The blurb:
Sir Harry Lidge has done his duty. After losing too many good men in battle he's ready to live a life free of care. But first he has one last mission: kidnap the most outrageous woman in London--the same woman who betrayed him nearly a decade earlier--and find out what she's concealing before her secrets take down the crown.
Surrounded by ardent admirers and a few loyal friends, Lady Kate Seaton glides through the ton armed with nothing but couture gowns and bon mots. No one suspects that beneath her lighthearted facade lies a sorrow so scandalous she'll do anything to keep it hidden. But only when she trusts Harry with the truth can she begin to heal. And only when Harry trusts her with his heart can he protect both his country and the woman he loves.
Review:
I've thoroughly enjoyed Eileen Dreyer's earlier novels with the Drake's Rakes (Barely a Lady and Never a Gentleman). In Always a Temptress, Dreyer tells us the story behind the beautiful, double Duchess Kate Seaton. Kate's the daughter of a duke and the widow of a duke. She's beautiful, high spirited, independent, outspoken, always on the edge of danger.
Harry'd met her when she was fifteen. She'd been his closest friend and he'd fallen for her deeply. His life had been turned upside down when he learned of her betrayal -- he escaped to the army and the ten years of fighting had taught him a great deal, made him careful. Seeing Kate now she stood out "her attire was just shy of being too bright, too bold, too revealing" and it was generally agreed that her behavior bordered on scandalous. More lovers than anyone could count and a painting of her naked body hung in one of London's private clubs. A woman who thinks only of herself and while Harry hadn't expected her to betray her country, he can believe it of her.
Harry's assigned the distasteful task of kidnapping and interrogating Kate and in the process discovers that she's not as tough as she seemed. He uncovers proof in Kate's favor and before he begins to wonder how much of what he's believed about her is true, he finds himself rescuing her. The rescue binds Kate and Harry together. Although much has happened in their ten years apart, they both discover the person that they'd left behind.
Always a Temptress is a fun escape. Double duchess Kate is a standout character -- brilliant, beautiful and brave. Sir Harry Lidge is admirable, loyal and tenacious. Dreyer gives us two likable characters who deserve to be together and enough of the intrigues, plot twists and bad luck that we savor the ups and downs of their romance. If you enjoy historical romance, I highly recommend Always a Temptress.
ISBN-10: 0446542059 - Paperback $7.99
Publisher: Forever (October 1, 2011), 432 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
About the Author:
Eileen Dreyer lives in her native St. Louis, Missouri with her husband Rick and their two children. Eileen's historical romance Barely a Lady was listed as a Best Book of 2010 by Publishers Weekly and a Best Romance of the Year by Library Journal and Booklist, which called Dreyer "a rising new historical star." Her contemporary romances published under the name of Kathleen Korbel, have earned her six Romantic Times writing awards and five RITA Awards, which secured her a Pioneer Award from the RT Booklover's Club and a place in the Romance Writers of America's prestigious Hall of Fame.
GIVEAWAY:
Forever Romance and the Hatchette Book Group is generously sponsoring a giveaway of 3 copies of Always a Temptress. To enter the giveaway, please share your favorite romantic couple in fiction and tell us why you like them so much.
Rules:
1. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win. No email address, no entry.
2. You must be a follower to join the contest.
3. One winner per household.
The contest is limited to US only. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends at noon on Nov. 1, 2011.
Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite couples is Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darby. I like the fact that they didn't get along at all at first but as the story goes on they appreciate each others qualities. I follow on GFC.
ReplyDeletemce1011 AT aol DOT com
While I do love Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen, I actually love another couple of hers that I feel don't get enough attention so to speak...Anne Elliott and Frederick Wentworth from "Persuasion". They met young, fell in love and then Anne took some bad advice from a woman she admired and sent him away. Ten years later, Anne is miserable at home and re-meets Frederick only to find out he's engaged to someone else...luckily Ms. Austen really worked their story out so that Anne and Frederick had a second chance. She was able to appreciate him so much more when she was older and wiser.
ReplyDeletejunegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com
My favourite couple would be Cat and Bones from the Night Huntress series because I love how their relationship and love grew and how devoted they both are to each other.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
GFC follower
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
One of my favorite couples is Aragorn and Arwen from the Lord of the Rings books because of Arwen sacrificing her immortality to be with him.
ReplyDeletejanie1215 AT excite DOT com