Reviews

The Tattooed Duke by Maya Rodale

ameretet's review

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zero stars? zero stars.

nighteyes82's review

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3.0

This was nice. I am a little bit disappointed in comparison of her previous book.
Harlan knows but don't say a word? W has suspicions again and again but doesn't really act on it?
that was a bit easy.

the last scene before the epilogue was totally unnecessary in my opinion.

and the tattoo on the book cover? is a tattoo for wimp in comparison of what the Duke really has....

balletbookworm's review

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3.0

I literally could not understand why one got the title of this book from reading the flap copy...so wanted to read it but decided to read the first two first (the free sample indicated that I might be missing a bit, so I'm glad I did so). The "tattooed" Duke is an interesting character and Eliza was a well-drawn character. It was easy to root for them.

This one had better plotting than the first two. However, I had a major issue: the spelling. You "console" another person, not "consol". You wear a "bauble", not a "bobble" (unless you're speaking of knitting garments and, considering this was set in London not the Aran Islands, I believe they were speaking of jewelry). There are a few others. I'm a fast reader, not a blind one.

gypsybaby75's review

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5.0

The third book in Maya Rodale’s The Writing Girl Series features Eliza Fielding who has had what some might call a writer’s funk or just plain writer’s block. She needs to step up her game, er, column if she is still to be one of the girls for The London Weekly. But where is she to find such a juicy story? One that will guarantee her a permanent spot within the most established newspaper in London?
Sebastian Digby, the Duke of Wycliff has just returned to England to claim his inheritance after spending a wildly good time in unknown countries and continents. But now, he has returned to do his duty as only son and heir. But it seems no one wants to work for a notorious pirate with piercings and tattoos, a pirate who has unsightly long hair and an atrocious demeanor. That is no one except one particular fetching enchantress who seems to have an uncomely interest in all his affairs.
It seems Eliza has found the perfect story for her stable employment. Why, all she has to do is to find a way to gain employment as a maid in the Duke’s house and report on his daily dealings. Getting employment was the easy part since not one female wanted to become a maid in the wicked Wycliff house, not when it was said that the past lord’s had a penchant for their maids. The hard part would be to keep her mind on getting the story and not fall for the resident lord who seemed so much different than what his appearance was letting on.
The Tattooed Duke was a delightful read; one that I feel sure will be a keeper on anyone’s shelf. Eliza and Sebastian are wickedly endearing and it was a delight to partake in their engaging battle of wills when Sebastian learns of Eliza’s treachery. Rodale has written yet another captivating story in this series of hijicks and laughter. I cannot wait for Annabelle’s love story.

witandsin's review

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4.0

My review originally posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/new-reviews/the-tattooed-duke-by-maya-rodale

All of London wants to know more about the mysterious Sebastian Digby, Duke of Wycliff. Eliza Fielding, reporter for The London Weekly, is determined to be the one to provide members of the ton with the salacious details they’re looking for. Eliza has taken a position in the duke’s household and is using her cover to get the dirty details on the duke’s travels. Her undercover assignment goes better than she expected and it’s not long before the duke takes her into his confidence. But while Eliza’s wild reports of Sebastian’s tattoos, visits to harems, and more make her articles the talk of the ton, the scandal is hurting Sebastian’s chances of securing financing for a new expedition. A hardened reporter might not care, but the more time Eliza spends with her employer, the more she’s drawn to him. What will happen when Sebastian discovers the truth about Eliza.

The Tattooed Duke is the best book in The Writing Girls series yet! Maya Rodale’s original characters shine in this lively tale. Sebastian has traveled the world, immersed himself in cultures far different from his native London, has brought back foreign flora for research, et cetera. He’s seductive and not afraid of scandal, sure, but there’s more to this world-travelling duke than his title and prowess in the bedchamber. Sebastian’s was an interesting character and given his broad range of experience, it would definitely take a unique woman to capture his heart. Eliza is that woman. She’s not your average society belle, but the daughter of a playwright and an actress with a scandalous past of her own. Eliza’s also intelligent, a hard worker, and willing to go after what she wants — but not without care to the feelings of others. She’s never selfish or single-minded (a fault which I’ve found in the two previous Writing Girls heroines) and though her actions have negative consequences, she does her best to set things right. With two such interesting protagonists, it’s easy to see why I was taken with The Tattooed Duke. The romance, sexual tension, and obstacles that must be overcome kept me eagerly turning the pages because I wanted Eliza and Sebastian to get that elusive “happily ever after.”

The Tattooed Duke is the third book in Ms. Rodale’s Writing Girls series but you don’t have to have read A Groom of One’s Own or A Tale of Two Lovers to enjoy Eliza and Sebastian’s story. Fans of the series new and old will undoubtedly enjoy seeing more of the other three Writing Girls as well as the previous two heroes and the all-business Mr. Knightly, publisher of The London Weekly. I finished The Tattooed Duke a well-satisfied reader. The only thing I could wish for is for the fourth Writing Girls book to be out soon, for Ms. Rodale has made me more and more eager for Annabelle’s story with each book!

julia_myendlesslibrary's review

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

loverofromance's review

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5.0

The Duke of Wycliff, has spent the past seven years traveling all around the world, in his search of Timbuktu, and has battled sharks, pirates, see numerous cultures and of course women. Sebastian has come home unfortunately to assume his duties as the Duke, only to find that he is out of funds. Funds he needs to make his dream trip to Timbuktu, which he has devoted his whole life in finding. He knows he is in need of a rich wife, but finds himself distracted by the new housemaid, who makes his body burn with desire.Eliza Fielding has had a history of going undercover to get her story for the "London Weekly". Her boss, Mr. Knightly, has given her a ultimatum, if she desires to keep her job, she must put in a scandal in the paper, and very very soon. So upon hearing of the Duke's return, she goes undercover as his housemaid, to learn his secrets and expose them to London. Eliza never imagined that she would have so much success, but what she never thought would happen is fall in love with the man with whom she has betrayed his secrets. Will Eliza be able to get her happily ever after, or lose her heart to a man she may never have.
When I first found the whole series at the library, I wasn't sure if I should grab all of them, wondering if I would regret it later, however I am so thrilled I did now. I do love it when I get a chance to read a series in order, especially a series I am truly have a jolly time reading. Now the first one I liked quite a bit, the second one, wasn't as good as the first one, but was still a enjoyable read. So when I started reading the Tattooed Duke, I was nervous, hoping I would at least like it more than the second one. I am proud to say that this one, is my favorite of the series so far. There were quite a few of complex issues that played a part in the story.

It starts off with Eliza seeing the Duke return at the Docks of all places, when he first steps on England soil. From this moment, we see a instant attraction that Eliza feels for Sebastian. She knows he is the way by which she will be able to continue her career, as one of the writing girls. With Mr. Knightly having giving her this only chance, before firing her, she knows she must do everything she can to save what she has worked years to accomplish. When she dresses and poses as a housemaid, she never thought that she would be in such close proximity to Sebastian, or to find herself being slowly seduced. Sebastian we see is not the usual Duke type. He has a craving for adventure and he could care less about balls or what the Ton may think of him. All he wants is to find the one place he has devoted all his time and effort into finding. When he is labeled the "Tattooed Duke" and certain details of his life are revealed to everyone in England, and he knows it would be near impossible to find a respectable woman to marry him. He also has another problem on his hands....his servant, a mere maid, has all of his attention and he finds himself falling hard for her, even knowing they could never share a future together.

I found Eliza to be independent, strong willed and feisty to the bitter end. In the beginning we see her determined to write the Duke's secrets, but then we see her start to become real and full of emotion when she starts to fall in love. Eliza is the type of heroine that you can't help but love through the bad and the good, I really liked her quite a bit. She resembled the "contemporary" type of women, as she seeks to support herself, she does have a vulnerability when it comes to falling in love. Then we really start to see her true character, and I found myself to be admiring Eliza as a character. Sebastian is sexy, with his tattoo, his thirst for adventure and his attitude toward society. I found him to be a breath of fresh air, considering he is far different from most Regency hero types. There is plenty of conflict, especially once the secret is out, we really see some action, and I loved the villains that play a part in this book, it only added a more of a intense aspect to the plot. Even though the ending seemed a bit rushed, I found that was the only aspect I had a issue with.

I found The Tattooed Duke to be full of everything you need for a sound romance. A sure keeper for any one's shelf that keeps you interested from beginning to end. This installment in the Writing Girls series is by far my favorite so far. I just adored the bantering between Sebastian and Eliza. I found it be so entertaining, and the type of book that is a hard to put down. I found this one, to be highly amusing and stimulating at times. There was also a mysterious element (that deals with Eliza's past) that only intensifies the emotions that are played out. A Fully Satisfying romance from beginning to end that will win your heart!

reniareads's review

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

nononanette's review

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2.0

Rather silly plot but well written, albeit a bit boring. The voice reminds me a bit of Edith Layton altho not nearly as good.