The Duke of Danger (The Untouchables #6) by Darcy Burke-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway
THE DUKE OF DANGER
The Untouchables #6
by Darcy Burke
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Genre: adult, historical, romance
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 26, 2017
After killing his opponent in a duel, Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is known as the Duke of Danger. Tortured by guilt, he shields himself with a devil-may-care attitude. However, when he kills another man in another duel, he’s beyond redemption, even though it wasn’t his fault. He refuses to smear a dead man’s name, especially when he’s left behind a blameless widow who doesn’t deserve an even bigger scandal.
Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents’ choosing or beg unsympathetic relatives for support. The only way out is to ask for help from the one man she’s sworn to hate, the man who owes her anything she asks, the man who killed her husband. They strike a devil’s bargain in which passion simmers just beneath the surface. But her dead husband’s transgressions come back to haunt them and threaten their chance at love.
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REVIEW:
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!
WOW! This is heavy read warning. An angst filled, good lord can anything else go wrong for these characters, dark, spine chilling, sob filled with some very amazing sexy time thrown in kind of heavy read. IT WAS INCREDIBLE and totally made this book.
The Duke of Danger (yup best title there) by Darcy Burke is the 6th novel in her “The Untouchables” series, a historical romance and I would recommend you read the previous books as this series is multi layered in characters and story and at this point there is just so much you would miss out on if you skipped the previous 5. It can be read alone I suppose, but seriously, don’t deprive yourself of the full series experience .. you won’t be disappointed!
Our leading guy is Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge. Lionel is a stand up guy and is pretty much quite amazing, but this thing called honour is the cause of a string of bad outcomes on his life and the duels he has participated in. He carries the weight of dark emotions due to his dueling and despite having believed they were just caused, the result doesn’t sit well. The latest duel ends in death (not Lionel’s and not with intent to kill), and this makes him feel he can no longer be happy and/or redeemed. He will take care of his opponents now widow and be the best stand up man he can be.
Lady Emmaline Townsend is the opponents widow. Geesh, if it wasn’t for bad luck, she’d have no luck. This poor woman has been through the ringer with endless life altering catastrophes after another. Horrible past, this latest stroke of bad luck hits her the hardest as her husbands death leaves much debt, shame and her having to return to her parents (shudders .. not good). She decides to take matters in her own hands and plays the widow guilt card and take Lionel’s offers of help.
These two set off on a journey of self discovery, healing in each others arms and faith that trust and love can exist. Passion, of my, Darcy Burke writes some serious amazing passion and these two lit up the pages. I have to admit, Emmaline was very hard to like and I almost knocked a star off as she was not my favourite, but, then I thought, if Darcy can write a character I kinda really don’t like and have me sympathize, empathize and maybe understand a little bit .. and to the point where I liked her by the end, well that right there is an applause to fantastic character development and writing.
Like I said above, a heavier historical romance read but I was engaged the entire time and found myself wanting to rush through the story to get to the hard reached HEA. We get there, it’s just quite the path taken! LOL
HAPPY READING! 🙂
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Rachel T
She turned on the chair, barely curious as to who might be visiting and eager to send him on his way. But as soon as she pivoted, it was as if a dam inside her split in two and a cascade of emotion tumbled forth.
Bolting from the chair, she took two long steps toward him. “You.”
“Yes, me.” The Marquess of Axbridge didn’t flinch. Indeed, he stared into her, his blue eyes clear and piercing.
“You’ve a singular audacity to come here.”
The marquess bowed deeply. “I beg your pardon.” He looked at her once more. “And your forgiveness.”
Rage spiraled through her, and it was glorious to feel. “You’ll never have either.”
“That is completely understandable.” His tone was tight, measured. His cool reserve antagonized her.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m so glad I have your approval.”
“I wouldn’t ever ask for, nor expect that.”
“And yet you ask for my forgiveness. It hardly seems to matter—I’ll give you nothing save my undying hatred.”
“Which I deserve. Nevertheless, I would apologize for what happened.”
“Apologize? You didn’t step on my foot during a dance. Nor did you spill a glass of ratafia on my gown. You killed my husband.”
Now he flinched. His eye twitched, and his lips pressed together so hard, they turned white. And yet he was still incredibly handsome. That hardly seemed fair.
He took a step toward her. She didn’t retreat, but her body tensed. She clenched her hands into tight fists. Her spine was so straight and stiff that she could have flown a flag from her shoulder.
“I didn’t come to make excuses, but please know I had good reason to demand satisfaction. I’d hoped he would settle the matter before moving to weapons, but he refused.”
She gaped at him. “Are you somehow trying to blame my husband for your actions?”
His jaw tightened, and he blew out a breath. “No. I came to offer my condolences, beg your forgiveness, apologize, and offer any assistance you may need—ever.”
He wanted to help her? She stared at him, the anger inside her curdling. “I would never want anything from you, nor would I ask.”
“I certainly understand you not wanting anything from me; however, if a need should ever arise, I would very much like to help you.”
“I think you’ve done quite enough.” Fury churned through every part of her, and she wanted to lash out. Needed to. “Actually, I can think of one thing I would like from you.” She took a step toward him, her lip curling. “I should appreciate it if you would be miserable for the rest of your life. I would take great joy in knowing that you will wallow in guilt and anguish for all your days.” She glared at him, long and hard.
“I can do that,” he said softly, without a shred of irony. “You may be pleased to know that I am already well on my way. And I shan’t trouble you with my presence. I’m leaving England today.”
“Good.”
“My offer will always stand, whether you choose to take advantage of it or not. Should you require anything at all, please contact my man of affairs.” He held out a card.
She didn’t want to take anything from him. “Choke on it,” she spat.
He withdrew his hand to his side. “Again, my deepest apologies, Lady Townsend.” He turned and strode from the room, his broad shoulders straight, his gait sure.
Damn him.
Damn him.
Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.
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