Customer Reviews

The Duke's Redemption (Love Inspired Historical)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read Carla Capshaw's debut novel, The Gladiator last fall and have been eagerly waiting for this one. I wasn't disappointed. I'm amazed at the author's ability to handle such different time periods and make both of them seem so real. Her characters have real issues, not just made up ones like you see in a lot of romance novels. I really enjoyed this book!! I'll be reading it again and again. Elise and Drake have to overcome obstacles on every level to fall in love, but they do and it just made me sigh to read their happy ending. I recommend this book for anyone who wants an exciting romantic adventure.

To protect her sister, Prin, Eloise Cooper has been forced to serve in the South Carolina patriot underground network as a spy dubbed the Fox. She yearns for the day she and her sister are free to leave Brixton Hall Plantation and the tyrant who controls them. When she accidentally kills a Redcoat double agent in a fight for her life, she continues her covert activities, but declares the Fox is dead--a decision that threatens the hopes for freedom for Prin and herself.

In England, Drake Amberly, Fifth Duke of Hawk Haven, learns a murderous rebel spy has not only killed his brother in SC, but has also duped the British authorities there and escaped. Enraged and frustrated by the news, he travels to SC under the guise of a tradesman ship owner to secretly head a plot to flush out the notorious insurgent and bring him to justice.

Drake's mission leads him to Brixton Hall Plantation, and it isn't long before a mutual attraction between Eloise and him turns into love and marriage. But when another patriot is used to lure Eloise into a trap, she is captured and exposed. Deeply wounded and vexed by what he views as her disloyalty and betrayal, Drake must choose between giving up his cherished wife or his need for vengeance.

The Duke's Redemption offers intrigue, action, love, betrayal, and major conflicts with secondary characters--some of which I wanted to beat up--and events that keep the pages turning. But I love the author's wonderful portrayals of Eloise and Drake the best. Abused at an early age, Eloise learned to depend on the Lord. And she remains tenderhearted toward Him in impossible situations. A woman who despises violence, she grieves over the death of the double agent and agonizes over the choices she has to make as a spy. But the hardest decision is hiding her past from the husband she adores.

Drake is a man who deeply loves. Not just his wife, but his younger brother. Familial pride and honor demand he avenge the latter, but his wife is his heart. An impossible dilemma, how can he choose between them? He can't in his own strength, but through God's power and love, all things are possible. But only if the highminded and lofty duke is willing to repent and humble himself.

A great read, I heartedly recommend The Duke's Redemption to all romance lovers.

I always read reviews before getting a book, even though I rarely leave one myself. Even after reading the one star reveiw I decided to give this book a try based on all of the other reviews. After finishing Duke's Redemption, I'm not sure the one star person read the same book I did and I felt compelled to write a review of my own. There was no Bible beating in this book and it's certainly not drivel. I thought the dialogue was interesting and engaging. The plot was quick paced and multi-layered. Racist?? I disagree. There were no masters loved by their slaves--quite the contrary if at all. This book is not preachy or overly religious, I know because I've read some that are. In fact, given the time period, the Christian undertone is historically accurate. I personally loved this book! It was full of adventure and heart touching romance. The love between the heroine Elise and her half-sister Prin was true to life and lovely. I was touched by the sisters' sacrifices for each other and Elise's committment to Prin even though Prin was a slave and Elise could have refused to acknowledge their connection at all. The Duke is flat out yummy and Elise is a woman I could admire and would love to have as a friend.

this is a lovely book, full of sweet romance and suspence.

its basic theme is redemption not only for the duke (and hero of the book) but also for the heroine and a lot of other characters. it was a touching book and very tender.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I have read some of this author's other work and enjoyed it pretty well, but I could not put this book down. I loved the period detail and the main characters. The espionage made the story exciting. The romance between the two main characters was a tad rushed, but I didn't care because I loved every bit of it!

I finished reading Capshaw's gladiator trilogy a few weeks ago and loved it so much I thought I'd give her other book a try. I was not disappointed. I loved the romance and action in this book as well as the conflicts. I truly felt for Elise and her concern for her sister. Drake, the hero, was delish and I was very happy when he and Elise got the happy ending they deserved.

The book is set in the 1780's, in England and in South Carolina. The Duke of Hawk Haven, goes to the colonies in order to find the peron responsible for murdering his brother Lord Anthony.

He attends a ball in Sayer's home and is immediately attracted to Elise Cooper. He of course doesn't know that Elise works for Sayer. Drake and Elise both are keeping many secrets from each other. The book contains suspense, spies, intrigue, and romance. Elise believes in the Lord and that is clear from the book. Drake struggles with his faith but he finds it towards the end of the book.

The Duke's Redemption is entertaining and I stayed up very late in order to see how everything would end.

My first book from this author, bought the book due to its high ratings. Not normally a time period I read but the book kept me captivated!

The Duke's Redemption by Carla Capshaw ISBN-978-0-373-82828-9

Carla Capshaw will capture you and bring you into a different era. Whether it be Rome or Regency it will be an experience in history. This book takes place around 1780. You will experience the tenseness of being caught a traitor to the crown or to be a slave with no rights. Living a clandestine lifestyle for the hope of freedom.

Drake Amberly is the the Duke of Hawk Haven. When he finds his brother Anthony has been murdered his anger turns to vengeance and he travels to South Carolina to find The Fox and he won't return until he sees the villain hung for his brothers death.

Elise Cooper is full of secrets. Her half sister, Princess, has been sold as a slave and Elise must do what Zechariah Sayer bids her to do if she wants her sisters freedom.

Elise clings to her faith and trust in God that he will make a way for them to have their freedom again. Drake has lost his faith along the way but when he comes in search of The Fox he finds Elise and through her he finds his faith once again.

It is a tense time between the rebels and the red coats. Everything must be clandestine and there is always the chance of being sold out. There is also the reminders of slavery and the lack of rights. To think if you had a child it could be taken from you, that it was only considered property.

Carla Capshaw also has a Roman series: The Gladiator, The Protector & The Champion that take place early AD.

Carla Capshaw's historical romance set during Revolutionary War times is a wonderful read, full of suspense and danger. Ms. Capsahw excels in creating real and urgent conflicts between fully drawn characters. Although this story is written for the inspirational genre, I recommend it for a general audience as well.

This is a historical romance rather than a historical book with romantic elements. I enjoyed it very much.

Set during the American revolution primarily at a plantation near Charleston, Capshaw does a good job at explaining how people had to travel during that time and using that in her story line (Elise is a spy). Having lived in Charleston for many years, I was a little disappointed she did not include even more of the geographic features of the area. However, this book delivered more than I was expecting, since the Love Inspired Historical line was fairly new at that time. This book definitely could compete with those from the bigger Christian publishing houses.

Capshaw has some unusual turns in this book and it is not as predictable as some books I have recently read in this genre. I especially like that she was not afraid to include, and process, an element of history that needs more light shed on it - mainly, what happens when your male relative fathers a child into slavery. Cathy Gohlke also addressed this beautifully in her book, "William Henry is a Fine Name".

This was a great night time read, is a page turner, with good pacing and plot. If you enjoy reading historical fiction (particularly colonial), this will not let you down - surprise you with the English hero but not disappoint you!