The tenth Duke of Kilve lives up to his name as The Duke of Ice, he's bereft of warmth, in personality and reputation. For someone who lost a beloved family, he walks and breathes pain. Nicholas detached himself from human contact, save affable Simon, The Duke of Romsey, his only friend and known to the haute ton as The Duke of Ruin.

Nicholas Bateman, a man without a title, has given his heart to Violet Caulfield, nine years past but she left him to marry a viscount. Now widowed, Lady Violet Pendleton didn't expect to see Nick at a party. Violet was astounded that Nick is now a widowed duke and someone who's become sullen and ill-tempered. She was taken aback with his strong antipathy directed at her. Despite this, it’s evident their ardour hasn’t muted. Violet would very much like a second chance. Nick, however, wouldn't risk another heartache over Violet.

This is a tale of all-consuming passion, between the hero and the heroine and with the tragic circumstances that befall them. Violet is the stronger character here. Her indomitable spirit is admirable despite her heartbreaking losses. Nick's self-imposed seclusion and consequently, the desire to want a wife devoid of emotional attachment is foolhardy. Luckily, his friend Simon pointed out his error and beg Violet to take him back. Nick could have done a bit more grovelling, I think he got off lightly.

Individuals suffer losses in numerous ways. Darcy Burke has written this beautifully, depicting how various characters deal with their life's knocks in different manners to numb their pain.

As with the previous books in this series, I recommend this highly.

I voluntarily read an eGalley from the author. My review is honest and impartial.

The Duke of Ice by Darcy Burke
The Untouchables #7

Young love thwarted
Second chance given
Will it be taken or squandered?

Eight years before this book begins Nick and Violet met and fell in love. With his prospects only being a mister without a title, well, Violet’s parents whisked her away to marry another – and she let them. So, when the two meet at the house party they do know one another but neither is the young, hopeful, easy person they once were. There is attraction. There is conversation and there is a kiss or two shared BUT will there be more?

Nick went to war, lost many of his loved ones and feels “cursed” and unwilling to love again. He is not as easy to approach or as spontaneous or smiling but is his old warm self really gone forever encased in the icy exterior he presents to the world? His friend Simon, Duke of Romsey (or Ruin as some call him) has not given up on him and as a result the two are off to a house party together.

Violet had an unhappy marriage to a man that did not love her and in more than one way abused her. She was happy to be rid of him though unhappy he had to die in order for her to be free. When she sees Nick the feelings of love she never surrendered are reignited and Simon encourages her to try to break through the ice surrounding the man she has continued to love.

The house party has games, events, conversations; young girls on the marriage market, older women that are “mean girls” and the potential for all to get to know one another. The hostess is hopeful that she will be able to provide ‘the’ event that will elevate her social status. The young women and their parents hope for introductions to men that might be suitors of a suitable sort. Nick hopes that rumors about Simon can be squelched and is willing to be there for his friend…just as Simon is there for Nick. After the house party there is a sense of…well…an unsettled sense for both Nick and Violet. Nick is beginning to thaw but has not thawed enough by the end of the party. The two meet again and things improve…until a wrench or two are thrown into the mix and then…misgivings arise and almost thwart true love forever…almost…until good friend Simon arrives to sort of save the day.

At times Nick baffled me. I know he had suffered much but for a smart man he seemed somewhat not-so-smart…or fearful…or…something. Violet seemed to lack the fire to pursue what she really wanted and a bit too accepting of fate. The fact that they found a HEA was satisfying not only to them but to me, too ;)

I am eager to find out what Simon tells Diana and how the two of them manage their HEA and as their story is up next…hope to find out soon!

Thank you to the author who provided me an ARC of this book via NetGalley – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

Nicholas Bateman, the Duke of Kilve and Violet, Lady Pendleton met 8 years ago and fell in love. However, Violet's parents objected to the union because Nick wasn't titled and married her off to Lord Pendelton, a horrible man. Nick suffered unimaginable loss in the intervening 8 years, and ends up as the Duke, but he blames Violet for the beginning of all his bad luck. When she left him without a word, he was devastated and events spiraled out of control after that.

I'm a fan of Ms. Burke, but I have to say that I didn't like Nick very much. Suffering from PTSD and probably depression is a difficult subject to tackle and I understand that, but when Nick did something unconscionable, I no longer was routing for him. I did like Violet although she forgives Nick way too easily and that kind of ruined it for me. I thought she had more backbone and would make him grovel more. While this isn't my favorite book from Ms. Burke, I do enjoy her stories and recommend them to fans of Regency Romance.

This is Nick and Violet story. The beginning was really slow with the house party that took for ever. At some point I thought that it will go on until the end of the book. After the party the story picks up at a nice pace and I thoroughly enjoy Nick and Violet getting reacquainted. I'm looking forward to the Duke of Ruin story.
This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review that is all my own.

This is Violet and Nick’s story. They were lovers 8 years ago. Her parents made her marry someone else. He became a Duke. They meet many years later at a house party. They are still attracted to each other. He is afraid of loss. He has lost his family, wife and son. There were many twists and turns in their relationship. She has an accident and he runs from her and decides to marry someone else. He finally realizes Violet is the one for him. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Thanks Darcy Burke Publishing and netgalley for this ARC.

This is a great romance not like her other series but still a great Darcy Burke romance. YOu'll want to shout at the hero to just get over it already. Heroine has a lot of patience and great secondary characters.

Darcy Burke is simply a marvelous historical storyteller. Truly enjoyed reading "The Duke of Ice"

Loved, loved, loved! He's a yummy Duke, conflicted, harsh yet sweet. She's his perfect match and so immensely likeable.

I love this series. However I was very happy not to have any of the extended 'untouchables' cast in this book, because as much as I like them it's a bit of work remembering all the Dukes and Duchesses! This is absolutely stand alone.

I can't now wait for Simon's book!

If it wasn’t for the hard fact that romance novels must end with a happily ever after, I would have seriously doubted whether Violet and Nick could make it. They have drifted far from their young selves who rashly fell in love and planned to elope. Both have been married, widowed, and endured disappointments in the years they’ve been apart. Nick’s reaction has been to retreat into himself and become the “Duke of Ice”. Violet has resigned herself to a lonely life as a widow. When they meet again, those resolutions are challenged.

Darcy Burke writes a satisfying page-turner of a novel!

Nicholas and Violet led a very sad life till they met again, and from that moment on the book was slowly going worse, which is a lot to say. I don't know why but I didn't connect with either character and their story and the plot twist were even fastidious to me in the end. Maybe the next one is going to be better.

Nicholas e Violet hanno una vita molto triste fino a quando non si incontrano di nuovo e da quel momento il libro peggiora ulteriormente, che é dire tanto. Non so perché, ma non sono mai entrata in sintonia con nessuno dei due personaggi e anche il caos totale del finale mi ha lasciato piuttosto indifferente quando non mi ha innervosito. Magari il prossimo libro sará migliore....

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

I was not sure you could top The Duke of Danger, but yes you can, this book is so emotional and heartbreaking and full of wonderful characters. It is not a light read. There is loss and tragedy but also a reconnection and love. Violet cannot give up on Nick even though he is maudlin and earns his moniker, The Duke of Ice. She lets him progress in the relationship until she cannot take it any longer. You know how that goes, just when he realizes what he giving up, she gives up. But, alas, that is not the end of their story. A wonderful story for this time of year. This series just keeps getting better.

So, what happens when Simon goes after Diana? Looking forward to reading about it.

I won't rehash the story line because you can get that from the book's jacket.
This book was a good read. I enjoyed the author's characterizations of her H and h. The story line was rich and I could hardly wait to see what would happen next, which distinguishes it from many romance novels. The story line was different and entertaining. There were some explicit names for certain anatomical parts in the sex scenes, and a few f-bombs along the way. Although I prefer to use my imagination versus detailed sex scenes, overall fairly well handled by the author. This was the first book I have read. This was the first book I have read by Dar y Burke, but I am looking forward to reading the story of Simon and Diana, characters introduced in this book. Well, written and enjoyable.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Duke of Ice is the 7th book in Darcy Burke’s The Untouchables series. It can be read as a standalone but the series is very enjoyable so I would recommend reading them all. Nicholas Bateman met Miss Violet Caufield in Bath 8 years ago and they fell passionately in love. Her parents however purchased a title for her and they quickly married her off to Viscount Pendleton. Now Nick is a Duke a title he never expected to inherit and is known as the Duke of Ice and Violet is widowed after a very unhappy marriage. They meet again at a house party the Nick has been dragged to by his good friend Simon the Duke of Romney aka the Duke of Ruin. Will the two star-crossed lovers be able to overcome their difficult pasts and find love once again? I enjoyed reading this story not just for the romance but also the friendships in the book between the two Dukes and Violet and her friend Hannah the hostess of the house party. Steam level medium high, publishing date December 26, 2017.

I always give a fair and honest review in return for any ARC. Darcy Burke writes such fine tales. This one has so much passion. Very good read and I am looking forward to Simon and Diana's story in 2018!

This series just continues to get better and I would put 'The Duke of Ice', top of the list. It is easy to understand how Nicholas Bateman has become the Duke of Ice, believing that all he loves, die. However, he can’t seem to distance himself from the possibility that he still may have feelings for Violet Caulfield. When Nick was still a lowly ‘Mr’, he and Violet had planned to marry; however, Violet’s parents decided to separate them, in order to gain a title for their daughter. Several years later, both widowed, they meet at a party, and must face their feelings head on.
Both characters have been brought to life with such vividness. Nicholas is tormented by the past whilst Violet, is just making do. Their past is revealed gradually, drawing you into their story. This second chance at love, does not transpire slowly, making this book all the more moving. I also can’t wait to read about Nicholas’ friend, the Duke of Ruin, in what I feel will be just a great a story.

I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 STARS!

Mr. Nicholas Bateman once had everything he ever wanted... Until he didn't. It all started 9 years ago when the love of his life, Violet Caulfield, left him to marry a viscount. Since then, an unfortunate set of tragedies occurred and one by one, he lost his uncle, brother, wife and child.

He is now known as the Duke of Ice and has only one friend remaining, Simon, the Duke of Romsey.

Nicholas is happy living a solitary life where he conducts estate business, rides his horse and fishes... That is until Simon coerces him to attend a house party where he comes face to face with Violet. She stirs a whirlwind of emotion and feeling within him - none of it wanted.

Viscountess Violet Caulfield met Nicholas when she was 19 years old. They had a clandestine love affair and Nicholas told her he wished to marry her. Their chance at love was stolen however when her parents found out. They don't believe a "mister" would ever be good enough and decide to marry her to a viscount of their choosing instead. She has been heartbroken ever since.

When she meets Nicholas again, she is shocked to find out he is no longer the affable, charming boy she knew but rather a cold, unfeeling Duke!

Will the passion that simmers between the two of them thaw the Duke of Ice? Or, will he freeze Violet out forever?

Wow. This is a story I wish did not end. It took precedence over almost everything. It is a story of loss, grief and how difficult, but not impossible, it can be to let go of the past and move forward. I loved all the characters and the setting. The story telling pulled me in and never let me go. I felt the
characters joy and sadness and I wanted the best for them.

The book is heart rendering . Seeing Nicholas turn away from love like it's the plague even though he wants it and needs it so desperately is heartbreaking.. However, towards then end, I wanted to strangle him! My god he made me mad!.. But I digress, he is still very much loveable. This is a book you do not want to miss.

Having read this book, I now cannot wait for Simon's book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Darcy Burke publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Duke of Ice, was slow at points. A week long house party seems to last months. Once they go home the story picks up. Although for a minute I was beginning to wonder if Nick and Violet would have a happily ever after.