Her Duke at Daybreak
Mythic Dukes, 1
Wendy LaCapra
October 17, 2017
Infamous for his pedigree of madness and murder, the reclusive Duke of Ashbey believes he cannot feel until a mysterious woman unlocks a world of sensation in a single, shattering moment of connection. He casts a desperate bid for more.
Recent widow Alicia Stone has long been reviled as the chief impediment to a love affair that captured the nation’s imagination. Publicly, she settled for respectability’s cold comfort, but, secretly, she longs to experience what she never found with her famous husband—uninhibited passion.
When a devilish duke proposes a discreet three-night assignation, Alicia shocks herself by accepting. But will their explosive union cost them both far more than they bargained?
I thought Her Duke at Daybreak was a pretty good read. After everything was said and done, I found it more interesting to find out that it was kind of inspired by true events. However, the real lives that inspire this story didn't have a happy ending. However, in Her Duke at Daybreak both parties had a happy ending. The storyline was changed a little to give Lady Stone and the Countess happy endings. So, I would encourage all to read the author's notes after reading the story.
So, we have Alicia who is trying to avoid scandal after all her husband died in a scandalous way. Very salacious. Not only that her husband left a good chunk of the inheritance to the Countess and their child. He wanted to recognized his bastard child. If his wishes were carried out, it would have left Alicia pretty much penniless. Ash sees her and wants her. Basically he pursues her, and so starts a three day love affair. Man boy those nights were pretty heated.
A good portion of the story is about those heated nights, but there is more. We have what happens next. It was kind of heartbreaking to see Alicia kind of being cast aside again. However, I like how Alicia is a pretty strong character. I mean had to face some serious scandal and then the turmoil of not being desired again. Ash is an interesting character. He's stuck in a dark place and he's not sure if he can ever come out. He finally gets a taste of light and it's a little too much to handle.
I found Her Duke at Daybreak pretty fascinating. I thought it was a pretty good read, and a pretty fast read. There wasn't a dull moment and storyline had a nice flow. So, if this sounds like your kind of read, you might give Her Duke at Daybreak a try.
Copy provided by author via Author's Pal
Excerpt:
Lady Stone stirred, releasing him from his thoughts. He
planted a kiss on her shoulder. Even her skin was sweet.
“Mmmm,” she responded.
Carefully, he brushed the hair from her face. “Good morning,
Lady Stone.”
Dream’s mist cleared from her eyes. “Alicia,” she whispered.
And then, she smiled.
An unfamiliar feeling entered his heart—light and heady, as
if he were galloping free.
“Alicia.” He tested the name. The consonants spilled over
tongue like water. Alicia.
Now he understood why she had, at first, refused to call him
Ash. The gift of her name was more intimate a gesture than anything they’d yet
shared.
Too intimate.
He’d pleasured Lady Stone. He could remain thankful, even
devoted to Lady Stone from afar. But Alicia?
Alicia was someone he must gather up close and protect.
A discordant note clanged in his soul.
The best way he could protect Alicia was to let her go.
“Good morning, Ash.”
He gathered her into his arms and held tight.
“Ah, Ash,” she sighed.
How could a single sigh transport him from despair to—what
was that word? Was there a word for feeling all would be right with the world?
She pulled away. Her lids swept down as her cheeks pinked. “I
require a bit of privacy.”
“Of course.”
He set her free. Reluctantly.
She glanced back half way across the room, her shy, sweet
smile more dangerous than a primed pistol. Then, she disappeared into the
adjoining chamber, but not before nervously adjusting her shift.
Why was she nervous? She was utterly perfect. She’d always be
utterly perfect. At least, to him. He settled back into the pillows, propping his
head on his arm.
The child of a madman, even a madman with a ducal title, was
bound to be lonely. His father had never harmed him, but he thought it wise to act as everyone else in the
household and keep out of his father’s way.
Alone in his chambers, he’d taken comfort in sounds of human
activity—cleaning, brushing, polishing…the clank of dishes, the swish of a
gardener’s scythe. But this was the sound he had longed for—the sound of
someone for whom he cared, going about a trivial occupation. Life, shared.
His chest pierced—the price he’d have to pay for the return
of his feeling. But his three stolen days were not over.
She emerged with another, private smile.
Not in the least.
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Giveaway Info:
A Wendy LaCapra Prize Pack featuring the following:
· A "Live the Life you Love" Make Up Bag
· A $15 Barnes and Noble Gift Card
· A Pair of Blackthorn Earrings made by Mythospheria at Etsy
· Signed Copies of Lady Vice, Lady Scandal and Duchess Decadence
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