Book Review-Say Yes To The Marquess by Tessa Dare

Title: Say Yes To The Marquess 

Author: Tessa Dare 

Series: Castles Ever After 

Format: E Book 

Release Date: December 30 2014 

Publisher: Avon Books 

Pages: 384 

Acquired: Edelweiss 

Genre: Regency Historical Romance 

ISBN:978-0-06-224020-0

Where To Find: 

Authors Website|B&N|Amazon|Goodreads|LibraryThing

ARC Book Review-Romancing The Duke

Romancing The Duke
Castles Ever After (1)
Tessa Dare
Avon Books
E Book
Published January 26th 2014
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780062240194
Authors Website

Synopsis
In the first in Tessa Dare's captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love . . .

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?
Abducted by handsome highwayman?
Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one

My Review 

ARC Book Review-Any Duchess Will Do

Any Duchess Will Do
Spindle Cove (4)
Tessa Dare
Avon
E Book
Published May 28 2013
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-06-224012-5
Author's Website

Synopsis
What's a duke to do, when the girl who's perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can't live without?

Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

My Review
Summary 
Griff has no desire to ever marry, he hides a secret that changed his life forever. Despite his mother's will to see him married, he knows it will never happen and plans on the Dukedom to die with him. But then the most unexpected happens, his own mother drugs him and kidnaps him and takes him to Spindle Cove. Her intent is that he will marry any woman there, no matter who she is and his mother plans on turning her into a Duchess. So Griff picks the one woman that would be the least likely to be turned into a duchess...serving girl, Pauline Simms. Pauline has worked hard trying to protect herself and her younger sister, saving every penny so that one day she can open a library, that is her dream. But when the Duke of Halford makes a deal with her. For one week she comes to London, to be tutored as a duchess and if she fails he will give her a thousand pounds-which is a huge fortune to Pauline. Where she will open the doors to her dreams and to live a comfortable and content life in Spindle Cove. However as the week goes by, there is a certain chemistry that builds between Griff and Pauline. Griff knows that if he were to ever pick a woman to love it would be Pauline, but he vowed a lifetime ago to never marry, but will he be able to trust Pauline with his secret...and his heart?

My Thoughts 
Any Duchess Will Do is the fourth installment in the Spindle Cove series. Now I have just fallen in love with this author and this series. Spindle Cove is a place set in regency England, where spinster ladies come to find friends and husbands if possible. In this book, we start off with a Duke being taken hostage by his mother..now to say this story starts off with a hitch is a understatement. I love bold and daring stories, and this one beats them all. I found Griff to be stubborn yet sexy and utterly irresistibly charming, if a bit spoiled and arrogant at times. Then you look at Pauline who has had to work for everything which is very little so far, but she still has dreams and desires, in spite of her circumstances. I loved how even though her sister is everything, she is willing to sacrifice a week, to gain a fortune that could save them both. There is some serious tension between Griff and Pauline, and their interactions between each other are priceless. There is enough sizzling chemistry that it will blow your mind. I enjoyed seeing Griff's mom, she was just so fun to see her meddling in her son's affairs, I was SO on her team. All she wants is grandchildren and for her son to find love and happiness. It was such a treat to see Griff almost being double teamed toward the end. There was such a sense of passion and a full range of emotions that can't be helped to be felt by the reader. Its almost like falling in love for the first time, Memorable and breathtaking! A classic tale of how opposite attract in the most perfect way when you least expect it. It will have you hooked until the end.

First Line 
Griff cracked open a single eyelid. A bright stab of pain told him he'd made a grave mistake.

Favorite Quotes
 "A duchess might contemplate all manner of cutting remarks and frustrated oaths. But even in the face of extreme annoyance, she stifles any such ejaculations."
"My," Miss Simms said, wide eyed. "I do hope dukes aren't held to the same standard. Can't be healthy for a man,always stifling his ejaculations."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I don't know that I've ever suffered flutterings, your grace. Perhaps they're unique to ladies of the higher classes. I don't posses that sort of delicate feminine nature."
He slid his hand to the back of her head, plunging his fingers through the raw silk of her hair. "Now that's bollocks."And then he pulled her into a kiss. 
And this, Pauline gathered, was his idea of a proper kiss. an embrace with heat and purpose, and one that remained entirely in his command. 

My Grade 
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
A Night To Surrender
Once Upon A Winter's Eve
A Week To Be Wicked
A Lady By Midnight
Beauty and the Blacksmith
 

Short ARC Book Review-The Beauty and the Blacksmith

The Beauty and the Blacksmith
Spindle Cove (3.5)
Tessa Dare
Avon
ARC E Book
Published April 30th 2013
100 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780062238849
Author's Website 

Synopsis
At last, Diana gets a romance of her own! But with the last man anyone in Spindle Cove expects...

Beautiful and elegant, Miss Diana Highwood is destined to marry a wealthy, well-placed nobleman. At least, that's what her mother has loudly declared to everyone in Spindle Cove.

But Diana's not excited by dukes and lords. The only man who makes her heart pound is the village blacksmith, Aaron Dawes. By birth and fortune, they couldn't be more wrong for each other...but during stolen, steamy moments in his forge, his strong hands feel so right.

Is their love forged strong enough to last, or are they just playing with fire?

My Thoughts
I was given this copy of Beauty and the Blacksmith through Edelweiss and Avon books in return for a honest review. I have to say that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE Tessa Dare!!! Her books always strike to the heart of any reader. She has such a special talent in creating beautiful stories that are filled with romance, witty humor and fun scenes that almost make it seem vivid and real. Let me tell you a bit about the story and the characters. Diana and Aaron have secretly liked each other for two years but have never revealed their interest at all. Aaron hasn't because he believes him to be beneath Diana. Diana has been coddled all of her life, because she struggles with Asthma, but would love to have Aaron as her own. She then decides she isn't going to hide her feelings any more, and boldly goes after him. This story was absolutely a delight to read...better than a box of choclates or a mocha latte....there were quite a few scenes that just had me giggling and bursting out in laughter uncontrollably. I don't want to reveal anything but there is a certain scene involving Diana cooks for Aaron (and she has no clue on how to cook) lets just say it was totally amusing and it just turns out to be my favorite scene so far!!:)  A Wonderful read that is going to be put at the top of my list of ultimate favorites. A TRUE TREASURE!!!! You don't want to miss out on this one!!!

Favorite Quote 
His lips touched hers, imparting that unique blend of strength and tenderness she was coming to treasure. To crave.

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In The Series 
A Night To Surrender
Once Upon A Winter's Eve
A Week To Be Wicked
A Lady By Midnight
Any Duchess Will Do
 

Book Review-Surrender Of A Siren

Surrender Of A Siren
Goddess (2)
Tessa Dare
Ballantine
384 Pages
Published Aug 2009
Regency/Nautical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-345-50687-0

Synopsis
Desperate to escape a loveless marriage and society’s constraints, pampered heiress Sophia Hathaway jilts her groom, packs up her paints and sketchbook, and assumes a new identity, posing as a governess to secure passage on the Aphrodite. She wants a life of her own: unsheltered, unconventional, uninhibited. But it’s one thing to sketch her most wanton fantasies, and quite another to face the dangerously handsome libertine who would steal both her virtue and her gold.

To any well-bred lady, Benedict “Gray” Grayson is trouble in snug-fitting boots. A conscienceless scoundrel who sails the seas for pleasure and profit, Gray lives for conquest–until Sophia’s perception and artistry stir his heart. Suddenly he’ll brave sharks, fire, storm, and sea just to keep her at his side. She’s beautiful, refined, and ripe for seduction. Could this counterfeit governess be a rogue’s redemption? Or will the runaway heiress’s secrets destroy their only chance at love?(

Summary:
Sophia Hathaway, flees her life in society and escapes frm what would be a loveless marriage. So she goes aboard the ship "Aphrodite" and gains passage from 'Gray (Benedict Grayson) who is the owner and his brother is the captain. Sopia is planning on being a governess and plans on having a life of her own. Now aboard the ship, with her sketchbook, she is in close proximity with the handsome rogue, Gray, whom tempts her with his tantalizing kissing. However there is a little hitch in this love story....Sophia has some secrets and ones that could destroy everything that Gray feels for her and she could lose everything that matters....

The Hero (Benedict Grayson)
Although Benedict is his first name, he goes by Gray. Gray is a reformed libertine, and attemptin to make a better life for himself and make things better for his brother (whom he has wronged in the past) and their younger sisters. Gray sails the sea for riches, and has always thought of himself now as a reformed rake...until he meets Sophia. The one woman he can't resist despite his determination not to give into temptation that Sophia is, and can he ever let he go?

The Heroine (Sophia Hathaway)
Sophia has a plan for her life, which has nothing to do with her family and the life that she has left behind. She wants more in her life such as passion and a unpredictable life with no rules that she has to follow. Sophia is a very talented artist and her paints are the most precious things she possesses in the world. Now on a ship she is strongly attracted to Gray, whom she yearns not only for his touch but his love...

My Thoughts
Surrender of a Siren is the Second in the Goddess Trilogy by Tessa Dare. Now I think I may have read works from this author, but I don't remember which ones, and when I saw this one and the blurb, I could hardly resist picking it up even though it I have had it for a few weeks now. Surrender of a Siren suprisingly kept me intrigued throughout the whole story, and I found myself enthralled by the characters and thoroghly charmed. I found myself almost falling in love just as these characters were, the details so vivid. A Delight!!!

My Favorite Quote
He released her just as quickly, but a lilt of the rowboat pitched Sophia back into his arms.
"Steady there," he murmured through a small smile. "I have you" Never in her life had she felt so acutely aware. Sophia felt that delicious, enticing heat, burn through every layer of her clothing-igniting desire in her belly.

My Grade On This Book
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series
Goddess of the Hunt
A Lady of Persuasion