Lord of Fire

Lord of Fire was a fabulous book that has a little bit of everything: heart-pounding action and suspense, spy intrigue, history, and best of all, swoon-worthy romance. Galen Foley's writing style contains a richness of detail that vividly brings to life the world she has created, making me feel like I had actually been transported to another time and place. It is apparent to me through reading her books and looking at her website that Ms. Foley is meticulous with her historical research, and it definitely shows in her writing. I also loved that the author kept me on my toes throughout the story. Every time I thought that she was going to resort to some well-worn plot device, she surprised me. There were many times I thought that Lucien show more and Alice were going to have the “big misunderstanding,” but then not long after a confession would be forthcoming. They did have a few quarrels, which can often be irritating to me, but in this case, I found them to genuine issues that a couple in their circumstances might actually have to face, rather than just petty bickering. Even though there were a couple of things that I predicted would happen early on, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel, because there were plenty of things that didn't go as I expected. I normally am not a fan of love at first sight stories, but Ms. Foley managed to make me believe in this couple's love for one another and a lasting happily-ever-after, even though they had only know each other for a short time. She accomplished this by creating a deep emotional connection between Lucien and Alice, as well as between the characters and the reader, by having them get to know each other fairly intimately before sharing physical intimacies. Admittedly, the love scenes are few, but I found the sexual tension to be exquisite and laden with tender emotions. All in all, Lord of Fire was a very well-rounded story that kept me excited about reading it.

Lucien and Alice were a wonderful and perfectly matched couple. In spite of his charming personality, Lucien is a tortured soul. Working deep undercover as a spy for the Crown, he lives a dark, rather solitary existence. Personally knowing someone who has done deep cover law enforcement work and having heard some of his stories, I felt that the aloneness and soul-searing intensity of Lucien's work was very realistically rendered. It was a fabulous contrast of dark and light, and doing things you really don't want to for the greater good. Lucien loved his twin, Damien, deeply, and their recent estrangement over Lucien's choice of professions has left him feeling more alone then ever. Yet, Lucien has always felt like he was living in his brother's shadow and never quite measuring up. When Alice unexpectedly shows up in Lucien's life she brings the light of her innocence and goodness into his darkened world, making his heart long for things he thought lost to him forever. When Lucien used trickery and manipulation to keep Alice at his country estate, I wasn't sure I would like him, but aside from that one lapse, he behaved in a gentlemanly way for the remainder of the book, which endeared him to both me and Alice. I thought Alice was a very well-balanced heroine. She was kind, caring and intuitive, understanding Lucien in a way that most people didn't and he reciprocated in kind. She also had spunk and spirit, speaking her mind to both Lucien and her sister-in-law, Caro, when the circumstances warranted. There were a few time when Alice's spunk led her into potentially dangerous situations, but I felt like I understood her reasoning and that she was usually just trying to protect those she loved. Overall, I found Lucien and Alice to be a delightful couple who were a pleasure to read.

The palette of secondary characters was varied and interesting. Lucien's rogues were charming and entertaining. The main villain, Claude Bardou, was irredeemably evil, bringing a dangerous menace to the story. There are a couple of other foreign spies, an American double-agent and a Russian woman, who added a bit of extra intrigue. Alice's sister-in-law, Caro, is very well-rendered as a flamboyant, self-centered woman who rarely thinks of anything but her own pleasures, and has little interest in even trying to be a good mother to her three-year-old son, Harry. Harry is a sweet, endearing child who charms nearly everyone with whom he comes in contact. In addition to these, there are a whole host of other supporting characters who for the most part play small roles, but manage to add a great deal of depth to the other characters and the narrative. There are even a couple of brief mentions of Lucien having met Darius Santiago (from Princess, the second of book of Gaelen Foley's Ascension Trilogy) in his undercover persona. This is something that I didn't pick up on until re-reading this book, because the first time around, I hadn't yet read the Ascension Trilogy. The most realistic and intriguing of the secondary characters though, is Lucien's identical twin brother, Damien. These two rogues may look alike, but their personalities are opposites, with Lucien being a charming, smooth-tongued devil and Damien being more staid, reserved and uncomfortable in social settings. Most interesting of all is the sympathetic portrayal of Damien as an honorable man and wounded war hero suffering from severe PTSD. I was so fascinated by Damien that I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series, Lord of Ice, in which he becomes the hero.

Lord of Fire is the second book in the Knight Miscellany series. It is preceded by The Duke, which was another wonderful book. I wasn't sure that Ms. Foley would be able to equal it, but I was mistaken. As much as I enjoyed The Duke, I actually liked Lord of Fire slightly better. The remaining books in the series are Lord of Ice, Lady of Desire, Devil Takes a Bride, One Night of Sin and His Wicked Kiss. I love Ms. Foley's writing style, and think that she has found a great balance between descriptive prose and beautiful dialog. With two keepers in a row, she has definitely earned a place on my favorite authors list. In fact, I have already ordered a copy of Lord of Ice and will be anxiously watching for it to arrive in my mailbox, so that I can read sexy, tortured twin, Damien's story and continue this enchanting and thoroughly romantic series. show less

This books starts off highly charged with Lucien holding court over a party that is basically a BDSM and orgy scene. I did say these books were not for the faint of heart didn't I?Lucien and Alice's first scene together made my toes curl and well, basically "Oh Nelly!" is all I have to say about that.
 
Lucien is that delicious combo of dangerously dark and little boy vulnerable. Alice is the consummate good girl (Lucien calls her "Goody Two-Shoes") until she gets around Lucien, then she finds herself behaving in ways she never imagined. Sounds a little trite but trust me people it works, or at least it did for me!
 
This book started off incredibly good but kind of fizzled toward the middle and end. The end picks up in action with a spy show more trying to blow up London and Lucien trying to stop it.This story worked best for me with Alice and Lucien struggling to deal with their feelings. Good god the tension!
 
Completely dark book but I loved it. I can't seem to adequately put into words why I loved this book, it's just I was completely tied to these characters and will remember them for a long time.
 
The first line of the book is a quote by Shakespeare: "Something wicked this way comes". Couldn't have said it better myself. show less

Determined to bring back the wayward mother of her chicken poxed nephew Alice Montague breeches the elaborate home of the nefarious Lord Lucien Knight. What she finds once there shocks her, but nothing could be more surprising than the Lord himself who is more than the devil he is made out to be.

Once in a while a book will completely surprise me, and it has happened here. Outside of Lisa Kleypas, who was my first and so far favorite historical romance writer, I have liked but not loved some of the historical romances I've read. This one is something special. I really enjoyed Foley's characters of Lucien and Alice, neither were what you would expect them to be. Instead of being the typical blackguard we quickly learn that Lucien is a show more pretty sensitive guy, while Alice doesn't seem to exhibit an ounce of prudishness, managing to pull off her virginal character in a charming rather than annoying manner. Because of the character driven nature or romances we don't really get to "see" a huge amount of setting although we do see enough to set us firmly in the time and place. In particular, the grotto beneath Lucien's home sounds simply amazing. I want one of those!

Overall one of the better historical romances I've read and I look forward to reading more by this author, particularly the story of Lucien's twin brother, Damien. show less

The book was fairly predicted, however the characters were interesting and rather quirky. I enjoyed the hedonistic nature of the hero, as well as the amused air he held the heroine in. The book ended stereotypically, however it was worth it. I loved the book, I honestly did.

I really have to continue to wonder why I ever stopped reading books that are written by this author. I have continued to collect her books but I have never seemed to have the time to read them. I guess I am going to have to find the time to read more of her books. This is Lord Lucien Knight's story. He is the younger of the twins. He is all alpha male and a master spy. He is also very, very lonely and afraid of losing his soul to the darkness that he feels closing in on him. I can't imagine what it would be like to be spy much less be one during this time period. While Lucien's solution to information gathering is unique it so fits his nickname Lucifer. During one of his notorious party in the Grotto beneath his house he finds the one show more person that can bring light and happiness into his life. He is smart and finds a way to get her to stay a week with him. He is also wise enough to tell the truth of his time as a spy when that is the only way to keep her. Lucien and his twin Damien are the reason I have a soft spot for dark, tortured heroes.

Alice Montague has always done what is right and what is expected. She has dutifully taken care of her brother's heir and her brother before he died. She is intelligent and compassionate to all those around her. She is also passionate and wants to find someone that will love her for who she really is deep down inside. She is thrilled in many ways when Lucien awakens that passionate side. She is also scared to death of causing a scandal and ruining her reputation. Alice is also willing to forgive those around her. Lord know that she forgive Lucien his many short comings. She is also brave in the face of danger. I liked her very much.

This story is set in the days between Napoleon abdicating and being exiled to Elba and his return and the 100 days War. Ms. Foley seems to have done her research on this period and the unrest that has come about from having French spies that are now homeless and the hatred that existed between the English and French during this time period. She also writes very hot love scenes. While there isn't a lot of sex in the story what is there is delicious. This was a quick read for me. I couldn't seem to put the book down. I just had to find out what was going to happen next. I also have to salute Ms. Foley and her editors as there were very few grammar errors in the book. That was a pleasant surprise. This is a very good story. show less

I was on the sofa ALL DAY reading this book. What a slug but, hey, it snowed last night and I pretended the roads were bad and I was stranded.I couldn't put it down. Lucien and Alice were such a great pair. They were so loving towards each other it made me smile. He was a bit of a bad boy with a real softness to him, as contradictory as that sounds. He definitely needed a hug. No, alot of hugs. Which I would have gladly provided. Alot. Of hugs, that is. :-)

Growing up as a twin left Lord Lucien Knight always in the shadow of his more athletic brother, even after they had decided to take different career options. Serving in the war left Lucien wanting to serve his country but not the way his hero of a brother did. Putting his life and his name on the line for his country was a difficult decision, one that he never regretted until he met the ’goody two-shoes’ Alice Montague. Being left with just a licentious sister-in-law, Alice took charge of her nephews care and up bringing, only to be faced with the moral decisions of allowing the boys mother to go home to him or to save herself from the possible seduction that Lord Lucien seemed to have planned for her.

Book 2 ….. Drama, suspense, show more mystery, intrigue all in small measures with a mix of guilt, regret, forgiveness, compassion and understanding. This was a pretty good example of Historical Romance. Lucien is a strong, virile character that also shows to have an sensitive emotional side that rounds him into a palpable hero. It was great to get a little glimpse of Robert and Bel (from the first book ‘The Duke’) and the additional information that hints of another story that is to come. The fact that this is a series is great (to me), I have really enjoyed getting to know Lucien and a little of Damien, more of him is suppose to be in the next book, Lord of Ice. show less