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When the Duke was Wicked is Lorraine Heath’s first book in her brand new series Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James. You should note that this newest series flows with her other series Scoundrels of St. James, in that the main characters are Lady Grace Mabry (Sterling and Frannie’s daughter in Surrender to the Devil (Scoundrels of St. James #3) and Henry, the Duke of Lovingdon (Olivia Stanton’s son in Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James #2). This story kicks of the series in a good note since it slowly introduces us to the other scandalous gentlemen that will feature in future books. This is a rather sweet story between childhood friends who grew up together and ultimately fell in love.
I loved the seamless way the hero and heroine fell in love with each other. It was not fully drawn out and I love the passion that both possessed. I also love that Henry was a “tortured hero,” blaming himself for his wife and daughter’s deaths and vowing never to fall in love again. I thought that Grace was the perfect independent woman for him, showing him that loving someone, even for a short while was worth it rather than not loving at all.
I was naturally drawn to this story because I loved the Scoundrels of St. James series and interested to read about how my favorite characters would be featured in this book. Naturally, we see Olivia, Frannie, Sterling, and Dr. Graves in the book which I really loved.
When the Duke was Wicked really did start off the series in an awesome tone and I can’t wait for the next!
Read the full review at Night Owl Reviews.
I loved The Scoundrels of St. James series so much that I was delighted when Lorraine Heath announced that this series featuring their children. (I remember at the end of Surrender to the Devil, it was mentioned that Grace and Lovingdon had married.) I thought the romance between them was beautifully done…full of poignant, heart-breaking and heart-warming moments. I admired Lorraine Heath for introducing an issue (Grace's secret) that I have never seen in any other historical romances.