Tag Archives: Spitfire Society

A Duke Will Never Do by Darcy Burke-a review

Posted on by
12

A Duke Will Never Do (The Spitfire Society #3) by Darcy Burke-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 19, 2020

The Spitfire Society… Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one.

After failing on the Marriage Mart, Jane Pemberton has two choices: submit to her parents’ edict to marry their boring neighbor or become a self-declared spinster and take up residence in the official headquarters of the Spitfire Society. It’s really no choice at all, and Jane is eager to embrace her newfound independence. She soon finds an unconscious viscount on her doorstep and nurses him back to health. When he offers to compensate her, she requests payment in the form of private instruction of a scandalous and intimate kind.

Having spiraled into a self-destructive abyss following the murder of his parents, Anthony, Viscount Colton, physically recovers under the care of an alluring spitfire. But it is her charm and flirtatiousness that soothes his soul and arouses his desire—until an extortion scheme forces him to face the sins of his past. Now, to save the woman who’s given him everything he lost and more, he’ll have to pay the ultimate price: his heart.

••••••

REVIEW: Author Darcy Burke has blessed us with another lovely Spitfire Society story. A Duke Will Never Do, is the story of Jane Pemberton and Lord Anthony Colton. It is book three of the series.

If you have never picked up a “Spitfire Society Novel”, and have a love of historical romance, I urge you to do so. Each is written as a standalone, however, it makes sense to begin with novel one. This is a three-book series. If you search Spitfire Society in Amazon, you will easily get the reading order. These are stories of good friends whose lives intersect each other. You learn about each character in previous novels but get the in-depth focus of their lives and problems in their own story. It makes each novel like going home to a group of close friends.

I don’t do spoilers but let me give you the beginning gist of the story and what I like so much about it.

Anthony’s back story is that he was a reckless youth. He had many gambling debts that his father refused to pay off. So, he was led to a crime boss, the Vicar, by a supposed friend. That led to not being able to pay the Vicar. He was supposed to be going to their country property, but he didn’t go. His father and mother made the trip instead and were killed by a highway man. Then he learns that it was the Vicar’s man…he was to have been the target. His guilt eats away at him, he believes he’s responsible for his parent’s death. Drinking is his way of numbing the guilt, causing his reputation to suffer.

Jane’s parents are extremely disappointed in her failing to secure a marriage. They are pushing her beyond reason to marry a neighbor she finds boring and unacceptable. Her friend Phoebe has married a duke and has moved out of her house. When Jane let her know she is declaring her spinsterhood and needs to move out of her parent’s home, Phoebe lends Jane her house. She gives Jane a stipend to care for the staff and keep the house repaired, even a small stipend for Jane’s own income. A very generous gift for the times, but she knows Jane will take good care of her staff and home. However, Jane’s parents will no longer see her, nor will they let her come to her sister’s wedding. One morning, Jane finds a man on her doorstep, beaten and injured. It turns out to be Lord Anthony Colton. She has the butler take him to an upstairs room and decides to care for him there, discretely.

That’s pretty much the setup. How they care for each other, how they heal each other and hurt each other simultaneously is the very heart and soul of this intriguing story. What I love is the way they interact for the period. It’s very eye-opening about the brutality of the times and yet heartwarming in how love can overcome so much. I love the idea of spirited and independent women forming a group, even those who are not in Jane’s circumstances. The writing is professionally done, and the conversations and characters are remarkable. I’m a huge fan of Darcy Burke’s work and this is the last of the series. I personally cannot wait to see where she goes next.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Never Have I Ever
A Duke is Never Enough

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Georgianna S

Share

A Duke is Never Enough by Darcy Burke-a review

Posted on by
10

A Duke is Never Enough (Spitfire Society #3) by Darcy Burke-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 2020

Notorious rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is gracing the gossip pages for a new reason: the rumors he may have murdered his swindling cousin. His quest for answers regarding his cousin’s death leads him to an incomparable self-declared spinster, and he is—for the first time—beguiled beyond reason. Neither is what the other wants, and yet their intense mutual infatuation is inescapable.

After abandoning her philandering betrothed at the altar, Phoebe Lennox fled from London only to return an heiress who refuses to follow the ton’s rules. She won’t risk a relationship of any kind—until she meets the notorious Marquess of Ripley. Swept into his seductive embrace, her resolve falters in the face of a pleasure she never anticipated. But when the truth about Marcus and the murder come to light, Phoebe could lose everything she holds dear, including a love for all time.

••••••••

REVIEW: A Duke is Never Enough is book two of the Spitfire Society by Darcy Burke. This is a wonderful add to her new series.

This is a historical romance and features some characters from the Untouchables series. This is the story of Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley (Rip) and Phoebe Lennox.
Marcus is a bit of a rake. His reputation is a bit more than he deserves, but he has had quite a few ladies in his life. Phoebe, if you remember from previous novels, left her betrothed, Laurence Sainsbury, at the alter and left London. However, her aunt left her a fortune and she declared herself independent and helped form the Spitfire Society. She is a self-proclaimed spinster and not looking for a husband.

When Marcus confronts his cousin, Archibald Drobbit, for swindling people (Graham, the Duke of Halstead from previous novels) a fight ensues and before he runs away, Drobbit throws a rock at Marcus’s head wounding him slightly. This was a public display Marcus hadn’t wanted to have. He rides away on his horse but is bleeding and he stops to clean himself up. A lovely young woman rides up on a horse and helps him. He’s intrigued by her and wants to see her again, but she won’t give him her name. He has the handkerchief she used, and he promises to return it tomorrow. She doubts he can find out who she is that quickly. Bets are made and the adventure begins.

This is a thoroughly intriguing novel with lots of great conversations, adventure, danger, and of course sizzzzzling romance. I don’t do spoilers, and nobody does romance like Darcy Burke! Don’t miss it!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Never Have I Ever
A Duke Is Never Enough

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Georgianna

Share

Never Have I Ever With a Duke (Spitfire Society) by Darcy Burke-review

Posted on by
11

Never Have I Ever with a Duke by Darcy Burke-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 27, 2019

Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one…

Graham Kinsley is shocked when he inherits a debt-ridden dukedom, and now he has just one month to repay a loan. He needs an heiress—or find a way to recoup the former duke’s losses. When he meets the alluring Arabella, he’s entranced. Unfortunately, she’s as bankrupt as he is, but if they work together they may be able to recover their fortunes. Though if they keep stealing kisses, they may lose their hearts instead.

Arabella Stoke can’t afford an attraction to the penniless duke who has vowed to help rescue her family from financial devastation. She needs to find a wealthy husband before her father succumbs to the stress of losing everything. However, as Graham brings them closer to finding the swindler who stole their money, the war between what they want and what they need may ruin them both.

•••••••••

REVIEW:This is the new series by author Darcy Burke. She has dubbed it The Spitfire Society. In the time period of this series, the women of English society were expected to marry well and not necessarily for love. A couple of women (Phoebe Lennox and Jane Pemberton) who have inherited a great deal of money and have not either chosen to marry or have not found anyone worthy of them, have formed the Spitfire Society. Spinsters who choose not to marry and enjoy a life of independence. They’re wonderful and supportive of their friends but enjoy their independence. They also support the choices of those who choose to marry.

This is the story of Arabella Stoke and Graham Kinsley, Duke of Halstead. It begins in London, March 1819.

Arabella’s father has been swindled and they are destitute. He’s become bedridden and she and her mother have done their best to keep society from finding out they’re bankrupt. It’s imperative that Arabella marry well and quickly. She’s resigned to this, but it is not what she wants. Marrying for wealth is not an easy thing to do in this society.

Graham has recently inherited his Dukedom. The past duke left him a mountain of debts and two huge properties, mortgaged to the hilt. Both families were swindled by the same villain. Each is hiding the fact they are without funds. Graham may survive the issues but marrying a wealthy woman would certainly end his financial problems and he now feels a need to provide an heir.

Many of the characters from “The Wicked Dukes” are featured as well. Graham was David, Earl of St. Ives secretary for years before inheriting his title and the debt he has chosen not to disclose to his friends. Arabella was betrothed to David as well, but the two did not know each other, the marriage was arranged by their fathers while they were children. David fell in love and married another after his father died (if you’ve read The Wicked Dukes series this will be familiar to you, but it’s explained in this book as well). So, Arabella and Graham are in the same circles, but have never met.

Darcy Burke has a real winner to begin this new series. I love the familiarity from the characters and the new situations she’s invented. The characters are totally relatable and endearing. Each character has his/her own unique personality and it’s a real joy to see them interact. The storyline is well written and interesting. The obstacles are realistic, for the times. The conversations are interesting and well done, the romance is sometimes provocative and when appropriate really hot.

Buckle-up Buttercup and grab a copy of this marvelous new series. It’s interesting, romantic, and a lot of fun!

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

Share