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To Tempt A Rake
Circle of Sin Series, No 3
Cara Elliott

Grand Central / Hachette
January 25, 2011/ ISBN 978-0-446-54130-5
Historical Romance / Regency England
Amazon

Reviewed by Linda Young

Marco Ghiradelli, the Conte of Como: He is an Italian rake and devil-may-care rogue of the first order. He spends his nights drinking and hanging out in brothels seeking out the feminine pleasures available; all this to hide his heart and make a good cover for himself while he performs secret duties for Lord Lynsley. That is, until he meets his Cousin Alessandra's friend, Kate Woodbridge. He finds her to be a tempting distraction with her witty charm and a scent that haunts his memories. Has he met her before?

Kate Woodbridge came to live with her grandfather, The Duke of Cluyne, a year ago after she had made a promise to her parents - on their deathbeds - that she would seek reconciliation with her grandfather. She had spent her life traveling the seas with her father, an American pirate, and her mother, the daughter of The Duke of Cluyne. Her mother had left her life in high society to follow her heart by eloping with the man she loved. Kate's parents had died within days of each other as the result of a plague.

Kate was in the Sinners, a group of ladies who study and research scientific interests. Kate's specialty was botany. She was following in her grandfather's footsteps in this matter. So, when her grandfather informed her that he was hosting a house party at his country estate in honor of the upcoming peace talks in Vienna and wished her to attend, Kate agrees so that she and her fellow scientist, Lady Charlotte Fenimore, may spend time in his conservatory of plant life.

Unbeknownst to her, Marco would also be at the party. When she had met him at Alessandra's home, she knew she must avoid him. He must not remember their first encounter;. her secrets must be kept hidden. She could not embarrass her grandfather with another scandal like her mother's.

What starts out as a friendly gathering of state and foreign dignitaries turns into a cauldron of under-the-table dealings, murder, and romance. Marco is supposed to be keeping his ears open for any hint of trouble for the upcoming peace talks, unhealthy alliances, and talk of treason. However, he is constantly distracted by Kate; he can't stay away from her. But when Colonel Von Seilig is found murdered and Kate is the prime suspect, Marco makes her his first priority. Kate joins Marco in pursuit of the real killer. Between their passion for each other and the need to find a killer, they end up in the courts of Vienna trying to stop an international incident.

Elliott has done a great job here. I was quite taken with the story of Marco and Kate. I loved the history that the story was written around. Elliott did a wonderful job of weaving it all together. I love a heroine who has a quick wit, is well educated, and has an independent spirit. I have no doubt that many women of that era wished they could have been like Kate. This is the third in Elliott's Circle of Sin series. Now I have to go back and read the first two. If you love romance, mystery, and a lot of humor, this book is for you. It's a lot of fun and a good read.

Reviewer's Note: To Sin with a Scoundrel and To Surrender to a Rogue


Reviewed 2011
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