Review ”The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo” - Kerrigan Byrne

 Kerrigan Byrne's "Victorian Rebels" are one big swoony, hot and exciting pot of deliciousness. Romance and damsels in distress, dark, tall and dangerous hunks of interesting men, thrilling action and happy endings; what more can you ask for?

Few authors, and implicitly books, centered on historical romance, captured my attention and sympathies. But I'm totally dedicated to this series by Kerrigan Byrne. Now at its sixth book, the Rebels are simply unforgettable and a must read.

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"The Duke with the dragon tattoo" is un-put-down-able, just as its companions. The author has a fantastic way of writing, of describing and forming characters and plot. Every book is a surprise and you fall irremediably in love with it. Just as this latest, you don't know who's story you will discover and explore, but once you are in the know it's like a bomb. All present and past characters have a bond, known or unknown, and this link is present in some way in all the books. It's a joy to encounter beloved characters and it's also amazing how their influence transcends.

Newgate prison is the setting of all horrors and birthing place of monsters, or so they say. Who found his way out of that place, can never say he is free, because the nightmares are a forever cruel companion. A young man, bloody beaten and burned alive, left for dead in a mass grave, is set for a lifetime of scars. Luck may have a hand in his fate, for he is found by a young girl and her brother and father, by the side of the road. With no memories whatsoever, nothing about his past, name or circumstances leading to his unfavorable condition, the boy is named Ash by the lovely Lorelei. Brought back to life, Ash knows with certainty that his soul belongs, from now on, to Lorelei and promises to always find his way back to her. That is until Mortimer, Lorelei's evil brother, breaks them apart with lies and for twenty years they are kept from each other.

Instinct tells him that he is a monster, that his past is somber and so a monster he shall be. After enduring brutal beatings once again, rebelling against his captors, conquering his freedom, rule the seas, Ash is no more, but the Rook took his place, a cold, heartless, rich pirate. A promise is a promise and his heart never forgot his savior, so he is set on vengeance.

Lorelei has waited for Ash all this time, but meeting the Rook is no easy feat. Without notice, she is swept away on his ship and finds herself married to a pirate, one she doesn't recognize in the slightest. Determined to bring back the light that she is certain still resides in the Rook's heart, Lorelei folds him in her love. 

What will happen when ghosts of times past reveal themselves and the Rook's memory slowly comes back? Will his true identity change who he is? Which of his three personalities will Lorelei love?

For those familiar with the series' characters, you will be happy to see again the Blackwells and Carlton Morley. Their appearance is not coincidental and the relation with the Rook is a big, twisty surprise. In the same note of familiarity, the evolution of the story is captivating, the characters easily to empathize with and root for their love. Culminating with a suspenseful action, the plot is never boring and keeps the reader involved. I simply love the author's style of capturing the essence of a historical romance and fill it with lots of action, passion and devilishly handsome heroes.

Without further ado, it's an open invitation to not only a book, but six of them, for an enjoyable reading, a journey to the dark and dangerous side and back to the light one of love. Also stay tuned for more of Kerringan Byrne's books added to this series.

Happy happy, joy joy! Seria completă a apărut în colecția de Cărți Romantice, a Editurii Litera. Pentru cei ce nu au reușit, încă, să citescă ultimul volum, acesta este un imbold. Iar dacă sunteți familiarizați cu autoarea, acțiunea și personajele, cu atât mai bine. ”Ducele cu tatuaj” este un plus perfect adus seriei și o lectură palpitantă, în stilul obișnuit al lui Kerrigan Bryne.

Descriere

El este cunoscut drept Corbul, un bărbat fără nume, fără trecut și fără amintiri. Dar este totodată un bărbat de temut, puternic și care nu ezită să ucidă pentru a obține ce își dorește. Cu douăzeci de ani în urmă, când s-a trezit într-o groapă comună, un dragon tatuat pe braț a fost singurul indiciu al originii lui misterioase. Atunci, singura lui speranță de supraviețuire – și de mântuire – a găsit-o în ochii adânci și înflăcărați ai copilei care l-a salvat de la moarte și care a reușit să-i alunge demonii din suflet. Nevoit să o părăsească, a jurat că se va întoarce după ea, indiferent ce trebuie să facă pentru asta.

Lorelai Weatherstoke trăiește cu amintirea primului sărut și nu-l poate uita pe cel care i-a furat inima în urmă cu douăzeci de ani, un tânăr cu chip de înger, care încă îi bântuie visele. Atunci a simțit cei dintâi fiori ai dragostei, dar a vărsat primele lacrimi amare când tânărul a părăsit-o, luând cu el o parte din inima ei.

Ca o fantomă din trecut, Corbul reapare în viața lui Lorelai și se răzbună pe toți cei care au umilit-o, convins că ea este și va rămâne a lui pentru totdeauna. Dar poate ea avea încredere într-un bărbat considerat a fi rebel, hoț și ucigaș?