Title: What a Devilish Duke Desires
Series: The Sinful Scoundrels #3
Author: Vicky Dreiling
Publisher: Forever Romance
Release Date: February 24, 2015
WILL A FEW FLIRTATIOUS STEPS
Harry Norcliffe never wanted to inherit his beloved uncle's title. The rigidity of the ton, the incessant reminders from his marriage-minded mama that he must settle down with a highborn lady and produce an heir and a spare: it's all such a dreadful bore. So when his mother asks him to take part in a dancing competition, he patently refuses. The last thing he needs is another chore . . . until a beautiful, brilliant, delightfully tempting maid makes him rethink his position.
LEAD TO A SCANDALOUS SEDUCTION?
Most women would be over the moon to be pursued by a wickedly handsome-not to mention wealthy-duke like Norcliffe. But Lucy will not be any man's trophy. She could use a friend, though, and what begins innocently soon ignites into desire. As Lucy tries to resist Harry's scorching kisses, he makes an utterly irresistible offer. Enter the dance contest with him, and win a prize that could change her life forever . . . if falling in love doesn't change it first.
Harry Norcliffe never wanted to inherit his beloved uncle's title. The rigidity of the ton, the incessant reminders from his marriage-minded mama that he must settle down with a highborn lady and produce an heir and a spare: it's all such a dreadful bore. So when his mother asks him to take part in a dancing competition, he patently refuses. The last thing he needs is another chore . . . until a beautiful, brilliant, delightfully tempting maid makes him rethink his position.
LEAD TO A SCANDALOUS SEDUCTION?
Most women would be over the moon to be pursued by a wickedly handsome-not to mention wealthy-duke like Norcliffe. But Lucy will not be any man's trophy. She could use a friend, though, and what begins innocently soon ignites into desire. As Lucy tries to resist Harry's scorching kisses, he makes an utterly irresistible offer. Enter the dance contest with him, and win a prize that could change her life forever . . . if falling in love doesn't change it first.
As soon as I started reading this book, I had it feeling it was going to be good, and it was. It was exciting, humorous, and entertaining. I have to say the synopsis is a little misleading about the contest, but other than that, I really liked reading it!
Lucy was a great heroine with a fiery personality to match her red hair. She's sassy, passionate, strong, brave, and she challenges Harry--that was always amusing to watch. The only time I wasn't happy with Lucy was when she was fighting to accept that her and Harry could be together no matter what the ton thought. I understood where she was coming from, but I was just like: let it happen, everything is going to work out. It didn't bother me too much though because the doubts aren't in your face the whole time and they're over pretty fast.
Harry was an awesome hero! He was funny, sarcastic, mischievous, and a little wicked. You could never question his devotion to Lucy and he was so sexy with his she's-mine-I'm-never-giving-up-on-her-and-I'm-never-letting-her-go thing. He was just so sweet and caring that I just completely loved him!
What a Devilish Duke Desires is perfect if you're looking for a light, easy read that won't make you feel like your heart is heart is bleeding, but just tugs on it a little with some steamy, twisty, turn-y times and a touch of danger thrown in.
It made me laugh and smile, made me angry, made me clap with excitement and happiness, and totally do a fist pump while shouting "YES!" when one of the characters got what was coming to them! It was a really good read and I enjoyed it a lot!
What a Devilish Duke Desires is a standalone told mainly from Harry and Lucy's POV, but we do hear from a couple more characters, and they get their HEA.
~ Review by Paige
He
took off his coat and went to tend the fire. His wide shoulders needed no
padding. When he rose and dusted his hands, she noted his superior height once
again. In his waistcoat and shirtsleeves, she could discern the way his waist
tapered.
He
joined her on the sofa and laid his arm across the top of it. “Tired?” he
asked.
“No.”
She was too aware of him. In the shadowy room, she could not see his bright
blue eyes, but the soft sound of his breathing mingled with hers. The tension
between them crackled all around her. A long moment suspended. Her senses were
heightened, and her breasts felt heavier for some odd reason. She discerned the
scent of wintergreen soap and something else—something masculine and
irresistible. Something unique to him.
He
leaned closer, and she could feel the whisper of his breath on her lips. “From
the first moment we met, I could not get you out of my head.”
His
words made her feel giddy, but she held back, because she was still a little
wary. “I am undoubtedly the first woman to threaten you with a knife.”
He
grinned. “Indeed you are. Now that you are unarmed, perhaps we could be
friends.”
“We
will shake on it,” she said, offering her hand.
He
took her hand and turned her wrist, palm up. He looked up at her beneath his
dark lashes, and then he kissed the tender underside of her wrist. When he
touched his tongue to the pulse point, her breath shuddered out of her. She
thought she might melt from the heat in his seductive gaze.
“I’d
better go,” he said. There was a knowing look in his eyes, as if he was aware
of exactly how he’d affected her.
When
she inhaled on a shaky breath, he helped her to rise. She walked with him to
the door as if she were enveloped in a fog.
He
halted and gazed into her eyes. Then he drew her in his arms and kissed her
gently on the lips. His mouth moved over hers and his hand slipped down the
curve of her spine. Heat and longing surged inside her. He wrapped his arms
around her, and she could feel the hard, unyielding muscles of his arms, chest,
and thighs as he pressed her against him.
“Forgive
me in advance,” he said.
“For
what?” she whispered.
He
kissed her gently once more, and then he drew his tongue along the seam of her
mouth. Her lips parted and then his tongue was in her mouth, tasting her while his
hands slid down her spine and to her bottom. He pulled her flush against him,
and she could feel his hard body. She was breathing faster and everything
inside of her was on fire for him. God help her, she wanted his hands all over
her.
He
broke the kiss, and she was aware that his breathing had quickened as well.
When
he released her, he said, “Good night, sweet Lucy.”
Her
limbs trembled a little as he strode out into the night, leaving her to wonder
if he knew it was her first kiss.
Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the United Kingdom allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her Trouble. When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.
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