The Price of Temptation

Title: The Price of Temptation
Author: M. J. Pearson
Published: 2005 by Seventh Window Publications
Genre: Harlequin gone gay *heart*
Pages: 208


I admit, I bought this one because of the cover. Look at it. What does he have shoved down his pants, a watermelon?



Well, another reason was because it sounded like a good read. this was bought late last year, alongside the Back Passage, but I didn't get to reading it until now, thinking that I needed something less depressing after the Well of Loneliness. This book was obviously a good choice for that purpose!

The earl, the lover, and the secretary. Stephen, Julian and Jamie. A triangle of lust, jealousy and love. The stuff that romance novels are made of, with the exception to usual Harlequin romances being, of course, that all three are men. Stephen is practically being robbed by his kept lover, Julian, but he doesn't want to be alone. Along comes Jamie, who ends up becoming Stephen's personal secretary after some unfortunate circumstances. All would be well, if the earl wouldn't notice what a nice ass the younger man has. And the petty lover, not wanting to lose his source of money, is not happy about the fact that the earl would rather stay home to gaze at that ass than go out to spend money. Something must be done!

The writing is good and fast-paced, with a hint of humour in it. The setting is London of the beginning of 1800's. For once I didn't know it was set in London; that was just a pleasant surprise. Homosexuality is very much frowned upon, but the rich do as the rich will, as long as they're not too vocal about it outside the bedroom.


""If the landscape you encounter is convex, suck it." Stephen latched his mouth briefly onto Jamie's neck in demostration, then moved his lips upward and suckled an earlobe. "I'm sure if you think hard, you can imagine other examples." Jamie shivered. "If it's concave," Stephen whispered, "probe it--" His tongue slid into Jamie's ear, and the young man shuddered again. "--using the instrument that fits best. Flat surfaces can be licked - actually, licking is always appropriate, as are nibbling, stroking, and rubbing - but those are the basic rules. Remember to start gently, and end vigorously, and satisfaction is guaranteed."

"Very helpful," Jamie mumbled."


Yes indeed.