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Templar Knights #3
The Templar's Seduction
To escape the gallows, Sir Alexander de Ashby impersonates the Earl of Marston, to whom he bears an uncanny resemblance, and must convince the Earl's wife that he is truly her long-absent husband--a dangerous deception that calls his honor into question. Original.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 2015
10 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Mary Reed McCall
16 books45 followersAward-winning historical author MARY REED MCCALL also writes contemporary fiction as M. REED MCCALL . She was a finalist for Romance Writer's of America's Best First Book RITA Award and has won the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Medieval Romance. She grew up in a rural area of Upstate New York as part of a large and loving family. Before becoming a writer, she first considered a career in national security, studying for a brief time at the University of Leningrad before completing undergraduate degrees in Russian and English back in the United States, followed by a Master's degree in English Literature. The sixth of seven girls in her family, Mary now makes her permanent home in New York State, with her husband and children. When she is not writing or involved with family activities, she teaches high school and college level English.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 28, 2016
The Templar’s Seduction is book three of the Templar Knights series by American author, Mary Reed McCall. Sir Alexander de Ashby has an uncanny resemblance to Robert Kincaid, Earl of Marston, a feature his English captors decide to use to their advantage. Kincaid has been gone from Dunleavy for five years, apparently murdered in captivity. They blackmail Alex into posing as Kincaid to feed them information essential to their attack.
Robert’s wife, Lady Elizabeth of Selkirk, has been fending off both the English and a neighbouring lord intent on acquiring Dunleavy. She is grateful when her husband reappears, if a little wary: as well schooled as Alex has been in Robert’s ways, something does not ring quite true. Alex woos the Lady and keeps his part of the bargain with the English, but begins to feel a more-than-passing attraction for Beth, and this feels guilty for his deception. Readers who like their Scottish history mixed with a bit of sexy romance may enjoy this one.
Robert’s wife, Lady Elizabeth of Selkirk, has been fending off both the English and a neighbouring lord intent on acquiring Dunleavy. She is grateful when her husband reappears, if a little wary: as well schooled as Alex has been in Robert’s ways, something does not ring quite true. Alex woos the Lady and keeps his part of the bargain with the English, but begins to feel a more-than-passing attraction for Beth, and this feels guilty for his deception. Readers who like their Scottish history mixed with a bit of sexy romance may enjoy this one.
October 25, 2016
Disgraced Templar Finds Love
Set in 1309 in Scotland, this is the story of Lady Elizabeth of Selkirk who holds Dunleavy Castle for her husband, Robert Kincaid, Lord Marston. At first, she hears he is dead but then she receives word he is alive. It’s been years since he was with her and when Robert returns, he is not the same man. Little does she know the man who claims to be her long-lost husband is actually an imposter, a disgraced Templar knight who agreed to the ruse to save his life and that of his friend. It just so happens that Sir Alexander de Ashby looks like her husband.
Alex thinks to seduce Lady Elizabeth (“Beth”) so she won’t notice (or care) about the differences between him and her dead husband. The book is well titled as much of the story is consumed with the seduction and their many lovemaking sessions. (I might have preferred a bit more action and some history.) As may be expected, Beth is not happy when she learns he is not the man she thought he was. At least until she decides she doesn’t care enough not to seek out his lovemaking.
The story is well written, had a “medieval feel” and the characters were developed. But I did end up skimming over the long love scenes that followed one after the other. And sometimes the heroine appeared strong and at other times, weak. Alex was supposed to be ignoble, a disgraced Templar who stole from his fellow knights, however, all he did seemed to be honorable. Even the ruse was mostly done to save a friend.
Lastly, since the end and the Epilogue deal with other couples, I recommend reading this series in order.
Templar Knight series:
Beyond Temptation
Sinful Pleasures
The Templar’s Seduction
Set in 1309 in Scotland, this is the story of Lady Elizabeth of Selkirk who holds Dunleavy Castle for her husband, Robert Kincaid, Lord Marston. At first, she hears he is dead but then she receives word he is alive. It’s been years since he was with her and when Robert returns, he is not the same man. Little does she know the man who claims to be her long-lost husband is actually an imposter, a disgraced Templar knight who agreed to the ruse to save his life and that of his friend. It just so happens that Sir Alexander de Ashby looks like her husband.
Alex thinks to seduce Lady Elizabeth (“Beth”) so she won’t notice (or care) about the differences between him and her dead husband. The book is well titled as much of the story is consumed with the seduction and their many lovemaking sessions. (I might have preferred a bit more action and some history.) As may be expected, Beth is not happy when she learns he is not the man she thought he was. At least until she decides she doesn’t care enough not to seek out his lovemaking.
The story is well written, had a “medieval feel” and the characters were developed. But I did end up skimming over the long love scenes that followed one after the other. And sometimes the heroine appeared strong and at other times, weak. Alex was supposed to be ignoble, a disgraced Templar who stole from his fellow knights, however, all he did seemed to be honorable. Even the ruse was mostly done to save a friend.
Lastly, since the end and the Epilogue deal with other couples, I recommend reading this series in order.
Templar Knight series:
Beyond Temptation
Sinful Pleasures
The Templar’s Seduction
February 20, 2012
Meh. Not terrible. Not great either. No true character development. Typical hero feels guilty for some crime in his past, meets girl, falls in love, OMG now he doesn't feel so guilty and all is well here comes the happily ever after the end!! Basically, a paint by numbers. Only reason I'm not giving it one star is because it's not as bad as the one I read where the heroine trains and races cats.
May 23, 2018
Dit boek is in het Nederlands vertaald : Verleid met een leugen - Candlelight Historische roman 765 .
February 29, 2012
I was disappointed ... kept waiting for the real historical and knights in shining armour action but mainly I got sexy scenes with repeated thoughts. I couldn't wait to flip through to the end and start on something else ... well, I did have to know what happened after all! Sorry sexy romance is apparently not my genre but liked the characters, the story and loved the Scots history!!
January 21, 2020
I’m sure it’s a fine story but I didn’t enjoy reading this book. I liked the character of Beth the heroine of the
story certainly but I’m not a great fan of stories from this era.
story certainly but I’m not a great fan of stories from this era.
August 11, 2012
Everything A Historical Should Be
I really enjoyed this book! It had everything a sweeping historical romance should have: the Knights Templar as mythic heroes; a larger than life hero who is physically appealing, mentally sharp, impassioned of the heroine, and who has a great sense of humor; and a heroine who is intelligent, loving, vulnerable, and able to see beyond the obvious.
Captured by a powerful English lord and sentenced to hang for murder, errant Templar Knight Sir Alexander de Ashby thinks he has little to lose until he finds he holds a friend's fate in his hands. When offered a chance to save his friend because he looks like the twin of the Scottish Earl of Marston who died while in English custody, he chooses to impersonate the man and infiltrate the Scottish stronghold, giving secret information to the English who plan to capture the castle.
Alex doesn't count on Lady Elizabeth, as smart as she is beautiful, who was the real earl's wife.She knows immediately that he is an impostor, but Alex woos her and passion convinces her she is wrong.
Alex and Elizabeth discover a love that is real, but the truth threatens everything that he wants that he never dreamed he could have. In a time, when Honor meant everything to a man yet women were considered without Honor, Alex clings to that newly-discovered ideal while Elizabeth is prepared to cast it in the very faces of those who will determine their fate.
Honor and redemption or dishonor and death?
My Two Cents
I'll be honest. I bought this book based on the title. I'm a sucker for anything about the Knights Templar, and I don't care if it's nonfiction, historical romance, or contemporary thriller.
This was the first historical romance I've read in a long time -- other than books by friends who write historical. Back in the heyday of historical romance, I read about 3 of these babies each week, and the books were a lot bigger then than now. I cut my teeth on Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers, Catherine Coulter, and Jude Deveraux. After a few years of that, I guess I was burned out.
This book's title hooked me, and the story drew me in. If you love historical, get this book. You won't be disappointed.
I really enjoyed this book! It had everything a sweeping historical romance should have: the Knights Templar as mythic heroes; a larger than life hero who is physically appealing, mentally sharp, impassioned of the heroine, and who has a great sense of humor; and a heroine who is intelligent, loving, vulnerable, and able to see beyond the obvious.
Captured by a powerful English lord and sentenced to hang for murder, errant Templar Knight Sir Alexander de Ashby thinks he has little to lose until he finds he holds a friend's fate in his hands. When offered a chance to save his friend because he looks like the twin of the Scottish Earl of Marston who died while in English custody, he chooses to impersonate the man and infiltrate the Scottish stronghold, giving secret information to the English who plan to capture the castle.
Alex doesn't count on Lady Elizabeth, as smart as she is beautiful, who was the real earl's wife.She knows immediately that he is an impostor, but Alex woos her and passion convinces her she is wrong.
Alex and Elizabeth discover a love that is real, but the truth threatens everything that he wants that he never dreamed he could have. In a time, when Honor meant everything to a man yet women were considered without Honor, Alex clings to that newly-discovered ideal while Elizabeth is prepared to cast it in the very faces of those who will determine their fate.
Honor and redemption or dishonor and death?
My Two Cents
I'll be honest. I bought this book based on the title. I'm a sucker for anything about the Knights Templar, and I don't care if it's nonfiction, historical romance, or contemporary thriller.
This was the first historical romance I've read in a long time -- other than books by friends who write historical. Back in the heyday of historical romance, I read about 3 of these babies each week, and the books were a lot bigger then than now. I cut my teeth on Kathleen Woodiwiss, Rosemary Rogers, Catherine Coulter, and Jude Deveraux. After a few years of that, I guess I was burned out.
This book's title hooked me, and the story drew me in. If you love historical, get this book. You won't be disappointed.
May 27, 2012
This book was one I picked up for a taste of 'not having to think' romance novels, which appeals from time to time. There were some good parts of the story, but overall I found the story to be "just another historical romance."
It was a decent way to spend a couple of hours and while it wasn't a disappointment, as I didn't expect too much from it, it simply didn't do much for me storywise. I found the resolution of nearly all the major crisis points/conflicts in the novel to be a bit too easy and too convenient. Too many 'just reading for something to amuse' books have actually involved me emotionally for me to give this particular romance a higher rating. It simply didn't resonate with me very much.
It was a decent way to spend a couple of hours and while it wasn't a disappointment, as I didn't expect too much from it, it simply didn't do much for me storywise. I found the resolution of nearly all the major crisis points/conflicts in the novel to be a bit too easy and too convenient. Too many 'just reading for something to amuse' books have actually involved me emotionally for me to give this particular romance a higher rating. It simply didn't resonate with me very much.
Read
July 16, 2007This story was about a former Knight Templar who has been imprisoned and must impersonate a late Earl in which he bears a striking resemblance. His friend is being held to ensure his cooperation. The Knight falls in love with the late Earl's widow and this is their story.
August 2, 2014
I am not primarily a romance reader. I love a good mystery, but I did fancy this book A LOT! I am glad I ventured out of my murder mystery rut. The sexual tension was handled well and Mary Reed McCall is one good writer. I'll read more of her material.
July 25, 2015
I had a hard time getting in to this book at first. I really didn't care for Alex at the beginning. The book's pace got better though and I started liking the characters more. I'd be interested in reading about some of the other knight's stories.
March 20, 2011
I liked the story but I thought the epilogue was really bad.
Read
July 25, 2011Oh, well...
February 22, 2012
2.5 stars. Predictable romance, nothing new.
June 1, 2012
This book was extra good. Kept me awake all night could not put it down had to know...
Need to read more of hers.
Need to read more of hers.
December 25, 2012
Nice twist in the story line.
April 23, 2015
Predictable
September 5, 2016
Good writing and storyline, but too sensual/sexual for my taste.
May 19, 2015
Little boring. It has been stretched alot especially towards the end.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews