A few years ago I magically found Wicked Intentions at my local library while browsing the stacks and discovered a world of action, adventure, romance and some incredible chemistry. From that moment forward, the world of Maiden Lane found a special place in my heart.
Within each book that was to follow I found the elusive Ghost of St. Giles that magically appeared, and a running theme of helping those less fortunate than yourself. This series has everything a loyal reader could ever want and more!
At the beginning of each chapter Elizabeth provides a few paragraphs of a carefully penned story that is vital to the novel and one that will leave you dreaming of fairy tales and far off places.
In anticipation of the release of The Duke of Sin next week I have devoted this week on the blog to highlighting each book in the series so far.
Today is my final post with a feature on the Duke of Sin
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The Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt is the tenth installment in the Maiden Lane series. Welcome to the world of secrets, games and fairy tales wrapped in a beautiful cover!
Bridget Crumb is the loyal housekeeper for a man who seek out the worst in people and holds those secrets for his gain. When circumstances force the Duke out of town, Bridget is left to manage his home and it leaves many questions unanswered. Intent of saving someone she loves from his wicked schemes she seeks out the truth from within the house. If her boss is away, why does she always feel like someone is watching her too?
Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery has witnessed his share of horrific acts by men who were supposed to keep people safe. Now a grown man he is still on a quest to find out the truth to that painful night all those years ago. The grown Duke is not a man anyone wishes to cross and with his collection of secrets it could be disastrous for anyone who crosses him. Can the man who controls everything let himself be tamed? One question still haunts him, who is Bridget loyal too?
Growing up without love can destroy a man rendering himself unable to reciprocate when the opportunity presents itself. When Bridget sets out to fix the pain Val has inflicted, what will he do with the news of her betrayal? Is it really a betrayal if it’s with good intention?
Elizabeth has infused this story with redemption, honesty and love. When Val believes he is unable to be loved it is due to the knowledge of atrocious acts inflicted by those closest to him. The damaged is from witnessing the effect it had on the one person he cared about. Yet, years later, he hasn’t been broken. While he still carries that secret close to him it is out of love to protect his sister. It will take a strong woman to show him that he is worthy of love and affection with someone of his own.
Another captivating read from Elizabeth with attention to most intricate details. From the characters to the house Val lives in, this story is fantastic. There is a certain expectation when you sit down to read a Maiden Lane book. What is that dear reader? A great story infused with a magical fairytale of wisdom and truth, animals of all kinds, and absolute chemistry for our hero and heroine that sizzles.
Are you new to the series? Fear not dear readers this book can be read as a standalone but I think you will enjoy your reading pleasure more if you read the entire series in order. There are TEN books to dive into. So, wherever you obtain your books from – library, bookstore or e-retailer, you can find them anywhere!
A spicy 2 1/2 pepper read and has enough 
heat to make you sizzle and is for mature readers 18+.
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Excerpt:
Around back of the stables Bridget saw a group of boys surrounding something on the ground. As she gasped, a boy—a great big fellow, nearly as big as a man—drew back his leg and kicked.
The thing on the ground yelped.
“No!” Bridget shouted, but she was drowned out by a gunshot.
She turned to see the Duke of Montgomery, standing in his shirt-sleeves and pink embroidered waistcoat and breeches, hip cocked, a smoking pistol held almost negligently aloft in his left hand.
He smiled, as sweetly as an adder baring its fangs, at the boys. “Won’t you please vacate this area?”
The boys seemed frozen by surprise—or stark fear.
The duke tilted his head and his smile dropped from his face, leaving it blank—and somehow much more frightening. “Now.”
There was a mad scramble and then the mews was deserted save for her and the duke.
Bridget blinked and hurried to her little terrier, tied quite disgracefully by a cord around his neck to a stake in the ground. He lay on his side in the mud, but his tail thumped against the dirt when he saw her. He jumped to his feet, shaking himself, and tried to limp toward her, but was stopped by the cord.
She knelt in the mud and tried to pull the cord from his neck, but it had been tied terribly tight and her hands were shaking.
She felt the duke crouch behind her, his arms reaching around her, warm and hard, and felt a moment’s confusion before he leaned forward and murmured in her ear, “Here.”
He placed her opened chatelaine knife in her hands.
She took it gratefully. “Thank you.”
Carefully she cut the cord and picked up the little dog, his body warm and rather smelly in her arms.
The terrier immediately began licking her chin.
Bridget inhaled on a sob, even as she felt the brush of the duke’s tongue at the corner of her eye.
“Your tears taste like salvation.” His voice was deep, resonating against her back, and he almost sounded puzzled.
She shuddered, gasping, but didn’t dare look around, and then he was gone.
Biting her lips, she smoothed her hands over the dog’s small, wriggling body, trying to feel for broken bones. As far as she could tell, the terrier was bruised, but fine, although he had a bit of blood over one eye. He gazed up at her adoringly and it came to her all at once that his name was Pip.
Pip.
She looked up.
The duke was still there, watching her in the gloaming, his beautiful golden hair ablaze in the setting sun.
She cleared her throat. “I…thank you. For saving him.”
It was hard to tell his expression in the dim light, but she thought he smiled.
She still held Pip, loath to let him go. Would the boys find him again, perhaps kill him this time? “I…er…I didn’t know you liked dogs?”
“I don’t.” He shrugged. “But you do.”
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ICYMI: Maiden Lane Blitz Day 1
ICYMI: Maiden Lane Blitz Day 2
ICYMI: Maiden Lane Blitz Day 3
ICYMI: Maiden Lane Blitz Day 4
Author Info:
Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing “mesmerizing.” She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.
Website: https://elizabethhoyt.com
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