What do you think?
Rate this book
Temptation
FULLY REVISED SECOND EDITION WITH NEW BOOK COVER PUBLISHED JULY 2015 AT AMAZON
298 pages, ebook
First published December 5, 2013
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Denise Greenwood
3 books11 followersDenise Greenwood is the author of three extraordinary novels, Temptation Star Keeper and her latest Crushing Curiosity. Denise uses her unconventional life experiences and intuitive understanding of people to create unique characters and their stories. She lives with her husband and son on the fringe of an old mill-town situated at the western slopes of the UK South Pennines which provides a rich source of inspiration for her writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 11, 2017
The plot of Temptation plays in a small village in England and revolves around the local restaurant/pub “Cherries“ and the town’s church. The reader becomes acquainted with Jarvis, the owner of “Cherries“, and it’s waitresses and chefs. Furthermore, we’ll get to meet the reverend and two boys who live in the village. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, I’ll just say this: The Reverend is probably THE main character (in my opinion at least), he’s fed up with the town’s old and gossiping congregation always interfering in his methods. The other main plot revolves around how Jarvis works hard to keep his business going with the help of his employees.
It took me two chapters to really get into the story, but once I did – man I couldn’t put it down. The story is greatly character driven, with lots of descriptions and not too much dialog. Which was probably one of the main reasons why it took me a bit to really get into it. I immensely enjoyed how each of the character’s stories evolved throughout the book. I was never getting bored as there was always new things to learn! I loved Charlotta’s (a waitress at Cherries) story the most. I could identify easily with her, which made me yearn for more throughout the whole story. The richness of descriptions definitely helped me actually caring about what the characters are up to next (which also included feeling embarrassed because of a certain reverend – but you’ll have to read the book to understand why ;)).
Said descriptions kept the story fresh and interesting. I could vividly imagine how the village might look like, I couldn’t even imagine describing landscapes as lividly as Denise manages to. Many reviews state how the author uses dark humour. I couldn’t really detect much of said dark humour, but I did think of her humour as funny. The best aspect of this book is the author challenging religious believes, especially those established by the older folks in town who just can’t let go of the past. As a young woman I found her aspects delightful – always enjoy people calling put prejudices.
The only negative point I sadly have to add are the typos I found throughout the book. I don’t really mind them, but this is a book after all and it kind of interrupts the reading flow.
But despite this, I can only recommend “Temptation”. It is definitely worth reading, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!
It took me two chapters to really get into the story, but once I did – man I couldn’t put it down. The story is greatly character driven, with lots of descriptions and not too much dialog. Which was probably one of the main reasons why it took me a bit to really get into it. I immensely enjoyed how each of the character’s stories evolved throughout the book. I was never getting bored as there was always new things to learn! I loved Charlotta’s (a waitress at Cherries) story the most. I could identify easily with her, which made me yearn for more throughout the whole story. The richness of descriptions definitely helped me actually caring about what the characters are up to next (which also included feeling embarrassed because of a certain reverend – but you’ll have to read the book to understand why ;)).
Said descriptions kept the story fresh and interesting. I could vividly imagine how the village might look like, I couldn’t even imagine describing landscapes as lividly as Denise manages to. Many reviews state how the author uses dark humour. I couldn’t really detect much of said dark humour, but I did think of her humour as funny. The best aspect of this book is the author challenging religious believes, especially those established by the older folks in town who just can’t let go of the past. As a young woman I found her aspects delightful – always enjoy people calling put prejudices.
The only negative point I sadly have to add are the typos I found throughout the book. I don’t really mind them, but this is a book after all and it kind of interrupts the reading flow.
But despite this, I can only recommend “Temptation”. It is definitely worth reading, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!
August 23, 2013
I had a dilemma. I had written two book reviews before in my new role as a book reviewer, and both were five star reviews. If I were to read Denise Greenwood’s novel, Temptation, and liked it very well, could I possibly give another five star review? Would I be marking myself as a “five star reviewer?” In truth, I believed before I began to read Ms. Greenwood’s novel that this was not going to be my British cup of tea.
The plot accounts for what would seem to be ordinary lives in a small English village where not much of consequence happens on a daily basis. The cast of characters within the story inhabits a small church and a little restaurant/pub named “Cherries” that is well managed by Jarvis, a very capable entrepreneur who builds a business steadily according to his five year plan. The reader meets and becomes acquainted with a couple waitresses, a town boy or two, three chefs, a young minister not very liked by his ancient and horrible congregation, and some peripheral characters who serve as plot movers. Some of the characters at first seem to have very practical goals, while others seem to be adrift in life. As I began to read this story, I worried that it had all the ingredients of a big yawn.
I did not have to worry. For one thing, Ms. Greenwood has an extraordinary talent for bringing the hues of ordinary lives into living color, vibrant against the greyness of the drab village life. She does this with the artistry of a jeweler who polishes a dull stone into a jewel of great price. She writes with an incredible gift for observing the details of daily life. Her descriptions of the village environment and its geography draw the reader into a world richer in observations than he or she has in the world outside this novel. It was easy to spot the author’s passions. One is definitely cooking. Several times I had to “google” dishes that she described and even some herbs. Cherries is a bar. I am only a beer drinker, but her descriptions of wines and drinks have given me a desire to move a little past the hops that pass through my ordinary palate.
What this novel does is to draw you in by the descriptions, the hearts of the characters, and what the author describes as her dark humor. I found her humor to be delightful, not dark in the sense of disturbing. Through the writing in her novel, the author challenges staid, old conceptions of life held by people in towns small and large. She hates prejudices and stupid views of religion and relishes shaking up a fixed belief or two.
What I found is that there is a plot skillfully managed. I was charmed into its slow pace by the richness of the descriptions and characterizations. Certainly by the second half of the novel, I found myself wondering what was going to happen next. Best of all, I came to care about the characters and wanted things to work out for them. I had become totally engrossed and happy that, because I was so busy in life, I was enjoying a novel taking me a while to finish. It became the pleasant alone time that I looked forward to each day.
Like all novels, it is not perfect. The things I did not like are very nitpicking. To me, the author uses too much passive voice. I would like to see a little more dialog. That pretty much summarizes my negative literary criticism, and those are simply my preferences of style.
The novel’s plot has a couple shockers. The story ends in a very satisfying way. It is a neat ending, but not overly tidy. I think the ending is nearly perfect in terms of what would probably happen in this little village given the circumstances of the plot.
I would definitely describe the genre of this novel as literary fiction, and I recommend it for people who enjoy the richness of description, characterization, and conflict of human emotion. As a reader I quickly came to trust the author in the handling of her story and characters. Ms. Greenwood set the pace masterfully. It was her pace, and it was the right one. Go for a little Temptation, and prepare to become engrossed!
The plot accounts for what would seem to be ordinary lives in a small English village where not much of consequence happens on a daily basis. The cast of characters within the story inhabits a small church and a little restaurant/pub named “Cherries” that is well managed by Jarvis, a very capable entrepreneur who builds a business steadily according to his five year plan. The reader meets and becomes acquainted with a couple waitresses, a town boy or two, three chefs, a young minister not very liked by his ancient and horrible congregation, and some peripheral characters who serve as plot movers. Some of the characters at first seem to have very practical goals, while others seem to be adrift in life. As I began to read this story, I worried that it had all the ingredients of a big yawn.
I did not have to worry. For one thing, Ms. Greenwood has an extraordinary talent for bringing the hues of ordinary lives into living color, vibrant against the greyness of the drab village life. She does this with the artistry of a jeweler who polishes a dull stone into a jewel of great price. She writes with an incredible gift for observing the details of daily life. Her descriptions of the village environment and its geography draw the reader into a world richer in observations than he or she has in the world outside this novel. It was easy to spot the author’s passions. One is definitely cooking. Several times I had to “google” dishes that she described and even some herbs. Cherries is a bar. I am only a beer drinker, but her descriptions of wines and drinks have given me a desire to move a little past the hops that pass through my ordinary palate.
What this novel does is to draw you in by the descriptions, the hearts of the characters, and what the author describes as her dark humor. I found her humor to be delightful, not dark in the sense of disturbing. Through the writing in her novel, the author challenges staid, old conceptions of life held by people in towns small and large. She hates prejudices and stupid views of religion and relishes shaking up a fixed belief or two.
What I found is that there is a plot skillfully managed. I was charmed into its slow pace by the richness of the descriptions and characterizations. Certainly by the second half of the novel, I found myself wondering what was going to happen next. Best of all, I came to care about the characters and wanted things to work out for them. I had become totally engrossed and happy that, because I was so busy in life, I was enjoying a novel taking me a while to finish. It became the pleasant alone time that I looked forward to each day.
Like all novels, it is not perfect. The things I did not like are very nitpicking. To me, the author uses too much passive voice. I would like to see a little more dialog. That pretty much summarizes my negative literary criticism, and those are simply my preferences of style.
The novel’s plot has a couple shockers. The story ends in a very satisfying way. It is a neat ending, but not overly tidy. I think the ending is nearly perfect in terms of what would probably happen in this little village given the circumstances of the plot.
I would definitely describe the genre of this novel as literary fiction, and I recommend it for people who enjoy the richness of description, characterization, and conflict of human emotion. As a reader I quickly came to trust the author in the handling of her story and characters. Ms. Greenwood set the pace masterfully. It was her pace, and it was the right one. Go for a little Temptation, and prepare to become engrossed!
November 6, 2015
This book has a very character driven plot, which is good because it contains many quirky characters. Reality never quite presents them with the life their skewed perspective thinks it should. Jacob, a vicar is going to put the spirit into the church he’s been assigned. Immediately he has to overcome road blocks. Like that group of Old Bittys that are bored and never have anything nice to say about anything. You know, every community has them, that dotage club that thinks they should be in charge of everything just because their years have advanced farther than yours.
This book also includes the cast and crew of Cherries restaurant. This motley group infects and influences each other’s lives in ways they have yet to realize. The author tantalizes you with how the little pieces of their lives will fit together. The puzzle of it all only comes together clearly at the end.
Very well written, but has some typos.
Three and a half stars. So why the low review? Strictly personal preference. I’m not a fan of the road traveled personal angst type stories. It sets off my PTSD…I’m coming for you Billy…Oh sorry, I’m back.
This book contains the type of humor that has always eluded me, but seems to crack everyone else up. I have learned to detect it’s in the room, and can sometimes see an outline, but mostly it’s invisible to my crazy perspective. None of this should prevent you from giving this one a try.
This book also includes the cast and crew of Cherries restaurant. This motley group infects and influences each other’s lives in ways they have yet to realize. The author tantalizes you with how the little pieces of their lives will fit together. The puzzle of it all only comes together clearly at the end.
Very well written, but has some typos.
Three and a half stars. So why the low review? Strictly personal preference. I’m not a fan of the road traveled personal angst type stories. It sets off my PTSD…I’m coming for you Billy…Oh sorry, I’m back.
This book contains the type of humor that has always eluded me, but seems to crack everyone else up. I have learned to detect it’s in the room, and can sometimes see an outline, but mostly it’s invisible to my crazy perspective. None of this should prevent you from giving this one a try.
August 17, 2013
Denise Greenwood's darkly humorous and poignant work, "Temptation," is a captivating read. The book immerses the reader into the lives of the characters as they both deal with their own inner struggles and find themselves intertwined in the stories of others. Denise's characters feel distinct and authentic, not just in their personal battles and desires, but in the way that they talk, react to one another and think. "Temptation" holds a reader's attention as each character's unique story unfolds to reveal new and deeper details that lend to a larger, compelling story. I would recommend "Temptation" to anyone who truly wants to lose themselves in a book for a while, I promise you will find yourself forgetting about the outside world entirely.
July 16, 2015
I just finished Temptation by Denise greenwood and enjoyed it immensely. The story features various characters such as Cory, a boy dealing with the loss of his father, Charlotta who is a writer and Jarvis who is the manager of a restaurant and bar called Cherries. They all live in the same English town and the story tells of all their inner struggles in a complex and very well written way. One of the characters I found most interesting was Jacob, a vicar disillusioned with his life in the church. A great read, I would definitely read another of Denise Greenwood's books.
June 17, 2016
Besides its vividness the story’s carefully crafted structure reminded me of Mussorgsky’s Night on a Bare Mountain – opening in a state of darkness and chaos before immersing the reader along a journey of sub plots threading their way through the main leading to...well, read for yourself.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews