Taming the Temptress by Kate Pearce

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Witches’ Ball, #3 & Paranormal Romance, #4

Release Date: September 5, 2023

Nanto-Svelta “Nant” is a water deity, she is happy tending her waterways and granting wishes made at her wells in Bocka Morrow. The only other person she interacts with is her half-sister, Malakia, who is now happily married to a mortal. Years ago, Nant was burned by a lover and now no longer trusts her heart and has no desire to find a mate, even if she is lonely. But when her father, the Cornish water god, Endellion, commands her to attend the Witches Ball, she has no choice but to attend. With her sister’s help and an eleven seamstress, Nant is ready to go to the ball. Almost as soon as she enters Nightshade Manor, she meets Mr. Taranis, when she stops short and he runs into her. Needless to say, it is not love at first sight, but later the two share a kiss that she blithely brushes off and tries to pretend didn’t affect her. But it did, and that scares her.

Taranis is the ancient Cornish god of storms, he and his family came to England with the Romans, and while his family left, Taranis remained to help the local people. But he is lonely and when he meets Nant, he is sure she is The One and sets out to prove it. Nant is wary, but slowly begins to fall for Taranis and begins to think that she could be happy. However, when she learns the truth about their original meeting, she feels betrayed. Taranis will have to prove that she can trust him and that his love is true, or he will lose her forever.

This was such a great addition to the Witches’ Ball series (and ties into Kate Pearce’s Paranormal Romance Series), the story is full of witty banter, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters, a bit of drama, some heartache, and finally a soulmate type love with the promise of HEA. This is the third book in the series, but it is loosely connected to the other books in the series and could easily be read as a standalone title. I loved this story and happily recommend it!