A surly duke and a desperate lady….Can one difficult duke ruin all her future plans? The answer is most decidedly yes.Emily Mayweather is desperate to provide a future for herself after her father’s death. But she hasn’t lost her pride and she won’t be ordered around by a surly arrogant duke no matter how much he blusters. Nor will she feel sorry for disrupting his perfect orderly life. Soon … orderly life. Soon enough he can go back to being his grumpy self and besides, he’s the one who inserted himself into her affairs. Then there’s the issue of his handsomeness. It’s a problem. He goes around looking all dark and alluring until she can barely remember her own name, let alone properly set him in his place. But she has to remember because she’s already learned her lesson once. He doesn’t want her and he never will.
Future Duke of Manchfield, Lord Barret Maddox, is up to his eye sockets in reports, plans, and papers. Bar was determined to be the perfect duke in his father’s absence or bury himself trying. He’s already chosen the lady who would stand by his side, so that was a start. His bride to be would make the perfect duchess, not only that but she saw his worth, which was more than he could say for Miss Emily Mayweather. One unpleasant run-in years ago and she seems to think he’s solely responsible for all her troubles. That’s how she acts, anyhow. So why is it that every time Emily steps near him, all he can see is her? The answer was simple enough. She’s always had been too beautiful for his liking…and now she’s in trouble. Even though she doesn’t want his help, he can’t leave her to fend for herself. He’ll just have to keep his hands in check. And his heart? Well, that might be another matter…
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Taming a Defiant Duke is the eight book in the Taming the Heart series. I haven’t read any of the previous books, but this one is a perfect stand-alone book. Although after finishing this book, I have added the previous books to my NTR list! It was a short, fast paced book and kept the reader’s attention all the way through. There was drama, adventure, lots of humor, and plenty of surprises. The characters were such fun to read about. Emily was cheerful, intelligent, organized, and able to make Bar laugh. Her father has passed away and left her with debt. Her cousin is pressuring her to marry him, but she refuses. Bar is a Duke-in-training while his parents have traveled to America. He is overwhelmed with all the correspondence and responsibilities but rushes to help Emily once he is aware of her circumstances. He is trying to be a proper Duke-in-training and plans to marry the “perfect” lady but that changes as they become reacquainted. Emily helps him become organized and catch up on his responsibilities. She livens up things and he realizes that she is what he needs in life. This was such a fun book to read and I loved all the humor. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This year, I’ve had a lot on in terms of family and I’ve been looking for escape reads. Taming a Defiant Duke was exactly what I need. Tammy Andersen is a gem.
I enjoyed these characters and the back and forth. There was a hint of suspense which added to everything. There was some steam.
DNF at 58%
I’ve decided to dnf this one as after two days away from it, I have absolutely no desire to finish it. I really hate the “no communication” trope, especially when the characters are simply AVOIDING the truth because they “already know” how the other character is going to react (ie. badly). Not my cuppa tea.
Emily Mayweather is desperate to provide a future for herself after her vicar father’s death.
Barrett Maddox Marquis of Devon & future Duke of Manchfield, is up to his eye sockets in reports, plans, and papers. Bar was determined to be the perfect acting duke in his father’s absence or bury himself trying. He’s already chosen the lady who would stand by his side, so that was a start. His bride to be would make the perfect duchess, not only that but she saw his worth, which was more than he could say for Miss Emily Mayweather. One unpleasant run-in years ago when she ended up in a fish pond because every time Emily steps near him, all he can see is her?
Bar & Emily are so perfect for each other, they have always been attracted to each other but now that she’s in trouble he can do nothing else but rush to her aid. She’s feisty, outspoken, intelligent & organised. He’s doubting his ability to be a duke but with her help he soon gets the duchy’s correspondence under control, I did wonder why the Duke didn’t already have a secretary or a steward to deal with the paperwork but I did enjoy Bar’s struggles. Throw in a horrid relation & I was engrossed in this well written fast paced book & read it in two sittings. I loved how Bar used ‘lying’ in the inn, it had me laughing out loud! I loved the earlier books in the series & so pleased that the next generation are having their stories
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Floundering under the weight of the responsibilities his father has imposed on him, Lord Barret is struggling to make sense of the heap of correspondence on his desk. To his horror, he discovers that under the pile there is a letter that was urgent four months previously and it may already be too late to solve the problem. Racing off to rescue a lady that doesn’t want to be rescued, Bar finds that circumstances are far worse than he envisaged. However, persuading the vicar’s daughter than she needs help forces Bar to use some diplomacy that is otherwise lacking in his relationship with Emily Mayweather. When a threat raises its ugly head, Bar becomes even more determined to do what is right for her, with or without her permission. Although the story has a suspenseful element, it is nevertheless lighthearted and amusing, with two people who really don’t want to be attracted to each, but are unable to avoid the issue any longer. I always enjoy this author’s writing and this well-written romance is no exception. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Emily is an adorable heroine. She is proud, smart, beautiful and determined. Despite her current challenges in life, she is going to figure out how to continue on with or without the help of a certain Duke in training. Bar (what a great name) is in need of help sorting out invitations, correspondence and bills. While digging through a large pile, he sees an old communication from Emily asking for some help. A trip down memory lane sends him riding off to see how he can help.
From the moment they reconnect, sparks fly. Ms. Andresen developed a story that kept me turning the pages, wanting to see if a happily ever after was in the cards for Bar and Emily. Moment by moment, the heat slowly turned up and these two fought back feelings and old memories. Who would give in to those feelings first? Wonderfully written and satisfying beginning, middle and ending.
Honestly I can say I have never read a book by Tammy Andresen that I did not love!! She creates the most wonderful characters that grab you from the start and fills her stories with humor, suspense, romance and everything needed to have a perfect historical romance!
Lord Barrett Maddox is overwhelmed. Left to handle the duties and paperwork while acting as the stand in Duke while his father is away. He only wanted to make his father proud but it was a little overwhelming!
Emily Mayweather had lost everything when her father, a distant relative of Bar’s father, passed away. Leaving her with a pile of debt, she wrote the Duke in hopes he could help her figure out what to do. But when his son lands on her doorstep with his handsome, irresistible, arrogant self, she tries to push him away.
There is a history between these two. A simmering attraction since they were younger that might just burst into flames at any moment! But Bar has his future planned, or so he thinks until he sees that Emily is even now more beautiful than before.
A fast paced story, with lively banter and humor as well as some other elements that will keep you reading until the end! Loved it and cannot wait for more!
Taming A Defiant Duke is a spectacular historical romance by Tammy Andresen. This is a fairly quick book, perfect for those with limited reading time. Ms. Andresen has provided readers with a well-written book. I love the characters in this story. Bar’s father left the country to arrange for care of his grandmother in America, leaving Bar in charge of the Duke’s duties. Emily’s father took to drink and gambling after his wife died. Now that he’s dead too Emily is forced to sell everything to cover his debts. Bar and Emily’s story is packed with drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Tammy Andresen soon. Taming A Defiant Duke is book 8 of the Taming the Duke’s Heart Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.