Customer Reviews

A Matter of Temptation (Avon Romantic Treasure)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of my all-time selected authors is Lorraine Heath, from the moment I read TEXAS DESTINY, she captivated me! This is an author, whose books I pre-order, months in advance. So it is with great regret I review A MATTER OF TEMPTATION. Although, the author's idea of 'The Man in the Iron Mask meets Victorian England' is a wonderful concept, the delivery is disappointing!

Robert Hawthorne, the Duke of Killingsworth has endured eight, grueling years in London's Pentonville Prison, courtesy of his manipulative twin brother, John. John Hawthorne wanted all that belonged to his older brother - his title, his assets, his life! For eight years John lived a counterfeit existence, while Robert lived in agony. Now, Robert's daring escape signifies freedom, vengeance, and a bride. A bride, who upsets him, confuses him, and threatens his plans.

Her new husband bewilders Victoria Lambert. He makes her feel unwanted and miserable. She knew he had not married for love, but she thought they suited. Yet, her new husband is so different from the man who had courted her. He is a mystery, he is unfamiliar, he is a complete stranger. On the other hand, Victoria finds herself softly intrigued by his current unusual excitement, emotion, and passion.

A MATTER OF TEMPTATION is comparable to a slow waltz. Lovely, unhurried, and fatiguing. Yes, the hero is a good man, but his 'I will not take from my despicable brother that to which I have no right' attitude quickly grows exasperating and tedious. The entire 'reluctant but falling in love' plot is just too slow-paced.
Grade: C-

MaryGrace Meloche,
Reviewer for: RomanceDesigns.

Lorraine heath is perhaps the best writer in the western genre. Her books are excellent without exception so it is with much disappointment that she has moved on to regency bks. A Matter of Temptation is a cute read along the lines of the 'man in the iron mask' wherein one brother has his twin locked up so he can take over the birthright and riches of the firstborn. Iron Mask is in a class by itself as an old classic movie, and I don't know how it is in book form. This story by Heath is not a very good replica if we compare the two. The dialogue is great.......totally heath dialogue...and the characters are likeable (except the bad guy of course). My main problem with the book itself is that it is 400 pages of 'thoughts, feelings, and whether he should consumate marriage with his "brothers" fiance" or not. Very little physical action (other than bed)..and then after all that, the last 20-25 pages are devoted to the bad guy breaking out and being caught, etc.....20 out of almost 400 is a bit disproportionate. If it were not a Heaht book, I would not have finished it. And it never really delineated how he proved which one was the real duke and which was the imposter........sorry, LH.......i do love your westerns though........texas destiny and its offshoots are real keeprs..

This was a good read but a little slow moving. It took me several days to get through since the character sometimes would start to bore me. I don't want to repeat the story over and over since other reviewers have already stated the basics of the story. If you like Lorraine Heath you will like the story. It is a sweet read.

I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end. This was just the kind of romance novel I love. There are interesting plot twists and we get to know several secondary characters well. The secondary characters are not boring. The chemistry between Robert & Torie was very sensual and immediate. Wonderful love story, great characters with an emotionally scarred hero and strong but vulnerable heroine, unique setting, intriguing plot, heart-tugging emotion, excellent writing, intense sensual love scenes, and a superb ending. The plot was interesting and it kept you interested in what was going to happen next. It has intrigue, passion, revenge, and "wow" sensual tension. Most of all is the character development. I love stories that are character driven and not just about lust. I loved seeing Robert & Torie fall in love. From page one the characters in this charming book reached out and grabbed me. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. I loved how conclusion with Robert's brother came about. This a deeper romance book than most so some readers might not enjoy it. but I LOVED it! I'm always looking for a book with a plot that intrigues me. A Matter of Temptation did that in spades.

All I can say in conclusion is if you like a good, emotional, heart-tugging historical, with characters that leap off the pages, buy A Matter of Temptation.

Lorrine Heath is one of my favorite writers of all times. I wish there were more books written by her. No one creates better heroes then her. In her novel a matter of Temptation she takes a classic tale and creates a sizzling romance. Robert comes across as such a sweet hero that you almost want to cry. The ending is wonderful. I wish I could go on reading another 500 pages. The heroine is a classic Heath female character. Fans of Heath and all the genre lovers will not be disappointed

In 1852 London, Robert Hawthorne escapes from Pentonville Prison where his younger twin John sent him for eight years. When Warder Matthews arrives to inform the lord of his sibling's escape Robert hands over the real John to be imprisoned until he can figure out what to do with him.

Robert's plan to ease back into society collapse immediately when he learns he will marry Victoria "Torie" Lambert in the morning. As he tries to bluff what and whom he has known for the last eight years, he falls in love with Torie, but believes she cherishes the charmed John who impersonated him. As much as he wants her, he must not touch her because she belongs to someone else even if that person stole almost a decade of his life.

Victorian romantic suspense fans will be reminded of The Man in the Iron Mask though Lorraine Heath spends more time on Robert's struggles to hide that he replaced his twin who previously replaced him. The story line is character driven as Robert tries to recover from what he lost and falls in love with his wife. Torie realizes that the man she married is so different than the lord who courted her, but cannot fathom why. It is interesting how both twins when they drive pass Pentonville must stop and gaze in horror of what they and readers know of who is there and the shocking prison conditions. Lorraine Heath provides a fabulous rendition of the Dumas' classic.

Harriet Klausner

I will admit that I almost didn't read this book due to the reviews and the fact that the last book I read ended with the introduction of Tom Warner who will be the hero in Promise Me Forever. Wow, am I ever glad I took the time to read this story. The hero was everything I would want to have in a hero.... You find yourself feeling for him the whole way through the story. I even felt for the heroine and what she was wondering....I would love to give more details, but I don't want to give any of the story away in case there are others out there like me who read these reviews prior to reading the story.

The story was so interesting that I literally had a hard time putting the book down. If I could I would have read it while cooking dinner for the family....

I love Lorraine Heath books and this one is no exception. I like how she brings people in from her other books. I know some don't care for that, but I love seeing familiar faces (so to speak). If you have started with her Texas Rogues books through to these ones, you will really appreciate meeting some of the characters again or learning more about characters you have only got a glimpse.

My recommendation..Don't miss out on a great story...read this book.

This book finally rose to the top of my to-be-read pile and I'm happy that it did. It hooked me from the very beginning and I read it in one night.

The author did a great job at making the characters come alive!

I was intrigued by the premise for this story as "Man in the Iron Mask" is one of my favorite books of all time. Lorrain Heath had a good idea. The problem is that the characters spend entirely to much time thinking and not enough time doing anything. While it is interesting to see Robert's reactions and thoughts after so many years of imprisonment it becomes tiresome after a while when that's all that's happening. I also was disappointed that Robert decided at least twice that "tomorrow" he was going to tell his wife the truth and let the opportunities pass him by. He really brought about his own downfall when John escaped, because he should have told Torie way before he did. I can't say that I wholeheartedly recommend this book but if you like Lorraine Heath anyway it is worth a read. I was most intrigued by the end with John and wonder if Lorraine is possibly going to try to rehabilitate him in another book. That could make for a good story. I'll be keeping my eyes open.

Description from the book dust jacket:

For years, Robert Hawthorne, the Duke of Killingsworth, was kept a prisoner by his scheming twin brother. A daring escape turns the tables and restores his birthright to him, without anyone the wiser. He can finally enjoy everything that was stolen from him. But on his first day of freedom Robert must take in wedlock a woman he has never met ... and keep his distance to prevent her from learning the truth of his identity until he can determine how to prove he is the rightful duke. Victoria Lambert knows she must marry Robert - after all, as her mother always reminds her, he is the catch of the season and she'll become a duchess! True, she does not love him, but it is her duty to marry well. But a much-altered Robert stands beside her on their wedding day ... a man somehow more considerate and charming than ever before ... and so sensuously alluring that Torie is determined to be a temptation her husband can't resist! This handsome duke whom Victoria married is more deliciously exciting than the cold-hearted rogue she was engaged to ... How could he possibly be the same man?