SWEET TEMPTATION

Author: Leigh Greenwood ISBN:0505524872 11/2003 (Reissue from 1991) HISTORICAL Publisher:LOVE SPELL
Time Period: 1745 London

Sara Raymond could not believe her luck. She was suddenly engaged to marry Lord Gavin Carlisle, about whom she'd fantasized since childhood. But Gavin was less than thrilled with the arrangement. The bitterness in his dark eyes burned into Sara's soul, and she vowed to love him unconditionally, to turn his anger into passion, his caustic works into tender endearments. Lord Gavin Carlisle had no desire to wed the woman who had weaseled her way into his family, but his father's threat was clear If Gavin didn't marry Sara, the Earl would make his mother's life a living hell. Gavin's expectations of a loveless union were no match for his new wife--her silky skin and gentle tough weakened his resolve to keep her at bay. And once he'd tasted her succulent kisses, Gavin knew that he could no longer live with this... Sweet Temptation. Find more Leigh Greenwood books by visiting http://www.tlt.com/authors/leighgreenwood.htm

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Sara Raymond has lived at Miss Adelaide Rachel's Seminary for Young Women for several years since her father died. Being an heiress, but not of the nobility, has not made her any friends there. As a result she has led a very lonely existence. When she is told that she will be marrying the son of her father's business partner, she is walking on cloud nine. She has been infatuated with Lord Gavin Carlisle since she was a girl and has been daydreaming of him to fill the lonely nights since being sent to Miss Adelaide's.

Gavin Carlisle has grown into a very different man from the boy Sara remembers. He has no desire to marry, but is forced into it by his father. He feels that if you give yourself up to love, you will only be betrayed and heartbroken in return.

The characters in this book are rather simple to understand. Sara is extremely innocent in the ways of life, a virgin, and lonely. She thinks she is on her way to 'happily ever after' until she is literally in the midst of being married to Gavin. But this heroine is very patient and determined to make things work.

Gavin isn't as determined at first. He resists Sara and doesn't go out of his way to make things easy. Gavin is ashamed of his behavior, but will sticks to his defenses.

One word I would use to describe this book is 'introspective'. It seems that much of the story is each character trying to figure the other and themselves out. Once they arrive in Scotland and are somewhat caught up in the '45 uprising, things seem to pick up in the book. There is more dialogue and interaction with other characters. While I would have preferred more of this throughout the book, the author has seemed to capture the situation of the 18th century wife well and the frustration of Sara's desire to be more than just a wife.

Sue Cloud