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The Elusive Lords #2
A Taste of Desire
She Challenged His Pride
Lady Amelia Bertram may have a reputation as the most brazen beauty of the ton, but she shocks even herself when she accidently--and loudly--derides one of society's most eligible bachelors in the middle of a crowded ballroom. The timing of her faux pas couldn't be worse, for her father is seeking someone to take her off his hands that very night. . .
He Challenged Her Willpower
But when Thomas Armstrong overhears the so-called "Lady" Amelia slandering his sexual prowess in public, he cannot help but accept the dare implicit in her words. To her father's great delight, he offers to take her to his secluded country estate--properly chaperoned, of course--to teach the girl a lesson in ladylike behavior. . .
343 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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About the author
Beverley Kendall
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Beverley Kendall has lived on two continents, in three countries, two provinces, and four states. She stopped her nomadic existence and settled in the southeast with her young son. All things artistic feed her creative passion, but none more than writing.
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Communicate with me via beverley@beverleykendall.com
Beverley Kendall has lived on two continents, in three countries, two provinces, and four states. She stopped her nomadic existence and settled in the southeast with her young son. All things artistic feed her creative passion, but none more than writing.
Connect with me on Facebook
Communicate with me via beverley@beverleykendall.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 9, 2010
Beverley Kendall's A Taste of Desire is just what one wants in romance--a vibrant heroine and an irresistible hero, combined with finely-wrought emotion and blistering dialogue that makes the pages turn faster and faster until it's over...and you're wishing you hadn't read so quickly!
July 22, 2018
I loved this book! "A Taste of Desire" is the follow-up book to Beverley Kendall's wonderful "Sinful Surrender".
The hero Thomas is asked by his friend, the heroine's father, to watch over her while he is in America. Spirited Amelia never liked Thomas and doesn't look forward to staying at his home till her father returns. But after her father threatens to send her to a convent she soon changes her mind! :) There is alot of angry tension between Thomas and Amelia and it's enjoyable to watch these two get to know each other and fall in love. I really felt the emotion between these two characters. I also enjoyed the appearance of Missy and James from "Sinful Surrender"!
Another thing I liked about this book was there was no murder or suspense, just a beautiful love story. And some interesting secondary characters which I hope will get their own stories.
If you are looking for a very romantic, emotional, and sensual book then pick up a copy of "A Taste of Desire"!
I look forward to reading many more books by Beverley Kendall!
The hero Thomas is asked by his friend, the heroine's father, to watch over her while he is in America. Spirited Amelia never liked Thomas and doesn't look forward to staying at his home till her father returns. But after her father threatens to send her to a convent she soon changes her mind! :) There is alot of angry tension between Thomas and Amelia and it's enjoyable to watch these two get to know each other and fall in love. I really felt the emotion between these two characters. I also enjoyed the appearance of Missy and James from "Sinful Surrender"!
Another thing I liked about this book was there was no murder or suspense, just a beautiful love story. And some interesting secondary characters which I hope will get their own stories.
If you are looking for a very romantic, emotional, and sensual book then pick up a copy of "A Taste of Desire"!
I look forward to reading many more books by Beverley Kendall!
October 26, 2014
LOVED IT!
OVERALL RATING: 4.5 Stars!
Plot: 5 stars
Hero Characterization: 5 stars – Thomas, Viscount Armstrong-- SEXY ALPHA - blonde with green eyes and dimples! (Older brother of Missy from the First Book, SINFUL SURRENDER.)
Heroine Characterization: 4 stars - Amelia Bertram, daughter of Harold Bertram, Marquess of Bradford, business partner of Thomas’.
Writing Style/Flow/Word Usage: 4 stars, a few places where things needed to be edited better
Erotic Tension: 5+ stars!
Erotic descriptiveness: 4 stars, no 'vulgar' words
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars, mostly in second half-end
Denouement: 4 stars
The character Thomas Armstrong was introduced in the first book of the Elusive Lords Series, SINFUL SURRENDER, as the older brother of Missy. However, this book is written as a stand-alone.
Amelia, the only child of the widowed Marquess of Bradford, has been out-of-control for some time, ever since she was left alone after her beloved mother passed away, and in the past couple years she has attempted to elope twice, both times with near-penniless types that do not meet the approval of her father. Fortunately these events were hushed up at great expense to her father and he is at his wits' end. It seems no man is good enough for her except someone like Thomas, who is her wealthy father’s business protégé.
Thomas has the women of the ton at his feet and they adore his handsome charm and gentlemanly behavior. He is the man that the debs and wallflowers at a ball most want to have a chance to dance with. In addition, he is the golden Adonis that the married ladies most want to have an affair with, for he is rumored by many married ladies to be very skilled at pleasure. Needless to say, he is an incorrigible Rake; in fact, he will dump a mistress as soon as she shows signs of clingy emotional attachment or jealousy. He can't stand Amelia and thinks she is a bratty plague that should be avoided at all cost.
However, Amelia is not at all impressed or in agreement with the ladies, and she loudly castigates his manhood while the orchestra is playing, but the music cuts off too soon, causing her loud exclamation to be overheard by all at the ball! In fact, she says she would wager her entire (considerable) dowry that he doesn’t come remotely close to his rumored sexual prowess.
The scene is set for Thomas to give Amelia her comeuppance, and the opportunity arises when Amelia’s father, Harry, plans to go to America for four months. Amelia needs a firm hand as well as some punishment for her latest attempt to elope, and Thomas agrees to put Amelia to work at his country estate where he runs his horse breeding farm (it's this or a convent school for a year!). Thomas’ mother and sisters reside there, and a chaperone will be hired so it will be all above board. Uh-huh.
In the beginning, Thomas seems like a total grade A asshole and Amelia a spoiled stuck up bitch. Its hard to find redeeming qualities in either of them or understand why Amelia has such antipathy toward Thomas.
But Beverley Kendall is extremely skilled at crafting full-fledged characterizations and building the erotic tension in the story so that you can’t put the book down!! Against his better judgment, Thomas finds himself wanting Amelia...he justifies his kissing her with the rationalization that he has to make her want him to prove (to whom?) that he can--- her insults still rankle. His justifications are getting more and more confused in his head because he is simply out-of-control in lust with her. He is having a difficult time!
However, being under the same household has unintended consequences, and they find themselves getting to know each other and find that neither is as terrible as they once thought, and both find themselves grudgingly easing toward a truce. Amelia cannot recognize herself after he starts his insidious seduction of her, and she desperately tries to hatch a plan to get away.
Ms. Kendall has written a delightful engrossing story with white hot erotic tension which will stay with you long after the book ends. This is one for my keeper shelf and I highly recommend it! Her writing reflects great skill, however there were a few sentences and paragraphs that could have been edited better for ease of reading flow and clarity. One such sentence is, “He was the kind of man females clamored to like Christians to Church.” This metaphorical sentence would have flowed better if it had been edited to read, “He was the kind of man that females clamored toward like Christians to Church.” I know grammar nazis will say the word "that" in metaphorical sentences is over-used and unnecessary but in this instance it would have helped with clarity. I also felt the beginning of the book took a while to get going and the end may have ended a bit abruptly (but not unsatisfyingly), so my overall rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up in GR to 5 because of how much I enjoyed the book and characters!
OVERALL RATING: 4.5 Stars!
Plot: 5 stars
Hero Characterization: 5 stars – Thomas, Viscount Armstrong-- SEXY ALPHA - blonde with green eyes and dimples! (Older brother of Missy from the First Book, SINFUL SURRENDER.)
Heroine Characterization: 4 stars - Amelia Bertram, daughter of Harold Bertram, Marquess of Bradford, business partner of Thomas’.
Writing Style/Flow/Word Usage: 4 stars, a few places where things needed to be edited better
Erotic Tension: 5+ stars!
Erotic descriptiveness: 4 stars, no 'vulgar' words
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars, mostly in second half-end
Denouement: 4 stars
The character Thomas Armstrong was introduced in the first book of the Elusive Lords Series, SINFUL SURRENDER, as the older brother of Missy. However, this book is written as a stand-alone.
Amelia, the only child of the widowed Marquess of Bradford, has been out-of-control for some time, ever since she was left alone after her beloved mother passed away, and in the past couple years she has attempted to elope twice, both times with near-penniless types that do not meet the approval of her father. Fortunately these events were hushed up at great expense to her father and he is at his wits' end. It seems no man is good enough for her except someone like Thomas, who is her wealthy father’s business protégé.
Thomas has the women of the ton at his feet and they adore his handsome charm and gentlemanly behavior. He is the man that the debs and wallflowers at a ball most want to have a chance to dance with. In addition, he is the golden Adonis that the married ladies most want to have an affair with, for he is rumored by many married ladies to be very skilled at pleasure. Needless to say, he is an incorrigible Rake; in fact, he will dump a mistress as soon as she shows signs of clingy emotional attachment or jealousy. He can't stand Amelia and thinks she is a bratty plague that should be avoided at all cost.
However, Amelia is not at all impressed or in agreement with the ladies, and she loudly castigates his manhood while the orchestra is playing, but the music cuts off too soon, causing her loud exclamation to be overheard by all at the ball! In fact, she says she would wager her entire (considerable) dowry that he doesn’t come remotely close to his rumored sexual prowess.
The scene is set for Thomas to give Amelia her comeuppance, and the opportunity arises when Amelia’s father, Harry, plans to go to America for four months. Amelia needs a firm hand as well as some punishment for her latest attempt to elope, and Thomas agrees to put Amelia to work at his country estate where he runs his horse breeding farm (it's this or a convent school for a year!). Thomas’ mother and sisters reside there, and a chaperone will be hired so it will be all above board. Uh-huh.
In the beginning, Thomas seems like a total grade A asshole and Amelia a spoiled stuck up bitch. Its hard to find redeeming qualities in either of them or understand why Amelia has such antipathy toward Thomas.
But Beverley Kendall is extremely skilled at crafting full-fledged characterizations and building the erotic tension in the story so that you can’t put the book down!! Against his better judgment, Thomas finds himself wanting Amelia...he justifies his kissing her with the rationalization that he has to make her want him to prove (to whom?) that he can--- her insults still rankle. His justifications are getting more and more confused in his head because he is simply out-of-control in lust with her. He is having a difficult time!
However, being under the same household has unintended consequences, and they find themselves getting to know each other and find that neither is as terrible as they once thought, and both find themselves grudgingly easing toward a truce. Amelia cannot recognize herself after he starts his insidious seduction of her, and she desperately tries to hatch a plan to get away.
Ms. Kendall has written a delightful engrossing story with white hot erotic tension which will stay with you long after the book ends. This is one for my keeper shelf and I highly recommend it! Her writing reflects great skill, however there were a few sentences and paragraphs that could have been edited better for ease of reading flow and clarity. One such sentence is, “He was the kind of man females clamored to like Christians to Church.” This metaphorical sentence would have flowed better if it had been edited to read, “He was the kind of man that females clamored toward like Christians to Church.” I know grammar nazis will say the word "that" in metaphorical sentences is over-used and unnecessary but in this instance it would have helped with clarity. I also felt the beginning of the book took a while to get going and the end may have ended a bit abruptly (but not unsatisfyingly), so my overall rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up in GR to 5 because of how much I enjoyed the book and characters!
June 5, 2014
I don't give many one star reviews. When I do, it means the book hit me wrong on many levels.
I found the writing style irritating. Technically, it was correct grammatically. Her descriptions however rubbed me wrong. Eye-rolling wrong.
The heroine was a totally brat. While I understand that she was a teenager acting out for percieved slights from her neglectful father, she took it out on the world. She insulted others for no fault of their own and felt self-righteous about it. I disliked her immensely.
The hero was just as bad. He decided to give her a comeuppance that included making her want him sexually. He was not nice, but he must have magic dimples.
They fought all the time, then when they had sex, suddenly they are in love. I waited for the 'reveal' where he finally understands the motivations behind her acting out, but it didn't happen. So I kept reading, past the point I wanted to stop because I hoped the wrap-up was sweet and would make up for all the fighting. But no. He is cold and pridefully hurt, she is reduced to broken sobbing tears, he is moved by the tears, forgives her, and oh let's go have sex... ew ew ew.
Hence the one star.
I found the writing style irritating. Technically, it was correct grammatically. Her descriptions however rubbed me wrong. Eye-rolling wrong.
The heroine was a totally brat. While I understand that she was a teenager acting out for percieved slights from her neglectful father, she took it out on the world. She insulted others for no fault of their own and felt self-righteous about it. I disliked her immensely.
The hero was just as bad. He decided to give her a comeuppance that included making her want him sexually. He was not nice, but he must have magic dimples.
They fought all the time, then when they had sex, suddenly they are in love. I waited for the 'reveal' where he finally understands the motivations behind her acting out, but it didn't happen. So I kept reading, past the point I wanted to stop because I hoped the wrap-up was sweet and would make up for all the fighting. But no. He is cold and pridefully hurt, she is reduced to broken sobbing tears, he is moved by the tears, forgives her, and oh let's go have sex... ew ew ew.
Hence the one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf-at-all
January 21, 2024Note to self: no rating, as I did not make it past the first two chapters.
I was not impressed with the heroine when we met her in Book 1 and I see in several book reviews here that she continues to be an ice princess bitch thru much of this Book 2 as well. I understand that she has legit reasons to act the way she does out of emotional damage, etc but it’s not fun for me to read thru. I tend to prefer reading about the sunshine-type of heroine.
So this is just a personal choice, no reflection on the author and her storytelling. Book 1 remains my favorite :)
I was not impressed with the heroine when we met her in Book 1 and I see in several book reviews here that she continues to be an ice princess bitch thru much of this Book 2 as well. I understand that she has legit reasons to act the way she does out of emotional damage, etc but it’s not fun for me to read thru. I tend to prefer reading about the sunshine-type of heroine.
So this is just a personal choice, no reflection on the author and her storytelling. Book 1 remains my favorite :)
May 4, 2015
This review can also be found here - http://thebookboudoir.blogspot.com/20...
I was pretty thrilled when I received the email saying I'd won a copy of A Taste of Desire through a Goodreads giveaway. It had been a good while since I'd read a Historical Romance so I was really anticipating receiving it.
I have always loved plots with one or both of the main characters 'hating' one another. Thomas and Amelia hit the spot when it comes to that. She's 'difficult' (in his eyes) and he's a 'rake' (in hers).
They are thrown together through a small series of circumstances. Thomas is good friends with Amelia's father and he agrees to help him out by 'taking her in'. As soon as he acquiesces I couldn't help but giggle to myself. I knew (hoped) that things between them would eventually escalate.
It was fun seeing Thomas and Amelia get to know more about one another- to see the other side of their personalities. Thomas is easy to swoon over and Amelia tries her best not to cave and fall for his charms. It's the same for Thomas, the more he's around her, he sees she's not the woman he thought she was. He remains frustrated through out most of the book; battling the physical attraction and the pull he feels.
I actually found myself dragging out reading this because I didn't want it to end. A Taste of Desire was exactly the kind of book I was looking for when I wanted to read something a little different. It's a passionate story with wit thrown in; I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing style of Ms. Kendall!
I was pretty thrilled when I received the email saying I'd won a copy of A Taste of Desire through a Goodreads giveaway. It had been a good while since I'd read a Historical Romance so I was really anticipating receiving it.
I have always loved plots with one or both of the main characters 'hating' one another. Thomas and Amelia hit the spot when it comes to that. She's 'difficult' (in his eyes) and he's a 'rake' (in hers).
They are thrown together through a small series of circumstances. Thomas is good friends with Amelia's father and he agrees to help him out by 'taking her in'. As soon as he acquiesces I couldn't help but giggle to myself. I knew (hoped) that things between them would eventually escalate.
It was fun seeing Thomas and Amelia get to know more about one another- to see the other side of their personalities. Thomas is easy to swoon over and Amelia tries her best not to cave and fall for his charms. It's the same for Thomas, the more he's around her, he sees she's not the woman he thought she was. He remains frustrated through out most of the book; battling the physical attraction and the pull he feels.
I actually found myself dragging out reading this because I didn't want it to end. A Taste of Desire was exactly the kind of book I was looking for when I wanted to read something a little different. It's a passionate story with wit thrown in; I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing style of Ms. Kendall!
September 19, 2011
I love historical romances ,and this one ,A TASTE OF DESIRE, I absolutely loved.This is the follow-up to SINFUL SURRENDER ,which I also loved.The two main characters are like oil and vinegar, and they clash in every encounter together.The h has an instant dislike to the H and when introduced for the 1st time she gives him a withering setdown at a party.The H thinks that she is a willful spoiled brat as he calls her.The hero is asked by the h's father to watch over his daughter as he has to go to America on business.At 1st,he refuses,then after yet another clash in which she malignes his prowness loudly in a crowded ballroon with everyone to hear,he changes his mind and consents to watch over her.The fun now begins.I enjoyed their exchanges and getting to know the characters as they developed in the story.When the h becomes ill,you see him changing his attitude towards the h and his feelings emerging.The Christmas scene was beautiful when he presented her with his gift and hers to him. I enjoyed catching up with the H/h of the prior book and thier twins.This book was nicely written and is on my keeper shelf along with the 1st.Looking forwod to the next in this series.Rec to those who enjoy a fiesty heroine and the man who will tame her,or at least attempt to.
July 18, 2012
This comment by Being Human says it perfectly.
Amelia reminded me of Lydia from P&P: a complete idiot. It didn't take me long to come to that conclusion (first chapter did it) but I kept reading hoping she was really misunderstood. Alas, it was not to be. Amelia is really just a entitled twit who needs to buy a personality transplant.
Apparently Thomas ends up being a douchenozzle (new word of the day for me) later on in the book (according to some other reviews), but I didn't get that far since Lydia...er, Amelia was so toxic I had to stop reading otherwise my Nook was going to get some unwanted flying lessons.
I couldn't finish this book because of the heroine, she was way too rude and demanding and ill-mannered and unpleasant and ungrateful for the likes of romantic heroines!
Amelia reminded me of Lydia from P&P: a complete idiot. It didn't take me long to come to that conclusion (first chapter did it) but I kept reading hoping she was really misunderstood. Alas, it was not to be. Amelia is really just a entitled twit who needs to buy a personality transplant.
Apparently Thomas ends up being a douchenozzle (new word of the day for me) later on in the book (according to some other reviews), but I didn't get that far since Lydia...er, Amelia was so toxic I had to stop reading otherwise my Nook was going to get some unwanted flying lessons.
August 15, 2014
3.5 Stars. Once again, I really like Kendall's writing. BUT I just have a problem with characters that are so angry and negative. I have difficulty believing that all will be well after they commit to each other. Passion only goes to far. Perhaps I'm too realistic....
March 23, 2012
I couldn't finish this book because of the heroine, she was way too rude and demanding and ill-mannered and unpleasant and ungrateful for the likes of romantic heroines! The tiresome bickering and hate-lust relationship between H and h left me with a headache. Enough is enough!
October 27, 2015
Loved it.
August 11, 2018
H31,h19....i liked the verbal swordfight b/w them...and how she managed to maintain her own side,nothing is sexier than a heroine with witty comebacks
February 15, 2022
true enemies to lovers HR!
June 19, 2011
Note: This review, and all my reviews, comes from my blog - Romantic Rose's Bookshelf (http://romantic-rosesblog.blogspot.com)
Book 2 in the Elusive Lords Series
Thomas Armstrong and Amelia Bertram’s relationship was a novelty for me – it was sexy, it was dramatic, it was stunning – and I wasn’t sure I liked it. Throughout the course of a romance, I hope to see both parties changing, compromising, developing into new and better people. Unfortunately, I didn’t see that. Thomas was much too autocratic for my tastes and I felt like he took Amelia’s beautiful independent nature and locked it away under his possessive care. Yes, he was sweet and gorgeous and sexy as sin. But loving her and making her a better person? I don’t know about other readers, but for me she came across as weaker at the end, not stronger. He overpowered her, overshadowed her, and it made me want to pull her away from him. I was left worrying about her in the end, if he would continue to overpower her for the rest of their lives. An epilogue was desperately needed to put my mind at ease.
There were also two really crucial conversations that Amelia and Thomas should have had, and without those conversations I felt the book was lacking a sort of closure. Amelia has always hated Thomas for taking her place in her father’s life – and without a conversation between them explaining that, I felt Thomas lacked a certain level of understanding of his bride. Also, there was never a conversation about why Amelia wanted to marry Cromwell or Clayborough, about why her independence was so important to her. At one point there was a line of two of dialogue indicating they might have a conversation about that and I thought ‘yes! Here it comes!’ and that was it. It was over.
Other than spending a lot of time considering a different life for Amelia (which is not how one should feel at the end of a romance, one should be certain of the heroine’s beautiful future) I liked the book. From the moment Amelia slandered Thomas’s sexual prowess in the middle of a crowded ballroom, I was hooked. It was funny, sexy, and soulful. Amelia can be seen as a spoiled brat at the beginning or simply a girl rebelling under terrible parental authority. Even as Thomas’s handling of her bothered me, it was a unique premise for a book and a very exciting, flirty journey. The pair’s tongues and wits are well matched, at least, and the book was a constant sparing match for the two – of which I was happy to be privy.
“Sexy”ness rating: *fans self vigorously* Wow.
Overall Rating: B
Bottom Line: You will either walk away from this book in love with Thomas yourself, or despising the way he treats Amelia throughout the book. The scenes are beautifully written and Kendall is an incredible writer. This book had a good mix of tender and funny, soulful and flirty, deep and shallow.
Book 2 in the Elusive Lords Series
Thomas Armstrong and Amelia Bertram’s relationship was a novelty for me – it was sexy, it was dramatic, it was stunning – and I wasn’t sure I liked it. Throughout the course of a romance, I hope to see both parties changing, compromising, developing into new and better people. Unfortunately, I didn’t see that. Thomas was much too autocratic for my tastes and I felt like he took Amelia’s beautiful independent nature and locked it away under his possessive care. Yes, he was sweet and gorgeous and sexy as sin. But loving her and making her a better person? I don’t know about other readers, but for me she came across as weaker at the end, not stronger. He overpowered her, overshadowed her, and it made me want to pull her away from him. I was left worrying about her in the end, if he would continue to overpower her for the rest of their lives. An epilogue was desperately needed to put my mind at ease.
There were also two really crucial conversations that Amelia and Thomas should have had, and without those conversations I felt the book was lacking a sort of closure. Amelia has always hated Thomas for taking her place in her father’s life – and without a conversation between them explaining that, I felt Thomas lacked a certain level of understanding of his bride. Also, there was never a conversation about why Amelia wanted to marry Cromwell or Clayborough, about why her independence was so important to her. At one point there was a line of two of dialogue indicating they might have a conversation about that and I thought ‘yes! Here it comes!’ and that was it. It was over.
Other than spending a lot of time considering a different life for Amelia (which is not how one should feel at the end of a romance, one should be certain of the heroine’s beautiful future) I liked the book. From the moment Amelia slandered Thomas’s sexual prowess in the middle of a crowded ballroom, I was hooked. It was funny, sexy, and soulful. Amelia can be seen as a spoiled brat at the beginning or simply a girl rebelling under terrible parental authority. Even as Thomas’s handling of her bothered me, it was a unique premise for a book and a very exciting, flirty journey. The pair’s tongues and wits are well matched, at least, and the book was a constant sparing match for the two – of which I was happy to be privy.
“Sexy”ness rating: *fans self vigorously* Wow.
Overall Rating: B
Bottom Line: You will either walk away from this book in love with Thomas yourself, or despising the way he treats Amelia throughout the book. The scenes are beautifully written and Kendall is an incredible writer. This book had a good mix of tender and funny, soulful and flirty, deep and shallow.
May 4, 2011
Overall Rating: 3.50 // Action: 0 / Emotion: 4 / Romance: 4.5 / Sensuous: 2.5 / Suspense: 1.5 / Regency Flavor: 3.5 / Humor: 2 / Tears: 2
A Taste of Desire is Beverley Kendall's second book in The Elusive Lords Series. The book is a necessary read to anyone who read the first book of the series ( Sinful Surrender ) because of the way Amelia Bertram (trouble-making daughter of Lord Harold "Harry" Bertram, Marquess of Bradford) greeted her father's business partner, Viscount Thomas Armstrong.
However, A Taste of Desire is not a necessary read for anybody wanting to experience the feelings of emotional angst suffered by a daughter who spends an entire book cutting the hero with sharp words because her father treated him more like a son than he treated her like a daughter. The premise is realistic and the emotional pull could be profound, but Kendall spent more time telling the readers how Amelia felt than drawing the emotions from the reader with dialogue and action.
A Taste of Desire is an enjoyable, fun read. Thomas and Amelia spent a lot of time sparring because they do not want to be attracted to the other, but it will never find it's way onto my "to be re-read" list. A more in-depth, detailed, spoiler-ridden review of this book can be found on blog, Wolf Bear Does Books.
A Taste of Desire is Beverley Kendall's second book in The Elusive Lords Series. The book is a necessary read to anyone who read the first book of the series ( Sinful Surrender ) because of the way Amelia Bertram (trouble-making daughter of Lord Harold "Harry" Bertram, Marquess of Bradford) greeted her father's business partner, Viscount Thomas Armstrong.
" . . . I've heard you are considered, at best, a rake about town, and at worst, a debaucher of women and maiden sensibilities. I certainly hope you are not going to ply your trade here this evening."
However, A Taste of Desire is not a necessary read for anybody wanting to experience the feelings of emotional angst suffered by a daughter who spends an entire book cutting the hero with sharp words because her father treated him more like a son than he treated her like a daughter. The premise is realistic and the emotional pull could be profound, but Kendall spent more time telling the readers how Amelia felt than drawing the emotions from the reader with dialogue and action.
A Taste of Desire is an enjoyable, fun read. Thomas and Amelia spent a lot of time sparring because they do not want to be attracted to the other, but it will never find it's way onto my "to be re-read" list. A more in-depth, detailed, spoiler-ridden review of this book can be found on blog, Wolf Bear Does Books.
Read
July 17, 2018I liked the writing at the sentence level; I can see how it could read too purple-y and too cluttered for some readers, but I kind of like the "push hard at an imperfect metaphor!" style. Aside from that, though, I basically finished this book solely to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end. It was tedious, and nothing was grounded in the characters personalities, which were poorly developed to begin with. Paper doll characters being pushed by romance conventions, basically. I could accept the assholeishness required by the set-up and plot, but it was sooooo boring. (Though, there was some nascent kinkiness I wasn't expecting; there were I think four threats to spank the heroine, and there was a lot of pushing of the humiliation button. I mean, the sex itself was bland if somewhat explicit, but it went nowhere actually kinky--or interesting. There were just kinky undertones that I don't usually see in non-erotica.)
April 9, 2013
Another good story in the Elusive Lords series. Amelia is strong and funny and extremely sarcastic, and Thomas had never been nursing hurt pride before he met her for the first time.
This and other reviews can now be found exclusively on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.
Thomas had that typical arrogance that is often found in a male character in historical romance books, but his charm was able to make me oversee that same arrogance. And who doesn't love a good-looking guy with dimples? Amelia was very different from the usual ladies, she spoke her mind, especially when she would have done better to hold her tongue and wait things through instead. Her way of speaking is exactly what gave her so much trouble as well.
This and other reviews can now be found exclusively on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.
Thomas had that typical arrogance that is often found in a male character in historical romance books, but his charm was able to make me oversee that same arrogance. And who doesn't love a good-looking guy with dimples? Amelia was very different from the usual ladies, she spoke her mind, especially when she would have done better to hold her tongue and wait things through instead. Her way of speaking is exactly what gave her so much trouble as well.
May 2, 2011
This was not a bad book. It was just that the heroine acted too much like a child for my taste. She was also treated like a child by the hero and her father. Starting off that way was a little irritating and I couldn’t really get pass the annoyance of it. I needed a little more from this book for it to be a top notch read, but it did provide some needed entertainment.
March 16, 2011
I liked the last quarter of the book. There was something about the story of the beginning of the book that turned me off. Maybe because Thomas was more disciplinarian than friend/lover. For me, that is a big no no. However, if you only read the ending of the book, its really good.
August 9, 2016
Things I did not like:
1) Sex scenes between Thomas and his mistress (um isn't this supposed to be a ROMANCE???)
2) Amelia succumbing to Thomas each and everytime he touched her. Girlfriend, show some restraint.
3) The BIG MISUNDERSTANDING was so silly.
1) Sex scenes between Thomas and his mistress (um isn't this supposed to be a ROMANCE???)
2) Amelia succumbing to Thomas each and everytime he touched her. Girlfriend, show some restraint.
3) The BIG MISUNDERSTANDING was so silly.
November 6, 2012
I got half way through the book and still didn't like Lady Amelia. I sense a reason behind her termagant personality but didn't want to wait until the last chapter to find a miracle happens and she's redeemed. I felt the hero, Thomas, Viscount Armstrong, deserved better even if he was a rake.
March 13, 2020
4 Stars
October 9, 2022
THIS NEEDED AN EPILOGUE!!!
This enemies to lovers story was indeed delightful! It bordered on childishness but not the unacceptable kind. The characters do grow on you even if I found the heroine obnoxious at first. Otherwise, this was immensely sensual and had a sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a butter knife!
AMELIA and THOMAS were meant to be except they didn't know it yet. A child starving for love and angry by her father's neglect, Amelia believes Thomas has usurped her place for her papa's affections and this leads her to despise him. Thomas has no idea why she antagonizes him but returns the favour when treated poorly. When one night at a ball everyone hears her maligning his sexual prowess, Thomas takes it upon himself to accept her father's request to "take care" of her while he's gone. In other words, Thomas agreed to put her to work in his horse breeding business, but unfortunately she only became his secretary.
Thomas was equally childish to a fault when he sought to bully and teach her a lesson. I guess it can be quite exhilarating when it leads to scorching kisses but, if you think about it rationally....let's just NOT, shall we?
OVERALL the highlight of the story was more on seeing them explode with passion, and yet they were too stupid and stubborn to admit to love. I would say this is one typical enemies to lovers story but it gets the job done.
This enemies to lovers story was indeed delightful! It bordered on childishness but not the unacceptable kind. The characters do grow on you even if I found the heroine obnoxious at first. Otherwise, this was immensely sensual and had a sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a butter knife!
AMELIA and THOMAS were meant to be except they didn't know it yet. A child starving for love and angry by her father's neglect, Amelia believes Thomas has usurped her place for her papa's affections and this leads her to despise him. Thomas has no idea why she antagonizes him but returns the favour when treated poorly. When one night at a ball everyone hears her maligning his sexual prowess, Thomas takes it upon himself to accept her father's request to "take care" of her while he's gone. In other words, Thomas agreed to put her to work in his horse breeding business, but unfortunately she only became his secretary.
Thomas was equally childish to a fault when he sought to bully and teach her a lesson. I guess it can be quite exhilarating when it leads to scorching kisses but, if you think about it rationally....let's just NOT, shall we?
OVERALL the highlight of the story was more on seeing them explode with passion, and yet they were too stupid and stubborn to admit to love. I would say this is one typical enemies to lovers story but it gets the job done.
July 31, 2018
I wish I had known this was a Taming of the Shrew narrative before I started reading this because I probably would have given it a miss.
It was steamy and the writing was very good, if a bit cheesy at times, but Thomas was just too overpowering and domineering for my liking. You have to really walk a fine line with characters like him and this one went too far. Amelia was legitimately afraid of him at the beginning and he sort of threatens her from time to time? I know it's supposed to be 'seduction' but not enough was done to portray Amelia's interest in him at that point for his actions to not come across as creepy and predatory. Also the violent jealousy! That's just not my bag.
The best thing about this book was Alex and I will probably read his book.
It was steamy and the writing was very good, if a bit cheesy at times, but Thomas was just too overpowering and domineering for my liking. You have to really walk a fine line with characters like him and this one went too far. Amelia was legitimately afraid of him at the beginning and he sort of threatens her from time to time? I know it's supposed to be 'seduction' but not enough was done to portray Amelia's interest in him at that point for his actions to not come across as creepy and predatory. Also the violent jealousy! That's just not my bag.
The best thing about this book was Alex and I will probably read his book.
April 14, 2021
What a joy it was to read this book!
The hero is swoon-worthy, the heroine is delectable, the dialogues witty, the story fast paced and entertaining, the other characters are interesting and - most importantly- the romance part is hot!!!
Above all, Beverley Kendall‘s writing style made this book unputdownable. I am looking forward to reading her other books.
The hero is swoon-worthy, the heroine is delectable, the dialogues witty, the story fast paced and entertaining, the other characters are interesting and - most importantly- the romance part is hot!!!
Above all, Beverley Kendall‘s writing style made this book unputdownable. I am looking forward to reading her other books.
July 16, 2020
It’s a cute story and a nice beach/relaxing read. As far as HR books go, it’s entertaining enough. It doesn’t stick totally to etiquette of the time, but not every HR book is required to be historically correct.
March 7, 2025
A little improbable compared to the first book but a thoroughly searing enemies to lovers sequel with some of the most SCORCHING steam I’ve read in a while. Would have benefited from more scenes of emotional connection and an epilogue for some breathing room but all in all, very solid read.
December 20, 2017
YUMMY!
Book 2 was absolutely delectable! Better than the first & I loved book 1 of this series! A wonderful read!
Book 2 was absolutely delectable! Better than the first & I loved book 1 of this series! A wonderful read!
March 7, 2018
Amazing!
Ugh so good! Loved this story and both main characters. It was intense, witty and passionate. Great read and on to the next!
Ugh so good! Loved this story and both main characters. It was intense, witty and passionate. Great read and on to the next!
May 10, 2020
Amazing book <3
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