THE DUCHESS DEAL is book one in Tessa Dare's "Girl Meets
Duke" series. The Duke of Ashbury is many things --
scarred war hero, jilted fiancé, and late-night masked
avenger. When seamstress Emma Gladstone meets him, at the
opening of this story, she is simply a hardworking woman
looking to be paid for her work. Emma crafted a wedding
gown for Ash's former fiancé, but soon becomes his wife
after he finds her utterly irresistible. Emma and Ash
both have secrets and their own agendas for their
marriage, but they find happiness together despite
themselves. The twists and turns this romance take are
unexpected, but the reader will have a good time watching
the events unfold.
Emma and Ash have both known the sting of rejection, and
are understandably slow to fully reveal themselves. Tessa
Dare creates a hero who can be prickly and tactless at
times, while still remaining sympathetic. The rejection
and disgust by his former fiancé wounded Ash more than
anything he experienced as a soldier. These emotional
wounds make Ash seem more human, and less like a cold
aristocrat. THE DUCHESS DEAL has classic screwball comedy
elements, including laughable attempts by Ash to try and
keep sex perfunctory even though he is overcome with
desire for his wife. As their passion for each other
increases, their feelings become more substantial.
THE DUCHESS DEAL shows that when a monster meets a
vicar's daughter, the results are divine. The Monster of
Mayfair and his unwanted youthful sidekick make a
hilarious homage to Batman and Robin. The group of quirky
female friends that Emma finds provide useful advice and
emotional support. Ash's servants make amusing, yet
muddled matchmakers. Despite almost blowing it with the
woman he loves, Ash makes it up to Emma in a
spectacularly singular and very romantic denouement. This
promises to be as enchanting and whimsical a series as
only Tessa Dare can dream up.
When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all
the rules…
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list
has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering,
menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new
item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a
wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned
seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown,
he decides on the spot that she’ll do.
His terms are simple:
- They will be husband and wife by night only.
- No lights, no kissing.
- No questions about his battle scars.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with
his heir, they need never share a bed again.
But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
- They will have dinner together every evening.
- With conversation.
- And unlimited teasing.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man
beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy