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Haunted by ghosts of his past and estranged from his family, John Aiden Terrell is slowly but surely drowning himself in despondency, alcohol and affairs; only the intervention of his determined friend, Barrett keeps him from destroying himself. When Miss Alexandra ‘Alex’ Radford approaches Barrett, who runs a private investigative firm, looking for a bodyguard to safeguard her young charge, Mohan, a ten-year old prince from India in exile in London, he insists Terrell take do the job.
From the first instant the two set sparks off of each other. Evasive and independent Alex brings out the worst in Aiden while his abrasive, take-charge attitude makes Aiden unbearable to Alex. But underlying their mutual antagonism is a growing attraction and sexual pull that they’re each determined to resist. Even more than Mohan who’s an interesting mix of childishness and maturity, Aiden is fascinated by the dichotomy in Alex herself - a Britisher by birth but brought up in India, she’s a curious amalgamation of the East and West. And then there’s that shadowy threat that’s after both Mohan and Alex herself. As danger increases and secrets are revealed, can Alex and Aiden ever find happiness together?
Rich in cultural details and historical milieu, Leslie LaFoy spins a suspenseful tale of romance and danger that will surely hold the readers captivated. The story itself has a lot to recommend it particularly due to the intriguing details it provides of a dangerous time in Indian history when a bid for independence from British rule has resulted in chaos and danger there. Even more than that, it’s the compelling characterizations that steal the show. Alex in particular, is a captivatingly curious mix of Oriental philosophy and English independence, of British propriety and Eastern exoticism, with a foot in both worlds while not belonging fully to either. While Aiden’s struggle to master his own feelings and fears, makes him equally interesting. It’s riveting to read as the initial antagonism between LaFoy’s lead characters slowly converts into undeniable passion, and feels very natural. Characters from previous LaFoy books put in an appearance, thus maintaining a sense of continuity. To say that “The Perfect Temptation” is a perfectly fascinating read is to understate it.
Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
for The Road to Romance
August 8, 2004
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