The Devil's Temptation

Second installment in the Daventry sisters, is great! Logan's continuation in this series is much meatier and solid than her precious attempt. The murder mystery, which started in SINS OF MIDNIGHT, is continued in THE DEVIL'S TEMPTATION. Lady Maura Daventry, has hated her mother since her death. Because of her mother's behavior and actions, she has lived under her shadow and the scandal she created. With her Aunt Olivia as chaperone, her futile attempts to enter society and create respectability for the Albright name are thwarted by the cutting and fickle minded members of the Ton who only remember the sins of the mother, now carried onto the daughter. Maura has found her mother's diary. After reading it and all the letters in it, she realizes how wrongly she has accused her mother, who loved their father and loved her and her sisters very much. The guilt she feels compels her to continue the search for her killer, as the letters inside the diary indicate that her mother was being blackmailed. Maura has always detested Lord Gabriel Suttcliff, Marquis of Hawshurst. She has nothing but contempt for him, after all he is the son of the monster that killed her mother and now he is trying to foil her foil her single minded quest at every turn! From their first meting, Gabriel is inexplicably drawn to Maura. He commiserates with her misery at the callous treatment of the Ton; after all he has been subjected to it all his life. The Devil's Own, the label given to him to follow in the footsteps of his philandering and whore loving father. Unlike his sire, he has only lived to the reputation to spite the malicious, gossip loving society. A "bad boy" with a golden halo, Gabriel falls for Maura's plight, though he is unaware of her quest he is always trailing her to ensure her safety. Their association fuels more wagging tongues and innuendoes and Gabriel's perseverance unveils that Maura's actions may have put her in danger. Maura's secrecy is at times a bit annoying at not divulging her findings with anyone, even after she realizes that the contents of her diary clearly indicate that Gabriel's father didn't kill himself. With a simple plot, this emotionally charged page turner is beautifully executed - the passion explodes on the pages between Maura and Gabriel. Their poignant, emotional struggle is depicted in heated scenes that sizzle with their dialogue and generate even more of a sensual pull toward each other. Similar to Kleypas' writing style, Logan's regency is in top form. Past wrongs are righted, secrets are revealed, true love prevails and there are sexy scenes aplenty. The murderer is finally caught..... Or, wait a minute... maybe not!! The killer could still be at large and that, my friend is why you will have to read Logan's next book - SEDUCED BY SIN.

My first Kimberly Logan book and I am quite impressed...I literally could not put it down...kinda sounds like a sequel is in the works? Long story short...Maura Daventry really wants to find out all the details to her mother's murder and her murderer's supposed suicide...is all what it seems? Well, never is really and this was a spellbinding read even though I had guessed at the ending a couple of times BUT it did keep me guessing in between. Poor Maura must also contend with the murderer's(?) dynamic, handsome, and wonderfully witty son the Earl of Hawksley...I loved his personality from the beginning and it only got better...he is a true romantic hero. Their relationship coupled with the "mystery" storyline proved a delectable read. I will definitely look for more of Ms. Logan's books and highly recommend this one.

I agree with the earlier reviewer who said that this book deals in more than a little clichés. But really, what romance novel doesn't include them? I won't rehash the plot because it's been done a few times but I found it thoroughly engrossing and I was engaged from the very beginning. The two leads were wonderful and their chemistry was fantastic. Yes, we have seen this plot before. Yes, we all can probably figure out where it is all going in the end. These things though, don't at all detract from this strong novel. Ms. Logan has done a superb job with this book and I am highly anticipating her next offering.

Years earlier Lady Maura Daventry's mother was murdered in their home supposedly by her lover the Earl of Hawksley. She and her sisters have had a hard time living down the legacy of her mother and Maura has felt deep anger and sadness for what she was cheated as a young girl. Then evidence comes to light that makes her question whether the killer really was Hawksley. With this in mind she begins her own investigation which of course takes her directly into the path of the new Earl of Hawksley. He is handsome and debauched and never met a woman he hasn't seduced or at the very least tired to seduce. So why do his kisses set her on fire and why does she crave his touch? Can these two wounded souls find succor with each other and put to rest the truth of the murder of their parents? This second title in the Daventry Sisters series is a story fans of this author won't want to miss. Although it's in the middle of a series it is still a very strong stand alone read. Maura and Gabriel's attraction is hot and instant and the battle the fight to ignore the passion between them will keep the reader glued to the pages. A little more information is shared regarding the death of Maura's mother and the apparent suicide of Gabriel's father but the mystery is not entirely solved and we are given a delicious tease at the end of this title for the upcoming title in this series. Ms. Logan is an adept storyteller knowing how to string her reader along without loosing their interest or watering down the suspense and romance. She knows how to create characters the reader will care about and they will be instantly transported into her wonderful make-believe world. Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

In 1818 London, Lady Maura Daventry attends a ball that many would say orgy is more descriptive as the most scandalous sex offenders of the Ton party without regard. Maura knows she does not belong here as this is no place for an innocent unless they are selling their virginity to the highest bidder, but she needs to be here to uncover the truth about the man who murdered her reprehensible mother five years ago. However, the one person she wants to avoid is Hawksley, a womanizer who could bed any woman he wants including Maura if she is honest with herself; the attraction to him frightens her as she knows he is the most talked about rake in town. Making it even more critical to stay as far from him as possible, is that she seeks the threatening letter his father sent to her mother; she assumes he killed her mother although she recently has found evidence that points to a different lover. Hawksley not only finds her, but like a bird of prey he comes onto her with a seductive look and an offer to help her learn the truth. Although he starts off wanting to divert her from her quest, he soon wants much more. The second Daventry sister Regency romance is a wonderful tale due to the changing relationship between the lead couple. Their linked heritage warns both to stay away from one other, but like moths to a flame they cannot. Although ostensibly an investigative tale, Kimberly Logan shows her skill as THE DEVIL'S TEMPTATION is more of a cat and mouse encounter between two people in love and less the amateur sleuth inquiry of older sister Jilly (see SINS OF MIDNIGHT). Readers will gain immense pleasure with this strong one sitting historical. Harriet Klausner