The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo

This story makes me realize why I love historical romances and can never read enough. There are not enough adjectives to describe this wonderful book. The author has created a brilliant and intriguing storyline with in depth characters that take you on a journey like no other. It shows how an incident when young can change your life and those of others. Lorelai Weatherstoke found a man by the side of the road almost dead. With no memory of who he is or what happened to him, she gives him the name Ash. Not having much of a will to live with his severe injuries, Lorelai was his encouragement to get well. He knew one day he would come back for her. Both of them had lived through terrible times in their life and really connected. But life and fate gets in the way and it is not until many years later that they meet again. He has again gone through terrible times and the only thing he can hold onto is his Lorelai. So much emotion and angst in this story that had many twist and turns and it held me captive until the end. This is truly one of the best books I have read this year and know I will be thinking about it for awhile.

4.25 Stars Fourteen year old Lorelai notices a naked corpse at the side of the road, the corpse then moves. The young man is taken back to Southbourne where Lorelai nurses him back to health. They share a kiss & then he leaves for an interview to be an apprentice never to return.He took a piece of her heart with him. Now, after twenty years he’s returned. Like a phantom, he sweeps back into her life and avenges those who wronged her. This is the sixth book in the series but is easily read on its own, however I’d start with book one as this series is so very good. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & read in under a day, the pace of the story is good & the characters well portrayed. I liked both Ash & Lorelai & found their teenage romance very endearing. I’m so glad that Ash has at last had his story There were twists & turns along the road to their HEA, I’d love to read Victoria’s story too. I know the title is out of the author’s hands but personally would have liked a simpler title maybe The Pirate My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I’ve had a bit of an up and down relationship with this series, but this was a title and premise that intrigued, so I’m giving it a go. And, for the early part of the book, until about the halfway point, I was all in: the stories were intriguing, the blush of young love was refreshing, and the nod to (while often ignoring) conventions of the time showed a sense of Victoriana while not reverting to the overall stuffiness that often surrounded and stifled interactions. But both Ash and Lorelei are wonderfully drawn, and despite both having horrible pasts, gentle and open with one another. And then, Ash left and Lorelei was left, at fourteen, at the hands of her dastardly brother, with few to no options and constant psychological abuse, put downs and a helplessness and near hopelessness where changing her future was concerned. Twenty years have passed, her brother has run through all the money (including her dowry) and terrorizes his own wife in ways unimagined, well, if Lorelei wasn’t privy to most of aftermath. Her only options are penury and the abuse, or marriage- a marriage to another distasteful man, arranged by the brother. On her wedding day, one that she’s dreaded yet accepts with her usual equanimity – keeping everything close to her chest except from those who know and care about her best: her sister-in-law. But, circumstances align and she and her sister-in-law are taken from the church, her bother is murdered and her fiancé is a no-show – and the culprit – The Rook, is to blame. The Rook is Lorelei’s Ash, some twenty years later- a harder, more threatening, twenty years too late Ash. The power play between these two, with Ash’s inability to find his humanity and the words to explain just how important Lorelei is to him, how he fought through being shanghaied and repeatedly sold from one ship to another, waited to build experience and fortune, killing and looting- all to reclaim her. But, he still is no closer to knowing who he is, only that he must possess Lorelei, have her close to hand simply because she brings him peace. The revelations from Ash’s past, including his name, his history and the semblance of family he created as a young street urchin are dramatically, and thoroughly revealed, as Ash comes to learn of his past, his memories returned, and Lorelei at his side. The stories here are heartbreaking and horrible: Ash’s trials, Lorelei’s struggles and everyone’s amusement at Ash’s cluelessness with regard to his feelings for her. Emotions are palpable, with Lorelei’s heart and fierce protectiveness shining through. A lovey story that has some intriguing and clever moments woven into the story of lost and broken things finding hope and happiness, and a new start. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.