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Darkness #1
Step Into Darkness
At the height of the French Revolution, a viscount's daughter enlists the help of a man who turns out to be a perilous threat to her family...
Sarah Leaford is desperate to rescue her father from the dungeons of Paris, and it seems that her success depends on one man: Gentleman Jack, the greatest thief in all of London. What she doesn't know is that Jack is already well acquainted with her father.
Years ago, Lord Carleigh framed Jack for murder, leaving him a ruined man destined for the gallows. Now Jack has a chance for revenge—but to take it, he must resist falling for the beautiful noblewoman and her mysterious, untamed magic.
Drawn together by a dangerous mission, they must not surrender to the passion that flares between them. Sarah and Jack are not simply a maiden and a thief, and more lives than theirs are in peril. So much is at risk that even the dead take notice.
Sarah Leaford is desperate to rescue her father from the dungeons of Paris, and it seems that her success depends on one man: Gentleman Jack, the greatest thief in all of London. What she doesn't know is that Jack is already well acquainted with her father.
Years ago, Lord Carleigh framed Jack for murder, leaving him a ruined man destined for the gallows. Now Jack has a chance for revenge—but to take it, he must resist falling for the beautiful noblewoman and her mysterious, untamed magic.
Drawn together by a dangerous mission, they must not surrender to the passion that flares between them. Sarah and Jack are not simply a maiden and a thief, and more lives than theirs are in peril. So much is at risk that even the dead take notice.
314 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 15, 2020
This was a fantastically written historical romance novel. The characters were fascinating to meet and with each new event, it was easy to be curious on what awaited them. Although set during the French Revolution, the tone was very reminiscent of a Jane Austen tale with a dash of Shakespearean discord (which actually receives multiple mentions by the characters themselves). While there was an element of magic thrown in, it didn't have much of a role in the plot aside from bringing in enlightenment for the characters involved. Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical romances and is looking for something with that Austen or Shakespearean flair to it.
September 27, 2025
(3.5)
suuper entretenidoo 🩷🕯️amé a los personajes, la ambientación, todotodo 💐💍
realmente no sabía que era una trilogía, wha- ⁉️🤷♀️
suuper entretenidoo 🩷🕯️amé a los personajes, la ambientación, todotodo 💐💍
realmente no sabía que era una trilogía, wha- ⁉️🤷♀️
February 23, 2022
I REALLY enjoyed this book. I loved the will they won't they pull and the adrenaline pumping through them. I loved how I could transport my mind there to witness the tension and drama. This book opened me up to reading more and more books and I will always recommend this book!
June 20, 2018
I liked this book. Very easy to read and easy to follow. Was hooked from the first chapter.
March 6, 2023
It's the ghost of her mother who leads the heroine into London's dark underbelly in search of a thief and she's found the best of the best. At first glance the hero can see despite her plain gown the woman before him is a Lady and has no business in his world. And she offers him a job, needing him to go to France and 'steal' back her imprisoned father, he is amused at first. Then he realizes who she is and who her father is and turns her down flat. Let that man rote in jail. For what he's done for worse what he refuses to do, he deserves nothing less. Horrified and angered, the heroine leaves. It's then that the hero sees a chance to save himself. If he can get the Viscount back to England, he can demand the old man give statement to the crown that the hero is innocent of murder. So, he takes on the job knowing the danger and knowing he's risking himself for a man he hates-an enemy. And plus, the ring the heroine has given him as payment is giving him weird dreams featuring his dead father. The heroine however is reluctant to entirely trust the man rumored to have killed her grandfather-indeed less likely to trust that sort of man that a criminal thief.
So, she accepts aid from her suitor as well, saying she'll marry him if he is able to free her father. But this is a mistake. The suitor is actually the man responsible for the murder and is vicious and cruel, using everything in his power to destroy the hero. When her uncle attacks her it's the hero she turns to and they flew into the night. Lost and alone in the world for the first time, she must rely on the hero for safety. Problem is, the hero isn't actually a thief but a spy for the English government and he risks everything to go the France but the love he's come to feel for the heroine drives him to do things he never imagined. He never imagined risking the wrath of his employer/master. He never imagined risking his life to save the man he hates. They embark on an adventure of cat and mouse with the evil suitor before the hero calls upon the favor of a powerful Frenchman and succeeds in saving the father. Yet if the hero ever thought for a second the man would have any decency in him to do what was right and honorable, the hero was mistaken. The man betrays them and sees the hero imprisoned and sentenced to hang for his crimes. Horrified with her father and his cowardice, the heroine does something she's never done before. She stands up to him. She's not his little girl any longer and she's not that sheltered lady who sit silently as the man she loves dies.
This book was about 70% meh. I grew tired of the repetitive scenes and less than exciting dialogue. Yes, there was action, and it was lovely. Yes, there was a connection between the character that was sweet at times. But it just didn't grab me. It wasn't horrible but neither was it good. It had a good message about revenge and anger and the tolls these things take from one’s soul-all set during the prejudice of the French revolution. I enjoyed the heroine transforming from that sheltered miss who would never dream of stepping out on her one to a woman willing to break into prison and fight passionately for the man she loves. I also enjoyed the fact that she was forced to go along with him to France because every opportunity for her to remain tucked away is ruined. The fact that she wasn't demanding to follow him to rescue her father but a relief as I hate stupid and obnoxious heroines who constantly put themselves in danger- fortunately she was not this character type, she just sort of fell into trouble. It was okay and I will read the rest of the series but not anytime soon.
So, she accepts aid from her suitor as well, saying she'll marry him if he is able to free her father. But this is a mistake. The suitor is actually the man responsible for the murder and is vicious and cruel, using everything in his power to destroy the hero. When her uncle attacks her it's the hero she turns to and they flew into the night. Lost and alone in the world for the first time, she must rely on the hero for safety. Problem is, the hero isn't actually a thief but a spy for the English government and he risks everything to go the France but the love he's come to feel for the heroine drives him to do things he never imagined. He never imagined risking the wrath of his employer/master. He never imagined risking his life to save the man he hates. They embark on an adventure of cat and mouse with the evil suitor before the hero calls upon the favor of a powerful Frenchman and succeeds in saving the father. Yet if the hero ever thought for a second the man would have any decency in him to do what was right and honorable, the hero was mistaken. The man betrays them and sees the hero imprisoned and sentenced to hang for his crimes. Horrified with her father and his cowardice, the heroine does something she's never done before. She stands up to him. She's not his little girl any longer and she's not that sheltered lady who sit silently as the man she loves dies.
This book was about 70% meh. I grew tired of the repetitive scenes and less than exciting dialogue. Yes, there was action, and it was lovely. Yes, there was a connection between the character that was sweet at times. But it just didn't grab me. It wasn't horrible but neither was it good. It had a good message about revenge and anger and the tolls these things take from one’s soul-all set during the prejudice of the French revolution. I enjoyed the heroine transforming from that sheltered miss who would never dream of stepping out on her one to a woman willing to break into prison and fight passionately for the man she loves. I also enjoyed the fact that she was forced to go along with him to France because every opportunity for her to remain tucked away is ruined. The fact that she wasn't demanding to follow him to rescue her father but a relief as I hate stupid and obnoxious heroines who constantly put themselves in danger- fortunately she was not this character type, she just sort of fell into trouble. It was okay and I will read the rest of the series but not anytime soon.
March 5, 2010
The year is 1793, and Lady Sarah Leaford will do anything to save her father, Lord Carleigh, from a Paris prison. With some encouragement from her deceased mother, Sarah finds herself requesting the help from Gentleman Jack, London's most notorious thief. Jack declines for a couple of reasons. Even though he wants to help the alluring Sarah, he has prior engagements that keep him tied to London. He also knows Sarah's father, and has a huge grudge against him. Why should he save one of his enemies?
Sarah turns elsewhere determined to find someone who can help her. Stephen Layton comes from a rich and well-to-do family and he graciously offers to help rescue the viscount if Sarah will agree to marry him. Sarah accepts the offer despite the fact that she doesn't love Layton. She'll do anything to save her father.
Meanwhile, Jack's sub-consceience of a friend, Gabriel d’Aubrigny, tries to talk Jack into reconsidering Sarah's request. Years ago, Jack was falsely accused of killing Sarah's grandfather and Lord Carleigh refused to help clear his name. Jack spent some time in a prison called Newgate and the memory still haunts him. After thinking it over, Jack decides this is the perfect opportunity to uncover who really set him up. After informing Sarah that he has changed his mind, Jack finds himself propelled into his mission that Sarah ends up joining herself.
As a passion builds between the two, the story unravels to show just how intertwined their lives are. Secrets are revealed, the danger is paramount, and the attraction is hot. Step Into Darkness was a fun and quick-paced adventure that involved a tiny bit of magic with a decent storyline. I was a little disappointed with the amount of "paranormal spice" that was sprinkled into the story. I was hoping for a bit more but I wasn't that upset with it.
As the characters go, I both liked and disliked them. At the beginning of the book I felt Jack was this tough and gung-ho kind of guy. But as he fought with Layton in the beginning, he seemed clumsy and not nearly as precise in his actions. It was like he too wasn't confident with his abilities. As the story progressed and his emotions took over he finally showed some spirit and he became the tough guy I was looking for. I enjoyed Sarah, she was a perfect lady but had a spunk about her that I loved. Watching her develop was a real treat. Gabriel had to have been my favorite character. Everytime the frenchman popped in a scene I found myself smiling. The smaller, secondary characters (Desmartines and the Master) were well put together and I found myself really enjoying them.
I enjoyed the story enough to definitely pick up the other two books by Bellis, Draw Down the Darkness and Theft of Shadows. These novels are in the same world as Step Into Darkness but I don't think the books are an actual series.
Sarah turns elsewhere determined to find someone who can help her. Stephen Layton comes from a rich and well-to-do family and he graciously offers to help rescue the viscount if Sarah will agree to marry him. Sarah accepts the offer despite the fact that she doesn't love Layton. She'll do anything to save her father.
Meanwhile, Jack's sub-consceience of a friend, Gabriel d’Aubrigny, tries to talk Jack into reconsidering Sarah's request. Years ago, Jack was falsely accused of killing Sarah's grandfather and Lord Carleigh refused to help clear his name. Jack spent some time in a prison called Newgate and the memory still haunts him. After thinking it over, Jack decides this is the perfect opportunity to uncover who really set him up. After informing Sarah that he has changed his mind, Jack finds himself propelled into his mission that Sarah ends up joining herself.
As a passion builds between the two, the story unravels to show just how intertwined their lives are. Secrets are revealed, the danger is paramount, and the attraction is hot. Step Into Darkness was a fun and quick-paced adventure that involved a tiny bit of magic with a decent storyline. I was a little disappointed with the amount of "paranormal spice" that was sprinkled into the story. I was hoping for a bit more but I wasn't that upset with it.
As the characters go, I both liked and disliked them. At the beginning of the book I felt Jack was this tough and gung-ho kind of guy. But as he fought with Layton in the beginning, he seemed clumsy and not nearly as precise in his actions. It was like he too wasn't confident with his abilities. As the story progressed and his emotions took over he finally showed some spirit and he became the tough guy I was looking for. I enjoyed Sarah, she was a perfect lady but had a spunk about her that I loved. Watching her develop was a real treat. Gabriel had to have been my favorite character. Everytime the frenchman popped in a scene I found myself smiling. The smaller, secondary characters (Desmartines and the Master) were well put together and I found myself really enjoying them.
I enjoyed the story enough to definitely pick up the other two books by Bellis, Draw Down the Darkness and Theft of Shadows. These novels are in the same world as Step Into Darkness but I don't think the books are an actual series.
March 12, 2008
A birthday present from a friend who knows I like fluff. Not the best fluff I've ever read...even a romance can get to be too farfetched.
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June 20, 2011espese a leer esta novela owo no se como va ir
February 27, 2013
It was awesome story.
August 26, 2013
2-1/2 stars
November 1, 2013
I have read this book multiple times and I love it more and more each time. Naomi Bells is brilliant!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews