Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt (Maiden Lane #2)
Historical Romance
February 1, 2011
Paperback, 400 Pages
Vision
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “Do you like it?” he asked grasping himself.
The first time Lady Hero Battan sets her eyes upon Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, she is utterly shocked. She doesn’t see his face, only his backside as he enjoys the offerings of the married woman underneath of him. Hero is horrified, but also knows the lady’s husband has arrived at the ball, and it would be best for Griffin to cover that backside up. After throwing her diamond earring at his rear, hence getting his attention, Griffin hastily removes himself from the lady, and is grateful to have dodged a duel.
Hero is at this ball to announce her engagement to Thomas, the Marquess of Mandeville. Ironically, Griffin is Thomas’s brother and Hero realizes she is not going to be able to forget Griffin and this embarrassing incident. Thomas and Griffin share a sordid past, and have a very icy relationship. Griffin is a charmer, very witty and flirtatious. He immediately gives Hero the nickname “Lady Perfect”, for her severe judgment she casts upon him and her very virtuous nature. Likewise, Hero calls Griffin “Lord Shameless”, for reveling in the fact he is a rake and a debaucher.
Hero immediately recognizes chemistry with Griffin, even though she doesn’t want to. They share the same love of books, and find conversation very easy. She knows she has to marry Thomas, because it is a good match for her family. But if Griffin has anything to do about it, Hero is his. He just needs to convince her not to marry his brother.
Griffin is not all smiles and fluff. He has saved his family from despair by distilling gin, although illegal in London. Competition in the streets of London is fierce and violent and Hero soon finds herself in the middle.
Notorious Pleasures is the second book in Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series but it can definitely be read as a stand alone. This one has a much lighter tone than the first book, Wicked Intentions (which I also adored). Griffin is a wonderfully warm hero. He is charming, funny, and definitely a rake. He likes women, but once he sets his eyes on Hero, she is the only woman for him. It drives him nuts that she is engaged to his brother, who he does not get along with. He slowly lowers Hero’s defenses and soon has her start to question if she is with the right man. Griffin knows Thomas is cold, their engagement is no love affair.
Hero has been raised to marry well. So she shocks herself, when she finds herself in these precarious positions with Griffin. He lights her fire, and she likes it. She accepts her feelings for Griffin:
She touched her mouth with shaking fingers. She’d committed an act of horrible betrayal. She knew that. She was aware of the ramifications and of regret. The possibility of far greater sin and guilty of the fact that her very soul was in peril.
And she did not care.
But she also knows it would be disastrous to her family, if she breaks her engagement. So she carries onward with Thomas. She also frowns upon Griffin and his gin distillery, knows that gin has causes many orphaned children. She helps fund an orphanage that is filled with children who lost their parents to drinking and doesn’t know if she can looks past Griffin’s involvement in this illegal business.
The romance in this book is so sensual and hot. I’ve said this before – Elizabeth Hoyt writes wonderful romance scenes. They can be so intense and intimate.
He was ragingly hard for her.
”Come here,” he whispered.
”Griffin.”
He half closed his eyes at her murmur. “You say my name like a lover, so soft, so sweet. I want to lick the word from your lips, sip the exhaled breath from your mouth. I want to possess you utterly. Right now. Right here.”She darted then, a hart flushed from cover, and tried to leap around him. He caught her by her waist and flung her up against the closed door.
Then he bent his head and looked her in her brilliant diamond-gray eyes. “What will it be, madam?”
And hello – she gives us carriage smex. Is there anything better? I also love that many times I caught myself smiling and giggling at some of the funny conversations or facial expressions involving Griffin.
We also get more from Silence Hollingsbrook, the woman who runs the orphanage. Most of her side story is setting up her book, which comes out next. But once you see whom she will be paired with, it will make you very curious to see how that relationship will pan out.
Notorious Pleasures is a lovely, romantic book. I highly recommend it.
Rating: B+
Recent Reviews:
Love to Read for Fun – 4/5
All About Romance – B+
Babbling About Books and More – B+
Goodreads
Maiden Lane Series:
Wicked Intentions
Notorious Pleasures
Scandalous Desires – November 3, 2011
Thanks to Hachette, I am able to give THREE copies of Notorious Pleasures away! Open to US/Canada through February 7th. Please leave a valid email. No P.O. Boxes.
I would love to read this,it sounds really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I can't wait for Silence's book! This one was a great read :)
I became an Elizabeth Hoyt devotee upon reading her incredible "Legend of the Four Soldiers" series! I very much look forward to her "Maiden Lane" series, and I'd love to win "Notorious Pleasures"–sure to be a notoriously nice and naughty read : )
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
I haven't read Elizabeth Hoyt before, but this book sounds like a good place to start. Thanks for turning me on to a new author.
bellajpr@gmail.com
sounds good can't wait to read it!
Yaquelin2@bellsouth.net
I'm a big Hoyt fan. I have been looking forward to Notorious but it's really Silence's & Charming Mick's story that has me MOST interested! :)
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
Elizabeth Hoyt's is definitely one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her work since The Raven Prince has been consistently good. She is an auto-buy for me.
sotheara_keatATyahooDOTcom
Great review Mandi. You've made me so interested in reading this book! Please enter me into the giveaway.
hangingwithbells@gmail.com
Great Review- I have never read Elizabeth Hoyt before and would love to try! Thanks for the opportunity!
ssalvc126@rogers.com
This plotline intrigues me…I hope I win because I am definitely looking forward to this one!
rosehillmb@gmail.com
It took me forever to realize who Hero was from the first book. I liked this one and really the parts with Silence.
PS OMG the excerpt for Silence's book –> I needs it now!
This was such a good book, might even be the best I've read of her's yet. And can this woman write hot lovin scenes or what…
Thanks for the giveaway. I love the first book in the series.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
I love fun dialogue and general humor mixed into a spicy romance. This book sounds like just the thing to be swept away.
little lamb lst at yahoo dot com
I have come across some good carriage smex during my years of reading ;) Now that got me interested, lol
I love Elizabeth's books and can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the review and for hosting the giveaway.
I've really been looking forward to this one. I loved Wicked Intentions. annhonATaolDOTcom
I really like this series so far and I've been waiting for this next release.
Thanks for all the giveaways!
mono03(at)hotmail(dot).com
I love her books. Thanks for the chance to win!
~Lindy
aromagik@gmail.com
Would love to win a copy.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway! Please count me in!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
Great review Mandy. Thanks for hosting this giveaway. Please add my name to the hat. My e-mail is in my profile.
Thanks!
I sooooooo cannot wait to read this book!
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Great review. I can't wait to read this one.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I can't wait to read this! I love Elizabeth's books!
meredithfl at gmail dot com
GAWD! I love your quote! Has got to get me some Griffin.
WICKED INTENTIONS was awesome. I'm sure this follows in the same path.
cindersmaria@yahoo.com
I thorougly enjoyed Wicked Intentions, and love Elizabeth's matchmaking. Can't wait to read Notorious Pleasures, so big thanks for the chance to win it.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
I enjoyed Wicked Intentions, and I'm really looking forward to reading Hero's story.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
Count me in, I love Elizabeth's books!
lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
would love to win this book!!!
mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I haven't started this series yet, but I've loved all of Elizabeth's other books. I would love to win a copy.
jen at delux dot com
Oh mah gawd! I gotta have this book! Hoyt is one of my favorite writers for historical romance. I really can't wait.
Hollybwright@comcast.net
I've been looking into this book, and while I've never tried the author before, I'd like to give this one a shot. Thanks for the opportunity!
jbrink83 at hotmail dot com
Loved this book so much – just as much as book 1 in the series. Hoyt really has a fantastic way of pulling us in to the different storylines and keeping us hooked. I can't wait for Silence's book!
I adore that cover! I would love to win this! I've read so many great reviews.
Stacie
user1123 AT comcast DOT net
I love Elizabeth Hoyt and can't wait to read this book!
the[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com
Elizabeth Hoyt is a new author for me. Would love to read this book!
angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com
I am trying to win this one everywhere! Help a girl our smexy! ;)
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Would looooove to win this!
and this blog will add yet another dent to my Amazon credit. Winning this would leave the credit to get the new Kresley Cole in a few days…
Sylviahumphrey@hotmail.com
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
Oh, this sounds like a must for the teetering "to be read" pile… :)
Love Regencies and need to add to the TBR.
linze_e at hotmail.com
I want to read this so badly!! Thanks for the giveaway.
bsyb100 at gmail dot com
Hi!
Just wanted to let you know that I found a review quote of yours inside of this book. It may have been from "Wicked Intentions".
I know that authors/publishers don't usually mention it when they select your quotes so I wanted to make sure you knew :)
It's a great feeling! Enjoy!
Happy Friday!
♥Isalys
Book Soulmates
Thanks for the heads up Isalys!! :)
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