This is Eve's (Valentine's 1/2 sister) and Asa's (AKA Mr Harte) story. Warning- spoilers for the previous books.
Eve loves her brother. Val had done something horrible in the previous book and had leave England. He tried to blackmail MacLeish (the architect for Harte's Folly) into marrying Phoebe (having her kidnapped) in the previous book. Except his responses to Eve's letters came very quickly and Alf was his go between, so did he really leave? What are his motivations? I want to know! Thankfully his book is next.
Okay, back to this one. Eve had some trauma and abuse when she was a child. From people who should have protected her and didn't. It seems her father and several of his titled friends were members (and are members) of a group called the "Lords of Chaos." This may or may not come up in the next book. As a result, she doesn't like being touched by anyone, most of all men. The only person that can touch her besides Val is Jean-Marie her bodyguard/manservant.
Asa was disowned by his father for his love of theater. His siblings had no idea. His goal is to make Harte's Folly THE theater to be seen and heard. And then he meets Eve. Eve, who is managing her brother's investment in the theater, and has to interact with Asa. I loved that he realizes Eve has some issues and he finds ways to help her get past those. The carriage scene was awesome y'all. And the conversations Eve has with the women (the dancers, singers, actresses) are pretty good. No jealousy here.
Next is Val and Bridget (his housekeeper; and she has (surprise!) her own secrets).
Eve loves her brother. Val had done something horrible in the previous book and had leave England. He tried to blackmail MacLeish (the architect for Harte's Folly) into marrying Phoebe (having her kidnapped) in the previous book. Except his responses to Eve's letters came very quickly and Alf was his go between, so did he really leave? What are his motivations? I want to know! Thankfully his book is next.
Okay, back to this one. Eve had some trauma and abuse when she was a child. From people who should have protected her and didn't. It seems her father and several of his titled friends were members (and are members) of a group called the "Lords of Chaos." This may or may not come up in the next book. As a result, she doesn't like being touched by anyone, most of all men. The only person that can touch her besides Val is Jean-Marie her bodyguard/manservant.
Asa was disowned by his father for his love of theater. His siblings had no idea. His goal is to make Harte's Folly THE theater to be seen and heard. And then he meets Eve. Eve, who is managing her brother's investment in the theater, and has to interact with Asa. I loved that he realizes Eve has some issues and he finds ways to help her get past those. The carriage scene was awesome y'all. And the conversations Eve has with the women (the dancers, singers, actresses) are pretty good. No jealousy here.
Next is Val and Bridget (his housekeeper; and she has (surprise!) her own secrets).
Oh, I actually liked this book. The heroine, who was severely traumatized as a child, has suppressed the memory. The hero, a rough, coarse brute, is quite the character. For the first time that I can remember, the development of the characters was gradual and believable. In many of the similar books I have read, the change is sudden & just plain silly. There are characters from her previous books who make an appearance, & I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, as there is a strong 'thread' left hanging.
After a terrible fire to Harte's Folly a year ago, Mr. Harte (actually Asa Makepeace) is making extensive repairs to his life's work -- London's premier theatre and pleasure garden. The Duke of Montgomery is paying for them as an investment. The duke sends Eva Dinwoody, his half-sister, to watch things while he is away. To protect her brother's money, Eva insists on keeping the books for the repairs and reopening of Harte's business.
Eva is an enigma. She is intelligent and educated but illegitimate and closed off from people. They immediately clash. Eva is a bluestocking, and Asa is a bold and earthy man who takes what he wants from life.
The exciting part is the author's efforts to weave a story without "beautiful people." Eva and Asa are rather common-looking. Asa is virile-looking (according to ladies in the book), but he lacks social niceties. However, I didn't feel any chemistry between Asa and Eve.
Considering Eva's background and fears, the sex scene in the carriage was unrealistic. I also thought the graphic nature of some of the author's discussion of genitalia was unnecessary and off-putting. I was looking for an exciting story, but this novel uses lots of sex and innuendo -- with only a razor-thin plotline. In my experience, while reading some 60+ years (and about 300 books/year), authors who saturate a book with sexual innuendo and sex scenes have run out of plot ideas.
I'd heard that Elizabeth Hoyt wrote great plots and dialogue; this story seems short on anything interesting. I found much of the sex and raw language unbelievable and unnecessary. The author also went on and on with titillating asides (such as the duke's scandalous bedroom {who cares?}). I decided that the author did this to pad the word count and get 'buzz value' in reviews. I doubt I can be convinced to try another book by this author. This one was sadly lacking in both H/h chemistry and plot. Overall score = 2.5 stars.
Maiden Lane Series (12 Books Total)
1. Wicked Intentions (2010)
2. Notorious Pleasures (2011)
3. Scandalous Desires (2011)
4. Thief of Shadows (2012)
5. Lord of Darkness (2013)
6. Duke of Midnight (2013)
7. Darling Beast (2014)
8. Dearest Rogue (2015)
** 9. Sweetest Scoundrel (2015)
Eva is an enigma. She is intelligent and educated but illegitimate and closed off from people. They immediately clash. Eva is a bluestocking, and Asa is a bold and earthy man who takes what he wants from life.
The exciting part is the author's efforts to weave a story without "beautiful people." Eva and Asa are rather common-looking. Asa is virile-looking (according to ladies in the book), but he lacks social niceties. However, I didn't feel any chemistry between Asa and Eve.
Considering Eva's background and fears, the sex scene in the carriage was unrealistic. I also thought the graphic nature of some of the author's discussion of genitalia was unnecessary and off-putting. I was looking for an exciting story, but this novel uses lots of sex and innuendo -- with only a razor-thin plotline. In my experience, while reading some 60+ years (and about 300 books/year), authors who saturate a book with sexual innuendo and sex scenes have run out of plot ideas.
I'd heard that Elizabeth Hoyt wrote great plots and dialogue; this story seems short on anything interesting. I found much of the sex and raw language unbelievable and unnecessary. The author also went on and on with titillating asides (such as the duke's scandalous bedroom {who cares?}). I decided that the author did this to pad the word count and get 'buzz value' in reviews. I doubt I can be convinced to try another book by this author. This one was sadly lacking in both H/h chemistry and plot. Overall score = 2.5 stars.
Maiden Lane Series (12 Books Total)
1. Wicked Intentions (2010)
2. Notorious Pleasures (2011)
3. Scandalous Desires (2011)
4. Thief of Shadows (2012)
5. Lord of Darkness (2013)
6. Duke of Midnight (2013)
7. Darling Beast (2014)
8. Dearest Rogue (2015)
** 9. Sweetest Scoundrel (2015)
