Review: Third Duke is Hot!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 8, 2012
I wasn't sure what the InterMix in the book was, so I've decided it's to provide stories for sub-characters who really don't need a full book and to complete the story of Damien and Lillian. However at 271 pages this not a short book.As usual Ms Wildes has sexual situations for all the involved characters. Since Vivian helped Charles and Louisa elope she is determined to show everyone that she is fine and not interested in marriage. Her plans are overthrown when Charles' father arrives with his oldest son Lucien, Marquess of Stockton who offers to replace  his brother as her fiance. Without giving away her involvement in Charles' elopement Vivian feels she has no choice but to accept Lucien's offer, although with her standing as a blue-stocking with odd habits of plant study, she wonders why Lucien is willing to step in for his brother.Of course Lucien has his own agenda, he is concerned that his brother left Vivian in a difficult position but he has also been interested in Vivian for a long time. Lucien thinks its time to determine why his sights are fixed on her.I admit this story was slow from the beginning for me, with the storyline moving from Vivian and Lucien to Louisa and Charles it became a bit distracting (I don't know why because normally it wouldn't bother me) but once I got past all that I really enjoyed the story. Vivian is an original of course, she's a beautiful woman but her mother's  habit of decking her in lace and ruffles has hidden her shape and caused her to decline any other offers because she knows they are after her dowry.Once Vivian and Lucien begin to discover they have shared interests and personalities the story begins to move. His disappearance moves the storyline to the next level and pulls this book out of average to above average.I like the author's writing style and her storylines - this wasn't my favorite of her books but it was very enjoyable and I like the interest in the family life of Charles and Lucien and the tie up of Damien's war record.