This story has a delightful romance set amid investigation of the dark murders of Jack the Ripper.
The Temptations of Anna Jacobs
A Dangerous Liaisons Novel (InterMix)
by Robyn DeHart
File Size: 1072 KB
Print Length: 232 pages
Publisher: InterMix (April 15, 2014)
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B009KUXH1K
Purchase links:
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Book Description
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Love and justice…
When Drew Foster is released from prison, he doesn't much care about salvaging his soiled reputation. Though he's working undercover, everyone in Victorian London believes him guilty of the Jack the Ripper murders and that his brother paid for his "innocence."
Despite her genteel upbringing, Anna Jacobs is intent on finishing medical school and becoming a physician. Society's ridicule has never bothered her, but when her brother, the Yard's best detective, is scorned for letting Drew go, she confronts the one man who can set the record straight at a ball. She certainly doesn't count on the rogue being dashing and handsome, nor on him stealing a passionate kiss.
Anna's brazen contempt for his dangerous reputation captivates Drew, but he is harboring secrets that make him unfit to court any proper woman. As he finds himself an outsider among his colleagues at Scotland Yard, the feisty beauty offers up her medical knowledge to assist him on the case. But when the real killer returns to London to continue his reign of terror, can Anna find safety in Drew's arms?
Review:
Annabelle Jacobs considers herself ‘plump’ and men have shown little interest in her. She has pursued studies and practical interests in spite of her mother’s objections. Her father, before his death and her older brother, Simon, encouraged her interest in attending medical school for women.
Drew Foster, a younger son of a Duke, has lived the past few years in a drunken stupor after finding out a dark family secret. He ended up in prison accused of the Jack the Ripper murders though he claims he was framed. When another murder occurs while he is still in prison, Simon, a lead investigator for Scotland Yard, is finally able to arrange Drew’s release. Simon asks Drew to help in the investigation since he may have some unrealized knowledge of the true killer.
Although short tempered and rude at their first meeting, Drew finds Annabelle to be a remarkable, bright and brave, as well as a tempting, young woman. Simon is sent off to Scotland while Drew and Anna share time in Simon’s study. Anna is initially studying for her medical exams but soon starts collaborating over the murder notes with Drew.
I thoroughly enjoyed the settings and mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper. There are a trail of clues to be followed and interesting experiments Anna and Drew conduct trying to determine if some of the more recent killings were done by a copycat.
I really liked Anna and Drew as less than perfect characters. Anna is a sweet but determined young woman who is prepared to make her own way since she doesn’t have the beauty of her mother and older sister. Drew is struggling with the craving to drink and it is delightful that he finds Anna to be a draw that keeps him from the bottle. The romance between them develops sweetly, as well as sensually. There was an extra smile from a side romance between two people that Anna cares for greatly.
The story moves along at a good clip with lots of action and clues that kept my interest. I liked Drew’s brother, Alex, and sister-in-law, Mia, and I want to read their story in the first book. I also look forward to the third story which continues Simon’s search to hunt down Jack the Ripper. I highly recommend this book and the series to readers who enjoy mystery with their historical romance.
I received this title for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
Author Bio:
National Bestselling author, Robyn DeHart's novels have appeared in the top bestselling romance and historical romance lists. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages. Her historical romantic adventure series, The Legend Hunters, were not only bestsellers, but also award-winners, snagging a Reader's Crown and a Reviewer's Choice award. She had three releases in 2013 and 2014 will see four more, all set in the popular historical romance Regency and Victorian eras.
Known for her "strong dialogue and characters that leap off the page" (RT Bookclub) and her "sizzling romance" (Publishers Weekly), her books have been featured in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. A popular writing instructor, she has given speeches at writing conferences in Los Angeles, DC, New York, Dallas, Nashville and Toronto, among many others.
When not writing, you can find Robyn hanging out with her family, husband (The Professor) a university professor of Political Science and their two ridiculously beautiful and smart daughters, Busybee and Babybee as well as two spoiled-rotten cats. They live in the hill country of Texas where its hot eight months of the year, but those big blue skies make it worth it.
Places to find Robyn:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RobynDeHart
Enjoy an Excerpt:
She was quiet for several moments. He watched her face as she considered all the possibilities. Even now, the taste of her lips stayed with him, and he wanted more. More of her kisses, more of her smiles. Simply more of Anna.
Perhaps she had other thoughts that could explain the differences in the injuries, or the use of an alternate weapon.
“Why did you kiss me? The other day?” she asked.
Drew felt his brows rise in surprise. “Is that what you were thinking about? I suspected your thoughts were more academic in nature.”
She shrugged. “Academic or not, I am still a woman.”
“It seemed the thing to do,” Drew said with a shrug of his own.
“‘It seemed the thing to do,’” she said, mocking his tone. She frowned. “That’s not a very good answer.”
He resisted the urge to smile. Hell, he didn’t know why he’d kissed her. Because the desire to do so had been so overwhelming he hadn’t been able to resist her lips. In fact, he longed to embrace her again, right now. “What would be a good answer?”
“How the devil should I know?” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “I don’t go around kissing unsuspecting people.”
“Fair enough. Well then, I kissed you because I wanted to.” Perhaps honesty would appease her curiosity. “Because your mouth is tempting, even though you talk far too much.”
“That doesn’t even make any sense. Well, the bit about my talking too much, I admit I can be verbose—”
“You’re doing it again,” he interrupted her. He leaned forward, toward her chair. “Only makes me want to kiss you again.”
She waved her hand. “That’s ridiculous.”
“The mere notion of kissing you? Hasn’t any man ever expressed a similar interest?”
A blush stained her exposed throat, marring her lovely creamy skin. Her hand followed the telltale sign of her embarrassment and she fiddled with the necklace around her throat. She swallowed visibly. “I don’t see how that is any of your business. I’m not even certain how we got on this discussion,” she said.
“You asked me why I kissed you.”
“Yes, and your answer is unsatisfactory. I shall merely have to conclude that you men are a peculiar lot.” She pointed at him.
“I’m going to kiss you again, Annabelle,” he said softly.
Her mouth opened, then slowly closed. “Right now?”
“Would you like me to kiss you right now?”
“I cannot answer that.” She shook her head fervently. “It would be utterly improper.”
“You, a lady going to medical school and assisting me with an undercover investigation of a murder? Last night we broke into a government building. Your behavior hasn’t exactly been the pinnacle of propriety.”
Her brow furrowed. “That is quite different.” Her tongue darted out and wet her lips.
He felt a stab of desire, hot and poignant in his gut. Oh yes. He wanted her. Whatever the reason, logical or not, he wanted her quite badly. Too badly, in fact, for him to kiss her now when his passions were so close to the surface. It was entirely too likely they would not be interrupted, that no one would come along and stop him from ruining her here in his parlor.
“You already answered my question,” he said.
She frowned. “I don’t believe I did.”
“Oh yes, Anna, you want me to kiss you very badly. Now that I know that, I’m going to make you wait. For a little longer.”
“You are an insufferable man!” she said as she came to her feet.
Giveaway Info:
· Victorian Necklace and a $25 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Audio Notes: The narration was spot on for the story, with the narrator appropriately conveying the nuances of voices, personalities and emotions. Stay tuned as I am looking forward to more ‘rapid reads’ and night time talk line with Charlie D.
