To Tempt a Saint

Sons of Sin #1

by Kate Moore

No romance lover can resist the novels of Kate Moore... First in the Sons of Sin trilogy Introducing the three sons of an infamous London courtesan-and the strong-willed women who love them..." Despite being knighted for saving the Prince Regent's life, Sir Alexander Jones will never truly be accepted by the nobility. But if he's to find his long lost brother, Xander must win the first willing heiress he can find. Only by marrying can Cleo Spencer access her funds. Making a bargain with Xander is her chance to provide for her younger brother. But when her uncle accuses them of fraud, they discover that love is the best part of their bargain.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Fiction, Regency Romance, Marriage Of Convenience

304 pages, ebook

First published January 5, 2010

About the author

Kate Moore writes stand alone and series romances set in contemporary California and Regency England for readers who want to fall in love again standing up, mostly fully clothed, surrounded by family. In Kate's stories, kind, quick-witted women find love with hot billionaires, lofty lords, and sexy spies; longing is leavened with humor; and readers say the blend of sparks and spice is "just right sexy." When life happens, let a Kate Moore romance lift your spirits. To connect with Kate and find the right romance for you, visit her website at https://www.katemoore.com or sign up for her newsletter at https://www.katemoore.com.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

A surprisingly boring plot that should have been exciting with such a plot!!!

[Verity · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Xander (short for Alexander) is the product of a liaison between a peer & a courtesan. 3 yrs ago, he inadvertently lost his 16 y/o younger bro’, Kit, while busy saving the Prince Regent’s life from a mob. Now he desperately needs 20,000 pounds for his visionary ventures in gaslights. His 1st marriage candidate turns down his proposal. 24 y/o Cleo needs a hubby pronto. Time is the essence, she simply can’t wait another 6 years to access her tightly-controlled money. Her 13 y/o younger bro’, Charlie, must be admitted to school before he turns into a hermit. Like ships that pass in the nite’, H/H meet & a bank is as good a place as any. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game as Cleo’s determined to seduce him outta his pants & Xander’s as determined to deflect Cleo’s increasingly-amorous overtures.

I adore MOMB (Marriage of Mutual Benefit) theme & mystery-laced romance. Put the ingredients together, it shoulda been a winning combo. Alas, this book was a mixed bag for me ‘cuz even tho’ I luved the dialogues, the appealing H/H, the plotting, the fast pace, the fruitless search for Kit, the family dynamics between the 1st & 2ndary characters & the looming threat of the villain’s diabolical plan to cast doubts over the validity of H/H’s dubious marriage, in the end I felt a bit let down by the romance. It’s a quick read (283 pages), almost like a HQN Historical. I liked the vivid portrayals of the contrasting lifestyles (the posh vs the poor) & Xander’s haunting obsession to find Kit, but I thought the romance never reached its full potential, due to the fact that H/H spend the majority of the book apart & the ending is typical of any other romance, brave knight rescues damsel in distress & comes to the realization that he luvs her. I thought the H/H were still a blank canvas ‘cuz they didn’t spend enuff quality time to get to know each other, the romance dept gets washed away. The creepy villain doesn’t even get his comeuppance ‘cuz the story arc continues on to the sequels. We get a glimpse of Kit being the dark knight of the slums, no heartfelt family reunion scenes yet, gottta wait for the next books. I didn’t really get why Xander was reluctant to inform Cleo of his nightly whereabouts. Xander wants his “pauper princess” w/ every fiber of his being, but after trying his best to dampen his desire for her, their belated wedding nite’ was brief & flat, the fireworks were too tame to start a bonfire. I often feel some books were too long, this book was the opposite, it seemed like the editor clipped some sections. Cleo was mostly the aggressor in the relationship & Xander came across as the more passive player ‘cuz he’s too distracted by his futile attempts to locate Kit. He avoids being w/ her throughout the book & sticks too close to his plan - to dissolve their marriage as soon as she serves his purpose (w/out hurting her & w/ no bun in the oven) – for too long. Altho’ there are declarations of luv, I didn’t feel the all-consuming luv, prolly ‘cuz in the end methinks they’re still strangers in their unorthodox marriage. The mystery gets a solid 4 & the romance gets a wobbling 3, hence = 3.5*. I liked the apt title & hopefully Will’s / Kit’s stories will get a li’l bit more oomph. More of Xander & Cleo’s interactions to underscore the romance woulda gone a long way.

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xander is one of the three sons of a famous courtesan and a noble father. At the beginning of the story, his brother is kidnapped as he saves the prince regent’s life. Cleo is a strong-willed heiress whose fortune will not be awarded to her in full until she turns thirty (unless she marries).
The pair meet at a bank, and both soon realize that they could help one another. Cleo needs a marriage to release her from her uncle’s expectations and the small allowance he affords her. Her brother, Charlie, is a strong motivating force for her. She wants enough money for him to be tutored and accepted into a good school. She has to have money quickly, before her uncle takes Charlie away and puts him in his questionable school. Xander’s half-hearted proposal to a woman from a wealthy family fails, and he needs money to buy a gasworks (which will help him find his kidnapped brother).
All the elements of a good story are there. The union for mutual benefit and damsel in distress are great themes, and Kate Moore gives the reader a well-written view of England and the class system that magnifies them. The terms and phrases seem to be nicely researched, and Bread Street almost has a Dicken’s feel.
The scenes of passion have a language of their own, each one detailed differently.
I wish the author would have expanded on the growing feelings between Xander and Cleo with a few more interactions, but the plot did not suffer for it.
I recommend this book for mature and experienced readers. The language is lovely, and the plot is a page-turner.

[Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Ho hum*. This book was rather boring in my opinion. I didn't like Xander from the start and even as the story evolved, I wasn't convinced that he was into anything that didn't benefit him. I never got the picture that he ever loved Cleo and at the end, the excitement of the hero and heroine falling in love still eluded me.

I did understand where Cleo was coming from in her rush to marry Xander and she got what she wanted but it still went back to him not doing anything that didn't benefit him.

I didn't find a lot of excitement with any part of this story. I struggled to get to the end and when I did, I didn't bother reading the teaser chapter from the next book that's apparently about Will, the only character I really did like. I won't be reading it.

I don't like to write bad reviews of any book because I know how hard these writers work on these books. It is no easy task and it takes lots of time and energy and it's hard work. I admire anyone who can get their stuff out there. This particular book just wasn't for me is all. Somebody who likes to know about the drudgeries of old London and all of that would probably really like it.

[Roxana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
I enjoyed it (for the second time, since I didn’t remember some details.. it was one of the first books I ever read). Xander and Cleo were funny and passionate. The characters were well written, and the pacing was fast.

[RomLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

They are the "Sons of Sin"—three brothers whose mother is an infamous London courtesan. Though Xander, Will and Kit may not be legitimate in the eyes of the aristocracy, their mother made sure that they each received a gentleman's education and knew how to make their way in the world...

Despite being knighted for saving the Prince Regent's life, Sir Alexander Jones will never truly be accepted by the nobility. But if he's to find his long lost brother, Xander must win the first willing heiress he can find— and obtain the funds he needs to search London's darkest corners.

Slandered and denied her rightful inheritance by the machinations of her unscrupulous uncle, Cleo Spencer has been living on a farm with only a meager stipend to support her and her brother. Only by marrying can Cleo access her funds and provide her younger brother the life he deserves.

[Andria Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun, adventurous and with a bit of suspense and mystery tossed in. Also has the trope of lady with knife against her lover, and a missing brother, murder, revenge all the good stuff. It dragged a bit towards the end and had a light cliffhanger. Otherwise this was a good romantic suspense, marriage of convenience novel. 4 ⭐

[Maureen Feeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of a trilogy about 3 bastard sons of a courtesan. Ok a quick plot summary before I begin my whineing about this book!!

Xander Jone's returning home one night saves the Prince Regents life and basically loses his young brother KIT while doing so. It is now 3 years later and Xander is still searching with the help of His other brother Will, a bow street runner. Xander plans to light up London's slums with gaslight in the hopes of helping Kit if he is there, but needs money to do so.

Noblewoman Cleo Spencer is rich but has no access to her money because of her evil uncle. She wants to protect her young brother from her uncle so she marrys Xander with the understanding they share the money for their own needs. Then we have a marraige of convenience, an evil relation and a reasonably good plot, but it could have worked better.

The reason this book got 3* was Xander i really liked him but he and Cleo's chemistry and passion just didn't read true to me. The first half of the book was a bit slow but the second half redeemed itself a bit. Also the book was too short and the H/H were seldom together. Then we have Xander refusing to sleep with Cleo who then proceeded to (more than once) try to force him to bed her by threatening him with a pig knive. It started to annoy me after the first couple of times. Then when our Heroine was in trouble and needed it, not a word about the stupid pig knive!! The plot is good and there is a chapter of Will's story coming up in the next book that seems really interesting. I am looking forward to it.

[Deidre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, there is a good plot, but for me there was just something missing in the love connection. It seemed like there really wasn't anything between them. No connection what so ever then all of a sudden she is cutting him with a pig sticker and they are falling into bed and in love. Things just don't quite mesh. Also everything just seemed bland to me. :o( Hoping for more oomph in the sext book.

[Camy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had very good characters and a really compelling mystery of the hero trying to find his lost brother. The only thing I didn't quite understand was why the hero doesn't want any children, even legitimate ones, but it was only a minor point. The heroine is refreshingly frank with great backbone, which I love. The writing is beautiful and the storyline very good. I'd definitely recommend to a Regency lover.

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ½ stars – Historical/Regency Romance

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, this one wound up being a bit boring for me. The premise was interesting; unfortunately, due to the book's short length (under 300 pages), the pacing seems too fast and certain elements of the story don't flow.

The other problem is the contrived drama between Xander and Cleo. I give Moore this, she didn't give them a standard reason to not have sex. None of the "I don't know this person so I don't want to touch butts" or "touching butts seems terrifying". Nope, instead, we get the ever fun "I'm a stick in the mud and don't want to desire my wife because... that causes tension for the book". Yeah, I'm pretty sure the book says that Xander doesn't want to have sex with Cleo (which would solve a lot of their problems in a relatively short time frame) because he doesn't sleep with anyone from the aristocracy because... he's got a grudge? It's a pretty lame excuse considering the fact he was willing to marry Cleo in the first place; if he doesn't trust/hates the aristocracy so much he doesn't want to risk having kids with someone, he wouldn't have married Cleo in the first place.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Kate Moore book but definitely not my last. This is the first book in what looks like a three book series featuring Sir Alexander Jones (called Xander) and his two younger brothers. This is the story of Xander who was knighted for services to the crown, but because he is the bastard son of a Duke he isn't accepted by the "nobility". While he was assisting the preince regent his younger brother was kidnapped. He and his brother Will have been searching for their brother for years with no success, mostly because of political intrigue higher up. This is also the story of Cleo Spencer and her younger brother Charlie. The have been living on a farm with a former family retainer in hiding because Cleo's uncle has tried to marry her off to someone of his choice in order to control her and Charlies inheritance. This is a very realistic portrayal of English society for the period. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. If the other books are as good as this, this series will be a reread keeper! Also, the regency period sucked for women.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only wish this book had been longer. I would have loved to read more, particulary about the main characters and their romance, it was a bit abrupt and rushed due to the number of pages. Still a good story, my first attempt with Kate Moore and certainly not my last.

[Amanda Love · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the time I disliked
This book. There were times however where i
Thought it was making a redemption. Some of the characters were so unforgettable that when they were brought back up im like what? Also the whole Kit situation was so confusing from beginning to end.

[Deana Smiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was often confused in the story. It's like you're expected to know things you haven't been told, and you have to keep track of a lot of characters. Overall a good read and I like the family and will read the next book in the series.

[Linda Klages · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical marriage of mutual convenience until it isn't.

[Paschalis]

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[Linda Banche · Rating 5 out of 5]

TO TEMPT A SAINT is a fast-paced, gripping story of the battle between good and evil, with good sadly making only a few inroads. The imagery is beautiful, the story absorbing, and Ms. Moore knows the Regency era and Regency London well.

TO TEMPT A SAINT is Book One of a trilogy about the three brothers, Xander, Will, and Kit Jones, the illegitimate children of aristocrats. The book opens with Xander saving the life of the Prince Regent while someone kidnaps his youngest brother, Kit. Three years later, Xander, now the knight Sir Alexander Jones, along with Will, a Bow Street Runner, still search for the missing Kit. Xander is positive Kit is alive in St. Giles, the dark, dank, thieves' and murders' section of London. He seeks money to buy a gas works to light the gloomy evil of the area and find Kit.

Destitute, twenty-four year old Cleo Spencer lives in poverty with her younger brother because she cannot access her money until she reaches thirty or marries. She proposes to Xander and he accepts in a devil's bargain to solve both their problems.

Against the background of the increasingly desperate search for Kit, Cleo and Xander fall in love. Their quest uncovers the stench of the city's dark underbelly that reaches high to the kingdom's most powerful men, including Cleo's uncle, who aid and abet human misery for their own benefit.

This book is one for my keeper shelf. I loved everything about it, but especially Xander. Xander is they type of hero I love--a decent man who has been kicked around by the world, and it's made him a better man.

I look forward to Books Two and Three.

[Barbi Faye (The Book Fae) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a trilogy of beautifully written historical novels. Here, Xander, Will, and Kit Jones are the illegitimate children of an aristocrat & a courtesan. One day, heroic Xander saves the Prince Regent's life and as a result, he becomes knighted. Their mother treated them as if they were true nobility, even if their peers did not. She was providing for them, as well as ensuring that they receive a gentleman's education.
Kit has been kidnapped and Xander and Will still search, even after three years have passed. Xander is positive he's is alive in St. Giles, a dark and very danger filled area of London. He seeks money to buy a gas works to light the dark and gloomy evil of the area and find Kit. He then meets twenty-four year old Cleo Spencer, a young woman who is very poor, and she lives in poverty with her brother because she cannot get her money until she reaches thirty or marries. She asks Xander to marry her and he accepts to solve both their problems; he need funds for his search!!
Still seeking his sib, Cleo and Xander fall in love. They uncover heinous evil including Cleo's uncle, a man who thrives on misery and pain, and who is also denying her most of her rightful inheritance. She's been living on a farm with only a meager stipend to support herself, the farm, and her brother. Marrying means she gets her money, honey. Of course, drama, fist fights, and passion ensues!!
I found that the world was well described, lush, that the story well paced and that you were swept into the Regency era described in the pages. I love knowing that love prevails no matter what situation characters are ever presented with. Boo yah! Warm feels...

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard a lot of great things about Kate Moore. I wasn't really in the mood for a historical, but this one jumped out at me from the TBR so I decided to pick it up. I'm so glad I did. It was a wonderful story.

I really enjoyed both Xander and Cleo. Her determination to get him to bed her cracked me up, as did her pig-sticking knife.

Xander's determination to keep them apart was frustrating at times, but I understood his reasons. My heart did break for both of them at the end.

The POV jumps bothered me. Though I enjoyed Moore's writing style, there were POV changes included simply to move the story forward. The villain is given one chapter, Cleo's brother is given another and Xander's brother the last chapter, as sequel bait.

Otherwise I found this to be a lovely story. Cleo and Xander complimented each other perfectly and I enjoyed watching them get the better of Cleo's evil uncle.

[SaturNalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleo needs money, she has an inheritance she can't touch until 30 or married. She's livivng like a pauper on farm with her brother. Xander needs money too, he want to light up London with his gas works company. They meet at the bank where Cleo spys on Xander unromantically proposing to another woman. I liked this couple. Cleo is levelheaded, straightforward and spunky. Xander is restrained and distant. They marry to gain access to Cleo's money. Cleo pursues Xander, she wants him to want her, and watching her attemps at seductiong were funny. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, they were likable and believable. I wish the author had delved deeper into Xander's past. He is the oldest of 3 brothers, whose mother was a courteason, and there was a hint of childhood trauma. There was a lot of action, Xander is searching for his younger brother and Cleo's uncle is trying to ruin her marriage. I could have done with less of that and more relationship development.

[Jo (My House of Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleo was a gutsy, determined heroine (I've been reading a lot of those lately!). Her proposition to Xander to marry him -- she'll be free of her uncle, he'll have the funds for his pet project -- seemed like the perfect solution to both of their problems.


For all of the discussion about tempting and Xander's assumed/joked about abstinence, there wasn't much heat between Cleo and Xander. Cleo's an innocent, of course, though she's almost an expert at lying when it suits her end game. I just expected more passion, more sexual tension from them, especially given Cleo's lying and her repeated attempts to break down Xander's hard outer shell.


That being said, I will continue to read the series because I'm most interested in learning about Xander's brothers, given that their futures seem to be effected by the choices Xander makes in To Tempt a Saint.

[Janga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Kate Moore's first book since 2005, and while I thought her contemporary Sexy Lexy was great fun, I'm glad to see her return to historicals. To Tempt a Saint is the first of her Sons of Sin trilogy about three base-born brothers. If the others are just a fraction as appealing as Xander, a courtesan's bastard knighted for saving the regent's life, I'm on board for the duration of the series. TTAS offers a marriage of convenience, a mystery, a rare look at the dark (literally and metaphorically) parts of London, a strong and interesting heroine, and a hero who captures hearts. Don't just take my word for it. RT gave the book 4.5 stars and Xander a K. I. S. S. Award. This one is a keeper!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xander Jones is living with the guilt of his brother being abducted while in his care. He is determined to light the streets of London to make them safer. He needs money to do this. Cleo Spencer has money, but is unable to touch it because of her uncle; she needs to be married in order to get her inheritance. I found their meeting to be quite humorous. Of course, once they're married, things become difficult. And things become quite eventful! If you don't like a lot of steamy sex in a romance novel, this one is for you. It's more about the story than the sex. Though I admit I would have enjoyed more of the sex! But I certainly enjoyed the story.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I prefer books with a lot more heat and I'm never too keen on such a lack of communication between the H/H, but overall this was a good one. Plenty of sexual tension (but honestly, it almost got to be too much - I wanted to shake the hero and say "Oh, come ON! Bed her already!"). I did wish I felt more connected to the characters & their emotions. I did like that this was not just another story about debauched aristocracy -- it had more grit and took readers more deeply into the steamy underbelly of London, so that was a big plus.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleo fears for the safety of her younger brother and marries Sir Alexander Jones in a hasty wedding. Being wed will protect her from her uncle’s unscrupulous claims on her trust fund. For Xander, marrying an heiress provides the means he needs to search for his missing brother among the dark alleys of London. Together they face danger from unknown enemies and a growing attraction that may seal their bargain forever.

This charming historical romance will hold your attention until its exciting finale.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I totally agree with Maureen's review. So much time in this quick read was spent pulling together the backdrop for the series, the romance with the Zander and Cleo seemed to be a side note. Kate Moore was smart by having the preview of the next in the series "To Save the Devil" (Will's story)included- the preview is very compelling.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read romance novels between other books to relax my brain and destress. Kate Noble gave me this one and said it was pretty good. Kate Noble wrtiitngs are vastly superior to this. However the plot of this book was fairly good, but the beginning and end left a lot of character develpment flaws, I felt.

[Mendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a recommend book for me and I have to say I absolutely enjoyed it. I hadn't read a historical in a very long time and I am glad I started with this one. Although I really wanted to bop Xander Jones right over the head numerous times. LOL. One downfall of a nook is when your aggravated with the characters of a book you can't send the damn thing sailing. LOL.