THE PERFECT TEMPTATION

Author: Leslie Lafoy ISBN: 0312987641 7/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Time Period: Victorian, 1864

To Aiden Terrell, Alexandra Radford is a captivating combination of British propriety and eastern exoticism. But this confirmed bachelor has sworn off love and instead has decided to assist at his friend's private investigation business. Now his job is to protect the exquisite Alexandra and her young pupil from a shadowy threat. But guarding himself against Miss Radford's charms will be another matter altogether... Insufferable. Insolent. Intriguing. Mr. Terrell is all of these things and more-though Alex can't afford to care. If he weren't her last resort, she'd surely have dismissed him after that first smoldering glance-a glance that sent her heart racing with a desire she'd never known. However, when the threat of danger increases, and secrets from the past come to the fore, Alex's fierce resolve melts as she seeks warm comfort and delicious passion in Aiden's arms. And with each moment they share, Aiden is becoming less someone she needs than someone she wants. But what will happen when all secrets are revealed?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Once again, Leslie LaFoy treats us to a unique and original love story, complete with scene-stealing secondary characters and a leading man sure to melt your heart.

Right off the heels of THE PERFECT SEDUCTION, THE PERFECT TEMPTATION is a sequel that is perfect to fall in love with. Filled with an impressively written blend of East Indian mystic and Victorian era atmosphere, LaFoy has given her readers a sensitive and somewhat exotic romance, featuring two lovers meant for each other and an interesting insight into the mix of two totally foreign cultures.

How English-born, East Indian-raised Alexandra deals with this dilemma is a major part of the story, as is Aiden's ability to teach and control Alex's young ward, Mohan, the 10 year-old son of a raja, adrift in a city and culture whose ways and tight strictures he doesn't understand. Teaching this young royal to appreciate the diversities of both cultures, as well as the good and bad they represent, is a theme LaFoy echoes througout and Aiden admirably accomplishes, by using simple common logic and, of course, his own personal charm and charisma. He is the perfect father material for a lonely and bored young boy, a boy that Aiden not only teaches, but listens to, exchanges philosophies with and learns from, earning the heir’s—and this reader’s—respect in return. Many times a child’s character detracts, rather than adds to a story, or is so vague in personality that the dance to the familiar “Children should be seen, but not heard” tune, prevalent during this time period, seems to control their portrayals. Not so, in THE PERFECT TEMPTATION. With LaFoy’s skillful penning, Mohan becomes a wise old man in a child’s body, with an integral part in both the ongoing waltz between Alex and Aiden and the mystery subplot that underscores their romance.

As for that mystery subplot, I found no surprise or unexpected conclusion to it in the end, which was the only reason for not granting this book a Top Pick award. Though I know this was necessary in order for Aiden to become involved with Alex and draw the two closer together, the final outcome just sort of fell flat for me. The romantic and East Indian aspects of the story involved me so much more than the puzzle of the subplot did, as did the interactions between the main and secondary characters.

Leaving that aside, however, I again took delight in Lafoy’s flair for prose and the fascinating atmosphere she creates. The chemistry between Aiden and Alex is very much evident from the start, and I admire Alex’s strength of character and rationality in the decisions that she makes, especially regarding her feelings for Aiden and the complications that come as a result. And once again, LaFoy has delighted me with the secondary character of the ever-faithful and starchy, unflappable butler, Sawyer, as well as his counterpart in Alex’s household, Preeya the cook.

THE PERFECT TEMPTATION stands well on its own without reading its predecessor first, but considering that we gave THE PERFECT SEDUCTION Four Rose Read honors too, I’d say you’d be silly not too pick up the previous book. The final story in this Perfect series (aptly named, I might add) will be THE PERFECT DESIRE in January of 2005. I can hardly wait.

Nancy Davis