The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart-Review and Blog Tour
The Temptations of Anna Jacobs
Dangerous Liaisons #2
by Robyn DeHart
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Genre: historical, romance
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 15, 2014
Love and justice…
When Drew Foster is released from prison, he doesn’t much care about salvaging his soiled reputation. Though he’s working undercover, everyone in Victorian London believes him guilty of the Jack the Ripper murders and that his brother paid for his “innocence.”
Despite her genteel upbringing, Anna Jacobs is intent on finishing medical school and becoming a physician. Society’s ridicule has never bothered her, but when her brother, the Yard’s best detective, is scorned for letting Drew go, she confronts the one man who can set the record straight at a ball. She certainly doesn’t count on the rogue being dashing and handsome, nor on him stealing a passionate kiss.
Anna’s brazen contempt for his dangerous reputation captivates Drew, but he is harboring secrets that make him unfit to court any proper woman. As he finds himself an outsider among his colleagues at Scotland Yard, the feisty beauty offers up her medical knowledge to assist him on the case. But when the real killer returns to London to continue his reign of terror, can Anna find safety in Drew’s arms?
REVIEW
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!
I REALLY enjoyed this book. The Temptation of Anna Jacobs is the second book in Robyn DeHart’s Dangerous Liaisons series. I did not read her first one (tsk tsk breaking my own rule of series reading), but I wish I had. I do not believe it took away from enjoying this book, but back story and characters that were in her first one return and I felt like I was missing something. You can bet I will be reading her first one soon!
Small disclaimer before I get into the meat of this review. I have always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper. So when you mix a Jack the Ripper mystery in with one of my fave genres (historical romance) you get one happy reviewer. LOL
Anna Jacobs is our leading lady. She is a brazen woman, not afraid to speak her mind, is studying to be a physician and quite the oddity/scandal for a lady of her time. She makes no apologies for who she is! When her path crosses with our leading hottie Drew Foster, a strong attraction takes root, but more importantly a mutual respect blooms.
Drew Foster, is a recovering alcoholic, a cast aside of the ton and once suspected of being Jack the Ripper. Anna’s brother Simon not only cleared his name, but ensured he was released from prison and hired to be an investigator of this elusive murderer who wants to frame Drew for his actions. When bodies begin to pile up once again, Drew requests Anna’s help in examining the evidence and providing her medical opinions. Through this investigation, the heat simmers between them, danger increases and a full roaring boil erupts.
The pacing in this book was absolutely perfect. There was no “jump right into the hot and heavy love” between Drew and Anna and because of that it made their relationship more believable. There was a mutual respect, friendship formed , and then love. While the attraction was strong, both understood that this case had to take priority. I love that Robyn DeHart weaved in some real Jack the Ripper victims names, places and facts, giving this story a familiar feel.
If you love historical romance, murder mystery and some real life events all in one, then The Temptation of Anna Jacobs is definitely a go to read for you! I can’t wait to read the first one!
HAPPY READING! 🙂
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
Reviewed by Rachel T.
Perhaps she had other thoughts that could explain the differences in the injuries, or the use of an alternate weapon.
“Why did you kiss me? The other day?” she asked.
Drew felt his brows rise in surprise. “Is that what you were thinking about? I suspected your thoughts were more academic in nature.”
She shrugged. “Academic or not, I am still a woman.”
“It seemed the thing to do,” Drew said with a shrug of his own.
“‘It seemed the thing to do,’” she said, mocking his tone. She frowned. “That’s not a very good answer.”
He resisted the urge to smile. Hell, he didn’t know why he’d kissed her. Because the desire to do so had been so overwhelming he hadn’t been able to resist her lips. In fact, he longed to embrace her again, right now. “What would be a good answer?”
“How the devil should I know?” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “I don’t go around kissing unsuspecting people.”
“Fair enough. Well then, I kissed you because I wanted to.” Perhaps honesty would appease her curiosity. “Because your mouth is tempting, even though you talk far too much.”
“That doesn’t even make any sense. Well, the bit about my talking too much, I admit I can be verbose—”
“You’re doing it again,” he interrupted her. He leaned forward, toward her chair. “Only makes me want to kiss you again.”
She waved her hand. “That’s ridiculous.”
“The mere notion of kissing you? Hasn’t any man ever expressed a similar interest?”
A blush stained her exposed throat, marring her lovely creamy skin. Her hand followed the telltale sign of her embarrassment and she fiddled with the necklace around her throat. She swallowed visibly. “I don’t see how that is any of your business. I’m not even certain how we got on this discussion,” she said.
“You asked me why I kissed you.”
“Yes, and your answer is unsatisfactory. I shall merely have to conclude that you men are a peculiar lot.” She pointed at him.
“I’m going to kiss you again, Annabelle,” he said softly.
Her mouth opened, then slowly closed. “Right now?”
“Would you like me to kiss you right now?”
“I cannot answer that.” She shook her head fervently. “It would be utterly improper.”
“You, a lady going to medical school and assisting me with an undercover investigation of a murder? Last night we broke into a government building. Your behavior hasn’t exactly been the pinnacle of propriety.”
Her brow furrowed. “That is quite different.” Her tongue darted out and wet her lips.
He felt a stab of desire, hot and poignant in his gut. Oh yes. He wanted her. Whatever the reason, logical or not, he wanted her quite badly. Too badly, in fact, for him to kiss her now when his passions were so close to the surface. It was entirely too likely they would not be interrupted, that no one would come along and stop him from ruining her here in his parlor.
“You already answered my question,” he said.
She frowned. “I don’t believe I did.”
“Oh yes, Anna, you want me to kiss you very badly. Now that I know that, I’m going to make you wait. For a little longer.”
“You are an insufferable man!” she said as she came to her feet.
Thanks so much for having me today and for participating in my blog tour. I’m so excited about this new release. Today I want to share the first five from the first five – meaning the first five sentences from the first five chapters of The Temptations of Anna Jacobs. Hope you enjoy!~Robyn
Prologue
London 1889
Andrew Foster sat in what he fondly referred to as “the hole” and waited. It was all he could do. Sit, wait and listen. The other inmates fought and wailed and hurled curses at one another. It was a wretched existence. The metal gates a few cells down from his opened and then closed with a heavy slam, and he heard voices.
Chapter One
Anna Jacobs closed her textbook and stifled a yawn. “Simon, I do believe I’ve had enough. For tonight, that is.”
Her older brother looked up from his notes. “When is your examination?”
“Not for a few weeks still.” She gathered her books in a tidy pile, then stood. “But I do like to be prepared.”
Chapter Two
The Ripper shifted in his chair and winced as pain surged up his arm. He stared out the window watching the rain fall in heavy sheets. Bloody wet country.
“Begging your pardon, my lord,” the maid said from the doorway, her Scottish brogue an instant reminder of where he was currently stuck. Not that he could forget, even for a second.
Chapter Three
When Drew had accepted the undercover position with Scotland Yard, he’d assumed he would be working closely with Simon. But when the Ripper had evaded capture, the commissioner decided it would be best for Simon to go to Edinburgh to train with some new recruits there. It was nothing more than a punishment. Everyone knew as much.
Chapter Four
Drew stood with Jeffries off to the side while the police surgeon finished his examination. The body had been photographed and then cleaned. Despite the cleansing, the flesh had already begun to decompose, and the stink made Drew’s eyes water.
The surgeon walked toward them, wiping his hands on a towel. “She bled to death before he did the rest of the damage.”
National Bestselling author, Robyn DeHart’s novels have appeared in the top bestselling romance and historical romance lists. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages. Her historical romantic adventure series, The Legend Hunters, were not only bestsellers, but also award-winners, snagging a Reader’s Crown and a Reviewer’s Choice award. She had three releases in 2013 and 2014 will see four more, all set in the popular historical romance Regency and Victorian eras.
Known for her “strong dialogue and characters that leap off the page” (RT Bookclub) and her “sizzling romance” (Publishers Weekly), her books have been featured in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. A popular writing instructor, she has given speeches at writing conferences in Los Angeles, DC, New York, Dallas, Nashville and Toronto, among many others.
When not writing, you can find Robyn hanging out with her family, husband (The Professor) a university professor of Political Science and their two ridiculously beautiful and smart daughters, Busybee and Babybee as well as two spoiled-rotten cats. They live in the hill country of Texas where its hot eight months of the year, but those big blue skies make it worth it.
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NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. Please contact the publisher if you have any questions.
Giveaway Info:
• Victorian Necklace and a $25 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)
Wonderful review, Rachel. Sounds like a good read, and 5 stars from you, who reads lots of historicals is good.
Wonderful review Rachel-I know how you love the historical romance novels.
Congratulations Robyn on the new release. It sounds like an amazing storyline.
Great review Rachel. Sounds like a wonderful story.
Congratulations to Robyn. Loved the excerpt.
Great review, Rachel. I am going to add it to my list.
Wonderful review and excerpt.
Great review Rachel and some great prizes. Thanks for making TRC part of you tour Robyn.
Wonderful review and excerpt-love the historical romances.
Congrats to Robyn.
Lovely review Rachel
Thanks so much for the great review and for participating in my blog tour. I’m so glad that y’all are enjoying the excerpt. I hope you’ll get your copy of the book tomorrow. Thanks.
I’m loving the review. I read the first book and I’m excited for this book. I can’t wait to read it now. Congrats on your newest release
Great review! I love Robyn DeHart’s writing and I really enjoyed the first five from the first five. I’ve never seen that on a blog before.
Wonderful review Rachel . Congrats on your new read Robin.
Great review, sounds like a good read.
Thanks for the review. It’s an interesting time period.
Great series, been waiting for this book!
sheryll1974@netscape.net
Robyn, I like the strong dialogue in your stories. It builds the tension and gets me very involved in whatever story of yours I’m reading (currently Mia Danvers). This excerpt about the kiss is a good example of building the sensual tension. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re not the “wham bam thank you ma’am” type in your writing! ha. I can’t wait to finish Mia’s story and go on to Anna’s. Thanks for the post. jdh2690@gmail.com