Book Review-The Secret Desires of a Governess by Tiffany Clare

The Secret Desires Of A Governess
The Hallaway Sisters (2)
Tiffany Clare
St. Martins Paperbacks
Paperback
Published June 2011
339 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
Acquired: Library
ISBN: 978-0-312-38184-4
Authors Website

Synopsis
YEARNING FOR HIS TOUCH
From the moment Abby meets her new employer — the mysterious, brooding Earl of Brendall — she is appalled by his brutish manner…and even moreso by her own attraction to him. Has she lost her senses? As a governess, Abby has no choice but to play by the rules. But as a woman, she cannot deny the fiery sensations he ignites — or the fantasies he inspires…

BURNING FOR HER KISS
From the moment Elliott lays eyes on his new young governess, he knows he’s in trouble. Abby is intelligent, defiant, and utterly captivating, though Elliott must do his very best to resist her. But as the two grow closer, the passion burns hotter. Soon, the only thing that can destroy their love is the darkest secret of his past — and the secret desires of a governess…

My Review 

Abby wants adventure, and to make her own way in her life. So even though she could experience the joys of the ‘season’, its the very last thing she wants to do. So  she decides to accept a position as a governess. When she arrives, she is cold and wet, and had to walk from the town to the estate. And what does she find when she arrives? A brooding and brute of a man, who didn’t even know that she was coming. His manner is rude but his eyes burn her, and she can’t resist his burning desire for her. Her young charge, a young boy, who can’t read or write, and is always hiding in the barn, she feels a affection for him immediately. A boy in need of attention and love, and his father…a man who sears her with his kiss, and shows her a tender passion that pulls her into his life. But there is someone on the estate that doesn’t want her there, and soon it becomes evident that someone is trying to get rid of her, by any means….soon Abby and Elliott will have to work together to find the culprit before Abby’s luck runs out….

After reading the first book, I was on tender hooks wanting to read Abby’s story. At the end of the previous book, Abby tells her family she is leaving to help with a friend of hers that is having a baby…only she lies. She is actually planning on being a governess, and plans on living her life while she is at it. But what she doesn’t see is to find much more adventure and excitement than she could have imagined or wanted. When she first meets Elliot she finds herself fascinated…he is so different from any man she knows. He is dangerous, earthly, large and intimidating. He is rude and offensive, but he is also passionate and carnal and there is something about him that speaks to her in every single way. She can’t resist him, and before long a  fierce passion erupts that could explode if they aren’t careful. Elliot is one powerful hero, and he keeps others at a distance. He lost his mother at a young age, and then he lost his wife and was left with a young son to raise. When he sees Abby, he knows that she is very different from any other governess they have had…she is beautiful and young and loving. That is the very LAST thing that he needs right now. He also knows that before long she will lose her trust in him, so why build it in the first place? But soon she undermines his determination to keep her at a very long distance. Soon he finds himself believing in love and the chance for happiness.

The Plot for this story was pretty fast paced and just keeps you involved in the story. I have always loved Governess romances, and this one was very stimulating in different ways. There is such a strong sensual vibe in this story, and watch out or it could burn you. There is also a wonderful connection between the characters from the two main ones to the little boy who is in need of love. I just wanted to hold him…he was so adorable and mischievous and just had me torn up inside. The connection between Elliot and Abby, there were many moments of that sweeping you away feeling, that completely makes you forget reality and immerse in the story with every vivid detail evident.

Overall a heart wrenching story that puts your emotions through the ringer, and a story that is bound to touch your heart and want you screaming for more!! DELIGHTFUL!!

My Grade 
4 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
The Seduction Of His Wife

Book Review-The Seduction Of His Wife by Tiffany Clare

The Seduction Of His Wife
The Hallaway Sisters (1)
Tiffany Clare
St. Martins Paperback
Paperback
Acquired: Library
Published February 2011
339 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-312-38183-7
Authors Website 

Synopsis 
Emma Hallaway has not seen her husband in twelve years—and that’s fine with her. As a young girl, she’d agreed to a simple marriage of convenience, allowing her to pursue her private passion for painting. And though unknown to the rest of polite society, Emma is now one of the most daring and sought-after artists in London. However, when her secret is threatened to be exposed, Emma is forced to open her heart—and her home—to a total stranger: her husband…

Richard Mansfield, Earl of Asbury, is all too familiar with danger. As a matter of fact, it is hard on his heels when he returns to England. Still, even he is shocked to learn of his wife’s scandalous double life as an artist. But once he sees the vibrant grown woman she has become—so passionate, so strong, and so alluring—his undeniable attraction to Emma stuns him. Suddenly Richard is determined to turn their sham of a marriage into a true and lasting love. But how exactly does a gentleman seduce his own wife?

My Review 

Emma Hallaway has been married for twelve years, and hasn’t seen him since their wedding night. Emma is a painter, and has a talent for painting nudes, and is renown for her paintings. But when a man she thought friends, betrays her and threatens to reveal who she really is, unless she becomes his mistress, Emma is determined to make sure that never happens, because she would do anything to protect her sisters and keep them from scandal and ruin. But while in London, she runs across the one man she never thought she would see…her husband, Richard Mansfield. Richard has been away, traveling the world, and working in trade. Now he and his associate and closest friend, have decided to stay in London, but when he runs into his wife at a bawd house, he is shocked and furious. When he makes it known that he is staying, Richard plans on finding every secret that his sweet wife is hiding from him, but with each sensual embrace and scraping off the layers of Emma, he finds a woman  that is full of passion and daring.

The Seduction Of His Wife is the first book that I read from this author. Now many of her other books have been on my wish list for some time. But as I was browsing the library shelves, I found this one just waiting to be picked up and read. And I am all about discovering new authors, so I thought I would try this one out. And I was so glad that I did. What a wonderful romance this one was. I really had no idea what to expect from this story, but from the moment that I began, I was instantly dragged into and it dug its claws into me and refused to let me leave the story until I had finished it. Definitely a page turner, a story that had me from the first few chapters. It is the first book of the series, and there were many fun aspects about the story that I really enjoyed.

Let me first discuss what I loved about the characters in the story. Now there were two love stories in this one…the main focus was Emma and Richard’s story. But there is a sub plot that deals with Emma’s younger sister Grace and Richards friend Dante. Richard’s and Emma are quite the match. They definitely can show off fireworks, and tend to get very explosive together…especially in the bedroom. They have been separated for over twelve years, and you see in this story its all about reconnecting and healing. Both Richard and Emma are keeping secrets from each other, but you see how they slowly court each other with the help of Emma’s sisters. The main focus of the plot is Emma’s paintings and trying to keep it from her husbands knowledge, not knowing if he would support her in her work and think her scandalous. Richard is quite the hero…brooding at times, but can be playful, and tends to see Emma in ways that she doesn’t view herself. Emma has the penchant for getting into trouble, with her sisters getting her into mischief, she tries to appear to be respectable, but she is anything but. She isn’t ashamed of who she is, but as she gets to know her husband again, you see how she struggles with balancing her life out. She does have some trust issues with Richard, but throughout the whole story you see a tender love story.

Overall I couldn’t help but fall in love with one. It had such a different voice in the story that I am not used to in Regency’s. It had flair and zest, and with such sensual wit that it creates a rich and poignant treat for any reader to indulge in. I will definitely be reading more from this author.  DAZZLING!!!

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books in Series
The Secret Desires Of A Governess