Goddess of the Hunt: 1 (Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy) Mass Market Paperback – 28 July 2009

This is the second book I have read by Tessa Dare, the first being read only a couple of days ago. She is a brilliant writer and can combine interesting story lines to keep you hooked along with passion, tension and chemistry between her hero and heroine. I like the fact that she can create a hero that seems real to me as in other romances you just get told the man is tall, muscle bound and moody. She creates real people who I can easily imagine. Super. I am now hunting out the rest of her books. Holly.

I've read all three of these books, the first one last. It doesn't make any difference which order you read them; it's made them more interesting working out who is who. Not prize winners exactly but makes afternoons and evenings more fun.Beth Belshaw.

I love Tessa Dare's writing and have read pretty much all of her output - my favourites being the Spindle Cove set. She has a terrific command of English and is also witty and funny. Her characters are warmly drawn and her love stories are simply charming. This is the first of a series of three novels about a group of friends and I enjoyed it very much. Great summer reading.

I absolutely hated the heroine to start with. She is completely unbearable until at least 30% in, so I nearly gave up on the story altogether - she is childish, selfish and completely unreasonable. Thankfully, it does get better (spoiler alert) when she realises that, actually, she might not be in love with Toby after all. The rest of the book improves progressively from then on, so I ended up really enjoying myself towards the end. I still recommend the read and I'm glad I persevered.

Good story, nice writing style, easy reading and enjoyable.

Wife liked it she Said she knew she was going to like it because of the author was a good writer

Lucy Waltham has been in love with her brother's friend Toby for most of her life. When she realises that he's about to propose to another, she decides that it's time to put her husband hunting skills to the test in order to win her man. But first she needs to make sure her kisses are up to scratch.Jeremy Trescott, Earl of Kendall is appalled that Lucy seems determined to practice her seductive wiles on him. But when the innocent game sparks a smouldering passion neither can imagine what scandals the pair can create or what they will risk in order to win the others heart.This was Tessa Dare's debut novel and I was totally enchanted by it from beginning to end. Lucy was a headstrong, hoyden of a girl but she was charming and likeable and it was nice to watch her grow throughout the novel. Jeremy was, for me, the perfect hero: deep, mysterious and brooding while also being passionate and in need of the love of a good woman. I felt the pair were perfect for each other and I loved their interactions.The conflict was real and interesting but it was the emotions and sensuality that made the novel for me. The sexual tension was built splendidly and the overall love story gave me wonderful butterflies in my stomach from beginning to end. The writing was very well done and there were plenty of witty moments that made me laugh out loud on some occasions. I can't wait for the next book in the series,  Surrender of a Siren , but do hope that the covers get a little better because they're not to my taste at all! Regardless, I would definitely recommend this book if you like Regency historical romances - I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

A very good next stage in this series. Enjoying the back story. Really loved this book.

Good read

Great novel by Dare.

I've read a few of Tessa Dare's novels, and am having a hard time believing that any will usurp the place of Goddess of the Hunt as my favorite book by this author. It is everything a love story should be and is simply thrilling to read - and re-read, which I have done quite a few times, though I've only owned it a few months. And it has everything a period romance should too - a headstrong, willful lady, a handsome, troubled lord, and obstacles and passion that rises between them, rife with emotion.The story starts out at Waltham Manor, where Lucy Waltham lives under the care of her older brother Henry, who, every autumn for the past 8 years, has had the same friends over for a hunting party once the season in London is over. But this autumn is different - now a few of the men have married and have brought their wives, and one of the wives has brought a sister, Sophia, who has stolen the affections of the man Lucy fancies herself in love with (Toby). Lucy, once a hoyden and surely a tomboy at heart, determines her course of action to win Toby over - seduction. But first she must practice - and who better to practice on than Jeremy Trescott, Earl of Kendall, the tall, proud, cold man she's delighted in provoking these last 8 years? For surely if she can melt the ice in him, her wiles will work on Toby. And honestly, if their newly discovered passion and the interplay between Jeremy and Lucy in the first chapter doesn't reel you in, hook, line, and sinker, as it did me, then this may not be the book for you - but I implore you, give it a chance, because it most definately is worth it. Seriously, if you have any doubts, try the sample.After their interlude in his bedchamber, Jeremy determines that Lucy is a danger to herself and approaches the other men to advise them that Lucy is aware that Toby is about to propose to Sophia. Henry, Toby, and Felix brush his concerns aside - they all know she's been infatuated with Toby for 8 years - but then Toby, not wanting Lucy fawning over him while he's trying to charm Sophia, suggests Jeremy 'distracts' Lucy with a little romance, and, to Jeremy's horror, the rest of them - including her guardian brother - agree that it's a fine idea. Instead he determines to talk some sense into her by telling her what men want in a woman, and she decides she's been going about it all the wrong way - instead of throwing herself at Toby, she needs to make him jealous. And Jeremy, she decides, is perfect for the position as a pretend suitor. Tension and desire crackles between them as they play their parts, and Jeremy finds the walls he's built around himself, to protect himself, slowly crumbling. Because he wants her. More than he's wanted any woman in his life. But it's more than mere wanting... and he can't have her, because she wants Toby. Then scandal erupts, and Jeremy makes a bold, rash move and stakes his claim on her. But will she throw his offer back in his face because she wants another?These are not cookie cutter characters from a box, they are real, and they make you love them and want everything to work out.**SPOILER ALERT** kind of. but not really.The second half of the book takes place at Jeremy's home, where we delve deeper into who he is and the relationship between Lucy and Jeremy deepens further as they overcome obstacles and he wrestles with the demons that have followed him home since childhood. The emotion between them, the longing to be loved, and the passion crackles with life and fire. And that's all I'll say just because I don't want to ruin your enjoyment of the book with details. Read, and enjoy.

While having some farce-like moments, the attraction between the main characters is credible and keeps your attention until the end. This was the first book I read of this author. I'll probably try another one.

I was riveted by the first half of this book, but the second half seemed to wander around and go nowhere.Lucy has always traipsed after her brother's three friends and has been in love with one of them since childhood. When he is about to propose to another woman she decides to develop some seduction skills and test them out on uptight Jeremy.If you like steamy passion in all sorts of inventive locations you will enjoy the fast pace and fun of the first half of this book, leading up to a marriage. In the second half the author relied on the intense relationship between the two lead characters for momentum. It didn't work for me nor did the introduction of some angry tenants lift the dullness.