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Regency Quartet #3
Tempting Kate
A MEETING AT GUNPOINT
A fitting start for such a dangerous attraction, thought Grayson Westcott, the Marquis of Wroth. And though he'd always prided himself on his infamous self-control, Kate Courtland's hoydenish charms had shattered his defenses and set fire to his soul!
Kate Courtland's life of privilege amongst polite society was a distant memory, and the hardships of her daily struggle had become all too real. Until the night she wounded the Marquis of Wroth, and unleashed a smoldering passion that would change their lives forever!
A fitting start for such a dangerous attraction, thought Grayson Westcott, the Marquis of Wroth. And though he'd always prided himself on his infamous self-control, Kate Courtland's hoydenish charms had shattered his defenses and set fire to his soul!
Kate Courtland's life of privilege amongst polite society was a distant memory, and the hardships of her daily struggle had become all too real. Until the night she wounded the Marquis of Wroth, and unleashed a smoldering passion that would change their lives forever!
347 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
72 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Simmons
157 books204 followersDeborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 7, 2019
"Tempting Kate" is the story of Kate and Wroth.
Wow. What a terrible disappointment.
In this tale, we have the hero Grayson Westcott, the Marquis of Wroth- the charming gentleman from "The Vicar's daughter", behaving like an utter asshole.
Anyways, the book begins when the H is having an introspective birthday. He is turning 31, wants to be married and have an heir, when he is shot by a scrawny "lad". On groping, he realizes, that "he" is a female, before fainting into oblivion.
Kate Courtland once belonged to the gentry, but now works hard to survive, and take care of her crumbling household. When her sister Lucy is defiled and impregnated by a man calling himself "Wroth", she decides to take revenge. She then mistakenly shoots him, and realizes her error regarding his identity once her sister refuses to acknowledge him. But instead of leaving him to die, she drags him to her home, and nurses him back to health.
Now at this point, the story was going well. The hero recovers, taking over the heroine's life and home. He is smitten and wants to provide for her and her family. But soon things take a sharp turn.
The hero suddenly becomes this cynical, mean and manipulative dick. He blackmails the h into marrying him, ignores and refuses to provide her any affection, treats her like a trophy- all to remain manly and not become "besotted" like his friends. I felt so bad for the h, as she tries a lot, and all he is good is for is copulation. Another stupid shrewd is the h's sister Lucy, the pregnant cow, who is entitled, spoiled, and treats the h like garbage. The other characters like Tom the coachman are really unlikable too. Everyone was as evil as their stealing "Uncle Jasper", and I wish someone would push all of them together into a crocodile infested lake.
The ending with the h's kidnapping, and the H rescuing is getting repetitive.
I am sooooo bummed out by this. Nooooooooo :(
Safe
1/5
Wow. What a terrible disappointment.
In this tale, we have the hero Grayson Westcott, the Marquis of Wroth- the charming gentleman from "The Vicar's daughter", behaving like an utter asshole.
Anyways, the book begins when the H is having an introspective birthday. He is turning 31, wants to be married and have an heir, when he is shot by a scrawny "lad". On groping, he realizes, that "he" is a female, before fainting into oblivion.
Kate Courtland once belonged to the gentry, but now works hard to survive, and take care of her crumbling household. When her sister Lucy is defiled and impregnated by a man calling himself "Wroth", she decides to take revenge. She then mistakenly shoots him, and realizes her error regarding his identity once her sister refuses to acknowledge him. But instead of leaving him to die, she drags him to her home, and nurses him back to health.
Now at this point, the story was going well. The hero recovers, taking over the heroine's life and home. He is smitten and wants to provide for her and her family. But soon things take a sharp turn.
The hero suddenly becomes this cynical, mean and manipulative dick. He blackmails the h into marrying him, ignores and refuses to provide her any affection, treats her like a trophy- all to remain manly and not become "besotted" like his friends. I felt so bad for the h, as she tries a lot, and all he is good is for is copulation. Another stupid shrewd is the h's sister Lucy, the pregnant cow, who is entitled, spoiled, and treats the h like garbage. The other characters like Tom the coachman are really unlikable too. Everyone was as evil as their stealing "Uncle Jasper", and I wish someone would push all of them together into a crocodile infested lake.
The ending with the h's kidnapping, and the H rescuing is getting repetitive.
I am sooooo bummed out by this. Nooooooooo :(
Safe
1/5
March 14, 2019
3.5 stars
Great first half, but sadly it dragged at the end and I was annoyed by the hero's refusal to face the truth of his feelings for the heroine. He honestly made her so unhappy refusing to give into his emotions that I felt like bashing him. The first half was fun.
Great first half, but sadly it dragged at the end and I was annoyed by the hero's refusal to face the truth of his feelings for the heroine. He honestly made her so unhappy refusing to give into his emotions that I felt like bashing him. The first half was fun.
July 16, 2022
Good classic HR writing. Nothing wrong with the prose, just nothing to call home about. Everyone says he was cruel after the wedding but tbh he was normal for the anti-affection alpha MMC. The only thing I have to question is why on earth he felt so wronged since he's upbringing wasn't particularly traumatic, as far as our alpha MMCs go :)
September 11, 2011
The four stars owes itself entirely to the blueberry scene.
November 16, 2025
Slightly disappointing HR. The heroine Kate discovers her younger sister has been left pregnant by the Marquess of Roth, so she decides to travel from her country home to confront him in London.
She accidentally shoots him in a scuffle (he thinks she's a young man), and worried for his health, she brings him to her home to recover.
So far, so good. A very promising start, not unlike the fabulous story by Aydra Richards. The heroine is tough but kind, dedicated to her sister and her family's sole remaining retainer (since the death of her father, an Earl). The hero Grayson has potential. He seems a reasonable fellow, who quickly realises that someone has been impersonating him, and doesn't blame Kate for his accidental injury.
The writing just seemed to lack a smooth flow, with multiple characters' close 3rd person POV in the same chapter.
The plot was a little choppy in the second half. The MCs seemed to flounder around too much for a satisfying read.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
She accidentally shoots him in a scuffle (he thinks she's a young man), and worried for his health, she brings him to her home to recover.
So far, so good. A very promising start, not unlike the fabulous story by Aydra Richards. The heroine is tough but kind, dedicated to her sister and her family's sole remaining retainer (since the death of her father, an Earl). The hero Grayson has potential. He seems a reasonable fellow, who quickly realises that someone has been impersonating him, and doesn't blame Kate for his accidental injury.
The writing just seemed to lack a smooth flow, with multiple characters' close 3rd person POV in the same chapter.
The plot was a little choppy in the second half. The MCs seemed to flounder around too much for a satisfying read.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
November 19, 2023
Terceiro na série Regency Quartet.
Diferente dos dois primeiros volumes, Perigosa Paixão foi pensado para ser um drama. Ironia das ironias, é um dos mais engraçados.
Wroth foi desenvolvido desde o primeiro volume como a representação máxima de um lorde. Ele é frio, calmo, controlado e deseja alguém similar. Obviamente que sua escolhida, Kate é totalmente o oposto.
A heroína é inocente, caipira, emotiva e praticamente incapaz de manter algum semblante de estabilidade emocional. O impacto dessas duas personalidades na história geram vários momentos de comédia pastelão e desconforto.
Também é um dos volumes com maior número de cenas de sexo.
Recomendo.
Diferente dos dois primeiros volumes, Perigosa Paixão foi pensado para ser um drama. Ironia das ironias, é um dos mais engraçados.
Wroth foi desenvolvido desde o primeiro volume como a representação máxima de um lorde. Ele é frio, calmo, controlado e deseja alguém similar. Obviamente que sua escolhida, Kate é totalmente o oposto.
A heroína é inocente, caipira, emotiva e praticamente incapaz de manter algum semblante de estabilidade emocional. O impacto dessas duas personalidades na história geram vários momentos de comédia pastelão e desconforto.
Também é um dos volumes com maior número de cenas de sexo.
Recomendo.
July 30, 2023
A Captivating Regency Romance
Tempting Kate" by Deborah Simmons is an absolute gem of a Regency romance novel that deserves a resounding five-star rating. It’s a Regency romance that checks all the boxes: well-developed characters, a compelling love story, and an authentic historical backdrop
Tempting Kate" by Deborah Simmons is an absolute gem of a Regency romance novel that deserves a resounding five-star rating. It’s a Regency romance that checks all the boxes: well-developed characters, a compelling love story, and an authentic historical backdrop
August 11, 2017
Al principio pensé que iba ser una historia divertida, pero según iba leyendo se transformó en una guerra con un final de lo más corto, que me hizo preguntarme, si fue una ilusión los primeros dos libros leídos...
February 17, 2019
With two stubborn individuals use to taking care of their own concerns yet have a passionate attraction but unwilling outside of the marriage bed to release control n trust each other n their feelings comes a great story
May 20, 2017
Cute with a nice attention to historical detail.
December 13, 2018
Peut-être 2.5, pas le meilleur de l'auteure et mes goûts ont du évoluer.
December 27, 2019
Rating: 3.5 Stars ⭐️
A bit rushed in the end. I really liked Kate and Gray. Gray is definitely an Alpha hero. I enjoyed it.
A bit rushed in the end. I really liked Kate and Gray. Gray is definitely an Alpha hero. I enjoyed it.
February 14, 2022
Tom butchering Badcock's name every single time was absolutely hilarious!
August 27, 2014
On to Tempting Kate, 1997. Our hero in this story is Gray, the Duke of Worth. Gray happens to have been a suitor to Charlotte from The Vicar's Daughter. Tempting Kate is not has funny or light as The Vicar's Daughter; in fact, there is some of the story that comes close to dark territory, but it was still a pleasure to read. The heroine in this story is Kate and Kate is under the mistaken belief that Gray impregnated her younger sister and left her to face the consequences. For some reason Kate decides to kidnap Gray and force him to help with her sister. In so doing this, she accidentally shoots him, panics, and then she and her man-servant stuff him in a carriage and take him to her dilapidated home to help him recover. Even though it doesn't sound like it, this part of the books is rather light-hearted. Once Gray regains consciousness he tells Kate she is mistaken in her conclusion regarding her sister, but now he knows there is someone impersonating him and he decides to stay and find out who the villain is. It is during this time of recovery that he and Kate become friends. Even though she is the one who shot him, he finds that he has a growing respect for her. Kate has managed to support herself, her sister, and a loyal man-servant on the funds that were left to her by her father.
As the two of them get to know each other, the story starts to change. It does a subtle change from a fun story to a darker, intense offering. Where this story is different from The Vicar's Story is in the hero. Gray may turn into a bubbling, denier-of-love hero, but he also reveals a rather scary obsessive side. Gray seems to have a bit of a control problem, at least with himself. The most important thing for him seems to be never losing control, well we all know that heroes have no control over themselves when their heroine is around. And, that's what happens here. He becomes obsessed with Kate. He feels that if he uses her enough in bed, he will have control over himself. So, at night the bedroom is a giant cauldron of hot sweaty sex, but after it's all over, he closes himself off to her. He almost becomes crazed with his obsession to be in his control of himself. Of course, his rebuffing of Kate after all the hot whankee-loo is a tad bit wearing on her self-confidence.
Eventually, he accepts his loss of control and we have our HEA, but it is a teeny bit wearing on the reader to get to it. There were times that Gray was a bit too over the top for my taste, but in the end two dissimilar people complimented each other. Tempting Kate was almost too dark, but I still found it a refreshing to reread this very well-written novel.
As the two of them get to know each other, the story starts to change. It does a subtle change from a fun story to a darker, intense offering. Where this story is different from The Vicar's Story is in the hero. Gray may turn into a bubbling, denier-of-love hero, but he also reveals a rather scary obsessive side. Gray seems to have a bit of a control problem, at least with himself. The most important thing for him seems to be never losing control, well we all know that heroes have no control over themselves when their heroine is around. And, that's what happens here. He becomes obsessed with Kate. He feels that if he uses her enough in bed, he will have control over himself. So, at night the bedroom is a giant cauldron of hot sweaty sex, but after it's all over, he closes himself off to her. He almost becomes crazed with his obsession to be in his control of himself. Of course, his rebuffing of Kate after all the hot whankee-loo is a tad bit wearing on her self-confidence.
Eventually, he accepts his loss of control and we have our HEA, but it is a teeny bit wearing on the reader to get to it. There were times that Gray was a bit too over the top for my taste, but in the end two dissimilar people complimented each other. Tempting Kate was almost too dark, but I still found it a refreshing to reread this very well-written novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2014
Il protagonista maschile, che mi aveva incuriosito fin dal primo libro della serie (La regency quartet di Deborah Simmons)è un bell’eroe fino a tre quarti del libro, poi d’un tratto, una volta sposato, rincretinisce completamente. Poi all’improvviso poco prima del finale rinsavisce, ma solo grazie all’interventi esterno di Charlotte, protagonista del primo libro.
E non parliamo di Kate la protagonista di questo libro, insopportabile dall’inizio, fin quasi alla fine. Dopo il matrimonio diventa sopportabile, ma prima…..Ossignore! non fa una cosa coerente! e si comporta, non so nemmeno come descriverlo, ma da scema, è ciò che mi viene, già l’idea di andare a sparare alla gente non è delle migliori, ma poi portasi a casa il ferito, curarlo, sbavarci sopra, ma odiarlo al tempo stesso, poi fare di tutto per la sua famiglia e odiare il fatto di doverlo fare, ma quando poi gli altri smettono di dipendere da lei, rimanerci male e odiarli anche per questo…..Più antipatica di così si muore e non è chiaro cosa il protagonista ammiri in una donna così, visto che fin da quando si incontrano la prima volta si desiderano, e poi da lì ogni volta che si vedono amoreggiano, ogni santa volta, non parlano nemmeno quasi, si incontrano per il corridoio? Alè sbaciucchiamenti, si incontrano in cucina o in giardino? Alè e lei finisce gambe all’aria…..Sembra pura attrazione fisica e niente altro sinceramente.
E non parliamo di Kate la protagonista di questo libro, insopportabile dall’inizio, fin quasi alla fine. Dopo il matrimonio diventa sopportabile, ma prima…..Ossignore! non fa una cosa coerente! e si comporta, non so nemmeno come descriverlo, ma da scema, è ciò che mi viene, già l’idea di andare a sparare alla gente non è delle migliori, ma poi portasi a casa il ferito, curarlo, sbavarci sopra, ma odiarlo al tempo stesso, poi fare di tutto per la sua famiglia e odiare il fatto di doverlo fare, ma quando poi gli altri smettono di dipendere da lei, rimanerci male e odiarli anche per questo…..Più antipatica di così si muore e non è chiaro cosa il protagonista ammiri in una donna così, visto che fin da quando si incontrano la prima volta si desiderano, e poi da lì ogni volta che si vedono amoreggiano, ogni santa volta, non parlano nemmeno quasi, si incontrano per il corridoio? Alè sbaciucchiamenti, si incontrano in cucina o in giardino? Alè e lei finisce gambe all’aria…..Sembra pura attrazione fisica e niente altro sinceramente.
November 29, 2012
I liked the beginning- it really isn't all too often you have the heroine accidentally shooting the hero and then kidnapping him. (It literally started with a bang.)
The middle of the book was okay, but the hero was rather frustrating, in that he clung to his notions about love (or its nonexistence, anyway) until the very last page, and treated the heroine like crap until then.
The ending was definitely a bit too abrupt for my taste. The hero kept pushing the heroine away for most of the book, then (with some handy interference from the heroine of The Vicar's Daughter) he goes to the heroine, helps rescue her, proclaims his love, and the book's done. One page after he finishes proclaiming his love. I mean, even a little epilogue might have been nice. And not an apology to be seen, either. He realized that he didn't want to lose the heroine, but I'm not sure he realized that there was anything wrong with his treatment of her.
This book started out pretty strong, but the middle kind of dragged, and way too much was crammed into the end. So while it did keep my attention, I can't say it was all that great.
The middle of the book was okay, but the hero was rather frustrating, in that he clung to his notions about love (or its nonexistence, anyway) until the very last page, and treated the heroine like crap until then.
The ending was definitely a bit too abrupt for my taste. The hero kept pushing the heroine away for most of the book, then (with some handy interference from the heroine of The Vicar's Daughter) he goes to the heroine, helps rescue her, proclaims his love, and the book's done. One page after he finishes proclaiming his love. I mean, even a little epilogue might have been nice. And not an apology to be seen, either. He realized that he didn't want to lose the heroine, but I'm not sure he realized that there was anything wrong with his treatment of her.
This book started out pretty strong, but the middle kind of dragged, and way too much was crammed into the end. So while it did keep my attention, I can't say it was all that great.
July 31, 2016
Me gustó mucho este libro. Me pareció muy entretenido. Fácil de leer, sólo me llevó unas tres horas y media. Me gustó mucho Kate e incluso Greyson aunque sí que es cabezota. En fin, es bueno para pasar una tarde tranquila. Quiero seguir con la serie y por supuesto leerme los dos primeros.
April 30, 2014
Typical harlequin. Very predictable.
June 5, 2018
Tempting Kate is a novel about a hero who wants to be in control and has been said to be thus, as being one of the most esteemed peers in the land. The Marquess of Wroth has mastery over the political and social arena but will he have mastery over his heart? The novel opens with a very interesting premise about mistaken identities. Kate Courtland mistakes Wroth to be her sister's seducer and so she goes on a spree to avenge her sister accidentally shooting him. To redress this mistake Kate takes him to her family estate and nurses him and since then an attraction grows between the two. Her injured sister, Lucy, declares that he is not her seducer leaving them to wonder who has used his name. Tempting Kate has a very interesting premise you have an alpha male and a spirited heroine to match him but somehow it doesn't deliver. Perhaps it is in the way the story was written and perhaps it is because we find Wroth blurting out lines that are off-putting: to drive home the point that he is powerful? He can say anything and will anything? But the effect is these utterances are simply rude and is not contiguous with a character that is supposed to be reigned by his intellect, and no these words weren't addressed towards the heroine. This novel may have faltered in style and the treatment of its characters. Wroth is supposed to be an eminent member of the peerage but somehow it doesn't shine through. If one would prefer to look over the deficiencies of the novel one thing that is worth focusing on is the chemistry between the characters. Here we find the hero in his vulnerable best. He is attracted to Kate to the point that he finds himself shunning her and distancing himself from her if only to convince himself that his attraction isn't so great. Much of the redeeming aspect of the novel are the sexual scenes. Wroth sees their couplings as acts of self-sacrifice while Kate, ever the innocent, just perceives it as a way for him to get an heir. The amount of emotion and vulnerability Wroth has in his sexual encounters with Kate keeps him wary from capitulating to the final coup de grace that he loves her, because Wroth has to be a man in control, and he will let no woman take that away from him. This miscommunication causes both of them grief, but after a plot twist that has the heroine in danger they finally arrive at this eventual epiphany: that they love each other. Personally, I read Tempting Kate because of the Vicar's Daughter and I would like to see the continuity of a story. Fans of the Vicar's Daughter will be happy to see that Charlotte makes an appearance and helps the two in this story admit to their feelings. If like myself, you would like to see how the Marquess of Wroth in the Vicar's Daughter figure in his own story then this book is worth reading, but to read it by itself as mentioned, the book has its imperfections.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews