Book Review for "How to Seduce a Scoundrel" by Vicky Dreiling

How do you seduce a scoundrel? If you are anything like me, you cannnot help but be drawn to the bad boy, the feverishly sexy guy you know you shouldn't want, but do anyways. Wouldn't you want to know HOW to seduce him, to make him yours, not just for now, but for always? Well, do you bat your eyes at him? Do you display your luscious bosom in a sexy but classy gown? Do you laugh at his witty remarks and play a little hard to get? Well, my fellow romance lovers, the answers are here for you in Vicky Dreiling's second novel,
"How to Seduce a Scoundrel".

Our heroine, Julianne Gatewick, needs to seduce a scoundrel, and not just any-old-scoundrel. We are talking about her brother's best friend, Marc Darcett, the Earl of Hawkfield (aka Hawk). How do you seduce a man that you've known since you were a little girl, a man who is reputed to be a complete rogue, a man whom you have loved since you were 9 years old? Julianne is determined to make Hawk hers, but how does she convince him that she is no longer his innocent little Julie-girl, but a beautiful, engaging woman?

Hawk had no idea that being the guardian for his best friend's sister would be such a task! She has young bucks surrounding her at all times wherever she goes, and Hawk, being a man, knows EXACTLY what is on their minds, and it's not sharing a game of lawn bowling! Soon enough, Hawk realizes that Julianne isn't a little girl, but a exceptionally beautiful woman with curves he would like to stroke and eyes he could loose himself in and hair that he could sink his fingers through. Wait. This is his best friend's sister. He cannot have these desires for his Julie-girl. It's not right...or is it?

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I think I liked it more than the first book! I laughed at the banter between Hawk and Julianne and you could just feel the chemistry building between them. The scene where Julianne and her girlfriends get sloshed at an evening soiree is hilarious! The secondary characters are meaningful and memorable. I think Lady Rutledge stole the book. She is Hawk's aunt who is a no-nonsense, tell it like it is kind of gal. I loved her. She encourages Julianne to write a pamphlet to help the single girls catch a man, with many of the ideas coming from Lady Rutledge herself.

This is a great summer read where the characters learn and grow. With the help of Julianne's true love, Hawk learns to forgive himself for a grave mistake in his past. Julianne learns that there is more to love than just outward appearances. What's beautiful is on the inside of both a man and a woman.
I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Review for "How To Marry a Duke" by Vicky Dreiling

Picture it. Twenty four women in one room all gathered for a single purpose. All twenty four dressed in their finest attire. All twenty four fanning themselves as they coquettishly peer at their prize. All twenty four vying for the attention of Tristan, the sexy Duke of Shelbourne.

Tristan needs to get married, but he is tired of the little chits he meets time after time, ball after ball, each a giggling little female without the outstanding qualities he is seeking in a duchess. At one such ball he happens upon Tessa Mansfield and is instantly drawn to her. Tristan is surprised to realize that she is Society's notorious matchmaker...the "mantrapper". Tristan decides to enlist Tessa's help in finding a wife. Little does he know what Ms. Mansfield has in store for him....a Regency style bachelor show.

Tristan must choose his bride from the 24 candidates that Tessa has hand-picked for him. He has made it clear that he is not looking for love, only a dutiful wife that will elicit some passion in the bedroom. Tessa, a romantic at heart, is determined to find Tristan not only a suitable wife, but also a love match. The two spend a great deal of time together, and before she realizes what is happening, Tessa finds herself falling for the Duke. Of course, this is unacceptable. She is the matchmaker, and he is her client. But the attraction is undeniable. What will happen if Tessa gives in to her emotions? What if Tristan gives in to the burning desire he feels for Tessa?

This is a thoroughly enjoyable, light-hearted historical romance with a wonderful mix of humour and emotion. I enjoyed the witty banter between the Duke and Tessa. Their desire for one another was palpable and the fire that consumed each of them when their lips met was all-consuming. Vicky Dreiling does a fabulous job of bringing her hero and heroine to life, but I also became engrossed with the secondary characters, especially Tristan's best friend, Hawk, whose story will be coming soon. I cannot wait! The Duchess, Tristan's mother, a sly, witty, tell-it-like-it-is kind of gal, was another character whom I came to enjoy and adore. Even some of the girls Tessa chose to vie for Tristan's hand were well developed and endearing characters. Overall, this is a fun read that will make you laugh out loud and sigh with envy as our hero and heroine find their true love match.

I received this book free from the publisher through the Goodreads "First Reads" contest.

HOW TO MARRY A DUKE is book number 3 in the 2011 Historical Romance Challenge.

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