Taste of Temptation (A Novel of Sensual Destiny)

Lately, Cheryl Holt's novels have been a hit or miss for me, well her latest novel Taste of Temptation is at least a base hit. The heroine is loyal and resourceful if a bit naïve. The hero, like many of Cheryl Holt's protagonists is an alpha male that does not recognize true love until it is almost too late. Continuing with her Spinster's Cure theme, an herb peddler gives Helen Hamilton a potion to make a man fall in love and marry her within a short time. Helen is in a desperate situation but she is not looking to marry. Her parents are deceased and she must care for her eighteen year old and twelve year old sisters. She hopes to become a governess to Captain Tristan Odell's sister, but her initial meeting is terrible and the Captain lets her know she does not have the job. Captain Odell is brother to eighteen year old Earl Michael Seymour. Tristan is illegitimate but harbors no grudge against his sibling. His father requested before his death that Tristan promise that he would care for his siblings and that Michael make a good match. Tristan takes this job seriously and beautiful Helen would be a terrible temptation for his younger brother. Later Tristan does come to Helen's rescue and offers her the job of governess, housing her and her two sisters in the guest quarters rather than servant rooms. This causes a bit of confusion for both Helen and her teenaged sister especially since both Hamilton girls are falling for Tristan and Michael. Of the two romances, Helen's is the better written. She can be a bit too trusting, believing Tristan has the best intentions for her and her family. She is given a rude awakening about his motives. To her credit, Helen is fiercely loyal and she is willing to stand up for her family no matter the circumstances. Tristan is selfish and at times I totally disliked him but he is more likable when he finally comes around to recognizing his own feelings. His actions particularly in relation to his brother are understandable as he feels honor bound to fulfill his father's last wishes. The romance between Helen's sister and Michael was heated and quick, it moved along faster than Helen and Tristan's romance. Michael was a bit immature and it showed in his many selfish actions but he matures quickly and believably toward the end of this novel, Helen's sister, however was flighty and way too secretive. Overall a nice story with plenty of steamy scenes and mistaken motives. Helen is likable if a bit too willing to assume everyone is as kind and generous as she is and she, like her sister, acts before thinking. The tension in this story is steady and I never was bored with any of the characters.

Normally I'm not a huge fan of the historical genre but the blurb for this one made me want to read it. Once I started it, I couldn't stop reading. The characters and their dilemmas were so well written that the pages flowed quickly. Helen, as the oldest child, shouldered the burden of caring for her siblings. Her trials and tribulations were even more poignant for all that she was willing to sacrifice for them, especially when you consider the time period. While Tristan wasn't as noble as Helen, you have to remember he is a product of that time period also and his arrogance and demeanor could be explained by the circumstances he was thrown into. Taking care of his two siblings who he didn't even know had to be a huge adjustment for him. I loved how even though he fought his attraction to Helen he couldn't figure out why he couldn't get her off his mind. The sexual tension built throughout the book and at times I found myself smiling at the maneuvers employed by each of the couples so they could have some private time. This is the second book in a trilogy but it stands on its own with no problems. Read this one if you enjoy emotional, sexually charged storylines that draw you in and leave you breathless at the disparity between humans and how they treat others. - Lisa Freeman

In 1814 Philippe Dubois sells desperate Helen Hamilton the Spinster's Cure that he insists will have her wed in four weeks. Since she has no money he accepts her payment after she is married. Thirty years old Tristan Odell warns his eighteen year old half brother the Earl Michael Seymour not to mess with the servants. Illegitimate Odell struggles with what is best for Michael and his twelve year old half sister Rose as he wonders why his father whom he never recognized him named him their guardian. He seeks a governess though Michael's cousin Maud Seymour insists they do not need one. She plans for Michael to wed her daughter. Helen applies for the job, but Odell rejects her because she is beautiful. She begs him for the sake of her sisters eighteen year old Jane and twelve year old Amelia as they were kicked off their estate. When Michael grabs her, Odell accuses her of being a hooker. Thirsty she drinks the elixir and tells him she cursed him with the Spinster's Cure Helen visits Madam Lauretta to arrange a mistress position for her. Odell escorts Michael there hoping to reduce the earl's sexual prowling of the staff. He is stunned when Lauretta introduces Odell to Helen. He hires her as Rose's governess and welcomes her two sisters into the mansion. Odell begs her to lift the curse. Michael and Jane are attracted to each other while Maud is outraged by the hussies honing in on her and her daughter's turf. The Regency Cinderella plot lines are fun with their adult spins while the cast is extremely strong yet diverse in personality though three extended families make up the storyline. Although the story line is too similar in many key ways to the first tale though refreshed somewhat by a second romance, sub-genre readers will look forward to more Promise of Pleasure tales starring the Spinster's Cure. Harriet Klausner