In the first book in the Seduction series, Helen Banks dons a mask and her twin brother’s clothing to partake in a duel. Her twin, Martin, has gambled away their meager inheritance and is now indebted to a wealthy man who demands payment in any form.
Gareth Fairfax didn’t expect to find a woman meeting him for the duel and sees in her a new opportunity. He refuses to follow through with the duel even though she shot him, and he decides to let her pay her brother’s debt by coming home with him. Though he knows she’s an innocent, he doesn’t care, and their affair turns into more than he ever bargained for.
Helen is a realistic, self-sacrificing woman. She knows what her future holds and is prepared to die if necessary. Gareth is desperately lonely and so fueled by pain he demands an illegal duel in order to be killed or hanged for murder. I liked Helen for the most part, but I couldn’t connect with Gareth. He never physically hurt Helen, but he still didn’t treat her right.
The sex scenes were hot and took up a good deal of the book.
The story is told mostly in Helen’s POV and occasionally in Gareth’s. I think I would’ve liked and understood Gareth better if I could’ve seen things from his perspective more often.
The story is a little repetitive with some minor grammar issues. Also, when did Helen and Gareth arrive at his home? Morning or night? Both words were used interchangeably.
Anyway, the plot is solid, the characters interesting, and the scenery beautifully detailed. I would like to read more books by Ms. Smith.
3.5 Stars
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This is melodramatic and very little of it feels true or believable. But, it is quite short, so inherently there isn't much time to build a more substantial case. And fluffy little fairytale-like love stories have their place. So overall it was fine. ( )

The Duelist’s Seduction by Lauren Smith
Book #1: Seduction Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review

Go ahead and ask me how much I enjoyed this read  The Duelist’s Seduction is everything I love in historical fiction . . .a little bit of action, a daring woman, a sexy man, some naughty bits and, all of it set in a time period not my own.

Gareth Fairfax doesn’t need the money he is intent on claiming, he doesn’t lack for companionship should he desire it but he does lack a true companion, a true love to spend his life with. Since the loss of his beloved wife, Gareth has searched for the missing link, the thing that will bring him back to life and bring joy back into his world. In the years since her death, Gareth has become increasingly more reckless in an effort to feel again, to feel that spark of life. Maybe an early morning duel will do the trick.

Since the death of her father, Helen Banks and her twin brother have been just barely scraping by. Helen, by far the more levelheaded of the two, has denied herself basic needs in order to compensate for her twin’s dumbassery. Helen’s brother loves to gamble and is certain the next hand of cards will be the big one, the one to give him enough money to support he and his sister in a manner they both deserve. Unfortunately, that hand has never come and now, he is in trouble up to his ears over the debt he has accumulated. And by up to his ears, I mean an early morning duel.

Standing in the cool of the early morning, Helen has disguised herself brilliantly. To save her brother she would do anything and that includes losing her life in a duel meant to settle his debt. When the duel goes sideways and Helen is unmasked, she is forced into a deal with Gareth Fairfax that will save her brother but ruin her. Life with Gareth awakens something in Helen she never thought to have, passion. Gareth is sexy and brooding but there are also flashes of the man he once was, a man more than just content with his life, a happy man. He fires Helen’s passion and within days, she is completely lost to him and his ministrations. Helen knows her time with Gareth is limited so she determines to make the most of her situation, to take every moment of joy.

Gareth is completely confused by Helen Banks. Oh, make no mistake, he wants her desperately but he doesn’t want to feel anything for her. The loss of his wife nearly killed him and living as a shadow of his former self has become his norm. Helen brings a vitality back into Gareth’s home that he never thought he would see again. He has already compromised Helen’s name and reputation but making an honest woman of her scares the Hell out of him. The decision Gareth must make will either make him or break him.

The Bottom Line: What an excellent read!! At novella-length, The Duelist’s Seduction is the perfect length to introduce the Seduction series. Helen and Gareth are both terribly likeable characters and though their situation is a bit awkward at first, it all works out in the end. Helen is bold and courageous, kind and caring, free-spirited and passionate. Gareth is dark and brooding, sexy and daring and, the perfect balance to Helen. Their short time together is fraught with drama, passion and, intense feelings that will change both their lives for the better. Even though the read is short, Smith fully develops her characters as well as giving the reader a good sense of the time and place in which the events are occurring. The book opens with a duel and ends with an HEA. I’m not sure what else I could have asked for :) ( )

#1 in the "Seduction" series. First published in the Anthology "Captivated by His Kiss". Fast paced, dark romance with a brooding hero and an innocent Lady, who fights a duel as her twin brother. A quick, enjoyable read! A bit unique, packed full of excitement and danger, with seduction and romance. An enjoyable and satisfying read! While, some readers may find the brooding hero a bit off-putting, I enjoyed Gareth,who,I hoped would redeem himself
in the end. As for our heroine,Helen, I wanted to yell, "are you crazy", "you can't do that", but of course, she does. Her twin, what can one say, he needs a strong hand. I hope to read more of this exciting new series. An enjoyable and yes, very satisfying read. Fans if dark, brooding heroes and amazing, strong heroines will enjoy "The Duelist's Seduction". A must read!

*Received for an honest review*

**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More ( )