Product Description

In this lush and seductive novel, exciting new author Tessa Dare takes desire to brazen heights.

Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion–one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart and claim her for his own?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35812 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-28
• Released on: 2009-07-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780345506863
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Dare's sparkling Regency romance debut introduces a cunning and instantly likable tomboy heroine. Lucy Waltham has been besotted with her brother's friend Toby since she was 11. Now 19 and determined to get Toby away from ladylike, well-dowried Sophia, Lucy decides to practice seduction techniques on another family friend, Jeremy Trescott, earl of Kendall and 10 years her senior. Their innocent trysts become a sizzling affair that leads abruptly to the altar, after which Lucy must use all her considerable wit and intelligence to transform herself into a countess without ever losing the wild spirit that Jeremy finds both daunting and delightful. Dare seems to have fit all the best of romance into one novel, from sensuous interludes and crafty humor to endearing multidimensional characters. Readers will eagerly anticipate the two sequels due in the fall. (Aug.)
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Review
“The sweetest, sexiest romance you’ll read all year.”—Eloisa James


“From the time Toby Aldridge had whimsically crowned her Goddess of the Hunt, 11-year-old Lucy Waltham had adored him. Now, eight years later, with Toby intending to propose to someone else, naïve Lucy boldly plans to seduce him but needs practice—and an ally. Who better than her emotionally chilly best friend, Jeremy Trescott, Earl of Kendall, to make Toby jealous? This is an exceptional debut novel, from the first hilarious “practice” session to the gradual melting of Jem’s outward reserve and ­Lucy’s maturing realization of whom she really loves. A beautifully crafted tale that captivates with sassy wit, a lush, sweetly intense sensuality, and an abundance of beautifully articulated, appealing characters.”—Library Journal

“A daring debut…Dare is on the path to stardom.”—Romantic Times

“Debut author Tessa Dare bursts upon the scene with a high-energy and high-drama romance. She tells the story with provocative words and feverish action. Her cast of secondary characters is unforgettable and set the stage for the next book in this back-to-back series.”—Fresh Fiction

“Highly original… Tessa Dare is an author to watch!”—Romance Reader’s Connection

“I fell in love with Goddess of the Hunt and Tessa Dare from the very first page! Goddess of the Hunt is a romantic delight sure to satisfy every reader." —Teresa Medeiros


From the Paperback edition.

Review
“The sweetest, sexiest romance you’ll read all year.”—Eloisa James


“From the time Toby Aldridge had whimsically crowned her Goddess of the Hunt, 11-year-old Lucy Waltham had adored him. Now, eight years later, with Toby intending to propose to someone else, naïve Lucy boldly plans to seduce him but needs practice—and an ally. Who better than her emotionally chilly best friend, Jeremy Trescott, Earl of Kendall, to make Toby jealous? This is an exceptional debut novel, from the first hilarious “practice” session to the gradual melting of Jem’s outward reserve and ­Lucy’s maturing realization of whom she really loves. A beautifully crafted tale that captivates with sassy wit, a lush, sweetly intense sensuality, and an abundance of beautifully articulated, appealing characters.”—Library Journal

“A daring debut…Dare is on the path to stardom.”—Romantic Times

“Debut author Tessa Dare bursts upon the scene with a high-energy and high-drama romance. She tells the story with provocative words and feverish action. Her cast of secondary characters is unforgettable and set the stage for the next book in this back-to-back series.”—Fresh Fiction

“Highly original… Tessa Dare is an author to watch!”—Romance Reader’s Connection

“I fell in love with Goddess of the Hunt and Tessa Dare from the very first page! Goddess of the Hunt is a romantic delight sure to satisfy every reader." —Teresa Medeiros

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Historical Debut
Every year there seems to be one debut author who bursts upon the scene and absolutely knocks my socks off with her superb writing skill. This year, that author is Tessa Dare. In her debut book, GODDESS OF THE HUNT, Dare showcases her command of the English language with exquisite prose that sings across the pages with a lyrical quality that is a joy to read. Her characters are so vividly drawn that they practically leap from the pages and her story unerringly hits all the right notes.

Irrepressible Lucy Waltham has fancied herself in love with Sir Toby since the tender age of eleven, when her older brother's friend dubbed her his "Diana, Goddess of the Hunt". She has bided her time, knowing in her heart that one day Toby would awaken to his real feelings for her, but now, eight years later, her brother's friends have arrived for their annual gathering and, for the first time, Toby is exhibiting a serious interest in someone. Lucy has no choice but to seduce him and show him that she is the woman of his dreams and the one he is meant to marry, not Miss Sophia Hathaway. Unfortunately for Lucy, she has never even been kissed but she has a book that explains everything. All she needs now is someone with whom to practice.

Jeremy Trescott has always treasured his visits to Waltham Manor, the home of his good friend, Henry Waltham. It's the only place where he has ever been able to relax and be himself. Growing up with parents who showed neither love nor appreciation for their son, Jeremy learned to close off his emotions years ago. In truth, the only person who has ever been able to get a rise out of him is Lucy, his friend's exasperating younger sister and in Jeremy's own words, his "personal version of a biblical plague." Now she shows up at his bedroom door in the middle of the night with the crazy idea that she is going to seduce Toby...after honing her skills with him! If only she wasn't proving to be such a fast learner.

I have always enjoyed the "brother's best friend" storyline and I was intrigued by Dare's unique spin on the concept. Lucy does indeed fall for her brother's friend, just not the one that she, and everyone else, expected. But the self admission of her feelings isn't the end of this story but, rather, the beginning of the second half of the book for her greatest challenge, winning Jeremy's love, is still to be achieved and this is one hero who doesn't make it easy.

That perhaps is Dare's greatest talent as a writer. Aside from the scintillating banter, the lovely, lyrical prose, the humor and angst of young and unrequited love, this is an author who made me care about her characters - all of her characters. I highly recommend GODDESS OF THE HUNT. The next two books in this trilogy, SURRENDER OF A SIREN and A LADY OF PERSUASION will be released August 25th and September 29th, respectively. I'll be counting the days!

Fun and Unputdownable!
I read this book based on the recommendations of a friend. This time period usually isn't what I choose to read for Historical romances, but I am so glad that I did. Jeremy and Lucy were so very fun and entertaining.

Lucy is on a hunt to capture the one man she has 'loved' nearly her entire life. She fears that if she doens't act soon, then this love of hers, Toby, is going to propose to another woman, Sophia. So Lucy sneaks away to the bedroom of a long time friend, Jeremy, one night and seeks out practice at seduction. Now this is a man Lucy has forever ribbed and taunted, trying for eight years to get under his skin. That night soon leads into Jeremy acting the besotted fool to Lucy in an attempt to make Toby jealous. However, Jeremy claims to be doing it to protect Lucy from making a fool of herself, but what neither of them realize, is love really is blooming, just not where either of them ever expected!

There were some truly lovely scenes in this book. Some will make you laugh, some will make you want to yell at Lucy to grow up, and others will make your palms sweaty from the heat that generates between Lucy and Jeremy. Tessa Dare has some amazing prose. Several places I marked to go back to reread through. Several paragraphs that just left you breathless.

I enjoyed this book so much that I went and bought the third book in the series, which just so happens to be Toby's! And I will be on the lookout for the second book, which is Sophia's! I am really looking forward to reading these next two in this trilogy. Both are characters that I enjoyed reading, especially Sophia. Even though she was a rival to Lucy in this book, you couldn't help but like her!

Oh My Oh My Oh My....
Who in the world is Tessa Dare and where has she been all my life?!

"Goddess of The Hunt" had me hooked from page one. I cringed every time I knew I had to put this one down, and I hated the fact that my eyes betrayed me at night when I'd fall asleep trying to read it. I don't see a "Best-Seller" on the cover yet, but I promise if this lady keeps writing books like this she's going to be the next Julia Quinn (the old, not the new one).

Pages 115-128 holds the most intense, steam building, mouth hanging open loves scenes I think I've EVER read. Just do me favor...when your at the bookstore and your not sure about buying this book, flip to these pages...you will not put this one back down.

Just a taste of what I'm talking about...this scene takes place in a wardrobe, after Jeremy finds her during a game of hide-and-seek. The only light inside is just few rays of sunshine pushing their way through the cracks...

"...He kissed his way back up her neck and brought his hands to the neckline of her dress, gathering the facbric of muslin until it threatened to tear. Then her tongue flicked a silent plea against his ear, so lightly he might have imagined it, once.

Twice, he could not mistake.

...Then her hands slid around the his back, and she leaned against his chest. She brushed her lips over the base of his throat. Again. Again. Her kisses felt like rain drops in a desert, sizzling on his scorched flesh. He bent his head and his mouth found hers. And then the storm broke..."

I am not kidding ladies...you will/could not read this and not think "Oh good Lord!". This novel has the right balance of everything and you will absolutely love every character...My "All-Time Favorites" list has just gained a book!