Notorious Pleasures: A Maiden Lane Novel [Paperback]

I enjoyed this, even if I did have to smother the realist at the back of my head that kept muttering away about levels of syphilis among 18th century whores and their customers. However - the realist battered into submission - I liked that this was set away from the standard Regency period, and thought the gin-soaked awfulness of life for so many (poor) people, and the lawlessness of early 18th century London was well presented - there are ball rooms and fancy houses as well - this isn't all grim reality!
This book centres around a peripheral character from Book 1 (Wicked Intentions), but unlike Book 1's "ordinary" leading lady, Lady Hero is sister to a Duke no less, and stuffed to the gills with convention and duty. She is well advanced along her correct and proper path of loveless marriage and producing heirs when she meets her fiance's brother - the said-to-be wicked and scandalous Griffin (were people really called Hero and Griffin in 18th century England?).
There are sex scenes here, maybe a few too many, but there is a nice earthy realism about Ms Hoyt's bedroom (coach, library...) scenes that lifted these from the standard he did this, she clings, she comes, he comes norm of this genre - our virginal heroine worries about smell, and my inner realist was soothed by one of the secondary characters stating "... if I'm lucky, my husband won't have half a dozen mistresses and give me the pox..."
The denouement was daft really (oops, my inner realist is recovering!) but what the heck - these books are meant to be escapist fun, and the skill in the field is putting in enough reality to make these books interesting, but departing enough to ensure happy endings. Some fail and leave me annoyed that I bothered to read to the end, or worse, giving up half way through. No danger of that with this, it pulled me along at a fair old lick, I was interested in the secondary characters, found the depiction of male friendship beautifully done, as was the very clear tension between duty and heart. Will probably read fine as a stand alone, but much will become clear if you read Book 1 first.
Good set up for Book 3, Scandalous Desires, out in Nov 2011.

After having read Wicked Intentions, which was the first book in the 'Maiden Lane' series and absolutely loving it, I really looked forward to reading this 2nd book. I also thought that the story of Hero and Griffin was excellent and the fact that the heroes of the books are less than perfect make them interesting to know. I like the ability to see the progression of the other cast of Maiden Lane characters that are appearing in the books especially Silence who will be coming in the next book. I do feel that I can touch the emotions that both books convey in their main characters and that is a great recommendation for any book I read. You won't be disappointed with these!!

NOTORIOUS PLEASURES is the second book in the Maiden Lane series from gifted writer Elizabeth Hoyt and is the story of Lady Hero Batten who first made an appearance in Wicked Intentions. Combining heart-warming romance, sizzling passion and a dash of adventure, it's a wonderful addition to this great series.

Lady Hero Batten, sister of the powerful Duke of Wakefield, is attending a ball where her engagement to Thomas Reading, Marquess of Mandeville is due to be announced. As the daughter and sister of a duke, she understands only too well the necessity of making an advantageous marriage:

'The consolidation of lands and interests, the strengthening of his (Hero's brother's) parliamentary alliance with Mandeville, those were the important considerations. Her feelings, as well she knew, played no part in the negotiations.'

She is horrified when Thomas introduces her to his younger brother, Lord Griffin Reading, because this is the same scoundrel she stumbled upon earlier in the evening making love to someone else's wife! They had taken an instant dislike to each other, Hero referring to him as `Lord Shameless' and Griffin referring to her as `Lady Perfect'. Now it's going to be impossible for them to avoid each other. It's apparent to Hero that there is no love lost between the two brothers and she learns the reason from her Cousin Bathilda:

"It's much, much worse than dislike, my dear! Don't you understand?" Cousin Bathilda lowered her voice to a whisper. " Lord Griffin seduced Mandeville's first wife!"

One day, Griffin is shocked to see Hero climbing into a carriage in the heart of St Giles, `a veritable hellhole' and learns that she is there to inspect the building site for the new Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children in her role as one of the patronesses. Concerned for her safety, Griffin makes Hero agree that he will accompany her whenever she ventures into St Giles.

Griffin is running one of the largest gin distilling operations in St Giles but he has a dangerous competitor who will stop at nothing to put him out of business. When Hero finds out about his gin distilling, she condemns him for it because she has seen firsthand the misery that gin brings to the people of St Giles. She warns Griffin that her brother is obsessed with stamping out the gin distilleries and bringing those involved to justice.

As Hero and Griffin spend more time together, they become friends but can't deny the sexual attraction which flairs to life between them. One passionate night changes everything but Griffin will have to convince Hero that he means more to her than duty and family!

I absolutely love NOTORIOUS PLEASURES and I'm totally hooked on the Maiden Lane series. I think this book must have the most original opening scene ever! It's both risqué and funny, particularly the part where Griffin dives under the settee!

I adore Hero and Griffin together because I feel they are just made for each other. They are very different in so many ways but share a great love of classical history. It seems to be a case of opposites attract and I think Griffin's bread and butter analogy fits perfectly. How could Hero not fall in love with Griffin? Maybe he's not handsome in a conventional way but he has a wicked sense of humor and he's completely honest about himself, not pretending to be something he isn't.

As the story progresses, we see there is far more to Griffin than his notorious reputation would suppose. He is a complete contrast to his brother, Thomas, Marquess of Mandeville, who appears above reproach but is secretly in love with his former mistress, the notorious Mrs Tate. He's neither honest with himself or Hero and when she tells him that she's slept with his brother, his behaviour shows just how hypocritical he is. He never once considers that he may be wrong about Griffin seducing his first wife, Anne. To me he is totally unappealing although I did come understand his character a little more when he and Griffin have their heart to heart towards the end of the book. That said, I still think Elizabeth Hoyt was very generous in letting Thomas have his Happy Ever After.

Hero starts out as the proper lady knowing exactly `her purpose and place in life', but her perfect world is turned on its head when she meets Griffin. When he compares her to a chameleon, I think this is a very apt description. Beneath the facade of the perfect lady is the real woman waiting to break free, a woman who would marry for love and not for duty. Breaking free of the bonds of duty is very difficult for her and she has to do a lot of soul-searching but, as in all good romances, love wins in the end.

Elizabeth Hoyt always manages to write such sizzling love scenes - erotic without ever being tawdry. There are certainly plenty of high octane scenes in this book as Griffin demonstrates his lovemaking prowess in the bedroom, library, carriage... Definitely no complaints from Hero or me, the reader! I like the fact that she has the hero trying to get the heroine to admit she loves him rather than the other way around. It's a refreshing change.

Hero's brother, Maximus, appears austere and wedded to his duty but I think that underneath that forbidding exterior, he does have a heart. He shows he cares about Hero's feelings when he questions whether she is truly happy with her engagement and offers her the chance to change her mind. I do hope Ms Hoyt has a heroine waiting in the wings to shatter his ordered world!

I enjoy a good fight especially when the hero is in grave danger and this book provides a great climax with lots of action. Griffin gets help from an unexpected quarter and one plucky lady risks life and limb to show how much she loves him!

This series has an array of really interesting secondary characters most of whom I surmise will eventually get their own books. We were introduced to Silence Hollingbrook in Wicked Intentions and her story continues in this book as a build up to her own book, Scandalous Desires, the next in the series. I can't wait to read this one knowing that the hero will be Charming Mickey O'Connell, who caused her so much heartache in Wicked Intentions! We are introduced to new characters, Phoebe, Hero's sister, and Megs, Griffin's sister, and the Ghost of St Giles is ever present although his identity still remains a mystery.

I highly recommend NOTORIOUS PLEASURES with its brilliant writing, memorable characters, well-constructed plot and luscious romance. It's a must read for all lovers of historical romance!