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Tracey Anne Warren

At The Duke’s Pleasure by Tracy Anne Warren

By

ISBN: 978-0061673429
Publisher: Avon Historical Romance
Release: Jan 12, 2010
Source: I bought this book to read and review

All the Byrons are just as “mad, bad and dangerous to know” as their famous non-relation…but now the time has come for the eldest son to marry…
Edward Byron, Duke of Clybourne, has everything a man in Society needs…except a wife. Duty requires he wed, so he decides that a long-standing arranged marriage will do nicely. He knows his bride is beautiful, biddable and bright enough to run his household and nursery. He expects his betrothed, Lady Claire Marsden, will be thrilled with his decision—unfortunately, she’s not!
Claire has longed for Edward since she was sixteen, but how can he expect her to agree to his proposal when he barely knows her and doesn’t love her? Nothing will convince her to accept a loveless marriage. And so she begins a battle of outrageous resistance, forcing Edward to learn that he must lose his heart in order to win his bride.

At The Duke’s Pleasure is the third book in Ms. Warren’s latest trilogy.  I actually started this trilogy at the beginning and read the books in order. (something that doesn’t always happen)
Edward is the eldest Byron brother.  He has been raised very differently than the rest of his siblings.  From an early age, he was separated from them and spent his time with his father training to take over the dukedom.  As a result, he is a person who is keenly focused on duty.  He sees himself as responsible for the well-being of his whole family.  He was betrothed to Lady Claire Marsden shortly after she was born – there is about a 15 year difference in their ages.  Although he doesn’t really know much about Claire, he feels that she will make him a good wife, and since it is time for him to get married and start producing children, he sends for her.

Lady Claire Marsden is happy living with her mother and sister and is resistant to the idea of marrying Edward.  She has been in love with him for years, but doesn’t want to be stuck in a loveless marriage.  Since it seems that Edward won’t cry off, Lady Claire goes out of her way to be difficult.  She spends excessive amounts of money on clothes, she embarrasses Edward in public, she makes a spectacle of herself, often involving various members of Edward’s family.

The character of Claire came across as a spoiled princess doing irrational things in order to get her way.  Edward was equally unlikeable as he is written as so involved with his duty that he takes little notice of Claire as a person.  Whether or not I like the characters is somewhat irrelevant to whether this is a well written story.

Tracy Anne Warren consistently writes well written romances.  I have reviewed several in the past.  Of the three books of this trilogy, this is the weakest in my opinion.  Although it is a well, written romance on many levels, I feel that there is more that she could do with the characters to make the story move along smoother.  It was almost like telling a story about two immovable forces.  There are  positive reviews as you can see below, I just felt that this wasn’t Ms. Warren’s best work to date.

RTBookReviews gave At the Duke’s Pleasure 4 stars and says: “Another Byron of Braebourne meets his match in Warren’s delightfully witty and sexy third installment. Readers will be utterly entertained by her stylish prose and hallmark humor.”

Tempted by His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren

By

ISBN: 978-0-06-167340-5
Publisher: Avon Historical Romances

Release: Feb 24, 2009

Source: I purchased this book to read and review

Orphaned beauty Meg Amberley never planned to pose as Lord Cade Byron’s fiancée.  Caught in a snowstorm, she takes refuge at his estate. Stranded together, Meg soon finds herself falling under Cade’s spell. When the roads clear, she intends to leave, but fate intervenes.
Haunted by his past, Cade Byron has buried himself in the country. Then Meg—with her lush curves and soft, blonde hair—invades his house and his life. With her reputation compromised, he proposes a pretend engagement and a London Season where she can find a husband. But as their charade deepens, Cade can’t let her go . . . vowing to tempt her with a kiss that just may lead to forever.”

Tempted by His Kiss is the first book in Tracy Anne Warren’s latest trilogy.  I stumbled on these books when I was cruising through other people’s books shelves on Goodreads (love that place!) I haven’t read a book by Ms Warren in some time and  was attracted by the blurb on the back of the book!  This latest trilogy  follows several members of the Byron family.  According to the advance notes, London society knows the Byrons are “mad, bad, and dangerous” and every bit as fascinating as their poetic non-relation.
Lord Cade Byron is the hero of this story and he is a recluse at his estate in the Northumberland.  He fought as a spy in the Peninsular wars and was tortured by the French spy Le Renard.  He had to bear witness to his fiancee’s rape and murder as well as her family’s murder.  He nows spends his days in self-imposed isolation grieving what can’t be undone.  Meg Amberley is caught in a snowstorm on her way to live with an older relative.  She takes refuge at Cade’s estate when the storm prevents them from continuing.  Cade reluctantly allows Meg, her maid (posing as her cousin) and her coachman to stay until the roads become passable.  He stays out of her way as much as possible, but eventually becomes attracted to her presence in his house and seeks her company.  They begin a platonic friendship, sharing conversation and games of chess, that has overtones of chemistry.  Is is predictable, they are discovered staying unchaperoned and Cade announces their engagement, much to Meg’s surprise.  Cade proposes that they pretend to be engaged so that they can go to London and Meg can find a husband who would suit her.

With that premise, the on again, off again courtship proceeds.  Although there is seemingly nothing particularly outstanding about the writing ability of this book, it is good!  The characters of Cade and Meg, as well as the various other secondary characters are well formed and consistent.  Cade obviously begins the story a tortured mess.  His interactions with Meg allows him to gradually come out of his grief.  He comes from a close family, and the interactions between the various members of his family show their concern for him.  With Meg’s help, he allows them to care for him.  Although it isn’t uncommon to read about a tortured hero character as Cade is, he is paired for an atypical heroine for the romance genre.  Meg is pragmatic, calm and mostly optimistic.  She sees Cade as someone she can’t have, but still wants to help him.  In the end she realizes that if she can’t have him, she doesn’t want anyone.

Tempted By His Kiss is a wonderful, gentle read.  Well crafted and perfect for that lazy afternoon!

RTBookReview gave Tempted by his Kiss 4.5 stars and labeled it a Top Pick.  They had the following to say: “Warren’s wickedly wonderful and witty romances enchant readers and have made her a shining star. With her new series, she brings a delightfully scandalous family’s adventures to light and brightens any day with smart characters, sassy dialogue and sensuality.”

This book goes towards my Historical Romance Reading Challenge!