The Devilish Duke

by Maddison Michaels

Devlin Markham, the notorious “Devil Duke” of Huntington, needs a woman. And not just any woman. If he can’t woo one of the most eccentric bluestockings of the Ton within the month, he can kiss his hard-earned fortune goodbye. But he’s always thought love a wasted emotion and marriage an inconvenience at best. And oddly enough, Lady Sophie Wolcott seems unmoved by his charm…

When Sophie learns her beloved orphanage is in imminent danger, she will do anything to save it. Even marry a ruthless rake who takes what he wants in business and pleasure. A man who’s everything she’s always feared most—but whom she reluctantly begins yearning for.

Then Sophie becomes the target of a killer lurking from the dark shadows of Devlin’s past. And they find not only their lives in jeopardy but their very hearts.

These two are a ton of fun together.  Sophie is spirited, sassy, and not only willing to stand up for herself but for Devlin too.  Which makes her all the more attractive to him.  Devlin embraces his “devil” moniker but he isn’t truly as bad as they make him out to be.  Instead he’s got some pretty big walls thanks to an awful childhood and it will take a strong woman to get past them.  Lucky for him, Sophie is up to the challenge.

I do kinda wish there had been more (or maybe better) clues about who the killer was so the reader had a better chance of figuring it out.  It was tied up nicely, with a logical motive, a clever villain, and an exciting ending.  But I felt like I was given details only as I needed them so there was little chance of guessing what would happen ahead of time.  That isn’t necessarily bad but it could be frustrating for those who like to be more involved in solving the whodunit.

I read somewhere that Michaels is a new author but she proves herself to be quite the writer.  Nicely paced, great characters, excitement, romance, danger … she brings it all and does it well.  I’m definitely going to keep my eye on her – I think she’s got a great future ahead of her!