Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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Thief of Shadows
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BOTM - November, 2017- Thief of Shadows (Virgin Hero)
Thanks Priya...going to be a good re-read/listen...I think I have this on audio and look forward to entertaining this again. Especially because the narration is done well.
I'll enjoy re-reading as well, I believe.10/23, spoiler alert. I'm early here. I glanced through it. I remember that I didn't like it as much as the other books in the series.
I had no problem with the hero being virginal, but I suppose that I prefer traditional type romances. The heroine was older, wealthier than him, more aristocratic, and more sexually experienced. She wasn't able to have children, but they made up for it because the hero was the headmaster of an orphanage. What made him even more heroic was that he was a masked avenger, one of several men who served as "the Ghost of Saint Giles," a crime fighter.
Mod
I read this one in June this year, and I don't think I'll be ready for a reread come November.
This book was one I was not that keen on when I read it last year, so I am interested to re-read and see how I feel this time around. Not usually a fan of older, experienced heroines with younger men, but I smell a double standard here (which is bloody outrageous given that I profess to be a feminist!) so.... I am gonna re-read with an open mind :)Is there a GOOD audio version? I've never listened to any Hoyt books.
I have read a few random Elizabeth Hoyt books. I loved some and hated others, but I have never completed any of her series. I am excited to read this for the first time as I love virgin Hero books.
Mod
I haven't tried it yet have heard good things.
Not my favorite trope either, nor is it my favorite of the series. So we'll see.
Virgin Hero is one of my favourite tropes. I would like to read this, but I have a few books to read this month. Also, this book is #4 in the series and I don't have time to pick up a new series now. So, I am skipping this group read.
I am holding it at the library. It sounds interesting!
I am going to read without reading the first 3 books ahead.
I just finished this book! Wonderfully written, loved the characters and how they related to one another.
I am usually not a fan of older heroine and younger hero but this was perfect. Maybe even my favorite in this series.
I’ll be re reading/listening to this book. I read it when it first was released. So I won’t remember much. I really enjoy this series!
I'm new to this group, and very excited to see that Hoyt's book is the BOM. I'm not sure how it happened, but I seem to have missed this one. I can only think that was I skipped it in my binge-fest when I first discovered Hoyt. Anyhow, I look forward to reading it and discussing. I am sad the Maiden Lane series is over (well, there are the 2 novellas) but excited to see what she comes up with next.
Just joined (been lurking for a little while) because I've been looking for a romance book club to participate in. And I'm so excited that this is the book this month! I've been meaning to read the Maiden Lane books for ages, and this is the perfect "excuse". I've read Hoyt's Princes trilogy and enjoyed it, and I'm hoping this series/book is good as well!
Geri wrote: "I’ll be re reading/listening to this book. I read it when it first was released. So I won’t remember much. I really enjoy this series!"Same here but as I listen to it ...will come back to memory lol
Renae, Lady Disdain wrote: "Just joined (been lurking for a little while) because I've been looking for a romance book club to participate in. And I'm so excited that this is the book this month! I've been meaning to read the..."Quite sure you will enjoy. I did and am trying to finish up the series two novellas out there waiting to be released I think so I am excited
Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "Quite sure you will enjoy. I did and am trying to finish up the series two novellas out there waiting to be released I think so I am excited "I love waiting until the series is "complete" before I start reading, just in case I LOVE it an need to marathon all of the books at once. Which...is probably what's going to happen here, haha.
I have to go pick this up from the library today!
Hmm. It's been a long time since I read this.//adds to re-read list
I already finished it in 2 days! I loved it! The Ghost of St. Giles just always reminds me of Wesley from The Princess Bride. That sweeping bow haha.
I know some people didn’t from reviews so it’s really interesting to see why they didn’t.
I’ve only really been reading HR for like a year and even over that time my tastes have changed and developed. I suspect something I liked 8 months ago I may not like now and it’s so interesting that a different mind set can change how you view and enjoy a book.
I have read most books in this series, except the latest, Duke of Desire and a novella, Once Upon a Moonlit Night. I will be getting to these soon! Good to know there are new novellas to be released.I started the book today. Read the first 3 chapters. The story is vaguely familiar. LOL I like Winter. He is such a good guy, running the home for the children. He’s a bit restrained, but I look forward to his secret being revealed to Isabel. I think she is going to loosen him up!
I agree mindset is important when reading any book. I have re read a book and felt very different the second time around, for good and bad.Guilty Pleasure Reads wrote: "I already finished it in 2 days! I loved it!
The Ghost of St. Giles just always reminds me of Wesley from The Princess Bride. That sweeping bow haha.
I know some people didn’t from reviews so it..."
Winter isn’t the usual historical romance hero. But Hoyt does a great job at making the story work! I am enjoying the banter between Winter and Isabel. And the passion! LOL
I agree This a re-listen for me and I am enjoying it again. I too like the relationship they have and (view spoiler) At 75% audio'd
I started reading. I read two chapters yesterday and two today. This is odd for me as I usually binge read a good book. I have really enjoyed most of the Hoyt books I've read, and the virgin hero trope is my favorite. Therefore, I expected to love this book. Somehow I did not expect the older more experienced woman who "had seen a man--men, actually--naked". I like it so far; but oddly enough, I feel no compulsion to keep reading and not put the book down.
Will start tonight- read it a while ago, don't remember much except the sex scenes - shame on me!
Mod
I mean I j..."
Oh Penelope. Such a great character to loathe. She is very prominent in Duke of Midnight.
Ah yes, Penelope. A pain in the backside. I remember HER.
Ally wrote: "Ok, I have a slight rant and it's not at the author. In this case, it's a character...I think her name's Penelope? I tend to gloss over her name because she doesn't deserve much more. I mean I j..."
I totally agree with your assessment.
Most of the time I can read a book in 2-3 Days. But I savored this one. It wasn’t just a romance for me, but a good story too.Mariana wrote: "I started reading. I read two chapters yesterday and two today. This is odd for me as I usually binge read a good book. I have really enjoyed most of the Hoyt books I've read, and the virgin hero t..."
LOL They are memorable!! Ursula wrote: "Will start tonight- read it a while ago, don't remember much except the sex scenes - shame on me!"
Ally wrote: "Joanna wrote: "Ally wrote: "Ok, I have a slight rant and it's not at the author. In this case, it's a character...I think her name's Penelope? I tend to gloss over her name because she doesn't dese..."Penelope (view spoiler)
I finished the book last night. Forgot how lovely Winter's character really was. How wonderful for a man (view spoiler) to be so non-judgemental about a woman's sexual experience. And how badly did Isabel need a man like Winter! It took me a while to warm to her but she came through for me in the end. And yes- very memorable-and typical for Hoyt - sex scenes :)
I too finished last night and fell in love myself with Winter Makepeace. Especially when he (view spoiler) so romantic😍 This is one of my favs in the series.
I just posted my review. He really is a wonderful hero!
Mod
Penelope in Duke of Midnight (view spoiler)
That's right she was in Duke of Midnight
Ally wrote: "Guilty Pleasure Reads wrote: "I already finished it in 2 days! I loved it! The Ghost of St. Giles just always reminds me of Wesley from The Princess Bride. That sweeping bow haha.
I know some pe..."
I did not get The Princess Bride reference yesterday. After reading chapters 5 and 6, I totally do! "As you wish." I love that movie. Gonna have to watch it again soon.
Ally wrote: "Ok I am a little over halfway through and am overall enjoying the book although it's taking me longer than normal to finish it. A sign? Possibly. Of what? With my brain, who knows.Thoughts:
1. [s..."
Taking longer than usual for me as well. I read your spoilers, but I am obviously a little behind you (through chapter 8).
I am enjoying the story and think I will read the last half faster than the first.
I'm 3/4 through and loving it. As usual, the bedroom scenes are smokin' hot and there is lots of good banter. I can't believe I missed this one.
Minerva wrote: "I'm 3/4 through and loving it. As usual, the bedroom scenes are smokin' hot and there is lots of good banter. I can't believe I missed this one."Yeah, Elizabeth Hoyt definitely writes smokin' hot bedroom (or floor of library) scenes.
I just finished. I enjoyed it, but it was not my favorite Hoyt. Maybe my expectations were too high. Winter was a perfect hero, but Isabel definitely had some problems. I think that just heightened how wonderful Winter was as a man of character.
It took me a while to warm up to Isabel. But then I thought about how different she was from Winter, not just age and experience, but also station in life. And then the secret she was keeping from Winter (view spoiler) That made sense to me. I agree it wasn’t my favorite. But I really enjoyed it!Mariana wrote: "I just finished. I enjoyed it, but it was not my favorite Hoyt. Maybe my expectations were too high. Winter was a perfect hero, but Isabel definitely had some problems. I think that just heightened..."
Even if we have differing takes on the characters, we seem to unanimously agree on a rating of 4 stars.
Priya wrote: "Virgin Hero is one of my favourite tropes. I would like to read this, but I have a few books to read this month. Also, this book is #4 in the series and I don't have time to pick up a new series no..."Priya, if you ever want to Buddy Read a Virgin Hero HR, let me know; and I will be in.
Mariana wrote: "Priya wrote: if you ever want to Buddy Read a Virgin Hero HR, let me know; and I will be in. "Good to know that! Thank you.
I loved it--especially Winter, who is an unusual hero. I am really going to miss this series and this book made me start re-reading the first one, which is my favorite after Duke of Sin. Great choice and I'm really looking forward to re-reading Ravished!
Have enjoyed all the books in the series! Love the Harlequin!
Historical Romance Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
A Woman Scorned (other topics)A Woman Scorned (other topics)
Duke of Midnight (other topics)
Duke of Desire (other topics)
Once Upon a Moonlit Night (other topics)
More...
Happy reading:)
Thief of Shadows
A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.
A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.
A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.