Sandy M’s review of His for the Taking (Garnet) by Sierra Dafoe
Historical erotic romance ebook short story 4 Jan 08 by Ellora’s Cave
I know I’ve ragged on a couple of books lately about sex scenes coming along too early or too many scenes that overshadow everything else in the books. As I was reading this one, I thought I should be up in arms because the sex definitely starts early and there’s scene after scene of it too. But I liked this one — mostly, I think, because of the characters and then because of the eroticism. It’s not the best erotic romance I’ve read, but it’s not the worst either.
This is a short story, so things happen quickly, but Ms. Dafoe weaves things together well enough to give us a good read. I got caught up in Darius right away. I felt his dispair, his anger at all he’d seen in the war. I also thought his jump from attraction to outrage and vengeance concerning Claire fit his character’s outlook at current life, as well as his later remorse for his treatment of her. Even his waffling from calling her a whore to thinking she tastes as sweet as can be wasn’t out of place because of his emotional state of mind. At first I found Claire’s sudden love for Darius a little much, but considering what she went through with her late husband, she’s astute enough to know if her feelings are true or not. Hence, her acquiescence and allowing Darius to treat her so badly.
It didn’t even bother me that three-quarters of the book took place in one room with just these two characters and that three-quarters of that time there was nothing but sex in varying degrees. That’s because of the writing. This book is just better written than those previous books I mentioned. The dialogue was very good throughout, whether erotic or not, and that’s a huge difference for me. Also because of the emotion shown by both characters, good or bad. There was plenty of it, all in the right places and the right amount.
This is my first time reading Sierra Dafoe, and I wouldn’t mind trying a few more.
Grade: C+
From the back cover:
Haunted by war, Darius Cantwell is convinced everything around him is false, a mere pretense of innocence – especially the Scottish beauty who claims to be the wife of his best friend. Searching for her husband who abandoned her, Claire McFarlane has come to London penniless, desperate and still a virgin. Or so she says. But how could any man have left such a delectable bride untouched? Darius himself can barely keep his hands off her.
Lord Cantwell is Claire’s last hope of discovering her husband’s fate – but no man has ever made her burn the way Darius does. And it’s obvious he believes her a liar. There’s only one way she can prove her honesty – surrender her innocence to this grim, angry lord.
Read an excerpt.
