The Dove: A Dark Regency Erotic Romance (The Villain Duology Book 2)

I read books to escape, but I also read books to feel. It's been a long time since a story has truly made me feel so much. It started with The Villain and grew even more intense in The Dove. I don't think I have ever both loved and hated a character so much as Adam. I thought he was brutal in The Villain, but he outdoes himself in this book. He almost gets to the point of no return, but in usual Adam form, he catches you off guard. Daphne surprised me just as much as Adam. What she is able to endure is amazing and her growth as a character is my favorite. I can't even begin to list the range of emotions I felt while reading this and not just from our hero and heroine. Niall and Olivia tore at my heart strings, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for them. And then there's Robert, he's so sweet and caring, and I love what he brought to the story. All of these characters and facets come together to create such an emotionally beautiful read. It really shows you what lengths people will go through for what they believe in and love. It's heartbreaking, gut wrenching and most of all satisfying. Victoria Vale creates timeless characters and settings that will forever imprint themselves on your heart. This is certainly a duo of books that I will treasure and come back to time and time again.

Given the intrigue presented at the end of the first book in this duet, The Villain, I was compelled to read on into this the second book, The Dove. I was even more delighted with this book than the first. To be sure…I was sufficiently delighted, entertained and found the Lord Adam Callahan, Earl of Hartmoor delectably swoon worthy in the first book. I also enjoyed the fiery, loving and passionate…but principled where it counts…heroine, Lady Daphne Fairchild.In this book we find that Lady Daphne has been paid handsomely for her month-long virginal, sexual surrender to Lord Hartmoor as they agreed. She had come to feel that she belonged with Adam in the light of the revelations regarding his motives in pursuing the downfall of the male members of the Fairchild family, her compatibility with him in so many interests and her increasing desire for all the physical delights she finds in his arms. Dare I say she was also falling in love with him? She was summarily dismissed from Hartmoor and brought back to her father and brother in London. Feeling betrayed by both her father and brother in addition to being spurned by Adam, she set about making a home for herself and hoped to gradually find a place in London society.It is a familiar trope that Adam, despite his resolve, could not get the lovely Daphne out of his mind…his dreams…his desires…his system. So, it’s off to London for him. He tries to tell himself he needs to go to London because he is not finished with his revenge on Daphne’s brother. A fervid dance of desire, denial, unrealized emotion and daring dreams begins as Adam pursues his singular need to own what he has claimed as “his” and to hold her close…Lady Daphne.Frustrating Adam in his pursuit of her is Daphne’s realization that she needs more from Adam than his claim of ownership, although she enjoys all that this entails…she needs more... his fidelity and his love. Daphne also fears that her Fairchild linage will always be a barrier to true and lasting love with Adam. As she comes to truly care for him and his family, Daphne worries about Adam’s determined pursuit of revenge on her brother. Her worries are not for the fate of her brother but for the emotional and spiritual toll it is taking on Adam. Moreover, she feels like a pawn in Adam’s plans in taking vengeance out on her brother.Ultimately, Daphne is willing to forgo all her desire for love in a traditional commitment and be whatever Adam wants if he would only choose her instead of pursuing vengeance. An explosive situation forces Adam to make his choice. Yet, his choice doesn’t exactly bring about the hoped for and longed for result. Even so…is it evident that our swoon-worthy hero finds himself overwhelmingly out-of-his-element besotted by our heroine?The writing itself is suitably stylistic for the genre. The story is told in third-person alternating POV’s with well-written dialogue and character reflections at appropriate times contributing to a near seamless flow in the narrative. I would be seriously neglectful if I didn’t mention what a divine dirty-talker our hero Adam is… adding so much ardency to the spellbinding erotic love scenes.Oh…it is just the right kind of “stuff” for which romance junkies live. Once again, this particular Regency era romance is peppered with the darker power-exchange elements that some (perhaps more than some? 😎) readers find decidedly exciting.As for who would enjoy this duet? I’ll say it once again… you know who you are!!!Quotes:“Even after the mess he’d made of her life, after the things her father and brother had done, a part of her remained untouched and pure. Did she truly believe there was any good left in him—that he even had a soul worth redeeming?”“You stupid little thing. You do not want this … my love isn’t the kind that nurtures or soothes. It’s the kind that hurts. The kind that destroys things. It’s the kind that consumes you until there’s nothing left.”

I adored the first book. I loved how Adam straddled the line between good and evil. His light shows through his love and loyalty toward Olivia and Serena. His darkness shows through his exploitation of Daphne. She becomes a drug to him, however. He is aware of the fact that Daphne is not at fault for her brother’s actions, but can’t bring himself to stop tormenting her. And torment her he does, even though he cares for her and becomes protective of her.The ending disappointed me tremendously. SPOILER******:After everything that Adam put Daphne through, she took a bullet for him and he left her when she disclosed her love for him. WHAT!? I wanted to throw my Kindle! I wanted to see him grovel, atone for all of his abuses toward her. Instead he leaves her under the guise of setting her free because he supposedly believes that’s what is best for her. He leaves her wounded and weeping, broken completely. He sends another man to propose to her! I couldn’t forgive Adam after this. Daphne then CHASES Adam to win him back! I loved everything about the books except this. Adam should’ve been the one to atone and make it right, not Daphne. I still loved the books, but I laid awake and rewrote the ending in my head before I fell asleep! Adam wasn’t redeemable to me otherwise!

This becomes a must read after you've read the first book in this duology. It doesn't disappoint especially with regard to the two principal characters, Adam and Daphne. My criticisms of the duology are that this book ends rather abruptly and without dealing with the fate of three characters who do play important roles in both books: Niall, Adam's manservant, Olivia, Adam's very much harmed cousin, and her child, Serena. I could certainly be wrong, but my guess is that Victoria Vale submitted her manuscript and was asked to write a bit more indicating what happened to Adam and Daphne and she did so, writing about what happened a year after she and Adam returned to his castle after their marriage. But Niall, Olivia, and Serena also live there and their fate is of interest (at least to me). One other criticism is that Daphne played the harp in both books, but she was injured toward the end of the second book. It's not clear whether she was able to continue to play after her injury. She and Adam enjoyed playing instruments together, she on the harp and he on the piano.

Another fantastic read from Victoria Vale. She weaves a very clever tale with many unexpected twists - once started the book is extremely hard to put down. This book follows on from The Villain (read first) and Hart (read second) - both of which are highly recommended. The main characters are Adam Callahan, The Earl of Hartmoor and Lady Daphne Fairchild.In The Villain and then in Hart we learn what occurred in the past for Adam to hate and seek revenge on Daphne's family and also what initially brought Daphne into Adam's orbit.Adam has become, due to many circumstances, a man who has locked his heart away and spurns tender feelings. He only has enough love left for his sister and niece - he is possessive of the people he loves, wishing to keep them close.In The Dove the story is progressed with secondary characters from the other books making reappearances and in some cases getting their comeuppance, and in some others getting their HEA.It is a strange relationship between Adam and Daphne - on his part there appear to be few tender feelings as he has an overwhelming need to totally dominate and possess her. Daphne tells herself that she hates him and her logical mind tells her to run from him - however, her body cannot get enough of him (whether he is tender or harsh). I am not sure that I can comprehend a relationship of this nature, as it appears quite one sided - but it works for them.I don't want to say too much more as the books are best to be read without spoilers ruining the enjoyment of them.A highly recommended read, but make sure you read them all as they are not stand alone novels - they are definitely a series.

3 stars may be too generous. It's not as good as the first book and I was so tempted to just skip to the third book with Niall and Olivia's story! This has too much repetition in it. I found the beginning was mostly based on events from the previous book and then lots of Daph claiming that 'while yes she wants him but no she won't let him have her' and Adam still denying his feelings etc. It lacked the heat, passion and angst of the first book. The first half of the book felt like padding, mostly scene settings and new character's added. The story didn't really get going until after Livvie' s arrival. Again here I felt like I just wanted to jump to Livvie and Niall's story because this book felt unnessacary! Cut out all the early padding and repetition in this and the substance of this book could have filled a few chapters in the previous book, or the next book, instead of making readers buy this extra mostly dull book. Like this last book there are a few inaccuracies, like the travel time from Scotland to England is way too short and there are some incorrect words and missing words. Maybe I am being too generous giving 3 stars, because mostly this was boring superficial settings, but the writing was still good and it does get a bit more intresting half way through. I am looking forward to finally reading the next book, I just hope Niall and Olivia (Livvie's) story is a bit more exciting and heat filled.

OK, so the storyline was alright and I did buy the second book to make sure my prediction was right! However, there were inaccuracies due to lack of research and what annoyed me most was the frequent use of the word 'gotten'...a word which is never ever used over the pond whether we be Scots or English and most certainly would not have been in use in Regency times! Another inconsistency was the reference to a gallop on horseback from London to the highlands of Scotland in the course of one day! No, even a bionic horse would find that tricky, whether the rider was a slight heroine or not! We may look like a tiny land area on a map but the distance in dispute is actually some 570 miles. Of course the horses and carriage did manage the return journey more quickly due to increased horsepower, achieving their journey from late morning to late evening....I don't wish to be totally negative and apologise if I have offended the author, but accuracy in historical, or indeed any writing, is essential. Hopefully, Ms. Vale will take note for future writing which I look forward to reading in any event.

What a rollercoaster of a ride Adam and Daphne, how much more hurt can they cause each other, like the previous book there is violence, a lot of hurting each other , Emotionally and physically but you know the characters and why they are like this. Just as things look as if they will settle, her brother Bertram turns up again, a d things escalate to towards an unbelievable ending. BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN BRILLIANT CHARACTERS BRILLIANT STORY.Her brother Bertram turns up again

I found this to be a captivating read that gripped me from the first page. I liked that Daphne was a courageous woman, especially given her family background. As for Hart, what a man! Hart is a dominant force but he also has a caring and protective side for the people he loves. I loved the way the relationship developed between Daphne and Hart, it had me fluctuating between heartbreak and cheering them on. There were several engaging secondary characters to add interest to the story. The conclusion was a surprise for me. This author never fails to capture my interest.