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Dangerous Desires
When her dying father entrusts her to the care of Dominic Santrell, one of London’s most infamous rakes, Arlie Whitman is thrust into a world of elegance and privilege she had never imagined. But her initiation into society is nowhere near as frightening as the powerful desire she feels for Dominic himself. The dark and dashing earl claims that she needs a husband, but Arlie knows she needs only Dominic.
Dominic had vowed never to marry. In his experience, love was, at best, an evening’s pleasure. Yet the endless parade of young men courting his ward is unbearable. Arlie’s innocent beauty haunts his dreams. The passion they share cannot be denied…
But desire can be dangerous.
Dominic had vowed never to marry. In his experience, love was, at best, an evening’s pleasure. Yet the endless parade of young men courting his ward is unbearable. Arlie’s innocent beauty haunts his dreams. The passion they share cannot be denied…
But desire can be dangerous.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
22 people are currently reading
405 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 10, 2015
~2.5~
This started out promising and was really enjoying it. I kept thinking the title and cover is very misleading. However, things changed in the second half, once the relationship started between the two main characters, things heated up which was fine. But as it went on, in the second half and towards the ending a lot of things I didnt like. The heroine, lost all brain cells and back bone and left everything up to Dominic who had the upper hand in the relationship. Arlie started out the story being so strong despite not being of peerage, and being orphaned. I actually really liked her but when she began being so accepting of everything else that Dominic was offering or failing to offer her I disliked her and lost respect for her character.
I actually liked the ending, but really hated how it got there and it really made me dislike the two main characters, especially Arlie. Dominic should have done more grovelling imo and she should have had a more backbone. I kept debating my rating between 2 or 3 stars, ended up rounding up to 3 because it started fine and despite it all it got my attention throughout. But its a bit shaky and may change it to 2.
The writing was nice and maybe I may try a different story by this author.
This started out promising and was really enjoying it. I kept thinking the title and cover is very misleading. However, things changed in the second half, once the relationship started between the two main characters, things heated up which was fine. But as it went on, in the second half and towards the ending a lot of things I didnt like. The heroine, lost all brain cells and back bone and left everything up to Dominic who had the upper hand in the relationship. Arlie started out the story being so strong despite not being of peerage, and being orphaned. I actually really liked her but when she began being so accepting of everything else that Dominic was offering or failing to offer her I disliked her and lost respect for her character.
I actually liked the ending, but really hated how it got there and it really made me dislike the two main characters, especially Arlie. Dominic should have done more grovelling imo and she should have had a more backbone. I kept debating my rating between 2 or 3 stars, ended up rounding up to 3 because it started fine and despite it all it got my attention throughout. But its a bit shaky and may change it to 2.
The writing was nice and maybe I may try a different story by this author.
September 19, 2012
Heroine dumb as dork. Hero is a massive jerk. They belong to each other, really.
Read
August 8, 2016I started the book and immediately lost interests. the lead characters have no chemistry. I stopped at 15% so no rating.
January 27, 2009
Characters were flat, and the book in general was boring.
February 6, 2011
Boring, could hardly finish it.
November 28, 2013
Arlie Whitman has never been anyone's damsel in distress. She is a strong, independent woman prone to wearing breeches and speaking her mind. Sound like your everyday woman? Maybe. But not in 1810. Life changes for Arlie when she becomes the ward of the reputed rakehell Dominic Santrell, the Earl of Rochford. Arlie must learn to be a proper lady and Dominic must resist the urge to take his beautiful young ward to bed.
In this Regency romance the reader is transported to early 19th century England. Julia Templeton is a master at keeping us immersed in the language and culture of the time without making this a tedious read. The personality and dialogue of each character serves to add a richness to this work. There are no superfluous characters. Each person represented has a rich depth to them and makes you want to know more about everyone, from the elegant and titled nobility to each servant and supporting character.
One of the greatest things when reading this novel was the advantage of the dual POV from the main characters. We are treated to the thoughts and feelings of both Dominic and Arlie, giving us a real feeling for the irresistible pull between them as they struggle to stay apart. The exquisite torture felt by both characters as their undeniable attraction grows leaves the reader with the sense of a personal stake in the relationship. When things go well we are as relieved as the characters themselves; the same is true for our frustration at their troubles.
The dialogue is flowing and meaningful, the sex steamy and well-written and the sense of being transported back in time is priceless. I would recommend this to any fan of romance novels of any type. My only question at the end of this book is what will Julia Templeton do next and how soon can I read it?
Perhaps someday we will see a Langley/Rose novella. I think there is something there...
-Lisa
Because I Said So Book Blog
In this Regency romance the reader is transported to early 19th century England. Julia Templeton is a master at keeping us immersed in the language and culture of the time without making this a tedious read. The personality and dialogue of each character serves to add a richness to this work. There are no superfluous characters. Each person represented has a rich depth to them and makes you want to know more about everyone, from the elegant and titled nobility to each servant and supporting character.
One of the greatest things when reading this novel was the advantage of the dual POV from the main characters. We are treated to the thoughts and feelings of both Dominic and Arlie, giving us a real feeling for the irresistible pull between them as they struggle to stay apart. The exquisite torture felt by both characters as their undeniable attraction grows leaves the reader with the sense of a personal stake in the relationship. When things go well we are as relieved as the characters themselves; the same is true for our frustration at their troubles.
The dialogue is flowing and meaningful, the sex steamy and well-written and the sense of being transported back in time is priceless. I would recommend this to any fan of romance novels of any type. My only question at the end of this book is what will Julia Templeton do next and how soon can I read it?
Perhaps someday we will see a Langley/Rose novella. I think there is something there...
-Lisa
Because I Said So Book Blog
November 18, 2013
I do so love a romance where two remarkably flawed people find love together despite all odds against them. Dominic and Arlie are about as flawed as they come. Arlie has the wrong parentage for the ton, but Dominic is determined to see her married off after finding himself responsible for her. The only problem is that Dominic finds himself lusting after the innocent girl. Only, Arlie isn’t quite as innocent as she should be, although she remains a maid. Also, Dominic has a reputation as a rakehell, and he makes no apologies for it. These two go head to head over and over again, until you really can’t be sure if they will ever find their HEA. This story has more erotic elements than some others in the genre, but the scenes are well written, and not overly intense (at least in my opinion).
My only complaint falls with a few elements that seem to stray from the uniform formula in the genre. For instance, Dominic is a known rakehell, and a bachelor, yet he does not hire a chaperone for his new ward. From what I understand, admittedly through other period romance novels, this would automatically have ruined Arlie. There are a few other scenes like that where the ton wouldn’t have been as forgiving to a girl, but these tidbits don’t detract much from the story.
I have read, and loved, other books from Ms. Templeton, and I would recommend her as an author to follow.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I have received no other compensation in return.
My only complaint falls with a few elements that seem to stray from the uniform formula in the genre. For instance, Dominic is a known rakehell, and a bachelor, yet he does not hire a chaperone for his new ward. From what I understand, admittedly through other period romance novels, this would automatically have ruined Arlie. There are a few other scenes like that where the ton wouldn’t have been as forgiving to a girl, but these tidbits don’t detract much from the story.
I have read, and loved, other books from Ms. Templeton, and I would recommend her as an author to follow.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I have received no other compensation in return.
October 8, 2010
I loved this book. Although Arlie is 17 and Dom is 33, Arlie seemed to be more mature than her 17 years. She looses her father and ends up with Dom who she met once when she was a little kid and remembers him as her black prince. Dom is not used to having anyone at his house so having a 17 year old that he lusts after is no easy task.
I was expecting a lot of sex since it's from Ellora's Cave but I was pleasantly suprised. I think Dom is hot and the sexual tension between them on certain occassions makes this book anything but boring.
I was expecting a lot of sex since it's from Ellora's Cave but I was pleasantly suprised. I think Dom is hot and the sexual tension between them on certain occassions makes this book anything but boring.
October 19, 2011
I debated about giving this book 3 stars. I mean, I liked the book. It was a well-written regency romance with good characters and believable problems. And I liked the HEA ending (almost a must in my opinion). But I guess it was HOW the ending came about that I didn't love. I won't give spoilers, I'll just say I thought the heroine deserved more from the hero after all that had happened.
So, a 3 star rating. Would I recommend it a friend? Maybe, depending on who it is. Would I read other books like this by this author? Maybe, but it wouldn't make my "I HAVE to read this book" list.
So, a 3 star rating. Would I recommend it a friend? Maybe, depending on who it is. Would I read other books like this by this author? Maybe, but it wouldn't make my "I HAVE to read this book" list.
May 19, 2013
I loved the way it started off, but the middle and ending were awful.
May 22, 2017
DNF.
Once a H wants the h, and he fu*ks another, I am done
Once a H wants the h, and he fu*ks another, I am done
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2018
Great ward love story
I love a good ward story!!! This was definitley a great one from the first page to the very last!
I love a good ward story!!! This was definitley a great one from the first page to the very last!
July 31, 2020
Oh my, i can't believe that I actually finished this @#%#% book.
- Stupid and a giant pain in the a$$ hero + manwhore. Never like him, I despise him, just want to slap him in face 100 times for every time he show up. What is wrong with u, man? There are so many bad words I think in my head when Mr. Hero show up. Darn, I need to find a way to erase my memory.
- Next we have a misery, weak, door mart heroine. I wish she just leave him already, why hurt yourself over a piece of trash like him.
- And the ending make me want to throw my phone across the room. It is a happy ending (in somewhat meaning) but I hate it, hate it so, so much. After hero time after time refuse to marry heroine, in the last few pages: boom, ok, I will marry u. Bla bla... a small wedding, a baby and end of story.
My gosh, 30 minutes after reading this book, I was still so upset, never again from this author. Never!
Sorry for my bad English.
- Stupid and a giant pain in the a$$ hero + manwhore. Never like him, I despise him, just want to slap him in face 100 times for every time he show up. What is wrong with u, man? There are so many bad words I think in my head when Mr. Hero show up. Darn, I need to find a way to erase my memory.
- Next we have a misery, weak, door mart heroine. I wish she just leave him already, why hurt yourself over a piece of trash like him.
- And the ending make me want to throw my phone across the room. It is a happy ending (in somewhat meaning) but I hate it, hate it so, so much. After hero time after time refuse to marry heroine, in the last few pages: boom, ok, I will marry u. Bla bla... a small wedding, a baby and end of story.
My gosh, 30 minutes after reading this book, I was still so upset, never again from this author. Never!
Sorry for my bad English.
November 1, 2017
I usually enjoy this author but I extremely disliked this book. A weak woman who sets her mind on a worthless man and does anything he wants even though he hurts her many times without as much as an excuse for his behavior and an apology.
August 27, 2018
I read this one before....must be ten or more years ago, but I remembered it so I thought it must have been really good. Reading it the second time, I did enjoy it somewhat but it was nothing special.
June 3, 2019
3 stars because it was good, it just wasn't compelling to read.
Also I'm just going to say how lucky Arlie was to get a chance to marry into the Ton considering her background and family was common.
Also I'm just going to say how lucky Arlie was to get a chance to marry into the Ton considering her background and family was common.
November 14, 2013
I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review. I became familiar with Julia Templeton through her paranormal YA books that she writes under J.A. Templeton. I have to say I find her style of writing to be very refreshing. This being the first I have read of her adult historical romances, I was quite pleased. The book flows very well. I didn't find myself having to read and re-read sections to make sense of things and the English major in me didn't feel the need to correct the grammar. The book is told from the view points of both Arlie and Dominic, alternating sometimes by chapter and other times within the same scene. Both the primary and secondary characters are very entertaining. I especially enjoyed Dominic's friend, Langley. He added some humor to the story. This is an adult romance and there are some steamy scenes, however I felt that they were written in a more "classy" way than some other adult reads. Julia Templeton is an excellent story-teller and there was alot more to this than just the sex scenes. The only thing I could find fault with, was the epilogue. I felt the story ended and the epilogue was a little rushed. Although it did answer alot of those "what happens next?" questions, I would rather have had another chapter or two to finish up instead of packing everything in to a short epilogue. All in all I really enjoyed this book. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and ended up reading the whole thing in one day. So far I've really liked everything I've read of Julia Templeton/J.A.Templeton's and I will definitely be reading more.
November 14, 2013
I was given this book exchange for a fair and honest review. if you fell in love with Julia's Y/R book THE MACKINNON CURSES SERIES your going to love DANGEROUS DESIRES. this is a love story of Arlie and Dominic . Arlie is sent to live with Dominic after her father dies to be Dominic's ward and he has every intention to honor Arlie's father wishes. it's been 12yrs sense Dominic has seen Arlie and almost doesn't remember her now that she's all grown up but from the minute they look at each other there's an attraction that neither of them can ignore. and yet they try very hard to deny it to them selfs and each other; but in the end can anyone really deny such over powering felling like theirs. with ups and downs they finally admit their falling for one another and give in to the lust which turns in to love. they eventually get married and love each other for rest of their life's..........I SO FELL IN LOVE WITH THEIR STORY.....
October 5, 2014
Well, this book has evoke so many feelings from me while reading, most of the time unpleasant feelings toward the characters. The last feeling is annoyance and that's where I put my hands up and give up reading. Let's face it, the hero was a class A jerk most of the time. I can't believe he had the nerve to bed other womEn after admitting he wanted her. I actually did lasted up to the point where there are only 50 pages left before the ending because I'm patiently waiting fot her to stop being stupid. But she consented of being his mistress. God, I'm so annoyed up until now! If you really want to read this book, it requires patience or indifference.
May 17, 2015
I stopped reading at page 58. Didn't like how it was going meaning character development. Also taking too long to get to sex between the main characters. Too many editorial errors made it an annoying read. Giving it to Goodwill.
Did anyone notice how the character Daniel Bryant ' s name changed to Daniel Butler? Poor editing
Did anyone notice how the character Daniel Bryant ' s name changed to Daniel Butler? Poor editing
May 24, 2015
I liked H and h's taboo relationship, but I didn't like how they encouraged other males to keep pursuing h after they already became lovers. Not to mention H's totally a man-whore. The way he treated h after he took her as his mistress made me wanted to slap him, not sure why h accept it and still chose to stay waiting for him.
September 3, 2011
I am not one to care about the historical facts being sacrificed for the sake of a good story. Many people didn't like this book because of this. The heroine becomes the ward of the hero. Mutual lust ensues
May 24, 2024
I guess it had a couple of good parts in it but I wouldn't waste my time with this again.
The premise seemed interesting enough, but the characters were flat, the writing boring and repetitive, and the plot left a lot to be desired.
The premise seemed interesting enough, but the characters were flat, the writing boring and repetitive, and the plot left a lot to be desired.
May 21, 2011
2.00 Stars - Historical Erotic Romance
April 25, 2012
I liked the story but lost a bit of respect for Arlie towards the end for letting herself be treated so badly by Dominic for so long.
September 3, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book, can't wait to read more Julia Templeton.
September 15, 2013
Review to come.
October 17, 2013
I've found that I can never go wrong if I pick up a book by Ms. Templeton. Loved this one!
February 24, 2014
Needed an epilogue.
January 17, 2016
More of a harlequin romance type with an abundance of sex. Story wasn't that riveting. This author has written better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews