First off, Malin gave me this book as part of the 2014 CBR book exchange. This is the first of the multiple books I received in that book exchange, and the one the year before, that I’ve actually gotten to (although, I have at least three more planned to read for later this year–thanks, Malin!). For the past couple of years, my romance reading has pretty much been “Courtney Milan,” also thanks to Malin (and Mrs. Julien), but after reading A Week to be Wicked, […]
One dance is all it takes
I had so many competing feelings reading One Dance with a Duke. At so many points, many of them mere pages apart, I alternated between wanting to strangle and smooch both of the main characters. I’ll grab the summary quickly from Goodreads here and then move onward into my disorganized thoughts: “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 […]
Any Dare Will Do
What another delightfully funny, steamy, and romantic story from Tessa Dare. It’s the totally fantastical story of how Griffin York, Duke of Halford, wakes up confused in a carriage one day, having been abducted by his mother. She’s plain fed up with not having grandchildren, with Griffin well into his thirties and seemingly resolved not to marry, so she’s absconded with him to Spindle Cove with the idea that he, once and for all, will be forced to choose one of the women there and […]
Say yes to lady brewmasters
I’ll read essentially any historical romance recommended by Mrs. Julien or Malin, and particularly one whose review earns a comment from beloved author Courtney Milan. So that’s how my attention was drawn to Say Yes to the Marquess, which is now my favorite historical I’ve read since The Suffragette Scandal. Catnip alert: Beer. I am way, way, embarrassingly into craft beer. I have even brewed myself. The intersection of beer knowledge and ambition with “Surprise! Ladies beer too!” knowledgebombing was just the most delightful thing. So here’s a […]
The puppy was cute
I enjoyed my first Tessa Dare novel, A Week to be Wicked, so I figured I’d give Dare’s next novel in the series a try: A Lady by Midnight (2012). I’d already been introduced to the main characters in the previous novel. Kate Taylor is an orphan of unknown origins, raised in a strict school for ladies. Having been educated in the art of music at school, Kate earns a respectable living teaching music to students at Spindle Cove. Corporal Thorne has had more than […]
Historical Romance, Emphasis on Rom–p
With a couple of days off work and my willing suspension of disbelief primed, I was ready to embark on the new Tessa Dare historicalish romance. “Historicalish”? It’s because of all the autobuy/truly enjoyable authors out there, Dare is the one who most pushes the credulity envelope* (much like that phrasing). Also, it sounds a little bit like ticklish and Say Yes to the Marquess is very funny, a truly entertaining read, and another romp to add to her catalogue. I feel like I could lift […]




