by Diana Quincy
Series: Accidental Peers #2
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Mirabella can hardly remember the man she married as a girl. And it’s just as well. She feels nothing but contempt for the man who wed her for her fortune and promptly forgot she existed. The ton may call him “The Saint” but Bella knows better. Forced to marry as a teen to rescue his family from certain ruin, Sebastian has been apart from his child bride since their wedding day. When he encounters an enchanting impish beauty at the opera, he’s is thrilled to find she is none other than his long-ago bride and he is more than ready to make her his wife in truth. Too bad the beguiling beauty has no intention of coming meekly to the marriage bed.
I love arranged marriage tropes and Diana Quincy offered up a most unusual one in Tempting Bella the second book in the Accidental Peers series. While I did not read Seducing Charlotte the first book, each works as a standalone. With fleshed out characters, intriguing secondary characters and a unique arrangement I became completely caught up in the tale. Mini-review: intriguing, romantic, witty and refreshing.
A marriage arranged between the Duke of Wentworth and Cyrus Stanhope to pay off a gambling debt. The Duke marries off his thirteen-year-old daughter, Mirabella Wentworth to the 3rd son of Stanhope, Sebastian who is barely nineteen. Deeds are drawn up, and the marriage will be consummated when Mirabella comes of age. Sebastian sets off to learn his duties and run the estates, while Mirabella finishes school and then with his permission tours the world. It is six years before they meet again, and the tale that unfolds was positively delightful with strong feisty characters and intrigue.
Mirabella or Bella is a very smart woman, who learns the running of estates while abroad and is keen on keeping the duchy secure. A Duchess by birth, she is determined to make sure her husband doesn’t run her estates into the ground. She is headstrong, opinionated and doesn’t fully understand the circumstances behind her arranged marriage. Sebastian is a good man, noble and determined to restore the dukedom coiffures to their former glory. He feels bad for Bella and hasn’t forced her to return. For the first time, a young woman he meets stirs his needs and he realizes he must call his wife home. I so enjoyed the banter and cat and mouse game between these two. I laughed, sighed and wanted to knock them over the head. Secondary characters from an old mistress to Bella’s wayward friends added to the drama and kept me flipping the pages.
Tempting Bella was a delightful tale, and Quincy offered a different twist to the arranged marriage trope. She weaved in drama and suspense with clever little twists that kept me on the edge. The sexual tension between Sebastian and Bella was delicious. They bickered, and Bella’s independent streak led to some humorous situations and life lessons. I loved the growth we saw from them, and the depth Quincy brought to the characters. Devilishly handsome and anal about order, Sebastian, was a pleasure to read about. I loved how Bella twisted him about, and the more we learned about him, the harder I fell. This was positively delightful!
Fans of historical romance with strong, opinionated and flawed characters will love the tale that unfolds in Tempting Bella. Compromising Willa the third book is due out December of 2013, and the fourth book, Engaging the Earl is expected to release in 2014. I am looking forward to reading them.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Fahima
Oooh I LOVE arranged marriage tropes too!! I dont know why, but they just seem more romantic to me 🙂 Is that weird?
Awesome review, Kimba! I always get great historical recs from your blog 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I totally find them to be more romantic, and sometimes a little more witty too. So glad I am feeding your HR addiction 🙂
Pamela D
I don’t read too many romances in which the characters are already married. This sounds like a great read. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
this was delightful Pamela 🙂
aurian
O Kimba, you are so bad for my wishlist, like I need another historical romance author on that list. But I want to read this book very much.
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..this was so wonderful 🙂
Lauren
I love arranged marriage stories, they can be so much fun! Sebastian sounds yummy and I look forward to reading about his chemistry (and bickering) with Bella! 🙂 Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lauren, this was one of my favorite reads this year 🙂
Michele
I really like the sound of this one, Kimba! It is a bit reminiscent of a Jude Deveraux book I read ages ago and loved! I adore strong, opinionated characters! Wonderful review — thanks so much for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
I haven’t read one of Jude’s books in ages, but this was wonderfully delicious.
Candace
Wow, this one sounds great! These characters sound highly entertaining, that’s for sure!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fun ride Candace 🙂
Heidi
I always love books with strong feisty female leads. I also like that this is a companion stand lone book. Those are my favorites these days. Oh and what a cover!
kimbacaffeinate
The cover is lovely and yes I like that they are standalone yet still part of a series.
A Voracious Reader
Oh YAY! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! I *loved* it! I’m looking forward to reading book 1 as well as the sequels. I just love Quincy’s writing.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, I am anxious to read more 🙂
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
Oh, wow, this isn’t the type of read I would normally pick up, but you described it so wonderfully! Perhaps the genre change will do me good. In any case, I’m adding it to my tbr on GoodReads, hoping I’ll find the time to read it soon.
kimbacaffeinate
It is good to mix things up, and this was such a pleasure to read
Tanja
This one sounds really interesting. I haven’t tried reading Historical Romance story in a while so maybe I should. I love flawed and strong characters. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was delightful Tanja 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh love the sound of the leading lady! I also like the sound of the arranged marriage being a bit different. Oh and standalone! You know you had me with that one. So adding this one to my wishlist. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..this was so wonderful Melissa 🙂
Giselle
Arranged marriages always fascinate me. Some people are all for it and couples actually stay married – faithfully – well from what I hear anyways but I haven’t researched it lol. Anyways, Sebastian and Bella’s relationships sounds like it has great chemistry – and twists you say? Yes please! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
We actually know a couple from India whose marriage was arranged when he was five and she was four. They married when he was 24 and have been married for over 15 years and have two beautiful children.
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
A wonderful review Kimba – definitely made me want to pick up this book. The way you described it, it sounds right up my alley, and I’ve been reading more historical stuff lately… so adding it to my list! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I loved this book, it is one of my favorites this year..all the right elements 🙂
Lily B
I love my head strong and opinionated female lead characters. I think I would like Bella! She went through quiet a bit!
kimbacaffeinate
This was wonderful Lily, one of my favorites this year 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kimba, love all of the descriptions of this novel and it’s going on my shelf!!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo pull it off the shelf this one is a keeper!
Jenea
Bella sounds like she gives Sebastian a run for his money, just what he needs from what it sounds like. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
She did and he does and it was wonderful!!
Jenny
This definitely sounds like something I would love Kim! I love arranged marriage setups in historical romances, and I of course adore headstrong independent women too, so this certainly has a lot going for it in the “things I enjoy” department. Thanks for the fantastic recommendation!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh Jenny this one is a keeper 🙂
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
I am always a fan of historicals where the woman is smart and on the ball. It sounds like she needed to be but they make the best historical leading ladies 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was wonderful Felicia – one of my favorites this year 🙂
Diana Quincy
She is smart and maybe a little too headstrong but that’s what gives the story its fireworks.
Diana Quincy
Thanks for taking the time to read and review TEMPTING BELLA. Your review made my week!
kimbacaffeinate
*blushes* Well, thank you! I am looking forward to book three 🙂
brandileigh2003
I like the sound of Sebastian!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Brandi 🙂
Diana Quincy
That’s the idea 😉
Farrah
I totally loved this book, too :)I loved the dynamics of Sebastian and Bella’s relationship, even though I sometimes wanted to whack some sense into both of them. Can’t wait to read the next books in this series!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes! glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who wanted to whack these wonderful characters in the back of the head!
Diana Quincy
Thanks Farrah. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
kindlemom1
I don’t think I have ever read about an arranged marriage, at least nothing comes to mind right now.
This looks like a good read and I love that dress on the cover!
Sam
I love a good bit of bickering between the two main characters. Especially when they are opinionated. This sounds like a fun read! Great review as always, Kimba. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I was just visiting you..hehehe. Thanks Sam this was delightful.
Mary
I always like the romances where they bicker a lot and get on each others’ nerves. Can’t be too easy, people!
kimbacaffeinate
So do I Mary 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Love the sound of this one. I have been requesting more Historical romances on Netgalley because of you. You got me craving them.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh delightful, this was wonderful 🙂