Another great author, 26 Nov 2006
This is the first book by this author that I've read and I will definitely be reading more. She has a good, sophisticated writing style that sucks you in and doesn't get in the way of enjoying the story. She manages to put her individual mark on, and give a new twist to old plots.

This book is about a woman who goes undercover in her estranged relative's home as a companion, in order to find out who has framed her father for theft. She comes across Simon Croft, the Earl of Rockford who is courting her cousin and who, unbeknownst to her is the man who arrested her father. They are both deceiving each other, she by going under a false name and with a hidden agenda and he by hiding the fact that he has a stake in the case and has a secret job as a bow street runner. Of course it is obvious that they are being set up for a fall/ betrayal because you know they are both going to find out about each other's trickery. The only issue is how it is going to happen. Well, she handles it brilliantly and it is everything you could expect, but the book is not as straight forward as you expect because there are other compelling subplots that also keep you involved on other levels. She has quite a degree of cunning as an authoress and although you could hazard a guess at who the villain is you aren't quite sure until the clever unveiling at the end. Definitely worth a read if not a permanent place on your bookshelf. Go for it!

Another great author, 26 Nov 2006
This is the first book by this author that I've read and I will definitely be reading more. She has a good, sophisticated writing style that sucks you in and doesn't get in the way of enjoying the story. She manages to put her individual mark on, and give a new twist to old plots.

This book is about a woman who goes undercover in her estranged relative's home as a companion, in order to find out who has framed her father for theft. She comes across Simon Croft, the Earl of Rockford who is courting her cousin and who, unbeknownst to her is the man who arrested her father. They are both deceiving each other, she by going under a false name and with a hidden agenda and he by hiding the fact that he has a stake in the case and has a secret job as a bow street runner. Of course it is obvious that they are being set up for a fall/ betrayal because you know they are both going to find out about each other's trickery. The only issue is how it is going to happen. Well, she handles it brilliantly and it is everything you could expect, but the book is not as straight forward as you expect because there are other compelling subplots that also keep you involved on other levels. She has quite a degree of cunning as an authoress and although you could hazard a guess at who the villain is you aren't quite sure until the clever unveiling at the end. Definitely worth a read if not a permanent place on your bookshelf. Go for it!

bad boy refroms, 05 May 2008
He was out for revenge but fell in love. She runs a school for children and also is the author of a scandal sheet. He wants to expose her and pretends to be a peniless maths teacher. She has her share of secrets as she is an unwed mother and therefore lost her place in society. It was somewhat slow and predictable but still was a page turner. The rake has a heart afterall!

Another great author, 26 Nov 2006
This is the first book by this author that I've read and I will definitely be reading more. She has a good, sophisticated writing style that sucks you in and doesn't get in the way of enjoying the story. She manages to put her individual mark on, and give a new twist to old plots.

This book is about a woman who goes undercover in her estranged relative's home as a companion, in order to find out who has framed her father for theft. She comes across Simon Croft, the Earl of Rockford who is courting her cousin and who, unbeknownst to her is the man who arrested her father. They are both deceiving each other, she by going under a false name and with a hidden agenda and he by hiding the fact that he has a stake in the case and has a secret job as a bow street runner. Of course it is obvious that they are being set up for a fall/ betrayal because you know they are both going to find out about each other's trickery. The only issue is how it is going to happen. Well, she handles it brilliantly and it is everything you could expect, but the book is not as straight forward as you expect because there are other compelling subplots that also keep you involved on other levels. She has quite a degree of cunning as an authoress and although you could hazard a guess at who the villain is you aren't quite sure until the clever unveiling at the end. Definitely worth a read if not a permanent place on your bookshelf. Go for it!

bad boy refroms, 05 May 2008
He was out for revenge but fell in love. She runs a school for children and also is the author of a scandal sheet. He wants to expose her and pretends to be a peniless maths teacher. She has her share of secrets as she is an unwed mother and therefore lost her place in society. It was somewhat slow and predictable but still was a page turner. The rake has a heart afterall!

Four very different but equally excellent romantic stories., 08 Jun 2001
I bought this book on the strength of seeing Brenda Joyce's name on the cover and I wasn't disappointed! As a collection of short stories this was a better example than most with well rounded charcters and a variety of historic and contemporary tales in the mix.

Another great author, 26 Nov 2006
This is the first book by this author that I've read and I will definitely be reading more. She has a good, sophisticated writing style that sucks you in and doesn't get in the way of enjoying the story. She manages to put her individual mark on, and give a new twist to old plots.

This book is about a woman who goes undercover in her estranged relative's home as a companion, in order to find out who has framed her father for theft. She comes across Simon Croft, the Earl of Rockford who is courting her cousin and who, unbeknownst to her is the man who arrested her father. They are both deceiving each other, she by going under a false name and with a hidden agenda and he by hiding the fact that he has a stake in the case and has a secret job as a bow street runner. Of course it is obvious that they are being set up for a fall/ betrayal because you know they are both going to find out about each other's trickery. The only issue is how it is going to happen. Well, she handles it brilliantly and it is everything you could expect, but the book is not as straight forward as you expect because there are other compelling subplots that also keep you involved on other levels. She has quite a degree of cunning as an authoress and although you could hazard a guess at who the villain is you aren't quite sure until the clever unveiling at the end. Definitely worth a read if not a permanent place on your bookshelf. Go for it!

bad boy refroms, 05 May 2008
He was out for revenge but fell in love. She runs a school for children and also is the author of a scandal sheet. He wants to expose her and pretends to be a peniless maths teacher. She has her share of secrets as she is an unwed mother and therefore lost her place in society. It was somewhat slow and predictable but still was a page turner. The rake has a heart afterall!

Four very different but equally excellent romantic stories., 08 Jun 2001
I bought this book on the strength of seeing Brenda Joyce's name on the cover and I wasn't disappointed! As a collection of short stories this was a better example than most with well rounded charcters and a variety of historic and contemporary tales in the mix.

enjoyable easy read, 19 Feb 2008
interesting story about 2 people who had a relationship 10 years ago and it resulted in a child. now 10 years later both sophie and grant are back in each others lives but both have a major secret they are keeping from each other. they eventually realise they still have feelings for each other and resolve the issues they are hiding from each other.

Another great author, 26 Nov 2006
This is the first book by this author that I've read and I will definitely be reading more. She has a good, sophisticated writing style that sucks you in and doesn't get in the way of enjoying the story. She manages to put her individual mark on, and give a new twist to old plots.

This book is about a woman who goes undercover in her estranged relative's home as a companion, in order to find out who has framed her father for theft. She comes across Simon Croft, the Earl of Rockford who is courting her cousin and who, unbeknownst to her is the man who arrested her father. They are both deceiving each other, she by going under a false name and with a hidden agenda and he by hiding the fact that he has a stake in the case and has a secret job as a bow street runner. Of course it is obvious that they are being set up for a fall/ betrayal because you know they are both going to find out about each other's trickery. The only issue is how it is going to happen. Well, she handles it brilliantly and it is everything you could expect, but the book is not as straight forward as you expect because there are other compelling subplots that also keep you involved on other levels. She has quite a degree of cunning as an authoress and although you could hazard a guess at who the villain is you aren't quite sure until the clever unveiling at the end. Definitely worth a read if not a permanent place on your bookshelf. Go for it!

bad boy refroms, 05 May 2008
He was out for revenge but fell in love. She runs a school for children and also is the author of a scandal sheet. He wants to expose her and pretends to be a peniless maths teacher. She has her share of secrets as she is an unwed mother and therefore lost her place in society. It was somewhat slow and predictable but still was a page turner. The rake has a heart afterall!

Four very different but equally excellent romantic stories., 08 Jun 2001
I bought this book on the strength of seeing Brenda Joyce's name on the cover and I wasn't disappointed! As a collection of short stories this was a better example than most with well rounded charcters and a variety of historic and contemporary tales in the mix.

enjoyable easy read, 19 Feb 2008
interesting story about 2 people who had a relationship 10 years ago and it resulted in a child. now 10 years later both sophie and grant are back in each others lives but both have a major secret they are keeping from each other. they eventually realise they still have feelings for each other and resolve the issues they are hiding from each other.

A wonderful historical romance with a twist, 25 Jan 2003
"Tempt Me Twice" is the first novel I have read by Barbara Dawson Smith. I gladly admit enjoying it thoroughly. The story is set in England in the early years of the 19th century.
Kate Talisford is a beautiful, clever and strong heroine who has learnd from her youthful mistakes. She is looking after her younger sister Meg and is trying to survive on their meager income after the death of their parents.Their father, Henry Talisford died in Egypt after a four year absence from his family. Kate is very distressed because her father meant a lot to them and he died in a foreign land excavating ancient artefacts. Kate blames for his death Lord Gabriel Kenyon a handsome adventurer who convinced her father four years ago to leave his family behind and travel with him to Africa in search of ancient cultures.Kate was in love with Gabriel as a 16 year old naive girl and she cannot forget his refusal before he left for Africa. She promised herself not to trust any man again and dedicate her life to looking after Meg and to publishing her fathers journals.Gabriel comes back a different man from Africa, full of guilt and experience and he is deeply touched by Kate's loveliness and also shocked by her anger and hate for him.Sir Charles Damson arrives to comfort the ladies and to purchase the journals from Kate. Gabriel wants the journals too but he also wants to solve the mystery around the journals and Professor Talisford's death.The storyline is interesting and fast-paced from the beginning. I enjoyed all the conversations about Africa and the ancient artefacts. Ms Smiths has combined an exciting love story with a bit of mystery regarding the artefacts and Henry Talisford's death.Kate and Gabriel are strongly attracted to each other both physically and emotionally. They are lively characters with witty conversations and plenty of sexual tension.A special role is dedicated to the Rosebuds, three elderly ladies who like to interfere in their families's lives.
TEMPT ME TWICE is a work of an author who knows the era and her characters very well. They are very likeable and entertaining.The story itself is a treat for me because I love it when ancient history and adventure are involved in historical romances.I highly recommend this book to all historical romance readers and I am sure I will read more by this talented author.