SINS OF A DUKE

Author: Suzanne Enoch ISBN: 0060843071 6/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: 1813 London

Sebastian Griffin, the Duke of Melbourne, has raised his younger siblings, seen to it that they made correct matches and basically kept everyone in line. Seen as the most powerful man in England, Sebastian has a reputation for propriety and has maintained a scandal-free life. Until now. Josefina Katarina Embry is a beauty, to be sure, but she claims to be the princess of a faraway country.While she dazzles the ton with her wit and charm, Sebastian suspects she's up to something. And he's determined to expose her ...if only he wasn't so distracted by her brazen sensuality and the irresistible allure of her kiss. Sebastian knows an affair will lead them into scandal, but will the most powerful man in England risk all for a princess of dubious lineage ...or will he allow a most sinful desire to rule his heart?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Finally, Suzanne Enoch wrote Sebastian's story in SINS OF A DUKE. It's about time. I feel like I waited forever for this book to come out to see what kind of woman is going to make Sebastian fall in love and want to marry again. I missed the Griffin family!

I have to admit that Sebastian is not an easy man to fall in love with. He needs his space, his privacy and he's a very busy man! I knew underneath that hard façade was an extremely passionate man. I'm so glad that I was right! I loved seeing his softer, more vulnerable side. Throughout the previous books, we never really had the chance to get to know Sebastian. In SINS OF A DUKE, Sebastian is spread wide open for us to get to know!

But did I love this book? Here is where I'm going to get flamed. The answer is, I liked it, it was a good story, but no, I did not love it. With any Suzanne Enoch book, you can expect that the writing is impeccable, the characters are likable if not loveable, and the plot is interesting. SINS OF THE DUKE had these elements, but it lacked one thing that is important to me—a likable heroine.

I'll admit that I did not care for the heroine, Josefina. She's just not that likable. In my opinion she is not worthy of Sebastian. I just can't enjoy a book if I don't like the hero or heroine.

I would rather write about what I did like about SINS OF A DUKE, instead. The Griffin family! I want to be a member of that family. Also, there's a surprise visitor from a previous Suzanne Enoch book that made me simply giggle like a teenage girl! That is one thing about Suzanne Enoch that I love—she has a way with developing characters and she makes them unforgettable.

The plot of SINS OF A DUKE is unique. A very big part of it deals with Josefina and her family. Add Sebastian and his family and extended family, and you have yourself a pretty good read. If only...

Oh Suzanne, if only Josefina was more likable!!

I will still recommend SINS OF A DUKE. How can I not? Suzanne Enoch is one of the best historical writers out there. However, if you're an avid fan and follower of her books, you may find yourself being a bit more critical of her work than the average romance reader. Go ahead, buy it, drool over Sebastian—it's worth it just for that!

Julie Kornhausl