Customer Reviews

Tempted By the Night

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Elizabeth Boyle's latest historical, Tempted by the Night is a bit deceiving, especially by the cover. You would think this is a straight up historical romance. That is not the case. This is a historical paranormal romance and the next book in her Marlowe series about a very eccentric family who barely has any money and a mother who makes her children's lives a bit crazy. Tempted by the Night is about Hermione Marlowe, the sister of Sebastian, who was the hero in His Mistress by Morning. If you read His Mistress by Morning, then you know about a magic ring that is being tossed around. Anyone who wears the ring and makes a wish, that wish will come true. Hermione is the lucky girl this time to be in possession of the ring. Herimone or Minny as she is called by her friends and family has it bad for Thomas, the Earl of Rockhurst. He doesn't even know she is alive and Herimone is so far gone over the man she can hardly speak when she sees him. All she can do is moon over the handsome Earl and say, "Jiminy!" too many times to count. Yup, she is one of those heroines that has an annoying catch phrase.

Herimone wishes she was an invisible phantom from sunset to sunrise so she could follow Rockhurst around and find out all of his secrets. And guess what happens? Her wish comes true. Now poor Minny is invisible the moment the sun sets. This gives her the perfect reason to stalk Rochurst. And as she watches Rockhurst, who has a habit of going out late at night, she expects him to drink and whore the night away like most of the gentlemen of his ilk. Instead Rockhurst is on a special mission. He is known as the Paratus, a title passed down from his family from generation to generation. He must defeat the evil specter that is called Melaphor, who comes from another dimension and is killing people. Rockhurst, a.k.a. the Paratus must try and stop Melaphor from his reign of terror and either kill him or force him back to where he came from. But these two are equal in their abilities to stop one another and can never defeat the other. That is until, Rockhurst realizes he has a shadow, an invisible woman who tries to defend him.

This is where the story gets a little strange. Rockhurst is fine with some invisible London miss following him wherever he goes even though she won't say who she is. Herimone is afraid that if Rockhurst finds out who she is, he will run the other way and be disgusted with her. These two have actual conversations while Herimone is invisible. And the kicker? Rockhurst proceeds to have sex with Herimone many times while she is invisible and nameless, only calling her his Shadow. Some have raised the all important question whether Rockhurst can aim or see certain parts of his involved in the actual act since Herimone is invisible during it. Boyle solves this dilemma by having Rockhurst close his eyes. Apparently his skills go beyond just fighting forces of evil. He is quite skilled at having sex with an invisible partner.

If you can put all that aside, Tempted by the Night is actually a fun read, mainly because of the antics of the invisible super girl that is Herimone. For laughs and some interesting invisible action, try Tempted by the Night.

Katiebabs
His Mistress By Morning (Avon Romantic Treasure)

I'll start out saying I don't read paranormal romance and bought this book because it is represented as an HR novel only. I don't mind the books with a little bit of "fey" but this was full blown paranormal HR. It was a cute story though and I was able to get through all of it and still enjoy the characters. However, even opening myself to the imagination required for a paranormal story, I just found it incredulous that the hero almost instantly falls in love with the invisible woman - our heroine. Had they had more at length conversations where it seems possible to fall in love with something more than her apple smell and big breasts (he can touch but can't see), it would have been more plausible. Nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable little story and I would not be averse to reading the others in the series. I think more can be done with these other characters and the magic ring.

This is one of Elizabeth Boyle's best offerings yet, very creative and different from her other books. As a fan I will usually snatch up her books as quickly as they come out, and I am thrilled that I found this one a little earlier than the actual release date (finished it in less than 24 hours!)

I'm not usually a fan of paranormals, but the thing about this book I loved the most were the surprises throughout the story. As a fan of historicals I have gotten a little bored with the common formula, and am very excited when someone comes up with a new variation. However, I believe explaining the plot to a potential reader is doing said reader a disservice with this one. Some reviews give too much away!

This is a great book, if you are looking for an up-all-nighter, you have found it! If you want to know what you are getting read Harriet K.'s review. If you want to be pleasantly surprised buy it and see for yourself. In my humble opinion you will be pleased you did!

Tracey Galbraith

I might have laughed at Rockhurst a bit more then one should. Not in a bad way mind you, but its simply hilarious that the man is so awesome in so many ways, yet sadly doesn't understand that showing up at society's biggest event of the week, Almack's, he just made himself the most sought after man in town. Not just from hell demons, oh no, much worse. Now every marriage-minded mama wanted a piece of him.

I quite enjoyed the exchanges between himself and his cousin Mary, an avowed bluestocking. Other then invisible!Hermione no one else talked to him so freely. Well no one else female. Hermione was a puzzle to me. She was an odd mixture of typical fluff-headed debutante (even though she wasn't one) with no more then color, lace and style of dress on her mind and fierce she-cat. I felt so bad for her at first, when she's so awkward and timid. I was heartily happy when she began opening up (even if she had to be invisible to do it).

I hadn't read the book that is the lead-in companion, His Mistress by Morning, about Hermione's older brother Sebastian and his love of life Charlotte's adventures with Quince and her ring of magicks, but it wasn't a bother. Other then missing the original introduction of many of the characters, Sebastian/Charlotte aren't a big part of the book. They're mentioned, but not in a way that would confuse a reader.

I only became slightly peeved at how easily it seemed that Hermione could fool Rockhurst. While invisible Hermione never revealed who she was to him, out of low self-esteem issues, but I would have thought that Rockhurst would know somehow. I did however fall in love with the archery contest closer to the end. The scene at sunset was vivid as was how Rockhurst must have felt.

Lady Hermione Marlowe has had a tendre for Lord Thomas Rockhurst it seems like forever.
One day, Hermione finds a ring belonging to her sister in law and puts it on for safekeeping

From that moment on - Hermione's life is changed forever. It is a magical ring, with dark powers - granting the person wearing it whatever wish they have asked for. Before a strange woman by the name of Quince can tell her about the ring, Hermione wishes to know all of Lord Rockhurst's secrets and be invisible so she can follow him.

Thomas Rockhurst has carried a dark secret all his life - as have his ancestors for centuries. His portrays a rake and hell raiser but no one knows the real Rockhurst.

On one of his many nightly "missions", he cant help feel that he is being watched and followed, though he cant detect the source, though his faithful companion, Rowan a huge wolfhound knows exactly who it is.

Thomas senses that all is not right and eventually he realizes, in the mist of one of his perilous missions, that a young woman has been following him, though he doesn't know if her intentions are good or evil as that night she saves his life.

Thomas is consumed with finding out the identity of his "Shadow" and Hermione is quite as desperate to keep her identity a mystery, as she feels that Thomas will not care for her if he finds out who she is. Her invisible powers only last from sundown to sunup and she must return home before she is visible.

Hermione's love and utter guileless demeanor charms Thomas, as he has always done his duty as protector of the City and cant ever contemplate having any emotional entanglements. When he is fighting evil, a darkness befalls him and it is getting harder for him to shred those powers before and return to his normal self.

I laughed at Hermione's tactics and her LOL outbursts! With very sexy love scenes and a wonderful mix of good vs. evil this was without a doubt the most engagingly different Regency/Paranormal I have read in a long time. It was enchanting, sensual and lovely from start to finish. ENJOY

Lady Hermione Marlowe is in love with Lord Thomas Rockhurst and has been for years. Every single time he is near, Hermione experiences flutters in her stomach which causes her to rush out of the room. Tonight is no different and yet, it is. On her way out of the room she finds her new sister-in-law's lost ring and puts it on her finger for safe keeping. Running into a strange woman on her way to the retiring room, Hermione is confused as to why "Quince" is talking to her. Before Quince can fully explain about the ring, Hermione inadvertently makes a wish from her heart and before she understands what she has done, her wish is granted.

Thomas Rockhurst has the reputation of being a hell raiser, gambler, and womanizer. He knows what society says about him and he doesn't care. They don't know the true Lord Rockhurst and never will. It is his job to keep what he does at night as a secret. Called away from a ton party, Rockhurst can't help but feel as if he is being watched. His dog Rowen sees something or someone but Rockhurst can't concentrate on that at the moment. Bigger things are happening and it is up him to keep the city safe.

When an evil escapes and Rockhurst has a hard time keeping it contained, he is astonished and mesmerized by the help offered by Hermione. The problem with that? Thomas doesn't know it is she and never will if she has anything to do with it.

I completely treasured TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT. Fully expecting a historical romance, I got so much more. Rockhurst was loyal to his duties and his curiosity surrounding his mystery woman made me smile more than once. I found myself laughing out loud at his inability to contain Hermione every time he `caught' himself catching and imprisoning her. He knew that he should remember the scent of Hermione, he knew it but he was unable to place it and that made him nuts. Hermione's nervousness at coming in contact with Rockhurst at dinner parties made me wince more than once and I wished several times to be able to help her with her anxiety and somehow find a way for Rockhurst to notice her. She loved him so much and was able to show it while her wish was being granted. Forced to flee from Rockhurst more than once so that he didn't find out who she was, Hermione despaired greatly from the fact that while under the guise of her wish, Rockhurst loved and desired her. She worried, and with good cause, what would happen when her wish was discovered. I worried right along with her.

TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT is the second book of Elizabeth Boyle's The Marlowe Series and as such, should be read, in my opinion, after book 1, His Mistress by Morning. However, if that is not possible, readers will not be confused starting with TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT. Lovers of historical and paranormal romances will not be disappointed. TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT is bewitching, sensual and totally addicting. I could not put it down! ***Natalie S. Courtesy of Wild on Books***

For years, Lady Hermione Marlowe has been in love with the Earl of Rockhurst, a handsome rake with a decadent reputation. Though he barely knows she exists, Hermione is determined to prove Rockhurst is not all he seems. Fate must agree, because an enchanted ring falls into Hermione's hands. Now invisible from sunset to sunrise, Hermione finally has the power to learn all of her beloved's secrets...and she may be in for more than she bargained for.

For Rockhurst, his carefully cultivated rakehell reputation serves him well as a cover for what he truly does at night. His world is turned upside down when a mysterious woman none can see begins to shadow his steps. Reluctantly entranced, Rockhurst is determined to discover the truth of his mysterious "Shadow." Soon both Rockhurst and Hermione are on a more passionate, dangerous adventure than either could imagine, and their lives are not the only ones at stake.

Ever since reading the first book in Elizabeth Boyle's Marlowe series, His Mistress by Morning, I've been waiting for Hermione and Rockhurst's tale and Tempted by the Night did not disappoint. I was curious to see what Ms. Boyle would do with a story where the hero could not see the heroine, particularly when it came to the more heated moments of the story. I am happy to report said scenes in Tempted by the Night were both sexy and unique. To say much more would be giving away more plot details than I would like. Suffice it to say that in Tempted by the Night, Ms. Boyle will take readers on an exciting journey filled with unexpected twists and turns that will both delight and entertain.

For those new to the Marlowe series, Ms. Boyle provides enough background that Tempted by the Night can be read on its own. Having enjoyed His Mistress by Morning, I was excited to revisit the Marlowe family, as well as the mischievous Quince and the oft-aggravated Milton. Charming and original!

Shayna
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

A friend gave me this book to read, with the disclaimer that she usually "didn't read" this sort of novel, but thought I would like it as she had. On the surface, it first appears to be another heavy-breathing-bodice-ripping-manly-desire romance, but I was pleasantly surprised how entertaining it was. Lady Hermione (there's a name you don't see today) is infatuated by the 'rake' Lord Rockhurst, and just can't believe all the scandalous rumors are true about his debauched ways. When she comes in accidental possession of a "magic ring" (groan), she makes an innocent wish, only to find it coming true (including her invisibility from dusk to dawn). What then happens is part thriller, part Austenesque, and part romance (if I read correctly, Hermione's bodice actually does get ripped at one point on top of St. Paul's Cathedral in London). Of course, Rockhurst is not what he seems, but then again, neither is Hermione, and there's a lot of supernatural monster fighting that is pretty fun to read. I would recommend this as a good, quick, escapist read, and Boyle does a good job with a tired genre.

There's a lot of the paranormal in this historical romance - the hero, the Earl of Rockhurst, is one of a line of special humans known as the Paratus whose job is to fight against evil creatures which periodically are able to slide into this world through a 'gate'. This Paratus has his assistant, a wolfhound Rowan, but knows the risks of getting involved with a woman who could be used against him by the evil creatures.

Unfortunately Rockhurst finds himself involved with a rather unusual woman - unusual in that she's invisible. He doesn't know the identity of the woman he names Shadow but she saves his life and he wants to find out more about her, especially when he realises her invisibility is caused by a very special ring, one which, if he obtained it, could mean he could once-and-for-all banish the evil creatures against which he battles.

But Shadow, otherwise known as Lady Hermione Marlowe, doesn't want to reveal her true identity to Rockhurst, a man she has loved for years. She has met him lots of times and he's ignored her - she's not beautiful or interesting enough to tempt him. After making a wish she finds herself invisible between dusk and dawn and so sets out to learn more about Rockhurst, becoming dragged into his battle against the evil creatures at the same time. What Hermione doesn't know is that Rockhurst may have to kill her to get the ring, and that other people are also after the special magical ring.

I did enjoy reading this book, particularly its spirited heroine Hermione. Rockhurst, too, was an interesting and tortured hero although I felt his dog stole a few of his scenes. As a paranormal the occasional lapse of historical accuracy didn't seem to matter as much (people's dialogue slipped into American rather than British English several times). Hermione's fears that Rockhurst wouldn't be interested in her if he actually saw her were well written and I also liked some of the side characters. All in all this was a good read.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Ok, here is the scope - this is not my favorite genre to read - but found myself loving it from the first page. The premise is that Lady Herminone has a HUGE crush on Lord Rockhurst. When she finds a her cousins ring she puts in on for safekeeping only to find out later that he has magical power. She make a wish about Lord Rockhurst! This books has a interesting supernatual twist. If you enjoy the Charmed series or the Buffy Vampire series - give this book a chance.

I would also suggest; Spirited Away (Signet Eclipse), Crazy For You and The Mirror.