Helpful Score: 10
What a great story. There was so much going on I didn't want to put it down.
There's the story of Lord Caire and Temperance. There's the story going on with the foundling house and all the orphans. There's the story of the murder. There's the story of the ghost of St. Giles. There's the story behind Temperance's family. So much going on, and yet it all flowed together so seamlessly that I didn't really realize how much was going on until I finished the book.
I really liked Temperance. She was willing to do what it took to keep the foundling house and her brother, from falling into ruins. Which is where Lore Caire comes into the story. Both Temperance and Lord Caire have so much "baggage" that their relationship seems is destined to never happen. Temperance's secret has haunted her for the last 9 years, and watching her unwrap that past, through Lord Caire's urging and help, was so engrossing.
This was beautifully written. Like I said there is so much going on. It would seem that with all the different stories going on within the main story that it would get confusing, but it was all weaved together so well that I didn't really notice it. The story is also fast-paced, there were very few lulls in the story. So not only didn't I want to put it down, but it moves so fast that I didn't really get a chance to put it down. I was able to finish the entire book in only three sittings.
There were a few things that weren't fully "tied up" in the end, but given that this is the first in the Maiden Lane Series I'm sure that was done on purpose. The loose ends really built up so much anticipation that I can't wait to get the next in the series.
There's the story of Lord Caire and Temperance. There's the story going on with the foundling house and all the orphans. There's the story of the murder. There's the story of the ghost of St. Giles. There's the story behind Temperance's family. So much going on, and yet it all flowed together so seamlessly that I didn't really realize how much was going on until I finished the book.
I really liked Temperance. She was willing to do what it took to keep the foundling house and her brother, from falling into ruins. Which is where Lore Caire comes into the story. Both Temperance and Lord Caire have so much "baggage" that their relationship seems is destined to never happen. Temperance's secret has haunted her for the last 9 years, and watching her unwrap that past, through Lord Caire's urging and help, was so engrossing.
This was beautifully written. Like I said there is so much going on. It would seem that with all the different stories going on within the main story that it would get confusing, but it was all weaved together so well that I didn't really notice it. The story is also fast-paced, there were very few lulls in the story. So not only didn't I want to put it down, but it moves so fast that I didn't really get a chance to put it down. I was able to finish the entire book in only three sittings.
There were a few things that weren't fully "tied up" in the end, but given that this is the first in the Maiden Lane Series I'm sure that was done on purpose. The loose ends really built up so much anticipation that I can't wait to get the next in the series.
Helpful Score: 7
Wonderful story with vivid characters, lots of mystery, unexpected twists and turns. The sexuality is bold and blatant. This was enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Helpful Score: 6
Wonderful beginning for a new series by Elizabeth Hoyt! I am looking forward to reading the other books soon to follow. My only advice is to make sure you have a long period of uninterupted time to devote to this book because you will not want to put it down!
Helpful Score: 3
Grade = A-
Wicked Intentions is the first book in a new series by Elizabeth Hoyt. Lord Caire, a man who can feel no emotion yet haunted by the brutal death of his paid companion, needs access to the slums of London. He makes a proposition to Temperance Dews whose life's purpose is to clothe and feed the orphans of St. Giles. Temperance is in desperate need of funding for her orphanage. Lord Caire can introduce her to high society where she has the opportunity to snag a rich benefactor.
Wicked Intentions is a strong start to Hoyt's new series. Temperance and Caire are fascinating characters whose uniqueness will compel readers to immerse themselves in this rich story. Temperance is haunted by her own sexuality, in which she views her desires as unclean or those of a loose woman. Lord Caire is a man who is unable to withstand the touch of others without it physically causing him pain. He also is emotionally numb, using Temperance as a way to channel emotions foreign to him through her. Temperance is very expressive and that fascinates Caire, drawing him in and he is powerless to resist her.
Besides the explosive chemistry between Caire and Temperance, there is a secondary storyline involving Temperance's sister, Silence. The storyline doesn't take up much page time, but the small amount that is there makes a big impact. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Silence is in the next book. As it stands now, I am not sure when or if at all Silence will get her own book. I am going to email Ms. Hoyt and see if she can let us know what is in store for the Maiden Lane series. Ill keep you posted.
Wicked Intentions is the first book in a new series by Elizabeth Hoyt. Lord Caire, a man who can feel no emotion yet haunted by the brutal death of his paid companion, needs access to the slums of London. He makes a proposition to Temperance Dews whose life's purpose is to clothe and feed the orphans of St. Giles. Temperance is in desperate need of funding for her orphanage. Lord Caire can introduce her to high society where she has the opportunity to snag a rich benefactor.
Wicked Intentions is a strong start to Hoyt's new series. Temperance and Caire are fascinating characters whose uniqueness will compel readers to immerse themselves in this rich story. Temperance is haunted by her own sexuality, in which she views her desires as unclean or those of a loose woman. Lord Caire is a man who is unable to withstand the touch of others without it physically causing him pain. He also is emotionally numb, using Temperance as a way to channel emotions foreign to him through her. Temperance is very expressive and that fascinates Caire, drawing him in and he is powerless to resist her.
Besides the explosive chemistry between Caire and Temperance, there is a secondary storyline involving Temperance's sister, Silence. The storyline doesn't take up much page time, but the small amount that is there makes a big impact. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Silence is in the next book. As it stands now, I am not sure when or if at all Silence will get her own book. I am going to email Ms. Hoyt and see if she can let us know what is in store for the Maiden Lane series. Ill keep you posted.
Helpful Score: 2
Widow Temperance Dews is trying to find a patron for her family's foundling home which has fallen on hard times. She is approached by Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, with a proposition. Caire is hunting for a murderer and needs her help navigating the slum she knows like the back of her hand. In exchange for her help, he will introduce her to members of society so she can find a patron for the orphanage. Together Temperance and Caire find themselves in danger when the murderer strikes again.
I have not had much luck picking historical romances lately, but this one was a winner. There is so much going on in this book. Temperance has a secret from her past that she knows will ruin her. Caire has a hard time showing any type of emotion, and doesn't like anyone touching him. There are some fantastic secondary characters in this book, including Temperance's brother, Winter, her youngest sister, Silence, Caire's best friend, Godric, and the mysterious Ghost of St. Giles. The story kept interested. I didn't want to put this book down and will be continuing the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I have not had much luck picking historical romances lately, but this one was a winner. There is so much going on in this book. Temperance has a secret from her past that she knows will ruin her. Caire has a hard time showing any type of emotion, and doesn't like anyone touching him. There are some fantastic secondary characters in this book, including Temperance's brother, Winter, her youngest sister, Silence, Caire's best friend, Godric, and the mysterious Ghost of St. Giles. The story kept interested. I didn't want to put this book down and will be continuing the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
I like Elizabeth Holt, but this was not as good as her other efforts. Dont get me wrong, it has a lot of potential and I am going to keep reading, but the problem was her hero. Hoyts tortured heros are a favorite of mine, but I never really felt anything for Caire. It was never really explained why he was the way he was so I couldnt get into him. Everything else, though, was great. Temperance is a fine hero and I just have to find out who the ghost is.
First of this series. I really enjoy this author. She sets up the story of Silence (third book) really well. I almost want to skip the second book just to get to it, but of course I won't! The whole idea of human touch giving him actual pain was a little strange. I could see him being averse to it, or making him uncomfortable, but actually causing him physical pain was a little odd. All in all, a very good read though. First series I read was the Princes and I have given them all 5 stars. This one just got 4 because of the "touch" thing.
I would have preferred less emphasis on the sex, but it's that kind of novel. Generally, romance novels aren't my cup of tea but there was enough of a mystery going to keep me happy. The romance was kept low-key til after the first half when it got a bit spicy. I think people who like this kind of read would really like this book - it is not too sexy over the top but you definitely know it's an adults-only type of book. Good enough for a non-romance reader to like. A romance reader would probably rate this a 5.
Miranda M. (Governess4hire) reviewed Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane, Bk 1) on + 146 more book reviews
This girl gives this book 4 breathtaking stars!
Elizabeth Hoyt is a master storyteller. The story is intense, vivid, and captured my attention from the first chapter. Hoyt had me up for hours.
I love how the names of the characters are unique. The heroine, Temperance, is strong willed, smart, and has compassion for the children that she's raising in the home with her brother. The hero, Lazarus (I love the fact the author named him this), is mysterious, sexual, and knows what he wants. The secondary characters stole my heart as well. The little children were precious. And following Silence's story had some unexpected developments that had me wanting more. Can't wait to read her story!
All in all, this was magical. If you want to be swept away for a grand adventure, give this story a go.
Elizabeth Hoyt is a master storyteller. The story is intense, vivid, and captured my attention from the first chapter. Hoyt had me up for hours.
I love how the names of the characters are unique. The heroine, Temperance, is strong willed, smart, and has compassion for the children that she's raising in the home with her brother. The hero, Lazarus (I love the fact the author named him this), is mysterious, sexual, and knows what he wants. The secondary characters stole my heart as well. The little children were precious. And following Silence's story had some unexpected developments that had me wanting more. Can't wait to read her story!
All in all, this was magical. If you want to be swept away for a grand adventure, give this story a go.
Set in 1737, this is a story of a commoner falling in love with a peer with a bad reputation. It was a fun way for Elizabeth Hoyt to get a bit kinky, for Lord Caire's bad reputation is that he likes to tie up and blindfold his sex partners. Fun to read, kind of steamy. A few things were left unclear - the identity of the Ghost of St. Giles which appears to be resolved in later books. Also the easy acceptance by many aristocrats of a commoner and her ability to fairly seamlessly fit into the ton. Overall though, it was pretty easy to set aside those things and just enjoy the story.
Well, I have found a new series. This takes place in 1737/George 1 about 50 earlier than period of English which I read-Regency/George III's son is Regent during his illness. It is interesting to see the progress from Period to Period. I loved the characters and setting of this story which I am sure leads us to the next one. There is an on-going mystery and an unknown hero and a lot of lust. I found a lot of characters that I want to read their story. Recommend.
This book was just okay for me. The infamous Lord Caire is looking to find the person responsible for the murder of his mistress and makes a deal with Temperance Dews to help guide him around the dangerous parts of town in which a member of the aristocracy would not be trusted. I found myself more interested in the mystery than the romance. If you love the tortured hero, you will probably enjoy the romance. I found it a bit tiring how much both characters cut themselves off from emotion. I do plan to continue reading the series though because I did really like Temerpance's siblings who are featured in the next books.
nice easy read
I liked that this was set in 1700s London (and not Regency). It was a nice change. Someone is killing prostitutes in St Giles. The first one killed (or at least the first one that had someone to "care" for them) happened to be the mistress of Lazarus, Lord Caire. He decides he needs to find out who her killer was. Temperance, along with her brother, are running a foundling home. They are struggling to get by, having lost their patron. Temperance agrees to guide Lord Caire through the slums of St Giles in search of a killer in return for being introduced to wealthy gentlemen in the hopes of finding another patron for the Home.
While I liked both characters and got into their story, there were a few things that stood out and/or irritated me. The first thing is much is made of Lord Caire's proclivities; tying and blindfolding women for sex. I kept thinking there was going to be more, had to be more- does he beat, slap, or otherwise hurt them? No. Just the first part. There was so much build-up of how "abnormal" his proclivities were and then nothing........
The second thing was Temperance. Or maybe the general attitude of the time (and fuck, even to an extent, extending to today) was the attitude towards women and sex (Silence's treatment fits in with this too). She is punishing herself working with brother, avoiding pleasures because she (wait for it....) slept with another man who wasn't her husband! She lives in St Giles, were the poorest of the poor live. She lives with and helps abandoned children. THAT is what bothers her?! THAT is the greatest sin? Really?
Luckily Lazarus accepts her for all that she is. She had enjoy herself with him and it's wonderful. And vice versa.
I liked all of the secondary characters. Temperance has an interesting family. Silence and William had a secondary story in this. The heroine of the next book is introduced in this one and I think she could be interesting!
This is the first in a series. It will be interesting to see who is the Ghost of St Giles? The mystery of who the murderer was is wrapped up in this one. (The who and the why). William is an asshole. They REALLY like the names Mary and Joseph.
While I liked both characters and got into their story, there were a few things that stood out and/or irritated me. The first thing is much is made of Lord Caire's proclivities; tying and blindfolding women for sex. I kept thinking there was going to be more, had to be more- does he beat, slap, or otherwise hurt them? No. Just the first part. There was so much build-up of how "abnormal" his proclivities were and then nothing........
The second thing was Temperance. Or maybe the general attitude of the time (and fuck, even to an extent, extending to today) was the attitude towards women and sex (Silence's treatment fits in with this too). She is punishing herself working with brother, avoiding pleasures because she (wait for it....) slept with another man who wasn't her husband! She lives in St Giles, were the poorest of the poor live. She lives with and helps abandoned children. THAT is what bothers her?! THAT is the greatest sin? Really?
Luckily Lazarus accepts her for all that she is. She had enjoy herself with him and it's wonderful. And vice versa.
I liked all of the secondary characters. Temperance has an interesting family. Silence and William had a secondary story in this. The heroine of the next book is introduced in this one and I think she could be interesting!
This is the first in a series. It will be interesting to see who is the Ghost of St Giles? The mystery of who the murderer was is wrapped up in this one. (The who and the why). William is an asshole. They REALLY like the names Mary and Joseph.
Raunchy romp
I loved this book.
I really enjoyed this! My first by Elizabeth Hoyt but I'm looking forward to the next.
H/H are evenly matched, both carrying secrets they must break through to trust the other and find what they're looking for. A deliciously seedy setting in an earlier century.
H/H are evenly matched, both carrying secrets they must break through to trust the other and find what they're looking for. A deliciously seedy setting in an earlier century.
