Customer Reviews

The Duke

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

It's been a while since I read a regency historical so enthralling that I didn't want it to end. Due to one man's destructive obsession, the heroine, Belinda Hamilton, is ruined. Seeing no alternative, she becomes a courtesan, a course of action she hopes will give her a measure of revenge against the man who destroyed her life. Robert Knight, the "Paragon Duke," has his own reasons for seeking revenge against the same man. Seeing Belinda as Dolph Breckinridge's major weak spot, Robert makes her his mistress in name only. Happily for the reader, sparks fly immediately, and the ensuing love story is both charming and emotional. Belinda brings joy and unconventionality into Robert's life while his love heals the hurt she suffered at the hands of a brutal attacker. Interesting secondary characters, including Belinda's bookish father and Robert's headstrong little sister add richness to the story. If Foley's plans include books for each of Robert's brothers, I hope she hurries! She knows how to write a to-die-for hero. Robert is principled, yet passionate; intelligent, sensitive, and witty. Yum!

I have rated lots of 5 stars in my book reviews but it's been such a long time since I've enjoyed a novel out of its 100% content. The last book I rated a 10 was A KINGDOM OF DREAM by Judith McNaught. Now, I will once again rate this book a 10 if I could. The emotional roller coaster pulled me completely that I couldn't put this book down even if I wanted to. Every characters especially the hero and the heroine were very well defined, well developed and well executed. Robert and Bel's relationship was very different than my usual read. The Duke and his Mistress. The Paragon and the Fallen angel. The ever admired, ever-respected Robert Knight, Duke of Hawkcliffe. He who have always lived his life in high esteemed. A Gentleman and a Nobleman in the true meaning of the word. Meanwhile, the ever-beautiful and sought after Cyprian, Belinda Hamilton. No matter how forced and spare her circumstances is, shes looked upon as a Lady of Pleasure... In a higher and classier environment perhaps but still a harlot nonetheless. I was afraid 'they' wouldn't work. I was fearful in the beginning that this book would not be of a happy ending. I was so tempted to read the back for a small peek. Like I said, I was new to this kind of plot. I didnt know what to expect which only made the story more captivating for me. The author's note at the end of the book was also very helpful. It'll make you understand the plot more. The situation Robert and Belinda are in was difficult and emotionally draining. Its complicated yet never lacking of love. There is sexual tension between them but their love was not even based on that. Their relationship was first business-like then moved on to friendship...then getting to know each other and eventually developing into something deeper. That's when their love making became even more beautiful. Awww! My heart and my nerves was on a spasmodic-mode all throughout this book. I was truly exhausted with relief at the end. The dreamy ending was magnificently written. Big-Smile & Goose-bumps alert! lol. I tell you, this book is truly OVERWHELMING and Oh, how I love it!

NOTE: This is the first book of the KNIGHT MISCELLANY SERIES. Lord of Fire and Lord of Ice, story of the twins, Lucien and Damien's is next. They are Robert's 3rd and 4th brothers. To be release, Spring 2002. I am so happy that this is a book series as I am anxious to read updates of Robert & Bel, as well as Jacinda and oh the ever-roguish, ALEC. I have read all of Gaelen Foley's work, this is by far the best one she's ever written. THE PIRATE PRINCE of the Ascension Trilogy is also my favorite but is only 2nd to THE DUKE. Once again, My HAT'S OFF to Ms. Foley.

I've read many romance novels, but I wanted something that was a little more exciting, although still staying within the whole historical English regency setting which I enjoy so much. This book was the best thing I've come across for a long time. My favorite romance author is Judith McNaught, but waiting anxiously for her new books left me looking for other comparable authors. Foley is amazing! She is extrememely descriptive in her prose and the characters are likeable and heroic. A lot of graphic, sensual scenes too I might add, which is a lot spicier than most. This book is the first in a new series about a bunch of brothers and half-brothers, all whom are handsome and fine. A definite must read!!! I can't wait for her other books on the Georgianna Lineage to come out!

My first Gaelen Foley and not my last. I picked this book up on a whim and boy was I surprised. Definately a great surprise. Ok so our Heroine is a highclass courtesan, but you will need to read the book to find out why and you will fall in love with her. The duke is also very lovable. Though very much on his high horse at the beginning. It through his love for Bell and her love for Hawk that they are both able to over come demons and society. I don't want to tell any more then that because it would just give it away.

This book has everything I love in a story, likable characters, laughter, tears and frustration. A great read that you won't be able to put down.

I very rarely give 5 stars, and I have to say, The Duke deserved every one of them. I have been following Gaelen Foley since her Pirate Prince came out and have never been disappointed in her writing yet. She is a consistent writer with well-developed characters and sensual romance scenes. The only flaw in The Duke that I found was that the actual plot was a little thin. The interaction of the characters and their growth more then makes up for this minor complaint.

When I read many romance novels, I realize that the characters are fictitious, and therefore the way they behave can be pardoned by literary license (most times a Duke doesn't act like a duke, but someone of lower rank, or peasants act of hirer rank than what they are - either way it is sometimes difficult for us democratic Americans to understand this philosophy). Ms. Foley does a superb job in this story of showing how the different strata of social scales would have worked. A Duke can't marry his mistress no matter how much he wants to. This is an agonizing decision that they have to make, but both Robert and Belinda come to grips (to some extent) about this issue. Seeing how they work through this (which is later on in the story) is heartwarming and heart breaking.

Bel's story and the decisions she must make are tough ones, but well thought out and executed. I do not want to give too much away of the plot, but Ms. Foley bends the traditional rules of character roles, so everyone does not behave like they do in other books. The role Bel's father plays, is a perfect example of this. Robert also goes beyond what typical romance heroes do. He is not afraid to exact justice for his love, even putting himself above the law as judge, jury, and executioner. Unusual to find in romance novels. I wouldn't hesitate a moment to pick this one up!

I have just finished reading this book, and I enjoyed it so much that I literally could not put it down. I came to the web site to see what other people have to say about it, not really intending to write a review, but when I read the review of "A Concerned Citizen", I just could't help myself. I had to write something to contradict what she says.

I was shocked to read all the things she wrote about this book, I was reading her long tirade with my mouth open and a disbelieving expression on my face. Now, I know that everybody is entitled to have their own opinions, but when you are writting a review you should be objective. THE BOOK I READ DOESN'T EVEN RESEMBLE WHAT SHE DESCRIBES IN HER REVIEW. For example, where in the book does Robert treat her like [...]? Where is it implied that to be a hostess you have to be a [...]? When do they engage in this "sodomy" she refers to?

These are just a few examples. I won't get into more details because I would need to write a review even longer than hers, and I don't want to bore anybody.

I will just say that Robert is one of the most romantic characters I have come across. Every woman should be so lucky to have a man like him in their lives. Yes, he makes mistakes, but he NEVER abuses her, nor does he makes demands on her. In fact their arrangement did not include sex, and he behaves most honorably towards her. In a time and period where men had all the power (specially rich dukes), where women were suppossed to come virgin to the marriage bed, where a lady's name could be besmirched just by acknowledging a courtesan, he became her protector, her knight in shining armor and her lover and every page of the book is filled with the love they felt for each other.

If you have not read this book, give it a chance. Don't let misinformed reviewers put you off. The book is well worth it.

I don't know what to say. This book started out just fine, and I remember thinking before the hero & heroine even met how wonderful & perfect they would be for one another, but, before I was 1/2 way done, I was beginning to wonder what I'd got myself into and by that point I felt committed to finishing it, because I'd already spent the time reading nearly 1/2 of it anyway.

Random thoughts:

The rape scene - it was by the prison warden, not the hero, thank goodness. It was brief & well handled, and I had no problem with Hawk going after the man when he found out what he'd done to Bel.

The hero - I liked him most of the time, even if I didn't always understand him. I did stop liking him after the duel, when they left to go out to the country. I had high hopes for him prior to that. It wasn't until the last couple chapters, when he got much needed info on Lucy's murder from Griffon, that I started to like him again. I did not care for the way he let Bel come into his home & take charge like she owned the place. At that point, he was such a besotted dormat!

The heroine - I liked her in the beginning (prior to becoming a courtesan). I liked her after she gave up the courtesan life & became an ordinary person again. But during the time she was a courtesan, I could not understand her hardly at all. I thought she was very presumptuous, moving into Hawk's mansion and automatically taking over like she did, with him, his servants, bringing street urchins in to live without even consulting him.

I did not like the way she kept calling him names like 'darling' throught the book. The terms of endearment were silly, and he didn't seem to reciprocate them, so what was the point?

The love scenes were very sexy, except for the table scene, which was just sad. But,some of these scenes really didn't make a whole lot of sense. Neither one of them, especially Bel, never worked hard to try to keep their agreement of 'hands off for 2 months'. I just felt like she kept throwing herself at him, and he was weak and let her. The scene with the tub made no sense. One minute, she was trying to shield herself from him, the next minute, she was enticing him with her legs & pulling off his cravat. Right ... And becoming a courtesan on the suggestion of a prostitute, right after having been brutally raped by the prison warden? Huh??? Not the avenue I think most women would choose to take. If anything, I would have thought the episode would have caused her to go into hiding immediately after leaving the halfway house. I just felt like some other person inhabited her body while she was in cortesan mode. Because she didn't act like herself again until after her confession to Robert.

It's too bad because I really wanted to like this book. I don't hate it, I'm just not fond of it. It had so much potential. Some plot areas were developed to a point & then conveniently dropped. As sick as the scene was where Dolph was flirting with Jacinda, it was very well written, and should have been taken to the point where he kidnapped her, because it would have made the story more interesting and I would like to have seen Robert come to her rescue. It would have improved his image as a 'hero' in my mind. But, the writer took the easy way out and killed Dolph off before anything that could possibly jumpstart the plot would have occurred.

The secondary romance between Griffon and Juliet was excellent but short. This is one of the few things that actually helped save this book. I did like their story from start to finish. Too bad it came along so late in the book and was so brief, because it was beautiful and beautifully written. Griffon had 10 times the guts that Robert had.

I would like to have seen more than a paragraph about the twins professions, since their books are the next in the series. This would have been nice but I admit not necessarily necessary. More time was spent on Jacinda and Alec than any of the other characters that will have their own books down the line.

I do think it was funny how they kept Bel's father in prison till nearly the end of the book, then he turned out to be the shining star who helped to get Robert & Bel back together.

I'm not typically one for writing reviews, but as I read a certain tirade below, I couldn't help but write this. In defense of an author I deeply admire and respect for her ability to capture Regency England and for her ability to create endearing, believable characters, I have to say one would truly be mislead to read "Concerned Citizens" review. It was appalling and completely uncalled for in a review. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not to the point where one blatantly overlooks what was actually written. I certainly would be interested to know when and where Robert completely abused Belle. Where again did the author imply that being a dinner hostess and a whore were synonymous? I'd also be interested to see when this alleged "sodomy" scene took place. For the life of me, I don't recall it. And for one to compare this book to Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" completely boggles my mind. What Jane and Rochester have to do with "The Duke," I'm entirely sure I don't know, nor do I care to know where that train of thought was going because it serves no purpose. If I wanted to read a literary masterpiece, I'd be reading Tolstoy, not Gaelen Foley (no offense to Ms Foley, but as anyone can say with reasonable certainty she, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, etc., aren't exactly going to become authors like Hawthorne or Twain or Hemmingway that are dissected in English classrooms across the US). See, and look, I can make myself sound intelligent too by spouting off about authors I know to be literary geniuses.

In addition, you'll have to forgive me for laughing at the suggestion that Belle should have gone into the illegal drug trade instead of becoming a prostitute. Yes, I can just envision it now - a proper young English miss decides that, after she is raped, she will become an illegal drug trafficker for opium where she meets and falls in love with the opium addicted Duke of Hawkscliffe whom she sells to on a regular basis - holy heck, what a fabulous idea for a romance novel. I'm so surprised someone hasn't thought of it yet. HA!!! What a joke. PLEASE, if you are going to write something, at least have the decency to write something intelligent as opposed to putting on a pretense that you are simply because you read Bronte.

Truly, there are numerous other debatable points, but I'd only end up with a meaningless tirade comparable to the drivel Concerned Citizen ranted about ... as if I haven't already, but please forgive me. My only point is to steer potential readers far away from that particular review as you will find nothing consequential or even legitimate toward the novel itself.

Now, admittedly, Robert, the Duke of Hawkscliffe, was not my favorite hero of all time. At the beginning, his high handed morality was a little tedious, but one can understand this in light of his mother's behavior and betrayal. Likely, Robert would have difficulty placing his faith in Belle when she outwardly appears so much like his own mother who sought only her own amusement at the expense of her family and can be mildly described as flighty. Ultimately, however, he is torn between his love for Belle and his own beliefs. He grows as a character throughout the novel, and it is a delight to witness it.

As for Belle, I found her to be a wonderfully capable heroine. She's able to stand on her own two feet, and she's an admirably strong character, but not to the point of annoyance. Some authors tend to take the headstrong heroine to the extreme and to the point where one wishes she'd fall off the face of the earth. However, not in Belle's case.

As for the romance itself, I couldn't ask for anything sweeter. This is the epitome of what romance novels are about - the all consuming, fantastical love that, in the end, can overcome any obstacle. After all, isn't that why we read romances? The proverbial love conquers all is what we romance readers savor and it's the reason we - or at least I - adore romance in the first place. And honestly, anything by Gaelen Foley is sure to take you headlong into romance exactly as it was meant to be. A truly gifted writer, I can't help but say she is one of my favorites.

I have never read anything by this author before and I must admit that I will be adding Gaelen Foley to my list of authors that I will purchase just by their name being on the cover.

"The Duke" goes into a part of society that most romance novels skim or overlook altogether. Belinda is a gentlemen scholar's daughter that has fallen on hard times. Her father has been thrown into Fleet prison due to the workings of a not so nice Dolph Breckenridge and she has also lost her job at a finishing school and now is an orange seller in the East End also due to Dolph in his quest to own her.

Belinda during all of this manages to hold her head high and is very careful not to fall into the trap of having to entertain men until her innocence is cruelly taken from her. Now she will do the one thing she promised herself she would never do and that is to become a courtesan. She will find a protector and will forever be out of the reach of Dolph.

Robert "Hawk" Hawkscliff is a Duke that loved from a far and has now been asked to find the killer of Lucy the Earl of Coldfell's wife. The Earl feels that the person responsible for his young wife's death is his nephew Dolph. As a result Hawk learns about Dolph's obsession with Bel Hamilton and he feels that this the best way to get the guy so he goes after the girl. Together they work toward proving Dolph guilty of murder but at the same time learning things about each other as well as themeselves.

Robert is unprepared for the feelings that Bel inspires in him. Belinda has promised herself that she will not fall in love. Mistresses cannot be Duchesses but she is unable to stop the way she feels. Robert also falls in love with Bel knowing that he must do what is right and that is not in following his heart. Or does it? You will need to read the book to find out for yourself. Trust me it is worth the read.

This book goes to the extremes that most romance books shy away from as I stated earlier. Most heroine in romance novels are not part of the Demirep. I think it was due to this difference that I really liked the book. Robert is true in many ways to the upper class and Belinda is a refreshing change from the spoiled society girls that you oftentimes come across. Despite what she goes through she is still a good person. It was fun to read about these two completely different people finding and falling in love with each other. Due to experiences that Belinda went through Ms. Foley did not throw the two main characters together into bed but let nature take it's course which made their romance so much more believable. I highly, highly recommend this story. It will make you laugh, cry, and will just basically tug on your emotions.

Belinda (Bel) Hamilton is the daughter of a scholar whose penchant for rare literature has bankrupted his family and landed him in debtor's prison. After a series of unfortunate events, she is forced to become a courtesan to make a living. Robert Knight, Duke of Hawkscliffe, hires Bel as his mistress to lure one of Bel's admirers into admitting that he murdered Hawkscliffe's former love interest.

The characters in this book were well thought out and the story was engrossing. Bel is the type of heroine I love to read about. She does what is necessary to take care of her family, heedless of whatever the results may be for herself. In fact, she is forced to put on a different face for everyone around her, but does so with grace and dignity. The last thing this gently bred young lady would have expected was that she would wind up training to be a rich man's whore, but she accepts the hand that she's dealt and makes the best of it. Despite the facade of the cool and aloof demirep that she puts on in public, she is still a wounded young woman who had her innocence stolen and was forced to grow up too fast.

Even better still is Hawkscliffe's slow realization that he could in fact be wrong about something. He sees all women who choose this path in life as gold diggers without a care for anything but themselves and money. Bel shows him that there are other reasons that people might find themselves in a precarious position and that they shouldn't be condemned because of it. When he realizes that he's wrong and becomes determined to make her life better, my heart melted. Foley has a knack for letting the tension build between characters to the point where I couldn't wait for these two to finally get together.

Lucky me for picking this one as my first Gaelen Foley book. I can't wait to see what else Foley has in store for these characters in the next books in the series.