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Book Review-The Duke by Kerrigan Byrne

by | Jan 19, 2017 | Book Reviews | 14 comments

Book Review-The Duke by Kerrigan Byrne

I received this book for free from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review-The Duke by Kerrigan ByrneThe Duke by Kerrigan Byrne
Also in this series: The Highwayman, The Hunter, The Highlander, The Scot Beds His Wife, The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, The Highwayman
Series: Victorian Rebels #4
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on February 7th 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, Victorian Era
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
ISBN: 1250118247
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four-stars

He is noble, notorious, and takes no prisoners...
They say that now His Grace, Collin Talmage, Duke of Trenwyth has only one hand, he might finally be a mere mortal, but no one seems willing to test the theory. Rich as Midas, big as a Viking, beautiful as Adonis, and lethal as a feral wolf, he is the English Empire’s golden son. But now he’s lost everything. Most of his family died in a terrible accident, his protégé and closest friend betrayed him on the battlefield, and his left hand was cut off while he was a prisoner of war. The only thing that’s kept him going until now is the memory of a night spent in the arms of a mysterious raven-haired woman almost a year ago…
Imogen Pritchard is a nurse by day, but a fallen woman—and a spy—by night. Seduced on the job years ago by a Duke who mourned for the loss of his family, Imogen has never shaken the memory of the man’s despair—or the fathomless depths of pleasure he brought to her. But as the threat of betrayals, blackmail, and secrets abound, Imogen and Collin are thrown back together in a dizzying swirl of dangerous games and earthshattering desire. But can their love overcome the everything that threatens to tear them apart?

Summary

Imogen once knew and truly cared for Collin Talmage, and even though she had little choice when she was innocent, he showed her tenderness and passion. She never though she would see him again, but Collin came back to England damaged, and as a nurse she aided in his recovery. But circumstances forced her to make a new life for herself, where she married a man who was sickly but a good friend to her and offered her a stable future and a chance to make a difference. Now Imogen is a widow, but goes out of her way to help those in need whether they be starved children, or abused prostitutes or injured veterans or even thieves who want a different kind of life. But her new neighbor isn’t pleased with her at all. Imogen knows exactly who Collin is but he has no clue that she is the one girl he has been searching for years for, the one woman he gave his heart to. Collin and Imogen have sparks that fly between them, but Imogen wonders if she can tell this dangerous man the truth of their past or is it too late for them to have a future?

Plot and Story Line

Kerrigan Byrne just keeps surprising me with this series, with each installment I keep falling into the world she has created and what a world of danger and passion and the depth of true humanity that is divulged in these books. In The Duke, her most recent release we have a story of lost love and discovery. Imogen and Collin have a past with each other and there are some secrets too but its quite complicated so its not so black and white as it might appear to be. Imogen has a heart of gold, and she gave her innocence and her heart to Collin. But Collin has lived through a hell of his own. Returned to England, created his own fake hand for the one he lost in order to escape alive out of the hellhole he was in. Now when these two meet up again they are next door neighbors but Collin is quite hostile at first. He doesn’t realize that Imogen and the woman he knew as “Ginny” are one and the same. Tempers fly and these two go at it like cats and dogs….or some weird mating ritual because they also have powerful chemistry. I loved the bantering these two have with each other. Its quite lively and highly entertaining. Such a delight to partake of this author once again. She is unique and simply talented. She writes stories that are captivating and not what most HR authors writes now and that is what I love most about her. Its fresh and fun with dark edges that keep you coming back for more. I can’t wait to see what is up next.

The Cover

What a drop dead gorgeous cover…I swear they just keep getting better and better. I love her white flowy dress, and the way he holds her from behind.

Overall View

The Duke is evidence of the pure and unique talent that is Kerrigan Byrne. A story of love that isn’t easy and a romance that packs a punch to your heart!! INCREDIBLE!!

Click To Buy On Amazon

About Kerrigan Byrne

If you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...

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14 Comments

  1. Lexxie

    I agree, Renee! That cover *sighs* so beautiful! And the story sounds absolutely amazing as well! I love second chances, and this one must be complicated, as Colin doesn’t realize who Imogen is! Great review – you made me want to pick up the whole series!!
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    Reply
  2. Alyssa Susanna

    I’ve not read anything by this author! She’s on my list in terms of authors whose books I need to read. It sounds like this Collin guy has had a rough time. o_o For some reason, I don’t usually like HR stories featuring widows? Male or female. Is that weird? D:

    Great review, Renee! Have a fantastic day. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    Reply
  3. LilyElement

    Sounds like I need to read this 😀

    Reply
  4. Blodeuedd

    I did like the one I read by her so 🙂

    Reply
  5. Anna@herding cats&burning soup

    Taking just a quick peek! I have this one for review and am so excited! It’ll be my first of hers. Happy to see you enjoyed it!

    Reply
    • AngieElle @ Ba_BAMB

      I hope you don’t mind me butting in, but have you read the first three in the series? You don’t HAVE to read them to be able to follow this one, but I do think it makes for a better reading experience if you have. I listened to the audios, and they are fantastic!

      Reply
      • Anna@herding cats&burning soup

        I’ve not yet but honestly at this point I rarely read a series in order, sadly. But most of the time do okay with it. I’ve got my fingers crossed it’ll work out okay. If not I’ll put it aside.

        Reply
        • AngieElle @ Ba_BAMB

          You are a braver woman than I. I am fanatical about reading in order. LOL It will still be enjoyable. It was a great story on its own.

        • Anna@herding cats&burning soup

          I was pre-blog but after starting to work with pubs and being sent books late in series I broke myself of the need for the most part. There’s just no way I could read sometimes up to 12 books in order to read the one sent for review so I dove in. Most of the time it’s okay. Maybe one in 20 I’ll have a little trouble.

        • AngieElle @ Ba_BAMB

          Oh, I hear you. I read 8 Kate Daniels books last year in about two and a half or three weeks so I could be ready for the Magic Binds review. LOL

  6. Quinn's Book Nook

    The cover for this book is gorgeous! I need to read some Kerrigan Byrne. I’m a bit nervous that it will be a bit too angsty, but I have to give it a try.

    Reply
  7. Vanessa

    Haven’t read from Kerrigan Byrne but with a story like this, I’ll definitely want to try!

    Reply
  8. Rowena

    That is a gorgeous cover, I agree! Adding another author/book to my ever growing TBB list. Thanks for the review!! 🙂

    Reply
  9. AngieElle @ Ba_BAMB

    I agree with every word. Kerrigan Byrne is one of the best historical romance authors currently writing! And Ginny and Colin…ugh. It was a fun dance to watch. LOL

    Reply

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