Item: If the Duke Dares
Rating: 4.5
Author: Gina

If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke (Rogue Rules #1) | #Giveaway #RegencyRomance #HistoricalRomance @GoddessFish @darcyburkeauthor

A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.

Book Details

If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke
Series: Rogue Rules #1
Published by Zealous Quill Press on 01/30/2024
Genres: Fiction, Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 321

Incorrigible flirt Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellsbourne is in need of a duchess. En route to greet a potential bride, he encounters a most intriguing and captivating widow who completely distracts him from his task. However, she disappears before he can deepen their acquaintance. Acton begrudgingly goes to meet his bride, unaware she and the widow are one and the same.

When Persephone Barclay’s younger sister is compromised, Persephone must wed before the scandal spreads. Her parents scramble to present her to the Duke of Wellsbourne; except he’s precisely the kind of rogue she has now vowed to avoid. Taking flight to avoid a match, Persephone runs straight into her would-be betrothed and pretends to be someone else. But dash it all, the duke proves to be irresistibly charming! If she remains in his company, she’ll end up in the wicked scoundrel’s clutches.

Even worse, her second attempt at escape lands her in increasingly poor circumstances. With nowhere to turn and her safety at risk, she may have to accept help from the one man who threatens her resolve—and her reputation.

Source: Amazon Purchase

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Excerpt from If the Duke Dares

“You look terrified. Did you see another rat?” she asked.

“No. Not yet.” He flicked a glance toward his toppled boot. Perhaps the rodents had worked together to knock it down to create a haven.

“Are you…afraid of rats?”

“I didn’t think so. But now I must reassess that assumption.”

“Have you even seen rats before?”

“In London. On the streets—certain streets. But always from a distance. I was not sharing my sleeping space with them. Or my footwear.”

Her brows arched and her eyes widened slightly. “Is there one in your boot?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know. It seems possible. They were both standing upright when I retired.”

“Would you like me to look?” she asked.

He appreciated her lack of teasing. This was mortifying on every level—his fear, his revelation of that to her, his dependence on her bravery. “Would you?” He shook his head sharply. “No, what if it jumps out at you?”

“I am confident it will be more afraid of me than I am of it.” She moved toward his boots. “It’s unlikely there is anything in there, not after the noise we’ve been making.”

“Be careful,” he warned as she bent to pick up the boot. “Perhaps you should just kick it first.”

He couldn’t see what she did next as she blocked the boot from his view with her body. Suddenly, she jumped and shrieked.

Acton did the same. He also moved backward until he met the side of the bed.

Persey turned. She held both his boots. Then she laughed. And laughed. Great guffaws of hilarity.

Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.

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Purchase Links for If the Duke Dares

If the Duke Dares (Rogue Rules Book 1)

Amazon Kindle Edition
Burke, Darcy (Author)
English (Publication Language)
326 Pages - 01/30/2024 (Publication Date) - Zealous Quill Press (Publisher)

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My Thoughts on If the Duke Dares

“If the Duke Dares” by Darcy Burke is a captivating start to the Rogue Rules series, blending humor, drama, and romance in the Regency era.

The story revolves around Persephone Barclay, a determined young woman facing the consequences of her sister’s scandal. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with the incorrigible flirt, Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne. Acton, in need of a duchess, finds himself drawn to Persephone, unaware of her true identity. As they navigate misunderstandings and societal expectations, their chemistry becomes undeniable.

Persephone shines as a protagonist ahead of her time with her independent spirit and resilience. Acton’s journey from rogue to reform is portrayed with charm as he grapples with his upbringing and societal pressures.

Family dynamics add depth to the narrative, from Persephone’s protective instincts towards her sister to the dastardly Barclay girl’s parents to Acton’s complicated relationship with his mother and deceased father. The vividly described settings enhance the immersive experience for readers, transporting them to the vibrant world of Regency England.

In Conclusion

“If the Duke Dares” delivers a satisfying blend of romance and intrigue, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. With its delightful characters and heartwarming conclusion, it’s a tale that romance enthusiasts will surely adore.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

You can find more of my Darcy Burke book reviews HERE.

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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!

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About Darcy Burke

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.