“This unconventional, sexy tale–featuring a dominant duke with a fondness for rulers–brims with sensuality on every page. If you like a heavy dose of spice in your Regency romance, you’ll love DISCIPLINED BY THE DUKE.” – Joanna Shupe The day her sister murdered their abusive father, Elizabeth Wilcox stopped being a gentleman’s daughter. Willing to do anything to save her sister from the … the hangman’s noose, now she is a spy… A servant. A liar. A thief. A submissive.
Masquerading as a parlor maid and entrenched in the Duke of Montague’s estate, Liz is willing to risk all to uncover the secrets that would save her sister. But submitting to the duke’s peculiar brand of discipline surprises her with a heady mixture of pleasure and pain. Eager to relinquish control of her messy life, Liz soon craves the rough hands of Montague and his powerful, passionate attentions. Can she succumb to the hot sting of his hand and the gentleness of his kisses without revealing her true identity and darkest secrets? And what punishment will she face when he realizes her betrayal?
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A love not to be denied
A powerful Duke, thirteenth in line for the throne, is enthralled by his new maid. Her placement in his household is not by chance. She’s being blackmailed and must find a particular letter for her blackmailer, as he holds the power of life and death for her sister. Even more powerful is the Duke and the hold he has over her body and her heart. Isn’t it wonderful to have a strong hero who meets his match in a woman he thought he would never find. Tastefully written with some spanking and mutual control.
I read this series out of order and it didn’t matter in the least. This was another excellent ready by this author. Great characters, good sex and an engaging story line.
The day Amanda Wilcox murdered their abusive father, Elizabeth Wilcox, her younger sister stopped being a gentleman’s daughter. Willing to do anything to save her sister from the hangman’s noose, now she is a spy… A servant. A liar. A thief. A submissive.
She is sent by the Earl of Westmore to masquerade as a parlour maid at the Duke of Montague’s country estate in order to steal a letter with a purple seal, Liz is willing to risk all to uncover the secrets that would save her sister. But submitting to the duke’s peculiar brand of discipline surprises her with a heady mixture of pleasure and pain.
An enjoyable novel the pace is well paced, well written & the characters well portrayed. Marcus is stern & likes to use a ruler but he also has a softer side & becomes almost obsessed with a parlour maid. Liz finds it hard to be a servant & is very outspoken for a maid no wonder the steward views her with distrust. Marcus works for the Crown & is trying to find a traitor, Liz believes the letter she has to steal is about Marcus’ fleet of ships & the goods they carry. A page turning novel that kept me reading & wanting to find out how things were resolved of which there are quite a few, will Amanda hang? who’s the traitor & will they be caught? (although this wasn’t hard to work out), will Liz find & steal the letter? how will Marcus’ & Liz’s relationship develop? So plenty of goings on to keep your interest. This is the first novel I’ve read by the author & look forward to the rest of the series especially after the teaser for the second book at the end of this one
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
1/2 rounded to
This was a spicy, very steamy read, if you not like that in your books I would advise you not to read it. Elizabeth Wilcox is at the mercy of a powerful titled man who is using her to do his dirty work. She is forced into this because she is trying to free her sister from Newgate. She was a fairly strong character, I liked her devotion to her sister who saved her from a horrible fate. There was something I can’t pinpoint that stopped me from loving this character. I just didn’t warm to her.
I liked Marcus, the Duke of Montague more. His personality shone brighter than Liz. I liked his sense of honor. His internal debate about his attraction to Liz is realistic and well developed. I also liked his friends and that all of them are covert agents to the Crown.
The plot was hot and cold for me. The interaction between the couple was electric when they were together. This wasn’t my favorite trope, the heroine being disguised and a spy. The plot did keep my interest for the most part. It was clear and was paced well. Overall I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it. I do believe I will read the next book in the series, it peaked my interest.