What do you think?
Rate this book
A Dangerous Game
Salvatore Tremayne has lived with a burning hatred toward the father who denied him his birthright...and the brother who received all the glory. Raised in one of London's most infamous brothels, Salvatore and his partner Nicolette have climbed from struggling musicians to London's most sought-after entertainers. But even success can not satisfy the vengeance Salvatore craves toward his dead father and his heir, the Earl of Kedgwick.
When an opportunity arises to play at his brother's engagement party, Salvatore puts a plan into motion Nicolette will seduce the earl, and convince him not to marry the Duke of Durham's daughter. Thereby causing further scandal of the Kedgwick name and denying the earl the rich dowry. Nicolette, who has no experience with intimacy, asks Salvatore to teach her how to make love, so that she can properly seduce the earl. Little does Salvatore know that Nicolette has been in love with him for years.
All of that changes with one night of passion. Now Salvatore is questioning what is more important to him revenge, or the love of the woman he might lose...to the very man he hates most of all.
When an opportunity arises to play at his brother's engagement party, Salvatore puts a plan into motion Nicolette will seduce the earl, and convince him not to marry the Duke of Durham's daughter. Thereby causing further scandal of the Kedgwick name and denying the earl the rich dowry. Nicolette, who has no experience with intimacy, asks Salvatore to teach her how to make love, so that she can properly seduce the earl. Little does Salvatore know that Nicolette has been in love with him for years.
All of that changes with one night of passion. Now Salvatore is questioning what is more important to him revenge, or the love of the woman he might lose...to the very man he hates most of all.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
4 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Julia Templeton
29 books148 followersI was born in Crescent City , California , a small logging town on the Pacific coast, home of enormous redwood trees and clear rivers. I have great memories of playing on stumps the size of small houses on my grandmother's acreage in a little town just north of Crescent City called Fort Dick . My sister and I would take daily walks to the main street store—an old, tiny white building that included the town's post office. The main street included just the market, a tavern (appropriately called The Stump) and a church we attended each Sunday morning. I loved that small town…and I still do.
In the early seventies my family moved to Washington, a state with gorgeous mountains, beautiful forests, and lots of green, which meant lots of rain, but I love all the seasons. I have wonderful memories of my childhood—a mother who was always at home, a father who worked hard to give us a good life, and a sister and brother who always looked out for me.
When I was all of 14 years old, I met Kip Templeton, my brother's best friend, and the man I would one day marry. Green eyes, dark hair, 6'1", and built like a Greek god , Kip had quite the reputation as a bad boy. I was absolutely terrified of him. Being that he was almost four years older than me, not to mention my brother's best friend, he was off-limits.
Yeah right…
Kip swept me off my feet and at the tender age of nineteen, I became pregnant with my first child. That same year I also discovered historical romance in the form of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s SHANNA. That book started a love of the genre that would spark a desire to write my own stories.
Two kids and many years later I sat down at my computer and started writing a romance novel. Realizing I had a lot to learn, I bought research books, and studied the craft of romance writing. I joined Romance Writers of America, and attended a Romantic Times convention. I went to every workshop and absorbed every word. I met authors like Heather Graham, Kat Martin, Virginia Henley and Susan Johnson who were all approachable and friendly. That trip solidified my desire to become a published author.
I sold six short stories to confession magazines, and felt like I was headed in the right direction when an untimely illness threw a wrench in my plans. Soon my focus turned from writing to fighting an inflammable bowel disease that would eventually cost me my large intestine in a radical surgery.
During my illness I had lost my desire to write, but eventually I felt that familiar urge to sit down and start a new story, and I did just that. I’ll never forget the phone call I received from Amy Garvey of Kensington saying she wanted to purchase the novel for their new Precious Gems Historical line. In that moment I had realized my dreams…and it felt incredible.
Since then, I have sold time-travel, historical, vampire and contemporary romances to Berkley, Avon, Ellora's Cave, Cerridwen Press, Hard Shell Word Factory and Triskelion. I’ve also made some incredible friends (Beth Ciotta, Jordan Summers, Tracy Cooper-Posey, Jolie Mathis, Mary Stella, Cynthia Valero, Patrice Michelle, Kathy Love, Arianna Hart & Kate Pearce) to name a few…who have gone through the ups and downs of publishing with me.
I still live in Washington with my husband Kip, who is my biggest cheerleader (I even talked him into modeling for my historical romance SURRENDER TO LOVE). Our daughter has left the nest but lives nearby and our youngest is attending college and still lives at home. We’re enjoying our lives and even bought a Harley, something we’ve been waiting twenty-plus years for. It’s a good life…and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks for taking the time to read about me. I hope it gives you a good idea of who I am.
God Bless!
Julia
In the early seventies my family moved to Washington, a state with gorgeous mountains, beautiful forests, and lots of green, which meant lots of rain, but I love all the seasons. I have wonderful memories of my childhood—a mother who was always at home, a father who worked hard to give us a good life, and a sister and brother who always looked out for me.
When I was all of 14 years old, I met Kip Templeton, my brother's best friend, and the man I would one day marry. Green eyes, dark hair, 6'1", and built like a Greek god , Kip had quite the reputation as a bad boy. I was absolutely terrified of him. Being that he was almost four years older than me, not to mention my brother's best friend, he was off-limits.
Yeah right…
Kip swept me off my feet and at the tender age of nineteen, I became pregnant with my first child. That same year I also discovered historical romance in the form of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s SHANNA. That book started a love of the genre that would spark a desire to write my own stories.
Two kids and many years later I sat down at my computer and started writing a romance novel. Realizing I had a lot to learn, I bought research books, and studied the craft of romance writing. I joined Romance Writers of America, and attended a Romantic Times convention. I went to every workshop and absorbed every word. I met authors like Heather Graham, Kat Martin, Virginia Henley and Susan Johnson who were all approachable and friendly. That trip solidified my desire to become a published author.
I sold six short stories to confession magazines, and felt like I was headed in the right direction when an untimely illness threw a wrench in my plans. Soon my focus turned from writing to fighting an inflammable bowel disease that would eventually cost me my large intestine in a radical surgery.
During my illness I had lost my desire to write, but eventually I felt that familiar urge to sit down and start a new story, and I did just that. I’ll never forget the phone call I received from Amy Garvey of Kensington saying she wanted to purchase the novel for their new Precious Gems Historical line. In that moment I had realized my dreams…and it felt incredible.
Since then, I have sold time-travel, historical, vampire and contemporary romances to Berkley, Avon, Ellora's Cave, Cerridwen Press, Hard Shell Word Factory and Triskelion. I’ve also made some incredible friends (Beth Ciotta, Jordan Summers, Tracy Cooper-Posey, Jolie Mathis, Mary Stella, Cynthia Valero, Patrice Michelle, Kathy Love, Arianna Hart & Kate Pearce) to name a few…who have gone through the ups and downs of publishing with me.
I still live in Washington with my husband Kip, who is my biggest cheerleader (I even talked him into modeling for my historical romance SURRENDER TO LOVE). Our daughter has left the nest but lives nearby and our youngest is attending college and still lives at home. We’re enjoying our lives and even bought a Harley, something we’ve been waiting twenty-plus years for. It’s a good life…and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks for taking the time to read about me. I hope it gives you a good idea of who I am.
God Bless!
Julia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 30, 2012
Great romance book for a cold day in.
May 12, 2017
Perfect Partners In Music But Even Better Partners In Love
I love this author! To date, I have yet to be disappointed in her books. Her historical romances are my favorite. The writing is well done and the storyline keeps you hooked. Her characters are easy to fall in love with and she delivers the happily ever after you crave.
In this book you meet Nicolette and Salvatore. Both born out of wedlock and denied by their fathers, their mothers are forced to fend for themselves.
Living in a brothel is not ideal for any child, but Salvatore takes Nicolette under his wing and the two form a bond that is unbreakable. After the death of Nicolette's mother, Salvatore takes on the responsibility of raising her. He teaches her to play the piano as he plays his violin. The two of them become an accomplished duet of musicians that play for balls and events to the rich and privileged.
As they grow older, their bond only gets stronger.
But Salvatore has revenge on his mind. Revenge against his legitimate brother and the memory of his father, who cast his mother aside when she became pregnant with him.
Nicolette hatches a plan to break the engagement of his brother by seducing him and making his cheating ways publicly know.
All of this done for Salvatore. Her savior, her partner, her best friend. The only man she has ever loved.
But when lessons of seduction are taught to the innocent Nicolette, the fine line between friendship and love are tested.
This is a friends to lovers story that will have your heart racing with the sexy love scenes and have you cheering for Salvatore and Nicolette to finally admit to each other that they are perfect partners in music but ever better partners in love.
I love this author! To date, I have yet to be disappointed in her books. Her historical romances are my favorite. The writing is well done and the storyline keeps you hooked. Her characters are easy to fall in love with and she delivers the happily ever after you crave.
In this book you meet Nicolette and Salvatore. Both born out of wedlock and denied by their fathers, their mothers are forced to fend for themselves.
Living in a brothel is not ideal for any child, but Salvatore takes Nicolette under his wing and the two form a bond that is unbreakable. After the death of Nicolette's mother, Salvatore takes on the responsibility of raising her. He teaches her to play the piano as he plays his violin. The two of them become an accomplished duet of musicians that play for balls and events to the rich and privileged.
As they grow older, their bond only gets stronger.
But Salvatore has revenge on his mind. Revenge against his legitimate brother and the memory of his father, who cast his mother aside when she became pregnant with him.
Nicolette hatches a plan to break the engagement of his brother by seducing him and making his cheating ways publicly know.
All of this done for Salvatore. Her savior, her partner, her best friend. The only man she has ever loved.
But when lessons of seduction are taught to the innocent Nicolette, the fine line between friendship and love are tested.
This is a friends to lovers story that will have your heart racing with the sexy love scenes and have you cheering for Salvatore and Nicolette to finally admit to each other that they are perfect partners in music but ever better partners in love.
January 17, 2018
gw pikir ero taunya bkn, review ntar siang / sore XD
July 27, 2018
The language is a bit too modern for the era.
June 5, 2015
The premise of this book was on the mark. I liked the revenge angle; and I appreciated how the relationship between Salvatore and Nicolette was so openly against the ton, that I was prepared to read what I hoped to become the next book on my favorite’s list. Unfortunately, I won’t be adding this one.
I’m no history expert, but I am an avid lover of historical romances, so I can tell when things are said that shouldn’t be said. Certain sentences made me temporarily forget that I was reading a HISTORICAL romance. The dialog and narrative often switched to what I would consider contemporary, and therefore just outright wrong in a historical novel. Not only did the words seem to jump centuries, but so did the actions. I’m all for going against the ton and the rules of society, but I firmly believe there still has to be some boundaries. Women would not bend over in the labyrinth and let a man have his way with her. They’d be too afraid someone would catch them. A compromised woman was considered shameful, which would make it very hard for her to wed. A woman was doomed if she was so much as caught kissing a man she wasn’t betrothed to, let alone going all the way; hence the need for total discretion back in the day. And, I won’t even comment on the woman who stood on the veranda and smoked a cigar.
Despite having a clear understanding of their history together, I was only looking forward to Salvatore and Nicolette getting together because I knew they were supposed to. For some reason, I just didn’t connect to and root for them. However, I did like the way their first kiss was written, that is until she grabbed his cock while they were outside with a big dinner party loaded with guests going on inside. Really? That was a little too far since this is a historical romance. But ignoring discretion seemed to be the norm for the women in the book – another dose of contemporary, in my opinion.
And to wrap this up, I must say I was totally outdone when I saw the F bomb. I had NEVER come across that in a historical romance. The words ravished or debauched are always used – at least in the many historical romances I’ve read. But who knows? Maybe it’s just me.
I’m no history expert, but I am an avid lover of historical romances, so I can tell when things are said that shouldn’t be said. Certain sentences made me temporarily forget that I was reading a HISTORICAL romance. The dialog and narrative often switched to what I would consider contemporary, and therefore just outright wrong in a historical novel. Not only did the words seem to jump centuries, but so did the actions. I’m all for going against the ton and the rules of society, but I firmly believe there still has to be some boundaries. Women would not bend over in the labyrinth and let a man have his way with her. They’d be too afraid someone would catch them. A compromised woman was considered shameful, which would make it very hard for her to wed. A woman was doomed if she was so much as caught kissing a man she wasn’t betrothed to, let alone going all the way; hence the need for total discretion back in the day. And, I won’t even comment on the woman who stood on the veranda and smoked a cigar.
Despite having a clear understanding of their history together, I was only looking forward to Salvatore and Nicolette getting together because I knew they were supposed to. For some reason, I just didn’t connect to and root for them. However, I did like the way their first kiss was written, that is until she grabbed his cock while they were outside with a big dinner party loaded with guests going on inside. Really? That was a little too far since this is a historical romance. But ignoring discretion seemed to be the norm for the women in the book – another dose of contemporary, in my opinion.
And to wrap this up, I must say I was totally outdone when I saw the F bomb. I had NEVER come across that in a historical romance. The words ravished or debauched are always used – at least in the many historical romances I’ve read. But who knows? Maybe it’s just me.
March 17, 2013
I really liked how the hero and heroine were very good friends who become lovers. Not a bad historical romance at all, although there were a few familiar annoying tropes.
The ending is very pat and has a very HEA fairy tale theme to it.
The ending is very pat and has a very HEA fairy tale theme to it.
March 17, 2015
4.5 stars - Julia is one of my favourite authors.
Steamy and sensual and well written story. All the characters were excellent and interesting.
My one negative comment is:~ That dreaded 'okay' word somehow slipped into the historical dialogue !!!!
Steamy and sensual and well written story. All the characters were excellent and interesting.
My one negative comment is:~ That dreaded 'okay' word somehow slipped into the historical dialogue !!!!
September 3, 2015
This book was pretty good. I am looking forward to reading more of Julia Templeton's books.
January 7, 2012
I seem not to get tired of romance books set in the Regency Era. I loved this book.
February 19, 2013
Loved this! The setting, dialogue, descriptions were all amazing!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews