The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels, #6)

by Kerrigan Byrne

[stacey_is_sassy]

WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!

It went too bloody fast. You do a walk... and listen. You bake some muffins... and listen. You drive to pick the boys up from school... and listen. You chill at the end of the day... and listen. Next thing I knew, there was only an hour left. How could I do this to myself? Where do I go from here? Should I go back and listen again? I should have spread them out ... AND NOW I HAVE NOTHING!!

Sorry, probably a little overly dramatic but I'm absolutely kicking myself for rushing through this series.

When each of the Rebels finds their perfect woman who loves them scars, nightmares and all, it's no wonder they become possessive, territorial, and protective. In The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, Lorelai Weatherstoke loved her Rebel before he was even a fully evolved Rebel. He was just a Rebel in the making but already had a body full of scars and enough nightmares for a lifetime. In some ways, this made Lorelai love him even more. If he had scars, maybe he wouldn't judge her for her own.

This story was one of the saddest because we finally know all of the Rebels and how their horrible childhoods affected their futures. There are scars that each Rebel wears, some with honour and some with shame. Their nightmares haunt them and the reminder of the worst times keeps them wary of trusting the good times. I loved that it was their women who helped them see past their preconceived ideas and judgements and learn to enjoy the good times.

My favourite part of The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo is seeing all of the connections and puzzle pieces falling into place. By listening to this series one straight after the other, the flow was perfect. There was no trying to remember who did what, when or how, it was all fresh and clear.

Derek Perkins again made this listening experience perfect and I loved his portrayal of the characters.

I do have one left, but I only recently read it so it's still fresh in my memory. Give me a couple of weeks, and I will HAVE to listen to that one too.

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I smiled when his knife hit its mark…

I know my credibility must seem questionable but I am legit telling you that THIS story was splendiferously, amazingly, awesomely, HISTORICAL ROMANCE NIRVANA. Well, nirvana in a Kerrigan Byrne historical romance kind of way.

Seriously, this author writes for me. OK, she doesn’t literally write for me, it just seems that way. Her heroines have struggled but still manage to have a strength that I couldn’t help but admire. The storylines grab my attention and keep it enthralled until the last page is turned. The settings are described in a way that comes to life for me. There’s this grittiness that can sometimes bring a tear to your eye, but there’s a reality to it, that it probably could have happened back in the day. But, the best part, Kerrigan Byrne creates the most amazing heroes. Strong, tortured, gruff and growly men who have seen the worse life has to offer but find a light in the women they love.

A few times while reading I had to put my Kindle down to absorb the giddy feeling of reading a superb book. You know that feeling when you finally find out a secret you’ve been dying to know? Well, I did the goofy smile of satisfaction when things finally became clear. It’s not like I start each book in the Victorian Rebels series hoping to finally find out the secret. When things came to light in The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, I was gobsmacked. I got answers to questions I didn’t even know were questions. It just buffed up the diamond to sparkle even more. How cool is that?

As you might have noticed, I don’t share quotes in my reviews. Mostly, because I’m too lazy to check on the final copy to make sure they’re accurate. In this case, I really don’t want to share the best parts. You have got to experience this story yourself. Sure, I’m going to share that it’s good, but I want you to meet the characters, live through their heartbreak, share their highs and lows. I don’t want you to brace for the bad parts or recognise the funny one-liners you’ve seen before. I know that quotes have a great place in reviews, but I really think you would enjoy this one with fresh eyes…just my opinion.

Am I a bad person that I smiled at some of the violence? Sure, it couldn't have happened to a better person, but, you know, I tell my children that violence is bad. For a gritty read, there were some very funny scenes that had me cackling and reading them aloud to hubby and even he was chuckling. That is a BIG DEAL!! He normally gives me that fake smile, you are so weird face. So, it’s funny, but it’s also heart-poundingly emotional, extremely sexy and chock block full of action and adventure.

Yeah, I know I’ve said it before but THIS is Kerrigan Byrne’s best work by far. If you haven't started this series, you must start at the very beginning. Honestly, I don’t think you will enjoy this story half as much if you haven’t read the other books in the Victorian Rebels series. You probably could read it as a standalone, but I think you would enjoy the experience more having read the other books.

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo does not shy away from violence, keeps to the realities of the time and you can bet your bottom dollar that you won’t be sighing in romantic bliss for a wee while of the story. This is what makes Kerrigan Byrne’s books so entertaining. You, along with the hero and heroine, have to earn your HEA, happy, giddy…The hills are alive… feelings. But, geez, it’s SOOOOOOO worth it.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.