Scandalous Desires (Maiden Lane, 3) Mass Market Paperback – October 14, 2014

This novel was amazing, the best historical romance that I have read in years. The plot was exciting, with very high stakes throughout. The heroine was strong and sympathetic, and the hero was deliciously alpha. This romance used the Morality Chain trope, which is one of my favorite tropes. There was plenty of action and adventure. The characterization was excellent, and the development of the romantic relationship was sizzling hot. I traditionally enjoy romantic suspense and paranormal romance, because I enjoy really high stakes and tight plotting in my novels. This means that I struggle to finish many historical romance novels, which usually feature rich people in ballrooms dealing with petty rich people problems. This novel harkens back to the best parts of old school historical romances which were epic in scope and usually had a villain, without the deeply problematic elements which negatively impacted the reading experience. This was my first Elizabeth Hoyt novel, but I am now going off to read her entire backlist.

Another enjoyable read from Elizabeth Hoyt. This was less steamy and more suspenseful than her previous books from the series. Tension was threaded through the pages from the start. I liked Mickey's crew, an odd bunch, yet brave and loyal. I loved Ghost of St. Giles and all that he's done for his people. I loved the fairy tale that author brought with every chapter, it resonated well with the story.At first I wasn't sure I liked Mickey, he was very unscrupulous and rude. I really didn't see them together at all until a certain pivotal point in the story: I wonder if it was Mick's past or how he started changing that made me see him in a different light, but I favored him in the end. There were incredible acts of heroism that made me admire him. With Silence, I guess, I finally warmed up to her when she shed her naive puppy love that she had for her husband and let some things go. It was very raw moment for her. From then on, it's like they were the same yet not, and they looked right together at last.There was so much going on. Constant danger kept the story edgy. What would have made it better for me, was if the author made the villain and the connection to Mickey and the traitor's identity a bit more covert and subtle. It was so obvious to me, I wanted a bit more subterfuge, I think. The ending though, man, I was biting my nails! It was nerve-wracking. Loved it! Last page dropped such a big revelation that I can't help but want to read the next one immediately! Overall, this was a book worth spending my time reading.

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...

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.

Silence and Michael, a story which is surely a bit surreal. A man who stole from her first husband, which caused her to bargain with her honour and ultimately caused her husband to no longer trust her, who then abandoned his daughter with Silence, before influencing her to move in with him, into his self proclaimed palace, as people are out to kill him. All this whilst he's killing people, robbing and living a jolly pirate life. Yep, Silence just comes across a bit naive, trusting and in need of a hug.It all works out well in the end, so keeping in with the series with a HAE

I am a huge fan of historical fiction. I have often had Elizabeth Hoyts books recommended to me but until recently had never tried them. What a terrible mistake ! This series if absolutely fantastic. a series of wonderfully interlinked carefully plotted stories about the inhabitants and visitors of a poor area of London whose paths all cross around a home for orphan children.I loved this tale of Silence Hollinbrook and the pirate Mickey O' Connor. A story of redemption,of good and evil,a tremendous love story with some very well written and extremely erotic love scenes. Another winner. I've already downloaded the next!

Omg omg omg!! The best book iv read in a long time. You actually get to feel the passion between the two characters!

In my opinion - not one of Hoyt's best. Unlike many other reviewers, I found the lead male character rather unlikeable, and Silver's attraction to him (past the physical) a bit baffling - especially given his past treatment of her. Hmm.