To Taste Temptation

Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Even the most refined lady craves an untamed man to release her passion.

Britain’s high society—le bon ton—loves nothing more than a good scandal, and they’re giddy with the appearance of wealthy Samuel Hartley. Not only is he self-made, American, and in the habit of wearing moccasins, but he is also notorious for fleeing a battle in which several English gentlemen lost their lives. What le bon ton doesn’t know, though, is that Samuel is in London because of this massacre. He believes his regiment was given up to the enemy and won’t rest until he finds the traitor.

Lady Emeline Gordon is captivated by Samuel. Not only does he defy convention with his unusual dress, his sensual smile, and his forthright manner, but he survived the battle that killed her beloved brother. Samuel suspects that the person responsible for her brother’s death is Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale, a family friend since childhood—and Emeline’s fiancé. Despite Emeline’s belief in Vale’s innocence and her refusal to break off her betrothal, she and Samuel begin a passionate affair. But can their relationship survive the fallout from Samuel’s investigation?

©2008 Nancy M. Finney (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Hoyt…is firmly in control of her craft with engaging characters, gripping plot, and clever dialogue.” ( Publishers Weekly

“4½ Stars Top Pick! Hoyt’s new series, the Legend of the Four Soldiers, begins with destruction and ends with glorious love. She begins each chapter with a snippet of a legend that beautifully dovetails with the plot and creates a distinct love story that will thrill readers.” ( Romantic Times BOOKreviews)

“ To Taste Temptation is book one in Ms. Hoyt’s new series, the Legend of the Four Soldiers, and it’s an auspicious beginning. With its vividly drawn characters, neat plotting, and heated romance, it’s sure to satisfy.” ( Romance Reviews Today)

Bored out of my mind!

I am not sure if I can finish this book. I am almost four hours in and it is so boring…blah, blah, blah the hero runs through the night…blah, blah, blah the heroine is a hoity toity witch. Emeline is an extremely unlikable heroine. She is haughty and belittling to others around her, all I can picture is a scrunched- faced little shrew. I can’t even remember at this point how she is described in the book, I’m so overwhelmed by her odious personality. There is absolutely no chemistry between Samuel and Emeline, nothing fun, amusing, or flirtatious. I know they are going to fall in love, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why Samuel would bother with such a testy little cow! Oh and don’t even get me started on the ‘first kiss’…if some man grabbed me and kissed me hard enough to draw blood, I would punch him in the face! That is all that has happened in four hours, a violent kiss, to set up some sort of believable chemistry between the main characters. The whole story of Samuel searching for answers to the massacre is so drawn out and piece-milled that is loses all intrigue. At this point I don’t really like or give two figs about either main character, which does not bode well for my overall enjoyment of the book. I think I am more interested in finding out if Samuel’s sister, Rebecca, is going to fall in love with the Irish footman, and they have only had a few lines of interaction in the book. I am going to give it two more hours, which will complete the first half, and take me 1 hour into the second half. However, if it does not get a lot better that is all the time I will waste on this book.

This Book Didn't Do It Fof Me-Nothing Original

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

My cousin bought the paperback & loved it. She is more traditional in her historical romances. My choices are for more risque and unpredictable.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Right now I'm listening to Angel Creek by Linda Howard...risque, romance set in the Old West after Civil War & gold rush.

What aspect of Anne Flosnik’s performance would you have changed?

The speed. Listening on 2 X speed makes it MUCH better.

What character would you cut from To Taste Temptation?

I didn't understand the significance of the first couple of chapters, the four soldiers...I couldn't connect their stories to the book. It is a 4 book series, maybe as they continue the reason for the prelude.

Any additional comments?

Not a favorite nor was it able to keep my interest...finished it because I bought it.

Not credit worthy in my opinion, but my cousin would say yes...

Every author gets to have a dud.

I love Elizabeth Hoyt. Love her style, her plots and her characters. This one is... a dud. Don't know what happened but it is beyond boring. First time I have ever "returned" an audio book.

Terrible!

Ok... I get it, romance novels are nothing but fluff and shallow entertainment. I don't expect deep, beautifully written literature. But please.... this is the very worst book I have ever purchased on audible, and the first that I actually had to stop listening to it was so distasteful. The female lead is such a disagreeable, contentious, miserable, one dimensional character, I just couldn't take it anymore. I actually got a stomach ache listening to this junk. Save your credits and buy something else!

Not the best Elizabeth Hoyt book at all.

This book was not the best of Elizabeth Hoyt. I tolerated it because I want to listen to the rest of the series which has much better reviews. The heroine in this book was just too much of a bitch. The narrator is just okay and that is being generous. I really hope the next book is better as suggested.

couldn't finish.

Only got through most of chapter 2 and just couldn't take the way it was narrated. The French accents were just too much for me.

good

This book is an erotic romance historical soldier with ptsd.

The book was good.

Samuel Hartley is a wealthy american and on a mission to find a murderer. When he meets Emeline his soldier's sister and he is gone. He will not change for anyone but once he realizes he is out of his league but that is not going to stop him.

Lady Emeline Gordon is offered a position so assist the american to help turn his sister into a London Lady, but a mystery surrounding her brother death is bringing back memories and feelings. She is a widow and a lady but her world view are going to change.