Lucien, Duke of Arden, is on the brink of disaster, about to lose everything he worked so hard to attain as the leader of the Special League. When Home Office obliges him to join forces with a Pinkerton agent to keep his position, he is determined to send the fellow back to American shores faster than he can say “Yankee Doodle.” There’s just one small problem with his flawless plan to undermine … undermine the unwanted agent…
Hazel Montgomery has spent the last ten years as a Pinkerton detective, fighting to be treated as an equal to her male counterparts, and the list of her successful cases is as long as the Mississippi River. She is not about to allow a supercilious duke to condescend to her. If Arden does not want her assistance, he can take his arrogance and go back to his fancy drawing room where he belongs.
Their clash is as instant as it is inevitable. When a fresh wave of bombings hits London and the danger intensifies, Lucien and Hazel must work together to bring a new ring of Fenians to justice. The more time they spend in each other’s company, the more the underlying attraction between them sizzles, until it bursts into uncontrollable flames.
Haunted by past tragedy, Lucien vowed long ago never to fall in love. Hazel’s sole rule in life is to trust no one. But soon, the cold duke and the bold American find themselves locked in a battle for the greatest prize of all, each other’s hearts.
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Shameless Duke is the fourth book in the League of Duke series. I have enjoyed reading the books in this series and this one was another great one. Lucien, the Duke of Arden, appeared in book three and he seemed so arrogant and conceited so it was nice to see he has a soft side. Lucien had worked hard to gain the position of the leader of the Special League. After an unfortunate incident, the Home Offices assigns him a Pinkerton agent as a partner. He was determined to send the agent back to American as soon as possible. He was taken by surprise when the agent turned out to be “a maddening, ill-mannered woman” and he was more determined then before to send her back to America. Hazel Montgomery was a female Pinkerton agent and had worked hard to get her position. She was determined to keep this assignment no matter what Lucian thinks. She had just finished an assignment where she had gathered information of Fenians threats to London and she was determined to solve the case. The interactions and witty comments between Lucien and Hazel added tension to the mystery of the story. It was great to see the characters from the previous book. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for us.
I enjoyed the previous books in this series “League of Dukes” and was a little worried about reading this book thinking I would not enjoy it as much, but I should not have been. I really enjoyed this book! There was excitement, intrigue and romance – I mean hot romance. Hazel is a Pinkerton Agent and Lucien is the head of the Special League. The Home Office forces Lucien to take a Pinkerton Agent as a partner, he resents this, but when he finds out the Pinkerton Agent is a Women, he is shocked. From the moment Hazel and Lucien meet there are sparks, first sparks of resentment, dislike, then romance sparks. Scarlett Scott is an excellent writer and so far, there has not been a book written by her I did not like.
I received a free copy of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was absolutely riveting I could not put it down! Two stubborn people Duke of Arden Lucien was just a jerk in the previous book! This story shows two stubborn people who are exactly what they need! Hazel appears to be a woman of the world pistol carrying, pants wearing scandalous but is she really? Lucien never thought to marry no real interest in relationships Hazel knocks him for a loop calling him “Mr.”! Hilarious she pushes all the right/wrong buttons! Fennains are running rampant thru London! Bombs going off! This story is like an action packed movie !
His arrogantly noble ego was bruised because the Home Office sent him assistance on the case he was working. To add insult to injury, his expert help was a Pinkerton detective from the States. The Duke of Arden wasn’t prepared for the earthy American, H.E. Montgomery, a fiery, headstrong woman who knew nothing about the delicate sensibilities of well-bred, English “ladies.” Yet, they have a job to do, bring down the bombers determined to turn London into a pile of smoldering rubble.
Can you say, “water and oil,” or maybe, “fire & ice?” How about dogs and cats? Crazy chemistry at its finest! Scarlett Scott’s SHAMELESS DUKE is a patchwork quilt of crime, suspense, humor and heat with characters that are simply fun to meet!
For me, Hazel made this book, talk about gutsy and able to adapt on the fly, even in a world completely foreign to her! Sure, they each have issues from their pasts, but that is what made them so perfectly imperfect together, or maybe imperfectly perfect! A great read, possibly one of my favorites from Scarlett Scott!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Scarlett Scott. My honest review is voluntary.
Lucien went from being one of the most exasperating characters (from the precious book) Mrs. Scott has written to being one of my favorites! Hazel is now one of my favorite females. I loved how both were reasonable (for the most part) and in turn made themselves vulnerable to one another in order to develop a strong romantic bond! Hazel is a fascinating American Pinkerton agent and Lucien is trying to redeem himself for his foolishness. Both characters have tragic back stories. Oh, and it’s also steamy ! I loved it!
Shameless Duke by Scarlett Scott is book 4 in the League of Dukes Series. This is the story of Hazel Montgomery and Lucien West, Duke of Arden. I have read the previous books, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Lucien although a Duke has worked hard to be Special League. But when a incident happens he is told by the Home Office that he must work with a Pinkerton agent to keep the position he has. Of course Lucien isn’t happy to being doing this and plans to set the new agent strait. Hazel is that agent and she has struggled and fought to be a agent which she has been for about 10 years. So she has no plans on letting a Duke keep her from her goals.
Of course there is a intimidate attraction that they can’t seem to say no to.
Enjoyed their story.
What an absolutely wonderful book! Lucien West, Duke of Arden & Miss H.E. “Hazel” Montgomery were both suffering from memories from their pasts that they could not forget. Ms. Scott takes you on an emotional journey with this couple – they go from disliking to respecting one another; with detective work, lust, attempted murder, bombs being set off, romance, villains, love and more!
I personally will remember this couple for a long time – I could feel their emotions & got teary eyed a couple of times when Lucien broke down. It was fun to revisit some past characters; Griffin, Duke of Strathmore & his Duchess Violet (Lucien’s sister) & Aunt Hortense.
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
You really can’t go wrong with a book by Scarlett Scott. Her books have everything I want in a story. They have humor, action, romance and the most important in my mind, plenty of steaminess! This was another great addition to the League of Dukes series! Lucien was kind of an stick in the Mud in the previous book, so it was really fun to watch him butt heads with the plucky American Pinkerton detective, Hazel! Both have some past baggage that require some trust and reflection to find a way to their happy ever after together. Also I really loved how Lucien grew to be so accepting and admiring of Hazel as a detective. I highly recommend this whole series and can’t wait for the next one!
Lucien meets the woman who can bring him back to earth? Yes, Hazel is that woman. She is amazing. A Pinkerton, American and totally sure of herself. They both are sure of themselves until it comes to one incident in each of their pasts that leaves them thinking they can never love again. Observing them working on the case together was hilarious at times because Lucien cannot believe Hazel does and says some of the things she does. I loved the back and forth banter. For me, that can make a story a must read. Along the way they learn that yes love is possible and watching their emotions turn is worth the price of the story (and oh yeah, it is definitely sexy).
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
I wasn’t sure if I would like the Duke of Arden after reading the Dangerous Duke. He is arrogant, conceited, and in trouble since his last case which went horribly wrong. Hazel is an American Pinkerton and is very good at what she does by disguising and infiltrating the world of crime. She knows a lot about the Fenians and is brought in by the home office to partner with the duke who is the current head of the special league.
I love the way they throw each other off balance. They normally are both very structured but when they are around each other they forget themselves and act/think totally opposite of how they normally would. They initially bicker and tease back and forth which leads to some explosive chemistry. This is a great follow up book in the League of Dukes series full of intrigue and steam. I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.
“We all need saving sometimes”
Shameless Duke – another beautifully written book by Scarlett Scott! We have the feisty, witty, independent Pinkerton detective, Miss Hazel Montgomery; and Lucien West, the complicated, brooding, unapologetic Duke of Arden. Lucien is Violet’s brother from Scott’s book, The Dangerous Duke. **You don’t have to read the other books in this series, but this is Scarlett Scott…why would you not?? **
Hazel & Lucien are forced to work together to uncover information for the League pertaining to the Fenians and their threatening plots. Both characters make it perfectly clear that neither think very highly of the other. However, both are also disturbed at the discovery of being drawn to each other in some inexplicable way.
There is a vulnerability to both of these characters. Though both show a fear/vulnerability, we also see a longing/need for something more. Lucien has tried to refrain from caring for anyone other than his sister & aunt. Hazel also has her tragic reasons for refraining from caring too deeply for another.
A connection is made and we slowly see a shift in the relationship between these two characters. Lucien is determined to continue building his defensive “turrets” :)) and Hazel is just as stubborn. Can these two find a way to save each other and find the happiness they both deserve?
Lucien & Hazel are both shameless to the end…in both incredibly irritating & utterly adorable ways.
Loved this book! Beautiful writing with well-developed characters, suspense, steamy chemistry, hilarious & witty dialogue…I couldn’t put it down, as with all Scarlett Scott books! Looking forward to the next!
I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Shameless Duke is an outstanding historical romance by Scarlett Scott. Ms. Scott has provided readers with a well-written book, I love a smooth read. The characters have their quirks but are lovable anyway and my favorite part of the book. Lucien, Duke of Arden, is insulted and infuriated to have to work with a partner from America. When he discovers the partner is a woman he plans to get rid of her. Hazel is a female Pinkerton detective and is proud to be one of the most successful. Lucien and Hazel’s story is packed with drama, humor, sexy bits, action and suspense. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Scarlett Scott in the future. Shameless Duke is book 4 of the League of Dukes Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Turrets…lists…and lemonade…
I enjoyed the first 3 books in this series and this one did NOT disappoint! Ms. Scott has a way of bringing characters to life —I find it so hard to let them go when the story is over. However, most of her stories also allow you to reconnect with other (past) story characters, which I LOVE, and this book was no different. We get another glimpse of Griffin, Violet and Aunt Hortense.
Lucien and Hazel will be hard to forget! These are 2 of my favorite characters, to date. I love their chemistry, personalities and the struggles they each had to overcome to find love. I truly did not want this story to end.
I do not do spoilers, but I strongly encourage you to read this book. This book is part of a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone book. Every time I read a book by Ms. Scott I am reminded of why I love her so much. All her stories are unique and will capture your heart. Some of my favorite people are the ones she created.
This book was very well written and includes very steamy love scenes. This is actually a “plus” for me, but I know some people do not like that kind of detail.
A definite 5 star book for me! There is nothing I did not like—I loved it! Thank you, Scarlett! I look forward to Felix’s story next!
I received an advance copy of this book and I am voluntarily submitting this review.
Lucien West, Duke of Arden, is the head of the Special League of Home Office. The former branch is now public knowledge due to the exposure of Fenians – a radical free Irish group intent upon home rule by violence and death. The Home Office now forces Lucien to join forces with a Pinkerton agent from New York, H E Montgomery, Feeling that this partnership is an attack on his ability and pride, Lucien is determined to rid himself of the American agent. That determination is intensified when he meets the agent – Miss Hazel Elizabeth Montgomery! Not only American and female, but with none of the graces he associates with ladies – and she wears trousers!! Sparks fly during their initial meeting, but Hazel has no problem keeping up with needling Lucien and exposing his pride, arrogance and prejudices. Hazel, an orphan from childhood, has survived on her own and has spent the last 10 years as an accomplished detective, fighting to be treated as an equal in a male world. She views Lucien as an arrogant and condescending snob and cannot wait to prove him wrong. Their clash is immediate and inevitable, until a new wave of bombings hits London and the danger enables them to work together towards their mutual goal of safety and bringing the guilty to justice. But the more time Hazel spends with Lucien, she realizes his intelligence and need to protect those dear to him. Hazel carries her own demons and thought that her heart and desires long dead but slowly coming back to life the more time she is in Lucien’s company. Lucien, scared by the suicide of his mother when he was young, does not believe in love. But he cannot deny the attraction to this beautiful American detective – her intelligence, bravery and courage lead him to change his initial opinion. Together they face danger and peril themselves and in safeguarding the safety of the innocent. Adversity brings out our true self and Lucien and Hazel tumble into exposing the Fenian threat to the city and fall into love they never expected. Can they survive the danger that lurks nearby threatening – and also their origins – blue blood peer and American orphan? Exciting and fast paced adventures with danger mixed with unexpected romance and character defining experiences – Wonderful read!!
Lucien, the Duke of Arden was a bit cold and I found him a bit annoying in the beginning. He was on the verge of being let go from Special League and was told he had to join forces with a brash American Pinkerton agent Hazel. To keep his position and try to stop the Fenians he had no choice but to relent. The more time they spent together the harder it was to resist the chemistry between them. Another steamy read from SS. I have to admit I love all her books………….No complaints at all. They are all well done and spicy with well developed characters.
Lucien, Duke of Arden is on the brink of disaster, about to lose everything he worked so hard to attain as the leader of the Special League.”
Hazel Montgomery is a Pinkerton agent and is being sent from America to London to help stop the Fenians. Problem is Lucien doesn’t want or need an American’s help, he doesn’t know how experienced she is. As they work together their chemistry sizzles, but what I love above Hazel is that she is an indepdent, strong and intelligent woman and she is proving herself in a predominantly man’s position!! I loved this book so much, the storyline, the characters, the action, drama and of course the romance!! I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.
Lucien, Duke of Arden was the leader of the Special League until The Incident & now the Home Office obliges him to join forces with a Pinkerton agent to keep his position, he is determined to send the fellow back to American shores faster than he can say “Yankee Doodle.” There’s just one small problem with his flawless plan to undermine the unwanted agent. Hazel Montgomery has spent the last ten years as a Pinkerton detective, fighting to be treated as an equal to her male counterparts, and the list of her successful cases is as long as the Mississippi River. Their clash is as instant as it is inevitable. When a fresh wave of bombings hits London and the danger intensifies, Lucien and Hazel must work together to bring a new ring of Fenians to justice.
Another captivating, engrossing read, this is the fourth book in the series. We met Lucien in the previous book & he’s the brother of Lettie. Lucien’s the arrogant, tight lipped aristocrat & Hazel is the spunky, no nonsense, independent America they are like chalk & cheese & boy do they clash horns but all the while there is the simmering attraction. I loved their verbal spats & also how they came to work together & feel for each other. This is all against the backdrop of bombings in London & the hunt for the American bombers. I found it very hard to put down & can’t wait for the next in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Shameless Duke is the fourth book in the League of Dukes series and it was a story that I was looking forward to reading. In book three, Dangerous Duke, Lucien, the Duke of Arden, was quite the bullheaded man who placed his trust in the wrong person and was not willing to consider anything that did not agree with his assertions. His stubbornness led to disaster of epic proportions, not to mention great shame for the Duke of Arden. Since then, Lucien has been brought to heel and he has been chafing at the restraint, especially when he learned he was being partnered with an American Pinkerton agent.
Lucien is a man who prefers to be in total control and had zero interest in having a partner. His ire was well and truly worked up but all of that fled when he met H.E. Montgomery in person because the very last thing he had ever expected was that he would be paired with a woman. Not only was she a woman, a brazen one at that, outside of her obvious femininity, there was no other resemblance to what he had come to expect from a woman. To say that he was shocked and appalled was an understatement.
Hazel was used to being looked down upon for her gender but Lucien took his disdain to a level she was not expecting. Unfortunately for him, she liked a challenge and getting under his skin was now her number one priority. She could deal with his provocations but she was looking forward to the opportunity she had been given upon coming to London and the last thing she was going to let happen was failure. She would do whatever it took to get Lucien on board and to suss out the criminals they were tasked with finding but what neither she nor Lucien had ever expected was the deep attraction that they were both desperate to ignore.
From the start of Shameless Duke, I was intrigued by the pairing of a member of the Special League with a Pinkerton agent. I was also very excited by the idea of said agent being a woman. Hazel was a great character who had overcome much in her life and I loved her strength. There were plenty of sparks that flew between her and Lucien, including those of a romantic nature and of a clashing nature. Both Lucien and Hazel were prideful characters who thought that they knew best and it didn’t help in the least that their agendas were not harmonious.
As far as a romance element, there was plenty of push-pull attraction to be felt in this story and with every chapter the sexual tension was increasing. There were plenty of humorous moments between these characters along with the molten sexual chemistry, though, I do wish that more attention had been given to the mystery that was also a part of this story. I felt that too great an emphasis was placed on what was developing between Lucien and Hazel and that the crimes that had brought her to London were on the backburner too often. Overall, Shameless Duke was a rollercoaster of a romance with plenty of heat and sizzle!
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from Aurora Publicity. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
I was waiting for Arden to get his story and meet his match! He does indeed in a female Pinkerton agent from America! Hazel is a great heroine. She not only keeps Arden on his toes, she is more than capable of holding her own against and with him. I do not like spoilers, but I will say this story has it all. Wit,charm, steam, romance, action and intrigue, love and a happily ever after.
The fourth book in the League of Dukes and I see there is a new one coming, I will be reading it also. When I started this series I thought maybe I will read just this book, well four books and I can not get enough of this series with each new book it just gets better. This is Pinkerton agent Hazel Montgomery and Lucien, Duke of Arden, and the leader of the Special League for Home Office’s story. Lucien is not happy he has to work with a Pinkerton agent he is going to tell the man that, imagine his surprise when he is a she! There is suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns,kidnapping, arson, some of the people from the other books and romance. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I read a copy through KU and I am voluntarily reviewing.