Smitten by Books

I currently have a bunch of books on my must-buy list the moment they hit the streets. By all accounts, I should be the type of person to pre-order to ensure nothing goes awry on release day. I’m too impatient for that. I’d rather hit my favourite bookstore on release day and cart my long awaited book home in hand. Actually, the stores around here tend to have the books out early so on one of my frequent shopping days, I’ll probably spot long awaited book on the shelf, half of them probably already gone (because, as you might have guessed, I’m not the only one waiting for said book).

Below are 3 of the books on this ever growing list, and for good reason. 🙂

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Sherry Thomas has dazzled me with her prose since I devoured Private Arrangements for the first of many times. To me, her latest offering, His At Night, is a slight departure than what I expect from her, as there seems to be a solid intrigue element to the story (he is a spy for the Crown). But this is Sherry Thomas, and she has always delivered above all else, a wonderful love story, so I expect nothing less from His At Night.

His At Night
Author: Sherry Thomas
Publisher: Bantam
Pub. Date: May 25, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0553592443
Retail: $7.99
432 pages

Love is hottest in the darkness before dawn.

Elissande Edgerton is a desperate woman, a virtual prisoner in the home of her tyrannical uncle. Only through marriage can she claim the freedom she craves. But how to catch the perfect man?

Lord Vere is used to baiting irresistible traps. As a secret agent for the government, he’s tracked down some of the most devious criminals in London, all the while maintaining his cover as one of Society’s most harmless—and idiotic—bachelors. But nothing can prepare him for the scandal of being ensnared by Elissande.

Forced into a marriage of convenience, Elissande and Vere are each about to discover that they’re not the only one with a hidden agenda. With seduction their only weapon—and a dark secret from the past endangering both their lives—can they learn to trust each other even as they surrender to a passion that won’t be denied?

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Debut author, Tessa Dare, burst on the scene last year with, Goddess of the Hunt, the first book in her back-to-back trilogy. Sigh. I adored that book. The dark brooding hero and the heroine who was able to crack his reserve and open his heart to love. Well this year Tessa has yet another back to back trilogy, which begins with One Dance With a Duke. Again, like Sherry, Tessa seems to have taken a departure from her first three books as this trilogy seems to also have an intrigue element. The three heroes are connected by their share in a horse and are members of a very exclusive club. The club’s owner is murdered, so there is a murderer afoot. Again, I’m sure the romance will take center stage and Tessa’s lyrical prose and her ability to tap readers’ emotions promises a wonderful read.

Oh, and the cover of One Dance With a Duke is one of the most GORGEOUS I’ve ever seen. Ballantine’s art department really hit a grand slam on this one.

One Dance With a Duke
Author: Tessa Dare
Publisher: Ballantine
Pub. Date: May 25, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0345518859
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 400

True temptation begins at midnight…

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?

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Last, but certainly not least is the final book in Margaret Mallory’s trilogy, Knight of Passion. Margaret also burst onto the historical romance scene last year and turned me onto medievals despite my fierce aversion to fighting, war and intrigue, with her debut book, Knight of Desire. I loved Knight of Desire because the romance was center stage, and the love story elicited every conceivable emotion in me. My heart was wrenched–and I love a good heart wrenching. The hero and heroine, just like the hero and heroine in the second book, Knight of Pleasure, are introduced in the prior book when they were just children. I absolutely love seeing this kind of transition, the evolution of their feelings as they become adults. I expect that Knight of Passion will be a smashing end to a fabulous series.

Knight of Passion
Author: Margaret Mallory
Publisher: Grand Central
Pub. Date: June 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0446559867
Retail: $7.99
416 pages

HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT…

Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie’s love for a chance at vengeance.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?

Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she’s tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie’s love – this time forever.

Today I have 2 copies of Tessa’s debut book, GODDESS OF THE HUNT, to give away. If for some reason, you’ve missed this wonderful book, just comment to enter for a chance to get a copy of your own.