How to Ravish a Rake [Mass Market Paperback]

Vicky Dreiling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2012

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 . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

GLOWING PRAISE FOR VICKY DREILING'S HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL:

"Regency matchmaking, rakes, rogues, innocence and scandal: oh what fun! Dreiling knows how to combine these ingredients into a delightfully delicious, wickedly witty slice of reading pleasure."
--RT Book Reviews

HOW TO MARRY A DUKE:

"In her lively debut novel, Vicky Dreiling has penned a fresh, engaging take on Regency matchmaking that brims with clever wit and repartee. I found myself smiling and laughing out loud on numerous occasions. Here's hoping for more of this promising new author's historical romances!"
-Nicole Jordan, New York Times bestselling author

"Delightful...the inherent charm of the characters (especially the dowager duchess) keeps the pages flying until the surprising and satisfying conclusion. Dreiling is definitely a newcomer to watch."
--RT Book Reviews

"An enchanting debut, full of humor and heart!"
-Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author


"Vicky Dreiling delivers a tale chock full of warmth, wit and tenderness. She's sure to please readers everywhere!"
--Samantha James, New York Times bestselling author

"A delicious read! Better than chocolate! Sexy, fresh and witty, Vicky Dreiling is an author to watch!"
-Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author

About the Author

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her "Trouble."

When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and, most of all, long lunches with friends. She holds degrees in English literature and marketing. A native Texan, she shares her home with her daughter and a spoiled mini-lop rabbit who lives in a slightly gnawed cardboard cottage.

You can learn more at:

VickyDreiling.net

Twitter @vickydreiling

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vicky-Dreiling-Historical-Author

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (April 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446565407
• ISBN-13: 978-0446565400
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her "Trouble."

When she's not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. She holds degrees in English literature and marketing. A native Texan, she shares her home with her daughter and a spoiled mini-lop rabbit that lives in a slightly gnawed cardboard cottage.

Visit her at: http://www.vickydreiling.com/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Started off well, but turned disappointing April 18, 2012

By Carole "The Romance Reviews"

Format:Kindle Edition

HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE is the third book that starts with How to Marry a Duke.

Amy Hardwick has one last Season to catch a husband, and to do that, she has to make considerable effort to shake off her wallflower status. After she succeeded, who should she find in a compromising situation with than Will "The Devil" Darcett, the man who'd previously made her life hell?

HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE started off quite well, fascinating me with the cat and mouse game being played between Amy and Will. I thought Amy had great potential, this heroine who was determined not to fall for the hero. She really impressed me when she was able to observe the proprieties, despite being charmed by Will. Being a wallflower most of her life, I was also very impressed with her courage to break free and to carve out her own path. Truly, a worthy heroine for us to emulate.

However, from the moment Amy was compromised, the book turned dull and boring. Compared to the first book, which was fun and entertaining, HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE fell short. The writing was choppy, and the characters failed to make me invested in their situation.

Will is the usual Regency hero, meaning he's a rake through and through. He is charming, and he did change by the end of the novel, but his change was unconvincing. He purportedly loved Amy, but his words of love rang hollow.

Having expected the same caliber of writing that I enjoyed in How to Marry a Duke, I was disappointed with this book. If you haven't read Vicky Dreiling yet, I'd recommend you to pick up the first book in the series, How to Marry a Duke.

Reviewed by Ashia
for The Romance Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming characters in a fun romp through Regency England April 5, 2012

By Kim Adams

Format:Mass Market Paperback

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." - Dr. Seuss

HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE is a delightful romp into the heart of a wallflower. From Page One, Amy Hardwick grabs the reader's attention, if not sympathy, as she breaks out her shyness. She gains confidence as her fashion designs win over the ton. As she enjoys her success, she attempts to stays clear of Will "The Devil" Darcett. Amy's efforts are in vain as fate keeps throwing the unlikely lovers into each other's path. Yet an act of kindness seals their fate for a marriage of convenience.

HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE is the third book in her How To Series. I have not read the first two books yet I enjoyed HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE as a stand-alone story. Amy is a secondary character from the first book, yet she shines on her own in HOW TO RAVISH A RAKE. Dreiling explores Amy's emotions as she celebrates her "success" with society and her unexpected marriage to Will. Meanwhile, Dreiling also exposes Will's complex character, publicly playing the rake but privately questioning his integrity when it comes time "trap" an heiress. In an ironic twist, he hesitates to ensnare Amy but comforts her when she believes she has betrayed her wallflower friends. His comfort leads to compromise, marriage of convenience, and coming to terms with their unexpect situation.

Dreiling excels in entertaining readers with quirky characters and madcap adventures in the Regency Era. Recommended read for fans of light hearted historical romances.

I requested to review this book; the publisher provided an ARC for my review.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, but nothing to rave about April 14, 2012

By Judy

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really wanted to give this book 2 1/2 stars, but was only allowed to choose full stars.

I am truly baffled by the high praise that this book got. Yes, there were several romantic scenes with Amy and Will, however, Will is simply not a strong character. He seems that he would have been early in the novel, but lets his family interfere too much. I understand the author has tried to create a nosy, yet loving family similar to other well known romance families, check Jillian Hunter's Boscastle series, for example. She failed. I found them to be utterly annoying and the silly family meetings for every little decision was overdone. She should have spent more time developing the plot and Amy and Will. Neither of these characters had depth. In the end, Will didn't even win Amy back on his own; his family made that happen. Also, their separation in the first place was ridiculous. Why did she feel that she had to be self-righteous when she lied to him as well? She violated his trust, yet when she felt he violated hers, she leaves even though he begs her not to. It was too contrived in order to set up the romantic ending of Will declaring his love, again, in front of his family. Amy and Will were outshone by Will's aunt and his grandmother, "Are you Scottish?" Throughout the novel it is often felt that another layer is missing. If a novel is going to be a fun, light-hearted read, then make it worth the time.