Veena’s review of Redemption of the Duke (Brides of Redemption, Book 3) by Gayle Callen
Historical Romance published by Avon 29 Apr 14
This book is the third in an ongoing series about three officers who return from India, determined to make reparation for men who were killed under their command as a result of a poor judgment call they made. Adam Chamberlin, the Duke of Rothford, draws Faith Cameron as his penance. I was a bit lost in the beginning, not realizing that this book is part of a series of which I have actually read one, about why he wants to help her, especially since his desire to help borders on stalking. He devises stratagems to insinuate himself in her life in multiple ways, including inserting her into his household and ultimately making her his duchess. I really wanted to like this book, but there are too many angles and too many contradictions that just get in the way.
Adam seems to be a great guy on the surface. He’s rich, handsome, and on top of the pecking order; yet there’s a lot of rhetoric about the wild oats that he sowed in his youth. I am a bit puzzled why it’s still hanging over him, especially since most of the books about that period deal with heroes who are reformed rakes who definitely don’t seem to carry any angst about their misspent youth. Adam’s reformed himself, thanks to his sojourn in the army, into an exemplary son, brother, and nephew determined to help those less fortunate than him with his position and wealth. Now he’s haunted by his one poor judgment call in ten years of an illustrious career and is so obsessed with his redemption that he crosses all decent boundaries to make Faith his wife.
Faith Cooper is a feisty little heroine with a strong belief in woman power and equality. I can totally see her as an active participant in the emancipation of women. She is uncomfortable at becoming the subject of a duke’s obsession, even as she resists the chemistry that exists between them. She definitely is the redeeming character in this story and solely responsible for making sure that I actually finished the book.
We get to meet the characters from the other two books, which is when I had the ah-ha! moment about this being part of a series; otherwise, I was totally clueless for almost one-third of the story. There is a great supporting cast of characters, and the villain iss somewhat expected but still a surprise when it all unfolds. All in all, not the best work by Ms. Callen, in my opinion.
Grade: C
Summary:
A duke who needs to be tamed…a lady who refuses to be rescued.
Adam Chamberlin was the third son of a duke, known for gambling binges and drunken nights. No one expected anything of him…until tragedy strikes. Now Adam is the new Duke of Rothford, determined to right the wrongs he’s done. Except a secret in his past means helping the one woman who doesn’t want his help at all…
It’s not every day that a duke introduces himself to a woman sitting by herself in Hyde Park. Faith Cooper is even more surprised when Adam offers her a position as a lady’s companion to his elderly aunt. Faith refuses to be beholden to a man again–certainly not this man, who both infuriates and attracts her. But with passion simmering between them, will Faith surrender to forbidden desire?
Other books in this series:
