I enjoyed Emmaline and Lionel's book. It was an entertaining read that pulled me right into the book. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

Book six in The Untouchables series a well written story with a very good storyline the story flowed smoothly across the pages. Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge killed a man in a duel and is now called the Duke of Danger. Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend needs a favour and as it was her husband that was killed she asks Lionel to marry her. I enjoyed seeing this story come together, and would recommend.

A thrillingly romantic story with lots of feuding and lots of sizzle! The Duke of Danger sounds like a dreamy martyr with a ton of life still inside even after his wicked deeds. I recommend.

Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge punished himself with guilt to the point of sinking into bouts of depression and remorse. What does he have to be built about? Could be the three duels he fought because of his overwhelming sense of honor? Although he did not intend to kill any of his opponents, not the less, two died and one had a lasting disability. Enter Lady Emmaline Townsend, who carries guilt of her own. Guilty for eloping with Geoffrey Townsend, Lionel`s last "victim" and for feeling Lionel did her a favor. Lionel as part of his penance, pays all of Geoffrey`s creditors, promises to do anything she needs. A little time passes and she demands he marry her to save her from a less than desirable marriage her parents arranged. Can they live together, yet apart? Will she be able to stop despising him to see the person inside? This is the sixth book one the Untouchable series. We get to visit and catch with friends from the previous books. Always a plus when I am enjoying a series. Each book can be read separately, but are better if read as intended as a series. I have the next book in the series loaded on my paperwhite, looking forward to reading it as well.

After killing his opponent in a duel, Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is known as the Duke of Danger. Tortured by guilt, he shields himself with a devil-may-care attitude. However, when he kills another man in another duel, he’s beyond redemption, even though it wasn’t his fault. He refuses to smear a dead man’s name, especially when he’s left behind a blameless widow who doesn’t deserve an even bigger scandal. Widowed and destitute, Lady Emmaline Townsend must marry the man of her parents’ choosing or beg unsympathetic relatives for support. The only way out is to ask for help from the one man she’s sworn to hate, the man who owes her anything she asks, the man who killed her husband. They strike a devil’s bargain in which passion simmers just beneath the surface. But her dead husband’s transgressions come back to haunt them and threaten their chance at love.
I’ve read a number of books form this author and I’ve enjoyed them all. This one didn’t disappoint. Both characters have been through a lot in their lives and it’s not until they are together under a shaky deal that they can start to heal and bond. I really loved this story and can’t wait for more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This was a nice easy read. I loved Lionel and emmaline. I would have liked it to be longer.

One day Lionel's honor is going to cost him his life. Known as the Duke of Danger he is known for fighting duels and winning. Often with deadly consequences to his opponents. One such opponent was Viscount Townsend. After being shot in the leg he was expected to recover, the next thing Lionel hears is that he succumbed to his wound. After visiting Lady Townsend to offer his apologies and any assistance ever needed, he leaves England for Ireland. He is surprised to say the least when he is summoned back by her.

Emmaline has summoned back Axbridge with the express purpose of giving him the cut direct. He ruined her life, granted it was not the grand life she wanted...but it was still hers. Shortly before her big moment, she is informed by her parents that she will be remarrying Sir Duncan Thayer. A man well older than her and to say the lest unpalatable. At the last second when entering the ballroom to meet Axbridge she changes her mind. He stole her life, now she will steal his.

Lionel cannot believe what Lady Townsend has asked of him. Marriage? And one in name only. It will mean there is no heir for his line. But how can he refuse her after all his has cost her?

As the two embark on a marriage, Lionel finds himself drawn to his wife. However Emmaline will not give him a chance. Can he find a way to get past her defenses, without telling her what a scoundrel her first husband was?

Great read. Cannot get enough of the Untouchables.

I voluntarily reviewed an Reader Copy of this book which I received through Netgalley
I really liked this book. It is really well written.

I really loved Lionel and Emmaline's story!!

Lionel doesn't believe that he deserves a HEA because he has killed two men. He tells the wife of the latest that he will do anything to help her if needed.

Emmaline doesn't want to marry the man her parents have in mind for her, so she takes Lionel up on his offer and demands that he marry her. It will, of course, not be a real marriage.

I loved watching Lionel and Emmaline working through each of their own issues and finally finding their HEA!!

Darcy Burke is fairly, new to me, but she has earned a place on my keeper shelf. The Duke of Desire was a super brilliant surprise for me and is a complete romance filled with unexpected hot, steamy passion, disagreements, mystery, laughter, tenderness, and strength. The well-developed characters pull the reader into their world and allows them to imagine the faraway land where the story unfolds in such a way they may feel as if they are a part of the historical era, become one of the characters, and feel the gripping tale unfold. Darcy Burke has the super talent to engage and captivate from the first page through to the last. I very highly recommend this book and author to anyone who loves reading historical romance. I anxiously await and will mark my calendar for each new release.

Another beautifully written story in the Untouchables series by this author. I really liked the hero, Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge and adored that his character is so honorable beyond the dash and panache that’s part of his character. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book with a strong and honorable hero.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Loved the romance and mystery of this book. Great characters and and interesting story line kept me interested.

A love story to warm your heart...
This book six of The Untouchable series goes beyond my expectation of a romance novel. It combines a tortured past with a man that has too much honor. I know that sounds harsh but because Lionel feels honor is the most important thing he misses out on life, in my opinion.

His character works though as a good counterbalance to Emmaline. This lady could of come off as a ditzy woman but in all I really liked her. She made some decisions when she was younger that were not wise but she uses this to create a toughness in herself that doesn't allow her family or Lionel to take further advantage of her. The most important thing about her is her ability to rethink a situation and make changes as needed. This is a lesson all people should learn.

I give this 4 STARS for the love that came through in the end between all the main characters in this book.

While I became an insta-fan of Dracy Burke with Duke of Desire, this one fell short for me.
Going in, I knew this was going to be a difficult premise to portray.
Axbridge was honorable to a fault. He kept secrets under the guise of protecting those he cared about and to not dishonor those who had no honor.
Emmaline couldn't make up her mind how she felt. Her impulsiveness got her in trouble with her first marriage, but she did the same thing with her second, to the man responsible for her husband's death.
The progression of their relationship moved too quickly for me, and just seemed too improbable.
And, without giving too much away, the 'villain' of the story's influence was too substantial for the brief time he was involved with the 'tool' he attempted to use to eliminate Axbridge.
This novel was graciously provided by the publisher through netgalley for my honest review, which, in no way, influences my desire to catch the next installment of this amazing series.

When , Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, kills Lady Emmeline Townsend's husband, he would never have imagined that a year later he would be married to her. Being forced to marry someone she would rather not, Emmeline calls her marker with the Duke of Danger. If only she could stay hating him for what he's done, and if only she wasn't so attracted to him.

There was so much to like in this novel: Lionel, the story line, the supporting characters, Burke's incredible way of writing- but I found myself really frustrated by Emmeline. She was really nasty for most of the novel. And I understand why, I just didn't enjoy that. That's really the only thing that is keeping me from giving this novel full marks. I'd still recommend it to others, because if that isn't something that would irritate you, this novel is a fantastic read!

The Duke of Danger.
This was how Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge was known after having participated in 3 duels, in which in 2 of them his opponents died.
And in the last duel, although Lionel did not want to participate, his opponent, Viscount Geoffrey Towsend was an irascible man.

When Lionel put himself at the disposal of the widow, consumed with the guilt of having killed another man, he did not expect her to really make him deliver on the promise.

When a year later, Lionel, in Ireland, receives a letter from Lady Emmaline Townsend, he returns to England, and meeting her in a ball, Lionel finds himself having to accept a marriage proposal.

Emmaline had eloped years ago with Geoffrey and paid dearly for it.
She no longer loved her husband, but he was her only financial source, and with his death she discovered that he was full of debt.
Her parents wanted her to marry again now that she was about to be released from complete mourning. The problem was that their chosen one was a man many years older than her.
Meeting Lionel at the ball - even if she hated him for what he had done to Geoffrey - he was more handsome (and had a higher title) than Sir Duncan Thayer.

Lionel and Emmaline married, but she imposed a series of rules.
He accepted them, but as the days go by, Lionel realized that he was fascinated by his wife. The woman who hates him.

Meanwhile, a series of gossip begins to appear in society, and some of them are too dangerous to be ignored by the couple.

Lionel and Emmaline need to find out who is spreading the lies and who wants to profit from their misfortune. And from there, they could have a chance at a real wedding...

Book 6 of the series, which can be read as stand alone, no cliffhanger.
Amazing plot, with mystery, and good connection with the main couple.

5 stars

I have said it before and I will say it again I ADORE historical romances. I do not care if they are smutty or not they always make me smile.

This is the first book I have read by Darcy Burke and she is soon to be a staple on my list of must read authors. I completely adored this book and once I started I could not put it down!

When Emmaline gets backed into a corner by her parents to remarry her hasty descion to force her husbands killer make good on his promise to do anything for her was ingenious! Of course as romances go she will eventually love him but it was a thrill to follow both of their separate paths as they came together!

Characters - 5 I thought the even the smallest of characters were well thought out and believeable
Plot - 4.5 There is some predictability as I have come to expect from most historical romances but the twists within were splended

Addictiveness - 5 hard HARD 5 SUPER HARD 5


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I was a bit hesitant, at first, about the plot point of our protagonist falling for the man who killed her husband, but ended up enjoying the book and the authors storytelling.

What shall I say more than typical Darcy? I mean who doesnt love her books?
I loved the two leads because they are so different from what normal Regency leads are - they really hate each other because of a duell. Many emotions. Steamy dialogues. Great work!

Well now, that's an unlikely couple! I loved every single minute of this installment. Lionel and Emmaline couldn't make less sense or be more perfect for each other. Darcy Burke is always able to evoke deep emotion and get you completely on board with whatever tale she is trying to tell. I have seen this trope done before, and poorly. It takes a master storyteller to pull this one of and Burke nailed it.