TO TASTE TEMPTATION
The Legend of the Four Soldiers
Elizabeth Hoyt
Grand Central
ISBN: 0-446-40691-0
May 2008
Historical

Lady Emeline Gordon is a young widow, the picture of beauty and sophistication in 1760’s London. For fun she acts as a chaperone for young women entering the social Ton. When Samuel Hartley approaches her to chaperone his young sister, Rebecca, she is intrigued. Samuel is a wealthy Boston businessman who was also a Colonial soldier. Emeline is drawn to him since he fought in the same Indian battle, Spinner’s Falls, that resulted in her beloved brother’s death. Even though years in the past Emeline still longs for
information about Reynaud.

As Emeline begins to help Rebecca she comes into increasing contact with Samuel. The attraction between them is sizzling and both fight the process. They also realize that their worlds may be divergent and clashing but the intensity of their attraction is unusual.

There’s an interesting suspense embedded in this book. Samuel has actually come to England with the ruse of buying and trading goods. In reality, he wants to try and find out answers to what he suspects was an ambush of the troops at Spinner’s Falls. When he encounters Jasper Vale, a fellow soldier, now a wealthy businessman, he is shocked to learn that he and Emeline have “an understanding”. The story moves forth from there and takes these characters to an English country party and through some dangerous situations, as Sam searches for the truth.

This is a little bit different from the usual regency era romance in that Emeline is a widow and older than most protagonists. Samuel is from America and doesn’t really fit into polite English society, even with all of his money. The sensuality between these two is breathtaking and the reader is carried into the headiness of their growing love for each other even though society would say they do not fit.

Of note are two aspects of this book. Each chapter begins with a part of a fairy tale about the Iron Heart, like a story in a story. A metaphor for Samuel, this adds even more interest to the book. Also, the cover of this book is beautiful and sensuous and sure to delight readers.

I loved this book, the high quality of the writing, the engaging plot, and most of all, the character development. As always, this author delivers a terrific novel. Likely to be the first in a new series, it is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jeri Neal
Rating: 4 ½ plugs