A DUKE’S TEMPTATION by Jillian Hunter

The Bridal Pleasures Series
Publisher: Signet Select
Date published: November 2nd, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-451-41300-0
Historical romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Duke of Gravenhurst, Samuel St. Aldwyn, has always tried to champion those causes near and dear to his heart-ones that are not popular with anyone else. He’s a rogue, a rake and a secret author with a popular line of historical stories so dark many whisper his author name is poisoning the minds of the public. Flirting with his new housekeeper was something he found enjoyable even if she is as sexy as sin and can go toe to toe with him.

Lily Boscastle is in disgrace after a very public ending to her engagement and she now has to find work outside of London in order to salvage her pride. Hired as the Duke of Gravenhurst’s housekeeper has Lily matching wits with one of the more notorious rakes in the ton and finds she is falling for Samuel. But secrets cloud around both of them. Can Lily and Samuel find a way to survive while falling in love?

THE DUKE’S TEMPTATION is something of a hodge podge of things going on that had me scratching my head and wondering where one of my favorite historical authors went. The characters were so one dimensional they felt almost wooden in stature and the story flowed in fits and starts, going off in all directions that left me wondering if I picked up the wrong book. I haven’t read the other books in this series and frankly, after reading this one, I am unsure if I even want to now. Ms. Hunter normally is a wonderful writer who pens such magnificent tales of times gone by with fascinating characters but in her latest release, fell quite short of the mark.

Meet Samuel St. Aldwyn, the Duke of Gravenhurst. He’s a rake, a champion of unpopular causes and a secret author among other things. When he hires Lily Boscastle as his new housekeeper he finds the perfect woman to match wits with as he flirts with her. She is sexy, outspoken and quite unlike any woman he knows or has seduced. The first thing about Samuel is that I just could not like him at all. He was so not adorable in that rascal sense. He was more along the “oh god, he is so annoying, go away” thinking in my opinion. He was wishy-washy, boring and one hero I just wasn’t too keen about. Lily was even worse, in my opinion. She is so flighty; she had me wondering what planet she was from. All the characters in A DUKE’S TEMPTATION were so one dimensional and unlovable, it felt like the author had no idea what to do with anyone at all. The storyline goes all over the place and I had to put the book down more than once to read something else after several pages of this one.

Jillian Hunter’s A DUKE’S TEMPTATION is a hodge-podge of different storylines all mashed together in one story. As much as I wanted to love this latest by her, I just could not get into the story at all. I am really hoping Ms. Hunter goes back to her wonderful writing before this book in the future. A DUKE’S TEMPTATION is not her best work to date though she does have several gems in her backlist to enjoy if you need a Jillian Hunter book fix.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A DUKE’S TEMPTATION by Jillian Hunter

The Bridal Pleasures Series
Publisher: Penguin Signature Select
Date published: November 2010
ISBN: 978-0451413000
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paper
Reviewed by Pam
Obtained by publisher


Samuel Aubrey the fourth Duke of Gravenhurst, and ninth Baronet has become known as a rake and a champion of unpopular causes. Everyone agrees he is a very entertaining man, but very few know the real man. With what seems to be eternal youth, the looks of a beautiful dark angel and elusive, he comes and goes as he pleases. A very private man he spends most of the time at his estate on Dartmoor.

Miss Lily Boscastle has her eye on Samuel, as he flirts and smiles while she waits in a queue. After she is almost seduced while walking in the gardens, she wonders why she has allowed him even the smallest of liberties. Lily is betrothed to another man, but scandal and even more problems leave her name in disrepute.

Forced to seek employment outside of London, when her family disowns her, she finds herself unknowingly, a housekeeper in Samuel’s home. Unknown to her he has a tender spot for Lily as her sharp wit and sensuality appeal to him. He feels she’s his perfect match. But when danger lurks can they save themselves and those who have been sheltered at Gravenhurst? While ghosts from their pasts and dangerous felon’s try to take advantage of them, can they find a way to live in peace?

A DUKE'S TEMPTATION begins at a masquerade ball and Samuel does his best to be entertaining. He usually leaves early after becoming bored, so of course flirts whenever anyone catches his eye. This tale has a slightly different introduction from the usual Historical stories. The main and secondary characters are very different from the usual expectations readers have in 1818. Lily and Samuel are drawn to each other, especially after Lily learns more about him and what appears to be his very odd behavior. Lily has also been told about his string of women, not knowing why. The more he can boast of, the less likelihood of his secret activities becoming known.

The staff are a wonderful mixed group of characters, but all stand behind their Duke and make this unusual story far more interesting to read than many set in this period.

The writing is strong with a lot of interesting happenings going on. The rogues were also a bit different and very unexpected, as they try to tempt the Duke into a duel they think will finish him off. If you like a mix of comedy, chivalry and many laughs, I recommend Ms. Hunter’s, A DUKE’S TEMPTATION.

Many writers fall in love with their heroes, but in this instance, the reviewer has grown enamored by this noble man who has such a wonderful sense of humor and honor.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE WICKED DUKE TAKES A WIFE by Jillian Hunter

Publisher: Ballantine
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978.0.345-50395-4
Historical romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained via publisher



One day, Lord Griffin Boscastle arrives at the finishing school where Harriet Gardner lives and works. He is supposed to be looking for a wife now that he has inherited a dukedom, but he really wants to continue his career as a rakehell. When Harriet comes to work for his aunt, Griffin must stay away from the red headed beauty at all costs. Harriet, however, is made of tougher stuff. She comes from the dark alleys of London and was rescued and sent to the finishing school. Since then she has become a model of a lady. She sees that Lord Boscastle can be redeemed and he certainly doesn’t need to woo a lady he doesn’t like. Harriet is about to embark on a cure for the arrogant Lord, but an enemy from the past threatens to tear them apart.

This was a great read with some really entertaining characters. Jillian Hunter has a way of bringing her characters alive so that the reader feels she is almost in the room watching them interact. The plot is exciting with some clever twists and turns. This author draws the reader back in time to a period where the clash of the classes is very present. Yet, Harriet has risen above her lowly station and can hold her head high with any lady, even if she does slip into her London slang now and again. Harriet reminded me a bit of Eliza Dolittle and she is heroine that readers will love. Yes, readers and lovers of historical romance will certainly be very satisfied with this book, and I for one will be on the look out for more stories by this talented author.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.








THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

A WICKED LORD AT THE WEDDING by Jillian Hunter

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-0-345-50394-7
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Obtained from publisher
Reviewed by Pam


Lord Sebastien Boscastle, 1st Baron Boscastle of Wycliffe, has a problem persuading his neglected wife he has truly returned to stay. After six years of intrigue, espionage and duty to his country, while working for the Duke of Wellington, he finds the devoted woman he left has changed.

Lady Eleanor Boscastle has made a new life for herself while aiding Catherine the Duchess of Wellington, who wants to keep her husband’s lover’s letters a secret, knowing the contents would upset her children.

When Sebastien and Eleanor begin working together, mayhem ensues as he’s determined to get her to stop her masquerade, while she wants to prove how good she is. Sebastien becomes suspicious of her cousin Will, and the portrait painter Lord Nathan Bellisant, who is obviously in love with Eleanor. Presuming one of them is guilty the romp continues as they chase each other around London society. From society to brothels and mixing with ladies of the street, but the ending does have a very unexpected twist in this tale.

Witty in places, A WICKED LORD AT THE WEDDING had a very odd beginning, which I found a little strange, as it began in the present, then suddenly the reader was flung back to when they met. The idea for the plot was intriguing, but fell over in some ways, as no woman in society would have done what Eleanor did. Most of the story is a constant face off as they each try to go one better than the other in their search.

The seduction scenes were handled well as there is nothing very proper about either of the main characters. He has realized he’s still madly in love with his wife, so tries to gauge her feelings for him. She looks forward to their sexual encounters but wonders if it is love making or only lust, but it doesn’t stop them wanting each other.

The setting, the intrigue and the sex scenes make up for historical correctness, as they rush around London and into the countryside in their game of one-up-man-ship.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.