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Pearl Island Trilogy #3
Don't Tempt Me
Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B004LLIWN6.
When an irresistible man meets an independent woman, the chase is on!
Adrian St. Claire, the sexy chef at the Pearl Island B&B is as tempting as the dishes he serves. In fact, he’s never had a woman tell him no–until his family needs help searching for a legendary heirloom on the sunken ship in the island’s cove. To find the treasure they need the help of a woman whose family history is as linked as theirs to the island’s romantic past.
As the owner of the Pirate’s Pleasure, Jackie Taylor is far more interested in running her cruise ship along the Texas coast than chasing tales of lost booty, and even less interested in tangling with a man who collects female admirers just by walking down the street. On top of that, helping the St. Claires could dredge up secrets she’d like to remain buried.
Enticed by Jackie’s resistance, Adrian soon has something more than treasure hunts and casual flirtation in mind . . . and he’s not a man who takes no for an answer. But will they each have the courage to risk their hearts for the greatest treasure of all–falling in love?
When an irresistible man meets an independent woman, the chase is on!
Adrian St. Claire, the sexy chef at the Pearl Island B&B is as tempting as the dishes he serves. In fact, he’s never had a woman tell him no–until his family needs help searching for a legendary heirloom on the sunken ship in the island’s cove. To find the treasure they need the help of a woman whose family history is as linked as theirs to the island’s romantic past.
As the owner of the Pirate’s Pleasure, Jackie Taylor is far more interested in running her cruise ship along the Texas coast than chasing tales of lost booty, and even less interested in tangling with a man who collects female admirers just by walking down the street. On top of that, helping the St. Claires could dredge up secrets she’d like to remain buried.
Enticed by Jackie’s resistance, Adrian soon has something more than treasure hunts and casual flirtation in mind . . . and he’s not a man who takes no for an answer. But will they each have the courage to risk their hearts for the greatest treasure of all–falling in love?
Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2004
53 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Julie Ortolon
19 books551 followersMost authors will tell you they've been writing and reading since childhood. Not me. I hated reading and never imagined I'd someday be a writer. Of course, the fact that I have dyslexia probably has a tiny bit to do with my aversion to the written word.
Nonetheless, I had a very active imagination and spent most of my school years staring out the window dreaming up stories. When I finally escaped the torture of public school, I attended Schreiner College in the Texas Hill Country. Schreiner specializes in programs for students with learning disabilities. With the help of a school administrator, who was willing to type out one of my short stories, I entered a writing contest—won first place!
That was when I started longing for a way to get the other stories that were in my head down on paper. But the act of writing longhand, when I couldn't spell, could barely read, and knew zip about punctuation, proved impossible.
So, I became an artist instead—and was perfectly happy.
Then came the day my journalist husband brought home a computer, and I discovered the wonders of "spell check." I cannot describe how I felt in that moment. That computer was like a magic box—a gateway into a world where anything was possible. I spend every spare minute teaching myself to type, read, punctuate, and somehow get my stories out of my head and onto that glowing white screen.
Ten years, and five complete manuscripts later, I had another magical moment—the day I sold my first book. When I got the news I screamed and cried and made a perfectly ecstatic fool of myself.
The journey to becoming a published author was long and hard, but writing is the most thrilling thing I've ever done.
Nonetheless, I had a very active imagination and spent most of my school years staring out the window dreaming up stories. When I finally escaped the torture of public school, I attended Schreiner College in the Texas Hill Country. Schreiner specializes in programs for students with learning disabilities. With the help of a school administrator, who was willing to type out one of my short stories, I entered a writing contest—won first place!
That was when I started longing for a way to get the other stories that were in my head down on paper. But the act of writing longhand, when I couldn't spell, could barely read, and knew zip about punctuation, proved impossible.
So, I became an artist instead—and was perfectly happy.
Then came the day my journalist husband brought home a computer, and I discovered the wonders of "spell check." I cannot describe how I felt in that moment. That computer was like a magic box—a gateway into a world where anything was possible. I spend every spare minute teaching myself to type, read, punctuate, and somehow get my stories out of my head and onto that glowing white screen.
Ten years, and five complete manuscripts later, I had another magical moment—the day I sold my first book. When I got the news I screamed and cried and made a perfectly ecstatic fool of myself.
The journey to becoming a published author was long and hard, but writing is the most thrilling thing I've ever done.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 17, 2016
This did not grab me at all.
March 17, 2019
DNF 33%
Read it all before, dialogue and plot grew quickly tired - nothing fresh - can't hold my interest.
Read it all before, dialogue and plot grew quickly tired - nothing fresh - can't hold my interest.
March 27, 2022
The best of the first 3 books. I like how the male protagonist is the one with unrequited feelings.
August 12, 2012
This one started out excellently. I'm talking '5stars and making room for a physical copy on my keeper shelf' excellent. For a little more than half the book I was captivated and in love. I had issues but they seemed so petty that I just turned a blind eye to them. But from about 56% onward it started going downhill quickly until I was tempted (heh) to DNF within the final 10-15%. By the time I read the final word I hated the book.
What I hated the most was the characters. Especially Jackie, whom I never did truly like. There's absolutely zero growth with her. She's as awful at the end as she was in the beginning. But Adrian did start out with some potential. I couldn't stand how much he was constantly having to placate Jackie and her fears/insecurities throughout the story though! I was getting frustrated by all the ways he bent over backwards for her and she was too self-absorbed to really see it. And when she did see it, she denied it and his love. To dramatic effect as well when she . Really?! Adrian sums up Jackie pretty accurately here though…
"…you're a goddamned coward without enough backbone to stand up for yourself!" (p.306 location 4328 on Kindle)
I couldn't have said it any better myself. Unfortunately, he stays with her! So, yeah. I feel he's a first-class fool who's TSTL. I was completely disappointed with this book. While there was good things, especially in the beginning, I wish I had never read it. Thankfully I only borrowed it from lendle. One thing I will say though, is this book has the best smexy scenes in the whole series. Very hot stuff indeed. Is it enough for me to recommend? Nope. Although, if you've read the rest of the series, you may as well read this one for completions sake.
What I hated the most was the characters. Especially Jackie, whom I never did truly like. There's absolutely zero growth with her. She's as awful at the end as she was in the beginning. But Adrian did start out with some potential. I couldn't stand how much he was constantly having to placate Jackie and her fears/insecurities throughout the story though! I was getting frustrated by all the ways he bent over backwards for her and she was too self-absorbed to really see it. And when she did see it, she denied it and his love. To dramatic effect as well when she . Really?! Adrian sums up Jackie pretty accurately here though…
"…you're a goddamned coward without enough backbone to stand up for yourself!" (p.306 location 4328 on Kindle)
I couldn't have said it any better myself. Unfortunately, he stays with her! So, yeah. I feel he's a first-class fool who's TSTL. I was completely disappointed with this book. While there was good things, especially in the beginning, I wish I had never read it. Thankfully I only borrowed it from lendle. One thing I will say though, is this book has the best smexy scenes in the whole series. Very hot stuff indeed. Is it enough for me to recommend? Nope. Although, if you've read the rest of the series, you may as well read this one for completions sake.
December 10, 2014
Soo, re-reading this book it was easy to see why I rated this so lowly reading this the first time.
Adrian... he isn't as compelling as his sisters, and Jackie isn't as interesting as Scott or Chance. Plus the supernatural aspect is really really amped up in this book. It works but... I don't know I just don't.. get on with it I guess.
Still, this is a solid ending to the series and I did enjoy reading this - just not as much as the other books.
Adrian... he isn't as compelling as his sisters, and Jackie isn't as interesting as Scott or Chance. Plus the supernatural aspect is really really amped up in this book. It works but... I don't know I just don't.. get on with it I guess.
Still, this is a solid ending to the series and I did enjoy reading this - just not as much as the other books.
April 24, 2012
Having read the first two books in this trilogy I have to be honest when I say I was disappointed with this book. I just couldn't connect with Adrian and Jackie as a couple. They just didn't seem to fit. It was nice to see the trilogy through to the end but I wasn't satisfied when i'd finished. Felt like something was still missing, if that makes sense?!
July 13, 2022
More like 3.5* This is Adrian and Jackie's story. Adrian is a super hot chef who has spent the majority of his life taking care of his two younger sisters. Now that they are both happily settled down and the running of the family B&B is going smoothly he just wants to cook and enjoy his life with a few less responsibilities. Jackie is an extremely competent ship captain with severe trust issues. She and Adrian bring out the best in each other. He helps her to relax and have some fun and she shows him that responsibility and commitment are not things you do just because they are the right thing to do. They go into business together and try to resist their attraction for each other while dealing with her past which comes back while looking for Lafitte's treasure; but she and Carl, the lead archeologist on the dig make peace with their past. Adrian gets an offer that takes him out to LA, which Jackie encourages him to take, to figure out what he wants, and tabloids cause some tension when he gets back. But while he is out there he realizes that all he wants is her. However, things get worse before they get better, her past, and her father, get splashed all over the media and she tries to end things. Carl, who has met and fallen in love with Aunt Viv, ends the search for the treasure because they are out of money. Jackie and Adrian decide to keep looking and with the help of a dolphin, that was being guided by Jack's ghost, they find the treasure. Jackie and Adrian hire a publicist and use his new cooking show, which is being filmed at the B&B, to re-frame the narrative and they get their happily ever after. I liked how this handled Jackie's fears which were extremely real. Her fear of loss, rejection, failure, and abandonment were so real and handled so well. Adrian realizing that while he may not have set out to hurt any of his previous relationships, but that he did actually hurt them was also really well done. I really enjoyed this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2020
It's interesting to me that I rated this book the least enjoyable of the trilogy when I last read it 6 years ago, as this time it was the best one!
I think that may be because a lot of the more... problematic elements that the earlier books had don't exist here, there's no double standards or naivety. There are a couple of times when Jackie does react ridiculously but it's arguably not out of character just... stupid, and Adrian makes for a better lead character than he did as a big brother.
I mean, the book still isn't great, it was just more enjoyable than the two sequels, and in the grand scheme of chick-lit books I can totally understand how I forgot this series as much as I did. Would I read it again... eh. I own the books on Kindle so it is possible I'll want some quick wins again, but I doubt I'll ever think "you know what series I really must re-read? The Pearl Island trilogy".
I think that may be because a lot of the more... problematic elements that the earlier books had don't exist here, there's no double standards or naivety. There are a couple of times when Jackie does react ridiculously but it's arguably not out of character just... stupid, and Adrian makes for a better lead character than he did as a big brother.
I mean, the book still isn't great, it was just more enjoyable than the two sequels, and in the grand scheme of chick-lit books I can totally understand how I forgot this series as much as I did. Would I read it again... eh. I own the books on Kindle so it is possible I'll want some quick wins again, but I doubt I'll ever think "you know what series I really must re-read? The Pearl Island trilogy".
January 11, 2018
Sail Away to Pearl Island - love is there
Pear Island is filled with beautiful scenery and beautiful people. Every story is filled with humor and romance. An A+ read.
Pear Island is filled with beautiful scenery and beautiful people. Every story is filled with humor and romance. An A+ read.
April 10, 2012
From some of the reviews here on goodreads, most people are saying that this book wasn't as great as the first two. But I beg to differ. "Don't Tempt Me" was equally as good, maybe even better than the first two books.
Adrian is the single, attractive brother of Allison and Rory and chef of the Pearl Island Inn. But when he meets intriguing Jackie Taylor, the owner of the Pirate's Pleasurr ship, he is ready to have some fun and lose his single status for a while. As he gets to know Jackie, their friendship blossoms and Jackie reaches out to memories of her father and trust issues. Jackie is so in love with Adrian but can't move forward with him, because she fears she'll lose him or destroy his life. On the search for the powder horn of Captain Jack Kingsley, the St Claires and Jackie move forward in finding it but reach a point where there hope is lost.
By the end of the story, Jackie gets over her trust issues and ends up marrying Adrian, the only man shes felt comfortable with and the family find the powder horn. However, what I liked most about this book is how everytime Jackie and Adrian get so close, Jackie comes to her senses and stops. Everytime you read, you think this is it, its going to happen, but it doesn't and you read on to see when it does.
This trilogy has left me amazed. I was sucked into a fantasy of love on Pearl Island and now I have that feeling of longing to go back. I really enjoyed reading these books and recommend them to any romantic.
Adrian is the single, attractive brother of Allison and Rory and chef of the Pearl Island Inn. But when he meets intriguing Jackie Taylor, the owner of the Pirate's Pleasurr ship, he is ready to have some fun and lose his single status for a while. As he gets to know Jackie, their friendship blossoms and Jackie reaches out to memories of her father and trust issues. Jackie is so in love with Adrian but can't move forward with him, because she fears she'll lose him or destroy his life. On the search for the powder horn of Captain Jack Kingsley, the St Claires and Jackie move forward in finding it but reach a point where there hope is lost.
By the end of the story, Jackie gets over her trust issues and ends up marrying Adrian, the only man shes felt comfortable with and the family find the powder horn. However, what I liked most about this book is how everytime Jackie and Adrian get so close, Jackie comes to her senses and stops. Everytime you read, you think this is it, its going to happen, but it doesn't and you read on to see when it does.
This trilogy has left me amazed. I was sucked into a fantasy of love on Pearl Island and now I have that feeling of longing to go back. I really enjoyed reading these books and recommend them to any romantic.
September 20, 2012
A fun series, a good read all in all. This story was from the male perspective, which may be why it struck me as four stars instead of five. Adrian is that dream guy-- he's been taking care of his sisters, he's a chef, sexy, handsome, and for the first time in his life he might not get the girl.
Add in history, a treasure, and a scandal...
I highly recommend this book and series.
Add in history, a treasure, and a scandal...
I highly recommend this book and series.
November 15, 2012
I love the Pearl Island series and this was a great addition. Adrian and Jackie are obviously meant to be together and seeing them happy is awesome. I always like series books because you get to revisit prior characters.
I loved the additional chapters too. Seeing into the future was so much fun.
I loved the additional chapters too. Seeing into the future was so much fun.
September 21, 2014
A very good ending for this trilogy. The two characters in this novel are full of sensuality and fun. They are tested over and over by those problems they fear the most, but that turn out not to be the problem they think. The excavation is very interesting and finding the object that they most want is both a miracle and exciting. The find gives the spirits and the characters peace.
May 19, 2011
Oh maaaaan. *whines* I had really been looking forward to Adrian's book. This guy is all KINDS of hot and ... somehow.... ugh. I mean I knew that Jackie was going to be his HEA but.... for whatever reason I just didn't feel it. I still sorta drool over him tho.
August 10, 2013
I just love Julie Ortolon and the pearl Island trilogy! Every single character is amazing and the chemistry is great. I was not disappointed during book 3 at all and expecially loved the extra bit at the end of the book and the extra bit from book 2!.
December 9, 2015
This was third in a series, and my least favorite. The female protagonist had way too many issues and just couldn´t seem to let them go, even with a great guy she was very attracted to pursuing her. Still, as a completion to the series, it was OK.
June 10, 2009
This book was kind of a let-down after the previous two books in the trilogy. Still okay, though.
October 22, 2010
i love this book!!!!!!
it was really interesting and it made me wonder a lot.
it was an amazing book.
it was really interesting and it made me wonder a lot.
it was an amazing book.
June 17, 2013
reread 2013
July 29, 2011
Reading the encouragement and sacrifice of Jackie and Adrian made me remember how nice it is to fall in love.
September 5, 2011
I picked this up thinking it was chick-lit, and I wanted an easy read, but it turned out to be a romance. Only finished it because it was very quick and not as formulaic as many.
March 9, 2012
Two-haiku review:
Trilogy book three
Hot guy's had many women
She has trust issues
Romance part is fine
History, ghost parts boring
You might like--not me
Trilogy book three
Hot guy's had many women
She has trust issues
Romance part is fine
History, ghost parts boring
You might like--not me
Read
March 21, 2012Meh
June 3, 2012
I want Adrian!
August 22, 2012
Easy read; cute but predictable.
September 11, 2012
Read only a few pages.
January 20, 2013
3.5 stars
April 5, 2013
5 Stars all around for this book and the complete series.
February 28, 2013
Fabulous trilogy. Some of the best romances I've ever read. Well worth a 5 star rating!
March 8, 2013
Loved this book and the entire series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews