Twice the Temptation [Mass Market Paperback]

Suzanne Enoch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

Two unforgettable tales. One dazzling diamond!

Summer 1814 . . .

When Evangeline Munroe inherits the exquisite but supposedly cursed Nightshade Diamond, she considers it a bit of good fortune. Then she literally runs into Connoll Addison, Marquis of Rawley, the most sought after bachelor amongst the ton. Surely her immediate attraction to the rogue is bad luck. Could the diamond be more dangerous than she ever imagined?

Present . . .

Samantha Jellicoe thinks it's good luck that has her—a reformed cat burglar—providing security for a museum exhibit. Then she discovers the Nightshade Diamond, with an accompanying note that says the thing is cursed. Cursed indeed! How else to explain Scotland Yard breathing down her neck, the appearance of an ex-boyfriend, and her lover Rick Addison suddenly testing the boundaries of their relationship? She needs to unload the gem and soon, or she may lose her dreams forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Enoch fans will get a satisfying fix from her latest, a highly enjoyable double-feature about two couples living centuries apart, linked by their struggles with the same cursed diamond. In 1814, Evangeline Munroe must keep safe a storied family heirloom, the 169-carat Nightshade Diamond. Logical Evangeline dismisses her aunt's warnings—that the bauble brings bad luck to whoever holds it, good luck to whoever sets it aside—and feels vindicated when, sans jewel, her carriage crashes into another. But when the party of the second carriage, the marquis of Rawley, repeatedly turns up—with increasingly thrilling results—she begins to see the crash as anything but unlucky. Then, in 2007, Samantha Jellicoe and Rick Addison (series leads last seen in Billionaires Prefer Blondes) stumble upon the Nightshade while preparing Rick's estate for a jewel exhibit. Like Evangeline, Rick shrugs off stories of the curse—until a figure from Sam's past emerges, looking to make off with the jewels and Sam both. Enoch's crisp dialogue, smart characters and brisk plotting make this a solid, well-rounded read sure to please fans of both contemporary and historical romance—and perhaps give them a taste for the other side. (Aug.)
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From Booklist

A cursed diamond necklace is a link between centuries in Enoch's clever two-stories-in-one romance. In the first, Evangeline Munroe is on the hunt for a husband in London. She narrows her choices to two men, each bland and sure to leave her alone. When she inherits a stunning necklace, she refuses to believe that it's cursed. But as soon as she takes it out of the box, her carriage collides with another carrying the drunken Marquis of Rawley, who falls upon her and kisses her. At first he seems to be the curse, but they fall in love despite their continual bad luck. The marquis hides the necklace with a warning note for future generations. In the present day, Rick Addison, the current marquis, has an American girlfriend, Samantha, a former jewel thief. When she finds the necklace, neither takes the warning note seriously, until everything starts to go wrong. Sassy and smart, Enoch's two tales of luck and love are thoroughly enjoyable. Hatton, Maria

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061231479
• ISBN-13: 978-0061231476
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #399,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A lifelong lover of books, Suzanne Enoch has been writing them since she learned to read. She is the author of two well-received Avon Regencies, The Black Duke's Prize and Angel's Devil, and five Avon Romances: Lady Rogue, Stolen Kisses, By Love Undone, Taming Rafe and Reforming a Rake. Born and raised in Southern California, Suzanne lives a few scant miles from Disneyland with her collection of Star Wars action figures and a Cairn terrier named Katie (after the heroine of her first Regency). She's still looking for her own hero, and hopes he will be handsome, titled, and just a little wicked. Meanwhile, she's currently at work inventing him in her next historical romance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No gold-digging for me... I take diamonds! We may be off the gold standard someday.-Mae West, February 4, 2008

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Cherise Everhard (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Twice the Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)

Two stories, one begins in the past and the other in the present, and at the heart of each story...a diamond.

A Diamond or Forever - The year is 1814 and Evangeline at the age of 19 is looking to settle down and find herself a husband. She has two men at the top of her list, one is older than her father, the other a little older than she. They both have one thing in common and that's their complete acquiescence where she is concerned. Then her aunt gives her a family heirloom called the Nightshade, it's a 169 carat diamond that is believed to be cursed. Everything changes immediately when her buggy crashes in to the buggy Connoll Addison, the Marquis of Rawley.

I loved this story. I found Evangeline and Connoll to be witty and extremely humorous. I laughed through the whole thing. These two are made for each other, but the curse of the diamond and Evangeline's need for a lap dog type husband stands in the way. This was a outstanding story, extremely well written and enjoyable.

Diamonds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend - The year is 2007 and retired cat burglar Sam Jellicoe is in charge of security of a traveling gem display being held at her boyfriend Rick Addison's Estate. During a routine check she discovers the Nightshade diamond hidden in the wall. Sam immediately respects and believes in the curse, while Rick brushes it off as nonsense. When a familiar face from her past pops up, Sam is convinced it's the work of the diamond.

This story was fabulous. I love Rick and Samantha and they are a fabulously fun and sexy couple. Due to the number of pages, I was worried that this story would lack the usually intrigue and action that a normal Sam and Rick story contains. But Suzanne Enoch delivered and this is another example of why I am hopelessly hooked to this series.

Each story has a different feel; the first is romantic and comedic, the second suspenseful and engaging with a little romance. I love stories that have a past present connection, when they are written properly and this one was. The Nightshade diamond made a magnificent link and set the stage beautifully for two very different, but equally entertaining, stories.

Flirting With Danger
Don't Look Down
Billionaires Prefer Blondes
A Touch of Minx

Cherise Everhard, Feb. 2008

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was sceptical, September 11, 2007

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Avid book reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twice the Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)

I was a little leery when I read the description of the book. How the heck is she going to make this work or is it going to be some type of time travel?? I have got to say I really enjoyed both stories. I loved Evie's character she was great, her Marquis of Rawley was delightful and just makes me sigh, her mother was horrible and her father finally came to life. Loved the scene at the musicale (sp?). I really enjoyed the latest installment of Sam and her own James Bond - Rick. I can't wait for the next book - Touch of Minx.

My hat off to Ms. Enoch, this in a great book!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Twice the Temptation, September 2, 2007

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M. Nix - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Twice the Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)

Evangeline Munroe inherits a gorgeous diamond in the year 1814. The diamond is said to be cursed, but the ever-practical Evangeline discounts such nonsense. Shortly after receiving the diamond, known as the Nightshade Diamond, Evangeline is involved in a carriage accident with the Marquis of Rawley, and that is just the beginning of her bad luck!

2007 finds reformed cat burglar, Sam Jellicoe, living with the current Marquis of Rawley, Richard Addison. Sam discovers the Nightshade Diamond hidden on Rick's estate. Found with the diamond is a note informing the finder that the diamond is cursed! Now Sam has to convince her lover of the curse before all is lost.

Suzanne Enoch's Twice the Temptation is very clever. Two books, one historical and one contemporary, tied together so skillfully that I couldn't pick one above the other as a favorite. Although historical romances are my favorite, I adored each story. Suzanne Enoch is a gifted writer no matter the genre!


Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed