The Rook has no idea who he is other than the man he was forced to become. Years ago, his memory was stolen by a brutal beating that left him at death's door. If it hadn't been for Lorelei, the young maiden who once helped nurse him back to health, he would not be here. Well, her, and his grim will to survive for revenge.

Lorelei has not forgotten the young man who left her behind. She has dreamed of his return, but the man before her now is nothing like the boy she once knew. The Rook, Ash as he was known to Lorelei, is a changed man... one who is haunted by the things he has had to survive. He is well-renowned killer and pirate. How can Lorelei give herself to a man she barely recognizes? How can she not give herself to a man who deep down is her Ash?

There are many reasons to love author Kerrigan Byrne's VICTORIAN REBELS series. The heroes all share a strong bond and love for one another. They are all scarred men with secrets... secrets that most people could not stomach. My heart bleeds for what the heroes and what they have had to suffer in the darkness in order to find their light. The best part of these novels is seeing these men get their revenge and finally finding their peace in the women they have fallen in love with.

Each hero's story is raw, gritty and never fails to draw the reader in. The latest installment of the VICTORIAN REBELS, THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, is one of my favorites. It is The Rook's story, which I have been waiting ever so patiently for, and it did not disappoint. Honestly, I would have read it for the title alone, not to mention the beautiful cover. It brought forth so many surprises... some unexpected, some not. I am so glad The Rook was reunited with his heart, Lorelie. A stronger and more resilient woman you've never met! She is truly a survivor, as is her Rook. The VICTORIAN REBELS series by author Kerrigan Byrne is best read in order to achieve the full effect of it's awesomeness. It consists of six books to date, THE HIGHWAYMAN, THE HUNTER, THE HIGHLANDER, THE DUKE, THE SCOT BEDS HIS WIFE and THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

Very good story. A dark romance, tortured hero. Ash needs Lorlei to brighten his darkness. Great secondary characters glad to revisit them

Ms. Byrne has written another great book which is filled with murder, danger, intrigue, and love lost and found. The author did a great.job with the storyline and has great characters. I could not put this book down and was a very quick read for me as it helps my attention.

Ash and Lorelei met when they were young and they developed a tender for each other and then torn apart. When they see each other many years later they find that time did not distinguish those feelings and that they still have those feelings for each other.

This was a very entertaining read and I enjoyed it very much. I received this book for an honest review from Netgalley.

This is my first foray into the Victorian Rebels series and I pretty much loved it. I mean, The Rook is kinda scarred (both figuratively and literally, as it turns out) from what he's been through and he's a rough mess when he reenters Lorelei's life, but...he figures things out. Eventually. It takes some close calls and soul searching, but he gets there.

Lorelei's life wasn't necessarily as terrible as The Rook's, but it wasn't a bed of roses either. Despite that, she's held on to the core of kindness that is key to helping The Rook dig himself out of the bad place he's in. Let's face it, as ruthless as this pirate king thinks he is, he can't stand hurting Lorelei's kind heart and that says everything you need to know about him.

Okay. So. Scoundrels. Pirates. Women who are stronger than they think. Danger. Men who would burn down the world if it was needed to save their special someone. Did I mention the pirates? They're hard and dangerous and they turn into fluffy puddles of goo over a few kittens. (I might be exaggerating slightly, but not by much. Pirates like kittens. As they should.)

I really like The Rook and Lorelei AND meeting several of the others men and women who've fallen before them. Am I in for the other books in this series? You betcha!

Rising above Injustice, Pain and Revenge.
The boy Lorelai fell in love with twenty years ago, has lived in hell and to survive his existence has become an unfeeling, inhuman robot with thoughts of her, his only reason for living. When they meet again is he too different for them to ever have a life together? An enjoyable story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Duke with The Dragon Tattoo, the 6th book in the series “Victorian Rebels” brings together many unanswered questions and does so very gradually. I found myself quickly reading through this book but at the same time, savouring the intense romance between Ash (Rook) and Lorelei. Whilst this is a stand-alone novel, any reader would thoroughly enjoy reading through the earlier books in the series.
Their connection from the beginning of the book, is quite so strong that even the many years apart, the intensity is still apparent to all. They are such great characters and the book, one to keep!
There is so much I could write about this but to reveal any more, would take away from reading about these two great characters. I so look forward to reading about Lorelei’s sister-in-law, Veronica.
I received an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Duke with the Dragon Tatto is the first book I've read by Kerrigan Byrne, and I was not disappointed.

It has been a while since I read a historical romance, and this book was a great way to delve back into the genre. The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo had a little of everything: murder and mayhem, grit and angst, young love and tragedy, sexual tension and passion.... need I go on?

Ash and Lorelai meet when they are young due to unfortunate circumstances. Regardless, these two characters share a connection that develops into young love until they are wrenched apart.

Years later, they unexpectedly reunite, and although they are seemingly different people, they still share a connection with one another.

I loved Ash and Lorelai's story. It was sweet and heartbreaking then passionate and fulfilling, and I look forward to more from this author.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

The Duke With The Dragon Tattoo is the sixth installment in this incredible series by Kerrigan Byrne. After seeing all the raving reviews for this book I knew I was in for a great time with this book here and I have to say this one might be my favorite of the series, even more than Highlander which had been number 1 for me but this book was INCREDIBLE and I don’t think I could ever give this book the right justice that it deserves…but I certainly will try.

In this story, we have our fated Rook….whose character we have been teased about and so we finally get his story. It starts out when he was a boy in Newgate Prison, and he is getting a tattoo done on his arm which we are included into the why of quite yet, and then we see him being dragged out. Our darling heroine, Lorelei, is traveling with her father and brother (she is fourteen at this point) and sees a man abused and barely alive and she insists that they stop to help him. She is unable to since she has a bummed leg (where her brother broke her ankle and she never was able to see medical care for it)

Lorelei works on healing him alongside the local doctor, and slowly Ash begins to heal with the tender care of Lorelei. Ash has no memory of his life before, but he does have a feeling it was brutal. He knows that he isn’t worthy of Lorelei’s tender touch but he also is drawn to her in a way he has never felt before. Lorelei motivates him to heal and to live and to become worthy of her someday. When he recovers though, working for her father, already making plan to declare his love for her when her brother kidnaps him and sells him to be a slave on a ship.

It has now been twenty years since that fateful day, and Lorelei never knew what happened to her beloved Ash or his sweet promise to her. Lorelei is now thirty-four years old, and she has never forgotten Ash but he can’t save her for what her brother is forcing her to do. Her brother is abusive and controlling. She has had to live under his control for years, including the horrible treatment of his own wife who lost their babe to his abuse. Now he has lost everything they had with his gambling debts. And so she will have to marry a rich but very old man to save them from being on the streets. She knows its the right thing, but then when she arrives at the wedding, her brother is killed right in front of her by a pirate by the name of “Rook” who then kidnaps her and he resembles a boy she once knew….her beloved Ash and he has come back to claim her as his. He takes her and her sister in law on his ship and marries her. But now Rook puts himself in Lorelei’s mercy, that he will do anything for her. Lorelei is intrigued yet frightened a bit of this new Ash that hardly resembles the boy she once fell in love with, but she begins to see that he is in there hidden beneath layers of abuse and pain and only she can recover his heart…

The Duke With The Dragon Tattoo is one of the most heart wrenching and captivating second chance romances I have ever read in my life….it was so beautifully written in depth and heart-tugging emotion that will have you going through a box of tissues. I was swept away in their story that instantly got my attention from their first meeting. This is where you believe in instant love matches because Ash and Lorelei have an instant connection to each other that is powerful. Even as just kids, not even full adults, they realize the amazing gift they have in each other. We see these little moments of emotion and soul like connection in where they understand each other. Both of them have had rough lives. We see the joy and sorrow that love can bring to you especially when you are torn away against your will.

The hero is very badass…I mean he has become a bit of an anti-hero almost…definitely a bad boy. He was sold, forced to serve others and was severely beaten over the years. Until after fifteen years of it, he and the other slaves rose up against their masters and forged their own future. Building up their own fortune and abilities and fighting against anyone that attacked them. Now they are on the hunt for the greatest treasure, and the map of this priceless treasure is embedded in his tattoo. Ash “Rook” has been keeping tabs on Lorelei planning for the one day he can come back and fulfill his promise. But then when he learns that she is to be married, he knows he can’t allow that and it ups his plans a bit. We see the sorrow and the torment that Rook has suffered over the years and how it has hardened him into being a pirate. He also wants revenge on those that have harmed the woman he still loves after all this time.

Our heroine is such a wonderful woman. She is strong and compassionate and the abuse she has suffered at the hands of her brother has never broken her, only made her stronger. She has a deep love for all animals and any time she comes across an animal hurt or injured she cares for it. I loved her level of empathy and understanding she has for everything and everyone, she is so accepting of Rook even though he kidnaps her and is a pirate and forces a marriage between them. But she sees what is behind the tough exterior and that he would never force her to have sex with him. I loved how wise she is, and has this inner strength of iron you just have to admire.

The sexual chemistry between them that builds is phenomenal and man I felt so immersed in their sexy moments that could smolder your home. I loved how well written these sexy moments were written. They were HOT and sensual with just the right level of emotion that they develop the intimacy that is building between these two.

The Duke With The Dragon Tattoo swept me away in the adventure, the treasure hunting, the suspense and the love story that is truly a compelling and heart-achingly romance that fills you up…AN ENTHRALLING ADVENTURE OF LOVE ON THE HIGH SEAS!!

Swoon worthy and romantic with a dash of emotion and excitement.

I love the secret that is the Rook. And the epicness of a 20 year longing has my heart all squishy. I can’t even imagine how that felt! Theirs was a romance that was meant to be. Oh, how I wanna reread it again.

This series is one of my favorites and seeing a few past characters makes this book even more amazing. This series has a way of turning even the most notorious villains into heroes. Who would’ve thought I’d fall in love with so many of them.

This book was exciting and entertaining, filled with passion! This is the perfect story to read to escape and just got swept away by the characters, their adventures, and their love!

I loved this one! This is the last in a series but it can be read as a stand-alone book. The author gave enough information you knew who people were but not so much that you get a full previous book summary. I loved Lorelei. She was a refreshing different heroine who loves the unlovable, namely animals that need mending, because she does. At 15 she meets our hero, then 18, who has been left for dead. She mends, then falls in love, then time jump! I will say I gasped at this point but I loved it. Ash, now the Rook, is an infamous pirate, but he still hasn’t forgotten sweet Lorelei. The only problem now is he is pretty cynical, angry, and not very loveable. Does Lorelie have it in her to fix one more broken thing? I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, and here it is! Get it, read it, wish you could have your own treasure hunt, love it!

Absolutely fantastic. This was just about every romantic trope I've ever loved wrapped into one beautifully written story.

Fabulous ending to a terrific series. This one pulled out all the bells and whistles. Needless to say, I'm sorry the book ended. I wanted to find out more about the new characters introduced-and of course, Morley!

I loved it!

Sometimes I think that the fact the first 2 books in this series were so over-the-top exceptional I expect all of them to be and that sadly would be near impossible. It does color my reviews of subsequent books in this series and while in my head I know this is an exceptional novel I want to feel that awe inspiring appreciation that those first 2 books gave me and while this one came as close as it could there was that nebulous something that was not there for me to make it 5 Star reading (I think I may be the problem more than the book).

This is more in line with old bodice-ripper with a pirate adventure no less and a violent, alpha male, masculine hero named The Rook (you gotta love that). His story is close to the one in "The Hunter" but we get less of the horrible existence that we were bludgeoned with in that amazing story but enough to feel the horrifying things that must have happened that we are thankfully not told about.

Enter an angel of light in our heroine Lorelei who loves to heal crippled things and our hero enters this story as one of the most crippled things ever imagined to end up as our violent and unfeeling hero 20 years later (you will have to read it to see why 20 years).

The real surprise of this story for me was not the revenge and the love story (since I kinda expected both) but what is revealed when they come in contact with one of our previous heroes from a previous story, surprises abound that you did not see coming :)

4 Stars and maybe I should have given it 5 but I am still hoping for another story like "The Hunter" to leave me amazed.

I was first introduced to Kerrigan Byrne by a book blogger I follow and she raved about this Victorian Rebels series. I read the first book, The Highwayman, and fell in love with her stories, characters and writing style. I have two books on my TBR but was thrilled to be able to read her new book now.

We often think of the 18th and 19th centuries as somewhat refined but there are more people in lower classes, poor, and vulnerable than there are the upper, rich class. As much violence as there is in my city, I’m always amazed to realize how much criminal activity was prevalent years ago. As much as I dislike violence, I was happy to see how Karma landed on some people that deserved it!

Lorelei is a sweet young girl of 14, who has a weak father and a cruel brother. Many times I wished I could bash in Mortimer’s head due to his cruel ways! She spent her time taking care of injured animals and one rainy day, sees a body along the road. The young man had been tortured and wasn’t expected to live but with Lorelei’s care, he grew stronger. Unfortunately, he had lost his memory so Lorelei named him Ash and he was treated like a long lost distant cousin.

Through certain circumstances, Lorelei doesn’t see him for twenty years and has been heartbroken. Ash, now known as The Rook, arrives to save and kidnap her but he’s not the same person as he was before. He’s lived through cruel environments and treatment and has nothing soft in his heart except for the fact that just the thought of Lorelei has sustained him through the years.

There are some amazing details in the story as to Ash/The Rook’s steamboat and unexpected luxury and conveniences. The map to the hidden prize and how it was hidden. Also how so many people knew each other as teens but have gone their separate ways and meet again many years later.

For anyone that has already read all of the previous books, you will see some of the characters and see how they’ve have fared. This book was heartbreaking at times but there were also some reunions, finally learning who Ash really is, sweetness and joy. I enjoyed how Lorelei’s gentleness and goodness was such a balm for Ash and no matter how much he said he couldn’t love, I could see it from his actions. I don’t read as much historical romance as I did years ago but this series has intrigued me and I look forward to reading more. I hated for the story to end and will now go back and read the earlier books in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this opportunity to read this new work.

THIS BOOK IS PHENOMENAL! MY EMOTIONS WERE IN FOR A TREAT! Even as the plot thickens I couldn't get enough of this book. The enduring and irrevocable love between Lorelai and The Rook is definitely every woman's fantasy. And their interactions? Drool-worthy! I can't wait to post my lengthy review on my blog.

When Lorelei is 14 years old, her family finds a body by the side of the road. It is a young man who is near death. It is evident he has been burned and beaten and it is apparent he will not live very long.

But he does live and heal. He has no memory of who he is, where he comes from nor anything about his past. Lorelei names him Ash because that is the kind of tree near where he was found.

Lorelei's family is made up of her father, a spineless wimp and her older brother Mortimer. Mortimer is an abusive bully who has no one to keep him in line. He broke Lorelei's ankle when she was a little girl and she has a permanent limp. He has physically abused his father. He continually is physically abusive to Lorelei.

One day, Ash disappears. Lorelei is devastated.

Twenty years later, Mortimer has promised Lorelei to an abusive older man because it is a benefit to Mortimer. Mortimer has a wife and now she is the one who is receiving most of his abuse.

Then, things become very strange.

Ash returns, only now he is Rook, a pirate who is wanted by every law enforcement agency in Britain and other countries. His reputation is one of evil behavior and cruelty. He kidnaps Lorelei as well as her sister in law, Mortimer's wife.

He has come to rescue Lorelei and make her his wife.

I really enjoy Ms Byrne's writing. She is imaginative and creates characters who are interesting. Her characters are well rounded and complete.

This story had ups and downs for me. I felt that there was a great deal going on and some things could have been completed a little bit more for me. Some threads were introduced and then dropped. Little things were inserted but seemed to have little reason.

Lorelei and Rook have a great deal of history which has created pain in their pasts. Both of them have overcome difficulties and become stronger. Each of them have dealt with their pain in much different ways. I liked both of them but would have preferred that they were more able to communicate honestly. Apparently neither one was able to explain things to people who are very close to them. Neither one of them were likable to me all the time.

The secondary characters add to the interest in the story. There are acts of villainy which made me gasp. There are also acts of kindness and tenderness.

This is not simply a romantic novel. There is mystery and adventure.

Ms Byrne has created a time and place which is filled with mystery, lust and love.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

Kerrigan Byrne spins an enchanting tale that you devour like a decadent dessert and can picture as if you are watching a movie. Her writing is mesmerising and addictive. You want to read it non-stop and yet don’t want it to end. And “The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo” is no exception. We had met the Rook in the previous book of the series, but it was impossible to imagine a hero that has literally been to hell and back with only the love and care of a girl to whom he vowed that he would return to. This story will make you cry, make you laugh out loud and leave you breathless.

The Rook is the most infamous pirate in the world. With legends attesting to his ferocity it is hard to believe that he is human, let alone a man who has suffered so much. Having been mistaken for his best friend while in Newgate prison and being beaten to an inch of his life, Ash awakens in a mass grave not having a clue as to how he got there or even who he is. All he knows is that he owes the girl whose sweet voice brought him back, his life. And without even having seen Lorelai , he falls in love with her and knows that she is the only one for him. Yet it seems that fate has much much more in store for Ash and his torment is not over. For the time fate has granted Ash and Lorelai is over much sooner than they anticipated and they find that it will be years and years before they are once again reunited.

Lorelai Weatherstoke lives with the constant torment of her bully older brother. A brother who not only torments her verbally, but who has also hurt her physically. She cares for all wounded animals so when she sees a young man who is on the verge of dying she brings him home and nurses him back to health not knowing that his and her destinies are forever intertwined.

I absolutely loved loved loved this book. I hope that there will be many many more books in this enchanting series!!!

This is the first book in this series that I have read, and I found it is enjoyable as a standalone. The story of Lorelei and Ash is dark and light, evil and good, loss and love. I didn't want to put the book down once I started it, I was so pulled into the story. I will definitely read more of this series.

I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Young Dorian Blackwell ended up in Newgate Prison for taking the rap for his best friend Cedric, whose twin sister had just been murdered. Somehow, he had smuggled a stolen treasure map and sigil with him. In prison he made friends with Dougan Mackenzie, where they became the Blackheart Brothers, keeping each other and their gang "safe. Shortly before his release, he had a convicted forger tattoo the sigil of a dragon on his arm (hence the title of the book), but then was mistaken for Dougan, whose father had paid the guards to dispose of him. Beaten to an inch of his life, thrown into a mass grave where lye was poured over the bodies, he somehow managed to drag himself out.

He was spotted by young Lorelai Weatherstroke, driving by in a carriage with her father, a baron, and her older brother, she convinced them to stop and bring him to their home where he could be cared for. Unlike most older brothers, who want to protect their younger sisters, Mortimer is evil.
He is a very large man, verbally and physically abusive to both his sister and father. But out of boredom, agrees to stop the carriage and bring the body home, morbidly thinking that the boy/man would not last the night and that would torture his sister. However, with the help of a doctor and Lorelai's administrations, he does survive and slowly his body recovers, but he has amnesia and his memory does not return except in nightmares. When he is fully recovered, he is offered a position to work in a foundry. He promises Lorelai "I'll come for you. Always". But the evil Mortimer, has his own machinations, and it takes twenty years for him to return, broken and remade several times over.

The story is well written, with skillfully developed characters and a plot that included intrigue, murder, mistaken identities and switched identities, pirates and more. Hard to put down.