|
|
See Larger
|
One Dance with a Duke
By:
Tessa Dare
List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.99
(as of: 09/07/10)
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345518853
Publication Date: 2010-05-25
Release Date 2010-05-25
|
|
Product Description:
In One Dance with a Duke—the first novel in Tessa Dare’s delightful new trilogy—secrets and scandals tempt the irresistible rogues of the Stud Club to gamble everything for love.
A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members—yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke—until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.
In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?
|
|
|
|
One Dance with a Duke proves to be the undoing of Amelia D’Orsay in this latest offering from author Tessa Dare. Amelia has come to the ball with no hope or intention of catching the eye of the dashing “Duke of Midnight” as Spencer Dumarque, the Duke of Morland has been dubbed. Spencer has developed this reputation by showing up at balls precisely at midnight and dancing one set with a desirable young woman before his departure. Neither Amelia nor Spencer count on the events that lead them to leave the ball together that evening, nor do they quite realize where that chance encounter will ultimately lead.
Amelia is of an age to be considered a spinster, and has long since given up on the idea of marriage and children. With several older brothers to love and take care of, she’s kept busy keeping their lives in order, especially that of her beloved brother, Jack, a risk taking gambler who has pushed his luck one too many times. Spencer is also part of the events surrounding Jack’s problem, and Amelia hopes that she can intervene with Spencer so that Jack may get out of the trouble he is in. What she doesn’t count on is a marriage proposal from Spencer, and a marriage that takes place that very same day.
Usually courtship precedes marriage, but in this case, marriage precedes courtship, and Spencer sets out to win his wife’s love and affection. He is a man who plays his cards close to his chest, and as Amelia delves deeper into his secrets, the couple grows even closer together. The tension and heat between Amelia and Spencer sizzles like a Texas sidewalk in August, and their relationships unfolds at a languid, sexy pace. Amelia digs deep beneath the layers that vulnerable Spencer has kept around him most of his life, and as she peels those layers, the couple fall more and more deeply in love.
One Dance with a Duke is a steamy historical romance, but it’s a mystery story as well. Spencer holds membership in the exclusive Stud Club, a group of men who share ownership of a prize race horse. When one of the other members is murdered, Spencer finds himself working with the remaining two members, Julian Bellamy and Rhys St. Maur, Lord Ashworth to solve the mystery. The two plot lines, Spencer and Amelia’s romance and the murder of the Stud Club’s founding member, intertwine perfectly throughout the novel, driving the story along at an ideal pace. Best of all, One Dance with a Duke is just the first of three novels in Tessa Dare’s trilogy. Bring on number two!
|
|
|
| By: Joyce Greenfield, ReaderToReader.com
|
|
|
Customer Reviews
Heroine needed to be slapped: (2010-09-04)
This was my first Tessa Dare novel. I had noticed that they all have pretty good reviews, so I felt sure I would enjoy this book. It was actually frustrating and forgettable. Spoiler free: The main issue I had with this novel was the heroine, Amelia. Her character seemed to change when Spencer married her. Without giving anything away, I can sum her up by saying that she made stupid decisions in regards to her family and her husband. Sometimes I would wonder why Spencer put up with her or cared for her at all. She only saw things her way and did not see reason when it came to her family. Although in her defense, I thought the idea of the Stud Club was stupid and Spencer was too obsessed with horses. I liked learning about the other members of the Stud Club, but the purpose of the club and the way it was so important to all the characters seemed silly. The murder mystery was not really done that well either. In the end, it was not wrapped up completely. I get the feeling that it will be explored in other novels, but I am not sure. The ending of the novel frustrated me as well. You get your happily ever after but it is pulled together in a blah kind of way. Maybe I just don't like her novels dealing with the Stud club(I think it is a trillogy). I am just not sure I feel like giving her another chance.
I wanted to be seduced by One Dance with a Duke, but it didn't quite happen: (2010-08-15)
Plot Summary: The Duke of Morland is tall, dark, handsome, and desperate to own a retired racing horse named Osiris. The problem is that the horse is owned collectively buy an exclusive group of men known as the Stud Club, and the tokens that grant membership can only be won in a game of chance. While playing cards to obtain yet another token, Morland takes Lady Amelia d'Orsay's brother for a tidy sum, and Amelia ambushes the Duke during a waltz. Morland decides to make her his bride, but his closed off nature causes problems, as does Amelia's desire to save her wastrel brother from himself. I wanted to be seduced by One Dance with a Duke. I was more than willing, but it never happened. I kept struggling with my dislike of Morland or Amelia, and just when I'd start to settle into the story, the next scene would disillusion me once more. I think maybe Tessa Dare succeeded in making Morland too unlikable. I always enjoy a good redemption story, but he can't be completely heartless, and the hero does something so tasteless and tacky in the beginning that it was nigh on unforgivable in my eyes. No, he doesn't force himself on anyone, but he tried to take advantage of a woman who had just learned that her only, much beloved, living relation in the world had died. It wasn't a bad book overall, and it flowed like a pro, but it lacked charm. This is one of those stories that could have used a sweet little dog, or pet goat, because just about all of the characters were abrasive. There was no one around to provide comedic relief, and that's something I've come to expect from the best regency-period historical romances (blame Jane Austen - she always had somebody who lightened things up). The sad part is that I was completely charmed by Ms. Dare's homemade book trailer (below), which I highly recommend watching, but I can't say the same for One Dance with a Duke. It was good, but far from great. This is the first in the Stud Club Series. There are two other books currently out, Twice Tempted by a Rogue, and Three Nights with a Scoundrel.
Loved it!: (2010-08-04)
I absolutely love this book. I have read alot of romance and this has to be my favorite one. First of all the names of the characters went so well together, Amelia and Spencer. Amelia d'Orsay is funny, plump (which I thought was fantastic) loves her brother, even though sometimes it's hair pulling that she would put up with his crap, and she grew up so well from the point of her stealing the dance with the duke as a wallflower and spinster to being the beautiful hostess and center of attention of her own ball. Spencer Dumarque Duke of Morland, is equally mesmerizing. His little flaw was the cutest! But he, with the help of Amelia, conquered it and it was amazing. He would do anything for her, even give up his prized horse for her, not that she asked him to but because he was a romantic. The little things he did proved it like what he did with her needlework and him keeping her embroidedred linen. Too cute! There first conversation together was funny and great. Which kept the whole conversation between both characters always a page turner, never once was it an eye roller or a 'whatever'. Even the subplot was great, I was really into it, I'm gonna have to continue the 2 other books to see who did it. There were definitely some steamy scenes in there. My favorite was with the dresser. My imagination went crazy with that one love scene. Great, great book!
|
|
|
)
