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The Duke she Desires

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Raised as the daughter of a physician, Lavinia Bell has gained knowledge that defies society's rules for women. When forced to take her father's place during an emergency, she meets the most annoying yet devilishly handsome man she has ever seen.

Peter Cadden, Duke of Kingwood, comes back from war wounded, both physically and mentally. No one can stand his insufferable attitude or put him in his place...except for the beautiful daughter of his physician.

But when the Duke's health takes an unexplainable turn for the worse, Lavinia realizes there is a traitor hiding among them that wants Peter dead.

Because breaking some contracts is a dangerous thing. And Peter just might have signed this one in his own blood...

*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then The Duke she Desires is the novel for you.

Get "The Duke she Desires" today to discover Violet's fantastic story!

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2022

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About the author

Violet Hamers

94 books72 followers
Violet Hamers knew from an early age that writing was something she always wanted to do. Growing up, her time was divided between writing stories and taking part in theatrical plays, that she used to perform exclusively for her family and friends.

As she loves reading and writing, she is rarely found without a book in her hands, or her fingers glued to a keyboard. Her love for reading led her to Jane Austen's world--the regency historical world that won her over in comparison to any other genre!

Even though being an author is not a simple task, her dream of becoming one has finally come true as she is currently writing Regency novels...romances her readers will love!

Follow Violet into a world of romance and fairytale, of passion and intrigue, and live unforgettable happy-ever-afters along with her protagonists that she guarantees you will remember forever.

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5 stars
230 (38%)
4 stars
187 (31%)
3 stars
136 (23%)
2 stars
26 (4%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
226 reviews
January 20, 2020
The human connection wasn't forced, but some details of the story were dropped abruptly. It could have been a little bit longer.
1,149 reviews4 followers
November 17, 2020
Book of two parts. First sixty percent, it is enjoyable, good pace, great characters. Then suddenly the main protagonists fall on each other like dogs in heat. Doesn't fit either character at all. Book then goes back to original rhythm. Apart from those pages worth a read, although a tad predictable.
Profile Image for Laurie Sand.
417 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2020
Pacing issues, a distinct lack of chemistry between the leads, and little to no character development left me struggling to finish this book. I do, however, feel that the author has potential, if she can inject her stories with more realism and intensity.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,290 reviews28 followers
April 21, 2024
Interesting. The H appears to have a form of PTSD resulting in psychological paralysis. His finance flees from him in disgust. The h is a female physician trained against societal norms who finally breaks through and helps the H to regain mobility. As you can guess, back comes the former finance to attempt to marry the now healed H but he rejects her and is attracted to the h.

As he improves and falls in love with the h, someone poisons him but he survives. Their feelings are clarified and their HEA achieved.

Some timing and pacing issues with a few oops in editing, but this story was entertaining.
491 reviews
September 12, 2020
I enjoyed this story very much because of the strong female lead. Lavinia grew up in a single parent household where her doctor father encouraged her education and knowledge. This went against societal norms in a time where a woman’s only goal was to become a wife and mother. Lavinia excelled, eventually becoming her father’s partner in his practice. This leads her to Peter, a duke physically and mentally injured in the War of 1812. Lavinia’s father sends her to tend Peter. Peter does not want to be treated by a woman. This is where their relationship begins. Overall, I thought the characters were fairly well developed and I liked their interaction as Peter slowly understands and appreciates Lavinia’s medical knowledge and skill. I do think, however, the “mystery” portion of the story should have been developed further with more time spent on the back story behind it. This was the first novel written by Violet Hamers I have read. I would definitely read another.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,801 reviews22 followers
December 8, 2020
This novel takes place shortly after the War of 1812. Peter, the Duke, was shot in the leg during a skirmish and has returned home an invalid who can no longer walk. Lavinia is the daughter of a physician who has spent her life training her to assist him and to be an unlicensed physician in her own right. She is brought into the Duke’s home as an in-house physician to help him recover his ability to walk. The novel deals with their relationship and an attempt to seriously impair his recovery. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,408 reviews28 followers
May 5, 2022
Lavina Bell Is the daughter of a physician. Her father is the physician to the Duke of Kingwood. He has come home from the war and even though his wound has healed he has not been able to move his legs. Lavina moved in to help him get past the problem and be able to walk again. He was engaged but she ended it when he had a woman to help him. Peter and Lavina fall in love. Can they overcome all of the problems that come along?
Profile Image for Brittany.
163 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2020
3.5 stars. Cute story. Many, many editorial mistakes and not truly believable as a regency period piece. More character development,more research, and more editing are need for this book to have been truly great. But all in all an enjoyable book from a promising author.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,979 reviews
March 25, 2023
I picked this up as the hero seemed to have a disability and the heroine is the physician who cares for him. She does prescribe something similar to rehab and as someone not from the Ton, surprises him with how she doesn't cower from his shouting and bad temper. He regains the ability to move his legs and feet plus walk after working at it because his issue is more mental than physical. Interesting how the author brings out that men are not allowed to experience affected mental health as it is seen as a women's thing.

I liked the relationship between father and daughter as he has always seen her as capable and intelligent even if society does not recognise her as a doctor.

I thought this was short and sweet! Not steamy at all since there is only one sex scene after they are married and prior to that, one of two kisses

Tropes: Close proximity, different social class, caretaking
Profile Image for Cheryl Rosenwald.
368 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2022
Women doctors were unheard of in England, but Lavinia was the daughter of a physician who was taught everything her father knew. She was his assistant and did more sometimes than her father. When the Duke of Kingwood was injured in the war with America and came home unable to move his legs Dr Bell sent his daughter to be the Duke's live in physician , knowing she could help him. Not taking anything from the gruff Duke She told him he needed to eat to build up his strength and ordered exercises and stretching. Getting a little better he calmed down and did as he was told. Suddenly the Duke fell into a coma with severe fevers. Not knowing what to do she had her father come to see what was going on. The Duke was poisoned! Who could have that much hate for a kindly man to try and kill him? Do they find out who poisoned him and why?
Profile Image for Sonia.
691 reviews16 followers
May 22, 2022
This was a delightful feel-good type of book and I read it in a day. Peter and Lavinia are both interesting people. He is a Duke who fought as a soldier and was wounded. She is unofficially working as a physician because women were not yet allowed to practice medicine. They obviously have a class difference but they overcome it relatively easily because they had both already individually transcended their societal roles.
Unfortunately there were quite a few grammatical errors. The word "regiment" was used instead of "regimen" several times. But hey, the book was free so I can't really complain too much.
Profile Image for Luna.
15 reviews
May 28, 2024
Lavinia is a woman with no morals. Honestly she takes relationships so lightly. My favorite character here was Magdalene, at least she has dignity and her sense of freedom was so refreshing. peter is a pervert. Honestly I didn't like this title. It was some how uncomfortable the way the female protagonist carried herself. And I feel like she got into the mansion with not such good intentions..idk. I just didn't like Lavinia nor her moral standard and Peter was just meh.
Profile Image for April Neal.
485 reviews
July 13, 2022
The cure for a Duke

This was an interesting read. I liked how a women of her time could have a father that taught her all that he knew as a doctor, however I felt that the fact she was a beautiful women was the cure for the Duke was a bit lacking. There was no moment of mental clarity for the Duke, where he got answers for his mental health. Aside from this it was an easy read.
Profile Image for T.O. Smith.
Author 153 books392 followers
June 15, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 stars

Based on the cover, I was expecting much more smut than there was.

If it weren't for the one almost scene that happened, I would classify this as clean romance.

I loved that the FMC was a strong heroine that could hold her own. She kept the MMC in line. They were a couple that came together through odd and unfortunate circumstances, but it was clear they were meant to be together.
1,838 reviews19 followers
August 9, 2022
The duke she desires

A good read for people who are into the series recommended highly of the same thing as a good read but quick shaping up to be a enjoyable series must read the next one of the series
278 reviews3 followers
August 23, 2025
A smorgasbord of adventure, intrigue and love

At a time when women were to be seen but not heard, and to sit doing needlepoint, along comes a woman who floats the order of things. Can she save someone's life? Can she also learn to be a woman in love ❤️
Profile Image for Evelyn Goughnour .
1,181 reviews
June 4, 2022
Awesome book!

I love how this book addresses the fact that men are just as likely to have mental illness as women. I also loved that the physician was a woman.
Profile Image for Kene.
26 reviews
July 1, 2022
No research into the Period

It is a short sweet story if you don't pay attention to the grammar. I believe the author may have visited East London and fell in love with the East London area visited and decided to write a historical romance.
As others have pointed which I won't point out again, I wish American authors would pay attention to British English and carry out a bit of research into colloquium used for that period.
5 reviews
November 2, 2022
True love

I loved the whole book. Loved it.
It was magical and very moving.
I wish more booms were like this
14 reviews
March 1, 2024
Typical

Nothing new in this book. Same sort of love story. And there were many typos and grammar errors. Very distracting.
Profile Image for Nancy Dillow.
197 reviews
October 17, 2020
One of the best books I have read lately.

Lavinia Bell, has been trained as a "doctor" by her father. He admires her knowledge, and is able to get her to have the answer to any question he may throw at her. And quickly! There is a Duke that lives fairly close to them that has not been able to walk for quite a while. Though only shot in one thigh, neither leg responds to stimuli. Dr. Bell has to leave town on another case and sends Lavinia to deal with the Duke.

On top of everything else, the Duke is not eating. And, he is appalled that his doctor has sent a
FEMALE to check up him. After a lot of words are exchanged, he finally accepts Lavinia as his doctor. But, there is the issue of his betrothed to deal. She keeps sending doctors from all over, and they are not helping.
975 reviews5 followers
April 14, 2021
Very good book and well written Peter comes home from war with injuries and feels he is not deserving of being alive or a duke he stays in bed and eats little and is unable to walk Lavinia is studying to be a doctor under her father and is sent to help the duke she helps him to walk again with her sunny disposition and knowledge of medic one she had learned he recovers and they have their HEA would highly recommend
Profile Image for Norma Peramo.
158 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2022
Lavinia Bell was raised by her physician father, who shared his medical knowledge with her from a young age, defying society's rules for women. Lord Peter Cadden, Duke of Kingwood, returns from war with an injury, both physical and mental. The only one who can truly heal him is Lavinia, but there are nefarious forces which threaten his very life. Enjoy the plot twists as the villain is finally revealed, leading to a wonderful happy ending.
47 reviews
January 30, 2020
It was an enjoyble story. With likable characters.The female lead Lavinia is a strong and capable woman. She is not overdone so she doesn't come across as arrogant or misandry. She is truly dedicated to her work and enjoys her lifestyle. Never questioning her choice in life? Until she meets the Duke of Kingwoods.
1,545 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this romance! The heroine was a bit unusual for her time, but a fully fleshed character, and the hero was very lovable and well written. The effects of war were carefully, if not deeply, addressed, and the story was captivating. This was my first book by the author, but it won't be my last!
Profile Image for Traci.
133 reviews15 followers
August 22, 2020
I enjoyed reading this story. Lavania is a more modern character as she is a doctor in all but name. She begins treating the duke, and quickly falls in love with him. A mysterious illness befalls the duke, and she must figure out what is going on before it is too late.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heather English.
95 reviews
January 19, 2020
I had many thoughts through out the book. Many of dislike of certain characters which I later changed my thinking of. I really enjoyed the journey this book takes you on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews