Gwen’s review of His Dark and Dangerous Ways by Edith Layton
Historical romance released by Avon 27 May 08
This is one of the more “mainstream” historicals I’ve ever read. I read historicals, but they frequently have some paranormal thing, or a twist of some sort to them. This was a “Lawson-esque” historical (::bowing to our very own reviewer::). I liked it, but I still had some troubles with it.
This is the first Edith Layton I’ve ever read. I liked her style – I never wondered “well where the hell did that come from…” and her character development was good, if not perfect. The book flowed well for me, and didn’t feel like it bogged down – what frequently happens for me in a straight historical.
The heroine, Jane is justifiably cautious of men, as all smart, young single women should be even in this day and age. She’s careful with her reputation as a well-bred, if down-on-her-luck young lady who teaches dance to the young daughters of the ton. I’m okay with all that and applauded Jane’s intelligence. Until that is, she suddenly throws it all away when she thinks Lord Granger is a eunuch. (wtf?) And the way she kept falling, stumbling, etc., during the children’s dance lessons (notwithstanding she was tripped, by a man, once) just bothered me – overworked device.
The hero, Lord Granger, was a likable enough fellow. I did feel, however, that he was mostly after what he could get from Jane. I never fully believed in his commitment to her. I’m not sure where things derailed for me with him. I think it has to do more with not getting inside his head as much as I needed to believe in his story. We’re told a little bit about his experience as a POW in the dungeons of Paris, but very little about his aftermath – at least it felt like very little to me.
There were a couple of other things that just didn’t ring true to me in the intrigue plot elements, but I can look past them since I’m reading for the romance.
This was an enjoyable historical. I wouldn’t be averse to reading Layton again and can recommend this to fans of her writing and fans of historical. If you’re looking for in depth character analysis and believable intrigue, this may not be the book for you.
Grade: C+
Book summary:
Simon Atwood, Lord Granger, once gave all for his country-and paid the price. Now, his handsome face haunted by a secret sorrow, Simon has undertaken a mission far closer to home, but no less dangerous. And though he hesitates to risk her safety, he must seek the help of Jane Chatham, an enchanting dance teacher who could prove a worthy partner-in espionage and in love.
Forced to live by her wiles far from her well-bred country upbringing, Jane Chatham is suspicious of every man’s intentions, even those of a gentleman like Simon Atwood. After all, she knows nothing of this enigmatic nobleman, and has no reason to believe his promises. Keeping him at a distance should prove simple for the resourceful, quick-witted beauty . . . until she finds herself mesmerized by Simon’s dark and dangerous ways, consumed by a passion that puts her very life at stake.
No excerpt available at the time the review was written.
