The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels Book 6)

"There are only two indisputable facts in the world: The sun will rise in the west, and I'll come for you. Always."FINAL DECISION: My favorite book since the first two in the series, this book took my breath away and I fell in love with the main characters. Passionate and dramatic with humor and underlying sweetness, the story fulfilled all the promises that began in the first book of the series.THE STORY: The notorious pirate is known only as the Rook. A man without a past, without a name. Twenty years ago, he awoke in a mass grave and was pulled from death by Lorelei Weatherstoke. The Rook was once given the name of Ash by Lorelei who nursed the young man back to health and began to dream of a future with him. Until the moment that they were betrayed in an act which separated them for two decades. Now the Rook has returned for his revenge and to claim the woman who he has never forgotten. Lorelei, however, finds that the young man she once loved has now become someone that she should fear and flea at all costs.OPINION: The first romance book I ever read was A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey in the 1980s. Since that first taste, I've always had a soft spot for pirate heroes and I have read a lot in the intervening years. But many of those pirate hero books are problematic bodice rippers. The book (whether intentional or not) is a re-imagining of the old trope.Here, the Rook is a notorious, dangerous and murderous villain on the high seas. He has done horrible things, but we also get to see the events which sent him on the path he is on. Significantly, however, this is not excuse but understanding. Like the other heroes in this series, the Rook has been damaged by his past. Poverty, desperation, physical and mental torture, rape and constant violence has created a man with only one weakness -- the sweet and innocent woman who cared for him and brought him back from the dead.And this is why the power dynamic is so different in this story. The Rook can abduct Lorelei and keep her captive on a ship where his word alone rules, but he cannot impose his will upon her. Both because Lorelei is stronger than one might expect (after having survived her own trials) and the Rook cannot possess the woman he wants if he crushes everything about her that he desires. Lorelei, however, will also not be placed on a pedestal for the Rook to admire from afar. She is a woman who wants to make her own stand by the man she loves.There were so many good moments in this book that had humor, drama, mystery, murder, betrayal and a deep and abiding romantic love between the main characters. There are significant appearances by characters from prior books. Although I had figured out some of the Rook's secrets, the reveal was so well done that I had a great sense of relief in that something from the beginning of the series was finally fulfilled. (I have to add that I love that long time readers of the series get closure on some issues without impeding new readers enjoyment).This book reminds me of how amazing the first two books in this series was. Indeed, although the last three books were good, this book feels like the completion of a trilogy that began with the first two books.This book goes immediately on my keeper shelf.WORTH MENTIONING:Sometimes I read these books with great despair because almost every book introduces characters for whom I would love to read their story, but as the author turns to a new series, I fear that some of these stories might go untold. .CONNECTED BOOKS: THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO is the sixth book in the Victorian Rebels series. This book can be read as a standalone, but is much more satisfying after reading the entire series. This book pays off stories that began in the first book in the series.STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to help in preparing this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

This poor hero endures so much suffering and torment that he has become a dangerous pirate. The first part, when she fights to save his life is sweet. I enjoyed the adventure, mystery, complex plot, romance, and sex, though the sex scene in the cave is over the top. I did not enjoy her brother, who is horrid and cruel to the extreme, a psicopath. It is well written, and I learned a few new words

You might not believe this, but I have read another AMAZING STORY!!! How do I genuinely convince you that THIS was the best book I’ve read when I’ve said that about nearly all the books I’ve read…in the LAST MONTH!! It's like authors got together for a convention and decided to release their best work over the last month. Thank you, but, geez, couldn't you spread it out a bit? Or, thank you, could you keep this going?I know my credibility must seem questionable but I am legit telling you that THIS story is a splendiferously, amazingly, awesome, HISTORICAL ROMANCE NIRVANA. Well, nirvana in a Kerrigan Byrne historical romance kind of way.Seriously, this author writes for me. OK, she doesn’t literally write for me, it just seems that way. Her heroines have struggled but still manage to have a strength that I couldn’t help but admire. The storylines grab my attention and keep it enthralled until the last page is turned. The settings are described in a way that comes to life for me. There’s this grittiness that can sometimes bring a tear to your eye but there’s a reality to it that it could probably have happened back in the day. But, the best part, Kerrigan Byrne creates the most amazing heroes. Strong, tortured, gruff and growly men who have seen the worse life has to offer but find a light in the women they love.A few times while reading I had to put my Kindle down to absorb the giddy feeling of reading a superb book. You know that feeling when you finally find out a secret you’ve been dying to know? Well, I did the goofy smile of satisfaction when things finally become clear. It’s not like I start each book in the Victorian Rebels series hoping to finally find out the secret. When things came to light in The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, I was gobsmacked. I got answers to questions I didn’t even know were questions. It just buffed up the diamond to sparkle even more. How cool is that?As you might have noticed, I don’t share quotes in my reviews. Mostly, because I’m too lazy to check on the final copy to make sure they’re accurate. In this case, I really don’t want to share the best parts. You have got to experience this story yourself. Sure, I’m going to share that it’s good, but I want you to meet the characters, live through their heartbreak, share their highs and lows. I don’t want you to brace for the bad parts or recognise the funny one-liners you’ve seen before. I know that quotes have a great place in reviews, but I really think you would enjoy this one with fresh eyes…just my opinion.Am I a bad person that I smiled at some of the violence? Sure, it couldn't have happened to a better person, but, you know, I tell my children that violence is bad. For a gritty read, there were some very funny scenes that had me cackling and reading them aloud to hubby and even he was chuckling. That is a BIG DEAL!! He normally gives me that fake smile, you are so weird face. So, it’s funny, but it’s also heart-poundingly emotional, extremely sexy and chock block full of action and adventure.Yeah, I know I’ve said it before but THIS is Kerrigan Byrne’s best work by far. If you haven't started this series, you must start at the very beginning. Honestly, I don’t think you will enjoy this story half as much if you haven’t read the other books in the Victorian Rebels series. You probably could read it as a standalone, but I think you would enjoy the experience more having read the other books.The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo does not shy away from violence, keeps to the realities of the time and you can bet your bottom dollar that you won’t be sighing in romantic bliss for a wee while of the story. This is what makes Kerrigan Byrne’s books so entertaining. You, along with the hero and heroine, have to earn your HEA, happy, giddy…The hills are alive… feelings. But, geez, it’s SOOOOOOO worth it.

Aufregend und spannend und schön zu lesen bis zum happy end, wie alle Bücher dieser Serie, ich liebe diese dunklen Helden, deren Freundschaft und dass die Helden vergangener Bücher immer wieder auftauchen.Das sind für mich historische Märchen, da bin ich auch nicht so engstirnig zu sagen, etwas kann so in Wirklichkeit nicht gewesen sein, wen interessiert das schon bei einem Märchen.Einziges Problem bei den Büchern von Kerrigan Byrne ist, ich kann ihre Bücher einfach nicht zu Seite legen, selbst wenn ich 100%ig weiß wie es ausgehen wird, aber der Weg dahin ist einfach zu spannend.

It was not what I expected, I knew about that Lorelei would be a cripple and Ash an emotionally wounded man, but he was a lot more dastardly than I thought and his redemption was more complicated than anticipated. This is still a great read and Kerrigan plots stories and romances brilliantly

This is easily one of the BEST romances I've ever read I'm my 6+ years of devouring every book in the genre I could get my hands on.The relationship between sweet Lorelai and Ash/The Rook is the definition of a grand, sweeping romance that transcends time, space, and all else that wishes to stand in it's path. I am in complete awe of the brilliance of this story, and am only sorry that I can't experience it all over again for the very first time <3

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo is my new favourite book in this series. This book was awesome!! I loved the story of Lorelei and The Rook, and really enjoyed how everything came together in the end.I definitely loved this book more having read all the previous books in the series - there was so much history between all the main characters, and I understood their history and definitely appreciated the authors writing much more by reading these books in order.And the fantastic news is that Morley and Moncrieff's books are still to come. I don't know whose book I'm excited about the most.

Then stop and pick up this book, it is dark and twisted with unlikeable characters, but it's a really good book