Never Deceive a Duke

Two lost and damaged souls - Gareth and Antonia - find and heal each other in this second book of Liz Carlyle's 'Never' series. Ms. Carlyle is to be commended for the marvelous character development in this book. Antonia is twice-widowed, and the trauma in her past has made her so emotionally damaged that she lives within herself. Just when we think she may have over-reacted to events (many women of that time had to deal with their husbands' mistresses, after all - and fathers were known to use their daughters as bargaining tools), we discover the full extent of the trauma that caused her to emotionally leave the world. Gareth is a reluctant duke, and we gradually find out why. I especially liked how, at the beginning of each chapter, the story of Gareth's brutal past slowly unfolds, instead of the author just telling us all at once. I found the timing and circumstances of the first sexual encounter (I can't call that one love-making) disappointing and not really in tune with the emotional development of the characters, especially Antonia, but I nevertheless gave this book the full 5 stars because of the beauty of the rest of the story, and because I loved the character of George Kemble... Kemble has really been an essential part of each story. Ms. Carlyle continues and expands his role in each book (No True Gentleman, Never Lie to a Lady), and he is a true joy to experience. He says that he is 'just a simple shopkeeper in the Strand', but he is lethal in a fight and he knows something about everything...or almost everything. I loved the scene where Kemble asks Mrs. Waters about "female things. I mean female, er, functions; possibly the only subject about which I know nothing." I agree with the reviewer who calls him an enigma. He is sure to appear in Kieran's story, and I look forward to what witty, fastidious Kemble will do there.

When her second husband, the Duke of Warneham, dies under suspicious circumstances, the emotionally fragile Antonia, Duchess of Warneham, is surrounded by a cloud of suspicion. Although she is determined never to marry again, the twice-widowed Antonia finds her future precarious. Once again, her fate is to be determined by a man, the new Duke of Warneham. The new Duke of Warneham, Gareth Lloyd, has no desire for the title. Gareth is happy in his role as a partner in the very successful business, Neville Shipping. As the only living heir to the dukedom, however, Gareth is forced to accept the role of nobleman and all the responsibilities his new title entails, including his duty to protect the tantalizing Antonia. Wow! When I finished reading Liz Carlyle's Never Deceive a Duke, all I could say was, 'wow'! The heartbreak, suffering and cruelty the hero and heroine suffered before finding one another is very affecting. One cannot help but want them to know nothing but joy in their future. Never Deceive a Duke addresses difficult subject matter such as anti-Semitism, rape, and depression with a main theme of a happily ever after romance. This isn't your average historical romance! Liz Carlyle has written a thoughtful, deeply moving and emotional historical romance in Never Deceive a Duke. Annmarie Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I had ordered this book, Never Deceive a Duke prior to my read of Never Lie to a Lady. Upon reading Lady, I worried a bit that I may be disappointed with Duke as I felt Lady was a little drawn out (although still enjoyable). But this book does not disappoint for a minute! What I love most is the unique characters. These are not the types I have come across in the dozens of other "Regency Era" romances. I would say they are outside of the box of typically leads. The story is the 2nd in the series and revolves around Gareth Lloyd, part owner of Neville Shipping, who suddenly learns he is the last heir to the title of duke of Warneham. Also left to his care is the young widow, Antonia, of his much older cousin - the former Duke of Warneham. As you read through this story, you learn about the deep, tortured pasts of Gareth and Antonia, as they struggle through their own growing fondness for each other. Offsetting the often painful and serious traumas they both experienced is Kemble, the flamboyant but clever informant/investigator introduced in Never Lie to a Lady. He is trying to solve the mystery of the death of Gareth's cousin as Antonia is gossiped to may have a part in it. The plot twists and turns between the restrained yet passionate romance, the unraveling painful past histories, and the detective work of Kemble. A real page turner with great depth you'll enjoy through and through.

I am a huge fan of Liz Carlyle, but I have to admit that I did not enjoy her last series ("Three..."). I really enjoy her tortured heros and heroines and he witty dialogue. She is definitely not a cookie cut romance author. So I was really looking forward to her series that starts with "Never Lie to a Lady". I finished the first two books in the series, Xanthia's story and Gareth's story, this week. While I enjoyed Xanthia's story, I loved Gareth's story. So much tragedy! I won't go into the ploy except to warn those with a faint heart that there is some difficult subject matter discussed. This is definitely an "R" rated novel!

I loved this book. The Characters were wonderful and the chemistry between them was sizzling. Both Gareth and Antonia had horrible things happen to them in their past that left them kind of damaged, and it was nice to see them find true happiness and love in each other. I liked the previous book in the series, but I loved this one. With Never Lie to a Lady, I bought the book and regretted it because the chances of me rereading it were low. With this novel I got it through the library as a precaution, but now that I've finished I think that I will buy it and add it to my permanent collection.