The Tattooed DukeThe Writing Girls (3)
Maya Rodale
Avon
Mass Market Paperback
Published March 2012
371 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-06-208892-5
Author's Website
Synopsis
Exclusive—"tattooed duke" finds fortune in ruins!
Breaking news, scandal fans:
You thought you knew the dangerous Duke of Wycliff, London's globe-trotting adventure addict. Here's what you don't know: he's penniless. Sebastian Digby's dukely lifestyle is over forever unless he finds a rich bride. But thanks to The London Weekly, everyone knows better than to tangle with this lothario. Besides (as one writer can testify), it seems that Sebastian has been unable to keep his hands off his own lowly housemaid...
And that's a problem. A big one.
Because that housemaid just happens to be me. Eliza Fielding. The same undercover Writing Girl who's been exposing the Duke's most intimate secrets to the world. And now I've gone and complicated everything by falling in love with him. Passion and deception have never been so delicious, but now the truth could destroy everything. This is more than a conflict of interest. It's a seduction where love itself hangs in the balance.
Exclusive—"tattooed duke" finds fortune in ruins!
Breaking news, scandal fans:
You thought you knew the dangerous Duke of Wycliff, London's globe-trotting adventure addict. Here's what you don't know: he's penniless. Sebastian Digby's dukely lifestyle is over forever unless he finds a rich bride. But thanks to The London Weekly, everyone knows better than to tangle with this lothario. Besides (as one writer can testify), it seems that Sebastian has been unable to keep his hands off his own lowly housemaid...
And that's a problem. A big one.
Because that housemaid just happens to be me. Eliza Fielding. The same undercover Writing Girl who's been exposing the Duke's most intimate secrets to the world. And now I've gone and complicated everything by falling in love with him. Passion and deception have never been so delicious, but now the truth could destroy everything. This is more than a conflict of interest. It's a seduction where love itself hangs in the balance.
My Review
Summary
The Duke of Wycliff, has spent the past seven years traveling all around the world, in his search of Timbuktu, and has battled sharks, pirates, see numerous cultures and of course women. Sebastian has come home unfortunately to assume his duties as the Duke, only to find that he is out of funds. Funds he needs to make his dream trip to Timbuktu, which he has devoted his whole life in finding. He knows he is in need of a rich wife, but finds himself distracted by the new housemaid, who makes his body burn with desire.Eliza Fielding has had a history of going undercover to get her story for the "London Weekly". Her boss, Mr. Knightly, has given her a ultimatum, if she desires to keep her job, she must put in a scandal in the paper, and very very soon. So upon hearing of the Duke's return, she goes undercover as his housemaid, to learn his secrets and expose them to London. Eliza never imagined that she would have so much success, but what she never thought would happen is fall in love with the man with whom she has betrayed his secrets. Will Eliza be able to get her happily ever after, or lose her heart to a man she may never have.
My Thoughts
When I first found the whole series at the library, I wasn't sure if I should grab all of them, wondering if I would regret it later, however I am so thrilled I did now. I do love it when I get a chance to read a series in order, especially a series I am truly have a jolly time reading. Now the first one I liked quite a bit, the second one, wasn't as good as the first one, but was still a enjoyable read. So when I started reading the Tattooed Duke, I was nervous, hoping I would at least like it more than the second one. I am proud to say that this one, is my favorite of the series so far. There were quite a few of complex issues that played a part in the story.
It starts off with Eliza seeing the Duke return at the Docks of all places, when he first steps on England soil. From this moment, we see a instant attraction that Eliza feels for Sebastian. She knows he is the way by which she will be able to continue her career, as one of the writing girls. With Mr. Knightly having giving her this only chance, before firing her, she knows she must do everything she can to save what she has worked years to accomplish. When she dresses and poses as a housemaid, she never thought that she would be in such close proximity to Sebastian, or to find herself being slowly seduced. Sebastian we see is not the usual Duke type. He has a craving for adventure and he could care less about balls or what the Ton may think of him. All he wants is to find the one place he has devoted all his time and effort into finding. When he is labeled the "Tattooed Duke" and certain details of his life are revealed to everyone in England, and he knows it would be near impossible to find a respectable woman to marry him. He also has another problem on his hands....his servant, a mere maid, has all of his attention and he finds himself falling hard for her, even knowing they could never share a future together.
I found Eliza to be independent, strong willed and feisty to the bitter end. In the beginning we see her determined to write the Duke's secrets, but then we see her start to become real and full of emotion when she starts to fall in love. Eliza is the type of heroine that you can't help but love through the bad and the good, I really liked her quite a bit. She resembled the "contemporary" type of women, as she seeks to support herself, she does have a vulnerability when it comes to falling in love. Then we really start to see her true character, and I found myself to be admiring Eliza as a character. Sebastian is sexy, with his tattoo, his thirst for adventure and his attitude toward society. I found him to be a breath of fresh air, considering he is far different from most Regency hero types. There is plenty of conflict, especially once the secret is out, we really see some action, and I loved the villains that play a part in this book, it only added a more of a intense aspect to the plot. Even though the ending seemed a bit rushed, I found that was the only aspect I had a issue with.
I found The Tattooed Duke to be full of everything you need for a sound romance. A sure keeper for any one's shelf that keeps you interested from beginning to end. This installment in the Writing Girls series is by far my favorite so far. I just adored the bantering between Sebastian and Eliza. I found it be so entertaining, and the type of book that is a hard to put down. I found this one, to be highly amusing and stimulating at times. There was also a mysterious element (that deals with Eliza's past) that only intensifies the emotions that are played out. A Fully Satisfying romance from beginning to end that will win your heart!
First Line
They said he had been a pirate.
Favorite Quote
"How long does one need to make proper love to a woman?" Eliza asked "Just out of curiosity of course. Scientifically speaking,"
That teased out a harrumph of laughter from the sullen duke. "At least one entire night from sunset to sunrise." He answered, not missing a beat.
Wycliff caught her gaze and held it, with a intensity so strong that she couldn't break it. For that moment, she couldn't breathe. There was something so wild and reckless about him; she ached to throw caution to the wind and join him in mad, passionate pursuits.
My Grade
4.5 Blossoms
Heat Rating
Steamy
Other Books In Series
A Groom of One's Own
A Tale Of Two Lovers
Seducing Mr. Knightly
Summary
The Duke of Wycliff, has spent the past seven years traveling all around the world, in his search of Timbuktu, and has battled sharks, pirates, see numerous cultures and of course women. Sebastian has come home unfortunately to assume his duties as the Duke, only to find that he is out of funds. Funds he needs to make his dream trip to Timbuktu, which he has devoted his whole life in finding. He knows he is in need of a rich wife, but finds himself distracted by the new housemaid, who makes his body burn with desire.Eliza Fielding has had a history of going undercover to get her story for the "London Weekly". Her boss, Mr. Knightly, has given her a ultimatum, if she desires to keep her job, she must put in a scandal in the paper, and very very soon. So upon hearing of the Duke's return, she goes undercover as his housemaid, to learn his secrets and expose them to London. Eliza never imagined that she would have so much success, but what she never thought would happen is fall in love with the man with whom she has betrayed his secrets. Will Eliza be able to get her happily ever after, or lose her heart to a man she may never have.
My Thoughts
When I first found the whole series at the library, I wasn't sure if I should grab all of them, wondering if I would regret it later, however I am so thrilled I did now. I do love it when I get a chance to read a series in order, especially a series I am truly have a jolly time reading. Now the first one I liked quite a bit, the second one, wasn't as good as the first one, but was still a enjoyable read. So when I started reading the Tattooed Duke, I was nervous, hoping I would at least like it more than the second one. I am proud to say that this one, is my favorite of the series so far. There were quite a few of complex issues that played a part in the story.
It starts off with Eliza seeing the Duke return at the Docks of all places, when he first steps on England soil. From this moment, we see a instant attraction that Eliza feels for Sebastian. She knows he is the way by which she will be able to continue her career, as one of the writing girls. With Mr. Knightly having giving her this only chance, before firing her, she knows she must do everything she can to save what she has worked years to accomplish. When she dresses and poses as a housemaid, she never thought that she would be in such close proximity to Sebastian, or to find herself being slowly seduced. Sebastian we see is not the usual Duke type. He has a craving for adventure and he could care less about balls or what the Ton may think of him. All he wants is to find the one place he has devoted all his time and effort into finding. When he is labeled the "Tattooed Duke" and certain details of his life are revealed to everyone in England, and he knows it would be near impossible to find a respectable woman to marry him. He also has another problem on his hands....his servant, a mere maid, has all of his attention and he finds himself falling hard for her, even knowing they could never share a future together.
I found Eliza to be independent, strong willed and feisty to the bitter end. In the beginning we see her determined to write the Duke's secrets, but then we see her start to become real and full of emotion when she starts to fall in love. Eliza is the type of heroine that you can't help but love through the bad and the good, I really liked her quite a bit. She resembled the "contemporary" type of women, as she seeks to support herself, she does have a vulnerability when it comes to falling in love. Then we really start to see her true character, and I found myself to be admiring Eliza as a character. Sebastian is sexy, with his tattoo, his thirst for adventure and his attitude toward society. I found him to be a breath of fresh air, considering he is far different from most Regency hero types. There is plenty of conflict, especially once the secret is out, we really see some action, and I loved the villains that play a part in this book, it only added a more of a intense aspect to the plot. Even though the ending seemed a bit rushed, I found that was the only aspect I had a issue with.
I found The Tattooed Duke to be full of everything you need for a sound romance. A sure keeper for any one's shelf that keeps you interested from beginning to end. This installment in the Writing Girls series is by far my favorite so far. I just adored the bantering between Sebastian and Eliza. I found it be so entertaining, and the type of book that is a hard to put down. I found this one, to be highly amusing and stimulating at times. There was also a mysterious element (that deals with Eliza's past) that only intensifies the emotions that are played out. A Fully Satisfying romance from beginning to end that will win your heart!
First Line
They said he had been a pirate.
Favorite Quote
"How long does one need to make proper love to a woman?" Eliza asked "Just out of curiosity of course. Scientifically speaking,"
That teased out a harrumph of laughter from the sullen duke. "At least one entire night from sunset to sunrise." He answered, not missing a beat.
Wycliff caught her gaze and held it, with a intensity so strong that she couldn't break it. For that moment, she couldn't breathe. There was something so wild and reckless about him; she ached to throw caution to the wind and join him in mad, passionate pursuits.
My Grade
4.5 Blossoms
Heat Rating
Steamy
Other Books In Series
A Groom of One's Own
A Tale Of Two Lovers
Seducing Mr. Knightly
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