Unusual tale of the duke of danger. He has never wanted to be a dueler but life keeps forcing him int duels and now he is forced into marriage with the widow of his last victim.

This is the third book in this series that I have read. They are all nice, easy reads with some fairly interesting characters. I would say that this one is a bit darker than those I have read so far. As the result of a duel, Lionel has killed Emmaline's husband. He is overwhelmed with guilt and says he will do anything to help Emmaline. Emmaline's parents are now going to force her to marry a much older and lecherous man. So she has Lionel marry her instead and has him agree to a marriage in name only. Well I'm sure you can tell how that turns out. It's a rocky road, with an extortion plot in there making things harder. I would give this a 3.5 stars. It was a nice way to pass a couple of evenings.

I’ve been enjoying Darcy Burke’s The Untouchables series, although I’ll admit I was rather disappointed in the last instalment, The Duke of Defiance and wasn’t sure I was going to read further. But I decided to put that one down as an aberration and I’m glad I picked up The Duke of Danger, which is a much more strongly-written and well-conceived story than the previous one. The eponymous duke isn’t actually a duke, but the ducal nicknames were invented – tougue-in-cheek – to show that the gentlemen in question were of the highest echelons of society and far above the touch of the young ladies who coined them – as well as to be alliterative ;). The Duke of Danger shows a different side to the dashing hero who has fought many duels and escaped with nary a scratch; Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is a man of great integrity and honour who has acquired his moniker because of his involvement in a couple of duels in which he either killed or badly wounded his opponent, but who in in no way sees these events as badges of honour. Instead, he is haunted by the fact he has taken life in cold blood and hates himself for it.

It’s with a heavy heart, and as a last resort, that Lionel calls out Viscount Townsend for threatening to besmirch the honour of a lady who is one of Lionel’s oldest and dearest friends. He gave Townsend every chance to recant, but the man refused, leaving Lionel with one alternative – he will shoot wide in order to merely graze his opponent and take whatever comes his way. But when Townsend turns and fires before the end of the count, Lionel reacts instinctively and out of self-preservation – and shoots the man in the leg instead. It’s believed the wound is not a fatal one – but days later Townsend dies and impulsively, Lionel pays a visit to his widow, telling her she can call on him if there is ever anything she needs. After that, as he has done before, Lionel leaves England to escape the gossip and in an attempt to dull the agony of regret.

Townsend’s death has left his young widow, Lady Emmaline, with nothing but debts. She is furious with Axbridge, furious with Townsend for leaving her in this position, and furious with her parents who are set on forcing her to remarry a man who is distasteful to her. She fell madly in love with Townsend and consented to elope with him in spite of her parents’ misgivings; misgivings which were borne out when her husband started to spend more and more time away from home, stopped coming to her bed and began to incur large gambling debts. She can’t help feeling a sense of relief that she has been released from a marriage which was clearly heading for disaster, but then feels guilty for it, and angry at herself. Emmaline has quickly transitioned from the happy, optimistic debutante who ran away with the man she loved and has become jaded, cynical and hardened. When she hears Axbridge has returned to England she hatches a plan to humiliate him in front of a large gathering of the ton, but has to change tack when her father tells her he has bestowed her hand in marriage to the lecherous Sir Duncan Thayer. She reminds Axbridge of his offer to do anything he can to help her and tells him that he can do something – he can marry her. She makes it clear that the marriage will be in name only and that he must accept that she will never forgive him. She will live in his house until he can purchase a house for her and while she is there she expects to have as little to do with him as possible. She will not take meals with him, she will not accompany him into society, she will certainly not provide him with an heir. In exchange he will settle her remaining debts and will provide for her for the rest of her life.

It’s a terrible deal, but Lionel feels it’s his just desserts given the pain he has caused her, and they are married by special license the very next day.

I do love the marriage-of-convenience trope, and I don’t think I’ve read a romance before in which the heroine marries the man who killed her husband, so kudos to Ms. Burke for coming up with an unusual premise, and for creating a couple of interesting and engaging characters. Emmaline is certainly not easy to like at first, determined as she is to make Lionel’s life a misery. Eventually, however, she begins to admit that her first marriage had been failing and that she had not been happy for some time. Lionel is by far the easier of the two to sympathise with, even though he occupies some rather shaky moral ground because he has killed two men and believes himself ultimately responsible for the death of a third. He duelled for sound, honourable reasons; once to avenge his father’s death, once to protect a child and once to protect a friend – but even so, he is filled with self-hatred and believes he no longer deserves the sort of happiness he has always longed for and had experienced as the child of two loving parents who cared for him and each other very deeply.

Emmaline eventually realises that in attempting to punish Lionel by dooming him to loneliness, she is punishing herself as well, so she starts to relent just a little. She takes a few meals with him, engages him in conversation… and begins to realise that she has badly misjudged him. But even then, things are not at all easy and it seems that for every step forward the two make in their relationship, they take two back. The sparks fly between them right from the start, and the author creates and builds the sexual tension between them extremely well; but even once they have broken Emmaline’s no-sex rule, the road ahead of them is still strewn with potential pitfalls.

One thing they have strongly in their favour is that they actually communicate with each other honestly, which is very refreshing in a genre prone to secrets and misunderstandings. There are a couple of times in the story when I suspect a less experienced author may have chosen to have one or other character keep a secret in order to create unnecessary drama; Ms. Burke wisely doesn’t take that option, and I very much appreciated it.

The Duke of Danger is angsty, but not overwhelmingly so, and the HEA is certainly very hard-won, and well-deserved. The secondary plotline involving the search for a blackmailer is deftly dovetailed into the romance, and serves to flesh out the backstory involving Townsend and the reasons for the duel as well as to provide some drama towards the end. There are a couple of details that had me scratching my head (I thought that when challenged to a duel, the challengee got to choose the weapons, time and place, not the challenger), but overall, this is an enjoyable, emotionally satisfying read with an unusual premise, and most definitely earns a recommendation.

Once again Darcy doesn't disappoint, I couldn't put this book down. It was an interesting plot which in itself had a mystery plot twined around this romance book. This is a must read for Darcy Burke fans, Lionel and Emmaline didn't meet under the best circumstance considering he killed her husband. You must read to see how this author spins her literary web and joins these two together is what begins as a obligation but ends as a steamy HEA.
As I mentioned there's so much excitement in these pages, duels, blackmail, murder.

This is a dramatic, suspenseful, sweet and entertaining story. Lionel is a caring, romantic, loyal and deeply honorable man who is suffering because of his past. Emmaline is a bold, impulsive, stubborn and angry woman. He killed her husband in a duel and promised to give her anything she needed, and she needed a husband and quickly. She hates him until she gets to know him, then she fights falling in love with him. He finds himself in love with her almost immediately. Drama, lies, rumors and threats figure heavily in their lives. It evolves into a very romantic and sweet marriage.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion of it.

I enjoyed this, even though there are some pieces that don’t quite work. The h, widowed during a duel with the H, finds herself on the verge of being forced to marry a gentleman she despises. Her solution, ask the H to marry her and save her from the marriage. The catch? A marriage in name only, she seems to want to make his life miserable in exchange for his kindness, after all, he did kill her drinking, gambling, probably womanizing first husband. And he’s paid off all her husbands debts, and for his funeral. The reason for the duel is the protection of a former mistress the h’s first husband was blackmailing. The marriage of convenience begins to change as they become closer. The story goes in a few directions, with poor explanation, the ex-mistress claims she belongs with him, then further complications occur, with some loose ends, but the story has a good HEA.

The Duke of Danger was an excellent piece of writing. Enjoyed the story from start to finish

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
To start with, I love the cover - very daring for the times.
This is the first book in the series that I read; even though the author makes the couples from the other books as secondary characters, it doesn't make me feel like I missed something. It doesn't mean I don't want to read the other ones! - I do have books #1 and #3...
Lots of misunderstandings, a bit of drama, action and adventure, gossip of course, great sex scenes between husband and wife.
The author builds up the characters all through the book instead of describing everything and it suited this story well. You could feel, though, if it was cool, sunny or wet outside (and other feelings as well).
Sometimes, I would smack my forehead, leave the book, and come back later. I couldn't believe THAT happened!
I loved the ending, mixed with a few twists. Good editing too.
PS I took one star off because I don't know how Lionel could have fallen in love with Emmaline - she was a nasty one and he did everything for her.

This is the sixth book in the Untouchables series and so far my favorite of all of them. I’ve been having a bit of difficulty with this series. I’ve rated them from two to five stars, and this is, obviously, one with the five and the reason for it is the hero.

This man had so much baggage that I honestly had doubts if he’d ever get rid of them all. My heart ached for him and at the beginning of the book I truly didn’t think that the heroine was the right one for him. Leave it to Ms. Burke to disabuse me of that thought!

In the end they’ve concurred all the obstacles that were in their way and their happily ever after was truly satisfactory.

Great read! Highly recommending it.

Melanie for b2b

Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, is known as the Duke of Danger, because of the three duels he has been involved in that resulted in two deaths. He lives with extreme guilt and has exiled himself both mentally and physically from others.

Lady Emmaline Townsend is left a Widow after the last duel Lionel fought. When the Duke of Danger asks how he can help her in any way, Emmaline decides a marriage of convenience is the answer as she is drowning in debt and her other prospect is a lecherous older man.

Could a relationship built in one’s guilt and one’s hatred ever lead to love?

While I liked this book as I did the previous five in the series, this took suspense of beliefs to an extreme level. As the couple made their way towards love, it was hard not to keep thinking that they would never really stand a chance with the circumstances they found themselves in. All that said, Darcy Burke is really good at developing suspense, angst and a genuine like for the characters so it was still a pleasant read.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Honor and the lengths some men go to to claim it and defend it. A man's word is his bond and when Lionel said he would do anything for Emmaline, he backs that up with actions. When he finds himself is the untenable position of a marriage of convenience, one his bride says will absolutely not ever be consummated, he has only one way out of this situation: make his bride fall in love with him. This is an historical-romance with a touch of mystery. Very enjoyable.

'Damn you to hell, Axbridge.'

Not a sentiment to encourage love and romance. But when Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge, kills Lady Emmaline Townsend's husband in a duel she finds that her husband has left her nothing but debts.
The 'Duke of Danger', an unfair label given Lionel by the 'wallflower' young women before they became more intimate with some of that group. To be fair they do wince when those nicknames are now mentioned in their presence,
Lionel has an unfortunate reputation for duelling. His opponents end up dead. Hence his sobriquet. Those deaths haunts him. He is a man of honor and each death eats into his soul.
His latest victim, Viscount Geoffrey Townsand, is the husband of Lady Emmaline Townsend. Unfortunately Townsend's wound turned septic, hence Emmaline's situation. Lionel is more scarred than his friends imagine by the result but he cannot reveal the reason for the duel or Townsend's dishonourable behaviour. The scandal around the event would besmirch Emmaline.
Emmaline is unforgiving of Lionel and will have her revenge, even if it as a last resort is to save herself from her parents antics.
Her parents are forcing her into an unwanted marriage with Sir Duncan Thayer, who 'was horribly unattractive, with a hooked nose, protruding front teeth, and rather fetid breath if the rumors were accurate. Worst of all, he possessed a lecherous nature. Every time she’d met him, he’d looked at her as if she wasn’t wearing any clothes.'
Lionel had given Emmaline his card and told her he would give her any assistance she needed. He was hers to command. Not that marriage had been on his mind, but for Emmaline desperate times call for desperate measures.
I must admit a soft spot for the marriage of convenience trope where angst and coldness turns to a smouldering relationship albeit assailed with doubts. How the author solves the entanglements to give us an HEA result is always fascinating.
As the plot unfolds we find that Viscount Geoffrey Townsand was up to some nefarious doings. The mystery deepens and the facts surrounding Geoffrey's actions are unexpected.
A satisfying read.

A NetGalley ARC
(October 2017)

I loved Axbridge snd Emmalines story. It was what you want out of every romance book. It had great chemistry, wonderful steamy love scenes and a bit of mystery as well. Well worth the book price.

One of the best books I've read all year! Oh the feels. Just when I didn't think this series couldn't get any better.

Darcy Burke does an amazing job bringing Lionel Maitland, Marquess of Axbridge and Lady Emmaline Townsend together. I was pleasantly surprised at when I remembered who she was. (But at the same time sad at the circumstances) I laughed… and my eyes may have leaked a little. It’s a bit darker than her normal stories but nonetheless amazing. I loved both characters from the beginning as the chemistry is definitely there.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment of this series, THE DUKE OF ICE.

I received a copy for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Duke of Danger is the 6th book in Darcy Burke’s series The Untouchables. I have not read all of the books yet and do think you could read it as a stand alone but I do intend to read them all as I have enjoyed the ones I have read. Lionel Maitland Marquess of Axford is known as the Duke of Danger because he has been involved in 2 duels and his opponent died in the second duel. The story begins with Lionel about to fight his 3rd duel, over matter of honour and extortion.
Lady Emmaline Townsend is left widowed and destitute when her husband succumbs to his injuries from the duel, she proposes a marriage of convenience to Lionel who is guilt ridden at having killed her husband. The sizzle factor is very high, and the story is quite exciting with murder, blackmail, gossip for sale, and a conniving ex mistress. I read the book in an evening and quite enjoyed it.

Darcy Burke’s “The Duke of Danger” is the sixth book in "The Untouchables" series. Emmaline Townsend has been left a widow due to the duel between her husband Geoffrey Townsend and Lionel Maitland, the Marquess of Axbridge. Lionel, having already fought two duels that resulted in one death feels that he must do all in his power to support Emmaline. On her return to society, Emmaline is determined to snub Lionel but ends up proposing marriage. This impulsive action has stemmed from her fear in facing an engagement, arranged by her parents as a way to repay debts incurred by her husband. Emmaline proposes that they marry but only if they lead separate lives with no hope of a family.
Despite the situation that Lionel feels obliged to agree to, he finds himself hoping that he can build a relationship with Emmaline. It is this action alone that highlights the honourable nature of Lionel which the author conveys successfully. Ms Burke successfully illustrates the differences in the upbringing and relationship between the parents and children of both main characters. These differences are interesting and go a long way in explaining the personalities of both Lionel and Emmaline.
Once again, Ms Burke has created an engaging story. This is one of the better in the series!

This romantic series is gorgeous, I completely adore it. It's a fun and cracking series. Such yummy heroes and intriguing ladies. Can't get enough of it. Well written with warmth, humour and first class characterisation.

I didn't like it to start with, as I didn't warm to the duelling element of the story. I felt uncomfortable with that aspect of a hero. I struggle to see duelling as honourable. And felt it was all a bit odd., esp a fourth time.

However, once the story got going I warmed to it and slowly fell in love with the story. . In the end i loved it and wasn't too happy when it finished. They are both great spcharacters and I felt their reactions were true.

Whilst it's easily stand alone, I think that it could do with the author adding a list of characters from the previous books at the back as I was getting confused.

I like this author overall and enjoy her books. I did like Lionel. However for Emmaline to propose a marriage although she hated that L killed her husband was a bit unbelievable. E was so mean at first and L was giving up the chance for a heir due to guilt and getting only a marriage of convenience. Of course E learns the truth about her first husband but I still could not understand why he stopped being with E long before his death. Thank you for the chance to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this steamy historical romance. The book description adequately summarizes the plot, so I won't rehash that here.

This story makes pretty good use of the enemies to lovers trope. Both of the main characters were stubborn and could be a little frustrating at times, but you could completely understand why they behaved the way they did. It was just enough to make these otherwise kind, intelligent, charming people well-rounded.

For me, the biggest downside is that the plot strains credibility at times. Also, I would have found the villain more convincing if he had had a more complicated motivation. But just consider this a "popcorn" book, and sit back and enjoy!

The book is well-written with moments of humor and suspense. I don't recall any editing or formatting problems. I thought the pacing was excellent; I was drawn into the story quite quickly and it never lost my attention. The scenes featuring violence are described without excess detail. There are several sexually explicit scenes, but they didn't overwhelm the story.

Although this is the sixth book in Darcy Burke's The Untouchables series and it features appearances by characters from previous books, it works just fine as a stand-alone. I do recommend the entire series.

I volunteered to review an advanced reader copy of this book, provided to me by the author and NetGalley.

This is another sensual book in the Untouchables with the ‘Dukes of’ series. Lionel thinks he has wounded another man in a duel of honor. Instead the Viscount dies from his injuries. Truly a man of honor, Lionel visits the viscount’s widow and assures her he will help her in every way possible should she ever need it. Eight months later, Emmaline’s parents are ‘selling’ her off to a man twenty years her senior. And, not a very good man.

She contacts Lionel and tells him to meet her at a ball. Once there, she tells him that he must marry her in order to prevent her marriage to the other man. He owes her. So, they begin an extremely difficult marriage of convenience, especially since she hates him and cannot even stand looking at him. But, she is able to get away from her really tacky parents who do not seem to even care for her or care about her feelings, wants or desires. Her lonely childhood is mentioned several times. Marriage to a man she hates is preferable to the one her parents planned.

Lionel on the other hand, has a picture of his father in his office that he views frequently as the man he most admires. Lionel’s first duel was to avenge his father’s death caused by another. Lionel was raised by his parents in a very on hands style of parenting, seeing the love his parents had for each other and for him. It was a very different childhood from Emmaline’s. He truly is a kind man of honor and lives with the demons from the deaths he caused.

Emmaline’s first husband was an unscrupulous guy. They had eloped to Gretna Green with Emmaline believing she loved him. As their brief time together went on, he had quit coming to her bed and many times, she did not know where he was or what he was doing. Upon his death, she found out he had a lot of debt that she could not pay. Lionel paid some of that debt to clear it for her.

This sweet story of Emmaline’s growing heart and Lionel’s generosity showed they were coming to care for each other, although it took a long time for Emmaline to let go of her hard feelings for Lionel and to forgive him. Their HEA is a bit rough, but their sensual journey turns out to be a charming one.