"Character-driven Regency romance"

From birth Deborah Percival was trained to do what others desired of her not what she wanted from life. At seventeen, Deborah's father died leaving her, her two half- sisters and her stepmother in financial straits. To help her siblings, Deborah acquiesces and marries a man almost sixty years old. This enables her half sisters to wed the husbands they wanted to marry. When Deborah becomes a widow, her family pressures her to remarry a widower with six children. Displaying rare spunk, Deborah refuses and journeys to London to stay with one of her half-sisters.

Earl Anthony Aldercy has worked hard to recover the family fortune that his late father lost gambling. However, his intense efforts cannot overcome his family reputation for scandals. To help erase some of that taint, he agrees to marry a respectable lady.

On her way to London, torrential rain forces Deborah to take lodging at the home of Miss Chalmers whose other guest is Tony. Tony and Deborah soon share a bed and begin to fall in love. However, since he is betrothed and cannot deal with any scandal their relationship appears short- lived.

THE LADY IS TEMPTED is a character-driven Regency romance starring two wonderful protagonists though the audience will wonder why Deborah waited so long before showing her independence. The fabulous story line provides fans with a delightful tale focusing on Tony struggling between his heart and his obsession to avoid shame. Cathy Maxwell furbishes an engaging romance that unabashedly highlights the love between two people.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 1, 2002