Duke of Pleasure

Maiden Lane, Book 11

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Narrated by: Ashford McNab

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In the arms of danger

Bold. Brave. Brutally handsome. Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle, is the king's secret weapon. Sent to defeat the notorious Lords of Chaos, he is ambushed in a London alley—and rescued by an unlikely ally: A masked stranger with the unmistakable curves of a woman.

In the heat of desire

Cocky. Clever. Courageously independent. Alf has survived on the perilous streets of St. Giles by disguising her sex. By day she is a boy, dealing in information and secrets. By night she's the notorious Ghost of St. Giles, a masked vigilante. But as she saves Hugh from assassins, she finds herself succumbing to temptation...

One kiss will change their lives forever

When Hugh hires Alf to investigate the Lords of Chaos, her worlds collide. Once Hugh realizes that the boy and the Ghost are the same, will Alf find the courage to become the woman she needs to be—before the Lords of Chaos destroy them both?

©2016 Elizabeth Hoyt (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Adventurous

Where does Duke of Pleasure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listen to a lot of audiobooks, so I'd say somewhere in the middle.

What did you like best about this story?

The adventures of the notorious Ghost of St. Giles, who is also the information broker, Alf. The Ghost of St. Giles is a self appointed protector of children and the vulnerable that live in the Stews; the most dangerous district in London. Her skill with swords and knives are undefeatable and no-one can catch her when she nimbly takes to the rooftops, leaping from one roof to another.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Ghost of St. Giles goes to the rescue of handsome Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle when he is set upon by a gang of footpads. Leaping into the fray with a sword in each hand the Ghost of St. Giles goes to work evening the odds. Standing back to back the petite swords-woman and ex-soldier emerged from the alley victorious.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was near tears a few times.

Any additional comments?

The story was unrealistic, but it is fiction. I enjoyed it. I would have enjoyed it better if the sex scenes were not so long and explicit.

ALF!!!

I’m so glad Alf got her story. I thought that Kyle was a great match for her - the May/December match has a bit of a daddy vibe to it 😉 But it’s not gross or kinky.
I did get pretty annoyed with all the time spent on Kyle’s deceased wife, how PASSIONATE their love was and all her affairs. I get that’s the reason Kyle didn’t trust himself but at the end of the story I just didn’t find it nearly as relevant as it the time spent on it warranted and at the end of the day, I really don’t want to hear about my heroes excessive love and passion for another woman (previous wife or not). Just doesn’t do it for me. Then Iris goes on an on about how good a person the wife was - barf - don’t want to hear about the how “good” the cheating ho was 🤷‍♀️ - sorry, yes I am 100% judging.
I will admit that I felt so strongly for Alf and I was just so so so glad that she got her HEA that I forgave a lot of the issues I had with this book.
As some have noted, there are child abuse issues discussed thought maybe in less detail than in Duke of Sin or Sweetest Scoundrel as those books deal with the same evil group. But this time it seems the Lords of Chaos are done for good so it’s nice to see their comeuppance.

Ghost of St Giles is back!

I enjoy this series and look forward to each new episode. So glad to see the Ghost return.

I recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys historical romances with intrigue.

Breathless

I have loved ,loved, loved the entire series !!! I can not wait for the next book !!!!!!!

The end of EH for me..

So, here goes: I loved this book BUT I will not be reading anymore of EH’s books in the future. I’ve read 11 of her books but she’s felt the need to change her writing when it comes to sex. I just brought up her book, Dearest Rogue, on my iPad and did a search, and at no time did she use the word pu**y, c*nt or c*nny in it, as she did in this book. I know a lot of you like those words in their reading material but I find them disgusting and find nothing romantic about either word, and since EH never wrote that way before, stick a fork in me. And, maybe, I’m forgetting but I don’t remember any other Maiden Lane books with men in white wigs. Or there could have been and they just weren’t mentioned more than once. Anyway, I for one HATE those horrible wigs on men AND I hate that goofy white powder women used on their faces (another two reasons to stop reading EH.)

That said, this was a seriously exciting book. It was about Lords of Chaos and Hugh’s assignment from the King’s secretary, Shrugg, is to find out who they are and to stop them. And with Alf’s, Riley’s, Jenkin’s and Talbot’s help he does just that, but not without some grief mixed in first.

I especially liked Alf. She was such a wonderful character. She was so tough and sassy and I loved the way she talked to Hugh. LOL..

There was definitely sex in this book, long and drawn and with descriptions like this: “ his cock slipped from her lips and come and spit dribbled down her chin. She felt him put a handkerchief to her mouth. She spit into it and wiped he mouth.” Really? This is not what I’m used to from EH. That’s not romantic, IMO.

The F-bomb was used 4 times.

As to the narration: AM is a good narrator but, as I’ve said before, “there’s certain times you really have to WHISPER in a book” and AM just doesn’t.” If you’re in a CROWDED ballroom and 3 of you are talking about breaking into the home’s library you really cannot be talking in a regular tone of voice. It’s so silly when you’re listening to the book. Also, Hugh’s men were with him in the army and were all described as big men but AM gave Riley the most horrible high-pitched voice that it sounded silly coming from a man.

One of the Best

I read a great deal; probably about three books a day. In my lifetime I have probably read one thousand romance novels. I am very hard to please. Ms. Hoyt's books are perfection.

Very enjoyable I stayed up all night to listen..i

I truly enjoy the books by Elizabeth Hoyt she is very entertaining...i love historical romance..they have been my favorite past times for many years

Best of all

This book bike of pleasure is the best of all maiden lane books. The first book wicked intentions is my second favorite. What an incredible series. I loved every book and loved Ashford McNab through every book. What a talent that lady has. Actually both ladies. These books I will always treasure. Definitely worth the credit!!!!

ENCORE

Thanks to the author and narrator for another 5-star audible book! l loved it!!

My favorite in the series yet!

I'm pretty sure I said that Dearest Rogue was my favorite book in the series but...I take it back - this one is my favorite so far!!! I can’t get enough of this series and it was so so heartwarming to see Alf get a HEA.