Verity Beaumont has suffered domineering men most of her life, first with her father and then with her husband. Free from both men, she has finally found peace. Even meeting a kind and hard-working gentleman who just might be the perfect father her young son so desperately needs. But as she dares look to the future, her carefully ordered world is shattered when her dead husband returns.After six … returns.
After six years away, Rufus Beaumont, Duke of Blackburn, returns to claim his place and protect his family. Only, the life he finds is not the life he left, and he must convince his wife that their marriage is worth fighting for, that he’s not the man he was. When the truth about what happened to him leaks out, he must prove that not everything about him, especially his love for her, is a lie.
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I received this book as an ARC.
Yummy! I love this series. Darcy you are the best. Kit and Verity make a formidable couple. Beau is totally adorable. Being able to reconnect with previous characters and catch up on their lives briefly add special flavor to the story. This is #9 and if you haven’t started this series yet, please get reading!
A story like none I have ever read. What a wonderful twist and a great outcome. Thanks.
Loved it. The characters had to rebuild their relationship and it was realistic. Great read.
I have been enjoying all the books in the Forbiden Duke series. Great stories that connect the people and let you hear more about a couple in a previous book.
You will get to the expected ending…but no the way you think!
I have really been enjoying this series, especially the beginning. This author develops good characters and interesting plots. I will read any more of these that come my way.
“The Duke of Lies” The Untouchables, Book 9, by Darcy Burke Narrated by Marian Hussey
A thoroughly enjoyable Historical romance-suspense story from start to finish. Although, there were explicitly descriptive sex scene that I could have lived my whole life never being exposed to and been extremely happy to do so. It is rather impossible to skip those scenes in an audiobook. Maybe someday technology will improve and that problem will cease to exist. But, meanwhile, this is a very good fun story. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I purchased my copy of this audiobook October 2, 2020
10/03/2020 Darcy Burke’s writing is amazing!!! I just finished reading “The Duke of Lies” (nook) and loved it. A page-turner with a few twists and turns for Verity and Rufus/Kit. I attempted to figure out the ending but, boy, was I wrong. Ms. Burke’s words easily and lyrically flow as the story unfolds.
Ahhhh. what a story!
Verity Beaumont was one of my favorite characters from the previous book in this series (Duke of Ruin). She is an intelligent, kind woman who has survived an abusive husband. When he disappeared six years ago, Verity could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Now he is back. How will he react to a son he never knew? Will be still be the nasty person he was six years ago? And where was he for six years? However, early on we learn that Rufus is actually an imposter, an illegitimate cousin who looks enough like the duke to be mistaken for him even by his wife. Personality wise, Kit is almost Rufus’s opposite. Beau, the son, wholeheartedly except Kit as his father. Verity is more tentative, not trusting the big difference in “Rufus”. I could not help but think of the movie, Somersby. While I read, I hoped that this book would not end like the movie. Although this is book #9 in the Untouchables series, it quickly became my favorite and Kit my favorite hero. I was happy to see Simon, the Duke of Ruin and his wife, Diana figure prominently in this book since they were my favorites before Kit and Verity. This series just gets better and better with each offering. A warning, once you start reading you will not want to put it down until you are done. I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
This was my first Darcy Burke’s book and won’t be the last! This is the book 9 of The Untouchables Series. I haven’t read the first books in the Series, but I’d love to. You can read this story as a standalone, but I believe it’s better to read the first books in the Series to recognize the characters from them. This Historical Romance story is really beautifully written. I loved the characters. The scenery is well described. The storyline is really captivating and intriguing. I totally recommend this audiobook. The narration was well done and easy to listen. Marian Hussey has a great voice, quiet and sweet, perfect for this story. I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Usually like this author. I could not finish this. Just wasn’t worth it.
I loved The Duke of Lies by Darcy Burke! This series gets better with each new book. They are all worth reading, but this one is definitely my new favorite.
Verity Beaumont has spent her whole life dealing with domineering men so when her husband disappeared six and half years ago Verity met it with a sense of relief not loss. So just when she could have declared him legally dead in the eyes of the law having him return is not only a little concerning, but puzzling as well.
Rufus Beaumont returns after being gone for six and half years and he comes back as a totally changed man and intends to prove to his wife that their marriage is worth fighting for. When the truth about his disappearance comes out he must prove to Verity that he is a different man and wants to be the husband and father that he should have always been to both her and their son Beau.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
I look forward to Darcy Burke’s next book.
I have read most of this series and I think this one is one of my favourites. I loved the relationship between Verity and Kit. I felt they gelled well together. But it was the suspense and the waiting to see what was going to happen next that had me turning the page. If I could have, I would have read this book in one sitting, but sadly it took two sittings. I have only given it 4 stars because I felt it had too much sex for this reviewer and as usual I just skipped it, but it didn’t change my enjoyment of the story. I received this book as an ARC.
THE DUKE OF LIES is the ninth instalment in Darcy Burke’s THE UNTOUCHABLES historical romance series. This is Verity Beaumont, and Rufus Beaumont ‘s, Duke of Blackburn ( aka Captain Christopher ‘Kit’ Powell) story line. THE DUKE OF LIES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Verity and Rufus/Kit) THE DUKE OF LIES follows the building relationship between Verity Beaumont, and Rufus Beaumont, the Duke of Blackburn ( aka Captain Christopher ‘Kit’ Powell). Verity Beaumont’s husband has been missing for six and half years. There has been no word, no sightings, and no news about his demise. With the seven year mark quickly approaching, our heroine, along with their six year old son Beau, is hoping to move on with her life when the man in question resurfaces-a changed man similar in appearance but for all intents and purposes not the man she remembers as abusive and mean. What ensues is the ‘rekindling’ romance between Verity and Rufus, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.
Rufus Beaumont has a reputation. Abusive, dark and brutish, Rufus’ disappearance meant a reprieve for everyone he left behind. The man who returned in his absence, is not the same man our heroine remembers, but a kind and gentle man who is willing to begin anew. Physical similarities aside, the man with whom Verity will fall in love is a stranger who is willing to accept everything and more including the love of Verity and her six year old son.
THE DUKE OF LIES is an energetic tale of second chances (of sorts). An uplifting and spirited story line about secrets, lies, romance and love. The premise is captivating and charming; the characters are determined, dynamic and tenacious; the romance is fated and passionate.
I received The Duke of Lies by Darcy Burke from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the 9th in her Untouchables series but can be read as a stand alone. However, the series is wonderful.
Verity, The Duchess of Blackburn, was raised by a ruthless man and married off to a ruthless man. When her husband, Rufus disappeared 6 and a half years ago, she secretly rejoiced. However, Rufus returns and appears to be a different man. Can Verity trust him and create a bond with this new man?
I always enjoy reading Darcy Burke’s stories. They seem to come to life each and every time. However, while I enjoyed the story, it was a bit slow and story moved along an predictable path. Verity was a wonderful character that had remained strong while her husband was gone. Rufus was just too much of a reversal from before he left that I feel it let to the obvious plot of the story.
The relationship that develops between Verity and Rufus however was wonderful and intense with full disclosure as they became closer to one another. While not one of her best stories, still a delightful read and I can’t wait for her next book. #TheDukeofLies #NetGalley
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Verity Beaumont has decided it’s time to take on more responsibility. This was unusual back then but Verity seems to have a strong will. Rufus Beaumont seems to be a man of mystery with a history he would prefer to forget. It leaves Verity questioning things and wanting answers – and it leaves us the same way.
Besides our two main characters, we have a little scene-stealer. You can almost picture how cute he is and being the typical little boy you can almost picture how much trouble he gets into. I can imagine that at times our author had a hard time reining him in. I do think he was very important to the story so he may be more like a main character than a secondary one. And speaking of secondary characters, we have our main characters from the previous book make an appearance. There’s a perfect mix of family, mystery, and love and all that leads to a very happy ending. I was also happy to see that our author isn’t finished with this series yet.
This book can be read as a standalone but after getting to know Diana and Simon here you may come to be a little curious of who they are. Their story can be found in The Duke of Ruin. This book is one where you can just sit back and relax. Now that the warm weather is upon us, it would be a good time to find a comfortable spot outside with a tall cold glass of lemonade or your drink of choice. You may even find wanting to have a cooler with some things to nibble on since it will be hard to put the book down once you start.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
What a great addition to The Untouchables series. This is a wonderful story about getting a second chance at love and the power of truth. I adore Kit/Rufus and the evolution of his character. This was a story I couldn’t put down.
Just when I think I have a favorite Untouchable Darcy gives me the heart-melting Duke of Lies! I almost jumped out of my skin when he returned after hints of what he was like before. But he was definitely not the same person as before. There is so much to uncover and keep secret in this book that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time not know ing what was coming. The Duke of Lies fits him perfectly, but not for reasons you think and when the full truth comes out you will be jumping up and down. I somewhat figured out who was behind things, but not the full truth of it and it was shocking.
Verity is determined to make sure her son turns out to be a great man unlike the men in her life. She had been through a lot of things, but they just made her stronger. She found real love while seeing right through lies, but didn’t give up.
Rufus is not the person he seems to be and he will melt your heart. As his story came out I loved him more and more. He was determined to keep her and Beau safe no matter what happened. I loved him when he was reading to Beau and everything he did for her.
Of course, you know when the Untouchables get involved things are going to turn out perfectly.