The Tattooed Duke [Kindle Edition]

Maya Rodale (Author)

Book Description

“Tantalizing passion…certain to delight.”
—Publishers Weekly

Maya Rodale’s wonderfully witty Writing Girls series is a winner!  Her third delectable love story to feature a plucky Regency heroine with a pen, The Tattooed Duke follows a scandal sheet reporter posing as a common housemaid in order to uncover whatever nasty little skeletons an adventure-seeking Duke may be hiding in his closets—only to fall in passionate love with the nobleman whose secrets she’s been exposing to the world! The Tattooed Duke is deliciously fun historical romance fiction in the vein of Laura Lee Guhrke and Suzanne Enoch, and no true romance fan will want to write it off!

Editorial Reviews

Review

• Packed with engaging, complex characters, humor, blackmail, secrets, deceit, clever banter, true love and a city on tenterhooks awaiting Eliza's next article, this story is a keeper... -Romance Junkies Reviews
• Fans of historical romance will fall in love with our intrepid heroine and our ornately decorated hero. -Library Journal

From the Inside Flap

The Writing Girls Romance Series: 

1. A Groom Of One's Own
2. A Tale Of Two Lovers
3. The Tattooed Duke
4. Seducing Mr. Knightly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 741 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Original edition (February 28, 2012)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005LC0RIC
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,474 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Works as a standalone February 28, 2012

By Jen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Her job as a writer is the most important thing in Eliza's life. But she hasn't had many stories published in the paper lately. The scandalous return of the Duke of Wycliff might change that. Her boss has given her the assignment to get the gossip on Wycliff --and put together a titillating article-- or consider her career as one of the so-called "Writing Girls" to be over. She accepts the challenge and decides to go undercover as a maid in his household.

I liked the story overall. Eliza is spunky and it doesn't take long for her conscience to catch up with her. Wycliff is sexy and worldly and free thinking. I was happy to find a heroine who was not a prim miss --one who works hard to take care of herself and direct her own life. However, I did have some issues.

I felt like the amount of time it took Wycliff to figure out Eliza's identity was ridiculous. In addition, I thought the character development was only slightly beyond superficial. Other than a desire to escape the confines of London and to indulge his wanderlust, we don't see much depth to Wycliff. We do get a better glimpse into who Eliza really is, thanks to the unveiling of a major event in her past. --Also, there was no sex until the very end.

This is book three in Maya Rodale's Writing Girls series. And while some of the previous couples are secondary characters, this works very easily as a standalone. 3 1/2 stars.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Closer to 3.5 stars... March 20, 2012

By JRD

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was okay - and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

The book as a whole felt kind of superficial, just skimming the surface of really knowing the characters. Or maybe it was that the characters themselves were superficial, or at least, not complicated.

Both main characters are fixated on one goal - furthering their career. Sebastian, who should have been born a commoner and not a Duke, only wants to find the funds to support his next expedition. Eliza, proud of her independence and success in a time when woman were known for neither, only cares that she gets the story that will keep the readers wanting more. I didn't exactly dislike either character for their motivations, but I didn't respect either of them for it either.

By the end of the book, each character has grown just enough to see outside of themselves and their own goals and try to help each other. There is a happily ever after - which is why I love romance - but I couldn't say that I loved this romance in particular.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars charming Regency romance February 28, 2012

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Mass Market Paperback

After a dozen years globetrotting in search of adventure, Sebastian Digby returns to England in 1825. He has come home not out of love for his country, but because he is broke and can no longer afford the lifestyle he cherishes; at least not as a bachelor. In the tradition of financially strapped aristocrats, Sebastian plans to marry wealth so he can fund his escapades with her money, but knows his scandalous past severely limits the available pool.

The London Weekly assigns Eliza Fielding to go undercover inside the prodigal duke's home in order to report his activities. Eliza obtains a position of housemaid in Sebastian's home. She exposes his secrets in her reporting. However, she finds him caring and warm while he is attracted to the witty maid. Though she fears his reaction when he learns of her duplicity as he hunts for the reporter making him the laughing stock of the Ton; Eliza also wants to kiss every tattoo on Sebastian's body. Love is inconvenient for Eliza and Sebastian.

The latest Writing Girls late Regency romance (see A Groom Of One's Own, A Tale Of Two Lovers and The Tattooed Duke) is a charming tale starring two fascinating protagonists. The storyline is fast-paced from the moment Eliza joins Sebastian's household and never slows down until the explosive finish. The epilogue reminded me of Bob Thaves' comment: "Sure he (Fred Astaire) was great, but don't forget Ginger Rogers did everything he did backwards and in high heels!"

Harriet Klausner

More About the Author

Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother's insistence and it wasn't long before she was writing her own. Maya is now the author of multiple Regency historical romances. She lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own. Please visit her at www.mayarodale.com.