Sandy M’s review of What a Devilish Duke Desires (Sinful Scoundrels, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
Historical Romance e-novella published by Forever 24 Feb 15
I was on the hunt for an historical romance to read, nothing having caught my attention lately. So I decided I’d go with someone new. Thus, this is my first book by Vicky Dreiling. This historical seems to have all the right components, save one; so I’m not at all surprised it doesn’t work all that well for me.
Lucy is a seamstress, but she has a passion for dance. She suffers two wretched employers for each occupation, and when she’s fired from her main job, she decides to make a true go of being a dance instructor, just as her mother was. Harry is a new duke, still reeling over the loss of his uncle and waiting for the title to settle on him. His mother is after him to marry and produce an heir, but he’s having none of her machinations.
A chance encounter with Lucy doesn’t go well, so when he’s given a second chance when his mother pushes him to enter a dance contest, Harry doesn’t waste another second – after the first flop of a failure with a different partner – to pull Lucy into the dance madness. She does her best to resist him from that point forward, but every time she comes face to face with him as she teaches ladies of the ton to dance, her resistance slips a little more.
While this book definitely gives the feel of a long-ago London when times were simpler, what’s missing is the connection, the chemistry between Harry and Lucy. They never make it to the point where what’s between them is something that will last forever. Harry is a great hero. A solid, steady man who doesn’t back down to anyone, including his horrid mother. However, it takes a little bit longer to warm up to Lucy. While I understand her attitude that a relationship with Harry would never work due to their different stations, I do tire of her wishy-washiness on that point. It goes on much too long for me. And when we find out she has a way of giving them the opportunity to have something together, she flat out refuses to go down that avenue. That definitely doesn’t endear her to me.
Also, the dialogue in this book is stilted and awkward. I just can’t imagine people speaking to one another the way these characters do. However, I do like the villain, even though we meet him early on; he sticks around and causes quite a bit of havoc for Lucy and Harry. I also like Lucy’s grandmother, despite her way of speaking, and she doesn’t take any guff from Harry, though I doubt he’d give her much to begin with.
Just a so-so book for me, leaving me very unsure I will visit this series again.
Grade: C-
Summary:
WILL A FEW FLIRTATIOUS STEPS
Harry Norcliffe never wanted to inherit his beloved uncle’s title. The rigidity of the ton, the incessant reminders from his marriage-minded mama that he must settle down with a highborn lady and produce an heir and a spare: it’s all such a dreadful bore. So when his mother asks him to take part in a dancing competition, he patently refuses. The last thing he needs is another chore . . . until a beautiful, brilliant, delightfully tempting maid makes him rethink his position.
LEAD TO A SCANDALOUS SEDUCTION?
Most women would be over the moon to be pursued by a wickedly handsome-not to mention wealthy-duke like Norcliffe. But Lucy will not be any man’s trophy. She could use a friend, though, and what begins innocently soon ignites into desire. As Lucy tries to resist Harry’s scorching kisses, he makes an utterly irresistible offer. Enter the dance contest with him, and win a prize that could change her life forever . . . if falling in love doesn’t change it first.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
