The family fortune has vanished, Angelique Archer's
dissolute older brother Gerald, the new Marquess of Hutton
wastes what little money there is, and makes himself a
nuisance, but Angelique is determined to do what it takes
to take care of her two younger brothers. That's how
Angelique ended up playing cards in Lavoie's gaming hell,
where she is very successful, but she must not be noticed.
But Alexander Lavoie, the owner, has noticed her. When a
sore loser manhandles Angelique, Alexander steps in and
swiftly handles the matter. Angelique had studiously
avoided looking at Alexander until then, but she has no
choice now, and she can't take her eyes of the dangerously
handsome man.
I had loved the previous book, I love Kelly Bowen, and I
trust that she will not disappoint me. I had been eagerly
awaiting BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DUKE, but oh my! I had
a hard time writing this review, because finding adequate
words to describe how I feel was extremely difficult.
Kelly Bowen had me completely mesmerized by her stunning
descriptions, her fascinating characters, and her
exquisite prose. Angelique is a mathematical genius, a
woman who faces demoralizing situations with a stiff upper
lip; she doesn't think herself beautiful because of her
unusual looks. Alexander is charming, charismatic, an
astute businessman, and utterly ruthless. While Alexander
is immediately smitten with Angelique's looks, it is her
brilliant mind that seduces him, and the reason he hires
her. The chemistry between Angelique and Alexander left me
panting with anticipation: from the moment they meet, the
sexual tension is palpable, and never has a simple kiss on
a cheek been so erotic. Their verbal exchanges are the
stuff literary dreams are made of: their intelligent
banter, their tit for tat ripostes, and the biting wit
both characters share contribute to their becoming closer.
And the turquoise gown. The sumptuous piece of clothing
plays a pivotal part in the story, as it alters
Angelique's life in a most wonderful and unusual way. The
romance in BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DUKE is sensuous,
enthralling, elegantly and erotically intense, and
entirely convincing, and the mystery part is so
masterfully constructed and exciting that it would have
been fabulous on its own, even without the enchanting
romance. If you think there are too many epithets in this
review, there could have been many, many more: BETWEEN THE
DEVIL AND THE DUKE is that fabulous! Kelly Bowen dazzles
us with exceptionally complex characters, breathless
action, and incomparable storytelling. I can't help but
wonder if Ms. Bowen will attempt to redeem the pitiful
little worm that is Gerald. It would be a challenge, for
sure, but what a book it could be. And King, the
mysterious King, whose story I am dying to read, makes a
brief and unforgettable appearance. BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND
THE DUKE simply blew me away!
He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander
Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his
vingt-et-un table, he's more intrigued than angry. He has to
see more of this beauty-in his club, in his office, in his
bed. But first he'll have to devise a proposition she can't
turn down.
Gossip said he was an assassin. Common sense told her to
stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie's
club offered a surefire way to make quick money-until she
got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil
offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means
facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and
fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove
impossible . .
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