Taming the Temptress

James Melton is a reporter for the New York Times. He’s traveled to Tombstone from Manhattan to write about an infamous gambling hall and brothel called the Whipporwhill, that’s rumored to be more wicked than anything on the Barbary Coast. Lorelei Pettigrew is a soiled dove who has worked at the Whipporwhill since her lover abandoned her in Tombstone. After James saves Lorelei from a customer's assault, she thanks him the only way she can. The pair quickly realizes the intensity of their attraction will demand more than a single encounter.

James is enchanted by not only Lorelei’s luscious body, but also by the strength of her spirit. She hasn’t had much to be thankful for in her short life. After hearing how she came to be employed at the Whipporwhill, he wants to help her. Although she desperately wants to leave the life she's living, Lorelei doesn’t want James’ help if it’s just out of pity. Could James be more to her than a ticket out of Tombstone? Does she dare even dream of true love and a real family?

Lorelei is a remarkably written character. Her emotions are genuine and really pull at the reader’s heartstrings. I'm not sure I have ever read a romance where the heroine is really a prostitute. But, although Lorelei manages to avoid sleeping with some patrons, she definitely does have sex for money. James expects the worst of Lorelei because of what she does for a living. Likewise, Lorelei thinks James will be like every other man she’s known and walk away after he gets what he wants. They each have to earn the other’s trust.

Ms. Moore has penned a brilliant combination of Western romance and erotica. Taming the Temptress is a gritty, erotic romance that doesn’t candy-coat the harsh reality of life for some women in the old West. I highly recommend this touching, yet very erotic love story.

Reviewed by: Shelley