by a duel. She is in a whirlwind and a very dark place. Despite all her venom and coldness, Lionel still makes an effort with her and slowly, his kindness and endless patience begin to thaw and make an impact. For her part, Emmaline sees that Lionel is defined by more than just the duels and she starts to see the man beneath the reputation and piece together what really led to all the duels throughout the years.
This story was easy to read (I love Burke's breezy writing) but angsty. The characters are at odds with each other and Lionel's history puts him firmly in the gray area of morality. I inhaled the book and couldn't stop reading as I saw the subtle shift in the relationship start to take place. The chemistry was off the charts and the sex scenes were great. If anyone read and enjoyed Caroline Linden's Love in the Time of Scandal, I felt that some of the antagonism and sparks in this one was similar to this and equally compelling.
My only quibble was the ending. I don't want to reveal any spoilers here so I will stay a bit vague. I really didn't like the choices the characters made at the end. I've been thinking about it for a day to try and determine how I feel. And I believe that Lionel should not have acted as he did. It didn't align with all the vows he'd made to himself and Emmaline throughout the story. The actions of the heroine also were a bit unbelievable because first, she almost got him killed and then her skills to "save" him were unbelievable as a result. It was over the top and wrapped up neatly and just not quite as satisfying as I'd hoped after the tough journey the two had faced together. I think I'd have preferred less action and a quieter ending than what it was. For those who also read this story, I'd be interested to know your take and would love to discuss!
Overall though, I thought this was a fascinating romance. It was hard won and there were times I thought that it would never work. But it does. Emmaline is vicious and Lionel is depressed, but slowly, each moves towards meeting the other half-way...Emmaline in a little slower fashion than Lionel, but she does get there. I'd recommend this story for those who love darker romances and a tough HEA. While I would've liked the ending to be different, I still enjoyed this romance very much and cannot wait to read the next one.
Thank you to the publisher and author for a chance to read and review a complimentary copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
This story features a jaded Miss Forth-Hodges (friend of Ivy and first featured in Duke of Deception and Duke of Desire) who is now Emmaline Townsend after a scandalous elopement. The book opens with the hero, the Marquess of Axbridge (friend of West from Duke of Desire), accidentally killing Lord Townsend in a duel. The marquess, Lionel, is eaten alive by his grief, especially because this is his third duel and the second time his opponent has died from wounds sustained. As a result, he impulsively approaches Emmaline and tells her that she can always call upon him for anything she needs.
Emmaline has been transformed from a light-hearted debutante into a disillusioned, bitter woman as a result of her marriage and the tragic results of the duel. Needing someone to blame, it is easy for her to direct her anger at Lionel. Debt-ridden after her husband's death, she is forced once again beneath her parents' thumbs, she soon finds herself in the awful position of a forced marriage with a lecherous man. In desperation, she tells Lionel he must marry her on her terms. Lionel, who is burdened with his own demons and believes he deserves no happiness, agrees. And this is where the book really starts.
As you can probably tell by the set-up, both characters have some serious baggage. While Burke usually creates layered characters with hidden pain, I believe that this may be her darkest book and hardest won HEA yet. Lionel is a gorgeous hero whose only real flaw is his honor, which, because of it, leads him into violent situations time and again on behalf of others. He doesn't believe in happiness for himself and has become convinced that he deserves to be miserable the rest of his life as penance for the lives he took. Emmaline is harder to like, but I kept turning pages because I could tell that she was a damaged woman in want of redemption. First her parents, then her husband, and then her fate is torn yet again by a duel. She is in a whirlwind and a very dark place. Despite all her venom and coldness, Lionel still makes an effort with her and slowly, his kindness and endless patience begin to thaw and make an impact. For her part, Emmaline sees that Lionel is defined by more than just the duels and she starts to see the man beneath the reputation and piece together what really led to all the duels throughout the years.
This story was easy to read (I love Burke's breezy writing) but angsty. The characters are at odds with each other and Lionel's history puts him firmly in the gray area of morality. I inhaled the book and couldn't stop reading as I saw the subtle shift in the relationship start to take place. The chemistry was off the charts and the sex scenes were great. If anyone read and enjoyed Caroline Linden's Love in the Time of Scandal, I felt that some of the antagonism and sparks in this one was similar to this and equally compelling.
My only quibble was the ending. I don't want to reveal any spoilers here so I will stay a bit vague. I really didn't like the choices the characters made at the end. I've been thinking about it for a day to try and determine how I feel. And I believe that Lionel should not have acted as he did. It didn't align with all the vows he'd made to himself and Emmaline throughout the story. The actions of the heroine also were a bit unbelievable because first, she almost got him killed and then her skills to "save" him were unbelievable as a result. It was over the top and wrapped up neatly and just not quite as satisfying as I'd hoped after the tough journey the two had faced together. I think I'd have preferred less action and a quieter ending than what it was. For those who also read this story, I'd be interested to know your take and would love to discuss!
Overall though, I thought this was a fascinating romance. It was hard won and there were times I thought that it would never work. But it does. Emmaline is vicious and Lionel is depressed, but slowly, each moves towards meeting the other half-way...Emmaline in a little slower fashion than Lionel, but she does get there. I'd recommend this story for those who love darker romances and a tough HEA. While I would've liked the ending to be different, I still enjoyed this romance very much and cannot wait to read the next one.
Thank you to the publisher and author for a chance to read and review a complimentary copy. All opinions in this review are my own.
September 26, 2017
'The Duke of Danger' by Darcy Burke is Book Six in "The Untouchables" series. This is the story of Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge and Lady Emmaline Townsend. I have read the other books in this series (and loved them!) but feel you can easily make this a standalone book.
Lionel is dubbed with the nickname "Duke of Danger" by the Town. Lionel doesn't fare well have each duel. Although he is left a left with his life, it has effected his feelings. This has sent him into a tails spend with his life. Emmaline is left a widow after her husband attempted to duel with Lionel. Emmaline was furious with Lionel and hasn't been shy about him knowing it. Now that her year of mourning is getting near to being over, her parents are going to force her hand to marry. Emmaline feels that since it is Lionel's fault that she is left a widow with a husband debt and a wish to have her freedom..she confronts Lionel. Emmaline insist that Lionel marry her and then allows her to live her own life.
Emmaline does come off with a strong one side point of view but she is slowly shown that Lionel isn't as guilty as she though.
Another great story by Ms. Burke!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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Lionel is dubbed with the nickname "Duke of Danger" by the Town. Lionel doesn't fare well have each duel. Although he is left a left with his life, it has effected his feelings. This has sent him into a tails spend with his life. Emmaline is left a widow after her husband attempted to duel with Lionel. Emmaline was furious with Lionel and hasn't been shy about him knowing it. Now that her year of mourning is getting near to being over, her parents are going to force her hand to marry. Emmaline feels that since it is Lionel's fault that she is left a widow with a husband debt and a wish to have her freedom..she confronts Lionel. Emmaline insist that Lionel marry her and then allows her to live her own life.
Emmaline does come off with a strong one side point of view but she is slowly shown that Lionel isn't as guilty as she though.
Another great story by Ms. Burke!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
December 18, 2017
I’ve been enjoying Darcy Burke’s
The Untouchables
series, although I’ll admit I was rather disappointed in the last instalment, The Duke of Defiance and wasn’t sure I was going to read further. But I decided to put that one down as an aberration and I’m glad I picked up The Duke of Danger, which is a much more strongly-written and well-conceived story than the previous one. The eponymous duke isn’t actually a duke, but the ducal nicknames were invented – tougue-in-cheek – to show that the gentlemen in question were of the highest echelons of society and far above the touch of the young ladies who coined them – as well as to be alliterative ;). The Duke of Danger shows a different side to the dashing hero who has fought many duels and escaped with nary a scratch; Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is a man of great integrity and honour who has acquired his moniker because of his involvement in a couple of duels in which he either killed or badly wounded his opponent, but who in in no way sees these events as badges of honour. Instead, he is haunted by the fact he has taken life in cold blood and hates himself for it.
It’s with a heavy heart, and as a last resort, that Lionel calls out Viscount Townsend for threatening to besmirch the honour of a lady who is one of Lionel’s oldest and dearest friends. He gave Townsend every chance to recant, but the man refused, leaving Lionel with one alternative – he will shoot wide in order to merely graze his opponent and take whatever comes his way. But when Townsend turns and fires before the end of the count, Lionel reacts instinctively and out of self-preservation – and shoots the man in the leg instead. It’s believed the wound is not a fatal one – but days later Townsend dies and impulsively, Lionel pays a visit to his widow, telling her she can call on him if there is ever anything she needs. After that, as he has done before, Lionel leaves England to escape the gossip and in an attempt to dull the agony of regret.
Townsend’s death has left his young widow, Lady Emmaline, with nothing but debts. She is furious with Axbridge, furious with Townsend for leaving her in this position, and furious with her parents who are set on forcing her to remarry a man who is distasteful to her. She fell madly in love with Townsend and consented to elope with him in spite of her parents’ misgivings; misgivings which were borne out when her husband started to spend more and more time away from home, stopped coming to her bed and began to incur large gambling debts. She can’t help feeling a sense of relief that she has been released from a marriage which was clearly heading for disaster, but then feels guilty for it, and angry at herself. Emmaline has quickly transitioned from the happy, optimistic debutante who ran away with the man she loved and has become jaded, cynical and hardened. When she hears Axbridge has returned to England she hatches a plan to humiliate him in front of a large gathering of the ton, but has to change tack when her father tells her he has bestowed her hand in marriage to the lecherous Sir Duncan Thayer. She reminds Axbridge of his offer to do anything he can to help her and tells him that he can do something – he can marry her. She makes it clear that the marriage will be in name only and that he must accept that she will never forgive him. She will live in his house until he can purchase a house for her and while she is there she expects to have as little to do with him as possible. She will not take meals with him, she will not accompany him into society, she will certainly not provide him with an heir. In exchange he will settle her remaining debts and will provide for her for the rest of her life.
It’s a terrible deal, but Lionel feels it’s his just desserts given the pain he has caused her, and they are married by special license the very next day.
I do love the marriage-of-convenience trope, and I don’t think I’ve read a romance before in which the heroine marries the man who killed her husband, so kudos to Ms. Burke for coming up with an unusual premise, and for creating a couple of interesting and engaging characters. Emmaline is certainly not easy to like at first, determined as she is to make Lionel’s life a misery. Eventually, however, she begins to admit that her first marriage had been failing and that she had not been happy for some time. Lionel is by far the easier of the two to sympathise with, even though he occupies some rather shaky moral ground because he has killed two men and believes himself ultimately responsible for the death of a third. He duelled for sound, honourable reasons; once to avenge his father’s death, once to protect a child and once to protect a friend – but even so, he is filled with self-hatred and believes he no longer deserves the sort of happiness he has always longed for and had experienced as the child of two loving parents who cared for him and each other very deeply.
Emmaline eventually realises that in attempting to punish Lionel by dooming him to loneliness, she is punishing herself as well, so she starts to relent just a little. She takes a few meals with him, engages him in conversation… and begins to realise that she has badly misjudged him. But even then, things are not at all easy and it seems that for every step forward the two make in their relationship, they take two back. The sparks fly between them right from the start, and the author creates and builds the sexual tension between them extremely well; but even once they have broken Emmaline’s no-sex rule, the road ahead of them is still strewn with potential pitfalls.
One thing they have strongly in their favour is that they actually communicate with each other honestly, which is very refreshing in a genre prone to secrets and misunderstandings. There are a couple of times in the story when I suspect a less experienced author may have chosen to have one or other character keep a secret in order to create unnecessary drama; Ms. Burke wisely doesn’t take that option, and I very much appreciated it.
The Duke of Danger is angsty, but not overwhelmingly so, and the HEA is certainly very hard-won, and well-deserved. The secondary plotline involving the search for a blackmailer is deftly dovetailed into the romance, and serves to flesh out the backstory involving Townsend and the reasons for the duel as well as to provide some drama towards the end. There are a couple of details that had me scratching my head (I thought that when challenged to a duel, the challengee got to choose the weapons, time and place, not the challenger), but overall, this is an enjoyable, emotionally satisfying read with an unusual premise, and most definitely earns a recommendation.
It’s with a heavy heart, and as a last resort, that Lionel calls out Viscount Townsend for threatening to besmirch the honour of a lady who is one of Lionel’s oldest and dearest friends. He gave Townsend every chance to recant, but the man refused, leaving Lionel with one alternative – he will shoot wide in order to merely graze his opponent and take whatever comes his way. But when Townsend turns and fires before the end of the count, Lionel reacts instinctively and out of self-preservation – and shoots the man in the leg instead. It’s believed the wound is not a fatal one – but days later Townsend dies and impulsively, Lionel pays a visit to his widow, telling her she can call on him if there is ever anything she needs. After that, as he has done before, Lionel leaves England to escape the gossip and in an attempt to dull the agony of regret.
Townsend’s death has left his young widow, Lady Emmaline, with nothing but debts. She is furious with Axbridge, furious with Townsend for leaving her in this position, and furious with her parents who are set on forcing her to remarry a man who is distasteful to her. She fell madly in love with Townsend and consented to elope with him in spite of her parents’ misgivings; misgivings which were borne out when her husband started to spend more and more time away from home, stopped coming to her bed and began to incur large gambling debts. She can’t help feeling a sense of relief that she has been released from a marriage which was clearly heading for disaster, but then feels guilty for it, and angry at herself. Emmaline has quickly transitioned from the happy, optimistic debutante who ran away with the man she loved and has become jaded, cynical and hardened. When she hears Axbridge has returned to England she hatches a plan to humiliate him in front of a large gathering of the ton, but has to change tack when her father tells her he has bestowed her hand in marriage to the lecherous Sir Duncan Thayer. She reminds Axbridge of his offer to do anything he can to help her and tells him that he can do something – he can marry her. She makes it clear that the marriage will be in name only and that he must accept that she will never forgive him. She will live in his house until he can purchase a house for her and while she is there she expects to have as little to do with him as possible. She will not take meals with him, she will not accompany him into society, she will certainly not provide him with an heir. In exchange he will settle her remaining debts and will provide for her for the rest of her life.
It’s a terrible deal, but Lionel feels it’s his just desserts given the pain he has caused her, and they are married by special license the very next day.
I do love the marriage-of-convenience trope, and I don’t think I’ve read a romance before in which the heroine marries the man who killed her husband, so kudos to Ms. Burke for coming up with an unusual premise, and for creating a couple of interesting and engaging characters. Emmaline is certainly not easy to like at first, determined as she is to make Lionel’s life a misery. Eventually, however, she begins to admit that her first marriage had been failing and that she had not been happy for some time. Lionel is by far the easier of the two to sympathise with, even though he occupies some rather shaky moral ground because he has killed two men and believes himself ultimately responsible for the death of a third. He duelled for sound, honourable reasons; once to avenge his father’s death, once to protect a child and once to protect a friend – but even so, he is filled with self-hatred and believes he no longer deserves the sort of happiness he has always longed for and had experienced as the child of two loving parents who cared for him and each other very deeply.
Emmaline eventually realises that in attempting to punish Lionel by dooming him to loneliness, she is punishing herself as well, so she starts to relent just a little. She takes a few meals with him, engages him in conversation… and begins to realise that she has badly misjudged him. But even then, things are not at all easy and it seems that for every step forward the two make in their relationship, they take two back. The sparks fly between them right from the start, and the author creates and builds the sexual tension between them extremely well; but even once they have broken Emmaline’s no-sex rule, the road ahead of them is still strewn with potential pitfalls.
One thing they have strongly in their favour is that they actually communicate with each other honestly, which is very refreshing in a genre prone to secrets and misunderstandings. There are a couple of times in the story when I suspect a less experienced author may have chosen to have one or other character keep a secret in order to create unnecessary drama; Ms. Burke wisely doesn’t take that option, and I very much appreciated it.
The Duke of Danger is angsty, but not overwhelmingly so, and the HEA is certainly very hard-won, and well-deserved. The secondary plotline involving the search for a blackmailer is deftly dovetailed into the romance, and serves to flesh out the backstory involving Townsend and the reasons for the duel as well as to provide some drama towards the end. There are a couple of details that had me scratching my head (I thought that when challenged to a duel, the challengee got to choose the weapons, time and place, not the challenger), but overall, this is an enjoyable, emotionally satisfying read with an unusual premise, and most definitely earns a recommendation.
June 6, 2021
What a silly plot. I mean, when I read about it I thought it would be a nice book but I am not sure what to feel. Although it could be my own fault for starting a series of a new author to me right in the 6th book. Well, you can understand that it might not end up well.
The hero is selfless to a fault. It really is a fault on his caracther imo. Nobody can be that good and selfless inside and so bad in the eyes of basically everyone else. Due to saving his honor dueling...
And I hate when the heroine only wants to take take take and there's no give whatsoever.
This was an emotionally complicated plot and it felt forced. It was so much going on. A mystery in the midst of a marriage of convenience where the hero killed the heroine's first husband, plus the melancholy of killing people, plus adjusting to a marriage, plus other emotions about their upbringing, plus ex lovers, plus guilt and so on and so forth.
Maybe I would have liked this book better had I read the previous ones, idk.
The hero is selfless to a fault. It really is a fault on his caracther imo. Nobody can be that good and selfless inside and so bad in the eyes of basically everyone else. Due to saving his honor dueling...
And I hate when the heroine only wants to take take take and there's no give whatsoever.
This was an emotionally complicated plot and it felt forced. It was so much going on. A mystery in the midst of a marriage of convenience where the hero killed the heroine's first husband, plus the melancholy of killing people, plus adjusting to a marriage, plus other emotions about their upbringing, plus ex lovers, plus guilt and so on and so forth.
Maybe I would have liked this book better had I read the previous ones, idk.
October 9, 2017
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Honor and the lengths some men go to to claim it and defend it. A man's word is his bond and when Lionel said he would do anything for Emmaline, he backs that up with actions. When he finds himself is the untenable position of a marriage of convenience, one his bride says will absolutely not ever be consummated, he has only one way out of this situation: make his bride fall in love with him. This is an historical-romance with a touch of mystery. Very enjoyable.
Honor and the lengths some men go to to claim it and defend it. A man's word is his bond and when Lionel said he would do anything for Emmaline, he backs that up with actions. When he finds himself is the untenable position of a marriage of convenience, one his bride says will absolutely not ever be consummated, he has only one way out of this situation: make his bride fall in love with him. This is an historical-romance with a touch of mystery. Very enjoyable.
November 7, 2018
Series: The Untouchables #6
Publication Date: 9/26/17
Oh, my. I think I am in love – with Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge (Duke of Danger). Yes, he has fought in three duels ending in two deaths, but the duels were fought for honorable reasons. They were fought to avenge the death of his father, to protect a child and to protect a friend and her child. What else was he to do when the miscreants wouldn’t stop, back down or apologize? He always tried everything he could to avoid the duels, but in the end, they couldn’t be stopped. Lionel is really a very sweet, very loving, very loyal, but extraordinarily honorable man. Another thing I liked about him – he came from a very loving family and had a very strong, loving bond with his father. What is not to love?
Lionel is guilt-ridden over the deaths and they haunt him – especially the last one. He’s filled with self-loathing and feels he doesn’t deserve anything good or loving in his life. He is sure anything bad that happens to him is deserved. He is so guilt-ridden that he banishes himself to Ireland after the duel – to pay penance.
The book opens with the scene of the third duel. The opponents are on the field, the path is laid out by the seconds, the count has begun – and – a shot is fired . . . then another . . . .both are wounded . . . one will die . . . . one will suffer. One leaves behind a destitute widow and the other will do all in his power to help her if she will let him.
Eight months later, Emmaline, Lady Townsend is still angry, very, very angry at Lionel. Everything bad in her life over the last few months is because of him. She has planned her revenge very carefully and is ready to execute her plan. However, fate intervenes in the form of her parents. They have arranged a marriage for her to a lecherous older man that she cannot even imagine spending her life with. What will she do? She hurriedly develops a plan because her father is to sign the betrothal contract the next morning and he just told her today. She will force Lionel to marry her – a marriage totally in name only. She will have total autonomy, he will pay the bills and there will be no intimacy of any kind and no children.
I certainly didn’t warm up to Emmaline as quickly as I did to Lionel. She didn’t seem to have a lot of self-awareness and blamed others for her problems – mostly Lionel. She had been feeling pressured, by her parents, to marry. So, she elopes with the handsome man who pays attention to her at a house party. She doesn’t know him at all – she romanticized him – but she married him. Then she was surprised when he wasn’t the man she thought he would be. Well – duh! Then, when her parents are arranging her second marriage she has a knee-jerk reaction. Granted, she had little to no time to plan a real escape from her situation, but, what was her first reaction? She’d make Lionel marry her – because he owed her everything.
Lionel is standing in the way of a very dangerous man and that man is determined to remove Lionel from his path – by any means necessary. Will Lionel survive?
Emmaline and Lionel certainly don’t have a very auspicious beginning to their marriage but, if they work together, they can make it a success. Lionel wants that from the beginning but Emmaline wants nothing to do with Lionel and it takes her much longer to figure out that Lionel isn’t the man she thought he was either – but in a much better way than with her first husband. As she discovers who he is – and it starts with a tiny black kitten with jade green eyes – she comes to respect, admire and, yes, love him. However, love may not be enough for them. Being near Emmaline is a constant reminder to Lionel that he killed her husband. He can’t forget it and sometimes he can’t be near her because of it.
This is a great read – and I certainly recommend it. However, there were a couple of things that niggled at me as I read.
** The author used the word shagged several times. I know the term came into use in this context in the late 1700’s, but it just sounded too modern to me. The author did nothing wrong there – it was all me. I just didn’t care for it.
**When Lionel was challenged to a duel by Sir Duncan, it was Sir Duncan who chose the weapons, time and place. I believe it was the right of the person challenged to choose the weapon, not the challenger.
**When Emmaline has a need to use Lionel’s dueling pistols, she manages to do it in the dark, in the room with a murderer and very quietly. I don’t believe that dueling pistols would have been stored loaded. That would mean that she had to pack, prime and load the pistol in the dark without making a sound. Just doesn’t sound plausible to me.
None of those things kept me from enjoying the story – they just sort of picked at me.
“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Publication Date: 9/26/17
Oh, my. I think I am in love – with Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge (Duke of Danger). Yes, he has fought in three duels ending in two deaths, but the duels were fought for honorable reasons. They were fought to avenge the death of his father, to protect a child and to protect a friend and her child. What else was he to do when the miscreants wouldn’t stop, back down or apologize? He always tried everything he could to avoid the duels, but in the end, they couldn’t be stopped. Lionel is really a very sweet, very loving, very loyal, but extraordinarily honorable man. Another thing I liked about him – he came from a very loving family and had a very strong, loving bond with his father. What is not to love?
Lionel is guilt-ridden over the deaths and they haunt him – especially the last one. He’s filled with self-loathing and feels he doesn’t deserve anything good or loving in his life. He is sure anything bad that happens to him is deserved. He is so guilt-ridden that he banishes himself to Ireland after the duel – to pay penance.
The book opens with the scene of the third duel. The opponents are on the field, the path is laid out by the seconds, the count has begun – and – a shot is fired . . . then another . . . .both are wounded . . . one will die . . . . one will suffer. One leaves behind a destitute widow and the other will do all in his power to help her if she will let him.
Eight months later, Emmaline, Lady Townsend is still angry, very, very angry at Lionel. Everything bad in her life over the last few months is because of him. She has planned her revenge very carefully and is ready to execute her plan. However, fate intervenes in the form of her parents. They have arranged a marriage for her to a lecherous older man that she cannot even imagine spending her life with. What will she do? She hurriedly develops a plan because her father is to sign the betrothal contract the next morning and he just told her today. She will force Lionel to marry her – a marriage totally in name only. She will have total autonomy, he will pay the bills and there will be no intimacy of any kind and no children.
I certainly didn’t warm up to Emmaline as quickly as I did to Lionel. She didn’t seem to have a lot of self-awareness and blamed others for her problems – mostly Lionel. She had been feeling pressured, by her parents, to marry. So, she elopes with the handsome man who pays attention to her at a house party. She doesn’t know him at all – she romanticized him – but she married him. Then she was surprised when he wasn’t the man she thought he would be. Well – duh! Then, when her parents are arranging her second marriage she has a knee-jerk reaction. Granted, she had little to no time to plan a real escape from her situation, but, what was her first reaction? She’d make Lionel marry her – because he owed her everything.
Lionel is standing in the way of a very dangerous man and that man is determined to remove Lionel from his path – by any means necessary. Will Lionel survive?
Emmaline and Lionel certainly don’t have a very auspicious beginning to their marriage but, if they work together, they can make it a success. Lionel wants that from the beginning but Emmaline wants nothing to do with Lionel and it takes her much longer to figure out that Lionel isn’t the man she thought he was either – but in a much better way than with her first husband. As she discovers who he is – and it starts with a tiny black kitten with jade green eyes – she comes to respect, admire and, yes, love him. However, love may not be enough for them. Being near Emmaline is a constant reminder to Lionel that he killed her husband. He can’t forget it and sometimes he can’t be near her because of it.
This is a great read – and I certainly recommend it. However, there were a couple of things that niggled at me as I read.
** The author used the word shagged several times. I know the term came into use in this context in the late 1700’s, but it just sounded too modern to me. The author did nothing wrong there – it was all me. I just didn’t care for it.
**When Lionel was challenged to a duel by Sir Duncan, it was Sir Duncan who chose the weapons, time and place. I believe it was the right of the person challenged to choose the weapon, not the challenger.
**When Emmaline has a need to use Lionel’s dueling pistols, she manages to do it in the dark, in the room with a murderer and very quietly. I don’t believe that dueling pistols would have been stored loaded. That would mean that she had to pack, prime and load the pistol in the dark without making a sound. Just doesn’t sound plausible to me.
None of those things kept me from enjoying the story – they just sort of picked at me.
“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
September 22, 2017
It all started with a kitten named Jade. The progression of the emotions from anger and despair to acceptance and love is written in a very believable way that really makes this story so wonderful. Okay, so I did not like Emmaline through about half of the book but as the story progresses her demeanor changes and you see her in a different light. Lionel on the other hand was so easy to like from the beginning. He is so distraught, you ache for him. It was lovely watching their changes and seeing how they really needed each other.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
May 23, 2018
Another great story by Darcy Burke!! WOW this series is Amazing and I Highly Recommend you read the books and read them in order as the H/H is always characters from previous stories.
Lionel Maitland Marquess of Axbridge is know as The Duke of Danger because he has fought 3 Duels, which resulted in 2 dead's of the men he dueled. This has caused Ax/Lionel to be very self loathing and he believes he should suffer any unkind or mean spirited thing people do to him as punishment for killing these men. The 2nd man he killed is Lord Townsand a hot head ill temper man who we met in bk4 The Duke of Desire. Emmaline Fourth-Hodges is the Miss he eloped with in The Duke of Desire.
After Townsand dies from his gunshot wound Lionel goes to Emmaline and promises her that he will do anything she request of him if she needs him. Emmaline at the time didn't know all the debts her husband had incurred and the debtors are coming after her and her parents for settlement. Emmaline's parents find a new husband for her and old man Sir Duncan who is quite smelly and she doesn't want to marry him. He has promised her parent he will pay off all of Townsends debts. Emmaline isn't having it so she tells Lionel he must marry her and he does to help her out.
Lionel is an amazing, kind, generous and loyal friend and husband to Emmaline. He is also a very compassionate and honorable men. I didn't like Emmaline at first. It took awhile for me to like her. She was punishing Lionel for killing her husband until she finds out what a reprobate cur he really was. Her and Townsend had been married less then a year and he had only shared a bed with her for the first few months of there marriage before he starts having affairs. Emmaline began to realize she made a mistake in marrying Lord Townsend before he died and she felt guilty because he is dead and now she is falling in love with her wonderful and kind new husband Lionel. Lionel feels guilty because he has take what he thinks is Emmaline's loving husband away from her He doesn't realize that Emmaline is happy in her life without Townsend. So there hard fought road to love was romantic, sensual and very real. I loved the way Emmaline was ready to duel for her husband Lionel at the end of the story and made the old Sir Duncan look like a fool.
Lionel Maitland Marquess of Axbridge is know as The Duke of Danger because he has fought 3 Duels, which resulted in 2 dead's of the men he dueled. This has caused Ax/Lionel to be very self loathing and he believes he should suffer any unkind or mean spirited thing people do to him as punishment for killing these men. The 2nd man he killed is Lord Townsand a hot head ill temper man who we met in bk4 The Duke of Desire. Emmaline Fourth-Hodges is the Miss he eloped with in The Duke of Desire.
After Townsand dies from his gunshot wound Lionel goes to Emmaline and promises her that he will do anything she request of him if she needs him. Emmaline at the time didn't know all the debts her husband had incurred and the debtors are coming after her and her parents for settlement. Emmaline's parents find a new husband for her and old man Sir Duncan who is quite smelly and she doesn't want to marry him. He has promised her parent he will pay off all of Townsends debts. Emmaline isn't having it so she tells Lionel he must marry her and he does to help her out.
Lionel is an amazing, kind, generous and loyal friend and husband to Emmaline. He is also a very compassionate and honorable men. I didn't like Emmaline at first. It took awhile for me to like her. She was punishing Lionel for killing her husband until she finds out what a reprobate cur he really was. Her and Townsend had been married less then a year and he had only shared a bed with her for the first few months of there marriage before he starts having affairs. Emmaline began to realize she made a mistake in marrying Lord Townsend before he died and she felt guilty because he is dead and now she is falling in love with her wonderful and kind new husband Lionel. Lionel feels guilty because he has take what he thinks is Emmaline's loving husband away from her He doesn't realize that Emmaline is happy in her life without Townsend. So there hard fought road to love was romantic, sensual and very real. I loved the way Emmaline was ready to duel for her husband Lionel at the end of the story and made the old Sir Duncan look like a fool.
October 7, 2017
'Damn you to hell, Axbridge.'
Not a sentiment to encourage love and romance. But when Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, kills Lady Emmaline Townsend's husband in a duel she finds that her husband has left her nothing but debts.
The 'Duke of Danger', an unfair label given Lionel by the 'wallflower' young women before they became more intimate with some of that group. To be fair they do wince when those nicknames are now mentioned in their presence,
Lionel has an unfortunate reputation for duelling. His opponents end up dead. Hence his sobriquet. Those deaths haunts him. He is a man of honor and each death eats into his soul.
His latest victim, Viscount Geoffrey Townsand, is the husband of Lady Emmaline Townsend. Unfortunately Townsend's wound turned septic, hence Emmaline's situation. Lionel is more scarred than his friends imagine by the result but he cannot reveal the reason for the duel or Townsend's dishonourable behaviour. The scandal around the event would besmirch Emmaline.
Emmaline is unforgiving of Lionel and will have her revenge, even if it as a last resort is to save herself from her parents antics.
Her parents are forcing her into an unwanted marriage with Sir Duncan Thayer, who 'was horribly unattractive, with a hooked nose, protruding front teeth, and rather fetid breath if the rumors were accurate. Worst of all, he possessed a lecherous nature. Every time she’d met him, he’d looked at her as if she wasn’t wearing any clothes.'
Lionel had given Emmaline his card and told her he would give her any assistance she needed. He was hers to command. Not that marriage had been on his mind, but for Emmaline desperate times call for desperate measures.
I must admit a soft spot for the marriage of convenience trope where angst and coldness turns to a smouldering relationship albeit assailed with doubts. How the author solves the entanglements to give us an HEA result is always fascinating.
As the plot unfolds we find that Viscount Geoffrey Townsand was up to some nefarious doings. The mystery deepens and the facts surrounding Geoffrey's actions are unexpected.
A satisfying read.
A NetGalley ARC
Not a sentiment to encourage love and romance. But when Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, kills Lady Emmaline Townsend's husband in a duel she finds that her husband has left her nothing but debts.
The 'Duke of Danger', an unfair label given Lionel by the 'wallflower' young women before they became more intimate with some of that group. To be fair they do wince when those nicknames are now mentioned in their presence,
Lionel has an unfortunate reputation for duelling. His opponents end up dead. Hence his sobriquet. Those deaths haunts him. He is a man of honor and each death eats into his soul.
His latest victim, Viscount Geoffrey Townsand, is the husband of Lady Emmaline Townsend. Unfortunately Townsend's wound turned septic, hence Emmaline's situation. Lionel is more scarred than his friends imagine by the result but he cannot reveal the reason for the duel or Townsend's dishonourable behaviour. The scandal around the event would besmirch Emmaline.
Emmaline is unforgiving of Lionel and will have her revenge, even if it as a last resort is to save herself from her parents antics.
Her parents are forcing her into an unwanted marriage with Sir Duncan Thayer, who 'was horribly unattractive, with a hooked nose, protruding front teeth, and rather fetid breath if the rumors were accurate. Worst of all, he possessed a lecherous nature. Every time she’d met him, he’d looked at her as if she wasn’t wearing any clothes.'
Lionel had given Emmaline his card and told her he would give her any assistance she needed. He was hers to command. Not that marriage had been on his mind, but for Emmaline desperate times call for desperate measures.
I must admit a soft spot for the marriage of convenience trope where angst and coldness turns to a smouldering relationship albeit assailed with doubts. How the author solves the entanglements to give us an HEA result is always fascinating.
As the plot unfolds we find that Viscount Geoffrey Townsand was up to some nefarious doings. The mystery deepens and the facts surrounding Geoffrey's actions are unexpected.
A satisfying read.
A NetGalley ARC
September 23, 2017
His reputation precedes him, but it's his heart that tortures him. Will it lead to his undoing or become his saving grace? One moment changed a man's life. One choice set in motion a chain of events that connected the lives of three people forever. Out of greed, guilt and violence comes a romance as passionate as it is heartbreaking. Lionel and Emmaline are unwitting pawns in an ugly conspiracy set in motion by a dangerous man. When the tide turns in their favor, will they survive the revelations it brings with it? Duke of Danger is an exciting twist of fate romance. It appeals to the romantic while feeding a need for adventure and seducing with passion. A big story in a tiny package.
September 22, 2017
If only people knew what it does to Lionel every time he duels. He is a man of honor, and he tries to do the honorable thing. So when the Widow of the last man he dueled asked him to marry her for convenience only, he felt honor bound to grant her wish. It's the little things that he does and the things that people tell her about him that make her doubt the things she believed about him. The story pretty much is just Lionel and Emmaline, with just glances of their friends. The Duke of Danger is a very enjoyable book to read.
November 10, 2017
Loved This Book!
I read this book several months ago, and wish I had time to reread it! It is in my top 19 out of 20 books for 2017! Not in that order! Lionel Maitland is a Marquess, he has had to fight two duels of Honor, and now people consider him, mad, and dangerous. He goes to visit Lady Emmaline, the wife of the last man that was killed in the fuel. He feels horrendous over what has happened, and wants to offer whatever assistance that he can.
However, he never expected Lady Emmaline, to demand a marriage in name only! He is not sure which one is worse, her, for asking something so outrageous, or him, for giving into her demands! How is he supposed to stay faithful to a woman he wants, but he hates him? I felt so badly for this very honorable man to be put in this position, that it was difficult to like Lady Emmaline for a while. A truly wonderful story! I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒
I read this book several months ago, and wish I had time to reread it! It is in my top 19 out of 20 books for 2017! Not in that order! Lionel Maitland is a Marquess, he has had to fight two duels of Honor, and now people consider him, mad, and dangerous. He goes to visit Lady Emmaline, the wife of the last man that was killed in the fuel. He feels horrendous over what has happened, and wants to offer whatever assistance that he can.
However, he never expected Lady Emmaline, to demand a marriage in name only! He is not sure which one is worse, her, for asking something so outrageous, or him, for giving into her demands! How is he supposed to stay faithful to a woman he wants, but he hates him? I felt so badly for this very honorable man to be put in this position, that it was difficult to like Lady Emmaline for a while. A truly wonderful story! I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒
September 23, 2017
Lionel Maitland, the Marquess of Axbridge, had truly earned his nickname of THE DUKE OF DANGER: three duels, and two men dead. The latest had occurred eight months prior. Geoffrey Townsend had cheated, and Lionel acting on a reflex had shot Townsend, who subsequently expired. Lionel had never gotten over his guilt over the two previous duels, and this one almost undid him. Lionel had gone to see Lady Emmaline, Townsend’s widow, to offer his condolences and tell her that were she ever to need anything at all, he would be there for her. Emmaline could hardly contain her fury at the man who made her a widow, and now burdened with her late husband’s debts. Yet, to her everlasting shame, Emmaline is secretly relieved: her marriage had been a love match until it quickly deteriorated. After a suitable period of mourning, her parents decide it’s time she remarried, and chose a husband to their liking, again. Rather than marry the horrid man they have in mind, Emmaline remembers Lionel’s promise: he will help her.
I will say not one more word about what ensues because Darcy Burke stunned me with several plot twists I would never have imagined! THE DUKE OF DANGER is one of those books where you must look at the situation from every angle, and Ms. Burke had me on the edge of my seat until the epilogue. THE DUKE OF DANGER has one of the most intricate plots I have ever seen in a historical romance that does not involve spying or a real mystery as such. Still, as one revelation follows another, the situation becomes more and more complex. The almost untenable tension between Emmaline and Lionel ever so gradually begins to ease, when both realise they must try to make the best of an impossible situation.
THE DUKE OF DANGER is daring, smart, intense, dramatic and thought-provoking. Each and every character is meticulously drawn and as complex as non-fictional individuals can be. Readers who might have read my reviews know that sex scenes are often a sore point for me in historical romances, but in THE DUKE OF DANGER, they are essential to advance the story and contribute vastly to character development; they are also very sensuous and beautifully done. THE DUKE OF DANGER is a riveting story with unusually strong and unique characters that kept me enthralled. Darcy Burke is a remarkable storyteller and I am already awaiting with bated breath her next story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I will say not one more word about what ensues because Darcy Burke stunned me with several plot twists I would never have imagined! THE DUKE OF DANGER is one of those books where you must look at the situation from every angle, and Ms. Burke had me on the edge of my seat until the epilogue. THE DUKE OF DANGER has one of the most intricate plots I have ever seen in a historical romance that does not involve spying or a real mystery as such. Still, as one revelation follows another, the situation becomes more and more complex. The almost untenable tension between Emmaline and Lionel ever so gradually begins to ease, when both realise they must try to make the best of an impossible situation.
THE DUKE OF DANGER is daring, smart, intense, dramatic and thought-provoking. Each and every character is meticulously drawn and as complex as non-fictional individuals can be. Readers who might have read my reviews know that sex scenes are often a sore point for me in historical romances, but in THE DUKE OF DANGER, they are essential to advance the story and contribute vastly to character development; they are also very sensuous and beautifully done. THE DUKE OF DANGER is a riveting story with unusually strong and unique characters that kept me enthralled. Darcy Burke is a remarkable storyteller and I am already awaiting with bated breath her next story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
November 10, 2017
Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, earned his nickname – Duke of Danger – on the dueling field, a fact that eats at Lionel’s soul. The latest casualty leaves behind a destitute widow which only compounds Lionel’s guilt. An offer of help is met with uncontained hatred and Lionel vows to leave the widow alone; though she’s never far from his thoughts.
After her husband is killed, Lady Emmaline Townsend is left at the mercy of her parents and must abide by their wishes or fend for herself. Despite her loathing for the man who killed her husband Emmaline makes the decision to accept his offer of help by requesting marriage in name only. Lionel accepts this as his punishment for killing yet another man and agrees.
What follows is an intricate dance as these two wounded souls discover there is more to the other than they expected. When outside forces conspire against them will their new-found appreciation and trust withstand the onslaught, or will the slender threads break beyond repair?
Ms. Burke demonstrates once again why she is one of my favorite authors. Emmaline’s hatred is palatable, and Lionel’s guilt can be felt to your very soul. Anxiously awaiting to see which Duke Ms. Burke has in her sights next!
After her husband is killed, Lady Emmaline Townsend is left at the mercy of her parents and must abide by their wishes or fend for herself. Despite her loathing for the man who killed her husband Emmaline makes the decision to accept his offer of help by requesting marriage in name only. Lionel accepts this as his punishment for killing yet another man and agrees.
What follows is an intricate dance as these two wounded souls discover there is more to the other than they expected. When outside forces conspire against them will their new-found appreciation and trust withstand the onslaught, or will the slender threads break beyond repair?
Ms. Burke demonstrates once again why she is one of my favorite authors. Emmaline’s hatred is palatable, and Lionel’s guilt can be felt to your very soul. Anxiously awaiting to see which Duke Ms. Burke has in her sights next!
September 24, 2017
Lady Emmaline Townsend is now a widow. Her husband died after a duel with the Duke of Danger.
Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, Duke of Danger, has had three duels and two men died as a result. He hates himself and did not want to kill anyone.
An excellent story of duels, intrigue, lies and great guilt. Lionel is actually a good man, but he has an extraordinary sense of honor. The descriptions give you the background to picture yourself in the tale. The characters are life like and full of energy. This plot has several twists and the author has wound them into a coherent, easy to read and even paced book. I loved the way her feelings turned from hate to something else and wasn't sure what they meant. It is a superior and elegant story of regret and eventually love. Darcy Burke's work, as usual is a marvelous experience.
I received this ARC for free and voluntarily reviewed it.
Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, Duke of Danger, has had three duels and two men died as a result. He hates himself and did not want to kill anyone.
An excellent story of duels, intrigue, lies and great guilt. Lionel is actually a good man, but he has an extraordinary sense of honor. The descriptions give you the background to picture yourself in the tale. The characters are life like and full of energy. This plot has several twists and the author has wound them into a coherent, easy to read and even paced book. I loved the way her feelings turned from hate to something else and wasn't sure what they meant. It is a superior and elegant story of regret and eventually love. Darcy Burke's work, as usual is a marvelous experience.
I received this ARC for free and voluntarily reviewed it.
May 10, 2020
When Lady Emmaline Townsend's husband is killed in a duel she vows revenge on his killer, Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge. However, less than a year later and faced with an arranged marriage to a lecherous man old enough to be her father Emmaline summons him back to London with a proposition, marry her as penance for the murder of her husband.
Lionel has killed two men in duels, something he never wanted to do, and is tortured by guilt. Although a loveless marriage in name only would mean the title would pass to a distant cousin and deny Lionel the joys of love and children he feels he must marry Emmaline to atone for his actions. However, very soon he finds himself falling in love with his wife. Lionel can never tell his wife why he challenged her first husband to a duel, or that her husband shot before the count of twenty.
I love a good marriage of convenience historical romance, and how much more delicious when it's with the man who murdered your husband, even if your marriage was deteriorating and your husband turned out to be an inveterate gambler.
Just loved it.
Lionel has killed two men in duels, something he never wanted to do, and is tortured by guilt. Although a loveless marriage in name only would mean the title would pass to a distant cousin and deny Lionel the joys of love and children he feels he must marry Emmaline to atone for his actions. However, very soon he finds himself falling in love with his wife. Lionel can never tell his wife why he challenged her first husband to a duel, or that her husband shot before the count of twenty.
I love a good marriage of convenience historical romance, and how much more delicious when it's with the man who murdered your husband, even if your marriage was deteriorating and your husband turned out to be an inveterate gambler.
Just loved it.
October 4, 2020
~ 2.5 stars ~
Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, was known for being dangerous after killing an opponent in a dual. When this tragedy happens for a second time, Lionel cannot bare the guilt. He tells the wife of his newest accidental victim, Lady Emmaline Townsend, that should she ever need anything, to contact him and he will help her. Lionel is very surprised when a letter does come from Emmaline a year later, and he is even more surprised when she orders him to help her by marrying him.
This would have to be my least favourite of this series so far. It was not a terrible book, but just had some controversial elements that could have been handled better. For starters, the relationship power dynamic was so uneven to begin with. Emmaline had complete control over Lionel, and despite accidentally killing her husband, he had done her a huge favour and her cruel manner towards him was just a bit much. Particularly when she demanded he not have any contact with his friends anymore because they were also hers, (don't worry, he basically told her to piss off)! After a while when Emmaline softened, I did find the romance sweeter and could see the merit of this story covering grief and forgiveness of others and oneself. As we begin to see how unhappy Emmaline was in her past marriage due to the actions of her husband, it makes the story a little more palatable. Still, this one was a bit of a miss for me unfortunately. The only real highlight was how kind and patient Lionel was. What a sweet cinnamon roll.
The Untouchables rating order:
The Duke of Deception ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
The Duke of Desire ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Duke of Daring ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Forbidden Duke ✯ ✯ ✯
The Duke of Danger ✯ ✯.5
Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, was known for being dangerous after killing an opponent in a dual. When this tragedy happens for a second time, Lionel cannot bare the guilt. He tells the wife of his newest accidental victim, Lady Emmaline Townsend, that should she ever need anything, to contact him and he will help her. Lionel is very surprised when a letter does come from Emmaline a year later, and he is even more surprised when she orders him to help her by marrying him.
This would have to be my least favourite of this series so far. It was not a terrible book, but just had some controversial elements that could have been handled better. For starters, the relationship power dynamic was so uneven to begin with. Emmaline had complete control over Lionel, and despite accidentally killing her husband, he had done her a huge favour and her cruel manner towards him was just a bit much. Particularly when she demanded he not have any contact with his friends anymore because they were also hers, (don't worry, he basically told her to piss off)! After a while when Emmaline softened, I did find the romance sweeter and could see the merit of this story covering grief and forgiveness of others and oneself. As we begin to see how unhappy Emmaline was in her past marriage due to the actions of her husband, it makes the story a little more palatable. Still, this one was a bit of a miss for me unfortunately. The only real highlight was how kind and patient Lionel was. What a sweet cinnamon roll.
The Untouchables rating order:
The Duke of Deception ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
The Duke of Desire ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Duke of Daring ✯ ✯ ✯.5
The Forbidden Duke ✯ ✯ ✯
The Duke of Danger ✯ ✯.5
May 6, 2018
One of my favorites of the Untouchables. Loved Lionel and Emmaline’s story. This series is a must read, with wonderful characters and great storylines.
April 13, 2025
Kobo+ Mad About Series Challenge 2024. HRBC. HR. Tropes: Regency Romance, Arranged Marriage, Enemies to Lovers, Scandal(Duel causing death), Widow.
MC's- h. Lady Townsend, Emmaline recently widowed (husband died from a duel with H Lord Lionel Axbridge, Marquess.
*Books in Order & Couples*
1. The Forbidden Duke - Eleanor Lockheart & Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal
2. Duke of Daring - Lucinda Parnell & Andrew Wentworth, Earl of Dartford
3. Duke of Deception - Aquilla Knox & Edward Bishop, Earl of Sutton
4. Duke of Desire - Ivy Breckenridge & Sebastian Westgate (West), Duke of Clare
5. Duke of Defiance - Joanna Shaw & Bran, Earl of Knighton(daughter Evie)
6. Duke of Danger - Lady Emmaline Townsend (widow) & Lionel Axbridge, Marquess
7. Duke of Ice - Lady Violet Pendleton(widow,nee Caulfield) & Nick Bateman,(widower)
8. Duke of Ruin - Diane Kingman & Simon Hastings (widower)
9. Duke of Lies - Verity Beaumont & Rufus Beaumont, Duke of Blackburn
10. Duke of Suduction - L.Lavinia Gillingham & William Beckett, Marquess of Northam
11. Duke of Kisses - Frances Snowden & David Langley, Earl of Ives
12. Duke of Distraction- Sarah Colton & Felix Havers, Earl of Ware
13. The Bachelor Earl - Eugenia, Dowager Duchess of Kendal (nee Aldwick) & Edmund Holt, Earl of Sattersfield
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This is an interesting concept for a romance. Widow marries the man who killed her husband in a Duel. She needs a way out of marrying a lecherous old man her father's age after being widowed by the Marquess of Axbridge. He told her he would do anything to help her. She asks him to marry her to save her from another disasterous marriage. He agrees out of honor. Not the best bargain for him, but he has a lot of guilt. She hates him but he would like forgiveness and friendship from her.
*****************************************************************************
MC's- h. Lady Townsend, Emmaline recently widowed (husband died from a duel with H Lord Lionel Axbridge, Marquess.
*Books in Order & Couples*
1. The Forbidden Duke - Eleanor Lockheart & Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal
2. Duke of Daring - Lucinda Parnell & Andrew Wentworth, Earl of Dartford
3. Duke of Deception - Aquilla Knox & Edward Bishop, Earl of Sutton
4. Duke of Desire - Ivy Breckenridge & Sebastian Westgate (West), Duke of Clare
5. Duke of Defiance - Joanna Shaw & Bran, Earl of Knighton(daughter Evie)
6. Duke of Danger - Lady Emmaline Townsend (widow) & Lionel Axbridge, Marquess
7. Duke of Ice - Lady Violet Pendleton(widow,nee Caulfield) & Nick Bateman,(widower)
8. Duke of Ruin - Diane Kingman & Simon Hastings (widower)
9. Duke of Lies - Verity Beaumont & Rufus Beaumont, Duke of Blackburn
10. Duke of Suduction - L.Lavinia Gillingham & William Beckett, Marquess of Northam
11. Duke of Kisses - Frances Snowden & David Langley, Earl of Ives
12. Duke of Distraction- Sarah Colton & Felix Havers, Earl of Ware
13. The Bachelor Earl - Eugenia, Dowager Duchess of Kendal (nee Aldwick) & Edmund Holt, Earl of Sattersfield
***************************************************************
This is an interesting concept for a romance. Widow marries the man who killed her husband in a Duel. She needs a way out of marrying a lecherous old man her father's age after being widowed by the Marquess of Axbridge. He told her he would do anything to help her. She asks him to marry her to save her from another disasterous marriage. He agrees out of honor. Not the best bargain for him, but he has a lot of guilt. She hates him but he would like forgiveness and friendship from her.
*****************************************************************************
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2017
After duelling twice & killing the second opponent, Lionel Maitland, Marquis of Axbridge, is known as the Duke of Danger. However he’s tortured by guilt but shields himself with a devil-may-care attitude. However, when he kills Lord Geoffrey Townsend in a third duel, he’s beyond redemption, even though it wasn��t his fault. He refuses to smear a dead man’s name, especially when he’s left behind a blameless widow who doesn’t deserve an even bigger scandal. Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents’ choosing. The only way out is to ask for help from the one man she’s sworn to hate Lionel, who owes her anything she asks for, after all he killed her husband.
Another well written fast paced book that kept my attention all the way through & which I was loathe to put down. Lionel didn’t want to duel but when his honour or the honour of a loved one was called into question he couldn’t back down. He was so caring & loving & definitely deserved true love. I wasn’t sure whether I liked Emmaline to begin with, she hated Lionel (or did she?) so why marry him? I know she laid down some ground rules but I don’t think I could have tied myself to a man I believed had murdered my husband. She did redeem herself in my eyes by the end of the book. Their attraction grow by leaps & bounds & one aspect of their marriage was very satisfying. This is the sixth book of a series & could be read on its own, however if like me you love series then I’d recommend reading from the start as it’s a very good series indeed
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another well written fast paced book that kept my attention all the way through & which I was loathe to put down. Lionel didn’t want to duel but when his honour or the honour of a loved one was called into question he couldn’t back down. He was so caring & loving & definitely deserved true love. I wasn’t sure whether I liked Emmaline to begin with, she hated Lionel (or did she?) so why marry him? I know she laid down some ground rules but I don’t think I could have tied myself to a man I believed had murdered my husband. She did redeem herself in my eyes by the end of the book. Their attraction grow by leaps & bounds & one aspect of their marriage was very satisfying. This is the sixth book of a series & could be read on its own, however if like me you love series then I’d recommend reading from the start as it’s a very good series indeed
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 24, 2018
Wow! It was really hard not to toss this book aside but I kept going and at about 75% I started to like Emmaline a little. Up until she was a bitch BUT she still thought it was okay for Lionel to screw her. I simply couldn’t stand her for most of the book.
Lionel killed Emmaline’s husband in a duel then she demanded that he marry her so she didn’t have to marry the lecherous creep her parents had decided would make a good husband for Emmaline. AND since Lionel was soooo guilt ridden over killing Geoffrey he agreed to the marriage.
What was soooo stupid about the whole thing was how often Emmaline, or someone else in the Ton, called Lionel a murderer, as in “why had Emmaline married the man who murdered her husband?” Or Emmaline telling Lionel he “owed” her because he DID murder her husband. Since when is a duel a form of murder?
It didn’t even get interesting until about 80% when it started coming out about the extortion of Lady Richland. When Lionel got the Bow Street Runners involved.
There was explicit sex, 3 or 4 times. And the F-bomb was used 3 times.
As to the narration: Marian Hussey is simply fabulous!
November 29, 2017
The Duke of Danger.
This was how Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge was known after having participated in 3 duels, in which in 2 of them his opponents died.
And in the last duel, although Lionel did not want to participate, his opponent, Viscount Geoffrey Towsend was an irascible man.
When Lionel put himself at the disposal of the widow, consumed with the guilt of having killed another man, he did not expect her to really make him deliver on the promise.
When a year later, Lionel, in Ireland, receives a letter from Lady Emmaline Townsend, he returns to England, and meeting her in a ball, Lionel finds himself having to accept a marriage proposal.
Emmaline had eloped years ago with Geoffrey and paid dearly for it.
She no longer loved her husband, but he was her only financial source, and with his death she discovered that he was full of debt.
Her parents wanted her to marry again now that she was about to be released from complete mourning. The problem was that their chosen one was a man many years older than her.
Meeting Lionel at the ball - even if she hated him for what he had done to Geoffrey - he was more handsome (and had a higher title) than Sir Duncan Thayer.
Lionel and Emmaline married, but she imposed a series of rules.
He accepted them, but as the days go by, Lionel realized that he was fascinated by his wife. The woman who hates him.
Meanwhile, a series of gossip begins to appear in society, and some of them are too dangerous to be ignored by the couple.
Lionel and Emmaline need to find out who is spreading the lies and who wants to profit from their misfortune. And from there, they could have a chance at a real wedding...
Book 6 of the series, which can be read as stand alone, no cliffhanger.
Amazing plot, with mystery, and good connection with the main couple.
5 stars
This was how Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge was known after having participated in 3 duels, in which in 2 of them his opponents died.
And in the last duel, although Lionel did not want to participate, his opponent, Viscount Geoffrey Towsend was an irascible man.
When Lionel put himself at the disposal of the widow, consumed with the guilt of having killed another man, he did not expect her to really make him deliver on the promise.
When a year later, Lionel, in Ireland, receives a letter from Lady Emmaline Townsend, he returns to England, and meeting her in a ball, Lionel finds himself having to accept a marriage proposal.
Emmaline had eloped years ago with Geoffrey and paid dearly for it.
She no longer loved her husband, but he was her only financial source, and with his death she discovered that he was full of debt.
Her parents wanted her to marry again now that she was about to be released from complete mourning. The problem was that their chosen one was a man many years older than her.
Meeting Lionel at the ball - even if she hated him for what he had done to Geoffrey - he was more handsome (and had a higher title) than Sir Duncan Thayer.
Lionel and Emmaline married, but she imposed a series of rules.
He accepted them, but as the days go by, Lionel realized that he was fascinated by his wife. The woman who hates him.
Meanwhile, a series of gossip begins to appear in society, and some of them are too dangerous to be ignored by the couple.
Lionel and Emmaline need to find out who is spreading the lies and who wants to profit from their misfortune. And from there, they could have a chance at a real wedding...
Book 6 of the series, which can be read as stand alone, no cliffhanger.
Amazing plot, with mystery, and good connection with the main couple.
5 stars
December 15, 2025
It really is a 3 star book but it gets an extra star because it’s Darcy Burke. She’s already a cut above so even a mediocre story with a total witch for the FC and a plot so twisted you could tie your shoes with it is better than most. That said, there’s just too much going on here to be really effective. I’ve looked forward to Ax’s story for so long, then she wastes him on freaking Emmaline Forth-Hodges, who eloped with her true love two books ago only to find out he was a debt ridden douchebag. Elopement never works out, in fiction or in life, young ladies take note. These days it’s the equivalent of moving in with a guy against the advice of your loved ones. It’s bound to end in tears. Not only is Emmaline in tears, I’m in tears after listening to her abuse and mistreat Ax for half the book. She moves from “I’m going to make sure he’s miserable for the rest of his life for killing my beloved husband “ to “I love him, my husband was a bad guy and a worse husband who deserved to die” in literally half a page and less than a week. Mind boggling. Well, he did buy her a horse. And a kitten. So there’s that. He turns out to be the English version of The Shootist. The gunslinger whose reputation precedes him so every idiot wants to challenge him even though he just wants to hang up his notched guns and move on with his life. The problems with the plot don’t show up until about 3/4 through when she brings in an extortion racket. I can see why she thought she needed it, but it doesn’t work. It would have been plenty of story to focus on Ax’s fits of depression, which she barely touched on. I wish she would have explored that and left the rest of it out. Even so, while not my favorite in this series, it’s mostly very good. It’s certainly very entertaining. And I’m still only halfway through the series!
October 4, 2017
'The Duke of Danger' by Darcy Burke is Book Six in "The Untouchables" series...I LOVE Darcy's historical romances!... her books r simply excellent...
This was a very different story, meaning where the heroine marries the man who killed her husband?
set in a regency era ....the subject itself was intriguing....
Lionel Maitland, the Marquess of Axbridge is a troubled man,he has fought three duels, killing two men. He has earned the nickname 'The Duke of Danger.' He is a man driven by honour and the deaths way heavy on him. The last duel with Geoffrey Townsend has left Axbridge stricken with guilt.
Lady Emmaline Townsend is d widow of d man dat lionel killed in a duel ....
Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents choosing, a man she detests hence she strike a devil’s bargain with lionel and both agree to a marriage of convenience....the story really takes off from here. They are attracted to each other, their passions , hate, confusion, guilt,all r factors which make there love tested over a period of time ..
The book is well-written with moments of humor and suspense,the pace was fast,i was totally engrossed in d plot ...
Darcy's stories r always inspiring ...a uniqueness in every book... the woman in her books r very strong facing all circumstances & coming up winning ...it is quiet forward of her to present bold woman in a Regency Era where women were not at all independent to take there decisions...
the men in her books r also gallant heroes who respect women ...
the Romance in her books is escallating, sex is sizzling .... the presentation of d scenes r life size...always loved her way of writing a story...thank u darcy again for a superbly written book...i recommend dis book...go for it
I recd a ARC copy of dis book ...this is my honest & voluntary Review...
This was a very different story, meaning where the heroine marries the man who killed her husband?
set in a regency era ....the subject itself was intriguing....
Lionel Maitland, the Marquess of Axbridge is a troubled man,he has fought three duels, killing two men. He has earned the nickname 'The Duke of Danger.' He is a man driven by honour and the deaths way heavy on him. The last duel with Geoffrey Townsend has left Axbridge stricken with guilt.
Lady Emmaline Townsend is d widow of d man dat lionel killed in a duel ....
Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents choosing, a man she detests hence she strike a devil’s bargain with lionel and both agree to a marriage of convenience....the story really takes off from here. They are attracted to each other, their passions , hate, confusion, guilt,all r factors which make there love tested over a period of time ..
The book is well-written with moments of humor and suspense,the pace was fast,i was totally engrossed in d plot ...
Darcy's stories r always inspiring ...a uniqueness in every book... the woman in her books r very strong facing all circumstances & coming up winning ...it is quiet forward of her to present bold woman in a Regency Era where women were not at all independent to take there decisions...
the men in her books r also gallant heroes who respect women ...
the Romance in her books is escallating, sex is sizzling .... the presentation of d scenes r life size...always loved her way of writing a story...thank u darcy again for a superbly written book...i recommend dis book...go for it
I recd a ARC copy of dis book ...this is my honest & voluntary Review...
September 29, 2017
I feel like I say this after finishing every book in this series, but this book's couple is my absolute favorite of all of them. Somehow it's true every time, and even more so with Emmaline and Lionel. They start as enemies--at least Emmaline believes Lionel is her enemy, and she gets through months of her life by plotting how she'll get even with him--but end up as the best of friends and lovers, as the family that both of them have longed for for so long. How Ms. Burke gets us (and them, of course!) from enemies to lovers makes for an absolutely delicious story that I didn't want to put down for even a second.
I was so afraid that this would be the last book in the series--silly, I know, since she has other books, many of which I've read (and the remainder are waiting in my TBR) but they're not this series. Because, this series.... No worries, though, because her note at the end tells us that The Duke of Ice is coming next, though not when...
Patience, I know. But it's hard. Did I mention how much I love this series?
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I was so afraid that this would be the last book in the series--silly, I know, since she has other books, many of which I've read (and the remainder are waiting in my TBR) but they're not this series. Because, this series.... No worries, though, because her note at the end tells us that The Duke of Ice is coming next, though not when...
Patience, I know. But it's hard. Did I mention how much I love this series?
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
October 1, 2017
I LOVE Darcy's historical romances!
This book read very smoothly. I was engaged from the very beginning, and I especially liked Lionel. I got to like him more as the story went on, and I really felt for him and hoped he could find happiness.
Conversely, I was not a fan of Emmaline at first. In my opinion, I felt her actions and venom towards Lionel were a bit overkill, especially given the situation she put him in. As the story went on, I liked her more,and ultimately, I admired her relentless protection of Lionel.
And can I just say, holy mystery!!! At about 40% through, a liiiiiiiittle tiny part of the book hinted at a major plot twist. Just a hint. I was completely sucked in by then, and I couldn't wait to see the resolution!
While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Although, it does include cameos from characters in previous books, and while I've read some of them, I can't wait to go back and read all of their stories!
I can't wait to read Darcy's next book!!!
(I received a copy of this book in consideration of an honest review)
This book read very smoothly. I was engaged from the very beginning, and I especially liked Lionel. I got to like him more as the story went on, and I really felt for him and hoped he could find happiness.
Conversely, I was not a fan of Emmaline at first. In my opinion, I felt her actions and venom towards Lionel were a bit overkill, especially given the situation she put him in. As the story went on, I liked her more,and ultimately, I admired her relentless protection of Lionel.
And can I just say, holy mystery!!! At about 40% through, a liiiiiiiittle tiny part of the book hinted at a major plot twist. Just a hint. I was completely sucked in by then, and I couldn't wait to see the resolution!
While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Although, it does include cameos from characters in previous books, and while I've read some of them, I can't wait to go back and read all of their stories!
I can't wait to read Darcy's next book!!!
(I received a copy of this book in consideration of an honest review)
October 16, 2017
The Duke of Danger is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone book. This is a story of Lionel Maitland, Marquess of of Axbridge, a man given the moniker of the Duke of Danger unfairly due to circumstances. He has been involved in several duels with two men being killed by him, the last due to the opponent, Viscount Geoffrey being without honor.
Unfortunately, His death leaves his widow, Emmaline Townsend, almost penniless and she has to return to her parents home. Can you imagine after being married and independent having to move back home? Even worse after her year of mourning, her parents want her to remarry a very unappealing man.
Desperate she approaches Lionel, “her husband’s murderer” and basically guilts him into an arrangement to marry her with conditions
This story has a little of it all! Darcy Burke draws the reader in with intense feelings, secrets and the attraction of the characters and does not let you go until the last page!! Read this book to find out what happens! Another amazing story by this author!
Unfortunately, His death leaves his widow, Emmaline Townsend, almost penniless and she has to return to her parents home. Can you imagine after being married and independent having to move back home? Even worse after her year of mourning, her parents want her to remarry a very unappealing man.
Desperate she approaches Lionel, “her husband’s murderer” and basically guilts him into an arrangement to marry her with conditions
This story has a little of it all! Darcy Burke draws the reader in with intense feelings, secrets and the attraction of the characters and does not let you go until the last page!! Read this book to find out what happens! Another amazing story by this author!
October 10, 2017
This is the sixth book in the Untouchables series and so far my favorite of all of them. I’ve been having a bit of difficulty with this series. I’ve rated them from two to five stars, and this is, obviously, one with the five and the reason for it is the hero.
This man had so much baggage that I honestly had doubts if he’d ever get rid of them all. My heart ached for him and at the beginning of the book I truly didn’t think that the heroine was the right one for him. Leave it to Ms. Burke to disabuse me of that thought!
In the end they’ve concurred all the obstacles that were in their way and their happily ever after was truly satisfactory.
Great read! Highly recommending it.
Melanie for b2b
Gift copy provided by the publisher
This man had so much baggage that I honestly had doubts if he’d ever get rid of them all. My heart ached for him and at the beginning of the book I truly didn’t think that the heroine was the right one for him. Leave it to Ms. Burke to disabuse me of that thought!
In the end they’ve concurred all the obstacles that were in their way and their happily ever after was truly satisfactory.
Great read! Highly recommending it.
Melanie for b2b
Gift copy provided by the publisher
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