An incredibly charming, funny and irreverent read, The Price of Temptation is one ebook I’d love in print. Following reasonably traditional historical romance lines, minus a heroine, this was very entertaining and I cannot wait to read Discreet Young Gentleman.

Stephen is such a likable rogue, one cannot help but want someone to take him in hand. He’s rather flighty and not remotely interested in anyone other than himself. Or so he’d like you to think. Underneath this raffish exterior he has odd moments where his generosity of spirit shines through. Apart from these isolated instances, he seems to spend the rest of his time looking at his new secretaries arse or swanning off with his paramour. He’s a bit of a shit. Poor Jamie doesn’t really know what’s hit him! I’ll give Stephen credit, he does try to stay away from his delicious new secretary, but the lure of what is beneath Jamie’s gentle, sweet breeches and frock coat is just too much. heh.

Despite being a historical novel, it did not fall into the trap of making it all about how their love has to be hidden away and kept on the down low. It’s there, but not in your face and making one feel maudlin. The characters were believable and engaging and I found myself, with fingers crossed, hoping the bad guys would get their comeuppance. The tension builds beautifully and the ensuing smex is glasses fogging good. There is something inately grubby about sex written in this era, or maybe it’s just me. O-o I really enjoyed the secondary characters too, they were well fleshed out and I liked the cook and Charles the valet a great deal. They provide lovely depth to the story.

On an aside, the original cover by Sean Platter rocks! LOTS!! The new ebook cover is very nice, classy even, but for me the original is super cool and rather naughty.

A gorgeous historical read and an author I cannot wait to read more of.

http://sharrow.wordpress.com/2009/10/... ( )

Jamie's nothing special when it comes to looks. His face and build are plain, but he does have killer blue eyes, hair with stunning highlights, and a more than passable backside. All that's left of his mother, his last living relative, is a small portrait. He ends up working for Stephen Clair, first as a secretary to track Stephen's schedule, but quickly proves his usefulness with numbers and managing money. Stephen's staff loves him and Stephen himself falls for him. Jamie's character is intelligent and nice and almost too good to be true.

Stephen is the tall, dark and handsome man in the relationship, and probably the polar opposite of Jamie. His character's flaws are much more evident. He's too easily led by his insatiable sexual appetite. Because of that, he's bankrupt. Because of his position and his rich aunt, he'll never be in want of partners, but the drawback is that he can't distinguish between love that's genuine and love that's not. It's hard not to love his character. He's confident in his own skin and comfortable with his sexuality. That's almost unrealistic, considering the time period.

Julian is the prostitute/actor that Stephen pays for. He's aware of his charms and uses them to keep Stephen by his side. But keeping Julian drains Stephen financially and emotionally. When Julian suspects that Stephen's attention is wandering, he plots to get rid of Jamie. Julian is motivated by spite but at times I found myself feeling bad for his character, which kept him from becoming just another stereotypical villain to me.

This is very light reading and not meant to make readers think too much. The narrative is smooth and while it's categorized as historical, the characters appear to converse in modern English, with modern curse words. This will be enjoyable to fans of every genre and it's worth checking out.

The book is not nearly as shameless as the cover suggests. I've seen its cover frequently being criticized on other sites, but I couldn't agree with their opinions. It's not something I would whip out to read in public, but it did bring a smile to my face. According to M.J. Pearson's website, it was meant to be "a campy gay version of the Fabio-type romance covers." It certainly did its job well and it's very amusing. M.J. has written about the cover and the models used at her blog.

The Price of Temptation is a very fun read. Highly recommended! ( )

A short but really fun read! OK, it's a really silly and very formulaic romance novel (apart from the fact that the lovers are both men...), but sometimes I have to embrace the little girl in myself and succumb to such frivolous enjoyment. I actually really liked this book - until the dungeon scene which I wish I had never read - and enjoyed the characters and the (unrealistic) setting. I will definitely read more of Ms. Pearson's writings - even though the covers of her books are too laughable for words.

http://boklista.livejournal.com/44536... ( )

THE PRICE OF TEMPTATION by M.J. Pearson doesn't actually break any new grounds. It is a regency romance and as one - Georgette Heyer can definately dish up far more wit and flamboyance. However, Georgette Heyer adhere closly to the heterosexual standards so even though you always wanted the hero and villain to have it off in the pantry and go in search of the contents of the stable boy breeches - they never do. In the above all the fumbling in articles of clothes, all the swooning and fawning is done between two man and as a Georgette Heyer fanatice all I could say was " AT LAAAAAAAAAAST!" It was the first that signaled a begining of a growing trend I highly approve of.

I might as well comment on the cover of the above and the one below as well because some people were put off by them. I love those covers. I know they are rediculous - those breeches are stuffed with at least a dosen pairs of sock or possibly a stable boy or two *wiggle eyebrow*. But they are catching and they have the cheesy charm which I am as ever a sucker for. And lets face it - I don't believe for a second the artist was too serious. Did you notice the expression on the face in the portrait? He is as shocked as we are at the size of that bulge and the cover at the bottom imitates in pose so many pulp romance novels in which the flustered maiden heaves her bossom as she swoons into the arms of a bare chested boad shouldered rogue. I showed it to a friend of mine and she blushed so hard ... the cover was worth the expression on her face alone.

The sotry itself is nothing spectacular, in fact, you could say it is a bit of a cliche: A shy man of simple appearance comes to take a position of secretary and librarian in the house of a wild and debouched lord. The wall flower slowly blooms as is the affection of the roguish lord to him. Throw in a gealous lover and we have that classic regency romance setting. Not very inventive I know but sometime the old plot is JUST what you need, providing it is told well and this is told wonderfully. The writing is flowing and flawless, not too flowery and not too assuming. I hate period pieces that try to immitate the language too much, it live me staring across the language rift at a scene I am not part of feeling alienated. There is just the right smattering of regency expressions to give it enough authenticity and the rest is left to allow you free access... yes to breeches too... smart arses XD

And you have it aplently. It is a lovely romp with endearing characters. It is true that the main weakness of this book is that the shy librarian could have been a woman if you took away his cock and stuck an ample bossom on him. He is a bit simpering but then again... shruggs ... some men are - it doesn't QUITE get to the yaoi phenomenon of the "weeping leaking UKE" and hence far more believable.

AS I said - nothing ground-breaking but a jolly heart-felt smoochy good fun that left me feeling satisfied and practically glowing. ( )