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The Black Duke's Prize

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The Black Duke's Prize

By: Suzanne Enoch
Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
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About this listen

Sent to London by her untrustworthy uncle, the beautiful and feisty Katherine Ralston arrives for the Season in utter despair. Not only is she caught up in the mad whirl of ballgowns and galas, she must also make certain that her disreputable uncle doesn't sell her family estate in her absence. Katherine Ralston, a country girl at heart, sees the Season in London as something she must endure.

Nicholas Varnon, known as the Black Duke for his rakish and irresistible charms, sees the season as a chance to repair his rakish reputation. Yet, he seems to be taking quite an interest in the spirited Katherine. Suspicious of trickery, Katherine is determined to ignore the sinfully sexy charms of the Black Duke. Little does she know, she may have just met her white knight in shining armor....

Contains mature themes.

©1995 Suzanne Enoch (P)2014 Tantor Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Regency Regency Romance Romance England Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"Absolutely delightful . . . if you aren't reading the smaller Regencies you are missing a rare treat. The stories are innovative and the characters lively. Good job, Ms. Enoch. " ---Affaire de Coeur
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It was slightly difficult to make out who was which character voice had to really listen could be me though. I did like the main characters which is important to me otherwise wouldn't be able to continue.Had a lot going on romance strong minded woman adventure villain and kept me entertained threw out the audio.
One I would listen to again and there's not many.

Fabulous Story everything you would want

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divinely perfect! couldn't get enough!
loved every character and the events ran smoothly.
thank you!

divinely perfect!

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Narrator has not a voice I'd look out for, in fact I will avoid....such a strange rone!

strange narration

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What an awful heroine... I'm guessing the author intended to make her spirited & headstrong, but she simply comes across as rude!

Irrespective of the hero's motivations for constantly saving her from her own stupidity, she berates him as though he owes her his whole attention.

He saves her from nearly being sexually molested & even though she arrived to the conclusion that her attacker was stronger than her (duh), she tells him she doesn't need his help... say what now?!

Also, she literally demands he pays her compliments... far too conceited a character as well!

I love stronger female characters, but this one is simply rude & foolish as half the situations are of her own making, including agreeing for a walk in the gardens with a man who she's both been told & knows that he's vile...

I find her too irritating to finish... which is a shame as I did like the hero & other side characters!

the heroine is awful

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This book is about half the length of a normal novel, and is only just about bearable for that time. If it were any longer, I would have abandoned it as a Did Not Finish. The storyline is ok, although nothing original, but the main protagonists are so unlikeable that it's difficult to care about what happens to them. Nicholas starts off as a repellant character who talks to- and about- women in a disgusting manner. His character does improve throughout the story, but conversely, Katherine gets worse and worse. I find childish couples very wearing, and the almost constant bickering of these two is not enjoyable. 'The benefit of the doubt' is an unknown concept in this book.

The book references The Taming of the Shrew several times, and this-along with constant references to her "Irish temper"- apparently justifies Katherine's erratic behaviour. She flies into a temper in seconds and without warning. I find a woman's violence against a man as repellent as a man's towards a woman, but unfortunately this is treated as acceptable. I really hate it when a writer's idea of an "independent", "spirited" or "feisty" female is an unreasonable, argumentative, irrational woman. Her lack of manners and ingratitude are just awful.

The supporting characters are not very well fleshed out, and there isn't a laugh in the whole book.

Anne Flosnik is a narrator you can either bear to listen to or not. The narration of this book is neither better nor worse than any other she has read. Other than the general strangeness of her narration, the only thing that stood out was when she pronounced 'Don Quixote' phonetically. Other than the pure wrongness of this, it ruined a gag.

The Taming of the Pain in the Arse

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