The Runaway Duke

fine Regency romance

In 1815 Waterloo, the chaos of death and destruction leads a wounded Englishman to mutter Roddy to the question who is he is. Everyone concludes he is Roddy Campbell while next to him is the dead future Duke Roarke Blackburn. Once he realized what happened, Roarke fails to correct anyone as he sees this as an avenue to escape from his abusive father. A year later, Roarke goes by the name of Connor Riordan, head groom for Sir Henry Tremaine.

In 1820, Lord Anthony Edelston arranges a tryst with Rebecca¿s sister Lorelei. Rebecca follows her sister outside, but Edelston accosts her with kisses just as Henry catches them together. Henry calmly tells Edelston that he now has a fiancée. Over the next week, Edelston visits and bores Rebecca with his trite poetry and conversation. Rebecca tells her confidant Connor that she cannot marry Edelston. He promises to help her escape though he knows that his peaceful five years of living ends with this pledge. As they flee to his aunt¿s home, Connor¿s past will make the trek dangerous for them, but love makes the trip also pleasant for the duo.

In her debut novel, Julie Anne Long provides Regency romance readers with two fantastic lead protagonists, but especially interesting is Connor, running from a past that ultimately catches up with him. The support cast provides depth to the story line particularly intriguing is The Rom (Gypsy) moral philosophy of theft. Though the climax seems too soft and the audience never learns what happens to a key tertiary villain, sub-genre fans will want to run away with this delightful pair.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Runaway Duke

Rebecca Tremaine is a curious, lively young girl who manages to get herself compromised by a handsome fop in search of a rich, disposable wife (she was trying to catch her sister in the midst of a midnight assignation with him, but her plan went horribly awry). Connor Riordan is the head groom in her father's stables -- and no one knows he is actaully the Duke of Dunbrooke, supposedly killed in battle at Waterloo. Connor never wanted the immense responsibility and gilded trappings of his birthright -- but when Rebecca comes to him for help, his past suddenly comes back for reckoning -- in the form of a blackmailing mistress and a mysterious locket. This book was simply wonderful. I could NOT put it down. The characters were so vivid and likable, even the villain, Edelston, and the villainess, Cordelia, as well as even the minor characters who show up along the way (I loved the gypsies!). The plot sweeps you along, with many surprising twists. And the love between Connor and Rebecca is so sweet and sexy, and almost blushingly real, the way it evolves. The writing is a cut above the usual romance fare -- Julie Anne Long is very skilled at description, and the dialogue is sharp and funny and realistic. I read a lot of romance, Stephanie Laurens in particular, and this is one of the best ones I've read in years. I didn't want it to end! I can't wait for her next book. HOpe this review helps anyone trying to decide to buy the book!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Really 4 1/2 Stars

This was a wonderful book for anyone who claims to love historical romances. It's always wonderful to find a brand new author at their first novel and find that they know their stuff. The book is about Rebecca Tremaine, a woman who gets caught in a compromising position with an insufferable man that was after her sister. Her family is going to force her to marry 'The Bore' and he claims he will 'most likely wish to beat her daily'. In comes the white knight in the form of Connor Riordan, the family groom who Rebecca has known since she was a child. He cannot stand the idea of someone as spirited and honest as Rebecca having to marry a man like Edelston ('The Bore') who will certainly crush her spirit. He agrees to help her runaway and that is when things begin to change between Rebecca and Connor. Connor, on this journey, is unable to hide his true identity, the Duke of Dunbrooke!!! And Rebecca is unable to continue to see Connor as her childhood friend and instead sees him as a man. The humor of Rebecca, a truly admirable heroine, gives the story a wonderful comic relief. She is an outspoken and inquisitive girl who tends to ask the most inappropriate questions that are always throwing our hero off track (we wouldn't want him always having the upper hand, now would we?). And to balance her out, we have Connor, who is about as sexy as hero's come and whether he is saving her from highwaymen or simply loving her for exactly who she is, you will love him. Add that with a vengeful mistress with much to lose, a jilted fiancé, and a band of gypsies with a jealous girl and you get the hilarious, but touching adventure of a lifetime for Connor and Rebecca. Along the way Ms. Long writes scenes of romance and love so sensuous and poignant that you can't help but feel the main characters love growing and turning into something that you can picture them having for the rest of their lives. This is a new author whose next book we will be purchasing on its release date and not a day later!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great read!

This is even better than the first Julie Anne Long book that I read. Her characters are very easy to love and are perfect for each other. Rebecca has spirit and a genuine personality that is hard to resist, and has no sense of her own beauty. Connor is at times seems selfish but is really just in denial about his place in life.

A great read

This has all you could wish for in an historical fiction story - a fun heroine and a hero eho is also just a man - I will definitely try another of her books. This was my first book by this author,

Rourke Connor Riordon Blackburn, second son of the Duke of Dunbrooke, is shot at Waterloo and is thought to be dead.

Rourke keeps his recovery secret to escape the reach of his abusive father, and once back in England he gets a groomsman job for the Tremaine family as the unassuming, hardworking Irishman Connor Riordon. There are all sorts of plot twists (the murder of his brother and attempts on him), and a romantic odyssey when he helps Rebecca Tremaine escape an unwanted marriage. But finally Connor knows it is time to claim his dukedom, his ducal responsibilities, and of course Rebecca. Amusing and lively.

Read it in one sitting

I just could not put this book down. I was up until 1:30 in the morning so I could finish it.

Great, Romantic Regency Adventure!

This was the first book I've read by Julie Anne Long but it won't be the last! She blends humor, excellent pacing and an intriguing premise with characters who you'll quickly come to care about. They are intelligent and honest and adventurous and the kind of people you want to know! I stayed up late to finish this novel. I highly recommend this book

A Definite MUST Read....

Excellent tale ... Connor and Rebecca are the perfect foil to each other.. This was one of those books, that one, could NOT put down until completely finished..

An Absolute Must Read!!

This book is a treasure! I read it straight through in one sitting and fell completely in love with the characters! I am not usually a fan of historically-set stories, but this one sure broke the mold! I gave it to a friend of mine to read when I was done, and she raves about it as well! Get your hands on a copy of this book as soon as possible--you'll love it (and Connor Riordan)!

Very Entertaining!

I enjoyed this book very much! It was a welcome escape from reality. Once I started it I couldn't put this book down. I would gladly read more by this author.

Runaway Duke

What a find! I read the RT review, and this book got a Top Pick. The plot sounded fun and different, so I decided to check it out, though I'm not crazy about all of RT's picks. But I LOVED this! ONe thing that really stands out is that Julie Anne Long has a gift for dialogue -- I swear, she should write screenplays! The story moves quickly and you just can't put the book down, and each scene is like a wonderful little surprise. The hero, Connor, is vivid and sexy, and Rebecca is adorable. I read several scenes with a lump in my throat while i was smiling. But mostly I smiled the whole way through this book. All in all, It's sweet, sexy and unique. The publisher did a good job of summarizing the plot up top, so I won't go into it.I'll just say, you won't regret buying this book, and I doubt you'll be able to put it down once you do! I hope she writes more.

Made my flight in coach bearable

I was desparate for something to read on my flight home from San Francisco to Chicago. My sister-in-law works with the author, and she had a copy Ms. Long gave her. I was hesitant because it was this big printed and bound thing like the annual reports I deal with at work,(not a paperback yet)but I was desparate. Let me just say it made up for it's weight and bulkiness in pure enjoyment!I didn't care that I was smashed in the middle seat in coach - I never even noticed what was going on around me because I was so caught up in the story. I love to read but I tend to be a little snobbish when it comes to 'romance' novels, but this book transcends the typical romance novel formula. The pace is exciting and engaging, the characters are realistic, and I really have to compliment the author on her flair for dialogue. I even found the primary villians to be fully developed characters, not hokey-straight-out-of-central-casting caricatures. Oh - and there are great steamy scenes, too. Yummy!There is also alot of humor in it, too, which I adore. I hope this writer writes more books. I've already passed around the 'book report' as I call it, and so far everybody loves it. I pre-ordered a copy so I can read it again. I don't usually take the time to do this kind of thing (writing a review)but this book deserves as much praise as it can get. I highly recommend this book.

A charming, witty book that you won't forget!

A wonderful debut novel! Romance and adventure, intrigue and wit. I don't want to spoil the plot if you haven't read it (I was lucky enough to get an early printing), but the story involves a Duke in disguise and a genteel young woman on the run from an arranged marriage. A sensitively told story filled with real emotion, and enough twists to the plot to keep you turning the pages. I loved every word!

WOW! Get the word out -- stunning!

I'm a member of a California book group, and we passed an ARC of this book around. It's nothing short of stunning! The characters are so unique and unforgettable, and the storyline is touching and very funny and original. We've never read anything quite like this book before, and we couldn't put it down. The love story between the hero and the heroine, Connor and Rebecca, unfolds so beautifully and convincingly, and Connor is one of the sexiest, realistic heros I've ever encountered. We recommend it highly. Hope Julie Anne Long plans to write many more books!

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