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Seduced by His Touch

by Tracy Anne Warren

reviewed by Valarie Pelissero

September 2009, 384 pages, Publisher: Avon, ISBN: 0061673412

With a masterful touch Tracy Anne Warren creates a love story that I will read again and again…and again. Seduced by His Touch isn't just another marriage of convenience to pay off a debt story, oh no. Once again Ms. Warren gives an oft-use plot her own unique spin.

Instead of the typical trope of "I'm going to blame the sins of the father on the daughter BIG MIS which can be easily cleared up with a nice long chat," Jack has to make Grace fall in love with him before he can marry her, and before his very large debt to her father will be cleared. Jack is stuck between a rock and a hard place, but he knows he has no choice, so, make her fall in love he will. But, what Jack doesn't know - and her father doesn't know - is that Grace has some major insecurities, a whole trunk full, which I love. Not only is she taller than all the women, she is also taller than most men. Jack though, he thinks her height is perfect, he doesn't have to strain his neck to kiss her. Grace hates her appearance, she has unfashionable red hair, she wears glasses and she is “sensibly built,” not petite like other women, Jack though, he just sees the passion in her. She is the daughter of a merchant and beneath everyone she could hope to socialize with, as her schoolmates drummed into her over and over during her long years at school. Jack…why should he care where she comes from? He may be the son of a duke, but he is a much younger son, he can marry for love, and what surprises him most is not only does he make Grace fall in love with him, but he falls for her as well.

The first half of Seduced by His Touch was slow and oh so sweet as the reader gets to watch these two come to know one another over the course of months. But I wasn't bored by the lack of conflict because every so often Ms. Warren would throw in a surprise that kept me rapidly turning the pages. I loved that the entire book took place during a period of a year and a half. This wasn't some quick seduction, wham, bam and they're married within a week. What made this book so special was the time it took for these characters to know each other. And during all the time Jack is courting Grace her insecurities about her looks and her social class are still there, they don't just magically disappear because a handsome man is focusing his attention on her. Grace never automatically believes that suddenly she is desirable, nor does she ever dream that his intentions could be honorable, which was a really nice change of pace in a romance. But all good things must end and at about the halfway point, six days before her wedding - the happiest day of Grace's life - all hell breaks loose when she discovers the plot her father and Jack have hatched.

Well, it couldn't be all sunshine and lollipops, where would the fun in that be? What ensues is perfection, but you will just have to read it yourself to see what unusual twists and turns the author throws at these two and how Grace tortures Jack for his deception. The book finishes with a perfect mix of conflict and romance with a hero to die for and a heroine you root for, and it couldn't be better.

Tracy Anne Warren has surpassed my expectations of her by writing a poignant, heartbreaking, funny and sigh-worthy romance, and I can't wait for more of these mad, bad Byrons. Warren just keeps getting better, so don't miss Seduced by His Touch, or any of these fabulous Byron's.