He also has a massive scar on his face (although you’d never know it from the cover), and it’s a bit of a mystery about how the scar was inflicted. Raphael has been very, very damaged by his father. Let me make this clear: this book is absolutely about sexual violence. I was a little disappointed that more series characters weren’t involved (for example, we do get Kyle at some point, but not Alf).

MY TWO CENTS: If it weren’t for the Lords of Chaos connection, this would almost read like a standalone book and not part of a series…let alone the series finale. He insists on marrying Iris immediately to make sure she’s protected, but he doesn’t want her getting close, emotionally or physically. But Raphael has been so damaged by his father that he has no intention of entering into any kind of relationship with anyone, ever. Iris is doing her best to nurse him back to health, but of course she’s drawn to the enigma that is Raphael.

He’s afraid the Lords of Chaos will pounce on them both if they realize he’s in a vulnerable state. The two of them escape to his estate, but Raphael is in a weakened condition. She doesn’t take to the “lady in distress” role, and ends up shooting her would-be rescuer. Iris doesn’t get his intentions right away, though. Raphael claims Iris as “his” plaything for the night in order to rescue her. Raphael’s father had been the previous “Dionysus” of the Lord of Chaos (you may remember him from Book 7, Duke of Sin, previously reviewed here.) Raphael plans to destroy the group once and for all, even if he dies in the process. Raphael, the new Duke of Dyemore, is attending the revel to save the woman he believes is the Duchess of Kyle, but also to find out the identity of the group’s new leader. THE PLOT: The Lords of Chaos (an extreme, sexually violent kind of Hellfire Club) have kidnapped Iris, Lady Jordon, mistakenly believing that she is the new bride of the Duke of Kyle.

Once Upon a Christmas Eve (Maiden Lane #12.75)ĭuke of Desire front cover (Grand Central Publishing/Hachette).

The Ladies of Ivy Cottage (Tales from Ivy Hill #2) by Julie Klassen.

Queens of the Conquest: England’s Medieval Queens, Book One by Alison Weir.

The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin.

The Secrets of Flirting (Sinful Suitors #5).

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Elizabeth hoyt duke of desire