Customer Reviews

Twice the Temptation

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

 

 

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

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

With author Suzanne Enoch, you never know what her creative mind will come up with and in this duo of connected stories centered around a `cursed' diamond, you'll meet new and old favorites alike. In TWICE THE TEMPTATION the reader gets - double the pleasure.

A DIAMOND OR FOREVER begins the Regency set story in 1814. Miss Evangeline Monroe has been groomed by her mother as to just what type of man to marry - a man whom she can control. After receiving her inheritance of the "Nightshade" diamond along with warning of the cursed qualities, her life takes a marked turn when coaches collide and she meets the reknowned rogue Connell Addison, Marquis of Rawley. Terribly handsome and a divine kisser, Gilly does her best to dissuade his attention, for he definitely has none of the qualities she seeks. Only Gilly's non-interest piques Connell's curiosity nor is he about to forget one accidental but memorable kiss.

*** In this story, Connell the Marquis of Rawley is definitely the most amiable of the two lead characters, in fact, it took quite some time for me warm up to Evangeline, who under her mother's influence and pressure, had convinced Gilly that the only men she should consider for marriage should be those wealthy enough to provide the best of living, stupid enough to let her be in control and be nothing more demanding than a trained dog, taught to carry and fetch! Connell was none of the above, and I admired his patience for pursuing Gilly to save her, not only from the curse of the Nightshade diamond, but from her own misguided intentions. The heat level was steamy, the witty repartees were inspired enough to add a level of humor towards helping Gilly to see that spontaneity, laughter and passion were more important than any of the attributes she'd once thought so important.

2007 - In DIAMONDS ARE NOT A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND, the second story in this tome, Samantha Jellicoe, a one time cat-burglar has reformed and she and the current Marquis, Rick Addison are lovers. Sam is trying to go legit as a security specialist and rediscovered the Nightshade diamond that Rick's ancestor's Connell and Gilly hid 200 years ago. Sam pretty much believes the enclosed note explaining the curse, but Rick doesn't believe until several calamities continue to occur while he is carrying the diamond. With a multi-million dollar showing of gems set to open on his estate, Sam's security measures do not need any help from a cursed diamond to muck up her one big chance!

*** Once again, Ms. Enoch showcases her talents with this connected story of the history of the Nightshade diamond, and brings back together two characters from her previous release BILLIONAIRES PREFER BLONDES. Sam and Rick met while Sam was pulling off a heist in his Palm Beach estate. They have a very sensual relationship going as she attempts to change her life from being a crook, to stopping them. With her new fledgling security company just getting off it's feet, this one job of protecting a famous gem show using Rick's Rawley Estate, could make or break her. The author brings in not only the cursed Nightshade diamond to bring on catastrophes but one of Sam's acquaintances from the past who is out to not only embarrass Sam's security measures, but ruin her love life.

The sex in this one is really hot, mostly because of the modern day open attitude which didn't exist during the Regency period (at least not for proper ladies - if found out). Sam's wise-cracking attitude was amusing, and Rick's Brit upbringing were at odds during discussions, but in bed, they were both totally in sync with well balanced sex-drives! This one was a hottie featuring a much more likeable heroine. Both stories taking place in different eras worked well together and Enoch's flair for originality made this a perfect book offering to fans of both genres!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

While I enjoy Enoch's historicals, it's really her contemporary series with Sam and Rick that makes me seek her out so when I saw this half and half historical/contemp about a cursed diamond that featured Sam and Rick, I grabbed it.

I rather enjoyed the first novella, the historical one featuring Rick's ancestor and his heroine. I think what I liked most was the way the heroine was far more complex than we first understand. It takes a lot to maneuver that much in a novella.

And of course, having all the background on Sam and Rick in previous books, the second novella flowed better because the world, etc is already established.

Great sexual chemistry between them and Sam and Rick are fabulous characters!

A really fun read and now I must get to A Touch of Minx - a full length Sam and Rick story.

I really love Sam and Rick so I was really happy when this 4th book came out in this series. There are two stories in this book

In 1814, Evangeline Munroe gets a diamond necklace call the Nightshade diamond from her aunt. Her aunt warns that is a cursed diamond but she doesn't listen to her. On the same day Evangeline ends up getting into carriage accident with the drunken marquis of Rawley, Connoll Addison. Connoll ends up kissing Evangeline and becomes attract to her. Evangeline wants nothing to do with Connoll since she is looking for a husband who will obey to anything she says but Connoll wouldn't leave her alone. Events between Connoll and Evangeline make her wonder if the diamond really is a cured.

In the present, Samantha Jellicoe finds the Nightshade diamond while she was getting security ready for the jewel exhibit that's was going to held in one of Rickard (Sam's billion dollar boyfriend) Addison's estate. A warning letter came with the diamond saying it was cursed. While Sam is worried that the diamond might really be cursed, Rick thinks is nonsense to believe in curse. When unfortunate events starts happening to Rick, he still doesn't believe until one of Sam's ex-boyfriend, who happens to be a thief, shows up.

I love both the stories but I wish there was more to it. Both of the stories were just too short for me, which is reason I gave this book a four star instead of five. I really love the interaction between Evangeline and Connoll. Evangeline is such great heroine and she was too funny at times that I actually laugh out loud. Sam and Rick were great. I was happy for once Rick was actually jealous since the other books it was always Sam who had to deal with Rick's Ex wife. I can't wait for Touch of a minx, which is the next book this series

Recieved this paperback in excellent condition even better then described by the seller. Love anything written by Suzanne Enoch

In the summer of 1814, Evangeline Munroe inherits the Nightshade Diamond. It is one hundred and sixty-nine carats and supposed to be cursed. She does not believe in curses, of course, but then she literally runs into the Marquis of Rawley. For some odd reason, any time she wears the diamond, all her suitors EXCEPT the marquis show up. Whenever she does not wear it, the marquis is there!

In 2007, reformed thief Samantha Jellicoe discovers the Nightshade Diamond hidden in the wall of her billionaire boyfriend's estate while she is prepping the area for an event. The note with it is dated from the early eighteen hundreds.

*** The plot is wonderful, the characters are developed pretty well too. However, since each story only takes half the book I never felt close to any of the characters. They came across as flat. But all-in-all, this book is worth your time and money. ***

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

"A Diamond or Forever". The owners of the infamous Nightshade Diamond believe that the gem is cursed and possession means misfortune will strike. In 1814, Evangeline Munroe becomes the latest holder of the jewel. Within a short time of ownership, she collides with Marquis Connell Addison. In spite of her warnings, he courts her risking the legend that bad luck will prove to be their chaperon.

"Diamonds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend". Two centuries later retired jewel thief Samantha Jellicoe and her billionaire lover, Rick Addison find the Nightshade Diamond and an accompanying note that from his ancestors claiming the jewel is cursed. Neither Rick nor Sam believes such nonsense, but then the first calamity strikes followed by the next adversity with the New Scotland Yard suddenly pursuing them.

TWICE THE TEMPTATION uses the gimmick of the cursed gem to provide the audience two entertaining romances, almost two centuries apart. The regency is a fun tale starring likable characters while the contemporary returns fan favorites Jellicoe and Addison (see FLIRTING WITH DANGER, DON'T LOOK DOWN and BILLIONAIRES PREFER BLONDES). Suzanne Enoch display her talent with twice the fun for her fans.

Harriet Klausner

I love the Sam Jellicoe and Richard Addison books as well as regencies so I thought I would like this. And I did. The problem with anthologies (duology in this case) is that characters are usually not deeply developed and plot points usually end in a rush. This is more true for the regency story but it did not keep me from enjoying the whole book. I think because the sum of both these halves just didn't quite add up to a whole for me is why I'm giving it 4 stars. However, I really enjoyed both the regency and modern heroes and heroines. I enjoy smart, strong characters who have a sense of humor. Ms. Enoch certainly has a way with repartee! She can make me chuckle, especially with Sam Jellicoe's smart-mouthed retorts. In a book like this, you just have to suspend belief about the curse and go with it. This is a fun and entertaining read!
I certainly recommend this book!