Review -- Scandalous Desires

Scandalous Desires
Maiden Lane—Book 3
By Elizabeth Hoyt
Publisher: Grand Central
Release Date: October 18, 2011

A year ago, Silence Hollingbrook was humiliated in the worst possible way by infamous river pirate “Charming” Mickey O’Connor. Mickey and his crew had stolen the cargo from Silence’s husband’s ship and she petitioned the pirate to return it in order to save William’s life. Mickey told her he’d replace it if she would spend the night with him. She agreed, but nothing happened...and no one believed her. Not her sister, not her brother, and especially not her husband. Things were never the same between Silence and William and six months later, he died at sea. “Charming” Mickey’s words have haunted Silence since that fateful night: “If he loves ye, he’ll believe ye.”

Within that time, a baby girl was left on the doorstep at the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children in St. Giles where Silence helps her brother Winter, who runs it. Silence has since come to love little Mary Darling as if she were her own child. When Mary goes missing, Silence knows exactly where to look for her—the gaudy palace of Mickey O’Connor. Mickey has taken the child—his child—to protect her from his enemy who has discovered her existence. Silence pleads with him once again, but Mickey cannot let Mary go. The only way Silence can be with Mary is to stay protected in Mickey’s palace until his rival—the Vicar of Whitechapel—is dealt with. After, she can leave and take Mary with her. Reluctantly, Silence agrees but warns Mickey that she will stay just to take care of Mary Darling, nothing else.

Mickey has come a long way since his severely poverty-stricken childhood. He has fought hard to make something of himself—even if it is illegal—to become a king, of sorts, to the people of St. Giles and to never want for anything again. And now the one thing Mickey wants is the pure and virtuous Silence Hollingbrook.

He went to stand next to the bed and even though the room was unlit, he could make out, faintly, her slight form beneath the covers. The sight somehow calmed his soul. She lay in his bed, in his house, and no matter what bargain she thought she’d made with him, he knew the truth.

He had no plans to let her go—ever.

Despite the fact that Silence is disagreeable and wants nothing to do with him, he can’t resist giving in to her.

He was enjoying himself, he realized with something like surprise. He’d never chased a woman for more than a day or so—a week at most. They all fell at his feet, some within minutes. He knew, cynically, that his attraction couldn’t all be put down to his pretty face. His power, his money drew them just as much if not more.

But not Silence.

Mick smiled to himself and sat back to select a sweetmeat. Silence disliked him, disobeyed him, argued with him, and was all but starting a rebellion amongst his people, and still he indulged her.

While staying under his roof, Silence gets to know the man beneath the flashy exterior. The man who treats his people well. The man who loved his mother. The man who spoils her even as she defies him. And she comes to understand him...and ultimately wants to stay with him. But can Mickey keep her safe—and his—as danger closes in on them?

Wow! Scandalous Desires is a book that I’ve been anticipating for a long time and it exceeded all my expectations! I was captivated right from the beginning and did not want to put it down. Elizabeth Hoyt does a masterful job of redeeming “Charming” Mickey without compromising his character. She takes an imperfect man (who readers wanted to despise in Wicked Intentions, but couldn’t) and makes him into a dashing hero that I will never forget. Silence Hollingbrook is his greatest weakness but also his greatest strength. Mickey is drawn to her purity and sweet spirit because that is something he’s never really known but perhaps longed for. She evokes feelings in him that he wants to continue to experience...with her. Silence feels safe and protected with Mickey plus she sees and appreciates the goodness and worth of the man himself. These two heated up the pages whether they were bickering, simply talking, or making love. And Ms. Hoyt writes some of the best love scenes out there. They are passionate, sexy, and blazing hot. Oh, and the Ghost of St. Giles is revealed and I totally guessed who it is!

Scandalous Desires is a must read historical romance and my favorite book of 2011 so far. I’m confident it will remain so. I simply adore Ms. Hoyt’s books for her sensuous prose, multifaceted characters, and intense, well developed story lines. And she delivers every single time. It’s no wonder all of her books are on my keeper shelves. Do yourself a favor and pick up Scandalous Desires. Go on...you can thank me later. *g*

~Andrea


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