No one writes Regency like Australia’s Anna Campbell. Although many authors of the genre touch on the seamier side of Regency England, Campbell immerses her readers in it. She’s the mistress of dark, sexy and brooding and takes us into the dens of inequity with humour and class. We meet beautiful Olivia Raines, London’s most notorious and beautiful courtesan. She despises men yet panders to their every whim, completely aware of the beguiling powers that make them pay anything to have and keep her. Damaged by a horrible crime at an early age, Olivia is left emotionally and physically barren and although high born, realises she has no other option but to join the demimondaine, giving up all hope of marriage. More actress than whore, she does everything men dream of but feels nothing for them but disgust and fear. Her next lover, the virile Earl of Erith, is London’s most notorious rake. He vows to release the passion she hides and in return she demands from him the future she’s always believed was her birthright. Tempt the Devil is a well-written, sexy and unputdownable read.

Drew Turney is a freelance journalist, graphic designer and web developer

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