Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
37th out of 70 books
—
30 voters
Tainted By Temptation
by
Katy Madison (Goodreads Author)
In this haunting, Gothic novel, Madison tells the emotional tale of a desperate woman, and a man with nothing to lose.
Which were more dangerous—his secret desires...or her own?
Cruel false gossip and scandal follow Velvet Campbell everywhere she goes in London—and for the sake of her sanity she must get away. Accepting a position as governess at an estate in remote Cornwall...more
Which were more dangerous—his secret desires...or her own?
Cruel false gossip and scandal follow Velvet Campbell everywhere she goes in London—and for the sake of her sanity she must get away. Accepting a position as governess at an estate in remote Cornwall...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
January 25th 2011
by Avon
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
223)
Tainted by Temptation by Katy Madison
Gothic Romance –Jan. 25th, 2011
4 stars
Running away from the tragic death of her brother, Velvet Campbell soon finds herself embroiled in the gossip of her new residence. Her new employer, Mr. Lucian Pendar is accused of murdering his wife by pushing her off a treacherous cliff three years ago. Although warned by the villagers, poor Velvet has no other choice but to work for Mr. Pendar since she is penniless. Exhausted and weary of travel, she arrives at his p...more
Gothic Romance –Jan. 25th, 2011
4 stars
Running away from the tragic death of her brother, Velvet Campbell soon finds herself embroiled in the gossip of her new residence. Her new employer, Mr. Lucian Pendar is accused of murdering his wife by pushing her off a treacherous cliff three years ago. Although warned by the villagers, poor Velvet has no other choice but to work for Mr. Pendar since she is penniless. Exhausted and weary of travel, she arrives at his p...more
Velvet and Lucian. (I kept miss-reading her name as Violet.)
I really liked the set up of the story and the "Three's Company"-esque miss-communication that happened btwn Lucian and Velvet regarding her fainting fits. I also liked that some scenes were from Iris's point of view.
The story is clearly a play on "Jane Eyre" and so there are a lot of great little references to the book throughout, and I think that explains a lot about the religion, which some other readers found jarring. In Eyre, Jane...more
I really liked the set up of the story and the "Three's Company"-esque miss-communication that happened btwn Lucian and Velvet regarding her fainting fits. I also liked that some scenes were from Iris's point of view.
The story is clearly a play on "Jane Eyre" and so there are a lot of great little references to the book throughout, and I think that explains a lot about the religion, which some other readers found jarring. In Eyre, Jane...more
I'm not a great fan of Gothic novels in general, but I did enjoy this one.
It is true, as other reviewers have remarked, that there are less than felicitous elements to it. The name Velvet is really rather strange. The reference to gamesmanship must be a hundred years too early. A virulent hero? Virile possibly.
On the other hand I did find there was an aura of suspense to the storytelling that worked for me. And I didn't think the references to the heroine's past needed explanation. She's the her...more
It is true, as other reviewers have remarked, that there are less than felicitous elements to it. The name Velvet is really rather strange. The reference to gamesmanship must be a hundred years too early. A virulent hero? Virile possibly.
On the other hand I did find there was an aura of suspense to the storytelling that worked for me. And I didn't think the references to the heroine's past needed explanation. She's the her...more
I love gothic romance and this book did not disappoint. A dark brooding hero scarred by his past mistakes, a woman running from her past, and the perfect dark setting. A gloomy house set upon the banks of cliffs, which bring sadness and dread to both the hero and the heroine.
I loved watching the relationship develop between the H/H through Iris (hero's daughter). The hero's turnaround in dealing with her is the key and in turn the child's improvements set the tone for the story.
I found the stor...more
I loved watching the relationship develop between the H/H through Iris (hero's daughter). The hero's turnaround in dealing with her is the key and in turn the child's improvements set the tone for the story.
I found the stor...more
I really enjoyed Tainted by Temptation, which is the first book I've read by Katy Madison.
The gothic romance nature of the story was great, and at times reminiscent of Jane Eyre which is a favourite of mine.
The main characters, Lucian and Velvet, had plenty of dark obstacles for them to overcome. It wasn't until about halfway through the book that Velvet started to get more of a backbone, but she had a pretty rought time so it's understandable. I wish that her feeling about her brother had been...more
The gothic romance nature of the story was great, and at times reminiscent of Jane Eyre which is a favourite of mine.
The main characters, Lucian and Velvet, had plenty of dark obstacles for them to overcome. It wasn't until about halfway through the book that Velvet started to get more of a backbone, but she had a pretty rought time so it's understandable. I wish that her feeling about her brother had been...more
Maybe others read this one as a spoof ... I thought it was one of the worst books ever, based on a couple of features represented much too often in the first 30 or so pages: repeated references to unexplained, presumably unjustified tarnished reputation (no reason given to believe she was not a tramp, by the way); grossly misused adjectives (no, they actually do not mean what apparently was thought to be inferred); and, "Velvet" as an english regency name, really?
There were no signals that this...more
There were no signals that this...more
This was my first book by Katy Madison and I really enjoyed it. I read a lot of historical romances so every time I can find a good story that takes me out of the London ballrooms, I really enjoy it. Chased by vicious rumors, Velvet makes her ways to the wilds of Cornwall to accept the position as a governess for the family of a man accused killing his wife. Lucian lives in his childhood home trying to raise his daughter with a cloud of suspicion over his head. Even though Lucian has heard the r...more
I did enjoy this read. I enjoyed the period it was set in and the plot was decent too, I liked the twist at the end but I did feel it was a bit late at that point to do it but overall it worked.
I look forward to reading more from this author as her style of writing is unique but enjoyable.
In conclusion, this is a decent read, a way to fill up a few hours but if you're looking for something riveting and gripping you may want to choose something else as this may not appeal to everyone tastes
I look forward to reading more from this author as her style of writing is unique but enjoyable.
In conclusion, this is a decent read, a way to fill up a few hours but if you're looking for something riveting and gripping you may want to choose something else as this may not appeal to everyone tastes
I was excited to read this "Gothic" romance and the beginning gave me shivers of anticipation.
Unfortunately, the plot lost my interest after page 50. There was so little tension that I skimmed to the end to see how it all worked out. The story came back to life in the last few pages for an emotional, heart-warming epilogue that brought me close to tears.
Obviously, this author has a lot of talent, but IMO suffers from saggy middle syndrome.
Unfortunately, the plot lost my interest after page 50. There was so little tension that I skimmed to the end to see how it all worked out. The story came back to life in the last few pages for an emotional, heart-warming epilogue that brought me close to tears.
Obviously, this author has a lot of talent, but IMO suffers from saggy middle syndrome.
Mar 20, 2011
Sandra
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
over 17
Recommended to Sandra by:
no one
I thought Tainted By Temptation by Katy Madison was reminicient of some of the classics with more sensuality. This author guides the reader into the world of her characters, Lucien and Velvet, to bring you into their lives to feel the pain of being treated unjustly through rumors and lies. The spiritual aspects added so much to this story, too. Yes, I recommend this very much.
Disclosure: I know the author through a local RWA Chapter. Fantastic book with a suspenseful undercurrent, lots of heat, and a fast-paced storyline. I was so involved in the story and in the relationship between the two main characters, I ended up reading it in one sitting. I'd give it 4.25 stars if GR would let me!
The sexual tension between the two characters screams off the page with this one. Madison captures the hero's intense longing for the heroine beautifully. Toss in the dark, foreboding atmosphere, dangerous reputation of the hero, and a murder mystery and you have one great read! Highly recommend.
Very intriguing. Gothics are usually my go to choice but I got swept up in the conflicts between characters trying to lie down tainted reputations. With every twist and turn, I feared for Velvet and Lucien ever working out their issues. I applaud the author for taking a family medical fact and weaving that into the plot.
This was the most different gothic romance novel that I've read (and I've read a lot). It seems that it had more of a focus on the religious side than is common. The story itself was still good but seeing as how religion was a major part, that sort of lost my interest a little.
I love Jesus, but this was a bit preachy at times. And it's not really inspirational romance....unless inspirational romance has become racy. Which I doubt. So...
At best, a way to pass a summer day. At worst, a book that doesn't quite live up to Jane Eyre's influence on it.
At best, a way to pass a summer day. At worst, a book that doesn't quite live up to Jane Eyre's influence on it.
Really wanted to be Jane Eyre, but wasn't up to snuff. Super boring characters that just didn't hold my attention. Their love story wasn't that interesting either.
Long and drawn out...thought it would be a nice brainless read, but it was soooo slow it actually made me sleepy LOL which has it benefits as well since i don't sleep! not a great read by far :/
Easy read and I couldn't put it down wanting to know what really happened. Also thought I had the whodunit figured out but well.....
started 4/3/11. interesting so far.
Quite a good read. Putting the author on my "look out for" list.
Quite a good read. Putting the author on my "look out for" list.
Above average gothic romance with likable characters.
I enjoyed it. After I finished I realized I didn't skim at all. And I think that says a lot.
I couldn't put the book down! I wanted to know who the killer was.
3.5*
This is SO BAD. Part of me wants to read on and experience the terribleness, but I think I'll probably just give up. I'm used to romance characters behaving in predicable ways, but this is just ridiculous. The hero experiences the following emotions: anger, frustration, lust. The heroine experiences terror, frustration, and lust. See where this going?
I just couldn't get into this book.
May 19, 2013
Nikita Isaac
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Brenna
marked it as in-queue-bf
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Katy Madison has always loved stories. As a child she was always lugging a book around. At the age of eight, after
Katy Madison having gone through over a hundred Nancy Drew mysteries, all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books—at least twice—and many others including her full weekly allotment of library books, Katy went to her mother and begged for a new book to read. Her frustrated mother handed her a ro...more
More about Katy Madison...
Katy Madison having gone through over a hundred Nancy Drew mysteries, all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books—at least twice—and many others including her full weekly allotment of library books, Katy went to her mother and begged for a new book to read. Her frustrated mother handed her a ro...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
