Release Day Review of The Duke (Devil's Duke, #3) by Katharine Ashe

Title: The Duke: A Devil's Duke Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Devil's Duke (Book 3)
Format: Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 26, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062641727
ISBN-13: 978-0062641724
Author's Website: http://katharineashe.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Once upon a time there was a young girl who dreamt up her perfect man, and when she grew up she found him only to discover he was a frog in disguise. Luckily, a man she thought to be a frog turned out to be a prince, er, duke, among men. This is their story.

This is the third book in the Devil's Duke series. It can be read as a standalone and you won't feel you missed anything. It is a rather unconventional romance because when Gabriel first meets Lady Amarantha Vale she's engaged to marry someone else. It will be another five years before they get their shot at a happily-ever-after.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Gabriel and Amarantha, but it took quite some time for these two to finally get together. Amarantha's first marriage was not a happy one and it left her not wishing to remarry. Gabriel still harbors bad feelings for Amarantha because she didn't wait for him. Then there was the little matter of Gabriel's cousin, Jonah, and what he did. If someone had done something like that to me I'd be furious with them. Yet Gabriel and Amarantha just sort of let bygones be bygones. I was rather surprised by this.

When we're first introduced to Amarantha she's young and optimistic about life. She wants to save the world and isn't afraid of hard work or about getting her hands dirty. Meeting Gabriel throws her for a loop. She, in turn, throws Gabriel for one too.

Gabriel has done things he isn't proud of. Amaratha makes him want to be a better man. I like how at the end we see just how profound an effect she's had on his life since their first meeting. After all she's gone through, Amarantha needs for Gabriel to prove himself to her. He does so with flying colors, but Amarantha's trust doesn't come easily. Too much has happened and she's a bit stubborn.

Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. There was a whole lot of chemistry going on between Gabriel and Amarantha and I loved watching these two interact. While I felt there were was one too many hurdles in this couple's path, I enjoyed the story. The ending had a huge twist that kind of snuck up on me. There was so much going on that I hadn't foreseen, and I may need to go back and reread parts to find all the bread crumbs. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Devil's Duke series:

Early Review of The Pirate and I (Devil's Duke, #2.5) by Katharine Ashe

Title: The Pirate and I: A Novella (Devil's Duke)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Devil's Duke
Format: Paperback; 192 pages
Publisher: Avon Impulse (August 22, 2017)
ISBN-10: 006264176X
ISBN-13: 978-0062641762
Author's Website: http://katharineashe.com/
Notes:  I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Once upon a time a boy liked a girl and a girl liked a boy, but neither of them let their feelings be known. Then one day the boy disappeared and as days turned into months followed by years it was feared he'd met with foul play and had died. Now, years later, while on a trip to Scotland for a once-in-a-decade international event--the meeting of the Society of Perfumers. Esme Astell finds herself in the middle of a police chase. When asked which way the man being sought went, she makes a split second decision and lies. When the young scoundrel whom they were chasing thanks her with a kiss, she realizes it's Charles Brittle, the boy--now a man--she'd held a tendre for all those years ago. He's in trouble and needs her help.

This was a very fun and sweet novella that I wish had been longer. As is the fate of many a novella, things get resolved much too easily and quickly. I would have liked a little more conflict and the romance to have been drawn out a little longer, but what can an author do? There are page/time constraints on novellas.

Esme and Charles are an unconventional couple. She has aspirations of becoming a world-renowned master perfumer and Charlie? Well, let's just say his life took a bad turn and he's now trying to get himself out of the situation he finds himself in--beholden to a pirate. He'll need Esme's help to do it.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I loved watching these two come together and fall in love. I adored Charlie and admired Esme. By the end, I got the feeling there wasn't much this duo couldn't achieve. I laughed, I grinned, and shook my head a great deal while reading. This is a great story to indulge in if you're looking for something sweet, funny, and quick to read. On the Lisarenee Romance Reading Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I very much enjoyed this one.

Order of the Devil's Duke series:

Early Review of The Earl (Devil's Duke #2 / Falcon Club #5) by Katharine Ashe

Title: The Earl: A Devil's Duke Novel

Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Devil's Duke (Book 2) /  Falcon Club (Book 5)
Format: Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Avon (October 25, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062412752
ISBN-13: 978-0062412751
Author's Website: http://katharineashe.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Zenobia is a modern girl living in a world that isn't quite ready for her. She's a Women's and Human's Rights activist who champions the underdog, and her lack of position as a women in the world has never been more clear. Her sister, Amarantha, has gone missing and she doesn't have the means to find her. Oh, she has accumulated a significant little nest egg over the years as the pamphleteer known as Lady Justice, but she doesn't have the skills or connections to find her. Desperate, she contacts a man whom she never saw herself going to for help--Peregrine, a member of the now defunct Falcon Club. Over the years Zenobia, under the guise of  the Lady Justice, has publicly argued against many of the club's political views and policies which tended to favor the upper class alone. Now she needs their help because what they excel at is finding missing people. She's even desperate enough to agree to a meeting with the man. You see, the identity of Lady Justice is a secret, but she's desperate enough to reveal it in order to find her sister. That decision, will change everything because when she'll find out who the mysterious Peregrine is, she realizes it's someone she knows.,,

This is the second book in the Devil's Duke series and the fifth book in the Falcon Club series. You can read it as a standalone, but I recommend you read one or two of the earlier books in the Falcon Club series to know how all the secondary characters relate to one another. It will make things more enjoyable to see how the Falcon Club and Lady Justice interacted with one another, and how Falcon Club met its demise.

I liked the situation Ms, Ashe created by having two very headstrong individuals face-off with one another. I also adored Colin even though there were moments when I shook my head at his backwards views on women, He really came through in the end, however, and I enjoyed that Zenobia was able to change his mind about matters. Additionally, there was a very touching and moving scene at the end that I loved. I did, however, have a hard time warming up to Zenobia, There were moments in the book when I really didn't like her very much. While she is a smart and strong individual, at times she appeared to be a tad bit too cold, calculating, and set in her ways. There was a love scene where I just wasn't feeling the love, the heat, or the chemistry between these two. She kind of took on the role usually reserved for male rogues. Eventually she won me over because I came to the realization her indifferent/frosty attitude towards Colin was a coping mechanism to protect her heart.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was fun and reminds us just how far women have come in the world. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public.

Order of the Devil's Duke series:

Order of the Falcon Club series (according to Katharine Ashe's website):


Please note that 'How to Marry a Highlander' and 'The Scoundrel and I' are both Novellas.

Again, My Lord (Twist #2) by Katharine Ashe

Title: Again, My Lord: A Twist Series Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Twist Series
Format: Paperback; 342 pages
Publisher: Billet-Doux Books; First edition (September 29, 2015)
ISBN-10: 099164123X
ISBN-13: 978-0991641239
Author's Website: http://www.katharineashe.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan for review purposes.


Fate has not been kind to Lady Calista Holland, née Calista Chance. For nearly six years she's been entrapped in her own personal hell with the only ray of light being the son her dreadful marriage had created. Now she's had to send him away for his own protection. Stuck at an inn due to inclement weather, she desperately needs to get back to her home or the punishment her husband will inflict upon her will be unbearable. To make matters worse, the man who courted her nearly six years ago, the man who could have saved her from this horrible life, is residing at the same establishment. Who says fate doesn't have a wicked sense of humor?

Just when Callista thought fate could be no crueler, it reared its ugly head once more as if to mock her...

"You say you are reliving the same day?" he said as he peered into her ears with a pointed tool. "Every day?"

"Yes," She swiveled to face him. "Have you ever heard of such a thing before?"

"I have not, unfortunately."

What happens when a proper English Lady relives the same day over and over with no one but herself remembering what happened the same day before? Why mayhem, madness, and humorously unladylike behavior, of course.

This book was obviously inspired by the movie 'Groundhog Day' where a person is stuck reliving the same day until they get it right. In this rendition, its a well behaved English Lady who is stuck trying to figure out why she can't seem to reach tomorrow. Callista's not a bad person, she acted the way society dictates, and she's done everything that's expected of her. So why can't she break the vicious cycle? That's something she'll have to discover on her own.

It was fun watching Callista lose her wits as the alternate title of "Lady Gone Wild" came to mind. I loved seeing her grow as an individual while we learned what exactly happened to her six years ago. Likewise, Tacitus Ceasar Everard, the ninth Marquess of Dare, was fun to watch as he interacted with Callista. She has a way of undoing him as she never seems to do what he expects, thereby keeping him on his toes.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a lighthearted, fun, and sexy romp that had a happy ending. It is also the second book in the Twist series, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven't yet read the first book., but I didn't feel lost at all. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series:

Early Review of I Loved a Rogue (The Prince Catchers, #3) by Katharine Ashe

Title: I Loved a Rogue: The Prince Catchers
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Prince Catchers (Book 3)
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (February 24, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062229850
ISBN-13: 978-0062229854

Author's Website: http://www.katharineashe.com/

Notes: I bought this one.

“This ring is the key to your destinies,” (...) “This ring . . .” the Gypsy intoned, “belongs to a prince.”(...) “The rightful master of this ring,” she said soberly, “is not of your blood.” (...) “One of you will wed this prince. Upon this wedding, the secret of your past will be revealed.” ('I Married the Duke: The Prince Catchers' by Katharine Ashe)

Twenty-two years ago, a mother sent her three daughters to England in the accompaniment of their nanny when their ship sank. They were the sole survivors. The villagers of the area tried to find their parents, but their search was in vain. The nanny they'd been traveling with had drowned and, with no one to claim them, the girls were sent to a foundling home. They were later adopted by Reverend Caulfield who had lost his wife and daughters just months earlier to fever. The only clue as to who the girls might be is a ring worthy of a king.

Finally, the girls will know the truth and the last sister will be wed. Will she follow her heart or will she fulfill the prophecy?

This was the third and final book of The Prince Catcher's trilogy. I recommend reading the previous two books, 'I Married the Duke' and 'I Adored a Lord', before reading 'I Loved a Rogue' because there are quite a few spoilers from the previous books in this one. 'I Loved a Rogue' nicely wraps up the trilogy in a satisfying way with one of my favorite male characters of the series, Taliesin. He's a brooding, misunderstood rogue of a man who happens to be a gypsy. I loved the chemistry between him and Eleanor as I felt the pages might spontaneously combust within my hands from the heat emanating from these two as I was reading.

For quite some time we've known Eleanor had a tendre for Taliesin, their childhood friend, but we never knew quite what happened between the two. I loved hearing the story of their relationship from little on and of how it grew and developed. I liked how even though they were parted, neither ever truly forgot the other. I admit at times Taliesin's wish to do the right thing made me want to figuratively smack some sense into him, but it did make the moment when he finally gave in to the temptation that was Eleanor that much more sweet. 

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I loved the twist Ms. Ashe put in the story in regards to the prophecy. I enjoyed finding out what happened all those years ago and who the three sisters truly were. I felt Eleanor went a little bit overboard with her antics to save Taliesin, but I admit to shaking my head and laughing over it. The story contained a nice blend of  romance, suspense, drama, and humor that left me with a satisfied grin on my face. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a  STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. My only wish is that Ms. Ashe had cranked up the heat a little earlier in the book.  

Order of the series:

Early Review of I Adored a Lord (The Prince Catchers, #2) by Katharine Ashe

Title: I Adored a Lord: The Prince Catchers
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Prince Catchers
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (July 29, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0062229834
ISBN-13: 978-0062229830

Author's Website: http://www.katharineashe.com/

Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher via Edelweiss 

“This ring is the key to your destinies,” (...) “This ring . . .” the Gypsy intoned, “belongs to a prince.”(...) “The rightful master of this ring,” she said soberly, “is not of your blood.” (...) “One of you will wed this prince. Upon this wedding, the secret of your past will be revealed.” ('I Married the Duke' by Katharine Ashe)

Twenty-two years ago, a mother sent her three daughters to England in the accompaniment of their nanny when their ship sank. They were the sole survivors. The villagers of the area tried to find their parents, but their search was in vain. The nanny they'd been traveling with had drowned and, with no one to claim them, the girls were sent to a foundling home. They were later adopted by Reverend Caulfield who had lost his wife and daughters just months earlier to fever. The only clue as to who the girls might be is a ring worthy of a king.

While the Reverend was a good, but somewhat strict parent, Arabella, the middle Caulfield sister, was desperate to learn about their real parents. That is what led her to approach a gypsy in the hope she could shed some light on who they might be. The gypsy's response, however, was as mysterious as their past. She foretold of a prince who would have the answers they seek which he would reveal upon his wedding to one of the sisters. While many would think the prediction of a gypsy was nonsense, Arabella, grasp on to it, and years later was still determined to see one of her sisters, as she was happily wed, married to a prince. That was how Ravenna, the youngest of the Caulfield sisters, came to find herself at the bride-hunting party of Prince Sebatiao of Portugal. Ravenna, unlike her sister, didn't believe the gypsy's prophecy and had planned to never marry. Tricked into attending the function by her sister, Ravenna soon finds herself at the center of the handsome Lord Vitor Courtenay's attentions and in the middle of a murder mystery. An uninvited guest is found murdered in a suit of armor with a note in his pocket suggesting he was there to rendezvous with one of the young ladies attending the festivities. With a house full of potential suspects, the question upon everyone's mind is, "Who did it?"

Created with a nod to the classical style of  murder/mysteries by Agatha Christie, Ms. Ashe has spun her own delightfully enchanting historical murder/mystery with an added dash of romance. Set in France, at a winter gathering at the Chateau Chevriot, not everything is as it seems as secrets abound. Ravenna is not new to mysteries and has, in the past, assisted in discovering the who and what of a murder. She's ahead of her time as a smart independent woman who is knowledgeable in both veterinary and human medicine with a keen eye for details.

Having discovered the body, Ravenna is not going to let Lord Vitor dismiss her from helping solve the crime just because she's a woman. Using the logic that she, as a woman, is more likely to be able to extract information from the ladies in the party as they'll be more willing to talk to her than a man, she convinces Vitor and the local police that they need her help. As they question the suspects and attempt to piece together what happened, Ravenna finds her own life in jeopardy as she gets closer to the truth.

Lord Vitor Courtenay has secrets of his own. Celibate for two years, he was on the verge of taking vows and joining the monastery before he changed his mind. As his attraction to Ravenna grows, he knows he made the right choice. While originally not happy about her joining the search for the murderer, he finds it a convenient way to get closer to the object of his affection. As the two work together, he comes to admire not just her beauty and spunk, but her intelligence as well.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 roses. It was fun, at times sweet, and contained quite a few twists. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance even more. I thought Ravenna and Vitor made a cute couple and loved how Vitor liked her just the way she was.  It was fun seeing these two worked together as a team to solve the murder. I could definitely see this turning into a husband and wife crime solving team spin-off, in the vein of a historical 'Hart to Hart' (the TV show) series. If you haven't read the previous book, you can get away with reading this one first. Be forewarned, however, you're probably going to want to read it after you finish with this one. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series: