TEST
Historical romances can show the hard work of the author in researching the period and its nuances, or can show that the author knows a good setting when she finds one, but isn’t overly concerned with those pesky historical details. Cathy Maxwell’s The Lady Is Tempted is the latter, but Maxwell’s ability to write real, believable (although not always to their own time) characters almost transcends the fact that this story could have been set in any period and still been as effective.
Deborah Percival is a 28-year-old widow whose family married her off at the age of 16 to a man 37 years her elder. As the oldest daughter of three, she has always done what oldest daughters must: take care of the family both financially and emotionally. Her mother was a French émigré, while her sisters’ mother is the woman that (according to the village where they reside) her father was always supposed to marry. Deborah, therefore, has always felt as if she were less a real part of the family and, since she inherited her mother’s dark, exotic looks, that she is also less attractive than her more conventionally beautiful sisters.
As the story opens, Deborah is living with her sister and brother-in-law. Since her husband died without giving her a child and her husband’s son (from a previous marriage) has inherited the estate, she has little money. Her brother-in-law is agitating to get Deborah out from under his roof, and he enlists the help of his aunt, the village’s lead harridan, to get her married off again. This lady’s bright idea is to marry Deborah to the local vicar, a man with six maniacal children.
Needless to say, this does not sit well with Deborah. She has already sacrificed herself for her family once, and does not want to do so again. Besides, she’s been having odd sexual stirrings she knows would not be satisfied by the vicar. She seizes on a chance to go to London when her other sister sends a letter pleading for help.
On the way, Deborah is forced to stay at a small inn where she meets Anthony Aldercy, the Earl of Burnell. From the beginning, sparks fly, and Deborah realizes she has met the man of her dreams. Anthony is equally smitten, and the two begin a lively love affair with no regard for propriety. Eventually, Anthony makes Deborah an offer, but not the one she would like. The rest of the book details their progress to the altar, with plot points magically clearing up as if more than one god provided a deus ex machina.
The two main characters are well-drawn, with understandable motivations and actions. Their love scenes are charming and sensual, and it’s easy to understand how they end up falling in love. The reason this book didn’t receive more than an average grade, however, is that the characters do not seem at all aware that they are in a time different from this one. For example, the inn’s owner (who has a relationship with Anthony) knows that Anthony and Deborah are sharing a bed, but barely reacts. Deborah’s sister is also not shocked by their situation and Anthony, although engaged to another woman, does not visit his fiance or do any of the preparations one presumes were necessary prior to a marriage. The various resolutions to the characters’ respective troubles are also problematic, since they are all solved ridiculously easily, as if they were merely there to prolong the action.
It’s not as if I want all my characters to march around in pelisses and buckskins and act in a proper nineteenth century manner all the time – that would hardly be an interesting read. What I would like, however, is for the author to make more than a token effort to maintain the “history” in the historical romance, rather than throwing her characters into a setting that does not suit their story. That said, however, I thought Maxwell did a terrific job drawing these two characters, and enjoyed reading about them. If you’re tempted to pick up The Lady is Tempted, be aware that unless you can set aside a book full of anachronistic behavior, this one might not be for you.
Grade: C
Book Type: European Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 13/08/02
Publication Date: 2002
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.