Edith Layton, A Tribute
Back in the dark ages of the late eighties, I had just finished reading Jane Austen’s Emma and was in search of books that were in a similar vein. On the weekends I would go to stay with my grandparents and if I was lucky we’d make a stop at the local used book store, where I discovered a genre that would ultimately change my life: Regency Romance.
That first year I read a lot. I didn’t pay much attention to authors at first–it was the publisher and that replicated “look” that I first used to distinguish the books I was looking for from the rest of the paperback masses. Then I discovered Edith Layton.
I don’t remember where I read it, but to this day I remember details about Lord of Dishonor that I cannot remember about the book I read last week. The hero, Christian, Lord North, had one grey eye and one green eye. The heroine–Amanda, naturally–was the daughter of a scandalous lady who thinking to gain Amanda a husband the easy way sent Christian up to the wrong room at the inn (Amanda’s room). 
What followed was the story of a fake betrothal, a hero who was a true bad boy redeemed by his love of a good woman, and a row of devilishly tiny buttons down the back of Amanda’s gown. In short, bliss.
Since then there have been more Edith Layton keepers on my shelf, including, To Wed a Stranger, whose heroine undergoes treatment for an illness that seemed when I read it to be awfully similar to the cancer I had survived just a few years before. I hope Ms. Layton had an Edith Layton of her own to rely on for comfort reads.
I can think of a handful of authors in the romance genre whose works I started out reading and still read to this day. Edith Layton is at the top of that list.
She will be sorely missed.
Let’s talk about our favorites from Edith Layton.
That’s a lovely tribute to Edith, Manda. I have to go dig around on my shelves and pull out her books for a re-read.
I’m so pleased that you wrote this tribute, Manda.
I think To Wed a Stranger is an incredible book. There are many romances with redeemed villains as heroes. TWAS is one of the few that shows the redemption of a heroine. But my favorite Edith Layton book is the second book in her Love trilogy, The Game of Love. I read it when I was in grad school and feeling guilty for “wasting my time” when I read a romance novel. I felt as if Arden Lyons with his allusive name and Shakespeare quotations was a signal that my romance reading should be guilt-free. It will forever have a place on my all-time top 100.
I’m grateful that we still have one Edith Layton book to look forward to reading.
Oh, Janga, just that name “Arden Lyons” sent a shiver of recognition down my spine. He was such a great underworld hero. It’s been a long time since I read that trilogy. I might need to make a trip to the UBS to hunt it down.
Definitely time for a reread, Vanessa.
Manda, that was a lovely tribute. I’ve only read 2 of Edith’s books – To Wed A Stranger and How to Seduce a Bride. I enjoyed both. I know I have others on my TBR pile. Time to dive in.
She has left behind a beautiful legacy of love!
[...] Romance Vagabonds [...]
Edith Layton Felber was a class act, a beautiful lady, smart as the dickens, and generous beyond the bounds of generosity.
I owe her a lot and I readily and happily acknowledge this — she was among the first supporters of my fledgling writing efforts and in my corner all the way. Kind, kind, kind, she was so that. I truly loved her writing — her prose was brilliant and many cuts above so many “bestselling” romance authors — her characters were memorable and human and totally sexy — any book by Edith Layton was a keeper, no question about it!
I also truly loved Edith and am saddened at her passing. I feel for her wonderful family. This is a great loss for so many of us.
How lucky we are that her art and her passion live in all her wonderful books!