The Virgin Huntress by Victoria Vane

Title: The Virgin Huntress by Victoria Vane
The Devil DeVere Series Book Two
Publisher: Breathless Press
Genre: Historical, Erotic, Romance
Word Length: 31,914
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Author

Summary:

Desperate times call for devilish measures. When the object of one’s passion has eyes for another…it’s time to take matters in hand!

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Lady Vesta Chambers is accustomed to getting what she wants… and what she wants is Captain Hewett DeVere…

Coddled and pampered since her mother’s death, Lady Vesta Chambers is beside herself when her father goes to London to prepare for her come-out and returns with a young bride of his own. With her world turned upside down, Vesta accompanies her godmother, Diana, to town where she is smitten the moment she lays eyes on a certain captain of the Seventeenth Light Dragoons.

But when the object of her passion has eyes for another…

Captain Hewett DeVere, younger brother and heir to Viscount Ludovic “The Devil” DeVere, has returned from the American war scarred, disillusioned, and looking forward to settling down to a quiet and respectable life. But when the handsome and straight-laced captain turns his eyes toward the widowed Diana, Vesta is prepared to take devilish measures to prove just how wrong he is.

And the Devil DeVere looks after his own…

Recruiting the aid of her godfather, Vesta vows to prove to Hew once and for all that she is no longer a little girl, but a woman with the passion of…a huntress.

The Review:

The second novella in Victoria Vane’s vastly entertaining Devil DeVere series, The Virgin Huntress is an energetic adventure between the spoiled yet charming Lady Vesta Chambers and staid but lovable Captain Hewett “Hew” DeVere.

Vesta falls in love with Hew at first sight. Hew does not reciprocate Vesta’s feelings. He is instead smitten with Vesta’s beautiful godmother Diana. But a girl as strong-minded as Vesta won’t let the dashing Captain slip through her fingers. With a whole lot of determination and a bit of help from her matchmaking godfather Viscount Ludovic “Devil” DeVere, there is no stopping Vesta as she pulls out all the stops on her quest for Hew’s heart.

Lady Vesta Chambers is an immature heroine and I must confess, I really did not like her for much of the book. Plotting, scheming, conniving, headstrong and spoiled rotten aptly describe the star of The Virgin Huntress. Despite her less than stellar traits, she could be quite charming when she wanted and she does possess a zest for life that is quite appealing.

As much as I disliked Vesta, I LOVED Captain Hew DeVere. The total opposite of his debauched and jaded older brother, he is a true gentleman. He is deeply loyal and there is a surprising amount of depth and substance to this kind-hearted man. I had a hard time believing Hew changed his mind about Vesta so quickly, but there is no mistaking the genuine passion between them.

The secondary cast of characters is absolutely delightful. I particularly liked Vesta’s maid, Polly. She is onto Vesta’s tricks and she does not hesitate to speak her mind. Pratt is also a wonderful character and I adore his interactions with all of the key players.

In The Virgin Huntress Ms. Vane provides readers a little more insight into the intriguing Viscount Ludovic “Devil” DeVere. Through teasing hints and tantalizing tidbits, we are left wondering about his mysterious relationship with the beautiful Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley.

I quite enjoyed the role reversal aspect of the plot. Instead of the typical determined man chasing the recalcitrant woman, Ms. Vane has Vesta cast in the role of the single-minded pursuer. While I could understand Vesta’s instant fascination with Hew, I found the love at first sight storyline to be a bit of a stretch of the imagination.

The Virgin Huntress is a fabulous addition to Victoria Vane’s rollicking Devil DeVere series. Intensely sensual, it is a fast paced and passionate adventure that fans of historical romances are going to love.

Read my review of A Wild Night’s Bride the first novella in The Devil DeVere series HERE.

Click HERE to view the trailer for A Wild Night’s Bride.