Don't Tempt Me-Loretta Chase

Don't Tempt Me
Loretta Chase
Avon, Jul 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780061632662

Twelve year old Zoe Lexham disappears while on a family trip to the Middle East. She spent years in a harem after her father foolishly took the family on a tour of the dangerous Eastern Mediterranean and was abducted in Egypt; there she learned to speak openly and honestly about sex. When she finds her way home in 1818, Zoe knows she has no prospects for marriage; being too old and worse ultra scandalous.

Lord Lucien de Grey may be a shallow rake, but as a Duke with money he can go anywhere in the Beau Monde and thus he could help his childhood friend become accepted by those in Polite Society. However, Lucien is attracted to Zoe and though she reciprocates, she fears his reaction to learning what happened to her years ago even as the danger that exiled her has returned to complete the job.

DON’T TEMPT ME is an enjoyable Regency romance starring two fascinating lead protagonists. The roguish Lucien learned never become deeply attached to anyone especially avoiding love and passion when his parents died when he was ten years old; he knows love hurts. Zoe realizes that scandal is her rightful name having spent years in a harem and learned (by osmosis) about sex; ironically the men want her because she is beautiful and assumed to be an expert in the boudoir, but has a secret that would stun any who ever found out though none except her beloved stand a chance. Fans will enjoy Lucien’s chase of Zoe whose reputation is to bolt into trouble.

Harriet Klausner