Customer Reviews

Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I respect the majority opinion so far that this is a 5-star book, so please don't hate me when I say that I'm not so fond of it. Now, Elizabeth Hoyt books, in general, I do like, especially her first, THE RAVEN PRINCE, which ranks up there in my list of favorite HRs.

WICKED INTENTIONS has all the ingredients that usually work for me in a paperback romance. Relatively tormented hero, heroine with a secret in her past, a mystery to solve, interesting secondary characters from all walks of life, hot romantic interludes, moments of suspense, moments of tenderness, the necessary HEA. But I found myself not appreciating the H and h much. The hero, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, has, we are to understand, shocking sexual proclivities and a tormented past which leaves him as an adult with a revulsion to human touch and an inability to form emotional attachments. This dislike for touch is also, I assume, what is responsible for his preferences during sex. The problem for me is I read the whole book and then rechecked it after reading and still couldn't find much of a reason for it. I was expecting sexual abuse as a child or some other devastating trauma such as the hero was subjected to in Anna Campbell's CAPTIVE OF SIN, but could find no real reason for his 'touch' problem, only for his emotional attachment issues. In addition, this problem with touch was a bit inconsistent and particular: I can touch you/You can't touch me/Sometimes it's OK, sometimes not.

Heroine Temperance (and the rest of the Makepeace family) also puzzled me. The family has a brewery (not financially sound at this time) run by an older brother and also a charitable home for orphans which Temperance and her brother Winter are in charge of. The family exudes the piousness of Quakers, especially Temperance and Winter. So what's with the brewery in the family background? I believe Temperance denies being a Quaker but they behave in a very pious manner, with the reading of Psalms and prayers and good works and their whole way of being is inconsistent with a family that has been involved in the production of alcoholic beverages.

Next we have the puzzle of the deal between Temperance and Caire. She is familiar with the disreputable St. Giles neighborhood because her Foundling Home is located there. Caire needs a guide to the area as he searches for the murderer of his lover of 3 years. So she agrees to be his guide if in return he will escort her to ton engagements so that she can find a patron/sponsor for the Foundling Home, which is badly in need of funds. This sounds good on paper but in execution these two as a duo are extremely ineffectual and inefficient. Their outings together (whether to the slums or to the upper-class gatherings) serve to build up a sexual relationship but lead to little success in finding either murderers or patrons. Caire did his most productive search on his own and Temperance only found potential patrons through a plan she and Godric St. John, Caire's friend, come up with, without Caire's knowledge.

Speaking of Godric St. John reminds me that this book is full of secondary characters, some of whom are integral to the story, but some who are very incidental and seem to be there only to prepare us for future books. All are interesting, fortunately, especially those from the slums. And the ending of the book leaves us wanting to know more about poor Silence, Temperance's sister, but it appears that Lady Hero Batten will be the heroine of the next book. I hope we find out more about Silence's problems in that book, unless Ms Hoyt plans for Silence to have a book of her own.

I'm sorry to have been nitpicking in this review. I did like the book enough to continue reading future books in the series, but not well enough to give it a higher rating.

Most of us read romance novels to work through difficulties along with the main characters and to enjoy the euphoria they feel when they find happiness, love, and/or financial security. Those happy endings are all too rare in the real world, where the "bad guys" often win in our daily lives. Elizabeth Hoyt is incapable of writing a bad novel, but this one is unrelentingly dark and cheerless. Hoyt's quirky, amusing secondary characters are missing. Instead, readers are presented with a seriously ill infant, a maniacal dwarf, and an oppressive atmosphere both in the slums of St. Giles and in ballrooms--not to mention the prostitute-gutting and entrail dripping parts of the story.

The book seems to lack focus. This is the first of a series, so perhaps some unresolved issues and extraneous characters are to be expected. However, Hoyt handled the transition from novel to novel so deftly in her other two series that this one seems heavy-handed. Readers are left with the Ghost of St. Giles popping in and out--although clues are given to his identity--poor Silence devastated over the emotional and perhaps permanent physical absence of her husband, and Godric enduring the relentlessly declining health of his beloved wife.

The hero and heroine agree to a mutual assistance pact. He asks her to be his guide as he looks for a murderer in the backstreets of St. Giles. She asks him to introduce her to society in her quest to find a patron for her family's foundling home. Very quickly, he realizes that he is putting her in life-threatening danger--something he finds unacceptable and unnecessary, although he continues to put her in harm's way. She has her greatest patron-hunting success when she bypasses Lord Caire and seeks help from his best friend. Somewhere in there, the plot seems to get a little blurry.

I have ALL of Elizabeth Hoyt's books in my "keeper" file. Fairly or unfairly, I'm comparing her with herself. If there were half stars, I'd give this book 3.5. If some of that constant mist of St. Giles were blown away and the lens through which readers see the story were brought into sharper focus, this would be a better book.

Wicked Intentions is the first in a new and vibrant series by Elizabeth Hoyt. I would rate it 4 ½ stars. It highlights the author's amazing ability to create real and vunerable characters that readers love to care for.

Temperance Dews is a do gooder on a mission to save those less fortunate. Nightly, she puts herself in danger to save the helpless at the expense of her own safety. She knows the streets of London intimately. But behind her work lays a very secret sorrow, one that she feels she can never atone for.

Lazarus Huntington is sensual and untamed. An irresistible combination for any woman. As a man of many talents he is on his own mission to hunt down a dangerous killer. However, he is at a disadvantage since he does not know where to find his prey. He coerces Temperance to aid him in exchange for the much needed connections to help her keep the orphanage open. But Lazarus does not count on his strange attraction to a beautiful woman who tries to deny herself any pleasure. Why is she punishing herself and why can't he stop thinking about her?

This story is filled with romance and mystery as Temperance and Lazarus search the deadly street of London to find the killer but also as Lazarus tries to unravel the secrets behind Temperance's past. Temperance is an amazingly sympathetic character that has made one mistake that she bitterly regrets but is unable to forgive herself for. It was interesting to read the cynical Lazarus be the one person to free Temperance from her self imposed prison. I loved the development of their growing respect and then love.

For readers who love suspense, lush historicals and well developed 3 dimensional characters they will find complete and utter enjoyment in this passionate love story.

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)

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.

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 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 - several parts of the scene were a little too sappy and corny, feeling out of place, 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, Temperance Dews and Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire
Book 2 - Notorious Pleasures, Lady Hero Batten and Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading
Book 3 - Scandalous Desires, Silence Hollingbrook and "Charming" Mickey O'Connor (out Sep 22, 2011)

BOTTOM LINE:
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!!

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?

***SPOILERS***

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?

***END SPOILERS***

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.

`Wicked Intentions' is the first book in Elizabeth Hoyt's new historical romance series, `Maiden Lane'.

Maiden Lane is situated in St. Giles, a notoriously dangerous area of London - gin-soaked streets, urchin children, brawling bodies and a masked vigilante roaming the streets.
It is here that Temperance Dews and her brother, Winter, run an orphanage for abandoned children. It is also here that one Lord Lazarus Caire lost his mistress to a knife-wielding murderer. In the most unlikely of circumstances Lord Caire and Temperance's paths will cross - Caire needs someone with St Giles know-how and Temperance needs a patron for her flailing orphanage. Temperance agrees to help Lord Caire find his mistresses murderer, and in return Lord Caire agrees to help look for a moneyed patron for the orphanage. But both Temperance and Lord Caire will get more than they ever bargained for...

I stumbled across Elizabeth Hoyt earlier this year, and her novel `The Raven Prince'. I was really blown away by that book, and did intend to read more of Hoyt's work... but it wasn't until the blogosphere started buzzing with praise for her newest novel `Wicked Intentions' that I finally revisited Hoyt's writing. And I've got to say... she amazed me again.

Hoyt excels in writing complex and compelling characters. Lord Lazarus Caire is one such conundrum. First impressions would suggest that he is an anti-hero of the rake variety... a debauched lady-lover who shuns polite society and is gossiped to have perverse bedroom preferences.
Rakes are a dime a dozen in historical romances... but Hoyt's deliciously devilish and dark hero has more going on beneath the surface than just a predilection for `tie me up, tie me down' bedroom antics. Hoyt has written in Lazarus a deeply disturbed loner for whom physical touch is repulsive and painful. Lazarus had an isolated childhood, devoid of love and affection, and as a result he has built an invisible fortress around himself... to the point that he mentally fears physical touch.
That's just an example of how much deeper Hoyt goes in her historical romances. Lazarus isn't just a rake; he's a rake with deep-seated psychological issues.

Temperance Dews is likewise not your typical historical romance heroine. Yes, she runs an orphanage and has been a poor widower for nine years. In any other historical romance she would be written as a thorough Mary-Sue to show a rake the error of his ways and the salvation to be had from pure love. Think again. Temperance has issues just the same as Lord Caire, and they run just as psychologically deep. Temperance has been harbouring a guilty conscience since her husband's death, and to repent for her wicked ways she has been punishing herself for these past nine years. Temperance works at her family's orphanage, but she holds herself back from caring for the children. She holds her emotions in check, and refuses to allow her heart to love.

I really loved Hoyt's character explorations into her hero and heroine. Hoyt really makes her readers work to know her characters - as a reader you have to see past their shield and armour, discern their motivations and issues. As much as `Wicked Intentions' is a mystery whodunit, each of Hoyt's character are mysteries unto themselves for readers to unravel and predict. Temperance and Lord Caire are both cordoning themselves off from feeling - but it's a matter of reading to know why, to know what shadows lurk in their past and deep down in their psyches. `Wicked Intentions' is a historical romance, but Hoyt's characters are so layered and wonderful that by the end I was pretty sure it was also a psychological thriller to boot...

And then there's the fact that Elizabeth Hoyt writes marvellous sex scenes. I found that in `The Raven Prince' and Hoyt proves herself yet again in `Wicked Intentions'. Her sex scenes are great literary foreplay, sensual and slow scenes that unravel in conjunction with the character's lowering defences. The sex scenes are more than just smut when Hoyt writes them, they become lush revelations.

`Wicked Intentions' is primarily a historical romance, but the propelling plot that brings Lord Caire and Temperance together is the hunt for a murderer in St. Giles. And how ironic that the love interests are brought together by the man's hunt for his mistresses murderer. The murder mystery often takes a back-seat to Temperance and Caire's romantic development, but overall I felt like Hoyt balanced the mystery and romance very well. I think it helped that hunting for the murderer bought Temperance and Caire closer together, and offered up numerous situations in which to test their mettle.

I did have two niggling complaints about `Wicked Intentions'. One small complaint, and one rather large story issue...

Along with the murder hunt and Temperance and Caire's romance, there was a storyline regarding Temperance's little sister, Silence. Silence is the youngest of the five Dews children, and married to a ship captain called William. William captains the Finch, and upon returning from sea the ship's cargo is stolen. The ship's owners accuse William of being in cahoots with the thieves who robbed the Finch, and it looks as though William will be thrown into gaol unless the cargo turns up. All of St. Giles knows that notorious thief `charming Mickey' stole the cargo, but Mickey owns St. Giles and nobody wants to confront him. Nobody, except Silence. But what Mickey asks Silence to do in exchange for the cargo and her husband's innocence will test the strength of her marriage and family-ties...
This storyline threw me.... where I thought that the murder-mystery and romance melded really well together, this side-story running in conjunction really stuck out like a sore thumb. For a little while I wondered if the storyline of the missing cargo would eventually run into the murder-mystery... but by the end of `Wicked Intentions' I realized that Hoyt intends this to be a continuing minor plot (possibly throughout the series?). I'm really not sure about Silence's side-story. On the one hand I think the storyline unto itself is great, and could have warranted a book by itself. But within the context of Temperance and Caire's story... it didn't work for me.

My minor complaint was regarding character names. The names are a little odd, and upon first reading they are also slightly tough to grasp. For some reason Hoyt has provided many of her major characters with noun-names. Temperance, Winter and Silence. And she also throws in a few adjective-named characters for good measure, like Lord Caire's valet called Small. When first introducing a few of these characters I had to re-read sentences when I realized that Hoyt was using nouns as proper nouns. Yeah, it was somewhat confusing.

Hoyt's books are not your typical historical romance fare. She isn't writing throw-away smut-fluff to be consumed in an afternoon of light reading. Hoyt's historical romances have a slightly sharper edge, intricate plot and complicated heroes. Elizabeth Hoyt writes some of the smartest historical romances I have ever read, and while there is still plenty of sensual sex to entertain and keep you hot under the collar, it's her complex characters and intricate storylines that set her apart from the rest.

Temperance's family was so depressing and weird.....sometimes they were close and sometimes they just disappeared. The part where her sister goes to a bad part of town alone to ask a criminal who stole all the merchandise off her husband's ship to return it because she asks him to is beyond believable. Temperance's past is also hard to believe. What saves this book are the two main characters. They both have endured much, but they are so endearing and engaging.

Although I finished this book, I can't say I was very interested in it. It just seemed that there were so many characters and storylines going on:

-the hero and his difficult past and relationship with his mother, both of which were resolved in a somewhat trite manner
-the heroine and her guilty past
-the heroine's family, particularly her sister who has a troubled marriage with a sea captain
-all the children in the foundling home
-the hero's friend St. John and his ill wife
-a murder mystery
-the ghost - a masked hero or villain?
-other characters who I am sure will be the focus of future books

The plot ended up like a bowl of spaghetti, and I didn't feel like any of it was very satisfying. Instead, it seemed like the whole point was to set things up for a long series of books. That said, I probably will read the next, because so many of Elizabeth Hoyt's past books have been wonderful, and I have hopes for her future works.

This was my first Elizabeth Hoyt novel. I confess I had no preconceived ideas about her writing. To say I was surprised to find how erotic this book was, is to state it mildly. I thought it was just a usual Historical Romance. Now I'm not complaining. The writing is excellent and the story rather dark, action filled and with mystery, all of which I like. The sex is a bit kinky. So if you have qualms then consider that you are forewarned.
This is the first book in the Maiden Lane series and I look forward to reading more. So far three have been published with the fourth coming in a month or so.

I'm going to have to start this review by admitting that I have never read anything from Elizabeth Hoyt before. Generally, I'm very loyal to my cheesy romantic authors and when I find one who I enjoy, I tend to stick to their books. It certainly helped that Hoyt has a big compliment from Lisa Kleypas (one of my favorites) right on the cover.

Hoyt's "Wicked Intentions," the first book in her Maiden Lane Series, totally blew me away! I loved it! Although it follows the same plot line that most romance books do, the one big plus for me was that I really liked our female protagonist, Temperance Dews, as well as the aristocratic Lord Caire. Both of them were flawed in one way or another yet I felt like it was more...realistic than some other books I have read in the past.

Temperance runs a foundling home in one of the worst areas of London. Widowed and poor, she struggles to put food on the table for the children. Via sheer chance, Lord Caire ends up on her doorstep, and offers her a job. He will reward her handsomely for assisting him on his journey to find who killed his mistress. She knows the slums like he does not and can get into places without suspicion. An attraction develops between them, despite their faults.

Another favorite aspect of the book was all the side characters and their stories. Hoyt wound in enough supporting character building that I am really excited to read the other books in the series. Lastly, I had to mention the sex scenes. Holy hell! These were waaay hotter than in your grandmother's romance book - let me tell you! No mention of "throbbing manhood" here. Just pure, dirty, doin' it. Even a jaded lady like me blushed at certain points. Hoyt certainly has a way with...description.

Overall, it was a thoroughly pleasing and enjoyable read that sucked me in right away. I'd highly recommend the book and it's author to other romance book lovers!