Never Deceive a Duke (Mass Market Paperback)

by Liz Carlyle (Author)
Key Phrases: muted smile, second duchess, Good God, Lord Litting, Lady Ingham (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Carlyle's second Neville family novel (after Never Lie to a Lady) revisits the wounded hero story line and adds a touch of mystery. Through a twist of fate, Gareth Lloyd, part owner of Neville Shipping, discovers that the title of duke of Warneham has now fallen to him. It's a bitter inheritance for Gareth, who as a child was sentenced by the old duke to a hardscrabble life aboard ship. Reluctantly, Gareth visits his new country estate, Selsdon Court, only to discover the duke's beautiful widow, Antonia, still in residence. Passion flares between the emotionally damaged pair as Antonia reveals her grief over the death of a young daughter, and Gareth faces anti-Jewish sentiment among the upper class (an atypical touch that works well). The author's natural, concise writing style, attention to historical detail and fully formed characters make her world spring to life, and her plot never flags; Carlyle even finds room for a dose of mystery, as Gareth's friend, Kemble, investigates the poisoning death of the previous duke. As usual, Carlyle doesn't disappoint. (Aug.)
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Product Description
They call her the porcelain princess...

With her fragile beauty and regal bearing, the Duchess of Warneham knows how to keep her admirers at a distance. Twice wed and twice widowed, Antonia has vowed never again to marry; never again to surrender her freedom. But when her husband's death is deemed suspicious, and his long-lost heir returns to seize control of the dukedom, she finds that fate has placed her future in yet another man's hands -- but not just any man.

They call him a cold-hearted bastard...

Deep in London's docklands, Gareth Lloyd runs Neville Shipping with an iron fist. Unrecognizable as the starving orphan who was abandoned by his family and sent an ocean away from home, Gareth has put his troubled past behind him. That is, until the Duke of Warneham is murdered, and Gareth turns out to be the dynasty's last living heir. Wrenched from his solitude, Gareth neither wants nor needs the honors and obligations of nobility -- especially the Duke's all-too-tempting widow.... Or does he?

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (July 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141652715X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416527152
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #177,718 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Touching romance about two lost and damaged souls, July 28, 2007

By	Misuzmama (New York, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Gareth Lloyd was never meant to be a duke. He was brutally removed from that life years ago and has raised himself up to become part owner in a successful shipping company (Neville shipping). As a child, Gareth survived horrors that no one should and put up emotional walls around himself that no one could penetrate. Until now. Now he is the new Duke of Warneham. But he doesn't need the money and he certainly doesn't want a title.

They say Antonia, the twice widowed Duchess of Warneham, is as mad as she is beautiful. Often she closes herself and her mind off to the outside world. Deep wounds lay beneath her fragile exterior. She is finished with being caged body and soul to any man.

But what happens when Gareth is forced to due his duty and visits his ducal estate? There he stumbles onto unanswered questions about the previous dukes death. He's captivated by the mysterious and regal duchess. But is he willing to expose himself and his heart to heal this woman who may possibly be a murderess?

A very good book in my opinion. Its not necessary to read the prequel 'Never Lie to a Lady', but I recommend it. Gareth is a interesting hero and not because of his abusive childhood (there are several disturbing flashbacks -so beware), but because of his heritage, he's half Jewish. Very surprising! I enjoyed Carlyle's (author) flashbacks of Gareth's grandparents which explored his roots and thought she handled the antisemitism well. Antonia on the other hand is a very sad and fragile heroine. I thought she is a bit melodramatic at times and wallows a bit to much in pity -a major downer. Of course Gareth comes in and they help heal each other emotionally. -and physically (with several hot love scenes).

But why I really recommend this book is for the character of Mr. Kemble. He completely stole the show for me. A jack-of-all-trades if you will. He is why you should really read the prequel. An excellent character who is really an enigma. Who is this man who knows everything about everybody, can fight as well as any of the hero's, knows about art, clothing (he was once a valet), decor etc. etc. Something bizarre about this character that I can put my finger on. Hopefully Carlyle will explore him further in the sequel Never Romance a Rake.

This isn't romantic fluff and may turn off some with the heavy melodrama. Not my fav H/H. The duke being part Jewish was an interesting twist, as was the murder investigation's outcome. If pushed, I'd lean toward taking this one out of the library. Good but not great.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Deceive a Duke, September 2, 2007

By	M. Nix "Joyfully Reviewed" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When her second husband, the Duke of Warneham, dies under suspicious circumstances, the emotionally fragile Antonia, Duchess of Warneham, is surrounded by a cloud of suspicion. Although she is determined never to marry again, the twice-widowed Antonia finds her future precarious. Once again, her fate is to be determined by a man, the new Duke of Warneham.

The new Duke of Warneham, Gareth Lloyd, has no desire for the title. Gareth is happy in his role as a partner in the very successful business, Neville Shipping. As the only living heir to the dukedom, however, Gareth is forced to accept the role of nobleman and all the responsibilities his new title entails, including his duty to protect the tantalizing Antonia.

Wow! When I finished reading Liz Carlyle's Never Deceive a Duke, all I could say was, 'wow'! The heartbreak, suffering and cruelty the hero and heroine suffered before finding one another is very affecting. One cannot help but want them to know nothing but joy in their future.

Never Deceive a Duke addresses difficult subject matter such as anti-Semitism, rape, and depression with a main theme of a happily ever after romance. This isn't your average historical romance! Liz Carlyle has written a thoughtful, deeply moving and emotional historical romance in Never Deceive a Duke.


Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Rich Story with Passion, Depth and Intrigue!, August 26, 2007

By	Miss Chlo-Chlo (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

I had ordered this book, Never Deceive a Duke prior to my read of Never Lie to a Lady. Upon reading Lady, I worried a bit that I may be disappointed with Duke as I felt Lady was a little drawn out (although still enjoyable). But this book does not disappoint for a minute! What I love most is the unique characters. These are not the types I have come across in the dozens of other "Regency Era" romances. I would say they are outside of the box of typically leads. The story is the 2nd in the series and revolves around Gareth Lloyd, part owner of Neville Shipping, who suddenly learns he is the last heir to the title of duke of Warneham. Also left to his care is the young widow, Antonia, of his much older cousin - the former Duke of Warneham. As you read through this story, you learn about the deep, tortured pasts of Gareth and Antonia, as they struggle through their own growing fondness for each other. Offsetting the often painful and serious traumas they both experienced is Kemble, the flamboyant but clever informant/investigator introduced in Never Lie to a Lady. He is trying to solve the mystery of the death of Gareth's cousin as Antonia is gossiped to may have a part in it. The plot twists and turns between the restrained yet passionate romance, the unraveling painful past histories, and the detective work of Kemble. A real page turner with great depth you'll enjoy through and through.