The Book of Affairs had been opened!And woe to the one who thinks they can control its power…Miss Mildred Parker wants only one thing.And… that is to save her family from poverty.Now… she can do it because she has the most coveted book in England.The Book of Affairs.But she made a mistake when she decided to steal a small fortune from the most powerful man in England.The Duke of Van Dero.… in England.
The Duke of Van Dero.
Milly’s about to learn a valuable lesson.
That nothing is free.
Cassius Hayes, the Duke of Van Dero, has every intention of teaching sweet Milly that lesson. Nothing will please him— or her— more.
Yet while all seems well on the outside, the Duke of Van Dero’s world is unlike any other.
He is a cold-blooded man who is not your average duke.
Soon Milly will find herself being dragged into a dark side of England she’d never known existed.
What happens when a woman falls in love with a villain?
Can love change a heart made of stone?
Or will the darkness have its way with them both?
more
Compelling, suspenseful and romantic are all adjectives to describe this well-written book. As with many other novels by this writer, the theme of the story is somewhat dark as it deals with the underbelly of Regency society, however, there are redeeming features to what could otherwise have been a tragic novel. Cassius, Duke of Van Dero has inherited the title, but there is little to commend him as he finds he has trouble relating to society, given his violent and disturbing past. Because of the Van Dero name and also the missing Book of Affairs, most people fear him due to his cold and unforgiving nature. Whilst Mildred Parker is drawn to him, she makes a grave mistake and it is only when her brother has to pay for putting his family at risk, that Mildred begins to understand the implications of her error. One can feel for Cassius as life has turned him into an unfeeling but powerful man. The lack of warmth in his life doesn’t preclude him from recognising it in others and seeing the effect of his actions on Mildred breaks down some of the barriers in his heart. It takes every ounce of Mildred’s courage to put aside her own fear and strive to begin to understand her husband. This book is part of a series and although we meet up with some old friends, it is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a successful close.
Forced Marriage.
The new Duke of van Dero’s childhood has made him a hard man devoid of emotions so why is he obsessed with nearby neighbour Milly Parker? An interesting story with dark elements that flows well with a HEA ending.
This series hasn’t been an easy read. It is tough and wonderful. I have enjoyed the book even as being forced to face the dark side of humanity. The change from this darkness to the light has been a great read. Cassius, Duke of Van Duro, has a story that needs to be written but he needed the right lady, Mildred, Milly, Parker is that lady. The previous Duke of Van Duro was an evil man and unknown to her Milly has the record of that evilness. Deborah Wilson is masterful in having well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you engaged and guessing. I have enjoyed this series immensely and this book was no exception. Milly and Cassius path to love was hard on both of them. It will involve secrets revealed and opening of hearts and minds.
This book starts as a heartbreaking look at the seamier side of Regency Era life, of the life of orphans and children of the poor and destitute, and then follows a survivor and 2 companions as they try to right the wrongs that has led to so much suffering for the weak and helpless in society, and then struggle to remake their lives. Cassius Hiller, the new Duke of Can Dero, was one of those orphans, and as a result is a damaged man, unable to feel, or even display many emotions other than occasional anger.
After his parent’s death at a young age, he was first shuffled among relatives who did not want him until one of them discovered he could fight. So at the age of 7, he was set to fighting other boys as others gambled on the outcome. This continued until he was 16 when he was finally able to break free from this form of slavery, along with 2 other friends. Cassius has been clearing out dens of iniquity since assuming the Duke’s mantle. As we saw with the Lost Lords of London, when Cassius escapes his slavery, he has quite an adjustment to make to be able to love again. This story relates to the Valiant series in that it picks up the story with the new Duke if Van Dero, Cassius Hiller.
Milly Parker and her sister Susannah and brother Walter, are nearly starving due to the gambling debts of first their father, and now the brother himself. On the verge of having to sell themselves in order to survive, Milly (a virtuous young woman) catches the eye of the Duke. How will Cassius be able to help Milly and her family? Will he ever feel and display love again? What will happen when he discovers the dark secrets of the old Duke of Van Dero?
Well written story with well developed characters. Our Hero is Cassius Hiller, the new Duke of Can Dero, the antithesis of the previous Duke. He cleans out dens of iniquity, righting wrongs done by the powerful upon the weak, but making little headway in healing his own emotional scars. Milly Parker, our heroine, is a virtuous young woman, with enough heart to help Cassius remake his. Clean, romantic, with a HEA—a good way to begin sweeping up the mess the old Duke left behind.
This is the first time I am reading about an antihero. I read what Webster’s said “a protagonist or notable figure who is conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities”. However, Cassius, the current Duke of Van Dero despite his stunted emotional growth, he is a man of high intelligence, educated and lived in a black and white world. He grew up without anyone caring for him or loving him. At the age of seven those who were to care and protect him started him in an illegal life or death path. It never left him and his soul was as dark as night. Even though he was righting some wrongs it was not without serious complications and consequences. That changed when he first laid eyes on Miss Milly Parker. Her family was impoverished and yet she maintained her grace and dignity worthy of any lady of the ton. This story ties into the “Lost Lord” series as Cassius was introduced in the previous book. The Lords were looking for the “Book of Affairs” that belonged to the former Duke Van Dero. This book contained information that would ruin the lives of any name contained therein. The names were of the extremely powerful of England to the lowliest of men. It listed their sins. Milly became aware of the book because her younger sister had found it. She confiscated it immediately. She realized how dangerous it was. What she was going to do with it was another question. A very exciting book. I could not put it down. A thrilling unpredictable story of who and what Cassius was and how Milly fit into his life and he in hers. I highly recommend this book.
Built for power we’re trained for power
I will admit I enjoyed Cass’s story and I almost thought it was better Clive or Garrett books. Cass’s story is definitely told from a different perspective than the Lost Lords and I like the way that the author took time to build his story. Once you start the book you will think that he is not the worlds most educated man or the most socially adapt man when in fact Cass is a wildcard.
With this story you will get it a few loose ends tied up right like to think. You will get a better understanding and what made cast man he is today and you will find out the circumstances of why holding the Book of Secrets is the ultimate power play.
There was enough intrigue, secrets, revenge or retribution and there will be a loss of Innocence and that may be the ultimate price but who’s willing to pay that price.
The saying you “having your cake and wanting to eat it too” May apply to this story but not in the way that you think. Because the one thing that makes her shy away is the one thing she will call upon from him and will they ever find their way back to each other after he does it.
Kudos to the author for another well-written book.
Now Ms. Wilson turns her attention from the Lost Lords to the odd man Cassius, new Duke of Van Duro, who sees it as fate that he, an unloved and unwanted orphan, who fought to the death to earn a meal, inherited the wealthy and powerful dukedom because of the death of six men with better claims. He has spent a year befriending Clive and his group of couples as they all searched for the Book of Affairs that held the secrets that brought the old duke such power. He has become obsessively attracted to Mildred Parker who is living her own mellow drama. Her 13-year-young sister has been learning the evils of the world by reading the tome she found in the wheelchair gifted to her father before he died. Milly accidentally falls into the power of using the secrets to obtain the money they desperately need as this gentry family has lost their property and become so poor. The story of the romance between these Cass and Milly is 637 fast-moving pages of thwarted love, danger, and action in several locations as we work out who the true villains are. Recommended reading!