Customer Reviews

When Seducing a Duke

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When Seducing a Duke takes place in London, 1877. Greyden Kane, Duke of Ryeton is a very rich and privileged man. He has lived a very debauched life where he has seduced both mothers and daughters alike, enjoyed taking the virginities of young innocent misses and has "frigged" more than his own share of widows. Then an event three years ago changed his life forever. One night while he was enjoying himself and had too much to drink, he was attacked and given a six-inch scar on his face. He turned his back on his friends and the London society who came to despise him. Because Grey's beautiful face was ruined, he hid, literally behind a mask he know wears to hide his scar.

Grey still has wants and desires and for some reason he joins his younger, equally rakish brother Archer to Saint's Row, a club that gives the appearance of propriety and good manners, but beneath it all many are able to act out their most scandalous desires. This night the Kane brothers enjoy a masked ball where many anonymous women are open to having a few hours in a secluded room with the men of their choosing. Grey doesn't want just any woman. He lusts for Rose Danvers, a woman ten years his junior. Rose's deceased father helped Grey in so many ways. And as Danvers lay dying, he made Grey promise that he wouldn't touch Rose or ruin her. Grey makes that promise even though he yearns for Rose to the point where it hurts. As Grey is watching the orgy like events below him, he spots a masked lady in the distance who robs him of all breath. She reminds him so much like Rose. He will have one night with this mysterious lady. She welcomes his attentions and they engage in amazing sex in one of the special rooms.

The masked woman is Rose and she knows what she has done is beyond foolish. But she has always loved Grey and wants to belong to him, even with his past. She wonders if Grey really has no clue she was the masked woman he so wonderfully loved. Grey acts towards Rose with kindness as much as a brother would. Because he feels he owes the Danvers a world of gratitude, he will pay for Rose to go out into society so she can find herself a husband. This eats at Grey away inside, but since he can't stand to attend balls and the parties where he would be ostracized, he stays at home hungering for Rose. He even goes back the Saint's Row where he sees his mysterious lady again. And then he is able to put two and two together, especially one night when Rose, who has too much to drink tells Grey her feelings for him.

When Seducing the Duke is a luscious and sizzling historical with a hero who aches for his heroine. Grey has much to atone for because of his shocking past. He lives up to the Duke of Slut many times over. His redemption comes in the form of Rose who shows Grey that through love, that he has been forgiven. Grey's guilt over the night he was scarred and the death of Rose's father eats away at him. He battles the demons inside because he wants Rose so deeply. He lusts for her to the point he is ready to go mad but denies himself because of all the wrongs he has done to other women.

Rose is a bit of a saucy wench. She loves to read dirty magazines that no women of her station should know about. She enjoys her sexuality and wants Grey to enjoy it with her. The language these two share is very spicy, as well as the love scenes between them. Kathryn can sure write some hot love making!

I found the beginning of When Seducing a Duke to be reminiscent of a past Elizabeth Hoyt novel. Some may find it a bit unbelievable with Rose being plundered by Gray where he doesn't know that it is she right away. Kathryn quickly nips that in the bud. The next step is watching these two try to decide what their future holds. It isn't that hard to figure out but watching Grey try to stay away from Rose was great to because his eventual downfall, that will lead into Rose's arms, will be all the more sweeter.

The relationship between Grey and Archer is wonderful. These are two brothers who would die for one another if there came a time. Archer is a rascal and I can't wait for his own story. Kathryn gives you an idea who his heroine may be, but keeps you guessing. She puts some possibilities out there, but the fun in reading is trying to figure out who will be his luck lady.

Spicy, hot, steamy and passionate are only a few words that come to mind while reading When Seducing a Duke. Historical romance fans are not going to want to miss out on this one.

Katiebabs

...romantic cliches are smashed in a most satisfying manner! Ms. Smith has taken what is generally accepted in historical romance and broken it to pieces, and it's about time! The Duke of Ryeton is a typical rich, irresponsible, womanizing man-slut until violence is committed against his person. He readily admits he deserved it and for the past few years, has lived in shame and reclusion, hiding not just his ruined face but his ruined soul, feeling so remorseful about the way he's lived his life that he literally can't look himself in the mirror. Good for you, Ms. Smith!

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship between Greyden and Rose develop and found their reasons to stay apart quite believable. I also enjoyed watching Rose, your typical spoiled debutante, stop idealizing her protector and deal with his very real feet of clay. Though I agree that there were many grammatical and linguistic errors that made the book sound too modern, I was happy to overlook them and enjoy this brave and completely unformulaic book. Readers looking for something with more depth than a "typical" romance will come away deeply satisfied.

I loved this story!! and I highly recommend; you to read it. BRAVO TO KATHRYN SMITH!!! The story is about Duke Greyden Kane and Rose Danvers. The Duke has a very rakish, rogue type past that he now regrets because of all the harm it has done to himself and the people he loves. Rose is a beautiful, loving, bold and forgiving young women who has loved Greyden for many years. After her fathers scandelous ruin and death Greyden becomes Rose and her mother Camillia's benefactor and protector. I won't give out any spoilers but this is a story of how TRUE LOVE can Heal your Soul. The book is fast paced, and has great character development even the secondary characters are well written, you can see the images of the story in your mines eye. their is a good amount of back story to each character, but not over written, just enough so you get a complete understanding of what the characters are about. Their is NO REPETITION!!! in Ms. Smith's style of writting, she gets to the point and keeps the story moving. The Sex scenes are SIZZILING HOT!!!! but very skillfully done. I hope this is a new series, as I would like to read more about Greydens brothers and Rose's friend Eve and I would also, like to keep up with Greyden and Rose. This story will leave you feeling HAPPY WARM AND FUZZY. TRULY A LOVE STORY OF REDEMPTION!!!! This is a re-read and goes on my keeper shelf!! I also, loved and highly recommend Kathryn Smiths Vampire series Knights of the Templar!!!! If you are SICK Of the Who-Done-It Murder Romance Novels and the Lets Abuse the Female Herion Romance Novels!! Than you will Love this Story about Greyden and Rose. Its just Pure Historical Romance!!! A Very Pleasant Change.

I have mixed feelings about this book because on the one hand I love the Duke and his brother and think this book heralds the beginning of a great series. On the other hand, I didn't like the modern language and lack of historical detail. I also felt the idea of Rose seducing the Duke as she did was out of step with the era. Having said all this, I am really pleased that Kathryn is writing historical romances again and look forward to the rest of the series.

This was great book because the female character knew what she wanted and took some chances. Rose Danvers and her mother have been under the care of Greyden Kane, Duke of Ryeton since Rose's father died. Greyden was attacked by unknown an assailant and was given a terrible facial scar. Since the attack he has hidden away because of his scar and his not wanted to give into temptation that he will become the cold heart rake again. Greydon and Rose have loved each other forever but because of their situation that have keep it a secret from each other - until one night in a seedy masked event....

Looking forward to this author's Victorian series that I read will revolve around reoccuring characters, powerful families and a scandalous club at the hub of it all - plus I hope more from the Voluptuous, the magazine that Rose read through this book.... off to pre-order When Marrying a Scoundrel due out May 25, 2010.

What makes Kathryn Smith's novel so yummy are the wonderful hero and heroine. He's a man with a past who can't see that he can have a happy future and she's an optimist not afraid to challenge the status quo.

Like most Victorian Dukes Greyden Kane, Duke of Ryeton has had almost everything he ever wanted. He lived a hedonistic life, engaging in all manners of debaucheries until he was viciously attacked and a long scar marked his handsome face. Now he has become a recluse and is whispered about amongst the glitterati of the ton. The only visitors are his family and the Danvers family made up of Rose and her mother. Grey has had a powerful attraction to Rose for years but has never acted upon his feelings. He deems that he is unworthy of Rose and he made a promise to her father before he died that he would never pursue her romantically. Obviously Rose's father knew of Grey's unsavory reputation.

Rose absolutely adores Grey. He was the one friend who stood by her when she lost her father and money. She is desperate for him to notice her as more than a "sister." She embarks on a daring plan. At a masquerade she seduces Grey and he is none the wiser of her identity in the morning. She agrees to meet him the next week.

Rose carries a double life and in some ways she is even jealous of herself. After all, the masked woman gets Grey's attentions much more than the unmasked Rose. For his part Grey is enchanted with his unknown lover who has the same coloring as Rose (it was the main reason he was attracted to the siren in the first place.)

This novel has so much depth as Rose and Grey navigate their emotions and fears. Rose is spirited and wants Grey for keeps. She is loyal and utterly brave when it comes to defending Grey from vicious gossips. Grey is afraid to face his past, he has seduced and hurt many women and cuckolded friends. He just cannot fathom how he could ever go back into society. Furthermore, he knows a future with Rose would open her to the same ridicule and scorn.

The leads communicate well, especially in the bedroom. Rose is uninhibited and sensual. Grey drops his guard totally with Rose when they are intimate. Here is where his vulnerabilities and affection come forth. These scenes are incredibly passionate and uplifting. Uniquely Ms Smith incorporates Rose's natural curiosity with Grey's long held desires.

Thanks to Rose, Grey reexamines his feelings not only toward society but also with his family. His relationship with his brother is at times almost boyish but also guarded and his affection for his sister is endearing.

This is a delightful novel that demonstrates how faith in a loved one can give them courage to face adversities. Rose is the perfect sunny heroine for brooding reclusive Grey.

Heroine confesses to rake-turned-recluse Duke that she is the masked lover he's been having a secret rendezvous with. Hero is upset with her confession b/c he knew her identity & preferred that they keep engaging in their pretense. This way he's not openly breaking his promise to her now-deceased father to not touch her. As much as they care for each other, Hero thinks marrying her is a bad idea. He doesn't want to damage her already-shaky reputation with his formerly disreputable past. But heroine is as determined to prove him wrong.

I enjoyed this Smith book. It was well-written & well-paced. There's a lot of depth to Hero & heroine & their romance. Hero is a true reformed rake. He was an admittedly wicked womanizer who treated the countless women he slept with without honor or respect. He was deeply ashamed about his past & was in a way punishing himself for it in the present. He became a recluse out of shame & fear of regressing. He also became a self-sacrificing, disciplined, & caring man who's willing to surrender his happiness for heroine's sake. Heroine had inner strength & loved without grudges. She was not a doormat by any means. She loved Hero but was not willing to give up her life & hide from society like him. She knew it would eventually ruin their marriage. I liked how she faced problems directly & wisely & didn't run from them.

Emotional pull of book was great. There were poignant, angtsy, & tender moments. Sexual chemistry & sex scenes were erotic & well-detailed.

Definitely recommended.

I am a fan of Kathryn Smith...I thoroughly enjoyed all of her regency historicals and the Brotherhood of the Blood series. But this book really was a disappointment. The dialog seemed out of place given the time and setting. In addition, I did not fully buy into why the hero was such an outcast and treated poorly not only by society but his own sibling. This was a hard read for me. I had to force myself to finish and now I am rethinking my desire to read the subsequent books that follow in the series.

I have not given up on Ms. Smith yet. Her writing is usually awesome but this book was subpar!

I absolutely love the historical paranormal romance series by Ms. Smith, and I enjoy her regular historical romances just as much. Something about this book just grabbed me; I was seduced by Grey, he of the wickedly scarred face and equally wicked past. Rose is quite an unusual heroine. She knows what she wants, and she doesn't hesitate to go after it. That includes reading dirty magazines. I won't go into the storyline. Suffice it to say it was filled with wonderful characters, an intriguing storyline, sensual love scenes, and emotions that grab you by the throat and don't let you go until long after the story is over.

This is the first in Smith's "Victorian Soap Opera" series and it's a good one. (The second, WHEN MARRYING A SCOUNDREL, won a Romantic Times' 2010 Reviewers' Choice Award, and the third, WHEN TEMPTING A ROGUE, is now out).

Set in London in 1877, this first one is the story of Rose Danvers who is in love with her guardian, the Duke of Ryeton, Greyden Kane, who took in her and her mother when their father died in disgrace. Grey is a scarred man both inside and out from his debauched life and his truly egregious treatment of women in his past. He wasn't just a rake; he was a rake who cared not whom he hurt, and he hurt many women. One of them took revenge on him and his face bears the scar from it. Rose sees Grey as a better man. She does not deny his past but cannot helping loving him all the same. He has only been kind to her and her mother. She believes he cares for her and is determined to win him, and he is determined to keep her at a distance. So the young virgin goes in a mask to the exclusive club on Saint's Row that caters to both proper ladies and gentlemen with its balls as well as to those seeking more scandalous pleasures. She knows Grey will be there wearing his mask and she intends to seduce him. But it will not be difficult as he is there looking for a woman who will remind him of his obsession...his ward, Rose.

The story moves along at a good clip, the dialog is witty and intriguing, the sexual tension is high and the romance sweet. I loved the dark duke who Rose loves and who could not love a young woman with depth of character like Rose? There is no "black moment" in this one, but there are lots of interesting relationships, fun characters (his brother Archer, fortune teller Sadie Moon and the owner of the club, the beautiful Vienne La Rieux, among them). Though not a deep historical romance and not even a tour of London, you will still enjoy it. It kept me turning pages and I intend to read all in the series. I recommend it.