Title: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation Series: The Dukes of War #1
Author: Erica Ridley
Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman
Length: 1 hr and 58 mins
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-14-15
Publisher: Erica Ridley
Links: Goodreads | Amazon - FREE | Audible | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses
Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly, most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her!
When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family's annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia's guerrilla tactics, he's up to his cravat with tinsel . . . and tumbling head over heels in love.
Linda's Thoughts:
“At this, the duke stopped mid-step and nearly choked with laughter. “Beg your pardon, Sheffield.” He cast a speaking glance at his sister then turned his merry gaze back to Benedict. “Did you try to get your way?”
Benedict lifted a shoulder with a self-deprecating smile.
The duke clapped him on the shoulder, unabashed. “You’ll learn soon enough.”
Benedict gazed down at Lady Amelia. “I believe I already have.”
THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION is an absolutely lovely, humorous, swoon-worthy historical romance! The night I finished listening to it, I had to sit in a parking lot to allow my breathing to normalize before exiting the car. I felt like I'd melted into a puddle. How on earth was this author not on my radar before? I can't say enough good things about this book! It was delicious, side-splitting fun all wrapped up with a Christmas bow!
I loved both the hero and the heroine. As the story opens, we meet Lady Amelia Pembroke, who manages her brother's estate with perfection. She believes it's time for her brother to wed. Once he weds, his wife would then take over Amelia's duties. As Amelia must prepare for any contingency, she deduces that she needs to wed first. With no time to dawdle, she decides that the perfect fete for her to select her suitable mate is the Sheffield's annual Christmas ball in two weeks. When Amelia learns that the ball has been cancelled as the venue was destroyed in a fire, she decides that she must go about putting the Sheffield's Christmas ball back on the social calendar.
LOL! Lord Benedict Sheffield didn't realize that he was a goner when the whirlwind named Amelia showed up at his doorstep. He prided himself on his organization, but he didn't hold a candle to Amelia. She wasn't bossy; but strong-willed, and as she gently led him to the resolutions she had already settled upon, he would soon find that saying no to Amelia wasn't in his fate.
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes:
“There’s a Lady Amelia Pembroke here to see you, my lord. She was most insistent.”
Benedict glanced up from his desk. “I trust you informed her that I was not receiving, and refused to let her in?”
“Of course.” The butler hesitated before continuing, “She said she would simply wait until you are receiving.”
Benedict put down his pen. “Wait where, pray?”
“Upon the front step, my lord. I’m afraid the lady brought... the lady brought... a book. She cannot be budged.”
---
He leaned back. “What, may I ask, is the nature of our business?” She inclined her head. “Just so. It came to my attention earlier today that you had canceled the seventy-fifth annual Christmas Eve ball. I would have called upon you immediately, but I’m afraid a prior engagement tied my hands until this very moment.”
He tried to make sense of her words. She was apologizing for not descending upon him more promptly for a meeting he’d never in his wildest dreams anticipated?
---
“We should go,” he said gruffly, his face inscrutable.
“Why?” Her heartbeat thundered. She gripped his arms tight to keep herself from twining her own about his neck. He lowered his mouth to her ear, brushing it with a feather-soft kiss. “It isn’t safe.”
Her answering shiver had nothing to do with the cold. She had never stood so close to any man, had never fought the urge to press herself even closer.
“What could happen?” she whispered.
He cupped her face in his hands. “Anything.”
Stevie Zimmerman is a British narrator and voice-over artist with theater training and substantial professional experience as a director. It shows! She has a smooth and clear English accent which befitted this regency perfectly. Her performance was key. I actually forgot that this audible had just one narrator as her character contrast was so brilliant. I would definitely have missed out if I'd just read the book myself. I wish the rest of this series was in audio! (Hopefully it will be soon!) I would certainly not hesitate to pick up any other books narrated by Stevie Zimmerman.
With flirty dialogue, a slew of humorous moments, vivid imagery, and sexy scenes, THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION is a novella I would not hesitate to enjoy again and again. I highly recommend THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION to anyone who enjoys fun, light-hearted historical romances that will leave you beaming with a silly smile! It is truly a gem and right now it's free! What are you waiting for?
This sounds really good. I always love a good Christmas story to read during the holidays.
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