Rating: Summary: another great read Review: Like other reviewers I found this story rather tepid, less than riveting and the secondary characters more intriguing than the leads. This is my second book by this author (predecessor TO WED A STRANGER being my first) and I've decided that Edith Layton is simply not an author that I will seek out again. Camille Croft is a hearty, sturdy yet pretty-in-her-own-way country girl who is enjoying her first Season in London. While she's become moderately popular among London's young men, she has eyes for only one. Eric Ford, one of her brother Miles' best friends. A former soldier, he's so handsome and masculine and Camille adores him but tries (often unsuccessfully) not to show it. She feels she is no match for all the true beauties in Society and that Eric could have his pick of any one of them. Why would he want her? But his steadfast and warm friendship gives her hope for more. For his part, Eric is quite taken with Camille, but his continuing bouts with malaria and his being ten years her senior keep him from acting on his attraction (though men married much younger women routinely in those days, so I don't get the big deal on that issue). And when stranger Nell Baynes is added to the mix things become even more confused. Is Nell the damsel in distress that she appears? Against her family's wishes, the kind hearted Camille takes Nell under her wing, but soon wonders if it is to her own detriment when it seems Nell may have her eye on Eric. And since Nell is so beautiful, how could he resist? Has Camille unknowingly sabotaged her own happiness in being kind to a stranger - one who may well not be what she seems? This was an okay story and Camille and Eric are appealing characters, but the romance between them seemed more fond friendship than passionate attachment. As others have pointed out, the secondary characters (Nell and her cousin Mr. Bartlett) were often more intriguing that then leads and the pace was on the slow side. Many reviews have used the word "tepid" to describe this story and that sounds about right to me.
Rating: Summary: I don¿t get the title . . . he's the one needed "tempting" Review: Like other reviewers I found this story rather tepid, less than riveting and the secondary characters more intriguing than the leads. This is my second book by this author (predecessor TO WED A STRANGER being my first) and I've decided that Edith Layton is simply not an author that I will seek out again. Camille Croft is a hearty, sturdy yet pretty-in-her-own-way country girl who is enjoying her first Season in London. While she's become moderately popular among London's young men, she has eyes for only one. Eric Ford, one of her brother Miles' best friends. A former soldier, he's so handsome and masculine and Camille adores him but tries (often unsuccessfully) not to show it. She feels she is no match for all the true beauties in Society and that Eric could have his pick of any one of them. Why would he want her? But his steadfast and warm friendship gives her hope for more. For his part, Eric is quite taken with Camille, but his continuing bouts with malaria and his being ten years her senior keep him from acting on his attraction (though men married much younger women routinely in those days, so I don't get the big deal on that issue). And when stranger Nell Baynes is added to the mix things become even more confused. Is Nell the damsel in distress that she appears? Against her family's wishes, the kind hearted Camille takes Nell under her wing, but soon wonders if it is to her own detriment when it seems Nell may have her eye on Eric. And since Nell is so beautiful, how could he resist? Has Camille unknowingly sabotaged her own happiness in being kind to a stranger - one who may well not be what she seems? This was an okay story and Camille and Eric are appealing characters, but the romance between them seemed more fond friendship than passionate attachment. As others have pointed out, the secondary characters (Nell and her cousin Mr. Bartlett) were often more intriguing that then leads and the pace was on the slow side. Many reviews have used the word "tepid" to describe this story and that sounds about right to me.
Rating: Summary: fine historical romance Review: The malaria fever he first caught in India returns so Eric Ford leaves a London dance he was attending to walk home. Camille Croft, who has loved him since childhood, informs her brother Miles and Eric's brother-in-law that before he left he looked very ill. They chase after Eric because they are concerned and want to insure he gets home all right. Near his home, a man offers Nell for a night to Eric. Needing to lie down, he takes out his wallet, but the man hits Eric and steals his money just as Camille and her brother arrive. As Eric recovers, Nell stays with Camille. Eric knows he is too old and too ill for Camille, but he begins to fall in love with her. Nell's cousin attorney Dana Bartlett courts Camille in front of a jealous Eric. When he feels fully recovered, Eric decides to tell Camille he loves her. They agree to marry. At the party where they plan to announce the upcoming nuptials, Nell poisons Eric. She abducts Camille and takes her to Lord Dearborne, a nasty individual seeking revenge against Eric and others for exiling him years ago. RITA award winner Edith Layton known for her "C," Regencies provides her fans with a fine romance focusing on a warm male protagonist falling in love with a caring woman whom he always treated like his little sister. The support characters add depth to understanding how Camille and Eric feel about life and each other. Though the final abduction of the heroine adds unneeded suspense, readers will be glad to have read a wonderful tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: fine historical romance Review: The malaria fever he first caught in India returns so Eric Ford leaves a London dance he was attending to walk home. Camille Croft, who has loved him since childhood, informs her brother Miles and Eric's brother-in-law that before he left he looked very ill. They chase after Eric because they are concerned and want to insure he gets home all right. Near his home, a man offers Nell for a night to Eric. Needing to lie down, he takes out his wallet, but the man hits Eric and steals his money just as Camille and her brother arrive. As Eric recovers, Nell stays with Camille. Eric knows he is too old and too ill for Camille, but he begins to fall in love with her. Nell's cousin attorney Dana Bartlett courts Camille in front of a jealous Eric. When he feels fully recovered, Eric decides to tell Camille he loves her. They agree to marry. At the party where they plan to announce the upcoming nuptials, Nell poisons Eric. She abducts Camille and takes her to Lord Dearborne, a nasty individual seeking revenge against Eric and others for exiling him years ago. RITA award winner Edith Layton known for her "C," Regencies provides her fans with a fine romance focusing on a warm male protagonist falling in love with a caring woman whom he always treated like his little sister. The support characters add depth to understanding how Camille and Eric feel about life and each other. Though the final abduction of the heroine adds unneeded suspense, readers will be glad to have read a wonderful tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: Mediocre Review: The only reason I gave this book 3 stars instead of 2 is because Edith Layton is normally one of the most dependable and satisfying Regency authors. The plot was interesting enough, but there simply isn't any chemistry between the main characters; in fact, the villains of the piece are far more intriguing and better drawn. I found myself nodding off after the first two chapters due to lack of interest. If you are a Layton fan, save your money on this one, and reread one of her earlier books.
Rating: Summary: Mediocre Review: The only reason I gave this book 3 stars instead of 2 is because Edith Layton is normally one of the most dependable and satisfying Regency authors. The plot was interesting enough, but there simply isn't any chemistry between the main characters; in fact, the villains of the piece are far more intriguing and better drawn. I found myself nodding off after the first two chapters due to lack of interest. If you are a Layton fan, save your money on this one, and reread one of her earlier books.
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