Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane, 5) Mass Market Paperback – May 26, 2015

4.5 StarsI 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.

REVIEW: Lord of Darkness is the fifth storyline in Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series and although I highly recommend reading in order, Lord of Darkness can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty. The characters were first introduced in book one Wicked Intentions and their storyline has been building in each successive novel. The premise focuses on Lady Margaret Reading (who two years earlier) was forced into a marriage of convenience to Godric St. John when, her lover and father of her unborn child, was murdered by the Ghost of St. Giles. Fast-forward two years, Margaret lost her child within days of her wedding to Godric and has not seen the man in the ensuing years. But the time has come when Margaret wants a child and the only man available is her forgotten husband who sits alone pining for his long dead first wife.There are several secondary characters throughout the storyline and many had been introduced in previous books. But Elizabeth brings together several additional members from both sides of the family as well as friends and neighbors with stories yet to be told. The secretive Ghost of St. Giles plays a prominent role throughout and it is Margaret's amazing acceptance of his true identity that leads her to believe that she has been mistaken about her husband's intentions all along.Again, throughout the building of their relationship, Margaret and Godric must overcome the ghosts from each of their pasts. Margaret has for so long kept her deceased lover on a pedestal that no man could possibly do any better and the memory Godric's long suffering dead wife has forced the man into a secret life in the dark streets saving women and children from unseen evil. As the relationship between Margaret and Godric builds, so too does the danger for Godric as he forces himself to discover the truth behind the murder of Margaret's first love and in doing so, hopes to open Margaret's heart to the possibility that there is more to their relationship than a marriage of convenience.I had a couple issues of spelling and context in the novel. At one point, names are interchanged and in doing so, Margaret is married to her brother ;) These are issues of editing and proof reading that should have been caught.Overall, Lord of Darkness is a sweet, wonderful romantic storyline where you know the two lead characters are right for each other. When the ghosts from the past keep Margaret and Godric from opening their hearts and their minds to the possibility that love can be found a second time around the sexual tension between the couple is both welcome and acknowledged. There was never any doubt that Margaret and Godric were meant to fall in love.see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe(dot)com

3.5 stars! I"ve read all this series and enjoyed them greatly - Ms Hoyt manages to avoid many of the usual historical romance clichés and norms, and her sex scenes have an earthy carnality that read well!However, I really didn't take to Meg - she's decided she wants a baby so turns up expecting her husband-of-convenience to do the deed. She's never wondered why he married her when she was pregnant by another man, or bothered to find out anything about him. She sort of assumes he's old - which he isn't, and turns up planning to seduce herself pregnant - not talk to the man and try to see where this sterile marriage of theirs might go. She wants a baby and that seems to trump everything else.So I didn't like her. and initially wanted Godric to tell her to take her thoughtless, selfish little self back to the country and leave him be. But he doesn't, she improves, and... well, read book to find out!I enjoyed the secondary characters, - the thwarted dragoon, the intelligent companion, the ghastly heiress... I'll read on with the series because I rate Ms Hoyt as a writer, but for me this is my least preferred. Oh, and while I'm griping, the Ghost concept is taking over. The first 2 or even 3 of these books had the Ghost playing a minor role - now we've had 2, and I think the next one is also based around the Ghost. All fine and fair, but there's limit to how many death defying escapes across roof tops and speedy recoveries from broken bones and sword slashes I'm willing to read about. It's all getting a bit Superman or Batman - except that here we have Harlequin Man!

Very few series manage to maintain there standards as they continue and it requires a writer with skill and imagination so if you are Intending to start with book 5, you are going to miss out on the nuances that make this a ripping tail.not all the books are equally good but all of them are worth a read.This is the story of Godric and Margaret and their love story begins a few years after they were forced to marry (book 2), They meet when she holds him at gunpoint convinced that he the notorious Ghost of St Giles murdered her lover, fiance and father of her child. The hero Godric’s wife had died after a longterm debilitating disease and Margaret’s true love and father of her unborn child had dies at the hands of the Ghost of ST Giles. Lady Margaret lost her unborn child and has decided that she wants to be a mother so returns to London with her Sister in-law Sarah to seduce her reluctant husband and seek revenge.So starts a complex tale in which all is not as it seems and they each uncover aspects of themselves and each other. The story is full of danger and lies from all the players in this story, Godric has to save his wife, uncover the murderer, rescue the Lassiesbeing kidnapped from the thugs of St Giles, avoids the dragoons and get his wife pregnant. Throughout the book we regularly meet with both heroes and heroines and secondary characters from previous books in the series. Enjoy, I did.

Have read all the book in the series, 4 star as there were some sweet moments! had difficulty warming up to the heroine, She knew early on who was the ghost, could have been better, The hero was a lonely man as he kepy away from his step- mother and sisters. His wife was ill for a long time before she died. He was balckmailed into marrying the Margaret (the heroine).waiting for book 6 Duke of Midnight.

I've loved this series but the thing that has really impressed me is that every book has been great and this was was no exception. Many series do tend to have few books not quite up to the mark. The characters in this book are great, Megs and Godric are so good together. Can't wait for the next book and love that the scene is set for the next book in this one.

Is there any gentleman in the ton who hasn't at some time been the Ghost of St Giles? They will be recruiting again as the current Ghost finds wedded bliss and hangs up his motley for good.