Catching Temptation

by Sarah Erber

The quiet town of Rosewood, Michigan has a disturbing history. For a century and a half, young women have vanished. Locals whisper of monsters residing in the old theater house and in the woods surrounding Rosewood, but no one has ever seen one.

Until sixteen-year-old, Temptation Falls moves to town.

Destroyed by guilt for causing a fatal accident was not the most abnormal occurrence in Temptation’s life. Revived from death by hideous creatures devoted to keeping her alive topped it off.

Determined to overcome these horrific hallucinations, Temptation intends to live a normal life when she moves to Rosewood. There, she finds new friends and even starts dating the handsome Jerald Jenkins. Unfortunately, she cannot avoid the creatures forever, so when a strange man – who claims to be the King of the Rosewood creatures – develops a romantic interest in Temptation, her control over her “disability” starts to unravel. The creatures won’t leave her alone. Going against her boyfriend’s wishes, she investigates the town’s dark history and unearths a century and a half old feud between a demon – who holds a strange resemblance to her boyfriend – and the mysterious king.

The line between fantasy and reality collides.

There is no turning back for Temptation as she finds herself linked to a ferocious war between the Jenkins’ family and the strange creatures that saved her life. One of them is responsible for the young women who vanished, and now they both want Temptation. Positive she will die if she refuses to choose a side, Temptation wonders if her five minutes of death cost her to lose – not only her parents – but her cousins, friends, boyfriend, sanity – everything.

Genres: Young Adult

221 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2014

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to point out that I received a copy of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and would like to thank the author Sarah Erber and Goodreads for this opportunity. This is an honest review and by no means is it biased.

I really liked this book! The plot was so unique and different and not like any other book I've read. It was an interesting read and I thought the author's idea was and execution was well thought out. The concept behind Catching Temptation was something that I believe has never been done, although the trope of The King wanting to marry the main character is old, the ideas of the Goblins, the demon Nephilim, and the rest of the demons/monsters just what is Karma anyway? She sure isn't human is something new and refreshing to read about.

Like in past books, it was a nice change of pace to read about a main character that wasn’t just plain Caucasian. Temptation was half Caucasian half Indian and it was something I had never read before so I thought it would be something different to read. And it was, several times it was mentioned how she had a pagan bindi tattoo on her forehead and all I could think of was that was something cool to read about, but then it started mentioning other things. The henna tattoos, the Indian clothing, belly dancing, among other things was the sort of things that were constantly being repeated and I got to the point where I got frustrated any time Temptation mentioned her different heritage, but it got way better near the end of the book when all the action started happening.

And also, because of this, It seemed a little odd to me how everyone at her new school automatically was mean to her. The perpetual popular girl was instantly mean to her without any other reason other than the basis that she was different- just because of how she was dressed, and the popular hot guys were all douchebags to her. It just rubbed me the wrong way that everyone ostracized her because of her individuality. I know that if a new girl like her moved to my high school, we would not treat as harshly as they did here. But it was all explained later on in the book, somewhat.

Anyway, there were lots of great twists throughout the story that I didn't see coming at all! although it was pretty obvious that Herald and Jerald were the same person, I mean it wasn't that hard to guess with all the clues that kept sprouting up. The ending was a bit abrupt with a few questions left unanswered but overall it was a great book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catching Temptation by Sarah Ann Erber

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

I loved the concept of Catching Temptation. Temptation moves to Rosewood with her Aunt, Uncle and cousins following the death of her parents. Rosewood is no ordinary town, and Temptation can see the goblins and monsters who roam the town. There is also romance and mystery wrapped up in the story.

Temptation is a strong female lead who is smart enough to question everyone rather than just blindly believe everything she is being told. No one in Rosewood is without secrets so Temptation is wise not to trust easily. Another great aspect about Temptation is the fact that she is culturally diverse. It is nice to see a character who isn’t white, but rather a mix of two cultures, in Temptation’s case Indian on her mother’s side. The kids in Rosewood’s high school are stereotypically mean to Temptation who dresses and looks different, but the secrets of Rosewood revealed later on explain this cruelness.

The story started out a little slow as it set up the back story, but by the middle of the book the action started to pick up. The end contained a lot of action, and summed up this story arc nicely while leaving you eager for the next book.

I love YA paranormal books with monsters so I was excited when I won this from a Goodreads’ giveaway. Catching Temptation delivers on its promise of goblins, mystery, and romance. I ended up staying up well past midnight in order to see how the story would end.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with Temptation’s involvement in a horrific car accident which results in the death of her parents. At first, we are led to believe that she has died as well.

The story focuses on several issues that would be interesting to YA readers, such as teen romance, “sibling” relationships, friendship, cutting and paranormal creatures—like the Goblin King.

Read the novel to find out more about the unfortunate evening of the Masquerade Ball

Thank you GoodReads for the book.

[Beth Tidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a very hard time putting this book down. It had me hooked from the very first page.
After her parents were killed in a car accident Temptation Falls goes to live with her aunt and uncle, and their 2 sons. When Temptation tells her family that she sees monsters they think she's suffering from hallucinations from the car accident.
Soon after they move to the town of Rosewood they realize that her hallucinations aren't hallucinations at all.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win and receive this book through GoodReads FirstReads Giveaway Program. Thank you!

Amazing fairy tale book! It had me guessing the ENTIRE time. I loved the ending when everything clicked. Interesting creatures in this book and an intense romnce. Can't wait for the next book!!

[Theresa]

I won a copy of Catching Temptation in a giveaway for free on Goodreads First/Reads. I cannot wait to read this book- I did read the first few pages and I am sold into reading it. Will review when finished. Thank you!

[Susan]

You had me at the setting being in MI. :)

[Sarah Erber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here are a few reviews from fans :)

" If you grabbed Tim Burton and Cassandra Clare and asked them to co-author a book, they would come up with Catching Temptation. Filled with creepy creatures that entice the readers into the mystery of Rosewood, this had a heart-pounding romance, and nail-biting action, that left me wanting to read the second book! It's also a nice change to see other paranormal creatures not seen very often in YA books. Keep us posted on the next book! " ~~Customer Review~~

"You know, true fairytales are of the most unlikely couples, and the battles they fight together. These characters have tragic empty lives, until they finally find one another." Highly recommend this book! Sarah Erber, I just finished it...it was awesome! Can't wait till the second comes out!! ~~Customer Review~~

Ahh! Can I help edit the 2nd book? I'm dying for Incurable Karma! I finished Catching Temptation today, it was really good! ~~Facebook Reviewer~~

[CapesandCovers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I would have given this book 4 stars if it weren't for one thing: the fact that Temptation was so easily swayed into believing(mostly, at least)by all of the guys in this. If she had been convinced of who she should trust based off of what they were saying was one thing, but all any of them really had to was kiss her, touch her in some way or mention touching her and her brain would melt away. Honestly, it seemed completely out of character. Most of the time she was independent, and didn't take crap from anyone, so these exceptions were extremely strange.


*SPOILER ALERT*
I absolutely could not stand that she was so willing to stay in a abusive relationship with Jerald.