I Just HAD to Review This Book: Seduced By His Touch by Tracy Anne Warren

Marry a young woman because he lost a bet? Unreformed rake Lord Jack Byron would do anything to get out of it. But the rich merchant who holds his debt insists Jack lead his on-the-shelf daughter to the altar . . . and make her believe it's a love match. With no options, Jack agrees, thinking he'll be shackled to a closed-in spinster. But Grace Danvers is no milk-and-water miss. When he first encounters her in a London bookstore, Jack is struck by her tempting sensuality and soon becomes determined to bed--and--wed her (in that order). Yet though he plans to seduce her with his touch, he never dreams he'll also want to win her with his love.

This is Jack's book! Tracy Anne Warren has created a character that is both forceful and gentle in the delightful and delectable Lord John Byron. As with all the Byron men, Jack is full of himself on the one hand, yet able to appreciate humor and individuality and spirit in others. His first encounter with the lovely Grace is surprising for him. She turns out to be a tall, lithe, graceful and shy lady of 25 years, overly conscious of her height, and more than aware of her lack of status in British society being the daughter of a "man of trade" rather than an aristocrat. Her childhood experiences in an upper-crust school for young ladies has taught her that no matter how scandalously wealthy her father may be, she is still one of the "lower classes." So young Grace prepares herself to lead a solitary and quiet life as her father's daughter. Dad has other ideas, wanting happiness for her daughter with a man who will respect her and make her happy as a wife and most especially, as a woman. Deliberately leading Lord Jack into a game of chance where he lost an amazing 100,000 pounds, Grace's father calls in the debt, so to speak. He wants Lord Jack for his daughter, having watched him with men as well as his reputation w ith women. He wants Jack's experience in the bedroom as well as his reputation for treating his women well and his title.

All goes well for a while. But where would a romantic story be without the predictable conflict, sense of betrayal, hurt feelings, quiet and non-communicative pair? Grace discovers her father's and Jack's perfidious plan and even though the wedding goes forward, the remainder of the story involves Jack winning back his wife's trust and love. It is here that we encounter Jack's strength of character, his determination to make things right, and his honesty with himself over the discovery of his true feelings for Grace. Just as his wooing began to bring out the best in Grace, the difficulties in their marriage and their journey toward resolution together bring out the best in both of them.

Jack is a man of honor, in spite of his rather wild manner of living during his bachelor days. He cares about Grace because he respects her, cares for her, seeks to secure her enjoyment in their physical relationship along with his own, and is willing to go many extra miles to be once again accepted and trusted.

I like Jack immensely. He's a "hunk" for sure, but he is a man that is multi-dimensional and oh so loveable to his mother and his sisters. Who doesn't love a man who loves his sisters? Even in his wildest days, he is a man who knew his own limits and kept his counsel about the way he lived and his private encounters with mistresses. His word and his fidelity to Grace, even in the hard times, is the true measure of him as a man. Grace is a wonderful character as well. She is a woman of great artistic talent who is willing to live by her own devices and not necessarily allow her father's money to define her life. She is a woman who "knows her place" in society but is not afraid to stand up for herself. She is so vulnerable to Jack's wooing in a way that is endearing and which draws the reader to feel so deeply for her, especially when she discovers her father's and Jack's deceit. I really ached for her. Yet she is willing to define her life on her own terms, to be what she needed to be as prescribed by society, but unwilling to allow others to force her into a mold she doesn't desire. She guards her heart diligently, but she is also honest about her physical desire for Jack.

And, of course, their is the entire Byron family. What a rockem-sockem bunch they are! They remind me of my own family. Their capacity to be open with one another, to love and accept, to forgive and redeem each other's failings and to "be there" for one another is so endearing and uplifting. I have read Cade's story --Tempted by His Kiss -- and hope to read Duke Edward's story soon -- The Duke's Pleasure (be sure to catch Rowena's review on The Book Binge). I am hoping that Tracy Warren continues the Byron saga with Mallory & Esme. Wouldn't it be wonderful to meet them in real life? I know this book has probably been reviewed elsewhere, but I just had to share my thoughts on it. I give this book a 5 out of 5 rating.