Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane) [Mass Market Paperback]

Elizabeth Hoyt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 2012 | Series: Maiden Lane (Book 4)

A MASKED MAN . . .

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

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .

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

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hoyt's third Maiden Lane novel is historical romance at its best!" (Publishers Weekly 2011)

"Hoyt's fourth Maiden Lane Georgian-era romance (after Scandalous Desires) is an expert blend of scintillating romance and mystery."
(Publishers Weekly
2012)

About the Author

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of historical romance, including reader favorite, The Raven Prince. Elizabeth's books have finaled four times in Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award contest, have won two Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and were nominated for a third. All of her books have received Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times BookReviews magazine. Both Wicked Intentions and Notorious Pleasures received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. Four of her books were voted into All About Romance's (AAR's) Top 100 Romances of All Time list and six were Desert Isle Keepers at AAR. Elizabeth's books have been translated into twelve languages.

Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with a bevy of untrained canines and a garden in constant need of weeding. You can write to her at [e-mail] or PO Box 17134, Urbana, IL 61803. Please visit her website, ElizabethHoyt.com, for contests, book excerpts, news, and Sidetracked Research Articles. You can also follow her on Twitter @ElizabethHoyt and find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethHoytBooks

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (June 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455508322
• ISBN-13: 978-1455508327
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of historical romance, including reader favorite, The Raven Prince.

Elizabeth was born in New Orleans but grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has a BA in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Elizabeth married relatively young and produced two children who kept her busy until her mid-thirties. At about this time, when her youngest was entering Kindergarten, Elizabeth's mother hinted that perhaps Elizabeth should get a Real Job.

Sadly, Elizabeth was so delusional she thought writing a romance novel might qualify as a Real Job.

But! Five years later, to everyone's surprise, she actually sold that romance novel (The Raven Prince) and began a rather successful career as a Romance Novelist. This was most fortunate since Elizabeth is singularly unqualified to do anything else but Make Up Stories.

Since then Elizabeth has written eleven books to critical acclaim: The Prince Trilogy (The Raven Prince, The Leopard Prince, and The Serpent Prince); the Legend of the Four Soldiers series (To Taste Temptation, To Seduce a Sinner, To Beguile a Beast, and To Desire a Devil); and the Maiden Lane series (Wicked Intentions, Notorious Pleasures, and the upcoming Scandalous Desires.) All of Elizabeth's books are set in eighteenth century England and all feature a fairy tale story that serves as a foil to the main story.

Elizabeth's books have finaled four times in Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award contest, have won two Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and were nominated for a third. All of her books have received Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times BookReviews magazine. Wicked Intentions, Notorious Pleasures and Scandalous Desires received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. Four of her books were voted into All About Romance's (AAR's) Top 100 Romances of All Time list and six were Desert Isle Keepers at AAR. Elizabeth's books have been translated into thirteen languages.

Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with a bevy of untrained canines and a garden in constant need of weeding. Please visit her website, ElizabethHoyt.com, for contests, book excerpts, news, and Sidetracked Research Articles.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#36 in Books > Romance > Historical

#45 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#36 in Books > Romance > Historical

#45 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The hero makes the story June 26, 2012

By Jen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I loved this book. It's easily one of my favorite historical romances of 2012!

The best thing about the story: the hero, Winter Makepeace. He is, by all outward appearances, this drab, stuffy, severe man who runs a home for foundling children. But there is so much more to him than meets the eye. While he toils away for the orphans by day... by night, he is a masked protector of the downtrodden... the Ghost of St. Giles.

Lady Isabel happens across Winter's alter-ego after he has been injured. She finds him unconscious in the road and rescues him from an angry mom. Isabel brings him home and tends his injuries, having no idea that it's really Winter she is attending. Once he regains consciousness, however, Winter recognizes her as one of the patronesses of his orphanage. He sees her in a whole new light, but he doesn't stick around to get to know her better.

In fact, with his attraction towards her, Winter thinks distance is the best option. After all, he has stayed celibate on purpose, devoting all of his energies into his mission to help the helpless. A relationship would only weaken his devotion to his cause. His plans to avoid Isabel fail spectacularly, however. When one of the other patronesses suggests he needs some social tutoring, Isabel is nominated for the job. Either he cooperates or he could lose the orphanage that he holds so dear.

It's almost like Winter has two distinct personalities: his headmaster side and his Ghost side. Both are so fascinating and well developed. He was so well-crafted, he felt like a real person. An honorable, driven, loyal, sexy, virgin-person. (*fans self*) I loved watching him struggle with his growing feelings for Isabel. His concerns about being beneath her in station; his worries about failing the children who need him; his sexual awakening. It was all. So. Good.

I didn't love Isabel quite so much, but I didn't dislike her. She has had to harden herself in the wake of tough blows. She, too, struggles with her feelings in the relationship. It takes her a little longer than Winter to come around, but she gets there. The sexual tension is fantastic --and the sex is really, really hot.

I would definitely recommend this one.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Masks and heroes and romance, oh my! June 26, 2012

By Letitia

Format:Mass Market Paperback

-- A Romantic Book Affairs review

Rating: B+ ... Heat: Hot

While this isn't my first novel by Hoyt (I loved my affair with The Raven Prince very much indeed), it was my first Maiden Lane. And it worked great as a standalone. It didn't feel like I was missing anything vital by not having read the previous three books. But that's not to say that now I don't want to go back and start at the beginning - because I definitely do!

From nearly page one, there is action and intrigue and heat. From the moment Isabel happens upon the injured, and costumed, Winter, there is no going back for either of them. As oddly matched as they seemingly are - as Isabel is a lady, a widow, and nearly ten years older and Winter is a commoner, a schoolmaster, and a vigilante - they are like magnets. Pulled together or forced apart, depending on how they're arranged. Their chemistry was evident from the very first.

And the plot is this odd mix of one part Historical Romance with another part Oliver Twist and a dash of Zorro. Might sound strange, but it was a wonderful combination. It added a touch of whimsy and imagination to the usual fare. It was refreshing. And it honestly touched the kid in me, reading about a masked vigilante that dresses up as a Harlequin.

Which brings me to the story within the story featuring the Harlequin Ghost of St. Giles. Often I'm not a fan of those types of chapter beginnings, featuring prose or quotes or snippets or some such, but that wasn't the case this time. The tale of the Harlequin and his True Love was cute and entertaining and mirrored the story nicely.

The other Ghost of St. Giles, Winter Makepeace, is the hero of this tale however. And what a hero he is! I will admit to a certain affinity for the virgin hero - there is something endearing and tempting about an untried man. This is especially true of Winter, as his reasons for remaining pure are special and personal. A man saving himself for only his wife? Is there any gesture more romantic than that? I don't think so! And for a man so inexperienced, Winter has definitely mastered the art of talking dirty. Dear lord. The things he'd say - whew.

Isabel is one lucky lady. Well, except that previous to Winter, she faced some serious disappointments in life and love. But she doesn't dwell on them and she isn't oblivious to her fortunate circumstances. Isabel is a very strong and caring woman, even if it is often hidden under a public mask. Or tucked away deep inside, afraid to be exposed and thus vulnerable.

Winter is very good at seeing behind her mask and burrowing himself under her skin. And Isabel is the only one able to see behind Winter's own mask - both figurative and literal. Which is one of the best aspects of the story. Watching them unmask each other and themselves.

Now, what you really want to know: This book is hot. There are a number of scenes of sensuality. And Miz Hoyt sure can write `em. She isn't afraid to go there, that's for sure - and I thank her for it! Watching Winter discover his own sexuality, learning all that intimacy has to offer... it was potent, sheet-scorching stuff while still managing to be tender.

Favorite Quote:
He removed his tunic but didn't bother looking up as he sat to take off his boots.
"I want you to show me."
"Show you what?"
He did look up at that, one boot in his hands, and his eyes bored straight into her woman's soul.
"Everything."

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Crackles with mystery, passion. WONDERFUL!!!! June 26, 2012

By Romantic fool

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The dour Mr. Makepiece (STILL WATERS RUN DEEP), the alluring sultry lady Isabel, the vigilanty Ghost of St. Giles. Add in mysterious pasts by both H and HH and orphaned children, and what you get is probably the best book I've read this year, and I've read plenty!!

There was passion, mystery, lust, violence, tenderness, and many other emotions that had my heart pounding throughout this book. Even the relatively quiet parts of the story shimmer with a underlying sexual tension, and intrigue. You will swoon for the complicated Hero, adore the Heroine.

This book pulled me in and when it it was over, I did not want to let go!! Read it!! You will not be sorry!!

BRAVO Mrs. Hoyt!!! Keeper shelf for me.