Scandalous Desires: Number 3 in series (Maiden Lane) Paperback – 3 Nov. 2011

This book had Action. Humour and romance and detailed depth to characters. Good books worth a read enjoying the series so far

Good read

Scandalous Desires is book 3 (I think) on the Maiden Lane series.You don't need to have read the earlier books to make sense of this one, but it will make you more fully appreciate the awesome talent of this author if you have.Silence is a widow, her beloved husband dies as sea and her remaining solace is a baby, Mary Darling abandoned on the steps of the Foundling Home she helps run. However, it turns out Mary Darling is the child of one Mickey O'Connor and it just so happens that Mickey is a dangerous river pirate, who's worst enemy is out to hurt him any way he can...and knows where Mary lives. As his enemy, the Vicar, closes in on him Mickey has no choice but to move Mary, and the woman the babe regards as mother, into his palace to protect them. But Mickey hasn't reckoned on falling in love with Silence and his daughter, and is faced with life changing decisions if he is to face up to his true feelings.I L-O-V-E-D this book. On so many levels it could have been a disaster - how can love flourish between such polarised good and bad people, how can a notorious gang man succumb to the soft attractions of a virtuous woman? And yet, somehow, Ms Hoyt manages it...and then some, with style.This book is perfection for its type - the only possible reason it could receive reviews rated anything less than 5 is if the reader isnt truly looking for a great, escapist historical romance in which to lose themselves.Highly recommended.

Silence Hollingbrook is now widowed (her husband William went down with his ship) and is now devoting her time to the foundling home. She is devoted in particular to Mary Darling and when the child is abducted by river pirate "Charming" Mickey O'Connor (the same man who caused the rift in her marriage when he insisted she spend the night in his room as payment for the return of the cargo he has stolen from William's ship).Silence enter Mickey's lair to demand Mary's return. Mickey is attracted by Silence and gradually she finds herself attracted to him.Unfortunately Mickey has a VERY dangerous enemy who will stop at nothing to destroy him.Mickey will have to be extremely canny to overcome Silence's reluctance, her families opposition, and the attacks which keep on coming.Another thing we discover by the end of this story is the identity of the mysterious Ghost of St. Giles.

Having waited patiently for the next book in this series, I must say that I feel somewhat let down. Whilst the initial premise of the book is fine, I found the use of Americanisms and appalling editing so frustrating. I have noticed this before withthe books published by Piatkus - has anyone else come across this? Anyway, apart from this gripe I found the book not quite up to Ms Hoyt's previous efforts, but pretty enjoyable. Charming Mickey was perhaps a bit too "Oirish" at times, and I never knew Newgate Prison was a castle!! Also, when agreeing with a remark surely it should be Hear Hear, and not Here Here!!! Perhap Winter's story will be an improvement on what I can only describe as a decent effort, but not one of her better ones.

I read this book by Elizabeth Hoyt it was my first by this author and I really enjoyed it. I have since learnt that there were two books before this one so will now read books 1 and 2

One of the best book I have ever read.I read this title first when it was released and arrived on my local library shelf.The book is one of the best in the whole series and even though I had read it few years back, I bought on amazon for my Kindle collection.Generally a romance story has a hero and a heroine but this one has a villian (from previous series) and a heroine.I was surprised that there can be any love story between two people who are so much different.Silence was grieving when her husband died but found a glimmer of hope to survive in harsh world by taking care of a newborn orphan baby -Mary Darling. A notorious River Pirate kidnaps the bay and orders her to stay with him in his mansion. She has endured so much in life surly she can take care of herself and her innocent heart . He has wronged her in past and she recons there is no way she would ever be able to forgive him. Mick is a criminal (Robin hood style) who loots the cargo ships and distributes it to his men and their family. He is very notorious in London (17th century) and handsome to the boot but has carried the guilt ever since he knowingly destroyed Silence's reputation just to prove a point to himself.These two people came together in worst circumstances and love,respect and passion grew between them as they get to know each other during their journey. Author has given her best shot in this regency novel and the more I read the book, more I fall in love again and again with Mickey O'Connor.

Absolutely Brilliant! Captivating from beginning to end! Fell for the characters from the beginning. Exciting, full of action, passionate and romantic, no repetition. Elizabeth Hoyt is my favourite author of historical romance. Imagine a passionate romance, crossed with a Dickens novel with a few murders thrown in for hood measure and you have Hoyt. Fantastic!

I usually don’t like romance with murder in it, but the Maiden Lane books are a big exception. This is a really great hero and heroine pairing and I couldn’t put this one down.

What a great story! I'm not a fan of pirate stories, but this one is just so wonderful it was worth the exception.Michael is the perfect imperfect hero: troubled, strong, criminal but somehow honorable, hardened by life but pure honey inside. He comes from the gutter and he does not repent of his sins.Silence is so pure, so naive, yet she is so strong deep down. She sees a part of Michael that his traumas in life had hidden even from himself. She sees the good man he had the potential to be.What remarkable characters!The story starts with Silence coming to Michael’s (Mick O’Connor) palace to demand the return of Mary Darling, a baby that has been left by Silence’s door a year before and that was raised by her like a daughter at the orphanage she managed with her brother Winter.Turns out Mary is Mick’s daughter and he stole the girl from the orphanage because he found out his greatest enemy had discovered the girl and intended to hurt her in order to reach him.He refuses to give Mary Darling back but offers Silence the possibility to stay at his palace with the baby and take her back with her once he is able to get rid of his enemy.What started as despise and aversion ends up turning into admiration and respect as both of them get to know (and understand) each other better.They are so very different, and yet, there is a clear common ground on which their relationship is beautifully built by Mrs. Hoyt.Some parts of the book are very sensual, but it fits the story well as Mick, after an infancy of hungry and violence, takes all pleasures life can give him with no half measures.Beautiful book! Great story! To read and read and read again...

Captivating as its narrative unfolds, transporting the reader to its imaginary world full of desire and love. One of the best authors.

Another great read from Elizabeth Hoyt. This is the fifth maiden lane book I've read and one of my favourite's. There is a level of depth to the story that sets it above other novels of this genre. It's not just about the sex there is a great story and interesting characters to enjoy as well. I really like the continued theme of the ghost of st Giles and other characters from earlier and later novels pop in and out.

シリーズ物の３作目にあたる作品です。ヒーローは海賊です。暴力も厭わない法の外の世界に生きています。ヒロインは、亡夫を助けるためかつて一度だけ彼と夜をともに過ごしたことがあります。彼女が孤児院で育てている女の赤ちゃんが実はヒーローの子で、彼の敵から身を守るため、彼の屋敷に滞在し赤ちゃんの世話をする…ところから話が始まります。最初、ヒロインは過去の出来事もあってヒーローに固くなです。でも、彼の内に秘めた心に触れるにつれ、彼を海賊ではなく一人の男をして意識するようになります。お互いを意識しているのに、様々事件が起きなかなか結ばれることができず、読んでいてもどかしいくらいです。ヒロインが自分の心を捧げて彼を引き止める場面には彼女の強さを感じました。最後の最後まで二人がどうなってしまうのか分からない展開に、ハッピーエンドを信じてページをめくる手が止まりませんでした。