GODDESS OF THE HUNT

Author: Tessa Dare ISBN: 9780345506863 8/2009 HISTORICAL Publisher: BALLANTINE
Time Period: Regency, 1817

Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, planning to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion—one that could send all her plans up in smoke. Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past, full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions. But to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart, and claim her for his own?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

If this debut book by Tessa Dare is any indication, GODDESS OF THE HUNT is the first in what may prove to be a trio of truly delightful, sexy, and charming romances.

Lucy Waltham is feeling a bit bored, neglected, and rejected. Having yet to have her long-delayed introduction into the ton, she resides with her brother Henry and his ever-pregnant wife Marianne on their family's estate, Waltham Manor. Growing up as children, Lucy had been tolerated and allowed to trot along as her brother and his two friends, Toby and Jeremy, went fishing, hunting, and did what all normal growing boys will do. But now Toby, who was Lucy's puppy love as child, is engaged, and Lucy's not one to let go so easily. The question for Lucy is: How can she break up Toby's engagement and turn his focus back on herself? Her answer is: Through seduction, of course. And who better to practice that art with than Henry's other best friend and alleged rake, the stiff and aloof Earl of Kendall, Jeremy Trescott. So, with Lucy taking the lead (as usual), let the game of seduction and the hunt for love begin!

I really enjoyed this romance, even though it was fairly predictable. In the beginning, Lucy seems quite naive, selfish, and immature; not a very likeable character at all. But life has a funny way of making people grow up quickly, and when the inevitable does happen between Lucy and Jeremy (as it usually does in a romance), Lucy has no choice. And as Jeremy begins to discover his true feelings for this exasperating, stubborn woman-child and realizes that she is no longer that gangly, tomboy of a girl who used to pester the daylights out of him and his friends as children, the story quickly picks up. He, of course, has his own issues and emotional baggage to deal with; but by the end, both Jeremy and Lucy prove to be a perfect fit.

There's a lot to be impressed with in Tessa Dare's debut book. Witty banter, sexy love scenes, well-fleshed characters, and more than a handful of chuckles along the way as the hunt and games go on, make GODDESS OF THE HUNT a great start to this trio of stories. Next up is Toby's runaway fiancee Sophia's book, SURRENDER OF A SIREN, followed by Toby's story in A LADY OF PERSUASION; and if they're both as impressive and fun as this GODDESS OF THE HUNT was, I say... Let the games and hunt begin anew! (And kindly take me with you.)

Nancy Davis