A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (Tristan Family #3)
Historical Romance
October 1, 2010
Paperback, 416 Pages
Forever

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote:”What do you want from me then? Besides my fortune?”

“Your love.”

After surviving a cruel marriage, Lady Rebecca Fisk has decided that marriage is not for her, but men are another story. Rebecca (Becky) longs to be loved and and decides to find a lover to satisfy her needs and desires. Someone handsome, discreet, and as uninterested in marriage as she is. Someone like Jack Fulton.

Jack Fulton is a known adventurer and rake; the perfect choice for a passionate lover. Only Jack doesn’t want an affair. He needs the beautiful Lady Rebecca to be his wife by Christmas or a secret from his past will destroy him forever.

When Becky agrees to a secret assassination with Jack she expects to be thoroughly and gloriously seduced. What she gets is caught "in flagrante delicto" by her brother, sister in law, and large group of on lookers. When Jack comes to her home and proposes marriage she shocks him and her family by saying no. Becky has already been in an abusive marriage and will never place herself in that situation again. But Jack will not give up so easy. He wants her. But he also needs her money. As Jack and her family try to push the issue, Becky becomes more unsure and soon runs to escape their scrutiny and advice. Jack follows and slowly begins to court her with a unexpected understanding of what she needs. She finds herself falling in love with him. But when Becky learns what Jack has done, Jack will have to give it all up in order to have her.

In this hauntingly romantic Cinderella-esque story, we meet two emotional vulnerable people who need each other for different reasons. Rebecca wants to experience pleasure in a man’s touch without having to bind herself to him while Jack needs a fortune to save his life. As these two lost souls navigate around each other I was astounded by the poise and depth of emotion Ms. Haymore is able to impart into their story. Complex and seductive, I experienced a myriad of emotions through out this story.

Rebecca (Becky to her friends) is an emotionally fragile woman with a strong spirit that shines through despite the hardships she has endured. You can feel the pain she suffers and also the guilt she carries for the pain she believes she has inflicted on her family.

Jack Fulton is an enigma. Handsome and devilish, he hides his pain under a guise of seduction and heartfelt admiration. You fall in love with him even though you know that he is deceiving her through some rather dubious methods. While he originally set out to deceive Becky; as he spends time with her he grows to admire and respect her. Soon, no other women will do but but her. But Jack learns to late of the horrors that Becky has been through and that his plan only cements her unwillingness to trust him.

I loved how Ms Haymore didn’t allow Jack and Becky an easy HEA. They both have to fight hard for forgiveness, redemption, and trust. Each of them must deal with the past in order to secure their futures. The mystery behind Jack’s elusive past is ripe with intrigue and speculation. It blends seamlessly with the romance to create a rich, dynamic, and somewhat dark story I couldn’t put down.

The secondary cast of characters add much depth and balance to the story. Ms. Hayward crafts them each with such vivid individuality that each should have their very own story. See her other stories from this series-A Hint Of Wicked and A Touch Of Scandal. I do hope she gifts us with Lady Devore’s and the Earl of Stratford’s story. Our villain is a study of contrasts and and left me torn in how I felt towards him. He is as much a victim as our protagonists. I did find myself put out with some members of Becky’s family. They were rather autocratic in their dealings with her; not trusting her judgment or thoughts on the matters at hand.

I fell in love with Becky and Jack and I feel you will to once you emerge yourself into their lives.

Rating: 4/5

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This series includes:
A Hint of Wiced
A Touch of Scandal
A Season of Seduction

Jennifer Haymore’s Website.