A reunion in Rome… sparks an affair to remember! Responsible widow Lilian Fairclough is persuaded to travel to Rome for a hard-earned break and to let down her hair! She’s surprised to be reunited with bold yet cynical Italian duke Pietro Venturi. He reawakens her sensual side and intrigues her with glimpses of pain beneath his rakish surface. Enticed into a secret and temporary affair, what … affair, what will happen once she returns home?
Experience more passionate historical romance twists and turns with the rest of the Secrets of a Victorian Household series:
Miss Lottie’s Christmas Protector
Miss Amelia’s Misltetoe Marquess
Mr. Fairclough’s Inherited Bride
From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.
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Virginia Heath is by far one of my favorite authors. I’m always thrilled to read something new from her and Lilian and the Irresistible Duke is a lovely addition to her wonderful collection of stories.
Lilian and the Irresistible Duke is a steamy romance featuring a mature hero and heroine. Keep a fan ready because this one is hot. Italy, art, romance and an attraction between two people that burns right off the page make this the perfect winter read.
Lilian Fairclough is a widow with adult children, who has lost a bit of herself in raising a family and in her work at her deceased husbands charitable foundation. She loves her family and the foundation, but her children have taken over all the administrative roles at the foundation and she is at loose ends. Her family decide she needs a trip to Italy to indulge in her love of art and to take a vacation. She accompanies her husband’s cousin Alexandra to Italy where they will be staying with Alexandra’s friend for six weeks. Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful adventure? I was drawn into Lilian’s life and wanted her to have the best time in Italy. Virginia Heath does not disappoint, as she gives Lilian and the reader a wonderful art tour of Italy and as the icing on the cake, Pietro Venturi.
Pietro Venturi is the brother of Alexandra’s friend and an Italian art dealer. He is a mature hero, handsome, sexy and flawed. The perfect, what happens in Rome stays in Rome fling. Yet there is more to Pietro than meets the eye. Pietro is the very person that Lilian need in her life and he needs Lilian more than he knows.
Lilian and the Irresistible Duke is such a wonderful read and it was nice to have a romance where the couple is mature and sexy at the same time. I also enjoyed that the book was set in Italy and its location was a lovely way to warm up a cold winters day.
I can’t wait to see what Virginia Heath comes up with next.
ARC provided by publisher
I have read many of Ms Heath’s books and this one is quite different from the last few I have read. The others had adventure, villains and romance in them, whereas this one is pure romance. I enjoyed reading about art and Italy but found I personally missed the adventure. For those who love romance with lots of sex, this one is for you. As usual, Ms Heath has written her characters beautifully and with much feeling. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.
A rare treasure! Seldom is a book written that actually develops a relationship between the hero and heroine without the use of major catastrophes, wars, maiming, crimes, etc. Virginia Heath’s writing skills and talent allows her to create characters who are human and believable. The love that binds Pietro and Lilian is wonderful to experience! Every middle aged woman should read this book, even if she’s married because the reader will recognize herself in Lilian’s all-consuming dedication to her family, and the loss of self.
I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book but these comments are my honest opinion and voluntarily given.
There is no doubt that Virginia Heath tells a good romance. Lillian and the Irresistible Duke is an engaging love story of two mature people. Both Lillian and Pietro are in their 40’s or almost 50s, and it is nice to see that reflected in their actions and speech. Lillian is practical and wise; Pietro is the most romantic hero I believe I have ever read. Also enjoyable were the forays into the Italian art world.
As Pietro said “I sense a but…” It was way too steamy for me. I skipped some of the bedroom parts. Learning about Rome, Italian art, Michelangelo, and the romance was so good. The rest, well, isn’t for me. I took away 2 stars for the steaminess.