The Duke of Danger

The Duke of Danger is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone book. This is a story of Lionel Maitland, Marquess of of Axbridge, a man given the moniker of the Duke of Danger unfairly due to circumstances. He has been involved in several duels with two men being killed by him, the last due to the opponent, Viscount Geoffrey being without honor. Unfortunately, His death leaves his widow, Emmaline Townsend, almost penniless and she has to return to her parents home. Can you imagine after being married and independent having to move back home? Even worse after her year of mourning, her parents want her to remarry a very unappealing man. Desperate she approaches Lionel, “her husband’s murderer” and basically guilts him into an arrangement to marry her with conditions This story has a little of it all! Darcy Burke draws the reader in with intense feelings, secrets and the attraction of the characters and does not let you go until the last page!! Read this book to find out what happens! Another amazing story by this author!

Duke of Danger This book captivates you and you just can't stop reading it until you reach the end. This series just gets better with every book that Darcy writes. Lionel and Emmaline are beautiful tormented people that just need the love of right person to sooth their souls. It's also nice to visit with the characters from some of the previous books. Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge also known as the Duke of Danger due to his dueling can't get past the guilt of his past. Defending the honor of a friend Lionel kills another man and the guilt is just gets worse for him. Emmaline hates the man that killed her husband and left her destitute. When her parents arrange her to marry a man twice her age, she take matters into her own hands and marries her husbands killer. I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I LOVE Darcy's historical romances! This book read very smoothly. I was engaged from the very beginning, and I especially liked Lionel. I got to like him more as the story went on, and I really felt for him and hoped he could find happiness. Conversely, I was not a fan of Emmaline at first. In my opinion, I felt her actions and venom towards Lionel were a bit overkill, especially given the situation she put him in. As the story went on, I liked her more,and ultimately, I admired her relentless protection of Lionel. And can I just say, holy mystery!!! At about 40% through, a liiiiiiiittle tiny part of the book hinted at a major plot twist. Just a hint. I was completely sucked in by then, and I couldn't wait to see the resolution! While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Although, it does include cameos from characters in previous books, and while I've read some of them, I can't wait to go back and read all of their stories! I can't wait to read Darcy's next book!!! (I received a copy of this book in consideration of an honest review)

I feel like I say this after finishing every book in this series, but this book's couple is my absolute favorite of all of them. Somehow it's true every time, and even more so with Emmaline and Lionel. They start as enemies--at least Emmaline believes Lionel is her enemy, and she gets through months of her life by plotting how she'll get even with him--but end up as the best of friends and lovers, as the family that both of them have longed for for so long. How Ms. Burke gets us (and them, of course!) from enemies to lovers makes for an absolutely delicious story that I didn't want to put down for even a second. I was so afraid that this would be the last book in the series--silly, I know, since she has other books, many of which I've read (and the remainder are waiting in my TBR) but they're not this series. Because, this series.... No worries, though, because her note at the end tells us that The Duke of Ice is coming next, though not when... Patience, I know. But it's hard. Did I mention how much I love this series? Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I really liked this entertaining historical read. The story is fast-paced with plenty of suspense and drama. I liked both Emmaline and Lionel and they had great chemistry. Lionel has killed two men, both in duels, and the second was Emmaline’s husband, now she need him to save her from a bad marriage. Will Emmaline be able to set aside her hate for Lionel and find a way to care for him? Will Lionel ever get over his guilty for killing? Great addition to the Untouchables Series.

'The Duke of Danger' by Darcy Burke is Book Six in "The Untouchables" series. This is the story of Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge and Lady Emmaline Townsend. I have read the other books in this series (and loved them!) but feel you can easily make this a standalone book. Lionel is dubbed with the nickname "Duke of Danger" by the Town. Lionel doesn't fare well have each duel. Although he is left a left with his life, it has effected his feelings. This has sent him into a tails spend with his life. Emmaline is left a widow after her husband attempted to duel with Lionel. Emmaline was furious with Lionel and hasn't been shy about him knowing it. Now that her year of mourning is getting near to being over, her parents are going to force her hand to marry. Emmaline feels that since it is Lionel's fault that she is left a widow with a husband debt and a wish to have her freedom..she confronts Lionel. Emmaline insist that Lionel marry her and then allows her to live her own life. Emmaline does come off with a strong one side point of view but she is slowly shown that Lionel isn't as guilty as she though. Another great story by Ms. Burke! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

What an original storyline that just kept on giving! The Duke of Danger is book six in The Untouchables series by Darcy Burke. What’s more forbidden than killing someone in the duel? Marrying the man’s widow. I loved the forbidden feel of this book and couldn’t wait to see how everything played out. I have a big ole soft spot for Lionel. He’s got so much honor (perhaps a bit too much at times) that it’s landed him in not one, not two, but three duels. His very last duel leaves his opponent’s widow alone and trying to pay off her deceased husband’s debts. But Emmaline is no shrinking violet! When Lionel offers to make amends in whatever way he can, he agrees to a marriage of convenience. With a woman who can’t stand him. I’ll admit that it took me a while to take to Emmaline. While she’s justified in her feelings, she just took the stubbornness a touch too far in my opinion. By the middle, however, her character really blossomed. I just adored Lionel to pieces. He’s loyal to the bone, and so consumed by guilt that it turns his stomach. Can he be forgiven? Should he be? There’s a lot of twists and turns in this plot, and it keeps you guessing until the end. The only thing that wasn’t one hundred percent for me was the connection. I kept waiting for the spark—that it—in romance that leaves me with happy sighs. While it wasn’t as present as I would have liked, I enjoyed these characters. If you’re a lover of historical romance you can’t go wrong with this series! 3.5 stars!

Lionel Maitland, the Marquess of Axbridge, had truly earned his nickname of THE DUKE OF DANGER: three duels, and two men dead. The latest had occurred eight months prior. Geoffrey Townsend had cheated, and Lionel acting on a reflex had shot Townsend, who subsequently expired. Lionel had never gotten over his guilt over the two previous duels, and this one almost undid him. Lionel had gone to see Lady Emmaline, Townsend’s widow, to offer his condolences and tell her that were she ever to need anything at all, he would be there for her. Emmaline could hardly contain her fury at the man who made her a widow, and now burdened with her late husband’s debts. Yet, to her everlasting shame, Emmaline is secretly relieved: her marriage had been a love match until it quickly deteriorated. After a suitable period of mourning, her parents decide it’s time she remarried, and chose a husband to their liking, again. Rather than marry the horrid man they have in mind, Emmaline remembers Lionel’s promise: he will help her. I will say not one more word about what ensues because Darcy Burke stunned me with several plot twists I would never have imagined! THE DUKE OF DANGER is one of those books where you must look at the situation from every angle, and Ms. Burke had me on the edge of my seat until the epilogue. THE DUKE OF DANGER has one of the most intricate plots I have ever seen in a historical romance that does not involve spying or a real mystery as such. Still, as one revelation follows another, the situation becomes more and more complex. The almost untenable tension between Emmaline and Lionel ever so gradually begins to ease, when both realise they must try to make the best of an impossible situation. THE DUKE OF DANGER is daring, smart, intense, dramatic and thought-provoking. Each and every character is meticulously drawn and as complex as non-fictional individuals can be. Readers who might have read my reviews know that sex scenes are often a sore point for me in historical romances, but in THE DUKE OF DANGER, they are essential to advance the story and contribute vastly to character development; they are also very sensuous and beautifully done. THE DUKE OF DANGER is a riveting story with unusually strong and unique characters that kept me enthralled. Darcy Burke is a remarkable storyteller and I am already awaiting with bated breath her next story. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Lionel has dueled thrice and twice have his opponents died. As a man of honor he feels the deaths as a weight that lingers and presses down. He offers to help Emmaline when her husband succumbs to his wound but she sends him away only to call him back suddenly. Not wanting to marry the man her parents want to marry her off to she coerces Lionel into a marriage of convenience that will not provide Lionel with heirs. But, as with all good romances like this…love grows slowly between the two and a HEA is achieved. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC – This is my honest review. 4 Stars

His reputation precedes him, but it's his heart that tortures him. Will it lead to his undoing or become his saving grace? One moment changed a man's life. One choice set in motion a chain of events that connected the lives of three people forever. Out of greed, guilt and violence comes a romance as passionate as it is heartbreaking. Lionel and Emmaline are unwitting pawns in an ugly conspiracy set in motion by a dangerous man. When the tide turns in their favor, will they survive the revelations it brings with it? Duke of Danger is an exciting twist of fate romance. It appeals to the romantic while feeding a need for adventure and seducing with passion. A big story in a tiny package.

Emmaline was so annoying. For most of the story she was rude to Lionel. And Lionel for being the Duke of Danger was weak minded.