Scandalous Desires

Starred review from September 5, 2011
Hoyt’s third Maiden Lane novel (after February 2011’s Notorious Pleasures) is historical romance at its best. In 18th-century London, widow Silence Hollingbrook helps her brother run the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. Silence has bonded with young Mary Darling, the illegitimate daughter of notorious pirate Mickey O’Connor. When Mick’s enemies threaten Mary, he takes her back into his home; Silence, knowing her reputation has already been tarnished by her previous association with Mick, insists on accompanying the child. Hoyt slowly reveals the man behind the pirate, one who buried his ability to love so he could rise above the slums of St. Giles. Silence and Mick share their deepest secrets, creating a mutual trust that is tested as a mysterious enemy threatens them both. Series fans will be enthralled, while new readers will find this emotionally charged installment stands very well alone.

Starred review from September 15, 2011
Charming Mickey O'Connor destroyed Silence Hollingbrook's life once. She is not about to let him do so a second time. A year ago, Silence came to Mickey, asking the notorious Thames river pirate to return the loot he stole from her husband's ship. Much to her surprise, Mickey granted her petition, but the price he exacted from Silence shattered her reputation and destroyed her marriage. Now Mickey has taken Mary Darling, the daughter he left on Silence's doorstep months ago, claiming that it's for the baby's own safety. Of course, Silence isn't about to give up Mary, leaving Silence no choice but to move into Mickey's palatial home, putting her once again under his roof and completely under his power. With its lush sensuality, lusciously wrought prose, and luxuriously dark plot, Scandalous Desires, the latest exquisitely crafted addition to Hoyt's Georgian-set Maiden Lane series, is a romance to treasure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)