Customer Reviews

Tempted At Midnight (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ambitious American millionaire Logan Jennsen sensed danger. That familiar feeling of menace was back again after all these years. He was being watched. Somebody was trying to either ruin him, kill him or both. His sense of tension had peaked because Logan had been distracted of late. The object of his fascination is none other than the supremely snobby aristocratic beauty Lady Emily Stapleford. So why in the hell couldn't he stop thinking about her? It was because of that damn kiss three months ago that Logan couldn't forget. Why in the world did Emily kiss him? She didn't like him, even thought him an uncouth American and only tolerated him because her friends did. Did she simply want to taste a commoner or worse did she think that he would forgive the debts her father owed him? That question tied him up in knots -not that he would ever admit it. And now, Emily had that familiar mischievous sparkle in her eyes again and that meant that she was up to something. And Logan was determined to find out while ferreting out the danger.

Emily is definitely up to something and that's saving her family from ruination. She's determined not to accept a marriage of convenience. There had to be another way. All three of her closet friends were blissfully in love and adored by their husbands. She dreamed of the same for herself. But her time was running out. Luckily Emily had a fool proof plan. She'd get the funds for her family by selling her book. Only problem is that no publisher was interested in a tale of a woman Vampire. Undaunted, Lady Emily comes up with a scheme to stir interest and scare the living daylights out of half the ton. But someone is on to her. That pesky, ruggedly handsome, American who haunts her thoughts day and night.

But Logan and Emily must both tread carefully. Just when prejudices dissolve and love blooms, Mayhem in Mayfair explodes. It involves not only a fictitious Vampire feeding on the blood of the ton but a very real danger that could cost them both their lives.

Tempted is the forth in the series after Sleepless at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 1), Confessions at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2), and Seduced at Midnight (Berkley Sensation). This one is my favorite and a shelf-keeper. Over the past few books I've come to love the lonely and rich American Logan. A man who came from nothing and lives for his business but deeply desires the one thing he never had -a loving family. That's something that Emily has in abundance, but her prejudice and concern for her families welfare initially blinds her to the strong attraction. Their match is perfect and their chemistry is wonderful. I simply couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Left me with a ridiculous smile on my face.

This book can be read as a stand alone, though fans of the series will be gland to hear that all the previous couples from the series make significant appearances. Recommend it to anyone looking for a slightly amusing, clever and delightful romance.

My other D'Alessandro favorites:
Red Roses Mean Love
The Bride Thief
Not Quite A Gentleman

This is my first Jacquie D'Alessandro. The beautiful cover winked at me - I swear it did (lol) - so I checked out the blurb and the reviews. I liked the hook of an American millionaire puzzling over why a highborn debutante should kiss him out of the blue (I thought it was quite original) and ended up curled in bed with the book all night long.

TEMPTED AT MIDNIGHT was a fun read. Logan and Emily are likable characters and I found myself being swept into their romance story easily. The mystery was sufficiently mysterious and didn't take over the relationship building between the lead characters. A good solid romance.

A very lighthearted historical romance from Jacquie D'Alessandro, "Tempted at Midnight" is the final book in her 'Literary Ladies Reading Circle' series. Four women who use an innocuous group title to read salacious stories...sound familiar my friends? Of course, we have it easy today compared with the daring of these four women!

Emily can't quite believe it. Her family teeters on the brink of financial ruin! Now they are looking to Emily herself to make a 'good' match, meaning marry money, to save the rest of the family. All Emily ever wanted was to marry for love. So she concocts a brilliant idea! She'll write a smashingly successful lady vampire novel, and use the proceeds to save her family. The only problem is, none of the publishers seem interested. Well then, Emily will make sure all the ton can talk about is a vampiress on the loose. Somehow, Emily never expected her plan to develop a few hitches...missing cloaks, handsome magnates, stolen kisses, and attempted murder?

Logan is rich...filthy rich. However, he's also an American. Yet he's finding that most of the ton are perfectly willing to overlook his roots in favor of his money. Except for Lady Emily, who seems to always look down her beautiful, snooty nose at him...when she's not kissing him that is. He knows she's up to something and he's darned sure going to find out what it is...

Emily and Logan were so funny to read about! Trying so hard NOT to think about each other, and then always finding themselves alone in libraries and ravishing each other! Ms D'Alessandro really stoked up the heat between these two and I had a blast laughing my way through their unusual encounters. I wasn't as thrilled with the secondary murder plot, but since it didn't take up much space, I can't complain too much.

Also enjoyable was the opportunity to read about the previous Literary Ladies and their lives and husbands. The short, but hilarious, epilogue involves all the couples and closes the book with a bang! (Yes, I did that on purpose.) If you're looking for a book that will make you think and ponder the meaning of love and life...um, you probably want to pass on this one. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a story that will have you laughing and fanning yourself..."Tempted at Midnight" by Jacquie D'Alessandro should be perfect.

I was so excited after reading the predecessor to this book, Seduced at Midnight (I think it was the best in the series, highly recommend it, and think the overall ratings for it are not indicative of how great the story is), and couldn't wait to finally read Logan and Emily's story. My expectations may have been a little too high.

I thought there would be more mystery and I actually felt like this story was a little scattered. As with all of this author's books, the humor was fantastic....it's what she does best. However, for me it felt like it came a little in the wrong places. Also, in some of this author's books, the descriptions are sometimes dragged out and thoughts are repetitive. I thought that happened too much in this book and I found myself wanting to skim through those parts because of it.

The beginning of the book grabbed me and I thought it was going to be a very suspenseful story, but there wasn't much more until the end, when everything got tied up neatly in the last few pages. Also, the heroine's scheme for avoiding marriage was just too silly to be believable for me. I just couldn't get into it because of that and I couldn't feel the love grow very much between the hero and heroine...seemed like instant lust but not much emotional connection until the end. I think revelations about Logan should have come earlier in the story...at least more tidbits tying it into the mystery more so you're bringing that into the body of the book - especially because the mystery was introduced so well. From the beginning and with the history of these characters in this series, I thought there was so much potential for this story. For me, it just didn't come close. There were things I felt were never completely explained, just kind of stuck in there...with situations and characters...result of vampire sightings, the money problems (you never even know what Emily's father thinks of Logan even though their fate rests in his hands), Logan's man of affairs, etc. There was just so much going on and that's where it comes back to me saying it felt scattered. I actually feel a little scattered trying to write the review for it, trying to remember all those little wayward parts to make my points. I did love the humor though.

I liked Emily and Logan :) The way Emily was trying to deny her attraction to him was so funny :) And Logan was totally confused when she kissed him, because he couldn't see a reason for her actions... And I love the scene where she had vampire fangs in her bodice and he almost found them! And their ''library thing'' was nice too :)

I loved seeing all the couples from the other books again :) Especially Julliane, since her story left me wondering how she will adapt to her new life. Well, she obviously did adapt and I was so happy to see it :) And Carolines role was also great :)

This was a very enjoyable book, and I can't wait to see what d'Alessandro will write next!

Since he first entered my life as a secondary character in the book Never a Lady, I've had the biggest crush on Logan Jennsen. And that crush grew exceedingly larger after reading each of the subsequent books by Jacquie D'Alessandro, the first three of her wildly popular Mayhem in Mayfair series. They also left me waiting (im)patiently for Logan's own story, Tempted at Midnight. I can now say that it was absolutely worth the wait and that my crush has officially turned into full-blown love.

The Ladies Literary Society of London reconvenes once again and their selection this time is another scandalous tome, The Gentleman Vampire's Lover. During their discussion meeting, Lady Emily Stapleford tells her friends of the recent financial woes that plague her family thanks to a few unsound investments her father had participated in, along with some bad luck at the gaming tables. The family's lone solution is for Emily, the oldest of six children, to make a brilliant match. The only problem is Emily wants to marry for love, just as each of her friends have done. Inspired by the group's current reading, Emily wrote a book, The Vampire Lady's Kiss, and planned to sell it to make enough money to settle her father's debts. Unfortunately, no publisher was interested in a female vampire. Determined not to be rejected again, Emily comes up with a plan to scare up interest by dressing up as a vampire and becoming the talk of the ton. Her plan is a rousing success, if only the infuriating American Logan Jennsen wasn't so skeptical...

After sharing a clandestine kiss with Lady Emily three months ago, Logan Jennsen hasn't been able to get her out of his mind, much to his consternation. He can't understand it as he's always preferred an atypical woman over the perfect society darling. After catching Emily sneaking into the library from outside during a soirée, he knows that she is up to something and is determined to find out exactly what. But Logan has to be careful because he suspects that someone is out to ruin him. Lately, he has had a constant feeling of being watched and then one of his ships is set ablaze causing members of the crew to be hurt and even killed. His suspicions are confirmed when Lady Emily is almost run down by a wild carriage while in his company. Are the secrets of his past finally catching up with him? And can he put an end to it before someone else gets hurt?

Oh, how I loved this book! Emily was the perfect match for Logan. She had a backbone, stood up to him and didn't conform to him and his wishes like everyone else did because of his wealth. And she brought out a bit of recklessness in the the usually vigilant Logan. At the beginning of this story, these two have prejudiced opinions about the other (Emily thinks Logan is an uncouth American and Logan believes Emily to be the typical spoiled society diamond) but soon realize how wrong each is. It was such a joy to watch their relationship evolve from heated animosity to a surprising friendship to perpetual love.

Jacquie D'Alessandro makes it so easy to be a fan of her work. Her books contain the perfect blend of romance, humor and mystery. The relationships (both platonic and romantic) are very real and full of heart and the romance sizzles! She creates characters that you love and are concerned about long after you close the last page. Make room on your keeper shelf for this delightful gem!

Andrea
Romance Novel TV
5 stars

This romance is awfully sweet. The main couple had this habit of sparring verbally which more often that not consist of the words `... and do you know what that makes you?' I noticed the author did the same in another book. Of course, it was a different catch phrase.

I find that I always enjoy books that are descriptive enough to make me feel as if I'm somewhere in the book too (but not long-winded, please), likeable characters that I wouldn't mind being friends with (even the wicked ones, because you know these are the ones that bring colours to your life), scorching chemistry between the main couple (hey, this IS romance) and of course secondary characters that enhance rather than weaken the book.

I can safely say this book has all of the above. I just love the hero, his struggles of accepting the yearning for the heroine yet not realizing that it was love. The heroine is spunky yet vulnerable and thankfully someone I like. (you'd be surprised how many unlikable, whiny heroines you could find in romance books) However, I do find certain parts that are a bit too long and could make a lesser romance mortal lose concentration. All in all a very good book compounded by a delicious epilogue for the whole Mayhem in Mayfair gang.

I enjoyed this romance. Logan was very heartwarming and Emily was determined to make it on her own and finally discovered that making it on her own could be lonely without Logan. The mystery in the story was a glue that kept the couple close enough to find the importance each ment to the other.

I am growing into a quite a fan of Ms. D'Alessandro. I love the playfulness in her stories and I truly enjoy when the couple openly speak of their feelings for one another.

Having been introduced, and then intrigued by Logan in two previous books, I was really looking forward to his story. But was also slightly apprehensive, that the author would create a heroine worthy of the sexy American -- but not to worry, D'Alessandro does an excellent job. The secondary mystery plot almost didn't matter to me (which was good, as I thought the climax a little far-fetched) because I was so engrossed in the characters of Emily and Logan. Not only are they engaging (and gorgeous) on their own, but together they had me glued to the page.

Great read, though I would recommend reading at least the first book in the series so you can get a handle on the women of the book club and the men they become involved with. The cherry on top of this series is the perfectly done epilogue, which ties up all their lives in a most satisfactory way.

Now, if only D'Alessandro would write the next series about their daughters!

A lighthearted historical romance from Jacquie D'Alessandro, this final book in the "Literary Ladies Reading Circle" series delivers laughs along with the heat!