Customer Reviews

The Devil's Temptation

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

In 1818 London, Lady Maura Daventry attends a ball that many would say orgy is more descriptive as the most scandalous sex offenders of the Ton party without regard. Maura knows she does not belong here as this is no place for an innocent unless they are selling their virginity to the highest bidder, but she needs to be here to uncover the truth about the man who murdered her reprehensible mother five years ago.

However, the one person she wants to avoid is Hawksley, a womanizer who could bed any woman he wants including Maura if she is honest with herself; the attraction to him frightens her as she knows he is the most talked about rake in town. Making it even more critical to stay as far from him as possible, is that she seeks the threatening letter his father sent to her mother; she assumes he killed her mother although she recently has found evidence that points to a different lover. Hawksley not only finds her, but like a bird of prey he comes onto her with a seductive look and an offer to help her learn the truth. Although he starts off wanting to divert her from her quest, he soon wants much more.

The second Daventry sister Regency romance is a wonderful tale due to the changing relationship between the lead couple. Their linked heritage warns both to stay away from one other, but like moths to a flame they cannot. Although ostensibly an investigative tale, Kimberly Logan shows her skill as THE DEVIL'S TEMPTATION is more of a cat and mouse encounter between two people in love and less the amateur sleuth inquiry of older sister Jilly (see SINS OF MIDNIGHT). Readers will gain immense pleasure with this strong one sitting historical.

Harriet Klausner

I agree with the earlier reviewer who said that this book deals in more than a little clichés. But really, what romance novel doesn't include them? I won't rehash the plot because it's been done a few times but I found it thoroughly engrossing and I was engaged from the very beginning. The two leads were wonderful and their chemistry was fantastic. Yes, we have seen this plot before. Yes, we all can probably figure out where it is all going in the end. These things though, don't at all detract from this strong novel. Ms. Logan has done a superb job with this book and I am highly anticipating her next offering.

Years earlier Lady Maura Daventry's mother was murdered in their home supposedly by her lover the Earl of Hawksley. She and her sisters have had a hard time living down the legacy of her mother and Maura has felt deep anger and sadness for what she was cheated as a young girl. Then evidence comes to light that makes her question whether the killer really was Hawksley. With this in mind she begins her own investigation which of course takes her directly into the path of the new Earl of Hawksley. He is handsome and debauched and never met a woman he hasn't seduced or at the very least tired to seduce. So why do his kisses set her on fire and why does she crave his touch? Can these two wounded souls find succor with each other and put to rest the truth of the murder of their parents?

This second title in the Daventry Sisters series is a story fans of this author won't want to miss. Although it's in the middle of a series it is still a very strong stand alone read. Maura and Gabriel's attraction is hot and instant and the battle the fight to ignore the passion between them will keep the reader glued to the pages. A little more information is shared regarding the death of Maura's mother and the apparent suicide of Gabriel's father but the mystery is not entirely solved and we are given a delicious tease at the end of this title for the upcoming title in this series. Ms. Logan is an adept storyteller knowing how to string her reader along without loosing their interest or watering down the suspense and romance. She knows how to create characters the reader will care about and they will be instantly transported into her wonderful make-believe world. Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Second installment in the Daventry sisters, is great! Logan's continuation in this series is much meatier and solid than her precious attempt. The murder mystery, which started in SINS OF MIDNIGHT, is continued in THE DEVIL'S TEMPTATION.

Lady Maura Daventry, has hated her mother since her death. Because of her mother's behavior and actions, she has lived under her shadow and the scandal she created. With her Aunt Olivia as chaperone, her futile attempts to enter society and create respectability for the Albright name are thwarted by the cutting and fickle minded members of the Ton who only remember the sins of the mother, now carried onto the daughter.

Maura has found her mother's diary. After reading it and all the letters in it, she realizes how wrongly she has accused her mother, who loved their father and loved her and her sisters very much. The guilt she feels compels her to continue the search for her killer, as the letters inside the diary indicate that her mother was being blackmailed.

Maura has always detested Lord Gabriel Suttcliff, Marquis of Hawshurst. She has nothing but contempt for him, after all he is the son of the monster that killed her mother and now he is trying to foil her foil her single minded quest at every turn!

From their first meting, Gabriel is inexplicably drawn to Maura. He commiserates with her misery at the callous treatment of the Ton; after all he has been subjected to it all his life. The Devil's Own, the label given to him to follow in the footsteps of his philandering and whore loving father. Unlike his sire, he has only lived to the reputation to spite the malicious, gossip loving society. A "bad boy" with a golden halo, Gabriel falls for Maura's plight, though he is unaware of her quest he is always trailing her to ensure her safety. Their association fuels more wagging tongues and innuendoes and Gabriel's perseverance unveils that Maura's actions may have put her in danger. Maura's secrecy is at times a bit annoying at not divulging her findings with anyone, even after she realizes that the contents of her diary clearly indicate that Gabriel's father didn't kill himself.

With a simple plot, this emotionally charged page turner is beautifully executed - the passion explodes on the pages between Maura and Gabriel. Their poignant, emotional struggle is depicted in heated scenes that sizzle with their dialogue and generate even more of a sensual pull toward each other.

Similar to Kleypas' writing style, Logan's regency is in top form. Past wrongs are righted, secrets are revealed, true love prevails and there are sexy scenes aplenty. The murderer is finally caught..... Or, wait a minute... maybe not!! The killer could still be at large and that, my friend is why you will have to read Logan's next book - SEDUCED BY SIN.

Lady Maura Daventry is riddled with guilt. For years she believed that her mother betrayed her father which ultimately led to her mother's murder and her lover's suicide. Now armed with her mother's diary she sets out to find the truth. Gabriel Sutcliff, Earl of Hawsley, is the last man Maura can get tangled with. Especially since he is the son of her mother's lover (accused in her murder). But for some reason, he always there to rescue her from her latest debacle in her quest. Like a white knight, he seems to save her time and again. Gabriel cannot fathom what has come over him. But ever since meeting the beguiling Maura, he's felt a fierce sense of possessiveness . Soon both are embroiled in a scandalous and dangerous quest. Trust becomes paramount as they come closer to the truth and a breath away from ruin and a complete scandal. But can Maura really trust a man known as the Devil's Own? And can Gabriel trust his heart and the one woman who can break it?

If you've read the back cover you might assume that the books been written in the first person, its not, thank goodness for I can't stand those. And as for originality?-been there and done that (almost). But WHO CARES! Yeah its chock full of cliche`s. But aren't most historical romances? That's why I read them and expect certain things to happen. You don't expect the hero to look into the heroine's eyes with contempt and disgust -do you? No -but I digress. Its not exactly original but its a good book. Well fleshed out characters and an interesting plot with good momentum. No real surprises (even I could figure out the murderer rather quickly). But there is something about it that kept me quickly turning the pages. Whether it was to find out if Maura was going to be caught during one of her escapades or whether Gabriel would save her or if someone was going to finally whack her annoying glowering/snooty aunt over the head -who knows but I liked it and it's worth a read.

Every author does there own spin on the 'boiler plate' historical regency romance with murder and I think Logan has just done a fine job with this one.

Lady Maura Daventry is set on righting the wrongs committed against her mother to soothe her own conscience and to show the London ton that her mother was not who they thought she was. For this Maura has braved the snide comments and the snickers aimed her way, but now that she has finally narrowed the search for her mother's killer down to three men, Maura will do anything to find the answers she seeks. So even though the same men who shun Maura in the ballrooms pursue her outside of them believing that Maura must have the same loose morals the entire ton assumes her mother had, Maura won't let this deter her from her search--not even the son of the supposed killer, the current Lord Hawksley.

Lord Gabriel Sutcliffe, the Earl of Hawksley, has spent the last couple of years living down to the ton's expectations of him. After all, Gabriel's father was a drunkard, a whoremonger and a murderer--his son is most likely following in his footsteps, right? However, when Gabriel meets Maura, he feels an inexplicable attraction for her and the need to shelter her form the sharp tongues of the ton. But the more he follows her, the more Gabriel discovers that there is more to Lady Maura than meets the eye--dangerous things...

The Devil's Temptation is a fun regency romp that is more about the romance and the risks of adventure that the actual mystery. Maura is a strong female character who is not unafraid of societal censure, but doesn't let that stop her in her pursuit of truth. Gabriel is the typical "bad boy" who has a golden heart under it all. Maura was at times a little exasperating with her secrecy and insistence on sharing with no one her quest for a murderer--even when it becomes clear that she is in over her head. Gabriel, on the other hand, is amusing with his denial of his feelings for Maura--even if these feelings do seem to grow during a time not included in the narration of the book. While the plot of The Devil's Temptation is not incredibly original, Ms. Logan does a good job of making the journey that Maura and Gabriel take towards each other interesting and fun. Pick up The Devil's Temptation for an entertaining read that will keep you amused.

Sabella
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

My first Kimberly Logan book and I am quite impressed...I literally could not put it down...kinda sounds like a sequel is in the works?
Long story short...Maura Daventry really wants to find out all the details to her mother's murder and her murderer's supposed suicide...is all what it seems? Well, never is really and this was a spellbinding read even though I had guessed at the ending a couple of times BUT it did keep me guessing in between.
Poor Maura must also contend with the murderer's(?) dynamic, handsome, and wonderfully witty son the Earl of Hawksley...I loved his personality from the beginning and it only got better...he is a true romantic hero.
Their relationship coupled with the "mystery" storyline proved a delectable read.
I will definitely look for more of Ms. Logan's books and highly recommend this one.

This latest by Kimberly Logan is full of clichés and just plain silliness. The title should have been called "The Devil's Cliche". You would think by her fourth novel she would have worked out her kinks. The plot and characters should have been written better. The book started out interesting but than dipped into despair of total inaneness.
Maura is on the lookout for the man who killed her mother five years ago. She constantly enters into places of inequity like courtesan balls and gaming dens because that is where this evil murderer must be. Whispers follow Maura where ever she goes because the nasty "Ton" thinks her mother had affair after affair with all these men because she was a former actress. Maura has found her mother's diary and knows her mother was a good woman to her father and children. She needs to clear her name.
Gabriel is knows as "The Devil's Own" (another cliché in historical romance. Why does the hero always have some lame nickname to do with the devil??) His father was an alleged lover of Maura's mother, an alcoholic and was found dead along side the mother. They were both shot, thus a murder-suicide. Gabriel is a rake and lives on the edge of society because of his father. Basically Maura and Gabriel meet and he can't keep away from her. He knows she is hiding some secret because she won't tell him why she goes to these masked balls in fear for her safety.
Maura is so attractive to Gabriel because of his smoldering looks and those eyes that can see deep into her soul! Gabriel can't let Maura go because after one kiss, he has become obsessed and needs her regardless of her reputation and the facts that his father may have killed her mother.
We all have seen this before and know how it will end. Not even the attraction and eventual sex scenes can save this book from Cliché-Ville.
Pass on this please.

Katiebabs

I have been devouring all of Kimberly Logan's books this week! In this novel Lady Maura Daventry has always believed that her mother had numerous affairs which resulted in her murder by the Earl of Hawksely (her final lover) up-until she finds her mother journal. She attempts to find her mother's & the Earl of Hawksely killer. Gabriel Sutcliffe, the current Earl of Hawksley finds himself attracted and protective of Maura and through some great plot development some of the puzzles are solved.

Check out the whole series Daventry sister's trilogy; Sins of Midnight (1), The Devil's Temptation (2) and Seduced by Sin (due out March 25, 2008)

THIS BOOK IS TRULY A SEDUCTIVE ROMANCE STORY.IT KEEPS MY ATTENTION
ALL THE WAY TO THE END.KIMBERLY IS A GREAT AUTHOR.HOPE YOU READ IT
AND ENJOY IT..........