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)

Holy jamoly! 💜💜

I love when I read a book that I don’t have very high expectations for, turns out to not only be enjoyable, but to also be really great!! People have left reviews comparing this to Fifty Shades of Grey, and saying that it is a little bit raunchy. However I completely do not agree. There was a little bit of conversation about some of the tying up kind of intimacy events, but though there was a lot of conversation about it, nothing really happened in that arena until the very end and even then it was very very mild. There definitely is a lot of sex, and it is pretty steamy, but what romance novel doesn't have that!? The question is, was it written well, and in this book it was!

The story itself was very good. A somewhat prim and proper, at least on the outside, woman is running a home for orphans with her brother. She has a couple of secrets of her own of course. She meets the damaged man who needs her help finding a murder. Together they complement each other each other‘s issues while solving a mystery. There are two secondary stories, one of which is her sisters, which is obviously a setting for another in this series. Another one is, at the beginning of every chapter is a little mini story, but it is interesting as it plays out. There are a lot of characters that are introduced that will obviously be use for future novels, which thrills me to no end because I can’t wait to continue on with this author and with this series.

The narrator was fine. I didn’t fall in love with her, but I certainly didn’t have any problem with any of her narrating. I’m a pretty picky listener in that regard. I bought this on sale and it was well worth the $4.95. I would have no qualms using a credit on this and in fact I am thrilled to be looking forward to using my credits on the next books in the series.

Good-but Took forever to finish

Looking back, I can usually tell how much I truly enjoyed a book by the length at which it takes me to finish. If i stay up late just to listen a bit more- or can't wait to do laundry or vaccum or any other house hold task just to sneak a listen! This was not one of those books however. I found myself laboring to finish it just so I could move on. While I wanted to know the end..and i wanted to see how things would turn out, I just didn't care at the same time. The characters are only slightly interesting- at best. Plus the narration was only so-so. I won't be re-reading it, nor am I that intrigued to try out any other of Elizabeth Hoyt's books. Sad- because they seem to have such a following too. Just couldn't see what all the hype was about.

Another Enjoyable Hoyt tale

What made the experience of listening to Wicked Intentions the most enjoyable?

Elizabeth Hoyt delivers an enjoyable story with intriguing characters and believable plots. While I sometimes found the hero to be annoying in his inability to withstand touch, the heroine and supporting characters made up for this. I look forward to the rest of these stories.

What did you like best about this story?

The element of intrigue - who is the Ghost of St. Giles, etc.,

historical romance at its best!

this had everything romance, intrigue, the story drew me in from chapter 1 I must read if you like historical romances with a Twist.

UPS AND DOWNS---

Mystery solved too abruptly and ending became too sappy. However, it was a good story with an unusual background--a seedy part of London along with all the seedy people living there. Not too dark and dreary but not a fluffy light read either. Characters were fleshed out but certain eccentricities were never explained, especially why the hero never wanted anyone to physically touch him. Without an explanation it sort of became a "Huh?" factor. All-in-all enjoyable, but I'm not waiting with bated breath for the next in series. (Narrator was fine. Thrilled to find a Regency-type romance NOT narrated by Anne Flosnik or Justine Eyre.)

Romance, history and intregue at its best.

The entire Maiden Lane series is extremely entertaining. The stories are all very interesting and the characters are very different. There is a lot of humor and the interaction with the children that are in some of the books is very heart warming and beautiful. The love scenes are very explicit but very romantic at the same time. I highly recommend this entire series to anyone who values romance and history; they will not regret reading these books, I have already recommended these books to at lest 5-10 other people who value good reads. Ashford McNab is a superior narrator. I only wish that she had narrated the entire Maiden Lane Series. I am looking forward to listening to the next book in the series.

Okay

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I have listened to one of Hoyt's other novels, and I'm just not overly impressed with her so far. It is worth a credit I woud say...it is an interesting murder mystery with a love story twisted in. I was just not overly impressed with the mystery...the love story was better.

Would you be willing to try another book from Elizabeth Hoyt? Why or why not?

After listening to the preview of the next book in this series...perhaps. I liked the character she continues with from this book.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I liked this narrator better in this story compared to one another Hoyt audio book I listened to. She does the different accents well, however sometimes it is hard to tell who is who.

Could you see Wicked Intentions being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I think I could see that...but I honestly have no idea who should play who. Perhaps Gemma Arterton could play Temperance and maybe Ben Barnes as Lazarus? That could be interesting!

Any additional comments?

Wish they would you would have found out who this mysterious ghost was...unless you find out later in the series.

Loved it!!!

Any additional comments?

I read the reviews before buying and noted that there were some bad ones. I truly enjoyed this book and am almost finished with the second book. So far I am enjoying this series and plan on finishing it. This book is full of whit, romance and a little mystery/suspense. I think that the story was well written and the characters make you want to learn so much more about each one in their own stories.

Fabulous Start to the series!

Would you listen to Wicked Intentions again? Why?

Wicked Intentions will be an audiobook I listen to, definitely more than once. It was a fabulous start to the Maiden Lane series. We are introduced to some of the main characters in the following books in the series and they are all very interesting. The love story of Temperance Dews and Lord Caire was very well written. Their story has a balance of mystery, intrigue and the feeling of completeness in finding a compatible match in love. And, of course a steamy, unbridled romance!

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

I suppose I loved the ending. I like how two complex characters, that have layers of depth to their psychological make-up, background and inter-struggles harmoniously come together to find a measure of healing in each others arms. Both Temperance and Lord Caire complete each other in a profound way as they seem to understand what each person needs in the relationship. Although they would be an unlikely couple by societal measures, at the base of their beings, they are made for one another and fulfill each other's deepest needs.

What does Ashford MacNab bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ashford MacNab is so talented. She always does a superb job. Both her male and female voices are so well executed and enjoyable to the listener.

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

Yes, I loved it! There are parts that make you cringe and others parts that are exuberant and perfect.

Any additional comments?

Elizabeth Hoyt is definitely one of my favorite authors of this period. She unveils multi-dimensional and compelling aspects of society as well as the characters impacted by the culture, during this historical era. She's pretty brilliant and always draws you in as a reader/listener.

I am in love with this book!!

And the entire series!!! I can't wait to listen to the other books.

Thank you Miss Hoyt for your stories!