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!!
