Rating: 
Summary: an amusing and fun read
Review: "Duel of Hearts" is one of the most amusing romance novels I've read in a long time. In fact the plot and the characters found in the, "Duel of Hearts" reminded me strongly of similar novels written by one of my favourite Regency romance authours, Marion Chesney. When Delilah Chadwick, the only daughter of Sir Horace Chadwick, receives news that her father is about to marry, the dismayed young lady immediately jumps the conclusion that her father is being manipulated into marriage by an unscrupulous harpy. (Being a tad spoilt and headstrong young lady, and being totally used to running the lives of all those around her, thinking of her father as a used dupe is the only way in which she can currently cope with the notion that her father would choose to marry again after so many years of being a widower.) And so, Lilah decides to immediately make for London, in order to stop her father from making the mistake of his life. Rich, autocratic and used-to-always-having-things-his-own-way Adam Harlestone, the ninth Earl of Drakesley, had always assumed that he would marry his plain and unassuming cousin, Eugenia, when the time was right. The last thing he expected was to receive intelligence that Eugenia (who is in London for the Season) is being pursued by a gentleman old enough to be her father. Sure that his cousin is need of his protection, he decides to make for London in order to salvage her honour. Unexpectedly, however, Drakesley runs into Eugenia's supposed seducer's daughter on the road. And after the initial barbed exchanges (which are truly quite amusing), the pair discover that they have a goal in common -- extracting their loved ones from the predicament they seem currently find themselves in. And so these two incredibly forceful and spoilt individuals come to an agreement: to put an end to this engagement between Sir Horace and Eugenia that neither Lilah or Drakesley approve of. What happens next is something neither Lilah nor Drakesley anticipated. For Lilah finds to her dismay that the incredibly high-handed and autocratic Drakesley would suit her down to a tee! And while Drakesley finds Lilah very spoilt and stubborn, he also finds her to be very enchanting and tantalising. Will Drakesley and Lilah give up on their plans to break up Sir Horace and Eugenia? And will they decide to pursue the volatile attraction that seems to be growing between them? And then of course there is Eugenia -- an extremely intelligent young lady who sees and understands a lot more than she lets on... I don't think I've smiled so much while reading one book. "Duel of Hearts" was definitely a fun read. The plot, while a rather well known one with few deviations, thanks to Diane Farr's brilliant handling still seemed fresh and interesting. I loved the manner in which she developed both the plot (the bits where both Lilah and Drakesley try to 'talk' sense to Eugenia) and the romance that was simmering between Drakesley and Lilah. Especially brilliant, however, was the manner in which she brought the characters of Drakesley, Lilah, Eugenia, and a few other minor characters to life -- the changes to Lilah's character, the manner in which her character in particular begins to change and mature, was esp satisfying. If I have any quibbles with this novel, it's that there wasn't enough of Sir Horace and Eugenia. Seeing their story unfold as a backdrop to Drakesley and Lilah's would have been really nice. And I suppose I would have preferred it if Diane Farr had been a little more ironic about Drakesley and Lilah -- a la Marion Chesney. But these are just minor quibbles, not at all to be taken too seriously. All in all, "Duel of Hearts" is a superb read, and deserves both a lot of rave reviews and a 5 star rating.
Rating: 
Summary: madcap Regency romantic romp
Review: After her mother died Lilah Chadwick and her father Sir Horace became very close having no secrets between them. She assumes she is the only "woman" for her dad until she learns he is marrying a "harpy" whom she knows obviously bullied him into wedlock. Lilah plans to stop her father from foolishly wedding this trickster in a relationship she assumes he neither needs nor wants. Earl Adam Harleston is appalled to learn his cousin is marrying an older gentleman when he himself has plans to wed Eugenia. He will stop this nefarious act by rescuing his cousin and stop this womanizing seducer from ruining Eugenia's life. Due to misfortune or perhaps a Cupid like kismet, Adam and Lilah meet in their respective mad dashes to London. However, instead of halting Horace and Eugenia, Adam and Lilah have a new problem to confront. They are falling in love. DUEL OF HEARTS is a madcap Regency romantic romp that never takes itself seriously (to the delight of the audience) as Diane Farr relocates those crazy 1930s movies into an amusing quite pleasing historical tale. The story line focuses on the plans of Lilah and Adam going astray as their own hearts take the duo on a detour away from what they started to accomplish. Sub-genre fans will laugh a lot at this charming novel that surely stars K. Hepburn. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Watch the sparks fly!
Review: Another amazing novel by Diane Farr. If you haven't read her other stories, you should. This book is beautifully written. You feel all the tension they feel. Their banter will have you laughing outloud. Truly a classic to read over again.!
Rating:
Summary: A galvanizing duel of hearts and wits
Review: Delilah Chadwick, upon receiving an epistle from her father Horace that he is about to get married, is tenacious to banish any thoughts of having a new stepmother. She departs hastily with her companion, Ms. Pickens in a barouche to London with a furious storm brewing and heads to the inn to get a travelling carriage. It is coincidental she meets Adam Harleston, ninth earl of Drakesley who has been promised the carriage. Lilah is compelled to share the carriage with the overbearing Drake in her state of urgency and discovers later that Drake is actually going to London to find her father's intended Eugenia to propose. With a twist of fate, the two of them strikes an alliance to separate the lovers only to find themselves falling for each other.... Who can ever imagine a scenario like a carriage ride would be such a theatrical pleasure? Diane Farr creates palpable chemistry between Lilah and Drake with catty sexist barbs, duelling of wits and intelligence that makes this romp a lively and crackling revue from start to finish. Their exchange is quick and with such hostility yet affection that readers will know this oddball couple is destined for each other. Ms. Farr's characters grows on you with their quirky characters and banishes the damsel-in-distress-alpha-male stereotype with their rebellious self. It is laugh-a-loud hysterics when Lilah finds herself falling for Drake and sees the irony of her separating Eugenia and her father. The stubborn hearts refuses to submit - and so enters the ensemble of memorable side-characters like the concerned Aunt Polly and Uncle Nat as well as the wise Eugenia playing matchmakers. Ms. Farr has outdone herself this time when the humor comes out fast and furious in the duel of hearts and wits. The passion between Lilah and Drake is tenderly sexy and poignant without the usual open-the-bedroom style in romance novels nowadays. This rip-roaring romantic comedy bolsters on the strength dynamic duo to deliver a joyous comical celebration of bliss and love. How I just love them when they are in love and war.
Rating: 
Summary: a teenage romance
Review: Diane Farr writes in her usual elegant style, but quite wastes her talents in a teenage romance set, for some inexplicable reason, in the regency period (not that we see much of it besides the dresses). The two main protagonists meet and quarrel their way towards marriage, and while this is amusingly written (if a bit repetitive), I was often quite bored with their antics. It is hard to believe that Drake is in his late twenties, and Lilah of age (21 at least), because throughout the book they are depicted as so incredibly self-centered and stupidly immature that I found nothing whatsoever to empathize with - one of the joys I expect from reading a romance. As I said, this might have been more acceptable had Diane Farr written a teenage romance between a 19-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl and marketed it as such.
Rating:
Summary: Immovable object/irresistible force --
Review: Fifty-some years ago, a hilariously bickering couple, appropriately named 'The Bickersons' (John and Blanche) made their debut as part of a radio show. They were so funny (as played by Don Ameche and Frances Langford) that they soon acquired a series of their own, and eventually even made it to TV. They were sarcastic and mettlesome, never fearing to go for the jugular, but yet they were never really-completely-mean-spirited. They always kissed and made up by the end of the segment. I was reminded of them, over and over, while reading this book. And yes-it also brought back memories of the classic Kate Hepburn/Spencer Tracy movies as well. Two attractive and exceedingly confident people who KNEW they were right, never even considering otherwise, they were at the same time, lovers par excellence! They acknowledged the magnetic attraction between them, yet never seeming to quite understand it all. Lilah and Drake are wonderfully drawn, completely alive characters who are totally dumbstruck by whatever has happened to them, especially as they have had no prior experience upon which to draw. They both knew exactly the type of mate best suited for them, and it certainly is not this! Why, they don't even much like each other, except-why can't they keep away from each other? Why do they always seem to be touching or kissing? It's enough to astonish anyone, let alone the ones to whom it's happening. I don't believe I've laughed so hard at a book in years and years, and I hated to come to the end of this one. I would happily had read another 342 pages of these two charming people and their wonderment at the situation in which they find themselves. It is greatly to be hoped that the author will find a way to include them as at least minor characters in her future books, just so we may keep an eye on the Regency version of the Bickersons -- the Earl and Countess of Drakesley.
Rating:
Summary: Immovable object/irresistible force --
Review: Fifty-some years ago, a hilariously bickering couple, appropriately named 'The Bickersons' (John and Blanche) made their debut as part of a radio show. They were so funny (as played by Don Ameche and Frances Langford) that they soon acquired a series of their own, and eventually even made it to TV. They were sarcastic and mettlesome, never fearing to go for the jugular, but yet they were never really-completely-mean-spirited. They always kissed and made up by the end of the segment. I was reminded of them, over and over, while reading this book. And yes-it also brought back memories of the classic Kate Hepburn/Spencer Tracy movies as well. Two attractive and exceedingly confident people who KNEW they were right, never even considering otherwise, they were at the same time, lovers par excellence! They acknowledged the magnetic attraction between them, yet never seeming to quite understand it all. Lilah and Drake are wonderfully drawn, completely alive characters who are totally dumbstruck by whatever has happened to them, especially as they have had no prior experience upon which to draw. They both knew exactly the type of mate best suited for them, and it certainly is not this! Why, they don't even much like each other, except-why can't they keep away from each other? Why do they always seem to be touching or kissing? It's enough to astonish anyone, let alone the ones to whom it's happening. I don't believe I've laughed so hard at a book in years and years, and I hated to come to the end of this one. I would happily had read another 342 pages of these two charming people and their wonderment at the situation in which they find themselves. It is greatly to be hoped that the author will find a way to include them as at least minor characters in her future books, just so we may keep an eye on the Regency version of the Bickersons -- the Earl and Countess of Drakesley.
Rating:
Summary: A fast-paced, can't-put-down kind of book!
Review: I read this book based on its "desert isle keeper" status at allaboutromance.com and was certainly not disappointed at all. The story is very fast-faced, a real page turner indeed. The main characters of Drake and Lilah are over-the-top funny and definitely are at a battle of wills. They think that their strong attraction to one another is something to be repressed and that their ideal mates must be submissive types. They fight tooth and nail not to get together and seeing them fight the strong, undeniable attraction is hilarious. It wasn't until the last page that I realized that there were no love scenes, yet I felt the characters passion much more than any more graphic stories I might have read recently. I absolutely adored Drake and Lilah and will defnitely be keeping this one.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, clever, well-written, tongue in cheek froth
Review: Lilah & Drake have to be the most immature, least likeable couple in all of romantic fiction. They are both selfish, unthinking, rash, self-absorbed, flighty, shallow, and lacking in common sense. Their constant arguments grew old quickly, and their "attraction" rang false. No one but Drake has the spine to stand up to willful Lilah. Everyone but Lilah simply humors Drake. Yet, we're supposed to believe that they are acting out of character. Doesn't hold water. The story line is uninspired, the pacing drags, and the dialogue and sentiments all too often sound modern not Regency. Lilah's companion is an annoying chatterbox, her father is a wimp (except when it suits the plot), and what little humor is there is bludgeoned into an ephemeral mist by the utter silliness and head-pounding annoyance of the rest of the book. One of the worst "mistakes" was having Rival (from The Fortune Hunter, a wonderful book) appear as an unrepentant rake. In his book (published prior to this one), he falls in love & marries. So why is he apparently cheating on his beloved wife in this story? Very badly done. Ignore this book; it's horrid. It's so bad (especially compared to The Fortune Hunter) that I have to read somebody else for a while.
Rating:
Summary: This frothy romance will entertain!
Review: Lilah Chadwick is in for a rude awakening when she receives notice that her beloved father is about to marry a much younger woman. She sets off immediately for London to put a stop to the nonsense, her faithful servant in tow. While attempting to hire the only carriage at a small inn, she runs afoul of the man who has already commandered it; Adam Harleston, Earl of Drakely, or Drake to his friends. They discover that they are on the same mission, since it is his cousin, who has always planned to wed, that Lilah's father is about to marry. Though disliking the necessity, they travel together, trading barbs the whole way. Does their repartee mask deeper feelings? Once in London, they find that Adam's cousin is willing to break her engagement and marry him, but is that what the oil and water couple truly wants? ***** Delightfully engaging, this novel will provoke laugh out loud moments as this pair comes to the realization that what they thought they wanted might be all together different from what they really want. In dark times, this frothy romance will entertain fans of Regency and historical romances alike. ***** Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.
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