M

I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

ARC Book Review-When The Duke Was Wicked

by | Jan 18, 2014 | Book Reviews | 0 comments

ARC Book Review-When The Duke Was WickedWhen the Duke Was Wicked by Lorraine Heath
Also in this series: Once More, My Darling Rogue
Series: Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #1
Published by Avon on February 25th 2014
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 372
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
ISBN: 0062276220
Goodreads
five-stars

They are England’s most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways…
Lady Grace Mabry’s ample inheritance has made it impossible for her to tell whether a suitor is in love with her—or enamored of her riches. Who better to distinguish beau from blackguard than her notorious childhood friend, the Duke of Lovingdon?
With no interest in marriage, Lovingdon has long lived only for pleasure. He sees little harm in helping Grace find a proper match. After all, he’s familiar with all the ploys a scoundrel uses to gain a woman’s favor. He simply has to teach the lovely innocent how to distinguish honest emotions from false ones. How better than by demonstrating his wicked ways? But as lessons lead to torrid passion and Grace becomes ensnared in another man’s marriage plot, Lovingdon must wage a desperate gamble: Open his heart fully—or risk losing the woman he adores…

My Review

when The Duke Was WickedGrace has been in love with Lovingdon for years. Grace knows that she will need to marry soon, even though her parents aren’t forcing her to choose. They want her to find true love, the same love they have for each other. So Grace goes to Lovingdon for his help. Grace is worried than any suitor she may have will only be after her dowry, and will change his tune once they are married. So she asks for his help in figuring out which man is playing her and which one is genuine in his affection for her. Lovingdon lost his wife and daughter a couple years ago. Up until the moment he lost his wife, he was the most upstanding gentleman, one you could find no fault with. But from that moment that changed his life, he decided to stop playing by the rules. So the past couple of years he is the perfect debauched rake, enjoying gambling, drinking and plenty of women. Even though Lovingdon doesn’t want to help Grace, he feels a compulsion to do so. He has always held Grace in high affection, them having grown up together. But as he gives her lessons in finding the perfect mate, he comes to the conclusion that last thing he wants is for another man to have what he considers HIS….

When The Duke Was Wicked is the first in the most latest series from Lorraine Heath. This series is somewhat connection to the Scoundrels of St. James series. The two main characters in this story were children of Frannie Darling and Jack Dodger.When I realized this, I was very excited to see how this would turn out and if we would see characters from that earlier series. Well let me just say I was fully satisfied in that certain aspect. The story begins with Grace showing up at Lovingdons with no notice, and he definitely isn’t reading in the library. We see the strong spirit from Grace from the beginning of the story, and doesn’t back down no matter how much Lovingdon growls and does the whole Alpha Male routine. Grace is looking to find a man to love, to accept her for who she is. From the beginning of the story you see that Grace is hiding a secret, one that even Lovingdon doesn’t know. All through the story you wonder what it is, and what Lovingdon’s reaction to it will be. I enjoyed seeing these two interact, especially in the beginning. I loved the scoundrel of a personality that is Lovingdon, and it was quite fun seeing Grace handle him.

The characters in this story are just as charming and endearing as ever!! I couldn’t help become infatuated with them from the very beginning. Now first lets talk about Lovingdon–oh boy, was he delicious, I could gobble him all up. He definitely has the tortured male routine going on a bit, with a mix of rake and bad boy thrown in, definitely makes up for a exciting hero character. Grace is quite a favorite heroine of mine. I think the only thing I wish was better about her character, is having more trust in Lovingdon, considering they were childhood playmates. Grace has quite a bit of spine though, especially when you read this story, and gain a better appreciation for her as the heroine of the story. She does have backbone, and goes after what she wants, and is willing to fight tooth and nail for it. I loved seeing both of these characters develop more from beginning to end of the story, and their connection is beautiful and tender and powerfully passionate. Reading this has made me want to re read the Scoundrels of St James once again.

Overall When The Duke Was Wicked is a endearing romance that will set your blood rate at a higher level. A intriguing tale of romance, sacrifice, and witty dialogue that is bound to take your breath away!!! These characters will make you fall in love once again.  COMPELLING!!

About Lorraine Heath

Also writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London)

Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."

She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero--Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.

When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.


You May Also Like…

Book Review-Wilde for You by Jennifer Ryan

Book Review-Wilde for You by Jennifer Ryan

About The Book New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s page-turning Dark Horse Dive Bar series continues with this story of love lost...and found…as a widow seeking to heal her heart crosses paths with a rancher/bartender who offers her a taste of...

Book Review-Leopard’s Hunt by Christine Feehan

Book Review-Leopard’s Hunt by Christine Feehan

About The Book The next exhilarating Leopard novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan. In this pulse-pounding novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Leopard series, animal instinct unites two elite shifters whose heads are at war...

0 Comments

Leave a Reply