Too Great a Temptation [Mass Market Paperback]

Alexandra Benedict (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2006

Talented new author Alexandra Benedict brings us a sensuous, and forbidden, romance between a duke and a sassy female pirate. Damian Westmore, the Duke of Wembury, has an infamous reputation. Dubbed the "Duke of Rogues" by his peers, he is prone to the many vices his privileged birth confers. But when the duke's younger brother drowns at sea at the hands of England's most notorious band of buccaneers, the selfish existence of a grief stricken Damian is shattered. The "Duke of Rogues" retires his epithet and embarks on a vengeful hunt for the elusive pirates who killed his brother. For two years, Damian's search proves unrewarding. Then one day, the pirates find him. And among the piratical lot is Mirabelle Hawkins, a stunning siren who threatens to foil Damian's vow of vengeance. The duke soon grows to care for the sassy buccaneer and it isn't long before he must choose between his desire for vengeance and his powerful love for Mirabelle.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Newcomer Benedict (A Forbidden Love) introduces two delightful characters in her sophomore historical romance: Damian Westmore, known as "The Duke of Rogues," is a debauched sensualist who delights only in the pleasures of the flesh; Mirabelle Hawkins, a fiery young sailor, is determined to become a pirate like her brothers. Damian is the newest crew member aboard the Hawkins brothers' ship, the Bonny Meg, where he's to serve as the navigator, much to Mirabelle's consternation. What Mirabelle and the rest of the crew don't know is that Damian's brother, Adam, was killed at sea by pirates, and Damian has concealed his identity and learned sailcraft in order to find the murderous villains. While aboard, however, Damian finds himself falling in love with Mirabelle, distracting him from his plan for revenge. Soon he discovers that the Hawkinses may in fact be the very pirates responsible for his brother's death. Benedict has not only picked a fresh setting for her historical, she's brought considerable chemistry to the romance between Hawkins and Westmore, both convincingly detailed characters. Supporting turns by the Hawkins brothers are keen and comical, and dialogue is both snappy and strong. Fans of historical romance will thoroughly enjoy this fresh take on the genre and likely come back for more of Benedict's work in the future. (Nov.)
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About the Author

A recent graduate from the University of Toronto, Alexandra Benedict has been writing all her life. This is her second novel.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (October 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060847948
• ISBN-13: 978-0060847944
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,353,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alexandra Benedict is a storyteller at heart. She works part-time in a museum, while penning passionate tales of historical romance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb Regency romance, November 4, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Too Great a Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)

The Ton thinks that wealthy Damian Westmore is a wastrel, labeling him "The Duke of Rogues". However though he enjoys females, he is on a mission of vengeance. Pirates killed his younger brother Adam at sea so he plans to even the score. For two years he learned what he could about sailing until by 1821 in New York he feels ready to act on his hard earned knowledge and find the culprit.

Damian becomes the navigator of the Bonny Meg, a pirate vessel captained by the Hawkins brothers. Also on board is Mirabelle Hawkins, sister to the vessel's leaders. As Damian and Mirabelle fall in love to the dismay of both of them, he finds circumstantial evidence that his employers, his beloved's siblings, killed his brother.

TOO GREAT A TEMPTATION is a superb Regency romance due a strong story line enhanced by a several fathoms deep cast and the predominantly oceanic setting (readers will feel the motions of the waves). The lead couple is a typical era star-crossed pairing, but the rowdy support crew especially her brothers bring out Damian's dilemma often in a comedic way. Sub-genre fans who have not discovered Alexandra Benedict (see A FORBIDDEN LOVE) are missing out on a top new talent; worth the sea cruise.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Get ready to ship out for some romance and adventure, July 12, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Great a Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)

Mirabelle is having a tough time becoming a pirate. After the death of her father, her brothers take it upon themselves to be her guardians. To their way of thinking, this involves leaving her living alone on family-owned land while they sail the seas as pirates.

After her first lonely spell, Mirabelle stows aboard their ship where she is not caught for two weeks. As her brothers attempt to get her safely back home, she does her best to get them to notice she is seaworthy. Her biggest obstacle comes in the form of Damien.

Poor Damien. Growing up he was never allowed to see his mother or brother,though they lived in the same home. As the eldest,his father saw fit to raise him alone and in the image of himself. By the age of thirteen, he was having sex, gambling, drinking, and smoking. His reputation around the town was that of a user and abuser. To make matters worse, he was a wealthy duke. After the death of his fater, Damien sunk so low that he still cannot reach out to his mother. His only ray of hope lies with his brother Adam. After Adam is brutally slain, Damien puts his way of life behind him in search of revenge.

Once fortune and fate place Damien on the same ship as Mirabelle, the sexual tension immediately begins. Mirabelle is instantly pulled to Damien, but knows she must stay far away if she is to prove she is worthy of being a pirate and not a distraction to men.

Damien knows if he is to keep his cover as a seaman, he must stay away from Mirabelle. Revenge is worth more than a roll in the hay.

So the battle begins.

Though this was a well-told and exciting story, I must confess I was a bit disappointed. Too much graphic sex and too little romance left me feeling empty. However, the author has a wonderful way of writing that really kept me interested. I look forward to reading her future books to see her grow.

Armchair Interviews says: Heed the reviewer's specific warning relative to appropriateness of book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Genuine Page-Turner!, April 8, 2007

By 

SNB (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Great a Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)

Great plot with 2 very interesting and endearing main characters. And, to top it all off there are plentiful sensual love scenes. This book is a vast improvement from her previous book. Hope the next one's just as great as this one.