A lady set on vengeance. A cold duke with secrets of his own. Wills clash when she falls into his life and sparks fly. Can they learn to trust each other before it’s too late?A lady set on vengeance.Fiery death took her brother and with him, her chance for a normal life with a well-suited match. Now Lady Sloane Ruddington is determined to make the man responsible for the fire pay for his … responsible for the fire pay for his sins—Reiner Doran, a cold-hearted duke with nothing more than acquiring land and filling his coffers in his soul.
A cold duke with secrets of his own.
When the Duke of Wolfbridge stumbles upon a woman unconscious on his lands, Reiner has little choice but to hold her captive in his household. He has enemies afoot and she could very well be another spy sent to destroy him. The last thing he should do is trust her. But when the beguiling Scottish beauty awakens with no memory of why she is at Wolfbridge, he has to keep her close—for both of their sakes.
Can a fiery lass melt a frigid heart?
Reiner soon discovers her enthusiasm for life is exactly what is missing in his household—for his niece—and him. As an undeniable fire between them sparks to life, there becomes only one thing that can tear them apart—her memories. Can they learn to trust each other before it is too late?
Join the adventure today! You’ll love The Wolf Duke, the second in the Valor of Vinehill series and a can’t-miss enthralling regency romance by USA Today bestselling author, K.J. Jackson.
Note: The novels in the Valor of Vinehill series by K.J. Jackson are each stand-alone stories and can be read individually in any order. These historical romances are set in the Regency and Victorian eras, and do not shy away from scenes with steamy heat, occasional naughty language, and moments that might possibly make you squirm.
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Let me say if you have wolf and Duke in the title it has to be good. I love the characters in this series. Books can be read alone, but you will want to read the series.
Oh. Dear. Lordy. Did I ever love both Sloan and Reiner in K.J. Jackson’s The Wolf Duke: A Valor of Vinehill Novel. I hesitate to discuss the plot as I don’t want to give anything away, but it was so very well done indeed. A really great, truly enjoyable tale with a great plot and characters. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
This is a really deep and emotional story. An accident makes a woman seeking vengeance lose her memory of the past six months. She learns exactly the man that the Duke is. Set against northern England and the Scotland border, Reiner will follow Lady Sloane anywhere, because she has stolen his heart. Betrayals and lies will be the means to uncovering the treachery, but it will mean an unbreakable trust must be formed. I love Reiner and Sloane together. Theirs is a love that will stand the test of time.
“The Duke of Wolfbridge – the Wolf Duke, a lone beast that was a cold and merciless scourge upon this earth- needed to pay for his sins and she was the one that would make him do so.”
The thoughts of Sloane as the climbed the wall of Wolfbridge Castle, determined to avenge her family the Duke had killed when he set the fire to their home.
Wow. This story pulled me in so quickly and would not let go until the last page! I should not have been suprised because K.J. Jackson is a master storyteller with her amazing prose and descriptions! It seems that each book gets better, but truly everything she writes grips my heart and senses. Yes she is one of my favorite authors and I am always excited to read her new creations!
This is a story of vengeance, secrets, intrigue and strong emotions that ignite between the hero and heroine, with danger and villians making their way into the mix.
Reiner Doran, the Duke of Wolfbridge had so many layers and Sloane is a great heroine and is great with Reiner’s niece Vicky.
Leave yourself time when you pick up this amazing story to read, because trust me you will not be able to put it down until you turn the last page. My heart could only smile as I let out a hugh sigh….
A fantastic read.
Sloane and Reiner’s first meeting was not the best and yes there are some misunderstandings (perhaps there is a knife involved), but it does get better. Sloane was set on revenge yet who really was her target. Some great chemistry in this well-written gem and the characters were an unexpected pleasure. This was a fantastic read that will keep you intrigued to the very end. I loved it! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Fast-paced, dramatic and suspenseful this historical romance has a mystery to be solved, vengeance and diabolical evil-doers. Although the main characters are each damaged in their own way, they are strong and command the respect of one another, even when they cannot be sure that they can be trusted. Driven by the need for retribution for the sins committed against her family, Lady Sloane attempts to infiltrate the Duke of Wolfbridge’s home. However, a fall wipes her reason for doing so from her mind, and whilst she gropes for her memory to return, she discovers that Reiner is a deep and honourable man. The return of her past brings mistrust and raises questions in her mind. The story is fairly gruesome in parts and for that reason may need to come with a warning, but it nevertheless holds the reader’s interest to the exciting and hopeful end. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
The Wolf Duke is an action packed story with both a strong hero and heroine. It is a story of misunderstandings, lies, mis-directions, evil and also love. K. J. Jackson keeps you engaged from the beginning to the end. Her characters, both good and evil, are well developed. You understand them. I always look forward to books by this author.
I was given an advance copy of this book. The opinions given are strictly my own.
From page one the story hits the ground running. There is chaos, confusion, danger and everyone is in survival mode. The romantic storyline between Sloane and Lord Reiner, the Duke of Wolfbridge aka the Wolf Duke is hostile at its worse, stubborn in between and a match of wits at its best. Suspicion and lack of trust permeates the air between Sloane and Reiner. Sloane’s objective becomes muddled when she starts to get to know Reiner. Reiner’s antagonism recedes as he gets to know Sloane. Reiner has a niece Vicky around eight or nine years of age who builds an automatic friendship with Sloane and Sloane adores her. I like Sloane’s character. She is decisive, takes action, speaks her mind, apologizes to no one but is kind, loyal and loving. Reiner’s character is in the beginning aloof, suspicious, dark and brooding. He brooks no interference, expects his demands to be carried out and met and is constantly on guard against those who wish him ill. He does have a soft side. He loves his niece Vicky to distraction. But is unable to show it because of his guilt surrounding his sister, Vicky’s mother’s death. He is very protective of his loved ones and those who work for him. His trust is a hard commodity to earn. But once earned he gives his undivided loyalty. Vicky is the lightness to this story. She is sweet, innocent and kind to all. She has taken a shine to Sloane and the two are inseparable while Sloane “resides” at Wolfbridge. I like the main characters realistic and honest approach to people and their situations. There is plenty of emotional dialogue and drama to kept one’s attention glued to each page. There is also plenty of action and danger involving these characters. Reiner is involved in deep undercover work to reveal a smuggling ring that has cost many peoples’ innocent lives. Sloane unwittingly becomes involved deeper than she knows and her life and that of Vicky’s becomes endangered. A lively story. This is one book where you will never get bored. The book moves from scene to scene quickly and before you know it, you are at the end of the book totally satisfied. This is an excellent tale about hunting for the culprit to punish, getting to know the culprit and falling for the culprit. This is a must read. You will not be disappointed. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What begins with the desire for vengeance turns into a case of partial amnesia: Sloane no longer knows where she is or why.
This second book of the series is set before the first installment, wherein Sloane’s brother arrives to stop her marrying the duke. Thus the reader already knows how this will end. The way to that end was entertaining with a good balance of dialogue and description.
I read a free advance copy and voluntarily post my review.
Revenge: Enemies to Lovers
Vengeance is a dangerous and explosive emotion that indiscriminately destroys.
Revenge is all that Lady Sloane is after. Revenge is what drives her and revenge is what will set her free. Well, maybe not. She can’t bring back those taken from her, but she can make the one responsible pay dearly. Revenge is sometimes aimed at the wrong person and vengeance is not a game for the faint of heart.
No one really knows his Grace, the Duke of Wolfbridge. No one knows that he too is playing a deadly game for reasons only known to him. Still, even if Reiner wins, he won’t be able to change the past. Regardless, vengeance is what he wants, but vengeance is not what his heart needs.
K.J. Jackson is on my ‘favorite authors’ list. I love her writing style, the characters she creates and her complex stories. The Wolf Duke is just another one of her excellent stand-alone novels that had me engrossed from the first page and smiling with a sigh at the end of the epilogue. I loved Sloane and Reiner’s personalities, but it was their explosive chemistry, edgy banter and heartbreaking wounds that made me keep cheering for them and wanting them find a future together. As with any really good author, the supporting characters were just as unique and complex and the stars of this entertaining book.
For those readers who may be easily offended: This book contains several vulgarities (within context) and a number of very descriptive scenes of sexual intimacy. There is also some violence and tragic loss that may be difficult for some readers.
All in all, I loved The Wolf Duke and I hope you will too.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author via BookFunnel. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
The Wolf Duke:
A Valor of Vinehill Novel
book 2
by K.J. Jackson
Very few authors can write a novel that capture the readers heart and emotions the way K.J. Jackson does. This can be read as a stand-alone but I would pick up The Iron Earl which is the first book, we get a glimpse of how the story unfolds.
Vengeance has been eating away at Sloan Ruddington’s heart just like the fire that took away her beloved brother and family. And she means to make the man that gave the order to destroy everything she held dear, pay by exposing his treasonous soul. When things take an unexpected turn and Sloan wakes to find she’s held hostage with no memory as to how and why she’s there.
Reiner Doran the Duke of Wolfbridge isn’t too surprised to find a young woman unconscious on his property, he’s convinced that she’s another spy send to destroy him. Even though she’s not like any spy he’s ever come across. She’s every bit a lady of quality and possibly of noble birth. When she denies she’s a spy, keeping her close is the only way to expose her lies. She’s an enigma to him that’s for sure, and the mangled burned flesh on her arm is a part of the answer. But soon there’s more at stake, his heart has been lost forever to Sloan, and he’ll do anything to keep her forever. Will the return of her memory destroy the love that has blossomed between them? Or will it be the salvation they both have need of?
A page turner full of emotions! I loved Sloan she’s a fiery adventurous young woman that takes matters of vengeance’s into her hands. She’s definitely no wallflower. At first I didn’t really like Reiner and the way he treated Sloan but he redeemed himself nicely, how he went after Sloan when she was kidnapped by the villain of the story. This is a fast paced adventure full of intrigue and mystery, sensual smouldering passion, evil villains a sexy duke and a strong heroine that risks everything for the man she loves!
This is a keeper as all of K.J. Jackson’s books they are tastefully written gripping and romantic! Can’t wait for the next one!
I recieved a complimentary copy from the author. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Reiner is a man with secrets and a niece he would do anything to protect.
Sloane is a woman with scars, physically and emotionally, that will do anything to bring down the man responsible for hurting those she loves.
An accident causes her to be held at his estate, that accident takes her recent memories. He thinks she’s there to bring harm. She thinks he’s holding her for no reason since her memories and therefore her real reason for being there are gone.
In spite of the wariness they have of each other, Reiner’s niece Vicky brings them together. Unexpectedly they find they like each other once they get past the surface.
Can her strength overcome her suspicions and allow her to trust him? Can he believe in her in spite of circumstances telling him not to? Sloane and Reiner could be a force to be reckoned with if they allow themselves to believe in each other and to trust their instincts.
K.J. has once again delivered a story you won’t want to miss! A story of second and third chances, a story of revenge and redemption, and of love finding a way.
I was given an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
Lise P.
Sloane and Reiner were really good, complex characters. I liked the depth that they had. Reiner’s niece Vicky also added to the story and I enjoyed watching her interactions with Sloane. Sloane brought a joy into Vicky’s life that had been sorely missing.
The emotions and the dangers were well shown. Even the despair of Sloane’s cousin Torrie who wished for death after the savage burns she suffered. She had sunk into pain, and bitterness with a desire for revenge on those who had caused it. She even turned her bitterness onto Sloane for saving her. Even though Sloane had also suffered a horrendous burning of her left arm.
Things were NOT exactly as Sloane had thought the facts were. There were plots being formed by more than one person. Misinformation was also being sent out to people. Mistrust between Sloane and Reiner shifted back and forth. They would just begin to possibly trust and then wham! another issue came up to put pressure on that trust.
Something I really enjoyed was the fact that Sloane had grown up with a pretty adventurous childhood. Part of that adventurousness was the pure joy of climbing. Climbing up strong vines was something she excelled at as a child. She did this with other children in her family often causing heart palpitations to nannies and others when discovered. But it also plays a big part in the beginning of this story and how the main characters met.
I liked how the dangers played out as well as the on again off again romance. It all comes together in a very satisfying way along with a GREAT Epilogue.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Having read the first book in K.J. Jackson’s new series, Valor of Vinehill, I looked forward to reading the second book in the series, The Wolf Duke. Once again K.J. provides another gripping, gritty, emotional tale, which is something this author excels at. Lady Sloane Ruddington is determined to have vengeance against Reiner Doran, the Duke of Wolfbridge, the man she feels is responsible for the fiery death of her brother. Sloane sets out for the Duke’s estate but suffers a fall outside his holding resulting in amnesia. Reiner, a man who has enemies and secrets, doesn’t trust the reason she gives for being at his home. Over time, they develop a fragile truce and learn more about each other without revealing their individual secrets. Sloane finds out he isn’t the man she thought he was but can she give up her desire for vengeance against those responsible for her brother’s death? Reiner knows she must if she wants to move forward with her life. This was a very good read but it is not a typical Regency romance read if that is what one prefers. I am a reader who likes both kinds of Regency romances, the emotionally gripping, gritty ones, and the light-hearted, fun reads.
I was gifted an ARC of this work and any opinions in this review are voluntary and my own. I rank it worthy of 4 ½ stars.
I really enjoyed this book & Ms. Jackson did a great job creating a memorable story with characters that pulled you in to their lives. This was a different historical read which included fiery scars (both mental & physical) revenge, fraud, suspicion, mistrust, love of a child, romance & love.
Lady Sloane Ruddington, granddaughter of the Marquess of Vinehill, is a lady set on revenge.Her brother lost his life in a fire intentionally set to pad the pockets of a lord. It also ruined her chances of a suitable titled mach after she received horrible burns on her arm. Now, she is out to ruin Reiner Doran, Duke of Wolfbridge for his sins in ordering the fire to be lit.
The Duke is called out by his butler to a woman found by his castle unconscious. Who was she, was she another spy sent to ruin him – he has no option besides holding her captive & questioning her when she awakens. However, when she does finally wake up, she tells him her name is Sloane but has no memory of why she is there or who he is – he cannot trust the lovely Scottish lass is telling him the truth & therefore, must keep her near for both their advantage until she finally admits her agenda.
Everyday he questions her & she says she still doesn’t remember anything. The more time she spends with his 9 yr old orphaned niece, Vicky, the more he & Vicky get attached to Sloane. She brings sunshine, enthusiasm & happiness to his life – all of which, he realized, were missing.
Will she get her memories back, will the truths be discovered, will they ever be able to trust one another? I was gifted this ARC & voluntarily read, reviewed & recommended it.