Wicked Intentions

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Narrated by: Ashford McNab

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of To Desire a Devil comes this thrilling tale of danger, desire, and dark passions.

A man controlled by his desires.... Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London's most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand - she's spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk....

©2010 Elizabeth Hoyt (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Bestseller Hoyt brings steamy sensuality...in this engaging series launch.... enhanced by earthy, richly detailed characterizations and deft historical touches." ( Publishers Weekly)

A bit dark but a very good story.

If you could sum up Wicked Intentions in three words, what would they be?

Different, intense, sexy

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wicked Intentions?

Lord Claire stealing into Temperance's house. His ultimate caring for her and the children of the foundling home.

Which character – as performed by Ashford MacNab – was your favorite?

I thought Ashford McNab was the star. I loved her narration. Because the story took
place in St Giles, London, a horrible place, if I had been reading the book, I may not have finished it. For me her voice was so soothing, I was able to truly enjoy it.

I enjoyed all the characters. In addition to the main characters, her sister, Silence had a little a little story to tell I do like stories that have a lot going on with other characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was too long to listen to in one sitting, but I listened to it on my kindle, I would kick back in my recliner, close my eyes and with my ear phones in my ears at night, and listen to it with Ashford McNabs soothing voice. Very relaxing.

Any additional comments?

I like the story so much that I am now listening to Notorious Pleasures, the 2nd in the series.

A little dark, a lot steamy

I'm new to this author but I found I really enjoyed the story. It's not as light as some historic romances in fact it's a bit dark. Bad part of town, gruesome murder. The stories, I like how they were presented and blended with the different happenings, kept me captivated. The love scenes are definitely steamy, earbuds required.

While I liked the narrator overall I feel her tone did add a bit to the feeling of dark.

Beautiful story of love and healing

I absolutely adore this book. There are some Hoyt books I love even more but this one is so solid. I love that Lazarus saw Temp around and sought her out to help solve the mystery of his mistress’s murder. I love that on the surface this book is just a murder-mystery romance but SO much more is happening. I love how Lazarus and Temp get to know each other, how they poke at each other and especially how Lazarus teases desires out of Temp. I loved the side characters. Often side characters are only there to become subsequent books - that’s only half true here. Yes many of the side characters eventually get their own books but so many of the side characters illustrate a different type of feeling or a different type of love. Lazarus’s mom and her cold love for her children. Winter’s love of the foundling kids. St. John’s love of his ailing wife, etc etc. Silence and her willingness to do anything for her husband and his rejection of her even the ending where she takes in an abandoned baby. All these different types of “love”. The contrasts were so fine in some cases and stark in others - it was beautifully done. However This is a pretty gritty book too dealing with St Giles there is prostitution, murder, gin, the sale of children, the precariousness of life especially for infants...none sugar coated.
And yet in the midst of this squalor Temp and Lazarus find this passionate love where neither is outshone by the other. The sex scenes are HOT and set up to be with there being all kinds of talk about Lazarus and his strange proclivities (spoiler - they aren’t that weird just some light bondage and blindfolds). All the while though I don’t doubt that these two had real feelings for each other and Lazarus was a joy to see fall... he seemed a little sheepish but also so possessive! These two had to come to terms with their feelings of shame and forgive themselves to love. It was a lovely process.
I adore this narrator and she did a lovely job!

Thrillingly Sensual & Wickedly Delicious!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Wicked Intentions to be better than the print version?

Did not read the print version...but the audio version is OUTSTANDING!!!!

What other book might you compare Wicked Intentions to and why?

Obviously the rest of the Maiden Lane series, BUT also The Raven Prince and The Serpent Prince.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the scene when Lord Caire was in Temperance's room at the Foundling Home....but then again I enjoyed ALL the love scenes ;-)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES YES YES.....I really LOVED this book and got no sleep! I was captured from the start and I swear I couldn't control my emotions ..... this book is FANTASTIC!!!

Any additional comments?

I wasn't expecting to be caught up in anything other than a fluff romance....MAN WAS I WRONG!!!! This is NOT FLUFF!!! Wicked Intentions is NOT for the faint of heart. It is explicit but it makes this story more real in my point of view. This book is just the beginning of a series that captivates & amazes. It is more than a romance, it is a drama and mystery as well.
I would read this book again and again and again. It is that good!!!

Sexy and rather sweet

Would you consider the audio edition of Wicked Intentions to be better than the print version?

Not really, I have read the print version and very much enjoyed it. The reader was decent but didn't do a lot to enhance the narration. She had a limited voice range and her speech could be a little sluggish at times.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The bedroom scene in which Lord Caire accuses Temperance of using him made me feel a lot of sympathy for a man very isolated and self-deprecating. Poor Caire doesn't see how appealing and emotional he is because he is hiding it under the facade of a sexual predator.

Any additional comments?

Don't read it if you aren't willing to get pulled into the series because there are several sub-plots that leave you waiting for more.

4.5 Stars - Excited to read the rest of the series

Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt (Audio Edition)
Narrated by Ashford McNab
Maiden Lane Series #1

4.5 Stars - I loved Lord Caire. I loved how he wanted Temperance right away and yet seemed to almost push her away and pull her close at the same time. He felt the desire to shock her often. How he wanted and needed her to care for him but thought that wasn't possible. He was a wonderful Hero!

Temperance was a strong lead. I liked her straightforward attitude and how she's willing to thwart convention for what she wants. I felt the sparks between these two right away and I kept reading, just waiting to watch them on the page together. I have had this book for a LONG time.. I cannot believe I haven't read it before now! Though on the plus side the Maiden Lane series has lots of books in it for me to enjoy!

I am pretty sure this is the first time I have read a book by Elizabeth Hoyt, but it will certainly not be my last! The Narrator Ashford McNab. She was fantastic! Even just after this first time listening to her, I will be adding her to my favourites list!

Great start to one of the best series ever!

Loved this book for its setting, its unusual heroine and hero,and for the wonderful narration byAshford McNabb.

One of my favorites

I love this book, honestly, I love the whole series and the companion series. After discovering Maiden Lane, I have listened annually to the series.

Temperance and Lazarus are truly some of my favorite, romantic main characters. Temperance has such strong carnal desires that she feels are sinful. Lazarus has strong carnal desires, that he is no longer ashamed of. When the two meet, it gets hot. There’s so much going on in this first book of the Maiden Lane series. Elizabeth Hoyt has created a whole historical world for you to get lost in. Ashford McNab just kills with her narration. She can expressed desire and pain, and a myriad of other emotions with just simple reflections of her voice. She does a fantastic job with both male and female voices. She’s definitely one of my favorites.

I don't understand the bad reviews. I enjoyed it!

I don't understand all the bad reviews. I thought this was a good steamy romance. Most "romance" books these days seem to have very little plot with heavy emphasis on sex scenes. I'm not a prude and I mostly enjoy the adult content but I do like to have a good plot. This delivered on both for me. It had great characters, a good mystery and a HEA. Basically everything I expect in a good romance book.
If you don't care for this genre or you don't like hot sex scenes then this one is not for you (probably the reason for some of the bad reviews).
I thought the narration was good as well. This is set in London in the 1700's why shouldn't the narrator have an English accent? Again, I don't get the negative reviews but narration is a personal preference.

This was a credit worthy listen for me.

Wow!

This book has it all, mystery, adventure, humor, romance, and erotica. It is very well written, has interesting and engaging characters, and a fully developed story line. Finally, a "Romance" novel that has depth, rather than those cookie cutter, formula driven, shallow stories that many of this genre produce.