A Tempting Request

The Ball of Sin #3

by Ramona Elmes

Welcome to the Ball of Sin series, featuring four steamy novellas set at a decadent annual masquerade ball in Victorian England. Rumors suggest that every year, a secret matchmaker encourages one couple to realize that their night of fun and vice is the beginning of a happily ever after. Meet the next

The Honorable Douglas Monroe, the Crown’s most adored diplomat, finds himself at a crossroads. At thirty-two, he is poised to become the youngest British ambassador, or so he thought, but then he is offered a different assignment. He agrees to stay in London for another month to learn about this new role, but deep down, his heart is set on going abroad, and nothing will change that. But then his path crosses with Lady Judith Devroe at the Ball of Sin. She is wildly out of place in the den of vice, but Douglas is intrigued and tempted by her.

Lady Judith, an innocent, should not be at the notorious ball, but she must speak with Monroe. She is determined to establish a lending library in Devil’s Acre and needs the diplomat’s assistance. She finally finds him alone at one of the secluded cottages used for interludes. He is shocked by her request but, to her surprise, agrees to help, telling her he is impressed with her determination.

Alone together in a place made for sin, attraction thrums between them, prompting Judith to make a shocking request. One that Douglas finds too tempting to resist. They both agree it can only be one night, but afterward, they can’t seem to stop themselves from seeking each other out. With every moment spent together, their attraction and feelings grow. As much as they try to resist, their hearts start to wonder if two people on drastically different paths can somehow be together. And if so, what will they have to sacrifice?

*A steamy Victorian romance novella.

The Ball of Sin
A Rekindled Attraction
Battle of the Hampsteads
A Tempting Request

Genres: Historical, Novella

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

Since stealing her first historical romance novel from her mother more than twenty years ago, Ramona Elmes has been all in on the genre. In 2020, Ramona’s infatuation for the historical and steamy stirred her to start writing her own romances.

Ramona is the author of three Victorian era romance series—all are filled with angst, steam, and happily ever afters. She is now at work on a new historical romance series that is inspired by the villains of fairy tales. There will be five books in total, and each scoundrel will be taken down by their perfect match.

When not creating ways to entice and torture her characters, she spends her days in Georgia coordinating her family’s crazy life, refereeing pets, and daydreaming on her front porch.

To get updates on Ramona’s books, you can follow her on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, or her website.

Website: https://www.manmunbooks.com/ramona-elmes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RamonaElmes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmes_ramona/

Reviews

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 (two scenes were closer together so I combined into one flame)
Humor: A touch
Perspective: third person from both hero (Douglas) and heroine (Judith) and a prologue from a side character (Celeste)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: not too long in, about 5% (chapter 1)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, 23 years later
Format: read an e-book version through kindle unlimited
Why I chose this book: I loved book 1 of the series and want to read more from Elmes! I originally found out about her writing when she came to Upturned Petticoats and did a takeover.
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

Should I read in order?
I don’t think it’s really necessary – all these books give a little bit of info about some side characters (like a minor scene or two) that will be involved in the final book but overall stand alone very well. These all take place at the Ball of Sin.

Basic plot:
Judith decides to ask for Douglas’ help in getting her approval for a library – but as they meet at a secluded cottage at the Ball of Sin it leads to more...

Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian – 1854
- London setting
- hero works for the Crown and specializes in foreign affairs
- heroine wants to open a library and place to learn to read
- he believes in her dreams
- instalust vibes
- one night stand-ish
- light age gap – he’s 8 years older
- touch of secret identity (she knows him, but he only knows her first name)
- higher steam – 3ish full scenes (two scenes were close together so I combined for 1 full scene, so it might feel hotter to you) in a shorter page count

Ages:
- hero is 32, heroine is 24

First line:
Celeste Hathaway paused before entering Sebastian Devons’ office at the Den, reminding herself she wouldn’t become worked up about his matchmaking tricks for the Ball of Sin.

My thoughts:
This one was rather cute! I have been liking trying Elmes novellas in this series – they are short and spicy and fun.

This one was a touch slow to me though – the big problem was kind of cycled throughout the story and then resolved rather easily towards the end so I found myself wanting a bit more in that regard. But there were so many adorable things I loved within this story. Plenty of pining, which I eat up – thoughts of each other and longing glances across a ball room…

I really liked both mains and loved their motivation for what they wanted from life. I really adored the epilogue too – I think that helped clean up any issues I might have had with the problem between them feeling like it was resolved fairly. It was a really sweet epilogue and almost makes me want to ask for a second novella about their time in America!

Excited for the last novella in the series and also hope to try her Nouveau Riche series sometime.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 3
Average rating: 4 stars
Favorite book: A Rekindled Attraction

Quotes


“No, my Judith, I would never describe you as a morsel. You are not a dessert to be eaten. You are a woman to impress, a woman to challenge, and if any man is so lucky, a woman to pleasure.”



Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- nothing much to note but there was a mention of a side character’s death that was important to the heroine

Author content warnings? Didn’t see any listed


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: hero pulls out
How’s the consent? It’s good
Pregnancy/children in story?
16% - kiss
21% - 🔥 oral for her, missionary
His head drew back slightly, and his hot breath intensified the ache at the apex of her thighs. She whispered, “More.”
He bit the inside of her thigh. “As you wish.”

26% - kiss
40% - breast touches, kiss
49% - kiss
66% - 🔥 her on top in the carriage
“Come here, Judith.”
Judith fell against him astride. He held her hips up, claiming her mouth first. He plunged his tongue past her lips, tempting and enticing her. Then, slowly, he slid her down the length of him. He hissed, “You are so fucking wet.”
69% - kisses, oral against a tree trunk then sex against the tree trunk
Judith whispered in his ear, “I like you like this. The polished diplomat out of control. I like that I’m the one causing it.
95% - 🔥her on top
”I think you on top of me like this is my favorite position.”
She smirked. “That is what you said about being behind me and me on my knees. Which is it, my love?”



Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs


Full break down on what my ratings above mean here:
Overall: How I felt about it everything considered!
Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.)
Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?)
Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story?
Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch.
Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective.
Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgement (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions
Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (4) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio!
Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)


Find me
Instagram || The Storygraph || Bookbub ||

Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramona Elmes is a new author for me. This is my 4th book by her. I recently read her new book, A Wanton Adventure and it was so damn good. I added it to my favorite reads list for July, 2025. I just read Book 1 and 2 in this series.

I really loved Douglas and Judith. It was hot and steamy from the beginning. I like that Ramona writes pages of a sex scene and not just a paragraph or two like some others. It’s so hot and not awkwardly written. So damn good. I loved this storyline and these characters. They gave me all the feels. This has been my favorite book in the series so far. I am definitely adding this one to my favorite books read list for July, 2025.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Tempting Request didn’t feel so tempting after 10% in. Honestly, I didn’t really like the pace, the characters or the plot🤷🏻‍♀️. Felt very flat and boring.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 3 of the Ball of Sin series and can be read as a standalone story.

I really enjoyed this short, steamy story that started out a bit backwards with two strangers sharing a strong attraction, and sharing a passionate night with no intention of more. Douglas Monroe is back in London and at a bit of a crossroads in life. He is a popular, experienced diplomat, enjoying his travels around the world, working for the crown. He is hoping to embark on a new assignment soon, but until then, spending time learning the domestic side of diplomacy as the head of the department hopes Monroe will consider staying and taking his place in the future. Monroe, however, does not feel that is for him.

Lady Judith, a young woman with ambitions of her own, waylays Monroe at the Ball of Sin, hoping to inveigle his help in pushing forward her own plans. She has philanthropic aspirations, and wants him to use his connections to help her. She and Monroe end up sharing a spicy hot attraction that explodes into something more - but only intended by the both of them for the one night....

Except their paths cross again and again, and as Monroe stays in London, they become friends and lovers for the duration, as he helps her achieve her goals. However, because they have such different plans for the future and neither wants the other to sacrifice their dreams, how can they hope for a future together?

Very spicy and hot beginning, and an unexpectedly sweet development of their relationship as they become friends as well as lovers who support and encourage each others dreams.

4.25 stars out of 5

[Marion Löw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambitions Or Love

I enjoyed this steamy, quick to read strangers to lovers romance. The plot is well written and tells the story of two lovers who each want to achieve their own goals, but also don't want the other to give up pursuing their own dreams for them. The characters are both very likeable and the chemistry between them sizzles from the start. I also really liked Douglas and Judith’s heartwarming relationship with their loving parents, who, unlike in many other historical romance novels, supported their dreams and ambitions unconditionally.

Lady Judith has no intention of marrying and submitting to her husband's wishes. Her greatest goal is to make books and education accessible to the poorer population, and she needs Douglas Monroe's support to achieve this.
Douglas is the rising star in the diplomatic firmament and is known for his excellent negotiating skills. His next goal is to become an ambassador, although he is offered to become the head of the British Diplomatic Service in the near future. He is back in London for a month to await his new assignment and learn the ropes of working in the Home Office itself, staying in one of the infamous cottages in the Den during his stay.
Judith secretly visits Douglas at his cottage during the Ball of Sins and asks his assistance to persuade Lord Pentley, Douglas's mentor and head of the relevant committee, to create a lending library in Devil's Acre, where it is most needed.
Douglas agrees to help her and, unexpectedly, they share a passionate night. Although they are attracted to each other and admire each other's dedication, ambitions and dreams, they both realise that these are the reasons why a lasting relationship is not possible between them...

Overall, an entertaining quick read with strong characters, inner conflicts and spice, that I am happy to recommend!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Judith, daughter of the Earl of Devroe, believed that everyone, no matter their station, should be able to dream and that learning to read opened doors and enabled them to do so. To that end, she wanted to establish a lending library in Devil’s Acre, and desired Douglas Moore’s assistance. Because he was a diplomat who currently happened to be in London awaiting his next assignment, she planned to attend the Ball of Sin to speak with him. She followed him to his private cabin, and after Douglas agreed to help her, and Judith declared that she never intended to marry, so she wasn’t trying to trap him, they had a passionate interlude. Fast forward and there are steamy clandestine meetings, matchmaking mothers, conflicting job offers, projects to plan and one big unpleasant scene. Judith and Douglas just click. They are both intelligent, passionate and driven….and truly like each other. I thought it was great that everyone was about empowering Judith rather than looking down on her because she was a woman, and Douglas reminds us that there are still good guys out there. You will find detailed tidbits and hints of humor sprinkled amongst the passionate and emotional encounters, making this story so much fun to read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. Well written, fast paced read, full of drama, love, steam, action, dreams, society and twists. Lady Judith needs help to get her plans to build a lending library so everyone can learn to read. So one night she finds out a ball that she needs to attend is the Ball of Sin where she can run into Douglas. She dresses up and attends the ball looking for her target, Douglas. Douglas is a Diplomat who knows the man that can make her dreams come true. She is hoping to get him to help her. After following him to his cottage, they talk and lots of steam happens. Douglas has Devons take her home afterwards. Douglas meets up with Judith again and both have the same feelings. As they work together on her library project , feelings start to show for them both. Judith hears that Douglas will not be staying in London as his dream is to become an ambassador while hers is the library . Not wanting to hold him back from his dreams , she refuses to marry him. With a little talk and promises, they get their happily ever after. Would recommend to everyone this story and the rest of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ambassador and his siren - Douglas is an ambassador for the Crown, constantly traveling to a new post. Judith plans to live her life as an unmarried benefactor for her country. Her first step is to get backing for a library to be built in a depressed area of London in honor of her beloved governess. Douglas's help would be a godsend, his having the ear of the man in charge of the project.

Immediately taken with each other, they get down to business in more ways than one. But their life plans haven't changed. How can they part when they have just found each other?

A great addition to the series, with genuinely likeable characters who are willing to sacrifice their personal desires in favor of the greater good. That each of their parents is a love match is wonderful, especially in a time when love was undervalued. That ignited the desire inside the MCs for the same, rather than a cold match made for advantage only.
And twas good they held out, their loving as fiery as it was forbidden. I liked the epilogue, the author giving readers a look into their future. They had a life well-lived and well-loved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planning the Future . . .

Lady Judith Devroe is determined to find a way to set up a lending library which will be instrumental in her hope of encouraging everyone in the poorer section of London to learn how to read. So much good could come of that dream. It is important that she can talk to The Honorable Douglas Monroe about her idea. He is supposed to be attending the Ball of Sin one evening and she attends to search him out for a conversation on how to proceed to make the library possible. The two seem to be attracted to each other and continue to meet about her project. His plans had been to go abroad, so Judith makes him an offer. Will he decide to stay in London? Will he continue with his plans? Or will he want Judith in his life instead?

[Tiffany P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another love match that happened unexpectedly from the Ball of Sin. The connection between Douglas and Judith was instant. They had a mutual respect and a physical attraction that led to so much more. The characters within the story were all entertaining and well developed. The dialogue between the main characters was funny and engaging. Their interactions made their connection and journey to love believable. Both mothers were funny and well meaning while a little meddlesome too, but in the best way. This was a steamy novella that took two people with separate goals and showed them that love can make plans change. They had to overcome a misunderstanding before the HEA but no villains involved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella and the two charming main characters, Judith and Douglas. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is captivating. Judith approaches Douglas at a ball, asking for his assistance in obtaining important approval for the construction of a library for the less fortunate, and an immediate attraction develops between them. From that point on, and while working on Judith's project, sentiments will grow, but not without problems and misunderstandings. I adored this novella. It's a fast-paced, entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Douglas is back in London waiting for his next Ambassador assignment when he meets Lady Juliette who never intends to marry because she has her own idea’s to build lending libraries in the poor side of London. Juliette and Douglas end up in a secret torrid affair both thinking he would be leaving soon but the more time they spend together the more their feelings grow and then he helps her to achieve her goals but what will they do about their feelings and he new location coming up?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ball of Sin continues... Douglas stays in the Huntsman Cottage while he is in London awaiting a new assignment. He's hoping he will become an ambassador. It just happens to coincide with the Ball if Sin. Judith has decided she is bound for being a spinster so she can focus on her causes. She wants the skilled diplomacy that Douglas has to further her cause. Much more grows. This is a well written, steamy love story with wonderful characters and a happily ever after.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Tempting Request” by Ramona Elmes

-Douglas and Judith’s arrangement begins with passion but soon deepens into something more.
As they navigate ambition, diplomacy, and personal causes, their bond grows beyond desire.
With mutual support and hard lessons in love, they must decide what truly matters.
A beautifully written, steamy romance about compromise, passion, and chasing dreams together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ball of Sin strikes again with Douglas Monroe and Lady Judith. A meeting with a request leads to a night of passion but both know that their goals in life means no relationship or marriage. I enjoyed their push/pull, the undeniable chemistry and how each realize their goals could be modified for love. Enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the Ball of Sin series was a captivating and steamy novella. It was very spicy and hot. The characters were determined, goal driven, strong-willed, and likable. I enjoyed the very deliciously hot beginning at the Ball of Sin that started an interesting friendship. The unexpected development at the end was delightful, and the ending was perfect. I highly recommend reading!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in the "Ball of Sin" series. The novella can be enjoyed as a stand alone read. The story centers around a masquerade ball during the Victorian England era. This is a good story about Douglas and Lady Judith. She needs his help and goes to the ball to seek him out. She is a temptation but he is too. One night leads to more.

[Lisa H · Rating 3 out of 5]

He’s a diplomat…

At a infamous ball of sin…
Lady Judith is there to ask him to back her plan for a lending library. She shouldn’t be there and standouts. Judith and Douglas end up in a cottage doing stuff. It was just supposed to be that one tine. Right.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams shared

What we do or don't do for love can change depending on the circumstances. It is through mutual compromise that the dreams of both people in a relationship can follow their dreams.

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a lovely love story between two strong, passionate people who each have their goals yo pursue. Thsi was a well-done book of compromise, priorities, and support. Judith and Douglas both have lessons to learn, including how to let go of the one you love.

[Aspoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaaw this was such a loving story with friendship, compromises and spice. Monroe was a good hero and Judith was a lovely and strong heroine. The epilogue had me tearing up.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title:
* A Tempting Request
Author:
* Ramona Elmes
Length:
* Novella
HEA/Cliffhanger:
* HEA
Series #:
* Book 3 of 4 in The Ball of Sin series
Epilogue:
* Yes
* 23 Years Later

Gettin’ Down To The Nitty-Gritty…
Genre & Tropes:
* Historical Romance
* InstaLust
* MF
Triggers:
* Mature content
* A few dirty words
Burn Speed:
* Fast
Spice Level:
*