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Temptation  By  cover art

Temptation

By: Jude Deveraux
Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie
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Publisher's summary

The year is 1909, and Temperance O'Neil is a woman ahead of her time. At 29, she is happily married to her work, helping single mothers on the streets of New York. Unfortunately, Angus McCairn - her new stepfather - controls the purse strings to her substantial inheritance. Angus insists she quit her career and live in his house in Edinburgh.

Temperance heads to Scotland with one mission - to drive Angus crazy. Angus asks that she pose as housekeeper to Angus' nephew, James, in a secret attempt to find him a wife. If she succeeds in matchmaking, she will be allowed to return to New York.

Although James McCairn is Laird of Clan McCairn, he's no cultured gentleman - he's a strapping, rough-mannered giant interested only in farming. His stables are immaculate, his horses gleam with care, and he lavishes personal attention on his sheep - but there are pigeons roosting in the kitchens and chickens in the bedrooms. Temperance is determined to win her return passage at any cost. But the cost may be her heart... for as Temperance O'Neil attempts to open James' eyes to the wonders of love, it is she herself who is liberated - by the power of an overwhelming passion.

©2002 Jude Deveraux (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"An exciting historical romance that centers on the early-20th-century women's rights movement.... Filled with excitement, action, and insight.... A nonstop thriller." (Barnesandnoble.com)
"[A] satisfying story." ( Booklist)
"Deveraux['s] lively pace and happy endings... will keep readers turning pages." ( Publisher's Weekly)

What listeners say about Temptation

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

AN ADVENTUROUS ROMANCE!!

What other book might you compare Temptation to and why?

I would compare Temptation to "Tamed by a Highlander" and "Ravished by a Highlander" because of the Scottish setting and superb narration. Jude Deveraux's story is excellent and Carrington MacDuffie does an amazing job conveying male and female voices in Scottish and American accents.

Which scene was your favorite?

While several scenes were compelling, I was "hooked" when Temperance arrived at the rural Scottish estate dripping wet and James refused to let her in. Without giving away the ending, I also enjoyed the last scene that took place in New York.

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book because of the author and narrator – two of my favorites. I was NOT disappointed because it contains everything: an epic romance, intriguing mystery, villains, heroes, heroines, and a lavish setting. The beautiful and headstrong Temperance O’Neil appears to have been born at the wrong time, as she finds it difficult to be taken seriously as a New York career woman. Forced to accompany her mother and new stepfather to Scotland, Temperance is required to become the housekeeper and secret matchmaker for her stepfather’s handsome but resistant nephew, James. Though many have tried before her, Temperance is determined to find James a wife because her stepfather has promised to release her trust fund and allow her to return to New York if she succeeds.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fun story.

An enjoyable listen. Several scenes made me smile. Although it does follow the romance novel "formula", I liked the way the heroine grew over the course of the story.
The narrator's voice is quite pleasant, but some parts sound more "read" than performed. I still enjoyed her narration.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Temptation fulfilled

I'm having difficulty associating the title of the book to the story. The heroine was tempted to end her feminist activism maybe or Temptation on the hero for having a recalcitrant housekeeper he ended up having a passionate encounter?

Either way, since I'm a sucker for anything from Scotland and Lairds, plaid, highlands and all that, I enjoyed the whole adventure of Temperance and James. Add Carrington MacDuffie into the mix, the predictable parts of the story came out nicely. Credit worthy temptation

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, very entertaining

I enjoyed this book. There was enough suspense and humor to keep you entertained until the end. I didnt care for the ending that much but I would recommend the book for others to read.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A pleasant enjoyable Story

What did you love best about Temptation?

The way the Heroin changed for the better

Who was your favorite character and why?

Both Hero&Heroin and the Heroins Mother

What does Carrington MacDuffie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

enjoyed the inflections of the Characters

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

not realy it was just a very nice entertaining story

Any additional comments?

I Loved the escape in to a pleasent fairytale for a few Hours

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

just ok

the narration was absolutely amazing, but the story was just blah for me. the ending felt somewhat forced but other than that, not too bad.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Abrupt End

The end was too abrupt. It felt unfinished. It made me think there was a deadline and and then rushed the end.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

very slow start

if you can hang in until after chapter 6 or 7 the book gets good extremely slow beginning

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Really bad

Would you try another book from Jude Deveraux and/or Carrington MacDuffie?

No.

How could the performance have been better?

Her Scottish accent was horrible. The heroine sounded stupid and annoying.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Temptation?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

The plot had potential, but it never got there. Neither the hero nor the heroine was likable. In the end, there was no reason for her to accept him or believe that he had changed. And there was no reason for him to want her to. Do yourself a big favor and skip this one.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

The last two chapters RUINED the entire book.

I do not understand why she chose to end things the way she did, it’s like she got bored and decided to throw everything but the kitchen sink at it. The ending made zero sense for the characters. Wish I never got this book.

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