Lorraine Heath never fails to deliver complex characters, and the trials and tribulations that shapes them. Marlowe, the heroine, leads an unconventional life as a courtesan. Langdon, is hiding from his troubles, keeping secrets from his family. How can two so very different people fall in love? Take some tropes of forced proximity, only one bed, lack of clothing and add in a dash of deep conversations and you will have your answer. While Langdon is a bit of a dunderhead about wanting Marlowe as his mistress, this is a romance novel of the very best kind.

Spoiler Alert: they get together at the end.

I never miss a Lorraine Heath novel, and love the continuation of this series!

This was a quieter, more introspective romance that was character-forward and plot-light. If that's your jam, you'll adore A Tempest of Desire. It wasn't mine, but it's a well-done slow-burn romance that I think is worth trying, especially when you're in the mood for a more low-stakes plot.

What I really like about this book is its portrayal of one aspect of historical sex work and sex workers, namely, the celebrity courtesan. These were women who made careers of being mistresses to wealthy, powerful men. Our heroine Marlowe (who goes by one name! The true mark of celebrity) is actually under the "protection" of one of these men when she meets, and falls for Langdon. The situation is portrayed in a pretty pragmatic way: Hollingsworth treats Marlowe well and even helps her move on later, but you always feel acutely aware of the power differential (see: Hollingsworth "offered" Marlowe to Langdon some years before the book and no matter how well-intentioned it was because their chemistry was palpable.... YIKES) and that theirs is ultimately a transactional relationship— which isn't a judgement on the heroine, to be clear.

Langdon is an enormously charming hero even though said charm is pretty rusty when he first meets Marlowe— understandable considering he's been a recluse for a while now and is suffering from PTSD after an accident. Like, our intro to the man is him drunkenly wandering his own island like a tragic gothic hero pondering upon the sublime and wildness of nature— and lo and behold, who should appear in the midst of a storm just as he's begging god for a woman, but Marlowe in her hot air balloon. Still, Langdon has this natural seductive appeal you know he put to FULL use before his accident, and once he warms up to Marlowe, all bets are off. And obviously Marlowe isn't easily shocked, but she's very titillated by the idea of cracking this self-contained man's restraint. So there's a lot of long, chemistry-laden conversations while they're stranded Langdon's secluded island home, with some HEAVY sexual tension they don't really act on until midway through the book.

Except Langdon kind of ruins it when he makes the inevitable mistress proposition to Marlowe right after. Again, I really like how Lorraine Heath dealt with this aspect of the plot, because it's not like Marlowe is offended by this proposition, but she doesn't want the same relationship with Langdon that she has with her current protector. To be clear, she doesn't regret any of her past choices in choosing to be a career mistress, but she wants to move on on her own terms. And it's not like Langdon judges her for her career either, but like most men of his class, there's a clear disconnect in his mind between a mistress and a wife, and that's the gap he needs to bridge for their HEA.

The sex:

I think this is one of Lorraine's more restrained books, sex-wise. I appreciate what we get, and it makes sense for this couple. There's also a lowkey desperate vibe to most of the sex scenes because Langdon and Marlowe a self-imposed deadline on when they can be together. Standout scene was probably a very hot, very desperate carriage scene where Langdon tries one final time to stake a claim on Marlowe and it's actually so DESPERATE but also quite hot.

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Publication Date: December 24th

A Tempest of Desire
Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Series - Book 5
By Lorraine Heath
Avon - December 2024
Historical Romance

Viscount Langdon may have survived a train accident, but he couldn’t escape the memories or the consequences. He wished for solitude, so had escaped to his family's island. His family's concern kept them appearing periodically, but the brutal storm that had arrived should have guaranteed complete isolation for a few days. Except he had discovered a woman had washed ashore. Fear had gripped him that others might have perished in the accident, but thankfully she had been alone flying in a hot-air balloon. He should not have been surprised that London's most famous courtesan was also an intrepid aeronaut.

Marlowe knew she was lucky to be alive. She'd made a miscalculation that had almost cost her life. Mistakes were not something she could afford. Not only in her hobby, but also as a courtesan. She'd made a calculated decision due to consequences not of her making, but she was very aware of the precarious position she was in. She had been drawn to Langdon from the moment she'd first seen him, but she knew she needed to keep her distance from him.

With him, she would lose her heart, and she knew a courtesan like her could never have a future with an earl's heir.

A Tempest of Desire returns readers to familiar characters and places from multiple series, but completely stands on its own. Of course, it was exciting to see who would be next to pop in to visit Langdon. He has a large support system of family and friends, but is stubbornly failing to deal with the effects of the accident on his own. Essentially the opposite is the case for Marlowe. It was wonderful to see them navigate the difficulties set before them and fight for a future together. I also loved learning a bit about the history of ballooning.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

Lorraine Heath is the best.

Lorraine Heath is a superb writer who never fails to deliver. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series (and how it overlapped with the last). So, its sad to see this one wrap up so beautifully. She takes a trope and digs in deep.

When Langdon asks for a woman, one is delivered to him in the form of Marlowe, a notorious courtesan. She is a daring in her hot air ballon that crashes on Langdon's island. I guess ask and you shall receive? They get to know each other while keeping secrets. They both have secrets to keep. They have chemistry and plenty of sparks and both have lived complicated lives.
Highly recommend.
Get this book! I did. I may have bought a spare or two, its so good.

For some reason I thought this was a Beauty and the Beast trope and that the hero was stuck in this castle because he was hideous. Idk where I got all that from but this is not that. The hero Viscount Langdon is hiding out because he got conked in the head in a train accident and now has some issues he is trying hard to hide from his loving family. Langdon is the son of the Devil Earl from the first book on the Scoundrels of St James series. A woman literally drops out of the sky and he rescues her, they get stranded in the castle because of a bad storm and commence the forced proximity! Marlowe is a very notorious courtesan and Langdon is the hero to an earldom. So obviously it's tres scandalous.

I'm pretty torn on the book. On the one hand, it was a sweet slow burn but I felt the first 50% kind of dragged. They are in the castle the whole time and nothing much happens. I liked the tropes and I also adored seeing my faves from the St James series (Scoundrels and Gentlemen). I liked Langdon although he was kind of generic as a hero tortured because of his invisible disability but there wasn't much to him. Marlowe was the star of the book and I really wish her relationship with her protector wasn't such a huge part of the book. Her lover was a good man and did his best to prepare her for her life as a fallen woman. But while he's physically absent from the page until the last half, his name is mentioned in almost every chapter! I also disliked the fact that Marlowe was having sex (oral sex is sex) with Langston while still technically in a relationship with another man. Cheating is a hard pass for me and this felt like cheating because she was truly fond of him. That was another problem for me, I am a jealous reader and dislike my MCs being hung up on other people. She wasn't exactly hung up on him but she loved him. I also didn't love the scene where Marlowe is introduced to the future wife of her now ex by him. The poor woman had no idea she was meeting her fiance's notorious mistress. It felt yucky.

In the end, I never felt a romantic connection between Langdon and Marlow. There was a lot of lust and steamy scenes (including a delicious carriage tryst) but I never really saw them falling in love. Langdon's sudden willingness to marry her after only wanting to make her his mistress was not convincing for me. Overall, it seems like Heath is toning down her bonkers twisty plots and I'm kind of bummed about it.

I've received an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion

⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥/5

Tropes
One bed
Forced proximity
Courtesan
Forbidden relationship

I am a good get Lorraine Heath fan. I am am auto buy for her books. That being said, this was not one of my favorites.
The majority of the story takes place on an isolated island and with only the Hero and Heroine there.
The heroine, Marlowe, is an aeronaut, a ballonist. She crash lands during a storm on an isolated island.
The hero, Langdon, is staying on the island to recover mentally from a very bad train wreck. When he sees a women unconscious on the beach he rescues her and brings her back to the house.
They have met before. But this is where the story takes place between just the two of them.
I found it a little slow, boring. I also thought it ended as suddenly. He went from never being able to marry her, to proposing. What changed his mind? Did he discuss it with his family? I thought those questions needed answering.
3⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Miss Lorraine Heath reminds us again why she is a legend in the historical romance space. I love the second generation revisited in the Scoundrels of St. James series and the return of seeing Lucian and Catherine again! Can't believe it's been so many years in between books, but what a joy it was to return to the world.

It was a beautiful story of two lost souls finding each other. Marlowe is a refreshing heroine who is not ashamed of the choices she's made as a courtesan, and is extremely loyal, kind, and understanding. Oliver (Ollie!) is our Viscount Langdon who is dealing with his own issues post trauma and injury. I really loved the first half of story just the two of them in their own world, but the last half felt so quick - almost too quick. I really wanted a sucker punch tension or angsty moment as many historical romances do given the high-stakes nature of the world. Hollie had a real moment to become this villain that would've added another layer. It felt a little strange that he was this all important friend who was in fact, incredibly selfish with the way he handled his betrothal and their previous relationship. All that is to say though, I still really enjoyed this read.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me a copy to read in exchange for a review.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

A Tempest of Desire is the fifth book in Heath's Scandalous Gentleman of St James series. I've read most but not all and had no issues with reading this one like a standalone. I always really enjoy Heath's writing and this book was no exception.

Langdon is becoming a bit of a recluse and has retreated to his private island estate to get away. During a storm, a woman washes up on his shore but Langdon immediately recognizes her as the infamous courtesan, Marlowe. Langdon was smitten the first time he saw her but knew she could never be his. Marlowe is an aeronaut in her free time but known as a courtesan. She is becoming restless and knows the relationship with her current paramour is coming to an end. She recklessly goes up in her balloon during a storm and crash lands on Langdon's island. They are stuck weathering out the storm together and facing their past rejections.

Langdon is dealing with a lot but he keeps it all to himself. He has an opportunity to spend one night with Marlowe after winning her in a card game but decides to throw the round instead. He knows that one night will never be enough. When Marlowe lands on his island, he instantly needs to take care of her. I liked how a lot of the book took place only on the island and how they were disappointed when the weather was clear enough for them to go back to civilization. I know some people will have an issue with the "cheating" aspect. I didn't really have an issue with it since Hollingsworth explicitly gives consent on page for them to have some dalliance prior. Heath did an excellent job with how she portrayed the whole protector storyline and it didn't feel like cheating to me. Langdon's family was delightful and it was a breath of fresh air to not read about the heir having a terrible family.

Tropes include: courtesan, forced proximity, aeronaut heroine, class difference, only one bed, remote island, hero hiding a secret, pining hero

Thank you to Lorraine Heath, NetGalley, and Avon Harper Voyager for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #NetGalley #LorraineHeath #ATempestofDesire #AvonHaperVoyager

Ahhhh, this was a breath of fresh air. And another reason why Lorraine Heath is a Queen.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one but I have been craving a really good HR. I have been a bit disappointed by recent releases in this sub-genre. Lorraine Heath never lets me down though. It felt so good to be back in a familiar world, with characters I've loved before.

I really connected with both Langdon and Marlowe. Both feel isolated in different ways and this small island escape is the perfect representation of that. Langdon has had a life-changing injury occur because of a train accident and he is struggling to hide it from his loved ones. So when Marlowe's Hot Air Balloon dumps her on his beach during a storm, they are forced to cohabitate for a short time.

They do know each other from society and there was even been some attraction in the past. But they were both wearing masks back then. This current situation strips them of all that and the way they bond was touching and beautiful.

When we entered the next phase of the story, I was very on edge. Courtesan and Mistress romances are hard for me to handle if not done properly. The angst of it twists me up. These two see each other so clearly and I just ached for them to get it right. Even knowing our HEA would come about.

I ended up enjoying the unique situations and struggles they faced and I was tearing up with joy by the end. Lorraine Heath really did well by this tale and I look forward to many more stories from her in the future.

A Tempest of Desire is the most recent addition to the Scandalous Gentleman of St. James series. I’ve only read the first book in the series, but that didn’t deter my enjoyment of this one! I had such a fun time with this book.
My favorite part of this book was the setting. The book starts with the heroine, Marlowe, mysteriously washing up on the shore outside Langdon’s (the hero) home. Langdon finds Marlowe, unconscious, and brings her into his home to care for her until she regains consciousness.
Langdon is at his family’s private island to cope with an accident he was recently in and as he tries to come to terms with the ramifications of that accident. No one is at this private island but Langdon, so it’s up to him to care for Marlowe until she comes back around.
Marlowe is one of London’s most notorious courtesans who was riding in her hot air balloon when she lost control in a storm and crashes into the ocean.
I loved the first half of the book when it was just Langdon and Marlowe on the island. I know it seems like it would be boring and slow with only two characters for majority of the book, but Lorraine Heath creates such wonderful characters that I didn’t even mind. Honestly, when they reentered society is when I began to lose a bit of interest. I loved the beachy setting of the book and I’ve never read a book where hot air balloons are such an integral part of the story before.
I loved this book so much and can’t wait for Lorraine Heath’s next one!
I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

I didn't realize Ms. Heath had had some serious health challenges while writing this book and I was crying at the dedication and the acknowledgements.

Viscount Langdon one of the children of the characters of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James books. The family owns a small private island that has one castle on it. Langdon was the victim of a train derailment a year ago and is plagued by nightmares and often prefers to be alone on the island.

Marlowe is a courtesan who also flies hot air balloons. One night, during a storm, her balloon crashes on his island. He rescues her.

What follows is almost akin to a play setting - in that a great deal happens over the course of just a couple days, all within just a few rooms of the house, just between the two of them. The author is a MASTER of creating crackling se*ual tension, longing and desire with just two people in a single room. Pure perfection. The incindiary LOOKS. The other person is off-limits and they know it. How they tiptoe around each other. She's only wearing his shirt. Ms. Heath is at the top of her game.

I wished they cloud have just stayed there alone, the entire book in their own little paradise. Pure magic. Once they left the castle it lost a little bit of the sparkle for me.

Another character I want to talk about is Marlowe's benefactor or patron, Hollie. He wasn't really meant to be the villain, per say, but he really gave me the creeps. Just by the way he thought he owned her and taught her everything thing she knew - acckk. Very icky. Very gross in a grooming way. I felt sorry for the gal he eventually married. When we had a scene with him in it I felt like I needed to take a shower.

Anyway, I loved the book and Marlowe and Langdon. Strong addition to the St James series.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I just love Lorraine Heath's writing and how she creates and develops her characters. I liked that the FMC was a mistress, she had a life-and-death experience, and ended up on a remote island with the MMC. The MMC had to care for her, and honestly forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes. I enjoyed the plot of this one as well as Heath's writing. Definitely one I would recommend if you enjoyed Lorraine Heath and the Scandalous Sentiment of St. James series. Also, I love how this is a spin-off of a different series.

A Tempest of Desire by Lorraine Heath is the fifth installment in The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series, bringing readers back to a beloved world.
Viscount Langdon, struggling with trauma and an invisible disability after a railway accident, retreats to a private island where Marlowe, London’s infamous courtesan, crashes after a storm in her hot air balloon. The isolated setting fosters a tumultuous romance between the two, but secrets and past ties complicate their path to happiness.
Heath’s writing is evocative, and the characters are well-developed, with Langdon’s portrayal of PTSD being particularly compelling and so well done in my opinion. However, the pacing felt slow, especially in the first half, and the connection between the main characters didn’t feel full on.
While I do appreciate the cameos of past book’s characters, the story lacks tension or plot twists in the way I was expecting or better said used to expect from one of my favourite historical romance author.
Overall it’s a steamy and emotional read that many historical romance lovers will enjoy.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

A Tempest of Desire is the 5th book in the Scandalous Gentleman of St. James series (which is a 2nd gen series following Scoundrels of St. James series). I’m a massive Lorraine Heath fan and love her books so much, any extra time we get with the families in these series just makes me so happy! So while this wasn’t a favorite for me, I just love LH’s writing so much and her characters.

Viscount Langdon (his parents are Catherine and Lucian-the couple of In Bed with the Devil) survived a horrific railway accident and is trying to come to terms with an invisible disability/condition after the accident. The story kicks off with him having retreated to his family’s private isle off the coast of Cornwall. Majority of the story takes place here (the first 55%) and we definitely get isolated vibes with him and Marlowe. Marlowe is London’s most infamous courtesan/mistress who washes up on the beach of the secluded isle Langdon is at. He ends up bringing her inside with him and realizes immediately who she is, once she wakes she knows who he is as well. She’s the mistress to another aristocrat that is in the same circle as him and they’ve crossed paths before and both have feelings towards one another.

I wanted a bit more with this book, I am massively obsessed with so many LH books so I had high hopes and expectations for this one. Like I mentioned the first 55% of the story we were just with Langdon and Marlowe at his isle cottage. And it was just so tediously slow. Sure they both have things they’re dealing with, his accident and her past with her parents. But I just didn’t feel a real connection between Landon and Marlowe. I didn’t get why they were so into one another and falling in love so easily, I needed more to have that feel believable. Also the whole mistress plot I feel like works for me rarely and only if handled very specifically. I did love overall the world and characters, but that’s just because I’ve read their books as well and love any time I can get with them. This is not a book I’d recommend starting with for LH historicals at all, if anything go read the Scoundrels of St. James series!

That said, I’ll always pick up her books and I am so glad we are finally getting more of this second gen for so many of these beloved families and characters. I’m already excited for his brother’s book next, maybe his sister’s eventually, not to mention his friends/cousins…! The options are endless.

I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

Heath-verse Appearances: Lucian & Catherine (his parents, In Bed with the Devil), Twin Dragons, James Swindler (Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel), Drake Darling (Once More, My Darling Rogue), Grace & Lovingdon (When the Duke was Wicked), Minerva & Ashebury (Falling into Bed with a Duke)

Heath can always be counted on to deliver a story that sweeps me away. There were so many things I loved about this one!

I love the portrayal of a strong FMC in Marlowe who isn’t ashamed of the choices she’s made. She’s depicted as principled, loyal and sensual. Her status as a courtesan is built on both myth and sacrifice.

I loved the incorporation of PTSD into Oliver’s character. It’s the obstacle needed to hone him in an otherwise charmed life.

And can we talk about the hero’s gestures- both grand and small - and how poignantly perfect they are?

Needing some solitude, Oliver, Viscount Langdon, and heir to the Earl of Claybourne, has escaped to a private island off the coast of his family’s estate in Cornwall. Ever since he was involved in a railway accident, Oliver has suffered from nightmares and an inability to understand numbers, a disability that he has kept secret from everyone and is trying to come to terms with. Alone on the island, he can drink himself into oblivion and rage at the unfairness of it all. Tonight, a major storm has blown in and it fits his mood perfectly. When he goes out in the storm, he notices someone laying on the beach. Carefully, he brings the woman into his keep and realizes almost immediately who she is – Marlowe, London’s most infamous courtesan and exclusive mistress to the Earl of Hollingsworth, making her off limits. But time spent with Marlowe makes him want more and when he learns that her association with Hollingsworth is over, he will stop at nothing to make her his, but can he offer her what she truly wants?

Marlowe Tittering, known to all as simply “Marlowe”, never imagined she would be a courtesan, she grew up believing that she was the daughter of an earl and expected to marry well and have a family. But when her father disappeared, she and her mother learned the truth, her father was a fraud and left them with a mountain of debt. At first, she worked as a seamstress but was unable to earn enough money to support her mother and pay down her father’s debts. So, when the Earl of Hollingsworth made her an offer, she accepted and until now, she has never regretted that choice. Being Hollingsworth mistress helped her pay her father’s debts and gave her the means to pursue her true passion – ballooning. But when she learns from the papers that Hollingsworth is now engaged, she is upset and acts recklessly, by taking her balloon out with a storm on the horizon. Crashing into the ocean, she never dreamed she would wash up on the shores of the only man she has ever truly desired and the one man in London who seems immune to her charms. But there is much more to the viscount than she imagined and while she tries to save herself from heartache, she can’t help but wish for the impossible.

I have mixed feelings about this book, because while it is superbly written and has likable characters , I had a problem with Marlowe being someone’s mistress at the time of the story – not the fact that she was a mistress, just the fact that she was in a relationship with her protector while she was with Langdon and that he was friends with her protector. Later when they return to London and the situation changed, this became moot and I was better able to enjoy the book. Overall, this was a great story with lots of emotion, relatable characters, cameos from previous characters, understanding, secrets, compassion, steamy love scenes, some heartache and finally a very sweet ending complete with an epilogue. This is definitely not your typical, formulaic historical romance but is it certainly a book I would be happy to recommend. This is the fifth book in the series, but it almost reads like a spin-off and could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Heat Factor: Just risqué flirtation so far

Character Chemistry: I desire you but can’t show it because I am positive that you don’t desire me

Plot: Marlowe washes up on Langdon’s emo island during a storm

Overall: DNF a quarter of the way in because I just could not deal

I’ve read—and enjoyed!—several of Lorraine Heath’s previous books in the past. But this time around, her writing style was just not working for me. At all. The prose was clunky and overwritten. Despite multiple efforts, I could not get into the story enough that the writing stopped being an issue.

It may be that my irritation with the characters meant that I was less willing than I might have been to push forward. This is a tightly-focused forced proximity story where, at least for the first quarter of the book, Marlowe and Langdon are literally the only two characters we see (well, except for one flashback), so there’s no respite from their extensive internal processing.

Let’s set the scene, shall we?

Langdon was in a train accident about a year ago and now he’s *traumatized* so he goes and hides on a Cornish island owned by his family. You know, to be up in his feelings. He’s drinking and wandering around outside during a storm when he spots a woman washed up on his beach, and he must obviously rescue her.

Marlowe, who is described as “London’s most notorious courtesan,” is not actually a courtesan, given that she has been the loyal mistress of a single aristocrat for several years (and, in fact, it’s implied that he has been her only protector). Anyways, she’s a hottie who every man in London desires, and her protector likes showing her off. She’s also an aerialist and flew a hot air balloon into a storm for some reason.

Langdon and Marlowe are ridiculously attracted to each other. But! They had this weird interaction, where Marlowe’s protector bet her favors in a game of cards and Langdon cheated so that he’d lose. Marlowe is all butthurt because Langdon didn’t desire her, but he was obviously being *noble.* He is a lord who protects women (which we are told multiple times, including repeated references to his parents, who are the leads from In Bed with the Devil). Langdon is all butthurt because he saw disgust in Marlowe’s eyes when her protector made the suggestion, but she was obviously mad at her protector, not at Langdon. Anyways, because of this one interaction in the past, they are both absolutely convinced that the other is not attracted to them.

To sum all that up: Langdon is emo. Marlowe is not like other girls. And they are both very up in their feels and repressing their flirting but not in a fun way. Also they both only have one name? I read fully a quarter of this book and I have no idea what Langdon’s given name is. Maybe it’s Viscount. And Marlowe is just Marlowe. You know. Like Cher.

All of this was mildly irritating, but since the real dealbreaker for me was the writing style, I’m gonna plop a passage here, and let you decide for yourself:

"He was in awe of her fortitude. And her not backing down from verbally sparring with him was actually more thrilling and enjoyable then he cared to admit. Few women had ever dared to be anything other than incredibly polite and congenial where he was concerned. Marriage to him would one day make some lucky woman a countess. Even if she wasn’t interested in marriage, a lady never seemed to want to do anything that would make her fall out of his favor. Marlowe Whatever-the-Deuce-Her-Surname-Was didn’t seem to care one way or the other. He respected her speaking her mind.

"Even more, he admired that after the ordeal she’d survived, she wasn’t cowering or weeping or giving the tempest any sort of victory over her. He’d once attended an afternoon soiree in a garden, where a woman, screeching as she was being chased by one of the owner’s peacocks, had swooned into Langdon’s arms once she was safe from attack when another gent distracted the fowl. He couldn’t imagine Marlowe screeching as the storm had tossed her about. Good Lord, she’d maintained the presence of mind to discard any clothing that might have dragged her beneath the waves. She’d sacrificed her modesty, and he suspected she’d done it with nary a thought except for survival."

A couple of notes: No, there has not been any good verbal sparring. Also, OMG, I understand, Langdon respects women, but not really, because most of them are ninnies. But Marlowe is special. Anyways, there are a lot of passages like this, where it’s nothing but one of them processing the minutest pieces of how they see the other.

If you like the snowed in trope and none of these other things bother you, this book might go some fun places. But I’m not going to find out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

Lorraine Heath has still got it! A Tempest of Desire is a fantastic historical romance and Langdon and Marlowe are so wonderful. This series has been great and I love Heath's revisiting the children of previous characters. Langdon is a recluse suffering PTSD after a train crash and Marlowe literally crashes a balloon on to his deserted island. The two, who've met before, dance around each other beautifully until they finally come together. I loved how they teased each other's lives out and I loved how clear he was with his affection. Plus Marlowe sounds like a badass woman, ballooning all over the place. I loved it. Definitely a great addition to the series!

I usually like this author’s romances, but this story was actually pretty boring. A beautiful courtesan went flying in a hot air balloon during a storm and lands on a small island where the hero, Viscount Lagdon, has holed up to recover from the mental damage he’d suffered after a catastrophic train crash. They’re all alone and spend a decent amount of time lusting after each other and getting to know each other. Then they spend more time lusting after each other while figuring out if she will become his mistress or love or just leave him since they’ve fallen so deeply in love with each other after about three days together. I found myself skimming along through all the lustful gazes to see if something else was going to happen. Sometimes it did and sometimes it didn’t.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Tropes: class difference; forced proximity; MFC with a past; MMC with a secret
Steam level: 3
Decent as a standalone, but might be appreciated more if you've read the previous books in the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series.

I've enjoyed Lorraine Heath's HR's over the years, in particular the St. James series, which started many years ago. If you've been waiting for a follow-up you'll want to read this, but I must be honest that it isn't my favorite book in the series. The writing is generally solid (although rather purple prose-ish at times, especially in the first half) and I liked the setup, with MMC Langdon rescuing MFC Marlowe from drowning after her hot air balloon crashes. She is an aeronaut, as it turns out--an intriguing topic I've never encountered in a HR before. But it just doesn't quite gel with her being Britain's most notorious courtesan. And this is what I don't understand: there is a major emphasis on Marlowe's sensual mannerisms and sex appeal throughout the storyline, as if she is super worldly; meanwhile, she's been faithful to the same protector for the last three years, the first and only man she's been mistress to. He's a rather decent if tepid peer who is mentioned so frequently I was wondering if a love triangle was in the offing, and I was honestly uncomfortable with the first sexual scene between the MC's taking place while Marlowe was still technically under his protection. Plus I would have felt more of an emotional connection to Marlowe if the focus had been more on her as a person, and less on her sexiness and courtesan persona.

Langdon is also a bit of a conundrum. I liked the premise that he'd been putting on a big front, as the King of the Prom type of guy, but inwardly believing he's losing it. He's been traumatized by a recent event and has been struggling with neurologically difficulties. He's also carrying around a good deal of survivor's guilt. I liked the bits of insight into how brain trauma was explored and treated at this time. But so much of the storyline just presents him lusting after Marlowe, his emotions and behavior running hot and cold, that I didn't connect with him, and I didn't feel that there was much closure regarding his struggles either.

The biggest weakness to me was that the book lacked plot and real tension. I kept thinking someone from Marlowe's past was going to cause trouble, but apparently she's never broken hearts before. Or I thought there might be tension involving Langdon's investment schemes and his attempts to cover up for his neurological changes. But nothing happens on that front either. Lust is at the forefront of the main characters' minds, so the sex is steamy, admittedly.

Overall: still the same solid writing style, but not really comparable to the previous books in the series.