Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane #4)

I am in love with Winter Makepeace. He is my newest dream man. He is everything I ever wanted in a Historical Romance hero and more. He is utterly swoonworthy.

This is my favorite book of the series so far. And not just because of Winter (who still holds my heart in his hands) but also because of Isabel who gets to be a strong woman of the time and not a virgin since she is widowed and has had a few lovers since in fact. This is something Ive been asking for in an HR book for forever and finally it has come together beautifully.

Winter is a HR superhero. He reminds me a little of spiderman without the radioactive superpowers. Winter has dedicated his life to helping the people of St. Giles by dressing up and parading around as the Ghost of St. Giles. He might be the mild mannored buttoned down manager of an orphanage by day but by night he is on the trail of the lassie snatchers the group kidnapping little girls off the street. He has spent so much time with the orphanage and his nighttime extracurricular activities that he hasnt had much time for womenwell any time actually and is a virgin. *gasps*

Finally a hero in an HR romance that isnt a man-whore prior to meeting the heroine. Oh and you might not think that he is going to be hot because he is inexperienced but I promise you what he makes up in expertise initially he more than makes up for in enthusiasm, fantastic words and inventiveness.

*** But you must be awash in a sea of compliments, my lady. Every gentleman you meet must voice his admiration, his wish to make love to you. And those are only the ones who may voice such thoughts. All about you are men who cannot speak their admiration, who must remain mute from lack of social standing or fear of offending you. Only their thoughts light the air about you, following you like a trail of perfume, heady but invisible. ***

Isabel is her own woman and is afforded more leeway since she is no longer a maiden. When she discovers that the very contained Mr. Makepeace is in fact that Quixotic character the Ghost of St. Giles she decides that she must have him.

*** She was tired of waiting for him to acknowledge who he was. Tired of donning a false mask of gaiety when she was so much morefelt so much morebeneath. No one had ever noticed her mask. No one but him. If he couldnt or wouldnt make the first move, then damn it, she would. ***

I loved their romance. How she got to take the reins in the beginning and be dominant in her seduction of Winter. She is slightly older and definitely more experienced but that doesnt mean that Winter didnt figure out how to please her in EVERY way and learn to take the reins back from her in their seduction.

*** She threw one leg over his and straddled his lap, then reached under herself and found him again.
He tore his mouth from hers. Wait.
No. She looked him frankly in the eyes. I dont care if you spill at once. I need you inside me now.
His beautiful eyes widened and then narrowed. Youll not always hold the reins, my lady.
She smiled sweetly. Naturally not, but I do now. ***

I even really enjoyed the side story apart from the romance of the orphanage and the little boy Christopher who was living with Isabel and what he was to her. The story of the Lassie Snatchers and Winters fight to keep the orphanage under his management was really engaging as well. This was a win on all levels, romance, plotline, characters just everything was fantastic.

If you want something out of the standard cookie cutter HR box I think this is it.

Elizabeth Hoyts Maiden Lane series is one of my favorite historical romance series. The fourth book, Thief of Shadows is a fantastic addition to the series.
Winter Makepeace is the stern but loving schoolmaster of the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. He also has a secret. By night he is The Ghost of St. Giles, running around in a harlequin costume helping the residents of St. Giles.

Lady Isabel Beckinhall is a widow and member of the Ladies Syndicate to benefit Winters home for children. Isabel is tasked with teaching Winter social etiquette so he can attend a ball to represent the home

When these two come together, the sparks fly. After several encounters with the Ghost, Isabel figures out who it is. Winter however, does not know that she knows. One of my favorite quotes in the book is, Of course I know. Do you think I can kiss a man and not know who he is?

Thief of Shadows is hands down my favorite historical romance. Winter is my everything. Ive re-read this book several times. So often you read historical romances with a virgin heroine, but a virgin heroHOT!!

Thief of Shadows is the fourth book in the Maiden Lane series. Check out Wicked Intentions (#1), Notorious Pleasures (#2), and Scandalous Desires (#3) if you want to read the series in order.

Another great story this focuses on the characters of Mr. Winter Makepeace and the lady Beckinhall. As one of the lady that helped in the home she was somehow found out that she developed a feeling for masks man. She rescued during the time of the hanging of Mackey O’Connor. There’s two emotions I can always count on when reading Hoyt’s books joy and disappointment. Joy because I’m reading such an awesome book, and disappointment cause when it’s over! What happened to savoring the book Rane? But I couldn’t help myself cause it was awesome!

Thief of Shadows picks up right up where Scandalous Desires, and where Scandalous Desires had some weakness in the heroine and some anti-climatic moments toward the end, Thief of Shadows had none of this, the heroine Isabel Beckinhall was quickly on par with Winter. Both characters were truly human in everything they did and felt.

Isabel might have acted flighty but had a huge heart, very warm and open to all those around her and even bigger scar left from her marriage. Out of all the characters I’ve come across in Hoyt’s book Isabel felt hit the nail on the head about being a woman and truly being a mother is. Cause nothing is more great then being a mother is any form and having Winter help her with her own scar helped him deal with this own past and present. She loved Winter completely and when she sees how much she loves him she’ll risk her life for love.

I and no doubt along with everyone knew there was more to Winter then meets the eye and when it’s reveled about him being the Ghost was a surprise but also curious as to why and how. Hoyt doesn’t disappoint in Winter, calm on the outside but a ball of passion-filled fire inside.(view spoiler)Winter was very deep and his love for Isabel was a fight for both him and Isabel, as Winter being the Ghost, he feels no one can truly do this duty like he can, and willing to give it up was heavy on his heart. But the best thing about Winter was he wasn’t hard-headed and dragged his feet, when he decides on his course it’s all are nothing and it steals my heart away. Exceptional love story and yet another beautiful ending.

Easy read, characters continuing nicely from the previous three books. Isabel and Winter make an interesting story, older experienced woman and completely opposite in a man. I was surprised Winter was so muscular in the descriptions in this book, as in the previous books his figure came across as malnourished and skinny\ lanky.

All ends well and we have more Ghosts to enjoy in the upcoming books.

Thoroughly enjoyed this whole series. Couldn’t wait to read the next book. The whole series is connected by character, although each book does stand alone and tells its own story. I bought them all at once and read them one after the other – great. Typical historical romance escapism – highly unlikely in reality (I should think) but great entertainment! I believe there is another book in the pipeline for this series and I will be buying it when it is available.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member