Duke of Daring

Lords of Scandal #1

by Tammy Andresen

He's known as the Duke of Daring...but is he brave enough to take on one feisty spinster?

The Duke of Darlington is on a mission. He needs to protect his secret gaming hell from a group of debutantes who've stumbled upon his covert business. The problem... Miss Minerva Chase is not the average lady. From the moment his compatriots assign Daring to keep watch over the fiery redhead, she begins stirring trouble. Not only is her tongue sharper than any sword he's faced, but her lips are achingly soft while she tosses barb after barb in his direction. He'd like to throttle her, or kiss her, or perhaps protect the very spirit that drives him mad.

Minnie knows a pompous, arrogant, infuriating man when she meets one, and she will not be intimidated. So what if he's a duke with a secret? She won't bend, not even when she realizes that he pushes her away, because he's been hurt before; a hurt she's experienced herself. And she will not give in to his will, even when his kiss lights her body to flame. But when he needs her help... well, that's a little more difficult for a girl to refuse.

The problem is that once she's seen his softer side, she's in jeopardy of succumbing to the Duke of Daring. When it comes to love, is she brave enough to give away her heart?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Amazon

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2020

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is a proper lady with a brilliant mind, a wicked-sharp tongue and few filters. He is a foreboding man, part of a secret cadre of noblemen living life on the edge and his past has stunted his ability to be honest with his emotions. Together, the Duke of Darlington and Miss Minerva Chase are like oil and water, but secretly, the sparks that fly between them may cause an explosive inferno of love and desire, if they can let their guards down.

Tammy Andresen’s DUKE OF DARING is like watching the gingham dog and the calico cat spar as these two are forced to make a tentative alliance in the name of friends. What they each find is more than they bargained for as they gain a newfound respect for each other and the reasons they are the way they are. Sometimes a little bantering is the spice of life that makes making up all the sweeter!

Historical romance with a relaxed feel and a quick escape into another era from an author who knows how to tell a consistently entertaining tale!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Tammy Andresen! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Series: Lords of Scandal - Book 1
Publisher: Swift Romance Publishing Corp (January 7, 2020)
Publication Date: January 7, 2020
Genre: Historical Romance
Print Length: 66 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

A really great new series, Lords of Scandal is full of rogues with titles and strong feisty women who love them .

I Adore this book , Minnie and The Duke Of Darlington, Tag for short, are so great together.
These two have enough wit , fun and sarcasm to keep this book spinning along, giving page after page of wonderful dialogue.

Tammy is onto another brilliant series of books and The Duke Of Daring is just the first instalment.
The rest of Minnie’s sisters are to follow, with Tag’s buddies as their protectors and partners, some willingly, most probably putting up resistance like Tag did at the start.
I’m sure all are going to be just as brilliant and well written however.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duke of Daring is the first book in Tammy Andresen’s Lords of Scandal series and follows on from the prequel. You do not need to have read the prequel to understand this one as enough information is given, but it certainly helps set the scene.

As always, Tammy Andresen gave a read that sucked me in and hooked me throughout. I devoured this one in a single sitting, as I always do with the author’s work. Although I enjoyed it, I did find it a bit too similar to another Tammy Andresen series, which prevented me from loving it. I’m hoping the future books will add a few more twists, as there is a lot of potential with this one.

All in all, another fun quick read.

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duke of Daring: Regency Romance
Lords of Scandal Series #1
Tammy Andresen
https://www.facebook.com/authortammya...
Release date 01/07/2020
Publisher Swift Romance Publishing

Blurb :

He’s known as the Duke of Daring…but is he brave enough to take on one feisty spinster?
The Duke of Darlington is on a mission. He needs to protect his secret gaming hell from a group of debutantes who’ve stumbled upon his covert business. The problem… Miss Minerva Chase is not the average lady. From the moment his compatriots assign Daring to keep watch over the fiery redhead, she begins stirring trouble. Not only is her tongue sharper than any sword he’s faced but her lips are achingly soft while she tosses barb after barb in his direction. He’d like to throttle her, or kiss her, or perhaps protect the very spirit that drives him mad.
Minnie knows a pompous, arrogant, infuriating man when she meets one and she will not be intimidated. So what if he’s a duke with a secret? She won’t bend, not even when she realizes that he pushes her away because he’s been hurt before; a hurt she’s experienced herself. And she will not give in to his will, even when his kiss lights her body to flame. But when he needs her help… well, that’s a little more difficult for a girl to refuse.

The problem is that once she’s seen his softer side, she’s in jeopardy of succumbing to the Duke of Daring. When it comes to love, is she brave enough to give away her heart?

My review :

When a man bitter about women’s goals meets one who shakes everything he thought about them ...

The prequel Lords of Scandal left us with the assigned couple designated upon each man’s reaction about one specific woman.
This is how Daring found himself in charge of seing if Minnie will be able to keep their secret safe.
Minerva is a protector, she will sacrifice even her own happiness if it means saving her kin.
She was burned the previous season when rejected by the man she had high hope was meant to propose to her but her too fiery temper and smart mouth caused him to rescind.
Tag, short for Dartagnan, has never had a good example with the women in his life, from his mother to his former fiancée, they always expected something from him, never giving anything in return genuinely. Why he is so jaded when Minnie enters his life. He can’t shake his head someone would come to care sincerely for him.
Their relationship is one of barbs and quips, but their biggest battle is the one occurring against themselves, each fighting their own insecurities and doubts.
This is a fun read with an ugly villains and two groups of great characters from Tag’s friends to Minnie’s sisters and cousins.
5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author and preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find it utterly bizarre that this book attracted so many 5 star reviews. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but this story bears no relationship whatsoever to any kind of historical authenticity and the basic premises lack any kind of credibility, the characters are boringly predictable. I know writers of historical fiction often transpose 21st century behaviour and attitudes into their books - and some, like Tessa Dare, do it so well, I can ignore the lack of historical reality. This book simply irritated me.

[Emilia Redington · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆
Short but sweet and with a witty heroine. ❤

[Beeg Panda]

Free set of 16 books in the Lord of Scandal series - 9 Sept 21:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

[K · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think a child wrote this nonsense. Daring? Malice? Vice? Bad? Exile? You’re not misreading that. These are the nicknames for the heroes of this series. They must use secret squirrel identities and wear masks because no one can possibly know aristocratic men own a gambling club. On top of that they’re not even rogues, they’re just idiots. Same goes for the bumbling, self-righteous heroines, who all happen to be related to each other. So when these fools stumble upon the secret club, they hatch a plan where each man picks a woman to follow to insure the nosy nelly doesn’t squeal. Because, you know, if anyone learns they own a club they’ll be ruined. Never mind that the virginal misses trespassed into a male sanctum in the middle of the night and they themselves would be ruined. But I digress.

I read the prequel and tried this one.. I won’t be reading the rest. It’s terribly written and completely juvenile.

Sorry, pass.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
When a group of debutantes arrive at the Den of Sins the noblemen who own the club agee that each one of them will protect one of the debutantes. The Duke of Darlington has a problem Miss Minerva Chase is not the average lady. From the moment his compatriots assign Daring to keep watch over the fiery redhead, she begins stirring trouble. They lock horns at heir every meeting but they can’t stop thinking about each other when they are apart.
Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope & Tag & Minnie didn’t disappoint, their verbal sparring was hugely entertaining & I loved how Minnie was often the victor. I also loved how their relationship developed & how they found they could confide in each other. Tag’s final proposal was really touching & showed how he really felt. As always the characters have lots of depth & the pace is really good. I can’t wait for the rest of the series & for the villain to finally get their comeuppance
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I was absolutely positive that I wasn’t going to like Minnie at all. Too brash and too outspoken – I thought she was a bit too cynical and too easy to throw insults without the knowledge of the person she was going after – in this case Tag. But she did redeem herself very early on in the book, and she has easily jumped up on my list of characters that I’ve enjoyed.

When five ladies discover the men’s gaming hell, in order to keep their secret – each man who is part of the business is entrusted to watch over one of the ladies. Tag, The Duke of Daring has the daunting job of watching over Minerva, or Minnie. Sparks fly between the two the moment they meet, and it’s a great time watching it all come together. This is a shorter book, and easy to read in a day and I was hooked on finding out how everything was going to play out. I’m not going to give spoilers, but the book is a fun read and a new favorite from this author.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly delightful story that I knew would be scrumptious due to the immediate war of words between Tag and Minnie to see who could best the other in the first chapter. Plus the hero, Lord Dartagnan (Oh yes Tag!) Darlington, the Duke of Darlington or the Duke of Dare as he liked to be know! Can it get any better than that? Yes, a little arrogant, but Minne was determined to take him down a peg or two!
He and his friends own a secret gaming hell, the Den of Sins (sounds scrumptious!). She and her friends venture there to look for someone and the adventure begins! A little suspense, wonderful characters, great humor and bantering bring this story full circle and have you smiling at the end.
Tammy Andresen is one of my go to authors and I adore everything she writes! Great start to this new series and cannot wait for more!

[Mrs Caroline Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I found this a really good book. Minnie is a strong character. She doesn't take any nonsense from the Duke of Daring but both of their past relationships put barriers between them and when Minnie is threatened then Tag has to step in and protect her reputation but she doesn't just want his protection she wants his heart too.

[Emma Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trama piuttosto banale, personaggi appena abbozzati, dialoghi ripetitivi e ambientazione ridotta all'osso. Ha il pregio di leggersi in un soffio, ma purtroppo non mi ha lasciato niente.

[Sandra Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK first novella in the Lords of Scandal series, but it was too short to have enough character development. I wanted more backstory on both Tag and Minnie. My rating for it is 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars.

I also wanted a better explanation on why the Countess of Abernath had hurt Tag (from the prequel novella). It didn't make sense that she would have been able to cause so much damage to multiple men, and there was no explanation of whether Tag knew who the other men were. I assumed he knew, but it was never confirmed.

Tag was OK, but his attitude toward Minnie made him hard to like at first. He did get better, but it took him a while. It also bothered me that he was determined never to love again, just because of what the Countess of Abernath had done to him. That was too extreme a reaction to a first love not working out. He did get better, but it took him a while.

Minnie was likable, and I loved that she was able to stand up to Tag, and often put him in his place. He needed to be taken down a peg or two, and she was good at that. She was actually quite good for him, but I had a little trouble seeing what she saw in him. Also, I felt that they were both more in lust than in love, especially at first.

My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.

[Ltlmer2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Good banter except that the characters often speak and act too modern. Also the sparks between them at the beginning almost seem to dwindle instead of heating up. I liked it , there some fun or sweet moments, but there was something bland about it and the pacing and storyline a bit off. The premise is a bit odd and contrived. It doesnt make sense that the ladies would risk their reputations or even care about exposing the gentlemen . nor that the gentlemen watching over each would do anything to prevent that anyway---you just have to completely suspend disbelief on this to proceed. Also the author couldnt seem to decide if she wanted to be clean or spicy. There was a touch of heat but it felt glossed over and awkward and the characters say things like "fecking" which just was silly to me. Also the names were silly, particularly Effing, which seemed forced and weird. Could the author not come up with another name to shorten into an adjective? And "Tag" bothered me a bit too, considering the G in Dartagnan is not glotal (and it isnt really a french christian name either but I digress). At least Minnie mocks the childish nicknames within the book . Lastly, the end is partly unresolved but perhaps that will be dealt with more in another book, though it seems strange to me as it directly relates to this hero and not the group in general.

I missed the note at the beginning (ebooks often auto-skip to the first chapter) so only discovered after reading this book that there is a prequel which may have helped the tone, pacing, and some questions I had here. I did feel like I missed something by getting only mentions of when they went to the club considering it is the basis of the entire series and would apparently include pivitol encounters with most if not all of the main characters in the series It is frustrating when the noted first in a series actually isnt.

[Milica]

Well... this was entirely absurd... The witty banter is not too witty. The behavior is absolutely inappropriate for the period (too much touching in public, e.g.). There is no plot to speak of. To me honest, the readers' enjoyment of this entire genre is evidently founded on active suppression of incredulity. I habitually enjoy this genre - seeing it as an extension of the fairy tales of yore. However, this little endeavor was simply too much even for me.

I guess it could have all been salvaged with a more cunning (or, at least, not utterly incompetent) villain. I yearned for a gothic kidnapping or two. Maybe a soupçon of comedy? Nope.

There is no reason to reach for the next of the series. I can, though, imagine the scenario in which it could happen. It is all based on the exceedingly large probability that I forget that I had read this novella in the first place. Yes - it's so bland that it's rather forgettable. Here goes:

Step 1: I forget about reading this work of fiction.
Step 2: It's a rainy day in Texas and I am idly browsing Amazon.
Step 3: The series is offered for free and I am tempted.

Et Voila!

Now, what is the probability of the above all happening? That's a fun exercise!

[Christiane Robillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

I was prepared to enjoy this book. When I read the brief outline of the book, I thought it would be an innovative and amusing story. The idea of a group of titled gentlemen, each with an odd nickname, none of whom intended to wed anytime soon, seemed like an auspicious beginning. Unfortunately, notwithstanding the humorous storyline and entertaining characters, the delivery was lacking. There were too many typos to enumerate. The writing was simply … incomprehensible! Let me give you a few examples:

“She should a have more sedated decorum”

“She Ladymade her charmingly pink cheeks stand out all the more”. (This was copied verbatim!)

“I’ve already amended myself to my fate”.

And this is only a few of the glaring errors and typos throughout the book.

Additionally, the dialogue was so juvenile, it made me wince!

I realize many readers aren’t bothered by grammatical, syntax and spelling errors. I am. I feel it’s an insult to your readers to turn out unedited or poorly edited material.

Nevertheless, because of the innovative storyline and the interesting and colourful collection of characters, I give this book a 3.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining Regency romance, this novel kept my interest all the way through as Minnie takes on the Duke of Darlington in a battle of wills. What started out at verbal sniping and one-upmanship, becomes mutual respect between two like-minded people. Darlington, or Daring to those who know him best, has a past that he has concealed but with his friends, and in particular Minnie, at risk, the Duke sets aside his emotional armour and allows himself to be drawn into the crosshairs of another's revengeful plot. Minnie is protective and fiercely loyal to her family and friends and when she takes up her stance to ward off insults directed at Darlington, he is amazed at her actions and finds the locks on his heart snapping open. I enjoyed this novel immensely and look forward to reading more about the rest of the Chase cousins and their protectors. This book is the first in a new series, but is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a delightful conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and entertaining. I love a gutsy female. 4☆

[Coco.V]

🎁 Books 1-15 in the Lords of Scandal series (16 book series) are FREE on Amazon today (9/8/2021)! 🎁

[Jing]

Short and sweet enough for the errors not to take me out so much. The editing leaves a lot to be desired.

[Kiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will strive to do this review justice but be forewarned that already my biggest pet peeve with authors has already made an appearance. Dukes are never referred to as Lords. Their very title calls for them to be addressed as Your Grace, His Grace...never Lord! For an author to make such a grievous faux pas when they write historical novels shows either their lack of knowledge, their lack of research, their lack of concern for accuracy, or...worse yet...their disbelief in the readers' abilities to know the subject matter (or all the above) and that is disconcerting as well as disappointing. For it to appear that the reader is more intelligent than the author on a subject that he or she is supposed to be a master of is a serious shortage of respect from the author in regards to his or her targeted audience. That being said, this book has already lost the possibility of receiving a five-star rating...and it just might lose its place in other areas as well. There were also all the grammatical errors throughout the book that the reader had to wade through. With that being said, the only thing left to do was for this reader to press on and try to finish the story while overlooking the errors in titles.
As a side note: You can't get to Gretna Green directly by ship. You would have had to stop in Newcastle Upon Tyne then traveled by carriage or horse.
Now for the review:
Duke of Daring, Book 1 of the Lords of Scandal series, was about His Grace Dartagnan "Tag" Darlington, the Duke of Darlington (AKA Dare), and Miss Minerva "Minnie" Chase, granddaughter of an earl and a cousin to Lady Emily Chase (in the prequel "Lords of Scandal", the author said her name was Lady Emily Winchester).
Minnie's mother, a good woman with good intentions, made it known to her that she had only this one last season to find a husband on her own or she would find one for her, and it might not be to Minnie's liking who was chosen. She wanted Minnie wed so that her sister, Ada, could begin her season on the marriage mart. But like most mothers (okay okay...all mothers!) she had a tendency to meddle.
Tag was one of six lords who ran a gaming hell called Den of Sins. When Minnie, her sister Ada, and their cousins learned of these lords' identities, the lords decided they needed ammunition against the ladies in order to guarantee their silence and secrecy. Five of the six men (one was already precariously engaged to one of the ladies) made a pact that they would each either secure one of the lady's words of honor to remain silent about what they each knew, or they would each marry one of them. Tag chose Minnie.
As the Duke began his "surveillance" of Minnie, he unwittingly made his presence known to her mother who, upon realizing her daughter was being escorted by a duke, grasped the opportunity to introduce him to all of Minnie's relatives and, in the process, inadvertently gave the appearance that the two were, or would soon be, courting. When Minnie let him know what he had started and asked him to not ruin things for her, his thought process started to change. He was no longer only interested in protecting himself, but he was starting to worry about her future as well.
There was chemistry between Tag and Minnie, most of the time simmering just below the surface. The passion had a nice flare as well, but the angst and drama were both off the charts. With all the threats, lies, rumors, and fear of scandal, the story never stopped moving
If it weren't for the issues mentioned above, this could have been both a 5-star book and added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection. However, I just couldn't grant either.

[Blog Coccole tra i Libri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un breve romanzo che mi ha fatto sorridere, emozionare e anche innamorare. Sono sicura susciterà anche in voi le stesse sensazioni positive!

Come al solito questi lord scapestrati sono alla continua ricerca del piacere e del potere, che vanno a braccetto proprio come la bellezza e l’erotismo, elementi che sono piuttosto sottolineati nella storia.

I lord hanno quel fascino da belli e dannati, sono quasi impossibili e allo stesso tempo si lasciano andare alle lusinghe delle donne.

“E poi c’era Jack. Lui invece non sapeva nulla del loro piano. Se avesse scoperto che stavano tenendo d’occhio la famiglia della sua sposa…”

In questo caso, il duca di Darlington, detto anche Tag, rimarrà affascinato da Minerva, conosciuta anche con il soprannome di Minnie.

La stessa Minnie è costretta data la sua età a trovare marito, avendo già oltrepassato il periodo in cui le ragazze generalmente sono già accasate, ma con il carattere che si ritrova, nessuno sembra innamorarsi di lei.

Lei che con la sua chioma rossa indomabile, ha fatto breccia nel cuore di Tag.

“Minnie si trovava all’ingresso della residenza dei Chase, con Emily che le stringeva il braccio. Non solo sua cugina stava incidendo dei segni snella sua pelle ma le stava anche sgualcendo il polsino della manica. E Minnie adorava quel vestito, con la sua brillante seta color smeraldo e le rifiniture in pizzo.”

Il romanzo vi sorprenderà perché all’inizio penserete che la storia sia basata su altri personaggi, mentre in realtà non sarà così.

La storia comunque non è solo incentrata su un amore praticamente impossibile, clandestino e demodé, ma nel suo essere ottuso, cinico e anche rabbuiato e ombroso, sa far splendere l’anima e battere il cuore…



No, infatti c’è dell’altro e quest’altro comprende un saliscendi di battute di spirito che i due si scambiano più volte, che rendono l’atmosfera più allegra che mai e anche ostile al contempo.

È come se i due avessero voglia di amarsi, ma non potessero trasferire le emozioni l’uno verso l’altra, in una sorta di blocco emotivo, in una battaglia senza vincitori e nemmeno vinti.

Ad armi impari si fanno la guerra, senza però quasi sfiorarsi, infatti è una battaglia mentale, è un guardarsi e assaporarsi appena per poi perdersi ed evitare di viversi.

Eppure il loro amore è vero, forse più vero di tanti altri amori che si sono visti in altri libri, in altre romanzesche avventure dal finale allegro.

“Jack richiuse di scatto la bocca, senza rispondere, e si avviò verso la carrozza. Ma Emily era meno propensa a lasciare perdere i commenti di Minnie.”

Una storia che insegna ad apprezzare i doni che la vita ci fa, ogni giorno, e a scegliere con cura le parole da utilizzare per non ferire il prossimo, specialmente l’amore della propria vita.

Questo è davvero un bel romanzo scritto con amore, e lo stile è quasi imperscrutabile tanto è raffinato e in linea con il linguaggio delicato e dolce.

I dettagli caratteristici dei personaggi fanno sì che la storia si legga con una certa velocità, non senza puntare il dito contro i lord, che nel loro “luogo ameno”, ovvero la ‘Tana dei peccati’ giocano alle bische clandestine e sperperano un sacco di denaro.

Riusciranno i duchi a rendersi conto che anche se i soldi servono a far la vita che si vuole, non è sempre tutto oro ciò che luccica e che l’amore salva dall’oblio?



VOTO IN COCCOLE: 5

FIRMA DEL RECENSORE: ROBERTA CANU

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tag (Daring/Darlington) & Minnie (Minevera). This wasn't bad but by the end I was thinking it very one the cheezy side. He is a jaded rake after a previous engagement went sour (his hoe was caught with another man) and was called off. She was also once engaged but hers was called off because his mother didn't like her (she's pretty forward with no filter). He was tasked with making sure Minnie didn't tell anyone about their ownership in the Den of Sin (even though they all promised not to). As he was around her they had this crazy banter and she outwitted him a number of times. Her mother wants her to marry and sees the duke around her and believes he's interested. She keeps telling him to stay away but he just can't seem to. His old hoe starts some stuff (she was the one that told Emily about the Den of Sin) and threatens to ruin Minnie by telling everyone that she was at the Den of Sin. Wanting to protect her, and having developed feels for her he asks for her hand (well it was a weak proposal that she didn't take seriously. Her old fiancé returns to her life to ask for her hand now that his mother died. Uhhhhhhhh who's shocked that she didn't accept his offer. At a garden party, Tag asks her again to marry him but she wants him to tell her that he loves her (which he does in front of the whole party) and she accepts then immediately tells him to meet her outside at night. I wonder what for. This was only 3 stars for me because he became a softy way too easily. She ran all over him and then there was the excessive declarations of "I love you". They had known each other like a couple of weeks/a month at most.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Swoon Worthy - Very Romantic***
Two people who had been hurt before. One more so than the other. Tag aka Lord Dartagnan Darlington, The Duke of Darlington grew up with an unfeeling cold mother. His mother hated his father and they constantly fought. Then he fell in love and was betrayed. Little did he know that dark specter would come back in the future and threaten him. Minnie aka Lady Minerva Chase grew up in a loving home. She is twenty and her mother refuses to let her become a spinster and threatens to match her if she does not marry. Minnie is a loyal, loving person. She has a personality characteristic that either endears her or repels her. She is outspoken, means what she says and says what she means, bold and fierce. She would lay down her life to protect those she loved. When Tag and Minnie met it was not pretty. She, her sister and four female cousins found out about his secret life. Even though Minnie gave her word not to speak of it, Tag needed reassurance. The way Tag and Minnie went about getting to know each other at times was funny. It put a smile on my face. In the end Tag had a problem expressing his feelings about her and showing that he cared. But where he was weak Minnie was strong and she had the patience of a saint because she knew he was trying. The specter from his past wanted to destroy him and all those close to him. An awful situation. The group of men he was in business with had a plan to put the specter on notice so it could no longer cause harm. A very sweet story. Just a warning there is premarital sex. A good read.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the prologue of this series, I knew I was going to love it & the 1st book in the series was great!

Lord Dartagnan Darlington, The Duke of Darlington, aka Tag, Duke of Daring is desperate to keep the gaming club he & his noblemen friends own a secret. The problem started when the Chase sisters & cousins were told about the club & they came to the club to see if it was true. Now each of the men have agreed to make sure none of the ladies tell society about the secret gaming hell owed by society nobles but to also protect them!

Tag, has been picked to look after Miss Minerva "Minnie" Chase but from the second he had met her, he determined she was trouble & the redhead was no average debutante. Every time they meet, they bang heads, disagreeing on everything but when they are not together, their thoughts are constantly on each other. Their arguments were entertaining & I loved that Minnie often won the war of words. Minnie & Tag's love took a while to grow but went from enemies, to friends, to lovers, to marriage & I loved Tag's proposal to Minnie. I highly recommend this to all historical romance readers & I am really looking forward to Book 2 in the series. Tammy Andresen, as always, has written a fun story with wonderful characters which pull you in & make you part of their lives.

I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series and I have to say it really drew me in from the start. This group men are all destined to be taken down by love no matter how much they resist it. The author does a good job of bringing in all of the characters so that we are invested in them from the beginning. This is Minnie and Tag's story.

When Minnie's cousin, Emily, seeks out her intended because she believes he is cheating, she inadvertently involves her sisters and cousins in covering up a secret gaming hell run by the Duke of Darlington and her intended, the Earl of Effington. Minnie and Tag are drawn to each other from the their very first meeting. It may have been unintentional, but their pairing is just what the other needs. Tag has been burned by love and Minnie has been overlooked and turned down due to her fiery attitude. Now this group of Dukes and Earls have to protect their secret and the woman who discovered it.

The Duke was once engaged, but found his fiancé with another man. Add to that that his parents, who were not the best example of a love match. Since his engagement did not work out, he is resolved to the fact that marriage is not for him. Meeting Ms. Minerva Chase has stirred up some feelings he certainly should not entertain, but it is his duty to protect his secret and maybe even her. The only way to do that is to spend time with her, but can he continue to resist the challenge.

Minvera, Minnie, Chase is a beautiful redhead, who is as fiery as her hair color. She tends to speak her mind and that has not served her well in trying to secure a match. Now she is past her season and knows that she is destined to be a spinster, but her mother has other plans. If she does not find someone to marry soon, her mother will find her a match. On top of that, she now finds herself in a bind when her cousin, Emily, disappears days before her wedding. She must work with the Duke of Darlington to find out what happened to Emily and John. The only issue is the more she spends time with him the more she finds herself wanting a forever with him.

These two need each other. He needs Minnie to show him that it is ok to let go of his fear and try love again or even try it for the first time. He shows her that she can be herself and still be loved and admired. I really enjoyed their story, my only issue was that their story did not seem finished. Also, there were storylines that were left open as well, Emily and John and the Countess of Abernath. I wanted to know what happens and I only hope that we find out in the next story. Still loved this and was very invested in these characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Karen_Lee_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

How a Duke meets his love

Duke of Daring: Regency Romance (Lords of Scandal Book 1)
By Tammy Andresen


Poor Daring (aka The Duke of Darlington) his job is to make sure Miss Minerva Chase does not tell all of London the secret that is shared by six rakish Lords. The last thing these men need are for people to find out they own the Den of Sins.

Daring (ok Tag) really has never had any female role models in his life. His mother hated his father and it appeared had not real use to Tag as well. Minerva speaks her mind...boy does she ever. It often seems Minerva (Minnie) either doesn’t know when to stop speaking for doesn’t want to stop speaking.

As Daring and Minerva spend more time together they fall into an easy friendship, but when it appears Minnie is being threatened, Daring rises to the occasion.

Tammy Andresen has written a lovely story about how two people have been thrown into a situation no one wants and the beginning and in the end it appears everyone wants. From chasing news of Emily and James (who eloped) to both Daring and Minnie both learning about moving beyond past heart breaks, she has opened up the story line that brings each Lord of Scandal into the life of one of the Chase ladies. Bravo! Thoroughly enjoyed this!

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will enjoy this more if you read LORDS OF SCANDAL first. It is a free download at the beginning of this story.
. In The Lords of Scandal sets up the rest of the stories in the series. I feel it should be included automatically in this first book. I know a reader said she felt she was missing major part of the background and I agree you would. You will get more enjoyment on the background of the club and the men and women by reading LORDS OF SCANDAL first.

This ends at the 90% mark and the rest if blurb for the next book in the series.

The banter between the H/h was top notch. The h is smart, witty, strong minded and fiercely loyal. The H is arrogant and was never shown love so it takes him awhile to recognize his feelings. What a funny journey they were on to reach HEA.

There is lovemaking, outside of marriage, heat level 3.5 out of 5 only only described I think twice.

There isn't a cliffhanger for our H/h, but not all is resolved as far as the rest of the girls reputations is concerned. There is a nasty villain, who wants to ruin the H and these women. That is what the rest of the series will be about.

No cheating, HEA, romance and a tad of spice. (ljb)

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to the series

This is the first book by Tammy Andresen that I’ve read. I was intrigued by the premise of the series and so far I haven’t been disappointed. Minnie and Tag make a wonderful couple. Tag does not like how
outspoken Minnie is. Particularly when he is the subject of her ire. How soon he changes his mind when he figures out just how fearless she is, when it comes to protecting those she loves.

I admit to being a little confused by the secret that Minnie, her sister and cousins are asked to protect. Other parts of the overall series plot confused me and I wish perhaps there had been a prologue with the scene for which secrets are required. But I suppose the reader will be enlightened as the series continues and I, for one, am happy to wait for the next book to be released.