Temptation

October 2, 2000
Like many recent heroines of historical romance, Temperance O'Neil, turn-of-the-century New York women's rights activist, doesn't think she needs a man. The beautiful, resourceful 29-year-old has conquered politicians and audiences, even the mayor, but in 1909 men control the purse strings, so she must move to Scotland when her mother marries dour Angus McCairn. Angus soon cuts a deal with his willful stepdaughter: she can have her financial freedom and return to New York if she finds a wife for his nephew, James. Posing as James's new housekeeper, Temperance heads to his estate in the Highlands, not knowing that according to his father's will, James must marry for love before his fast-approaching 35th birthday. Other surprises await her, too. Beneath his rough exterior, James happens to be an attractive, educated, amusing, sensitive man. The Scottish Cold Comfort Farm where he tends sheep has fallen on hard times, but a treasure, hidden somewhere on the premises, promises riches galore. Fannie Farmer cookbook in hand, Temperance whips the old castle into shape, launches a millinery business for the town widow, delivers baby lambs and shares temper tantrums and passionate sex with the laird. Trouble threatens when James's ex-girlfriend reappears on the scene claiming to know where the treasure is hidden, but Temperance has handled bigger problems before. This is not the first time Deveraux (High Tide, etc.) has set a romance in the Highlands or found humor in the city slicker who tames the wilds. Here, too, she delights in the corny clashing of Temperance's modern professionalism and James's archaic near-feudal existence. Deveraux knows that the lively pace and happy endings she has delivered with relentless consistency since 1976 will keep loyal readers turning pages fast enough to overlook any lapses of accuracy, subtlety or freshness.

December 19, 2011
Kennedy’s riveting new novel charts the changing fortunes of Hollywood screenwriter David Armitage when he crosses paths with wealthy, eccentric, and controlling film buff Phil Fleck. After years of rejection, David’s loyal agent sells his television pilot for what becomes a runaway hit show. Despite his wife, Lucy, having given up her acting dreams and supported their small family during his lean years, the now successful David begins an affair with TV executive Sally Birmingham. Lucy responds by demanding a divorce and punishing him by limiting his contact with their daughter, Caitlin. Boorish financial adviser Bobby Barra introduces David to Phil, who likes toying with people and offers David $2.5 million for one of his unproduced screenplays. David, meanwhile, takes an interest in Phil’s charming wife, Martha, and begins another affair. Though his good luck seems assured, David soon falls victim to a series of unfortunate events sparked by an accusation of plagiarism from vitriolic gossip columnist Theo McCall. Kennedy (Leaving the World) manages the tricky task of showing why David deserves his comeuppance, while simultaneously earning readers’ sympathy.

August 1, 2000
Deveraux returns to the historical romance genre with her latest novel, a typically formulaic but nonetheless satisfying story to divert her many fans. The time is 1909, and Temperance O'Neil, a rich, independent, and beautiful woman, is deeply involved in the struggle for women's rights. She is quite happy working with New York's downtrodden women, but that endeavor comes to an abrupt halt when her new stepfather insists that, as an unmarried woman, she should live in his house in Edinburgh, Scotland. Threatened with having her allowance cut off, Temperance heads for Scotland. Once there, her stepfather promises her that she can return to New York, with an allowance, if she can find a suitable match for his unmarried nephew, James. Heir to his family's fortune, James is a strapping, handsome, kilt-wearing Scotsman, but he is also rude, obnoxious, and hateful. Naturally, the two can't stand each other at first, but by the end of the novel, they are passionately in love. A light and easy read that historical romance fans will enjoy. ((Reviewed August 2000))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)