Author Claudia Dain booklist (click here)

Book Review By Harriet Klausner
The Temptation by Claudia Dain

Leisure, Dec 2003, 6.99, 384 pp. ISBN: 0843952202 In 1158 England, Lord Gautier asks his daughter Elsbeth, who he has not seen in years, if she really wants to become a nun. However, Gautier denies her wish to never marry because a contract exists that allies him with a powerful family. Elsbeth knows her duty, but begs release anyway. Her father forces the marriage between Elsbeth and Lord Hugh of Jerusalem, who overheard the debate. Her plan is simple as she cannot overtly destroy her marriage so she thinks she can coax her spouse into repudiating her by persuading Lord Hugh to delay consummation of their vows. Hugh initially agrees because he plans to win her love as nothing less will suit for him. The tale starts and remains at a snail's pace as Claudia Dain introduces her key threesome and the impact of the Church on life in the twelfth century. The story line towards the middle goes into full throttle and never looks back. Still the refreshing key to THE TEMPTATION is the powerful look inside the religious elements that serve as the prime conflict between the lead couple. Ms Dain provides a deep look at how the Church is involved in almost everything inside a warm love story. Harriet Klausner
Plot Time/era of story Seduction/coercion/force Yes How seduced/forced? - loving persuasion Marriage/Married Yes Marriage subplot: Virgin, dramatically devirginized Yes First time for - her Who seduces whom? - woman seducing man Main Male Character Profession/status: Age/status: - 20's-30's How sexual is this person? - very picky How romantic is this person? - very romantic How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters Physique - very athletic Main Female Character Age/status: - 20's-30's Profession/status: How sexual is this person? - very picky How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Physique - very athletic Setting Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Style Person - mostly 3rd Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment What % of story is romance related? - 80% Focus of story - equally on him and her How much dialog - significantly more dialog than descript