Title: Once She Was Tempted (Honeycote #2)

Author: Anne Barton

Genre: Historical Romance

Period: Regency

Rating: 4.25/5 Stars

Publish Date: October 29, 2014

Publisher: Forever Romance an imprint of Hachette Book Group

A Portrait of a Lady

…or is it? The risqué painting owned by Benjamin Elliot, the earl of Foxburn, features a stunning beauty with sapphire eyes, golden hair, and creamy skin. Ben recognizes this particular English rose the instant he meets her—though she’s wearing considerably more clothing. In person, the demure debutante is even more irresistible…

In desperate need of money for her sick mother, Daphne Honeycote had posed for two scandalous portraits. Now she must hide her secret to save the Honeycote family name. Ben’s possession of one painting makes him an insufferable thorn in her side—and yet he may be her best chance at finding the canvas’s companion. As she becomes drawn to the dark-tempered earl, can Daphne risk laying bare the secrets of her heart?

Karen’s Review

Once She Was Tempted is Anne Barton’s sophomore historical novel.  I know some writers and even great ones, suffer from a sophomore slump, but Barton springs forwards and hurtles all obsticals with this book.   Barton was able to capture both my heart and imagination with the love story between Lord Benjamin Foxburn and Miss Daphne Honeycote.

Miss Daphne Honeycote is the sister of the heroine of Barton’s previous book When She Was Wicked.   You can read about that book and my review by clicking on the link below.

Karen’s review of When She Was Wicked

In this book, the plot takes place shortly after the events of book one have come to a conclusion.  Less than a year prior, Napolean Bonaparte  was defeated at Waterloo and Lord Foxburn was their to witness the defeat,  hold his best friend as he died, and he himself was grievously injured.  The injury and death of his friend at Waterloo, as left Foxburn surly and debilitated.   Wellington may have ruled the day, but Lord Foxburn’s life is in shambles.  He may not be locked away on Elba like Napolean, but he has locked himself away from the world.  He isn’t fit to be around polite company, but he must endure it,  as he is charged with looking after his fallen comrades brother, Lord Biltmore in his marriage pursuits.

Enter the beauty that is Daphne Honeycote.  She is effervescent, radiant and a beautiful soul.  One major problem, when she was a poor lass living in St. Giles she made a mistake that will come back to haunt her.  If she had not been elevated in society by her sisters marriage to a Duke, the mistake would be a trifle.  She has a problem, her sister now being a Duchess and Daphne is rubbing shoulder with the peerage, so her mistake will destroy her if anyone finds out.   The main problem is that Lord Foxburn has discovered her mistake, and doesn’t think that she would make a suitable wife for the young Lord Biltmore.

What a tangled web we weave when once we practice to deceive.   (I think some famous Englishman said that) Ha Ha.   Daphne and Benjamin are thrust together. Ben isn’t a heartless ass, he just wants what is best for his friend.   He does come to the aid of the wayward young debutant, and what he discovers is that one should never be judged by a youthful indiscretion.  Daphne becomes enthralled by the boorish war hero.  What ensues is an exceptionally well written book, where the hero has limitations but the heroine learns that a lioness lives inside of herself.

With one kiss Barton can set a scene on fire.  As even the kiss upon the inner wrist, had me panting.  Barton is among the best,  when it comes to writing heroes who I wish stepped out of the books pages.  A very enjoyable read.

Purchase the Book Amazon | Amazon CA | Barnes and Noble | Ibook

About the Author 

Anne Barton began swiping romance novels off her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager, so when she had the chance to spend a semester in London—home to her favorite heroes—she packed her bags and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.

Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anne found her way back to writing the stories she loves and in 2011 won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart for Regency Historical Romance. She lives in Maryland with her husband (who, sadly, is not a peer of the realm—but a great guy nonetheless) and her three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses include reality TV, cute-but-impractical shoes, and caffeinated beverages of all kinds.

Anne is represented by Helen Breitwieser of Cornerstone Literary Agency

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book directly from the author or publisher. I was not paid to read or review this book. All opinions are my own, and I was never influenced by anything or anyone.