Temptation Has Green Eyes: The Emperors of London #2 by Lynne Connolly

Item: Temptation Has Green Eyes
Rating: 4
Author: Gaele

Book Review:

A Georgian-era romance, Lynne Connolly has used the conventions and flavor of the time to enhance and enrich this story of a couple in a marriage of expectations, if not initial desire.

Max is the Marquess of Devereaux, and has spent several years restoring the family coffers and fortunes after his father’s mismanagement. Various business investments have replenished his options, and while he is still working to reestablish the country estate to its former grandeur and profitability, a business partner arrives with another promising investment. But this one has strings, the wealthy merchant Russell has aspirations for his marriageable daughter Sophia. If Max were to marry Sophia, Russell will disclose the details of a promising investment and the Marquess will have the needed wife and further coin.

Sophia is unlike the women of her age, in fact, far more modern in attitude than her soon to arrive Regency and Victorian era sisters in romance. She is enraged and unwilling to be ‘shuttled off’ to a man of her father’s choosing, marriage is not something she had decided on, and if she did, she expected to choose her own man. Still recovering from a massive slight, she isn’t interested and while she will be ‘civil’ she won’t engage in flirtation or allow her feelings to be involved.

These two are so well-matched that Russell’s nudge to the altar is prescient, even if his purpose was to strengthen his ties to society. While Russell misses the worst of the snubs and dismissals (he’s a man- they think differently) poor Sophia is faced with cold shoulders and haughty attitudes, adding to her own unhappiness in an unwanted marriage and the still-raw stings from her former suitor. While Max tries to incorporate her into society, he too is mostly unaware of the treatment of his wife, but is heartened by the growth in their relationship toward a tentative friendship.

The two are starting to find a connection, and perhaps even contemplate their growing affections that are hidden behind their remove, but when Sophia is threatened in a move that will damage not only her reputation but that of Max, she decides to reach out. And we are off on a wonderful ride as the tentative friendship turns to romance and a connection that both wanted but never dared ask for. The progression of their relationship with the slow burn from the attraction that has built from the start. While completely honest in the portrayal of the attitudes of society and the social conventions, the inset of ‘expected’ to the actualities of both Max and Sophia’s behaviors as their connection changed and grew throughout the story. It was lovely to see them bond as a couple, and move to a real relationship where their caring and connection felt as real as portrayed.

Temptation Has Green Eyes: The Emperors of London #2 by Lynne Connolly

Title: Temptation Has Green Eyes
Author: Lynne Connolly
Series: The Emperors of London #2
Also in this series: Danger Wears White
Genre: Historical Romance
Published by: Lyrical Press
ISBN: 161650594X
Published on: 3 February, 2015
Format:eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Pages: 218
Rated:

Heat:

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She holds the key to more than a fortune…

There’s more to love than meets the eye…

The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Sophia Russell has no interest in marriage, especially after a recent humiliation—and especially not to Maximilian, Marquess of Devereaux. But it’s the only way to save herself from fortune hunters—and those who wish to seize a powerful connection she prefers to keep secret—even from her future husband…

Marrying Sophia is the only way Max can regain the wealth his father squandered on an extravagant country palace. And while Max and his bride are civil, theirs is clearly a marriage of convenience—until a family enemy takes a questionable interest in Sophia—one that may lead all the way to the throne. Forced to become allies in a battle they hadn’t foreseen, the newlyweds soon grow closer—and discover a love, and a passion, they never expected…

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A copy of this title was provided via Publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

About Lynne Connolly

I was born in Leicester, England, and lived in our cobbler’s shop with my parents and sister. It was an old house and most definitely haunted, but I didn’t find out until I left that my great uncle had hung himself in the living room! But I think our ghost might have been older than that. It was built on the site of the old Roman cemetery, and the land had been constantly inhabited, being in the centre of town. Then, when the council bought the house from us to build a road, my grandfather retired and my father went and worked for the Post Office. My mother was a sample machinist; that is, she worked with designers on the prototypes (models or samples) of garments. So I was very well dressed! We bought a relatively modern house in the country, and my mother was blissfully happy. It’s all very well living in a large old house, but it’s a dreadful task to keep it clean and warm!

My mother's side of the family are Romany gypsies, although sadly we haven't any of the old trailers that are so astonishingly beautiful. I was taught to read the Tarot cards, and I usually use two packs; the Rider pack for simple readings and the Crowley Thoth pack for the complex stuff.
I've always had an interest in the paranormal and it's been a delight to be able to put some of this into my novels.