Over all, this is my favorite book of the series so far. We met Harry in book 2 and Kate in books 1 and 2. I love how the the plot continues on in to this story and certain clues in books 1-2 carry over to this book.Harry and Lady Kate go a long ways back. They have a 10 year standing feud. They actually met when he was 20 and she was 15. They fell in love with each other, unfortunately, certain people had other plans for this couple and they are torn apart. As the years go on, when they see each other, they can't help but lash out at one another with their hurt and pain. Unfortunately, or fortunately, others who set out to betray Kate, and have made it to where Harry has to marry Kate to protect her. This however is AFTER the fact that she gets kidnapped first and Harry plays a role in that.We were able to see the brave, loving, caring, witty Lady Kate in the first two books. What we don't see is that this is all a facade and what lies underneath the exterior of this woman. She really is a great lady and has a good sense of humor but she has years have hurt in all forms laying at her feet and feeds her nightmares. Harry also is a great guy, a great artist with many dreams of traveling the world after he sells his commission. Unfortunately, he too has many demons that fuel his nights and give him many nightmares.These two were perfect for each other in the long run. They both put up fronts and suffer silently in the night, and often alone. They are both afraid to give over their hearts to each other again or to let the other one know. Only one of them is brave enough to share their true feelings....then things go terribly wrong. Will the other be able to save the other and then let this person know of their feelings as well? I read Eileen Dreyer years ago when she was writing short contemporary romance. She was good then; but she's terrific now! I've read and enjoyed all three of her Drake's Rakes series, but particularly enjoyed the second and third. She's a fearless writer in the way some actors/actresses are fearless performers, and she does an excellent job with that other essential plot of a romance, the liberation plot. You might think that Grisham is good at putting his main characters in a box and closing the lid--Dreyer is exceptionally good as using historical reality to create terrible boxes that close around her heroines. She mines all the possible constraints--physical, legal, social, familial, and psychological that can hem her characters in. The result is great tension and a great rejoicing when the lovers free each other! I look forward to my next Dreyer book!
What do You think about Always A Temptress (2011)?
This is the one where the hero thinks the heroine is a slut and tries to treat her like one...
—Princess96Yuki
Truly wonderful conclusion to the Drakes Rakes trilogy. I really enjoy this author's work!
—anemona27
Best of the three in the series...however, that's not saying much.
—Asser
Absolutely loved this book. Could not put it down.
—semra
