Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane, #5)

Jan 28, 2013 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-european, 2013-4-5-5-stars

4.5 stars

Lady Margaret (Megs) Reading has decided to join her husband in London. For two reasons. Firstly, she wants to kill the Ghost of St Giles, believing as she does that he had murdered her fiancé. Secondly, she wants to seduce her husband. Problem is, her husband and the Ghost of St Giles are one and the same.

Megs has spent the past two years sequestered in the countryside away from her husband, Godric St John in London. Their arranged marriage has suited both sides. But now Megs is desper...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Rane rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: georgian-romance, keeper

Elizabeth Hoyt dazzles me yet again with her newest addition to one of the most amazing series I’ve read to date. Lord of Darkness deals with the recuperations we were left last in Thief of Shadows.

Picking up two years later, we catch up with Godric St.John who is trying to help out, disguised as the Ghost of St.Giles, a carriage being held up by footpads who by the way happens to be carrying his wife who wants the Ghost dead. Having his wife aiming a gun at his head wasn’t the reunion he had...more

Elizabeth Hoyt dazzles me yet again with her newest addition to one of the most amazing series I’ve read to date. Lord of Darkness deals with the recuperations we were left last in Thief of Shadows.

Picking up two years later, we catch up with Godric St.John who is trying to help out, disguised as the Ghost of St.Giles, a carriage being held up by footpads who by the way happens to be carrying his wife who wants the Ghost dead. Having his wife aiming a gun at his head wasn’t the reunion he had in mind.

After a hasty marriage to Godric, Lady Margaret, Megs has lived away from everything and some of her family members in order to heal after the murder of her fiancée Roger and her miscarriage. She comes back to London to do two things: find the murderer of Roger and try to convince her wayward husband to give her a child. Of course things never go as plan when hearts are involved.

Megs has cling to the thread that was her once great love and her memories, while Godric has been buried by his grief. I really adored both characters with their very human emotions, reactions and misconceptions. They’ve been lashed by grief and lost and deal with in their own terms and ways. Megs has come back into the light and rebuilt Godric’s old country house, sending him long winding letters and becoming close to his family. Godric has hid behind the mask that is The Ghost of St.Giles.

Megs wants to break Godric outta his shell by any means! I loved how by slowly taking over his home and bringing light into his life by slow means was heart-warming. Megs to held the past close to her heart and in fear of losing that memory of the love she has with Roger cut her off from accepting a second chance at love. Godric with his quiet understanding finally helps Meg let go of the thread and build once again a life with Godric.

Godric buried himself in the dark and Megs, by forced, busts him outta him tomb! She gives him reasons to stop living in the darkness. He also had a great love with his wife who passed away from a long time illness and been scared to even feel again. Hoyt plays off this well with her fairy tale of the Hellequin that foreshadows many of the chains Godric breaks and leaves behind him as he starts to fall in love again with Megs.

I loved Lord of Darkness as it has a great sensual feel but very character driven showing that even in the darkness corner there is always a ray of light. I did feel the ending to the villain was a tad on the anti-climatic side, still didn’t take away from the overall greatness story. Hoyt gives the reader a glimpse more of the era and the world she created of the series. At the same time setting the stage for Duke of Midnight the next in the series.

This series only gets even more awesome that Hoyt just proves to me she cannot do no wrong!

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Mar 15, 2013 Sanaa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hoyt brings the Heat yet again in this 5th book of the Maiden Lane series!

The passion, threat of danger and wonderful characters in Hoyt’s classic style is unforgettable!

I had to scratch my head at first to remember the history of all the characters because it’s been a while since the last installment, but once I had everything straightened out, this became a book I could not put down!

This is about a couple forced into a marriage of convenience. Both are still reeling from the deaths of their tr...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Kelly22 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: month-feb-2013-releases, 2013-historicals, 2013-releases, historical-romance, young-girl-much-older-hero, witty-humerous-funny-comedy, widow-widower-divorcee, travel-advnture-espionage-mystery, tortured-hero, married-couples, marriage-betrothal-of-convenience, intense-powerful-storyline, hidden-or-mistaken-identity, hh-spy, hh-iconic-celeb-bigshot, hero-celibate-virgin-less_practiced, hero-bashful-starchy-silent, favorite-story, favorite-series, brooding-dangerous-hero, beloved-favorites, angsty-dramatic, alpha-hero, previous-ties, powerful-secondaries, powerful-endings-epilogues, overtly-possessive-jealous-hero, hero-good-boy-gentleman, favorite-couple, elizabeth-hoyt, avengers-or-revenge-in-mind, hero-darcylike

4.50 Stars - Georgian England / Historical Romance.

A classical blend of love, myth, mystery and legend, I CONGRATULATE Ms Hoyt who has woven another expressive story of St. Giles in this rewarding and much loved series of Maiden Lane. I sincerely LOVED this story which once again unfolds the legend of another ghost of St. Giles with a promise of frivolous, engaging and electrifying romance, harmonizing with espionage, adventure and fulfilling drama.

Godric St. John is now the Ghost of St. Giles,...more 4.50 Stars - Georgian England / Historical Romance.

A classical blend of love, myth, mystery and legend, I CONGRATULATE Ms Hoyt who has woven another expressive story of St. Giles in this rewarding and much loved series of Maiden Lane. I sincerely LOVED this story which once again unfolds the legend of another ghost of St. Giles with a promise of frivolous, engaging and electrifying romance, harmonizing with espionage, adventure and fulfilling drama.

Godric St. John is now the Ghost of St. Giles, protecting the innocent and traipsing one of the most notorious streets of London at the black of night. But his habitual life rapidly turns upside down when his estranged young Lady wife, whom he never expected to meet again in such circumstances, invades him with a pistol in the middle of the night as a revengeful victim. Not only that, suddenly she also enters his household with her own set of resolution and her own set of entourage as a fond wife with plans of future.

Lady Margaret Reading, not knowing the real identity of the Ghost, believes that it has killed her beloved and intends to take revenge when right opportunity arrives. Also, in her set of to-do-list, she intends to locate her ‘elderly and serene’ husband of two years, whom she last encountered on her wedding day with hopes of starting a new life.

When these two meet and discover each other, an astonishing passion evolves sweeping them both of their feet. But when anonymous secrets unveil, trust might be the toughest bargain to maintain in this brand-new beautiful but feeble relationship, for these two people, from two very different worlds and varying expectations.

I loved Godric and Megs, and I wanted to savor this book just like any other of Hoyt’s by reading slowly. Though I’ve placed a late review as of the start date of reading, but in truth I couldn’t put down the book and anticipated each page impatiently, hence finished it off in a day. Hoyt makes sure that the readers SEE clearly the dynamics of the events and characters with their minds’ eyes and get equally, or even more so, charmed like her previous, delightful books.

I recommend it highly for well-written strong plotted historical romance lovers starring dashing heroes and exciting heroines and an entourage of enchanting third-party characters!

Can definitely be read as a standalone. Also, readers can expect hints of delicious teases of possible future book leads, amidst the story.
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Apr 02, 2013 .þµŋψà. [Punya Reviews...] rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: elizabeth-hoyt, nerdgasm, brilliant-cover, oh-honey-shag-me-silly, i-wanna-have-your-babies, sweetnsexy-beta

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

For me, Lord of Darkness was a tad on the disappointing side. I know I have ridiculously high expectation when it comes to EH’s books, and this was no exception. The installments from Maiden Lane are the most anticipating releases for me each year. EH’s writing is as good as ever (and I freely admit to always being biased towards her :p), and it’s not that I was bored. I was just not satisfied the way Megs and G...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Plethora rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Absolutely nobody -not even my worst enemy (had I had one).

Recommended to Plethora by: I'm my own worst enemy

Shelves: heroine-i-hate, simply-awful

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I felt constantly harassed by the author to like her unconvincing (this is a 21st century woman),unappealing and TSTL heroine. This is a woman who endangers not only her own life but the life of her sister-in-law, complete with the threat of gang-rape. I couldn't help thinking that at least the old bodice rippers were honest about that threat, Hoyt wants her cake and eat it. Her stupid heroine is, at all times, not only shielded and protected from that threat, but indulged in her total lack of c...more I felt constantly harassed by the author to like her unconvincing (this is a 21st century woman),unappealing and TSTL heroine. This is a woman who endangers not only her own life but the life of her sister-in-law, complete with the threat of gang-rape. I couldn't help thinking that at least the old bodice rippers were honest about that threat, Hoyt wants her cake and eat it. Her stupid heroine is, at all times, not only shielded and protected from that threat, but indulged in her total lack of common sense or basic intelligence. Her actions are always without any consequences. I wanted to scream, at least, take the other woman home first, b@tch!

As if the awful heroine was not enough, we are also supposed to swallow the most idiotic plot line I've ever read in a historical romance, that of an 18TH CENTURY heroine taking it upon herself to avenge the murder of her former lover, and advertising her mission in life.

And shall I mention there was an out of wedlock pregnancy with not a smidgen of a half of consequence for the heroine? Do you think women had it bad? Apparently not, if they were bubbly and had curly mahogany (or whatever) hair, I'll have you know. Do you think she would have been locked up somewhere by her family,who would have thrown away the key, otherwise they would have been ostracised for three generations? Wrong again, Ms Hoyt tells us that nobody really minded, in fact, stupid-but-bubbly has every male character in the book apologising to her. I believe the chapters I read -for I gave up 75% through this book- all ended with some male character asking her forgiveness (the brother, for not apprising her of his financial worries, the hero for existing, etc.). Did I mention this is supposed to be the 18th century? You would not know the difference, dear reader, it is like it happened yesterday in a manor near you. I don't remember ever coming across another such stupid heroine, who's so coddled and indulged by her writer and every other character in this crappy romance. 'Poor dear', they all whisper, 'let her reminisce about her dead lover, after all she's so bubbly and mahogany'.

You know that a romance writer is bored with her own story when she forgets to build the romance and infuse it with some energy. The main couple is so soporific, their exchanges so tedious and repetitive, that I couldn't care less about the very predictable outcome of their story. I can only imagine that Hoyt crammed everything and the kitchen sink in the last thirty pages of this excruciatingly bad book, owning up to feelings (suddenly they're in lurve), declarations of love, some silly misunderstanding to force a last minute separation, and a rushed rushed reconciliation where everything is magically (i.e., writer could not be bovered) resolved. As for the villain, I don't care who he is and why he is in this book.

Something tells me it will be a very very long time before I consider picking up another Elizabeth Hoyt book.

PS. Do people read those fairy tale bits at the beginning of each chapter? And if yes, whatever for?(less)

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Emma I too loathed the book. I must say I forgot all about 'Stupid-but-bubbly' endagering the life of her sister-in-law (again without any consequences). T...more
Apr 01, 2013 07:54am

Jey Couldn't agree more. I have to add a line to your summation of this book: "Add a last minute senti line.. 'as he walked toward her, he knew he walked...more
Apr 01, 2013 10:51am

Plethora Jey wrote: "Couldn't agree more. I have to add a line to your summation of this book: "Add a last minute senti line.. 'as he walked toward her, he kne...more
Apr 01, 2013 11:33am

Feb 03, 2013 Adria (Romance Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-and-reviewed

ARC Review Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews

Die hard fans of Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series will recognize Godric and Margaret "Megs" from their brief appearance in Thief of Shadows. Godric was devastated after the death of his wife Clara and Megs found herself on the brink of ruin when her lover and secret fiance was murdered, reportedly by the Ghost of St. Giles. It was revealed at the end of Thief of Shadows that Godric also masqueraded as a Ghost of St. Giles and blackmailed...more ARC Review Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews

Die hard fans of Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series will recognize Godric and Margaret "Megs" from their brief appearance in Thief of Shadows. Godric was devastated after the death of his wife Clara and Megs found herself on the brink of ruin when her lover and secret fiance was murdered, reportedly by the Ghost of St. Giles. It was revealed at the end of Thief of Shadows that Godric also masqueraded as a Ghost of St. Giles and blackmailed into marrying Megs by her brother Griffin.

When Lord of Darkness begins, Godric and Megs have been married for two years but have been living apart, when Megs decides that she wants two things, revenge for the death of her lover and a child. She journeys to London to seduce the husband she barely knows and find her lover's killer who she believes is the Ghost of St. Giles.

What struck me as incredibly sweet and heartbreaking at the same time is how much Godric and Megs have in common. They've both tragically lost people they loved dearly and have closed themselves off to love, so it comes as a surprise when they find themselves attracted to one another.

Godric is a wonderful character. Solid, strong and unlike many men of that time and even now. Here he was, forced to marry a woman he didn't know, didn't love, who was mourning the death of her lover and pregnant with her lover's child. Yet, he didn't blame Megs for his situation, or treat her with anything other than respect and consideration. He never became angry at her when she mentioned her lover or the child she lost, he was sympathetic and kind. He didn't hold her past over her as a means to control her either. Because he loved his first wife so much and it broke him when she died, he understood Megs' heartbreak. He had me in love with him within the first few chapters!

Then there's Megs. She may be quite a bit younger than Godric but she isn't a silly, immature ninny that cares more about herself than others. She starts out wanting and needing a child but she immediately starts to see that her husband just might need something too. She's a very giving, warm and accepting character who isn't perfect but both she and Godric try to make the best of their marriage and end up discovering that life is still worth living. She's lively and expressive but also courageous, daring and unusually calm in dangerous situations. She makes a great partner for Godric AND the Ghost.

There's still action and adventure in Lord of Darkness but it seems to take a back seat to the relationship between Godric and Megs, which makes the story work better than if it had been the reverse. Godric and Megs need to move past their losses and build a new relationship with each other. Even as the plot for Lord of Darkness unfolds and Godric gets to know his wife better, author Elizabeth Hoyt begins to drop hints as to the personality and later, the identity of the third Ghost. She excels at grasping and holding a readers' attention.

Hoyt's books have never disappointed me, she beautifully creates characters that are unique in their appearance, neither overly beautiful nor extraordinarily plain. Her stories are so tightly connected that they seem like one long, exciting book, rather than separate stories in a series. Lord of Darkness is a worthy successor of the wildly successful Thief of Shadows. Lord of Darkness makes an exciting addition to the Maiden Lane series with it's stoic but lonely hero Godric and his affectionate but heartbroken wife, Megs.

Lord of Darkness stands a really good chance of reaching the same level of success as Thief of Shadows. I am both terribly excited but saddened that after Lord of Darkness, comes the story of the last Ghost of St. Giles. But then again, Elizabeth Hoyt is a master of surprises so who knows what will happen after the last Ghost finds his match?

Add Lord of Darkness to your "Must Have" lists readers, it doesn't disappoint. If you've never read Elizabeth Hoyt, then what are you waiting for? Grab the first book in the Maiden Lane series and get started!(less)

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Mar 25, 2013 Emma rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: dnf

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. For a talented author, like Elizabeth Hoyt, this was shockingly bad. I was so bored and irritated by the book that I had to do myself a favour and abandon it half way through, only, I wish I could be reimbursed for the time I'd already spent on it.

My first mega gripe is that nothing, absolutely nothing, about this book is historical. Unless you think (bad)wallpapering is enough for your dose of historical (in which case perhaps you should be subjected to this awful book, and more than once), th...more For a talented author, like Elizabeth Hoyt, this was shockingly bad. I was so bored and irritated by the book that I had to do myself a favour and abandon it half way through, only, I wish I could be reimbursed for the time I'd already spent on it.

My first mega gripe is that nothing, absolutely nothing, about this book is historical. Unless you think (bad)wallpapering is enough for your dose of historical (in which case perhaps you should be subjected to this awful book, and more than once), then you'll be as vexed by the intrusively 21st c. voice and feel of this book, and its even more intrusively contemporary sensibilities and representations of women. Everybody in this book is, as one reviewer once said (about another horribly ahistorical romance), 'a caricature from the 21st c. caricaturing the 18th c.'. The heroine is one such double caricature, and nothing about her and her experience remotely recalls the past in which she supposedly belongs. I have to add here, that had the heroine been a 21st c. heroine in a contemporary romance (which, in effect, she is), I'd still wouldn't want to read about her. For the millionth time, the question must be asked, how are we to believe that anyone could possibly feel passion and love for a woman that's so irritating and insufferable that one wouldn't wish to spend more than 7 minutes a decade in her company?

Was Elizabeth Hoyt down with writer's influenza when she 'conceived' ( more like copy-pasted from all the other books in this endless series) this shit? It can't be that she doesn't know that her pregnant outside of wedlock heroine, not only would not talk non-stop about her ex (deceased) lover, and of their tremendous love, to anyone who cared to listen, including her husband (the hero), but she would not have had a husband in the first place (other than some gouty, 60 year old country squire, who would have married her for a big dowry, and treated her with contempt for the rest of his life) but, far more likely, she would have been banished to some remote family estate/convent/mad house never to be seen or heard of again. By the way, Hoyt handles the subject of the heroine's marriage to the hero without any care for coherence (SPOILER: Her brother, blackmails the hero into marrying her, by telling him he will let it be known that he's the 'Ghost etc.', however, the hero knows that the brother too is the 'Ghost etc.' (please, don't ask why the world and his uncle are the 'Ghost'), yet he never makes use of that knowledge to avoid marrying a woman he does not want to marry. But, hey, who's paying attention in this morass of silliness.END OF SPOILER). I really felt as if I was being fed the most carelessly written pap, without any consideration for the average reader's intelligence and her basic knowledge of certain historical facts. If one cannot write a believable historical female (or male) character, in remotely believable circumstances; if one, in short, cannot treat the conditions, norms and mores of that past experience as more than inconsequential background decorations, to be stated and immediately discarded (especially when everybody belonging to that experience , without exception, would have felt their brutal force, and whoever transgressed their edicts would have paid dearly) then that writer has no business writing historical romances.

The book suffers from other maladies of writing too, both hero and heroine make for the most unerotic, uninteresting, tedious, zzzzzzzzz-inducing couple in a romance. And if once Elizabeth Hoyt could write a deliciously titillating bedroom scene, this book shows signs of that ability also fast waning. I couldn't care less about how, and how often, the couple of this story diddled each other (and a more prurient smut queen than me, you won't find), or if their marriage developed/stagnated/died on its feet (in this book all these signify the same thing). As for the 'Ghost of St. Giles' conceit, it is high time Hoyt ditched the crappy ploy and put us readers (who don't automatically give her five stars) out of our misery. The ploy was ridiculous in the first place, and it should have never been allowed past the first book in the series.

Which brings me to the supplicant's plea moment: Oh ye gods of Romancia, let that be the last of the 'Maiden Lane' bad infinity! I make that plea in the full knowledge that there's another volume coming out soon, and then another one and another;for nothing can defeat the onto-theology of keching. Elizabeth Hoyt was once one of my favourite contemporary writers in the historical romance genre, sadly, not anymore.

P.S. The cover is very misleading, the hero is 37 years old (an 18th c. 37 year old man -at 40 you were considered an old man), whereas in the cover the man cannot be older than 23. (less)

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Mar 05, 2013 Rebecca ♥ Ash, Jem, Warner ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, ebook, arcs-giveaways, historical-fiction, romance

I would give this 3.5/5. This is my third Elizabeth Hoyt, but my first from Maiden Lane. It was somewhat different for me, since the hero and heroine were already married when the story began. They had been married for 2 years but lived separately because it was a marriage of convenience that had been arranged by her brother, and neither of them had any interesting in having a real marriage. But when Margaret travels to London and stays with her husband for awhile they got to know each other be...more

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Jul 08, 2012 is mee... kissa marked it as to-read

The guy on the cover kinda reminds me of Ben Barnes.

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Mar 15, 2013 willaful rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: forced-arranged-or-conv-marriage, fertility-or-reproduction-issues, series, angsty-goodness, not-a-stand-alone, stud-service-womb-service, sexy-brainy-specs, sexy-beta, impersonation-masquerade-deceit, scarlet-pimpernel-or-cyrano, story-within-a-story

Belying its title and somber backstory, Lord of Darkness opens on a surprisingly light note. Megs arrives at her husband's comically gothic London manor with a purpose: she wants to seduce him so she can have a baby. Since both she and Godric were mourning for lost loves when they married (a forced necessity which, in classic romance novel fashion, became completely unnecessary when she miscarried right after the wedding), they've lived apart ever since.

Megs's arrival is less than seductive, wi...more Belying its title and somber backstory, Lord of Darkness opens on a surprisingly light note. Megs arrives at her husband's comically gothic London manor with a purpose: she wants to seduce him so she can have a baby. Since both she and Godric were mourning for lost loves when they married (a forced necessity which, in classic romance novel fashion, became completely unnecessary when she miscarried right after the wedding), they've lived apart ever since.

Megs's arrival is less than seductive, with several relatives and a pampered dog known as "Her Grace" in tow; nonetheless, Godric starts to notice her beauty and vitality. Still, he can't bear the thought of betraying his beloved first wife by having sex with another woman. He only comes around to Megs's proposal when he discovers her second purpose in coming to town -- to avenge the murder of her former lover Roger. For her own safety -- and no other reason, of course -- he agrees to trying to have a baby, as long as she'll go home as soon as she's pregnant.

This was a touching story of renewal and rebirth for two wounded people. Both have suffered greatly and feel tremendous guilt about the possibility of loving again, which makes it hard for them to find their way to each other. But once decided, Godric wants to do things right -- which means forcing Megs to accept him as a lover, not just a stud. Their personal issues are complicated by Gile's increasingly dangerous role as The Ghost of St. Giles, a role he can't bear to give up.

Lord of Darkness directly follows events from Thief of Shadows and ties up a number of loose ends; even having read the previous books, I found it confusing at times, so I definitely wouldn't recommend it as a stand-alone. Less sequel-baiting would have been nice too, since there are so many extra characters to keep track of, it seems as if the series could run into the Twentieth Century. But I have really enjoyed these last two books, which have less rakish and more admirable heroes than the previous three.(less)

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Mar 02, 2013 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-from-publisher, historical

4+ Stars. This was a lot of fun, lighthearted (for the most part), and quite sweet. Just when you think this series must be winding down, Hoyt comes up with something new. Of course, having all these different men playing 'The Ghost of St. Giles' means that she can mine this trope for books to come. As long as they are this enjoyable, I'm on board.

Godric St. John is currently the only known 'Ghost of St. Giles' since Winter Makepeace hung up his harlequin two years before at the behest of his ne...more 4+ Stars. This was a lot of fun, lighthearted (for the most part), and quite sweet. Just when you think this series must be winding down, Hoyt comes up with something new. Of course, having all these different men playing 'The Ghost of St. Giles' means that she can mine this trope for books to come. As long as they are this enjoyable, I'm on board.

Godric St. John is currently the only known 'Ghost of St. Giles' since Winter Makepeace hung up his harlequin two years before at the behest of his new wife Isabel. Godric is content to mourn his late wife Clara, be the Ghost when needed, and live a quiet life. His life doesn't stay quiet, however. Two years before, he had been blackmailed into marrying Lady Margaret Reading in a marriage of convenience; who was pregnant with another man's child. She lost the child, and has been living in the country all this time. Megs has decided she wants a child, and arrives in London on Godric's doorstep preparing to seduce the husband she barely knows. Oh, yes; and she wants to kill the 'Ghost of St. Giles', who she believes is responsible for her lovers death...

The action plot was basically the same as in Thief of Shadows, that of the 'lassie snatchers' taking young girls into forced labor. Seems not all of the aristocrats involved in this criminal endeavor were killed, and the sweatshops have started back up; so more little girls are disappearing from St. Giles. I was worried throughout the entire book that Megs' deceased lover Roger would be found to part of the criminal enterprise, and was quite pleased to be wrong about this.

This was a fast-paced, well plotted story. The sexual tension jumped from the pages, and sparks literally flew when Megs and Godric finally came together. This was one of my favorite romance tropes, that of love the second time around. Both Godric and Megs had been in love before, and it was all the sweeter that they found love again with each other. There was a lot of symbolism in the story; my favorite being the supposed dead Apple tree that came back to life, symbolizing their new love.

Wonderful story in a series that continues to be a great read. Next up is a very aristocratic new 'Ghost' in Duke of Midnight, due out in October.

ARC provided by Grand Central Publishing for review(less)

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Mar 21, 2013 MuchAdo rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: most-awful

Oh how the mighty have fallen! This is a truly awful book, I couldn't care less about the story or the characters, especially about the heroine, who must be one of the most ill conceived and anachronistic heroines in historical romantic fiction.

Other readers here, who,like me, love Elizabeth Hoyt (or used to), while refusing to check their critical faculties at the door, have pointed out how anachronistic this book is. How contemporary the whole tone and voice of it are. It is also an exasperat...more Oh how the mighty have fallen! This is a truly awful book, I couldn't care less about the story or the characters, especially about the heroine, who must be one of the most ill conceived and anachronistic heroines in historical romantic fiction.

Other readers here, who,like me, love Elizabeth Hoyt (or used to), while refusing to check their critical faculties at the door, have pointed out how anachronistic this book is. How contemporary the whole tone and voice of it are. It is also an exasperating, dull love story, as heroine and hero spend the greater part of the book talking about their dead loves (she, in particular, talks and muses about her lover!!! An 18th c. woman talking so freely about the lover who was killed while she was pregnant with his baby, and who, instead of taking this secret to the tomb -as women of her time would have done and then some-, frequently and loudly advertises her passion, without ever considering the consequences for her and her family. Probably, because she knows her writer, who at this point vigorously promotes cluelessness about the experience of women in the past, has her behind covered. Her family are alright with it, her husband is alright with it, society at large also is alright with it (they all find her vivacious, spirited, sunny, bright and fizzy. And I, as a reader, immediately know that the writer has no real matterial in her hand, so she just throws predicates about, hoping we won't notice that the caricature-woman is a Caricature, with a capital 'C'). I don't know about all those readers who rated this book with five stars, but I don't like my leg being pulled so hard and for so long. There's a scene where the heroine demands that her feelings about her dead lover be treated in the same manner as the feelings of her husband for his dead first wife! I almost smashed my ereader against the wall, while screaming, 'hello Lizie Hoyt,anybody there? Have you forgotten this is the 18th century? Well, I haven't, although you've done everything to eliminate the past from your story'.

I felt the writer was not paying attention for the entire length of the book, nor did she show any signs that she cared about the principles of verisimilitude. The book felt like a routine check, written on automatic pilot, without any real effort or care put into it. It is true that the historical background to Hoyt's stories was never her strong point (she's one of the worst offenders in historical romance), but the writer has proved, many times in the past, that she can write love stories full of energy and passion, that could make us forget the voice in her books is wholly contemporary. So it is sad that she went and published a trite, unconvincing and boring book such as this.

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Mar 19, 2013 Julie (Mom2lnb) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Historical Romance

Shelves: desert-island-keepers, historical-romance, read-2013

Reviewed for THC Reviews
***********************Spoiler Alert**********************
Review contain spoilers for the Maiden Lane series.

Lord of Darkness is the third perfect read in a row for me from Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series. I'm not sure if I can do this superbly written book justice with my review, but I'm going to try. This story was intense, passionate, romantic, emotional, and absolutely smokin' hot. The hero is positively to die for. The heroine is a ray of sunshine and a breath o...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Letitia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, kindle, netgalley

Rating: B ... Heat: Hot

Lady Margaret Reading has been absent for two years while she mourned the death of her lover, as well as grief due to her miscarriage. She’s been absent from London and absent from her marriage. A marriage in name only, made while she was still pregnant, so her reputation and the baby’s wouldn’t suffer. Now Megs has returned to London—to seduce her husband and to murder the Ghost of St. Giles. Who happen to be one and the same.

Godric St. John is also in mourning… and has

...more Rating: B ... Heat: Hot

Lady Margaret Reading has been absent for two years while she mourned the death of her lover, as well as grief due to her miscarriage. She’s been absent from London and absent from her marriage. A marriage in name only, made while she was still pregnant, so her reputation and the baby’s wouldn’t suffer. Now Megs has returned to London—to seduce her husband and to murder the Ghost of St. Giles. Who happen to be one and the same.

Godric St. John is also in mourning… and has been for years. The loss of his wife has made him cold and vacant and unmoving. He’s utterly alone and has been moldering away with his butler and manservant Moulder. Until Megs sweeps into his home out of the blue with her sunny, rambling personality and turns his life completely upside down.

When Godric realizes exactly why Megs has invaded his life—her desire to have a baby of her own—Godric’s walls of ice start to melt. Both Gordic and Megs have to let go of their grief and start living. What better (and incredibly fun) way to do that than by creating a life together?

Megs and Godric’s love takes some time. The emotions and feelings are slow to develop but, when they do, it’s both tender and yet still filled with distance. It takes a lot to break down both of their walls. I was rooting for them the entire time. Waiting for them to give in and move on and let go. It was definitely worth the wait.

The one thing I wasn’t exactly thrilled about was the return of the lassie snatchers. I would’ve liked to have had a different villain(s) in this book, instead of the same as in Thief of Shadows. But, at the same time, I can see why it was necessary. Godric, Megs, Roger’s murder, it all ties into the threads that were first started in the previous book. And I am happy with the way everything was resolved.

Lord of Darkness is a slow and sweet romance between two people who forgot how to live. And, while it.has a more serious and somber tone throughout, it still had many oddly funny moments. The way that Megs first sees Godric is hilarious—she believes him to be old and crotchety, and practically senile, at 37. It was so funny. This may not be my favorite book in the series, but it was still wonderful. And I absolutely cannot wait for the next book! The last of the Ghost of St. Giles will meet his match!

Favorite Quote:

His fingers were cool as they wrapped around hers, and she froze, looking at him before he dropped her hand again as if her warmth had burned him.
He licked his lips, and if she didn’t know better, she’d say that Godric was nervous. “I actually came out here to tell you something.”
She tilted her head in inquiry. “Yes?”
”I’ve decided”—he focused those clear gray eyes on her face—“I’d like to consummate our marriage tonight.”

-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review.

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Feb 03, 2013 Julia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, 2013, historical-romance, series, romance-already-married, romance-georgian, own, pub-forever

Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series is the first series that I can remember reading that really made me think that I could read books set in historical London not mainly set in the ton. This series is one of my favorites out there right now. I eagerly lap up every installment.

That said, The Lord of Darkness didn’t win me over as some of the prior four books have. Let’s take a look at The Lord of Darkness.

The Story
The Lord of Darkness is the fifth book in the continuing Maiden Lane series, set i...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: european-historical, historical, autobuy-authors, 2013-releases, 2013-reads, 4-and-a-half-stars, alpha-heroes, books-i-own, dangerous-heroes-reading-challenge, favorite-series, romance, seriously-series-reading-challenge, georgian-era, steamy-reads, angsty-drama, reviewed-on-blog, experienced-heroines

4.5 Stars

I absolutely adore Elizabeth Hoyt's writing and have been a fan of hers ever since I read her debut, The Raven Prince. Her current series, Maiden Lane, is shaping up to be some of her best work yet and Lord of Darkness really helps with that distinction. It has everything that I have come to expect from a Hoyt romance: unconventional and flawed characters, tons of chemistry, multiple plotlines that come together as a cohesive whole, spicy sex scenes, and the unique setting.

For this book...more 4.5 Stars

I absolutely adore Elizabeth Hoyt's writing and have been a fan of hers ever since I read her debut, The Raven Prince. Her current series, Maiden Lane, is shaping up to be some of her best work yet and Lord of Darkness really helps with that distinction. It has everything that I have come to expect from a Hoyt romance: unconventional and flawed characters, tons of chemistry, multiple plotlines that come together as a cohesive whole, spicy sex scenes, and the unique setting.

For this book, Elizabeth Hoyt provided readers with two characters who have had a hard time in the series: Margaret "Megs" Reading and Godric St. John. Fans of the series will recognize Megs and Godric from earlier books which is helpful for reading this one, but I don't think it is necessary. These two have both dealt with serious personal losses and were forced to marry one another years ago. Now, they are getting the opportunity to really connect with each other and try to make a happy life for themselves despite their earlier tragedies.

Megs has had a difficult time that really shows her strength of character. Her fiance was murdered earlier in the series and, because she was pregnant, she was convinced to marry Godric in order to prevent scandal. Unfortunately, all the drama caused Megs to miscarry her baby shortly after the wedding, and she has been grieving for it, and her fiance, ever since. I think Megs is a classic Hoyt heroine. She is kind, determined, and very intelligent. Her main reasons for coming to London are to get pregnant and to get revenge for her fiance's murder. She approaches both tasks with stubborn resourcefulness though not always with the most logic. I really admired how she reacted to the changes in her plans and thought her handling of Godric and his grief was respectful and loving.

The hero, Godric St. John, had the misfortune of watching his beloved first wife die a slow, painful death from disease for nine years. Like many, he reacted to this tragedy by shutting himself off from society and his family. He really is a depressed, lonely man who feels like he will never find happiness again. But, Megs's surprise arrival in London turns his world upside down in the best way. He slowly becomes attached to her and shows off his protective side. There are also moments late in the book where Godric shows how sexy and confident he can be as a hero.

I always believe that characters should go on some type of journey (physical or emotional) over the course of a book and both of the protagonists do that in Lord of Darkness. Megs and Godric have to come to terms with their grief and eventually strive to find someone else that they can love even after thinking, for years, that they never would. This book also focused on the journey they make as a couple by taking a marriage of convenience and making a true marriage of love.

Like most of the Maiden Lane books, this book deals with the Ghost of St. Giles, a mysterious 18th century "superhero" who takes care of the downtrodden in London's most impoverished neighborhoods. I have really enjoyed these plots and how they have been used to connect the different romances. Fans of the series will be excited to know more about the Ghost(s) and their history. Also, there is the appearance of a third Ghost who, I think, will make for an interesting hero down the road.

One of my favorite aspects of this series, and all of Ms. Hoyt's books, is the Georgian England setting. I absolutely adore the descriptions that appear from the clothes to the hair to the locations. It is such a refreshing change from the Regency era (though I do love those!) that I always feel like I'm stepping into a new and exciting world. The setting also allows Ms. Hoyt to showcase a mix of different classes which is a main focus of the Maiden Lane books. There are a variety of social issues discussed in the series such as child labor, prostitution, poverty, and education of the lower classes. And I think this along with everything else I mentioned in the review just helps push the book into a different realm of creativity and storytelling.(less)

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Feb 28, 2013 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

I really enjoy this series, but for some reason I wasn’t anticipating this book very much. The idea of Godric St. John as a hero just didn’t interest me. What was I thinking? This is the Godric, who watched his beloved wife die from a devastating illness for nine years. Godric, who had vowed to never love again. Godric, who was blackmailed into marrying Lady Margaret Reading (who got pregnant, then her lover died) because her brother knew Godric was the Ghost of St. Giles. And to top things off...more I really enjoy this series, but for some reason I wasn’t anticipating this book very much. The idea of Godric St. John as a hero just didn’t interest me. What was I thinking? This is the Godric, who watched his beloved wife die from a devastating illness for nine years. Godric, who had vowed to never love again. Godric, who was blackmailed into marrying Lady Margaret Reading (who got pregnant, then her lover died) because her brother knew Godric was the Ghost of St. Giles. And to top things off – Megs believes the Ghost killed her lover, and she has vowed to kill him! How could the thought of the book not excite me? It’s full of angst, action and sexy times (even an angry sex scene – who can resist that?)

If you follow this series, you know that Megs and Godric have been married for two years, but it is a marriage only on paper. The day they wed, Megs went to live in the country and has stayed put. After miscarrying her lover’s baby, she came to love the country and became close with Godric’s sister, Sarah. But now after two years, she wants a baby of her own. So she packs up Sarah, Aunt Elvina (who is hard of hearing and has a pug named Her Grace which adds much amusement to the story) and servants and surprises Godric at his house near St. Giles. The house is falling apart, as Godric has not cared for much since his wife died. He is one of three Ghosts of St. Giles, men who dress up in a mask and crusade around at night keeping the streets safe. These days, they are after lassie snatchers, men who kidnap poor children and work them in factories. Last book, Winter Makepeace retired as the Ghost, leaving Godric and one other. (you find out who it is and I want his book yesterday).

Godric is a bit older (and wears a wig in this book, which isn’t mentioned much in romance books. Not sure if I liked that or not). Both Godric and Megs are weighed down by ghosts. Godric can’t get over the death of his wife and Megs can’t get over the death of the man that would have been her husband. When Megs first asks Godric to sleep with her so she can get pregnant, he is horrified of the prospect. But as he comes to know Megs and respect her, he realizes maybe he does need to move on with his life. Their physical relationship starts off quite rocky, but that made sense to me and I like how they progress. This book has a bit of a somber tone to it, but at the same time, Elizabeth Hoyt can write just the cutest lines of scenes that make you smile through all the grief.

As I read, I was surprised to find another book all about the Ghost of St. Giles (as the last book had the same premise) and again surprised to find there will be a third book about the Ghost coming out next.The lassie snatcher plot felt a little recycled. I think by the end of the next book I’ll have had my fill of the Ghost, but I do love St. Giles and this series. They can be read as stand alones but I have enjoyed each one and recommend you read in order.

Rating: B(less)

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May 03, 2013 Jessica B rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: elizabeth-hoyt, historical-romance, released-in-2013, eagerly-anticipating, own, ebook, 2013, jessica-s-2013-challenge

Elizabeth Hoyt never disappoints! I have read everything by this author and I have loved each and every single story!

We were introduced to the two main characters early on in the series and they both had a lot to overcome before they could find their own HEA. The development of their romance was not rushed but slow and burning.

I have enjoyed the on-going saga of the Ghost of St. Giles and the prospects for new protectors. EH is always able to set up the next part of the series so well and I am...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: aaangst, period-romance, romance

Hero is an upper-class gentleman still grieving for his dead wife who ends up in arranged marriage to young woman grieving for her fiancee. And then there are bad people enslaving little girls to make stockings in Georgian London.

At last, an Elizabeth Hoyt book I didn't love. In part, because it largely rehashes the plot of the previous book in the series, Thief of Shdows, which I loved loved loved loved! (If you are a fan of orphanage runner by day/protector of the powerless by night - pragmati...more Hero is an upper-class gentleman still grieving for his dead wife who ends up in arranged marriage to young woman grieving for her fiancee. And then there are bad people enslaving little girls to make stockings in Georgian London.

At last, an Elizabeth Hoyt book I didn't love. In part, because it largely rehashes the plot of the previous book in the series, Thief of Shdows, which I loved loved loved loved! (If you are a fan of orphanage runner by day/protector of the powerless by night - pragmatic upper class widow, younger man-older woman, she is an aristocrat while he isn't, set up, this is the book for you!)

But mainly because it took all the tropes I dislike and stuck them in one book - the heroine spends 90% of the book mourning her lost lover!!!! No, thank you. Not really what I want in a romance novel, especially when the hero has been nothing but lovely to her. And while I am OK with the 'hero gets second chance at love' thing, I am not OK with it where I think he loved his dead wife more/was more compatible with her. Oh, and arranged marriage turns to love is an OK trope, but not where hero was blackmailed into marriage by heroine's brother, and had someone else (admittedly dead) he loved madly.

Grrrr. I spent most of that book irritated. My favorite parts involved glimpses of characters from the other books from the series, especially Caire/Temperance (because their book Wicked Intentions was so dark and deliciously fucked up) and Winter/Isabel (Thief of Sahdows = love forever!).

Actually, I lied. My favorite part were glimpses into the leads of the next book because I am madly excited for it. Because the hero of it is going to be Maximus (the autocratic older brother of Lady Hero from Notorious Pleasures),(view spoiler) And the heroine is named Artemis, is a lady's companion who carries blades in the soles of her boots and has a brother wrongly committed to Bedlam. I need this book NOW!!!!

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Mar 31, 2013 Tin Ong rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

In which I describe the experience of reading Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt:

The tightness in my chest began after Chapter 2, when, after two years of living apart, Megs and her coterie invade London and Godric's house. By page 76, after a volatile encounter between Godric and Megs, I was crying. Tears blurred the words -- but I kept reading -- and the tightness never leaves and I realize it is me feeling the painful poignancy of Godric and Megs' situation. And the tears never stop because I...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Jey rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: expected-better, meh, read-in-2013, undeserved-hype, kill-me-now

OK, this is an awful book. Honestly.

Sometimes, I get tired of books that I read hurriedly, but I think this one taken by itself, is pretty damn bad.

I couldn't relate to the characters. I read 400 odd pages about the hero and heroine, but still couldn't feel the chemistry between them, and how they suddenly fell in love, and honestly, the love making scenes were equally bad.

This book fails on all levels. The characters don't make you care about their well being, the conversation is cliche', and...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Issa rated it 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars This book was hard to rate. To start out, I loved Thief of Shadows. Winter Makepeace is my favorite historical hero of all time so I knew this one would not live up to the prior one but I was surprised by how far it fell.

Godric St. John, one of several Ghosts of St. Giles is blackmailed into marrying Margaret (Megs) who is pregnant with her dead lover's child. She loses the baby and lives in the country for two years. She decides to return to London to seduce her husband because she w...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Phoebe rated it 2 of 5 stars

I read the rest of the Maiden Lane series, so I expected this one to be generally ok. I'm also a sucker for marriages of convenience, so I was optimistic when I bought it without first reading the sample. Oops.

The description says these characters were in the earlier books, but I honestly cannot remember either the hero or the heroine. The hero and heroine just show up without much preamble - no drama about how they got into the marriage in the first place (I must have skimmed that as unnecessar...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.25 out of 5. Another addition to the Maiden Lane series by an author that continues to delight her fans. Picking up the story of characters who made their appearance in previous stories, Ms Hoyt again brings the myterious Ghost of St. Giles into the middle of a love story, a story that also has a murder mystery at its core along with the tension-filled attraction between two people who are both emotionally "stuck" in the past because of the loss of spouse and/or lover. But as is so often the c...more

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Mar 12, 2013 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

LORD OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth Hoyt is an exciting Regency historical romance set in 1740 London, England. #5 in the "Maiden Lane" series,but can be read as a stand alone. See,these incredible reads in The "Maiden Lane"series, "Wicked Intentions","Notorious Pleasure","Scandalous Desires",and "Thief of Shadows". This one follows the new Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John and his Lady wife, Lady Margaret Reading. Filled with passion,danger,secrets,the thrill of romance and love. Readers will conti...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Joyfully Reviewed rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, series, joyfully-reviewed-shayna, recommended-read

In the slums of London, the masked harlequin known as the Ghost of St. Giles patrols the streets, protecting those the law has forgotten. Only a select few know who dons the harlequin’s motley. No one would suspect staid, bookish Godric St. John of being the mysterious masked avenger…least of all his wife.

Lady Margaret St. John has returned to London after two years in the country for two reasons. First, she plans to kill the Ghost of St. Giles, the man who murdered her true love. Second, Megs w...more In the slums of London, the masked harlequin known as the Ghost of St. Giles patrols the streets, protecting those the law has forgotten. Only a select few know who dons the harlequin’s motley. No one would suspect staid, bookish Godric St. John of being the mysterious masked avenger…least of all his wife.

Lady Margaret St. John has returned to London after two years in the country for two reasons. First, she plans to kill the Ghost of St. Giles, the man who murdered her true love. Second, Megs wants a child. To achieve the second, she must seduce the husband she hasn’t seen since their wedding day.

Chance made Megs and Godric husband and wife. Passion and Megs’s desire for a child make them lovers. But can two people who both have lost those dearest to them find love again? Godric may never have the chance to find out if Megs uncovers his darkest secret.

Elizabeth Hoyt takes readers on an enthralling journey of action, danger, and romance in Lord of Darkness. I began this fifth installment of the Maiden Lane series with high expectations and Ms. Hoyt met or surpassed every one of them. I flat-out loved Megs and Godric’s story and only sheer exhaustion made me put the book down during my first reading.

“Still waters run deep” seems to be a phrase that’s tailor-made for Godric. By all outward appearances Godric is the last man you’d expect to be the Ghost of St. Giles. He became a veritable hermit after his wife became sick and he was forced to watch her slowly die. In many ways Godric died with his beloved Clara, and his nights spent as the Ghost seem to be his primary connection with the world of the living. Then Megs comes into his house, turning Godric’s life upside down, and with her bright, exuberant nature, she slowly brings him back to life. Megs is simply divine as a heroine. She’s bursting with energy and has a wealth of love in her that needs to be shared. I absolutely adored her and she is someone I’d love to have as a friend, were she real.

Like Godric, Megs has lost loved ones. First her lover, Roger, was murdered and then she suffered a miscarriage. Megs’s unplanned pregnancy at the time of Roger’s murder was what necessitated her marriage to Godric. Even though they’ve been married for two years, Megs and Godric know next to nothing about one another. It was a joy to watch them fall in love in Lord of Darkness. Ms. Hoyt doesn’t make it easy on them — both worry they’re betraying the memory of their loved ones by desiring their spouse — but the obstacles and uncertainty Godric and Megs must overcome are realistic. What I loved most about Megs and Godric is that, quite simply, they make each other happy. Every aspect of their relationship was a delight to watch develop.

Lord of Darkness is the fifth book in the Maiden Lane series and though Ms. Hoyt includes enough information for readers new to the series to follow along, I recommend at least reading the previous Maiden Lane book before starting Lord of Darkness. The groundwork for Godric and Megs’s story is laid in Thief of Shadows. In addition, the mystery of Roger’s death, the return of the “lassie snatchers” in St. Giles, and the origins of the Ghost of St. Giles are storylines that began in Thief of Shadows. It seems there are trilogies with overarching plot threads contained within the overall Maiden Lane series. The first three books, Wicked Intentions, Notorious Pleasures, and Scandalous Desires, had a running storyline and the same goes for Thief of Shadows, Lord of Darkness, and the sixth Maiden Lane book, Duke of Midnight. I love these mini-series within the series; you get the best of both worlds with them (tightly-written plots and the bonus of getting to periodically catch up with past favorite characters).

Lord of Darkness is classic Elizabeth Hoyt, meaning it’s unique, engaging, and leaves readers on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next book. I am almost cursing myself for devouring Lord of Darkness, as I now have a long wait until Duke of Midnight comes out. Fans of the arrogant Duke of Wakefield beware: in Lord of Darkness Ms. Hoyt delivers some tantalizing scenes hinting at what’s in store for my favorite gin-hating duke and the utterly fabulous woman who is to be his heroine.

Lord of Darkness is an incredible addition to the fantastic Maiden Lane series. I Joyfully Recommend Godric and Megs’s tale, for it’s an amazing, well-crafted story with an intriguing plot and a lovely, touching romance that I want to enjoy again and again and again. All in all, I’d say that Lord of Darkness is simply enchanting!

Reviewed by Shayna for Joyfully Reviewed(less)

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Mar 06, 2013 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

Whew, here I am, having emerged from air after slogging my way through Elizabeth Hoyt's Lord of Darkness, the latest in her Maiden Lane series. Though not a long novel, Lord of Darkness certainly feels it: I suspect that there might be some sort of time dilation powers hidden within its pages.

There's a reason that category romance novels tend to fall in at just under two hundred or so pages, and that's that it's terribly difficult t...more This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

Whew, here I am, having emerged from air after slogging my way through Elizabeth Hoyt's Lord of Darkness, the latest in her Maiden Lane series. Though not a long novel, Lord of Darkness certainly feels it: I suspect that there might be some sort of time dilation powers hidden within its pages.

There's a reason that category romance novels tend to fall in at just under two hundred or so pages, and that's that it's terribly difficult to sustain a plot that's entirely predicated on the romantic back-and-forth between two people beyond that. Category authors work within some stringent word length constraints to be able to give us a story arc that's believable, and to flesh out their main and secondary characters as well, and the more I read within the romance genre, the more I appreciate the skill involved in doing this well.

Though I've read a handful of shorter historical romances, Hoyt's Lord of Darkness is my first foray into the heftier works in this genre, and I have to say that I've come away feeling a little dizzy and not entirely enlightened. In part I suspect that this is because I've come in mid-way through a series, and that the novel leans heavily on previous the preceding volumes. But my ambivalence has a lot to do with the fact that overall this is a sadly uneven book...which makes it feel much, much longer than it actually is.

The novel largely involves the development of the relationship between hero Godric, widower nobleman by day and ye olde time vigilante Ghost of St Giles by night, and Megs, with whom Godric entered into a marriage of convenience two years prior in order to stave off gossip about Megs's pregnancy--to a man who had been recently killed. The two have lived entirely separate lives since then, each mourning their respective partners, and in Megs's case, the loss of her baby. But now Megs is back in Godric's life, and she's determined to have a baby. Of course, doing so will involve consummating the marriage and coming to terms with the losses of their loved ones.

So much of a romance novel is about the relationship between the two main characters and the reader's connection with them. Unfortunately, I never really connected with Godric's character, nor with that of Megs, and by the end of the novel I felt like one of the many long-suffering guests forced to board at their home: I wanted nothing more than to escape their frustrating bickering and the infuriating repetition of their interactions. Obviously as the two are already married, we need something to keep them apart, which here is Godric's love for his deceased wife and Megs's love/guilt surrounding her lover. But the way that these issues are overcome feels abrupt and at odds with the set-up that they're given: we go from chastity and mourning to endless (and not in a good way) sex scenes.

In addition to the romance between Godric and Megs, there's all sorts of other stuff going on, much of it between characters who I imagine must have played significant roles in previous books, because there are plot threads here that seem to be ongoing--such as that of Artemis, a point of view character who slips in and out of the narrative for a reason I couldn't fathom without having read the prior books in the series. The society scenes are hard to parse without this background knowledge, and the Ghost of St Giles business is a bit of a mess--the plot conceits to get both Godric and Megs in the same place and to eventually reveal Godric's secret identity feel contrived; the Secret Garden allusion with Megs's dead tree in the garden felt forced as well. Oddly enough, the high point of the novel has nothing to do with the main characters and their arcs, but is rather grumpy old Aunt Elvina and her pet pug Her Grace, both of whom snuffle and snort around and get up to all sorts of mischief.

With Lord of Darkness I found myself alternating between floundering through scenes where I felt like a gatecrasher at a party and between feeling as though I was forcing myself through a viscous vat of verbiage. Though I'm sure having read the previous books in this series would have helped me get a better handle on this one, I'm not sure I want to commit to reading four other books that might well suffer from the same issues as this one.(less)

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Feb 21, 2013 Mary Gramlich rated it 5 of 5 stars

At times, the end and the beginning seem to blur

The Ghost of St. Giles is again cleaning up crime and destroying the warehouses that traffic young girls. Godric St. John is not your ordinary crime fighter, he is a man possessed of demons he is trying to clear away with each battle he wins. When Godric’s wife Lady Margaret shows up after a two-year post marital separation the most exciting part of his day becomes his nights when the streets interest him less and his wife entices him every moment....more

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Feb 12, 2013 Shauni rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, reading-romance-challenge

Until this very book I had never read an Elizabeth Hoyt story.. I know what was I thinking? I have seen her work on shelves in stores. I even received some free Elizabeth Hoyt books at RT.. and yet, I had never actually read any of her books. Let me just say it is about time I corrected that..

Lord of Darkness is Ms Hoyt's 5th book in Maiden Lane Series, what is Maiden Lane, you ask? Well check out the Maiden Lane page on Ms Hoyt's website.. Or.. If you already LOVE this series.. please come join...more

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title link	preview: Lord of Darkness
avg rating	preview: Lord of Darkness Goodreads rating: 4.07 (1051 ratings)
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Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane #5)

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