THE GOVERNESS GAME (GIRL MEETS DUKE #2)

He’s been a bad, bad rake—and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson

The accidental governess.

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart... without risking her own.

The infamous rake.

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls aroundChase’s heart are crumbling... and he’s in danger of falling, hard.

Release Date: August 28, 2018

Avon

Girl Meets Duke #2

Historical Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

The Governess Game was another winner from Tessa Dare. I love that Ms. Dare writes such strong female characters in every single book, and Alexandra Mountbatten was no different.

While she appears at the home of Chase Reynaud to try and procure a job as a clock repairperson, she ends up being hired on site as the governess for Rosamund and Daisy, the two little girls Chase inherited along with his title as a duke. Let me just say that Rosamund and Daisy were two of the funniest characters who used morbid humor so often. Seriously, the number of times and ways they killed Millicent, Daisy's doll had me laughing out loud each time.

The connection between Chase and Alexandra was so amazing. She understood him in a way few others in his life did.  However, what I loved best was Chase thought Alexandra was perfect just as she was, with her intelligence being a turn on for him rather than a turn off. He actually listened to what she said about his life and the lives of the girls, even when he didn't always agree with her. The snark was strong with both Alexandra and Chase, and I loved how often I laughed reading this book.

The romance and chemistry was so strong between Chase and Alexandra, even as he tried to fight to keep it just physical between them. I loved they could talk about everything and Chase even accepted the way Alexandra was able to get the girls to learn. Early on I started looking at them as this little family as the girls really did just need the love Alexandra kept insisting to Chase every bit as much as he did. Chase and Alexandra had a wonderfully sexy physical relationship, yet they really did have so much more between them.

I adored The Governess Game so much. I honestly got pulled in with each new book from Tessa Dare. Her books really are like crack to me and I look forward to getting lost in each book. I highly recommend each of her books to fans of historical romance. 

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

THE DUCHESS DEAL (GIRL MEETS DUKE #1)

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… 

Release Date: August 22, 2017

Avon

Girl Meets Duke #1

Historical Romance

Copy provided by publisher at RWA

Liza's Review:

Tessa Dare became an auto-buy author for me from the moment I read her very first book, Goddess of the Hunt. I love she writes such strong heroines and her voice pulls me in from the very first page with every single book.

The Duchess Deal is such an amazing book. I was pulled into the story from the very first page. Emma Gladstone is such a strong character. She has been taking care of herself since her father kicked her out of the house at 16. When she goes to the Duke of Ashbury's home to collect payment for the wedding dress she made for his former fiancée, she has not idea how much her life was about to change.

Ash has pretty much become a recluse since retuning from the war with major burn scars on his face. He definitely isn't your usual hero as he only wants a wife to provide him with an heir, and he is so bitter when we first meet him. I love that Emma was strong enough to meet his challenge but add conditions of her own. I honestly felt like Emma knew there was so much more to Ash than he saw in himself any longer.

There was a slow build up to the romance between Ash and Emma, and it totally worked for them as a couple. I loved seeing the more time they started spending together, the more time Ash wanted with Emma. I also loved that Ash became so protective of Emma and wanted to go after anyone who had ever hurt her. I also adored that neither Emma nor Ash could keep their hands off each other. There was both a sweetness and steaminess to their lovemaking as their relationship progressed. I absolutely loved them as a couple.

The Duchess Deal is another winner from Tessa Dare. As with all of her books, I didn't want the story to end. I highly recommend The Duchess Deal and can't wait for the next book in the series.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)