When You Give a Duke a Diamond

Jewels of the Ton, Book 1

By: Shana Galen

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable-that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossips link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next....

Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance, and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's seriously disruptive to have the duke who's the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide....

©2012 Shana Galen (P)2013 Tantor

Loved this book!

I listened to it off and on for 32 hours. So good! Couldn’t stop listening. Looking forward to the next 2 in the series.

wow Brilliant

I thought this book had an unique plot. I was intrigued and glad I bought this story. The writing was excellent. I will look for the next book in the series. The main characters were described so vividly this provided extra depth to the book. Although I listened to the sample I think the Britspeak disappeared except when there was dialogue. This did not bother me overmuch as I was so enthralled by the story. This will not win any awards for narration but to me well worth the listen. Check out an audio sample if you are on the fence. The narrator's voice quality is very nice.

Call Me Amazed!

If you could sum up When You Give a Duke a Diamond in three words, what would they be?

Secretive, Witty, Sly

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed the heroine Juliette a lot. She took command of her life and set out to make it the way she wanted it.

What about Lucy Rivers’s performance did you like?

I was amazed at the different female British voices she conveyed. I had no trouble distinguishing between them, even when I let the story carry me away.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book blew me away! I was expecting a tame and uneventful story, and instead got a story that kept me engrossed. It had a little intrigue, original characters, and a romance that I not only liked but believed in.

Any additional comments?

I just found a new narrator to add to my favorites list!

What fun!

Shana Galen has written a fabulous HEA Historical Romance. It's mystery unfolds splendidly! There is sadness, betrayal and deep emotional pain. There are also some compelling, colorful and exquisitely written characters. Neither hero or heroine are perfect... no typical perfection and romance for our story. Instead they are flawed, tortured, emotionally broken (more or less) yet perfect.
I was listening to this for my 2nd or third time when I realized what a true jewel it is!

NARRATOR : Far less than perfect! Lucy Rivers performance was often stilted with clipped emphasis where it did not belong. She speaks in a typical English (American NOT British ) accent that is very out of place, especially when we are hearing a characters thoughts. However she does deliver each characters personality and voice with clear and distinct individuality.
I have to say that altho the narrative has many flaws, sometimes even distracting or pulling you from the story, I did listen to it multiple times and love the book. That speaks for itself.

CREDITWORTHY? YES!

HEAT FACTOR: Scorching!

Great Story

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I didn't want to stop listening. I did want to beat the male character but you know men are just stupid anyway.

Loved it..

Any additional comments?

This was a great story: murder, mystery and romance. Loved Will and Juliette. Loved Fallon and Lily. Loved Warrick. Would have hated Will's father if he hadn't been dead. Lucifer was just evil and I wonder where he went and if he'll be back. The story itself was as entertaining as any book I've ever read as I do get tired of just a love story and nothing else. This book had it all. And lots of great sex too.

As to the narrator? Loved her. She did a fantastic job with every voice. One reviewer didn't like that she read without an English accent then did the accent when someone spoke. I absolutely loved that she did that because you knew exactly when someone spoke. She was awesome! I can't wait for her to hear her again.

Good story

The characters were well developed and there is a couple of good twists in the story line. it was very entertaining. The narrator was a very talented story teller. I will read more from this author in the future.

Great story with a plot twist

Really enjoyed the characters and the story line .. the narrator did a good job with giving each character a voice

Excellent story! Love this author!

This is such a fun series! I wish they had more of Shana Galen's books on audio! Can't wait to listen to If You Give a Rake A Ruby!

If you can get through book 1....

Ten years ago Lucy Rivers narration would have been standard, but honestly she "reads" the whole book. It's pretty bad. Just make it through this one. She is ten times better in book 2. (Yes you do need the background for book 2.)