Duke of Sin (The Duke Trilogy, 1)

by Adele Ashworth

Book Overview

Vivian Rael-Lamont lives peacefully in the small town of Penzance, Cornwall, where everybody believes her to be widowed, when in truth she left London unwilling to let her husband's exploits taint her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060528400
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

A Duke to Remember

I have never read a book I was compiled to write a review on. This book was one of the best historical romance's I have ever read. It launched me back to a magical time where fantasy and reality could seem to be a real possibility. Because the Author did such a wonderful job of developing the heroine and hero,(he was to die for) they seemed like I was reading about real people. The love scenes were wonderful and you have the sense the characters really loved and respected each other. The end of the book had the most beautiful, romantic words I have ever read, I was so moved by the words, I wept. Thank you Ms. Ashworth for a book I will keep on my keeper's shelf. I have already read it twice. I hope you write a book about the secondary characters of Colin and Sam, especially Colin, he seems to be the kind of rogue I would go for. I have already pre-ordered this Author's new book coming in the Spring of 2005.

ANoTHER GReAT ReAD from ADeLe ASHWORTH!

iF you LOVe HiSTORiCALs, this is not to be missed! I agree with ALL the previous reviewers, her story kept me on the edge and GUeSSiNG. The characters are ALL weLL ROUNDeD and the story just FLOWs. I can not wait for the NEXT story...

Fantastic!

Ms. Ashworth is back. After reading other books written by Ms. Ashworth, Duke of Sin is by far one of my favorites. Ms. Ashworth has a talent of taking an intrigueing story and making it an experience in which the reader has difficulty putting the book down. The sex encounters were very hot, yet the plot was full and fun. This truly is a number one book!

Wonderfully Real

Adele Ashworth has created real people in Duke of Sin. The emotions ring true and have you turning the pages feeling you know these people. The mystery has some actual mystery to it. I made several wrong guesses in the course of the book before banging my head and saying 'Of course!'. The solution makes perfect sense - I just missed it. Two examples of realism - the first comes when the hero is explaining to his friend how he became involved with the heroine - he sums it up along the lines of 'So I said I'd give her the manuscript if she became my companion'. Instead of shock or dispproval or any of the usual best-pal novel reactions, the hero's pal proclaims him a genius and swears he WILL use that ploy in the near future. I laughed. The second is something I won't spoil - but the hero reveals it only to his friends. He never tells the heroine. This moment is much more satisfying than the standard gut spill every hero starts doing about page 243. If you have a low tolerance for sex scenes, be warned - this book is very hot. Generally you would find me complaining about that but Adele Ashworth has written them into the story and the characterization so seamlessly that I found myself reading and not skimming until the last 3rd of the book. (Normally I hit the first one and skip ahead). Rather than detract from the story they really do advance it and enhance it. Great read.

engaging Victorian romance

In 1856, an actor Montague visits Widow Vivian Rael-Lamont in Cornwall. He has evidence proving she is not widow and more damaging information that would destroy Vivian, who hides from the London aristocracy. Montague blackmails Vivian, insisting she visit the Duke of Trent to seduce him out of an original Shakespearean sonnet manuscript. A bit of a recluse in spite of his reputation as the DUKE OF SIN, William Raleigh wonders why Vivian is visiting him as he has no doubt she has some hidden agenda. Besides surprising himself by finding SOMEONE IRRESISTIBLE, William is curious as to why she is here so he allows her to stay so that he can learn the truth. As they fall in love, Vivian wonders how to tell her Sin why she came expecting he will distrust and loathe her; as well as how to cope with that dastardly Montague who will ruin her if she fails to accomplish his task. This is an engaging Victorian romance due to the fabulous metamorphosis of the relationship between the delightful lead couple. The story line has a gothic feel to it with William being somewhat of a brooding hero and his home striking fear into Vivian when she first arrives there. This first of the Duke trilogy is a fine mid-nineteenth century tale in which readers will hope that all ends well for this likable pair. Harriet Klausner