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Pure Temptation
Spirits could be so bloody unpredictable, and the specter of Lady Amelia was worst of all. Just when one of her ne'er-do-well descendents thought he could go astray in peace, the phantom lady always appeared to change his wicked ways.
A rogue without peer, Jackson Graystoke wanted to make gaming and carousing in London society his life's work. And the penniless baronet would have gladly damned himself with wine and women—if Lady Amelia had given him the ghost of a chance.
Fresh off the boat from Ireland, Moira O'Toole wasn't fool enough to believe in legends or naive enough to trust a rake. Yet after an accident landed her in Graystoke Manor, she found herself haunted, harried, and hopelessly charmed by Black Jack Graystoke and his exquisite promise of...Pure Temptation.
A rogue without peer, Jackson Graystoke wanted to make gaming and carousing in London society his life's work. And the penniless baronet would have gladly damned himself with wine and women—if Lady Amelia had given him the ghost of a chance.
Fresh off the boat from Ireland, Moira O'Toole wasn't fool enough to believe in legends or naive enough to trust a rake. Yet after an accident landed her in Graystoke Manor, she found herself haunted, harried, and hopelessly charmed by Black Jack Graystoke and his exquisite promise of...Pure Temptation.
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1996
15 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Connie Mason
140 books534 followersConnie Mason or Cara Miles is the best-selling author of more than fifty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Story Teller of the Year in 1990 by Romantic Times and was awarded Career Achievement award in the Western category by Romantic Times in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida with her husband Jerry.
Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.
In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.
In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.
Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.
In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.
In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 22, 2023
3'5 Estrellas. No esperaba nada del libro y me ha gustado bastante, pero también me ha dejado esa sensación de que pasa de todo, pero poco memorable, y supongo que lo acabaré olvidando.
Es el primer libro que leo de Connie Mason. Sé que es una de las viejillas y ya no la publican, pero nunca es tarde para descubrir autoras o libros que se publicaron hace más de veinte años.
El libro está bien, es una novela de regencia típica, o no tan típica, según como la mires. Pero si es verdad que hay algo que no ha ido muy bien y es como ha pasado el tiempo por ella. Se publicó en 1996 y peca de machistadas a tutiplén.
La acción nos lleva a una fría noche londinense, donde a Jack Graystoke, el canalla y despilfarrador más memorable de Londres, se le aparece en su ruinosa mansión el fantasma de su antepasada, Lady Amelia, conminándole a salir, y será en esa salida cuando encuentre su destino.
Jack y su amigo Spencer atropellan a una joven a la que creen una prostituta, una joven irlandesa llamada Moira O'Toole. Pero la historia de Moira es muy distinta, salió de Irlanda para emplearse como doncella y ayudar a mantener la granja de su hermano, pero las cosas no fueron como esperaba debido al acoso del hijo de sus empleadores, que tiene unos planes muy distintos para ella.
Huyendo de un destino atroz, Moira escapa para caer en las garras de Jack, pero ¿hasta qué punto es tan distinto Jack de lord Roger? Debido a los silencios de Moira por ocultar su oscuro pasado, Jack y Spencer tienen planes para ella, y es convertir a Moira en una dama y hasta casarla con un hombre rico. De esa manera Jack se quitará una carga por haberla atropellado y ella podrá ayudar a su hermano.
Moira accede a esta farsa porque está desesperada, pero todo puede salir mal si el hijo de sus empleadores aparece. Por otro lado, Jack empieza a sentir algo por Moira y ningún pretendiente es lo suficientemente bueno para él, y lo peor es que él no puede ser ese pretendiente porque necesita casarse por dinero, además carece de título.
¿Qué más puede haber? Pues en éste libro ocurre de todo, tendremos a la pompa de la alta sociedad, tendremos bailes, pero también secuestros, depravación y hasta una oscura secta. De hecho no puedo contar con los dedos de una mano la cantidad de veces que Moira es secuestrada.
Lo que sí me ha gustado es el comportamiento de Moira durante las partes más duras de la novela, como irlandesa que es me ha recordado muchísimo a Maureen O'Hara en "El hombre tranquilo", obcecada como ella sola, y luchadora. Lo que le pierde es el argumento tan manido y las machistadas.
Al menos es una novela muy entretenida y que se lee sola, porque tiene giros continuamente, y la tensión está bien equilibrada. A los protagonistas les ocurre de todo y las pasan canutas hasta que pueden estar juntos, pero todo eso está muy bien llevado.
Me ha gustado, lo admito. No va a ser memorable, pero Connie Mason me ha convencido como autora.
Es el primer libro que leo de Connie Mason. Sé que es una de las viejillas y ya no la publican, pero nunca es tarde para descubrir autoras o libros que se publicaron hace más de veinte años.
El libro está bien, es una novela de regencia típica, o no tan típica, según como la mires. Pero si es verdad que hay algo que no ha ido muy bien y es como ha pasado el tiempo por ella. Se publicó en 1996 y peca de machistadas a tutiplén.
La acción nos lleva a una fría noche londinense, donde a Jack Graystoke, el canalla y despilfarrador más memorable de Londres, se le aparece en su ruinosa mansión el fantasma de su antepasada, Lady Amelia, conminándole a salir, y será en esa salida cuando encuentre su destino.
Jack y su amigo Spencer atropellan a una joven a la que creen una prostituta, una joven irlandesa llamada Moira O'Toole. Pero la historia de Moira es muy distinta, salió de Irlanda para emplearse como doncella y ayudar a mantener la granja de su hermano, pero las cosas no fueron como esperaba debido al acoso del hijo de sus empleadores, que tiene unos planes muy distintos para ella.
Huyendo de un destino atroz, Moira escapa para caer en las garras de Jack, pero ¿hasta qué punto es tan distinto Jack de lord Roger? Debido a los silencios de Moira por ocultar su oscuro pasado, Jack y Spencer tienen planes para ella, y es convertir a Moira en una dama y hasta casarla con un hombre rico. De esa manera Jack se quitará una carga por haberla atropellado y ella podrá ayudar a su hermano.
Moira accede a esta farsa porque está desesperada, pero todo puede salir mal si el hijo de sus empleadores aparece. Por otro lado, Jack empieza a sentir algo por Moira y ningún pretendiente es lo suficientemente bueno para él, y lo peor es que él no puede ser ese pretendiente porque necesita casarse por dinero, además carece de título.
¿Qué más puede haber? Pues en éste libro ocurre de todo, tendremos a la pompa de la alta sociedad, tendremos bailes, pero también secuestros, depravación y hasta una oscura secta. De hecho no puedo contar con los dedos de una mano la cantidad de veces que Moira es secuestrada.
Lo que sí me ha gustado es el comportamiento de Moira durante las partes más duras de la novela, como irlandesa que es me ha recordado muchísimo a Maureen O'Hara en "El hombre tranquilo", obcecada como ella sola, y luchadora. Lo que le pierde es el argumento tan manido y las machistadas.
Al menos es una novela muy entretenida y que se lee sola, porque tiene giros continuamente, y la tensión está bien equilibrada. A los protagonistas les ocurre de todo y las pasan canutas hasta que pueden estar juntos, pero todo eso está muy bien llevado.
Me ha gustado, lo admito. No va a ser memorable, pero Connie Mason me ha convencido como autora.
June 4, 2018
Now I know that I don't enjoy this author's writing, but I was young and foolish and in another country, so my options were limited.
October 12, 2012
BEWARE OF SPOILERS!
My very first of Connie Mason, and I loved it!
I don't know what strikes me when I picked it up. I mean, I have more than 30 books on my currently reading shelf, I should've finished them first, right?
So, maybe because I just went through my bookshelves, sightseeing, and then got caught up with the title and the cover.
I like name JACK for male, so I got quiet enthusiast when the hero was named Jack. More enthusiast with Lady Amelia, the ghost. Rumors said that she'd show herself to only family member, especially to man who becomes such a waste. It's said that it's her vow that no member should ended just like her son ended. And Jack was entitled to have this visit from her. Known as Black Jack, nothing would be bad enough to cause him scandal. A rogue, a rake, a womanizer, a gambler and drinker. He's poor and never considered as a gentleman. So certainly it's not a coincidence when Jack met Moira in the middle of the rainy night.
I kinda love the story where the hero suspected the heroine to be anything but innocence. Also that they relationship and feelings grew for quiet sometimes, through so many events. From the accident, the plot to bring Moira to society as a lady, when they finally covered, when Jack's cousin died and he got the title, Moira was set up and put in jail, kidnapped, the proposal, the runaway, the wedding, the truth about Moira and Kevin lineage ... I liked the intensity of the feelings over those events, along the story.
I also enjoyed the other characters like Spence, Pettibone and Matilda, Jilly, Kevin and Kate ... even Lady Amelia the ghost. :)
It's a fun and light reading, if you're into this kind of story.
I wonder if there's a story about Spence.
My very first of Connie Mason, and I loved it!
I don't know what strikes me when I picked it up. I mean, I have more than 30 books on my currently reading shelf, I should've finished them first, right?
So, maybe because I just went through my bookshelves, sightseeing, and then got caught up with the title and the cover.
I like name JACK for male, so I got quiet enthusiast when the hero was named Jack. More enthusiast with Lady Amelia, the ghost. Rumors said that she'd show herself to only family member, especially to man who becomes such a waste. It's said that it's her vow that no member should ended just like her son ended. And Jack was entitled to have this visit from her. Known as Black Jack, nothing would be bad enough to cause him scandal. A rogue, a rake, a womanizer, a gambler and drinker. He's poor and never considered as a gentleman. So certainly it's not a coincidence when Jack met Moira in the middle of the rainy night.
I kinda love the story where the hero suspected the heroine to be anything but innocence. Also that they relationship and feelings grew for quiet sometimes, through so many events. From the accident, the plot to bring Moira to society as a lady, when they finally covered, when Jack's cousin died and he got the title, Moira was set up and put in jail, kidnapped, the proposal, the runaway, the wedding, the truth about Moira and Kevin lineage ... I liked the intensity of the feelings over those events, along the story.
I also enjoyed the other characters like Spence, Pettibone and Matilda, Jilly, Kevin and Kate ... even Lady Amelia the ghost. :)
It's a fun and light reading, if you're into this kind of story.
I wonder if there's a story about Spence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2008
Pure Temptation - NR
Mason, Connie
Spirits could be so bloody unpredictable, and the specter of Lady Amelia was worst of all. Just when one of her ne'er-do-well descendents thought he could go astray in peace, the phantom lady always appeared to change his wicked ways.
A rogue without peer, Jackson Graystoke wanted to make gaming and carousing in London society his life's work. And the penniless baronet would have gladly damned himself with wine and women --- if Lady Amelia had given him the ghost of a chance.
Fresh off the boat from Ireland, Moira O'Toole wasn't fool enough to believe in legends or naive enough to trust a rake. Yet after an accident landed her in Graystoke Manor, she found herself haunted, harried, and hopelessly charmed by Black Jack Graystoke and his exquisite promise of . . . PURE TEMPTATION!
Improbable story, awkward dialogue.
Mason, Connie
Spirits could be so bloody unpredictable, and the specter of Lady Amelia was worst of all. Just when one of her ne'er-do-well descendents thought he could go astray in peace, the phantom lady always appeared to change his wicked ways.
A rogue without peer, Jackson Graystoke wanted to make gaming and carousing in London society his life's work. And the penniless baronet would have gladly damned himself with wine and women --- if Lady Amelia had given him the ghost of a chance.
Fresh off the boat from Ireland, Moira O'Toole wasn't fool enough to believe in legends or naive enough to trust a rake. Yet after an accident landed her in Graystoke Manor, she found herself haunted, harried, and hopelessly charmed by Black Jack Graystoke and his exquisite promise of . . . PURE TEMPTATION!
Improbable story, awkward dialogue.
December 24, 2007
This was Ms. Mason's attempt at writing a quasi paranormal and I didn't like it. The ghost, Lady Amelia, doesn't appear often, so it's hardly worth mentioning.
I didn't care for Jackson's character. What a series of "stupid ideas." In his favor, Jackson did develop enough to be a redeemable character, but overall the book just dragged for me.
Phewey!
I didn't care for Jackson's character. What a series of "stupid ideas." In his favor, Jackson did develop enough to be a redeemable character, but overall the book just dragged for me.
Phewey!
January 14, 2012
heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheehhee
Terrible premise, woeful characters, and you know how romance plots generally follow one of seven generic pre-determined plots? This was like four of them at once.
Good for a laugh!
Terrible premise, woeful characters, and you know how romance plots generally follow one of seven generic pre-determined plots? This was like four of them at once.
Good for a laugh!
May 1, 2008
A departure from the usual Connie Mason Novel. I did enjoy it though I did tire of the misunderstandings.
April 25, 2016
fantastic!! Not sure of the exact dates of reading, but I love Connie Mason!!!
May 23, 2017
An 1800's "Pygmalion" with a twist and a surprise.
June 25, 2018
I really loved this book. It has ghosts, dastardly villains and a happy ending. You won't be disappointed!
April 16, 2020
It might be 2 stars but it's definitely 4 🍌🍌🍌🍌
As with every Connie Mason story the steam was the most redeeming feature of this book. I do always appreciate her high drama. I love getting sucked into a thick and wild Connie Mason story.
Moira was fantastic, headstrong and ballsy and mostly rescued herself, which is awesome especially for an old school romance.
There was a ghost, a penniless rake, a bet, secret babies, and surprising bloodlines, and a group of antagonists who partook in some kind of ritualistic orgies.
But it was not Mason's best, the beginning felt rushed and I get why Jack was into Moira but not really why Moira was into Jack.
I get that Lady Amelia served as a catalyst to this story but...why? Lol
As with every Connie Mason story the steam was the most redeeming feature of this book. I do always appreciate her high drama. I love getting sucked into a thick and wild Connie Mason story.
Moira was fantastic, headstrong and ballsy and mostly rescued herself, which is awesome especially for an old school romance.
There was a ghost, a penniless rake, a bet, secret babies, and surprising bloodlines, and a group of antagonists who partook in some kind of ritualistic orgies.
But it was not Mason's best, the beginning felt rushed and I get why Jack was into Moira but not really why Moira was into Jack.
I get that Lady Amelia served as a catalyst to this story but...why? Lol
April 2, 2023
I loved the Lady Amelia aspect and the long drawn out chase. This historical romance novel was filled with nonstop drama and intrigue.
July 21, 2016
As a romance, this feels more like a gothic romance then a paranormal one. The ghost of Graystoke, Lady Amelia, is downright spooky and misleading. Not to mention rather devious. Jackson also fits the mold of a gothic hero moreso with his fits of temper, irrational jealousy, secrets and seduction as a way to quiet someone. Moira, for all her bluster and intelligence, makes those silly mistakes that most reasonably sane people wouldn't.
The main problem with Pure Temptation is that it was released about a decade or so ago and fit the mold for historical romances of that time. It has the angry, possessive hero and brash, reckless heroine. You also find smoldering passion and inevitable consequences with ridiculous obstacles baring their way to real happiness. When Moira isn't questioning Jackson's admittedly questionable fidelity record, she's questioning his honor or his intentions or just questioning him outright. Meanwhile she gets incensed if he so much as hints at questioning her word--except she lies to him every other sentence!
There is also a great many love scenes in the novel, that are certainly passionate, but lead to no lasting character development...at least as far as Moira is concerned. Jackson tries, at every turn, to prove his love to her--forgives her an aggravating amount of sins committed towards himself and others, puts his life on the line saving her from her own idiocy countless times and yet Moira is dead certain that his feelings are transitory and he's just waiting for the next lush piece of flesh to tempt himself.
It’s an understatement to say I wanted to throttle Moira more often than not, but I would equally be happy throttling Jackson for putting up with her. Not that Jackson is perfect--he did spend all of his adult life in debauchery and sin, only recently reformed thanks to his meddling ancestor ghost Lady Amelia. And his bouts of temper/jealousy are cringe-inducing. Yet, he shows definite character growth due to his feelings for Moira. I can't say the same for Moira and would even venture to say that their eventual understanding seems awkward and abrupt.
The main problem with Pure Temptation is that it was released about a decade or so ago and fit the mold for historical romances of that time. It has the angry, possessive hero and brash, reckless heroine. You also find smoldering passion and inevitable consequences with ridiculous obstacles baring their way to real happiness. When Moira isn't questioning Jackson's admittedly questionable fidelity record, she's questioning his honor or his intentions or just questioning him outright. Meanwhile she gets incensed if he so much as hints at questioning her word--except she lies to him every other sentence!
There is also a great many love scenes in the novel, that are certainly passionate, but lead to no lasting character development...at least as far as Moira is concerned. Jackson tries, at every turn, to prove his love to her--forgives her an aggravating amount of sins committed towards himself and others, puts his life on the line saving her from her own idiocy countless times and yet Moira is dead certain that his feelings are transitory and he's just waiting for the next lush piece of flesh to tempt himself.
It’s an understatement to say I wanted to throttle Moira more often than not, but I would equally be happy throttling Jackson for putting up with her. Not that Jackson is perfect--he did spend all of his adult life in debauchery and sin, only recently reformed thanks to his meddling ancestor ghost Lady Amelia. And his bouts of temper/jealousy are cringe-inducing. Yet, he shows definite character growth due to his feelings for Moira. I can't say the same for Moira and would even venture to say that their eventual understanding seems awkward and abrupt.
Read
July 2, 2010Love it... everything was perfect!!!!
December 21, 2010
The story is rather predictable, but with a cover like this... does anyone actually buy it for the story? There are giggling-ly awesome moments and it was definitely a fun and light-hearted read.
June 11, 2012
The story is interesting but so many implausible things happened, it is difficult to be drawn in it.
February 10, 2014
It is incredible.... I am in awe of the new cocept of the ghost and as best as always the reformation of a rake is just amazingly perfect... a happy ending to a passionate couple
Read
September 12, 2016A very good read. Loved this book.
October 17, 2014
ok read
May 27, 2016
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November 7, 2016
My only wish is that there was more to the story and perhaps a series using the ghost as the unifying factor!
Good character development and strong plotline.
Good character development and strong plotline.
March 4, 2008
very good
Want to read
September 6, 2009have
January 18, 2012
Story line was good, but the writing not so much. The book had a lot of word repititions
February 29, 2012
Holy CoW...I could not put this down.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews