Shores of Desire by Tracy Grant

It's been a while since I read a history textbook, but I don't remember much about the Napoleonic wars from the French viewpoint. Even in the U.S., most European history is taught from the British point of view. (Interesting, since we were more closely allied with the French for much of that period.) It's certainly the standard in Regency romance - the British are good, the French are evil. Which is accurate from the point of view of the English characters, but it's surprising the folks of liberté, egalité and fraternité don't get more props from American authors. (Even if it all ended in tragedy.)

Shores of Desire by Tracy Grant
(1997, Regency Historical) 10/2/08
Grade: 4

When Captain Robert Melton comes to Scotland, widow Emma Blair can’t help her attraction to him... and where it leads. But she doesn’t know that he’s actually a French officer, Robert Lescaut, who is searching for his wife’s killer. When they reunite in Brussels on the eve of Waterloo, and later in Paris after the fall, their family secrets continue to keep them apart.

It was fascinating to read a Regency that deals with the other side, and get at least a glimpse of how the French viewed the war, and the ideals that led them there. The first section of the book, in Scotland, was a bit slow, although necessary for the plot. But I had a hard time slogging through it. The book really hit its stride in the next section, in Brussels and Paris. The setting was fascinating, and the dilemma facing Robert and Emma was very emotional and gripping. Unfortunately, the plot was so convoluted toward the end of the book, it was hard to keep track of it all. Between incest and spies and cross-and-double cross, the love story took a back seat to all of the intrigue. Still, the book was exciting and romantic, I just wish the author had focused a little more on the hero and heroine toward the end, rather than on French spy games.

Like many historical authors, Tracy Grant has moved into historical mysteries. I can't blame her, but it's frustrating for someone like me, who likes historical romance. Mysteries just leave me frustrated - I want more focus on the relationship and less on the tedious mystery plots. There aren't many authors still writing historicals that use history as more than wallpaper. The ones that did, all seem to be writing mysteries these days! (Or writing straight histories with little-to-no romance.) Alas...