I never knew I needed this series in my life until I finished the last words of The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo. Sure, we've seen snippets of The Rook but this was more. Kerrigan Byrne is master for writing this series. It's dark, it's edgy but it's also about love, redemption and everything else. I loved this book!

2 stars - the book had its moments, including a very promising beginning

The concept for this story held promised, however I found the delivery did not live up to that promise.  There was too much use of purple prose for my liking.  Also, for me the ending did not seem believable.  The sex scene in the cave felt squeezed in irrespective of whether it was believable or a logical outcome.

I have voluntarily posted a review consisting of my honest opinions. I received this product for free from Netgalley.

WOW! I devoured this book in less than a day! It's so much swashbuckling fun! I couldn't stop reading about Ash and Lorelai's story, it was just the perfect amount of angst and action. I think this is one of the strongest titles in Byrne's series.

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels, #6) 
by Kerrigan Byrne 
This was a difficult one to review. While I totally was captivated by this story line, I do not think the title suits the actual story. Actually being a duke felt like it was an afterthought. That is the only reason for the down grade. 

Now .....buy buy buy buy buy.... a super story line that gave me emotional times as I was reading. I can only say this was a good read. From start to finish your caught and you just keep drowning in a wonderful world of adventure and romance in this historical. While I do not think the title suits the actual story, I will say this was a super good read and one I will enjoy rereading. From her characters to the way she creates a new world for her readers this is a book to have. I was given this arc via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

OK for starters, I have no idea what to call the hero, so I'm calling him Rook for now. (You will understand when you read the book...) I loved both the main characters, who are both so deeply damaged but also both SO STRONG in their own unique ways. Lorelei's ankle was broken as a child and never healed correctly so she is crippled, both in body and in spirit by her abusive (horrible!) brother. Despite how wounded she is, both in body and in spirit, Lorelei is a giver and a caretaker and helps to heal up all the broken creatures she finds - even if those creatures are very big teenage boys. Rook is interesting on a whole other, darker level, and he's also been wounded in body and in spirit. Their journey is so heart-breaking and painful and also lovely and I cried through a lot of this book, but also laughed a fair amount too. 

This book is a lot closer to an old-school bodice ripper than most of what I read, but I still really enjoyed it. It's also higher angst than I usually enjoy (I tend to go for lighter, fluffier reads with a romantic comedy feel), but it's so well written and the characters are so multi-dimensional that I really enjoyed it. 

This is the sixth book in the Victorian Rebels series, but can be read as a stand alone. I assume there are some spoilers for at least one earlier book in the series, as they meet the couple from the first book, The Highwayman, and go into their story a bit. I'm still looking forward to reading the earlier books in the series (this was my first Kerrigan Byrne!) and don't feel like this spoiled them for me, and I also was not left feeling lost having not read the earlier books.

The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo had an epic and unforgettable romance that went years never having had its time to then bursting from the pages upon its return.  Byrne’s skilled writing fostered a profound tension—one that was as emotionally expressive as it was sexually enticing—that exuded from both characters and the plot itself to create a fast-paced and provocative story. And the surprises along the way—twists and turns from every direction—only heightened the turmoil circling our two star-crossed lovers, making this a story not to miss.

The depth and complexity of Lorelai and The Rook—along with their scars, both shared and personal—were essential to capturing  the pieces needed to tell a love story that spanned across two decades. Byrne wonderfully displayed a young love that was deep and sincere and then proceeded to painfully draw them apart. The result was a magnified attraction mired with misery and loss. The stoic and tempered Lorelai had this well of hope and goodness to her even with the hurdles and struggles of her life, and I adored her undying fortitude. She was just good and able and full of heart. Meanwhile The Rook was this mystifying now-pirate that was as puzzling before as he was after, but he was a sponge for the goodness that was Lorelai. Every moment they spent in the presence of one another was exquisitely poignant, and for a love story with such unfortunate circumstances, the powerful quality to their connection never once abated, and I fell so very hard for it.

Even without reading any of the prior books in the series, I never found myself lost or missing any crucial pieces, and it certainly didn’t detract from the upheaval I felt experiencing their shared journey back to each other. After struggling for weeks to capture my thoughts, I still don’t feel like I’ve been able to express the beauty that is The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo, nor that of its adept storytelling, but I can say this: Historical Romance fan or not, this love story is a must-read for its brilliant writing and weighty second-chance romance.

I've read and enjoyed all of Kerrigan Byrne's novels - and the Duke with the Dragon Tattoo was the latest in an excellent series. The Rook was introduced (or alluded to) in previous stories and I've been looking forward to his story. While this book wasn't by absolute favorite in the series (The Highwayman), it was a really good read. 

The story of Lorelai and Ash (also known as the Rook) is one of two people who have gone through a lot of hardship - they meet when they are young and are torn apart, but find their way back to each other. At the beginning of the story, a young Lorelai lives with her abusive brother and weak father. One night they come across the body of a young man (Ash) and take him home. Lorelai cares for him and, during that time, they fall in love. They are separated and spend years apart. During that time, Ash goes through a series of hardships and eventually becomes a pirate known as the Rook. Years later, they reunite and fall in love (while going through a series of adventures of course). Ash's character is a little more fully fleshed out than Lorelai's. A lot of her character traits seem more tied to things that have happened to her, rather than things she does. That said, she was a lovely person overall. The author does a wonderful job of pulling the reader in emotionally right away, but things get most interesting when the couple is reunited. Each character has gone through a lot - and changed a lot - during their time apart and I love that it's not just simple for them to pick up where they left off. The author does a great job of showing how they have to meet each other where they are as adults and fall in love all over again.

While it's not strictly necessary, I do recommend reading all of the books in the Victorian Rebels series in order - several characters appear in multiple books and some of the storylines are pretty strongly connected to each other. It seems like the next book in this series will be about two characters who are introduced in this novel, but I personally can't wait for Inspector Morely's book!  

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When life doesn't seem to be going my way I can always cheer myself up with a good romance novel (especially if it has pirates). This book came along at the perfect time for me.

This book follows Lorelai and Ash (Ash is called a few names throughout the book but I am choosing to call him Ash because just like Lorelai I don't like calling him the Rook). Lorelei finds Ash when he is close to death and unable to remember anything from his past. She nurses him back to health. After a long time of not seeing each other they are reunited but Ash doesn't seem to be the man that Lorelai once knew.

While I did like both of the main characters I have to say that I liked them better when they reunited then when they first met. Young Lorelai actually annoyed me a bit. They definitely were more interesting after they had grown and their chemistry became amazing.

While I liked the action towards the end I was hoping that the character that turned out the villain at the end would have had a different storyline. But at least I enjoyed how the other characters ended up. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.

I loved The Duke with the Dragon Tatoo and couldn't put it down!

The story is romantic and suspenseful, and has a great cast of characters. I loved Lorelei and Ash when they were young and really wanted Lorelei's brother Mortimer to get what he deserved. Unfortunately, Mortimer got to Ash before he had a chance to teach him a lesson and it was many years before Ash and Lorelei were reunited. His last words to her were "There are only two indisputable facts in this world: The sun will set in the west, and I'll come for you. Always."

Ash does come back but now he's an infamous pirate called The Rook. He is a notorious killer who has traveled around the world. The one thing that kept him going was Lorelei, for she was his heart and light, even though he didn't believe he had a heart any longer.

Since I started with the 6th book in the series, I'm definitely going to read the other books in the series and was excited to see that book 1 is about Dorian and Farah. I'm also curious to see what comes next and who Veronica marries.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Why on earth was this the first book by Kerrigan Byrne that I have ever read?  What is wrong with me? If her other books are half as fun as this one I need to rectify that immediately.  We are talking amnesia, pirates, kidnapping, and kittens all in one book. This book was really crazy and fun with a very sweet central romance.  Pure escapism and I need more.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC via Netgalley by St. Martin's for an honest review.

Alright. I take issue with the 20 years between meeting. While I appreciate at "late-bloomer" first marriage at the 30s, it just didn't seem plausible.  Also, 20 years the heroine was abused by the older brother glossed over in a few paragraphs didn't seem right.

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne

This historical romance revolves around sweet Lorelai and Ash, the poor unfortunate lad who is found beaten on the roadside, who she nurses back to health.

While the premise was intriguing the structure of the novel was confusing. After a long prologue the novel is divided into two sections, past and then 20 years in the future. While the past section is only four chapters long (it seemed longer) it is very important in setting up the remainder of the story. The characters early interactions are sweet but the themes of abuse are not.

When we jump into the future our returning hero is anything but heroic. While his rough life and damaged memory account for his altered personality, he is a truly awful and unlikable character. His motivations were thin at best and when he threatened to rape the heroine, I very nearly decided not to finish. I pressed on and things improved somewhat but I had a hard time understanding how feelings between the H/h could grow in such circumstances.

The silliness of the story combined with the references to other characters made me feel like I was missing vital details – another earlier novel perhaps— and contributed to a less than enjoyable read.

This one is probably for fans of the author and this series. 2 Stars.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Superb! The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo embodies haunting notes of historical romances from another era alongside dark, enigmatic pirates vibrating with sexual intensity. The Rook will capture your heart as he endures an endless journey of betrayal. His pain and suffering is the price he will pay to find Lorelei, his salvation. Lorelei was never the same after he left her as a young woman. Now she finds herself face to face to the only person she ever felt a connection to. She will have to fight to find the him, the man hidden beneath the pain. A unique and ravaged dragon tattoo holds the key to finding a lost treasure. Together The Rook and Lorelei will find the answers they seek. I feel as if I've stepped back in time, nostalgically having a taste of those first historical romances of my youth. Byrne delivers a romantic journeying with a well matched pair that is guaranteed to win your heart. I look forward to Byrne's next book

The Rook has no idea who he is other than the man he was forced to become.  Years ago, his memory was stolen by a brutal beating that left him at death's door.  If it hadn't been for Lorelei, the young maiden who once helped nurse him back to health, he would not be here.  Well, her, and his grim will to survive for revenge. 

Lorelei has not forgotten the young man who left her behind.  She has dreamed of his return, but the man before her now is nothing like the boy she once knew.  The Rook, Ash as he was known to Lorelei, is a changed man... one who is haunted by the things he has had to survive.  He is well-renowned killer and pirate.  How can Lorelei give herself to a man she barely recognizes?  How can she not give herself to a man who deep down is her Ash?

There are many reasons to love author Kerrigan Byrne's VICTORIAN REBELS series.  The heroes all share a strong bond and love for one another.  They are all scarred men with secrets... secrets that most people could not stomach.  My heart bleeds for what the heroes and what they have had to suffer in the darkness in order to find their light.  The best part of these novels is seeing these men get their revenge and finally finding their peace in the women they have fallen in love with.  

Each hero's story is raw, gritty and never fails to draw the reader in.  The latest installment of the VICTORIAN REBELS, THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, is one of my favorites.  It is The Rook's story, which I have been waiting ever so patiently for, and it did not disappoint.  Honestly, I would have read it for the title alone, not to mention the beautiful cover.  It brought forth so many surprises... some unexpected, some not.  I am so glad The Rook was reunited with his heart, Lorelie.  A stronger and more resilient woman you've never met!  She is truly a survivor, as is her Rook.  The VICTORIAN REBELS series by author Kerrigan Byrne is best read in order to achieve the full effect of it's awesomeness.  It consists of six books to date, THE HIGHWAYMAN, THE HUNTER, THE HIGHLANDER, THE DUKE, THE SCOT BEDS HIS WIFE and THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

Very good story. A dark romance, tortured hero. Ash needs  Lorlei to brighten his darkness. Great secondary characters glad to revisit them

Ms. Byrne has written another great book which is filled with murder, danger, intrigue, and love lost and found.  The author did a great.job with the storyline and has great characters. I could not put this book down and was a very quick read for me as it helps my attention. 

Ash and Lorelei met when they were young and they developed a tender for each other and then torn apart. When they see each other many years later they find that time did not distinguish those feelings and that they still have those feelings for each other.

This was a very entertaining read and I enjoyed it very much.  I received this book for an honest review from Netgalley.

This is my first foray into the Victorian Rebels series and I pretty much loved it. I mean, The Rook is kinda scarred (both figuratively and literally, as it turns out) from what he's been through and he's a rough mess when he reenters Lorelei's life, but...he figures things out. Eventually. It takes some close calls and soul searching, but he gets there.

Lorelei's life wasn't necessarily as terrible as The Rook's, but it wasn't a bed of roses either. Despite that, she's held on to the core of kindness that is key to helping The Rook dig himself out of the bad place he's in. Let's face it, as ruthless as this pirate king thinks he is, he can't stand hurting Lorelei's kind heart and that says everything you need to know about him.

Okay. So. Scoundrels. Pirates. Women who are stronger than they think. Danger. Men who would burn down the world if it was needed to save their special someone. Did I mention the pirates? They're hard and dangerous and they turn into fluffy puddles of goo over a few kittens. (I might be exaggerating slightly, but not by much. Pirates like kittens. As they should.)

I really like The Rook and Lorelei AND meeting several of the others men and women who've fallen before them. Am I in for the other books in this series? You betcha!

One of the best books I've read in a really long time.  I couldn't put it down.  Filled with danger, intrigue, mystery, lost love, abuse, pirates, revenge, lost treasure, and reclaimed love.  Ms. Byrne is now one of my favorite authors.  I wish I had discovered her earlier.  I would dearly love to read the previous books in this series.

Rising above Injustice, Pain and Revenge.
The boy Lorelai fell in love with twenty years ago, has lived in hell and to survive his existence has become an unfeeling, inhuman robot with thoughts of her, his only reason for living. When they meet again is he too different for them to ever have a life together? An enjoyable story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Duke with The Dragon Tattoo, the 6th book in the series “Victorian Rebels” brings together many unanswered questions and does so very gradually. I found myself quickly reading through this book but at the same time, savouring the intense romance between Ash (Rook) and Lorelei. Whilst this is a stand-alone novel, any reader would thoroughly enjoy reading through the earlier books in the series.
Their connection from the beginning of the book, is quite so strong that even the many years apart, the intensity is still apparent to all. They are such great characters and the book, one to keep!
There is so much I could write about this but to reveal any more, would take away from reading about these two great characters. I so look forward to reading about Lorelei’s sister-in-law, Veronica.
I received an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.