Duke of Sin (Avon Romantic Treasures)

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Real
Review: Adele Ashworth has created real people in Duke of Sin. The emotions ring true and have you turning the pages feeling you know these people. The mystery has some actual mystery to it. I made several wrong guesses in the course of the book before banging my head and saying 'Of course!'. The solution makes perfect sense - I just missed it.

Two examples of realism - the first comes when the hero is explaining to his friend how he became involved with the heroine - he sums it up along the lines of 'So I said I'd give her the manuscript if she became my companion'. Instead of shock or dispproval or any of the usual best-pal novel reactions, the hero's pal proclaims him a genius and swears he WILL use that ploy in the near future. I laughed. The second is something I won't spoil - but the hero reveals it only to his friends. He never tells the heroine. This moment is much more satisfying than the standard gut spill every hero starts doing about page 243.

If you have a low tolerance for sex scenes, be warned - this book is very hot. Generally you would find me complaining about that but Adele Ashworth has written them into the story and the characterization so seamlessly that I found myself reading and not skimming until the last 3rd of the book. (Normally I hit the first one and skip ahead). Rather than detract from the story they really do advance it and enhance it. Great read.

Rating:
Summary: LACKING. ** Grade: C+ **
Review: Adele Ashworth's newest release is an easy read - no intense brain power required. However, in the romance department it lacked strength. Oh, there is sex, but no spark. There is a mystery, but no depth. Yes, I read it, but I was disappointed. Although Adele Ashworth is a good author and her writing style is very pleasant, DUKE OF SIN was just ordinary.

Lady Vivian Rael-Lamont hides away in southern Cornwall. She lives a quiet life, growing beautiful flowers for the local community. She lives a lie.

William Raleigh, the Duke of Trent hides away at his Cornwall estate, Morning House. He lives his life avoiding society. He is a murderer, or is he?

Adele Ashworth tries to create a cloak and dagger scheme surrounding the death of William's wife, a scheme that includes the widow Rael-Lamont. However, the author reveals her cards far too early, thus, making the story weak and empty. Instead, for this reader, the story's "mystery" surrounds the physical innocence of Vivian Rael-Lamont! From the start, a sexual firmness ruled this inexperienced lady's bedroom conduct! Supposedly reserved and pure, Vivian knew what she wanted and she got it! The story's "riddle" -- believing such a sexually aggressive thirty-five-year-old woman would enter William's life and be inexperienced!

Sorry, although DUKE OF SIN is a pleasant read, the story is inadequate. Ok, I'll take the whipping; I know I am going to receive negative votes for this opinion. Grade: C+

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Rating:
Summary: 1/2* Sinful Indulgence
Review: Duke of Trent, William Raleigh is publicly scorned after he escaped death sentence for the murder of his wife. Lady Vivian Rael-Lamont finds her peaceful life shattered when a Shakespearan actor threatens her with secrets of her past. In exchange for his silence and her marriage document, she is to hand over an original manuscript of a Shakespearean sonnet in Will's possession.

Readers familiar with Ms. Ashworth works like My Darling Caroline and Winter Garden will empathize with both the flawed lead characters. Vivian is a beguiling pillar of strength and grace; Will is a tortured hero who is dark and brooding. As the plot and deception unfolds, the textured characterization comes full circle.

Even with some plot inconsistencies and too-modern dialogues, Ms. Ashworth's first installment of her Duke trilogy is quietly affecting and incendiary with its saturated chemistry and tender moments. The bodice-ripper is however never debauched because of the rich characters. It has passion and heart. Peppered with a rousing mystery and fast-paced suspense, this 19th century Victorian romance places Ms. Ashworth in fine form again. This is sinful indulgence at its best.



Rating:
Summary: A Duke to Remember
Review: I have never read a book I was compiled to write a review on. This book was one of the best historical romance's I have ever read. It launched me back to a magical time where fantasy and reality could seem to be a real possibility. Because the Author did such a wonderful job of developing the heroine and hero,(he was to die for) they seemed like I was reading about real people. The love scenes were wonderful and you have the sense the characters really loved and respected each other. The end of the book had the most beautiful, romantic words I have ever read, I was so moved by the words, I wept. Thank you Ms. Ashworth for a book I will keep on my keeper's shelf. I have already read it twice. I hope you write a book about the secondary characters of Colin and Sam, especially Colin, he seems to be the kind of rogue I would go for. I have already pre-ordered this Author's new book coming in the Spring of 2005.

Rating:
Summary: ANoTHER GReAT ReAD from ADeLe ASHWORTH!
Review: iF you LOVe HiSTORiCALs, this is not to be missed!

I agree with ALL the previous reviewers, her story kept me on the edge and GUeSSiNG. The characters are ALL weLL ROUNDeD and the story just FLOWs.

I can not wait for the NEXT story...

Rating:
Summary: engaging Victorian romance
Review: In 1856, an actor Montague visits Widow Vivian Rael-Lamont in Cornwall. He has evidence proving she is not widow and more damaging information that would destroy Vivian, who hides from the London aristocracy. Montague blackmails Vivian, insisting she visit the Duke of Trent to seduce him out of an original Shakespearean sonnet manuscript.

A bit of a recluse in spite of his reputation as the DUKE OF SIN, William Raleigh wonders why Vivian is visiting him as he has no doubt she has some hidden agenda. Besides surprising himself by finding SOMEONE IRRESISTIBLE, William is curious as to why she is here so he allows her to stay so that he can learn the truth. As they fall in love, Vivian wonders how to tell her Sin why she came expecting he will distrust and loathe her; as well as how to cope with that dastardly Montague who will ruin her if she fails to accomplish his task.

This is an engaging Victorian romance due to the fabulous metamorphosis of the relationship between the delightful lead couple. The story line has a gothic feel to it with William being somewhat of a brooding hero and his home striking fear into Vivian when she first arrives there. This first of the Duke trilogy is a fine mid-nineteenth century tale in which readers will hope that all ends well for this likable pair.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Ms. Ashworth is back. After reading other books written by Ms. Ashworth, Duke of Sin is by far one of my favorites. Ms. Ashworth has a talent of taking an intrigueing story and making it an experience in which the reader has difficulty putting the book down. The sex encounters were very hot, yet the plot was full and fun. This truly is a number one book!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good.
Review: This is my first book by Adele Ashworth. I liked the book but it was a bit...shallow Ill say. The writing was good as was the plot, but where it needed depth and more..whatever at the time, the story did not have it. The romance was there, but was almost flat. There was no spark that you got to hold onto. I didnt feel a really deep connection. Not that this was not an enjoyable read, it was, those were the things that bothered me.
The mystery was good, the sex was good, although I did not believe Vivian was a virgin, she did not act like one at all. I think she should have had some expierence. I liked William and the details about everything. Ill be looking into other books and any new releases.

Rating:
Summary: Really 4 1/2 stars -- Great characters and different setting
Review: This is the first book that I have read by Adele Ashworth and I enjoyed it a great deal. It is not a flawless book, but it is very well-written and different enough from the garden-variety historical regency to rate 4.5 stars to my mind.
The heroine of the story is Vivian Rael-Lamont, a widow living in a small town on the coast of Cornwall, who supports herself with her floral business. Vivian has a secret that she wishes to hide from the town, so when the slimy Shakespearean actor, Gilbert Montague, threatens to reveal her secret, he is able to blackmail her into approaching her wealthy neighbor, William Raliegh, the Duke of Trent. Vivian's task is to obtain a valuable original Shakespearean sonnet that is in the Duke's possession. William is a recluse, suspected of murdering his wife and shunned by society. He is intrigued by Vivian and her request and offers her the manuscript in return for her "companionship". Vivian, attracted to him and desperate to appease Montague, agrees to his proposal.
I thought that the characters of both Will and Vivian were well-developed, sympathetic and attractive. The fact that they were both in their mid-thirties was a refreshing change from the usual fare (in which the hero is in his thirties and the heroine barely 20 years old.) The romance between two lonely people who were damaged by their previous marriages was quite well done and the sexual attraction/tension between them was great. (One quibble--the language that they use to discuss sexual matters is more in line with Dr. Ruth Westheimer and less in line with a Victorian gentlewoman and man.)
The mystery part of the story is a bit convoluted and while entertaining, was rather hard to believe. This story really shines whenever the hero and heroine are interacting--initially with verbal fencing and later learning to love and trust each other.
In summary, this is an well-written historical romance about two interesting, lonely people. I recommend it to readers of historical romance who need a break from stories set in London and peopled by members of the *ton* and to those readers who enjoy character-driven romance.

Rating:
Summary: Woefully Bland...( 2 1/2 stars)
Review: Vivian Rael-Lamont has a secret. A secret that she has kept carefully hidden...until the day she is threatened with exposure. Vivians life comes tumbling down around her when an unexpected visitor arrives on her doorstep with blackmail on his mind. His demand? Vivian must aquire a valuable manuscript that is in the possession of none other than William Raleigh - the infamous "Duke of Sin". If Vivian fails in this endeavor, her visitor will reveal what she so desperately wants to keep hidden.
Vivian, unable to stomach the idea of the unmasking of her past, but not willing to resort to thievery, boldy approaches the Duke with an offer - money for the manuscript.
However, William has other things on his mind. The document is not for sale...not for money. But, he would be willing to exchange it for Vivians "companionship"

First off, let me just say how I admire and enjoy Adele Ashworth. Her "Winter Garden" is one of my favorites, but "Duke of Sin" did not one thing for me. I couldnt connect with the characters at all and honestly, I didnt feel much of a connection between them either. Was there intimacy? Sure, but no CONNECTION, no SPARK..it was all just sort of...blah. I found myself truly not caring one way or another what became of the h/h.
Also, there were some inconsistencies that drove me insane. For example, Will is first described as having hazel eyes, but pages later they are brown. And Vivian has blue-grey eyes one minute that are mysteriously a "lovely hazel" only chapters later.These are minor complaints I realize, but they pulled me from the story again and again.
"Duke of Sin" is, sadly, not a book that I would recommend...but I would still love to read more that Adele Ashworth has to offer in the future.