Review & Giveaway: How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling - Blog Tour

Title: How to Ravish a Rake
Series: How To Series #3
Author: Vicky Dreiling | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Historical Romance
Reading Level: Adult










Synopsis via Goodreads:


SCANDALOUS DESIRES . . . 

Amy Hardwick has one last Season to shake off her wallflower image and make a love match. If she can't, she'll set aside her dreams of romance and return home to a suitor who can provide security-if little else. What she doesn't count on is the inappropriate-and irresistible-attention lavished on her in a darkened library by rake extraordinaire Will "The Devil" Darcett . . .

DEVILISH DELIGHT

When Will is caught in a tryst with the ton's shyest miss, he knows he must offer for her hand. Yet Amy is not the shrinking violet she seems to be. Passion lies beneath her prim exterior and Will is eager to release it. But winning Amy isn't simply a matter of seduction; first, Will must convince her that he's mended his wicked ways . . 


My thoughts:


First I have to comment on this cover. The colors and THAT dress and the guy! I am in love ♥ This is without a doubt my most favorite cover EVER!


Vicky Dreiling has quickly taken over the #1 spot on my list of favorite historical romance authors. She pairs smart and fun dialogue with well developed characters and premises unique to the historical romance genre. When picking up one of her novels I know it will be unlike anything else I have ever read. How to Ravish a Rake stays true to what I’ve come to expect from Dreiling and just might be her best novel yet. 


I enjoyed catching up with the characters I have come to love over the course of this series. Aunt Hester, Georgette, Beau, Charles Osgood, Hawk, and Julianne all make an appearance. I also loved meeting new characters I hope we get to know better in future novels (I'm talking about you Earl of Bellingham aka Bell).


After meeting Amy earlier in the series, I couldn't wait to see her finally get her HEA. I wasn't sold on her match with the classic youngest sibling, and notorious rake, Will. They are complete opposites, but that seemed to be what made their romance work. Will is somewhat childish at times, but that also seemed to fuel his wonderful sense of humor and love of adventure (the two things I loved most about him). Amy is always so levelheaded and sensible. Will is the perfect man to help her shed her wallflower image once and for all. He brings out a side of Amy that I'm not even sure she knew she had. I loved the amount of fun their romance contained. The progression of both characters was beautiful to watch. I was actually sad when the book ended. I didn’t want my time with Amy and Will to come to an end. I hope we get a glimpse of what happened after the final page in Dreiling's future novels.


How to Ravish a Rake was a pleasure to read. The reformation of the rake is a theme I don't think I'll ever tire of. I can't wait to see what Vicky Dreiling comes up with next.

My Rating:

Source: Received from publisher in exchange for my review.


Giveaway Details:


3 copies of How to Ravish a Rake are up for grabs courtesy of Hachette!
Open to the US & Canada
No P.O Boxes please
Winners are subject to Hachette's 1 copy per household rule
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter

Review & Giveaway: How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

Title: How to Seduce a Scoundrel
Series: Book #2
Author: Vicky Dreiling
Available: Now
Genre: Historical Romance
Reading Level: Adult
ISBN: 9780446565387
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Description via Goodreads:

When Lady Julianne Gatewick realizes the rake of her dreams thinks of her as practically his sister, she decides it's time to get even. The charming Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, is every lady's fantasy, but he's determined to evade virgins and their matrimonial traps - especially his best friend's sister.



Hawk reluctantly agrees to be Julianne's guardian for the season, but he's having trouble resisting his gorgeous ward. Worse still, she's taunting him by flirting with every scoundrel in London - and he's sworn to protect her! Certain she's learned her tricks from the authoress of that scandalous publication "The Secrets of Seduction", Hawk sets out to uncover the writer's identity. But he never expects to find the formerly angelic Julianne behind the mask - and between his sheets.



My thoughts:


After reading and falling in love with Vicky Dreiling’s debut novel, How to Marry a Duke, I couldn’t wait for her next release. Having become familiar with main characters, Julianne and Hawk, over the course of the first book, I was eager to see the direction the author took with their forbidden romance.


Julianne is younger and more naive than what I’m used to in a historical romance main character. I think this really showcased her role as the younger, and sometimes coddled, sibling of a very overprotective older brother. As a reader, I appreciated how much room this gave her to grow. I did enjoy her strong and stubborn nature. I have difficulty relating to female character who err on the side of weak minded, and was thrilled Julianne was anything but. I really grew to adore her over the course of the novel, and felt having her write a sinful pamphlet advising others on how to land a man suited her mischievous nature perfectly.


As for love interest Hawk, I don’t think he is a character all readers will enjoy. He was completely blind to Julianne’s feelings, and inadvertently hurt her on numerous occasions. Having spent his life looking at her as his best friend’s little sister, seeing her as a grown (and beautiful) woman was an adjustment. For me, I truly enjoyed watching him reform from Hawk the notorious rake to the man he becomes at the conclusion of the novel. I thought the chemistry between him and Julianne was spot on. There was very little about this couple I didn’t enjoy.


Hawk’s aunt Hester was probably the highlight of How to Seduce a Scoundrel. Her eccentricities and advice for the young women seeking a husband were priceless. Novels need more characters like her. She made me laugh out loud on more occasions than I can count. I just loved her!


Aside from enjoyable characters, the storyline of this novel was a good one. I enjoyed watching “The Secret of Seductions” form from initial idea until the upheaval its publication causes. I love how fresh and unique Vicky Dreiling’s ideas are. It really makes this series something special. She also has such a fun writing style, and I love the wit that encases her dialogue. She really gives historical romance a fun and feisty edge!


Vicky Dreiling’s series is a must read for all fans of historical romance! While How to Seduce a Scoundrel can easily be read on its own, I highly recommend reading the series in order. 

My Rating:

Books in this series:

Vicky Dreiling on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway:

I have 3 copies of How to Seduce a Scoundrel up for grabs courtesy of Hachette Book Group!

To enter please leave a comment with a way to contact you (email, Twitter, etc.)

Open to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please

Book ships directly from publisher

Ends 7/22

FYI: Vicky will be signing at Katy Budget Books in Houston, Texas on July 30th with Sophie Jordan. Anyone thinking of attending? I’m going to try my best!

Review & Giveaway: How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling

Title: How to Marry a Duke
Author: Vicky Dreiling
Available: Now
Genre: Historical Romance
Reading Level: Adult


4 out of 5 Stars












Description via Goodreads:


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


My thoughts:


Tristan needs to marry in order to produce an heir. After a chance meeting involving a crushed fan, Tristan finds himself imploring the skills of experienced matchmaker, Tessa. Tessa is a woman locals love to talk about. At the age of 26 she has remained unmarried, and is said to have inherited a huge amount of money from her deceased uncle. When asked to help Tristan find a bride, she sees the chance to further her career as a matchmaker. She quickly sets up a courtship with 24 eligible young women. When Tristan and Tessa begin to have feelings for each other, they know they can never act on them. Think of the scandal! Of course fighting the attraction is always easier said than done. Tessa also has her reasons for avoiding marriage along with many buried secrets. When an unexpected visitor arrives on the scene, Tessa begins to fear those secrets will be revealed, and she finds herself having to make some difficult choices.


This book was so much fun! I loved the historical take on the modern day reality television show The Bachelor. Main characters Tessa and Tristan had an undeniable chemistry. Tessa’s independence was admirable, and Tristan was a great catch once he left his notorious rake lifestyle behind. I enjoyed the sarcastic wit most of the characters seemed to possess. Tristan’s mother was probably my favorite character. She turned out to be not at all like I initially expected. His best friend Hawk was another favorite. I can’t wait to read his story in the next book of this series, How to Seduce a Scoundrel. The mystery involving Tessa’s past added a nice element to the plot, and kept me turning the pages. I found the author’s writing style very engaging. The characters developed nicely as the plot progressed, and even the secondary characters had their chance to shine. 


How to Marry a Duke is a nicely balanced mix of romance, mystery, and snark. I highly recommend it!

Vicky Dreiling on the web:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter 

Author Bio | Five Fun Facts

How to Marry a Duke Trailer:

I also have 3 copies of How to Marry a Duke up for grabs courtesy of Hachette Book Group!


Rules:
Open to residents of the U.S & Canada
No P.O Boxes please
Winners are subject to the one copy per household rule
Please fill out the form to enter
Comments are always appreciated, but will not count as an entry
Giveaway ends February 5th