Publishers Weekly
04/17/2017
In Hunter’s first Decadent Dukes Society romance, a Regency-era duke’s thirst for revenge turns into lust for the daughter of his sworn enemy. Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton, wants to find the people who spread rumors that his father committed treason, leading to his father’s suicide. Adam’s first target is the Earl of Marwood—or rather, his family, as the earl has also recently died. The Dowager Countess of Marwood, the earl’s mother, wants to end the longtime feud between their families by marrying Adam to the earl’s youngest daughter, Emilia. But Adam is not interested in the beautiful, demure young woman, preferring one who will be more of a challenge: Emilia’s older half-sister, Clara. Clara has no desire to marry; she enjoys her independence, which allows her to publish a journal. Nonetheless, she is drawn to Adam. As he breaks down her resistance to intimacy, she starts to wonder whether his desire to wed her is merely part of his quest for vengeance. Hunter has created an intelligent, fast-paced romance, chock-full of sensuality and spiced with mystery. Agent: Pamela Hopkins, Hopkins Literary. (June)
From the Publisher
Praise for Madeline Hunter’s The Most Dangerous Duke in London
“The writing is lively and the characters fun, and the duke’s cronies promise to make good heroes in future books. A thoroughly enjoyable read.”– Kirkus Reviews
"The latest historical romance series that you won't be able to put down is from New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter. With witty humor and inventive storytelling, you'll whip through the first one so fast, you'll need to Amazon Prime another one to your cabana." —Martha Stewart Weddings
“Hunter has created an intelligent, fast-paced romance, chock-full of sensuality and spiced with mystery.” - Publishers Weekly
“The Decadent Dukes Society are just what Hunter fans crave; gorgeous, sexy, scandalous men who are about to meet extraordinary women. Hunter merges passion with vengeance, and pride with romance in this perfectly balanced love story. As always, the wonderful, witty prose and unforgettable characters enhance the intricate plot, and there is no doubt readers will be captivated.”– RT Book Reviews, Top Pick
“The first in Hunter’s seductive new Decadent Dukes Society series is an elegantly written story with richly nuanced characters and a surfeit of intoxicating sensuality that will have fans of soigne Regency-set romances sighing happily with satisfaction.”– Booklist
“This is a historical romance to savor, and readers will root for the pair of lovers and the justice they seek.” – Bookpage, Top Pick
Kirkus Reviews
2017-04-02
Five years after whispered accusations led a duke to take his own life, his son returns to Regency England to find out who slandered his father and exact revenge.The Dukes of Stratton and the Earls of Marwood have been enemies for generations. Adam Penrose, the current Duke of Stratton, isn't sure how the feud began. But he is fairly sure his family's old enemies were also behind whatever scurrilous rumors led his beloved father to commit suicide. Adam has spent the past five years in France, grieving with his mother and garnering a reputation for fighting duels when people insult his family's honor. But as soon as he returns to England, Adam is surprised by a summons from the dowager Countess of Marwood. She proposes to end the feud by marrying Adam off to her youngest granddaughter. Adam is willing to consider the alliance, but his eye is caught by the girl's older sister, Lady Clara Cheswick. Clara is intense and independent and has no interest in marriage, preferring to spend her time secretly publishing a women's literary journal. But if she won't talk marriage, Adam is willing to settle for seduction, and Clara is easily persuaded to go along with it. It's not entirely clear to the reader whether Adam is planning to use Clara for revenge against her family, but this adds spice to the story. Hunter (The Wicked Duke, 2016, etc.) has a thorough understanding of the architecture and fashion of the era, although unfortunately there isn't as much artistic detail in this opening salvo of her new Decadent Dukes Society trilogy as there have been in previous works. Still, the writing is lively and the characters fun, and the duke's cronies promise to make good heroes in future books. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
