The Devil's Temptress

by Laura Navarre

In the glittering, sumptuous court of Eleanor of Acquitaine, betrayal lurks around every corner. The queen is at odds with her king, and to obey one could mean treason against the other. Even Alienore, considered the most virtuous lady at court, holds secrets.

He is called the Raven—his face scarred by a Saracen blade, his voice raspy with the effects of Greek fire. His parentage is unknown, his prowess legendary. And he'll sell his sword to the highest bidder. As his piercing eyes track her every move, Alienore wonders who he's working for now.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Romance, Medieval, Historical, Fiction, Adult

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2011

About the author

Amazon category bestselling author Laura Navarre (she/her) whisks you away from your day-to-day with spicy-shifty wild & witchy why-choose romance starring hot bi heroes and the women who love them.

A long time ago in a galaxy far away, Laura wrote dark fantasy romance for Harlequin, while her sinister twin Nikki Navarre wrote sexy spy romance. Now, with eighteen sexy stories released worldwide, this Washington, DC-based nomad writes dark witch adult academy why choose romance featuring bi heroes, badass heroines, and enough heat to set your Academy uniform on fire!

Laura is a cat lover, globetrotter, wine addict, PhD candidate, and president of Ascendant Press. When she isn’t conjuring witchy worlds, she’s a diplomat with a professional background in weapons of mass destruction and an MFA in writing popular fiction. She’s a Golden Heart finalist, two-time winner of the Golden Pen, winner of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association romance award, 2023 New England Readers Choice award winner, 2023 winner of the Holt Medallion for Best Virginia Author, 2023 Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal RWA PRISM dark paranormal romance finalst, and other awards.

She’s also relentlessly obsessive, alarmingly efficient, and a recovering perfectionist. She’s deeply suspicious of the Oxford comma, but she’s never met an em dash she doesn’t love.
Do you love possessive alphas, dragon riders, dragon shifters, British bullies, teacher-student forbidden love, age gap angst, and dark witch adult academy why choose romance? Follow Laura for free in the Witching World, her reader community on Ream, and score monthly free reads here! https://reamstories.com/witchingworld

Stalk Laura across the witching world like the queen killer stalks Zara at the Icarus Academy! Her adventures are trackable by witches, warlocks, wolf shifters, and mere mortals alike at:
https://reamstories.com/witchingworld
http://www.LauraNavarreSciFi.com
https://www.facebook.com/LauraNavarre...
https://www.tiktok.com/@LauraNavarreA...
https://amzn.to/3FrX5t7
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laura...
http://www.goodreads.com/LauraNavarre

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:

The Plot:

Set in twelfth century England, Lady Alienore of Lyonstone teeters on the edge of treason while serving the gilded caged Queen of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine. As the queen's privy chancellor, Alienore manages all of Eleanor's personal and royal correspondence while also acting as the queen's connection to the outside world. Loyal to her marrow, Alienore strives to emulate her queen and godmother, doing her best to shackle her unruly and passionate nature beneath a cloak of pride and virtuosity.

A dangerous time to be at court, Alienore serves her queen honorably and diligently hoping that her loyalty will reward her. Having fled to the queen after her crusader brother returned to Lyonstone proclaiming she's to wed the aged drunkard Duc d'Ormande, Alienore now beseeches her beloved godmother and sovereign to reinstate the lands bequeathed to her by her dead father, severe the offensive marriage proposal, and allow Alienore her rightful freedom. Eleanor champions her cause, that is until a dark knight charges into Alienore's life setting her on course to ruination and an uphill battle toward redemption.

The Raven, a knight of disreputable origins, descends upon Eleanor's court at the most pivotal point in the queen's game. Known as the Devil of Damascus, the Raven is a mystery. Is he King Henry's man sent to spy on his treacherous wife or is the devil there to collect the rogue daughter of Lyonstone and deliver her to her wedding? Whatever his orders, Alienore strives to maintain distance against the vocally scarred knight whose raspy voice sends heated darts of passion piercing through her cold armor, igniting a flame of desire that threatens to become an inferno.

The Raven knows that his heart's in jeopardy the moment he lays eyes on Alienore. Unfashionably tall with rippling wheat gold hair and piercing gray eyes, the woman is a warrior proven by her sheathed sword and wolf companion trotting protectively at her heels. Her intelligence radiates as does her sense of honor and pride. Loath to break Alienore's spirit, the Raven does what he can to gently manipulate her toward his own goals, informing her that the queen and therefore she is on a treasonous path. But he underestimates Alienore's loyalty and must resort to ruination to protect Alienore from the hangman's noose. Having yet to reveal his true identity, the Raven hates the betrayal he's made against Alienore but there are those who will starve if he doesn't reach his aims and secure the Lyonstone heiress as his bride. But there are others in the bid for Alienore's fortune including Alienore herself and the Raven soon finds himself in fear of becoming an honorable man.

The Heroine:

A bit high strung, Alienore of Lyonstone is a force to be reckoned with. Unsuitable for court life with her direct tongue and lithe warrior body that matches her deadly skill, one would be fool hardy to attack those she loves. But her beauty and her vastly known virtuosity makes her a luscious challenge that many a man can't refuse. However, Alienore wants no man or passion for both ruined her mother. Instead she shields herself with her virginity and piousness, dousing the flames of those men foolish enough to proposition her. But the Raven is one man that Alienore can't ignore or discourage. His battle scarred body and voice brings to height a sensual awareness she never knew she possessed. But betrayal doges the heels of her wounded knight and Alienore puts forth the strength of her pride and her determination to win back her rightful inheritance and shun her heart from the Raven's skillful seduction. Yet it's Alienore's very pride that puts her in jeopardy of losing the one man that could set her free within the bonds of love.

The Hero:

Scarred both physically and mentally, the Raven, his goals, and his desperation are slow to be revealed. Much like Alienore and her virtuous shield, the Raven hides his true self allowing the character damaging rumors of his past to shield him from having to face his own inner pain. He's a devil through and through, at least that's what he's bound and determined to convince Alienore of while also striving to win her trust and her hand. The Raven needs Alienore but it's not known how much until he's faced with his warrior woman's unguarded heart and her determination to heal his own heart which is dying beneath the weight of his guilt and his past.

My Final Thoughts:

THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS boasts a twisted maze of a plot featuring cunning royals for road blocks and two vivacious lead characters as the scrambling mice racing betwixt the dangerous switchbacks toward an intertwined fate. Alienore reminded me much of a warrior goddess, intelligent, virtuous and strong. She's also gifted with the loyalty and friendship of a powerfully protective wolf and the strength of a sword hand deftly trained for combat. However, she's thankfully brought down to the level of us mortals with her faltering naivete and blistering pride both of which serve to hinder and protect her. And while Alienore's leashed passion is skillfully contained, it takes one wounded but no less determined knight to crash through the barriers of her control. In complete opposition to Alienore's open book emotions, the Raven is every bit the dark and devilish mystery his reputation herald's him to be. He's tortured for sure but his motives are cloaked in masterful darkness eluding the reader time and again. He's a delightful surprise, one that will have you guessing right up until the very end.

Navarre has proven herself a masterful storyteller with THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS. This is no easy plot to navigate as its thickly layered with the opposing forces of deceitful betrayal and virtuous loyalty. Lush with historical fact, Navarre will and does successfully journey the reader to another time and place where no aspect of life is left veiled or beautified. Undoubtedly, you will feel the ebb and flow of this tide of time. In addition, not a single plot arc is left unresolved much to the praising astonishment of this skilled reader's eye. This is an author that will have you guessing endlessly and gasping with surprise at each cleverly unveiled truth. Because of this, I've done my best to keep this review as vague as possible though I've seen other, far more revealing reviews which is unfortunate because the twists are so to be savored.

For historical romance readers looking to venture beyond the time of the silver-tongued Regency and Victorian ton, get ready to embark on a whirlwind ride through the Medieval times and the lush political intrigue soaking its heart. A spellbinding romance, THE DEVIL'S TEMPTRESS will have you breathlessly clinging to the edge of your seat as the combustible plot races to the finish line where the ultimate betrayal may or may not come to fruition. Enjoy!

4 Stars

[Booklover1335 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil’s Temptress is only the second novel from relative newcomer Laura Navarre, but rest assured her stories are far from being novice. This story has great intrigue, betrayal, deception, and of course loves. I think it really captures how precarious life was for someone living in a royal court in this tumultuous time period.


The heroine, Alienore (not to be confused with the Queen, Eleanor), is a strong young woman in a world where most women are only chattel. Refusing to accept the match made by her brother she flees to France to become the Privy Chancellor to Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Alienore is pure of heart, and somewhat naive and innocent of the ways of people, yet she is surrounded by courtiers who live and breathe deception, with ulterior motives behind every deed and word. While honest in many ways she strives to deny her passionate nature due to the sins of her mother by assuming the role of the Queen’s most virtuous Lady.


Raven is her dark hero. He is darkness, just as much as Alienore is lightness. He has experienced the evil that resides in the soul of man during his Crusade, yet he has lived through those heinous and abominable acts committed against humanity. He is mysterious, brooding, and somewhat sinister...at least that is how he projects himself to others. And though he feels that he has lost all his faith in both God and humanity, and thinks that his soul, as well as his ability to love, has been eradicated...deep down where it matters most, he is strong, and honorable, and redeemable.


They are both courageous as well as champions to the causes that they believe in.


I think the author does an incredible job of creating the world that the characters live in. I thought that the character of Alienore was very intriguing, though maybe not completely believable. The reader is led to believe that she has lived a very sheltered life prior to fleeing her home and seeking shelter with the Queen, her Godmother. Because of that, I did find it a little hard to believe that she would be appointed as the Queen’s Privy Chancellor given her young age and her naiveté, despite her bravery, though it did work to the Queen’s advantage which, more than likely, is the reason for the decision to give her such an important role in the Queen’s entourage.


Unlike Ms. Navarre’s previous book, The Devil’s Mistress, which I felt was more historical fiction than romance; The Devil’s Temptress is wholeheartedly a historical romance novel. And while many outside influences drive the plot of the story, it revolves around the hero and heroine and their journey to find love with each other and within themselves. There are a few brief, yet affecting and intimate love scenes that explore their relationship, however I wish there would have been a few more revealing love scenes because I felt that it was important for Alienore’s character to explore the passion that she tries to repress because of her Mother’s infidelity. She becomes “Lady Virtue” because of this past scandal, and while The Raven tempts her to recognize the passion within herself that she ardently wishes to deny...she eventually succumbs to his seduction. I wanted to see Alienore recognize her true self because of her Devil’s love. Even though this transformation is expressed in words, I felt it would have been more powerful for the reader to have Alienore embrace this ardent part of herself, and at the same time gain some forgiveness and understanding for her Mother through this awakening.


No one can argue the importance of having a great hero and heroine, but in a story like this one, you also have to have great villains. This story has a cast of great villains! Some are really evil, others are subtly manipulative...i.e. the type of characters that you love to hate ;) At first the reader is led to believe that it is Raven, The Devil, is who Alienore should fear the most, but there are hidden enemies around almost every corner. Because of complexity of the plot revolving around the villainous characters, I felt that the ending was a bit confusing, and as a result the dramatic end didn’t have as much intensity as it could have had. There is one scene in particular, where the villains meet in private to finalize their plans that I think the reader would have benefited from being able to attend this meeting, that would have not only revealed the evil schemers and their plans, but I think it would have increased the sense of suspense and danger that awaited Alienore and Raven.


Yet, despite a slight tendency to overuse descriptive adjectives and a somewhat liberal use of purple prose, I really enjoyed The Devil’s Temptress and all of its characters. I thought the plot was captivating, with a little surprise towards the end that I did not expect involving the hero. Overall, I felt it was a very good read that any fan of historical romance is sure to enjoy. In my opinion, Laura Navarre keeps getting better with each book she writes, and I can’t wait for her next novel!


Ratings:

Overall: 4.25
Sensuality level: 3.0-Sensual

[Jen Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is complicated for Lady Alienore. She had big dreams of running her family’s estate after her father’s death. But her brother had other plans. When he tried to marry her off to an old, nasty scoundrel, she ran for the royal court. She took refuge with her godmother, the queen, and become her grace’s counsellor. She hopes to gather royal favor to get her lands back and escape the claims of her would-be husband.

At court, she meets a dark man, known only as the Raven. He has a terrible reputation, especially compared to Alienore’s virtuous one. But circumstances throw them together. And their attraction quickly proves too powerful to ignore. Alienore has to navigate royal intrigue and work to regain her lands, while at the same time, try to figure out if Raven is really the dastardly blackheart his reputation suggests.

I had high hopes for this book. Whoever wrote the back cover summary needs a raise, because it sold me 100%. Once I got to reading, it was ok. There were a lot of characters to digest and for the first 1/3 of the book, I struggled to keep all the men straight. The sexual tension was pretty good between our lead characters but it took a long time before anything happened between them. And when it did, I felt like we scrimped a little on the details. (If I’m going to wait that long, I want a good payoff!)

The ending was happy, albeit a bit predictable. Overall, it was a fairly good historical romance that was a little light on the steam. 3 1/2 stars.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let make a movie lol xoxo Laura love it! Amazingly talented writer - not to mention a wonderful person!

[Among The Muses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Navarre delivers a very well-written novel made for historical fiction romance readers who love a story richly articulated with a period voice. From clothing to dialogue, religion to war, Navarre captures the essence of the time when the knights of the Crusades and political unrest influence the course of many subjects lives. A mesmerizing tale of manipulation and seduction that drives a course of action for all players involved. Who do you trust when everyone seems out for themselves?

Due to the abundance of twist-and-turns within the carrying out of the plot, I've tread carefully in the descriptions and summary of this story, not wanting to reveal too much. Half the enjoyment in the reading of The Devil's Temptress is tying to assess who's who and what will happen next!

In 1174 Poitiers, France, Lady Alienore of Lyonstone is the daughter of an Earl. Her rightfully inherited lands have been seized by her ex-Crusader brother who's tied them to a most unfortunate event. She's escaped her betrothal to the horrendous drunkard, Duc d'Ormonde by finding refuge under her godmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of England, and becoming her Grace's most virtuous, privy chancellor. A position that grants Alienore time to petition the king for her rights and offers her both protection and offense. For the Queen of England has betrayed her husband, King Henry of England, the Duke of Normandy, and everyone who portrays to have taken a side with Eleanor of Aquitaine, may find themselves one-step closer to being viewed as a traitor. Including the honorable and most virtuous Alienore, herself.

With so many people weary of those around them and the meaning behind the actions and words issued, it is only apparent that when the dark and mysterious knight who shows up at court not bearing a Christian name, but rather goes by the name Raven and known as the "Devil of Damascus", mystery and suspicion ensues. Is he a spy for the king or a mercenary knight? Whoever he may be, the most virtuous lady cannot deny the interest she feels toward the mysterious stranger.

Circumstances quickly change when political challenges arise and the jilted betrothed of Lady Alienore is rumored to have left England in search of her at Aquitaine (France). A rumor is all it takes for Alienore to escape and into a completely different danger. One in which the part Normandy, part Saracen knight will become Alienore's savior, hero, betrayer, capturer, lover, and future. Naive Alienore quickly learns that everyone is a pawn in the king and queen's plans, and having Scotland threatening an invasion on Alienore's own home lands, changes her course -- and life -- yet again! Only this time she finds herself permanently tied to the Raven ... despite not knowing his real name and intentions.

~~~

Peppered with French expressions and period created dialogue, Navarre brings to life early twelfth-century Normandy and England through her consistent and intelligent writing style. Readers who delight in feeling like they're being transported back in fictional time will surely rejoice in this.

Adventures that stem from betrayal, deceit, and war whisks characters across politically delicate lands of Normandy and England, and also gives notice to the upheaval between them and Scotland. Historical facts carry the plot and enhance the sub-plots and action. In fact, the romance and relationship between the hero and heroine is nothing short of rocky, stemming from the Raven's past as a Christian Crusader, and her own past of hurt and naivety.

It takes a strong woman to accept a broken man, and in The Devil's Temptress, the relationship between the hero and heroine seems plausible and heart-felt.

The protagonists were enjoyable and believable. Events of the time period held true to the making of the personalities, actions, and beliefs of the characters. I could imagine a head-strong heroine, scared of sexuality due to religious obligations and personal experiences, tightly embracing the honor of herself and her family's name, and naively loyal to those she holds dear, so much so that she finds herself at one-point labeled a traitor leaving her to rely on her dark hero. Of the two protagonists, I felt as though Alienore had the most dynamic shift of character development. Her 'eyes' were slowly opened to the reality of her circumstances and to the perceptions of those around her. From the beginning, she maintained a naive, head-strong strength and determination about her that eventually balanced out to a more well-rounded individual.

Raven, the mysterious and handsome ex-Christian Crusader knight is believable in his personality and actions as well. How would the horrendous events of the Crusades shape the man and believer of God? I can only imagine that doubt and anger would be products -- and Navarre brings those factors front-and-center in the making of Raven's character. His own hatred towards himself makes him his own villain. At the end of the tale, the Raven will reveal his true identity and take steps at reclaiming his self and position -- of course with the help of Alienore!

One of my favorite lines that also explains a little about the characters:

“I’ve wanted you since the day I looked in your eyes.” Sweet with cloves, his breath brushed her face. “And found a woman strong and fierce as a lion, who’d challenge the devil himself. I’ve wanted you my whole life … searched for you without knowing it.”

Many characters take up residence within the unfolding of the story. Twists-and-turns and ups-and-downs keep the reader guessing and inferring as to what will happen next and who's betraying who, something I greatly appreciate when reading. The plot and sub-plots are all concluded by the end of the story making you feel like you're not left hanging.

As for the sensuality in the story, readers who revel in description and abundance will more than likely be left unsatisfied. Navarre holds back the strong descriptions and makes the characters wait before acting on desires, but that doesn't mean there's a lack of sexual tension! But, sex itself is meant to portray the growth and development of feelings of the characters, what they come to mean to one another despite the misleading events that bring them together. This is especially true when it comes to Alienore; Her honor and virtuousness compels her. This is story that I felt as though nothing were contrived -- events, actions, dialogue, and the romance and intimacy!

Laura Navarre is a new-to-me author that's made me a fan through her carefully crafted, engaging, historically contextual, romantic, and plausible tale of one broken knight and one virtuous woman who learn that saving themselves can be found in the arms of another. I recommend this book to those historical romance fans who enjoy a strong historically articulated tale where romance is carefully unfolded and reveled, and sexual tension holds more presence then graphic sex. I'm definitely looking forward to what Laura Navarre has in store for readers next!

[Amanda Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been itching to get my grubby paws on this book, mostly because it’s set in the 12th century. It’s no secret that I’m a nerd for history, but what most of you don’t know is that I have a soft spot for the crusades. It’s a fascinating time in history. Here’s another nerd confession – I love the video game Assassin’s Creed. Set in the midst of the third crusade, you trounce around 12th century Jerusalem, Acre, and other biblical cities assassinating people threatening peace. Ironic? Yes. Awesome? Totally. The game only gets more kick-ass as the series progresses (II & III are set in Renaissance Italy and feature a different dashing assassin). Yes, I know I harbor a weird, dark side.

Anyhow, I was intrigued by this book because it’s set in the same time period as AC1, and features a dark, brooding hero who is known for his barbarism in battles during the crusades. I was tickled pink when I was offered a chance to read and review it. I’ve never read anything by Laura Navarre, and I always enjoy a chance to try out new authors.

The Devil’s Temptress is the story of Alienore, a woman encumbered by a heavy burden of expectation. She is denied the right to her dowry by her brother, and runs to the court of imprisoned Eleanor of Aquitaine to escape an arranged marriage to the Duke of Ormonde. Alienore works for Eleanore, the King’s estranged and assumed treacherous wife, as her privy chancellor. She maintains a cold and impenetrable facade in order to keep herself safe, earning herself a reputation as “The Queen’s most virtuous lady.” While she’s stunningly beautiful, blunt, and whip sharp smart, she carries a secret – she’s a warrior at heart, taking up arms as a mysterious knight to champion women who know one else will. That’s how she first meets The Raven – in a joust to defend her cousin’s fledgling honor. Defeated, she vows to loathe the dark and dangerous knight, but he stirs something in her that no one else has – passion. And it scares the hell out of her.

I enjoyed The Devil’s Temptress. Navarre’s style of writing was refreshingly descriptive and intriguing. She painted beautiful characters and settings. There were twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. While Alienore started out as an icy pillar, by the end of the novel she had melted to a fiery woman who embraced what she wanted. The Raven is a dark, brooding sort of hero, the kind of man that some would make out to be a villain. At least, he believes that of himself. Alienore wakes his slumbering compassion, and he’s forced to come to terms with his developing feelings for her.

For some reason I had it in my head that this was an erotic novel. It’s not. It’s a sensual, engagingly romantic story, but it’s not erotic. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. What can I say? I’m a smutty, smutty girl. But hey, I can’t really fault the novel for my disappointment. It was extremely well written, and a wonderful, dark tale.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I've read a lot of historical romances lately. And most of them share a common trait: it's not so much about the historical as the romance, with balls and pretty dresses. This one actually dealt with the history and I've never read anything set in the time of Eleanor of Aquitane before, so that was refreshing as well.

I'm kind of conflicted about how I should review this, because while I really enjoyed most of the book, there were also things I had issues with.
Alienore is a likeable heroine, she is brave and loyal and there's this thing I have for women dressing up like men (this is how we meet her the first time). Though she does it only once in the book, it made me like her right away.

And then there's the Raven, by the way: it totally bothered me not knowing his first name for almost the whole book. And I know, it's mysterious, blah-di-blah, it didn't ring any bells when I finally learned what it was, so it wasn't that important to the storyline. He's conflicted and has good reason to be. I thought the author gave him a good voice, except for the occasion in which he expressed certain sexual desires in his mind, which left me going: wait, WHAT DID HE JUST THINK??? Completely out of context and unnecessary in my opinion.

They did have wonderful chemistry and I cried for them when they were figuring things out, I loved it. I'm also intrigued by Eleanor of Aquitane and feel like I should get to know her better. If I'm correct, her son Richard is Richard Lionheart? He comes across as a total sleazeball in this book, which I have a hard time connecting with the King Richard from Robin Hood...

I was a bit confused by the timelime of Alienore's childhood, but that could be just me. I didn't get how she could have spent 6 years in a convent and raised a wolf at the same time at home. She has a pet wolf, how cool is that?
One other thing I had issues with: the author mentions Raven having 'self-hatred churning in his belly'. Seriously? This is a big strong man, he doesn't have a belly, that sounds so childish. Not manly at all.

Reading this, I sound kind of negative. But I'm not, honestly. It was a really nice story and I liked the main characters, the things mentioned above just stood out to me and made me pause and go HUH?! in an otherwise enjoyable read.

My rating: 3,5 stars

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Devil's Temptress", by Laura Navarre, is a superbly told tale of medieval political intrigue and the two passionate lovers caught in the court's spidery web. Alienore of Lyonstone is the personal scribe and favored lady-in-waiting of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the displaced wife of Henry Plantagenet, King of England. Secretly trained in the skills of a knight of battle, Alienore takes up the cause of women she believes to have been wronged. She meets her match on the battlefield in the form of a mysterious dark knight known as the "Raven". Scarred inside and out, the Raven uses his position as master-at-arms to cloak his hidden agendas. Is the black knight honorable, or is he the Devil in human form? Should Alienore give in to the powerful longings created by the Raven's tough and tender manner? Will he give his heart, something he has vowed never to do again? Ms. Navarre spins this enthralling romantic tale with great skill and historical detail. "The Devil's Temptress" is a very involving adventure which is also richly characterized. Highly recommended!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This richly crafted and elegant historical romance pulled me in within the first pages. I found myself deeply involved in Alienore’s story and the intrigue that swirled around her and the infamous Raven. Her strength of character and strong will make her a delightful heroine and his dark brooding and mysterious past make his a very intriguing hero. Add to that the rick back-drop of twelfth century England and you have a wonderfully interesting story.

Ms. Navarre keeps you on your toes throughout the book with her careful unveiling of the tale. I’m afraid my chores went undone this weekend and I ended up reading 2/3 of the book in one sitting (if I had started it over the weekend, I probably would have read the whole thing in one go!). It was a wonderful read; intriguing throughout and at moments – wickedly hot. For those who enjoy historical fiction it is well worth reading.

*I received this book for free as part of a First Reads promotion. My opinions are purely my own.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: With the popularity, of romances in the Regency and Tudor time periods, books set during the Plantagenet era gets short shrift. The Devil's Temptress is set during the reign of Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. It begins in 1174 when Eleanor is under “house-arrest” for encouraging her and Henry’s children to rise up and take the throne from Henry.

This story is about Lady Alienore of Lyonstone who is Eleanor’s privy chancellor (for personal


read the rest of the review at Love Romance Passion

[Jody · Rating 2 out of 5]

First half of the book is extremely confusing. I thought I knew what was going on but then something else would happen and I would be like "what?" Second half much clearer. Ended pretty well.

[ROMANTIC HISTORICAL REVIEW BLOG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jenny at Romantic Historical Lovers:
http://romantichistoricallovers.wordp...

[❆ Crystal ❆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I was glad I read it. I give it 3 stars.