Title: Thief of Shadows (Book #4 Maiden Lane Series)
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Publisher: Grand Central, 2012
Source: Purchase
Rating: 4
Sexy Rating: 5
Description from amazon.com:
MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he’s the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.
A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she’s asked to tutor the Home’s dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can’t help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.
A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.
**
Not only is Winter leading a double life in this installment of the Maiden Lane Series but I am led to think he has a serious split-personality disorder. He seems to divide his personality into the bookish, mild mannered Winter Makepeace and the roguish Ghost of St. Giles. Perhaps I’ve got it wrong and he is more a Georgian Era Batman. Any way you look at it he makes for a good read.
Others have liked that Winter was virginal and Lady Isabel was the experienced lover. I wasn’t as fond of this aspect. Just personal preference I think. Lady Isabel was the aggressor and seducer but Winter was long overdue for sexual ruination historical style.
I enjoyed this installment of the series as well as those that came before. Elizabeth Hoyt has given us a superbly constructed series that creates a feeling of historical accuracy as well sizzling romance in each book.
I recommend this book and each in the Maiden Lane Series. (Reviews on this blog, insert “Elizabeth Hoyt” in the “Search” box in the left hand column.)
Maiden Lane Series:
#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness (coming Feb. 2013)
La Deetda Reads 
I love this series as well, Dot! Personally the virgin hero/older experienced heroine worked for me. It created some amazing sexual tension and hot love scenes.
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This trope just doesn’t do it for me. I do like older woman/younger man but I want him to have some experience. lol
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It’s all about personal preferences. After all, wouldn’t it be dull if we all liked the same thing!
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This is why we gravitate to readers who like what we like. It doesn’t have to be 100% but we have to feel a kinship. Welcome to my corner of the club where all heroes are exceptionally well versed as lovers. LOL
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Definitely a lady after my own heart! LOL
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Sounds like a good series to read!
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This is a great series, Gayle. Start at the beginning with WICKED INTENTIONS.
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I enjoyed this one but I also had mixed feelings about it. Winter literally had to be forced to enter into a sexual relationship with Isabel. She took advantage of him! I can not wait to read Artemis’ story, she is a fantastic character.
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Yes, he was seduced and very reluctantly. I just didn’t “feel” these two.
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