Don't Tempt Me (Pearl Island Trilogy 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Julie Ortolon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pearl Island Trilogy 3 | Publication Date: February 3, 2004

Adrian St. Claire, the sexy chef at the Pearl Island B&B, is as tempting as the dishes he serves. In fact, he's never had a woman tell him no--until his family needs help searching for a legendary heirloom on the sunken ship in the island's cove. To find the treasure they need the help of a woman whose history is as linked as theirs to the island's romantic past.

As the owner of the Pirate's Pleasure, Jackie Taylor is far more interested in running her cruise ship along the Texas coast than in chasing tales of lost booty, and even less interested in tangling with a man who collects female admirers just by walking down the street. On top of that, helping the St. Claires could dredge up secrets she'd like to remain buried.

Enticed by Jackie's resistance, Adrian soon has something more than treasure hunts and casual flirtation in mind...and he's not a man who takes no for an answer. But will they each have the courage to risk their hearts for the greatest treasure of all--falling in love?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Adrian St. Claire, sexy chef and part owner of a bed and breakfast in Galveston, Tex., watched his sisters Aurora and Allison fall in love in Ortolon's previous two romances (Falling for You, Lead Me On). Now it's his turn-in this predictable yet warmhearted offering. Edgy, independent Jackie Taylor, owner of the cruise ship Pirate's Pleasure, dislikes slick, handsome men like Adrian, but she soon finds herself spending a lot of time with him when he confronts her with a bargain she can't refuse-he and his sisters will form a partnership between her cruise ship and their bed and breakfast if she lets them read her great-grandfather's letter, which might hold clues to the location of a sunken treasure. Jackie agrees reluctantly, fearful that the letter might dredge up secrets she would prefer remain buried. Sure enough, the letter and the subsequent excavation of her great-grandfather's ship do stir up trouble, as does Adrian's and Jackie's attraction to one another. Though the romantic story line becomes bogged down by back story and readers may tire of Jackie's prickliness, readers who have grown attached to the lovable St. Claire family will eat up this final installment in Ortolon's Pearl Island trilogy faster than a plate of Adrian's brownies.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Adrian's family's bed-and-breakfast is now a success, and as chef, he is one of the reasons it's doing so well. Adrian has everything: good looks, professional accomplishment, and a way with the ladies. But one thing is missing, and that's the recovery of a precious heirloom, which is reportedly at the bottom of their island's cove in a sunken ship. To get funding to search for it, Adrian approaches a woman whose family history is linked with his. Jackie is trying to make a go of her cruise business. Her father was a notorious con man in the Caribbean, and she has worked very hard to distance herself from what she considers a shameful past. It takes a lot of convincing on Adrian's part, but Jackie finally agrees to help him. In the process, they become good friends and business partners. Both wish for more, although they're afraid to reach for it in Ortolon's latest, which is by turns humorous and stirring. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (February 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312983492
• ISBN-13: 978-0312983499
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm late bloomer when it comes to reading -- and writing. I didn't discover either joy until I discovered romance novels in my early twenties. Now, I'm totally addicted. My biggest joy is bringing all my interests together in my books, to have the chance to celebrate the things that excite me through my characters. So when people ask me, "Do you put yourself or real life experiences in your books?" the answer is "You betcha!" I just edit out the boring parts, and emphasis the fun parts. And take a LOT of literary license!

Since I love to travel, all my books are set in places I've actually been. Sometimes those real places morph into fictional places -- like Pearl Island -- but I try to capture the magic of the setting and people in all my books, to make writing them like a trip to a wonderful world where good always triumphs and love always ends in Happily Ever After -- against all odds. That's what makes life worth living, and books worth reading: when someone grabs the brass ring.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific End to the trilogy, March 3, 2004

By 

Judy "book reader" (Cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Tempt Me (Pearl Island Trilogy 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Julie Ortolon concludes the Pearl Island trilogy with a wonderful book, Don't Tempt Me.

Adrian St. Clair is the chef at the families B & B on Pearl Island. His family has decided to search for a missing heirloom off their home. But he needs the help of Jack Kingsley great granddaughter, Jackie Taylor. Jackie has a letter that will help the St.Clairs wish to hunt for the heirloom. But Jackie has very personal reasons for avoiding the limelight that this treasure hunt will bring.

Adrian is the type of man Jackie tries to avoid. With his devastating good looks, charming personality he is making her want for things she has never had. Jackie finally agrees to help but only if her and Adrian keep it friends only. That theory doesn't last long for either of them. Adrian latterly charms the clothes off Jackie and for once she decides to go with the flow. Neither is planning for the feelings that they have for each other.

When Jackie's past comes back to haunt her, it takes all of Adrian's will and charm to get her to fight for them.

Adrian and Jackie have such amazing chemistry and passion. They both have issues to deal with and its riveting watching them work thru them as a couple. You will love them all the more.

This is my favorite book out of the trilogy. Adrian and Jackie just touched a special place in my heart.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST ROMANTIC TRILOGY EVER, February 29, 2004

By 

Sara Cooper (OAKLAND, FLORIDA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Tempt Me (Pearl Island Trilogy 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I just finished reading Don't Tempt Me and it has shot Julie Ortolon to the top of my list of favorite contemporary romance authors. The book did a good job of incorporating all of the characters from her previous books in the Pearl Island series and at the same time developing the love story between Adrian and Jackie very well. Each book in the series is different from each other and the ending leaves you wanting more. I would recommend reading each book in order to enjoy Don't Tempt Me to its fullest.

The chemistry between Jackie and Adrian is incredible, the love scenes are great, and the ending is really sweet. The book had a little bit of history, magic, and a realistic look into what comes with sudden, unexpected fame.

Now I have to wait impatiently for Julie Ortolon's next book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet conclusion to the Pearl Island trilogy, August 10, 2005

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Tempt Me (Pearl Island Trilogy 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Adrian St. Claire is the chef of a B&B on an island just off the coast of Galveston. After repeated attempts to get pleasure boat captain Jackie Taylor to help them locate a family heirloom, Adrian decides to do it in person.

Jackie reluctantly enters into the partnership, warning him that her participation and difficulty in living down the legend of her treasure-seeking and now deceased (and disgraced) father may cause problems. While the head of the excavation wants no part of her, Adrian and the St. Claire's stand by her.

Adrian has stayed on Pearl Island to take care of his 2 sisters when the three were orphaned at a young age. He has always been a little antsy and wonders what if he would have pursued his dreams outside of Texas.

Soon, Adrian is romancing a hesitant Jackie, and she succumbs to his charms. When the opportunity to follow is dreams comes up, and his association with Jackie is questioned, Adrian has some important decisions to make.

The story is engaging and had great chemistry. It was a great end to the Pearl Island trilogy and will serve as a nice diversion from work for an afternoon or two.