Review

The third book in the Drake’s Rakes series by Eileen Dreyer is full of mystery, intrigue, and romance.

Lady Kate Seaton is the most scandalous lady of the ton. Her naked picture hangs in a gentleman’s club and she is rumored to have taken dozens of lovers. However, looks can be deceiving and Kate is anything but what she appears.

Sir Harry Lidge is a military man who longs to be alone with his sketchbook. Once upon a time he was in love with Kate, but that was a long time ago and now he can’t stand to be in her presence (at least that’s what he says).

They meet again after not seeing each other for ten years and have to work together to find out who is trying to kill Kate and figure out what she knows that has put her in danger.

I really enjoyed this book. Kate stuck out as a character in the previous two books in the series and I was anxiously awaiting her story. Kate is as outrageous as she was in the other books, but it isn’t the real her. The character of Kate has so much depth. Terrible things happened in her past and instead of dwelling on them she has worked hard to make her life now as happy as it can be.  She is content with her life until Harry shows back up and she has to face that he makes her really feel something. Kate has learned to survive, but she knows that she might not be able to survive the way Harry makes her feel.

Harry also has a lot of baggage.  After learning that Kate wasn’t the girl he thought she was Harry went off to war. He has seen and done things that haunt him. He wants nothing more to be left alone in peace, but his nature won’t let him abandon Kate when she needs to be protected.

The action is non-stop and much more than the typical historical romance novel. The story moves at a very quick pace. The Lions, a group of traitors, are after Kate for something they think she knows and Kate’s brother is trying to have her declared incompetent so he can gain access to her estate. Kate and Harry must work together to keep her safe and to find out what she knows that could get her killed.

Always a Temptress has lots of fantastic secondary characters, including Kate’s sister-in-law – Bea. Bea is one of my favorite secondary characters. She was injured and no longer speaks in coherent thoughts. Kate is one of the few people who understand her and their bond is incredibly strong. Bea is the one that gives Harry some insight into who Kate really is.
The romance between Kate and Harry is full of surprisingly sweet moments. I loved the way they were able to help each other heal from the past and overcome some of the terror that they had both dealt with.

Always a Temptress is a delightful romance with a lot of emotional depth. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Drake’s Rakes series.

Reviewed by Carrie