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Maiden Lane #1
Wicked Intentions
A man controlled by his desires . . .
Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .
A woman haunted by her past . . .
Caire makes a simple offer-in return for Temperance's help navigating the perilous alleys of St. Giles, he will introduce her to London's high society so that she can find a benefactor for the home. But Temperance may not be the innocent she seems, and what begins as cold calculation soon falls prey to a passion that neither can control-one that may well destroy them both.
A bargain neither could refuse.
Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .
A woman haunted by her past . . .
Caire makes a simple offer-in return for Temperance's help navigating the perilous alleys of St. Giles, he will introduce her to London's high society so that she can find a benefactor for the home. But Temperance may not be the innocent she seems, and what begins as cold calculation soon falls prey to a passion that neither can control-one that may well destroy them both.
A bargain neither could refuse.
382 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2010
720 people are currently reading
16k people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Hoyt
44books7,072followersElizabeth Hoyt is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three untrained dogs and one long-suffering husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,135 reviews
December 4, 2013
I'll probably never win another book through ŷ' First Reads again with this review. What an anachronistic, ungrammatical, unfinished book that was.
The book opens with the widow Temperance Dews wending her way through the dank and dangerous streets of St. Giles, clutching a loaded pistol. She’s on her way back to the foundling home she runs with her younger brother, returning with her maidservant and an infant they pried from the arms of a dead young mother. Along the way, she overhears a scuffle in an alley and ends up fleeing from a frightening man with long white hair and a voluminous black cloak who she saw standing over an inert bleeding man. Not long after returning home, however, she discovers that the frightening man has let himself into her sitting room and has a proposition for her that she can’t turn down.
Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching St. Giles for a brutal murderer and he needs help navigating the streets and the people of the dangerous slum. Seeing how easily Temperance moves around the area, and knowing that the home is in dire financial straits, he offers her money in exchange for her guidance around the slum. She accepts, but with the caveat that he also introduce her to polite society so she may find a new patron for the home.
When a book begins with a contrivance, it’s a bad sign. Why, oh why, would a scandalous peer of the realm contract the services of a respectable woman as a guide to a slum in 1737? A woman? 60 years before Mary Wollstonecraft and her A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, I’m to believe a powerful man sees a lower-class woman as some sort of valuable helper?
Ok, but this is Romancelandia, you say, suspend your disbelief, you crone. Fine, I’ll ignore that absurdity. But must I also ignore the piano at the musicale many years before composers wrote for the pianoforte, much less the piano? Or how we never find out exactly what Caire’s title is? And all the anachronistic language? Why bother writing in a unique time period - the early Georgian era - if you’re going to go all wallpaper on me? Wouldn’t it be easier to just go with the familiar Regency period if you don’t want to set a scene? Constantly substituting “of the clock� for “o’clock� does not compensate for the modern tone. Quite the opposite, it grated on me. Set against a voice that could as easily have been telling a contemporary tale, it just glared at me, like a LARPer at the mall.
So, with the time period a silly theatrical setting, I would hope there’s a strong plot to make it all worthwhile. Unfortunately, I found the book alternately boring, absurd, untidy and confusing. Really, if I hadn’t won a copy and felt duty bound to finish and review it, I’d have quit the book at page 100. The suspense plot is poorly done with no clues or red herrings for the reader to use to play along, giving its resolution a shoulder-shrugging “Oh, that person� emotional impact. The hero’s motivation for undertaking the sleuthing is never resolved, just hinted at enough to raise unanswered questions. The side plot involving Temperance’s sister Silence adds nothing to this story but sequel bait. I don’t read romance to read about unresolved marital strife. The Ghost of St. Giles bit was freaking ridiculous. When Caire was ever fighting off hooligans back to back with a caped man in a harlequin mask with a long sword in one hand and a short sword in the other, I started to wonder if Hoyt had switched publishers and was now with Marvel Comics. There was so much going on that I never found myself invested in any of it.
I didn’t find much to like about the romance either. To begin with, I didn’t like either of the characters. Caire says terrible, insulting things to Temperance, mocking her and her dead husband because it amuses him to hurt her. He never makes amends, apologizes or grovels for it either. In fact, it’s Temperance who has to beg him to forgive her at the end. Not that she was much more likeable herself, being at times sanctimonious and others mindblowingly selfish. A breaking point came for me when her brother was sick, she just found out the home was again out of money and a baby was dying and she leaves the home unsupervised as she heads to Caire’s for some punishing rough sex. How could I respect someone so selfish?
***Slight Spoiler***
The bulk of their attraction was lust, rather than any sort of nuanced emotional connection. Throughout the first third of the book, a big to-do is made of Caire’s “unnatural desires,� all the secondary characters obliquely referring to them but not offering any details. As it turns out, Caire, who finds other people touching him to be mentally and physically painful (and bonus points for having the characters discuss mental pain 150+ years before the birth of psychology), likes to tie women up during sex. Temperance, apparently, likes to be tied up and manhandled. Match made in heaven...except, Hoyt couldn’t commit to it. She tones down the bondage, having them grow out of it as a result of Twue Love, and ascribes its appeal to all sorts of psychological shortcomings. Now she decides to adhere to outdated medical info, nice. She has the characters freak out about bloodletting, which was definitely SOP then, but embrace the well-debunked idea that bondage is an unhealthy behavior one grows out of. FFS, girl, can we get some consistency please?
***And moving on...***
Added to the scatterbrained plot, unlikeable characters and unbelievable romance is some rather distracting writing. I admit to being a bit of a grammar pedant, but misusing reflexive pronouns in a published novel is just sloppy. Myself, herself and yourself are not fancier ways of saying “me,� “her� or “you.� It’s not okay when work email says “Please send all further inquiries to either Bill or myself� so it’s definitely not okay in something I pay for. See previous comment on “of the clock� for not making the voice sound like authentic 18th century.
I didn’t like the book, but I didn’t hate it either, so I give it two stars. Shamelessly setting sequel bait, more anachronism than a SCA event and a limp story just left me unsatisfied. After having enjoyed so many of her previous books I’m left to conclude that either she’s changed or I have. In any case, I’m reluctant to continue the series. Disappointing.
Also, the hero had long white hair. Long white hair = Sephiroth. Too weird.
The book opens with the widow Temperance Dews wending her way through the dank and dangerous streets of St. Giles, clutching a loaded pistol. She’s on her way back to the foundling home she runs with her younger brother, returning with her maidservant and an infant they pried from the arms of a dead young mother. Along the way, she overhears a scuffle in an alley and ends up fleeing from a frightening man with long white hair and a voluminous black cloak who she saw standing over an inert bleeding man. Not long after returning home, however, she discovers that the frightening man has let himself into her sitting room and has a proposition for her that she can’t turn down.
Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching St. Giles for a brutal murderer and he needs help navigating the streets and the people of the dangerous slum. Seeing how easily Temperance moves around the area, and knowing that the home is in dire financial straits, he offers her money in exchange for her guidance around the slum. She accepts, but with the caveat that he also introduce her to polite society so she may find a new patron for the home.
When a book begins with a contrivance, it’s a bad sign. Why, oh why, would a scandalous peer of the realm contract the services of a respectable woman as a guide to a slum in 1737? A woman? 60 years before Mary Wollstonecraft and her A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, I’m to believe a powerful man sees a lower-class woman as some sort of valuable helper?
Ok, but this is Romancelandia, you say, suspend your disbelief, you crone. Fine, I’ll ignore that absurdity. But must I also ignore the piano at the musicale many years before composers wrote for the pianoforte, much less the piano? Or how we never find out exactly what Caire’s title is? And all the anachronistic language? Why bother writing in a unique time period - the early Georgian era - if you’re going to go all wallpaper on me? Wouldn’t it be easier to just go with the familiar Regency period if you don’t want to set a scene? Constantly substituting “of the clock� for “o’clock� does not compensate for the modern tone. Quite the opposite, it grated on me. Set against a voice that could as easily have been telling a contemporary tale, it just glared at me, like a LARPer at the mall.
So, with the time period a silly theatrical setting, I would hope there’s a strong plot to make it all worthwhile. Unfortunately, I found the book alternately boring, absurd, untidy and confusing. Really, if I hadn’t won a copy and felt duty bound to finish and review it, I’d have quit the book at page 100. The suspense plot is poorly done with no clues or red herrings for the reader to use to play along, giving its resolution a shoulder-shrugging “Oh, that person� emotional impact. The hero’s motivation for undertaking the sleuthing is never resolved, just hinted at enough to raise unanswered questions. The side plot involving Temperance’s sister Silence adds nothing to this story but sequel bait. I don’t read romance to read about unresolved marital strife. The Ghost of St. Giles bit was freaking ridiculous. When Caire was ever fighting off hooligans back to back with a caped man in a harlequin mask with a long sword in one hand and a short sword in the other, I started to wonder if Hoyt had switched publishers and was now with Marvel Comics. There was so much going on that I never found myself invested in any of it.
I didn’t find much to like about the romance either. To begin with, I didn’t like either of the characters. Caire says terrible, insulting things to Temperance, mocking her and her dead husband because it amuses him to hurt her. He never makes amends, apologizes or grovels for it either. In fact, it’s Temperance who has to beg him to forgive her at the end. Not that she was much more likeable herself, being at times sanctimonious and others mindblowingly selfish. A breaking point came for me when her brother was sick, she just found out the home was again out of money and a baby was dying and she leaves the home unsupervised as she heads to Caire’s for some punishing rough sex. How could I respect someone so selfish?
***Slight Spoiler***
The bulk of their attraction was lust, rather than any sort of nuanced emotional connection. Throughout the first third of the book, a big to-do is made of Caire’s “unnatural desires,� all the secondary characters obliquely referring to them but not offering any details. As it turns out, Caire, who finds other people touching him to be mentally and physically painful (and bonus points for having the characters discuss mental pain 150+ years before the birth of psychology), likes to tie women up during sex. Temperance, apparently, likes to be tied up and manhandled. Match made in heaven...except, Hoyt couldn’t commit to it. She tones down the bondage, having them grow out of it as a result of Twue Love, and ascribes its appeal to all sorts of psychological shortcomings. Now she decides to adhere to outdated medical info, nice. She has the characters freak out about bloodletting, which was definitely SOP then, but embrace the well-debunked idea that bondage is an unhealthy behavior one grows out of. FFS, girl, can we get some consistency please?
***And moving on...***
Added to the scatterbrained plot, unlikeable characters and unbelievable romance is some rather distracting writing. I admit to being a bit of a grammar pedant, but misusing reflexive pronouns in a published novel is just sloppy. Myself, herself and yourself are not fancier ways of saying “me,� “her� or “you.� It’s not okay when work email says “Please send all further inquiries to either Bill or myself� so it’s definitely not okay in something I pay for. See previous comment on “of the clock� for not making the voice sound like authentic 18th century.
I didn’t like the book, but I didn’t hate it either, so I give it two stars. Shamelessly setting sequel bait, more anachronism than a SCA event and a limp story just left me unsatisfied. After having enjoyed so many of her previous books I’m left to conclude that either she’s changed or I have. In any case, I’m reluctant to continue the series. Disappointing.
Also, the hero had long white hair. Long white hair = Sephiroth. Too weird.
July 20, 2016
Well That Was Yummy Good!
I had no idea was walking into an erotic, slightly gory, good deeds type of book but I certainly did.
Temperance Dews (widower) and her brother Winter Makepeace <---(his name is freaking Winter, my favorite time of the year!) run the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. They both took it over after their father died but now they are in dire straits as one of their benefactors died and didn't leave them any money in his will. Poor Winter is working himself to the bone trying to make ends meet, he's a school teacher as well. He has some other stuff that keeps him busy but that is for another book.
They live in a very bad part of London (St. Giles). People are murdered here all of the time. Temperance and her maid servant, Nell Jones witnessed a dead body on their way home from saving a baby in the middle of the night. You shouldn't be out at night in St. Giles but they had to get the baby.
There are all sorts of bandits, drunks, killers, ghosts, you name it, running around at night so it's best to stay inside.
Lord Caire or Lazarus Huntington comes to see Temperance. He wants to pay money for her to help him try to find out how murdered his mistress. Why did he pick Temperance? Read the book! Temperance has to take Lord Caire up on his offer because they need money badly. He is also willing to help Temperance find a permanent donor to the home for her help as well.
But Lord Caire is not the type of man you bring home to the family. Yes, he's rich but he also sleeps around with all kinds of women and this is not good for the sweet Temperance to be around. And yes he does get all nasty talking to her and making her crazy but it works out once Lord Caire finds he is starting to "FEEL" again. He hasn't felt anything since he lost his sister as a child.
Temperance and Caire have some very, um, passionate moments. Yes, you will get all hot and bothered! They also go through some more tough times and death but they do eventually find out who the killer is and get that taken care of.
Temperance has two other brothers named Concord (he took over the brewery when dad died) and Asa. She has two sisters named Verity and Silence. They weren't in the book too much, only Silence played a good part in it and I look forward to reading about her in one of the other books. I felt sorry for what Silence went through with her husband. People suck is all I can say.
There were a few different characters in the book that I loved and hated and they are going to be in some of the other books I hope to read soon. Over all I enjoyed this book!
*I would like to thank Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
I have since went to thrift books online and got the next three books in the series and I have the next three after that on my Amazon list as they are cheap. Yay!
MY BLOG:
I had no idea was walking into an erotic, slightly gory, good deeds type of book but I certainly did.
Temperance Dews (widower) and her brother Winter Makepeace <---(his name is freaking Winter, my favorite time of the year!) run the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. They both took it over after their father died but now they are in dire straits as one of their benefactors died and didn't leave them any money in his will. Poor Winter is working himself to the bone trying to make ends meet, he's a school teacher as well. He has some other stuff that keeps him busy but that is for another book.
They live in a very bad part of London (St. Giles). People are murdered here all of the time. Temperance and her maid servant, Nell Jones witnessed a dead body on their way home from saving a baby in the middle of the night. You shouldn't be out at night in St. Giles but they had to get the baby.
There are all sorts of bandits, drunks, killers, ghosts, you name it, running around at night so it's best to stay inside.
Lord Caire or Lazarus Huntington comes to see Temperance. He wants to pay money for her to help him try to find out how murdered his mistress. Why did he pick Temperance? Read the book! Temperance has to take Lord Caire up on his offer because they need money badly. He is also willing to help Temperance find a permanent donor to the home for her help as well.
But Lord Caire is not the type of man you bring home to the family. Yes, he's rich but he also sleeps around with all kinds of women and this is not good for the sweet Temperance to be around. And yes he does get all nasty talking to her and making her crazy but it works out once Lord Caire finds he is starting to "FEEL" again. He hasn't felt anything since he lost his sister as a child.
Temperance and Caire have some very, um, passionate moments. Yes, you will get all hot and bothered! They also go through some more tough times and death but they do eventually find out who the killer is and get that taken care of.
Temperance has two other brothers named Concord (he took over the brewery when dad died) and Asa. She has two sisters named Verity and Silence. They weren't in the book too much, only Silence played a good part in it and I look forward to reading about her in one of the other books. I felt sorry for what Silence went through with her husband. People suck is all I can say.
There were a few different characters in the book that I loved and hated and they are going to be in some of the other books I hope to read soon. Over all I enjoyed this book!
*I would like to thank Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
I have since went to thrift books online and got the next three books in the series and I have the next three after that on my Amazon list as they are cheap. Yay!
MY BLOG:
July 18, 2023
|| || || ||
This book is the epitome of "I cured your sad dick with my magic vajayjay" and if that is triggering in any way to you, you will not enjoy this book.
WICKED INTENTIONS has been on my to-read list for a while and I put off reading it because I started with DUKE OF SIN and none of the other Maiden Lane books I picked up after it could match my love for Val. But I've been on a morally grey historical romance kick lately and a negative review for this book describing it as too dark and too smutty had me thinking that I had better read this asap.*
*Anyone who tells you that negative reviews hurt sales is lying
Lazarus is a lord who is searching the dark streets of London for the man who murdered his mistress. For help, he goes to Temperence Makepeace, who runs a children's home for orphans. After the death of their only benefactor, the home is on its last legs and all of the inhabitants are in danger of returning to the streets, so Lazarus offers to pay Temperance the money she needs for her help with the investigation.
***WARNING: SPOILERS TO COME***
This book is darker than the pastel cover would lead you to expect, which is perhaps another reason why some people don't like this book. It's not quite gothic, but it is gothic-adjacent, and doesn't whitewash the hardscrabble life of the Georgian poor in London. Filthy streets, prostitution, and exploitation of minors. No, this is a historical-romance that did not have me thinking, "Ah, what a delightful escape." So those who prefer their regency romances to be wallpaper historicals set mostly in clean ballrooms and little parlors are going to be pissed off, reading this. Also, the names are SO EXTRA. Temperance. Winter. Lazarus. Mother Heart's-Ease. Silence.
Silence.
...I think... I like it?
*cue kombucha girl meme*
I also liked the darker elements. I also LOVED the hero, who gives off tortured, dangerous vibes-- in the beginning. About halfway through the book, though, he undergoes a weird character transformation, where suddenly he doesn't provoke Temperance anymore, he just kind of worships her. Mindlessly. Which is totally fun, but also didn't really feel like it suited his character. His emotional disconnect and touch-aversion initially made me think he was a victim of child abuse, but when that did not prove to be the case, I wondered if maybe he was autistic or perhaps alexithymic (like the character in Sohn Won-Pyung's ALMOND). But it's never really revealed what his deal is, and sex with the heroine (and love for the heroine) "cures" him. He even says as much. Talk about restorative powers.
Temperance was a decent heroine. We learn from the beginning of the book that she likes to punish herself out of guilt for something unspecified. It turns out that something unspecified is that she cheated on her husband. It turns out she had a high sex drive and he had a low one, so she cheated on him because he gaslit her about being morally weak for wanting to sleep with him. Which I'm torn about. On the one hand, emotional abuse is super gross and women should be able to ask for sex. On the other hand, I hate cheating, and twenty-first century sex positivity doesn't really fit in Georgian England.
My favorite part of the book was actually between Temperance's sister, Silence, and the pirate guy. The way he sexually humiliated her without even touching her was fucked-up hot, although I felt SO BAD for her and what the outcome of that event was. Actually, I own pirate guy's romance and I was initially not excited for it at all (his name is Mickey lol) but now I kind of am. Kinky pirates, am I right?
So in the end, I ended up torn. The gothic vibes and dreary atmosphere were excellent. It actually had just the right amount of sex scenes for a smutty historical romance, in my opinion, and most of them developed the characters and their relationships. I wish the characters' traumas had been better integrated, though, and I'm still not entirely sure what Lazarus's deal was. It made me think about how psychological trauma is often milked for drama in gothic (or gothic adjacent!) novels but never fully explored. Authors just wiggle their fingers and give their characters symptoms that are easy to cure.*
*But only with monogamous love-sex
Also the fairytale story at the beginning of each chapter was ridiculous. "I loved you from the moment you had your guards drag me up to you and you threatened me with death?" Lmao, what.
I know it sounds like I didn't like this but I actually did. I read it in a single day. Brilliant.
3.5 to 4 stars
September 19, 2010
5 stars � Historical Romance
Wow! This is the first book I’ve read by popular author Elizabeth Hoyt, and I certainly understand now why she’s so highly rated. Wicked Intentions, the first book in her new Maiden Lane series, is a dark, gritty, eerie, emotional, unique, and erotic murder mystery and romance with a bold, honest social commentary of class differences, poverty, and the rough, violent world of St. Giles in London.
The main characters, widowed child foundling home caregiver Temperance Dews and mysterious Lazarus Huntingon, Lord Caire, who’s famous for his deviant sexual proclivities and disdain of the aristocracy, were fascinating. Their chemistry and connection was beguiling, believable, and sensual, and I simply couldn’t get enough of them together. And the sex scenes?! HOLY cow!! I had to turn down my A/C! But what was even more compelling about the love scenes was how integral they were to the characters emotional growth and the way they were weaved so perfectly within the foundation of the story.
There were several interesting secondary characters as well, so there seems to be intriguing possibilities for future books in the series. Just who is the Ghost of St. Giles? Will we see more of Charming Mickey? What does the future hold for Silence and William, or possibly even Silence and Charming Mickey, perhaps? I for one can’t wait to find out! I just wish I didn’t have to wait until Feb�2011 for to come out! 5 stars!
Wow! This is the first book I’ve read by popular author Elizabeth Hoyt, and I certainly understand now why she’s so highly rated. Wicked Intentions, the first book in her new Maiden Lane series, is a dark, gritty, eerie, emotional, unique, and erotic murder mystery and romance with a bold, honest social commentary of class differences, poverty, and the rough, violent world of St. Giles in London.
The main characters, widowed child foundling home caregiver Temperance Dews and mysterious Lazarus Huntingon, Lord Caire, who’s famous for his deviant sexual proclivities and disdain of the aristocracy, were fascinating. Their chemistry and connection was beguiling, believable, and sensual, and I simply couldn’t get enough of them together. And the sex scenes?! HOLY cow!! I had to turn down my A/C! But what was even more compelling about the love scenes was how integral they were to the characters emotional growth and the way they were weaved so perfectly within the foundation of the story.
There were several interesting secondary characters as well, so there seems to be intriguing possibilities for future books in the series. Just who is the Ghost of St. Giles? Will we see more of Charming Mickey? What does the future hold for Silence and William, or possibly even Silence and Charming Mickey, perhaps? I for one can’t wait to find out! I just wish I didn’t have to wait until Feb�2011 for to come out! 5 stars!
February 7, 2017
Oh, a silver-haired hero? My oh my! As he joins my book boyfriend list, Caire only has a couple of competitors: Jem from Infernal Devices, and Rowan from the Throne of Glass series.
So, we have the hottie, Caire, who is a rich tortured soul with "unusual tastes" in the bedroom. Familiar? Maybe, but Christian Grey was written AFTER this book, so you tell me who the copycat is.
men... they just don't get it! Am I right?
So, ye old Christian Grey has a mistress who was murdered and he wants to find her killer. He enlists the help of a local woman who runs an orphanage in the slums. Her name is Temperance. Truly. I would have had a real problem with my parents if they gave me that name, but I think it wasn't that uncommon back in the day. My ye old name would be Jilly Goodwife. Yeah, it's a joke. Ask my husband.
Temperance needs to find a rich orphanage-sugar-daddy to keep the kids in gruel and ragged clothes. Caire, the pervert, is willing to take her around to all of the rich-folk parties if she helps him. He's also willing to introduce her to his ye old red room of pain.
All joking aside, this book was awesome. The characters were smart and interesting. The storyline was really great. The side characters, especially Temperance's family, made me want more from them. There was a little side-story going on about Temperance's sister that I am totally intrigued by. I want more from the pirate/mobster dude for sure. On the whole, it was thoroughly entertaining and original. Loved it!
So, we have the hottie, Caire, who is a rich tortured soul with "unusual tastes" in the bedroom. Familiar? Maybe, but Christian Grey was written AFTER this book, so you tell me who the copycat is.
men... they just don't get it! Am I right?
So, ye old Christian Grey has a mistress who was murdered and he wants to find her killer. He enlists the help of a local woman who runs an orphanage in the slums. Her name is Temperance. Truly. I would have had a real problem with my parents if they gave me that name, but I think it wasn't that uncommon back in the day. My ye old name would be Jilly Goodwife. Yeah, it's a joke. Ask my husband.
Temperance needs to find a rich orphanage-sugar-daddy to keep the kids in gruel and ragged clothes. Caire, the pervert, is willing to take her around to all of the rich-folk parties if she helps him. He's also willing to introduce her to his ye old red room of pain.
All joking aside, this book was awesome. The characters were smart and interesting. The storyline was really great. The side characters, especially Temperance's family, made me want more from them. There was a little side-story going on about Temperance's sister that I am totally intrigued by. I want more from the pirate/mobster dude for sure. On the whole, it was thoroughly entertaining and original. Loved it!
June 22, 2018
I don't know what took me so long to get around to reading this book! I'm mentally kicking myself now!
My first read by Elizabeth Hoyt, Wicked Intentions, totally took me by surprise and utterly exceeded my expectations. I really did enjoy it. Thank you my lovely friend, Monty Cupcake � Queen of Bloodshed � , for recommending this book to me.
I’ve rarely found Historical Romance novel with such intensity like this one. The story itself was great, filled with heat, darkness, drama, and excitement. I was intrigued not only by the plot but also by the characters.
Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, was a complex character. He had the perfect mixture of a bad boy and a decent man. He had a peculiar problem, in that he hated being touched by everyone because all touch gave him pain. He could not feel a single emotion and never loved anyone. Until he met Temperance, he was uncontrollably drawn to her.
Temperance Dews had a reputation as a prim widow. She helped her brother, Winter, run the Foundling Home. After an unexpected death of the generous patron, the home had been left floundering and now both Temperance and her brother were in desperate situations. She had only two weeks to find the new patrons before her landlord would have this place forcibly vacated.
Out of nowhere, Lazarus came to her house and made a proposition to her. He wanted to hire her as a guide to St. Giles, in order to find someone. She accepted his offer on one condition that he had to introduce her to the wealthy and titled people of London so that she could have more opportunities of finding the new donors.
The more they ventured out in the night, the more they were in danger. Even though he knew it wasn’t safe for her to go out each night with him, he couldn’t resist the urge to get closer to her. As they spent more time together, they found that it was difficult to fight their feelings toward each other. But Temperance had her own secret, a sin she had tried to hide. Could it possible for them to have a future together?
I fell in love with Lazarus, my anti-hero. He was dangerous, yet vulnerable, and that totally melted my heart.
I loved the romance in this book and I loved the way Lazarus and Temperance built up their relationship, from complete strangers to lovers. They were meant for each other! He made her whole again after years of guilt and suffering, while she healed him, freed him from the pain of being touched.
I loved everything about this book. This was a memorable, atmospheric, and compelling read. I enjoyed every page of it from the beginning to the end. Absolutely loved it!
Highly recommended!
My first read by Elizabeth Hoyt, Wicked Intentions, totally took me by surprise and utterly exceeded my expectations. I really did enjoy it. Thank you my lovely friend, Monty Cupcake � Queen of Bloodshed � , for recommending this book to me.
I’ve rarely found Historical Romance novel with such intensity like this one. The story itself was great, filled with heat, darkness, drama, and excitement. I was intrigued not only by the plot but also by the characters.
Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, was a complex character. He had the perfect mixture of a bad boy and a decent man. He had a peculiar problem, in that he hated being touched by everyone because all touch gave him pain. He could not feel a single emotion and never loved anyone. Until he met Temperance, he was uncontrollably drawn to her.
Temperance Dews had a reputation as a prim widow. She helped her brother, Winter, run the Foundling Home. After an unexpected death of the generous patron, the home had been left floundering and now both Temperance and her brother were in desperate situations. She had only two weeks to find the new patrons before her landlord would have this place forcibly vacated.
Out of nowhere, Lazarus came to her house and made a proposition to her. He wanted to hire her as a guide to St. Giles, in order to find someone. She accepted his offer on one condition that he had to introduce her to the wealthy and titled people of London so that she could have more opportunities of finding the new donors.
The more they ventured out in the night, the more they were in danger. Even though he knew it wasn’t safe for her to go out each night with him, he couldn’t resist the urge to get closer to her. As they spent more time together, they found that it was difficult to fight their feelings toward each other. But Temperance had her own secret, a sin she had tried to hide. Could it possible for them to have a future together?
"you draw me. Because you are kind but not soft. Because when you touch me, the pain is bittersweet. Because you cradle a desperate secret to your bosom, like a viper in your arms, and don't let go of it even as it gnaws upon your very flesh. I want to pry that viper from your arms. To suckle upon your torn and bloody flesh. To take your pain within myself and make it mine."
I fell in love with Lazarus, my anti-hero. He was dangerous, yet vulnerable, and that totally melted my heart.
I loved the romance in this book and I loved the way Lazarus and Temperance built up their relationship, from complete strangers to lovers. They were meant for each other! He made her whole again after years of guilt and suffering, while she healed him, freed him from the pain of being touched.
"I am not the man you would've chosen on your own, I think."
She laid a palm on his cheek. "Why do you say that?"
His eyes snapped open, and he suddenly rolled to bring her beneath him. "Because I am selfish and vain and venal--nothing, in fact, like you or the men in your family. Don't think I'm unaware of that fact. I don't deserve you, Temperance, but it doesn't matter. You have told me you love me, and I'll not let you change your mind, now or ever."
"What makes you think I didn't choose you?"
His dark brows snapped together. "What?"
She threaded her fingers through his glorious silver hair. "You are exactly what I want, exactly what I need. You are honest and strong and fearless, and you make me fearless too. You don't let me hide behind excuses and prevarication; you make me face myself and you as well. I love you, Lazarus. I love you."
I loved everything about this book. This was a memorable, atmospheric, and compelling read. I enjoyed every page of it from the beginning to the end. Absolutely loved it!
Highly recommended!
July 21, 2016
What an exciting story! I loved Ms. Hoyt's Princes Trilogy, but for whatever reason kept putting off reading the Maiden Lane series til book 1 appeared on Netgalley...and now I'm hooked! I love this world she's created - at times harsh and shadowed by the stark contrasts of the haves and have nots - and the amazing characters who live there. I was kept guessing, right to the end, who the killer was in this tragic murder mystery. Great plot, complex people... and definitely not your typical 'tales of the ton' historical romance, by any stretch of the imagination!
I'm so very glad I read this book and, as I said, I'm hooked!
My thanks to Grand Central and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this story.
I'm so very glad I read this book and, as I said, I'm hooked!
My thanks to Grand Central and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this story.
November 6, 2016
“you draw me. Because you are kind but not soft. Because when you touch me, the pain is bittersweet.
Because you cradle a desperate secret to your bosom, like a viper in your arms, and don’t let go of it even as it gnaws upon your very flesh. I want to pry that viper from your arms. To suckle upon your torn and bloody flesh. To take your pain within myself and make it mine.�
I put off starting this series for so long that I almost forgot about it. Until this afternoon when I decided to give the first book a bash and didn't look back. This story consumed me, Lazarus and by the way that name, but Lazarus' character was the epitome of every bad boy I've ever loved but also quite different too. Did I mention how this book practically sizzled with sensuality, really this was one hot read.
The book starts off slowly, and as the reader I was pretty unassuming. Yes, there's the beloved mystery as well as the romance but I had no idea that the story would turnout the way it did. Let alone the fact that apart from the main story, the author wove 2 other stories into Lazarus and Temperance's book and while I'm really intrigued by Hero's story in I'm salivating for Silence's! But as you may well know I'm pretty anal about reading books in order.
Now back to this particular story. Temperance along with her brother Winter run a home for orphans and foundlings, they're barely scraping by and are in danger of losing their premises. Until Lazarus follows Temperance home and propositions her. A delicate agreement is formed, in exchange for showing him around St. Giles, Lazarus will introduce Temperance to the most influential members of society and hopefully find a new patron for her little home.
At first it seems as if these characters are complete opposites but as the story progresses you realise they have more in common. I'll stop trying to explain myself but this story was both extremely exciting, angsty, and sensual. All in all this is another read that I would strongly recommend!
He wanted to heal the hurt and then hurt her again just to make it better. It was impossible to keep thoughts of her gentleness, her wit, and her acerbity from his mind.
April 9, 2012
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED
Lazarus said to Temperance:
Because you are kind but not soft. Because when you touch me, the pain is bittersweet. Because you cradle a desperate secret to your bosom, like a viper in your arms, and don't let go of it even as it gnaws upon your very flesh. I want to pry that viper from your arms. To suckle upon your torn and bloody flesh. To take your pain within myself and make it mine."
4.5 stars.
LONDON 1737
Widow Temperance Dews is rather surprised to find a visitor at her home. It is the mysterious Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire. A dark man with silver hair and startlingly blue eyes. Lord Caire has come to make a proposition to Temperance--he is in need of a guide. Lord Caire's mistress was murdered, and that's why he is searching for a certain person in St. Giles, and he wants to interview some of the inhabitants. Lord Caire is not really familiar with this area and the people are reluctant to talk to him. Hence, a guide. And Temperance knows the streets of London intimately. As a quid pro quo, Temperance wants him to introduce her to the wealthy and titled people of London. She wants him to help her find a new patron for her family's foundling home. Well, the prim widow ran headlong into Lord Caire's talons�
Lazarus thinks of himself as a creature of the night, unfit for the company of humans. Lord Caire is a lonely man. He is suffering from physical and mental pain. To let another touch him was a ghastly physical trial. He'd had this loathing of another's touch for a very long time--since his childhood actually.
The prim widow, Temperance Dews, is not very prim at all. She was proper on the surface, but Lazarus knew that she had carnal depths that she struggled to hide. Lord Caire was very determined to explore those depths. Interestingly, Temperance had her own skeleton in the closet. She refused to admit love for the children of the foundling home. Further, she is holding herself back, denies herself pleasure--unless she's pressed. On top of that, she makes herself work at a hopeless job that is "killing" her. Temperance believes that she has to punish herself for a sin that Lazarus has yet to discover. Temperance is so incredibly wrapped up in her own demons that she hadn't even thought about Lord Caire's feelings.
Lazarus likes to tie and blindfold his women:
"Or"--she lifted her eyes to meet his--"perhaps you tie them so that you have no need to acknowledge their humanity."
He arched an eyebrow. "Wouldn't that make me the devil?"
"Would it?" she asked softly.
His eyes slid away from hers.
"Are you afraid of their gaze? Is that what the blindfold is for? So you can't see their eyes?"
"Perhaps I don't wish them to see my eyes."
"Why?"
"Perhaps I don't want them to see the black at the center of my soul."
What I did not like
Lord Caire realizes that he is putting Temperance in grave danger--something he thinks is unacceptable. With that said, he continues to put her in harm's way. I think that was pretty illogical. Then again, I know it was necessary to develop the plot. The names. Honestly, who would name his children Temperance, Silence, Verity or Concord?
The ending. It was a bit too corny for my liking--just a bit too melodramatic.
Holy cow! I will shamelessly admit that the best part of Wicked Intentions were the verrrrry hot, erotic, and sensual love scenes! My oh my, this was incredibly well done!!! Kudos, Ms. Hoyt! Lord Caire is temptation personified! Lazarus was the backbone of this story and he just pulled me in and I could not put this book down. I really appreciated to see how Lazarus unraveled our oh so not proper heroine. Additionally, I loved to see their relationship develop--from growing respect to love. The story is filled with erotism/romance and mystery. I adored Lazarus--he is such a dark, sensual, and untamed creature! Wicked Intentions is a very enthralling story, and if you love lush, highly erotic, sensual, and engrossing HR, then give this series a go! I'm off reading Silence's story, since I was rather intrigued by this very interesting secondary character. She is Temperance's sister.
Lazarus said to Temperance:
Because you are kind but not soft. Because when you touch me, the pain is bittersweet. Because you cradle a desperate secret to your bosom, like a viper in your arms, and don't let go of it even as it gnaws upon your very flesh. I want to pry that viper from your arms. To suckle upon your torn and bloody flesh. To take your pain within myself and make it mine."
4.5 stars.
LONDON 1737
Widow Temperance Dews is rather surprised to find a visitor at her home. It is the mysterious Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire. A dark man with silver hair and startlingly blue eyes. Lord Caire has come to make a proposition to Temperance--he is in need of a guide. Lord Caire's mistress was murdered, and that's why he is searching for a certain person in St. Giles, and he wants to interview some of the inhabitants. Lord Caire is not really familiar with this area and the people are reluctant to talk to him. Hence, a guide. And Temperance knows the streets of London intimately. As a quid pro quo, Temperance wants him to introduce her to the wealthy and titled people of London. She wants him to help her find a new patron for her family's foundling home. Well, the prim widow ran headlong into Lord Caire's talons�
Lazarus thinks of himself as a creature of the night, unfit for the company of humans. Lord Caire is a lonely man. He is suffering from physical and mental pain. To let another touch him was a ghastly physical trial. He'd had this loathing of another's touch for a very long time--since his childhood actually.
The prim widow, Temperance Dews, is not very prim at all. She was proper on the surface, but Lazarus knew that she had carnal depths that she struggled to hide. Lord Caire was very determined to explore those depths. Interestingly, Temperance had her own skeleton in the closet. She refused to admit love for the children of the foundling home. Further, she is holding herself back, denies herself pleasure--unless she's pressed. On top of that, she makes herself work at a hopeless job that is "killing" her. Temperance believes that she has to punish herself for a sin that Lazarus has yet to discover. Temperance is so incredibly wrapped up in her own demons that she hadn't even thought about Lord Caire's feelings.
Lazarus likes to tie and blindfold his women:
"Or"--she lifted her eyes to meet his--"perhaps you tie them so that you have no need to acknowledge their humanity."
He arched an eyebrow. "Wouldn't that make me the devil?"
"Would it?" she asked softly.
His eyes slid away from hers.
"Are you afraid of their gaze? Is that what the blindfold is for? So you can't see their eyes?"
"Perhaps I don't wish them to see my eyes."
"Why?"
"Perhaps I don't want them to see the black at the center of my soul."
What I did not like
Lord Caire realizes that he is putting Temperance in grave danger--something he thinks is unacceptable. With that said, he continues to put her in harm's way. I think that was pretty illogical. Then again, I know it was necessary to develop the plot. The names. Honestly, who would name his children Temperance, Silence, Verity or Concord?
The ending. It was a bit too corny for my liking--just a bit too melodramatic.
Holy cow! I will shamelessly admit that the best part of Wicked Intentions were the verrrrry hot, erotic, and sensual love scenes! My oh my, this was incredibly well done!!! Kudos, Ms. Hoyt! Lord Caire is temptation personified! Lazarus was the backbone of this story and he just pulled me in and I could not put this book down. I really appreciated to see how Lazarus unraveled our oh so not proper heroine. Additionally, I loved to see their relationship develop--from growing respect to love. The story is filled with erotism/romance and mystery. I adored Lazarus--he is such a dark, sensual, and untamed creature! Wicked Intentions is a very enthralling story, and if you love lush, highly erotic, sensual, and engrossing HR, then give this series a go! I'm off reading Silence's story, since I was rather intrigued by this very interesting secondary character. She is Temperance's sister.
February 23, 2017
I love broken heroes they do something to me. They can be the biggest jerks even and I’ll accept it because I just what them to be fixed. Lord Caire is pretty broken and so I loved him immediately. Temperance was pretty likeable and while I mis-guessed what her devastating secret was but I got who she was and why it was such a huge part of her identity.
Temperance runs a home for orphaned or unwanted children and she has helped extensively with it since the death of her husband. It is in dire straits so when a man shows up asking for her help with the people in that part of town she offers it to him in exchange for help finding a new patron in the upper crust of society. Temperance is a do-gooder to the core and it was interesting to find out why she is depriving herself so many thing for a punishment she thinks she deserves.
Lord Caire is notorious. Apparently the ladies of the Ton are afraid of the good Lord due to his proclivities in the bedroom. They made it out to seem like they were hugely atrocious but turns out he just likes to tie up his partners, which is pretty scandalous to his peers it seems. But that isn’t why he is broken, in fact that is just a little side perk. Nope the reason he is broken is that he can’t stand t be touched, anyone touching him gives him physical pain. He also feels nothing for anyone so when he starts to experience strange sensations like empathy when it comes to Temperance he is addicted and wants more.
Lord Claire is searching for the murderer of his mistress. But he is an aristocrat and so he is getting nowhere with the people of St. Giles street. But when Temperance agrees to help he finds that he has stirred up a hornets nest and put them both in danger.
I enjoyed the flirtation and fighting between the two. I liked how each saw past the mask the other presented. While I didn’t love Temperance’s big secret But Caire still made her very likeable to be because of how he saw her.
While their story was pretty good I was really interested in the flamboyant Captain and Temperance’s sister Silence. I like the set up for that tale and hope to make it to their book soon. There is also a man running around in the night pretending to be the Ghost of St. Giles and helping out those in need. With the mask, cape and hat he reminded me a little of Zorro, but who doesn’t like men in masks coming to their rescue brandishing a sword???
Overall this is a decent introduction into the Maiden Lane storylines and I’m interested to see what the author does with this landscape.
Temperance runs a home for orphaned or unwanted children and she has helped extensively with it since the death of her husband. It is in dire straits so when a man shows up asking for her help with the people in that part of town she offers it to him in exchange for help finding a new patron in the upper crust of society. Temperance is a do-gooder to the core and it was interesting to find out why she is depriving herself so many thing for a punishment she thinks she deserves.
Lord Caire is notorious. Apparently the ladies of the Ton are afraid of the good Lord due to his proclivities in the bedroom. They made it out to seem like they were hugely atrocious but turns out he just likes to tie up his partners, which is pretty scandalous to his peers it seems. But that isn’t why he is broken, in fact that is just a little side perk. Nope the reason he is broken is that he can’t stand t be touched, anyone touching him gives him physical pain. He also feels nothing for anyone so when he starts to experience strange sensations like empathy when it comes to Temperance he is addicted and wants more.
“It was a strange thing, this feeling of empathy. He'd never experienced it before. He realized that what hurt this woman hurt him as well, that what made her bleed caused a hemorrhage of pain within his soul.�
Lord Claire is searching for the murderer of his mistress. But he is an aristocrat and so he is getting nowhere with the people of St. Giles street. But when Temperance agrees to help he finds that he has stirred up a hornets nest and put them both in danger.
I enjoyed the flirtation and fighting between the two. I liked how each saw past the mask the other presented. While I didn’t love Temperance’s big secret But Caire still made her very likeable to be because of how he saw her.
“Why me?"
"Because you draw me. Because you are kind but not soft. Because when you touch me, the pain is bittersweet. Because you cradle a desperate secret to your bosom, like a viper in your arms, and don't let go of it even as it gnaws upon your very flesh. I want to pry that viper from your arms. To suckle upon your torn and bloody flesh. To take your pain within myself and make it mine.�
While their story was pretty good I was really interested in the flamboyant Captain and Temperance’s sister Silence. I like the set up for that tale and hope to make it to their book soon. There is also a man running around in the night pretending to be the Ghost of St. Giles and helping out those in need. With the mask, cape and hat he reminded me a little of Zorro, but who doesn’t like men in masks coming to their rescue brandishing a sword???
Overall this is a decent introduction into the Maiden Lane storylines and I’m interested to see what the author does with this landscape.
August 1, 2019
No sé porqué tardé tanto en leer este libro, con lo que me gustó esta autora tras leer los dos primeros de la serie Princes. Es difícil encontrar novelas de romance histórico tan intensas y que mezclen dos mundos tan distantes como la opulencia en la que vive la aristocracia del Londres de la época georgiana y la sordidez en la que malviven los habitantes de St Giles, uno de los barrios más pobres, miserables y peligrosos de la época.
La trama de suspense sirve para que los protagonistas se vayan conociendo, pero lo principal aquí es su historia de amor, gracias a la que descubren quiénes son realmente, qué sienten, cómo es y qué significa el sexo para ellos (🔥🔥🔥) y, sobre todo, qué es el amor. Lazarus y Temperance tienen nombres de lo más acertados para la historia de amor que viven, mucha química y un pasado complejo marcado por la culpa, el sufrimiento, los conflictos morales y sus deseos, más conocidos y permitidos en el caso de él, no en vano es un hombre, y más silenciados en el caso de ella, no en vano es una mujer.
Además de la historia de la pareja protagonista, a la autora le da tiempo de presentarnos a un plantel de secundarios de lo más interesantes, desde el mejor amigo del protagonista, St. John, y Lady Hero hasta el fantasma de St. Giles, pasando por los hermanos de Temperance (cuyos nombres se las traen). Me he quedado loca con la historia de Silence, así que en breve volveré a visitar Maiden Lane.
#Popsugar Challenge. Reto 22: Un libro con un detective amateur
La trama de suspense sirve para que los protagonistas se vayan conociendo, pero lo principal aquí es su historia de amor, gracias a la que descubren quiénes son realmente, qué sienten, cómo es y qué significa el sexo para ellos (🔥🔥🔥) y, sobre todo, qué es el amor. Lazarus y Temperance tienen nombres de lo más acertados para la historia de amor que viven, mucha química y un pasado complejo marcado por la culpa, el sufrimiento, los conflictos morales y sus deseos, más conocidos y permitidos en el caso de él, no en vano es un hombre, y más silenciados en el caso de ella, no en vano es una mujer.
Además de la historia de la pareja protagonista, a la autora le da tiempo de presentarnos a un plantel de secundarios de lo más interesantes, desde el mejor amigo del protagonista, St. John, y Lady Hero hasta el fantasma de St. Giles, pasando por los hermanos de Temperance (cuyos nombres se las traen). Me he quedado loca con la historia de Silence, así que en breve volveré a visitar Maiden Lane.
#Popsugar Challenge. Reto 22: Un libro con un detective amateur
December 19, 2014
Once more I'm on the fence with this one since everyone else seems to love it. For me, it was a book that had a lot of potential but never quite reached to it. It reminded me a lot of , another book by Hoyt that most people besides me loved, in that it is very dark and intense, even for Hoyt's standards, and in the way it tried to be angsty and introduce some damaged heroes but never quite convinced me of it.
In fact for me it was worse than TSP, in that I never came to care about the heroes, even enough to get angry or sad with them. When the book ended, I felt that I knew them as much as I did when the book began. And to top that, I constantly felt that their actions were not in line with their characters as portraited by the author; perhaps that's why I felt I never got to know them well.
Spoilers**
It reminded me a lot of Anne Stuart's historicals because of the darkness and the uncecessary cruel and cold hero in the beginning. What the heroine sees in him that gets her attracted to him initially, besides his handsome looks, is beyond me. I agree that he does start to change his colours after a point and we do see a different man underneath that's really worth caring for, but at that point I started to care less about the heroine herself. We start with a hero who is cold and unfeeling and a heroine who is warm and loving, right? However, a few pages before the end, it's the hero who is willing to admit his love for her and it's she, who discovers -along with this flubbergasted reader- that she has locked her heart and has trouble saying 'I love you'! WTF did that came from??? She was warm and loving the whole book, how did this revelation fit in? And we also never learn why the hero feels pain when others touch his skin. Ok, he was emotionally distant from everyone since childbirth, but how or when did the emotional pain start to coincide with a physical one? That angle was never quite explained as far as I could see.
The scene where the heroine learns about her sister's tragedy and goes to the hero for comfort, came out of the blue for me. Their relationship thus far (a few kisses and even fewer personal disclosures between them) did in no way justify her action to go and confide and seek comfort from him. I could see the sexual attraction between them, but IMHO they were not much closer emotionally at that point than they were in the beginning of the book.
Or when the proper, self-sacrificing heroine finds her brother sick, one of the babies in her charge seriously ill and learns that their money is beyond exhausted and they're living with fumes, what does she do? Leave all of them and go to the hero's house for a quick tumble!!! For crying out loud, how does that fit with the image the writer is building so far? I almost threw the book aside at that point. And to be honest, if that is who she really is, I don't care for such a person after all.
We also learn pretty soon that the hero is the black sheep of the ton because of his weird sexual proclivities. And I'm waiting and waiting patiently to learn what extreme acts did this man do to be ostracized by the ton. When we at last find out, I didn't realize that this was actually it! It seemed too insignifficant to ruin his reputation, so I kept waiting for the more kinky stuff to come to light, only it never did because there wasn't anything else:)
End of Spoilers**
On the other hand, every other character in the book was much more interesting than those two. The heroine's sister and the thief 'Charming Mike' with only a couple of pages stole the show for me. I felt as connected to Silence (ok, the names were all pretty weird too, something else that put me off) as I never felt to the heroine. Winter and Asa, the heroine's brothers, St John, the hero's friend, Lady Hero and the Ghost of St Giles were way more interesting than the protagonists and that is the reason I'm decided to go on with the series. The fact that Hoyt has written some amazing books so far, doesn't hurt either:)
Edited to add:
People who've read the book -or are determinde not to- might want to check out this skewering review of the book by Mrs Giggles. It may be overdone but many of the things she laughs at are too close to the truth IMO:)
In fact for me it was worse than TSP, in that I never came to care about the heroes, even enough to get angry or sad with them. When the book ended, I felt that I knew them as much as I did when the book began. And to top that, I constantly felt that their actions were not in line with their characters as portraited by the author; perhaps that's why I felt I never got to know them well.
Spoilers**
It reminded me a lot of Anne Stuart's historicals because of the darkness and the uncecessary cruel and cold hero in the beginning. What the heroine sees in him that gets her attracted to him initially, besides his handsome looks, is beyond me. I agree that he does start to change his colours after a point and we do see a different man underneath that's really worth caring for, but at that point I started to care less about the heroine herself. We start with a hero who is cold and unfeeling and a heroine who is warm and loving, right? However, a few pages before the end, it's the hero who is willing to admit his love for her and it's she, who discovers -along with this flubbergasted reader- that she has locked her heart and has trouble saying 'I love you'! WTF did that came from??? She was warm and loving the whole book, how did this revelation fit in? And we also never learn why the hero feels pain when others touch his skin. Ok, he was emotionally distant from everyone since childbirth, but how or when did the emotional pain start to coincide with a physical one? That angle was never quite explained as far as I could see.
The scene where the heroine learns about her sister's tragedy and goes to the hero for comfort, came out of the blue for me. Their relationship thus far (a few kisses and even fewer personal disclosures between them) did in no way justify her action to go and confide and seek comfort from him. I could see the sexual attraction between them, but IMHO they were not much closer emotionally at that point than they were in the beginning of the book.
Or when the proper, self-sacrificing heroine finds her brother sick, one of the babies in her charge seriously ill and learns that their money is beyond exhausted and they're living with fumes, what does she do? Leave all of them and go to the hero's house for a quick tumble!!! For crying out loud, how does that fit with the image the writer is building so far? I almost threw the book aside at that point. And to be honest, if that is who she really is, I don't care for such a person after all.
We also learn pretty soon that the hero is the black sheep of the ton because of his weird sexual proclivities. And I'm waiting and waiting patiently to learn what extreme acts did this man do to be ostracized by the ton. When we at last find out, I didn't realize that this was actually it! It seemed too insignifficant to ruin his reputation, so I kept waiting for the more kinky stuff to come to light, only it never did because there wasn't anything else:)
End of Spoilers**
On the other hand, every other character in the book was much more interesting than those two. The heroine's sister and the thief 'Charming Mike' with only a couple of pages stole the show for me. I felt as connected to Silence (ok, the names were all pretty weird too, something else that put me off) as I never felt to the heroine. Winter and Asa, the heroine's brothers, St John, the hero's friend, Lady Hero and the Ghost of St Giles were way more interesting than the protagonists and that is the reason I'm decided to go on with the series. The fact that Hoyt has written some amazing books so far, doesn't hurt either:)
Edited to add:
People who've read the book -or are determinde not to- might want to check out this skewering review of the book by Mrs Giggles. It may be overdone but many of the things she laughs at are too close to the truth IMO:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
To my surprise, it ended up being one of my favorite romances (5 stars)
I have never before read an Elizabeth Hoyt book and that was mostly because after reading reviews about her books, I got the sense they were probably a little too wild with not enough actual story/substance for me. I am so glad I decided to finally test my theory and that I started with this one - I checked it out of the library but am definitely buying my own copy, because I know this will be a reread many, many times over! It took me completely off guard, but I absolutely fell in love with this book and its leading characters.
Summary
Temperance Dews runs an orphan/foundling home in St. Giles. It was first started by her father and she and one of her brothers, Winter, are now in charge. Due to the sudden death of the home's previous patron, they are now in dire financial straits and have to find some way of paying the rent, the other bills they owe, and supporting the children in their care.
Along comes Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire with a deal that she can't refuse. He is in search of the murderer who viciously killed his mistress a few months ago, however is not familiar with St. Giles and needs a guide of sorts to help him navigate the area and encourage people to speak with him. Caire offers Temperance a bargain: she will serve as his guide in the evenings and he will help her find a new patron to support the home, providing some funds to make do in the meanwhile.
Caire is a bad, bad boy, which everyone appears to know except Temperance. She eventually discovers that he is so well (and scandalously) known because of certain "sexual proclivities" (let me say that although I was a little apprehensive when I read this in other people's reviews, it's really not that bad - he's just by no means Mr. Vanilla). Temperance has her own desires that she is always struggling with, as she has basically convinced herself that feeling sexual desire is sinful, and so is in many ways intrigued to learn more. She is also curious when she discovers that this man who is apparently so sensual and depraved also has an aversion to anyone touching him.
As Temperance and Lazarus work their way through St. Giles trying to find the now-multiple murderer, their own relationship develops, both emotionally and physically. Each has secrets that they begin to reveal to one another, and as they do, these two seemingly opposite people learn that they are really not very different from one another.
The Main Characters and Romance
Oh lord, Elizabeth Hoyt sure knows how to write dark, sensual, and complex characters, as well as very sizzling scenes! I like great chemistry as much as the next person, but I am one of those romance readers who does not enjoy a basically lust-based romance, or erotica dressed up as romance. While that was my fear here, it turned out to be unsubstantiated: Hoyt is definitely a descriptive and "daring" (for some) writer, but I found that the characters and plot completely pulled their weight and were just as / more important to the story.
Lazarus is a bad boy whom I was a little confounded by at first, but could not help but begin to care for. You feel tenderness towards this man who is so obviously lonely and in many ways tragic; not only does he have an aversion to being touched (he has to be the initiator and can touch others, but doesn't like others touching him, in case you were wondering), but he also is unbelievably numb to most any and all emotions. So many times you read his exchanges with Temperance and you can see exactly what he's doing: trying to test her and push her away but also hoping she won't take the bait and will actually draw nearer. His story is revealed piece by piece and frankly there are still some parts left unclear (at least for me) at the end. I thought the addition of his friend St. John was great and in many ways necessary, for it gives us hints from the beginning that Caire is not as simply explained as his reputation would have us believe and provides us a whole new dimension.
The juxtaposition of him and Temperance is really well done, because despite the fact that yes she has desires like every human being - and engages in them with Caire - the truth is that she still is a proper, decent, emotion-filled person who is very much in stark contrast - at least in the beginning - to Caire. I thought she was a wonderful heroine: strong and capable and smart, but also very vulnerable and real! Especially given the time, her struggle and misunderstandings about her own sexuality were well-done and very realistic. Many not having read the book might shrug it off and see it as just a ploy to lead into some hot romance scenes, but while I think a less skillful author might have been unable to stop it from slipping into that, Hoyt manages it masterfully, and in so doing makes the book and characters that much stronger and engaging.
Best Quote
SO MANY to choose from, but here is one of my favs: "There's something about her," Caire said in a low voice. "She cares for everyone about her, yet neglects herself. I want to be the one who cares for her." (p194)
Another great exchange because I can't help myself:
-- I'm not sure you have any more need of me in St. Giles, but you take me with you still. Why?
-- Why do you think?
-- I don't know.
-- Don't you? He leaned closer to her and repeated low, Don't you? (p213-214)
And ...
It was a strange thing, this feeling of empathy. He'd never experienced it before. He realized that what hurt this woman hurt him as well, that what made her bleed caused a hemorrhage of pain within his soul. (p234)
Other Notes
For once, the mystery of a romance book was actually really well done - surprise, surprise! It didn't overrun the main story and the development of the h&h's relationship, wasn't contrived and was definitely necessary to the plot, and was not completely outlandish, while still having a surprising ending. To find all that in a romance mystery subplot is very unusual, so hats off to Hoyt!
The secondary characters were superb, with each one being well-defined and adding to the overall story. I've already mentioned St. John, but Caire's mother, Nell (maidservant and assistant at the home), and Temperance's sister and three brothers - especially Winter - were all interesting, pulled their own weight, and were their own stand-alone person.
In this book we're introduced to Lady Hero, who is the heroine of the second book in the series, . She seems fine and nice, but I personally am not that interested in her story. It has a higher rating than this one, so I might end up picking it up, but after Wicked Intentions it seems boring and regular in comparison. I am also very uncomfortable with the premise of her being engaged to one guy and flirting / ending up with his brother.
Some Criticisms
Silence, Temperance's sister, is the heroine of the third book and oh lord, everyone who has read this book knows what I mean when I say I CANNOT WAIT for her story with "Charming" Mickey O'Connor!! My only complaint here is that her story is so engaging - and obviously so, since she's to have her own romance with him - that it almost felt like an interruption every time we were taken away from Temperance and Caire and are solely with Silence and her POV. There weren't many of these sections, but they were there and not only do I think they detracted from this book, but they are so integral to her story that if they're not also provided in Book 3, anyone who reads it as a stand-alone won't be able to get the full effect.
As others have said, I think that Caire's issues with being touched could have been explored more and were solved a little too easily at the end.
The very, very end was fine, but the second to last part right before it (when there's the reconciliation and love declarations, etc.) felt odd to me. Caire, who has been dark and just a certain specific you-know-what-I-mean-if-you've-read-the-book way throughout the entire story, even when being tender and sweet to Temperance, all of a sudden acts very differently and like a normal guy when his mother comes up to him and they begin their process of reconciliation. That and a few other parts of that scene were a little too sappy and corny, feeling out of place for me, especially given the tone of the rest of the book.
My last complaint is what was up with all the Mary this and Joseph that?! Could they not be at all more original in the naming, and also maybe try to make the orphans feel like they're individuals? The fact that the second name added to Mary/Joseph has to do with how they came to be there - Joseph Tinbox, Mary Found, etc. - just made it that much worse.
Maiden Lane Series
Book 1 - Wicked Intentions (5 stars)
Book 2 - (3.5 stars)
Book 3 - (expected publication Sep 22, 2011)
Bottom Line
READ IT! READ IT! Such a wonderful book - it took me completely off guard, but I adored it and cannot wait to read it again! Also cannot, cannot wait for Book 3!!
I have never before read an Elizabeth Hoyt book and that was mostly because after reading reviews about her books, I got the sense they were probably a little too wild with not enough actual story/substance for me. I am so glad I decided to finally test my theory and that I started with this one - I checked it out of the library but am definitely buying my own copy, because I know this will be a reread many, many times over! It took me completely off guard, but I absolutely fell in love with this book and its leading characters.
Summary
Temperance Dews runs an orphan/foundling home in St. Giles. It was first started by her father and she and one of her brothers, Winter, are now in charge. Due to the sudden death of the home's previous patron, they are now in dire financial straits and have to find some way of paying the rent, the other bills they owe, and supporting the children in their care.
Along comes Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire with a deal that she can't refuse. He is in search of the murderer who viciously killed his mistress a few months ago, however is not familiar with St. Giles and needs a guide of sorts to help him navigate the area and encourage people to speak with him. Caire offers Temperance a bargain: she will serve as his guide in the evenings and he will help her find a new patron to support the home, providing some funds to make do in the meanwhile.
Caire is a bad, bad boy, which everyone appears to know except Temperance. She eventually discovers that he is so well (and scandalously) known because of certain "sexual proclivities" (let me say that although I was a little apprehensive when I read this in other people's reviews, it's really not that bad - he's just by no means Mr. Vanilla). Temperance has her own desires that she is always struggling with, as she has basically convinced herself that feeling sexual desire is sinful, and so is in many ways intrigued to learn more. She is also curious when she discovers that this man who is apparently so sensual and depraved also has an aversion to anyone touching him.
As Temperance and Lazarus work their way through St. Giles trying to find the now-multiple murderer, their own relationship develops, both emotionally and physically. Each has secrets that they begin to reveal to one another, and as they do, these two seemingly opposite people learn that they are really not very different from one another.
The Main Characters and Romance
Oh lord, Elizabeth Hoyt sure knows how to write dark, sensual, and complex characters, as well as very sizzling scenes! I like great chemistry as much as the next person, but I am one of those romance readers who does not enjoy a basically lust-based romance, or erotica dressed up as romance. While that was my fear here, it turned out to be unsubstantiated: Hoyt is definitely a descriptive and "daring" (for some) writer, but I found that the characters and plot completely pulled their weight and were just as / more important to the story.
Lazarus is a bad boy whom I was a little confounded by at first, but could not help but begin to care for. You feel tenderness towards this man who is so obviously lonely and in many ways tragic; not only does he have an aversion to being touched (he has to be the initiator and can touch others, but doesn't like others touching him, in case you were wondering), but he also is unbelievably numb to most any and all emotions. So many times you read his exchanges with Temperance and you can see exactly what he's doing: trying to test her and push her away but also hoping she won't take the bait and will actually draw nearer. His story is revealed piece by piece and frankly there are still some parts left unclear (at least for me) at the end. I thought the addition of his friend St. John was great and in many ways necessary, for it gives us hints from the beginning that Caire is not as simply explained as his reputation would have us believe and provides us a whole new dimension.
The juxtaposition of him and Temperance is really well done, because despite the fact that yes she has desires like every human being - and engages in them with Caire - the truth is that she still is a proper, decent, emotion-filled person who is very much in stark contrast - at least in the beginning - to Caire. I thought she was a wonderful heroine: strong and capable and smart, but also very vulnerable and real! Especially given the time, her struggle and misunderstandings about her own sexuality were well-done and very realistic. Many not having read the book might shrug it off and see it as just a ploy to lead into some hot romance scenes, but while I think a less skillful author might have been unable to stop it from slipping into that, Hoyt manages it masterfully, and in so doing makes the book and characters that much stronger and engaging.
Best Quote
SO MANY to choose from, but here is one of my favs: "There's something about her," Caire said in a low voice. "She cares for everyone about her, yet neglects herself. I want to be the one who cares for her." (p194)
Another great exchange because I can't help myself:
-- I'm not sure you have any more need of me in St. Giles, but you take me with you still. Why?
-- Why do you think?
-- I don't know.
-- Don't you? He leaned closer to her and repeated low, Don't you? (p213-214)
And ...
It was a strange thing, this feeling of empathy. He'd never experienced it before. He realized that what hurt this woman hurt him as well, that what made her bleed caused a hemorrhage of pain within his soul. (p234)
Other Notes
For once, the mystery of a romance book was actually really well done - surprise, surprise! It didn't overrun the main story and the development of the h&h's relationship, wasn't contrived and was definitely necessary to the plot, and was not completely outlandish, while still having a surprising ending. To find all that in a romance mystery subplot is very unusual, so hats off to Hoyt!
The secondary characters were superb, with each one being well-defined and adding to the overall story. I've already mentioned St. John, but Caire's mother, Nell (maidservant and assistant at the home), and Temperance's sister and three brothers - especially Winter - were all interesting, pulled their own weight, and were their own stand-alone person.
In this book we're introduced to Lady Hero, who is the heroine of the second book in the series, . She seems fine and nice, but I personally am not that interested in her story. It has a higher rating than this one, so I might end up picking it up, but after Wicked Intentions it seems boring and regular in comparison. I am also very uncomfortable with the premise of her being engaged to one guy and flirting / ending up with his brother.
Some Criticisms
Silence, Temperance's sister, is the heroine of the third book and oh lord, everyone who has read this book knows what I mean when I say I CANNOT WAIT for her story with "Charming" Mickey O'Connor!! My only complaint here is that her story is so engaging - and obviously so, since she's to have her own romance with him - that it almost felt like an interruption every time we were taken away from Temperance and Caire and are solely with Silence and her POV. There weren't many of these sections, but they were there and not only do I think they detracted from this book, but they are so integral to her story that if they're not also provided in Book 3, anyone who reads it as a stand-alone won't be able to get the full effect.
As others have said, I think that Caire's issues with being touched could have been explored more and were solved a little too easily at the end.
The very, very end was fine, but the second to last part right before it (when there's the reconciliation and love declarations, etc.) felt odd to me. Caire, who has been dark and just a certain specific you-know-what-I-mean-if-you've-read-the-book way throughout the entire story, even when being tender and sweet to Temperance, all of a sudden acts very differently and like a normal guy when his mother comes up to him and they begin their process of reconciliation. That and a few other parts of that scene were a little too sappy and corny, feeling out of place for me, especially given the tone of the rest of the book.
My last complaint is what was up with all the Mary this and Joseph that?! Could they not be at all more original in the naming, and also maybe try to make the orphans feel like they're individuals? The fact that the second name added to Mary/Joseph has to do with how they came to be there - Joseph Tinbox, Mary Found, etc. - just made it that much worse.
Maiden Lane Series
Book 1 - Wicked Intentions (5 stars)
Book 2 - (3.5 stars)
Book 3 - (expected publication Sep 22, 2011)
Bottom Line
READ IT! READ IT! Such a wonderful book - it took me completely off guard, but I adored it and cannot wait to read it again! Also cannot, cannot wait for Book 3!!
December 17, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed my reread, and I still loved this book as much as I loved it before!! Glad my tastes haven't changed all that much, and I am very eager to keep going on this series...Onto my reread of book two now!!!
November 22, 2016
The book that started it all.
"I rarely feel anything. But like the legless man, I'm unaccountably fascinated by those who can dance."
Our hero Lazarus started off the darkly mysterious, darkly intriguing, and darkly sexy man often found in romance. What distances him and makes him better than a lot was his layered personality of cool waters run deep and vulnerable and passionate soul. He was perfectly matched with our heroine Temperance with her mixture of kind spirit and desirous heart. As Lazarus searches for a murderer with Temperance's help, they poke and prod each other to break down the other's walls.
Above her, he moaned. "Please." Oh, to hear him beg. There was something in her, something wicked and base that lapped up that plea in his voice.
This is one hot potato book. It leans a little heavier on the sexual and steamy side of historical romance but never felt salacious. The sex scenes are quite descriptive but I would argue that the emotion between the two is what makes them hot. And ok, maybe the dirty talk, voyeurism, and neckties ;)
Knowing that she could be herself---all of herself---and he would not turn away.
When you first start reading this, you're going to think this is mainly Lazarus' story but a little more than halfway through, I realized this felt more like Temperance's story. Her guilt, self-punishing, joys, feelings, strengths, and weaknesses are all on display and as the reader, I was right there with her feeling them all. Again, she is a woman of her time, dealing with societal pressures of what is "proper" for women sexually. Through Lazarus' love and strength helping to bolster her own, she really comes into her own.
The secondary characters are numerous with Temperance's brothers and sisters, aristocrats, and a "ghost". This truly felt like an assemble piece but with Lazarus and Temperance getting the spotlight (Silence, Temperance's sister, edges in too with her own side story). Knowing this is book one, of currently eleven, I have it on good authority more than a few of the characters seen here get to shine under their own spotlight eventually. This was just a great all around story and I see why this series is still going strong.
"I rarely feel anything. But like the legless man, I'm unaccountably fascinated by those who can dance."
Our hero Lazarus started off the darkly mysterious, darkly intriguing, and darkly sexy man often found in romance. What distances him and makes him better than a lot was his layered personality of cool waters run deep and vulnerable and passionate soul. He was perfectly matched with our heroine Temperance with her mixture of kind spirit and desirous heart. As Lazarus searches for a murderer with Temperance's help, they poke and prod each other to break down the other's walls.
Above her, he moaned. "Please." Oh, to hear him beg. There was something in her, something wicked and base that lapped up that plea in his voice.
This is one hot potato book. It leans a little heavier on the sexual and steamy side of historical romance but never felt salacious. The sex scenes are quite descriptive but I would argue that the emotion between the two is what makes them hot. And ok, maybe the dirty talk, voyeurism, and neckties ;)
Knowing that she could be herself---all of herself---and he would not turn away.
When you first start reading this, you're going to think this is mainly Lazarus' story but a little more than halfway through, I realized this felt more like Temperance's story. Her guilt, self-punishing, joys, feelings, strengths, and weaknesses are all on display and as the reader, I was right there with her feeling them all. Again, she is a woman of her time, dealing with societal pressures of what is "proper" for women sexually. Through Lazarus' love and strength helping to bolster her own, she really comes into her own.
The secondary characters are numerous with Temperance's brothers and sisters, aristocrats, and a "ghost". This truly felt like an assemble piece but with Lazarus and Temperance getting the spotlight (Silence, Temperance's sister, edges in too with her own side story). Knowing this is book one, of currently eleven, I have it on good authority more than a few of the characters seen here get to shine under their own spotlight eventually. This was just a great all around story and I see why this series is still going strong.
March 30, 2017
Oh Lazarus. You can whisper naughty things in my ear any day.
He's just my type of man - he has trouble with emotions and can't stand being touched! Just what I look for. At first glance he comes across as a little bit, okay, a lot, sociopathic. But unlike sociopaths, he actually has emotions, he's just never had any reason to let his guard down enough to share them with anyone, until Temperance.
Urgh, Temperance. I really could have done without her slut shaming herself the entire way through the book. So you like sex, big whoop! I just couldn't get down with how evil she considered herself for having sexual desire.
I also could have done without Silence's storyline. It was a bit too much. Oh and I sure as shit hope Silence's husband dies while he's out on his stupid fucking boat because he doesn't deserve to live, the giant douchenozzle.
The heat level in this was fantastic. The sex scenes were ridonk! Sex in a moving carriage might just be my next favourite thing after Raahoshing. And fuck me, Elizabeth Hoyt knows how to describe sex poetically.
I quite liked the mystery even if it was all a little too dramatic at the end. But having said that the way the big finale went down was described so perfectly I pictured it like a movie in my head and it was glorious.
I can't wait to meet the rest of the heroes in this series, if they're anything like Lazarus and my love Val then I'm sure to be a happy lady.
4 Stars
�
He's just my type of man - he has trouble with emotions and can't stand being touched! Just what I look for. At first glance he comes across as a little bit, okay, a lot, sociopathic. But unlike sociopaths, he actually has emotions, he's just never had any reason to let his guard down enough to share them with anyone, until Temperance.
Urgh, Temperance. I really could have done without her slut shaming herself the entire way through the book. So you like sex, big whoop! I just couldn't get down with how evil she considered herself for having sexual desire.
I also could have done without Silence's storyline. It was a bit too much. Oh and I sure as shit hope Silence's husband dies while he's out on his stupid fucking boat because he doesn't deserve to live, the giant douchenozzle.
The heat level in this was fantastic. The sex scenes were ridonk! Sex in a moving carriage might just be my next favourite thing after Raahoshing. And fuck me, Elizabeth Hoyt knows how to describe sex poetically.
I quite liked the mystery even if it was all a little too dramatic at the end. But having said that the way the big finale went down was described so perfectly I pictured it like a movie in my head and it was glorious.
I can't wait to meet the rest of the heroes in this series, if they're anything like Lazarus and my love Val then I'm sure to be a happy lady.
4 Stars
�
December 1, 2015
Well this was quite a hot little number! Enjoyed it.
Just pretend this guy has silver hair!!
Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .
A WOMAN HAUNTED BY HER PAST . . .
"I'd walk through fire for you."
Just pretend this guy has silver hair!!
Here in the limbo between night and day, they were simply a man and a woman
January 22, 2025
4'5 Estrellitas. Me ha gustado muchísimo, me ha tenido toda la lectura con los ojos haciendo chiribitas. Elizabeth Hoyt es una muy buena escritora, a la que las editoriales españolas no han tratado nada bien, y me temo que esta serie no será una excepción, son doce libros y suerte tendremos si publican tres o cuatro.
"Intenciones perversas" es el primer libro de la serie Maiden Lane, que gira en torno al orfanato que heredó de su padre Temperance Dews.
Temperance Dews es la protagonista de este libro, es una mujer viuda que rescata niños huérfanos por todo St. Giles, el peor barrio de Londres, y los lleva al orfanato que dirigen su hermano Winter y ella. Pero actualmente su situación es desesperada. Ha muerto su único benefactor, y Temperance y Winter no pueden mantener abierto el orfanato.
Lazarus Huntington, el conde de Caire, es un hombre peligroso, es un hombre que no siente emociones, y de apetitos muy perversos. Actualmente está sediento de venganza, y va por St. Giles a la búsqueda de un asesino. Pero como aristócrata que es, nadie en St. Giles quiere hablar con él, será cuando conozca a Temperance, que la hará una oferta que no podrá rechazar.
Caire le ofrece a Temperance ayudarla a encontrar un benefactor para su orfanato, llevándola a saraos y bailes de sociedad para que conozca a alguno, a cambio de que ella le ayude a moverse por St. Giles, y de con las personas adecuadas para buscar al asesino. Pero nada parece fácil, moviéndose también por St. Giles un fantasma, al que nadie ha podido ver la cara.
El trato que pactan los protagonistas parece inofensivo, él no tiene nada que perder puesto que ya perdió toda su respetabilidad hace tiempo. Y Temperance es la hija de un cervecero, no pertenece a la clase alta, pero sí tiene una caterva de hermanos que harán lo imposible para salvaguardar su virtud.
La historia me ha gustado, me ha gustado mucho porque dentro de lo típico, no es tan típico. Elizabeth Hoyt vuelve a adentrarnos de lleno en el siglo XVIII, y nos lleva a los barrios bajos de Londres, donde ha creado una serie de gran envergadura.
Por otro lado, la historia de la búsqueda del asesino, aunque es el eje central del libro, queda eclipsado por las personalidades tan fuertes de sus protagonistas. Realmente he adorado a Temperance y a Lazarus. La suya es una historia que se cuece a fuego lento y crece capítulo a capítulo gracias a la gran química existente entre ellos. Temperance es fuerte y voluntariosa, vive por y para sus niños, y Lazarus para calmar sus apetitos. ¿Cómo es posible que Temperance consiga que Lazarus sienta algo? Esa es la magia de éste libro, tan bien adaptado en los cuentos que Elizabeth Hoyt nos regala al inicio de cada capítulo; me han encantado, tanto el libro como el pequeño cuento.
He quedado maravillada con éste inicio de serie y desde ya admito que seguiré leyéndola. Solo espero que Titania siga dándole la oportunidad al romance histórico y no lo olvide.
"Intenciones perversas" es el primer libro de la serie Maiden Lane, que gira en torno al orfanato que heredó de su padre Temperance Dews.
Temperance Dews es la protagonista de este libro, es una mujer viuda que rescata niños huérfanos por todo St. Giles, el peor barrio de Londres, y los lleva al orfanato que dirigen su hermano Winter y ella. Pero actualmente su situación es desesperada. Ha muerto su único benefactor, y Temperance y Winter no pueden mantener abierto el orfanato.
Lazarus Huntington, el conde de Caire, es un hombre peligroso, es un hombre que no siente emociones, y de apetitos muy perversos. Actualmente está sediento de venganza, y va por St. Giles a la búsqueda de un asesino. Pero como aristócrata que es, nadie en St. Giles quiere hablar con él, será cuando conozca a Temperance, que la hará una oferta que no podrá rechazar.
Caire le ofrece a Temperance ayudarla a encontrar un benefactor para su orfanato, llevándola a saraos y bailes de sociedad para que conozca a alguno, a cambio de que ella le ayude a moverse por St. Giles, y de con las personas adecuadas para buscar al asesino. Pero nada parece fácil, moviéndose también por St. Giles un fantasma, al que nadie ha podido ver la cara.
El trato que pactan los protagonistas parece inofensivo, él no tiene nada que perder puesto que ya perdió toda su respetabilidad hace tiempo. Y Temperance es la hija de un cervecero, no pertenece a la clase alta, pero sí tiene una caterva de hermanos que harán lo imposible para salvaguardar su virtud.
La historia me ha gustado, me ha gustado mucho porque dentro de lo típico, no es tan típico. Elizabeth Hoyt vuelve a adentrarnos de lleno en el siglo XVIII, y nos lleva a los barrios bajos de Londres, donde ha creado una serie de gran envergadura.
Por otro lado, la historia de la búsqueda del asesino, aunque es el eje central del libro, queda eclipsado por las personalidades tan fuertes de sus protagonistas. Realmente he adorado a Temperance y a Lazarus. La suya es una historia que se cuece a fuego lento y crece capítulo a capítulo gracias a la gran química existente entre ellos. Temperance es fuerte y voluntariosa, vive por y para sus niños, y Lazarus para calmar sus apetitos. ¿Cómo es posible que Temperance consiga que Lazarus sienta algo? Esa es la magia de éste libro, tan bien adaptado en los cuentos que Elizabeth Hoyt nos regala al inicio de cada capítulo; me han encantado, tanto el libro como el pequeño cuento.
He quedado maravillada con éste inicio de serie y desde ya admito que seguiré leyéndola. Solo espero que Titania siga dándole la oportunidad al romance histórico y no lo olvide.
December 1, 2021
4,5�
why did I wait to read this author?!
why did I wait to read this author?!
June 10, 2016
What a delicious read <3 And Lazarus with his silver hair *swooons*
I think the book slump has been finally defeated!!!
I think the book slump has been finally defeated!!!
February 14, 2016
Original Post: at () with 3.5 of 5
I’M HAPPILY NURSING a book hangover.
Wicked Intentions, by Elizabeth Hoyt, is a tempestuous love story with a generous measure of danger. Ms. Hoyt’s ability to fuse vastly amusing characters with sensuous and mature love scenes (BLUSHING), make this historical romance worthy of a sleepless night.
Temperance Dews and Lazarus Huntington are irresistibly flawed. He can be a bit of a brute and she can be a bit of a martyr, neither of which I care for. Yet, it works; they work—wonderfully so. They are imperfect but relatable, vulnerable but somehow strong. It’s difficult to describe her characters is so little words because it’s their growth that inspires me to read on—not who they are at a single moment in time. They grew on me. And with these flawed characters, she creates romance that is a tangled web of emotions—messy, raw, and passionate. I enjoyed the characters journey of discovering their feelings for one another and in turn discovering who they are as an individual.
The bit of suspense that is threaded throughout the story is a nice propulsive touch that moves the story forward giving readers some action to temper the heady romance.
Overall, I think this is a good first installment filled with myriad subplots and supporting characters that make an excellent springboard for sequels. The Ghost of St. Giles, who dons a “black mask and a harlequin’s motley� is a quirky and mysterious vigilante I’d like to unmask.
Preferably, I read series in sequential order. But, I actually started with Sweetest Scoundrel (Maiden Lane 9) with an e-ARC. I liked it so much that I’m going back to read the series from the beginning. Now, two books in (and counting), this series is one I definitely plan to continue.
December 20, 2015
4.5 STARS
Really enjoyed this one! Don't have time for a full review right now. And it will be almost impossible to find characters to cast... silver hair and all that. I loved the hero, and the heroine both. And I'm anxious to get started on the next book it the series. A very sexy little historical indeed! Loved it.
Really enjoyed this one! Don't have time for a full review right now. And it will be almost impossible to find characters to cast... silver hair and all that. I loved the hero, and the heroine both. And I'm anxious to get started on the next book it the series. A very sexy little historical indeed! Loved it.
August 10, 2016
4.5 Stars.
Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, and Temperance Dews are both on a mission. Lazarus is searching for a violet killer in St. Giles, but he needs someone with knowledge of the town and connections to get the residents to talk. Temperance Dews is just the lady and being that she needs another benefactor for the foundling home she and her brother, Winter, run he’s in a position to strike a deal. If Temperance escorts him about St. Giles, he’ll introduce her to society to obtain another benefactor. Temperance and Winter are just about broke and with so many orphaned children depending on them, she has no choice but to accept Lord Caire’s offer. She can’t let his scandalous reputation put her off, and if she’s quite honest, that reputation excites more than frightens her.
Lord Caire has strong, particular cravings in the bedroom and he senses a similar hunger in Temperance, and he wants nothing more than to satisfy it. Can he get the prim and proper lady to give into what they both want and need? And can Lazarus keep Temperance safe as their investigations stir up trouble?
Elizabeth Hoyt dazzles with Wicked Intentions is definitely my favorite so far! The sensual dance between Lazarus and Temperance definitely lit me up, so wickedly hot! The danger they stir up looking for a killer added some thrills and action, too!
I’m going to skip book two (for now) to get Silence’s (Temperance’s sister) story with Mickey in . I felt so horrible for her!
A copy was kindly provided by Grand Central publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, and Temperance Dews are both on a mission. Lazarus is searching for a violet killer in St. Giles, but he needs someone with knowledge of the town and connections to get the residents to talk. Temperance Dews is just the lady and being that she needs another benefactor for the foundling home she and her brother, Winter, run he’s in a position to strike a deal. If Temperance escorts him about St. Giles, he’ll introduce her to society to obtain another benefactor. Temperance and Winter are just about broke and with so many orphaned children depending on them, she has no choice but to accept Lord Caire’s offer. She can’t let his scandalous reputation put her off, and if she’s quite honest, that reputation excites more than frightens her.
Lord Caire has strong, particular cravings in the bedroom and he senses a similar hunger in Temperance, and he wants nothing more than to satisfy it. Can he get the prim and proper lady to give into what they both want and need? And can Lazarus keep Temperance safe as their investigations stir up trouble?
Elizabeth Hoyt dazzles with Wicked Intentions is definitely my favorite so far! The sensual dance between Lazarus and Temperance definitely lit me up, so wickedly hot! The danger they stir up looking for a killer added some thrills and action, too!
I’m going to skip book two (for now) to get Silence’s (Temperance’s sister) story with Mickey in . I felt so horrible for her!
A copy was kindly provided by Grand Central publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2021
Wow. This is Elizabeth Hoyt on another level. This was pretty dark and gritty for a historical and I loooooved it.
These two very damaged people learning to trust and love one another pushed it to 5 stars for me.
The beginning was a tad slow but the emotion between this couple, the way the worked to help each other heal, their vulnerability and rawness. I LOVED SO MUCH.
These two very damaged people learning to trust and love one another pushed it to 5 stars for me.
The beginning was a tad slow but the emotion between this couple, the way the worked to help each other heal, their vulnerability and rawness. I LOVED SO MUCH.
September 7, 2014
I adore Elizabeth Hoyt's books and WICKED INTENTIONS, with its slightly darker tone, is no exception. The first book in her 'Maiden Lane' series, it is a masterful blend of romance, passion and suspense, which will keep you enthralled.
Widowed Temperance Dews and her brother, Winter, run a Foundling Home in Maiden Lane, St Giles, a poverty stricken area of London, but things are looking very bleak. Their benefactor has recently died, leaving no provision for the home in his will and now they are behind with the rent and threatened with possible eviction. They need a miracle and it comes in the unlikely form of Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire.
Seeking the sadistic murderer of his mistress, Marie, he needs someone to guide him through the alleys of St Giles. He knows Temperance is familiar with the area, having seen her going about her business during his previously unsuccessful forays into St Giles, and so he approaches her. He is willing to pay her well, but in return, Temperance also wants Lazarus to introduce her to wealthy and titled people in the hope of finding a new benefactor for the Foundling Home.
Lazarus has an infamous reputation including a taste for unusual sexual practices, but despite her family's disapproval and her own doubts, she is determined to fulfill her part of the bargain for the sake of the home. Despite his reputation, Temperance finds herself deeply attracted to Lazarus and he can't seem to get this prim widow, who denies herself any pleasure, out of his mind. Soon an unquenchable passion flares between them but they have deep personal issues to overcome before they can be free to love each other. Danger stalks them at every turn in the shadows of St Giles and they may just be the murder's next victims!
One of the main reasons I love this book is my fascination with Lazarus and Temperance. They are such complex characters and I really had to delve into their psyche to understand them.
Although not fully explained in the book, I see the fact that Lazarus can't tolerate anyone touching him as a psychological problem. I have personal experience of something similar. Until his early twenties, my son had a deep-seated fear of wearing a wristwatch but he could never explain to us why. To me, Lazarus's loveless childhood and the guilt he feels over his sister's death could have been the root cause of his psychological and emotional problems.
Temperance feels that her sexual desires are sinful and I think it reflects 18th century attitude to women's sexuality, which is summed up by her husband:
He made it clear that a woman who sought sex was to be pitied.
Her feelings are only magnified by the fact that her sexual desires led her to make a terrible mistake, one which she has been trying to atone for ever since through her work at the foundling home. She manages to subdue her desires until Lazarus comes into his life. He is totally open about his sexual nature and I think Temperance gradually feels free with him to explore her desires to the full because he accepts her as she is.
I think the pace of the development of their relationship is just right and I like the small indications that reflect the relationship is evolving into something deeper, such as:
For a moment, there seemed to be a twinge in his breast, a strange wish that his life, his person, could in some way be different. That he could somehow deserve a woman such as her.
and
Something in her shifted, crumbling apart and reforming into a new and wonderful shape. She didn't know what that shape was, but she wanted to keep it. To stay in this dim hallway and kiss Caire forever.
I love the way in which Lazarus goads Temperance with whispered salacious comments which should disgust her, but of course, have the opposite effect of arousing her. There is one particular scene where Lazarus forces her to view a couple through a peep-hole in a brothel, all the time whispering provocative words in her ear. The scene is so sexually charged that I thought the page might self-combust! The love scenes are perfectly in harmony with the mood of the story from the raw and sensual scene in the carriage to the beautiful and erotic scene where Temperance wants to show Lazarus just how much she loves him.
Ms Hoyt really excels in creating the unsavoury atmosphere of St Giles. You can almost see the swirling mist and sense the danger lurking in those dark narrow alleys. She has peopled it with larger than life characters such as Mother Heart's–Ease, owner of the gin house, Mistress Pansy, the brothel madam, and Charming Mickey O'Connor, the feared river pirate.
There is a wonderful core of secondary characters too. Temperance's brothers, Winter and Asa; Silence, her younger sister; Lady Hero Batten; and Lazarus's friend, Godric St John, many of whom I am sure will have their own books in due course. In fact, the next book, ‘Notorious Pleasures' is Lady Hero Batten's story. I am especially intrigued by the plot line involving Silence and Charming Mickey O'Connor, and am eagerly looking forward to their story in ‘Scandalous Desires', the third book in the series. I'm curious about the identity of the Zorro-type Ghost of St Giles? I have my suspicions but I'm sure Ms Hoyt will keep us in suspense about his identity a little longer. What better way to make sure we continue to read the series!
If you like your historical romance with a darker tone, complex characters, an intriguing plot, and steamy love scenes, then WICKED INTENTIONS should definitely find a place on your bookshelves.
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews
Widowed Temperance Dews and her brother, Winter, run a Foundling Home in Maiden Lane, St Giles, a poverty stricken area of London, but things are looking very bleak. Their benefactor has recently died, leaving no provision for the home in his will and now they are behind with the rent and threatened with possible eviction. They need a miracle and it comes in the unlikely form of Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire.
Seeking the sadistic murderer of his mistress, Marie, he needs someone to guide him through the alleys of St Giles. He knows Temperance is familiar with the area, having seen her going about her business during his previously unsuccessful forays into St Giles, and so he approaches her. He is willing to pay her well, but in return, Temperance also wants Lazarus to introduce her to wealthy and titled people in the hope of finding a new benefactor for the Foundling Home.
Lazarus has an infamous reputation including a taste for unusual sexual practices, but despite her family's disapproval and her own doubts, she is determined to fulfill her part of the bargain for the sake of the home. Despite his reputation, Temperance finds herself deeply attracted to Lazarus and he can't seem to get this prim widow, who denies herself any pleasure, out of his mind. Soon an unquenchable passion flares between them but they have deep personal issues to overcome before they can be free to love each other. Danger stalks them at every turn in the shadows of St Giles and they may just be the murder's next victims!
One of the main reasons I love this book is my fascination with Lazarus and Temperance. They are such complex characters and I really had to delve into their psyche to understand them.
Although not fully explained in the book, I see the fact that Lazarus can't tolerate anyone touching him as a psychological problem. I have personal experience of something similar. Until his early twenties, my son had a deep-seated fear of wearing a wristwatch but he could never explain to us why. To me, Lazarus's loveless childhood and the guilt he feels over his sister's death could have been the root cause of his psychological and emotional problems.
Temperance feels that her sexual desires are sinful and I think it reflects 18th century attitude to women's sexuality, which is summed up by her husband:
He made it clear that a woman who sought sex was to be pitied.
Her feelings are only magnified by the fact that her sexual desires led her to make a terrible mistake, one which she has been trying to atone for ever since through her work at the foundling home. She manages to subdue her desires until Lazarus comes into his life. He is totally open about his sexual nature and I think Temperance gradually feels free with him to explore her desires to the full because he accepts her as she is.
I think the pace of the development of their relationship is just right and I like the small indications that reflect the relationship is evolving into something deeper, such as:
For a moment, there seemed to be a twinge in his breast, a strange wish that his life, his person, could in some way be different. That he could somehow deserve a woman such as her.
and
Something in her shifted, crumbling apart and reforming into a new and wonderful shape. She didn't know what that shape was, but she wanted to keep it. To stay in this dim hallway and kiss Caire forever.
I love the way in which Lazarus goads Temperance with whispered salacious comments which should disgust her, but of course, have the opposite effect of arousing her. There is one particular scene where Lazarus forces her to view a couple through a peep-hole in a brothel, all the time whispering provocative words in her ear. The scene is so sexually charged that I thought the page might self-combust! The love scenes are perfectly in harmony with the mood of the story from the raw and sensual scene in the carriage to the beautiful and erotic scene where Temperance wants to show Lazarus just how much she loves him.
Ms Hoyt really excels in creating the unsavoury atmosphere of St Giles. You can almost see the swirling mist and sense the danger lurking in those dark narrow alleys. She has peopled it with larger than life characters such as Mother Heart's–Ease, owner of the gin house, Mistress Pansy, the brothel madam, and Charming Mickey O'Connor, the feared river pirate.
There is a wonderful core of secondary characters too. Temperance's brothers, Winter and Asa; Silence, her younger sister; Lady Hero Batten; and Lazarus's friend, Godric St John, many of whom I am sure will have their own books in due course. In fact, the next book, ‘Notorious Pleasures' is Lady Hero Batten's story. I am especially intrigued by the plot line involving Silence and Charming Mickey O'Connor, and am eagerly looking forward to their story in ‘Scandalous Desires', the third book in the series. I'm curious about the identity of the Zorro-type Ghost of St Giles? I have my suspicions but I'm sure Ms Hoyt will keep us in suspense about his identity a little longer. What better way to make sure we continue to read the series!
If you like your historical romance with a darker tone, complex characters, an intriguing plot, and steamy love scenes, then WICKED INTENTIONS should definitely find a place on your bookshelves.
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews
October 4, 2016
Oh my my! Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire you dirty little devil and Temperance Dews you are quite the seductress. What a fabulously sexy story these two provided for. I LOVED every minute, every detail, every twinge of anxiety and every moment of mercy, tenderness and desire.
And not only did we get the story of Lord Caire and Temperance, this author gives us the moments in the lives of two others; King Lockedheart and his maid Meg. Their story was akin to Caire and Temperance’s. It was simpler but held the same meaning. I found myself just as eager to know what would come of these two as well.
LOVED LOVED LOVED Wicked Intentions. � I’m anxious to read on with this series.
February 13, 2018
Una agradable sorpresa, enaguas con morbo y pistos
February 22, 2019
”But despite her words, she remained by his side, and that was all that mattered in the end. He cared not a whit if she loathed him, even wanted him dead, as long as she felt something for him. As long as he could keep her close.�
Temperance: Care to explain to me why you seemingly broke into my house and are now sitting at my table like you own the darn place?
Lord Caire: Because I desire you help.
T: Excuse me?
Lord C: No, scratch that- I command your help.
T: Whatever the hell for?
Lord C: I need your help in finding someone� but I’m not telling you who. And if you do agree to help me (which I know you will because I’m already sending you into a tizzy), I’ll find a fairy godmother or father to fund your home for foundlings.
T:(In her head: This is ‘spicious. I mean, as a virtuous woman, I don’t dare say yes. I mean, he’s a cad. Everyone knows he’s a cad. Why should I fall for the charms of-)
Lord C:
T: SIGN ME THE FUCK UP. IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN.
Do you ever feel like you read a totally different book than what others around you have read? I mean, it’s the same book, same author; but you don’t get why there’s such a difference of opinion. Well, that’s the predicament I find myself in with this book, folks. Most Unapologetic Romance Readers seemed to have loved this book.
I, on the other hand, want to chuck this book off of planet Earth.
My first one-star read of the year, and it doesn’t even have the decency to have a beautiful cover in its favor.
So like I said, Lord Caire wants Temperance to help him find someone. Specifically, he wants to find the person responsible for killing his mistress. I assume he wants to find said person so he can kill them, but it’s never really stated. For some earthly reason not known to mankind, he chooses Temperance Dews, a widow who runs a home for foundling children along with her brother, Winter (that’s not even the best name the Dews decided to give their children.) I have no idea why he would choose Temperance to help him find his Waldo, but whatever; it’s fiction. And for some even more insane reason, she decided to help him.
I can’t with this tomfoolery.
So many aspects of this book just didn’t make any sense to me. The beginning and premise itself makes no premise at all.
However, the question and premise that makes the least amount of sense to me is that why an independent, practically-minded individual such as Temperance would agree to help and continue to agree to help someone as despicable and vile as Lord Caire.
I’ve learned to accept historical romances for all its flaws and problematic tropes. However, I’ve found some gems along the way where the alpha male heroes seemed rough around the edges. They were kind, caring, and not demeaning to the female MC (take Beyond Scandal and Desire and One Night for Love). So for those of you who might say that that’s the stereotypical norm and every male historical romance figure is like that- no, they aren’t.
I’ve found that that is what I like and what works for me in the genre, and if I had known how horrible he was going to be, I never would have picked this book up. Case in point:
1) He repeatedly says the most vile and horrific things about her dead husband to try and “elicit feelings out of her.� Emotionally abusing a woman by dishonoring her deceased husband is NOT the way to do it.
2) He continuously violates her privacy and basically forces him to help her by holding her home under hostage. Girl, I would have run the other direction at Usain Bolt speed if he just suddenly appeared in my house asking for help. He’s a cad, not a fairy.
3) He doesn’t fucking change. Even when they get together and have their requisite little “happily ever after,� he doesn’t make amends for the past things he’s done. Maybe I’m just a cold-hearted witch, but I couldn’t forgive someone who said things like that and dragged me places I didn’t want to go to.
Another thing I really didn’t like about this book was the fact that it was all over the place. The plot synopsis made it seem like a historical romantic suspense novel (which I was super on board with). But then it decided it wanted to be the Three Musketeers meets Oliver Twist meets Jack the Ripper meets Fifty Shades of Gray (yup, you’ll read why, too). I mean, I got to commend the author for trying to cover a whole lot of bases but come on. Those genres don’t belong together in any way, shape, or form.
In short, I couldn’t stand this book. Mainly, I couldn’t stand Lord Caire, and therefore I couldn’t stand Temperance’s reaction and attraction to him. It wasn’t even an attraction- it was lustful encounter after lustful encounter. The characters were bad, the plot was all over the place with too little explanation, and no other characters were fleshed out enough for me to care enough about them. This book was a hot mess on top of a hot mess.
Temperance: Care to explain to me why you seemingly broke into my house and are now sitting at my table like you own the darn place?
Lord Caire: Because I desire you help.
T: Excuse me?
Lord C: No, scratch that- I command your help.
T: Whatever the hell for?
Lord C: I need your help in finding someone� but I’m not telling you who. And if you do agree to help me (which I know you will because I’m already sending you into a tizzy), I’ll find a fairy godmother or father to fund your home for foundlings.
T:(In her head: This is ‘spicious. I mean, as a virtuous woman, I don’t dare say yes. I mean, he’s a cad. Everyone knows he’s a cad. Why should I fall for the charms of-)
Lord C:
T: SIGN ME THE FUCK UP. IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN.
Do you ever feel like you read a totally different book than what others around you have read? I mean, it’s the same book, same author; but you don’t get why there’s such a difference of opinion. Well, that’s the predicament I find myself in with this book, folks. Most Unapologetic Romance Readers seemed to have loved this book.
I, on the other hand, want to chuck this book off of planet Earth.
My first one-star read of the year, and it doesn’t even have the decency to have a beautiful cover in its favor.
So like I said, Lord Caire wants Temperance to help him find someone. Specifically, he wants to find the person responsible for killing his mistress. I assume he wants to find said person so he can kill them, but it’s never really stated. For some earthly reason not known to mankind, he chooses Temperance Dews, a widow who runs a home for foundling children along with her brother, Winter (that’s not even the best name the Dews decided to give their children.) I have no idea why he would choose Temperance to help him find his Waldo, but whatever; it’s fiction. And for some even more insane reason, she decided to help him.
I can’t with this tomfoolery.
So many aspects of this book just didn’t make any sense to me. The beginning and premise itself makes no premise at all.
However, the question and premise that makes the least amount of sense to me is that why an independent, practically-minded individual such as Temperance would agree to help and continue to agree to help someone as despicable and vile as Lord Caire.
I’ve learned to accept historical romances for all its flaws and problematic tropes. However, I’ve found some gems along the way where the alpha male heroes seemed rough around the edges. They were kind, caring, and not demeaning to the female MC (take Beyond Scandal and Desire and One Night for Love). So for those of you who might say that that’s the stereotypical norm and every male historical romance figure is like that- no, they aren’t.
I’ve found that that is what I like and what works for me in the genre, and if I had known how horrible he was going to be, I never would have picked this book up. Case in point:
1) He repeatedly says the most vile and horrific things about her dead husband to try and “elicit feelings out of her.� Emotionally abusing a woman by dishonoring her deceased husband is NOT the way to do it.
2) He continuously violates her privacy and basically forces him to help her by holding her home under hostage. Girl, I would have run the other direction at Usain Bolt speed if he just suddenly appeared in my house asking for help. He’s a cad, not a fairy.
3) He doesn’t fucking change. Even when they get together and have their requisite little “happily ever after,� he doesn’t make amends for the past things he’s done. Maybe I’m just a cold-hearted witch, but I couldn’t forgive someone who said things like that and dragged me places I didn’t want to go to.
Another thing I really didn’t like about this book was the fact that it was all over the place. The plot synopsis made it seem like a historical romantic suspense novel (which I was super on board with). But then it decided it wanted to be the Three Musketeers meets Oliver Twist meets Jack the Ripper meets Fifty Shades of Gray (yup, you’ll read why, too). I mean, I got to commend the author for trying to cover a whole lot of bases but come on. Those genres don’t belong together in any way, shape, or form.
In short, I couldn’t stand this book. Mainly, I couldn’t stand Lord Caire, and therefore I couldn’t stand Temperance’s reaction and attraction to him. It wasn’t even an attraction- it was lustful encounter after lustful encounter. The characters were bad, the plot was all over the place with too little explanation, and no other characters were fleshed out enough for me to care enough about them. This book was a hot mess on top of a hot mess.
October 20, 2023
Well this was exciting.
I read this years ago but forgot enough of it that I still enjoyed the ride. Though I liked this, I didn’t love this, as it had some large plot holes that I had to work hard to forget about, but overall it was fast moving and the hero was interestingly grey (though I’m still not sure why).
This was a pretty sex heavy historical so I ended up skipping some of those scenes because they got slightly boring. That always happens to me when sex/kink/lusting overshadows plot. I’m always in favour of plot and get bored with repeated sex scenes.
I had a bit of trouble with the hero’s touch sensitivity too, it seemed inconsistent to me. He could touch her and felt no pain, but she couldn’t touch him without it sizzling his nerves or something? And then she I dunno, it didn’t work for me. It was a good idea (though not original, I’ve read it countless times) but his reasons and behaviour were not well fleshed out. It seemed more an excuse to make him into bondage and felt very Fifty Shades of Grey.
But this is a pretty good read otherwise and the setting was very interesting. I like the whole Ghost Of St.Giles, Batman-esque subplot, and as I remember the outcome from my first read, it actually made it better for me.
So I’ll keep it at four stars because I like the writing style, the setting and the main characters.
I read this years ago but forgot enough of it that I still enjoyed the ride. Though I liked this, I didn’t love this, as it had some large plot holes that I had to work hard to forget about, but overall it was fast moving and the hero was interestingly grey (though I’m still not sure why).
This was a pretty sex heavy historical so I ended up skipping some of those scenes because they got slightly boring. That always happens to me when sex/kink/lusting overshadows plot. I’m always in favour of plot and get bored with repeated sex scenes.
I had a bit of trouble with the hero’s touch sensitivity too, it seemed inconsistent to me. He could touch her and felt no pain, but she couldn’t touch him without it sizzling his nerves or something? And then she I dunno, it didn’t work for me. It was a good idea (though not original, I’ve read it countless times) but his reasons and behaviour were not well fleshed out. It seemed more an excuse to make him into bondage and felt very Fifty Shades of Grey.
But this is a pretty good read otherwise and the setting was very interesting. I like the whole Ghost Of St.Giles, Batman-esque subplot, and as I remember the outcome from my first read, it actually made it better for me.
So I’ll keep it at four stars because I like the writing style, the setting and the main characters.
May 1, 2022
2.5 stars.
I feel that the plot is simply ludicrous. The hero, Lazarus, is on the hunt for his mistress's killer at St Giles (whom he professed not to love, so why would he search for her killer?). He hired the heroine, Temperance, proprietor of a foundling home, as his guide. In exchange, she wanted him to squire her around the ton to find a new patron for the home (she could have just gotten him to be the new patron). When they met, sparks flew for whatever reason. I didn't feel connected with them as a couple. I was indifferent to the whole story by the end of the book. I kept putting the book aside, so it took me ages to finish it. I saw the reviews and went in with low expectations, so I was pretty prepared. This is the kind of series you need to read in order (I tried reading 'Duke of Sin' and couldn't understand who's who, so I gave that one up).
The plus point of the book would be the love scenes. Ms Hoyt sure knows how to write 'em.
I would continue reading the rest of the series, hoping that the series will get better.
I feel that the plot is simply ludicrous. The hero, Lazarus, is on the hunt for his mistress's killer at St Giles (whom he professed not to love, so why would he search for her killer?). He hired the heroine, Temperance, proprietor of a foundling home, as his guide. In exchange, she wanted him to squire her around the ton to find a new patron for the home (she could have just gotten him to be the new patron). When they met, sparks flew for whatever reason. I didn't feel connected with them as a couple. I was indifferent to the whole story by the end of the book. I kept putting the book aside, so it took me ages to finish it. I saw the reviews and went in with low expectations, so I was pretty prepared. This is the kind of series you need to read in order (I tried reading 'Duke of Sin' and couldn't understand who's who, so I gave that one up).
The plus point of the book would be the love scenes. Ms Hoyt sure knows how to write 'em.
I would continue reading the rest of the series, hoping that the series will get better.
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