The Runaway Duke (Warner Forever) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "A word, Rebecca." Lady Tremaine stood on the stairs with a lit candle in hand, a sleeping cap pulled down over her graying curls..." (more)
Key Phrases: hunting box, yer lordship, brown mare, Sir Henry, Lady Tremaine, Lord Edelston (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A delightful debut novel—brimful of wit, action, passion and romance." -- Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author of Slightly Tempted

"Marvelous... Impossible to put down... Overflows with intelligence, wit and warmth. Put THE RUNAWAY DUKE on your 'must read' list!" -- Romantic Times BOOKClub Magazine

Product Description

No one could ever accuse Rebecca Tremaine of being a proper young lady. She’s wretched at embroidery, pitiful at the pianoforte, and entirely too informed about the human body, courtesy of her father’s Scientific Journals. And now she’s been compromised by a dandy she despises! When her parents arrange a hasty marriage to save her honor, there is only one man she can turn to for help.

Nobody has any idea that Irish groom Connor Riordan is actually the fifth Duke of Dunbrooke, "killed" in action at Waterloo, and he wants it to stay that way. But a true gentleman can never turn away from a damsel in distress. Soon Connor and Rebecca dash away and into a world of adventure, where they are pursued by bumbling highwaymen, a scheming duchess, and Rebecca’s fiancé.

Being by the side of the beautiful and desirable Rebecca jeopardizes Connor’s secret every day—and tests his willpower every night. For if ever there was a reason to bring the Duke of Dunbrooke back from the dead, it would be to make Ms. Tremaine his Duchess!

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446614254
• ISBN-13: 978-0446614252
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #430,962 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really 3 1/2 Stars -- Pleasant but not really memorable, September 15, 2004

By	ellejir "ellejir" (Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews

This is a respectable effort for a first book by this author. The character of Connor as the hero is likable enough and unusual. He is the heir to the "richest dukedom in England" (aren't they all!) but in the confusion after the Battle of Waterloo, he is presumed dead and he escapes to a life of anonymity. This is the fulcrum about which the book turns; unfortunately, to my mind, it is not a very believable plot device. The stated reason for his flight is that his father (the Duke) is emotionally and physically abusive and that Connor feels constricted by his role as the Duke's heir, but to abandon a life of wealth and position to become a groom (with a phony Irish accent) in a country baron's stable for eight years seems an extreme reaction. What ever happened to traveling the world, waiting for the old man to die? Supposedly, Connor had stayed in England for so many years instead of emigrating to America (as he had planned) because he was fond of his employer's daughter, Rebecca. Since she is only 12 years old when he first meets her (himself a grown man in his 20's), that idea is far-fetched and even a little bit creepy.
The character of Rebecca Tremaine as the heroine is less interesting to my mind. She is given some unusual characteristics to make her seem more unique, but her interests in medicine and anatomy seemed forced to me, and her behavior frequently is rather childish (not surprisingly, since she is only 17 or 18 years old.) The story strays too close to that time-worn plot of the experienced older man brought to his knees by the adorable, spirited ingenue to be truly memorable (see Georgette Heyer's "These Old Shades" for such a plot in one of its original iterations.)
The book has lots of action as Connor and Rebecca travel around England, on the run from Rebecca's parents and troops of murderous highwaymen and fall in love. The writing is generally good (although the plot relies on some ridiculous coincidences, for example the whole locket incident), the romance is sweet and the story entertaining.
In summary, this is a quick, light read that I imagine will please readers who enjoy books by Julia Quinn, since the tone seemed similar to me.

31 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not that bad...., August 23, 2004

By	Just a Dreamer "[e-mail]" (Texas) - See all my reviews

But it took me over a week to get through it. Not a keeper for me, but worth reading. A pretty, good, first book for this Author....Seems so many reviewers here, gave this book a lot of stars, but it was a yawner for me. Just didn't have that zap, to keep me going.
My house is clean, Im gaining weight, which means, I better find a good book fast, or my buttons will pop. I rate my stars by how hungry I am, and Im stuffed... =) Meaning, I put the book down way too much.
Story line was good, and I loved the Duke, but Rebecca the heroine, was as dull as she could be (might be the age 17/18). Edelston was funny, I really liked him.

Worth reading, but not keeping. But, I will be on the look out for more by this Author, she has potential.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Almost there, May 23, 2005

By	Lunimar (Southern California) - See all my reviews

I started this book after I had read To Love a Thief by the same author. I was impressed with her wit and her character which are, in general, full of depth and humor.

This first book is an impressive effort. The story is different (not the done to death forced marriage etc) and the characters definitely have flare.

Although I did enjoy the stories and the character the conversations were rather stilted and I nearly couldn't stand the ending. Though that could be considered a matter of taste rather than technique or writing style.

Overall I enjoyed the book, it's ok, I won't read it again but whenever Ms. Long writes another I will be third or fourth in line to take a look =).