Goddess of the Hunt [Mass Market Paperback]

Tessa Dare (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 28, 2009

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?

Editorial Reviews

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Original edition (July 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345506863
• ISBN-13: 978-0345506863
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tessa Dare is a part-time librarian, full-time mommy and swing-shift author of historical romance. She makes her home in Southern California, where she shares a cozy, cluttered bungalow with her husband, their two children and a big brown dog.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#4 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#5 in Books > Romance > Historical

#63 in Books > Romance

#65 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#4 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#5 in Books > Romance > Historical

#63 in Books > Romance

#65 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Historical Debut July 29, 2009

By P. Ausdenmore

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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!

25 of 34 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Just Can't Recommend September 13, 2009

By Romance Guy

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm afraid this book falls into familiar territory for me--heroine is depicted as so plucky, independent, and filled with backbone that she has just been transposed into the 1800's fresh from 2009. I realize that authors must make their heroines accessible to a modern-day (mostly female) audience, but a girl raised in the vicinity of the British Class System of the time would know that a future contessa would not be allowed to climb trees, roam the woods, or hunt and fish like a tomboy and wouldn't get all put off by being reminded of that fact. Lucy Waltham does and that fact is just down right silly. Unfortunately, this is just one instance of where she comes across so young and callow. Her man-to-be-Jeremy, Earl of Kendall--is the only one of the men who isn't a complete dolt--and if he ever felt more than lust for her--well, I couldn't feel it. The second half of the story revolves around "The Big Misunderstanding" never one of my favorite plot devices as well.

I've read plenty of books where the heroine has a strong sense of self and independence but doesn't have to be unrealistic. Add to this the fact that I found Lucy immature and grating for most of the book, and I just can't say I can recommend. I know it was the authors maiden voyage and I would like to end this with some positive feedback as well. Ms. Dare can write--but this particular brew was not to my liking. This doesn't mean I won't try another offering in the future. She is a good, even talented writer--her characters in this just left me a little flat this time. The quality of the writing isn't in question--it's just a matter of taste.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Distinctly aware of the heroine's age March 1, 2010

By Sophia

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Throughout this novel, I was acutely aware of how young the heroine was. That's never a good sign. Basically she acted like an immature teenager, which was very unappealing. An interesting premise, but it got annoying and irritating to see the heroine careen about the plot with so little awareness and sense of reality.