The Devil You Know

The Devil DeVere, Book 3

By: Victoria Vane

Narrated by: Eva Hathaway

Book #3 in The Devil DeVere Series – Library Journal Best E-book Romance 2012

Sometimes the devil is disguised as a gentleman...

In this third installment of the award-winning Devil DeVere series, DeVere is finally center stage when Ned, Annalee, and her cousin, Diana arrive at DeVere’s estate for a weekend of horseracing. From the first meeting, DeVere makes his interest in Diana acutely known. Although she sees no harm in a light flirtation, she doesn’t intend to become another notch on his bedpost. Nevertheless, DeVere fascinates her.

Ned gave her a meaningful look. "I hope you'll take extreme care in any dealings with him. He is ruthless and calculating when he chooses to be and has a strong predilection to manipulate and exploit the vulnerabilities of others—when it suits his purpose. He just can't help himself. It's not that he's evil incarnate, or anything like that; it's just that he has low tolerance for weakness, incompetence, or buffoonery." Diana lifted her brow. "You know I am no fool, dear Edward. I take full responsibility for my actions and have already made clear what I am willing and not willing to sacrifice."

Although DeVere is outwardly arrogant, ruthless, unpredictable, and manipulative, the private man is quite another creature—intensely loyal and fiercely protective of those few he cares about. Diana also maintains a false front to the world. Her twelve year marriage is a mockery and she feels unfulfilled and undesirable which makes her all too vulnerable to DeVere’s dangerous charm. After events take an unexpected turn, Diana' most erotic fantasies become reality when she seeks comfort and affirmation in the devil's arms. But little does she know that the fire he ignites within her will burn long after she leaves Woodcote Park.

©2012 Breathless Press (P)2013 Vicki Sobota

Historical Romance with some Hot Stuff thrown in!

I have read many historical romances. It's one of my favorite genres. Ms. Vane does a nice job with the time period. She is true to the customs & traditions women had to deal with back then. They had to be so concerned with their reputations. That being said, Lady Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley has lived her life being the type of woman she was expected to be. She married a man she knew little about to make her father happy. She has not had a loving marriage and has been lonely, never really experiencing true love or passion.

She meets Viscount Ludovic and is torn because of her instant attraction to him. He also feels the attraction and it is not well received by his jealous mistress. There are plenty of innuendo and sexual encounters that are well written.

I really liked Ludovic even with his shortcomings. He is not the knight in shining armor we are used to, the "good" guy that always does the right thing. He isn't perfect but you can't help liking his character.

We learn about her sorry excuse for a husband and Ludovic's jealous witch of a mistress. There is passion, blackmail & even murder!!

The narrator, Eva Hathaway, took some getting used to. She has a nice accent for the location & time period but I didn't fully connect with her until halfway through the book. She is able to distinguish her voice with male/female characters but she can't change her voice enough when there is more than one male or female speaking in the same scene. I had difficulty figuring out which character was speaking at times.

The book ends abruptly, which was not something I like. Thankfully the next book is available already so I will continue to find out what happens with this couple.

This was my first book by Victoria Vane, but it will not be my last.

Dark hero

Would you consider the audio edition of The Devil You Know to be better than the print version?

I really enjoyed listening to this audio version

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Devil You Know?

There were several memorable moments that I really enjoyed. The hero and the heroines love scenes were tantalizing

Have you listened to any of Eva Hathaway’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I really like Eva's tone and style of narration

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

As it ended so swiftly I can't wait to find out what happens next

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this short novella and can't wait for the next one

Beyond My Expectations!

No, no, noooooo - How can it end there?! I must start the next book right away!!

A new to me author, and a new to me narrator too. First, the book - I really enjoyed this story and the characters. Well, except for the ones I wasn't supposed to like, they were pretty despicable! But, the protagonists, I wanted to get to know them better! Even the secondary characters grabbed my attention. Diana was an intriguing heroine. She is married to a worthless man who has brought them to the point of financial ruin. After 10 years of being beaten down by him and living in a loveless and childless marriage, she discovers something that shakes her to the core. This drives her to seek out the devil himself and perhaps even to find herself. Ludovic DeVere, otherwise known as The Devil DeVere, has a bit of a reputation, but I suspect there is a gentleman deep down inside. I really, really want to see them get their HEA!! Because I suspect they will be so very good together! They sure were hot together!! I liked the writing style too. The language felt more like books I have read actually written historically, like a Jane Austen. I liked that.

Now, the narrator Eva Hathaway - overall, I thought she had a very pleasing voice to listen to. Her accent was different from most of the English accented narrators I've heard, not better or worse but different. At the beginning of the audiobook, my impression was that she was not putting much emotion into the reading. The characters sounded the same when they were happy as when they were distressed. There also didn't seem to be much differentiation in the characters. After listening for a while, this seemed to improve. I never felt like the level of emotions in the narration quite matched the level in the story, but it wasn't a flat reading by any stretch. And after listening for a bit, I was able to distinguish the characters well too. I will definitely listen to more by her in the future!

Passionate, HOT, Short Story

What made the experience of listening to The Devil You Know the most enjoyable?

I loved hearing the story read with an English accent. That added so much to the story since it takes place in England! I loved that!

What did you like best about this story?

Victoria Vane does and outstanding job of bringing characters to life. They are full of passion, life and love. Most love stories end with a happily ever after. The Devil You Know doesn't have an HEA, but then, it can't.

What does Eva Hathaway bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Eva Hathaway managed to bring the characters to life. Her portrayal of the characters gave it a richness that was very different from reading the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was most moved by Ludovic's protection of Diana. She didn't realize he was protecting her, but he was. He gave up the most important thing in the world to him for her. To keep her safe.

Any additional comments?

Overall Review of the Story:

Out of the three Devil Devere books I’ve read this is by FAR my favorite! Victoria Vane managed to weave a fantastic tale of intrigue, romance, passion and deceit! I was hooked from the moment I started reading!

This book has a definitive darker tone to it from the previous two. The first two were flirtatious and fun. While this one in no way lacks for passion or romance, it is filled with mystery and deceit that will make anyone sit up and take notice. The tone of the story and the writing are darker than the first two but not so dark as to block out the passion. The passion between Diana and Devil burns hot and wild. I found myself hoping for a few more passionate embraces before the end of the book. I guess I’ll have to hope we see more of those in the fourth book!

Diana has been in a passionless marriage for the last 10 years. Even though her marriage has lacked passion and romance, she is woman of principles and remains faithful to her husband. That all changes in the blink of an eye when Diana discovers the truth about her husband. Diana gives in to the seduction of Devil Devere and has two nights of unbridled passion like she has never known. It all comes crashing down around her because of her husband and Devil’s former mistress, the duchess.

Devil does the best he can to protect Diana. Diana takes what Devil offers, although it pains her to do so. In the end, neither are happy or satisfied.

I’m eagerly awaiting the fourth book in this series. I can’t wait to see what happens next to Devil Devere and Diana. I’m also extremely curious to find out who the guilty party is. I have my suspicions but I guess I have to wait until August 24, 2012 when The Devil’s Match will be released! I hope it’s as dark and twisty as this one! I really liked that new element to the Devere series!

Well it was short - but boy did it pack a lot in

Although this says Book 4 don't be put off as this is actually the 1st book of Diana and Devere's story the previous books were about other people.

Diana has nothing left to lose so wants to feel passion just once in her life before her life is ruined and Devere is all too willing to help her out - but not just once. There's passion, treachery, murder, blackmail, various likeable characters, a handsome rake and a real bitch together with some 'hot' encounters.

This book finishes abruptly but continues their story in The Devil's Match which has just been added.

Worth a credit? Well, if it's $10.?? or under then I just buy it (and save my credits for a more expensive listen) but these 2 books are on sale so at $7.77 they're a bargain and I'm happily off to download the second instalment. As for using a credit on each - I think it's a bit cheeky breaking the story up like this so if they'd been just one book then I'd have happily used the credit on a worthy listen - but using 2 credits on such short stories just doesn't seem right.

The Devil Meets His Angel

What did you love best about The Devil You Know?

It takes the reader back in time. If you already have the book, listening to the story just adds a different aspect to the story. I've read the book, just finished listening to this audiobook, and now I'll go back and combine the two.

Which character – as performed by Eva Hathaway – was your favorite?

I surprised myself with this book in that I enjoyed listening to her read the DeVere character. She had a way of bringing him and his attitude to life. She has a way of changing her voice that adds another dimension to his character.

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

There were times that I had to laugh. The only thing was that I had to make sure that others weren't around when I laughed - didn't want to have to explain what I was laughing about. I work in an academic setting and I didn't want to be known as the crazy library lady.

Any additional comments?

This series is what made me fall in love with the author. She has a way of bringing a time in history to life. Since we can't travel back in time, we rely on the author to help get us there.

I've had a lot of stress in my life lately and listening to some of this series has helped me forget my stressors and just concentrate on the joy of having someone read to me. It also has you looking forward to the next book in the series.

Wonderful story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely.

Victoria Vane has given us a witty novel set in Georgian England and she does an excellent job of transcribing an era that was elegant and more extravagant; a time when maneuverings and manipulations of romantic liaisons were deemed necessary in order to alleviate the boredom of the idle rich.

I really got caught up in the story. It just flowed by so quickly, yet the dialogues sounded very much of that era, without having any Purple Prose. Quite a trick, that, considering it was known for an emergence of Romantic poets. Ms. Vane has a distinctive narrative voice that is pitch-perfect for her settings; evocative, atmospheric, and fun.

What can I say about the Viscount Ludovic, AKA ‘The Devil DeVere’? I shouldn’t like him, or adore him, let alone fall for his wit and charm any more than the proper Lady Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley. However, despite his taunting arrogance and manipulations, he doesn’t resort to mendacity; you are assured, deep in his core, he is a nice person.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Devil You Know?

**coughcough** The love scenes. Very nicely done.

What about Eva Hathaway’s performance did you like?

Eva Hathaway is a new to me narrator, and I must admit I had to get used to her reading. Nevertheless, once I did, I quite enjoyed her. She certainly improved – or I adapted – as this delightful story moved along at a brisk pace. Her “S” letters have a strong “sssss” sound, giving some of them a bit of a whistle, but it isn’t too bad. (Better than a hiss, certainly.) It was something I didn’t even notice by the middle of the book; I wouldn’t be opposed to listening to her again.

Ms. Hathaway did a nice job differentiating the characters; this was probably due more to her getting the characters’ personality right in her mind. An audiobook is always more enjoyable when you can tell the narrator is enjoying the story as much as you are, and understands the characters.

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

I’m not big on adultery, but Ludovic is a product of his times; still, he manages to rise above the common libertine. He is both vivid and true to life. I even forgave him when he jumped to a conclusion about the heroine – whom I also liked – near the end of the book, and I don't think I would do that with any other.

I can’t recommend this novel enough; it was wonderful! I look forward to listening to the rest of this series.

Any additional comments?

P.S. I recommend you have the next one ready to listen to – or read – as this is a story in two parts! The rest of the series is coming out on audio soon, not all by the same reader.

Victoria Vane does it again...just delicious!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story is excellent and even though I've read the book, to hear it on audio is wonderful new way experience this amazing book!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hands down DeVere! He is the “Rico Suave” of his time. He’s charming, shrewd, debauched and quite honorable when need be, although the thought of that makes him cringe! He’s also shamelessly amusing and more than once his thoughts and words had me laughing out loud.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to name, but when DeVere lays his lovin' on Diana...my ears nearly burned to a crisp!

Any additional comments?

Victoria Vane’s writing is like the finest of chocolates. It melts in your mouth, it consumes you as you enjoy its sinful decadence, and long after it’s gone it stays with you. Just delicious!! The Devil You Know is beautifully done and depicts the Georgian time period both in setting and superbly crafted words, which is fast becoming the author’s trademark. The intimacy that ensues between DeVere and Diana left me breathless; it’s naughty, sexy and passionate. The book is also filled with witty dialogue, and although this is a novella, it’s a substantial story. The ending leads us and teases us right into the next book. I can hardly wait!!

WHAT?!? BUT.... NO ENDING? 5⭐if it had one!

I've never been SO frustrated with the 'end' of a book... there was no end... vague possibilities and not a single conclusion. I am disgusted!
It was so good until then! Forget that characters were alive that had died. The one wife came back from the dead and the new one not mentioned. You'd have to read others in the series to know that....
Very hot, steamy, dirty!
Creditworthiness. ... if it had a end I'd say yes!