Title: To Taste Temptation (Legend of the Four Soldiers #1)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Forever 2008

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 362

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf Project

Spice Rating:

EVEN THE MOST REFINED LADY

Lady Emeline Gordon is the model of sophistication in London's elite social circles, always fashionable and flawlessly appropriate. As such, she is the perfect chaperone for Rebecca, the young sister of a successful Boston businessman and former Colonial soldier.

CRAVES AN UNTAMED MAN

Samuel Hartley may be wealthy, but his manners are as uncivilized as the American wilderness he was raised in. Who wears moccasins to a grand ball? His arrogant disregard for propriety infuriates Emeline, even as his boldness excites her.

TO RELEASE HER PASSION . . .

But beneath Samuel's rakish manner, he is haunted by tragedy. He has come to London to settle a score, not to fall in love. And as desperately as Emeline longs to feel this shameless man's hands upon her, to taste those same lips he uses to tease her, she must restrain herself. She is not free. But some things are beyond a lady's control . . .

I really really enjoyed Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series and was hoping that this one would also be a winner. And for the most part, I really enjoyed this book. Emeline and Samuel have great banter. I loved seeing how Samuel slide into Emeline’s life and reawakened her to joy and romance. The thing that I really appreciate about Hoyt’s books is the inclusion of a mystery or an action plot that keeps the book moving. In this one, we get an intriguing past mystery of betrayal that led to tragic consequences. I would have liked Samuel to be a bit more open about his actual intents, but he got there in the end. My biggest complaint is actually the sex scenes. Some of theme were just a little too awkward and full of dominance that I’m not really into. Still, I own most of the rest of this series and will be reading more soon.

Legend of the Four Soldiers

• #1 To Taste Temptation

• #2 To Seduce a Sinner

• #3 To Beguile a Beast

• #4 To Desire a Devil

Next up on the TBR pile: