As part of the "How to Marry a Duke" blog tour, I have my review and a giveaway of 3 copies of the book, sponsored by Hachette!
"How to Marry a Duke"
by Vicky Dreiling
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: Jan 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
by Vicky Dreiling
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: Jan 1, 2011
Source: sent by publisher
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary from Goodreads.com:
Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary--nor desired. But how to choose among a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met...
Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.
Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.
My Review:
At first, I thought this book was going to be just a cutesy regency era twist on "The Bachelor" TV show. But as I kept reading, I found myself completely drawn in by the story and totally falling in love with the characters!
At first, I thought this book was going to be just a cutesy regency era twist on "The Bachelor" TV show. But as I kept reading, I found myself completely drawn in by the story and totally falling in love with the characters!
Tristan was a handsome, charming duke with the confidence you expect from royalty, but also with this unexpected awkward quality that made him just so much more endearing and real. He didn't make much effort to hide his feelings for Tessa, but at the same time, he did feel a sense of duty to the girls in the 'competition.' Coming to terms with balancing his duty and his feelings was great to see play out.
I loved that the author really showed why Tristan and Tessa fell for each other. There was a great line about how Tessa was Tristan's first 'lady friend,' truly meaning she was his friend. Their romance was really based on friendship, understanding, and attraction, not just love at first sight or lust.
The secondary characters were just as fun and lovable as the leads without overshadowing Tristan and Tessa. Tristan's mother was a great addition to the story, as well as Amy and Georgette, two of the girls in the competition for Tristan's heart. It couldn't have been easy to essentially write rivals for Tessa and have them turn out so likable. Tristan's best friend, Hawk, was an adorable rascal, and I can't wait to read his romance with Julianne in the next book.
Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Bottom Line:This story was truly about romance and love between the leads. The author has a way of making her heart melt without being sappy or unrealistic. Books like this remind of why I love the historical romance genre so much!
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Bottom Line:This story was truly about romance and love between the leads. The author has a way of making her heart melt without being sappy or unrealistic. Books like this remind of why I love the historical romance genre so much!
GIVEAWAY RULES:
Hachette books has generously provided three copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!
All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address!
Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.
Extra Entries:
- +1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
- +1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)
Rules:
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!
- US and Canada only
- No PO Boxes please
- Must be a follower to enter
- Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
- Leave a comment with your email address
- Books will be mailed out by Hachette
- Ends Friday Feb 4
This one looks really fun, and I like the occasional light historical with an interesting premise. My email is dreaminginbooksATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteAlso tweeted the contest:
http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-and-review-how-to-marry-duke.html
Sounds really great!!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this author before, I'm going to keep an eye out for it!!
Great review
I follow as Renee G on gFC.
ReplyDeletersgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
I love the "reality show meets history" type of angle this book uses!
ReplyDeletemeredithfl at gmail dot com
GFC follower
Great review, makes me want to read this even more! Thanks for the giveaway!
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lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
Old follower stopping by to say hi! Hope your having a great weekend! I shall have to check out this book! Love regency romance!
ReplyDeleteSonette @ Bookworm Blog
Sounds like a fun read and definitely glad it's not "The Bachelor TV show" in print as I'd never pick it up to read.
ReplyDeleteI follow on GFC.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
Old follower on GFC :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really fun book - I haven't read any regency romances in a year or so, but would definitely give this a try.
deepalipratap@gmail.com
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Please count me in!
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Thanks. :)
Wow, your review of this book really makes me want to read it today! :)
ReplyDeletetiffb123@yahoo.com
Happy Saturday!
I 5, I am indeed impressed. This HR is certainly on my radar now
ReplyDeleteOld GFC follower.
ReplyDeleteSounds great..please enter me.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
I'd love to win this book! I'm a follower.
ReplyDeletebooks[a]muggle-born.net
Every once in a while, I need to read a romance like this. It's not my usual read, but I throw one in once in a while. So, please, enter me in your contest. Thanks! (old follower)
ReplyDeleteannettesspot(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I stumbled into the Dexter #1 book and I think it was the inspiration to the Dexter series on Showtime channel. I didn't know until I was plugging the book into Goodreads & saw other people's review. I haven't seen any of it either.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
This one sounds like a very fun read. I love couple who unexpectedly fall for each other.
ReplyDeleteGFC follower.
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
l wouldn't usually pick up this sort of book but it sounds good!
ReplyDeletePublicly following In the Hammock with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}] -- I would love to read How to Marry a Duke :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete+1 Tweeted the giveaway
+1 Linked the giveaway in sidebar, More Giveaways
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks for the giveaway and the review!
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Tweeted here:
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d.septer at insightbb.com
I am a follower and would love to be entered :)
ReplyDeleterobin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
I can't wait to read this book. It looks so good.
ReplyDeleteiqb99@yahoo.com
How to Marry a Duke sounds like a wonderful book and I'm looking forward to reading it even more after reading your review.
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GFC follower
This book sounds so good can't wait to read it! I really enjoyed your review. Im a Old follower/latishajean
ReplyDelete+1 tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/latishajean/status/28988342406217728
tishajean@ charter.net
This books certainly sounds interesting! And thanks for the chance to win. I'm a new follower on GFC (as well as Twitter, since you list lots of contests!), and I tweeted.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link for that: http://twitter.com/#!/sadi_sei/status/29005104866664448
postedcontests (at) gmail (dot) com
I love this story line. I love romantic books with HEA. Can't wait to read. Pls enter me in giveaway.
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http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/29045957811249152
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
This sounds like a sweet one. You are slowly turning me into a historical romance reader.
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Follower
Thanks for hosting the giveway, I should have one coming up midweek if I get everything together.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
jhoorm01atyahoodotcom
Thank you so very much for the wonderful review! Best of luck to all in the contest. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how awkward can be so sexy! Can't wait to discover this Duke!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me. I'm an old follower.
missie at theunreadreader.com
Thanks so much for stopping by, Vicky! I loved the book, and can't wait for the next installment!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
The plot soiunds adorable. At first I'd think it's a bit cliche, but it sounds like it has some depth.
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the[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com
Sounds like a fun read. I'm following on GFC with 'headlessfowl'.
ReplyDeleteheadlessfowl at gmail dot com
Looks like a funny read.
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linze_e at hotmail.com
I'm a GFC Follower.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing this book offered all over the blogosphere and I would love to win it!
hopester777 at gmail dot com
Hi There
ReplyDeleteI'm a GFC follower. I'd love a copy of this book! I can be found at sugarbeatbc AT gmail DOT com
Barb at Sugarbeat's Books
Hey there! I've heard a lot of great things about this book!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower!
And I've Tweeted about it!
lisa(@)onceuponachapter(dot)com
Lisa @ <a href="http://www.onceuponachapter.com>Once Upon A Chapter</a>
thank you for the giveaway, dear!
ReplyDeletelillyisabear(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to win!!! I've been hearing a lot about this book. I love the whole 'The Bachelor' inspiration behind the book! I watched the first season of the tv show and loved it, but now it's just TOOO .. much...
ReplyDelete+1 in sidebar:
http://notanotherromanceblog.blogspot.com
historicalromancejunkie(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletesorry about the deleted comment I just realized that I have this one already haha
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ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a reallly good book...always looking for new authors to read.
ReplyDeleteJune M.
hmanning@bellsouth.net
Great review! Sounds like a very good book. I love when the characters are conflicted.
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rjofus(at)gmail(dot)com
Please count me in, gfc follower!
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