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Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane #1)

by Elizabeth Hoyt (Goodreads Author)

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 4,053 ratings · 450 reviews

A man controlled by his desires...

Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand— she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk.

A woma...more

Mass Market Paperback, 382 pages

Published August 1st 2010 by Grand Central Publishing

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Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane, #1)
by Elizabeth Hoyt (Goodreads Author)

A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES . . .

Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Gil…more

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Community Reviews

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Aug 25, 2010 Ridley rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2-star, georgian, read-2010, paper, first-reads

I'll probably never win another book through Goodreads' First Reads again with this review. What an anachronistic, ungrammatical, unfinished book that was.

The book opens with the widow Temperance Dews wending her way through the dank and dangerous streets of St. Giles, clutching a loaded pistol. She’s on her way back to the foundling home she runs with her younger brother, returning with her maidservant and an infant they pried from the arms of a dead young mother. Along the way, she overhears...more

37 likes · like · see review

Aug 09, 2010 Fani rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-historical, 2010-purchase, emotional, overrated-just-for-me, hero-is-a-rake, lust-at-first-sight, heroine-is-ditzy, heroine-i-disliked, heroine-i-wanna-shake-or-slap, holes-in-plot, from-opposite-tracks, georgian, anticlimatic, melodrama, hero-is-ruthless, hero-is-brooding, paperbacks-read, what-does-he-see-in-her, widow-widower, questions-my-intelligence, dark-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Once more I'm on the fence with this one since everyone else seems to love it. For me, it was a book that had a lot of potential but never quite reached to it. It reminded me a lot of The Serpent Prince, another book by Hoyt that most people besides me loved, in that it is very dark and intense, even for Hoyt's standards, and in the way it tried to be angsty and introduce some damaged heroes but never quite convinced me of it.

In fact for me it was worse than TSP, in that I never came to care ab...more

18 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historicals, elizabeth-hoyt

FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED

Lazarus said to Temperance:
Because you are kind but not soft. Because when you touch me, the pain is bittersweet. Because you cradle a desperate secret to your bosom, like a viper in your arms, and don't let go of it even as it gnaws upon your very flesh. I want to pry that viper from your arms. To suckle upon your torn and bloody flesh. To take your pain within myself and make it mine."

4.5 stars.

LONDON 1737
Widow Temperance Dews is rather surprised to find a visitor at her...more

19 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2011 Laurie (Bitten by Paranormal Romance) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, keepers, favorites

I was very impressed with Wicked Intentions; I greatly enjoined reading this story and the characters. I loved the mystery, adventure, danger, emotions and the hot sex. I’m always a sucker for a book with a hero that is on the darker side and has a tortured soul, but what I liked most was the author didn’t drag anything out between the hero and heroine and she kept them together pretty much thought-out the book.

You’ll find some wicked things in this book. You have a hero Lord Caire that likes h...more

12 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2011 Juliana rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All romance readers, though be aware it's more sensual than some mainstream ones

Recommended to Juliana by: My Goodreads friends

Shelves: historical-romance, 5-stars, 2011-reads, 2011-apr-reads, georgian-historical-romance, best-romance-heroes-ever, hr-class-difference, hr-hero-aristocrat-lord-titled, hr-hero-arrogant-autocratic, hr-hero-black-sheep-rebel-outcast, hr-hero-difficult-childhood, hr-hero-early-to-mid-30s, hr-hero-nobility, hr-hero-rake-rogue, hr-hero-recluse-loner-mysterious, hr-hero-rough-haunted-tortured, hr-heroine-companion-nurse-teacher, hr-heroine-good-girl, hr-heroine-works-or-has-profession, hr-heroine-mid-to-late-20s, hr-heroine-plain-jane, hr-heroine-poor-background, hr-heroine-somewhat-wallflower, hr-mystery-action, hr-opposites-enemies-attract, hr-sizzling-chemistry, set-in-england, 0-reviewed, hr-hero-very-bad-boy, hr-hero-disability-illness-scar, best-romance-books, all-time-favorite-romances, romantic-suspense, recommended-by-goodreads-friends, 4-to-5-stars, challenge-2011-rrrc-a-to-z-heroes, 0-own-in-dead-tree-form, 2011-reads-my-favorites-of-the-year, 2011-reads-my-supremes-of-the-year, all-time-best-romance-heroes-ever, hr-role-reversal-of-standard-hr

To my surprise, it ended up being one of my favorite romances (5 stars)

I have never before read an Elizabeth Hoyt book and that was mostly because after reading reviews about her books, I got the sense they were probably a little too wild with not enough actual story/substance for me. I am so glad I decided to finally test my theory and that I started with this one - I checked it out of the library but am definitely buying my own copy, because I know this will be a reread many, many times over!...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Kelly22 rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who loves a love story of a scarred tortured complicated anti hero!

Shelves: 1st-marriage-or-lover-was-disaster, alpha-hero, bad-boy-rake-rogue-casanova, bdsm-kink, beloved-favorites, brooding-dangerous-hero, commoner-heroine, dirty-talker, gamma-anti-hero, hero-makes-good-girls-go-bad, hero-accomplished-lover, hero-arrogant-autocratic, historical-romance, hottest-love-scenes-ever, romantic-suspense, tortured-hero, traumatized-abused-heroine, widow-widower-divorcee, family-moments, elizabeth-hoyt, favorite-series, archetypical-byronic-hero

4.00 Stars - Georgian/Historical Romance!

I am glad that I picked this up. It had a strong plot and sported an intense storyline starring a mysterious sinister gamma hero and a benevolent, brilliant heroine. The characters exhibited rare traits to those of clichéd historical novels and the setting was unique in contrast to the period depicted. Nevertheless I felt there were few grey areas like exactly why Caire resented physical contact and suffered pain with a single finger tap upon his body. Ot...more

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Jul 21, 2010 Isalys rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, for-review, the-season, owned

*Note: Read and reviewed for The Season for Romance.

Since her husband’s death nine years earlier, Temperance Dews has dedicated her life to helping her brother run a home that cares for the orphaned children of St. Giles in East London. Although she cares for the future and welfare of these children, her dedication is driven by a fierce need to atone for a past sin that continues to haunt her.

Lazarus Huntington’s mistress was brutally murdered in St. Giles and he has made it his mission to find...more *Note: Read and reviewed for The Season for Romance.

Since her husband’s death nine years earlier, Temperance Dews has dedicated her life to helping her brother run a home that cares for the orphaned children of St. Giles in East London. Although she cares for the future and welfare of these children, her dedication is driven by a fierce need to atone for a past sin that continues to haunt her.

Lazarus Huntington’s mistress was brutally murdered in St. Giles and he has made it his mission to find her killer. Not because he was in love with her, but because he feels he must avenge her death and protect the streets from a ruthless killer.

During one of Lazarus’ evening hunts, he comes across Temperance who was out rescuing an abandoned infant. He realizes that he’s not having any luck on his own and that he needs the help of someone who knows the streets of St. Giles better than he does. He approaches Temperance and makes her an offer she can’t refuse. In exchange for her help in navigating the rough streets of East London, he will take her into society in an attempt to help her secure a patron for her failing orphanage.

After several attacks and a few more victims, they know that their search is bringing them closer to the killer. Meanwhile, Lazarus’ attraction and need to protect Temperance becomes more apparent. Temperance is also attracted to the unnerving Lord Caire, but her fear of sinning [again:] outweighs her desire for him. Lazarus knows that she’s fighting her attraction to him; he knows that there is a fiery woman underneath her puritanical dress; and he also knows that like him, she has a secret of her own.

This was a great start to a new series by acclaimed author Elizabeth Hoyt. In Wicked Intentions, Hoyt pairs an unlikely duo and brings them together through a series of nerve-wracking events such as Temperance’s introduction to London Society and near death experiences as they search for a serial killer. The romance between Lazarus and Temperance was well paced and the mystery of whom the killer was kept me in suspense until the very end.

Lord Caire was not an easy character to warm up to. He was rather cold and calculating and had a paralyzing fear of being touched, which was a mystery in itself. On the other hand, Temperance was warm and charming, but with a hint of a wilder, much more sensual side. They seemed to balance each other nicely and by the end of the novel, Lazarus was not such a jagged little pill. Hoyt also introduced her follow up novel in this series with a secondary plot involving Temperance’s sister, Silence.

I continue to be a fan of Hoyt’s work. One of the qualities I like most about her is that she does a great job of tailoring her love scenes to suit each set of characters, their personalities and tastes. Having read several of her novels, I find that her characters are unique, her storylines are interesting and suspenseful and her romances are deliciously steamy. If you too are a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt, you don’t want to miss out on what promises to be a thrilling new series.

RATING: 8 – Very Good
HEAT LEVEL: 4 – Hot(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2011 KatLynne rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Those who love a sizzling, touching HR

Shelves: g-historical-romance, part-of-a-series, 2011-reads, favorite-treasures, hero-alpha-warrior, hero-dark-brooding, hero-favorite-smokin-hot-sexay, hero-to-die-for, heroine-i-loved, heroine-tormented-flawed, heroine-with-backbone-smart-strong, keeper, library-ebook, sensual-steamy, smokin-hot-steamy, widow, 2011-best-this-year, one-of-my-favorite-series

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Hoyt and I had forgotten her amazing talent. I enjoyed my journey through 18th century London slums and found myself so involved that I didn’t want to put this one down. How refreshing for me to find a HR that leaves the focus of snobbery London behind along with who’s wearing what and a H/h bent on following society rules to the letter and instead offers a delightful tale with the spotlight being the hero and heroine’s emotional ride to the very end!

How much I...more It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Hoyt and I had forgotten her amazing talent. I enjoyed my journey through 18th century London slums and found myself so involved that I didn’t want to put this one down. How refreshing for me to find a HR that leaves the focus of snobbery London behind along with who’s wearing what and a H/h bent on following society rules to the letter and instead offers a delightful tale with the spotlight being the hero and heroine’s emotional ride to the very end!

How much I loved our hero, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire! This tall, handsome, muscular-built man wormed himself into my heart. Or maybe I loved him from the beginning and the more I got to know of him, the harder I fell:-) It is well known that he is cold-hearted, wicked, and notorious in his sexual desires; a man who believes he cannot feel emotion. But as the layers peel away I found a hero that I will not soon forget. Lord Caire’s honesty is refreshing and I liked that he was bold and intense in his feelings.

I liked the heroine, Temperance Dews. Widowed now for nine years, she holds a dark secret from her past. Her days are filled with the drudgery and worry of existing in poverty as she assists her brother with running the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children in the slums of St. Giles. She loves her family and the children of this residence. Fearing eviction, Temperance strikes up a bargain with Lord Claire. And from that point on, I was a prisoner of this authors talent and enjoyed everything she offered in the story (view spoiler)

And while I liked this strong and capable young Temperance, a martyr perhaps, Lord Caire is the character that made the story for me. I liked the subtleties given making me more aware of the feelings between Caire and Temperance. And the powerful sexual tension and encounters between these two made the pages sizzle. (view spoiler) I completely loved how the author introduced characters for her future books in this series, but in no way took away from the story being told. Not only was this introduction perfect, I find myself anxiously awaiting their story!

One of the greatest attractions is they both know the good, the bad and the ugly about each other, and still their love is strong! While this is no light and fluffy read, it's also not profoundly deep, instead a delighful, touching and emotional love story that I cherished. A definite favorite and keeper for me!

(view spoiler)
(less)

7 likes · like · see review

Oct 19, 2010 Keri rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, physical-mental-issue, romance-historical, elizabeth-hoyt, 2010-read

What an awesome read!!!! I wish that I read this sooner. Lord Caire, Lazarus is a man that lives on the dark side and can't be touched without pain and his sexual proclivities are the stuff of legends. Pretty but demure Temperance runs an orphanage in one of the worst parts of London.

At first glance these two have nothing in common, but as their layers are uncovered they find that the other has exactly what the other needs. As Lazarus and Temperance look for a murderer and continue to be thrown...more

12 likes · like · see review

Nov 03, 2010 ♡KarLynP♡ marked it as dnf

Shelves: genre-historical, published-2010

I never tried so hard to read a book, but after many attemps over two months I just couldn't get into the story or care about the character - or keep all those off-the-wall names straight. Made it about page 100. I normally love this author, so it may be I'm just not in the mood for this story. And so many of my reading buddies did love it, so I tried. Maybe someday I'll try again when I can look at it with fresh eyes. But for now, DNF.

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 20, 2011 Tammy Walton Grant rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: hr-georgian, 2011-february, romance-noir, romance-series-must-read-in-order, 2011-april, romance-historical

"Modern squalor is squalid but Georgian squalor was an art form in itself."
www.gentree.org.uk/artlondonpast.htm

The slums of Georgian London. Close your eyes and you can picture the buildings - tall, grey and sooty, so close together they look to be leaning inward towards you. The claustrophobic feel of the small rooms, narrow alleys lit only by feeble lamps. The smell of the slaughterhouse in the air. The grinding poverty. The abject despair. And the gin.

Far removed from the ballrooms and carri...more

14 likes · like · see review

Aug 02, 2010 Jacqueline rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, for-review, read-in-2010, favorites, historical-romance, ebook-and-print

Until picking up Wicked Intentions, To Seduce A Sinner had been the only Elizabeth Hoyt novel that I had read. I remember being so impressed with the story, especially how real and raw it felt - suspense plot and all. The hero and heroine were so well-drawn and complex that they outshone the typical rake and spinster archetypes.

The same holds true for Temperance Dews and Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, who are so much more than the lonely widow and emotionally unavailable rogue. Lazarus could e...more Until picking up Wicked Intentions, To Seduce A Sinner had been the only Elizabeth Hoyt novel that I had read. I remember being so impressed with the story, especially how real and raw it felt - suspense plot and all. The hero and heroine were so well-drawn and complex that they outshone the typical rake and spinster archetypes.

The same holds true for Temperance Dews and Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, who are so much more than the lonely widow and emotionally unavailable rogue. Lazarus could easily have been unlikable with his demanding and slightly self-absorbed personality. He has long ago given up on his ability to emotionally and physically connect with others. Upon meeting Temperance, he finds that maybe he was too hasty in his assumptions. I loved watching him exercise his curiosity and eagerness to understand and share her emotions. Temperance is likewise intrigued by this gentleman's inexplicable interest in her. She doesn't have a very high opinion of herself, due to a past mistake, and is dedicated to her self-imposed punishments. She faults herself for her very humanness, yet it's this humanity that captivates Lord Caire and leads him to discover his own.

As a couple, they are one of the best. They reached out, grabbed my heart, broke it and put it back together so that it was even better than before. These two broken individuals find themselves in dire circumstances that require them to rely on each other. Their unlikely romance is made believable by their dependency on the other to help them fix their desperate situations and, ultimately, heal themselves. All that plus the most instant, undeniable and extremely hot chemistry.

There are plenty of other interesting and well-constructed bits to the story apart from the romance. The King Lockedheart vignettes at the start of each chapter are fun to read and tie in nicely with some of the novels themes. While there's no explanation as to why the story is included, it does such a wonderful job of connecting to the tale - and echoing Lazarus's journey in particular - that it's randomness is easily forgiven.

The murder mystery at the heart of the plot is also engaging. This is mostly due to the atmospheric setting of St. Giles and the dangerous, desperate and depraved citizens that inhabit it. In fact, the depth and urgency added by St. Giles and it's gin-swilling denizens well-suits the serious nature of the romance and makes the coming together of Temperance and Lazarus that much more necessary.

I also enjoyed reading about the dynamics and background of the other members of the Makepeace clan, Temperance's family. Their issues, both personal and with each other, made for some great conflicts in Wicked Intentions and promise even more to come in future Maiden Lane novels. The subplot involving Silence, Temperance's younger sister, is an obvious set up for a future story with her as its heroine. I didn't care much for her naiveté or storyline for the first 2/3, but (once the climax came around for her) I ended up enthralled.

Enthralled - that's an apt adjective for how I feel about the novel and Hoyt. Even though I've only read two of her works so far, I think it's safe to say that she's my new favorite historical romance author.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 22, 2012 Carol *Young at Heart Oldie* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-star-books

I adore Elizabeth Hoyt's books and WICKED INTENTIONS, with its slightly darker tone, is no exception. The first book in her 'Maiden Lane' series, it is a masterful blend of romance, passion and suspense, which will keep you enthralled.

Widowed Temperance Dews and her brother, Winter, run a Foundling Home in Maiden Lane, St Giles, a poverty stricken area of London, but things are looking very bleak. Their benefactor has recently died, leaving no provision for the home in his will and now they are...more

6 likes · like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 slayra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, in-english, historical-romance

RATING: 3 stars.

I liked this one but didn't love it. I think it was the whole side story with Silence and Mickey, I thought there was already too much happening as it was (Caire and Temperance's romance, the search for the murderer, the search for patrons for the foundling home).

But I did like the overall theme. There is some exploration of certain issues we usually don't see in this type of books: the mentalities in the 18th century and how some religious factions (like the Puritans) influenced...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 14, 2011 Jacqueline rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: ANYONE!

Recommended to Jacqueline by: Impulse buy

Shelves: series-maiden-lane, author-elizabeth-hoyt, genre-romance-historical, genre-romance-historical-regency, trope-heroine-across-the-tracks, trope-heroine-financial-hardship, trope-heroine-working-class

Does anyone recall that YouTube video of that Twi-tard who expresses obsessive adoration for the book Twilight by saying "amazing book" in a rather awkwardly freakish way? Well, take those exact sentiments and apply them to a far, far better novel, Elizabeth Hoyt's Wicked Intentions to be exact, and you've pretty much summed up the review for this work of fiction!

Hoyt absolutely blew me away to every degree imaginable with Wicked Intentions! I devoured this novel in under two days, and was on o...more Does anyone recall that YouTube video of that Twi-tard who expresses obsessive adoration for the book Twilight by saying "amazing book" in a rather awkwardly freakish way? Well, take those exact sentiments and apply them to a far, far better novel, Elizabeth Hoyt's Wicked Intentions to be exact, and you've pretty much summed up the review for this work of fiction!

Hoyt absolutely blew me away to every degree imaginable with Wicked Intentions! I devoured this novel in under two days, and was on one of the best historical romance book-highs I've ever experienced for several hours afterward. While I've only read a handful of Hoyt's novels in the past, I'm quickly coming to the realization that this particular writer has a flair for unique historical romance plots coupled with amazingly fleshed out characters!

What fascinates me most, though, about Hoyt's brand of characters, at least as far as Wicked Intentions was concerned, deals with the fact that she has constructed very flawed but likable people. What's more interesting was that, ironically, her characters Lazarus and Temperance, were even more likable because of their character flaws. While this is rather typical of well written and dynamic fictional peoples, I think it speaks volumes that Hoyt decided not just to utilized a flawed hero, which is a fairly common character type in today's historical romance book market. Instead, Mrs. Hoyt made the conscious decision to give seeming imperfections to both the hero as well as his heroine.

Aside from being unique in the character arena, Wicked Intentions also held a truly interesting storyline. While I'm a sucker for the glittering ballrooms and elegant dinner parties so frequent as a backdrop to most modern historical romances, even I must admit the gritty, seedy setting of St. Giles, which was predominate throughout most of this book, was ironically a breath of fresh air. This dangerous setting allowed the secondary murder mystery plot-line to carry a lot of credence.

The technical components to this work were, additionally, near perfection! The pacing of Wicked Intentions was very well established, and set a great rhythm to the book as a whole. The subtly of the interplay among all the characters was phenomenal, so well done, in fact, that I'm left hungry with curiosity in regards to what happens with the remaining cast of characters. (This is specifically noted in regards to Silence and Winter, Temperance's sister and brother respectively, Charming Micky, The Ghost of St. Giles, Lady Hope, as well as the remaining siblings belonging to Temperance.) Lastly, while I've heard criticisms against authors who utilize an on-going chapter introduction story throughout their novels, I have to admit that I, for one, found Hoyt's story about King Lockheart simplistically beautiful, and exponentially relevant to the plot-line in Wicked Intentions!

Truly an amazing book! Five stars, easy, Mrs. Hoyt. Phenomenal story!(less)

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Jan 10, 2012 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-it, historical, pretty-in-pink

I like Hoyt, but this was just too preposterous a set up for me. The contrivance to get the two together was just silly. And the end was RIDICULOUS. I mean, I know Romancelandia is different and all, but (view spoiler) Also, the hero was straight out of an Anne Stuart novel - tall, pale, and...'silver haired'. Not my thing. It was verrrry steamy though.

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Jul 29, 2010 Kit rated it 4 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Hoyt's romances are always page turners. Complicated characters searching for love sometimes poignantly and in this case slightly darkly. It took awhile for me to warm up to the H&H and the side plot was an interesting track but when you close the book you will be looking forward to the next one.

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Oct 22, 2010 Bill rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Hoyt that I have read. It is a fantastic story on lots of levels: lots of sexual tension but only a few hot kisses so far; a great murder mystery; danger; both the hero and heroine have secrets that half way through the book are still unrevealed and intriguing; and more. Mix in orphans and a brave heroine in the worse slum in London of 1737. And as a bonus, each chapter starts with a paragraph or two of a fairy tale which is also fun. Only near the end does the tie-in b...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Dija rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, could-have-been-sooo-much-better, hr, meh, why-do-i-even-bother, read-in-2012, my-reviews, first-in-series

*Insert title here* is quite different from the typical historical romance, without a TSTL heroine nor a reformed rake for a hero. Best of all, the writing is exceptionally engaging and descriptive without seeming overdone or tedious at all.

I thought Wicked Intentions would finally give me the chance to start my review with that opening. Disappointingly, Wicked Intentions is dreadfully boring, unoriginal, predictable, and entirely forgettable. And don't get me started on the names. Seriously. I...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Michelle [Helen Geek] rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Michelle by: Shawna

Shelves: 4-star, historical

01/05/2013 ONLY $1.99 ON Amazon today!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Well, I was a bit apprehensive after reading the mixed reviews, but should have trusted my own best judgement on EH. She rocks. This was a nice book, thoroughly enjoyable. I purchased the next in the series and plan to move right on through.

I really liked all the characters. I thought them engaging. Temperance [get the name] was intriguing in her journey to trust herself and her desires. Lord Caire - he puzzled me a bit. He seems...more

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-elizabeth-hoyt, first-book-in-series, genre-historical-romance, ebooks, read-in-2013, series-maiden-lane

This is the second time I’m reading this book and it’s just as great as the first time I read it. WICKED INTENTIONS kicks off the Maiden Lane series with Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire (sexy name!) and Temperance Dews. There’s a killer in St. Giles and Lazarus is hoping to stop him, but he requires the help of Temperance to navigate the streets. What starts off as a mystery also blooms into a wicked romance that will entice romance readers for more!

What’s so great about this series is the mixtu...more

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Oct 21, 2010 Lea's Audiobooks Hensley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Unabridged audiobook review from Speaking of Audiobooks column dated 9/30/10:

Narrated by Ashford MacNab
I greatly enjoy Elizabeth Hoyt’s writing. Although she has three audiobooks to date, this is my first listen and that is due entirely to the choice of narrators. Hoyt’s two previous audios are performed by Anne Flosnik, a narrator I avoid if possible. But when I saw that Wicked Intentions was narrated by a new-to-me voice, I took the chance and was richly rewarded for it. Ashford MacNab’s voice...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 06, 2010 Casee Marie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

I've never written a Bad Review and it pains me to start now, but I won Wicked Intentions in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway and so I am tasked with the duty of an honest review. I also hope to forewarn people interested in reading Wicked Intentions that it is for mature adults only . In reading other reviews here on Goodreads it doesn't seem to be a concern of others, but I found the "bedroom scenes" (a politically incorrect statement considering that not all of them occurred in a bedroom - ju...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 22, 2010 Robin (RBBR) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-elizabeth-hoyt, favorites, maiden-lane-series

One of the supporting characters is the Ghost of St. Giles. He wears a mask so no one knows who he is. At first its unclear as to weather he is real or not and then weather he is good or bad. Without giving too much away I think I can tell you he is real and he is good. I do have a couple of choices as to who I think it is. As the book progressed I had four characters I thought it might be. Two I eliminated before the book was over which left two.

The Hero Lord Caire aka Lazurus Huntington is kno...more One of the supporting characters is the Ghost of St. Giles. He wears a mask so no one knows who he is. At first its unclear as to weather he is real or not and then weather he is good or bad. Without giving too much away I think I can tell you he is real and he is good. I do have a couple of choices as to who I think it is. As the book progressed I had four characters I thought it might be. Two I eliminated before the book was over which left two.

The Hero Lord Caire aka Lazurus Huntington is known to have dark desires when it comes to women. The Heroine Temperance Dews works at a home for Orphans aka Foundlings. As the story unfolds we learn what Caire's desires are and they really don't seem all that dark or strange by today's standards. We also learn that Temperance is suppressing her desires because she feels they are wrong having been told so by her deceased husband. We also learn about something she did which seems to have intensified her belief that she is bad for what she desires.

Originally Caire comes to Temperance to ask for her help in getting the people of St. Giles to talk to him, he wants to find out who brutally murdered his Mistress. The two seem to have a connection from second one. It seems that both of them have some healing to do but have long felt no one understands them. It doesn't come right out and say that its what I got out of it. They are kindred spirits that were drawn to each other and although she did not say anything Caire had a feeling that Temperance was somewhat of an adventurer. He did not realize they had the power to heal each other however but knew he could talk to her which he found himself doing and in the beginning it made him nervous so he would suddenly say something just to be mean which left her wondering what did I do.

Temperance has a younger sister named Silence who is married and one morning she wakes up and finds herself desiring her husband but rather then act on it she gets out of bed having been told that such things should only be done at night. This scene struck me I figure if I lived back then I think I'd be one of those scandalous wives who actually liked being with her husband and my husband would be one of those heroes we all love to read about who was ok with the idea. The idea of only being able to show affection at night seems ludicrous to me.(less)

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Aug 03, 2010 Erica Anderson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-era-romance

First let me say that I'm an Elizabeth Hoyt fan. I'll read anything she writes. Her latest effort, however, is not her best. The premise is great--aristocrat approaches poor but principled woman to assist him in searching for a killer in the slums of St. Giles.

Perhaps because Hoyt is setting up for a multi-book series, lots of characters and plotlines are introduced. Some of these intriged me. The heroine's sister, for example, makes an all-but-unbearable choice that is left unresolved in this...more

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Sep 19, 2010 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of dark, emotional, steamy historical romances & tortured gamma heroes

Recommended to Shawna by: Rane Aria

Shelves: elizabeth-hoyt-julia-harper, historical-romance, rt-book-reviews-top-pick, historical-romance-georgian, 2010-reads, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, bdsm-kink, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, dirty-talk-turns-me-on, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, favorites, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-alpha‎, hero-antihero-gamma, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, heroine-chaperone-governess-teacher, hh-physical-mental-disability-ill, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, hh-widow-or-widower, i-read-library, romantic-suspense, yowza-hotness, why-do-good-girls-like-bad-boys, horror-mystery-suspense-thrillers, erotic-romance-erotica-romantica, favorite-romance-series, favorite-love-scenes, series-maiden-lane, 5-stars, steam-4-smokin, steam-3-hot, best-faves-of-2010, controversial-memorable-event-scene, mystery-intrigue-espionage-subplot, gothic-romance, hero-authentic-uber-rake, hero-cad-rake-rogue‎-scoundrel, hero-brooding

5 stars – Historical Romance

Wow! This is the first book I’ve read by popular author Elizabeth Hoyt, and I certainly understand now why she’s so highly rated. Wicked Intentions, the first book in her new Maiden Lane series, is a dark, gritty, eerie, emotional, unique, and erotic murder mystery and romance with a bold, honest social commentary of class differences, poverty, and the rough, violent world of St. Giles in London.

The main characters, widowed child foundling home caregiver Temperance D...more

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Oct 02, 2010 ♥ Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

5 stars!! I loved it! This book reminds me of how much I love Elizabeth Hoyt's writing! Wicked Intentions is a great beginning to her new Maiden Lane series and I was totally absorbed by Temperance and Lazarus! Two very unlikely people who discover themselves and fall in love while attempting to solve a murder mystery. The mystery suspense along with the chemistry between the H/h make this one hard to put down. We also meet other characters along the way that are intriguing and I'm really lookin...more

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Dec 18, 2010 Carolyn F. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, library-book, mystery

I just love Elizabeth Hoyt's books. I haven't read one that I didn't like. This one is a bit of a mystery too, which was nice. Temperance runs an orphanage with her brother. While rescuing a baby one night, she literally runs into Lord Caire, a tortured hero. While they try to figure out who murdered Lord Caire's former mistress, they find they have feelings for each other. Great book. I'm planning on reading the rest of the series.

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May 11, 2013 Christyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, historical-romance

I enjoyed Wicked Intentions, but I didn't love it. This is one of those stories that I have kind of mixed feelings about. For starters, I'm not a history buff so I'm not going to make a fuss over historical inaccuracies about the social mores of the time or anything but if you do expect your books to be more historically accurate this may not be for you. I think details may have been mostly accurate (but I'm not sure) however the social aspects are a bit more unlikely. I'm not generally a fussy...more I enjoyed Wicked Intentions, but I didn't love it. This is one of those stories that I have kind of mixed feelings about. For starters, I'm not a history buff so I'm not going to make a fuss over historical inaccuracies about the social mores of the time or anything but if you do expect your books to be more historically accurate this may not be for you. I think details may have been mostly accurate (but I'm not sure) however the social aspects are a bit more unlikely. I'm not generally a fussy reader but some things just struck me as odd, like the color of Caire's hair, and the fact being touched hurts him (but he can touch others without the pain)? Other than those things I actually liked Caire after a while (not in the beginning when he was being a turd) - he was straightforward (mostly) and a pretty tortured hero who gradually came into his own. Temperance I mostly liked, she was relatively calm and sensible, practical even, she didn't lose her head (well not often) and go off into hysterics or crazy antics. I understood the reasons why Caire and Temperance did the things and acted the way they did. I don't necessarily approve but I can kind of see where they were coming from. Even the side characters were pretty well done. I appreciated the time Ms. Hoyt spent with the main couple.

One thing that kept me from rating this higher was the pacing. For starters the first 'explicit' scene came when I was more than halfway through the book and it seemed like Ms. Hoyt tried to cram a books worth of sex scenes into the last third or so of the book. The pacing just seemed off. In some ways it felt like it was way too rushed and she tried to condense something meant to be longer into the remaining pages. It rushed the plot, the characters and kind of eased off of what could've been a really great wrap up.

The last thing that knocked my enjoyment down was the bit of side story with Silence, William and Mickey there was already a lot going on and I thought it was unnecessary as it added nothing to the main plot except to cause more tension (which wasn't really necessary). I mean I suppose it was put in for the possibility/eventuality of a book featuring Silence, but I didn't think it really added anything necessary to this particular story.

Overall it was likable and a pleasant way to pass the time. 3 Stars.
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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: aaangst, hurt-comfort, horrible-childhood-of-h-h, perfect, period-romance, reforming-a-rake, romance

I got this book because the hero and heroine of this had cameos in Scandalous Desires and I was bemused by the hero having white hair - I was curious whether he was elderly, albino, obsessed with hair powder, what? Anyway, my curiosity paid off (short answers to the above: no, no, no). Because I am totally loving this one.

If you like fucked up heroes who have never loved a woman before the heroine, this is the book for you! Temperance Dews is a young widow who is helping her brother run a home...more

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About Elizabeth Hoyt

Elizabeth Hoyt is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with three untrained dogs, two angelic but bickering children, and one long-suffering husband.

More about Elizabeth Hoyt...

Books by Elizabeth Hoyt

To Beguile a Beast (Legend of the Four Soldiers, #3)

To Seduce a Sinner (Legend of the Four Soldiers, #2)

The Leopard Prince (Princes Trilogy, #2)

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Quotes from Wicked Intentions

“There's something about her," Caire said in a low voice. "She cares for everyone about her, yet neglects herself. I want to be the one who cares for her.” — 35 people liked it

“Every word you have ever uttered, is engraved upon my heart.

-Lazarus to his mother.” — 25 people liked it

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Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane #1)

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