Book Review and Giveaway: How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling

What happens when a bright but shy maiden gets stuck with a bold, devilish rake?

How To Ravish a Rake

by Vicky Dreiling

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (April 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446565407
• ISBN-13: 978-0446565400

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:4.25 of 5.0

Publication Date: March 27, 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 . . .

Review:

Amy spent several years as a wallflower but is determined to make this season a success. She is designing remarkable fashions which have already caught the eyes of her friends, other ladies and even some of the men. Even with her cleverness and artistic success, Amy still gets tongue-tied around the gentlemen. The only man that doesn’t intimidate her is the ton “devil.”  She sees right through his arrogant charm.

Will escaped his large family for four years of traveling on the Continent. Now he’s back in town and well known as a ‘devil’ of a rake.  He wants to avoid his family meetings where his elder brother and three sisters meddle and nag. Will plans to go back traveling until his brother asks him to be his steward and tells him the money won’t be provided for more traveling. Will sets out to win the money but ends up with a large debt instead.

Will approaches Amy at the next ball thinking perhaps he can compromise her.  She rebuffs his advances but at a ball a few nights later they are accidentally compromised and forced to wed. Will does the honorable thing proposing to Amy. She is swept along into the marriage but isn’t prepared to consummate the union until they are better acquainted. Will and Amy establish a wager that requires him to court her for three weeks. Will they be able to build a relationship to let their marriage of convenience become a marriage of love?  And what will happen to their fragile trust if they learn of the secrets they are each hiding?

This is a charming story with likeable characters and an interesting conflict. I enjoyed the blossoming courage and strengths in Amy that Will helps to bring out and the hidden tenderness in Will that Amy recognizes. Other characters add interest and fun, especially Will's blunt Aunt Hester. The romance builds nicely and although Will has a healthy sexual appetite the scenes are tastefully done and do not overtake the story. Ms. Dreiling’s pleasantly descriptive writing, humorous situations and witty dialogue make this an easy and enjoyable read. This is the third in a series but would be fine as a stand alone. I recommend this to readers who enjoy when a bright young woman capture and keep the heart of a rake.

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Amy’s courage:

Until now, she’d thought all of her choices were gone, but she realized she did have a choice. She could decide to make a mockery of the vows she would take or she could do everything possible to make this marriage work. P 152.

Amy’s wisdom:

   “I think people form opinions of others and label them. ... We all take on these identities and let them define us. ...
   “As a child you misbehaved to get attention and took on the identity of a bad boy. You let it define who you are for years, but that is not the Will I know....” P321-322

Thank you to Forever or this book to read, review and share!

This book will be added to my ARC challenge list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THREE PRINT COPIES:

1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3.  For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS.

* This contest is only open TO US and CANADA (Sorry -  I had an ebook "worldwide" clause here when first posted) These are Print copies being given away.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 20, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on April 21 with 72 hours to complete the winners' form.