The Temptation of a Gentleman

The Jordans #2

by Jenna Petersen

Noah Jordan misses the life he once led as a spy so when he's asked by his former superior to head to the countryside and investigate a potential murder, he jumps at the chance. He doesn't expect to meet Marion Hawthorne, a young woman his suspected murderer is interested in taking as his wife. In an effort to help her... and to get closer to the fascinating lady, Noah asks for her help in his investigation. But as they grow closer, their desire grows and suddenly Noah has a harder and harder time remembering any duty, any promise or any future he ever imagined without her.

90,000 words

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Espionage, Regency

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2011

About the author

Jenna Petersen now writes historical romance exclusively as Jess Michaels. Please check out her self-published and Samhain publishing books here:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Jenna no longer supports her HarperCollins/Avon books due to price gouging and refusal to return author rights.

Reviews

[Demoness Tenebrae · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the world of historical romances, particularly regency romance, it is difficult to find something refreshing and new. The stories are usually washed up, same-old same-old and a mildly amusing passing read (such as this is). But once in a while you do encounter some that make your blood boil and your heart beat faster. This book had a chance to be one of those but unfortunately it failed.

If I would have to characterize it, I would say it's okay, good, somewhere in the middle. I know it doesn't sound inviting but for the fans of the regency romance it should be quite a good read.

I didn't know this was the second book of The Jordans Series so I read it before the first (which I will read next). Despite jumping to the second book, I didn't feel lost in the story which is a very big plus for the author.

The story revolves around a womaniser (aren't they all?) called Noah Jordan who recently received his father title and now he has to run the entire family as well as all the estates. He used to be a spy for the Crown, same as his beloved sister. He loved the danger and the adventure as well as the enjoyment of the female "flesh" as he put it. Now he has to settle down for the sake of his family and his late father.

He wanted to be a good son and marry a respectable, suitable woman from a good family and with good connections but for whom he felt absolutely nothing. Thankfully, he decided to do one last adventurous act and help a friend find out if his daughter was murdered or not. So he returned to his shire and started with the snooping. But before anything could happen he met the most unusual woman called Marion Hawthorne.

Marion was staying along with her father at the suspect's home and she facing a future worse than death. Her father secretly wanted to sell her to an old man known for his cruelty to pay off some of his debts towards him. He even went that far as to promise the man he could force his daughter in bed.

Now that the situation got really complicated and Noah found himself in a pinch, the destiny will take over and give us a promising love story.


There were a few things that bothered me but they weren't as great a factor in deciding on how many stars I would give this book as the (no)progress was. The story didn't flow in an interesting manner. Yes, we had a couple that wanted to be together but the obstacles they had to overcome were "huge". Yes, we had an indication of an interesting storyline that would make their union all the more heartwarming. So, what went wrong?

The spy stuff, to put it bluntly. The rest of the storyline depended on the main male character formerly being a spy for the Crown who now had to investigate a man suspected of a murder of his late young wife. And what did we get? Only one snooping around the suspect's office. That was it! Nothing more. Everything else was dedicated to the love story of the main characters who really had no real obstacles to be together if you look at it closely but doted on them for so long that the story got boring.

Few of the things that did bother me...

1. "..., he caught a tantalizing glimpse of shapely ankle and a flash of stocking-clad calf."

Almost every regency tale has a shapely ankle and that started to bother me lately because it is such a stupid repeat that I feel my soul leaving my body every time I see it. Please stop with the ankles, will you? Either focus on the face and breasts or give us something more saucy. I just can't do ankles. What does a shapely ankle even mean/represent?


2. "Noah." Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel her pulse pounding wildly through her veins."

Shortly -> how? How could he feel her pulse through the veins on her arms/hands? That my dear author could never happen. Please don't treat us like idiots here. And do pay attention to what you say.


3. "She stiffened under his hands now that they caressed her bare skin, but when he slid his fingers up to brush her pink nipples, she relaxed again with a soft, “Oh my.”
Marion had never realized how good being touched could feel. Her own life had been devoid of affection since her mother had died, but she’d convinced herself she didn’t crave physical touch."

This is really my personal taste, but when we finally (!) get some real action, the author decided to bring up Marion's dead mother in the midst of it. It totally killed the mood. I mean, one moment I'm imagining them finally getting down to business while the next her dead mother pops in my head to say cool down, there's nothing here to get all fussy about. Not fair, dear author. Not fair.


I did like the story though, or the idea of it would be more accurately said. A womanising spy that is now a master falls for a smart and cocky girl who is far beneath his station and he dedicates his world to her. There were a few scenes I really liked. One of them being at the end of the book when he took her in his arms and carried her off to Gretna Green to get married that instant so she couldn't change her mind again.

If I had to say, would I recommend it or not, I would say that I do but only if you really enjoy regency romance because for the rest, the story might be a little dull. All in all, I will continue with this series.

[Jean Matlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book…. Recommened…

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

After finishing this book I'm not sure exactly sure how I feel. I feel a little disappointed with how and where this story ended up, which I hate to say because I normally love Jenna's books. But with this one I'm just left with kind of a blah feeling.

Noah Jordan, Marquis of Woodbury, knows it's his duty to settle down and get married. He's not really relishing the idea of settling down and living a boring quiet life, but when his former superior asks him to take on one last case before settling down, he jumps at the chance. The case takes him home to his estate in Woodbury, where he's been asked to investigate a neighbor who is suspected of killing his late wife. While Noah is out riding, he encounters Miss Marion Hawthorn, whom he feels an instant attraction towards.

Marion Hawthorn has always had a tumultuous relationship with her father and doesn't really understand why he now feels the need to bring her along on a business trip to Mr. Lucas' estate. Though Marion tries to make the best out of the trip she's still confused. When Marion comes across Noah, she finds herself instantly attracted and a friendship is quickly formed between the two. Though she doesn't really understand why her friendship with Noah bothers both her father and Mr. Lucas so much, until Noah informs her that he believes Mr. Lucas wants her as his bride. Marion is stunned and at the same time disgusted. She cannot stand Mr. Lucas and definitely does not want to be his bride. When she overhears her father and Mr. Lucas discussing her and the plans Mr. Lucas has for the two of them, she becomes frightened and seeks Noah's help and guidance. She believes Noah is a reputed Rake and wants him to ruin her so that Mr. Lucas won't want anything to do with her.

Noah wanting to help and to be closer to Marion, decides that she can help him with his investigation towards Mr. Lucas, whom he believes is guilty, that way insuring that Marion won't have to marry him or be ruined by Noah. Though the more they work together, Noah is finding harder and harder to resist Marion and her charms. He's finding himself having feelings for her that he's never felt for anyone before and it is really spooking him. He was supposed to come to investigate a murder, not fall for someone who isn't his betrothed.

I found that I really enjoyed the character of Noah. He is caring and protective. I enjoyed watching him battle his emotions he felt towards Marion. I love that he can't stay away. I mean honestly, who doesn't love when a Rake is brought down to his knees by a woman? Anyone?

As for Marion, I have mixed feelings towards her character. I loved her in the beginning of the story. I felt like she had a lot of spunk and she knew what she wanted and wasn't going to let anyone tell her otherwise. But by the end of the book, she just felt like a completely different character to me. She lost her spunkiness, and just became so lost. She just seemed so whiny to me and couldn't figure out what she wanted. Instead of talking and listening to Noah, she would just run away. It became very aggravating.

All in all, the story was just okay for me. I really enjoyed the first half, but once I hit the middle, the book just seemed to drag on. I think for me, the issue was with Marion, because like I said, I really enjoyed Noah.

**ARC copy provided by author**

[Amy Alvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for: Historical Romance Lover blog

Noah Jordan, Marquis of Woodbury, has retired from the life of a spy. But when he is asked by his former superior to investigate the death of a neighbor back home, he sets out one last time to investigate.

Marion Hawthorn's father has taken her along on his business trip to Mr. Lucas' estate. She can't imagine why he has done this as she doesn't normally have anything to do with her father.

Noah and Marion run into each other while Noah is out on a ride. There is an instant attraction and a quick friendship develops. When Noah finds out that Marion is staying at the Lucas estate, where his investigation is centered, he asks for her help.

Marion is surprised to see that her father and Mr. Lucas don't appear to like the friendship that developed between her and the Marquis. She soon learns that her father has made plans for Marion to marry Mr. Lucas. Marion is appalled by the idea and asks for help from Noah. He is reported to be a renown Rake and Marion wants him to ruin her so that Mr. Lucas will change his mind about the marriage.

As they work together to get evidence against Mr. Lucas and to get Marion away from him, the two of them fight their attraction to each other. Will Noah catch a killer and will Marion get out of marrying Mr. Lucas?

I enjoyed reading this novel. After meeting Noah in The Secrets of a Lady, it was nice to see him get his happily ever after. I will say that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first in the series, but it was still a good read.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment is about Noah and is better developed than the first and significantly more focussed. The action as well as the relationship development is all wrapped up within the story rather than separate stories competing with each other like in Audrey's story. I also liked Marion a lot. She's a strong character placed in a terrible situation.

My two quibbles with the book is that Noah is a bit of a hypocrite. He starts out as using her to gain information about the undercover investigation he has been asked to do. Then he gets really mad at her for not giving full disclosure about the situation that she is in even though he knew enough. It really ticked me off because she didn't necessarily withhold vital information. The other part was the final misunderstanding or the gothic turn in the story. It was already gothic enough but just had to go there for that final dramatic scene. But all of these criticisms are more of a personal criticism of a jaded reader.

The story truly is entertaining and a quick read with a bit of intrigue. If you are looking for light reading that is not too fluffy, this fits the bill.

[Lynde Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad to say I enjoyed this book more than the first one. One reviewer posted that she wished Marion had been a little more mature. I thought she was very mature and perfect for Noah. After rousing all his energies on being a spy and hiding himself from people, I enjoyed the way Noah seemed to let down his guard with Marion. Their initial meeting was humorous and you could see the attraction building. I enjoyed the fact that they joined together to find evidence against the "bad guy". I think the flow and relationship building in this story was more intact than the first book in the series. Even if it was slightly underhanded, I like the fact that Marion did what she felt was necessary to protect herself. Women in this time period had very few freedoms and opportunities and Marion made the best choices for her. I didn't mind the angst of the misunderstanding after hearing only part of a conversation between Noah and Griffin, because it was resolved quickly and wasn't drawn out. This was a good read and I am curious about their sister Ginny and look forward to her story next.

[at Romance Authors at Large Hot Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book in the series. While I enjoyed the first installment in the Jordan series, I do believe you find this one more exceptional than the last.

I mean, who doesn't want to read about a reformed rake and a marriage of convenience. Love those tropes, and if you do too, you'll want to read this one as well.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book in the series and I would have found a more mature heroine for Noah. Marian just seemed to "off" for him. Did like Noah and how he rose to the occasion to become the Marquis and also when he had to actually behave in an adult and mature fashion.

[Booklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was much better then first book,really liked Noah-Marion,enjoyed first half of the book but second half was drag,overall a good read

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

2015 reading challenge - a trilogy (book 2)