"Duke of Sin" By: Elizabeth Hoyt Review

Duke of Sin

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Synopsis

A MAN OF SIN
Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans. 

A WOMAN OF HONOR
Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery's household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous. 

A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY THEM BOTH
Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can't resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear . . . 

My Thoughts
     Elizabeth Hoyt is back in rare form with her newest addition to the Maiden Lane series. Having been a fan of hers from her first novel, The Raven Prince, I was delighted to pick up this newest tale of love, loss, and redemption. While this book is the tenth in the series, I am ashamed to say I have missed the last two or three, and wasn't confused at all when I picked this one up, so Duke of Sin can absolutely be read as a stand alone.
     Montgomery has returned from his exile with a score to settle. Hoping to gain redemption and ruin those who had wronged him, Montgomery ventures into a seedy underbelly. Bridget Crumb, Montgomery's newest housekeeper, has secrets and her own agenda. In a world filled with intrigue and never knowing who your friends or enemies truly are, Bridget and Montgomery find kindred spirits within one another. Only Hoyt can have this mysterious Duke find common ground with a destitute, secretive housekeeper who ultimately find their happily ever after.
      As I mentioned before, I had missed a few of the last novels. Boy, am I fixing this ASAP. Hoyt's worlds are just so nuanced and layered, and once you start it all just clicks. Romantic to its core, Hoyt writes unique characters, each and every time, which I adore. No cookie cutter heroine or hero, their traits and characteristics give you an insight into who they are, their motivations, and ultimately their fates. Gorgeously written as always, with plenty of sexytimes, romantic to the core, and just plain lovely, I can't recommend Duke of Sin highly enough. Just a great story, with fabulous characters, written in Hoyt's trademark wit I can't recommend this book highly enough. 

"Thief of Shadows" By: Elizabeth Hoyt Review

"Thief of Shadows"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide. 

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society— flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting. 

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

My Thoughts:
Easily one of my favorite authors writing today, if ever, Elizabeth Hoyt has a way of writing a romance that utterly sucks you in and makes you forget about real life. “Thief of Shadows” is Winter Makepeace's story, the headmaster of the orphan's home in St. Giles and boy, was it a doozy!
Winter and Isabel's romance has been coming for a while. We met Winter (the brother of Temperance and Silence Makepeace) in the very first book of the series, “Wicked Intentions.” Isabel we met a few books ago as well, as a matron of the foundling home. She would donate money and supplies for the children, while also helping to raise money for their new building. Whenever the Winter and Isabel would come into contact, there was destined to be fireworks.

"The Raven Prince" By: Elizabeth Hoyt Review

"The Raven Prince"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Synopsis from Amazon:

There comes a time in a woman's life when she must do the unthinkable - and find employment. For the widowed Anna Wren, that means taking a job as female secretary for the Earl of Swartingham. Secretaries are always male - never female - as Anna well knows but the real downfall of her career is the realisation that she is falling in love with Edward de Raaf - the Earl. But when she realises that he is going to visit a brothel in London to take care of his 'manly' desires, Anna sees red - and decides to take advantage of the opportunity to also take care of her 'womanly' desires - with the Earl as her unknowing lover. But the Earl has another reason for going to London. He is formalising his betrothal and trying (with little success) to forget about a secretary that has no right being female. Unhandsome, he knows that no woman wants him. Except for the mysterious lady with whom he spent two unforgettable nights at Aphrodite's Grotto, the most scandalous brothel in London. But when Anna's plan is revealed, a bit of blackmail is thrown into the mix, a proposal is rejected and even the Earl himself will be unprepared for the intrigues that ensnare them.

My Thoughts:

      Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my favorite romance authors and has become an absolute must buy for me. “The Raven Prince” was the very first book I read of Hoyt's and cemented her place in my little romantic heart. Let me tell you, what she can do with characters is simply beyond wonderful.

      Anna Wren is a down on her luck widow living in a little English town. As she is walking down the lane one day, she is confronted by a rude, overbearing man who accidentally knocks her down. Little does she know, within days she will be working for the very same man...and that he's the richest and most well known man in town, the current Earl, Lord Swartingham!

      As we all know, in a good romance, working together and spending quite a bit of time together almost guarantees a romance between the two characters...and Hoyt delivers. The buildup and chemistry of these two characters is wonderful. There is a sublime romance, but the conversations and verbal sparring between the two really sells it.

Anna laid down her quill and held out her hand to Jock, who had accompanied his master into the room. “I was beginning tothink you'd forgotten this morning's debt, my lord.”
He arched an arrogant brow. “Are you impugning my honor?”
“If I were, would you call me out?”
He made an inelegant sound. “No. You'd probably win if I did. I'm not a partciularly good shot, and my sword work needs practice.”
Anna raised her chin loftily. “Then perhaps you should be careful what you say to me.” (Hoyt, 114)

     The passion and romance in this story is hardly paralleled by any books I've read recently. Anna is such a different heroine than what you read about. She sees what she wants and takes life by the horns. She is independent and not htat fake independent that lasts until someone else can take charge. Edward, the Earl, is haunted by his past but isn't afraid to seize the future either. Just enough friction to make a wonderful story, but not allow it to become bogged down.

      I think everyone should read this book. Honestly. Every single person. I love it and without a doubt consider it one of my favorite books of all time. I own it in paperback and have read it so many times, the cover is almost ready to fall off. The conflict, the romance, the characters all come together in a delightful combination of a perfect story.

Book Details

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Date of Publication: November 1, 2006

# of Pages: 392

ISBN: 978-044661872

"The Ice Princess" By: Elizabeth Hoyt Review

 

"The Ice Princess"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Synopsis from Amazon:

SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN 

As the madam of Aphrodite's Grotto, the most infamous brothel in London, Coral Smythe knows everything possible about men's needs and desires. Yet she's never experienced the love of a single man-not even that of Captain Isaac Wargate whose hawk-like eyes stare at her with both condemnation...and lust.

SEVEN NIGHTS OF ECSTASY 

Captain Wargate heartily disapproves of the sensuous madam who always wears a golden mask. She lures his officers from both his ship and their duty. But when Coral herself is offered up as the prize in a game of chance, Wargate impulsively enters...and wins.

SEVEN NIGHTS OF LOVE 

Now the puritanical navy captain has just seven nights to learn everything he can about the mysterious madam and what she knows of a man's desires. But when Coral is threatened by the new owner of Aphrodite's Grotto, will Wargate take a chance on the woman beneath the mask...and on love? 

My Thoughts:

      “The Ice Princess” is the fourth installment of the “Princes” series by Elizabeth Hoyt. It follows the books “The Raven Prince,” “The Leopard Prince” and “The Serpent Prince” while telling the story of Coral Smythe who appears in the first novel. Appearing as a short novella, Hoyt does a wonderful job of showing how wonderful a short romance can truly be.

      Coral Smythe appeared as the mistress of a lord when she first appeared in the series. At the end of “Raven Prince” you see Coral as Aphrodite, a Madame at one of the most famous brothels in London. When the novella opens, Coral is still the Madame but has fallen are hard times. She has had to borrow money from some pretty unscrupulous people and is somewhat at their whim. When one of them, as a way to kind of put her in her place, offers her intimate services for seven days to whoever wins a game of cards.

      Captain Wargate has come to the brothel for a drink, but decides to save Coral from these despicable people and actually wins the seven days. I know this doesn't sound like the best set up for a romance, but it is pretty uniquely wonderful. Wargate and Coral slowly get to know one another, something neither one thought possible. They learn eachother's likes and dislikes and who they really are as people, not just brothel owner and captain.

     Hoyt is a master story teller. Everything she writes I simply gobble up and this is no different. It's definitely shorter than her normal stories, but still magical. The romance is very romantic and you love the characters. Perhaps the best part, the characters truly end up with the person who complements them the best. A great romance to read on a rainy afternoon!

Book Details

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

# of Pages: 74

Date of Publication: August 15, 2010

ISBN: B003ZUY19I

"Scandalous Desires" By: Elizabeth Hoyt Review

I bought this book knowing it was going to be amazing because it was by Elizabeth Hoyt. 

Today's review is of "Scandalous Desires"

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble:

Can a pirate learn that the only true treasure lies in a woman's heart?

Widowed Silence Hollingbrook is impoverished, lovely, and kind--and nine months ago she made a horrible mistake. She went to a river pirate for help in saving her husband and in the process made a bargain that cost her her marriage. That night wounded her so terribly that she hides in the foundling home she helps run with her brother. Except now that same river pirate is back...and he's asking for her help.

"Charming" Mickey O'Connor is the most ruthless river pirate in London. Devastatingly handsome and fearsomely intelligent, he clawed his way up through London's criminal underworld. Mickey has no use for tender emotions like compassion and love, and he sees people as pawns to be manipulated. And yet he's never been able to forget the naive captain's wife who came to him for help and spent one memorable night in his bed...talking.

When his bastard baby girl was dumped in his lap--her mother having died--Mickey couldn't resist the Machiavellian urge to leave the baby on Silence's doorstep. The baby would be hidden from his enemies and he'd also bind Silence to him by her love for his daughter.

My Thoughts:

     I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!

     Ok, I've got that out of my system. This book was simply amazing. If you are a fan of historical romance, this book is for you. Even if you are just a fan of a good romance, this is just the book for you. I read this book in 2 and a half hours, if that's even any indication on how fast I devoured this story.

     Silence has been featured in the two stories before this, "Notorious Pleasures" and "Wicked Intentions."  She had been married to William and thought she had the perfect marriage. Cargo is stolen from one of her husband's ships and she goes to notorious "Charming Mickey" to ask for the cargo back...or her husband will be arrested. Mickey agrees to give the cargo back, only if she'll spend the night with him. Nothing happens, but William suspects something pretty terrible and begins to distrust Silence. William is then lost at sea ending Silence's so-called perfect marriage.

     A baby is left on Silence's doorstep. She doesn't know where the child has come from, but she begins to love the little girl she calls Mary Darling. At the ending of "Notorious Pleasures," Mary Darling is abducted and Silence is on the hunt to find her.

      So at the beginning of this story, Silence has located Mary in the hands of Mickey. Mickey claims he is Mary's Father and is needing to protect the little girl now that his enemies know where the little girl is located. He refuses to let Silence take her home, but suggests that Mary and Silence both stay with him. 

      What follows is a magical love story. Mickey is rough, brash, and a pirate. Silence is fairly sheltered and has never been around someone like him. They both learn to grow and change...with the little girl, Mary between them. 

     The characters are richly written with strong back stories. Mary, the little girl, is a welcome addition to the story. The servants in Mickey's home are funny and remind me strongly of the servants from "Beauty and the Beast." They realize how important Silence is to Mickey, even if he doesn't.

     I can't say enough great things about this book. Perhaps one of the best books I've read this year. Can't wait for the next chapter in the Maiden lane series. I'm definitely waiting impatiently. A strong 5 Star book!