A Tempest of Desire by Lorraine Heath is the fifth installment in The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series, bringing readers back to a beloved world.
Viscount Langdon, struggling with trauma and an invisible disability after a railway accident, retreats to a private island where Marlowe, London’s infamous courtesan, crashes after a storm in her hot air balloon. The isolated setting fosters a tumultuous romance between the two, but secrets and past ties complicate their path to happiness.
Heath’s writing is evocative, and the characters are well-developed, with Langdon’s portrayal of PTSD being particularly compelling and so well done in my opinion. However, the pacing felt slow, especially in the first half, and the connection between the main characters didn’t feel full on.
While I do appreciate the cameos of past book’s characters, the story lacks tension or plot twists in the way I was expecting or better said used to expect from one of my favourite historical romance author.
Overall it’s a steamy and emotional read that many historical romance lovers will enjoy.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

A Tempest of Desire is the 5th book in the Scandalous Gentleman of St. James series (which is a 2nd gen series following Scoundrels of St. James series). I’m a massive Lorraine Heath fan and love her books so much, any extra time we get with the families in these series just makes me so happy! So while this wasn’t a favorite for me, I just love LH’s writing so much and her characters.

Viscount Langdon (his parents are Catherine and Lucian-the couple of In Bed with the Devil) survived a horrific railway accident and is trying to come to terms with an invisible disability/condition after the accident. The story kicks off with him having retreated to his family’s private isle off the coast of Cornwall. Majority of the story takes place here (the first 55%) and we definitely get isolated vibes with him and Marlowe. Marlowe is London’s most infamous courtesan/mistress who washes up on the beach of the secluded isle Langdon is at. He ends up bringing her inside with him and realizes immediately who she is, once she wakes she knows who he is as well. She’s the mistress to another aristocrat that is in the same circle as him and they’ve crossed paths before and both have feelings towards one another.

I wanted a bit more with this book, I am massively obsessed with so many LH books so I had high hopes and expectations for this one. Like I mentioned the first 55% of the story we were just with Langdon and Marlowe at his isle cottage. And it was just so tediously slow. Sure they both have things they’re dealing with, his accident and her past with her parents. But I just didn’t feel a real connection between Landon and Marlowe. I didn’t get why they were so into one another and falling in love so easily, I needed more to have that feel believable. Also the whole mistress plot I feel like works for me rarely and only if handled very specifically. I did love overall the world and characters, but that’s just because I’ve read their books as well and love any time I can get with them. This is not a book I’d recommend starting with for LH historicals at all, if anything go read the Scoundrels of St. James series!

That said, I’ll always pick up her books and I am so glad we are finally getting more of this second gen for so many of these beloved families and characters. I’m already excited for his brother’s book next, maybe his sister’s eventually, not to mention his friends/cousins…! The options are endless.

I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

Heath-verse Appearances: Lucian & Catherine (his parents, In Bed with the Devil), Twin Dragons, James Swindler (Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel), Drake Darling (Once More, My Darling Rogue), Grace & Lovingdon (When the Duke was Wicked), Minerva & Ashebury (Falling into Bed with a Duke)

Heath can always be counted on to deliver a story that sweeps me away. There were so many things I loved about this one!

I love the portrayal of a strong FMC in Marlowe who isn’t ashamed of the choices she’s made. She’s depicted as principled, loyal and sensual. Her status as a courtesan is built on both myth and sacrifice.

I loved the incorporation of PTSD into Oliver’s character. It’s the obstacle needed to hone him in an otherwise charmed life.

And can we talk about the hero’s gestures- both grand and small - and how poignantly perfect they are?

Needing some solitude, Oliver, Viscount Langdon, and heir to the Earl of Claybourne, has escaped to a private island off the coast of his family’s estate in Cornwall. Ever since he was involved in a railway accident, Oliver has suffered from nightmares and an inability to understand numbers, a disability that he has kept secret from everyone and is trying to come to terms with. Alone on the island, he can drink himself into oblivion and rage at the unfairness of it all. Tonight, a major storm has blown in and it fits his mood perfectly. When he goes out in the storm, he notices someone laying on the beach. Carefully, he brings the woman into his keep and realizes almost immediately who she is – Marlowe, London’s most infamous courtesan and exclusive mistress to the Earl of Hollingsworth, making her off limits. But time spent with Marlowe makes him want more and when he learns that her association with Hollingsworth is over, he will stop at nothing to make her his, but can he offer her what she truly wants?

Marlowe Tittering, known to all as simply “Marlowe”, never imagined she would be a courtesan, she grew up believing that she was the daughter of an earl and expected to marry well and have a family. But when her father disappeared, she and her mother learned the truth, her father was a fraud and left them with a mountain of debt. At first, she worked as a seamstress but was unable to earn enough money to support her mother and pay down her father’s debts. So, when the Earl of Hollingsworth made her an offer, she accepted and until now, she has never regretted that choice. Being Hollingsworth mistress helped her pay her father’s debts and gave her the means to pursue her true passion – ballooning. But when she learns from the papers that Hollingsworth is now engaged, she is upset and acts recklessly, by taking her balloon out with a storm on the horizon. Crashing into the ocean, she never dreamed she would wash up on the shores of the only man she has ever truly desired and the one man in London who seems immune to her charms. But there is much more to the viscount than she imagined and while she tries to save herself from heartache, she can’t help but wish for the impossible.

I have mixed feelings about this book, because while it is superbly written and has likable characters , I had a problem with Marlowe being someone’s mistress at the time of the story – not the fact that she was a mistress, just the fact that she was in a relationship with her protector while she was with Langdon and that he was friends with her protector. Later when they return to London and the situation changed, this became moot and I was better able to enjoy the book. Overall, this was a great story with lots of emotion, relatable characters, cameos from previous characters, understanding, secrets, compassion, steamy love scenes, some heartache and finally a very sweet ending complete with an epilogue. This is definitely not your typical, formulaic historical romance but is it certainly a book I would be happy to recommend. This is the fifth book in the series, but it almost reads like a spin-off and could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Heat Factor: Just risqué flirtation so far

Character Chemistry: I desire you but can’t show it because I am positive that you don’t desire me

Plot: Marlowe washes up on Langdon’s emo island during a storm

Overall: DNF a quarter of the way in because I just could not deal

I’ve read—and enjoyed!—several of Lorraine Heath’s previous books in the past. But this time around, her writing style was just not working for me. At all. The prose was clunky and overwritten. Despite multiple efforts, I could not get into the story enough that the writing stopped being an issue.

It may be that my irritation with the characters meant that I was less willing than I might have been to push forward. This is a tightly-focused forced proximity story where, at least for the first quarter of the book, Marlowe and Langdon are literally the only two characters we see (well, except for one flashback), so there’s no respite from their extensive internal processing.

Let’s set the scene, shall we?

Langdon was in a train accident about a year ago and now he’s *traumatized* so he goes and hides on a Cornish island owned by his family. You know, to be up in his feelings. He’s drinking and wandering around outside during a storm when he spots a woman washed up on his beach, and he must obviously rescue her.

Marlowe, who is described as “London’s most notorious courtesan,” is not actually a courtesan, given that she has been the loyal mistress of a single aristocrat for several years (and, in fact, it’s implied that he has been her only protector). Anyways, she’s a hottie who every man in London desires, and her protector likes showing her off. She’s also an aerialist and flew a hot air balloon into a storm for some reason.

Langdon and Marlowe are ridiculously attracted to each other. But! They had this weird interaction, where Marlowe’s protector bet her favors in a game of cards and Langdon cheated so that he’d lose. Marlowe is all butthurt because Langdon didn’t desire her, but he was obviously being *noble.* He is a lord who protects women (which we are told multiple times, including repeated references to his parents, who are the leads from In Bed with the Devil). Langdon is all butthurt because he saw disgust in Marlowe’s eyes when her protector made the suggestion, but she was obviously mad at her protector, not at Langdon. Anyways, because of this one interaction in the past, they are both absolutely convinced that the other is not attracted to them.

To sum all that up: Langdon is emo. Marlowe is not like other girls. And they are both very up in their feels and repressing their flirting but not in a fun way. Also they both only have one name? I read fully a quarter of this book and I have no idea what Langdon’s given name is. Maybe it’s Viscount. And Marlowe is just Marlowe. You know. Like Cher.

All of this was mildly irritating, but since the real dealbreaker for me was the writing style, I’m gonna plop a passage here, and let you decide for yourself:

"He was in awe of her fortitude. And her not backing down from verbally sparring with him was actually more thrilling and enjoyable then he cared to admit. Few women had ever dared to be anything other than incredibly polite and congenial where he was concerned. Marriage to him would one day make some lucky woman a countess. Even if she wasn’t interested in marriage, a lady never seemed to want to do anything that would make her fall out of his favor. Marlowe Whatever-the-Deuce-Her-Surname-Was didn’t seem to care one way or the other. He respected her speaking her mind.

"Even more, he admired that after the ordeal she’d survived, she wasn’t cowering or weeping or giving the tempest any sort of victory over her. He’d once attended an afternoon soiree in a garden, where a woman, screeching as she was being chased by one of the owner’s peacocks, had swooned into Langdon’s arms once she was safe from attack when another gent distracted the fowl. He couldn’t imagine Marlowe screeching as the storm had tossed her about. Good Lord, she’d maintained the presence of mind to discard any clothing that might have dragged her beneath the waves. She’d sacrificed her modesty, and he suspected she’d done it with nary a thought except for survival."

A couple of notes: No, there has not been any good verbal sparring. Also, OMG, I understand, Langdon respects women, but not really, because most of them are ninnies. But Marlowe is special. Anyways, there are a lot of passages like this, where it’s nothing but one of them processing the minutest pieces of how they see the other.

If you like the snowed in trope and none of these other things bother you, this book might go some fun places. But I’m not going to find out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

Lorraine Heath has still got it! A Tempest of Desire is a fantastic historical romance and Langdon and Marlowe are so wonderful. This series has been great and I love Heath's revisiting the children of previous characters. Langdon is a recluse suffering PTSD after a train crash and Marlowe literally crashes a balloon on to his deserted island. The two, who've met before, dance around each other beautifully until they finally come together. I loved how they teased each other's lives out and I loved how clear he was with his affection. Plus Marlowe sounds like a badass woman, ballooning all over the place. I loved it. Definitely a great addition to the series!

I usually like this author’s romances, but this story was actually pretty boring. A beautiful courtesan went flying in a hot air balloon during a storm and lands on a small island where the hero, Viscount Lagdon, has holed up to recover from the mental damage he’d suffered after a catastrophic train crash. They’re all alone and spend a decent amount of time lusting after each other and getting to know each other. Then they spend more time lusting after each other while figuring out if she will become his mistress or love or just leave him since they’ve fallen so deeply in love with each other after about three days together. I found myself skimming along through all the lustful gazes to see if something else was going to happen. Sometimes it did and sometimes it didn’t.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Tropes: class difference; forced proximity; MFC with a past; MMC with a secret
Steam level: 3
Decent as a standalone, but might be appreciated more if you've read the previous books in the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series.

I've enjoyed Lorraine Heath's HR's over the years, in particular the St. James series, which started many years ago. If you've been waiting for a follow-up you'll want to read this, but I must be honest that it isn't my favorite book in the series. The writing is generally solid (although rather purple prose-ish at times, especially in the first half) and I liked the setup, with MMC Langdon rescuing MFC Marlowe from drowning after her hot air balloon crashes. She is an aeronaut, as it turns out--an intriguing topic I've never encountered in a HR before. But it just doesn't quite gel with her being Britain's most notorious courtesan. And this is what I don't understand: there is a major emphasis on Marlowe's sensual mannerisms and sex appeal throughout the storyline, as if she is super worldly; meanwhile, she's been faithful to the same protector for the last three years, the first and only man she's been mistress to. He's a rather decent if tepid peer who is mentioned so frequently I was wondering if a love triangle was in the offing, and I was honestly uncomfortable with the first sexual scene between the MC's taking place while Marlowe was still technically under his protection. Plus I would have felt more of an emotional connection to Marlowe if the focus had been more on her as a person, and less on her sexiness and courtesan persona.

Langdon is also a bit of a conundrum. I liked the premise that he'd been putting on a big front, as the King of the Prom type of guy, but inwardly believing he's losing it. He's been traumatized by a recent event and has been struggling with neurologically difficulties. He's also carrying around a good deal of survivor's guilt. I liked the bits of insight into how brain trauma was explored and treated at this time. But so much of the storyline just presents him lusting after Marlowe, his emotions and behavior running hot and cold, that I didn't connect with him, and I didn't feel that there was much closure regarding his struggles either.

The biggest weakness to me was that the book lacked plot and real tension. I kept thinking someone from Marlowe's past was going to cause trouble, but apparently she's never broken hearts before. Or I thought there might be tension involving Langdon's investment schemes and his attempts to cover up for his neurological changes. But nothing happens on that front either. Lust is at the forefront of the main characters' minds, so the sex is steamy, admittedly.

Overall: still the same solid writing style, but not really comparable to the previous books in the series.

Really wished Marlowe's protector wasn't such a big part of this book. If Hollie was just mentioned and not brought up every other chapter, I would've enjoyed this much more. Langdon was also a mhem MC. There truly wasn't anything amazing or outstanding about his character.

7 years between books in this series left me scrambling to figure out who the older characters were. I knew the names, but their backstories were too long ago. Thankfully I had all the books so I could skim through them for perspective.

After a dramatic start the story bogged down in lust, so much lust, and inner dialog about lust and body parts. Langdon and Marlowe didn't truly have romantic feelings and declarations of love until almost the end. I was left wishing for more sweet words; even if she is a courtesan saying "be my mistress" isn't romantic at all. Langdon didn't think of marriage as a possibility until late in the game & I was wondering if the HEA would be a nice house and credit at a lot of shops. The aeronaut was something new to me, I hadn't realized it was such a trendy hobby. I appreciate the attempt at something new and different but for me it wasn't traditional enough.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Lorainne Heath for providing this complimentary advance reader copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#NetGalley #ATempestofDesire #Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #Avon #LorraineHeath #historicalromance #romance

Lorraine Heath is one of my top 10 authors and I've made it my mission to complete her bibliography, both old and new. A Tempest of Desire was a new addition to the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series. This collection in particular is very cute because it's a retelling of Oliver Twist. It features the Artful Dodger, a Swindler, and even the lost orphan himself all under the tutelage of the wily conman Fagan. In this reimagining, they're all grown up and looking for love in Regency England. This book features the offspring of the Oliver character whose secluded on a family estate and a beautiful woman literally crashes into his life. She's the most sought after courtesan who also happens to be an amateur aeronaut. Her hot air balloon pops and Marlowe is rescued by the Viscount. I wish I was making this up, but I'm not.

There were elements I liked about A Tempest of Desire, such as Viscount Langdon and his temperament. Marlowe was such a peculiar character and written so strangely. She was a courtesan but also flew hot air balloons as a hobby. Her dynamic with the hero was very strained and it felt tense with many unsaid emotions. He always lusted after her at the brothel but refused to pay for her. I can't say I'm a fan of prostitute romances and they just bum me out. Context aside, this book featured textbook Heath yearning and I'll never get tired of her writing. These two developed a deep connection, but I suppose taking refuge in an isolated estate will do that to people.

It's always great to revisit old characters, especially those written by Lorraine Heath. Frannie Darling ranks very highly in my list of fictional heroines and she hails from this series. I'm hoping to get another glance from her in the future or any of the other Scandalous Gentlemen as we read about the exploits of their offspring. A Tempest of Desire was quite the adventure, but it hasn't enticed me to take any hot air balloon rides after the way this book opened.

Viscount Langdon has isolated himself on an island after a train accident leaves him with nightmares. And then one night, the storm washes up Marlowe, the most beautiful and desirable courtesan in London. He rescues her and learns that she was flying her hot air balloon solo and got caught in a storm. These two have been lusting after each other since first sight, but Marlowe is under the protection of another lord and is very loyal. Langdon also does not want to encroach on someone else’s territory, so he has tried very hard to stay away from Marlowe. But now, they’re stuck together and getting to know each other’s thoughts and personalities, making their connection all the stronger. This book is full of seductive flirting and yearning and longing. Another great book by Lorraine Heath.

I really love Lorraine Heath, but I just couldn’t get on board with this plot. What didn’t work for me was the slow burn. What did work was the emotions of the characters, the style of a great writer, and the angst. This story will really work for someone, but just wasn’t working for me. If you love the beautiful writing of Heath, slow burn, angst, and two characters stuck in a phone booth - this is for you.

This is a wonderfully, entertaining, forced proximity romance.

After finding a beautiful woman washed up on the beach on his island, Viscount Langdon takes her in.
He quickly realizes that she is London's most infamous mistresses.

The first half of the book is mostly about Julian and Marlowe getting to know each other and their backstories while they are stuck on the island. The storyline is hot, and the chemistry is fabulous between Julian and Marlowe. It is captivating to watch the attraction and feelings grow between them.

There are characters from previous books but, this can be read as a standalone.

DNF at 23%. Honestly, should have known this would be a dud based on the description. I have mixed feelings about the courtesan trope (especially Lorraine Heath’s writing of the trope) and this was one that didn’t grab me. Marlowe has no substance for me to grasp onto. Langdon is no better, and he suffers from a similar issue that plagued the MMC of the previous full book in the series, in that he’s just not that interesting in comparison to the previous generation; he’s just another rakish noble, although his trauma is mildly compelling.

Heath is a hit or miss author for me and this was a miss. I really hate the courtesan trope and throw in the whole balloon thing you lost me. I didn't really feel anything coming from either MC, it was all attraction and no substance.

Viscount Oliver Langdon survived a devastating railway accident *mostly* physically in tact, but remains utterly haunted by the experience. He prefers to isolate himself on a small, desolate family island off the Cornish coast where no one can witness the nightmares that plague his sleep...or an affliction that Dr. Graves calls "railway spine" which has rendered all numbers meaningless in his mind. One evening during a violent storm, Oliver finds a woman washed up on the island's shore. While attempting to assess her injuries he recognizes that she is none other than Marlowe, London's most famous sex worker...and the unattainable woman whose memory he has been able to shake for a year. Marlowe, aeronaut and well-known, longtime mistress of Lord Hollingsworth, was out for a ride in her hot air balloon after receiving some distressing news when a tumultuous storm impaired her aircraft. Suddenly she's opening her eyes to the view of a delicious derrière whose owner turns out to be the very last man she wanted to see: Lord Langdon, the sole man in London to ever show her disinterest. Oy vey.

Oliver and Marlowe are so engaging and you're treated to ample on-page time with them right out of the gate! Marlowe is fierce, and brave, and perfect, and Oliver...well Oliver said he went to Cambridge, but I fear he meant Benedict Bridgeton University (IYKYK). Despite his inability to read the room, he did appear to realize the error of his logic completely on his own, so I have absolved him of his sins because self-awareness in a MMC is like stumbling upon a unicorn.

So many of your Heathverse favorites stroll through this story which is a real treat if you're a Lorraine evangelist like me: Obviously Oliver's parents, Catherine and Lucian, the Earl of Claybourne. The Trewloves! Minerva Dodger! The Duke and Duchess of Lovingdon! Doctor Graves! I love revisiting this universe more than most things and find it nearly impossible not to succumb to the urge to rearead the entire backlog every time I finish a new release.

Like...do you know how many authors I would trust to deliver a story about a sex worker aeronaut who washes up on a Viscount's family island after a hot air balloon accident? One. Only one. Lorraine is truly the absolute queen of her craft This isn't even my absolute favorite Heath novel--as a masochist I truly love it best when she violently skewers my tender heart like a kabob (compliment)--and yet I walked away from this story as a completely satisfied reader.

A Tempest of Desire is out this Christmas on December 24th!

5/5 stars

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.

Nightmares, Numbers, Overcoming Fears:
My first time reading anything by this author and I am hooked on her style and depth of this story with characters that she brings to life that jump off the pages.
A thrilling story with lusty characters made this story quite enjoyable.
Landon and Marlowe for different reasons are both grounded ashore on his island for most of the book.
The pages are mostly filled with them getting to know, understanding each other and how their passionate lustiness soon takes them over the top and has the pages igniting with passion like no other.
This author has written the most sizzling and intimate love scene I have ever read. Positively heart throbbing and fan worthy for sure 
I am truly glad to have discovered Ms. Heath writing and will be thrilled to read more of her stories.
🥵Mature Advisory💋💋💋💋+
⭐ Favorite Character: Langdon💖

Lorraine Heath never fails to entertain me with her emotional and romantic stories. A Tempest of Desire is no different. From the beginning I was rooting for Langdon and Marlowe. Their chemistry was apparent from the very first meeting. It’s always a plus too when main characters are stranded together and there’s only one bed. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to what Heath puts out next!

Lorraine Heath knows exactly how to build a slow-burn relationship filled with angst, longing, and the quiet, devastating battles of the heart. From the very first chapter, we’re introduced to two characters who seem destined for each other, but whose circumstances, fears, and inner turmoil prevent them from acknowledging the truth of their feelings.

Langdon and Marlowe are each struggling with past traumas and the weight of their own pride. The push-and-pull between them is palpable. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and yet, the way they continuously fight their undeniable attraction makes every stolen glance, every heated argument, and every near-moment of surrender feel like a tiny victory for the reader. Their internal conflicts are rich and layered, making it clear that neither of them is ready to let down their guard, even as they both desperately want to. There are moments of real heartbreak, where both characters seem to be on the verge of either admitting their feelings or walking away for good. The tension keeps you turning pages, unable to stop until that final, glorious moment when they finally admit their love. The declaration of love feels hard-won, a reward for all the pain and resistance that came before. This book is a must-read.