She Tempts the Duke

Feb 18, 2012 Shawna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of scarred, tortured heroes

Shelves: historical-romance, lorraine-heath-rachel-hawthorne, hero-duke-heir-to-dukedom, rt-book-reviews-4-stars, childhood-ties-friends-sweethearts, beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-beholder, hh-disfigured-injured-scarred-ill, historical-romance-victorian, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-military-war-veteran, heroine-redhead, love-triangle-vying-courtships, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, hh-blind-eyesight-impaired, hh-physical-mental-disability-ill, hero-titled-wealthy-lord, hh-aristocracy-nobility-royalty, hh-resist-cause-im-no-good-for-you, 2012-reads, 4-stars, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, friends-to-lovers, hero-alpha‎, hero-brooding, hero-celibate-virgin-virginesque, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, heroine-beautiful-bombshell, heroine-naïve-virgin-like-a-virgin, hh-post-traumatic-stress-disorder, hh-rags-to-riches, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, hh-sweet-nice-paired-vs-gruff-cynic, i-read-library, revenge-deception-secrets-lies, reunions-are-sweeter-second-chances, steam-3-hot, steam-2-warm, hero-gentleman, hh-riches-to-rags

4 stars – Historical/Victorian Romance

Not my favorite Lorraine Heath read...her terrific Scoundrels of St. James series still has the bar raised rather high for me...but a solid 4 star historical romance nonetheless. I’m looking forward to Tristan’s and Rafe’s stories.

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Feb 04, 2012 Beanbag Love rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a solid Lorraine Heath story. Angsty, romantic, poignant, and funny in some places. A great hero and a very likable heroine are hallmarks of my favorite Heath books and they're definitely here.

A couple of things keep this from being a five star. First, the villain is a crazy ass mofo. I get a little tired of the crazy greedy guy villain in historicals. Kind of two-dimensional and really overdone. I don't know what else could have been the motivation, but I'm definitely open to other poss...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Kelly22 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of battered heroes, healed by love.

Shelves: dukes, historical-romance, previous-ties, 2012-releases, 2012-historicals, alpha-hero, avengers-or-revenge-in-mind, beauty-and-the-beast, childhood-ties, cop-lawbody-army-bodygrd-hero, friends-to-lover, hero-bashful-starchy-silent, hero-celibate-virgin-less_practiced, hero-good-boy-gentleman, heroine-beautiful-pretty-covetted, hh-limp-bodily-or-mentally-imperfct, love-triangle, sweet-reunions-second-chances, tortured-hero, virgin-herione, beloved-favorites, brooding-dangerous-hero, family-moments, favorite-heroine, favorite-story, hero-accomplished-lover, powerful-secondaries, prim-proper-prudish-heroine, sadistic-villain, powerful-endings-epilogues, married-couples, marriage-betrothal-of-convenience, hottest-love-scenes-ever, favorite-series, hh-aristocrat-peer-royal-nobel

4.00 to 4.50 Stars - Historical/Victorian Romance.

Driven by their evil uncle’s intention of murder, Sebastian Easton, the Duke of Keswick was forced to run away along with his little brothers when he was just fourteen with the help of childhood friend Lady Mary Wynne-Jones. Twelve years later, he is back to reclaim his dukedom and his life after spending a horrendous time in battles under the Queen’s army. He encounters Mary, whom he remembers once saved his and his brothers’ lives. But Mary is...more 4.00 to 4.50 Stars - Historical/Victorian Romance.

Driven by their evil uncle’s intention of murder, Sebastian Easton, the Duke of Keswick was forced to run away along with his little brothers when he was just fourteen with the help of childhood friend Lady Mary Wynne-Jones. Twelve years later, he is back to reclaim his dukedom and his life after spending a horrendous time in battles under the Queen’s army. He encounters Mary, whom he remembers once saved his and his brothers’ lives. But Mary is now not only a stunning beauty and a lady of first order, but also betrothed to someone whom she seems to be quite fond of.

Mary always remembered and waited for Sebastian to show up. Not as a long lost lover but a friend she always cared about. But Sebastian has changed. He has become scarred and battered and seemed to hell-bent on taking revenge and seizing retribution. He has also become a man who watches her with such intensity that promises passion she never knew existed. He stirs the caring nature of a woman in her who knows no limit in taking care of the man she truly wants to protect. A man who is haunted by his past. A man who is ruled by his desire of revenge. A man whose actions and determination ensures her that she tempts him. She tempts the duke! When scandal strikes and society dictates, love may be the only justice in the path of retribution and salvation.

A very classically predictable and simple story written in a beautiful, extraordinary, Lorraine Heath-like manner, I LOVED this book. It was such a fresh breath of historical air in the romancelandia that it stands tall among many MANY other historicals that has been released this year. Powerful storyline, rich evocative essence of history, memorable larger-than-life characters and promise of exciting sequels in future, this book is definitely a keeper in its own kind. Though Lorraine Heath fans have definitely seen her better days, this book will easily fill up the top favorite shelves of many historical lovers and fans of scarred, tortured heroes healed and straightened by love.

Can't wait for Tristan (the evil twin!) and Rafe's stories, the next in the series!
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Jan 31, 2012 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, for_review, family_sibling_series

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5

They had become the stuff of legends – the lost lords of Pembrook.

Three brothers are all being held prisoner by their Uncle following their father’s mysterious death. The fourteen year old twins, Sebastian and Tristan, and ten year old Rafe are scared, hungry, cold and Sebastian is convinced that they’ll be killed if they don’t find a way to escape. When they hear a key in the door, he and Tristan are ready to attack, but Sebastian’s clo...more

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Apr 16, 2012 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, historical-romance

3 1/2 stars

It just didn't have the same impact on me as Heath's Waking Up with the Duke.

The plot line in this one was good but there was just something missing. I think perhaps I just didn't connect with the characters to the extent I would have liked.

The hero was tortured, but I never truly felt the depth of his emotions. I'm thinking it's because there is such a large amount of time that passes before the hero returns to seek vengeance. I needed to know more about that time, maybe? I don't k...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Marilyn Rondeau rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Once upon a time three young boys, imprisoned by an unscrupulous and mentally deranged uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to a faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright. Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title and connect with his two brother. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick—returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man—cannot forget the brave girl who once saved him and his brothers from...more Once upon a time three young boys, imprisoned by an unscrupulous and mentally deranged uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to a faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright. Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title and connect with his two brother. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick—returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man—cannot forget the brave girl who once saved him and his brothers from certain death.

Lady Mary Wynne-Jones never forgot her first love and first kiss from Sebastian, but after a severe punishment for that deed, and when Sebastian failed to return to a rendezvous they had planned, Mary thought him surely dead. Pressed forward by her father she was now betrothed. But when Sebastian and his brothers made their miraculous and ill-advised re-entry by swaggering into their Uncle’s ball, everyone was aghast and annoyed that the Easton brothers had been so outrageous in their un-gentlemanly behavior. However, Mary was delighted and puzzled seeing how the war Sebastian had fought in had ravaged his face and left an eye on the battlefield.  

*** I was thrilled with this entry by one of my many favorite authors. Ms. Heath always creates some of the most unforgettable characters, fleshing them out with superlative adroitness so that you can feel their seething emotions and motivations. In this opening yarn of the series Lords of Pembrook I was immediately seized with the danger and helplessness these young boys felt coming right after laying their father in the ground. It was something I felt down to my very soul as to how anyone could be so cruel to children who had just lost their loving father.   

Heath gives an emotional beginning and then follows through with niggling clues that what these three young Lords had suffered will, as the series progresses, pull at your heartstrings. I for one cannot wait. However, getting back to this first book SHE TEMPTS THE DUKE Heath gives us a real shock to see the eldest brother Sebastian who seems to have physically suffered the worst in his journey to come back and reclaim his title and life. Sebastian had gone to war, and on top of questioning himself for splitting up and leaving his brothers in order to stay safe, he has come back in bitterness after losing an eye and the ravage to his face - all caused by the depravity of his uncle! Additionally, the one person who had been his one true friend, Mary was now lost to him. Betrothed or not, how could he expect her to even be able to look at him, let alone love him as he once cared for her.   
SHE TEMPTS A DUKE is an absolutely stellar read, with betrayals and secrets, passion and emotional highs and lows. A true gem of an entry that looks to be a thrilling series! This should definitely be put on your must-read lists!
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Feb 20, 2012 Bukcrz rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Let me say first that hands down, Ms. Heath can write very well. Unfortunately, like in this story, she turns a character she first introduced as a feisty woman with a mind of her own, into a ninny when the battle is at its fiercest – when it matters.
In ‘She Tempts The Duke’, the story started great that I cannot put the book down. Imagine three ghosts crashing a usurper’s party. Man the work that would give those waggling tongues. I love my first glimpse of the hero – he did have great entrance...more Let me say first that hands down, Ms. Heath can write very well. Unfortunately, like in this story, she turns a character she first introduced as a feisty woman with a mind of her own, into a ninny when the battle is at its fiercest – when it matters.
In ‘She Tempts The Duke’, the story started great that I cannot put the book down. Imagine three ghosts crashing a usurper’s party. Man the work that would give those waggling tongues. I love my first glimpse of the hero – he did have great entrance worthy of any hero. Unfortunately, aside from the heroine’s heroic act on the story’s prologue, he came out lacking on the main story since no matter how much the author TOLD us how strong willed she is, she still has to conform to society. When she finally stood up it was too late to be heroic – to me because by then she is already ruined and has nothing else to lose.
When story got into the middle it became stale. (Was glad too since it’s about two in the morning) Suddenly the spirited heroine became a lamb lead here and there by her father and her betrothed – totally out of character! What’s more, the uncharacteristic actions made the story so drawn out that I finally sighed in relief when the story ended in a very predictable fashion.
The hero is another of Ms. Heath’s signature of tortured soul. I think Sebastian is a very flesh out character with his own fault and strength. Secondary characters are just as memorable.
Overall, this book will be a great read to first time reader for this author and die hard fans who loved the author’s style. But to me who read over five books from this author, the repetitive pattern of her plot development made the reading a bit, well tedious and predictable.
Why do I keep picking her up, you asked? The author can write and most of the time some twists in her story can still surprise me AND because my first pick authors do not write as fast as I wish. (Ahem…Ms. Singh, Ms. Laurenston-Aiken and Ms. Victoria Alexander)
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Feb 15, 2012 April rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

SHE TEMPTS THE DUKE Lorraine Heath is an amazing historical romance with a twist set in 1856 London. "She Tempts The Duke" is the first in the new and exciting "The Lost Lords Of Pembrook" Trilogy. Which is the story of three young lads(The Easton Lads)(Sebasian,the eighth Duke of Keswick,his twin Tristan,and the younger brother,Rafe)who escapes their murderous uncle,who wants that not their titles,land but thier lives,by way of the military,the sea and the streets of London. For years the lads...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Minesweeper rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, fiction

3.5/5

The book's premise was so interesting (three kids run away from their murderous uncle, determined to come back later and get their heritage back). I was giddy with anticipation about the scene in which the duke and his brothers show up again, especially because the heroine was strong and useful up until this point without being annoying. The scene was as awesome as I was hoping I would be ...

... and then went bland from there. It wasn't that it was bad, exactly, but it was just about what y...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, non-erotic, suspense-mystery

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Lorraine Heath's, She Tempts the Duke is a remarkable tale of a young friendship that stands the test of time and circumstance and transforms into a riveting love story. I was unable to put this book down until I had read the last page, it had a tortured hero, a tenacious and loyal heroine and an incredible love story that captivated me.

Ms. Heath’s prologue to this story sets up the premise of this book beautifully while hooking her...more Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Lorraine Heath's, She Tempts the Duke is a remarkable tale of a young friendship that stands the test of time and circumstance and transforms into a riveting love story. I was unable to put this book down until I had read the last page, it had a tortured hero, a tenacious and loyal heroine and an incredible love story that captivated me.

Ms. Heath’s prologue to this story sets up the premise of this book beautifully while hooking her readers in right of way. We are introduced to the three lords of Pembrook during their escape for their lives, with the help of courageous twelve-year-old Mary Wynne-Jones, their neighbor. Skip ahead a dozen years and the boys are now grown up and have returned to reclaim their birthright -- more specifically, Sebastian and the title of Duke of Keswick -- and to get retribution from the uncle who wanted them dead so he could claim the title.

Sebastian Easton has returned to London to claim his birthright as the Duke of Keswick, however he has not returned as a civilized gentleman. He has been to war and has the scars both physically and emotionally to show for it. Sebastian has lost his left eye and the left side of his face is scarred and mutilated. Sebastian believes that no woman could love him, but he must find a wife and produce an heir. He did not anticipate his feelings of lust for his childhood friend Mary who is engaged to another man. Mary has grown up and become a very beautiful woman and a temptation Sebastian is finding harder and harder to resist.

Lady Mary Wynne-Jones is a character with courage, strength and grace. We are first introduced to Mary as a brave girl of twelve who rescues the Easton brothers from the tower where they are being kept. She manages to free the lords of Pembrook and they escort her home and then flee into the night. Mary has not forgotten the three boys she rescued that fateful night and fears they have died after not receiving word from any of them in the years since that fateful night.

While attending the ball being given by the treacherous uncle of the boys she saved, everything changes; the Lords of Pembrook crash the party. Mary is shocked by their return, and hurt that they did send her word of their survival. Mary is engaged to be married; however, with the return of Sebastian into her life she begins to question her choice of husband and what her feelings toward Sebastian mean.

Lorraine Heath has created a beautiful, romantic tale of two people who have survived years of being apart physically but were always in each other’s hearts as childhood friends. After being reunited, Mary and Sebastian discover that their friendship has changed into something so much greater. The two fated lovers each take a journey of self discovery in this scintillating story to learn what they want from one another and what that means to their budding relationship.

She Tempts the Duke is very well written, using the point of view of both the hero and the heroine. The story flowed well and kept me interested and anticipating the next event.

I was very impressed with how Ms. Heath created a regency novel that isn’t bogged down with constant references to the “Ton”, but uses its existence to bring her characters together with its infernal societal rules. The dialogue was well written and realistic giving each character a distinctive voice in the story. The main characters were well rounded individuals that made me sense their emotions and struggles throughout the unfolding events. Ms. Heath also gave her readers insight into the secondary characters, specifically Sebastian’s brothers, Tristan and Rafe, giving her readers a little foreshadowing into their stories. Overall this was a great Regency romance complete with treachery, intrigue and a climactic ending.

I am a discriminating regency romance reader, depending on the story and the author’s writing style; I either hate or love them and I loved this one and intend to go looking for more by Ms. Heath. I also eagerly await Rafe’s and Tristan’s stories.

If you enjoy regency romances that are well written and have characters that will pull at your heartstrings, run out and get She Tempts the Duke, you will fall in love with the Lords of Pembrook and their struggles to return to “Polite Society”.

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Jan 14, 2012 Addictive rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book 1 in the Lost Lords of Pemberly trilogy by Lorraine Heath promises to be a delight. When I found out Heath was coming out with a new book, I could not wait to read it, and then I found out it was going to be a series/trilogy! Well, after finishing London’s greatest Lovers series I knew I was in for a treat with She Tempts the Duke, and what a treat! I love any rendition of the classic fairy tale The Beauty and the Beast
It seems there are three heirs to a dukedom after their father has a m...more Book 1 in the Lost Lords of Pemberly trilogy by Lorraine Heath promises to be a delight. When I found out Heath was coming out with a new book, I could not wait to read it, and then I found out it was going to be a series/trilogy! Well, after finishing London’s greatest Lovers series I knew I was in for a treat with She Tempts the Duke, and what a treat! I love any rendition of the classic fairy tale The Beauty and the Beast
It seems there are three heirs to a dukedom after their father has a mysterious accident and dies. Left in their Uncle’s care, they are quickly sent to the dungeon on some false charges trumped up by their new guardian and their Uncle David is set to inherit everything. With everyone of their friends turned against them and their judgment day looming, it seems they will not be able to avenge their father’s murder; but they did not plan on one willful, besotted twelve year old girl who believed in their innocence enough to rescue them and help them escape the country before their Uncle could lay hands on them again.
After being confined to a nunnery for helping her friends all those years ago, Lady Mary Wynne-Jones finds she is past the marriagble age to find a decent match. While not terribly sad about that fact, she is quite put out. After all, the love of her life was reported dead some time ago; she has resigned herself to the fact that her young friend Sebastian Easton might just be dead after she helped rescue him and his two brothers from their unscrupulous Uncle. When her aunt schemes to match her with a handsome lord, she doesn’t blink twice. After all he is respectful to her and her friends, and his kisses are quite nice. But when Sebastian waltzes back into her life to claim his rightful inheritance, she is caught between two men who would do anything for her.
Sebastian and his brothers Tristan and Rafe have come home to condemn the man who killed their father and claim what is rightfully theirs. And after publicly humiliating their Uncle in a crowded ballroom, Sebastian should feel satisfaction, but years at war in the Crimea, his once handsome face now scarred, and Mary engaged finds him in a rather hellacious and black mood.
But after one kiss in the dark recesses of a garden Sebastian and Mary both know they are meant for each other. The trouble is can they find whoever is trying to kill the returning brothers before they can rediscover what they had lost?
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Jan 07, 2013 Mey Buentipo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Well, what can I say? I went to 5, 4 and finally ending at 3.5 stars. The first book of the Lost Lords of Pembrook.It started interesting, which sense of adventure and mystery. The childhood friends appealed to me because I recently read A Rogue by any Other Name, which I loved. The first parts of story got well and dramatic. Especially the coming back of the brothers. Although, as the second part of the story the realization of both them want to be with each other got very annoying. The heroine...more

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Nov 29, 2012 Teresa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dangerous-heroes-challange, dangerous-heroes-challenge, england, historical, london, romance-england, romance-historical, romance-historical-england, romance-historical-london, romance-london, steaminess-1, tortured-hero, h-h-with-disfigurment

Out of 5 star:
Overall:3
Romance: 3
Sensuality:1
Sex:1
Hero: 3
Heroine:3
Secondary Characters: 4
Likely hood of reading the rest of the series: 3.5

It was an alright read. First let me just say that in general I am a sucker for a tortured hero in historical romances but this story just fell short. Both the hero and heroine felt like your typical cookie cutter characters. There was nothing interesting or endearing about them. From their internal dialog to their interactions it was just blah. Same old same...more Out of 5 star:
Overall:3
Romance: 3
Sensuality:1
Sex:1
Hero: 3
Heroine:3
Secondary Characters: 4
Likely hood of reading the rest of the series: 3.5

It was an alright read. First let me just say that in general I am a sucker for a tortured hero in historical romances but this story just fell short. Both the hero and heroine felt like your typical cookie cutter characters. There was nothing interesting or endearing about them. From their internal dialog to their interactions it was just blah. Same old same old.

Sebastian had one hell of a hard road after his father was killed by his crazy uncle and he and his brothers had to flee to survive. I totally felt for him especially for the guilt he felt over having to separate him and his brothers. He was just flat as a character. Heath didn't really go much into how he felt at the time leaving them or how it was truly affecting him in the present besides that he was angry and driven to revenge. I just felt that I need there to be more to him to the story between him and his brothers. Plus I needed to feel the development of his feelings for Mary more then I did.

Mary was your quintessential romance novel heroine. There was absolutely nothing interesting or different about her. From her physical gestures and emotional development to her personality just the same stuff I've read any number of times. I think the thing that irritated me the most was with Mary was that all the characters kept talking about how strong, stubborn, and wild she was in here youth and then in the present she is wish washy about everything. Heath had her taking shit from everyone and not standing her ground about things that if she was such a strong stubborn woman she would have never gone along with and there was absolutely nothing wild about her. She thought everything through to an annoying degree and was just I don't know not WILD!

I just thought that Ms. Heath missed the boat on this one. Though I will most likely be checking out the other two books in this series. I think that Tristan has the potential to be an awesome character. He just seems like he would be a fun to read about. And Rafe OMG! does he intrigue me. We know damn near nothing about him and I can't help myself I really need to know his story!

All in All
If your looking for a simple read and aren't expecting anything exciting, interesting, or different then pick this book up.(less)

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Mar 14, 2013 Kathie (katmom) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this! Lorraine Heath has done it again. And it tickles me that this one was published on my birthday, last year! Happy Birthday to me!

This is the first in "The Lost Lords of Pembook" series. And what a start it is.

We begin with three boys, who have just lost their father. They've been locked in the tower and the eldest, Sebastian, the new Duke of Pembrook, coming to the conclusion that he, his twin Tristan and their younger brother Rafe are going to be killed. He suspects that his father...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Alex rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance

At First Sight: Following the sudden death of their dotting father, who happened to be the Duke of Keswick, the Easton brothers - Sebastian, Tristan and Rafe - find themselves prisoners in their own state, Pembrook, at the mercy of their uncle and sure they are about to be murdered.

They are rescued by Sebastian's best friend, Lady Mary, but the reprieve is short lived as the boys aren't sure who to trust and Sebastian decides they need to split up and return when they are older and stronger and...more At First Sight: Following the sudden death of their dotting father, who happened to be the Duke of Keswick, the Easton brothers - Sebastian, Tristan and Rafe - find themselves prisoners in their own state, Pembrook, at the mercy of their uncle and sure they are about to be murdered.

They are rescued by Sebastian's best friend, Lady Mary, but the reprieve is short lived as the boys aren't sure who to trust and Sebastian decides they need to split up and return when they are older and stronger and able to take on their uncle, and the boys reluctantly split up, promising they'll return in 10 years to claim whats theirs.

For Sebastian - the oldest and rightful Duke - returning to Pembrook has been the obsession that has kept him going through the horrors of war in Crimea and helped him survive wounds that took almost half his face. Upon returning though, he realizes that things will never be easy.

His brothers are loyal to him, but their lives haven't been easy and part of them does resent Sebastian for the decision he made, he has few allies among his peers and his Uncle might still be out to kill him.

For her part, Mary paid dearly for helping the boys, but has finally managed to get her life back on track and is getting ready to marry a young viscount. She's also one of the few people who welcomes the Easton Brothers back, and she will do anything she can to help them out, even if it goes against the wishes of her father and her fiancé.

For her hear has always belonged to Sebastian - at least, to the boy she once knew...

Second Glance: I had very high expectations for She Tempts The Duke. I have read a few books by Lorraine Heath before and I have quite loved them. Ms. Heath has an uncanny talent to make me cry with her stories and I sort of expected that from this book.

However, I think the emotional punch of the story was a bit lost among the set up for the series. I managed to connect with Mary, to like her and feel for her, but the guys - particularly Sebastian - didn't have the same effect on me.

Rafe and Tristan are still a bit of a mystery and I'm waiting for their books to make a decision on them, but I didn't like Sebastian all that much. I grew tired of his inner monologue about how he didn't have a choice but to leave his brothers behind, and no he doesn't think he did anything wrong and he isn't good for Mary. He said it OVER AND OVER AND OVER. He even used the same words.

Bottom Line: Aside from the fact that I think the book went around in circles quite a bit, it wasn't bad. The story was decent and I liked some characters. I just had trouble with Sebastian, but I'm still planning on reading at least the next book of the series. (less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Malin rated it 3 of 5 stars

When Sebastian Easton was fourteen, he, his twin and their younger brother were locked in a tower by their evil uncle shortly after their father, the Duke of Keswick's, funeral. They're planning their escape when rescued by Lady Mary Wynne-Jones, Sebastian's best friend and daughter of the neighbouring Earl. She overheard their uncle ordering them killed, and knocks out a guard to unlock the tower. The boys thank her, and promise to return in ten years to reclaim their heritage.

It takes twelve y...more When Sebastian Easton was fourteen, he, his twin and their younger brother were locked in a tower by their evil uncle shortly after their father, the Duke of Keswick's, funeral. They're planning their escape when rescued by Lady Mary Wynne-Jones, Sebastian's best friend and daughter of the neighbouring Earl. She overheard their uncle ordering them killed, and knocks out a guard to unlock the tower. The boys thank her, and promise to return in ten years to reclaim their heritage.

It takes twelve years, and they've been missing so long that their uncle is petitioning Parliament to have them declared dead, so he can claim the ducal title, when the three brothers make quite a dramatic entrance during one of their uncle's balls. Sebastian's been a soldier, and has horrible facial scars (and an eye patch!) after the Crimean war. His twin, Tristan, is now a successful captain, and their younger brother Rafe owns a gambling establishment in London. Their return naturally causes quite a stir, but no one is happier to see them than Lady Mary, who was sent to a convent after their disappearance (because her father wanted her out of trouble). She's determined to do whatever she can to help them back into society, heedless of the dangers to her reputation and what it may do to her engagement.

It's obvious that Mary loves Sebastian and has never forgotten him. He, of course, is scarred both physically and emotionally, and refuses to acknowledge that he may love her too, and keeps trying to push her away, even as she defies popular convention to assist him. Can the lost Lords of Pembrook prove their uncle tried to steal their inheritance, and get their revenge? Can Mary make Sebastian love her, and accept that she doesn't find him repulsive despite his scars?

While I really did like Mary, and especially the depiction of her relationship with her cousin and aunt (who is awesome and clearly wants Mary happy no matter what scandals it may lead to), and I liked Sebastian's relationship with his brothers a lot, the main romance in this book left a lot to be desired. Sebastian is just too caught up in his broodiness and conviction that his facial scarring makes him repulsive to everyone else. He keeps comparing himself to Tristan, who's obviously still very handsome, and it gets old really fast. While it's obvious that Mary's first fiancee is wrong for her, I'm not sure she was better off with "oh woe is me" Sebastian either. He does of course change his mind in the end, but still seems like a bit of a gloomy stick in the mud. I'm much more looking forward to Tristan and Rafe's romances, they both seem more promising.(less)

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Feb 06, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, review, read-in-2012

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/02/03/...

Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: NetGalley

I’m a big fan of Heath, and when her newest book in her newest series was announced, I couldn’t wait to read it. I’ve always loved Heath’s voice and am glad to announce that she has another winner with this release.

Sebastian is the true heir to the Dukedom of Keswick, but he and his younger brothers ran away as children to escape the greedy uncle that wanted t...more Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/02/03/...

Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: NetGalley

I’m a big fan of Heath, and when her newest book in her newest series was announced, I couldn’t wait to read it. I’ve always loved Heath’s voice and am glad to announce that she has another winner with this release.

Sebastian is the true heir to the Dukedom of Keswick, but he and his younger brothers ran away as children to escape the greedy uncle that wanted them dead. Now that Sebastian and his brothers are older, they are back to claim what is truly theirs, whatever the cost. But they never realized that one of their biggest obstacles would be dealing with the people of the ton. Lucky for them, their childhood friend Mary is still willing to do everything to protect them.

Mary helped Sebastian and his brothers escape from their uncle as children. Now that they are back, she wants to be able to catch up on their friendship and protect them from the rumors around the ton, but Mary’s fiance doesn’t want her to help because of the intense attraction between her and Sebastian. With an attempt on Sebastian’s life, Mary nurses him back to health, regardless of the fact that it leaves her at the center of a scandal, one that includes the one man she always knew she could love.

One of the things I love the most about historical romances is that sometimes the couples get married before they love (or even like) each other. They have time to get to know one another while forced to spend day in and day out together. While Mary and Sebastian had a chance to form a friendship, I loved the moments they spent together after they were married, learning to live with each other, support each other, and fall in love.

I adored Mary and Sebastian right away, and watching them dance around each other provided for such an sweet and endearing read. The tension between those two was off the charts, and each time Mary went back to her fiance I wanted to bop her up-side the head and scream at her for making such a stupid decision. It was obvious from the moment Sebastian walked in the door as an adult that these two would be explosive together.

I am also so excited for the other books in this series because of the wonderful way that Heath portrayed the relationship between Sebastian and his brothers. I loved how different their lives were, the struggles they had to endure to survive. I can’t wait to see how Heath gives them each their HEA, especially since their back stories are still a little bit of a mystery. I just hope that we will get to see them develop more of a friendship with one another, that we will get to see them become even better friends then they’ve already become.

For regency historical romance fans Heath is a wonderful author to pick up. Her books continue to be wonderful. They have a little bit of mystery, a lot of fun wonderful moments as the main characters fall in love, and even quite a few sexy times between the hero and heroine. I can’t recommend her books fast enough to fans of the genre!

All in all I really enjoyed this book. While the mystery subplot was easy to unravel, it was still very enjoyable to read. The romance between Mary and Sebastian was the perfect mixture of sexy and innocent, fun and frustrating and an all around pleasure to read. I’m anxiously awaiting the next in the series.
I give She Tempts the Duke a B+(less)

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Feb 01, 2012 Lady Wesley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wanted to love the book, but it just didn't grab me.

What I Liked

Sebastian is a compelling tortured hero, so scarred in the Battle of Balaclava that he considers himself a monster. We get glimpses of his two colorful brothers (thus setting up the next two books), and they have their own demons. The opening scene, in which the three of them burst, pistols drawn, into a ball being given by their uncle, is quite exciting.

Bill Graves, from the Scoundrels of St. James series, and the Duke of Ainsle...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Rowena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review

It's been a while since I've read a historical but I'm glad that I picked this one up. I haven't been in the mood for a historical but this one ended up to be a real treat. Not that it surprised me that this book ended up being a treat because duh, this is a Lorraine Heath and she introduced me to some of my favorite brothers not too long ago.

This book started with a big bang! I mean, three young boys trapped in a tower after their Dad dies by their mean Uncle? Oh yeah and then a fair maiden co...more It's been a while since I've read a historical but I'm glad that I picked this one up. I haven't been in the mood for a historical but this one ended up to be a real treat. Not that it surprised me that this book ended up being a treat because duh, this is a Lorraine Heath and she introduced me to some of my favorite brothers not too long ago.

This book started with a big bang! I mean, three young boys trapped in a tower after their Dad dies by their mean Uncle? Oh yeah and then a fair maiden comes plowing in to rescue them? Yeah, this is what romances are supposed to be made of. Lorraine Heath always does a bang up job of making me come to care for her characters. She has a way of explaining things that makes me all happy and gooey inside from too much sighing all over the hot damn place. This book was no different.

There are three Easton boys and this is the oldest Easton boys book. His name is Sebastian and he's the heir to the family Dukedom. It was his livelihood that his uncle wanted to steal from him and it was his father that his uncle killed. Being only twelve years old when his uncle killed his dad, there wasn't much that he could do to keep the title and the lands, or protect his brothers. So when his best friend, Mary Wynne-Jones came barreling and released the Easton brothers from the tower and it sets them all free.

It's been twelve years since that dark night and Mary has missed Sebastian so much since he left. They were close childhood friends and she cared for him, she wasn't counting on caring so much about him now that he's back. She's engaged now to a man that is good and solid and she's getting married soon but when Sebastian blows back into town, she can't help but drawn to him. Over and over again.

She's worried about Sebastian and his brothers because she knows about what his Uncle tried to do them when they were little boys and she knows those boys like they were her own brothers and above all else, she cares about them. But most of all, she cares about Sebastian. Only Sebastian isn't the boy she once knew. He's not the same boy that she used to run wild with over the forests when they were kids. He's a hard man, a serious man with scars both inside and out but try as she might. she can't help but worry about him.

It was a real treat seeing Sebastian and Mary get reacquainted with each other. Time and distance had taken the two of them in different directions and seeing each other now makes them both feel, different.

When they parted as children, they were friends. Sebastian doesn't see Mary as a friend anymore. He sees her as a woman but isn't fooled by what she sees when she looks at him. He's got the wounds and the battle scars to prove what he's been through. He knows that he's not the same good looking chap she knew when they were younger and his emotional reaction to his looks was different in the heroes that I've read in a while.

Sebastian didn't have a prayer of loving anyone if he couldn't love himself and he didn't love himself. He had too much duty and guilt and grief over the way that his life turned out. Guilt at leaving his brothers when they needed him the most, grief over losing his home, his family and his heritage on the same day that he lost his father. All things that made him grow up much too soon then he was ready. Seeing Mary come back into his life and seeing them grow closer and closer together made for an enjoyable tale of two friends finding love after losing so much.

Heath did another fabulous job of sweeping me into the lives of her characters. I thought this book was too cute for words and I'm glad to have read it. I think fans of her stories will find this book delightful and sweet, the romance was steamy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I definitely recommend this to lovers of historical romance.(less)

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Dec 12, 2012 Arshia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read "Deck the Halls With Love" for a review and after reading that story I knew I had to pick up the rest of the books. A crazy, power hungry uncle wants to kill his nephews to get a Dukedom. A young Mary saves the lives of the three brothers and hopes to see them again when they run away. However years have passed and there is no word, when the boys do return they have grown up into very harsh men. Sebastian, the eldest, has suffered physically and emotionally and now all he wants is his bir...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Christine rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lorraine Heath is a good writer. I will not fault her stories. What annoys the ever loving crap out of me is how authors like her (and there are others) have perfected the art of R-E-P-I-T-I-T-I-O-N. Ms. Heath always has interesting characters BUTshe manages to drag out one or two plot points to interminable ends until I end up wishing she'd hurry the fuck up already. This affectation in her writing has become so tedious that after some re-think I see that all he series have the same style but s...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Denise rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: preordered-kindle, angst, childhood-abandonment-abuse, damaged-scarred_hero, madness-mental-imperfection, strong-secondary-characters

It looks like it's going to be another great series by Lorraine Heath.
The story was a bit dark and also a bit predictable, but still a great read, bonus points if you love scarred and tormented hero's. Of the 3 brothers that this series will revolve around, Sebastian, the hero for this book, is scarred by far the worst.
The heroine in this story, Mary, was his childhood friend and she had saved the 3 brothers from certain death by their uncles hands. They felt they had no choice but to separ...more

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May 28, 2012 Regina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved the beginning. It was original and exciting how the three brothers claimed their inheritance together after a twelve-year absence. The reaction was volatile and realistic and portrayed the eldest son, Sebastian, as very human. However, he was obsessed with his family estate, which distracted him from forming a romantic relationship with Mary until later in the book. I was more interested in the brothers' stories and what happened to them during their separation. However, I have to wait u...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Babyfishmouth rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, kindle

I love Lorraine Heath but this book just didn't grab me liked I hoped it would.

The premise reminded me a lot of her western historical Texas Destiny in that a facially scarred, eye patch wearing hero who thinks he's unworthy of love falls in love with a sweet and loyal woman who is betrothed to another while a one dimensional villain tries to ruin their happiness. Texas Glory was fabulous because the angst, tension and conflict was superbly done.

She Tempts the Duke didn't have that same combina...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Jo (My House of Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Sebastian Easton has returned to London to reclaim his title as Duke of Keswick from his power-hungry uncle who may have murdered his father and threatened the lives of him and his younger brothers. (Whew!) As complicated as that description is, the plot is relatively simple: regaining what was lost.

Thanks to a tip from his childhood friend Mary, Sebastian and his brothers are able to escape their uncle. All the boys are scarred in part to their respective upbringings, but as young men, only Se...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, historical-romance

When his father died, 14 year-old Sebastian was next in line to become the Duke of Keswick. But his power-hungry uncle locked him and his brothers away in the tower, with plans to kill them. He would have succeeded, if young Mary had not overheard his plans and set her young friends free. The boys ran for their lives. Now, more than a decade later, they are back --and ready to reclaim the birthright their uncle thought to steal.

Sebastian spent much of his time away as a soldier and is now horrib...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: aaangst, period-romance, reunited-lovers, romance

This is possibly the most ahistorical romance novel I've ever read. Even though set in Victorian times, the heroine gets sent to a Convent (in England! Which takes a Protestant young woman!) for a decade, and the hero and his brothers get sent to a tower by their evil uncle. This would work if the book was set in the 1200s, but it's not. If you can overlook this little bit of WTF, it's actually a decent read, about a hero who returns to claim his birthright from his murdering uncle - hero is sca...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not sure words can do justice as to how much I loved this book!! It started out with a bang and never let up. As the 3 Pembrook Lords return to London.. we find that they are all scarred.. emotionally and physically. Sebastian is the most scarred of all. Through it all Lady Mary is there for all three of them, but especially Sebastian. The book has loads of action, intrigue, romance and redemption!

I love "Beauty and the Beast" themes and this is a perfect take on that story line. I love stro...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Dabney rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The beautiful and unexpectedly brainy — in the early 1940’s, she designed and patented a sophisticated weapons system, technology is still in use today - actress Hedy Lamarr once said, “I can excuse everything but boredom.” Ms. Lamarr would not have excused Ms. Heath’s latest, the dull She Tempts the Duke. The novel, the first of a series of books entitled The Lost Lords of Pembrook , introduces three brothers who reappear in society after being “lost” for twelve years. Lord, I wish they’d staye...more The beautiful and unexpectedly brainy — in the early 1940’s, she designed and patented a sophisticated weapons system, technology is still in use today - actress Hedy Lamarr once said, “I can excuse everything but boredom.” Ms. Lamarr would not have excused Ms. Heath’s latest, the dull She Tempts the Duke. The novel, the first of a series of books entitled The Lost Lords of Pembrook , introduces three brothers who reappear in society after being “lost” for twelve years. Lord, I wish they’d stayed lost.

As the book begins, fourteen year-old Sebastian Easton is imprisoned in a tower with his two brothers: his twin Tristan and their younger sibling Rafe. They’ve been locked away by their homicidal uncle, Lord David, who Sebastian is sure has just killed the boys’ father and plans next to murder the three lads so he, Lord David, may become the eighth duke of Keswick. Sebastian believes — and this is the tale’s opening line - “Tonight was the night they would die.” Instead, they are rescued by the girl next door, Sebastian’s best friend, Lady Mary Wynne-Jones, in an entirely improbable scene. Mary pleads with Sebastian to seek safety in her father’s home but he, sure nowhere is safe from his uncle’s machinations, tell her he and his brothers must flee. He promises he’ll return when he’s grown, determined even as a lad to reclaim his title and his estate Pembrook.

Twelve years pass and Sebastian and his brothers remain lost — no one has seen or heard of them since the night the three vanished. Mary has spent almost all that time caged in a convent — her father’s punishment for the “mischief” she caused by helping her friends escape — but has finally been allowed to return to society. The first ball she attends is hosted by the ambitious Lord David and his insipid wife. Lord David has petitioned the Court of the Chancery to grant him the official title of Duke of Keswick — his absent nephews have all reached their majorities and thus he may have them declared dead - and his wife is throwing this fete in anticipatory glee. Suddenly, the steward who’s been proclaiming the names of the nobility as they arrive, announces “His Grace, the Duke of Keswick,” “Lord Tristan Easton,” and “Lord Rafe Easton.” Mary, with rest of the chattering, dancing ton, is staggered to see, standing on the landing, “Three towering men with unfashionably long hair as black as midnight.” The legendary lost lords are back.

They have not, however, returned unscathed. Sebastian, who spent the interim years as a soldier, is brutally scared and missing an eye. He is a hard man, consumed with vengeance (he wants to obliterate his uncle) and fixated on regaining Pembrook and his birthright. The rest of the ton shuns the brothers, but Mary stalwartly defends the three and seeks out Sebastian’s company. Her behavior earns her the ire of her friends and family, and ultimately causes her fickle fiancé to jilt her. Sebastian, feeling responsible for her now precarious social standing, insists they marry. She, despite his assertion he has no heart left to give, accedes to his will. She thinks, “She knew his childish heart had belonged to her. She refused to believe that she couldn’t possess his adult heart as well.”.....

This is a partial review. To read the entire review, please visit All About Romance.

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Dec 31, 2012 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-reads

More than a 3-star, but not quite 4.

I liked the premise of this book (three boys who escape their murderous uncle with the help of a neighbor girl come back to exact revenge), how Heath set this book in and around Victorian London, included many historical bits, and the writing style was enjoyable. I liked this one enough that I want to read the next two books. I hadn't read any Lorraine Heath before, so it was a decent introduction.

What I found lacking was the resolution of the "murderous uncle...more

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She Tempts the Duke (The Lost Lords of Pembrook #1)

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