Really wished Marlowe's protector wasn't such a big part of this book. If Hollie was just mentioned and not brought up every other chapter, I would've enjoyed this much more. Langdon was also a mhem MC. There truly wasn't anything amazing or outstanding about his character.

7 years between books in this series left me scrambling to figure out who the older characters were. I knew the names, but their backstories were too long ago. Thankfully I had all the books so I could skim through them for perspective.

After a dramatic start the story bogged down in lust, so much lust, and inner dialog about lust and body parts. Langdon and Marlowe didn't truly have romantic feelings and declarations of love until almost the end. I was left wishing for more sweet words; even if she is a courtesan saying "be my mistress" isn't romantic at all. Langdon didn't think of marriage as a possibility until late in the game & I was wondering if the HEA would be a nice house and credit at a lot of shops. The aeronaut was something new to me, I hadn't realized it was such a trendy hobby. I appreciate the attempt at something new and different but for me it wasn't traditional enough.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Lorainne Heath for providing this complimentary advance reader copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#NetGalley #ATempestofDesire #Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #Avon #LorraineHeath #historicalromance #romance

Lorraine Heath is one of my top 10 authors and I've made it my mission to complete her bibliography, both old and new. A Tempest of Desire was a new addition to the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. This collection in particular is very cute because it's a retelling of Oliver Twist. It features the Artful Dodger, a Swindler, and even the lost orphan himself all under the tutelage of the wily conman Fagan. In this reimagining, they're all grown up and looking for love in Regency England. This book features the offspring of the Oliver character whose secluded on a family estate and a beautiful woman literally crashes into his life. She's the most sought after courtesan who also happens to be an amateur aeronaut. Her hot air balloon pops and Marlowe is rescued by the Viscount. I wish I was making this up, but I'm not.

There were elements I liked about A Tempest of Desire, such as Viscount Langdon and his temperament. Marlowe was such a peculiar character and written so strangely. She was a courtesan but also flew hot air balloons as a hobby. Her dynamic with the hero was very strained and it felt tense with many unsaid emotions. He always lusted after her at the brothel but refused to pay for her. I can't say I'm a fan of prostitute romances and they just bum me out. Context aside, this book featured textbook Heath yearning and I'll never get tired of her writing. These two developed a deep connection, but I suppose taking refuge in an isolated estate will do that to people.

It's always great to revisit old characters, especially those written by Lorraine Heath. Frannie Darling ranks very highly in my list of fictional heroines and she hails from this series. I'm hoping to get another glance from her in the future or any of the other Scandalous Gentlemen as we read about the exploits of their offspring. A Tempest of Desire was quite the adventure, but it hasn't enticed me to take any hot air balloon rides after the way this book opened.

Viscount Langdon has isolated himself on an island after a train accident leaves him with nightmares. And then one night, the storm washes up Marlowe, the most beautiful and desirable courtesan in London. He rescues her and learns that she was flying her hot air balloon solo and got caught in a storm. These two have been lusting after each other since first sight, but Marlowe is under the protection of another lord and is very loyal. Langdon also does not want to encroach on someone else’s territory, so he has tried very hard to stay away from Marlowe. But now, they’re stuck together and getting to know each other’s thoughts and personalities, making their connection all the stronger. This book is full of seductive flirting and yearning and longing. Another great book by Lorraine Heath.

I really love Lorraine Heath, but I just couldn’t get on board with this plot. What didn’t work for me was the slow burn. What did work was the emotions of the characters, the style of a great writer, and the angst. This story will really work for someone, but just wasn’t working for me. If you love the beautiful writing of Heath, slow burn, angst, and two characters stuck in a phone booth - this is for you.

This is a wonderfully, entertaining, forced proximity romance.

After finding a beautiful woman washed up on the beach on his island, Viscount Langdon takes her in.
He quickly realizes that she is London's most infamous mistresses.

The first half of the book is mostly about Julian and Marlowe getting to know each other and their backstories while they are stuck on the island. The storyline is hot, and the chemistry is fabulous between Julian and Marlowe. It is captivating to watch the attraction and feelings grow between them.

There are characters from previous books but, this can be read as a standalone.

DNF at 23%. Honestly, should have known this would be a dud based on the description. I have mixed feelings about the courtesan trope (especially Lorraine Heath’s writing of the trope) and this was one that didn’t grab me. Marlowe has no substance for me to grasp onto. Langdon is no better, and he suffers from a similar issue that plagued the MMC of the previous full book in the series, in that he’s just not that interesting in comparison to the previous generation; he’s just another rakish noble, although his trauma is mildly compelling.

Heath is a hit or miss author for me and this was a miss. I really hate the courtesan trope and throw in the whole balloon thing you lost me. I didn't really feel anything coming from either MC, it was all attraction and no substance.

Viscount Oliver Langdon survived a devastating railway accident *mostly* physically in tact, but remains utterly haunted by the experience. He prefers to isolate himself on a small, desolate family island off the Cornish coast where no one can witness the nightmares that plague his sleep...or an affliction that Dr. Graves calls "railway spine" which has rendered all numbers meaningless in his mind. One evening during a violent storm, Oliver finds a woman washed up on the island's shore. While attempting to assess her injuries he recognizes that she is none other than Marlowe, London's most famous sex worker...and the unattainable woman whose memory he has been able to shake for a year. Marlowe, aeronaut and well-known, longtime mistress of Lord Hollingsworth, was out for a ride in her hot air balloon after receiving some distressing news when a tumultuous storm impaired her aircraft. Suddenly she's opening her eyes to the view of a delicious derrière whose owner turns out to be the very last man she wanted to see: Lord Langdon, the sole man in London to ever show her disinterest. Oy vey.

Oliver and Marlowe are so engaging and you're treated to ample on-page time with them right out of the gate! Marlowe is fierce, and brave, and perfect, and Oliver...well Oliver said he went to Cambridge, but I fear he meant Benedict Bridgeton University (IYKYK). Despite his inability to read the room, he did appear to realize the error of his logic completely on his own, so I have absolved him of his sins because self-awareness in a MMC is like stumbling upon a unicorn.

So many of your Heathverse favorites stroll through this story which is a real treat if you're a Lorraine evangelist like me: Obviously Oliver's parents, Catherine and Lucian, the Earl of Claybourne. The Trewloves! Minerva Dodger! The Duke and Duchess of Lovingdon! Doctor Graves! I love revisiting this universe more than most things and find it nearly impossible not to succumb to the urge to rearead the entire backlog every time I finish a new release.

Like...do you know how many authors I would trust to deliver a story about a sex worker aeronaut who washes up on a Viscount's family island after a hot air balloon accident? One. Only one. Lorraine is truly the absolute queen of her craft This isn't even my absolute favorite Heath novel--as a masochist I truly love it best when she violently skewers my tender heart like a kabob (compliment)--and yet I walked away from this story as a completely satisfied reader.

A Tempest of Desire is out this Christmas on December 24th!

5/5 stars

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.

Nightmares, Numbers, Overcoming Fears:
My first time reading anything by this author and I am hooked on her style and depth of this story with characters that she brings to life that jump off the pages.
A thrilling story with lusty characters made this story quite enjoyable.
Landon and Marlowe for different reasons are both grounded ashore on his island for most of the book.
The pages are mostly filled with them getting to know, understanding each other and how their passionate lustiness soon takes them over the top and has the pages igniting with passion like no other.
This author has written the most sizzling and intimate love scene I have ever read. Positively heart throbbing and fan worthy for sure 
I am truly glad to have discovered Ms. Heath writing and will be thrilled to read more of her stories.
🥵Mature Advisory💋💋💋💋+
⭐ Favorite Character: Langdon💖

Lorraine Heath never fails to entertain me with her emotional and romantic stories. A Tempest of Desire is no different. From the beginning I was rooting for Langdon and Marlowe. Their chemistry was apparent from the very first meeting. It’s always a plus too when main characters are stranded together and there’s only one bed. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to what Heath puts out next!

Lorraine Heath knows exactly how to build a slow-burn relationship filled with angst, longing, and the quiet, devastating battles of the heart. From the very first chapter, we’re introduced to two characters who seem destined for each other, but whose circumstances, fears, and inner turmoil prevent them from acknowledging the truth of their feelings.

Langdon and Marlowe are each struggling with past traumas and the weight of their own pride. The push-and-pull between them is palpable. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and yet, the way they continuously fight their undeniable attraction makes every stolen glance, every heated argument, and every near-moment of surrender feel like a tiny victory for the reader. Their internal conflicts are rich and layered, making it clear that neither of them is ready to let down their guard, even as they both desperately want to. There are moments of real heartbreak, where both characters seem to be on the verge of either admitting their feelings or walking away for good. The tension keeps you turning pages, unable to stop until that final, glorious moment when they finally admit their love. The declaration of love feels hard-won, a reward for all the pain and resistance that came before. This book is a must-read.

Lorraine Heath you will always be famous!!!!! Like many historical romance readers I am VERY picky, but Heath is an autoread for me because I know she's got it going on. Tempest is a high-stakes, emotionally resonant, HOT romance that I'm so excited I got to read early. Marlow and Langdon broke my heart in the best way! Their tension......I was fanning myself, that's all I'll say. The peripheral relationships in this book are also so fun. I enjoyed seeing some of the couples from Heath's past books, including Grace and Lovingdon, who are my forever favorites. Marlowe was a great heroine. Her backstory is both silly and heartbreaking, and I love that she gets a cool hobby. Her relationship with Hollie was honestly sweet, even when it was sad. Seeing her affection for him and the way he treated her even after they broke things off was very sweet. Langdon...I mean. Dude's hot, what can I say? Like Marlowe, I am also a sucker for a man in shirtsleeves, or whatever the modern equivalent of that is. Please lord, deliver me a period man whose shirt I can steal, who will cook me eggs on toast, and who will sexily row me back to shore after I crash my hot air balloon. Amen.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

After a horrific train accident Viscount Langdon has retreated to a small, secluded island to hideaway while he deals with the repercussions of the accident. When a stormy night washes London’s most infamous courtesan to shore, he doesn’t know what to make of her. As she recovers on his island, his desire for her grows. The problem is that she belongs to another. Can they have a future together or is their time limited?

Marlowe had big dreams when she was young. When her charlatan of a father left her and her mother in a mountain of debt, she makes her way to London to seek work. Unfortunately the money she makes as a seamstress is barely keeping them afloat, so when a better offer comes along she takes it in order to survive. An avid aeronaut, she takes to the skies in a hot air balloon to find peace. When a storm sends her crashing down, she barely survives. Never would she have imagined that the storm would bring her directly to the man who refused to spend a night with her after a game of cards a year before. She felt an attraction then, and it only grows stronger as they get to know one another. Her loyalty is to another, but will this loyalty keep her from missing out on a chance at love?

Oh boy did Ms. Heath deliver on the yearning and angst. It’s a bit of a slow burn, and perhaps a little too slow at times, but the depth and complexity of the characters more than makes up for it. This is very much a character study on two people who were dealt with many obstacles in life, and yet they do the best they can to march on.

I loved Marlowe’s strength and courage. It was very interesting to learn about ballooning at the time and to learn that there were women aeronauts. Marlowe was dealt a bad hand at a young age, and yet she made her choices boldly. She owned her power in a profession that oftentimes strips women of their power and agency. I appreciated the sensitivity with which Ms. Heath writes about sex work. She doesn’t judge it or condemn it.

Langdon was the perfect amount of brooding. I appreciated that his kindness shown through despite his feelings towards his limitations. Oftentimes, authors create MMCs that are insufferable and lash out when they have a secret, but that wasn’t the case here. Does he guard his secret, yes, but he doesn’t allow it to push Marlowe away.

Ms. Heath creates characters you really want to root for. I’m a big fan of her previous novels, and she doesn’t disappoint with this one. It was also lovely to see past characters make appearances. If you love a slow burn and independent and bold heroines, I’d suggest you pick this one up.

What a book! We spend half the book with only the MCs on a remote island just getting to know each other. Forcing two characters to be marooned on an island was a brilliant plan for them to acknowledge their attraction. The characters have so much emotional depth.

This was such a lovely historical romance. Marlowe was flying her hot air ballon and crashes and ends up stranded on an island with Viscount Langdon. She ends up taking shelter with him and just ughhh the cozy feelings in this are it my friends. I love how Marlowe is a mistress for another man and the slow way their forbidden love blooms. Not to mention I love how they bond over shared trauma and the way the viscount struggles with mental injures from a railroad incident that happened to him… just so good! *thanks so much for an advanced copy of this all thoughts are my own*

Thank you so much for this ARC! This was my first foray into this series and after reading it I did go back and read the prior three books that were published

I think this author’s strengths lie in setting up the angst and the drama in her novels, but she really fails to deliver in her conflict resolution and romance, so I found all of her books to be really disappointing in that regards and more of the same (i.e. disappointing in the same way)

I think these books are more suited towards folks who don’t care much for romance and are more interested in historical aspect of the book

The books are well written. I think fans of this author will appreciate this book but fans of historical romance won’t enjoy this book as much.

After surviving a horrible railway accident, Viscount Langdon retreats to his private island to escape and recover. A terrible storm washes an unlikely survivor onto his beach: London’s most infamous courtesan. Marlowe and Langdon are trapped together, battling a curiosity about each other and a growing obsession.

This is the fifth book Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James. The series features the children from the popular Scoundrels of St. James series. Langdon is the son of Lucian Langdon and Lady Catherine Mabry (In Bed with the Devil). There are mentions of many previous characters near the end of the story, but the majority of the novel stands alone.

Like most Heath titles, I really loved this one. She's really a master at crafting unusual scenarios for her characters that somehow make complete sense! Because the characters are marooned together, the focus is squarely on them for the first half of the story, and I really loved the way their backstories unfolded and they danced around each other. I also liked that neither's "secret" was what I expected it to be, and their obstacle wasn't a "classic villain." I can't wait to get to know more character's in the Heath Book Universe!

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Class Difference

Steam: 4

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review

4 stars. This rating could probably be increased on reread because when I read the first 40% of this book, I was not in the mood for anything new. I returned to the book after a break, and I devoured it in an evening.

A great silly Heath premise — a man alone on a deserted island during a storm shouts “my kingdom for a woman!” Then, lightning strikes and illuminates a woman washed up on his shore. It also has the signature Heath angst.

In the author’s note at the end, she talks about trying to make this series have complex characters who come from happily married parents, and I do think this series does a decent job of delivering on this.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!!

Absolutely loved!! But that's not surprising as this is a Lorraine Heath romance.

I read the premise of this book and was like it sounds wacky, I need to read it. I was drawn into the story right from the start and couldn't put it down. This book has everything: drama, remote island, steam, angst and humor. Langdon and Marlowe were such fantastic characters. They were complicated and felt realistic.

I love Heath's sense of humor. For example, Langdon is yelling at the sky for a woman and and who shows up in a hot air balloon? Haha I just found it really funny. There are a few moments here that had me laughing so hard.

The steamy scenes are great too. These two had a lot of chemistry and great connection.

This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Would highly recommend!