Devlin Markham, the notorious “Devil Duke” of Huntington, needs a woman. And not just any woman. If he can’t woo one of the most eccentric bluestockings of the ton within the month, he can kiss his hard-earned fortune goodbye. But he’s always thought love a wasted emotion and marriage an inconvenience at best. And oddly enough, Lady Sophie Wolcott seems unmoved by his charm… When Sophie learns … Sophie learns her beloved orphanage is in imminent danger, she will do anything to save it. Even marry a ruthless rake who takes what he wants in business and pleasure. A man who’s everything she’s always feared most–but whom she reluctantly begins yearning for.
Then Sophie becomes the target of a killer lurking from the dark shadows of Devlin’s past. And they find not only their lives are in jeopardy but also their very hearts.
Each book in the Saints & Scoundrels series is STANDALONE:
* The Devilish Duke
* The Elusive Earl
* The Sinful Scot
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Absolutely captivating and witty, The Devilish Duke by Maddison Michaels was a great historical romance! I loved it, couldn’t put it down. She had me from the very first chapter, this book was engaging and entertaining. It had me laughing out loud, but it was also heartfelt and at times suspenseful. I think Maddison did an excellent job bringing these characters and their story to life.
Lady Sophie Wolcott is hard not to love. She is very strong willed, independent, smart and beautiful, the full package. She finds herself in a predicament when she falls off of a tree while spying on the man she thinks she is in love with. She literally falls at the feet of Duke Devlin Markham, the Devil Duke himself. Her first impression of Devlin was not a good one, he helps her after her fall but then they both go their own ways. She goes an entire year without seeing Devlin, but that didn’t stop her from thinking about him from time to time.
Duke Devlin Markham had made quite a name for himself, but his reputation is another story. He isn’t called the Devil Duke for nothing. Not only does his title give him privileges, but it helps that the man is also extremely handsome and charming. He has all of the ladies chasing after him. All except Lady Sophie. He couldn’t figure out why Sophie had made an impression, and little did he know that she would turn his world upside down in the best possible way.
When Devlins reputation gets in the way of a business deal, he is left without many options. He decides if settling down and getting married is what he needs to do to continue with his business deal, he will do just that. Having a hard time being able to forget the one encounter he had with Sophie, he decides she would be the perfect bride. Except Sophie wants absolutely nothing to do with him or marriage.
Devlin and Sophie had the most undeniable chemistry, and their interactions were gold. They were most definitely meant to be. He pushed and she pushed right back. They quickly became one of my favorite couples. I was immersed in their story. The book had just the right amount of suspense, humor, and romance.
I was impressed with the flow of the book. Everything just worked! Maddison gave us a flawless, well written story. I can not wait to see what else she has in store for us.
Definitely worth all 5 stars!
Devlin Markham, the notorious “Devil Duke” of Huntington, needs a woman. And not just any woman. If he can’t woo one of the most eccentric bluestockings of the Ton within the month, he can kiss his hard-earned fortune goodbye. But he’s always thought love a wasted emotion and marriage an inconvenience at best. And oddly enough, Lady Sophie Wolcott seems unmoved by his charm…
When Sophie learns her beloved orphanage on Grey Street is in imminent danger, she will do anything to save it.
I was drawn into the story from the start & found myself laughing out loud at Sophie’s climbing fiasco. I thought it would just be a light hearted but I was wrong, the mystery of who’s murdering servants & how it’s linked to Devlin & Sophie added another dimension. The characters are very well fleshed, Devlin (sigh) has an awful reputation but as Sophie gets to know him more of his backstory is revealed we find everything shouldn’t be taken at face value. Sophie is no simpering miss but an intelligent, independent woman who will do almost anything for her orphans. The attraction between the pair is immediate & just grows which perplexes both of them. The secondary characters are also delightful especially Mabel – loved her & Nicholas is a scene stealer. I thoroughly enjoyed this engrossing debut novel which was very accomplished, there was everything you could want in a historical romance, mystery, murder, humour, a tortured gorgeous hero, a determined heroine & of course romance. I’ll be impatiently awaiting the next novel.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I love historical romance novels that have humor and romance in them. This is Ms. Michaels debut book. I loved it. Lady Sophie Wolcott had me in stitches all throughout the story with her mischievous ways. I think this story has one of the best “meet cutes” that I have read.
“She rolled into a slightly more dignified position and lifted a hand to rub her temple, finding her gaze held captive by the most wickedly handsome man she’d ever seen. From this angle, all of the shadows were cast from his face. Gleaming white teeth flashed sinfully against bronzed skin, and dark stubble covered his jawline in a manner that was frowned upon by the majority of Society but gave him an air of dashing danger.”
This story has romance, humor and murder in it. Highly recommend.
A marvelous debut novel for Maddison Michaels!!! Skillfully plotted and full of romance and a mystery to be solved, I really could not put this one down. Using the setting of the Victorian era, there is even a meeting with Queen Victoria and our hero, Devlin Markham, the (Devil) Duke of Huntington. When a story starts out and I find myself laughing out loud pretty quickly, I know I am in for a great read. Lady Sophie Wolcott is in love and she finds herself up in a tree spying on her beloved proposing to a lady and is devastated. What is funny is that she is at a party and as she tries to quietly climb down, she falls into the bushes and that is when she meets the Devil Duke. That meeting is very important to the story because it becomes the bases for them meeting again a year later. Sophie is a bluestocking whose main interest is in an orphanage she supports that her mother had started. Devoted to raising funds and helping every child possible she is a feisty, outspoken heroine who has decided she will never marry or fall in love after seeing her mother devastated by her philandering father. Devlin on the other hand feels the same but is pushed into marriage in order to fund his business venture and be shown as a reformed rake. Sophie is the only choice of wife that Devlin can even consider and Sophie will benefit with hugh funding for her orphanage. What could be more perfect? Two people not wanting to fall in love and both benefiting from the union. Well that is when the adventure and mystery begin. Murder, disappearing objects and a growing attachment between Sophie and Devlin had me entrenched in the story. This author made the characters come to life and the secondary characters were delightful. Prepare to be thoroughly mesmerized as you read this wonderful story of fate taking a hand in bringing two people together and their journey to happiness.
Ooh, really enjoyed this story. It had a great mix of romance and mystery. I do love the marriage of convenience trope. And Devlin was so sexy! Mmm…give me a good rake any day
I just realized I never reviewed this book on Bookbub. I love it when you take a chance on a new author and you love the story. Definitely this author. I laughed a lot during this book – the witty dialog between Devlin and Sophie, Aunt Mabel, Nicholas, and the fights between Devlin and Daniel, Sophie’s brother. The fights were not just verbal, oh no, physical altercations with rooms being in disarray afterwards. Devlin and Sophie were perfect together, yes, they seemed polar opposites but opposite attract, right? And is Devlin really the Devil Duke or just kind of devilish? Then you throw in a murder mystery that was full of red herrings that really did throw me off the real killer. A great read. Looking forward to more from Ms. Michaels.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
A fantastic start to a new series based in England. There is intrigue, secrets, death, torture (not too much detail), and, of course, love. A bit sparse on the sexy scenes for me, but this book still had it all. I also loved the narrator for it. Maddison did a great job of drawing me in with all the mysteries as I wondered who the villain would turn out to be. I really feared it would be one of her suitors, I think his name was Apple-something. The hero is swoon-worthy and the heroine is strong. Very enjoyable.
Lily S. Thomas – Author of the Ice Age Alphas series
Enjoyed this!
A Bargain
Devlin Markham the “Devilish Duke” of Huntington needs a wife by order of the Queen. Even the Queen recommends his bride. Sophie Wolcott is no easy bluestocking. She has her own ideas on marrying the Duke. So they strike a bargain. It’s a dark shadow that follows them both with murder on his mind. A sexually charged battle of the wills that won’t let murder win. A little humor, but beware of the cruelty and violence of the murders. Could be triggers.
This story had me engrossed from the first paragraph.
Madison’s character creations are exceptional and unforgetable.
Enter the charismatic devil duke,Devlin Markham, the eighth Duke of Huntington. He will have you falling in love with him, or wanting to slap him.
Devlin thinks love is a wasted emotion. It only leads to loneliness and heartache.
Lady Sophie Wolcott, a feisty bluestocking who said she would never marry,and is heading for spinsterhood.
Sophie makes a deal with the devil duke that opens up her eyes to a new world.
Another well written riveting page-turner from Maddison Michaels.
Highly recommend.
Really enjoyed it! Starting the next.
I enjoyed the read. A little romance, a little mystery. Two independent people coming together for the betterment of each. I was surprised that a little mystery showed up in a romance. And, a few assumed gruesome deaths. Only one graphic love scene that was not necessary. The story was just fine without it.
I loved this book. Had all the best of a good romance with a surprising character thrown in. Would definitely recommend.