The Duke's Tattoo: A Regency Romance of Love and Revenge, Though Not in That Order (The Horsemen of the Apocalypse Series) [Kindle Edition]

I wasn't sure what I was going to get at first with this book. To be honest I was a little unsure of the Regency period setting. Having just read the 'Fifty Shades' trilogy in all it's intense glory I thought this would just be a little bit fluffy. Therefore I was completely unprepared for the absolute Jem this book turned out to be. The writing is beautifully period, wonderful rich vocabulary and gives a rich sense of place and time. The two main characters are a delight. I loved the wit and verbal fencing and found myself laughing out loud. I couldn't put it down and was gutted I couldn't download the next book.... Hurry up, can't wait.

I have to say that when I read the "blurb" for this book which detailed the initial premise, I wasn't convinced this would be a book I'd like, principally because it sounded too implausible for my taste. But I read other reviews (all of them pretty good) and given it's selling for less than two quid on Amazon, I thought "why not?"

I'm pleased I gave it a go, because Miranda Davis is clearly a talented writer. Despite the rather odd circumstances that lead to the meeting of the hero and heroine (she arranges for his nether regions to be tattoed as revenge for his having disgraced her years before - although unfortunately, she's mistaken him for his older brother!) - this is an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable story that's well-told with a light touch and plenty of humour.

If I have a complaint - and it's really just a niggle - I think that the second half of the book failed to live up to the promise of the first half, as the story then settled into a rather well-trod path, with the Duke having fallen head-over-heels for Prudence, but neglecting to inform her of that fact. As a result, we're in "big misunderstanding" territory, where both protagonists long for each other, but her pride won't let her marry a man she believes doesn't love her, and he can't understand why she's not chomping at the bit!

That said though, it's all handled with humour and consistent characterisation, so I can forgive much!

"The Duke's Tattoo" is the first in a series of four, and I will definitely keep an eye out for the next one.

I loved this story. It was unusual; in both the tattoo and the fact that Prudence is an apothecary. It was beautifully written with a nod to Georgette Heyer and Jane Austin. I very much enjoyed the humour.

Ms Davis' research in her novel and the interesting miscellaneous historical notes following it were excellent.

I love novels by US authors but I find they don't always cross the Atlantic too well! Not the case in Ms Davis novel. The only word that was not appropriate to Regency England was 'Fall" which we Brits refer to as "Autumn". I was so pleased that she had "ground floors" and "waistcoats" though. The clothing descriptions were particularly accurate: Perfect!

I thoroughly enjoyed Prudence and Jem's convoluted love story and all the minor characters involved.

I am, like other reviewers, sad that the Baron's Betrothal has not been published and look forward to seeing this on Kindle soon.

Thank you, Miranda for your wonderful story.