Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane)

I rather enjoyed this book. However the audible narration was very bad at times. Several times as much as half chapters I found necessary to stop the narrative and read until it once again played correctly.

The protagonists in this book were intriguing, and the plot development held my interest. The graphic sexual situations were not as welcome. However, I enjoyed this first book in the Maiden Lane series enough that I proceeded to purchase the next two installments in the series. That was enough! By book three, the explicit sexual descriptions subordinated every other aspect of the story, with very little plot development.

Whatever happened to letting the reader's imagination fill in the blanks in romantic sequences? Instead, current writers in this genre, including the author of this series, seem to consult some sort of 'steamy sex dictionary,' wherein the lovemaking descriptions become cliched and quite predictable as well as off-putting. In book three, once I started to skip over the unwelcome sexual passages, there was very little left to read.

Bottom line: Ms. Hoyt has obvious writing skills...this reader just wishes she would use them for expanding the plot rather than the size of the hero's primary 'asset'!

This is a complex and supremely intelligent exploration of how people structure their personal experience and define themselves by limitation.
One of the best of it's kind, right up there with Loretta Chase and Cecilia Grant. Don't miss it.

The author is very detailed with a very splendid story line. I picked the fourth book up at a Dollar General to read while I was bored to find that the books were actually really good. Only then did I realize that I was a bit further along in the series and skipped three books.

This is a well written book. Ms. Hoyt developes her characters so that the reader feels like she really knows these characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Georgette Heyer and Lisa Kleypas.

A sweet romantic story but has kinky sex, 1 episode of voyeurism, which I didn't like , was tastefully done as much as is possible This author is accomplished at sexual titillation The other part, tying up, I didn't mind because he had a painful touch phobia Over all, readable It kept my interest The ending was a little corny too many ' I love you's ' !

I bought this book because I enjoyed a Novella that I had purchased to see if Elizabeth Hoyt would be an author worth reading. She is a good writer. But this book was really hard to get through. I never really connected with either of the main characters. I wanted to tell them to get over themselves throughout the book.

First, why was Lord Caire so tortured? No, he didn't have the best childhood in history but nothing happened to justify his sociopathic tendencies or the fact that touch literally hurt him. Plus the secret that the heroine had was anti-climactic. Really? It seemed to me to be much ado about nothing.

I purchased Winter's story and I really don't have any interest in reading it now even though I did enjoy the sample that I read at the end of another book. It's hard to keep reading an author's writing if you are so totally turned off by the characters in a story.

The darkness of this novel was unexpected, especially for the typical romance novel. However, I loved that aspect of it because it was unusual and interesting. I liked the preverse and quirky characters and cannot wait to read more of the series.

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.

Same plot but a little different then other romance novels. The characters are interesting and dissimilar then average and makes one want to see what happens. If you don't care for explicit sex scenes don't read this book. I don't mind them if there are feelings involved but in this book I didn't think they were very well written. Quick, pretty good read.

I have been Elizabeth's biggest fan since Raven Prince, which I have read and re-read so many times the book has actually fallen apart. I would say in a given year I read it at least ten times, along with another one of my favorites, To Seduce A Sinner. What I like about these books is their characters. The men are not classically handsome and while flawed, seem multi-dimensional... like real life people. That is not the case for Lord Caire and honestly if Hoyt had a hard time flushing him out it can only be her fault seeing as she created him to feel NO EMOTIONs (till SURPRISE the end). It is ridiculous, but it can be done correctly (see The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie). The whole time i was interested to see what they were as Hoyt doesn't usually include fetishes in her writing. I was disappointed as he only like to tie his women up... thats it. This is the gossip that has all of St. Giles, a notorious slum where prostitutes serve clients in the streets, talking? No way, Hoyt, no way... I never came to love or care or even root for Lord Caire because he is, in modern terms, an unfeeling douche. You can not imagine my sadness (on a plane over the Atlantic) when I found out I would never come to love the two main characters in a book I had been saving for weeks to read.
Now for the female lead. Temperance Dews was also a HUGE dud for me. She was not funny like Hoyt's other female characters and just seemed plain selfish. I understand love is all consuming blah blah blah, but when she sees her family fall apart around her, she still somehow finds it ok to run to Lord Caire's house after each hurdle. Shes looking for a patron for godsake! There is no way an unmarried woman trying to get a respectable patron would NOT be concerned for her reputation and would instead spend multiple nights at her notorious lover's mayfair mansion. NOT BUYING IT (although I sadly already did).
This book is HORRID. I finished it just so I could say I did and write this review with honesty. DONT READ it if this is your first Elizabeth Hoyt as it may put you off her forever and DONT READ it if you are a fan of hers because you will truly be disappointed. Hoyt's writing is usually spectacular because her characters are often atypical of romance, they have tangible feelings which gives way to multiple layers. They are funny and not so full of themselves as to not crack a joke here and there. Hoyt is, was, is a master at making you fall in love with the characters, but she fails here.

I liked the story, very interesting and different format for the same story Lord meet the lady and fall in love and happily ever after. This like a shades of grey the aristocrat is a emotional rake and the lady is a the administrator of an orphan home or urchins. Claire is the aristocrat, a man who can not touché physically but the writer does not explains of his bizarre behavior. Temperance, is in charge of the house and she seeks in the slums as Saint Giles, in London in 17th century. Lazarus, lord Claire is seeking the assassin of his mistress and he hired temperance to looks for. There other story involved with the sister of temperance, know as silence and her husband I do not wants to explains the issues of secondary characters, I hope Mrs Hoyt, explains in these series this couple story. Where Mrs Hoyt found these horrible names? I going to read the series but my complaint is there to much explicit sex so many I consider unnecessary. This my first book of the writer and recommend this book. To all readers who loves romance, emotional issues, suspense and explicit sex, this your book.

This book was far too dark & depressing. The setting, combined with the tortured characters who seemingly have no hope of bettering themselves, solving their problems, or finding happiness was just too much for me. I like to read for escape, not to be depressed. I have enjoyed other books by this author, but will not be reading any more titles in this series.

I did not understand the heroine at all. I usually love Hoyt's characters but this book was not worth keeping. It started out so interesting and then we found out what happened to Temperance and why she felt like a sinner. I'm sorry but I lost respect for her after that. Call me old-fashioned, but it's not okay to seek sex somewhere else because you're not getting it from your marriage. That's not why you marry someone. Besides that, she also starting acting very self-centered, as another reviewer pointed out. Silence sounds like a ninny, I certainly won't be reading her story. I would love to read Winter's story though.

I have mixed feelings about this book, the writing flowed well, the story was fairly engaging but some elements of the characters and story development left me uninvested.

Lord Caire (Lazarus) is stalking the streets of the unsavory St Gile to find murderer of his mistress. Lazarus (not a name I could bond with) was described a having long silvery white hair; this also didn't appeal to me. However he's a quirky Lord with a singular character which was interesting. Temperance was a widow living in the area, running a foundling house. I liked Temperance but found the reveal of her secret late on to be anticlimatic.

The story didn't engage me past half way and sometimes riled me. Issues over promiscuity raised health concerns for me and I didn't quite understand the need for such depth of the sister's story. I'm sure, however this will be revealed later in the series. Nevertheless, the setting for this book was intruiging and the chemistry was believable.

This is my first read by Elizabeth Hoyt and I have it on good authority the books get better from here on in so I'll definitely be reading more from her.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

Original Post: Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane 1) at FLYLēF (reviews.flylef.com) with 3.5 of 5 rating

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.

Not even glad I bought this while it was free?. What's his name and what's her name ?ran around St. Something looking for a murderer then like at 70% had Boring sex?. I not going finish.?✌

I want to thank Elizabeth Hoyt, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the copy of Wicked Intentions the first book in the Maiden Lane Series that I won in the Giveaway.

Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, an aristocrat with a well-deserved reputation for peculiar sexual preferences is a very lonely man. He approaches Mrs. Temperance Drew a lovely widow with a bargain requesting her assistance. She lives and works at an orphanage in the worst part of London, a section know as St. Giles. She agrees to help escort him around St. Giles and he will help her find a new patron for the orphanage as they have lost their last patron when he died.

This starts an adventure for both of them as they investigate a murder and begin to attend functions with the ton to find the patron. Caire finds Temperance a challenge and he begins to feel for another human and face his emotions that he has kept hidden even from himself for years. From the worst whore houses in the slums of London to the grand balls of the ton they move together and learn to love one another. Lord Caire challenges Temperance to face her desires, put aside her guilt and express her need for love. The excitement in the streets of London or in the passionate nature of both main characters keeps the novel moving swiftly to a dramatic but happy ending as Lord Caire and Temperance make good on their Wicked Intentions.

Where it all began! This series is such a winner! I loved each and every novel under the arc of Maiden Lane.
Like some other reviewers I first came across this series when reading The Duke of Sin and was swept away so much by that, that therein followed a solid few days of reading the Maiden Lane series from this the very first chapter. 'And I kept asking myself how had I never read the series before! It's really different, and wonderful as it's complexity morphs into the simplicity of selfless love conquering all.'
Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire wants to avenge the murder of his mistress. Temperance Dews, a widow, cares for children in a foundling home her family began. The home needs a rich benefactor, Lazarus needs a guide to through the pitfalls of the dangerous slum known as St Giles. It seems they each have access to something the other wants and so a bargain is struck. The attraction that flares between these two is nicely done, sensual and explorative. Their story is the hinge that opens up the future fabulous possibilities that flow down Maiden Lane.
The fate of orphaned children in these times is a disturbing and central theme for all the following books as the action flows in and around the home and St Giles. (The most depressing thought is that the abuse and trafficking in children has never stopped!)
The secondary story towards the end of Temperance's sister Silence is awesome. I was filled with admiration and deep sorrow for her. She is a rising star!
As in the later novels, I loved the juxtaposition between the fairy tale (this time, the cautionary tale of King Lockedheart) at the beginning of each chapter and the story. As I have said before, 'the employment of the fairytale as a lead in is superb. This use, as a foretelling of the events that follow is, put simply, just exquisite.'
Once again, and continually throughout the series I was amazed at how this tool works so effectively for each story. A fabulous use of a device that is as 'captivating as the main story that flows alongside.'

A NetGalley ARC

Wicked Intentions is the first book in The Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Holt. In this book, we follow the hero, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire through a terrifying investigation for his mistress's killer. In the process, he enlists help from Temperance Dews, a widow who is hiding a shameful secret and a part owner of a foundling home for infants and children. Together they unwind a very dangerous plot for revenge, all the while getting caught in an all-consuming storm of wild passion. 

Caire is one of the most viral characters, I've ever read about! He's brash and crude, yet so lovable! 

Temperance's character is headstrong and very troubled by her past. It's not often a heroine in a romance novel has that particular type of secret she's hiding. And I was very surprised to find out what it was. Having a wicked heroine AND a wicked hero makes this book so much fun to read!

I'm glad I've started this series and I am positively looking forward to reading the rest of this authors' novels. With that said, I definitely recommend this book to authors who love steamy romances with a dash of sin on top.

ARC provided by the author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Elizabeth Hoyt. I don't normally read Historical Romance much these days. I was very pleased when I started this one that the author got it. The element of mystery, along with the romance and history is what really drew me in. The romance was very sensual and hot with both the hero and heroine having secrets that each don't want to reveal to the other.

Temperance Dews, a widow, and her brother, Winter, are trying to continue the charity founded by their deceased father in the improvised section of London, St. Giles. They run a foundling home and have hit hard times with the death of their wealthy benefactor.

Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is a notorious figure in London Society. His sexual proclivities fall somewhat out of the range for what is considered normal in Georgian England for that time. He is in St. Giles to track down the murderer of his mistress. Temperance crosses paths with him while retrieving a newborn, whose poor mother has died. Caire follows her to the home and makes her a proposal, she can't refuse.

Together they travel the twisted and dangerous streets of St. Giles to follow the clues to the murder of Caire's mistress. They also begin to unravel the secrets to each other and begin a sexual relationship that helps heal the other. The murderer isn't happy about Caire and Temperance sticking their noses in the murder and sets about putting an end to it.

Elizabeth Hoyt has a dynamic cast of characters that have been introduced with her Maiden Lane Series. What we find in Wicked Intentions, is that the deviant and notorious Lord Caire, Lazarus Huntington, is lurking around St Giles at night trying to find the killer of his mistress. On and old trail in one of the most infamous areas of London, what Lord Caire may soon find is something more dangerous than a killer, he might find love.
Temperance "Makepeace" Dews is a widow who lives with her brother in a foundling home deep in the slums of St. Giles. A down on your luck lady, struggling to make ends meet for an underappreciated service (aiding the abandoned) soon she may find a desire that she has been longing for, and a way out of poverty if she can just survive the nights that she is spending with Lord Caire. Assisting Lord Caire through the dangerous streets of St. Guiles to charming Lords and Ladies in the hope of attracting a patron for her foundling home, Temperance is a craft and cunning new character that just keeps a reader latched into the pages of Wicked Intentions.
As the storyline develops and our characters dangerously develop in their adventures be ready to get caught up in this series that keeps readers anticipating the next book.

Wicked Intentions was a lot darker and sexier than I anticipated! And yes, that is a good thing. Lazarus Huntington is searching for his mistress’ murderer. He has no idea where to start, so he approaches Temperance Dews and asks her to be his guide as she’s more familiar with the neighborhood. Temperance is hesitant at first, but the foundling house that she runs is in danger of closing, so she agrees only if Lazarus introduces her to London society to find a patron. Both may be in over their heads.

I very much enjoyed Wicked Intentions. It has a dark vibe throughout, like we’re walking the dank, misty streets of St. Giles along with Temperance and Lazarus. Plus there’s a serial killer on the lose who is murdering prostitutes and seems to be nervous about Lazarus asking around about them. Lazarus and Temperance are also harboring a large amount of lust! His proclivities are well known, but Temperance hides her’s under a pious exterior. Lazarus is eager to bring it out of her though and things get kinky!

I don’t want to give anything away since Wicked Intentions does have a strong mystery plot, both in terms of the killer and our love interests’ secrets. I never guessed who the killer was! It was a shock! I also loved how the author set up for following books. We get to know several other residents of Maiden Lane and get little bits of their stories without it feeling overwhelming or detracting from Temperance and Lazarus. There’s also the Ghost of St. Giles whom I must learn more about!