| One Dance with a Duke |  | Author: Tessa Dare
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: eBooks
This item is no longer available
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 1,525
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Pages: 416
Number Of Items: 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
ASIN: B0036S4C8Y
Publication Date: May 13, 2010
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Product Description
In One Dance with a Duke—the first novel in Tessa Dare’s delightful new trilogy—secrets and scandals tempt the irresistible rogues of the Stud Club to gamble everything for love.
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?
From the Paperback edition.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
 Prepare to be ridiculously delighted! May 31, 2010
Karen (Illinois)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
It's hard to pin down what makes a romance novel a keeper--different people like different things, and even if you can name all the things you like, you couldn't just patch them all together in one book and be guaranteed a novel you'll love. A keeper has an intangible quality, a certain something that makes the characters and the emotions feel real, even when you know intellectually that you are reading what amounts to, in terms of realism, a fairy tale.
This novel is definitely in my top 5, and I'm pretty picky. First of all, Tessa Dare's writing style is fantastic; it never veers into purple prose, the pacing is excellent, the dialogue clever. And she's a huge Jane Austen fan, apparently, since Amelia states early in the book she's "never seen a house so happily situated."
Amelia--she's one of the heroine greats. Not a perfect beauty, not a push over, not a "bluestocking," not insultingly vapid. She is flawed and quirky, without being annoying. Spencer is emotionally distant. What I liked about him was that he clearly loved her from the beginning, and their interests and personalities are compatible. There's a scene where he's reading and she's working her needlepoint, and they're sparring, and it feels like you're a fly on the wall--it's just so cozy and appealing. I did not find it frustrating that he was emotionally distant, I found it realistic and believable. He brings to mind Mr. Darcy, and Amelia, a la Elizabeth Bennet, draws him out. Of course, Austen would have written things differently without all the hot sex scenes. ;)
That brings me to another thing I liked about this Regency. The problems and external conflicts are not ridiculous, and they are fairly realistic to the time period. There are no gambling hells or kidnappings, no silly mysteries to solve. Wait! you say. Isn't this trilogy, at least in part, about a murder and a "stud club"? Well, yes, it is, and I was afraid Ms. Dare's second trilogy would devolve into some sort of mystery-driven Stephanie Laurens type mess, but it doesn't. It stays focused on the romance, and the murder with which the book begins provides just enough plot to bring certain characters together, drive others apart, and create a believable conflict.
Romance, character, and emotional realism are at the center of this romance. This is one to savor, because you won't read another one so good for awhile (until June 22, perhaps?). A great piece of escapist fiction that I never wanted to skim. I never rolled my eyes. I just enjoyed the whole blasted thing thoroughly.
What a Hot New Book from the Amazing Tessa Dare! June 7, 2010
Paige Ray (California USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I fell in love with this novel. The romance was glorious and the conflict was hilarious at times and sad at others. There were actually several conflicts that made the book a whole. I truly enjoy Tessa Dare's writing. It also seems to me like she revved it up for this new trilogy from The Goddess Trilogy. A little extra Oomph! The Duke of Morland, known as the Duke of Midnight has such a cute mystery behind his whole reasoning for being the mysterious Duke of Midnight and when it is revealed, I laughed and blushed because of how cute it was. Just darling! A few of the characters, I know we will see in the next book and the last book in the trilogy which I can't wait to read. I read this book in two days, it totally devoured my time. Amelia was an adorable heroine and I loved the witty comments and sensual demeanor of the hero. Tessa Dare, you rock!
Review from Books & Wine June 30, 2010
Books & Wine (New York United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I am beginning to think it is literally impossible to read One Dance With A Duke by Tessa Dare without a silly grin. Now, this book was my first foray into romance, a genre which I sort of had this tendancy to ridicule. I know, I know, not nice to make fun of heaving bosoms and what not. However, I guess that's what happens when I read one Danielle Steele book and judge a whole genre based off of it. Guys, I would never do that to the YA category -- read one book and judge all YA based off that book. So, romance, I am sorry.
One Dance With A Duke is a historical fiction set in the 18th Century, right around Waterloo. Amelia D'Orsay is a spinster with a ne'er do well brother who gambles away her pin money. Spencer, on the other hand, is this megarich duke of Morland. He hangs around balls at midnight and dances with just one woman. OF COURSE Spencer and Amelia's paths cross. I know from the summary, you can guess the ending, because it is romance, and we all know how these books end. However, I'm just going to put this out there and you can agree with me or disagree, but I don't think people read romance primarily to be surprised by the ending. I think people read it for A) The steams and B) That goofy happy feeling. This sounds creepy, but these books give someone the chance to vicariously experience love. I already have love in my life, but friends, an 18th century duke my boyfriend is not.
It's vastly entertaining to watch the sparks fly between Spencer and Amelia. They have this love hate relationship, and I really do enjoy their conversations, especially when they talk about books. Hello, there was a reference to Mary Wollenstonecraft. Total awesomesauce. It's interesting that reference, because the book places the two as a couple on equal footing. It shows that love does not allow for one person to dominate the other. I really enjoyed seeing this take on relationships as a partnership. I also really liked the kissing scenes. There's one part which I wish I could find in my book to quote for you which describes making out as a conversation. Yes, please sign me up for that talk. I mean, can you imagine instead of saying "we need to talk' you just kiss it out.
Let me just say, when you have a super heavy, emotionally draining book like The Passage, I absolutely recommend you break it up with a romance novel. Trust me, you'll feel more mentally sound after repeated emoto-beat-downs. Don't read this expecting a book surpassing all your wildest dreams, because that's not going to happen, but if you want something smile inducing, this is totally the right book to check out.
Tessa Dare June 20, 2010
L. S. Lemon (Coldwater, MI USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I discovered this new Author with her first trilogy, and could hardly wait for ONE DANCE WITH A DUKE, in fact, I preordered this one and have already preordered the next two and am having a hard time waiting for them. I think that she will become a great ambassador for historical romances. Her characters are well written, human, and interesting. She makes you care about them and what happens to them. The plot moves along well and has a good mix of humor, human flaws. As I said greatest of all you care about what happens to them
Heartwarming romance with delighful characters! June 25, 2010
B. Bernard (Lady Lake, FL United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I just loved this book and cannot wait to get the next in the series. It's been released so I am happy.
Spencer and Amelia were wonderful characters that showed depth in their emotions and (what I so enjoyed) spoke of them to one another. The intimacy they shared was heartfelt. Their love life sparkled. Spencer brought Amelia to the knowledge that such a dashing man cold fall deeply in love with her, who turned out to be his lovely and ideal Duchess of Moreland.
It was nice that there were no long delays for the first kiss (quite properly done), marriage and love.
Just a sweet charming story and thoroughly enjoyed.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 32
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