Master of Temptation
Grade : B-

Master of Temptation's intriguing premise made up for quite a few of its shortcomings. What if a handful of the remaining Knights of the Round Table carried on King Arthur’s ideals by forming their own secret society, and championed just causes and protected those who needed it?

The Guardians of the Sword have remained secreted on the isle of Cyrene for centuries. They are a chosen group of men and women who take on daring missions to promote justice and defend those in need. Caro Evers is an assistant to the doctor on Cyrene; as a gifted healer, her skills are in high demand. More importantly, she is a Guardian, and she loves her job. She finds herself drawn to Major Maxwell Leighton, who was returning one of his wounded and dying men to the island. Miraculously, the lieutenant survived, but the major is in need of healing also. Caro and Max share a night of passion, but Max must return to fight Napoleon. Caro is certain she will never see him again, but is not sorry she gave him her virginity.

Fast forward a year. Max has returned to England, but has not forgotten Caro. The time on the island with her gave him the emotional strength to make it through the last year of the war. While talking with his friend, Thorne, he cannot believe his eyes when he spies Caro. She is equally surprised, but is on a Guardian mission and must collect Thorne, a fellow Guardian. When Thorne suggests Max can be of help to them, Caro is uncertain of her feelings. She has never forgotten Max, but does not believe he could feel the same about her, since the gossips say he is a rake.

The plot involving the Guardian’s rescue mission, and Caro and Max’s involvement in that mission, was engaging and interesting. I loved Caro’s character: she is capable, proficient and dedicated. She can protect herself by using a varied repetoire of unique skills, and is not willing to compromise her life’s mission in order to sit home and paint watercolor and embroider as is expected of a lady. Her father raised her as a Guardian and she took his place when he died. I’m pleased to say that she never once ventured into the TSTL territory, which can be a hazard when writing a strong and adventurous heroine.

Max, however, was much harder to know since his main thoughts involved having sex with Caro. It’s not an exaggeration to say that every time he looked at her, he had erotic thoughts. This made it harder for me to connect with his character, even though his issues surrounding Caro’s involvement with the Guardians were well written and realistic. What I know of Max’s character was interesting: he was in despair over his friend’s sacrifice, he was an intelligent man and brilliant tactician, and due to his guilt over his friend, he was afraid to commit to Caro. All very juicy stuff to work with, had his mind ever wandered out of the gutter.

This is one book where the sex definitely got in the way of the plot. I don’t mind burning, scorching love scenes, but when I can flip through the pages of the book and find some type of erotic scene on every other page, it’s too much for me. There was an excellent story here, and some amazing characters, which were overshadowed by all the lusting taking place. One love scene involved erotic props which definitely propelled the sensuality into the burning range, instead of merely hot.

The other Guardians mentioned in this story all seemed to warrant their own books, and Thorne is up next. I’m hoping that there is more focus on the story and less mental erotica in the next book, because I really think there is great potential with these characters and plot line. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author. Perhaps fans of hers know her style better and would enjoy this one more than I did. In spite of this book's flaws, however, I’m anxious to read Thorne’s story.

 

Reviewed by Liz Zink
Grade : B-

Sensuality: Burning

Review Date : May 30, 2004

Publication Date: 2004

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Liz Zink

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