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Courtship Wars #6
To Desire a Wicked Duke
Passion ignites in Nicole Jordan’s delectable, dazzling conclusion to The Courtship Wars.
Two years after losing her beloved fiancé to war, Tess Blanchard feels ready to chance love again. Thus she’s aghast when a threatening scandal forces her to wed her longtime nemesis, Ian Sutherland, Duke of Rotham. The impossibly arrogant, irresistibly seductive nobleman is the last man Tess could ever imagine loving. Making matters worse, she discovers secrets in Rotham’s wicked past that send her fleeing London for his remote castle in Cornwall.
Having long desired Tess, Ian is exasperated that the ton thinks he’s driven his reluctant new bride from their marriage bed and follows hard on her heels. Naturally, their spirited rivalry leads to glorious, pleasure-filled nights—complicated by a mysterious ghost who haunts Ian’s castle and Tess’s vexing insistence that he play matchmaker to her friends. But can blazing desire between two warring hearts turn into wedded bliss and timeless love?
Two years after losing her beloved fiancé to war, Tess Blanchard feels ready to chance love again. Thus she’s aghast when a threatening scandal forces her to wed her longtime nemesis, Ian Sutherland, Duke of Rotham. The impossibly arrogant, irresistibly seductive nobleman is the last man Tess could ever imagine loving. Making matters worse, she discovers secrets in Rotham’s wicked past that send her fleeing London for his remote castle in Cornwall.
Having long desired Tess, Ian is exasperated that the ton thinks he’s driven his reluctant new bride from their marriage bed and follows hard on her heels. Naturally, their spirited rivalry leads to glorious, pleasure-filled nights—complicated by a mysterious ghost who haunts Ian’s castle and Tess’s vexing insistence that he play matchmaker to her friends. But can blazing desire between two warring hearts turn into wedded bliss and timeless love?
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First published January 1, 2011
60 people are currently reading
1115 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Jordan
93 books976 followersNew York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan spins delightful tales that simmer with passion and sensuality. In her former life, Nicole grew up as an Army brat, moving frequently and attending high school in Germany. She later earned a civil engineering degree from Georgia Tech and spent eight years as a manufacturing manager making disposable diapers and toilet tissue! Currently Nicole lives in the Rocky Mountains of Utah with her real-life hero (her husband) and beloved kids (her horses).
With over two-dozen historical romances to her credit and four million books in print, set in numerous eras and locales, Nicole now enjoys chronicling the sparks that fly when Regency lovers play the matrimonial mating game.
One of her novels had the dubious honor of being humorously spotlighted by Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show." On a more serious note, Nicole's romances regularly appear on numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today, and have earned such honors as RITA finalist, RWA's Favorite Book of the Year, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance, and the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence, presented by a group of over one hundred romance reviewers.
With over two-dozen historical romances to her credit and four million books in print, set in numerous eras and locales, Nicole now enjoys chronicling the sparks that fly when Regency lovers play the matrimonial mating game.
One of her novels had the dubious honor of being humorously spotlighted by Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show." On a more serious note, Nicole's romances regularly appear on numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today, and have earned such honors as RITA finalist, RWA's Favorite Book of the Year, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance, and the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence, presented by a group of over one hundred romance reviewers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
November 20, 2011
1.50 Stars - Regency/Historical Romance!
Oh god! Oh god! Oh god! What an agonizing read! I’m sorry dear readers but I found this last installment of the much celebrated series to be very, VERY frustrating. Let’s state the reasons why. Well, for one thing, I found the heroine Tess Blanchard to be one very annoying, infuriating heroine.
I had so much expectation for this last book, but I was sadly disappointed. I love Nicole Jordan’s books but I was thoroughly offended with this one. I am still looking forward to read the next book of this talented writer though :(
Oh god! Oh god! Oh god! What an agonizing read! I’m sorry dear readers but I found this last installment of the much celebrated series to be very, VERY frustrating. Let’s state the reasons why. Well, for one thing, I found the heroine Tess Blanchard to be one very annoying, infuriating heroine.
I had so much expectation for this last book, but I was sadly disappointed. I love Nicole Jordan’s books but I was thoroughly offended with this one. I am still looking forward to read the next book of this talented writer though :(
February 21, 2013
Okay story with irritating romantic content. Too much recipe sex without an increase in emotional intimacy. Sex became like a weapon the H/h used to shield themselves from emotional pain.
Really had a hard time with the heroine's logic. Years before, she was engaged but her betrothed died at Waterloo. She dons mourning garb for two years and throws herself into charity work.
Finally, she decides to reenter society and search for true love again, a family and all that female stuff. (Can someone find true love, again? I didn't understand her thinking. If she knows she can love again, then why did she try to hard not to love the hero?)
Okay, so I know a little bit about the Regency period. Why the heck did she go into full dress mourning for a man who as not her husband or a blood relation? Would that even have been socially acceptable for her to run her charities, attend social functions (to be avoided when in mourning), ask for donations, etc, as an unmarried woman wearing widow's black for a full two years? Wouldn't that cause a scandal, her behaving like a widow when she never had a husband?
And why did her friends and family allow her to wallow in her grief like a pig wallows in mud for a full two years? She was no longer grieving for the death of a love one after six months, but wallowing in self pity for losing a future, a dream, the illusion of a perfect life with a perfect man, something that never existed except in her mind?
Okay, so that is just beginning of the beginning of the book.
Since she wants to begin participating in life again, she kisses one of her employees just to see if she will feel passion. The hero catches her kissing the man and when she confesses the reason why, he offers to kiss her and their kiss gets out of hand. They are caught by her godmother and a few gossipy others, hence the H and h must wed.
Of course, the heroine resists wedding a Duke (Sarcasm added by me) until he explains what will happen if she doesn't and what she can do once she has the title of duchess. (Yeah, he has to explain because she's too stupid to figure it out for herself).
So this heroine (who shows tenderness, forgiveness, affection and charity to strangers) absolutely refuses to fall in love with her husband. She doesn't show him even on tenth of the charitable feelings she gives freely to strangers. She wants them to live separate lives.
So what happened to the idea of a husband and family and passion? Or at least children of her own? This is her one shot marriage and what does she do? She treats the opportunity like some type of death sentence.
I could go on point by point about how illogical the heroine is throughout the book. She wants the things she does not have and does not appreciate what she does have. And when she gets what she thinks she wants, she decides she wants something else.
And she clings to her love for a dead man, who spent most of his time away fighting in war, whom she never had sex with, never even set a wedding date. And over the years has turned into a saint (the Duke accuses her of that. Bravo for him. Too bad he got stuck with such a dweeb for a duchess).
Her thoughts, logic and emotions were so confused, I was confused.
So like the hero isn't that much better. He doesn't believe in love and doesn't want to fall in love cause he thinks love will turn him into a pansy who behaves like an idiot, spouting poetry and gazing all moony-eyed at his beloved.
So if he doesn't believe in love or that he's capable of love then why is he afraid of falling in love? So, yeah, he's just as emotionally confused as the heroine.
There was just enough story to keep me going until the last chapter. I did not read the epilogue.
Really had a hard time with the heroine's logic. Years before, she was engaged but her betrothed died at Waterloo. She dons mourning garb for two years and throws herself into charity work.
Finally, she decides to reenter society and search for true love again, a family and all that female stuff. (Can someone find true love, again? I didn't understand her thinking. If she knows she can love again, then why did she try to hard not to love the hero?)
Okay, so I know a little bit about the Regency period. Why the heck did she go into full dress mourning for a man who as not her husband or a blood relation? Would that even have been socially acceptable for her to run her charities, attend social functions (to be avoided when in mourning), ask for donations, etc, as an unmarried woman wearing widow's black for a full two years? Wouldn't that cause a scandal, her behaving like a widow when she never had a husband?
And why did her friends and family allow her to wallow in her grief like a pig wallows in mud for a full two years? She was no longer grieving for the death of a love one after six months, but wallowing in self pity for losing a future, a dream, the illusion of a perfect life with a perfect man, something that never existed except in her mind?
Okay, so that is just beginning of the beginning of the book.
Since she wants to begin participating in life again, she kisses one of her employees just to see if she will feel passion. The hero catches her kissing the man and when she confesses the reason why, he offers to kiss her and their kiss gets out of hand. They are caught by her godmother and a few gossipy others, hence the H and h must wed.
Of course, the heroine resists wedding a Duke (Sarcasm added by me) until he explains what will happen if she doesn't and what she can do once she has the title of duchess. (Yeah, he has to explain because she's too stupid to figure it out for herself).
So this heroine (who shows tenderness, forgiveness, affection and charity to strangers) absolutely refuses to fall in love with her husband. She doesn't show him even on tenth of the charitable feelings she gives freely to strangers. She wants them to live separate lives.
So what happened to the idea of a husband and family and passion? Or at least children of her own? This is her one shot marriage and what does she do? She treats the opportunity like some type of death sentence.
I could go on point by point about how illogical the heroine is throughout the book. She wants the things she does not have and does not appreciate what she does have. And when she gets what she thinks she wants, she decides she wants something else.
And she clings to her love for a dead man, who spent most of his time away fighting in war, whom she never had sex with, never even set a wedding date. And over the years has turned into a saint (the Duke accuses her of that. Bravo for him. Too bad he got stuck with such a dweeb for a duchess).
Her thoughts, logic and emotions were so confused, I was confused.
So like the hero isn't that much better. He doesn't believe in love and doesn't want to fall in love cause he thinks love will turn him into a pansy who behaves like an idiot, spouting poetry and gazing all moony-eyed at his beloved.
So if he doesn't believe in love or that he's capable of love then why is he afraid of falling in love? So, yeah, he's just as emotionally confused as the heroine.
There was just enough story to keep me going until the last chapter. I did not read the epilogue.
May 6, 2011
I have rather mixed feelings about this book.
What I Liked:
The actual plot is pretty good, and there's a nice twist at the end that I probably should have seen coming, but didn't. The hero, Ian, the Duke of Rotham, is suitably alpha with a bad boy reputation that covers a good heart. He's been in love with Tess for years, but hid it behind a combative attitude because she first fell in love with his sweet and saintly cousin. Their verbal sparring is enjoyable for the first third of the book, but starts to wear a little thin later on. Ian's love for Tess makes him want to be a better person, and ultimately it "redeems" him.
What I Wasn't Crazy About:
The heroine. Strong heroines are good, but strong heroines whose actions seem to contradict what we're told about her character are a little annoying. We know that Tess has a soft heart, and devotes much of her time to fundraising for a variety of charities. Her closest friend is a former courtesan, and she refuses to judge those in less fortunate circumstances than her own. Except when it comes to Ian. Granted, blind spots and prejudice are part of being human, but you would think that at some point it would occur to her to apply that don't-judge-a-book-by-its-cover principle to her own husband. And then, when things get all sorted out, Ian's the one to grovel about his love for her, and while she admits that she loves him too, she doesn't bother to really apologize for her presumptions and judgmental attitude (I think the closest she gets is "I suppose I can contrive to forgive you for keeping the truth from me..."). Really? Having the superior reputation doesn't really excuse you from basic good manners and humility. So while I'm glad they get their happy ending, I can't help but feel that Ian gets the shorter end of the stick here.
And thus ends my rant. ;)
What I Liked:
The actual plot is pretty good, and there's a nice twist at the end that I probably should have seen coming, but didn't. The hero, Ian, the Duke of Rotham, is suitably alpha with a bad boy reputation that covers a good heart. He's been in love with Tess for years, but hid it behind a combative attitude because she first fell in love with his sweet and saintly cousin. Their verbal sparring is enjoyable for the first third of the book, but starts to wear a little thin later on. Ian's love for Tess makes him want to be a better person, and ultimately it "redeems" him.
What I Wasn't Crazy About:
The heroine. Strong heroines are good, but strong heroines whose actions seem to contradict what we're told about her character are a little annoying. We know that Tess has a soft heart, and devotes much of her time to fundraising for a variety of charities. Her closest friend is a former courtesan, and she refuses to judge those in less fortunate circumstances than her own. Except when it comes to Ian. Granted, blind spots and prejudice are part of being human, but you would think that at some point it would occur to her to apply that don't-judge-a-book-by-its-cover principle to her own husband. And then, when things get all sorted out, Ian's the one to grovel about his love for her, and while she admits that she loves him too, she doesn't bother to really apologize for her presumptions and judgmental attitude (I think the closest she gets is "I suppose I can contrive to forgive you for keeping the truth from me..."). Really? Having the superior reputation doesn't really excuse you from basic good manners and humility. So while I'm glad they get their happy ending, I can't help but feel that Ian gets the shorter end of the stick here.
And thus ends my rant. ;)
July 10, 2017
This book is a good example why I handpick the authors I read historical romances by.
Firstly, I hated how the heroine was so honourable because of course not, she would never contemplate adultery. But of course, the hero may go around having mistresses. This is the same heroine who was found kissing another man at the beginning of the novel because she wanted to feel passion. This same heroine was willing to give up her passion to be an honourable wife with no passion? This kind of discrepancy shows poor writing skill.
Secondly, everyone was fine with the hero's promiscuous past. Because, poor boy, has daddy issues so of course he went sleeping with all the women he could. Of course, this ridiculous society created by Nicole Jordan would also excuse the heroine, if she had daddy issues and went sleeping around?
Nicole Jordan depicting the heroine and hero like this is not normal, wasn't normal in historical times. After all, it takes two to tango. The hero certainly wasn't only sleeping with women he had to pay for, he was sleeping with wives and other women of the ton. But God forbid if the heroine is anything but the virginal heiress with a title and faithful.
Firstly, I hated how the heroine was so honourable because of course not, she would never contemplate adultery. But of course, the hero may go around having mistresses. This is the same heroine who was found kissing another man at the beginning of the novel because she wanted to feel passion. This same heroine was willing to give up her passion to be an honourable wife with no passion? This kind of discrepancy shows poor writing skill.
Secondly, everyone was fine with the hero's promiscuous past. Because, poor boy, has daddy issues so of course he went sleeping with all the women he could. Of course, this ridiculous society created by Nicole Jordan would also excuse the heroine, if she had daddy issues and went sleeping around?
Nicole Jordan depicting the heroine and hero like this is not normal, wasn't normal in historical times. After all, it takes two to tango. The hero certainly wasn't only sleeping with women he had to pay for, he was sleeping with wives and other women of the ton. But God forbid if the heroine is anything but the virginal heiress with a title and faithful.
December 28, 2017
Leído en Febrero 2012
Estuvo bien!
Estuvo bien!
April 5, 2011
And the nomination for the heroine most likely to be strangled by an
irate reader is...
Yes, fellow readers I found the heroine of To Desire a Wicked Duke - Tess - to be one very irksome, unpleasant woman.
I'm not sure what happened to Tess. She went from a gentle, nice secondary character in the previous novels, to a scornful, mean, snotty woman in this one. I believe her motto may have the word "emasculate" in it somewhere. How or why she felt the need to resist Ian I'll never know. Ian is quite a hunk! He's rich, he's kind, he's handsome and sexy. Everything a sane woman could want! Her resistance to his appeal made no sense. And, while we are on the subject of not understanding - she was such a mean-spirited person, always digging that knife a little deeper - why he lusted after her, let alone loved her was beyond my comprehension.
And then there's the recurring character Fanny, the bighearted whore, never been kissed, adviser to virgins, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...whoops wrong character! She's in love with a bookish fellow, and she's writing a novel so she can become respectable and her childhood sweetheart will kiss her and want to marry her and "wiv wif her foe-evah and evah". Oh yes, I forgot, she's also there for the Scooby-Doo ghost tale that was thrown into this book. Thank goodness the ghost plot didn't last long!
Needless to say I was disappointed in this last of the series of "courtship wars". The characters were one dimensional, the plot lines rushed, the heroine spiteful and the hero in need of a better story.
Now does this mean I won't read Ms. Jordan's next book? Nah. I of course plan on reading the next new series...with my fingers crossed.
irate reader is...
Yes, fellow readers I found the heroine of To Desire a Wicked Duke - Tess - to be one very irksome, unpleasant woman.
I'm not sure what happened to Tess. She went from a gentle, nice secondary character in the previous novels, to a scornful, mean, snotty woman in this one. I believe her motto may have the word "emasculate" in it somewhere. How or why she felt the need to resist Ian I'll never know. Ian is quite a hunk! He's rich, he's kind, he's handsome and sexy. Everything a sane woman could want! Her resistance to his appeal made no sense. And, while we are on the subject of not understanding - she was such a mean-spirited person, always digging that knife a little deeper - why he lusted after her, let alone loved her was beyond my comprehension.
And then there's the recurring character Fanny, the bighearted whore, never been kissed, adviser to virgins, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...whoops wrong character! She's in love with a bookish fellow, and she's writing a novel so she can become respectable and her childhood sweetheart will kiss her and want to marry her and "wiv wif her foe-evah and evah". Oh yes, I forgot, she's also there for the Scooby-Doo ghost tale that was thrown into this book. Thank goodness the ghost plot didn't last long!
Needless to say I was disappointed in this last of the series of "courtship wars". The characters were one dimensional, the plot lines rushed, the heroine spiteful and the hero in need of a better story.
Now does this mean I won't read Ms. Jordan's next book? Nah. I of course plan on reading the next new series...with my fingers crossed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2014
(Things you don't do at four in the morning while having your period: Read books and make reviews.)
I was so fucking livid I had to write this one. (Again, with the hormones during period. You're a girl and you know how it is.)
The whole thing was dragged and there were unnecessary things like that Castle Ghost shit. I thought something would happen there that would greatly affect Ian and Tess's relationship. (Say, Tess would be kidnapped or Ian would get shot.) But no, the suspense factor ended immediately and lamely. It already left me disappointed when that Castle crime ended. I expected more things to happened there but they were mostly dallying there.
True, they wouldn't have made love had Tess not come to Ian because of the so called ghost. But let's face it, she'll give in eventually to their attraction. There was no need to drag ghosts and castles and shit, Christ.
Most importantly, I hate Tess, at first. So much. She was so judgmental. Then I gradually diminished my hate for her but I still dislike her. And she's like, "I hate you Ian because you trapped me in a marriage I don't want yadda yadda yadda but can you play matchmaker for my friends?" Such a user. Like, what the hell, woman?
However, I really adored Ian's character here. He was so fucking selfless and so precious I wanted to wrap him in a blanket and protect him.
I was so fucking livid I had to write this one. (Again, with the hormones during period. You're a girl and you know how it is.)
The whole thing was dragged and there were unnecessary things like that Castle Ghost shit. I thought something would happen there that would greatly affect Ian and Tess's relationship. (Say, Tess would be kidnapped or Ian would get shot.) But no, the suspense factor ended immediately and lamely. It already left me disappointed when that Castle crime ended. I expected more things to happened there but they were mostly dallying there.
True, they wouldn't have made love had Tess not come to Ian because of the so called ghost. But let's face it, she'll give in eventually to their attraction. There was no need to drag ghosts and castles and shit, Christ.
Most importantly, I hate Tess, at first. So much. She was so judgmental. Then I gradually diminished my hate for her but I still dislike her. And she's like, "I hate you Ian because you trapped me in a marriage I don't want yadda yadda yadda but can you play matchmaker for my friends?" Such a user. Like, what the hell, woman?
However, I really adored Ian's character here. He was so fucking selfless and so precious I wanted to wrap him in a blanket and protect him.
January 12, 2011
This review was first available on www.Bookpleasures.com and http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com
The Courtship wars continue! If you have followed this series by Nicole Jordan, I’m sure you highly anticipate its release. The sixth and final book of the series explores the story of Tess with a secondary story that wraps up ties for Fanny Irwin who has played a role in each novel to date. In this final installment, Tess gets a second chance at love! This time around it is with the wicked Duke of Rotham, the elder cousin of her late fiancé. It’s been two years since Richards' death and Tess is ready to move on. She doesn’t expect to move on in the arms of Ian but fate, desire and attraction all have their own plan.
One of the wonderful perks of historical romance is the throwback in language that the reader experiences. Gone are words such as ass, erection and affair. The contemporary words of today are replaced with words such as derriere, hardness, and liaison, giving the language a sophisticated feel. Nicole’s writing shows this perk off in its highest regard. I greatly enjoyed the dialogue as well as the descriptive wording this book used. In a way it enabled me to understand and appreciate the beauty of the scenes without feeling I was walking in on something I shouldn’t be.
This title is a great example of a near perfect romance novel. It was loaded with the must have steamy scenes but full of story and intrigue as well. The hot stuff fit in with the story rather than the story catering to the steamy excerpts. The book follows the main story of Tess and Ian’s relationship while also entertaining a secondary story, Fanny’s relationship. It includes many incidents that tie everything together. The novel entertains with its slight mystery and steamy passion.
I had a hard time putting this novel down. It had a few quirks in reference to the characters avoiding honesty and communication. However, it was an aspect needed in order to let the book arrive at its conclusion. The author hits that not all may be as it seems which brings intrigue to the novel. I would suggest this book to romance readers, especially those who enjoy historical romance or the 18th century. I have not read the other books in this series and purposefully accepted this novel out of order to see if it would stand on its own. I am happy to report it can! The author does a great job of bringing characters from previous novels into the book without having to supply mundane facts for previous readers of the series. New readers are given enough information to read this title on its own without confusion. I have every intention of reading the rest of this series, starting with book one! While I do that, I suggest you read “To Desire a Wicked Duke”.
The Courtship wars continue! If you have followed this series by Nicole Jordan, I’m sure you highly anticipate its release. The sixth and final book of the series explores the story of Tess with a secondary story that wraps up ties for Fanny Irwin who has played a role in each novel to date. In this final installment, Tess gets a second chance at love! This time around it is with the wicked Duke of Rotham, the elder cousin of her late fiancé. It’s been two years since Richards' death and Tess is ready to move on. She doesn’t expect to move on in the arms of Ian but fate, desire and attraction all have their own plan.
One of the wonderful perks of historical romance is the throwback in language that the reader experiences. Gone are words such as ass, erection and affair. The contemporary words of today are replaced with words such as derriere, hardness, and liaison, giving the language a sophisticated feel. Nicole’s writing shows this perk off in its highest regard. I greatly enjoyed the dialogue as well as the descriptive wording this book used. In a way it enabled me to understand and appreciate the beauty of the scenes without feeling I was walking in on something I shouldn’t be.
This title is a great example of a near perfect romance novel. It was loaded with the must have steamy scenes but full of story and intrigue as well. The hot stuff fit in with the story rather than the story catering to the steamy excerpts. The book follows the main story of Tess and Ian’s relationship while also entertaining a secondary story, Fanny’s relationship. It includes many incidents that tie everything together. The novel entertains with its slight mystery and steamy passion.
I had a hard time putting this novel down. It had a few quirks in reference to the characters avoiding honesty and communication. However, it was an aspect needed in order to let the book arrive at its conclusion. The author hits that not all may be as it seems which brings intrigue to the novel. I would suggest this book to romance readers, especially those who enjoy historical romance or the 18th century. I have not read the other books in this series and purposefully accepted this novel out of order to see if it would stand on its own. I am happy to report it can! The author does a great job of bringing characters from previous novels into the book without having to supply mundane facts for previous readers of the series. New readers are given enough information to read this title on its own without confusion. I have every intention of reading the rest of this series, starting with book one! While I do that, I suggest you read “To Desire a Wicked Duke”.
April 25, 2011
Society’s rules in Regency England, during the early nineteenth century, mixed with Tess Blanchard’s desire for passion and the Duke of Rotham’s long-denied desire for Tess make a captivating romance that propels the reader along with both internal and external conflicts, humor, and an irrepressible primal connection that engenders an exquisite love.
The Duke of Rotham, known as the Devil Duke, seizes the opportunity to kiss Tess after four years of wanting her while keeping his distance. Male primal need takes control. Common sense and caution exit leaving passion, desire, and fiery need to take center stage. All his womanizing and worldly ways did not prepare the Duke for the way he feels when he kisses and caresses Tess.
Tess comes alive at his touch. The emptiness she’s felt for so long is filled with the Duke’s scent, taste, and the marvelous sensation of his mouth that feels like heated silk as it makes her melt with pleasure and wanting. His caresses make her oblivious to all else. She had experienced a youth’s love with her fiancé Richard before he was killed, but she’d never felt anything like the passionate, blood sizzling demands of the Duke’s touch that makes her shiver in exhilaration.
When they are caught by Lady Wingate, Tess’s benefactor, the Duke takes control and says they will marry to save Tess’s reputation. He is well aware of the double standard in their Regency society. More than that, he already has a reputation that could hardly be degraded more—whether justified or not.
These two strong personalities, both determined to protect themselves from hurt, deal with conflicts in unique ways with each of them trying to keep the upper hand. With humor, tears, and fears, they enchant the reader with a spellbinding love that flourishes in spite of all the contrariness.
The secondary characters make entertaining, delightful additions to the untangling of what is true and what was thought to be true. They supply some unexpected twists and turns in the plot. Fanny Irwin and the Loring sisters are delightful.
Nicole Jordan brings a sparkling, fresh touch to Regency romance. Her character development makes Tess and the Duke come alive. Their depth, emotions, and steadfastness endear them to the reader.
To Desire a Wicked Duke crackles with conflicts, sizzles with sensuality, and lures the reader in with incredible love (and that love scene!) It kept me up late and I never missed the sleep.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
The Duke of Rotham, known as the Devil Duke, seizes the opportunity to kiss Tess after four years of wanting her while keeping his distance. Male primal need takes control. Common sense and caution exit leaving passion, desire, and fiery need to take center stage. All his womanizing and worldly ways did not prepare the Duke for the way he feels when he kisses and caresses Tess.
Tess comes alive at his touch. The emptiness she’s felt for so long is filled with the Duke’s scent, taste, and the marvelous sensation of his mouth that feels like heated silk as it makes her melt with pleasure and wanting. His caresses make her oblivious to all else. She had experienced a youth’s love with her fiancé Richard before he was killed, but she’d never felt anything like the passionate, blood sizzling demands of the Duke’s touch that makes her shiver in exhilaration.
When they are caught by Lady Wingate, Tess’s benefactor, the Duke takes control and says they will marry to save Tess’s reputation. He is well aware of the double standard in their Regency society. More than that, he already has a reputation that could hardly be degraded more—whether justified or not.
These two strong personalities, both determined to protect themselves from hurt, deal with conflicts in unique ways with each of them trying to keep the upper hand. With humor, tears, and fears, they enchant the reader with a spellbinding love that flourishes in spite of all the contrariness.
The secondary characters make entertaining, delightful additions to the untangling of what is true and what was thought to be true. They supply some unexpected twists and turns in the plot. Fanny Irwin and the Loring sisters are delightful.
Nicole Jordan brings a sparkling, fresh touch to Regency romance. Her character development makes Tess and the Duke come alive. Their depth, emotions, and steadfastness endear them to the reader.
To Desire a Wicked Duke crackles with conflicts, sizzles with sensuality, and lures the reader in with incredible love (and that love scene!) It kept me up late and I never missed the sleep.
originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
July 25, 2019
More like 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I did like this story. Many reviewers were bothered by the fact that the heroine apparently had a personality change from previous books. I’ve only read the first two books of this series and must confess it’s been several years (I think when they first came out) since I’ve read them so the details are not so fresh in my mind, but I did remember there was a character, Tess, whose betrothed was killed in the war. So I’m reading this now more as a stand alone and it works for me.
I like the trope of unrequited love, in this book it’s the Hero who has secret feeling for the heroine, but since she was courted and betrothed to his cousin, he could not act upon them. Also even if his cousin died in the war, the heroine was still in mourning so he could still not approach her out of respect.
What I didn’t like (so it lost. A half star): SPOILERS:
That they were caught in a compromising position so had to have a hasty marriage. I would have preferred that the Hero be given a chance to properly court her.
I didn’t like that her deceased fiancé was made out to be somewhat of a scoundrel. He destroyed the Hero’s personality to the heroine which is why she had a bad impression from the time they met. Then he has an affair with the maid that results in a child while he is engaged to the heroine. I didn’t like how her godmother and the Hero kept this information from her. If my suitor had a child out of wedlock, I would certainly want to know about it and it would determine whether I accept his suit or not.
This may have been a plot point for the writer, to give her character a chance to move on (by showing that her first love was unworthy) and that her love for him was not deep enough, but I don’t really like these tropes.
So why it lost half star.
Otherwise, I liked it because the main characters had good chemistry with each other. I liked that the Hero would always bend over backwards to accommodate the demands of the heroine. He constantly allowed her to get her way. I think it was to show that he really did have deep feelings for her from the starts, and actually could not deny her anything.
Easily read as a stand alone, no need to have read the other books although I remember the second book of this series, “To Bed a Beauty” is one of my favorites.
All in all a good read.
I did like this story. Many reviewers were bothered by the fact that the heroine apparently had a personality change from previous books. I’ve only read the first two books of this series and must confess it’s been several years (I think when they first came out) since I’ve read them so the details are not so fresh in my mind, but I did remember there was a character, Tess, whose betrothed was killed in the war. So I’m reading this now more as a stand alone and it works for me.
I like the trope of unrequited love, in this book it’s the Hero who has secret feeling for the heroine, but since she was courted and betrothed to his cousin, he could not act upon them. Also even if his cousin died in the war, the heroine was still in mourning so he could still not approach her out of respect.
What I didn’t like (so it lost. A half star): SPOILERS:
That they were caught in a compromising position so had to have a hasty marriage. I would have preferred that the Hero be given a chance to properly court her.
I didn’t like that her deceased fiancé was made out to be somewhat of a scoundrel. He destroyed the Hero’s personality to the heroine which is why she had a bad impression from the time they met. Then he has an affair with the maid that results in a child while he is engaged to the heroine. I didn’t like how her godmother and the Hero kept this information from her. If my suitor had a child out of wedlock, I would certainly want to know about it and it would determine whether I accept his suit or not.
This may have been a plot point for the writer, to give her character a chance to move on (by showing that her first love was unworthy) and that her love for him was not deep enough, but I don’t really like these tropes.
So why it lost half star.
Otherwise, I liked it because the main characters had good chemistry with each other. I liked that the Hero would always bend over backwards to accommodate the demands of the heroine. He constantly allowed her to get her way. I think it was to show that he really did have deep feelings for her from the starts, and actually could not deny her anything.
Easily read as a stand alone, no need to have read the other books although I remember the second book of this series, “To Bed a Beauty” is one of my favorites.
All in all a good read.
December 27, 2012
Tess Blanchard, and Ian, Duke of Rotham. Another stupid heroine intelligent and caring except when it comes to romance. Too irritated to review this properly. Again a premise that suspends belief, Tess leaves husband after one wedding night at the estate to go match-making in one of his castles. And he lets her go?
As a result of this series, I realize I that I like intelligent pragmatic heroines, one who are not so stupid to see the being the wife of a kind good looking wealthy nobleman has many benefits. Women were raised to aspire to marriage so it doe not seem believable in the Regency time period for women not to have more sense in this regard.
I would have given it more stars if the series wrapped up all the H/Hs of the previous 5 books. At least we hear one of them is expecting; they way all the couples all go at it multiple times a night, I would have thought all would be pregnant by the time the series ends.
As a result of this series, I realize I that I like intelligent pragmatic heroines, one who are not so stupid to see the being the wife of a kind good looking wealthy nobleman has many benefits. Women were raised to aspire to marriage so it doe not seem believable in the Regency time period for women not to have more sense in this regard.
I would have given it more stars if the series wrapped up all the H/Hs of the previous 5 books. At least we hear one of them is expecting; they way all the couples all go at it multiple times a night, I would have thought all would be pregnant by the time the series ends.
March 9, 2011
Tess is a women who has suffered and put that suffering into her charity works. After the death of her beloved Tess never thought to find someone to love again and be loved in return until her beloved;s cousin Ian walks back into her life and turns it upside down all over again (by that I mean she has always had a strange connection with Ian and doesn't know what to make of it for he is a big time Rake)
Ian haws secertly loved Tess since the moment they danced together at her coming out ball, but when his cousin laid claim to her Ian has done everything in his power to avoid her until he catches her kissing someone else. The jealousy that arises inside him makes him lose contorl and brings his world crashing down with the MARRIAGE of him and Tess.
This marriage brings in ups and downs, lust, anger, sadness, a twist in belief and a WHOLE lot of love.
Ian haws secertly loved Tess since the moment they danced together at her coming out ball, but when his cousin laid claim to her Ian has done everything in his power to avoid her until he catches her kissing someone else. The jealousy that arises inside him makes him lose contorl and brings his world crashing down with the MARRIAGE of him and Tess.
This marriage brings in ups and downs, lust, anger, sadness, a twist in belief and a WHOLE lot of love.
March 23, 2011
This plot had so much potential for a romance novel - lonely widow, notorious rake, a ghost mystery. I got bored not even 1/4 of the way in. The main character, Tess Blanchard, came off as whiney and annoying. I kept expecting the husband to just say forget it and move on. It was unrealistic and just plain annoying to read. I'm surprised, since Nicole Jordan is usually a really good author. Ughh.
August 12, 2013
I was disappointed with the Duke and Tess' story which made me feel bad because I was looking forward to them falling in love. It started out well enough but tapered off to a lackluster and slow end. And I also got this strange feeling that Richard's dignity was sacrificed to make Rotham more appealing to Tess. I always thought that Richard was Tess' one true love.
March 24, 2011
I love all of Nicole Jordan's books. However, I didn't like the plot in this one.
September 15, 2021
Desejo irresistível de Nicole Jordan
É o sexto livro da Série Duelos de Sedução.
Tess, a amiga solteira que perdeu o noivo na guerra, pensa que já chegou o momento de procurar novamente o amor. Depois de dois anos de existência vazia e de luto verdadeiramente sentido pelo noivo, Tess decide que está na altura de recomeçar a sua vida.
Sempre empenhada nas suas obras de caridade, organiza festas de angariação de donativos na casa da sua madrinha, Lady Wingate.
É pela ocasião de uma dessas festas que Ian Sutherland, duque de Rotham, e primo do seu falecido noivo, entra em uma discussão com Tess. Discussão que descamba em um beijo acalorado.
O problema é que os dois são apanhes pela madrinha da Tess e um grupo de convidados da festa e Tess vê se obrigada a casar com Ian.
Ian esconde segredos de Tess. Um deles é que sempre foi apaixonado por ela. Será que conseguirá Ian derrotar o fantasma do primo morto e conquistar o coração de Tess?
Sem dúvida que este livro segue a linha narrativa dos restantes mas neste, logo ao principio, uma teoria surgiu na minha cabeça que no fim bate certo. Mas mesmo assim o fim é muito bom pois há muitos segredos a serem descobertos e só no fim é que Tess descobre tudo.
📌 leitura leve e divertida 📌
É o sexto livro da Série Duelos de Sedução.
Tess, a amiga solteira que perdeu o noivo na guerra, pensa que já chegou o momento de procurar novamente o amor. Depois de dois anos de existência vazia e de luto verdadeiramente sentido pelo noivo, Tess decide que está na altura de recomeçar a sua vida.
Sempre empenhada nas suas obras de caridade, organiza festas de angariação de donativos na casa da sua madrinha, Lady Wingate.
É pela ocasião de uma dessas festas que Ian Sutherland, duque de Rotham, e primo do seu falecido noivo, entra em uma discussão com Tess. Discussão que descamba em um beijo acalorado.
O problema é que os dois são apanhes pela madrinha da Tess e um grupo de convidados da festa e Tess vê se obrigada a casar com Ian.
Ian esconde segredos de Tess. Um deles é que sempre foi apaixonado por ela. Será que conseguirá Ian derrotar o fantasma do primo morto e conquistar o coração de Tess?
Sem dúvida que este livro segue a linha narrativa dos restantes mas neste, logo ao principio, uma teoria surgiu na minha cabeça que no fim bate certo. Mas mesmo assim o fim é muito bom pois há muitos segredos a serem descobertos e só no fim é que Tess descobre tudo.
📌 leitura leve e divertida 📌
May 10, 2022
Assim termina esta fascinante série, os Duelos de Sedução acabam com a história da nossa querida Tess, uma história que eu estava a ansiar há algum tempo.
Há dois anos Tess perdeu o noivo na guerra. Agora vê-se novamente preparada para se apaixonar, mas com um escândalo é obrigada a casar-se com Ian Sutherland, o Duque de Rotham. A ideia que Tess tem de Ian é tudo menos boa e após o casamento decide refugiar-se num Castelo remoto que Ian tem.
Ian que está perdidamente apaixonado pela mulher mas nunca o deu a entender segue-a e tenta fazê-la acreditar nos seus sentimentos, mas Tess está relutante.
Vou ter saudades destas personagens tão queridas.
Aos amantes de romances de época aconselho a leitura desta série.
Há dois anos Tess perdeu o noivo na guerra. Agora vê-se novamente preparada para se apaixonar, mas com um escândalo é obrigada a casar-se com Ian Sutherland, o Duque de Rotham. A ideia que Tess tem de Ian é tudo menos boa e após o casamento decide refugiar-se num Castelo remoto que Ian tem.
Ian que está perdidamente apaixonado pela mulher mas nunca o deu a entender segue-a e tenta fazê-la acreditar nos seus sentimentos, mas Tess está relutante.
Vou ter saudades destas personagens tão queridas.
Aos amantes de romances de época aconselho a leitura desta série.
September 16, 2021
This was a decent ending to the Courtship Wars series. I liked the first three books the best, but the last three in the series held their own as well. The characters were interesting, the plot was interesting, the pace was good, it just didn't pull me in as much as the beginning books in the series. I did like Fanny's story wrapped up and that most characters were in all the books, helping out and getting further in their relationships. In all, I'd definitely recommend this series for a fun, sexy read of the Regency.
May 2, 2012
*3.5*
Miss Tess Blanchard, 2 tahun setelah Richard, sang tunangan, meninggal siap untuk memulai suatu petualangan..lha apesnya baru aja mau mencoba petualangan tersebut dengan patrick hennesy - pemilik theather - eh ketahuan oleh Ian Sutherlan, Duke of Rotham - sepupu Richard.
Rotham jelas jengkel berat melihat tess berciuman dengan hennesy (kl ga salah namanya :D), lha bukannya menarik Tess eh Rotham malah menawarkan dirinya jika Tess ingin mencicipi petualangan....wakakakakka Tess melongo aja apalagi ternyata ciuman Rotham mampu membuat hati Tess berdebar2 dengan kencangnya.
eh ini apesnya lebih parah, tengah2nya berasik masyuk sama Rotham, Tess's godmother memergoki bersama teman2nya yg lain....alhasil Tess & Rotham demi menghindari skandal harus segera menikah.
Tess menolak mentah2 tp diserang dari berbagai arah apalagi Rotham yg kelihatannya pasrah banget disuruh nikah yahhhh nasib deh, akhirnya Tess harus menikah dengan Rotham & menjadi Duchess of Rotham.
kalo mo jujur sebenarnya awal bertemu Rotham sebenarnya Tess merasakan ada yg lain tp reputaasi Rotham membuat Tess berpikir ulang apalagi kemudian kehadiran Richard - sepupu Rotham - yg gentleman & baik hati membuat Tess merasa lebih nyaman, membuat Tess lebih memilih Richard dibandingkan Rotham.
pernikahan yang diluar rencana sama sekali membuat Tess tidak siap harus berdekatan 24/7 dengan Rotham. Tess takut jika dia nantinya akan jatuh hati pada Rotham & akan mengalami kekecewaan kembali.
dulu kehilangan Richard sudah cukup membuatnya kehilangan pijakan, jika sekarang dia harus kehilangan Ian bukankah akan membuatnya semakin kehilangan pijakan hidupnya.
Ian, Duke of Rotham, sebenarnya dulu menyukai Tess. saat dia siap merubah hidupnya & menikah, Tess sempat dipikirkannya untuk menjadi calon Duchess - nya tp kemudian hadirnya Richard & senyuman Tess bagi Richard membuat Ian mundur teratur.
Sekarang 2 tahun berlalu sejak kematian Richard, Ian tidak akan lagi mengingkari ketertarikannya pada Tess.
sepertinya 2 tahun berada di belakang layar menjaga & mendukung Tess makin melelahkan. Tapi Ian juga tidak ingin Tess tau segalanya, yg Ian inginkan adalah Tess kembali berbahagia.
Tess sendiri tidak berani membuka dirinya sepenuhnya pada Ian.
Tess memang akhirnya menerima Ian di tempat tidurnya & mengakui ketertarikan fisik mereka, tp untuk menerima Ian sepenuhnya rasanya masih merupakan hal yg berat dilakukannya. Tess takut disakit Ian.
bukan tanpa alasan Tess takut pada Ian.
pada dasarnya Ian adl orang yg tidak pernah peduli dengan pendapat orang tentangnya. karna itu apapun yg dilakukannya yg akhirnya membuatnya mendapat nama buruk di kalangan ton, Ian tidak pernah berusaha membela & membersihkan dirinya.
nama buruk yg melekat pada diri Ian ditambah cerita2 Richard tentang keburukan2 Ian membuat Tess belum2 sudah mempunya pandangan yg negatif pada Ian.
hingga sekarang saat Tess menjadi istri Ian, Tess tak dapat melihat kebaikan & kelembutan Ian, pdhl sejak awal menikah yg dilakukan Ian hanyalah menuruti & menyenangkan hati Tess.
kalo mo jujur aq ga sreg banget dengan Tess ini.
terlalu buta & bebal.
kenapa dia ga bisa melihat sisi pribadi Ian yg sebenarnya??
dia meminta Ian mengerti ttg dirinya tp dia ga bisa mengerti ttg Ian sama sekali.
sebenarnya kurang apa sih Ian??
Tess minta malam pengantin mereka di tunda, oke Ian nurut.
Tess minta kamar terpisah, oke Ian nurut.
Tess minta Ian memberi Basil pekerjaan agar Fanny bisa menikah dengan Basil, oke Ian langsung menjadikan Basil sekretarisnya.
Ian bahkan membantu kegiatan amal Tess.
tapi itu pun masih tidak cukup bagi Tess.
sebenarnya apa sih maunya Tess???
kalo dia ga mau sama Ian, sini Ian buat aq aja deh....dasar Tess dodol!!!!
mikirnya yg paling buruk ke Ian, bahkan saat melihat anak kecil mirip Ian dia langsung menuding itu anak haram Ian tanpa mencari tau yg sebenarnya.
duh Tess betapa piciknya kamu????
gara2 Tess aq ga mau ngasih nih buku bintang 4....
pdhl aq suka banget sama Ian lhooooo
Miss Tess Blanchard, 2 tahun setelah Richard, sang tunangan, meninggal siap untuk memulai suatu petualangan..lha apesnya baru aja mau mencoba petualangan tersebut dengan patrick hennesy - pemilik theather - eh ketahuan oleh Ian Sutherlan, Duke of Rotham - sepupu Richard.
Rotham jelas jengkel berat melihat tess berciuman dengan hennesy (kl ga salah namanya :D), lha bukannya menarik Tess eh Rotham malah menawarkan dirinya jika Tess ingin mencicipi petualangan....wakakakakka Tess melongo aja apalagi ternyata ciuman Rotham mampu membuat hati Tess berdebar2 dengan kencangnya.
eh ini apesnya lebih parah, tengah2nya berasik masyuk sama Rotham, Tess's godmother memergoki bersama teman2nya yg lain....alhasil Tess & Rotham demi menghindari skandal harus segera menikah.
Tess menolak mentah2 tp diserang dari berbagai arah apalagi Rotham yg kelihatannya pasrah banget disuruh nikah yahhhh nasib deh, akhirnya Tess harus menikah dengan Rotham & menjadi Duchess of Rotham.
kalo mo jujur sebenarnya awal bertemu Rotham sebenarnya Tess merasakan ada yg lain tp reputaasi Rotham membuat Tess berpikir ulang apalagi kemudian kehadiran Richard - sepupu Rotham - yg gentleman & baik hati membuat Tess merasa lebih nyaman, membuat Tess lebih memilih Richard dibandingkan Rotham.
pernikahan yang diluar rencana sama sekali membuat Tess tidak siap harus berdekatan 24/7 dengan Rotham. Tess takut jika dia nantinya akan jatuh hati pada Rotham & akan mengalami kekecewaan kembali.
dulu kehilangan Richard sudah cukup membuatnya kehilangan pijakan, jika sekarang dia harus kehilangan Ian bukankah akan membuatnya semakin kehilangan pijakan hidupnya.
Ian, Duke of Rotham, sebenarnya dulu menyukai Tess. saat dia siap merubah hidupnya & menikah, Tess sempat dipikirkannya untuk menjadi calon Duchess - nya tp kemudian hadirnya Richard & senyuman Tess bagi Richard membuat Ian mundur teratur.
Sekarang 2 tahun berlalu sejak kematian Richard, Ian tidak akan lagi mengingkari ketertarikannya pada Tess.
sepertinya 2 tahun berada di belakang layar menjaga & mendukung Tess makin melelahkan. Tapi Ian juga tidak ingin Tess tau segalanya, yg Ian inginkan adalah Tess kembali berbahagia.
Tess sendiri tidak berani membuka dirinya sepenuhnya pada Ian.
Tess memang akhirnya menerima Ian di tempat tidurnya & mengakui ketertarikan fisik mereka, tp untuk menerima Ian sepenuhnya rasanya masih merupakan hal yg berat dilakukannya. Tess takut disakit Ian.
bukan tanpa alasan Tess takut pada Ian.
pada dasarnya Ian adl orang yg tidak pernah peduli dengan pendapat orang tentangnya. karna itu apapun yg dilakukannya yg akhirnya membuatnya mendapat nama buruk di kalangan ton, Ian tidak pernah berusaha membela & membersihkan dirinya.
nama buruk yg melekat pada diri Ian ditambah cerita2 Richard tentang keburukan2 Ian membuat Tess belum2 sudah mempunya pandangan yg negatif pada Ian.
hingga sekarang saat Tess menjadi istri Ian, Tess tak dapat melihat kebaikan & kelembutan Ian, pdhl sejak awal menikah yg dilakukan Ian hanyalah menuruti & menyenangkan hati Tess.
kalo mo jujur aq ga sreg banget dengan Tess ini.
terlalu buta & bebal.
kenapa dia ga bisa melihat sisi pribadi Ian yg sebenarnya??
dia meminta Ian mengerti ttg dirinya tp dia ga bisa mengerti ttg Ian sama sekali.
sebenarnya kurang apa sih Ian??
Tess minta malam pengantin mereka di tunda, oke Ian nurut.
Tess minta kamar terpisah, oke Ian nurut.
Tess minta Ian memberi Basil pekerjaan agar Fanny bisa menikah dengan Basil, oke Ian langsung menjadikan Basil sekretarisnya.
Ian bahkan membantu kegiatan amal Tess.
tapi itu pun masih tidak cukup bagi Tess.
sebenarnya apa sih maunya Tess???
kalo dia ga mau sama Ian, sini Ian buat aq aja deh....dasar Tess dodol!!!!
mikirnya yg paling buruk ke Ian, bahkan saat melihat anak kecil mirip Ian dia langsung menuding itu anak haram Ian tanpa mencari tau yg sebenarnya.
duh Tess betapa piciknya kamu????
gara2 Tess aq ga mau ngasih nih buku bintang 4....
pdhl aq suka banget sama Ian lhooooo
June 29, 2020
As always when you read the final book in a series there is a filling of sadness at having to say good bye to the characters that you have come to love. So we have come to the end of series with the marriage of Tess Blanchard. This was an unsuspected ending. There has been no mention of the Ian Sutherland, Duke of Rotham, in any of the previous books. Certainly not in connection with Tess or with Richard her deceased betrothed. This story starts off with both parties being antagonistic to each other. Ian has aggravated Tess for two years. More for Ian to hide his feelings for Tess than for any real animosity that Ian might feel for Tess. There were times that Tess made me want to spank her for her overly high minded reaction to Ian. She was so caught up in his reputation that she couldn't see that there was a wonderful man beneath the public persona. I surprised me that Tess was so willing to be compassionate with those that she knew nothing about but couldn't come to see that Ian could or had changed.
Ian is one of those men that doesn't curry the approval of society. He does what is right and if that means letting others think badly of him then so be it. I loved that he took a little boy into his home and made him his ward. I loved that he cared so deeply for the child. It also warmed my heart that he was so protective of the child. His ongoing protection of Tess is also a plus on his side. I enjoyed the banter between Ian and Tess. Their verbal sparring was really a mating dance but neither seemed to realize it. I was surprised at the lengths Ian would go to in order to keep Tess happy. The first sign that he had come to love Tess very much.
This story also brings Fanny Irwin’s romance to it proper and very happy ending. She finally gets to leave her old profession behind and embark on a journey to reconcile with her family as well as marry the man that she has come to love. I was very happy to see a resolution to this ongoing story.
This is a wonderful story filled with a little mystery, a budding love, the revealing of terrible secrets and happy endings for all. There are also some steamy scenes between Ian and Tess especially closer to the end of the story. I will be sad to see the last of these characters. I have enjoyed searching their lives for just a little while.
Ian is one of those men that doesn't curry the approval of society. He does what is right and if that means letting others think badly of him then so be it. I loved that he took a little boy into his home and made him his ward. I loved that he cared so deeply for the child. It also warmed my heart that he was so protective of the child. His ongoing protection of Tess is also a plus on his side. I enjoyed the banter between Ian and Tess. Their verbal sparring was really a mating dance but neither seemed to realize it. I was surprised at the lengths Ian would go to in order to keep Tess happy. The first sign that he had come to love Tess very much.
This story also brings Fanny Irwin’s romance to it proper and very happy ending. She finally gets to leave her old profession behind and embark on a journey to reconcile with her family as well as marry the man that she has come to love. I was very happy to see a resolution to this ongoing story.
This is a wonderful story filled with a little mystery, a budding love, the revealing of terrible secrets and happy endings for all. There are also some steamy scenes between Ian and Tess especially closer to the end of the story. I will be sad to see the last of these characters. I have enjoyed searching their lives for just a little while.
March 9, 2011
*** Book number six in Jordan’s Courtship Wars was so worth waiting for. From previous books in this series, especially book five TO TAME A DANGEROUS LORD, Ms. Jordan gave mouth watering delights as to just how wicked the Duke of Rotham really was. So having Ian Sutherland as the hero in TO DESIRE A WICKED DUKE was like finally getting to the dessert after a five course meal!
After two years of mourning for her fiance who was killed in the battle of Waterloo, Tess wanted to see what it was like to be kissed by an expert. Mr. Hennessy an actor who had been hired to help her produce a play (actually hired to protect her) was reported to be a lover of renown. Tess feeling she would never marry simply wanted to feel a passionate kiss which Mr. Hennessey gave her. His kiss to her mind was ‘awful’. Unfortunately, they were discovered by none other than the ‘wicked duke’ himself who after dismissing Mr. Hennessey proceeded to demonstrate to Tess what a passionate kiss really was - and then some - at which point they were discovered by her godmother and her friends!
In a delightful scenario, Ms Jordan created in her unique way a marriage of convenience on the part of Tess, and a courtship by Ian in trying to show Tess he could be trusted and that his ‘wicked’ rakish ways were over. Using a surfeit of witty dialogs and banter Ms. Jordan’s characters from main to secondary were a breath of fresh air, especially Ian’s three year old ward who may or may not be Ian’s illegitimate son. Add to that a former courtesan, a mystery, and a ghostly presence at Ian’s Cornwall castle estate and you have all the makings of an appealing entry in this entertaining series I highly recommend.
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
After two years of mourning for her fiance who was killed in the battle of Waterloo, Tess wanted to see what it was like to be kissed by an expert. Mr. Hennessy an actor who had been hired to help her produce a play (actually hired to protect her) was reported to be a lover of renown. Tess feeling she would never marry simply wanted to feel a passionate kiss which Mr. Hennessey gave her. His kiss to her mind was ‘awful’. Unfortunately, they were discovered by none other than the ‘wicked duke’ himself who after dismissing Mr. Hennessey proceeded to demonstrate to Tess what a passionate kiss really was - and then some - at which point they were discovered by her godmother and her friends!
In a delightful scenario, Ms Jordan created in her unique way a marriage of convenience on the part of Tess, and a courtship by Ian in trying to show Tess he could be trusted and that his ‘wicked’ rakish ways were over. Using a surfeit of witty dialogs and banter Ms. Jordan’s characters from main to secondary were a breath of fresh air, especially Ian’s three year old ward who may or may not be Ian’s illegitimate son. Add to that a former courtesan, a mystery, and a ghostly presence at Ian’s Cornwall castle estate and you have all the makings of an appealing entry in this entertaining series I highly recommend.
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
August 27, 2018
Passion ignites in Nicole Jordan’s delectable, dazzling conclusion to The Courtship Wars. Two years after losing her beloved fiancé to war, Tess Blanchard feels ready to chance love again. Thus she’s aghast when a threatening scandal forces her to wed her longtime nemesis, Ian Sutherland, Duke of Rotham. The impossibly arrogant, irresistibly seductive nobleman is the last man Tess could ever imagine loving. Making matters worse, she discovers secrets in Rotham’s wicked past that send her fleeing London for his remote castle in Cornwall.Having long desired Tess, Ian is exasperated that the ton thinks he’s driven his reluctant new bride from their marriage bed and follows hard on her heels. Naturally, their spirited rivalry leads to glorious, pleasure-filled nights—complicated by a mysterious ghost who haunts Ian’s castle and Tess’s vexing insistence that he play matchmaker to her friends. But can blazing desire between two warring hearts turn into wedded bliss and timeless love?
May 22, 2011
I'm not a fan of Jordan's recent work, but having loved her older novels I decided to give it another go. Although parts were entertaining and interesting I was bored at times and almost quit 2/3 through. I found the haunted castle and Fanny subplots uninteresting, although perhaps if I had read some of the others in the series I would have cared more about this character. Upon finishing, I wasn't sure if it was Jordan's book or just that I am not in a romance novel mood. However, I've started MaClean's Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake and and zipping through it with great interest. Therefore I am left think that Jordan has lost that loving feeling. Her last several attempts just haven't thrilled me.
March 6, 2021
Disappointed in myself
I gave this book a glowing review the first time I read it years ago and I had no memory of it. I am so glad I decided to reread it. I absolutely loved this book. Ian and Tess had so much passion and chemistry I enjoyed every one of their interactions. Lately I've been getting weary of the insubstantial reasons why these men avoid falling in love but Ian wasn't like that. For the most he knew he had deep feelings for her but he also knew he couldn't compete with his dead cousin. I loved how much he cared for Tess from the very beginning even if she couldn't recognize it as love. This was a fantastic ending to the series and I will not be forgetting this particular book again.
I gave this book a glowing review the first time I read it years ago and I had no memory of it. I am so glad I decided to reread it. I absolutely loved this book. Ian and Tess had so much passion and chemistry I enjoyed every one of their interactions. Lately I've been getting weary of the insubstantial reasons why these men avoid falling in love but Ian wasn't like that. For the most he knew he had deep feelings for her but he also knew he couldn't compete with his dead cousin. I loved how much he cared for Tess from the very beginning even if she couldn't recognize it as love. This was a fantastic ending to the series and I will not be forgetting this particular book again.
December 3, 2015
3.5
Finished with the Courtship Wars series. This was another decent installment for Nicole Jordan. I really enjoyed how Ian as portrayed in this story, but I was a little disappointed with Tess. She has been a character appearing in the other novels and I thought, yay, high time we get her tale...but it left me disappointed. For all her laments about trying to find true love and giving herself up to it...she really fought her way through this one. I think if she would have blinked and truly looked at Ian and what she had right away she would have saved herself a lot of trouble. But it's romance, have to have some angst, otherwise it'd be over in 3 pages. Still, overall, the series was good. But the last three books, not quite as good as the first set.
Finished with the Courtship Wars series. This was another decent installment for Nicole Jordan. I really enjoyed how Ian as portrayed in this story, but I was a little disappointed with Tess. She has been a character appearing in the other novels and I thought, yay, high time we get her tale...but it left me disappointed. For all her laments about trying to find true love and giving herself up to it...she really fought her way through this one. I think if she would have blinked and truly looked at Ian and what she had right away she would have saved herself a lot of trouble. But it's romance, have to have some angst, otherwise it'd be over in 3 pages. Still, overall, the series was good. But the last three books, not quite as good as the first set.
July 30, 2011
I love historical romances, but this one was kind of irritating. I think it couldn't decide if it was a ghost story/mystery or simply a romance with a couple of nifty castles. The repetition got annoying, too, after about the fourth time the author repeated that one particular character "used to be a courtesan *insert gasp of horror here*."
I dunno. I'm finding it harder and harder to find historical romances I can enjoy. I think Judith Tarr's exquisitely researched historical fiction has soured me.
I dunno. I'm finding it harder and harder to find historical romances I can enjoy. I think Judith Tarr's exquisitely researched historical fiction has soured me.
June 21, 2011
Tess's story.
The first part where is characters are introduced is ok. The second part where the characters chase off to Cornwall and get caught up in a "ghost" chasing exercise is pathetic. I think Ms Jordan hit a blank wall and couldn't find her way around her writers block. After the story returns to the first location things get better. The ending was just fine but the middle just fell flat. Flat, flat, flat.
The first part where is characters are introduced is ok. The second part where the characters chase off to Cornwall and get caught up in a "ghost" chasing exercise is pathetic. I think Ms Jordan hit a blank wall and couldn't find her way around her writers block. After the story returns to the first location things get better. The ending was just fine but the middle just fell flat. Flat, flat, flat.
May 21, 2012
Ok, not remarkable. The plot was very slow and by the end I was extremely frustrated that the heroine had not realized how great the hero is by the first half of the book.
December 17, 2019
I fell in love with Rotham!!
December 2, 2021
Good story as it started promising but poor execution....the plot weak and disappointing,the characters not believable and contemporary and the ending just dragged and dragged.
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