The Virtuoso (Duke's Obsession, #3) (Windham, #3) by Grace Burrowes

Oct 03, 2011 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Spellbinding! The Virtuoso, by Grace Burrowes, is a lovely book, full of suspense, mystery, regency manners, music, beautiful men and women, and a villain determined to spoil everything.

Ms. Burrowes has written a book with a well-developed plot and main and secondary characters that I have continued to think and care about long after finishing the book. The ending goes beyond a romantic HEA. I admit that I did not see the finale coming, and it was such a beautiful thing. I won’t spoil it for you...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 18, 2013 Lady Wesley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amz-rev

Grace Burrowes is a very talented writer, and she creates characters you come to really care about. This is a good thing, as the first three books in the Windham series are basically the same plot, with different people and settings. The Heir: duke’s heir, burdened by the demands of running the duke’s estates, spends the summer in London and falls in love with a women beneath him in social status who is keeping deep, dark secrets. The Soldier: duke’s illegitimate son moves to his new estate in...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 May Mostly Romance rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

บอกตามตรงว่า อ่านเรื่องนี้จบไปแล้วเกิดอาการอยากจะบอกศาลาไปกับงานเขียนของเกรซ เบอร์โรว์เลยนะคะ เพราะเป็นอีกครั้งนึงที่พล็อตนางเอกผู้มีความลับดำมืด ต่อสู้ดิ้นรนช่วยตัวเอง แต่ก็ไม่สามารถแก้ปัญหาได้ จนมาเจอกับพระเอกที่ต้องการช่วยเหลือเธอ แต่ด้วยเหตุผลอะไรไม่แน่ชัดสาวเจ้าก็จะปฏิเสธความช่วยเหลือ แต่ก็แก้ปัญหาไม่ได้ สุดท้ายก็ต้องยอมให้พระเอกขี่ม้าขาวมาช่วย ซึ่งก็แก้ปัญหาได้ง่ายมาก

จริง ๆ เราอยากอ่านเรื่องราวของวาเลนไทน์นะคะ เขาเป็นนักเปียโนที่มีพรสวรรค์ และหมกหมุ่นกับการฝึกปรือฝืมือของตัวเอง แต่อาการบา...more บอกตามตรงว่า อ่านเรื่องนี้จบไปแล้วเกิดอาการอยากจะบอกศาลาไปกับงานเขียนของเกรซ เบอร์โรว์เลยนะคะ เพราะเป็นอีกครั้งนึงที่พล็อตนางเอกผู้มีความลับดำมืด ต่อสู้ดิ้นรนช่วยตัวเอง แต่ก็ไม่สามารถแก้ปัญหาได้ จนมาเจอกับพระเอกที่ต้องการช่วยเหลือเธอ แต่ด้วยเหตุผลอะไรไม่แน่ชัดสาวเจ้าก็จะปฏิเสธความช่วยเหลือ แต่ก็แก้ปัญหาไม่ได้ สุดท้ายก็ต้องยอมให้พระเอกขี่ม้าขาวมาช่วย ซึ่งก็แก้ปัญหาได้ง่ายมาก

จริง ๆ เราอยากอ่านเรื่องราวของวาเลนไทน์นะคะ เขาเป็นนักเปียโนที่มีพรสวรรค์ และหมกหมุ่นกับการฝึกปรือฝืมือของตัวเอง แต่อาการบาดเจ็บที่เกิดขึ้นได้ทำลายความฝันของเขาลง วาเลนไทน์ไม่อาจเล่นเปียโนได้อีก และสำหรับเขา ชีวิตก็ไม่เหลืออะไรอีก จนกระทั่งเขาได้ยังบ้านในชนบท ซึ่งเขาชนะพนันได้มา ที่นั่นเขาได้เจอกับภรรยาม่ายของขุนนางในบริเวณนั้น แน่นอนเป็นอย่างที่เราบรรยายไปก่อนหน้า หญิงสาวผู้มีความลับ และโง่เกินกว่าจะแก้ปัญหาเองได้ แล้วยังโง่ยิ่งกว่าตรงที่ไม่รู้จักขอความช่วยเหลือ

ประเด็นนี้ขัดใจเรามากจนเราไม่อาจสนุกไปกับส่วนอื่นของเรื่องได้ ความรำคาญ และความรู้สึกว่า คนแต่งไม่มีพล็อตอะไรจะใช้แล้วหรือไง ถึงได้วนเวียนเขียนแต่พล้อตแบบนี้อยู่ได้ ทำให้การอ่านหนังสือเล่มนี้ของเราไม่มีความสนุกเลย ที่สำคัญเสียดายคาแร็คเตอร์ของวาเลนไทน์ที่เปิดตัวมาในสองเล่มแรกมาก ๆ

คะแนน 53(less)

like · see review

Jul 27, 2012 Farrah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-reviews

This is my 5th novel by Grace Burrowes and I have to say that Val is my favorite “lost” sweetie. I will admit there were some moments of confusion when I saw how sensitive he was (or could be) and how close he was with the same sex. With brother and friend he and they were quite touchy at times not modest at all in the nude (something you rarely see between men). However, the passion, attentiveness, and love he showed toward both his love of music and Ellen just makes you feel giddy inside with...more

like · see review

Apr 23, 2012 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, 2012-challenge, appealing-characteristic-story, historical, romance, part-of-a-series

It's time for Valentine Windham, the piano player, to get his turn at an HEA. In the last book, A href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/99... Soldier, Valentine was told that he would have to stop playing the piano, the thing that has kept him connected to the world. In this book, he has won an estate in a card game and has decided to go get it ready for living. There, he meets Ellen Markham, the widowed cousin-in-law of the man who lost.
Ellen is living alone, in a small cottage, even though...more

like · see review

Feb 27, 2012 Marya Kowal rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical romance lovers

I enjoy historical romance, but this one was unusually good.

The hero is a piano virtuoso who has injured his hand and must stop playing. Restless, he gambles, wins an estate, and decides to fix it up out of a desire to flee London and avert more boredom and discomfort.

Our heroine is living on the estate, and is being mistreated by the former owner.

Rather than the stereotypical damsel in distress novel, this is a damsel who is doing her best to create her own solution and keep her head up. The...more

like · see review

Jan 01, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...

The Virtuoso bears out the saying that “When one door closes, fortune will usually open another”. Bereft at being denied his music, Valentine (Val) Windham plans to bury himself in the refurbishing of a rundown manor. However, the gentle, unassuming Ellen FitzEngle, once the mistress of the old manor, opens new feelings, hopes, and purpose for Val.

Deciding how to do justice to a story so revealing of emotions that range from the dept...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 26, 2011 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction-romance, romance

What a fantastic book. Grace Burrowes' books just keep getting better. I liked Val in the other books, and I loved getting to know him in this one. When he is told that he must stop playing the piano or risk losing the use of his hand completely he is devastated. He heads for the country and the estate he won at cards. It is in appalling condition and he begins the work of restoring it. There he sees Ellen Markham again, and begins to get to know her. Ellen is living in a cottage on the estate,...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 13, 2011 Leslie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, historical, reviewed, romance

To clear up any confusion, this is the fourth book in the Windham series which is about the Windham offspring, three males, five females. Within the series there are two sub-series, The Duke's Obsession and The Duke's Daughters. This is all explained on Ms. Burrowes' website. I've read the first book, The Heir, and while there were a couple of times when I felt like I was missing information on a secondary character, it didn't detract from the story.

Valentine Windham may not believe it but luck...more To clear up any confusion, this is the fourth book in the Windham series which is about the Windham offspring, three males, five females. Within the series there are two sub-series, The Duke's Obsession and The Duke's Daughters. This is all explained on Ms. Burrowes' website. I've read the first book, The Heir, and while there were a couple of times when I felt like I was missing information on a secondary character, it didn't detract from the story.

Valentine Windham may not believe it but luck is on his side. He is attempting to recover from an injury when he wins an estate in a game of chance. He decides to journey to the estate and make improvements on his winnings. While there he meets Ellen Markham, a widow who lives in a cottage on the estate. Val comes to know Ellen and in doing so he becomes enchanted by her and propositions her. She's not a simpering virgin nor is she as experienced as Val. Theirs is a relationship based on mutual need, trust and friendship. Which turns out to be a good basis for a romance.

Ellen Markham is content. I would say she has moments of happiness but she is also lonely and foresees no real chance of that changing, or so she thinks. Then Valentine Windham comes into her life and things begin to change. Ellen is attracted to the charismatic Val but believes he would want nothing to do with her. As their perceptions change so do their feelings. I liked seeing their friendship develop along with the romance. You could tell they enjoyed spending time together and were not simply biding their time until they could become intimate.

Both Val and Ellen have secrets which lead to some misunderstandings and hurt feelings. I understood why they kept their secrets but not why they revealed them so late in the game. Val's true identity, that of the son of a powerful Duke, was kept quiet so he could simply be Mr.Windham. It made sense since Val isn't one to "put on airs" but get his hands dirty right along with the hired help. Ellen secret is far darker, causing her great sadness and despair. When it is revealed I could certainly understand her sadness but found it difficulty to believe that she felt such guilt over something that wasn't her fault.

The villain in the story is a complete idiot. Which only proves that even idiots can cause a tremendous amount of trouble through sheer luck and stubbornness. While trying to figure out who is sabotaging Val's new estate, Val and his friends continue to work on repairing the various buildings and getting to know the locals. It's a well rounded cast that adds to the environment of the story. Sometimes there were a few too many secondary characters and I felt like I had missed information on their connection to Val. I did like the country setting but didn't always have a true sense of the time period.

The Virtuoso's strength lies in the hero and heroine and their developing romance. While the hero and his buddies male bonding fell flat. With the stories of the three Windham sons completed, it's up to the Windham daughters to continue the tradition of finding and falling in love.(less)

like · see review

Nov 08, 2011 Dls rated it 3 of 5 stars

I want to rate this on an iceskatking or gymnastics scale--high marks for artistic interpretation and low marks for technique.
The quality of the rleationships she builds is wonderful,and I really like how they affection and love grows peacefully and naturally. That's true in all her books, and its very appealing. She also has some lovely images.
Unfortunately Burroughs doesn't think her plots through carefully and she just tromps all over basic facts about social relations of the period.
For exa...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance - Nov. 1st, 2011
4 stars

As with all her novels, the genuine characters and poignant emotions between the main characters carries the story.

Lord Valentine's life revolves around music but an old hand injuries and the constant playing since his brother’s death have caught up with him. Now the doctor tells him he will have irreparable damage if he does not stop playing his piano for months! And even then, he must be careful after. It will be a slow a...more The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes
Historical Romance - Nov. 1st, 2011
4 stars

As with all her novels, the genuine characters and poignant emotions between the main characters carries the story.

Lord Valentine's life revolves around music but an old hand injuries and the constant playing since his brother’s death have caught up with him. Now the doctor tells him he will have irreparable damage if he does not stop playing his piano for months! And even then, he must be careful after. It will be a slow and tortuous recovery. Valentine is in despair; his music has been his one refuge where he can show his joy and hide his pain. In a desperate turn to distract himself from his music, he tries to entertain himself on the town and finds himself the owner of a new property. At the new property he finds a lovely widow and a run down estate to keep him occupied. But someone seems intent on preventing Val from renovating….

Ellen Markham is a widow on a fixed income. When her malicious cousin informs her he is selling the cottage she lives on she realizes she may be homeless. Isolated and nearly friendless, she has nurtured the cottage for years and grown a riot of beautiful flowers and vegetables to comfort her and add to her income. Things look very bleak until the unexpected and thoroughly welcome visit of Lord Valentine. What will happen when two lonely people isolated in an idyllic world find passion and hidden secrets?

This was a touching romance about two lonely souls. Valentine feels like a cripple without a muse. He is isolated from his only way to express and console himself. Ellen is also alone. She has no children or relatives. This book seems a bit like a fairy tale romance. I enjoyed how Val came into Ellen’s rather dreary life and brought her to life. (And by marrying him she finally inherits a big family!) This story about two gentle souls is sweet and charming. The two characters are very genuine and easy to care for. The only blip in the story is the rather contrived secret Ellen has that I felt did not need to be included in the story.

Sweet Regency romance about two deserving and lonely people who meet by happy circumstance.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
(less)

like · see review

Nov 01, 2011 Linda Banche rated it 5 of 5 stars

Grace Burrowes's THE VIRTUOSO, the third book in THE DUKE'S OBSESSION series, is an intensely romantic and emotional story of two damaged people finding healing with each other.

For virtuoso pianist Lord Valentine Windham, the Duke of Windham's youngest son, music is his life--until a hand injury prevents him from playing. Terrified his music might be lost to him forever, he must find something to fill the void while, and if, his hand heals. He wins a dilapidated estate at cards and throws himsel...more Grace Burrowes's THE VIRTUOSO, the third book in THE DUKE'S OBSESSION series, is an intensely romantic and emotional story of two damaged people finding healing with each other.

For virtuoso pianist Lord Valentine Windham, the Duke of Windham's youngest son, music is his life--until a hand injury prevents him from playing. Terrified his music might be lost to him forever, he must find something to fill the void while, and if, his hand heals. He wins a dilapidated estate at cards and throws himself into setting the property to rights.

Widowed Mrs. Ellen FitzEngle lives alone on Val's new estate. Ostensibly a grower of flowers and herbs, the lady carries a weighty secret. Damaged in a different way than Val is, she seeks to help him heal. And maybe Val can help her heal, too.

I don't have much sympathy for the sufferings of the rich and powerful. Their money provides a cushion poor people with the same problems don't have. Ms. Burrowes has overcome most of my objections by saddling Val with a condition no amount of wealth or privilege can overcome. I also like Val. He's another of my favorite kind of hero, the decent man. I also like that he's an accomplished musician, something he attained solely through his own efforts. In the previous two books of the series (THE HEIR and THE SOLDIER), he played the role of comedy counterpoint to the weighty emotions of the principals. This book strips away the camouflage to reveal the lonely, isolated man beneath.

The author has also balanced Val's privileges with Ellen's lack of them. Ellen is one of those poor people without money to cushion her suffering. Her plight is a mystery we and Val must unravel, and Ms. Burrowes keeps us guessing almost to the end exactly what horrors Ellen has endured.

But the mood is not all gloom. Abundant humor from the secondary characters as well as Val, who still can crack a smile or two through his distress, lightens the tone as we cheer Val and Ellen on.

I like all three books in the series, but THE VIRTUOSO is my favorite. Enjoy.

ARC provided by Sourcebooks (less)

like · see review

Oct 05, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I reviewed this novel for Romance Reader At Heart website:

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Valentine Windham, ‘Val’ to his friends and family, is a man that eats, breaths, and dreams his music. For a doctor to tell him that if he does not rest and try to heal his left hand, which has been swollen and paining him ever since his elder brother’s death, is like condemning him to a lifelong purgatory. Shortly after, Val’s luck in cards gains him an estate that is a need of repair. He welcomes the dist...more I reviewed this novel for Romance Reader At Heart website:

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Valentine Windham, ‘Val’ to his friends and family, is a man that eats, breaths, and dreams his music. For a doctor to tell him that if he does not rest and try to heal his left hand, which has been swollen and paining him ever since his elder brother’s death, is like condemning him to a lifelong purgatory. Shortly after, Val’s luck in cards gains him an estate that is a need of repair. He welcomes the distraction and heads out, accompanied with his best friend, to decide if he’ll keep the property.

Ellen FitzEngle has lived in a tiny cottage adjacent to the Markham Estate for a few years now, ever since she was a widow. Her life is peaceful, and her days are filled with tending her herb and flower gardens, which are her livelihood. Occasionally, a memory of a young Gentleman kissing her passionately the year before will sneak into her lonely days, and she’ll daydream about what if’s and maybe’s of one day…

As Ms. Burrowes brings these two souls together, we are treated to a love story that is so fragile and tender, it will have you aching for them. What I most admire about this author is the time and care she takes in developing her characters and their feelings for each other. She never rushes that aspect of the story and equally takes the time in presenting her plots in such a way that you can’t help but turn the pages devouring the story!

Ever since I read her first novel THE HEIR, I have been amazed by her prose. She never fails to astound me by giving her characters real life crises; real life emotions; real life passions; and with that, bring them so vividly to life!

This family has now become my family, and I will forever love them all; and if the old Duke wasn’t so much smitten with his Duchess, I would have given her a run for her money!

I look forward to their adventures and will never be bored with them. Their love of one another has touched my heart, and it will touch yours. The romance, passion, and sensuality that Ms. Burrowes so eloquently conveys to us through her characters, is something that has a life of its own. Highly recommended, and VIRTUOSO is a keeper.

Melanie (less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 16, 2012 LK Hunsaker rated it 4 of 5 stars

To start, I have to say the Regency period is not my favorite historical era for romances. All of the titles and the effects thereof can get a little annoying and too often it's too much a part of the story.

That said, I won this book in a blog tour, pulled to the tour because of the title and because I'm music obsessed, so I thought I'd give it a try. The darn thing pulled me right in, much of which was due to Valentine Windham (with titles and such that he mainly does without). He is a truly li

...more

To start, I have to say the Regency period is not my favorite historical era for romances. All of the titles and the effects thereof can get a little annoying and too often it's too much a part of the story.

That said, I won this book in a blog tour, pulled to the tour because of the title and because I'm music obsessed, so I thought I'd give it a try. The darn thing pulled me right in, much of which was due to Valentine Windham (with titles and such that he mainly does without). He is a truly likeable, affable, humorous hero. At times I found his thoughts a little hard to believe during romantic interludes, but he is an artist/poetic pianist, and this is a romance, so I let myself think it was possible for him to be so hugely romantic. His relationship with the heroine, Ellen, was nicely formed and believable. Ellen herself was a nice strong female character and yet not "in-your-face" strong.

There are a myriad of supporting characters I also enjoyed. This is apparently part of a sequel and I haven't read the other parts of it but it wasn't necessary.
There were a few things that bothered me a bit, including some editing errors such as an unfinished sentence (not a fragment used purposely, but as though the author forget to finish it after injecting a dependent clause) and some unclear phrasing. I was also a little let down with the ending since her big secret didn't seem as big as she made it and his reaction was rather weak considering his character. As a romance, the scenes were nicely done other than a couple of genre catch phrases I could have lived without. It is on the spicy side, so reader be warned.
Overall, though, The Virtuoso was a fun and pretty read with some very nice writing and I loved the music references and the plethora of subtle humor. I also enjoyed the bits of deeper looks into human nature that rang true, in particular with Val and his father. [A side comment: I love that Ms. Burrowes used the word elucidate a couple of times!] I may have to look into the rest of the series.

(less)

like · see review

Nov 02, 2011 Cecilia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I didn't mind this book, but the characters were kind of drippy. (view spoiler)...more

like · see review

Apr 03, 2013 Katie B-K rated it 3 of 5 stars

Eh. This book was fine. The characters were likeable and the mystery was fine. Things that annoyed me:
- OMG the discussions of lady business were ridiculous and way overdone. I get that you're trying to show that the hero is romantic, but I have no desire to read extensive discussions about period relations.
- The book references WAY too many characters from other books in the series without completely explaining how they're related. I've read the two earlier books in the series, but my recollect...more

like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Joelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-shelf, romantic, romance-historical, romance, regency, historical-fiction, england

The Virtuoso (Duke's Obsession, #3) (Windham #3)
by Grace Burrowes
4 of 5 stars

http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-...

The highly praised trilogy of Regency romances by award-winning author Grace Burrowes concludes with gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland. Val retreats to the country after an injury robs him of his musical ability, only to learn from impoverished widow Ellen Markham that he can be loved even when his music falls silent.

Back Cover Synopsis:

A geniu...more

like · see review

May 23, 2012 Gail rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, historical-romance

I've been on rather a binge of Burrowes. I read Book 4 before I read book #3 in this series, but it worked just fine. Burrowes's books seem to go in an order known only to herself, and while you're reading book #1, you feel as if surely there was an earlier book somewhere, only apparently there isn't.

This one is about Valentine, the youngest of the Duke of Moreland's living sons. (Two sons have died, one at war (more or less) and one of consumption.) Valentine is a pianist, only he has strained...more

like · see review

Mar 16, 2012 Betty rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Virtuoso, book 3 of The Duke's Obsession series is about Valentine Windham the Duke Of Moreland's youngest son. Val is a very interesting character. He owns and very successfully runs 2 "manufactories" which produce pianos and keep him rather wealthy. However. his genious lies in his music. The story begins as he wins a manor home and property in a card game. He subsequently travels to see the property and begin renovations to make it habitable. There he meets a young widow and they begin to...more

like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 19th-century-romance

So far I am way more impressed with Val's story. I can't put it down. The last 2 I had to force myself to read and it took days. A few hours and im well into this story. The only thing good from the first book was showing you these fun loving brothers and how well they get on with one another. But each book explores just how torn, broken or sad each really are. I am happy to say that so far in my book i've yet to come across the need for the male character to pleasure himself on, with, around th...more

like · see review

Nov 22, 2011 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars

I DID like this book, but I was left feeling a little irritated. I think my primary negative was I didn't really feel that Ellen's actions were all that believable. If she really loved Val, why couldn't she trust him to deal with her secrets?? And if she sent him aweay in order to "save" him from Freddie, why didn't she tell him she was afraid Freddie would try to kill him???? The heroines in the previous books in this series acted the same way and it's getting a little old, like reading the sam...more

like · see review

Jan 10, 2012 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-reads

This one's pretty "meh" - I really didn't enjoy it. The language felt too modern for me and coupled with a vague 19th century setting (I couldn't figure out if this was Regency or what) it just didn't settle well. Val's family is too complicated in structure (and never fully explained - this is apparently book #3 but trying to connect everyone together is confusing) and the villain menacing Ellen didn't quite seem all that menacing, just a nuisance who, in the end, disappears without a fight. Bo...more

like · see review

Oct 12, 2012 Olivia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nook

I'm not sure why or when I purchased this book, but I did not read it right away. When I did pick it up, I felt I was in the middle of a series. Sure enough, I was. I had not read any of the other books in the series and just felt dropped in the middle. There were so many people running in and out that I stopped trying to keep track. I found it distracting from the story of Val and Ellen.
Their story was sweet, but boring. I really really hate women who moan that they are "not good enough for hi...more

like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 Michele Molek rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am only half-way through this book, but after reading their first love scene in chapter 8, I had to stop, catch my breath, fan myself, and write this review. After reading approximately 500 romance novels, that scene is one of the best written love scenes I have read in a very long time. The book could stop right here and I would still give it five stars for that alone. Although not as graphic as many I have enjoyed, the sensuality sizzled off the pages and the dialogue during their time in be...more

like · see review

Oct 29, 2011 Vivisection rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: guilty-pleasures, historical-romance, smutty-reads

Nice home-making heroine brings comfort to tortured peer of the realm.

First time, charming.

Second time, very dark and moving.

But the third time? Meh. I found Val charming in the other two books and was quite looking forward to learning more about him. Wah. His daddy didn't love him. Really? That was his deep dark pain? The pain that kept him pouring his soul into the piano? And Ellen, well, I found Ellen just a little....boring.

And what is with the constant reference to menses in all Burrowes...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 Danae rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, regency-romance, reviewed

Didn't fall in love with No. 3 of the Duke's Obsession series, much as I loved No. 2. Even though I'd been looking forward to Val's HEA after glimpses of him in the previous books. Ms. Burrowes appears to follow the same plot line - deeply angsty hero, gutsy heroine making her own way in the world hiding a deep dark secret, instant attraction turning to love thanks to being thrown into close and continued proximity, heroine scared of repercussions of her secret on her new found love so moving aw...more

like · see review

Dec 17, 2011 Jo (Mixed Book Bag) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I enjoyed the first two books in this series and was really looking forward to The Virtuoso. I have to say I was a little disappointed. I loved Valentine in the other two books. He is a very caring person. I think his story was rushed and not edited as well as it should have been. The story line was not consistent. Characters said one thing in the first of the book only to find that the story was based on a totally different fact. The tension was not built or resolved as well as it could have be...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 28, 2013 Karen Wilson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: talented

Wonderful, solid throughout story. Really enjoyed the closeness and bond between siblings and family. Since I am from a close extended family, the family dynamics in the book really appealed to me.

I don't know how to make the heroine's side stronger and I thought it was a little imbalanced but that can't be helped. Only reason it's 3 stars is because it did not have as strong an emotional pull to me. More of a very beautiful symphony that you will remember and replay in your mind over time. Also...more

like · see review

Jul 11, 2012 Belinda rated it 5 of 5 stars

In the book "The Virtuoso" you meet Valentine Windham, younger son of the Duke of Moreland. His father doesn't understand Val's passion for his music. When Val loses his music, he flees to the country, alone and lonely to rebuild an estate he won in a card game.
Then he meets his neighbor, Ellen Markham, the woman he kissed in the forest many years ago and never forgot. They are both wounded souls who come together to make perfect music. I loved this new book by Grace Burrowes. She is a very gift...more

like · see review

Nov 13, 2011 Kellianne Stevens rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, romance-books

I liked this book from Grace Burrowes. It was very enjoyable to catch up with Valentine's story -- to understand his emotional journey, to meet his delightful friends. Burrowes, once again, writes with such emotion and sensitivity. I do think, however, that there seems to be some repetitive patterns in her plots. It almost appears that the heroes would fall in love with whatever female that they are placed in extended promixity to. And the romance in Virtuoso just didn't quite resonate with me a...more

like · see review

title link	preview: The Virtuoso (Duke's Obsession, #3)
avg rating	preview: The Virtuoso (Duke's Obsession, #3) Goodreads rating: 3.88 (855 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11214727-the-virtuoso-duke-s-obsession-3?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323202466l/11214727.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11214727-the-virtuoso-duke-s-obsession-3?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Virtuoso (Duke's Obsession, #3) by Grace Burrowes[/url]

The Virtuoso (Duke's Obsession, #3) (Windham #3)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (6)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Grace Burrowes

Books by Grace Burrowes

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Virtuoso (Duk...