Monday, January 24, 2011

Review + Giveaway - Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt

The Maiden Lane series continues..

Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane)

TITLE:    Notorious Pleasures
AUTHOR:    Elizabeth Hoyt
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 371 pages
PUBLISHED:   Grand Central, 2011
ISBN#:   978-0-446-55895-2
HOW I GOT IT:   Received from Publisher for Review


FROM GOODREADS:  
 Their lives were perfect . . .


Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .


Until they met each other...


Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?

MY TAKE:    I fell in love with Elizabeth Hoyt's "Maiden Lane" series with the first book "Wicked Intentions".  I was excited to read this next installment because the author had already hooked me with the character of Lady Hero Batten when she befriended and championed the heroine Temperance in that story.  I was FAR from disappointed.

The story starts with Hero finding Griffin in an extremely compromising situation ~ and then saving his backside, along with the very married lady he's entertaining.  Things just get more chaotic from that point on.  Elizabeth Hoyt has outdone herself in this sequel, which can be thoroughly enjoyed as a stand alone book (although I HIGHLY recommend the first book and will be anxiously awaiting the next, due out in November). 

Excitement, danger, drama and intrigue intertwine beautifully with romance and duty in this delightful story of English nobles who fall into a forbidden love amidst the slums and seedy side of London.  All of the above elements and great characters for an "un-put-downable" book are in place: rogues, wantons, gentlemen, ladies, mysterious masked men, orphaned children, pirates and more!  I really got a kick out of this book.

Lady Hero is a fabulous protagonist.  She has been raised to be the perfect daughter of a
Duke.  In fact, Griffin nicknames her "Lady Perfect" upon their first meeting.  She practices being unflappable and impeccable.  I laughed about her habit of trying to freeze people with the lifting of her left eyebrow!  One of the things that had really hooked me when I read the teaser in the back of Wicked Intentions was that she practiced this expression in front of the mirror.  It made me laugh out loud and become even more fascinated by her.   


Some of the male characters are very atypical of that time period in some aspects and then true to form in others.  They tended to be quite arrogant and yet Griffin was rather modern in his desire to not change Hero, but to encourage her independence and her quest for knowledge.  He was supportive of her project in rebuilding the orphan home, in spite of resistance from her brother and her fiancee, Griffin's own brother.

Highly recommended read from a great author who I think just keeps improving.  This story is getting better as it goes and I'm already really looking forward to the next installment in which we'll get to know a bit more about a roguish Irish Pirate and the lovely widow who is running the orphan home.    

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane)  Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane)
Scandalous Desires, #3 in the Maiden Lane series, coming out in November!

Learn more about the lovely lady behind these great stories, visit Elizabeth Hoyt's website, follow her on Twitter, fan her on Goodreads, and like her on Facebook!


Elizabeth Hoyt is a USA Today bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with three untrained dogs, two angelic but bickering children, and one long-suffering husband. Please visit her websites for chapter excerpts, book extras, and author appearances: www.elizabethhoyt.com and www.juliaharper.com.



Now, thanks to the generosity of the author and Hachette Books, TWO of you lovely book addicts will get a chance to own your own copy of Notorious Pleasures.
  • To enter, leave a comment and tell me if you ever practice your facial expressions in the mirror, be truthful!  Be sure to leave your email address in the comment.
  • Drawing will close February 14th at midnight California time.
  • TWO winners will be drawn by Random.org.
  • Winners will have 72 hours to respond to winning email.
  • Open to US and Canadian residents, NO PO BOXES.
  • One winner per household (of this title), regardless of what other blog drawings or contests you might win.
Good luck in the drawing and just so you know, I have been trying to do the left eyebrow lift for years ~ I'm fairly successful :) hee

In case you don't want to wait and why would you???  You can find Notorious Pleasures and Wicked Intentions at any of the below:

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~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

46 comments:

  1. I never practice my facial expressions in the mirror -- honest :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the giveaway. I used to practice my smile in the mirror many years ago when I was a cheerleader.
    I follow on GFC.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am dying to read this one!! Hoyt is my favorite historical author.

    I don't really practice faces in the mirror but I do look at all my new lines and crinkles! LOL.

    GFC follower

    jenma76 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. No, I do not practice facial expressions in the mirror.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't but my 12 year old daughter does all the time...she is constantly taking pictures of herself in the mirror and making faces to see which look best! Crazy - beautiful girl!

    Thanks! mmafsmith@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds really good. can't wait to read it.

    No, I have never practiced facial expressions in a mirror.

    elaing8[at]netscape[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  7. I do not practice facial expressions in the mirror.

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  8. I don't practice facial expressions in the mirror. I never thought of doing that before. Thanks for the giveaway!
    lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I never practice my facial expressions in the mirror. This looks like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.

    smccar1 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. This book looks so good. I can't wait to read. I am not going to lie. I have practiced making expressions in the mirror. Not a lot, but I've done it.

    iqb99@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I admit I did when I was younger, not so much anymore- don't like looking at the wrinkles lol.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Honestly, no I don't. I swear... now my daughter on the other hand... LOVES THE MIRROR!! LOL! She gives me the giggles sometimes!

    Please include me in this delightfully notoriously giveaway!

    alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. When I was in my late teens and twenties I would look in the mirror and practice smiling, but for many years I have not worried about that.

    Great giveaway, thanks!!

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity! The only thing I practice in front of a mirror is speaches or oral presentations lol :).

    moonlightgleam(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the giveaway! Okay, I'll confess! Yeah, I do, especially when I know I'm going to get my picture taken, like Friday when I had to get my driver's license renewed. :-)

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have never practiced facial expressions in the mirror. But now that you have told us all about it we will all probably do some facial expressions tomorrow and then laugh. :)
    Thanks for the giveaway
    apk1princess(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. LOL... I've tried to figure out what other people see by looking in the mirror. I don't necessarily practice facial expressions plural... but I do smile and see what it looks like.

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I remember practicing facial expressions in front of a mirror when I was younger, but it's not something I've done lately.

    cwilliams127 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I make funny faces in the mirror sometimes just for fun,LOL
    jbdownie5@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I used to practice facial expressions in the mirror when I was younger! I would sing and hold conversations too! LOL! Don't get me started about kissing my pillow! LOL! I just sing in the shower now! I love Elizabeth Hoyt and can't wait to read this book! Thanks for sharing today!

    evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. LoL, no I don't, I swear! *G*
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    folksohana(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I check myself out in the mirror, but not sure about the multiple expressions. :P

    abbydillon16 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I can honestly say that I have never checked my facial expressions in the mirror. LOL

    Stacie
    GeishasMom73 on twitter

    user1123 AT comcast DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  24. No, I don't practice facial expressions in the mirror although I do sometimes practice for presentations in front on one to make sure that I can make eye contact while presenting.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sure, I practice my facial expressions in the mirror. I frequently make faces at my kids too.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nope.I don't practice facial expressions in the mirror. I do love Elizabeth Hoyt books. Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway. (Email in profile.)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have made faces in the mirror before, especially, after I had Bell's Palsy. Thanks for the giveaway.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the giveaway. When I was much younger I would practice my smile in the mirror, but other than that, I haven't practiced any other expressions.

    beamer339(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I don't practice my facial expressions, but maybe I should.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I just to try to raise the one eyebrow like Spock on Star Trek....
    csparks52 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. LOL. My 10 yr old daughter loves to give me funny looks so I do occasionally return them.. Never thought of practicing them in the mirror though.

    rjofus(at)optonline(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  32. I have practiced and it didn't do me much good....LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nope, never practiced facial expressions in the mirror. Maybe I should try it. LOL

    sbunting AT juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. lol! no i have never practiced facial expressions in the mirror

    mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. If by practice you mean pose in the mirror, pouty stuff, kissy faces. Sure. But I never practice my "I am gonna kick your behind and leave you on the ground looking like a pile of hamburg!" I usually wing it and if I get a laugh or a squeal of fright then I am satisfied.

    patronus89013 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have never gave it a thought to practice my facial expressions in the mirror...

    thanks for the giveaway


    chrissysworldofbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I never practiced facial expressions in the mirror.

    book sounds great

    hmanning[at]bellsouth[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  38. no-I have never practiced my facial expressions in the mirror

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Yes, I've practiced my facial expressions in front of the mirror before and also when I'm singing XD

    P.S. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to have a copy of Elizabeth Hoyt's newest work! I absolutely adore her works, especially her Princes Trilogy! :D

    Email: yiliang0124[at]hotmail.com

    *If you received this twice, it's because my internet disconnected and I wasn't sure if you received my comment or not.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I used to practice my smile but don't practice any facial expression anymore in the mirror.
    Thanks!
    1bmore @ gmail .com

    ReplyDelete
  41. This sounds like a wonderful series. Since my luck is not always that great. I think I will go out and get this book.
    debby236 at att dot net

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank you for a chance to read this book..
    I will admit I do or have in the past practiced facial expressions in the mirror..every kid has... You try to find the funnest face so you can get people to laugh...

    Thanks again for a chance to win
    Kelly M
    crazybookfairy AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love Elizabeth! Lol yes i've practiced facial expressions in the mirror... even know my cheaks are pink just typeing it out... Thanks for this give away

    loveangel132@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm constantly doing the one eyebrow raise in the mirror and seeing how smiles look on my face lolol. I want to see what other people see! I'm curious haha

    Thanks for the giveaway!!

    Hana K
    midnightoil84@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I have done it before. Maria Ramey. m.ramey@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I have practiced my facial expressions in the mirror before.

    dothetwist@live.ca

    ReplyDelete

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