A Duke's Revenge

by Karen Sommers

After Hugh Quinn, Duke of Bellington, broke her heart, Emma swore she’d never see him again. When desperate circumstances force her back into his arms, she finds her resolve crumbling. How can she steel her heart when his nearness ignites all the passions she thought she’d left behind?

Hugh can’t believe his luck when Lady Emma, the woman who stole his heart then humiliated him, came crawling back to the social scene. This was his chance to get back the prize he’d lost and make her regret her actions. He soon finds, however, that trying to teach Emma a lesson without losing his heart again is much more difficult than he’d expected.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical

82 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2018

Reviews

[Demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

After just watching Bridgerton, this really filled that void!
I wanted a quick story to read, and while this book was exactly that, I wanted more. I felt like there was so much that could have been said and done. I wanted to see Emma and Hugh struggle with their feelings. I wanted to see it grow naturally over time. I wanted to see the trials and tribulations of their marriage over time. I just wanted more going on.
It’s well written and paints a great picture. The characters are well thought out and easy to navigate.
It’s a great short read, and a great introduction to Karen Sommers

[Deb Diem · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Duke's Revenge by Karen Sommers is a short historical romance, perfect for those with limited reading time. Ms. Sommers has given us a book that is well-written and furnished with outstanding characters. Emma is content to live with her father, spending her days reading and sketching. When her father dies, Emma is forced to look for a husband. Hugh was turned down by Emma once, now he wants to marry her for revenge. Their story is full of drama, humor, action, suspense and sexy bits. I enjoyed reading The Duke's Revenge and look forward to reading more from Karen Sommers. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tumultuous short romance with a bounty of hurt feelings and so much missing punctuation that I'm not sure if my eBook is the finished copy. A happy ending but it felt incomplete.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF'd it after chapter three. Just couldn’t like this absolute asshole we get as a male protagonist. First, he wants to marry the girl to get revenge on her for rejecting him publicly, after he was courting multiple girls at the same time. Second, she asks him if he will be faithful, and he doesn't know!! Third, he leaves her alone at the wedding reception, she leaves alone, when she gets to his house, nobody is waiting for her, except her lady's maid. She should have been received by all the staff (it was supposedly a misunderstanding, but if the maid was waiting, why wasn't the majordomo? or the housekeeper? They should have been the ones to greet their new mistress). He gets angry at her for leaving, when he was the one to abandon her to greet the guests. Later, he goes to a freaking bar, a public place, on his wedding night! That would have been the talk of society for months! The last straw, though? He actually plans to woo her, and then go to another house to live away from her when she admits she loves him. How petty is that? Whether he actually does it was irrelevant (Since this is a "romance" I assume he won't leave, but I just wished she would never admit her love, just to spite him), the intention was there. I just couldn't continue after that (all of which happens in chapter 3, by the way), I hated that the poor woman got saddled with such an arse.
Oh, and the way the servants speak! That and other details made me think the author didn't know much about the period she was writing about.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 2 out of 5]

A re~read. Four years ago Emma was hurt by Hugh Quinn's 'pseudo~courtship' of her plus a bevy of other fellow debutantes and so she publicly rejected him causing a scandal and then she left for home to her indulgent father to lick her wounds. Left with no means to sustain her present lifestyle after the death of her father, the estate going to her cousin Bran sans fortune because of bad investments, Emma needs to marry as her only? option? and she has to choose between 2 dukes (the aging and four~times~a~widower, Duke of Strickland and Hugh Quinn aka Duke of Bellington). The story's conflict comes from at least two sources. One is an unknown entity sending sinister letters to Emma causing her to doubt her husband and Hugh himself, dithering between jealousy and revenge. Question, though: What made Emma so sure that Hugh was courting her and several other women at the same time with no intention of an engagement and eventually marriage aside from the gossip she heard four years ago? I also take issue on the use of the contemporary word 'socialite' (etymology 1928) which is most definitely NOT Victorian so what timeline is this story again? A major Time Warp and an insult to the genre. Might even be called an Abomination and there are other contemporary words and sentence construction (American) that distort the Timeline and genre like another word, 'issue' used in present day context. This is Badly done.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a fun, fast read of a great story. I wished it was a longer didn’t want it to end. This is a story of many misunderstands, hurt feeling on both sides. Hugh and Emma were in love are so they thought, then Emma listening to rumors of his cheating and humiliated him in public. He broke her hear and she left society and moved to the county with her father. Hugh not knowing what she had been told and believed now only wants revenge the Lady who stole his heart and broke it. For a short story there is so much passion, longing and desire between our broken couple. Can lies and mistrust be undone? Can both Hugh and Emma follow their heart and risk rejection again or will love win out in the end. The only way to find out is get a copy and get started. I don’t usually read short stories but am very glad I did this one. This is perfect for a short break or a raining afternoon. Loved the witty interaction between our couple. I wish there had been and epilogue to see how they were doing later.

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book with great storyline, subplots and plot. A sweet book that has great romance. The story is true to it's time period but the language could have been a bit more like it was in the timeperiod. Sometimes is it to modern. I like when an author has made research about the time period they want to write the story in.

The story just caught me and I felt I was there in the story. The characters are so real and likeable. They feel real and you almost think you know them and are there with them. I like the supporting characters. Can the characters survive the lies and secrets?
A short story that feels a bit rushed at times and I would have like to have more about their past.

There is drama, family issues, passion, betrayal, secrets, lies, emotions and some twists. If only it has been longer. It really has a lot of potential for it.
Amazing read!

[HEATHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 out of 5 starsMarried to the Duke!
By sewsummore on April 1, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
The Duke of Bellingon fell in love with Lady Emma Taylor four years ago when she first came to town but he broke her heart and she left to spend her time in the country. With the death of her father she was forced back to town penniless and in search of a husband. With marriage to the Duke her only choice she marries him fearing she will never be happy with the man who broke her heart. This was a short, sweet, clean story that will delight the lovers of regency romance, well written entertaining read,

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Cathy Calame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done escape to another world and time - Just what I needed in this hectic day! The story line moved smoothly. It was just the right length covering all aspects of the plot. It is a bit of a fairy tale, and that makes it even better. Quite enjoyed escaping into your creation! Looking forwad to more opportunities for such adventures!

This book accomplished what I feel it was meant to do. It was written in a way that brought escape and enjoyment to the reader. It describes a relationship in a beautiful and respectful way that balances emotion, attraction, and a deeper sense of care. It flows smoothly enticing the reader to find what comes next. Looking forward to more.

[Tina Ullrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute fast, short read. There are only 8 chapters.

Emma Taylor has re-entered the marriage Mart due to her father's death. She left the marriage Mart four years prior because of High Quinn, Duke Bellington. He courted several women and that cut Emma's pride so she lashed out at High in a very public way.

High Quinn wants Emma and revenge for what she did. He never really got over Emma. Now he not only wants her to love him but will stop and nothing less. He with-holds himself to make her want more and showers her with gifts.

Emma gets notes saying High is doing all this for revenge. She decides to find out what is truly going on and gets a shock at the truth.

Find out all the hijinxs in this fast pasted read.

[I Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don,t Jump To Conclusions, Trust Your ❤️
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2020
A delightful short story to enjoy on a rainy afternoon. Emma and Hugh were meant for each other but because of rumors and humiliation the two were miserable for 4 years. After Emma’s father dies and the estate is nearly dry of funds, her cousin the new heir tells her she must marry. Hughs offers and she has little choice. Misunderstandings and explanations later, they find their love for each other outweighs all and a HEA is in the future.

[Annette Drewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing Victorian Romance story. I enjoyed Emma and Hugh’s journey of rediscovery. Misunderstanding separated them four years earlier, circumstances have given them a second chance. Can they succeed this time or is someone plotting to keep them apart? I couldn’t put this story down and look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a copy of this book from Instafreebie and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

she broke his heart when she left him. she then comes back and he intends to get his revenge on her. will he find himself losing his heart again? she is in trouble and she needs his help. will he help? will they lose their hearts to each other again? see what will happen between them and if they can make it happen a second time around. wow

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short historical romance that is well written and holds your attention with great characters. You can truly feel Emma lose and pain when she loses her father. Now she has to find a husband bring her to the hands of Hugh who she turned down in the past, now he wants revenge. They say it is so sweet but I think Hugh will have to face a few facts…. A story filled with drama, suspense, humor and delightful passion. I really enjoyed this and look forward to the next book from this author.

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely keeps you on your toes an reading. It has ups and downs, bumps in the road and so much more. It is exciting, suspenseful, emotional, has lots of drama, intrigue, hurt and so much more. It shows you the road of life is not easy. Two characters who bounce around like a yo yo with situations about each other. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.

[Saricza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely love story.
Emma a head strong lady that fell in love with Hugh in her coming out season but could not believe that he cared for only her although un foreseeable events would bring together.
Hugh heart broken by her rejection only wants revenge.
But love prevails over any other feelings.
A afternoon of relaxing and enjoying a good regency romance.

[Steve Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny regency novella about a woman who is forced to marry at the advanced age of 21. Unfortunately the only two suitors are a man with a reputation for cruelty to his wives and a duke that she has already humiliated. They fight through their dislike for each other, finally--long after the wedding. Good read. One steamy scene.

[Aurélie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a good lesson why one should never believe rumors without checking the source, if possible. Deep hurts could have been avoided. Thankfully, the main characters found each other in the end and realized what was important to them. I liked that they were able to forgive each other and put their pride aside.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author and I really loved it. Karen Summers makes out feel apart of the story with her visual cues that she gives.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful well-written story that makes you feel like you are on the sidelines watching it happen, this is a short fast read of 80 pages. I know I will be rereading this book.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yvonne Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Hugh and Emma's story I really wanted to see Strickland have much worse repercussions for his actions . I am intrigued by Lady Sophia and am really excited to read her story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick read to lose myself in on a cool evening.

Emma isn't a heroine that irritates you from the start. She's sharp, witty and loveable. Hugh is a misunderstood man who you cant help but root for

[Phylis Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh and Emma’s tumultuous story
The plot and characters are well developed. It is a heartfelt story filled with twists and turns that held my interest throughout. It’s a story that’s well worth reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Rowena Knowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read but it suffers from not being long enough to adequately develop the characters and their relationship.

The reason for their initial break up and how it’s resolved is glossed over, meaning that the path to their HEA is slightly disappointing.

[ReadinIt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A number of issues with editing, word choice (misses?), and plot made it difficult to get into this story. Footpad =/= footman. Also, why is the duke and Bran in the kitchen, and why is Emma joining them there presumably for breakfast? These sorts of issues make for a rather annoying read.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction/romance is well written with interesting main characters that I enjoyed reading about. The conclusion felt a bit rushed but I liked the HEA.

Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Eunice Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh and Emma's story. Short and sweet, but very enjoyable. (I voluntarily reviewed this advanced copy).

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A misunderstanding and years of pride build to create a chemistry that they both want to deny, but love is stronger than all other emotions and brings them together as nothing else can.

[Brenda Vahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and enjoyed reading A Dukes Revenge 10 stars out of 5

[Pat Babcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Are Not What They Seem

There was enough suspense and under handed actions to make the story interesting. Fear of rejection played a large role in the marry.