9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyable Regency romance, Feb 24 2011
By Harriet Klausner - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: To Desire a Wicked Duke (Mass Market Paperback)
In 1817 in Richmond, England Tess Blanchard has begun to move passed the death of her fiancé in combat two years ago. However when she and Patrick Hennessy, who has been assigned to keep her safe, kiss, she finds it insipid. Worse her long time adversary, the Duke of Rotham Ian Sutherland catches her and rips her up and down for her scandalous behavior.
Tess' godmother Lady Wingate stuns her when she insists she marry Sutherland to avoid a scandal; failure to do so means Wingate will withdraw her support financially and titled. Tess reluctantly agrees, but vows their marriage will be in name only as she loathes the arrogant way Sutherland mocks her. However, Ian has other plans for his wife who he protects and mentors in the art of the bedroom. She begins to fall in love with her husband until she uncovers horrible secrets her spouse concealed. Despondent and irate, Tess flees to Sutherland's Cornwall estate where something otherworldly haunts the castle. Ian follows her hoping his wife will forgive him as he loved her long before they married.
The latest Courtship Wars Regency romance (see To Pleasure A Lady, To Romance a Charming Rogue and To Seduce a Bride) is an enjoyable entry to a fun series. The dysfunctional yet loving lead couple's behavior towards each other mirrors that of the stars of To Tame a Dangerous Lord. However, the entertaining story line is made fresh by a mutual third party and the haunting. Filled with secrets, misunderstandings and distrust, To Desire A Wicked Duke is an entertaining historical.
Harriet Klausner
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
What happened??, Feb 27 2011
By Liz Bennet - Published on Amazon.com
I whole heartedly agree with JLR's review. I was so looking forward to this book. The first chapter showed all the signs of an exciting courtship. It fell very flat and I was left disappointed. Tess was really annoying and in fact I actually felt sorry for Ian. This story had so much potential but one could tell Nicole just rushed this one and she felt no affinity for her characters. This story lacked the depth and feeling that the other stories in this series.
15 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read, Feb 23 2011
By LAS Reviewer "The Long and the Short Of It Re... - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: To Desire a Wicked Duke (Mass Market Paperback)
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 The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews