The Duke of Ice
The Untouchables #7
By Darcy Burke
Releasing December 26th, 2017
Self-Published
In The Duke of Ice (The Untouchables #7) by Darcy Burke, Nicholas Bateman never wants to marry again, not when he seems to lose those he loves. But when he comes face-to-face with his first love -- the woman that ended up marrying a viscount instead -- Nicholas decides that his self-imposed solitude can't go on. Will he give Lady Violet Pendleton another chance, or will they lose their second chance at forever after because of Nicholas's fear of losing those he loves?
I am a huge fan of Ms. Burke's contemporary romances, but this is the first of her Historical romances that I have read, and I've got to say that this story was absolutely enthralling, fast-paced and was a total page turner because of the hero and the reason for him being known as The Duke of Ice. Really, he comes off as cold and aloof in the beginning, but definitely thaws throughout this story, as he interacts with Violet and the secondary characters. The way this story started drew me in immediately, as I loved Nick's good friend Simon; a man that has been through so much, and yet, still wants to find happiness again despite the way people talk about him. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time that this story became very interesting, as Violet is determined to make things right between them, but Nicholas isn't about to make things easy for her. How long will it take for the hero to warm up to the heroine?
As for the dialogue, it was well-written, compelling and intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero as everything that's happened in his life has made him a man that no longer forms emotional attachments. However, in saying that, I loved the tight friendship he shares with Simon, the Duke of Romsey; and that Simon can manage to coax Nicholas out of his self-imposed solitude. Moreover, the hero has been through so much in his life and I could understand why he's The Duke of Ice because losing loved ones is hard to handle and sometimes it's easier to be alone. Yet, I liked how the hero goes from The Duke of Ice to seeing that life is worth living again and that second chances are possible, if he's willing to take the risk. Will Nicholas realize that being with Violet is better than being without?
While the heroine, she's been through a lot too, and I could understand why her relationship with her parents is so strained after what they did that saw her marry a horrible man. Furthermore, Violet is resilient and courageous in the way she approaches Nicholas and handles everything he throws at her, as he does his best to remain cold and aloof to her persistence to make things right between them. I also liked how kind and caring Violet was and that she would do anything for those she counts as friends, which is proven by what she does for Nicholas's friend Simon; a man that is shunned by society because of what they believe he did to someone he loved.
Overall, Ms. Burke has delivered a superb and worthwhile read in this book where the chemistry between Nicholas and Violet was off-the-charts and had me wondering when things would heat up between them; the romance was wonderful and convincing and had me hoping for the best for this couple; and the ending had me worried for one of the main characters, but had me liking how things worked out between the hero and heroine because no one deserves a chance at forever after more than Nicholas and Violet after everything they've been through. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, as miracles do happen and I liked that Nicholas has found happiness after so much loss. I would recommend The Duke of Ice by Darcy Burke, if you enjoy Historical Romance, second chance romances, or books by authors Anna Campbell, Christi Caldwell, Jess Michaels and Eva Devon.
I am a huge fan of Ms. Burke's contemporary romances, but this is the first of her Historical romances that I have read, and I've got to say that this story was absolutely enthralling, fast-paced and was a total page turner because of the hero and the reason for him being known as The Duke of Ice. Really, he comes off as cold and aloof in the beginning, but definitely thaws throughout this story, as he interacts with Violet and the secondary characters. The way this story started drew me in immediately, as I loved Nick's good friend Simon; a man that has been through so much, and yet, still wants to find happiness again despite the way people talk about him. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time that this story became very interesting, as Violet is determined to make things right between them, but Nicholas isn't about to make things easy for her. How long will it take for the hero to warm up to the heroine?
As for the dialogue, it was well-written, compelling and intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero as everything that's happened in his life has made him a man that no longer forms emotional attachments. However, in saying that, I loved the tight friendship he shares with Simon, the Duke of Romsey; and that Simon can manage to coax Nicholas out of his self-imposed solitude. Moreover, the hero has been through so much in his life and I could understand why he's The Duke of Ice because losing loved ones is hard to handle and sometimes it's easier to be alone. Yet, I liked how the hero goes from The Duke of Ice to seeing that life is worth living again and that second chances are possible, if he's willing to take the risk. Will Nicholas realize that being with Violet is better than being without?
While the heroine, she's been through a lot too, and I could understand why her relationship with her parents is so strained after what they did that saw her marry a horrible man. Furthermore, Violet is resilient and courageous in the way she approaches Nicholas and handles everything he throws at her, as he does his best to remain cold and aloof to her persistence to make things right between them. I also liked how kind and caring Violet was and that she would do anything for those she counts as friends, which is proven by what she does for Nicholas's friend Simon; a man that is shunned by society because of what they believe he did to someone he loved.
Overall, Ms. Burke has delivered a superb and worthwhile read in this book where the chemistry between Nicholas and Violet was off-the-charts and had me wondering when things would heat up between them; the romance was wonderful and convincing and had me hoping for the best for this couple; and the ending had me worried for one of the main characters, but had me liking how things worked out between the hero and heroine because no one deserves a chance at forever after more than Nicholas and Violet after everything they've been through. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, as miracles do happen and I liked that Nicholas has found happiness after so much loss. I would recommend The Duke of Ice by Darcy Burke, if you enjoy Historical Romance, second chance romances, or books by authors Anna Campbell, Christi Caldwell, Jess Michaels and Eva Devon.
Everyone Nicholas Bateman ever loved has died. Except Violet Caulfield, which must mean he never loved her. Eight years after she threw him over to marry a viscount, Nick is a widowed duke who prefers isolation. When a friend convinces him to leave his lair of self-imposed solitude, he considers taking another wife, provided she agrees to his terms: no emotional attachment of any kind.
Now widowed, Lady Violet Pendleton hopes for a second chance with the man she’s always loved. But she isn’t prepared for the desolation in his soul or the animosity he still bears toward her. Despite those obstacles, it’s clear their passion hasn’t dimmed. However, the heat between them isn’t enough to melt the Duke of Ice, and this time Violet may find herself the jilted party. Can love, once so tragically lost, finally be found?
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“Looks like it’s you and Lady Pendleton,” Simon said. His voice carried a hint of something.
Nick snapped his head toward his friend and detected the glimmer of a smile in his gaze. He was enjoying this. He was playing matchmaker. And he had his sights set on Nick and Violet. Bloody hell.
Nick wanted to be angry, but his pull toward Violet was too strong. He’d felt it last night and again today when Simon had asked if it would be odd for him to pursue her. Nick had been jealous. Shockingly, blood-boilingly, desperately jealous.
The realization shook him to the core.
“Who’s to be the crier?” Simon asked.
“Why not Mr. Adair since he won Kiss the Nun?” Seaver suggested.
With everyone in agreement, Violet and Nick moved to the center of the room.
“Is this awkward?” she whispered.
“No.” His pulse quickened. Should he kiss her or should he fail?
His mind screamed the latter. And really, that was for the best. Jealousy aside, he and Violet had no future, not when their past was so painful.
And yet when they knelt with their backs to each other, he caught her scent of rose and an earthy spice. It was wholly feminine yet slightly wild. He hadn’t smelled a rose in the past eight years without thinking of her. His body reacted, heating at her proximity.
“Make ready,” Adair said.
Nick looked over his right shoulder and felt the air move as she looked over her left.
“Present.”
Nick leaned close to her cheek. He could feel her warmth, and his skin tingled.
“Fire.”
He moved closer, but she sprang up. Instinctively, he reached for her, his arm curling about her waist. He pulled her back down. To stop her from hitting the floor, he spun to his back and sprawled, bringing her down on top of him. He cupped the side of her face and kissed her, his lips sliding over hers for a brief but delicious moment.
“The cheek,” she murmured, her gaze locked with his.
He leaned up and brushed his mouth against the soft flesh of her cheek. His lips lingered perhaps a second too long, but he didn’t care. Desire coursed through him, and for the first time in years, he felt alive.
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The Forbidden Duke (The Untouchables Book 1)
Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her reader club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit.
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