Review: One Dance With A Duke by Tessa Dare

One Dance With A Duke
by Tessa Dare
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Available: May 25, 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
Book received from: Random House

True temptation begins at midnight…

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 with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke — until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.

In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?

Arousing. That’s the first word that comes to mind. Handsome, debonair, sensual, passionate, romantic.(although he won’t admit it) These are just a few of the many qualities of Spencer, The Duke of Moreland. Arousing on the dance floor, riding a purebred horse and most important riding a woman to ecstasy!

This was the first Tessa Dare read for me and I have to say it won’t be my last. My goodness, Ms. Dare can bring the romance and sensuality to the reader! Just her description of a kiss will melt you into madness. The anticipation, the delivery, the reaction. I was glued to Spencer and Amelia’s story from the go.

Spencer and Amelia are both strong, robust characters who pull you into the pages as if you are in the room watching Amelia put Spencer in his place or watching Spencer put Amelia in his lap for some lovin’! I love a strong heroine, honest and true, especially in a historical read. Amelia, while having some self esteem issues, given her age and lack of a husband, still could hold her own with any man that crossed her path. Spencer hid several secrets in the beginning which led you to believe he was all self centered but throughout the story showed his true, caring nature and eventually gave in to love and loyalty of the richest kind. Their interaction together is both passionate and intense which provides a lush, rich read leaving me wanting more!

Favorite Quotes:

“She hadn’t known kissing could be like this: not a conquest, but a trade. She’d never known the corner of her mouth to be so exquisitely sensitive, until he touched the spot with his tongue.”

“He kissed her. Without warning, without permission. Without even deciding to do it, but simply because he couldn’t have done anything else. He needed that breath she was holding. It belonged to him, and he wanted it back.”

“Watch yourself, he commanded her. Watch yourself as you come. Every other man can see you as you were downstairs. Witty. Desirable. Charming. Elegant. But this is when you’re goddamned beautiful, and this beauty is mine. It’s for me, and me alone. Now and forever. Do you understand?”

Purchase a copy of One Dance With A Duke

Other books in the series:

Twice Tempted By A Rogue – June 22, 2010

Three Night With A Scoundrel – July 27, 2010

Other reviews on GoodReads

Visit Tessa Dare at:

Website | GoodReads