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Drake's Rakes #6
Twice Tempted
Fiona Ferguson's troubles began with a kiss . . .
It feels like a lifetime ago that Alex Knight saved Fiona from certain doom . . . and stole a soul-shattering kiss for good measure. Wanting nothing more than to keep her safe, he left her in the care of her grandfather, the Marquess of Dourne.
But Fiona was hardly safe. As soon as he could, the marquess cast her and her sister out on the streets with only her wits to keep them alive.
Alex has never forgotten that long-ago kiss. Now the dashing spy is desperate to make up for failing his duty once before. This time he will protect Fiona once and for all, from a deadly foe bent on taking revenge on the Ferguson line-and anyone who stands in the way . . .
It feels like a lifetime ago that Alex Knight saved Fiona from certain doom . . . and stole a soul-shattering kiss for good measure. Wanting nothing more than to keep her safe, he left her in the care of her grandfather, the Marquess of Dourne.
But Fiona was hardly safe. As soon as he could, the marquess cast her and her sister out on the streets with only her wits to keep them alive.
Alex has never forgotten that long-ago kiss. Now the dashing spy is desperate to make up for failing his duty once before. This time he will protect Fiona once and for all, from a deadly foe bent on taking revenge on the Ferguson line-and anyone who stands in the way . . .
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2014
92 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Dreyer
74 books767 followersNew York Times bestselling, award-winning author Eileen Dreyer, known as Kathleen Korbel to her Silhouette readers, has published 28 romance novels, 8 medico-forensic suspenses, and 7 short stories.
2012 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her first foray into historical romance, the Drake's Rakes series, which follow the lives of a group of British aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. After publication of the first trilogy in the series, she has just signed for the next trilogy, following the graduates of the aptly named Last Chance Academy, who each finds herself crossing swords with Drake's Rakes. Eileen spent time not only in England and Italy, but India to research the series (it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it).
A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.
Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only five other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.
A frequent speaker at conferences, she maintains membership in Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.
Get in touch: eileendreyer@eileendreyer.com
2012 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her first foray into historical romance, the Drake's Rakes series, which follow the lives of a group of British aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. After publication of the first trilogy in the series, she has just signed for the next trilogy, following the graduates of the aptly named Last Chance Academy, who each finds herself crossing swords with Drake's Rakes. Eileen spent time not only in England and Italy, but India to research the series (it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it).
A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.
Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only five other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.
A frequent speaker at conferences, she maintains membership in Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.
Get in touch: eileendreyer@eileendreyer.com
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September 7, 2016
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.
Twice Tempted is the fifth instalment in Eileen Dreyer’s Drake’s Rakes series, and follows neatly on from book four, Once a Rake During the course of that book, twin sisters Fiona and Mairead Ferguson learned that their brother, Ian, had been killed following his unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Duke of Wellington. Disgust and fear of the scandal likely to ensue prompted their grandfather – never the kindest or most tolerant of men – to disown them and throw them out. When, a few weeks later, Alex Knight and his friend and colleague, Lord Charles Wilde (Chuffy) return to the Marquess of Rayburn’s estate to advise him and Ian’s sisters that he’s still alive and very much innocent, it’s too late. The ladies have gone and nobody knows where they went.
Fiona and Mairead Ferguson-Hawes are no strangers to homelessness, having more or less grown up on the streets of Edinburgh following the death of their mother when they were girls. They slept rough on the streets, with Fiona working hard to keep body and soul together, and they can do it again if necessary. Disappearing in a big city like London is easy to accomplish, and while Fiona works out what to do next, they take temporary refuge at the girls’ school in Blackheath that’s run by a friend.
Alex and Fiona actually met four years before, as told in the novella It Begins with a Kiss. Fiona was just sixteen, yet it was apparent that she and Alex were attuned to each other, and she has carried a torch for him ever since. They shared just one passionate kiss - but Alex was married and far too honourable a man to attempt to take anything further. Now he’s a widower and even though his attraction to Fiona has never abated, he doesn’t think he’s deserving of her love or dare to think they might have a future together. Alex might have been dubbed the “White Knight” by his fellow Rakes because of his drive to protect those he loves, but he doesn’t see himself that way at all, dwelling instead on the times he has let others down or failed to save them. In the last book, he had to make an impossible choice between duty to his country and to his friends when he was blackmailed by a group of traitors called the Lions – and he continues to be haunted by his actions. Still under a cloud, he is sickened to hear from the Lions again, this time accusing his beloved step-father and his late wife of treason, and threatening to reveal all if Alex doesn’t lead them to Fiona and Mairead.
Weighed down by self-doubt and fear for his step-father’s poor health, Alex’s mind reels at the idea that Fiona and her sister are being targeted by the Lions and knows he has to get them to safety while he works out what that traitorous organisation could possibly want with them.
The story that unfolds is complex, well-researched, and full of romance and intrigue. Fiona is a terrific heroine – strong, resourceful, and clever, she’s more or less devoted her life to caring for her twin. While readers have met Fiona before, we haven’t been introduced to Mairead, and it’s been hinted that there is something a bit different about her. Her entrance into the story is really quite astonishing; the assumption has been that she’s a quiet and shy little mouse – which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Mairead literally blazes into the story, full of vitality and enthusiasm, a mathematical genius with a passion for astronomy – while her understanding of people and everyday life is somewhat tenuous. Today she might possibly be diagnosed as autistic. She’s vibrant and extraordinary; brilliant, yet strangely childlike about some things, and her “special-ness” is the reason Fiona has fought so desperately to shield her from public view.
Fiona shares her sister’s passion for the stars and her affinity for mathematics. The fact that she long ago pin-pointed Orion as the one constant in her life is terribly poignant, and speaks of her longing for something she’s never had – someone to rely on and to share her burdens. She thinks that perhaps she has found that person in Alex, but as the Lions begin to close in, she realises that perhaps her presence – and that of her sister – is a burden he should not be asked to carry.
Alex and Fiona make a great couple. Well-matched intellectually, and kindred spirits when it comes to their desire to protect those they love, they have great chemistry, and Ms Dreyer writes and develops their relationship extremely well. There’s the added bonus of the rather sweet secondary romance that blossoms between Mairead and Chuffy, and I was very impressed by the way in which the author writes Fiona’s mixed feelings on seeing her sister starting to move away from her dependence upon her. The relationship between Alex and his step-father is also very well written; Alex’s love and deep respect for the older man just leaps off the page, and Sir Joseph’s pride in and care for his adoptive son is strongly evident.
Twice Tempted is a well-paced, compelling page-turner that boasts a secondary cast every bit as strongly drawn as the central couple. The one reservation I have is with the way that Alex has to keep putting off telling anyone about the fact that he’s being blackmailed. He’s treading a really fine line – one that could see him accused of treason, yet each time he decides he needs help, something happens which means he has to delay asking for it. It’s a fairly small thing, but each time it happened, I wanted to punch something!
Overall, though, it’s a terrific read, and one I have no hesitation in recommending strongly to fans of romance/espionage stories. It’s just about possible to read it as a standalone, but I’d suggest reading the previous book in the series first.
Twice Tempted is the fifth instalment in Eileen Dreyer’s Drake’s Rakes series, and follows neatly on from book four, Once a Rake During the course of that book, twin sisters Fiona and Mairead Ferguson learned that their brother, Ian, had been killed following his unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Duke of Wellington. Disgust and fear of the scandal likely to ensue prompted their grandfather – never the kindest or most tolerant of men – to disown them and throw them out. When, a few weeks later, Alex Knight and his friend and colleague, Lord Charles Wilde (Chuffy) return to the Marquess of Rayburn’s estate to advise him and Ian’s sisters that he’s still alive and very much innocent, it’s too late. The ladies have gone and nobody knows where they went.
Fiona and Mairead Ferguson-Hawes are no strangers to homelessness, having more or less grown up on the streets of Edinburgh following the death of their mother when they were girls. They slept rough on the streets, with Fiona working hard to keep body and soul together, and they can do it again if necessary. Disappearing in a big city like London is easy to accomplish, and while Fiona works out what to do next, they take temporary refuge at the girls’ school in Blackheath that’s run by a friend.
Alex and Fiona actually met four years before, as told in the novella It Begins with a Kiss. Fiona was just sixteen, yet it was apparent that she and Alex were attuned to each other, and she has carried a torch for him ever since. They shared just one passionate kiss - but Alex was married and far too honourable a man to attempt to take anything further. Now he’s a widower and even though his attraction to Fiona has never abated, he doesn’t think he’s deserving of her love or dare to think they might have a future together. Alex might have been dubbed the “White Knight” by his fellow Rakes because of his drive to protect those he loves, but he doesn’t see himself that way at all, dwelling instead on the times he has let others down or failed to save them. In the last book, he had to make an impossible choice between duty to his country and to his friends when he was blackmailed by a group of traitors called the Lions – and he continues to be haunted by his actions. Still under a cloud, he is sickened to hear from the Lions again, this time accusing his beloved step-father and his late wife of treason, and threatening to reveal all if Alex doesn’t lead them to Fiona and Mairead.
Weighed down by self-doubt and fear for his step-father’s poor health, Alex’s mind reels at the idea that Fiona and her sister are being targeted by the Lions and knows he has to get them to safety while he works out what that traitorous organisation could possibly want with them.
The story that unfolds is complex, well-researched, and full of romance and intrigue. Fiona is a terrific heroine – strong, resourceful, and clever, she’s more or less devoted her life to caring for her twin. While readers have met Fiona before, we haven’t been introduced to Mairead, and it’s been hinted that there is something a bit different about her. Her entrance into the story is really quite astonishing; the assumption has been that she’s a quiet and shy little mouse – which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Mairead literally blazes into the story, full of vitality and enthusiasm, a mathematical genius with a passion for astronomy – while her understanding of people and everyday life is somewhat tenuous. Today she might possibly be diagnosed as autistic. She’s vibrant and extraordinary; brilliant, yet strangely childlike about some things, and her “special-ness” is the reason Fiona has fought so desperately to shield her from public view.
Fiona shares her sister’s passion for the stars and her affinity for mathematics. The fact that she long ago pin-pointed Orion as the one constant in her life is terribly poignant, and speaks of her longing for something she’s never had – someone to rely on and to share her burdens. She thinks that perhaps she has found that person in Alex, but as the Lions begin to close in, she realises that perhaps her presence – and that of her sister – is a burden he should not be asked to carry.
Alex and Fiona make a great couple. Well-matched intellectually, and kindred spirits when it comes to their desire to protect those they love, they have great chemistry, and Ms Dreyer writes and develops their relationship extremely well. There’s the added bonus of the rather sweet secondary romance that blossoms between Mairead and Chuffy, and I was very impressed by the way in which the author writes Fiona’s mixed feelings on seeing her sister starting to move away from her dependence upon her. The relationship between Alex and his step-father is also very well written; Alex’s love and deep respect for the older man just leaps off the page, and Sir Joseph’s pride in and care for his adoptive son is strongly evident.
Twice Tempted is a well-paced, compelling page-turner that boasts a secondary cast every bit as strongly drawn as the central couple. The one reservation I have is with the way that Alex has to keep putting off telling anyone about the fact that he’s being blackmailed. He’s treading a really fine line – one that could see him accused of treason, yet each time he decides he needs help, something happens which means he has to delay asking for it. It’s a fairly small thing, but each time it happened, I wanted to punch something!
Overall, though, it’s a terrific read, and one I have no hesitation in recommending strongly to fans of romance/espionage stories. It’s just about possible to read it as a standalone, but I’d suggest reading the previous book in the series first.
September 24, 2015
Maybe it was because I read this one hot on the heels of my favorite in the series, but this one was just okay. Dreyer also did a decent job of dealing with neurodivergent character, but there were some flaws. It's clear that Mairead is intended to be somewhere on the autism spectrum, and for the most part her difference is handled gracefully. She is fully realized as a secondary character and! A woman deserving of love and sex just like the neurotypical!
In the end, quite frankly, Alex/Fiona didn't do much for me. I wish they had been the secondary characters and Chuffy/Mairead the primary. Chuffy has 200% more personality than Alex.
Obviously, Beau/Pip is next in the chute. BUT WHAT I REALLY WANT IS BARBARA/MARCUS. Quite frankly, they seem like the only professional spies in this damn series. I would dearly love to see Barbara kick his ass and, as the Mindy Project would say, his heart ass.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO 2015 RELEASE, DREYER??? MY HEART ISN'T MADE OF STONE HERE.
In the end, quite frankly, Alex/Fiona didn't do much for me. I wish they had been the secondary characters and Chuffy/Mairead the primary. Chuffy has 200% more personality than Alex.
Obviously, Beau/Pip is next in the chute. BUT WHAT I REALLY WANT IS BARBARA/MARCUS. Quite frankly, they seem like the only professional spies in this damn series. I would dearly love to see Barbara kick his ass and, as the Mindy Project would say, his heart ass.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO 2015 RELEASE, DREYER??? MY HEART ISN'T MADE OF STONE HERE.
December 16, 2014
Fiona Ferguson and her twin Mairead have been thrown out of her Grandfathers home, but this isn't the first disastrous situation Fiona has been in and she has a plan. When Drake's Rake Alex Knight and Chuffy Wilde show up to tell them of their brother's turn of fate, they find they were thrown out on the street.
Fortunately Alex and Chuffy are able to locate them, but find all of them embroiled in a deadly game with an assassin. Alex has been married once before and finds himself drawn to Fiona, but is he willing to go down that road again? Chuffy finds Mairead enchanting and a bit odd, but he relishes in her company. Two sisters and two friends are about to embark on a fantastic ride.
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=10329
Fortunately Alex and Chuffy are able to locate them, but find all of them embroiled in a deadly game with an assassin. Alex has been married once before and finds himself drawn to Fiona, but is he willing to go down that road again? Chuffy finds Mairead enchanting and a bit odd, but he relishes in her company. Two sisters and two friends are about to embark on a fantastic ride.
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=10329
February 1, 2015
I really did try to connect with this book, but it just didn’t work for me. Several times, I was tempted to put it down; even more often, I was tempted to skim ahead. And though I did make it to the end, it only got marginally better for me before it was over.
This is book 5 in the Drake’s Rakes series and though sometimes installments of a historical romance series stand alone well, this one did not. There is a great deal of background stuff that is obviously rooted in prior books, so if you have not read the series before, be warned.
Fiona and her twin Mairead are turned out by their grandfather after news comes that their brother Ian died a traitor. The women spent years on the street growing up and their grandfather figured they were never good enough not to tarnish the family name anyway. The thing is, that Ian isn’t really dead. When his best friend Alex comes to share the happy news, however, he finds the twins gone and he makes it his mission to find them.
You see, Alex has held warm feelings for Fiona for four years, since he brought her to her grandfather. And kissed her. Even though he was married. And she was 16 and he was 26. (This does not sound romantic to me, but maybe this was in an earlier book and played off as less disturbing at the time.) So he finds them, barely making ends meet once again and tries to get them to go back home, but they’re not interested. Fiona just got her sister settled and doesn’t want her disrupted again. It seems Mair is autistic and doesn’t handle change well. But some bad guys burn down their home and they have to turn to Alex for help.
There were so many things that didn’t work for me. The biggest, though, in the early chapters was the dialogue. Two characters (Chuffy and Lady Bea) speak in bizarre 2-3 word fragmented sentences. I barely understood what they were saying and had no idea why they couldn’t speak a complete thought. It drove me bonkers. Then there was the (seemingly) baseless affection between Alex and Fiona that made them moon for each other out of the gate. From a meeting four years ago? While she was a teen and he was married? Then there is the lack of communication they had with each other: too many secrets, which led to the inevitable misunderstandings. Plus, I thought the whole spy element was weak, maybe because this was set up in previous books. But everyone knew who the Lions were, except maybe me, but I get that they were bad guys going against the crown. And they blackmail people. They were too removed as villains, though, just nameless faceless guys with nefarious intent.
All of that, I disliked. The cardinal sin, however, is that I just didn’t care about the romance. Nothing made me root for these characters, together or apart. The sex was beyond weak. And the secondary romance was just as bad. WHY did Mairead fall in love with Chuffy? I just didn’t really like any of it.
And WTF was up with the lady assassin who smelled like oranges who killed one dude then disappeared? What was the point of that?
Not for me. But I guess if you read and liked the other books in the series, you might feel differently.
Rating: C-/D+
*ARC provided by publisher for review
This is book 5 in the Drake’s Rakes series and though sometimes installments of a historical romance series stand alone well, this one did not. There is a great deal of background stuff that is obviously rooted in prior books, so if you have not read the series before, be warned.
Fiona and her twin Mairead are turned out by their grandfather after news comes that their brother Ian died a traitor. The women spent years on the street growing up and their grandfather figured they were never good enough not to tarnish the family name anyway. The thing is, that Ian isn’t really dead. When his best friend Alex comes to share the happy news, however, he finds the twins gone and he makes it his mission to find them.
You see, Alex has held warm feelings for Fiona for four years, since he brought her to her grandfather. And kissed her. Even though he was married. And she was 16 and he was 26. (This does not sound romantic to me, but maybe this was in an earlier book and played off as less disturbing at the time.) So he finds them, barely making ends meet once again and tries to get them to go back home, but they’re not interested. Fiona just got her sister settled and doesn’t want her disrupted again. It seems Mair is autistic and doesn’t handle change well. But some bad guys burn down their home and they have to turn to Alex for help.
There were so many things that didn’t work for me. The biggest, though, in the early chapters was the dialogue. Two characters (Chuffy and Lady Bea) speak in bizarre 2-3 word fragmented sentences. I barely understood what they were saying and had no idea why they couldn’t speak a complete thought. It drove me bonkers. Then there was the (seemingly) baseless affection between Alex and Fiona that made them moon for each other out of the gate. From a meeting four years ago? While she was a teen and he was married? Then there is the lack of communication they had with each other: too many secrets, which led to the inevitable misunderstandings. Plus, I thought the whole spy element was weak, maybe because this was set up in previous books. But everyone knew who the Lions were, except maybe me, but I get that they were bad guys going against the crown. And they blackmail people. They were too removed as villains, though, just nameless faceless guys with nefarious intent.
All of that, I disliked. The cardinal sin, however, is that I just didn’t care about the romance. Nothing made me root for these characters, together or apart. The sex was beyond weak. And the secondary romance was just as bad. WHY did Mairead fall in love with Chuffy? I just didn’t really like any of it.
And WTF was up with the lady assassin who smelled like oranges who killed one dude then disappeared? What was the point of that?
Not for me. But I guess if you read and liked the other books in the series, you might feel differently.
Rating: C-/D+
*ARC provided by publisher for review
October 18, 2014
Twice Tempted is the sixth book in the Drake Rakes Series, but you can read it as a stand alone book. If you have not read a book by Eileen I would highly recommend that you start with the first book in the series and read all six of them. You will not be disappointed. Eileen writes intricate plots that draw you in to the story and keep you on the edge to the very end. If you are looking for a simple read this author is not for you. Her characters are compelling, complicated individuals who have experienced all manner of emoitional turmoil, they are strong, intelligent,, and have braved dangerous intrigue, treacherous villains, death, and most important love. This story is filled with suspense, passion, revenge, forgiveness and a very refreshing wit. The historical details are fascinating.
You also get to see how the characters from the previous books fit into the bigger picture and how they are connected to each other. The reason you should read her books is because she writes richly emotional love stories with beautiful characters and remarkably satisfying endings. I never miss one of her books and you shouldn;t either.
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
You also get to see how the characters from the previous books fit into the bigger picture and how they are connected to each other. The reason you should read her books is because she writes richly emotional love stories with beautiful characters and remarkably satisfying endings. I never miss one of her books and you shouldn;t either.
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
January 9, 2015
Usually I find Eileen Dreyer's heroines wonderful and her heroes abysmal. This time, she seems to have split the difference and I just kind of shrugged my shoulders at them both. Meh. Chuffy and Mairead were ADORABLE though; I kind of wish the book had been focused on them.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Forever for providing me with a review copy.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Forever for providing me with a review copy.
December 15, 2014
Rating : 3,5 stars
Oh well I must admit that I didn't get the deciphering code part but I quite enjoy the book and like the characters, especially Chuffy, he's funny
Oh well I must admit that I didn't get the deciphering code part but I quite enjoy the book and like the characters, especially Chuffy, he's funny
October 10, 2015
Twin sisters, one a savant, shady secrets, dashing spies, code-breaking, and villains galore! What's not to love?
October 18, 2022
I enjoyed the author's writing style as there was a certain cadence to the flow of words, which I found interesting. The background of the novel is heartbreaking, but the storyline is one of overcoming the pain of the past, with a plot to be uncovered and a code to be solved. It also speaks of romance and the healing of broken hearts. Fiona Ferguson is an incredibly strong woman who has had to take the reins and fend for both herself and her savant twin. With their brother deep undercover in the war against Napoleon, they cannot rely on him to solve their problems. However, his good friend Alex Knight keeps on coming to their rescue as he tries to protect them from forces unknown and a lethal grandfather who has used them and then spurned them. There was a certain amount of humor in the story, and Mairead and Alex's friend Chuffy make for interesting secondary characters. The attraction between Fiona and Alex is sizzling, although they are far too busy fending off the enemy to indulge themselves over much. This fast-paced and suspenseful novel ultimately comes to a good conclusion, although I would have liked to know that the girls' miserable grandfather got his comeuppance. I received a copy of this exciting book as a gift through BookSprout and this is my honest and voluntary review.
May 23, 2023
When Fiona Aka Fee was 16 she was kissed by Alex and neither ever forgot it!
Alex was married and a man who collected broken things!
He is sent to find Fee and her sister Mairead Aka Mae were finally running a school! One of their dreams!
Alex is sent to find them and protect them not knowing finding them set other evil nefarious criminals more like their own grandfather on their trail!
This story is very complex! Fee is very lovely but Mae is very beautiful and Fee is her protector.
I think of Mae as brilliant yet autistic with ADHD mixed in as a coping mechanism!
They have endured more horrors, slums and brothels even cut purses! They are noble women and they have been tossed aside like rubbish and had to find their own way!
Alex is torn between duty and love and protecting his stepfather!
He is faced with an impossible choice! Fee runs once more but into danger!
The secrets Fee and Mae carry can be treason! How can Alex and now Cuffy who has fallen for Mae choose?
Nonstop action! Bravo
Alex was married and a man who collected broken things!
He is sent to find Fee and her sister Mairead Aka Mae were finally running a school! One of their dreams!
Alex is sent to find them and protect them not knowing finding them set other evil nefarious criminals more like their own grandfather on their trail!
This story is very complex! Fee is very lovely but Mae is very beautiful and Fee is her protector.
I think of Mae as brilliant yet autistic with ADHD mixed in as a coping mechanism!
They have endured more horrors, slums and brothels even cut purses! They are noble women and they have been tossed aside like rubbish and had to find their own way!
Alex is torn between duty and love and protecting his stepfather!
He is faced with an impossible choice! Fee runs once more but into danger!
The secrets Fee and Mae carry can be treason! How can Alex and now Cuffy who has fallen for Mae choose?
Nonstop action! Bravo
May 4, 2017
In an effort to finish books I've started, then put away for one reason or another, I sat down and made myself read Twice Tempted. I have read all the Drake's Rakes novels (Always a Temptress was my favorite of the series), so it was pretty easy to put myself back into this world, even though it's been several years.
The pacing of the story moved well -- we know Alex and Fiona will have a HEA; we assume Minette, the assassin, will be caught and the threat neutralized -- but once Chuffy and Mairead's connection became obvious, I was glad to see Chuffy get a HEA as well. He has been my favorite minor character since the first novel.
The main issue I had with Twice Tempted is that it felt like a series finale. All the loose ends were tied neatly, and I found myself speed reading simply to reach The End without having a real sense of connection between Fiona and Alex. Still, all's well that end's well, and I'm glad Drake's Rakes ended well.
The pacing of the story moved well -- we know Alex and Fiona will have a HEA; we assume Minette, the assassin, will be caught and the threat neutralized -- but once Chuffy and Mairead's connection became obvious, I was glad to see Chuffy get a HEA as well. He has been my favorite minor character since the first novel.
The main issue I had with Twice Tempted is that it felt like a series finale. All the loose ends were tied neatly, and I found myself speed reading simply to reach The End without having a real sense of connection between Fiona and Alex. Still, all's well that end's well, and I'm glad Drake's Rakes ended well.
October 12, 2022
I always enjoy books with spies and romance. The spy portion of this book is smaller than the romance but it is still quite enjoyable.
Fiona and her sister Mae are kicked out by their grandfather after the death of their brother. Their past experience living on the streets as girls will once again be needed. But Alex is determined they won’t have to do such a thing. He’s been infatuated with Fiona for years. But both Fiona and Alex have secrets. Will they be able to trust each other enough to forge a relationship?
I did feel that I was missing out on some background. But I still enjoyed the story and am now interested in reading the other books in the series.
Fiona and her sister Mae are kicked out by their grandfather after the death of their brother. Their past experience living on the streets as girls will once again be needed. But Alex is determined they won’t have to do such a thing. He’s been infatuated with Fiona for years. But both Fiona and Alex have secrets. Will they be able to trust each other enough to forge a relationship?
I did feel that I was missing out on some background. But I still enjoyed the story and am now interested in reading the other books in the series.
October 19, 2022
Fiona and Mairead Ferguson thought, hoped, they had found a home with their grandfather, but once again find themselves abandoned on the streets of Edinburgh. Their bother is an undercover agent in the war. Alex Knight, their brother’s friend, rescued them once and must now try to do so again. Alex and Fiona have some sizzling chemistry, but dodging an enemy and staying alive is their priority. Chuffy and Mairead are interesting characters. They do what they can to help Alex and Fiona. This is a fast-paced, action-packed story filled with suspense, secrets, danger, and ultimately a happy ending.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and am voluntarily reviewing it.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and am voluntarily reviewing it.
October 20, 2022
Fiona is a force to be reckoned with. Fiercely loyal and protective of her off balance twin sister, Fiona will do anything to protect her. Alex has had a soft spot for Fiona and after he finds out the life she and her sister have been living he vows to protect them. But when they are accused of being traitors, the sisters have to help decipher some letters to prove their innocence. Love comes calling for both of these ladies and they have some tough things to deal with before they can have a happy ending.
November 28, 2014
It did begin with a kiss, as Eileen Dreyer's novella (which introduced the students of the Last Chance Academy) suggests. Fiona and Alex are kindred souls -- something they recognized in each other when they met at the academy all those years ago. Back then, Alex was not free to love Fiona because he was married, but the connection and chemistry was undeniable, and fans of the Rakes (me, included) were left to wistfully imagine what it would have been like if Fiona and Alex had a chance to explore the possibilities between them. But now, even though his wife has died, Alex still does not believe he is free to love Fiona, doesn't believe he is worthy of Fiona's love and doesn't believe he can dare to dream to be with her. Instead he focuses on protecting her and rescuing her from the terrible, and deadly, situation Fiona and Mairead unwittingly find themselves in.
In Twice Tempted, Eileen Dreyer has ramped up the intrigue. Dreyer's background is romantic suspense and she showcases a masterful (and very wicked) mind in crafting the delicate balancing act of protecting one's self, protecting one's family and name, and protecting one's country. It is terrifying to realise the power and reach of The Lions and I did wonder if Alex would succumb to the pressure they were exerting on him.
The Rakes all see Alex as a White Knight: a virtuous and noble defender and champion, but Alex doesn't believe he deserves the name. Even now as he walks the fine line between patriotism and treason, Alex doubts his own heart and ability. While he has devoted his life to protecting the people he loved, his success rate is 0%. He failed to save his late wife, and he is about to, potentially, fail at saving his stepfather, Fiona, and England.
There's blackmail that involves Alex's late wife's letters (which incriminate her), and now it is revealed that Alex's stepfather was also involved. Then there is Fiona and Mairead, who are being pursued by The Lions. What do they want from two orphans with no social connection or pull? What is so important about these sisters?
So many questions in the story. So many mystery boxes to unlock. The task is daunting, but Eileen Dreyer has created characters that are more than capable of handling the situation. I was delighted and impressed by how intelligent and clever Fiona and Mairead are. They have defied expectations and broken molds as heroines. They are a wonderful combination of book-smart and street-smart -- when we discover what happened to the sisters all those years ago in Edinburgh, we assume the worst: the brothel, the streets, etc. -- but we discover how greatly we have underestimated these two amazingly brave women.
I speak about Fiona and Mairead together because that is how they have always been: as twins, their lives intersect in the most primal way. And, with Mairead's quirks, Fiona has had to manage her sister for their entire lives. Like the other characters in the story, I wondered about Mairead, who was always talked about in the previous books, but never seen. Even then, Fiona had protected her and kept her from everyone's view. In Twice Tempted, we finally meet the mysterious Mairead, and she is lovable in her own special way.
The sisters share one great passion for the stars, and Fiona has long relied on Orion's constancy -- it's a heartbreaking representation of the one thing Fiona wants and desperately lacks in her life: someone to rely on. The interesting reflection about stars is that they are fixed points in space and we have, through history, relied on them to guide us -- but, the stars disappear during the day when the sun outshines them, but, in our darkest hour, in our gravest need, those same stars will shine the brightest.
Elegant and exciting are the two words that best describe Eileen Dreyer's Twice Tempted, breathtaking and entertaining are the other two words. Twice Tempted is Book 2 in the Last Chance Academy sub-series and Book 5 in the Drake's Rakes series (and it is awesome).
Disclosure: I received this review copy through Netgalley for this blog tour. Thank you to Eileen Dreyer and to Grand Central for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.
In Twice Tempted, Eileen Dreyer has ramped up the intrigue. Dreyer's background is romantic suspense and she showcases a masterful (and very wicked) mind in crafting the delicate balancing act of protecting one's self, protecting one's family and name, and protecting one's country. It is terrifying to realise the power and reach of The Lions and I did wonder if Alex would succumb to the pressure they were exerting on him.
The Rakes all see Alex as a White Knight: a virtuous and noble defender and champion, but Alex doesn't believe he deserves the name. Even now as he walks the fine line between patriotism and treason, Alex doubts his own heart and ability. While he has devoted his life to protecting the people he loved, his success rate is 0%. He failed to save his late wife, and he is about to, potentially, fail at saving his stepfather, Fiona, and England.
He thought of the promise he had only recently made to Drake, that he would not fail to contact him the minute the Lions approached. Nothing was more important than his duty to his country, he'd vowed. Not honor. Not life. But what about his father? Just what would a charge of treason do to that magnificent heart? Alex stood for a long time. Before he moved on, he gave one nod of his head. He never went back to Drake's.
- loc 806
There's blackmail that involves Alex's late wife's letters (which incriminate her), and now it is revealed that Alex's stepfather was also involved. Then there is Fiona and Mairead, who are being pursued by The Lions. What do they want from two orphans with no social connection or pull? What is so important about these sisters?
So many questions in the story. So many mystery boxes to unlock. The task is daunting, but Eileen Dreyer has created characters that are more than capable of handling the situation. I was delighted and impressed by how intelligent and clever Fiona and Mairead are. They have defied expectations and broken molds as heroines. They are a wonderful combination of book-smart and street-smart -- when we discover what happened to the sisters all those years ago in Edinburgh, we assume the worst: the brothel, the streets, etc. -- but we discover how greatly we have underestimated these two amazingly brave women.
Had Fiona had a top hat to hide beneath? How had she disguised that flame-bright hair and unforgettable face? How had she protected Mired? Suddenly it was important to know.
- loc 2497
I speak about Fiona and Mairead together because that is how they have always been: as twins, their lives intersect in the most primal way. And, with Mairead's quirks, Fiona has had to manage her sister for their entire lives. Like the other characters in the story, I wondered about Mairead, who was always talked about in the previous books, but never seen. Even then, Fiona had protected her and kept her from everyone's view. In Twice Tempted, we finally meet the mysterious Mairead, and she is lovable in her own special way.
The sisters share one great passion for the stars, and Fiona has long relied on Orion's constancy -- it's a heartbreaking representation of the one thing Fiona wants and desperately lacks in her life: someone to rely on. The interesting reflection about stars is that they are fixed points in space and we have, through history, relied on them to guide us -- but, the stars disappear during the day when the sun outshines them, but, in our darkest hour, in our gravest need, those same stars will shine the brightest.
... Fiona had been created for the skies, for the bright light of the sun, for rapier-sharp debate and sly humour. It was the way he'd always seen her in his mind, as a primal force. But Fiona was not only that bright spirit waving from the carriage, or the tight, controlled lady who survived her grandfather. She was the muck of the gutters. The thin, honed steel of survival. She was so much more than he had fallen in love with, and he didn't know how to absorb it all.
- loc 4299
Elegant and exciting are the two words that best describe Eileen Dreyer's Twice Tempted, breathtaking and entertaining are the other two words. Twice Tempted is Book 2 in the Last Chance Academy sub-series and Book 5 in the Drake's Rakes series (and it is awesome).
Disclosure: I received this review copy through Netgalley for this blog tour. Thank you to Eileen Dreyer and to Grand Central for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.
March 23, 2025
I like this one a little bit better than the last couple in the series. I think it might be just because of Chucky. Well him and Fiona‘s sister… And it was great to see Lady B come back. This one had me guessing and I enjoyed it a lot. I was going to drop the series after this book, but I might keep going. I definitely have my interest reengaged.
June 29, 2023
A story of twins
Fe and Mae are twins who had to survive on their own. The writer describes Mae " autism" with kindness and accuracy. With twists and turns of deciphering coded messages to overthrow the king makes this book once started hard to put down .
Fe and Mae are twins who had to survive on their own. The writer describes Mae " autism" with kindness and accuracy. With twists and turns of deciphering coded messages to overthrow the king makes this book once started hard to put down .
February 6, 2020
vocab, vocab, vocab! subahern, isinglass, redingote, basilicum, embrolio, cabochon carnelian, nostrooms, vetiver, gudeon
October 18, 2022
This is a marvelous romantic suspense. It chronicles how twin sisters finds love through their struggles. Fiona and Mairead are super intelligent young ladies who find themselves unwittingly caught up in a treasonous plot. Alex and Chuffy work for a group of government spies looking to identify the bad actors. The story has a great plot with intense twists and turns. The characters are magnificent and interesting. Fiona is a strong woman who holds everything together well. It is fiery and romantic. A great story to add to your library.
March 19, 2017
I am sorry that this book is ended, only because I love the main characters. Perhaps we will see future books with stories about other Rakes & friends of the girls from school.
September 27, 2019
Stars 3/4 (Kate Pearce, Maureen Driscoll, Elisa Braden)
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
November 10, 2014
With a sweet romance and intriguing espionage, Twice Tempted was a lovely book and I enjoyed reading it.
Fiona was a mostly good heroine. She was extremely smart, very protective over her sister, and unrelentingly resilient. For that, I liked her. However, she also had a tendency to assume the worst, which was somewhat justified given her background. But, it became vaguely annoying when she kept up with that habit in regards to Alex, even after he had done enough to earn her trust several times over. Especially when it led her to do some uncharacteristically impulsive things. Other than that, though, I thought she was great.
Alex was likable. He was sweet and very loyal to his loved ones. However, I wish there had been more to him. I got that he was a good man who carried the burden of guilt heavily, but not much of a deeper sense of who he was. It wasn't an issue, but it would have been nice to get to know more about him.
The other two major characters who had their own secondary romance were Chuffy and Mairead. I thought both were great. They were both out of the ordinary, but they were perfectly matched for each other. Chuffy was so genuinely kind and adorable and Mairead was an interesting character herself. I liked them both.
The romance between Fiona and Alex was good. I did like them together and they definitely had chemistry. Oddly enough, though, I was actually more invested in Chuffy and Mairead's romance. Perhaps it was because I found them to be more interesting or maybe it was because they seemed to fit perfectly together, but I was really into their relationship. But, I thought both romances were lovely.
I had one final issue with the book and it was that there was just too much going on. There were a lot of conflicts introduced and it didn't feel like they were all resolved.Take Minette Ferrar, for example. She was introduced and seemed like she would act as a major obstacle but, other than a few further mentions, I didn't get anything else about her. An unnecessary blackmail scheme was another extraneous conflict. I just wish that one conflict had been focused on and delved into deeply.
The plot was good and kept me interested. Despite the issues I had, I still enjoyed the story and I liked it overall.
Twice Tempted was an enjoyable historical romance. It might not have been perfect, but it was a good read. Romance lovers, this might be one you'll want to check out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Fiona was a mostly good heroine. She was extremely smart, very protective over her sister, and unrelentingly resilient. For that, I liked her. However, she also had a tendency to assume the worst, which was somewhat justified given her background. But, it became vaguely annoying when she kept up with that habit in regards to Alex, even after he had done enough to earn her trust several times over. Especially when it led her to do some uncharacteristically impulsive things. Other than that, though, I thought she was great.
Alex was likable. He was sweet and very loyal to his loved ones. However, I wish there had been more to him. I got that he was a good man who carried the burden of guilt heavily, but not much of a deeper sense of who he was. It wasn't an issue, but it would have been nice to get to know more about him.
The other two major characters who had their own secondary romance were Chuffy and Mairead. I thought both were great. They were both out of the ordinary, but they were perfectly matched for each other. Chuffy was so genuinely kind and adorable and Mairead was an interesting character herself. I liked them both.
The romance between Fiona and Alex was good. I did like them together and they definitely had chemistry. Oddly enough, though, I was actually more invested in Chuffy and Mairead's romance. Perhaps it was because I found them to be more interesting or maybe it was because they seemed to fit perfectly together, but I was really into their relationship. But, I thought both romances were lovely.
I had one final issue with the book and it was that there was just too much going on. There were a lot of conflicts introduced and it didn't feel like they were all resolved.Take Minette Ferrar, for example. She was introduced and seemed like she would act as a major obstacle but, other than a few further mentions, I didn't get anything else about her. An unnecessary blackmail scheme was another extraneous conflict. I just wish that one conflict had been focused on and delved into deeply.
The plot was good and kept me interested. Despite the issues I had, I still enjoyed the story and I liked it overall.
Twice Tempted was an enjoyable historical romance. It might not have been perfect, but it was a good read. Romance lovers, this might be one you'll want to check out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
August 30, 2015
Originally reviewed for Buried Under Romance www.buriedunderromance.com
Twice Tempted by Eileen Dreye is the fifth book in the Drake’s Rakes series, and I have to admit that, since I haven’t read the other four books, I was pretty confused at the beginning of this novel. I could tell right away, however, that the characters were going to be unique and the plot complex, so I decided to push through and give it a chance. I was not disappointed. It didn’t take long to sort out the characters and the plot details that were continued from the previous books, and I soon found myself totally immersed in a fascinating story of romance and intrigue.
The heroine of this well-written novel is Lady Fiona Ferguson Hawes who, along with her eccentric twin sister Mairead, are no longer welcome in London society or in the home of their grandfather, the Marquess of Leyburn, due to the suspected treasonous actions of their late brother Ian. Resourceful Fiona is very protective of her sister Mairead, whom I suspect in today’s world would have been diagnosed as autistic, and she quickly finds them teaching positions due to their knowledge of mathematics and their passion for astronomy. Ian’s friend, Lord Alex Whitmore, has been attracted to Fiona for many years and, with the help of his friend Chuffy, he is determined to help the twins rescue their own reputations and claim their rightful positions in society. What neither he nor the sisters know is that the Marquess had been using women as pawns in his own treasonous activities, and that when they left his home, they unknowingly carried crucial evidence that put them in serious danger.
Twice Tempted is a well-researched, well-written account of covert activities that took place during the Regency period. The tale of espionage is carefully woven around the compelling story of the two very interesting, intelligent young ladies and the men who loved them and wanted to protect them at all costs. While I would suggest, if possible, that the other books in the series be read first, this book is worth reading, even as a standalone story. This was the first novel by Eileen Dreyre that I have read, and I was impressed by the amount of research that she had done and her ability to craft a complex plot with memorable characters. I can’t wait to read the next installment in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Twice Tempted by Eileen Dreye is the fifth book in the Drake’s Rakes series, and I have to admit that, since I haven’t read the other four books, I was pretty confused at the beginning of this novel. I could tell right away, however, that the characters were going to be unique and the plot complex, so I decided to push through and give it a chance. I was not disappointed. It didn’t take long to sort out the characters and the plot details that were continued from the previous books, and I soon found myself totally immersed in a fascinating story of romance and intrigue.
The heroine of this well-written novel is Lady Fiona Ferguson Hawes who, along with her eccentric twin sister Mairead, are no longer welcome in London society or in the home of their grandfather, the Marquess of Leyburn, due to the suspected treasonous actions of their late brother Ian. Resourceful Fiona is very protective of her sister Mairead, whom I suspect in today’s world would have been diagnosed as autistic, and she quickly finds them teaching positions due to their knowledge of mathematics and their passion for astronomy. Ian’s friend, Lord Alex Whitmore, has been attracted to Fiona for many years and, with the help of his friend Chuffy, he is determined to help the twins rescue their own reputations and claim their rightful positions in society. What neither he nor the sisters know is that the Marquess had been using women as pawns in his own treasonous activities, and that when they left his home, they unknowingly carried crucial evidence that put them in serious danger.
Twice Tempted is a well-researched, well-written account of covert activities that took place during the Regency period. The tale of espionage is carefully woven around the compelling story of the two very interesting, intelligent young ladies and the men who loved them and wanted to protect them at all costs. While I would suggest, if possible, that the other books in the series be read first, this book is worth reading, even as a standalone story. This was the first novel by Eileen Dreyre that I have read, and I was impressed by the amount of research that she had done and her ability to craft a complex plot with memorable characters. I can’t wait to read the next installment in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 15, 2014
I really enjoyed the complex plot of this spy-thriller-romance. Brilliant young astronomers and mathematicians, Fiona and Mairead Ferguson, once had to survive on the streets in their childhood. After finally coming to live with their grandfather, the heartless marquess of Hawesworth, they thought they had some measure of safety. But when given the news that their brother died in a traitorous plot, the marquess tosses them back out onto the streets. Fiona then has to figure out how to survive and provide a place where Mairead can continue her studies. While brilliant, Mairead would today probably be diagnosed as somewhere on the autism spectrum, so the challenge is extra daunting.
Alex Knight had to deliver the bad news of his friend's death to the ladies, but this was not his first encounter with the lovely Fiona. She had once tried to run away from her school to get to her sister, and Alex had retrieved her. He had also stolen a kiss from her and had never forgotten that moment. Now armed with new knowledge that exonerates Ian Ferguson, Alex and his friend Chuffy, who are both members of Drakes Rakes spy organization, have to find the women and restore them to their proper place in society.
Caught in the middle of the plot by the traitorous group called the Lions, the women have to earn a living, avoid detection, survive an assassin, clear their names, break a code, stop the Lions, and try to find their own happiness. Alex had always been called the "White Knight," but he feels such guilt over the secrets of his past, that he may be the one who needs saving this time around.
Now, of course, I'm going to have to read the rest of the Drakes Rakes series to learn all about the other characters that play a part. The overall spy plot is not completely cleared up, so I'm sure further adventures await.
Alex Knight had to deliver the bad news of his friend's death to the ladies, but this was not his first encounter with the lovely Fiona. She had once tried to run away from her school to get to her sister, and Alex had retrieved her. He had also stolen a kiss from her and had never forgotten that moment. Now armed with new knowledge that exonerates Ian Ferguson, Alex and his friend Chuffy, who are both members of Drakes Rakes spy organization, have to find the women and restore them to their proper place in society.
Caught in the middle of the plot by the traitorous group called the Lions, the women have to earn a living, avoid detection, survive an assassin, clear their names, break a code, stop the Lions, and try to find their own happiness. Alex had always been called the "White Knight," but he feels such guilt over the secrets of his past, that he may be the one who needs saving this time around.
Now, of course, I'm going to have to read the rest of the Drakes Rakes series to learn all about the other characters that play a part. The overall spy plot is not completely cleared up, so I'm sure further adventures await.
December 25, 2014
I’m a huge Eileen Dreyer fan and especially of her Regency tales and this is the fifth book of Drake’s Rakes series. I looked forward to it ever since the introduction of these two in Ms. Dreyer’s little novella, ‘It Begins with a Kiss’ and if you haven’t read it, now is the time to get it. You’ll love the intro into these characters [my review of it here].
Here’s the thing. If I find an author that does characterization well, I’m hooked for life. Plot, pace and all else is secondary to me. I am in heaven when an author goes out of her way to give me complex, smart characters stuck in difficult and untenable situations. Ms. Dreyer’s writing is such that it never fails to leave me breathless. There is only a handful out there these days that can do that for me, and she is right up at the top.
‘Twice Tempted’ is well told tale of two people that never thought would or could end up together. Fiona and Alex separately of each other are strong characters, but together they are invincible. I loved this chick so much. It seemed to me that whatever ills that she survived in her young and tender age, had shaped her character and ready her for that day when Alex would finally notice her as a woman who she is. I loved the way her wit and intelligence as well as her beauty were seen by Alex.
Theirs is a romance for the romantic in all of us. This review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the secondary romance of Maired and Chuffy. People, this romance was sweet and tender and funny.
I highly recommend every book in this series [btw they’re still on sale for $1.99 each and worth every damn penny; start off with ‘Barely a Lady’], including this one, and if you’ve never read this author, I beg you to sample her and dare you not to love her stories.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
Here’s the thing. If I find an author that does characterization well, I’m hooked for life. Plot, pace and all else is secondary to me. I am in heaven when an author goes out of her way to give me complex, smart characters stuck in difficult and untenable situations. Ms. Dreyer’s writing is such that it never fails to leave me breathless. There is only a handful out there these days that can do that for me, and she is right up at the top.
‘Twice Tempted’ is well told tale of two people that never thought would or could end up together. Fiona and Alex separately of each other are strong characters, but together they are invincible. I loved this chick so much. It seemed to me that whatever ills that she survived in her young and tender age, had shaped her character and ready her for that day when Alex would finally notice her as a woman who she is. I loved the way her wit and intelligence as well as her beauty were seen by Alex.
Theirs is a romance for the romantic in all of us. This review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the secondary romance of Maired and Chuffy. People, this romance was sweet and tender and funny.
I highly recommend every book in this series [btw they’re still on sale for $1.99 each and worth every damn penny; start off with ‘Barely a Lady’], including this one, and if you’ve never read this author, I beg you to sample her and dare you not to love her stories.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
November 22, 2014
Lady Fiona was being thrown out on the street to fend for herself and her sister, yet again. She knew how to survive and take care even before her brother rescued her into the care of her despicable grandfather who is now embarrassed to call them family. Yet there is a man that is determined to care of them, Alex Knight, Viscount Whitmore that is going to right this unjustified expulsion.
Alex was determined to restore them to their proper place in society by Fiona was more than happy to stay teaching and helping those that needed it as much as she because uncertainty has been her way of living for too long. But once real danger comes to take down their home and livelihood Alex steps in to rescue them and remind Fiona was he truly is the White Knight she needs. They has more than tender feelings for one another but have always held back thinking that the other too good for them when in fact each longed for the tender touch affection could provide.
When Fiona and her sister have beyond a normal working knowledge of math and astronomy that has given them an ability to unlock secret enemy code and information that could bring down a diabolical traitor the tables are turned showing suspicion onto them. Alex has much to consider when choosing sides and even though he believes Fiona is not capable of this is the doubt in his answer to her question of trust going to break their bond?
When the chase is on and the decision to join or deny his love for Fiona, Alex never hesitates but to choose the woman he knows is his destiny for eternal love. Fiona may hesitate to trust but she never stops loving regardless of where they are or how they get to the place they are supposed to be. Love will always find you!
Alex was determined to restore them to their proper place in society by Fiona was more than happy to stay teaching and helping those that needed it as much as she because uncertainty has been her way of living for too long. But once real danger comes to take down their home and livelihood Alex steps in to rescue them and remind Fiona was he truly is the White Knight she needs. They has more than tender feelings for one another but have always held back thinking that the other too good for them when in fact each longed for the tender touch affection could provide.
When Fiona and her sister have beyond a normal working knowledge of math and astronomy that has given them an ability to unlock secret enemy code and information that could bring down a diabolical traitor the tables are turned showing suspicion onto them. Alex has much to consider when choosing sides and even though he believes Fiona is not capable of this is the doubt in his answer to her question of trust going to break their bond?
When the chase is on and the decision to join or deny his love for Fiona, Alex never hesitates but to choose the woman he knows is his destiny for eternal love. Fiona may hesitate to trust but she never stops loving regardless of where they are or how they get to the place they are supposed to be. Love will always find you!
April 8, 2024
Loved this series and would read the entire thing again. Really intriguing characters and fun story on their journey to love. Great read!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Twice Tempted by Eileen Dreyer is an enchanting Regency romance that swept me off my feet! 💕
From the very first page, I was drawn into Fiona Ferguson’s world—a world of secrets, second chances, and stolen kisses. 🤫💋 Fiona’s troubles began with a kiss, and oh, what a kiss it was! Alex Knight, the dashing spy, saved her from certain doom, leaving her breathless and longing for more. 😍
Eileen Dreyer weaves a tale of passion, danger, and redemption. The chemistry between Fiona and Alex crackles like a summer storm, and their fiery Scottish connection is irresistible. 🔥🏴
As they navigate treacherous waters, facing deadly foes and family secrets, their love blooms anew. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue witty, and the tension palpable. 📜💔
Twice Tempted is a delightful blend of heartache and hope, wrapped in the elegance of Regency society. If you’re a fan of Julia Quinn and Kelly Bowen, this book is an absolute must-read! 📚✨
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Twice Tempted by Eileen Dreyer is an enchanting Regency romance that swept me off my feet! 💕
From the very first page, I was drawn into Fiona Ferguson’s world—a world of secrets, second chances, and stolen kisses. 🤫💋 Fiona’s troubles began with a kiss, and oh, what a kiss it was! Alex Knight, the dashing spy, saved her from certain doom, leaving her breathless and longing for more. 😍
Eileen Dreyer weaves a tale of passion, danger, and redemption. The chemistry between Fiona and Alex crackles like a summer storm, and their fiery Scottish connection is irresistible. 🔥🏴
As they navigate treacherous waters, facing deadly foes and family secrets, their love blooms anew. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue witty, and the tension palpable. 📜💔
Twice Tempted is a delightful blend of heartache and hope, wrapped in the elegance of Regency society. If you’re a fan of Julia Quinn and Kelly Bowen, this book is an absolute must-read! 📚✨
January 15, 2015
I am a very firm believer in giving enough information to draw a picture in your mind. With that being said I did enjoy this book and found it to be great characters, believable in context. They give you a feeling that you are there with them. I found the first third of the book to be a slow read as well as with the plot line. Once past that part the rest of the book flows very smoothly and keeps you inthralled with what is happening. This story reminds me of Cinderella and Snow White combined. You have the Villainist Grandfather from a cross between both the stepmother and the evil queen. Then there is Fiona which is a cross between Snow White helping all she can and Cinderella taking what she can and making the best of it. Alex is the "White Knight" wanting to save his damsel in distress, only to find out she doesn't really need saving just someone to love her. The conflict they face is great reading and add the minor characters into the mix is compelling. It would have been great to have Mairead's story seperate but with them being twins it is hard to do that.
January 18, 2015
Twins in Unexpected Trouble
Fiona Ferguson always looks out for her twin, the impractical Mairead. When news arrives that their brother has died an accused traitor, their grandfather turns them out. Within the month they are living a quiet life in London, teaching tradesmen’s children and house sitting for a friend.
Alex Knight and his friend, Chuffy Wilde, believe they carry the good news that Ian Ferguson lives and has been cleared of all crimes. Instead, they learn his sisters, the twins, have vanished.
Telescopes, codes, puzzles, and kisses are liberally sprinkled in this most recent of the Drake’s Rakes tales. Alex moves the twins from one location to another to stay ahead of danger – sometimes not by more than a moment. Fiona’s expert survival skills learned in the streets thwart Alex’s need to protect her – until they save his life.
This is a good read with lots of sexual tension and science of the era sprinkled in.
Fiona Ferguson always looks out for her twin, the impractical Mairead. When news arrives that their brother has died an accused traitor, their grandfather turns them out. Within the month they are living a quiet life in London, teaching tradesmen’s children and house sitting for a friend.
Alex Knight and his friend, Chuffy Wilde, believe they carry the good news that Ian Ferguson lives and has been cleared of all crimes. Instead, they learn his sisters, the twins, have vanished.
Telescopes, codes, puzzles, and kisses are liberally sprinkled in this most recent of the Drake’s Rakes tales. Alex moves the twins from one location to another to stay ahead of danger – sometimes not by more than a moment. Fiona’s expert survival skills learned in the streets thwart Alex’s need to protect her – until they save his life.
This is a good read with lots of sexual tension and science of the era sprinkled in.
April 2, 2015
Twins Fiona and Mairead Ferguson are thrown out of their Marquess grandfather's house after their brother is accused of treason. Their brother's friend Alex comes to their rescue. But both the girls and Alex become embroiled in a blackmail plot, endangering Fiona and Alex's developing romance.
Strong writing, fun secondary characters, and some spy derring-do, with blackmail, fires, and murder. On the downside, I had a hard time feeling connected to the protagonists, in part because their first meeting, which is referred to quite a few times here, actually took place in a previous short story. Relying on another work which your reader may or may not (not in my case) have read to make your reader care your protagonists is a dangerous thing; for me, it left an emotional whole at the story's center.
Also felt somewhat uncomfortable with the portrayal of Mairead (someone on the Aspberger's spectrum?) and her swain Chuffy, who were sometimes used for comic relief.
Strong writing, fun secondary characters, and some spy derring-do, with blackmail, fires, and murder. On the downside, I had a hard time feeling connected to the protagonists, in part because their first meeting, which is referred to quite a few times here, actually took place in a previous short story. Relying on another work which your reader may or may not (not in my case) have read to make your reader care your protagonists is a dangerous thing; for me, it left an emotional whole at the story's center.
Also felt somewhat uncomfortable with the portrayal of Mairead (someone on the Aspberger's spectrum?) and her swain Chuffy, who were sometimes used for comic relief.
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