Sandy M’s review of A Duke but No Gentleman (Masters of Seduction, Book 1) by Alexandra Hawkins
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 30 Jun 15
I have to hand it to Alexandra Hawkins for taking a risk with this new Masters of Seduction series. If it continues in the vein of this first book, it is very, very different from what her fans are used to from her – much darker than her Lords of Vice series. This is going to work for some readers and for others? They’re not going to be happy with that darkness, and resulting actions, in some characters. But no one can say this series is too much like the earlier one that you’d be bored with it. It is going to make you react, good or bad, and to be fair, that’s part of the author’s job. So while everything is not necessarily nice and pretty in this book, your emotions are going to get a workout.
The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave are the usual bad boy noblemen, not wanting straighten up and fly right, marry young, have a family and everything else that eventually goes with their station. At a ball when Blackbern is literally bowled over by Lady Imogen and Norgrave discovers his friend’s slight interest in the woman, he proposes a wager to Blackbern – court her and see which of them can seduce her into bed to take her virginity. Yes, a couple of really special men.
While taking the bet at first, Blackbern soon realizes the lady has interested him from the beginning, and the more time he spends with her in his nefarious pursuit, he knows he doesn’t want Norgrave anywhere near her. He tries to keep their liaisons secret, but Norgrave is much cannier than anyone knows. He’s in his element taking advantage of such innocents as Imogen.
And Imogen is definitely young and innocent, sheltered her entire life. So while I basically like Imogen, she’s the weak link in the story for me. At times it’s like the girl has no sense whatsoever. She goes about without a chaperone, any time of day or night, with no thought to what could and can happen to her. Yes, sneaking out of the house is probably an ancient thing for youngsters to do, and maybe we as romance readers are so used to ladies of this era doing exactly what they’re supposed to, that it makes it all the more difficult to like Imogen as much as you want to. However, maybe she knows her own mind and, thus, does as she pleases, no matter what. You’ll just have to make that decision when you read the book.
It is Imogen’s youth and gullibility that leads her into danger and tragic injury. Be warned, this is where that darkness comes into play. Revenge is a big part of it; you know the character whose mask comes off and uses violation as control and punishment. As they say, love conquers all, which is a good thing, because Blackbern and Imogen are going to need that and much more to come through such evilness. All this will be too much for some readers, but I like that Ms. Hawkins has decided to move in a totally different direction from that she followed for so many years. Yes, these events take a toll, aren’t that palatable to most, but lessons are learned for life to be sweeter in the aftermath for these characters.
I’m curious and looking forward to seeing what Ms. Hawkins is going to give readers next. I hope those readers will give this series a chance and not cut it off with this introduction. There’s still redemption, love and romance, and everything else we want as romance readers, and then some. We just have to go through a bit more to get there.
Grade: B
See Veena’s review here.
Summary:
What does it take to tempt a lady…
London, 1792. The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave are boyhood friends who will still compete at anything. Racing, drinking, gambling, even seduction—until Lady Imogene Sunter crosses their path. Achingly beautiful, and innocent, she has no understanding of the jaded gentlemen who are courting her for favors—of how far they are willing to go to get what they want…
In this game of seduce and destroy?
Fighting for Imogene’s affection should have been no more than their usual spirited rivalry. But when Blackbern discovers his feelings for Imogene have deepened, all bets are off. Norgrave, driven by his own demons, won’t forsake his pride—and with one shocking act of betrayal that threatens Imogene and Blackbern’s newfound desire, Norgrave will set the course for a generation of Regency bad boys who will go down in history as the Masters of Seduction…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
