Devil Information

Tempt the Devil

Any man in London would worship her. Yet Olivia is, quite frankly, bored of them all. Despite her many dalliances, she’s never felt true passion, never longed for any lover’s touch . . . until Julian, London’s most notoriously wanton rake, decided to make her his mistress.

From the moment he first saw her, Julian knew he must possess her. And when he discovers her greatest secret, a scandal that could ruin her reputation and end her career, he knows just the way to use this damaging information to his most delightful advantage. He offers Olivia a deal with the devil: he’ll keep her secret . . . if she allows him the chance to show her true ecstasy.

But Olivia must be careful, for Julian has a secret of his own: he will not rest until she is completely, shamelessly his.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Romance for the jades among us…
I’m a long-time romance novel reader discovering Anna Campbell. This is a classic “Hooker with a Heart of Gold story.” Not the usual setup where a virgin heroine meets older jaded rake and reforms him. The heroine of this story is Olivia Raines; she’s 31, a renowned self-possessed beauty w/a steely heart who’s been a courtesan her whole life. (Of course she’s got a terribly sad sob story about how she ended up a courtesan). The hero is your classic rich arrogant earl but wow, he’s not afraid of love. The relationship between these two feels very real, very adult. You never doubt that it’s only about sex; and from the very beginning they are so suited to each other. There’s not alot of plot in this book besides the development of their relationship; it’s completely character driven. So don’t expect there to be an antagonist or the usual conspiracy/revenge plot. This book is all lust and love. Definitely recommended if you’re in the mood for something sexy, sweet, and a little real. Read it back to back during an airport layover and it was perfect.

2 Stars Where was the rake?
For those of you that are thinking to buy this book because you want to read about London’s most notroriously wanton rake – think again. Julian Earl of Erith is no rake! Oh, don’t get me wrong, the book tells you that he is, but nothing he does confirms the statements. Instead of coming off as a hardened rake, he comes off as an infatuated untried school boy at the age of 38. The man is a widow and has two grown kids, one of which is engaged to be married, and yet he behaves as if he’s never had a woman before. He basically chases, threatens, begs, and stalks the heroine into wanting him. Believe me when I tell you that the heroine didn’t even have natural sexual attraction towards him. She despised sex and he had to go through hell just to get her to be stimulated. After all of the disheartening sexual encounters they suffered, I finally realized that I was not enjoying this book at all, and I didn’t care anymore if the characters would ever enjoy sex with each other or not. I just wanted to start on another book that I would find pleasure in reading – so I did!!

5 Stars Emotionally Charged and Sexy Hot–Magnificent!!!!
This story took my breath away and captivated me from the very first. I am a sucker for emotionally tortured heroes and heroines, and this story had those elements, albeit safely tucked away and peeled away ever so carefully with magnificently timed revelations. If you want angst and an emotionally charged read, none of which is gratuitous, this is the book for you. Now, as far as the sex goes, this author knows how to prolong the sexual tension and to heighten the sexual acts to a fevered pitch, every time. You will not be disappointed in this area either, if you like it hot.

You will find some of Lord Erith’s and Olivia’s behavior disturbing, but it all goes along with their characters. They are flawed human beings, with their own emotional baggage to deal with. When you put too such tortured people together, there is bound to be some really bad mistakes made, some poor, even unconscionable behavior for which to atone. I found this book to be exceptional and totally gratifying. There is not one thing I would change–not one.

[I purposely left out the synopsis as well as a detailed narrative of Lord Erith's and Olivia's characters. Many reviewers have done that for you. I've only set out to tell you how the book affected me and why. The rest, I leave to you, but I will be buying her other books.]

5 Stars Tempt The Devil by Anna Campbell
For Olivia Raines, London’s most notorious courtesan, and the infamous Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith falling in love will be the greatest risk of all in this wicked and wild romance from Anna Campbell.

Any man in London would worship her. Yet Olivia is, quite frankly, bored of them all. Despite her many dalliances, she’s never felt true passion, never longed for any lover’s touch . . . until Julian, London’s most notoriously wanton rake, decides to make her his mistress.

From the moment he first sees her, Julian knows he must possess her. And when he discovers her greatest secret, a scandal that could ruin her reputation and end her career, he knows just the way to use this damaging information to his most delightful advantage. He offers Olivia a deal with the devil: he’ll keep her secret . . . if she allows him the chance to show her true ecstasy.

Tempt the Devil is filled with lush and provocative surroundings that put this reader into a romantic trance. The author’s intricate style of blending sensuality and -yes I will say it–love is wildly sensuous cupped in with titillating laughter.

I adore the fact that her characters are wounded and struggling to find their selves in a world that doesn’t really accept them. Through their trial and tribulation Ms. Campbell’s does an expert job of wielding and building these characters, wrapping themselves in her trademark mastery.

I found my self understanding Olivia’s struggle along with feeling her heart ache, growing up and acting a part that she was really never suited for. And to struggle against her own wants and desires had me completely comprehending why she fought so vehemently to stay in control.

On the other spectrum, I can’t call Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith, your typical alpha male hero. I mean he is a card-carrying-drop dead gorgeous who oozes power and sensuality. But underneath I felt he had a more understated sympathetic side. I grasped this side of Julian as he began to break down his walls when he let himself be vulnerable with his adult children and let go and finally love–truly love Olivia.

I found “Tempt the Devil” to be an exciting and worth every minute I spent devouring every word as if it was the richest, gooiest warm chocolatie brownie. All I can say is, keep them coming Anna–I can’t wait for the next one. No, really I cant.

Happy Reading!

1 Star Disappointment is 5 Stars – Liking The Book 1 Star
What a disappointment. After reading so much that was written about this book I was actually excited when I received it. After about the first 25 pages I thought to myself – HUH? Olivia whined all the way through the book and if the Earl of Erith was a rake – it was autumn and there must have been lots of falling leaves.

He see’s Olivia and has a immediate attraction. She was a courtesan (today she’d be called a prostitute)and he was a Lord and wealthy — very very wealthy. He immediately asked her to be his mistress and she agrees.

He brings her a ruby necklace on their first arranged meeting. She loved the necklace. She is in at home and he tries to kiss her — from the minute she said “my Lord I told you the rules of this house” it was her way or the highway. He rented them a house and started groveling. He grovelled all the way through the book and she whined. I want my money back.

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Tempt the Devil

Any man in London would worship her. Yet Olivia is, quite frankly, bored of them all. Despite her many dalliances, she’s never felt true passion, never longed for any lover’s touch . . . until Julian, London’s most notoriously wanton rake, decided to make her his mistress.

From the moment he first saw her, Julian knew he must possess her. And when he discovers her greatest secret, a scandal that could ruin her reputation and end her career, he knows just the way to use this damaging information to his most delightful advantage. He offers Olivia a deal with the devil: he’ll keep her secret . . . if she allows him the chance to show her true ecstasy.

But Olivia must be careful, for Julian has a secret of his own: he will not rest until she is completely, shamelessly his.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars What’s This Man’s Problem????
I read Ms. Campbell’s second novel UNTOUCHED first … and loved it! I felt equally for Grace and Matthew knowing what they’d both endured before meeting one another. I eagerly purchased her first novel CLAIMING THE COURTESAN and must admit I found Justin, the Duke of Kylemore to be your basic male chauvinist who needed some time on a shrink’s couch, and not just because of his upbringing!

I felt the same way about Lord Erith in TEMPT THE DEVIL. Yes, these men live in the days when whatever the man said goes – he was the king of his castle and master of all he surveyed. But couldn’t they show some kind of courtesy to the women in their lives and not merely treat them as “possessions?” Especially when these women (yes they were paid for their services) suffer more in the relationships because they ultimately – unfortunately – fall in love with their “protectors.” I would like to see these “heroes” portrayed more sympathetically – like Matthew in UNTOUCHED – instead of as unfeeling villains who want what they want and could care less about how much pain they cause those in their immediate sphere … especially the so-called loves of their lives! They behave more like spoiled little boys instead of grown men of the world. They will pursue their women from town to country, from one end of Britain to another to show the pursued who’s the boss! They have no qualms about resorting to blackmail to keep their “love” under their respective thumbs. What’s up with that? These men have issues that supposedly justify rape and mental cruelty on the women they say they love.

I’ll probably buy and read Ms. Campbell’s next book. But I truly hope that her next “hero” will be someone in whom I can find something to admire, some redeeming characteristic instead of his being a jerk who deserves whatever pain and lost he encounters … and welcomed back into the arms of the woman he’s used and abused for a happily ever after ending.

2 Stars Where was the rake?
For those of you that are thinking to buy this book because you want to read about London’s most notroriously wanton rake; think again. Julian Earl of Erith is no rake! Oh, don’t get me wrong, the book tells you that he is, but nothing he does confirms the statements. Instead of coming off as a hardened rake, he comes off as a love sick school boy at the age of 38. The man is a widow and has two grown kids, one of which is engaged, and yet he behaves as if he’s never had a woman before. He basically chases, threatens, begs, and stalks the heroine into wanting him. Believe me when I tell you that the heroine didn’t even have sexual attraction towards him. She despised sex and he had to go through hell just to get her to be stimulated. After all the joyless sexual encounters, I finally realized that I was not enjoying the book at all and I didn’t care anymore if she would ever enjoy sex with him or not. I just wanted to start on another book that I would enjoy reading; so I did!!

2 Stars So disappointed
The reviews let me down on this one. I love Claiming The Courtesan and so wanted to like this book. I did not.

Another reviewer used the word “joyless” in describing this book. I could not agree more. The early sex sequences read like scenes from a bad marriage. An Olivia’s background. It was just too much. This book was darned depressing. There is no happiness and light here. And certainly nothing to recommend it.

I hate books where the heorine tells the hero she wants to get married, but he rejects her-for whatever reason. Julian seemed like he was not that in to Olivia. He was not willing to even TRY to move mountains for her, even when she told him she needed him to want to.

I did not feel the love between these two and I have no affection for this book. So disappointing.

3 Stars 3.5 stars…
I read someone else say that they wanted to give the book 3.5 stars and I completely understand what they mean. I read this book based on a recommendation after reading Passion by Lisa Valdez. I liked this book but not as much as Passion. On it’s own it is a good book, but I also think at times it was confused what it wanted to be.

I thought some of the tone was more modern than other historical romance novels. I did grow to like the hero…but wasn’t as attached to the heroine. I thought some of the sex scenes were referred to instead of explained. I want the author to paint a picture in an erotic book, not refer to it.

I would recommend it to people who want a simple story and a quick read, light on the sex.

5 Stars Brilliant
This book was so different than anything I have read recently. It was refreshingly romantic as you watched the love develop between Julian and Olivia. It was not easy, but intense, emotional and heart wrenching to read. Olivia is a jaded courtesan who is weary of her role and seeking one last lover before ending her career. Julian is a hardened rake with a desolate past. He always gets what he wants and he wants Olivia. The two arrange the affair each thinking to rule the other then move on. Both Julian and Olivia were real, and the interactions between them were rich and remained true to their characters and the historical period they lived in. Yes Julian is a bit over bearing, arrogant and controlling. But so is Olivia. I also read untouched by the same author, which I liked as well. BUT I think this one is even better. I agree with a previous reviewer in that the story was so focused on the couple that there was not a lot of other plot elements. That I think was why it was so brilliant. SO many other books go off into plots that take away from the romance. Anna Cambell let the development of this impossible love relationship be the plot. It was wonderful.

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