Review: Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath

Lord Tristan Easton is the second Lost Lord of Pembrook -- who ran away from home at fourteen to escape an uncle who was intent on murdering his three nephews.

Two years ago, his brother, Sebastion, reclaimed his title as Duke of Keswick and the Easton brothers returned to society -- but, after a decade of being away from it, they are all finding it difficult to fit in.

Tristan finds it easier to return to his sea captain persona, Crimson Jack and to his ship, Revenge. The sea has become Tristan's home and it is where he is most comfortable at.

Anne has mourned her fiance for two years but she knows it is time to move on -- but, before that, she wants to say goodbye. She hires Crimson Jack to take her to him in the Crimean Peninsula. At first, he refuses her but Tristan can't help but be intrigued by this brave, defiant woman -- and so he agrees to take her. For the price of one kiss.

Anne and Tristan have both lost something very important to them: Tristan lost his childhood and his rightful place in society and Anne has lost the love of her life.

He suspected he might be a very different man if he'd not been forced to leave his home, to leave Pembrook ... to leave England. He grew to manhood very quickly.
- p. 77

Where do they go from there? There's nothing to go back to except sad memories for our hero and heroine and so they move forward. Anne's getting ready to say goodbye to the last part of her past so that she can live towards a future that promises marriage, family and, maybe, even love.

The first part of this book is amazing -- despite his misgivings, Tristan agrees to bring Anne to her fiance. I love how Tristan tries to restrain himself. It is clear that there is an attraction between them that neither one can act on, so the sexual tension is palpable. Without the sex, Tristan and Anne were able to get to know one another and trade witticisms.

Heath holds us in suspense: When will Tristan collect his one kiss? -- When he finally does, it isn't a "wow" (sizzling hot) moment but an "awwww" (so sweet and tender) moment.

He leaned in.

She held her breath.

His gaze dropped to her lips.

They tingled.

He lifted his eyes to hers.

She waited, waited ...

He came nearer. Her eyes began closing --

"The moment is of my choosing, Princess. And this isn't it. Sleep well."
- p. 60

The second half of the book doesn't have the same discipline found in the first half. Anne and Tristan act on their passion (frequently) and so they really didn't spend a lot of time deepening their relationship -- I didn't find it to be as compelling and heart-wrenching as the earlier part.

Still, Heath shows her skill and experience by crafting a story that takes our hero and heroine on an emotional journey of finding their happily-ever-after ending. Overall, this was still a wonderful read.

Lord of Temptation is the second book in Lorraine Heath's The Lost Lords of Pembrook series. Lorraine Heath is releasing an e-novella this December, 2012 that is part of the series, Deck the Halls with Love.

To find out more about Lorraine Heath and her books, visit her website. She's also on Facebook.