From a New York Times bestselling author comes a Regency romance featuring a decadent duke and a secretary with a secret. HE MAY BE A DEVILHe’s infamous, debaucherous, and known all over town for his complete disregard for scandal, and positively irresistible seductions. Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is obscenely wealthy, jaw-droppingly handsome, and used to getting exactly what he wants. … handsome, and used to getting exactly what he wants. Until his attention is utterly captured by a woman who refuses to tell him her name, but can’t help surrendering to his touch…
BUT SHE’S NO ANGEL EITHER…
Amanda Waverly is living two lives—one respectable existence as secretary to an upstanding lady, and one far more dangerous battle of wits—and willpower—with the devilish Duke. Langford may be the most tempting man she’s ever met, but Amanda’s got her hands full trying to escape the world of high-society crime into which she was born. And if he figures out who she really is, their sizzling passion will suddenly boil over into a much higher stakes affair…
“Rich with scandal and sensuality…Scintillating love scenes are plentiful in this page-turning tale, which is enhanced by a cast of memorable characters and smart, witty protagonists.”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, Best Books of Summer 2018
“Another passionate, adventurous, captivating romance from a grand mistress of the genre. Hunter combines a heated love story with a feminist vibe…Readers will find the pace never slows as they try and keep up with a bold thief and a devilish duke engaged in a subtle game of seduction.”—RT Book Reviews, TOP PICK
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Loved this story about a secretary named Amanda who was raised by parents of questionable moral standards. Amanda’s mother is in a bit of a bind and so Amanda must find a way to rescue her. Gabriel is a Duke known for his decadent behavior and has been attempting to “clean up his act”. Well, Amanda is probably not going to help him with that endeavor. These two are drawn together in a plot that involves burglary, blackmail, and blinding passion!
The story has a number of colorful characters including a footman who seeks adventure, a couple of dukes who are loyal to a fault, a rather naughty mama, and a group of ladies who are published reformers. It was a delightful afternoon and I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical romance with all of the above. I do hope that one of those dukes has a story yet to come as I look forward to it.
I read this as an arc on Netgalley which affected my review in no way at all.
Madeline Hunter doesn’t know how to do simple. Her stories are enduring, complicated, mesmerizing works of art. A Devil of a Duke is a tale of risk that seduces the heart, even as it stirs the soul. Amanda and Gabriel will have readers on the edge of their seats. What would you do for love?
She’s fighting to escape her birthright…
Amanda was born into a family of thieves. Desperate to escape the family trade with the help of her mother, she set about rebuilding her life and striving for something better than the family legacy. Now a respectable woman, circumstances are pulling her back in to the world she fought to escape.
He’s working to redeem himself…
Gabriel is a duke. He doesn’t care about his reputation, but he does care about the welfare of his people. So when his title is called in question, he decides to try to do better. When he loses his heart and mind over a beautifully mysterious woman, is when his resolve starts to unravel. He has a choice to make and his heart is at the center of both.
A Devil of a Duke by Madeline Hunter is book Two in the Decadent Dukes Society series. This is the story of Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford and Amanda Waverly. I have read the previous book but feel this can easily be a standalone book.
Amanda was born into a family of thieves and was taught the trade but around 12 years old her mother realized that her daughter Amanda didn’t want that life of thieving and would only hold them back. So she send Amanda off to school…there she was educated and became a ladies companion. Then Amanda went on to become a secretary for a eccentric women who also introduced her to other women to help. But her past comes back to her in the form of her mother being held against her will and Amanda has to gather certain items to send as ransom to set her mother free.
Gabriel doesn’t bother with the town nor what they say about him but when a story comes out about how he is not concerned of the welfare of his people and careless of the title he moves forward to do better.
Gabriel and Amanda have instant attraction but Amanda is living a double life to maintain her day job and to steal the items to satisfy the ransom.
I loved reading their story.
Its been a long time since I have read a good historical romance and A Devil Of A Duke intrigued and delighted me from the very beginning. I really liked that this story brought a sense of wonder to me. I felt completely immersed in the time period and how a woman and a man that were completely different from one another connected on a sensual and heartfelt level. This romance was full of sass, mystery, and sizzling sexiness that caused my heart to pound furiously in my chest.
I forget just how much I like stepping back in time with a historical romance, especially one that felt like it was…on point with the descriptions and the way people talked and dressed. I am impressed with Madeline Hunter and thoroughly enjoyed A Devil Of A Duke: from the cover to the characters to the outstanding story, I felt like I got a real treat and makes me want to pick up another historical romance right away. Very good!
A Devil Of A Duke gets a WELL WRITTEN AND SIMPLY PLEASING FOUR SHOOTING STARS!
Entertaining from beginning to end, A Devil of A Duke made me remember why I love stories by Madeline Hunter!! Amanda Waverly is trying to get her life together Working as a secretary to Lady Farnsworth she feels respectability is within her reach. That is until she finds out her mother needs her help, she has to go back to the criminal life as a thief at night to raise funds.
Our hero, Gabriel, the Duke of Landford has come to be know for his wastrel life. Wanting to take a seat in the House of Lords, he tries to become more serious and starts to think about his life. An unexpected encounter at a masked ball between Amanda and Gabriel, has her using him to acquire the object she is searching for to steal! She is very attracted to him (did I mention he was a handsome rake?) and he is enchanted by her but they do not know each other’s names at this point. Gabriel is determined to find out who she is but watching the passion that erupts between the two is sizzling!! Can a thief and an high member of society ever be together? How does Amanda save her mother? I loved this story and although this can be read as a standalone, I intend to go back and read the first book! Don’t miss this wonderful tale, sure to keep you thinking about it after you turn the last page!!