Ah, young love...the stirring passion, the secret embraces, the yearning for more...and then, of course, there is the murder, kidnapping, and seduction. Right? Well, that's what you get in this book! Kerrigan Byrne weaves a fantastic story of a pirate and his lady, with mystery and intrigue and all the trappings of a late night read. The backstory tugged at my heartstrings and made me rage against the injustice of the world, and I was both relieved and terrified when the ultimate reunion occurred. Time isn't always kind, but thankfully love prevails and withstands the tests of time.

Crippled at a young age, Lorelai Weatherstoke never had an easy childhood. With a father who was cowed by his own son and a sadistic older brother who lived to torment her, her dreams were small and her heart was big. When she and her family found a badly beaten young man on the side of the road, they took him in and nursed him back to health. In him, Lorelai found a protector, and in Lorelai, he found peace. But fate has other plans for the two of them, and they are torn apart for twenty years. Now Lorelai is a spinster about to be married to an elderly man for his wealth, and just as she's about to say I do, the young man reintroduces himself into her life violently and without warning. He has turned pirate and she has become his long-delayed prize.

I don't know what it is about thwarted love that makes me get so excited, but truly this is one of my favorite tropes. The history between Lorelai and Ash was filled with such sweet torment, and it made it all the worse when they realized all that had been taken from them during the lost years. Revenge was swift, but their love was barely recognizable. Lorelai was still a kind woman, but the years made her wary. Ash wasn't the gentle man who made her feel safe, and she wondered if she needed to now be kept safe from him. Although there is always a happy ending in these books, Kerrigan Byrne did an amazing job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, biting their nails in anticipation of what was to come. It brought out a lot of emotions in me while reading - sadness, anger, hope, and happiness. Definitely a worthwhile read for any reader of romance!

I am eager to read the next in the series already! This has been one of the more enjoyable books from the last few weeks, for sure.

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**

"The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo" by Kerrigan Byrne
When I started this story I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I surprised myself, as the more I read, the more I wanted to read. It truly was a story that kept me turning the pages even when sleep was calling to me. I received an ARC copy via NetGalley from the publisher and am grateful for this early read opportunity. There were a few scenes where I didn't stick around for all the nitty-gritty details. My emotions were involved giving me joy, fears and peace. I hope you enjoy this read as much as I did.

I read this book in one sitting (well, I moved from my couch to my kitchen table to my bed but I didn’t stop reading!) I needed to know everything that was going to happen.

I really enjoyed how the book started from Lorelai’s first meeting with the Rook and then picked up again later on. I thought this was a nice way to establish how both characters had changed. I really liked Lorelai. She was vulnerable, but still strong in the ways that mattered. I enjoyed the push and pull and the tension between her and the Rook.

It also featured perhaps one of my favorite lines ever:

“Lorelai. There are only two indisputable facts in this world: The sun will set in the west, and I’ll come for you. Always.”

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and I’ll be picking up a paperback copy when it releases at the end of the month. It’s a keeper!

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo is the sixth book in Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels series of historical romance novels. I was very excited to read this book because I’ve read all of the other books in the series, so I have been looking forward to this latest entry for almost a year.

Lorelei does not have much joy in her life, but she takes pleasure in rehabilitating injured animals. So when she sees an injured young man on the side of the road, she persuades her father to bring him home. This stranger heals, but he doesn’t even remember his own name. Lorelei calls him Ash, and they spend as much time as possible together. Lorelei falls utterly in love with Ash, and he says that he’ll always be there for her. But one day, and Lorelei believes that she will never see him again.

Twenty years later, Ash returns for her. Except he’s not Ash anymore, he’s The Rook- a ruthless killer determined to seek revenge on the people who have wronged him over the years. He kidnaps Lorelei and spirits her away on his boat. Lorelei wants to believe that The Rook is the same person she once fell in love with, but he is unrecognizable. Is there still the possibility of a future together?

This book was amazing. Byrne specializes in dark tortured alpha heroes, and The Rook is no exception. His quest for revenge has almost been sated, and the resolution will bring together answers from his past as well as offering hope for the future. Byrne introduces some great new secondary characters. Not all of them were pleasant, but their inclusion brought so much to the narrative.

I would absolutely recommend The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo. I would recommend that readers start at the beginning of the series in order to fully appreciate this book. I don’t think it would have as much as an impact if read as a standalone. Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting the book down- it’s that good. Victorian Rebels is one of my favorite series, and I am definitely going to have to go back and re-read from the beginning.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

There are some interesting variations here on Gothic tropes, but ultimately I found the book more frustrating than satisfying.

This book is exciting, moving and entertaining and you're hooked since the beginning.
I really loved the characters and the setting.
Recommended!
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC

Lorelei Weatherstoke is a young girl who's empathy and caring spirit for all things injured is commendable. Crippled as a child, she feels compelled to help care for those injured and helpless. I loved the beginning of this book when they find Ash and she nurses him back to health. Their tentative and sweet interactions set the stage for a love that endures all, but I have to say that I was not much of a fan for the rest of the book. What happens to Ash in the intervening years before he's reunited with Lorelei is a tragic story and changes Ash forever.

I guess it's the title that threw me. I thought I would be reading a totally different story, not one full of violence and obsession to the extreme. While lots of fan of Ms. Byrne's series will love this book, this one is not one of my favorites. I will be interested to see who the next hero will be.

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Due to content, this is not recommended for school age children (duh). First book I have read by Byrne - A well-written historical paranormal book with some adult scenes.

This story is a perfect addition to the Victorian Rebels collection. You don't have to have read the previous books but once you meet some of the characters from them you'll want to go back and check them out as well.
My one complaint about this book is the title. To call the main character a Duke is pushing it a bit. He's a prisoner and a pirate and eventually an Earl but the Dukedom is a title bought with violence.
The two main characters are about as opposite as they could get yet there is something that draws them together and holds them even after a 20 year separation. His violent lifestyle is no match for her gentle caring.
The pain and suffering they go through only help to make the Happily Ever After that much happier.
I received an advanced copy of this book.

#TheDukeWithTheDragonTattoo #NetGalley Interesting story. I enjoyed the overall story of the duke but I found the found the hints of rape/rough sex hard to digest.

First of all, thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.
Let's be honest, a book with this title is just too ridiculous not to read.

So I was feeling for romance so I picked this up. I saw when adding it on goodreads that this is part of a series, I haven't read the other books in Victorian Rebels but that didn't hinder my enjoyment.
I mean, this is a pretty tropy romance set in the 1800's with pirates and sexy time. The hate to love and bad guy gone good among others. Yet I had such a hard time to put this down.
It's just all I needed in a romance. It's easy to read, a good pace and yet kind of predictable. Which in my case, like write, was just what I wanted.
Even though this is part of a series I felt like I was reading a standalone so I would say you can read this as one.
If you want a romance as a pallet cleanser or just a beach read, this is so right. Or if you like me think the title The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo is just to good to pass up, read it.
Fast, fun and sexy.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35817296-the-duke-with-the-dragon-tattoo" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels, #6)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519364413m/35817296.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35817296-the-duke-with-the-dragon-tattoo">The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5808498.Kerrigan_Byrne">Kerrigan Byrne</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2408194825">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
ARC KINDLY PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY!!<br /><br />I am heartfelt sorry that I have to give The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo a Thumbs Down 2 star review. I know some readers don't mind abuse's committed on children but I don't like it. This is a personal opinion as you can see from all the 4 and 5 star reviews this story has gotten. I whole heartily disagree with those reviews and can't in good conscience recommend this story.<br /><br />Lorelai crippled by her brother because she stepped on his wooden sword when she was just a little girl. The Hero Imprisoned and brutally tortured and sexually abused. Not to mention that Ash/Rook hero disappears out of the heroine 14 year old Lorelai's life for 20 years is absolutely ridiculous. This length of time is way to long for the H/H to be separated. Lorelai is now 34 on the shelf with the door closed. This goes way past spinsterhood which I am sick of as a storyline. <br /><br />The other problem I have is the author not knowing that Sir Robert Weatherstoke Earl of Southbourn has the title mixed up. It should read Lord Robert Earl of Southbourn with the Sir as the lower title. A Sir is the lowest of titles bestowed on a Peer. A Earl is 100% times more prestigious then a mere Sir!! <br /><br />The Highest Title of the Aristocracy goes like this Starting with Dukes as #1 the Highest Title:<br />1. Duke<br />2. Marquis<br />3. Earl<br />4. Viscount <br />5. Baron<br />6. Sir<br />I just took this book off my pre order list. I have liked or loved all Kerrigan Byrne's Victorian Rebel books. This one has everything I hate to read in Historical Romance. It left me feeling bereft. Hopefully this story will get edit and fixed before its releases.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6255709-edwina-i-lovebooks-deb">View all my reviews</a>

Danger, suspense, romance and hot sex make for a book that you can't put down. This story also shows that there's someone out there for everyone if you take the time to look and work for it.

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne is a fun filled historical adventure. A young man goes after a bad man. This leads him to life in prison and where he meets his friends. A group of other men in jail for lesser crimes banding together like brothers. Ash ends up being beaten to death due to switching a cell with a friend. That friend still lives thanks to Ash for that day. Ash is then found by a young woman. She nurses him back to health. They become best of friends...and their attraction grows. Ash has to keep reminding himself to wait...that his friend is too young for where his heart and thoughts take him. Her deceitful older brother ends up taking Ash to a life of misery and hell. Ash fights his way through it all by thinking of his lady friend. Until one day he does find her again...only to find she's about to marry an old man. Ash's anger gets the best of him. He kidnaps her and her lady friend. Taking them both to his ship. Ash forces her to marry him. Only his plans keep falling apart...Ash will have to fight again to save his lady. But he must also find a way to gain back her trust. Only then, can he have her heart...

This novel was funny, heartbreaking, and romantic. The intensity of the attraction from both Ash and his lady is engaging to follow. It's full of sweet and innocence. Two injured and bullied people coming together to form a long lasting relationship. Only it gets taken from them, and as the years grow, they lose each other. The characters were believable. I loved them. Ash had so much hell to go through, I was surprised he lived as long as he did. Overall, I would highly recommend this pirate historical romance to all.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this story.

This story takes you on an emotional ride. The pacing is excellent and there is always something happening to keep one turning the pages.

The hero known as The Rook has been through a great deal and his transformation is intense. Lorelai, the heroine, has to reconcile the man he’s become with the man she knew when he returns into her life after many years.

The hero and heroine have well developed backstories. The secondary characters are interesting and have interesting pasts as well.

Gahh!! Kerrigan Byrne's stories always give me life!! I loveeeed Lorelai and The Rook and their passionate lovestory. This story was heartwarming, angsty, sexy and emotional. A lovestory that spanned twenty years. There were parts where my heart was in my throat. All in all this was fantastic and I look forward to more from this author in the future. Bravo! 4 stars!

I would like to thank Netgalley and SMP Romance for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

Another perfect book by Kerrigan Byrne. I was completely hooked from the very beginning and easily read this is one day. There is so much emotion between The Rook and Lorelai. I loved how different they were, but complimented each other so well. Their connection as children carried on into their adult lives and their reunion was so unexpected, but extremely satisfying. These are two very strong characters who just grew in strength together. I also love how all of these stories weave together and we get to see characters from the earlier books. This is such an emotionally driven read and it gave me all the feels. I can't wait for more!

An intense ride with the Rook and Lorelei that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. I love these angst-filled heroes and heroines. The storytelling is great, the characters are unbelievably written, and the love story is out of this world fantastic. Can the Rook and Lorelei actually find an HEA? In reading their story it is hard to find a way around the Rook’s demons and you are just not sure. But I love how Lorelei helps him overcome his demons and loves him for who he is, not some fantasy hero. A love to last a lifetime. I could have read more of their story (even though this is a full length book) just because I loved how the Rook and Lorelei interacted.

I knew there was something with Carlton Morley…read it and find out. Moncreiff? Veronica?

Oh my what a read kept me so encaged from page one to the last. I couldn’t put it down. The characters where so well written you felt like you where there. The story of love found the lost then 20 years later they are brought back together. The path to there ever after takes you on a journey you won’t wat to miss.

I swear, every one of Kerrigan Byrne's books makes me laugh, cry, and swoon. The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo is no different. Lorelei is a strong-willed heroine and Ash is a tortured, damaged, hero that made me fall in love with him from the first scene. I highly recommend not only this book but the entire series!