If you are current with this series, you know all about the Lords of Chaos and their dark, horrible, abusive ways. If you are new or not up to date with this series, you can easily read this one as a stand alone. The Lords of Chaos are a clandestine group of men, who wear masks and torture, rape, kill and abuse women and children. They are after power and money – and obviously other things as well. This group has been the “villain” for a couple of books now, and it all comes to a dramatic climax in Duke of Desire.

Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore unfortunately knows all too well what the Lords of Chaos can do. His father was once their leader. He was initiated at the tender age of twelve. Unspeakable acts were done to him which changed his life forever. Althogh he was initiated, he didn’t join this ugly group. Instead, he found himself going to Corsica to stay with family and mature into an adult. Now with his father dead and Raphael inheriting the title, he is back in England, surly and scarred. No one knows how he got the scar that runs down the side of his face but people fear him. He is cold and a recluse. He lives in a dark abbey surrounded by his Corsican servants, and one thing on his mind – to infiltrate the Lords of Chaos and bring them down. To murder their leader and end all of their horrible acts. He joins them undercover and is just getting them to trust him, when they kidnap our heroine Lady Iris Jordan, who was returning from a wedding. Raphael had met Iris once before and never forgot her. Pretending he wants to kill her, he whisks her away to his carriage, promising the other men that he will follow through and murder her himself (although obviously secretly getting her to safety) Iris thinks he really is a bad guy, and finds a pistol in the carriage and shoots him! I do love when a heroine shoots the hero. Well done, Iris.

Once on the road, she realizes he is actually saving her – oopsie – and they rush to now save him and his bleeding shoulder wound. Knowing the Lords will be after Iris, and knowing he is badly injured, he makes Iris marry him that night, to make sure she has his protection, and the trust of his loyal Corsican servants (who are fighters). Iris, who had been kidnapped, told she would burn to death, and then kidnapped again, can barely think straight, and agrees to the marriage.

From here, these two get to know one another. Raphael is a complicated man. Since his father was so evil, he feels like he has his father’s evil blood running through his veins. Iris sparks interest in him – as she is not a wilting flower. She is mature, and sure of herself, and can handle herself in a crisis. He enjoys arguing with her and conversing with her and knows that his body, even with his scar, turns her on. But the thought of sullying her with his tainted blood makes him try to avoid anything physical with her. Iris won’t have it. She longs for companionship after her previous elderly husband died. She wants to understand Raphael and his dark past. She wants to stand beside him in their marriage. She also really wants to explore his cock. (hey – those were her words).

As I said, the Lords of Chaos add a very dark undertone to this book. It has Hoyt’s usual steaminess in the romance department, with great sexual tension. Raphael has a raspy voice, and is cold nature leads to some very passionate kisses – and beyond.

“God’s blood, woman, how much control do you think I have?” he whispered, his clove-scented breath brushing her face. “You must think me a saint by the way you harangue me despite my warnings. Listen and listen well: I am no saint.”

“But I don’t need a saint,” she breathed, her voice trembling. “I don’t want a saint. I want you.”

“God forgive me,” he snarled, and pulled her to his mouth.

Iris is eager to explore her new husband, and pry into his past. But his past is very dark too. I feel like the subject matter was handled well, and Hoyt didn’t hold back to show just how horrible the acts were.

Marriage of convenience? Check. Beauty and the beast trope? Check. Adventure and a sexy romance? Check.

Really enjoyed this one

“Duke of Desire” is the wrap up of an outstanding series. As the last full length installment in the Maiden Lane series, this book was one of my most anticipated read of the year. And I just loved it! The characters are so beautifully drawn, the growth of their love, and the obstacles to it, so believable, that I was completely captivated by their story. It was gripping, intense and heartbreaking, the pace of the story, the angst and the action kept me riveted to the pages!

Iris Daniels, Lady Jordan, has been kidnapped by the Lords of Chaos, a secret society of rapists and murderers. She is saved from sure death by Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore. Raphael is a fascinating hero, deeply scarred and damaged. As the son of their former leader, he was a victim of the Lords of Chaos’ debauchery. He has vowed to take revenge for their crimes and, after years of planning, he has been able to infiltrate their secret order, with the intention of bringing them down. And yet, he risks everything to rescue Iris.

After a chance encounter, Raphael’s attraction to Iris fuels his drive to protect her. But he has set a strict path for his life, and she is a distraction he can’t afford. I loved this character, he is arrogant, dark, secretive and yet so vulnerable and broken. His past is similar to the Duke of Montgomery’s childhood. But their personalities are completely different. Raphael is a good person, he is plagued with feelings of guilt because he hasn’t yet destroyed the Lords of Chaos. The man he is at the start of the story is very different to the hero we end up with. This story is his journey of healing, and you get the feeling that it could only happen with the heroine by his side, she is his game changer. I loved how protective, possessive, and caring he was with Iris. He marries her to protect her, but their marriage of convenience soon becomes so much more.

Iris is a strong heroine, kind, thoughtful, she has a sweet personality. She wants a real marriage, a family life with Raphael. And even though it is very difficult for her to break through his pain, she stands her ground. I loved seeing Iris and Raphael’s relationship slowly blooming and growing. It is a slow burn that was perfectly executed by the author.

Elizabeth Hoyt never ceases to amaze me, with her riveting storytelling, elegant writing style, richly drawn setting and wonderful characters. I have read each and every book in her Maiden Lane series and all of them have been perfect or near perfect reads for me. A novella featuring Mary from the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children, all grown up, will soon be released. But it seems that this outstanding series is coming to an end. It is definitely time for me to plan a re-read!

This was my very first book by Elizabeth Hoyt and while I had read lots of great reviews for her books I really didn't know what to expect. While I love historical romance there can sometimes be a sameness about them. Not all authors stand out but Hoyt is one of the ones who does. Her writing and the world she has created in this book - and I'm assuming the series as a whole - is like no other.

This is not a love match and really Iris and Raphael barely even know each other but the marriage is necessary for Iris's survival. I loved that while Iris doesn't blindly follow everything that Raphael tells her she also isn't so insistent on having her own way that she falls into the dreaded To Stupid To Live territory. Raphael reminded me a bit of a classic historical romance hero. He's such an alpha male that he's almost a stereotype and he has the whole tortured hero thing down. However, his baggage is seriously real and he also has a softer sweeter side and is willing to actually listen and converse with her. While he is fiercely protective of Iris (for good reason) they also develop an emotional connection that was really lovely to watch.

My main issue was the Lords of Chaos. They are most definitely villains but I struggled with their level of debauchery and cruelty. While the scenes aren't particularly graphic there is mention of sexual assault as well as sexual abuse on children which kept me from fully enjoying the novel as much as I would have without that.

While I did struggle with an issue in the plot of this particular book I'm in love with Hoyt's vivid characters and writing style. This is a world I'm already looking forward to visiting again.

I think I’m still reeling a bit after just having finished Duke of Desire. It’s hard to believe that Maiden Lane has come to a close… although there are two novellas yet to come. I’ve enjoyed this series immensely, and I admit to looking forward to discovering what Elizabeth Hoyt brings us next.

I wasn’t really prepared for Duke of Desire to have such dark tones, although I should have not been so surprised considering the evil that is the Lords of Chaos. Raphael and Iris were an intriguing couple who despite their beginning truly came to be one of my favorite couples in this series. It would take a very special woman to deal with Raphael’s scarred past, Iris met that challenge and more.

There are some very dark parts of Duke of Desire, things so horrendous that I don’t even want to talk about them… even though I do know such atrocities exist in every time period. Evil exists and it’s Raphael’s mission to put this particular group of evil men down for good.

While there are darker parts, there are also lights shining into Raphael’s life as well. Iris intends to be his wife in every possible way, including standing by his side as he fights against his past and comes to terms with what was in order to move forward with the woman he’s come to love at his side.

I enjoyed their romance very much. Both are stubborn, believe they are in the right and determined to stand beside each other no matter what comes their way. Of course Raphael is sexy as sin and Iris discovers that fact for herself, along with a man who has honor and dedication. He may have scars both physical and emotional, but he’s worth every battle she’ll have to fight to prove that they belong together.

I expected something different for the final full length story in Maiden Lane… what I got instead was a perfect ending to a series that has captured my attention for a long time. I’m sad to see it go, but looking forward to what comes next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Raphael and Iris' story is built on a foundation of love, only Raphael isn't aware of it when he saves her life. The trauma and tragedy that has plagued Raphael his entire life is what drives him towards revenge. Will the years of plotting find him at the end of that road alive or dead?

The entire series of Maiden Lane has been filled with the most amazing characters. If you are discovering Elizabeth's books for the first time I highly recommend reading them from the beginning. While this can be read as a standalone, the journey is worth the payoff of the last page of this book.

Iris Daniels, Lady Jordan, has been kidnapped by the notorious Lords of Chaos, who mistakenly believe that she is married to the Duke of Kyle. Iris and the duke did have an informal courtship, but he fell in love with another and married her. Though the Lords now realize their mistake, they also know that Iris can't be allowed to live. When one of the masked Lords claims Iris for himself, the leader agrees, under condition that she be killed when he's finished playing with her. This man is Raphael de Chartres, Duke of Dyemore, who has infiltrated the secret society with the intent of destroying them, and only intends to rescue Iris. When he deposits her in his coach, she finds a gun under the seat and shoots him, not realizing his real purpose.

Raphael, though badly injured, finally convinces Iris of his innocence and takes her to his nearby home. He decides that the only way he can fully protect her is to marry her, and they wed that very night. Raphael trusts no one, and won't summon a doctor, so Iris calls on the knowledge she absorbed while following her now-deceased husband and soldier, James, and removes the bullet herself. She nurses Raphael through the ensuing fever and ponders her fate and her new husband. He would be one of the world's handsomest men, if not for the slashing scar down one side of his face from brow to chin.

As Raphael begins to recover, he knows it's just a matter of time until the Lords realize that Iris is still alive, and come to kill both of them. He starts to formulate plans on how to keep Iris safe and still destroy the Lords, while resisting the lovely charms of his new wife. Raphael's own father was the leader of the Lords of Chaos until his death last year. His evil and perverted actions destroyed Raphael's childhood, and left him a man who feels he is sullied and unfit to be loved. It's heartbreaking to watch such a strong and vibrant man shy away from any intimacy with Iris. He's courteous, attentive, and generous, but whenever Iris tries to get close physically, his walls go up.

Iris is determined not to give up. She endured a three year marriage of convenience, and she wants this marriage to be different. She can see the desire in Raphael's eyes, but he won't give in. I love how she shows her own desire to Raphael and is sensitive to his vulnerability. When Raphael finally opens up and confesses some of his past, it's obvious that the thing Iris most desires in the world is the one thing Raphael will never give her. If they even survive, it would seem they have no chance at happiness.

DUKE OF DESIRE is a fantastic all around read. The mystery dealing with the Lords of Chaos is well written and intriguing. Raphael, the wounded hero, is to die for, and his sad history broke my heart. Iris is well deserving to be Raphael's love and salvation, and their eventual sexual intimacy is off the charts steamy. Elizabeth Hoyt delivers on all levels, and reading DUKE OF DESIRE is bittersweet, as it's the final full length novel in the magnificent Maiden Lane series. To me, this series never got old or stale, and I'm truly saddened to see it come to an end, though this final book is a stellar conclusion. I know that I'll be revisiting Maiden Lane many times in the future.

except for one last novella, which will hopefully bring together some old favorite characters, the maiden lane series comes to a close with duke of desire. we've met both raphael and iris before, namely in duke of pleasure, and i was happy to see both characters again.


when raphael saves iris from the lords of chaos she isn't sure she can trust him. and maybe she shouldn't because once he has her in his home, raphael finds he can't let her go. he says this is for her safety, but it runs deeper than that. it's something he's not ready to explain or explore. but he knows all the same that letting iris go is not an option for him.

and once iris gets over her initial distrust, she doesn't want to leave. she sees the things that have hurt and damaged this beautiful, broken man and she doesn't shy away from them or from him. she never sees him as the monster he sees himself as. but until he lets go of this warped view of himself, their future together hangs very much in the balance.

on top of that there is still imminent danger from the lords of chaos. the new dionysius is possibly more evil and depraved than raphael's father was. and he knows that raphael wants the lords destroyed and intends to do everything in his power to get to raphael and iris first.

it's hard to say what is more challenging to raphael and iris's romance, the lords of chaos or raphael's demons. needless to say there is a lot of healing and acceptance that needs to happen in this book for everything to work, and i think it is handled quite beautifully.

i've so enjoyed this series, even as it tackles some heavy topics like child abuse, rape, and poverty, the romances are heartfelt and emotionally satisfying.

All it took was one dance and Raphael de Chartres, Duke of Dyemore, was captivated by Lady Iris Jordan. But she is lightness personified and he’s trapped in the dark. All he has is his mission: infiltrate and destroy the Lords of Chaos, a powerful secret society of rapists and murderers. When Iris is kidnapped by the Lords on the way home a friend’s wedding, Raphael risks his cover to rescue her. To protect her from the Lords, he convinces her to marry him. What he doesn’t expect is that Iris isn’t content to settle for the friendly but passionless marriage he envisions. She’s determined to break down his barriers, and as it becomes increasingly difficult for him to resist her, Raphael has to wonder if there’s a chance their unconventional marriage could become a love match. But if he hopes to find out, he and Iris will have to outwit the leader of the Lords of Chaos who is determined to destroy them.

Duke of Desire has is a dark, emotional book that will definitely tug on your heartstrings. Raphael and Iris’s story starts off with a blast of action, followed by an almost Beauty and the Beast-like period of the two near-strangers-turned-newlyweds getting to know one another, followed by a romance intertwined with a struggle to defeat dangers past and present.

Raphael is a man whose life is consumed by one mission: destroy the Lords of Chaos. Raphael’s father was the leader of the vile society, and he was a monster. Because of his actions, Raphael is scarred inside and out, tortured, and my heart broke for him. His past is dark and author Elizabeth Hoyt doesn’t skirt around the demons that torment him. I wanted to see Raphael heal, to see him find love, and I knew it’d take a strong-willed heroine to break through his walls. Iris is just that heroine. She’s got an inner strength and huge heart that I adored. She doesn’t back down when Raphael tries to push her away, and the two of them were good for each other. Their love story is emotional and rewarding and I liked that they didn’t fall in love instantaneously. Their relationship felt organic and I had a hard time putting Duke of Desire down because I wanted to see them find happiness.

The Lords of Chaos and their path of destruction feature prominently in this book. I won’t spoil what happens, but these are villains who definitely make you want to vomit. Readers should be warned that this is the darkest of all the Maiden Lane books and that childhood sexual abuse is discussed. This is a heavy subject, and Ms. Hoyt treats it with respect. Needless to say, I was as invested in Raphael’s mission to destroy these monsters as I was in his romance with Iris. And though the ending of the story felt a bit rushed, Ms. Hoyt wrapped up both plotlines in a satisfying way.

Duke of Desire is the twelfth full-length Maiden Lane book, but whether you’re new to the series or are a long-time fan, you can jump in without any issues. Ms. Hoyt’s writing is always compelling, and even with such dark subject matter, the themes of love and hope shine through.

Addictive!

As always I am in awe of the characters and situations Hoyt has created in the Maiden Lane series. An addictive collage of interweaving stories.
The Duke of Desire is at once devastating and delicious, a Beauty and the Beast reflection that calls to the soul.
Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore carries scars that repel and attract. His emotions are bound by his past. Cynical, dark and damaged--he looms large. He is a wonderful contrast to the intelligent and stubborn Iris.
Raphael has set out to destroy the Lords of Chaos. He had been introduced to Lords' depravity as a child when his father lead the group. A happenstance that has left him seared to his very being. He fled England and has just now returned. He is pursuing the hunt when fate intervenes and Raphael, having infiltrated the group, finds himself at a hellish bacchanalia with Lady Iris Jordan being served up as the main dish. The picture is horrifying, the attendant Lords 'were fighting over her like feral dogs over a scrap of meat.'
Raphael had met Iris some months before and felt a powerful attraction to her. Now he must rescue her from this wickedness. Of course there are twists and turns and things don't quite go to plan. I will say no more other than marriage was not the first option, rather the second. The story engages Iris and Raphael in the push and pull of that original attraction, leavened with a hearty dose of passion, as they attempt to either move forward or disengage from the relationship thrust upon them. A fascinating process.
I love that Iris Jordan, whom we met in the Duke of Pleasure, as the lifelong friend to Katherine, the late wife of the Duke of Kyle, now comes into her own. Not that she wasn't a force to be reckoned with in that story. But here, in the Duke of Desire, Iris truly emerges like a swan, given the freedom to unleash her true personae.
The balance of dark and light between Raphael and Iris is brilliantly woven. Each is a balm to the other as their story unfolds, with all the looked for angst and sensuality. I loved it!
I cannot tell you how sad I am that this is the last full novel in the series. I am desolate!

A NetGalley ARC
(October 2017)

Kidnapped by the Lords of Chaos, Lady Iris Jordan finds herself surrounded by a group of deadly masked and naked Lords. The Lords discover that they have the wrong woman and the Wolf steps forward to claim her for his own. Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, knows first hand the destruction that the Lords of Chaos cause and that they must be destroyed from the inside. Infiltrating the group that his father once led, Raphael wears the mask of the Wolf and will not let the Lords kill Lady Jordan.

Iris remains the kind insightful woman we were introduced to in the Duke of Pleasure. Placing value on a person’s character rather than their appearance, Iris isn’t bothered by Raphael’s scars and is determined to create a true marriage from his offer of protection.

Raphael never planned on getting married or continuing the line of the Dukes of Dyemore for fear of becoming like his father. With Iris demanding to be a part of his life he learns that blood alone doesn’t determine a person’s nature, and that he doesn’t have to bring down the Lords of Chaos alone.

The Duke of Desire is the story of two people forced together by circumstance but fight for the future they both deserve.

Duke of Desire is the 12th(!) and final book in Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series. Overall, I’ve enjoyed the series, but it’s definitely time to move on to something new. First, however, Hoyt must finally destroy the evil Lords of Chaos, a dissolute and criminally corrupt society of wealthy men that she introduced earlier in the series.

The book opens with a bang. The heroine, Iris, is about to be killed at one of the Lords’ drunken bacchanals because they believe she is the wife of their enemy, the Duke of Kyle. When Iris points out that she is in fact NOT his wife, one of the masked Lords whisks her off with a promise to the group’s leader, a man in a Dionysus mask, that he will kill Iris later. When Iris then manages to get her hands on a pistol, she shoots her new captor, only to be told that he is trying to save her life. (Oops!) Her savior, Raphael, the Duke of Dyemore, spirits Iris back to his home, where he marries her to provide protection from the Lords. (Oh, and also because he’s become a wee bit obsessed with her since they shared a single dance at a ball in the previous book.) Dionysus then orders both of their deaths, which only feeds into Raphael’s main purpose—destroying the Lords, a group that was once led by his father.

This novel won’t be for everyone, because the story involves the abuse of children, including sexual abuse. That’s a dark topic, and not everybody is going to be comfortable with it. The abuse is not vividly described, however, and it is pivotal for the plot, not gratuitous.

I thought the book was well plotted, and I don’t mind tortured heroes, so I was OK with Raphael and his issues. The only weak point for me was Iris herself. The character is likeable enough, intelligent and reasonably brave, but I didn’t quite see what was so magnetic about her that after one dance at a ball, Raphael started to moon over her. Maybe it’s just because Raphael is such a troubled character that she faded a bit next to him, I don’t know. But as written, to me she just didn’t quite seem a match for him.

Other than that, this book is a good wrap-up to the series, and it’s a probably must-read for Hoyt’s fans. I’m ready to see what Hoyt comes up with next, though.

An eARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Every time I open a new Elizabeth Hoyt book, especially one in the legendary Maiden Lane series, I’m always engulfed in magic. I just adore this author’s way with words, how she brings characters to life in this particular time-period, how she deftly integrates anti-heroes with dark pasts and the fierce maidens who bring them to their knees.

Duke of Desire is no exception.

Iris is in a bit of pickle. Kidnapped, Iris is saved from a horrible fate by a man she met once—a scarred duke who hasn’t been able to get Iris out of his head. Whisked away, Iris finds herself married to Raphael, the Duke of Dyemore, but Iris wants a real marriage. Something that can’t be with the secrets and shadows looming in the duke’s eyes.

But the Lords of Chaos are formidable and they expect Iris to be dead. Time is running out for them both.

Iris is a spectacular character! She came off very sweet in the previous books, but she’s also got one heck of a backbone, and she needs it to slay the duke’s dragons. I really enjoy that it’s she who wants to jump the duke’s bones, but the duke can’t quite commit to anything of a sexual nature.
Too bad Iris is a force to be reckoned with and he’s tempted.

Oh, is he tempted! (*fans self*)

The Duke of Dyemore is such a tortured hero. I cried for him. He’s got a scar that leaves people talking, a family built of nightmares, and a quest that has him keeping himself away from his new wife.

Between the chemistry, the mystery and the constant maneuverings, I was breathlessly anticipating each new scene. Every moment. Ms. Hoyt always brings something new to the table, and it’s a perfect blend of spine-tingling adventure and toe-curling lovemaking.

Anyone who loves historical romance—that feeling of being swept away into another era and time, of being lifted to the heights of pleasure and passion, intrigue and danger—needs to read this book. This entire series. It’s a guarantee that I’ll be kept on my toes and charmed to my bones, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

5 stars!

Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt is a classic romance novel about the redemptive power of love, with a kind and noble heroine and dark and tortured hero. Kidnapped as a sacrifice for the Lords of Chaos — an underground club dedicated violent debauchery — Iris Daniels, the widowed Lady Jordan, gets a reprieve, though she ends up having to marry the Duke of Dyemore for protection. It's not exactly the loving marriage she'd been hoping for — though she does tend to her (shirtless) duke as he recovers from a gunshot wound to his (well-muscled) shoulder.

Despite their rough beginning, she decides to make the marriage work and refuses to give up on her dream of having children. But the tortured duke is determined to end his father's twisted legacy once and for all: He's sworn to destroy the Lords of Chaos and refuses to sire children. The highlight of this otherwise dark novel is a comical conversation between the hero and heroine about what'll he'll do after he obtains revenge: "After you burn the towns and salt the earth of your enemy," she asked, "what will you do then? ... You can't be more than five and thirty — ." A conversation many a romance couple should have.

The Twelfth book in The Maiden Lane Series is the last full-length novel in the Series. I can honestly say that this is one of my top five Historical Romance Series that I have read, and I have read hundreds of Historical Romances so far.

It is fitting that the last one should be about Raphael de Chartres, The Duke of Dyemore, the darkest of the heroes in this Series. A man tormented by the abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of his own father. He has returned and will do what he should have done years ago, destroy the Lords of Chaos even if it means he must die to accomplish his mission. He knows that the same evil that made his father a monster runs through his blood and is determined that his line dies with him.

Iris, Lady Jordan is kidnapped and is convinced she is about to die at the hands of men wearing masks and nothing else. When one of the men grabs her and whisks her away to his carriage she finds a gun under the seat and shoots him, injuring him in the shoulder, only to find out he was rescuing her from certain rape and death. He is a Duke and he insists that they must marry so he can protect her from the Lords who will do whatever it takes to feed their perverted desires and keep their group a secret.

Iris's first marriage was an arranged and her husband was older, cold-hearted and treated her like a piece of property. Now she finds herself married again to another man who doesn't want a true marriage. Only this time she sees something in Raphael that calls to her and she will stop at nothing to make him see that he is not a monster and he can allow himself to be happy.

Raphael is doing all he can to keep Iris at a distance and finish his mission to destroy the Lords of Chaos. But he is finding it hard to push Iris away, she wants a real husband and a family and he believes that he can never have that kind of happiness.

There are truly evil monsters in the world, but Raphael is not one of them. Can Iris convince Raphael that he deserves to be loved?

Elizabeth is an exceptional storyteller that will keep you enthralled from the first paragraph to the last.
Her plots are intricate, addictive, full of action and mystery. Her characters are wonderfully flawed, complicated and honorable. I am very sad to see The Maiden Lane Series end, but I do own all twelve of the books and can go back and read them whenever I wish. There are two novellas coming that will put this Series to bed forever, but all the memorable characters and wonderful stories will be with me forever.

I really, really recommend that you read this book and if you have not read the other books in The Maiden Lane Series now is the time!!

4.5 This last installment of the Maiden Lane series is masterfully written. The relationship with Iris and the Duke of Dyemore starts out extremely fast. She remembers that they danced once together in the not too distant past, but that's as far as their aquaintance goes. Until he rescues her from The Lords of Chaos. Usually when relationships start this quickly and get serious almost immediately it drives me crazy. There's no build up, no getting to know each other. It's just wham and it's done: intimacy. In this book however, and I don't know how Elizabeth Hoyt did it, Iris and Raphael as man and wife are immediately close, and it works. I haven't read all the books in this series, but I love the ones I have read. And this one is so good I intend to go back and read more of them!

Duke of Desire is the 12th book in the Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt.

Lady Iris Jordan, a widow, has been kidnapped by the evil Lords of Chaos. Practically at their altar where they intended to have their perverted way with her, she manages to get them to listen to the fact that she isn't the wife of the Duke of Kyle the woman they thought they had kidnapped. They decide that she still can't live because she knows too much. That gives her rescuer a perfect opportunity to get her to safety.

Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore is to be her rescuer and he has very personal reasons for wanting to bring down the Lords of Chaos. He has infiltrated the group as one of them, and he cannot let anything happen to Iris. He pleas to the head man to let him have the 'woman', insinuating that he will have his way with her then kill her. When he is allowed to take her he then whisks her away to his carriage and to his home.

What follows is the fascinating, exciting, story of how Raphael and Iris deal with what happened to her, how their relationship develops amongst such dreadful times, and how he will do anything in his power to keep her safe. When the Lords of Chaos discover that Raphael hasn't killed Iris they will both be targets for them. He will do anything, including marrying Iris all in a bid to help keep her safe. All that along with his plans to bring down the Lords of Chaos equals a book that you cannot put down until you have read it all to see how it ends!

I love how Iris brings light to Raphael's life, how she sees past who he believes he is, sees past his physical flaws that have other women gasping. She is light to his shade, and as much as he rescues her, she also needs to rescue him from his dark thoughts, his misapprehension that he could be evil just like his father who used to be the head of the Lords of Chaos!

This may be the 12th book in this series, but by far I believe it to be the very best. Yes, part of that is because we finally find out who is behind the Lords of Chaos, but it's also because I loved Iris and Raphael as a couple. I loved the emotion of the story, I cried for Raphael when he told Iris what he had endured in his past. Then I cheered when Iris loved him even more rather than be scared away in disgust as Raphael thought she would. Their physical relationship was off the charts (18+) despite the fact that he didn't want to have full on sex with her for fear of her falling pregnant. I cannot praise this book enough, and I definitely recommend it. Even read as a standalone book you can fully appreciate and enjoy the story. But to really get that wow impact, especially when it comes to finding out who is behind the Lords of Chaos, reading the other books first will increase your enjoyment of this book tenfold.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

Caution: this book contains implied abuse, rape, non-con.

Let me put it this way; when I read Duke of Pleasure, a couple of scenes featuring Raphael got me intrigued. With the kind of intro on that previous book, you bet I want to read the story of the new Duke of Dyemore and Iris. My interpretation of the epilogue from Duke of Pleasure (that Dyemore’s been watching over Alf) was incorrect though. A mistake corrected straight away upon starting Duke of Desire as the book started on a run!

Picking up directly from after Hugh and Alf wedding, this twelfth entry to “Maiden Lane” series put Iris on dire situation with the Lords of Chaos from first page. Raphael is forced to alter his plan and rescues her instead, and thus starts the whirlwind “romance” between them.

Initially I thought - even considering the dangerous circumstances - that Raphael’s attachment to Iris (and vice versa) developed too quickly. Until there’s “proof” it isn’t totally true (hence my admission to make wrong assumption earlier)! I gotta hand it to Ms. Hoyt on her cleverly woven tale here by slowly showing the characters’s hand. That it is told in multiple POVs from Iris, Raphael, and the villain himself would no doubt draw readers into the story.

The author certainly pulls no punches as far as what fates befall the characters. Duke of Desire is one of the saddest, dark, and thought-provoking tale I read. Though it is also moving and delightful, especially those concerning Iris and Raphael’s relationship. Worry not, there’s some really passionate love-scenes that could serve as beginner’s guide to love-making. Have a fan or air-con at the ready!

That saying, given that our hero is fixated with revenge, destroying the Lords of Chaos, and - I assumed - had plan to go about it, that Raphael galumphed on rather carelessly really frustrates me no end. Part of this book left me with a couple of (really useless) what-ifs and if-onlys for him to do better. Of course, as it is Duke of Desire presents quite an entertaining, action-packed and emotional reading with happy ending. Another great addition to the series.


Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've not read the earlier books in this series so I wasn't sure what to expect going into this one. Perhaps reading the earlier ones would have helped flush out the relationship between Raphael and Iris. Because what I saw was an obsessed dude acting like a jackass while a woman tried to save him from himself.

<b>"She was a distraction. A siren, singing only to him. He had no defenses against her, and while she sang her song so close to him his attention would always be diverted."</b>

<b>Synopsis</b>
Raphael and Iris meet at her ritual sacrifice where he saves her from the group of sadists that he's infiltrated and is bent on destroying. (I'm not lying about any of this.) Then he marries her bc he's secretly pines for her - he uses the fact that she's nearly killed him as leverage. Right. Raphael remains bent on destroying The Lords of Chaos - to the exclusion of everything else in life - including Iris. And she just basically throws herself against the brick wall that is Raphael over and over and over and over and over again.

<b>"'Raphael,' she said softly, moving toward him. 'Please. Please don't send me away.' But he turned from her as if he couldn't bear her touch. As if he couldn't even look at her."</b>

This book was a little darker than historicals I've read. I enjoyed the hero's intensity and his weird backstory. I liked the writing and the action. I was just a little uncomfortable by the heroines willingness to prostrate herself before this dumbass again and again to prove a point that only she seemed to understand.

Duke of Desire is the conclusion to the Maiden Lane series, and man did Elizabeth Hoyt take us out with a bang. I was supposed to be packing today for my big move, but this book kept me totally distracted and camped out my couch turning page after page.

Lady Iris Jordan was the friend of Hugh Fitzroy, Duke of Kyle, from Duke of Pleasure. Thought to be Kyle's new wife, Iris was kidnapped by the Lords of Chaos, a group of sadistic and pedophilic men operating in the dark of London society. Iris is a widow and, after her unhappy first marriage, she was hoping to marry again for love and children. Finding herself married to the beastly Duke of Dyemore was not in the cards, but Iris found herself compelled by his dark vulnerability. I really liked this heroine. She was mature and did not despair of her circumstances. She looked past Dyemore's scarred visage and saw the wounded boy underneath, and the good man that he was trying to be. I liked that she was brave in her uncertainty and didn't allow the Duke to push her away or intimidate her.

Raphael de Chartres, Duke of Dyemore, was a tortured hero in the extreme. As son of the former Dionysus of the Lords of Chaos, Raphel had firsthand knowledge of the group's evil nature and vile desires. Now his sole motivation in life seems to be revenge and bringing the Lords down, but he couldn't stop himself from acquiring Iris' light when the opportunity presented itself. I found Raphael's character to be extremely compelling. Your soul hurt for the tragedy he suffered, and you couldn't help being drawn to his wounded nature. I liked the dark/light interplay the author used to balance the hero and heroine.

This story did not feel like instalove, despite our couple having a hasty marriage of convenience at the outset of the story. Raphael was like a wounded animal that Iris had to coax into the light and prove that he was not the monster he believed himself to be. Despite the story's dark nature, there were some steamy moments weaved in that seemed all the more intense for the twisted emotions the rest of the tale evoked. The entire storyline and romance in this final installment was very intense, and I was riveted to the page.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Grand Central Publishing.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt
Book Twelve of the Maiden Lane series
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

A LADY OF LIGHT

Refined, kind, and intelligent, Lady Iris Jordan finds herself the unlikely target of a diabolical kidnapping. Her captors are the notoriously evil Lords of Chaos. When one of the masked-and nude!-Lords spirits her away to his carriage, she shoots him . . . only to find she may have been a trifle hasty.

A DUKE IN DEEPEST DARKNESS

Cynical, scarred, and brooding, Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, has made it his personal mission to infiltrate the Lords of Chaos and destroy them. Rescuing Lady Jordan was never in his plans. But now with the Lords out to kill them both, he has but one choice: marry the lady in order to keep her safe.

CAUGHT IN A WEB OF DANGER . . . AND DESIRE

Much to Raphael's irritation, Iris insists on being the sort of duchess who involves herself in his life-and bed. Soon he's drawn both to her quick wit and her fiery passion. But when Iris discovers that Raphael's past may be even more dangerous than the present, she falters. Is their love strong enough to withstand not only the Lords of Chaos but also Raphael's own demons?

What I Liked:

This book. Was. Perfect. Friends, I wanted to weep after finishing it. It was so excellent for so many different reasons - I can't even begin to describe how wonderful this book was to me. I definitely won't do the story justice with this review. You all know how much I love this series? This is only the third of twelve books that I've rated five stars. It's definitely tied with the other two as my favorite. I will be thinking about this one for a long time.

We met Raphael and Iris in Duke of Pleasure, in which Iris and the Duke of Kyle (Hugh) are friends. Iris attends Hugh's wedding and they fool society into thinking that they (Iris and Hugh) got married, because they don't want anyone to know that Hugh married Alf... at least not yet. Little does Iris know that the Lords of Chaos have it out for Hugh, and they kidnap her, thinking that she is the new Duchess of Kyle. But she is rescued by a man whom she never would have expected - the Duke of Dyemore. Raphael de Chartres wants no part of the Lords of Chaos, but he does want to destroy them. Rescuing Iris from them isn't part of his revenge plan, and it only makes things harder, because he must defy the Dionysus (the leader of the Lords of Chaos). He does not kill her - instead, he marries her, to protect her. Iris slowly learns more about her new husband, and she finds out that his past is even darker than she might have imagined.

This book broke my heart and made me swoon at the same time, which is pretty difficult to do. The story is darker than any of the other Maiden Lane books, with the heart of it involving the horror of the Lords of Chaos. Raphael's father used to be the Dionysus, and Raphael was to be initiated into the Lords. The tone of this book is bleaker than any other book in this series, but this makes the book so much more compelling and intriguing. I enjoyed it so much, darkness and all. Much like Raphael.

I'd go as far as to say that this book is Raphael's (as opposed to it being Raphael's and Iris's). Yes, both have POVs in the story. But this story is one of growth and healing for Raphael. He went through a horrible, traumatic event during his childhood, and it affected him through adulthood. It broke my heart to see him react to certain things, because of this event. He doesn't like this or that, he doesn't want children, he never planned on getting married. Raphael thinks he is such a monster, and he shrouds himself in darkness, but really he is a good man. He is bent on revenge, trying to take down the Lords, but he is a selfless, good person.

Iris is hands-down one of my favorite heroines of the Maiden Lane series, just like Raphael. Both are in my top three for sure. Iris... she isn't a plucky, feisty, outspoken heroine. She isn't brash and loud, opinionated and demanding to be heard in any way. She is soft and quiet and caring, a light to Raphael's darkness. But she is so strong in her caring, loving nature. She isn't an alpha female and she doesn't need to be - her whole self is just as tough and assertive as an alpha female, except she is Iris Daniels, a loving, gentle soul. I adored her. I especially loved her for sticking with Raphael, for never running away or giving up on him. There is so little drama in this book because Iris had the strength to be patient with Raphael. Every time he told her to leave him, she never did.

There is a certain amount of angst in this book that I loved so much. I know, it's weird for me to be loving angst. But it was so perfect. Raphael and Iris are nearly strangers when they get married. Iris doesn't know anything about Raphael's past, the scar on his face, why he won't have sex with her like any husband would. Every time Iris would learn something new about Raphael, my heart would break a little. The angst in this book is so perfect. Raphael is so complicated, with layers and layers of hurt from many years of build-up, and it's beautiful and heartbreaking to see Iris slip through those layers one by one.

That being said, the execution of the "tough issues" of this story was excellent. The execution of the story in general was excellent. Hoyt's writing is superb as always, her world-building flawless, and her craftsmanship solid. This story is so much darker, because of the Lords of Chaos and because of Raphael's past, and Hoyt did an amazing job with bringing across the story without depressing readers. The tone of the story is darker, but it's also hopeful.

The romance is so sweet and slow-burn. I loved watching Raphael and Iris fall for each other - especially Iris falling for Raphael. How she learns more about him and is still drawn to him. How she grows to care about him more and more, with every secret she uncovers. Raphael can't help but fall for her, because she becomes a constant that he wants, needs, and loves.

This book is quite steamy, which I appreciated! I mentioned earlier in my review that Raphael refused to have sex with Iris (at first). He has his reasons. But that doesn't mean they couldn't do... other things. The sexy times get creative, before there is "actual" sex. I was all for it!

This book has an edge and an excitement to it that isn't as present in the other books. Likely because this book deals with a man who wants revenge and he is out for blood. Taking down the Lords of Chaos is everything to Raphael. There is a lot of blood and murder in this book. There are a lot of high stakes. But this book ends extremely well, so don't worry about the HEA. It's an awesome ending to a wonderful series. Yes, this is the end of the series!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything I didn't like!

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend this book, and the entire series in general. The Maiden Lane series is quite possibly my favorite historical romances series ever. I've never stuck it out with a twelve-book series before, but there is no way I would have missed any of the books in this series. This final book is particularly good, a masterpiece that Hoyt has perfected for readers. It's worth all of the pain and hurt and angst, because this book is still a sweet novel, above all of that. If you don't want to read the entire series (you should though!), read Duke of Midnight, Duke of Sin, and Duke of Desire.

Rating:

5 stars. Hoyt has outdone herself with this conclusion novel. I am so happy with this book, and the series, and I'm also so sad to see the series end. I am definitely excited about new projects that Hoyt might be working on though!