Book Review and Giveaway: Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee

This story is full of interesting Irish history.
Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446544760
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544764  

     Price: Print $7.99 and Kindle $7.99
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Blonde and beautiful Lady Anna Blacknall is in the mood for mischief. Entering Dublin's most notorious den of vice, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious, emerald-eyed Irishman. And although he is masked, his tender kiss is hauntingly familiar.

Conlan McTeer, Duke of Adair, has come to Dublin to fight for a free Ireland. But he's suddenly reunited with the young Englishwoman who had once claimed his heart, and his passion turns from politics to pleasure. When their sizzling encounter brings danger to Anna's door, she must decide where her loyalties lie-and quickly. For someone will do whatever it takes to destroy Conlan . . . and anyone he dares to love.

Review: I enjoyed the history of the Irish resistance to Unification as presented in this story.
I didn’t like Lady Anna initially as I thought she was selfish and reckless in her behavior as an 18 year old bored with her society lifestyle. It also was unrealistic to me that she came to no harm as she continued to sneak out to bad parts of Dublin at night without a footman or a disguise. Later you come to realize that Anna is confused and torn between being a proper, responsible “Lady” and indulging her carefree nature to be free from society dribble but still the gracious, giving “Lady” of the manor.  Although her character is likeable midway to the end, my feelings for the book had already been negatively effected.

Conlan Adair is a darkly handsome, intense Irish Duke. He cares for his lands and people and is willing to fight the governmental efforts trying to unify Ireland and England into Great Britain. As a powerful and influential landowner he has acquired a few enemies. Not the least of whom is a cousin who has tried to take Adair lands under a penal law that effected Catholic land ownership.  Interestingly, in addition to Lady Anna becoming more likeable as the book goes along, Conlan’s handsome cousin, Grant, had a changling character too: being detestable at times and vulnerable and sad at other times.

The story weaves around the political issues with Conlan being afraid to bring danger to Anna. At first Anna is oblivious to the danger or reasons behind it.  Slowly she becomes aware of the heated politics and she finally decides she is willing to risk danger and the lose of her reputation to be with the object of her desire, Conlan.   I did like how Anna’s past experiences were revealed bit by bit as the story progressed.

There is intrigue and danger to add action to the story. Also there is a secondary love interest involving Katherine, Anna’s beautiful, widowed mother.  I liked Lady Anna’s sister Caroline, the studious young lady, and might like that to read her story.

Although I did like the latter part of the book more than the beginning I can’t say that I ever fully warmed up to this one.  There are plenty of more favorable reviews for this so obviously it did not strike everyone as it did me. There are many good points, like the history, so don’t let my tainted response stop you from trying this historical romance.

Thank you to Anna and Hachette for allowing me to read and review this book and for providing books for Giveaway.

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