A Duke of many rules. A Lady of independence.Since her cheating husband created a scandal by dying beneath his whore, Darcy de Merle is determined to enjoy widowhood, and refuses to mourn a man she grew to loathe. Setting the ton ablaze, Darcy holds a ball to re-launch herself into Society on the anniversary of his death.Cameron, the Duke of Athelby plays by the rules. Always. He’s lived through … He’s lived through the terrible consequences of what revelry, carelessness, and lack of respect for one’s social position can have on a family. So, when he sees Darcy de Merle skirting the boundaries of respectability, it is only right that he should remind her of the proper etiquette that she should adhere to.
Darcy refuses to allow another man to tell her what to do. When the Duke of Athelby chastises her at every turn, reminding her of her social failures, well, there is only one thing to be done about it…seduce the duke and show him there is more to life than the proper conventions set by the ton.
A battle of wills ensues where all bets are off, numerous rules are broken and love becomes the ultimate reward.
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ONE HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE!!!
Amazing! Tamara delivers a unique approach with all the anarchy, escapades and havoc running amuck, tossing this baby into a tizzy with startling results. A roaring tempest of inexplicable events chocked-full of surprising circumstances keep you flipping page after page. Sparks fly as drama, intrigue, uncertainty and mounting suspense spirals, ruling the roost fusing this bad boy to life spectacularly. Navigating the trials and tribulations, noting the thrilling twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways they could have never envisioned. Highlighting thrilling, well rounded scenario’s, ramping up the exuberance and adrenaline with such intensity and skill, melding this gem together flawlessly. Bucking the odds, blazing the field, propelling this baby into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, throwing it into a tailspin with a life altering, mind-blowing culmination. Toss in distress, turmoil and perplexing situations along with a boatload of desire, dodging calamity you have one block busting adventure. Exhilaration rocks this jewel, bringing it home with such intensity and precision, running bareback and imparting one block busting piece of perfection, thrusting this gem to life brilliantly. The personalities are well matched and blend together smoothly. The characters and scenes are written with such realism and depth it makes for one fantastic backdrop. Amazing job Tamara, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Having romped and played together, Lady Darcy de Merle and Cameron, the Duke Of Athelby, had once had a very special relationship, one of shared fun, laughter and adventure. Time and disappointments have changed all that. Darcy has been through a disastrous marriage, where she was used and disabused of any romantic notions about marriage and she has sworn never to be under another man’s control for as long as she lives. Cameron’s predecessors have brought the family’s name into disrepute, leaving him angry and determined to never allow the smudge of scandal to besmirch the Dukedom. As he once again corrects Darcy for what he considers her inappropriate behaviour, he almost goes too far in insulting her, engaging Darcy’s fighting spirit and drawing her mischievous side into the open. When Cameron becomes the victim of a prank, it is Darcy that comes to his rescue and the feelings Cameron has harboured for her all the years come to the fore, but he is astounded when she turns him down. It takes very inappropriate behaviour to win her over. This novel is fairly short, but is well written and moves along at a good pace. It is also a standalone and comes to a delightful and romantic close. I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I received as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
‘Since her cheating husband created a scandal by dying beneath his whore, Darcy de Merle is determined to enjoy widowhood, and refuses to mourn a man she grew to loathe. Setting the ton ablaze, Darcy holds a ball to re-launch herself into Society on the anniversary of his death.
Cameron, the Duke of Athelby plays by the rules. Always. He’s lived through the terrible consequences of what revelry, carelessness, and lack of respect for one’s social position can have on a family. So, when he sees Darcy de Merle skirting the boundaries of respectability, it is only right that he should remind her of the proper etiquette that she should adhere to.
Darcy refuses to allow another man to tell her what to do. When the Duke of Athelby chastises her at every turn, reminding her of her social failures, well, there is only one thing to be done about it…seduce the duke and show him there is more to life than the proper conventions set by the ton.
A battle of wills ensues where all bets are off, numerous rules are broken and love becomes the ultimate reward.’
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3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
To Bedevil a Duke is the first book in Tamara Gill’s Lords of London series.
Darcy was portrayed as quite sandalous and reckless at the beginning of the book, with a tendency to overindulge in drink. But that seemed to be quite the misdirect, as this characterization started to taper off the further into the book I read. I did really love that Darcy wasn’t willing to compromise in her life anymore, she was going to live how she chose now that her husband is gone and she’ll do what she must to go after what she wants.
Cameron on the other was quite unlikable for most of the book. He was just so judgemental and condescending. And the cause that made him like that just didn’t justify it for me. He does improve as the book progresses, but my ability to like him had been corruped by all of his negativity and unkind observations of others. If he wants to be uptight, fine, but don’t force your ideals on others. By the end of the book I did like his character, but I wish he had been more likable throughout or had a more legitimate reason for behaving how he did, then I would have been more invested.
They’re antagonistic with one another form the start, but it stems from a long standing attraction between the two. An attraction which each is loathe to admit to. I did really enjoy the reversal of the traditional roles here, not something often found in a historical romance. She is the experienced one and he is the virgin. What a refreshing change of pace! This had to have been my favorite thing from this book.
hasn’t been my favorite Tamara Gill read, but it is the first in the series and I still enjoyed it so I will be giving the rest of the series a read and look forward to reding more by her. Therefore if you enjoy Tamara Gill’s book, I recommend this book.
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I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited membership.
I loved this whimsical tale of a lady of the ton debauching a Duke. This is a delight to read and I loved how fun the characters are. Darcy is a woman who just finished her required one year of mourning. Her marriage was a disaster. Her husband tried to control everything she did but he had all the freedom to do as he pleased with his many mistresses. He died with one of his mistresses by his side. Darcy was embarrassed. She swore never to marry again and allow a man to rule over her. Now that she was back in society, she thought to pursue a lover. However, the man she was attracted to irritated her to no end. Cameron the Duke of Athelby was a straight up stick in the mud and acted like he had a rod up his @ss. A stickler for rules and propriety his looks his demeanor his life must be above reproach. He had no qualms telling others male or female if they were not living up to his high standards of living. He never walked with a smile, his countenance was one of extreme dislike of everyone and everything around him that did not come up to scratch. When he was around Darcy his disdain for her fun-loving ways and her skirting the edges of the propriety of polite society drove him crazy and he did not hesitate to tell her so. With each encounter between them it seemed they would never get along. But Cameron’s grandmother is Darcy’s godmother and she would always say that they belonged together. They both abhorred the thought. One evening was all it took for Darcy to see a different side to Cameron. They had known one another as children and she wondered why he had so drastically changed? She was beginning to understand. She decided to get him to kiss her and see where that led. This was such a fun read. I totally recommend it. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My first thoughts on this story are that it is very easy to read and follow.
The next is that these two main characters, Darcy de Merle and Cameron, Duke of Athelby, are opposites who have grown up together but have never fallen in love, until now!
Darcy really gives him a hard time because all she wants is to become someone’s mistress and he can’t seem to unstick himself from his views on only doing the right thing and that certainly is not to take a mistress.
Lots of tongue in cheek moments and quite a few where I disturbed those around me with my outbursts of laughter.
A very well written and clever story that certainly deserves to be recommended!
I requested and read a promotional copy of this ebook and my unbiased and voluntary review is recorded above.
This was my first Tamara Gill’s book, and won’t be the last! This is the first book in the Lords of London Series. Darcy and Cameron’s story is beautifully written, romantic, and sexy (steamy). Duchess DeFoix and Duke DeFoix did an amazing job with the narration. I enjoyed my listening and totally recommend this audiobook. I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily written this review.
Darcy de Merle waited the respectable 12month mourning period before she throws a wild ball (privately celebrating his death). Having been sorely abused by her late husband she swears never to marry again. She will however live life to the fullest, even if it means taking a lover. Her childhood friend Cameron the Duke of Athelby let’s her know repeatedly that her behavior is deplorable. His grandmother (her godmother) feels they are perfect for each other. Cameron has high standards, higher than most actually and needs a wife. Since his brothers scandalous death he remains and lives with the highest morals. Which actually means he is still innocent. Darcy figures it out and decides she will be the one to teach him all he needs to know. What follows is a hot and Heavy education that brings Cameron to his knees. He wants her for his wife and she only wants a lover. Who will surrender first? Love Tamara Gill! No matter what book I read, once I start it I must finish it the same day!
To Bedevil a Duke by Tamara Gill is book One in the Lords of London Series. This is the story of Cameron, the Duke of Athelby and Darcy de Merle.
Darcy had a awful marriage and when her husband died in a comprised position she set to not let him rule her life or any man again. So she sets out to live her life which isn’t always in a proper way which leads Cameron to make comments to her about her being on the boundaries of respectability. Cameron knows the harshness of that life and works to stay above that harshness but there is something about Darcy that makes him want again.
Really enjoyed this book. It is one that you will want to see to the end in one read.
Loved it!
I really enjoyed this first book in the Lords of London Series. Talk about opposites attract – Darcy de Merle is now a widow, since her husband died in the throws of sex with his whore. Darcy is going to enjoy her freedom from a husband she hated & plans to set the Ton on fire. Cameron the Duke of Athelby always, always follows the rules of perfect & never sways from perfect performance. Then he meets Darcy & he, in good conscience, lets her know that her actions are not acceptable to the rules of etiquette. Well, you can imagine that did not set well with Darcy & flames & especially spice start to spread between them. I highly recommend this read & am looking forward to Book 2.
London 1805. What’s a woman to do when her wastrel husband dies in the arms of a harlot? Have fun and be a little wild. Darcy was determined to enjoy herself after her mourning period is over and pushes the boundaries. Holding a ball to bring herself back into society she finds Cameron, the Duke of Athelby pushing her to stay within the respectability norms. But Darcy is determined to not let a man rule her life anymore.
A fast paced novella that will keep you smiling while warming your heart at the end.
Darcy de Wolfe is determined to enjoy widowhood, and refuses to mourn a man she grew to loathe. Setting the ton ablaze, Darcy holds a ball to re-launch herself into Society on the anniversary of his death. Cameron, the Duke of Athelby plays by the rules. Always. He’s lived through the terrible consequences of what revelry, carelessness, and lack of respect for one’s social position can have on a family. When the Duke of Athelby chastises her at every turn, reminding her of her social failures, well, there is only one thing to be done about it, seduce the duke and show him there is more to life than the proper conventions set by the ton.
Another page turning, engrossing read which once again I was loathe to put down & read it in under a day The characters are very well portrayed, Cameron & Darcy were both strong characters & whilst they professed to not liking each other their attraction sizzled. This story is a lovely twist on the norm, it’s the woman who’s experienced & wanting to do as she wishes & the hero is the virgin waiting for marriage & to begin with he’s so strait laced. I love the author’s books & this doesn’t disappoint & I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read