TO TEMPT A RAKE by Cara Elliott

A Circle of Sin Series Book 3
Publisher: Forever/Hachette Books
Date Published: February 1st, 2011
ISBN 978-0-446-54130-5
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Kate Woodbridge has lived an unconventional life, sailing around the world with her parents and becoming an expert in botany in the process. She isn’t a simmering miss but one with strong convictions, a keen mind and an independent streak a mile long. Now fulfilling her parent’s deathbed promise to reconcile with her grandfather, the Duke of Cluyne, Kate finds a new world that has her twisted in knots-The Ton.

The Count of Como, Comte Giovanni Marco Musto della Ghiradelli, is intrigued by the fiery beauty and is determined to bedevil her at every chance he can. The sparks fly between the two but when murder hits at the duke’s country house, it has both Marco and Kate trying to prove her innocence. Can a self-proclaimed rake and an innocent independent woman find a way to confront their own passions before it is too late?

I loved TO TEMPT A RAKE. It was fun, intriguing and man do the characters Marco and Kate belong together. Ms. Elliott delivers a fine regency historical romance to sink your teeth into. The story flows swiftly and some unseen twists will leave you gasping in disbelief. The characters are multi-dimensional and the writing is tight.

Ms Elliott delivers a fine addition to her Circle of Sin series in TO TEMPT A RAKE. The character of Kate is one I found quite appealing. She wasn’t the simmering miss from the ton but a strong, intelligent woman who had a mind and knew how to use it. She was a breath of fresh air to me. I loved how this author captured Kate’s feisty side with an innocence that appealed to our rakish hero, Marco. Marco is a hero who is arrogant and charming-a deadly combination if written wrong, but Ms. Elliott makes Marco completely enjoyable and sexy. He is charismatic, aloof and so appealing to women (and readers) that you wonder where you can meet this rake in real life. He is the perfect foil to Kate’s feistiness and the author definitely knows how to completely capture their hearts in TO TEMPT A RAKE. The secondary characters keep the story flowing smoothly and had me intrigued to see if they would show up in future books.

The mystery, mayhem and building passion between Kate and Marco keep the reader on the edge of their seats while reading the latest addition to the Circle of Sin series, TO TEMPT A RAKE and I am eager to see who is next in this charming series. If you haven’t picked up the Circle of Sin series, I highly recommend you do as Ms. Elliott has broken the mold with her latest book. I look forward to seeing more of this author’s work in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL Circle of Sin Trilogy book one by Cara Elliott

Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0446541299
Regency Romance
Paperback
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Penny




Rumors abound that Lady Ciara Sheffield is a witch and that she poisoned her late husband. But her scientific mind is known by many therefore, she is just who the Earl of Hadley needs to help him with a quest. Thus they come to a bargain. She needs a man of society as her fiancé in order to save herself from being charged with the murder of her dead spouse. And even though Hadley’s name appears in the paper just as much as her own for one scandal or another, he should do the trick. In return for agreeing to this little charade, Hadley will get a mysterious manuscript deciphered. But upon getting what they want, will they get something more as well?

Oh, you never know if these two will get more than they bargained for! These two had chemistry from the very beginning and I enjoyed how they interacted with one another flawlessly. I adored Ciara. She is an unconventional woman for her time. And unfortunately, this gave her enemies, the family of her late husband, an abundance of ammunition against her. But I am always one to root for the underdog, especially if she is a headstrong and determined lady.
And one can’t help but fall for the Earl of Hadley. He is such a rogue, but a handsome and charming one. That must be why, despite his escapades, he is still welcome among high society. He won me over as well. These characters are fantastically written and were very entertaining.

I thought the storyline was brilliant and well executed. The story gripped my attention and did not let go for one moment. I believe that author Cara Elliott has penned herself a complete winner with TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL. I cannot wait to read book two, To Surrender To A Rogue and book three To Tempt A Rake. These are the stories of secondary characters and friends of Ciara’s. If they are anything like TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL they will be on my “sure to not miss” list!

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW