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Stevie Sparks
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Surrendering to the Duke: A Scandalously Steamy Forbidden Marriage of Convenience (Age Gap, Unrequited Love, and a Happy Ever After) (Lords of Desire Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Stevie Sparks (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 589 ratings

🩷 Late husband’s brother

🏰 Age gap romance

🩷 He falls in love first

🏰 Only one bed

🩷 Happy ever after


His brother's wife. He loved his brother's wife.

After losing his heart to Emmeline, the one woman he could never have, Michael committed himself to a life in the army, fighting for King and country in the Great War.

...Until his brother died, and Michael returned to Scarlett Castle as the Duke of Foxcotte.

Fed up with her lack of grandchildren, Michael's mother hatches a plan to bring Michael and Emmeline together in a marriage of convenience. However, whilst Michael agrees to court Emmeline, they both secretly long for something more passionate than a business arrangement. But Michael could have never imagined that hidden trauma lurked beneath Emmeline's emerald eyes.

Michael and Emmeline soon ignite a flame that threatens to consume them both as they learn that all relationships come with risks both wanted and unwanted. Will their marriage of convenience be successful? Or will Emmeline's traumatic past catch up to her and sweep her away?

If you're looking for a steamy historical romance novel, then Surrender to the Duke today!

Surrendering to the Duke is a historical romance novel of approximately 99,000 words with no cheating between the hero and heroine, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA. It contains adult language and NINE scenes that are simply scandalous.
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Lords of Desire
  2. Print length
    290 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 10, 2023
  5. File size
    4.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BW1L9GJY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stevie Sparks (April 10, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 10, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 290 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 589 ratings

About the author

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Stevie Sparks

Stevie Sparks

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Stevie Sparks is a British author and long-time copy editor. She suffers from a terrible medical condition that has left her incapable of reading books without smut. She also has multiple sclerosis. When it comes to books, she prefers the phrase 'full steam ahead.' Stevie writes dark romance and historical romance.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
589 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance book captivating and well-written, with one review noting it's the best historical romance they've read. The book is super steamy, and customers appreciate its emotional depth, with one review highlighting how it explores the experiences of soldiers returning to civilian life.

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18 customers mention "Romance"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this book, describing it as a beautiful and wonderful love story that sucks readers in, with one customer noting the spicy and sexy love scenes.

"Surrendering to the Duke is a super steamy, emotional historical romance (set in the early 1920s) that will tug at your heart strings, and have you..." Read more

"...As a sucker for romance, I enjoyed this story for the fervent passion that was felt most powerfully in these (Victorian era) times due to the..." Read more

"...This was a lovely romance with a beautiful HEA. I wasn't wowed enough for a 5 star but this is well worth reading. Very spicy. 3+ peppers." Read more

"...The characters (Emmaline and Michael especially) are so well drawn that they pulled me into their story and made me feel their pain, their joy,..." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fantastic and well done, with one customer noting its excellent character development.

"...I liked the author’s writing style. I enjoyed the details and just enough of the history that you can tell it was well researched and made me want..." Read more

"...I wasn't wowed enough for a 5 star but this is well worth reading. Very spicy. 3+ peppers." Read more

"...but this incredible story made it worth the reading of the hard parts. Lest I forget, there is heat, spice and WOW!..." Read more

"...WWI I was not sure I would like it, but was surprised to find it worth reading. Be warned there are some possible triggers in this book...." Read more

7 customers mention "Steamy content"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the steamy content of the book.

"Surrendering to the Duke is a super steamy, emotional historical romance (set in the early 1920s) that will tug at your heart strings, and have you..." Read more

"...The hero absolutely loves to go down on her. So this book is hot AF...." Read more

"...It was steamy, spicy, and sexy, and truly romantic...." Read more

"...gap, marriage of convenience (sort of), single mom, great step dad, wildly hot, dark, violent, emotional, 1920s romance...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it amazing, with one customer noting its wit and humor.

"...He’s all you love in a MMC - kind, patient, understanding, witty, and very wicked. As Emmeline likes to tell him, “he’s the dearest man” and he is...." Read more

"This was such a well written, enjoyable book! The MC were both physically and emotional scarred. I enjoyed watching these two heal each other...." Read more

"...The love between Emmeline & Michael was sweet, funny and sexy. This has got to be the best historical romance I've ever read. Hands down...." Read more

"Amazing writing and story. I couldn’t put it down once I started. You will not be disappointed if you love smutty historical romance." Read more

4 customers mention "Emotional content"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, with one review noting how the main characters are both physically and emotionally scarred, while another mentions how it captures the emotions of soldiers returning to civilian life.

"...involves, of course, a lot of the aftermath and emotions of soldiers returning to civilian life and how their family was affected as well...." Read more

"...are so well drawn that they pulled me into their story and made me feel their pain, their joy, their fears and their love!..." Read more

"This was such a well written, enjoyable book! The MC were both physically and emotional scarred. I enjoyed watching these two heal each other...." Read more

"Angst, sweet, heartfelt, super sexy..." Read more

3 customers mention "Spice level"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the spice level of the book.

"I definitely enjoyed this book. I love period pieces with spice. The scenes were written well...." Read more

"...It was steamy, spicy, and sexy, and truly romantic...." Read more

"...And the spice was spicy. I love how much Em grew through this book! Character development - 4 Plot - 4 Entertaining - 4..." Read more

A chance for love
5 out of 5 stars
A chance for love
Rating 4.5 For a debut novel, this is a hit. I enjoyed the story as it is well written, descriptive in what is happening and has excellent characters, with the exception of a few. I love how Emmeline is featured as a strong young woman who had endured abuse as a child and survived to be the wonderful young woman of the day. Now she is a widow with a beautiful young daughter, Dora, and a man who wants to marry her. The author has Michael as a caring man who has secretly loved Emmeline prior to her marriage to his brother. There is a lot happening in this story with the romance of Emmeline and Michael at the forefront. There is a lot of suspense, secrets and danger in this story. I am curious about Oliver and possibly his much deserved demise. There is a lot going on in this story which makes you want to keep on reading to see what happens next. This is a story that is definitely worth reading and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and are voluntarily leaving a review.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jessica Lynne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super Steamy, Emotional Historical Romance
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Surrendering to the Duke is a super steamy, emotional historical romance (set in the early 1920s) that will tug at your heart strings, and have you rooting for Emmeline and Michael from beginning to end!

    Emmeline is a widow raising her daughter Theodora with the help of her mother- and sister-in-laws at Scarlett Castle. Orphaned at a young age, and then abused by her aunt and uncle, Emmeline has never known love. (view spoiler)

    Michael has always loved Emmeline, but when he catches her in his brother’s arms, he resigns himself to a life of servitude under the King, until it’s time to come back home to take over as Duke.

    When Theo’s mother, the dowager, hatches a plan of a marriage of convenience to his brother, Michael, the new Duke of Foxcotte, Emmeline proposes a courtship between the two so that they might learn to love each other.

    I absolutely loved this story! This might be one of my top 2023 stories I’ve read so far this year! The easy going chemistry between Emmeline and Michael was felt from the very beginning! I loved how we got to witness their friendship turn into courtship, and then turn into a scorching hot romance! Michael had a tricky road to navigate when it came to claiming Emmeline’s heart due to her past trauma and I loved how patient he was with her (and how loving he was towards Dora), but when he’s given the green light…whoa boy, this man has skills!! (Let’s just say, he loves going downtown to eat, and he has a thing for “good girls”)

    In addition to the romance, I loved getting to know Michael’s family (his mother, Mary; and his sisters Annabelle and Effie) and can’t wait to see what Stevie does with their characters! I am VERY interested in reading Despising the Duke which is the second book to release in the series (comes out September 10th) that features Annabelle and the Duke of Aylesbourne. Stevie gave us enough breadcrumbs during this story to make me salivate for theirs! What could the Duke of Aylesbourne have done that made Annabelle despise him so?
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  • KelseyreadsHR
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Debut HR
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Surrendering to the Duke is the first in the Lords of Desire series and the author’s debut historical romance. I don’t remember how I came across this one but added it to my TBR three months ago and glad I got a chance to read it. It’s set in a time period I haven’t read before but as a fan of Downton Abbey I was intrigued. Being set in post WWI it involves, of course, a lot of the aftermath and emotions of soldiers returning to civilian life and how their family was affected as well.

    I really liked this book and feel it’s going to be one that I keep thinking about weeks later. This didn’t come off to me as your typical HR, it’s a heavier story than I normally read, incredibly steamy, and the author’s writing style but I enjoyed all of these things.

    I loved both of the MC. Loved that it was unrequited love from the hero but there wasn’t a lot angst because you get them developing a relationship early on. He feels some guilt in his feelings for his late brother’s wife but it isn’t a major point, most of his time is spent on convincing Emmeline to marry him. He’s all you love in a MMC - kind, patient, understanding, witty, and very wicked. As Emmeline likes to tell him, “he’s the dearest man” and he is. Emmeline is complex and hasn’t had an easy life but she’s kind and knows her worth. She’s also self aware of what she does deserve in life and takes charge of healing herself from the childhood abuse and neglect. She wasn’t in love with her first husband but respected him and her needing to be convinced to marry Michael is from wanting to marry the second time for love.

    I liked the author’s writing style. I enjoyed the details and just enough of the history that you can tell it was well researched and made me want to learn more about those events. The way the prose had a lot detail but would only be scenes in which something important or interesting occurred. There was a lot going on and it spanned more than six months, so there wasn’t time to detail each part of the day and it worked for me.

    There was a few things that was missing though. I didn’t get the closure I wanted on the villain and wished for another conversation with Caroline and Emmeline. Especially since Caroline got along with Effie-I felt this was needed.

    There are seven encounters plus an additional one from the bonus epilogue. A lot are longer encounters that I counted as one. This is up there on the steaminess scale with various kinks and lots of consent. Also, loved that you do get “My Wife” and “Who did this to you”.

    I can’t wait to read book two and hope we see more from this author in HR.

    There are references to PTSD and CSA throughout this book. The author also provides a list of trigger warnings at the front of the book.
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  • Ydmorena
    3.0 out of 5 stars didn’t work for me
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t know why there wasn’t a disclaimer that there was constant raped and rape reference all thru the book. It was hard for me to believe that the h could enjoy sex after so many years of being raped. I know the author try but it felt flat for me. The MMC was very crude during sex especially knowing ahead of time come from a lot of sexual trauma. I gave it 3 starts bc the author tried. This trope would have worked better if she wasn’t raped as a child. Also, the story was centered around the 1920’s which was so weird to me as I just read Regency.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jadira
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written
    Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I want to give this book the in-depth review it rightfully deserves, so I will edit at another time.

    For now, this is my first time reading an old English romance with spice. It took me a bit to get into it since I had to put myself into this world and dialect I’m not familiar with, nor the writing style. But it wasn’t frustrating by any means, to dive into.

    As a sucker for romance, I enjoyed this story for the fervent passion that was felt most powerfully in these (Victorian era) times due to the restriction of touch and sex not being so normalized like modern day. I enjoyed immersing myself into a past time and being able to experience the relationship between the FMC and MMC as though I was there with them.

    The FMC, Emmeline is a widowed duchess and single mom during/post WWI era. The MMC, Michael is a retired/vet service member, having served in WWI for some time. I absolutely loved these characters and the MMC is a forest of green flags with my type of preferences in the bedroom. 😂

    I don’t remember if the author had mentioned trigger warning but there are definitely some extremely sensitive topics and graphic details so I do recommend checking the TWs before reading.

    It was such a beautifully written romance and I give it 5/5 ⭐️. Spice is probably 4/5 🌶️
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Daniela | @daniela_endless_tbr
    4.0 out of 5 stars 🖤 Emmeline & Michael 🖤
    Reviewed in Germany on August 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/6.
    🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5.

    This was such a beautiful romance! The longing and love Michael had shone through the pages. I loved the he was set on courting Emmeline so she could fall in love with him like he was for the last 5 years.
    I liked Michael's family too and how supportive of Em they were.
    What brought my rating down was how long each chapter was. It felt like i was being dragged with the story. Again the romance was beautiful and touching, I really loved that these two souls found each other and I honestly can't wait for the next book.
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  • Kim H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
    Reviewed in Canada on June 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this book. Michael and Emmeline are the type of characters you root for right from the beginning. I loved their banter and their chemistry. The way Michael cares for her and her daughter is swoonworthy, even when he doesn’t think he can be anything more than friends.

    I can’t wait to read more from this author.
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  • Mrs M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking, romantic and passionate - Exceptional!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This story was an emotional roller coaster. Forbidden love, war, death, CSA, secrets, lies, heart wrenching pain - it was all there. To counteract this, I loved the banter, romance and scorching chemistry between Michael and Emmeline. I thought Michael's character was amazing with Emmeline coming a close second. Unparalleled support from Michael's family made this story different from the usual stories.

    The story was exciting from the start and continued this way to the end. A super steamy and passionate story, with so many highs and lows that I felt I was there myself.

    The only thing I wasn't sure about was the illegitimate daughter Josephine. It was commendable that her father built a nest egg for her so she would be looked after but I found it strange that Emmeline welcomed her into the family as her husband was having an affair before and during their marriage. And, the cousin who attempted murder was a loose end as he wasn't found.
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  • Pinkcowlandreads
    4.0 out of 5 stars Some mixed feelings on this one
    Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I had a bunch of mixed feelings on this one. So here’s my quick, spoilery take:

    🥰Love
    I’m a sucker for a widow falling in love with the brother, deceased partner. Especially when that brother has been in love with her from the moment they met! When I saw this, I squealed!
    Hero, Michael validate and Emaline in all of her past trauma when she comes to him and shares her truth. She’s never had anyone take her side like this, and he really shows up. I also loved how he understood her trauma to her degree and really treated her with kid gloves while trying to seduce her and help her find her sensual side.

    😊Like
    I really liked how much the hero, Michael puts into his wing of Emmaline. He’s attempting to talk her into a marriage convenience he does the work and creates a love match.
    I really like the setting. We have a lot of war hero, historical romances, but this one takes place after World War II and it’s a unique setting unique set of problems for men and women involved in the war effort.

    😩Why??
    I really didn’t like all of the abuse. Emmaline goes through and the victim shaming and multiple times it has to be brought up and revisited, traumatizing her again.
    I was also bummed out about the cheating experiences. For someone he’s already gone through so much it felt like a puppy.
    I know a story needs to have a villain with the main villain already deceased. We need new villains, enter Emmaline’s, cousins. why are they there? Who invited them and why did they say so darn long? I would’ve kicked them out of there a lot sooner.

    👍Overall
    I enjoyed this book. It was a good read. Lots of fun steamy scenes, and I enjoyed the development of Michael and Emmaline’s romance. an excited for the next book featuring the story of Michael’s sister Annabelle and his friend Aylesbourne, which shouldn’t be an interesting second chance, romance that’s been hinted at throughout this book.
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  • Katie Vincent
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I liked it
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