Thursday, December 10, 2009

To Tempt a Saint-Kate Moore

To Tempt a Saint
Kate Moore
Berkley, Jan 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425233061

Able to attract the quality of the Ton as her lover, courtesan Sophie Rhys-Jones has three cherished "living sins" that affirm her skill. She loves all three of her offspring so is stunned when her youngest son Kit is abducted while staying with her middle child Sir Alexander “Xander” Jones. Xander and his older brother Will vow to bring Kit home to their mom even if they must enter London's darkest underbelly.

In London wealthy Cleo Spencer needs a husband so she can get to her money controlled by her odious guardian; her uncle who has plans for her and her money. When she meets Xander, she thinks he would be perfect as her spouse as he desperately needs a wealthy wife and will allow her some liberties with her affluence. They strike a deal. As Xander continues to search the worst urban cesspools, brave Cleo follows his every footstep as she believes in him, which makes him want to work even harder at the rescue of his brother and her even when her uncle accuses them of a fake marriage.

This is a terrific first Sons of Sins historical romance because of its dark look at the underbelly of London as Cleo and Xander collide in the slums of St. Giles; sort of moving Oliver Twist into the Regency Era. The story line is fast-paced and vivid, but owned by the lead couple as they team up to help one another; he with his amateur sleuthing and she with her need to elude her abhorrent uncle. Kate Moore provides a powerful opening act in a three part drama.

Harriet Klausner

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