The Duke of Defiance

Written by Darcy Burke

Narrated by Marian Hussey

Difficult and defiant as a child, Bran Crowther, Earl of Knighton left England as a young man to pursue independence and adventure. He never expected to inherit the title and when duty calls him home, he still finds Society’s codes constricting and others’ expectations oppressive. Nevertheless, he needs a wife to be a mother to his young daughter, preferably a woman of intelligence and warmth who is, above all, immune to his idiosyncrasies—and to falling in love.

Widow Joanna Shaw isn’t interested in a second marriage, not after the loveless, passionless union she endured. She’d much rather dote on her young niece and nephew since they will likely be the only children in her life...until she meets a precocious girl, in desperate need of a mother. But her father, the so-called Duke of Defiance, is as peculiar as he is handsome, and Jo won’t take another risk with her heart. Their rules, however, are made to be broken, even when the consequences could destroy them both.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darcy Burke Publishing
• Release date: Dec 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781094206127

Darcy Burke

Darcy Burke wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. An RWA Golden Heart® Finalist, Darcy loves all things British (except tomatoes for breakfast, or any other time of day, actually) and happy ever afters. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and three cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. Visit Darcy online at http://www.darcy-burke.com, follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/darcyburkefans.

[Mary Hanzlik · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I hate to say it, but I took away one star for the overuse of the word “Barbados” and how the narrator pronounces it. I have no idea if that’s how the English pronounce it or it’s just this narrater, but it’s grating. I took away another star for the continuance of the main character’s “mommy issues,” as well as the extended and unnecessary time meeting all of the Dukes of Ds. Ma’am, we’ve been here for the whole journey. We get it. Overall though, it was a nice enough story. The thing keeping them apart seems rather ridiculous and I can already see how this will end (I have not quite finished it).

[sarinhamac48 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reading all the reviews, it's clear that at least 2 chapters are missing... the last chapter & the prologue!

It does end really abruptly...

I wonder when @everand will fix this!

[Mikolaj Ciszewski · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lively and exciting- perhaps a bit too much focus on describing children

[sharon dean · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book with issues to be overcome. This book was interesting not my favourite in the series however on to the next one

[UchennaEzeh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A true happy ending. Loved this story so much. Beautiful

[Charlotte Garrett · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was disappointed in the ending..it left you hanging as to what happened

[Nicola Parry-George · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Story was great, loving this author.. however, the last chapter and the epilogue were missing from the recording.

[d-fbuser-320391153 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lovely little book, but it had a very abrupt ending.

[claire · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Story was very sweet. Evie Bran's daughter was a darling.
The narrator was very good.
When I originally listened to this audio book the epilogue was missing. I thought it was too much of an abrupt ending, not knowing what happened later in their married life. And one of the reviewers said that the epilogue was missing. So I informed the author and now she has fixed it. And she told me to tell you all that she was sorry about the error. And that if you liked you could message her and she could send you the ending like she did for me.

[Helen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The last chapter and epilogue are missing from this audiobook, which I found incredibly disappointing. For whoever cares, they go on having three children — two girls and a son.