To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title#: 11. First Published in 2008
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 362

Back cover: Lady Emeline Gordon is the model of sophistication in London's elite social cirlces, 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.

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.

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 shameles 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...

My Review: It was no accident that Samuel rented the house next door to Lady Emeline. His business has brought him to London and to her. Samuel boldly seeks out Lady Emeline and inquires after her expertise in chaperoning his sister Rebecca for the few months that they are in town, not letting on to his hidden agenda. He fully expects to right the wrongs done six years ago, he does not expect the impact that this Lady will have on his soul.
Haunted by demons, Samuel pursues his agenda, enlisting the help of Emeline's unofficial fiance, Lord Vale. As the search for the traitor persists, Samuel finds himself falling in love with Emeline.
I was not overly fond of Emeline. Something about her personality just didn't sit well with me. It was almost as if she has been made out to be a martyr, all the men she has ever loved have left her and now she will marry a man only because it is the right thing to do. Her prickliness towards Samuel grated my nerves on more than one occasion.
To Taste Temptation has a Romeo and Juliet feel to it...Lady Emeline is the daughter, sister, and mother to Earls while Samuel is a base born American with money. A match between these two would be a huge faux pas in society's eyes. I enjoyed the story. I really liked Samuel's character and his fight with the demons that could ultimately destroy him if he allows it.
I really liked the Iron Heart tale.