Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt

A MASKED MAN . . .

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

My Thoughts:  This is the 4^th book in her Maiden Lane Series and I have to admit that I’ve been waiting for Winter’s story.  

Winter is not the type of hero I'm used to reading, he's not drop dead gorgeous or has a athletic body but in my opinion he is really all of these rolled into one.  

It was fun to read read how Isabel slowing changes her mind about the little boy Christopher who has been left in her care and to realized in the end that nothing was going to stop her from loving and making a life with Winter.  I have to admit that I love her maid -- Pinkney!

The development of Winter and Isabel growing to love each other and both helping each other -- Winter with helping Isabel warm up and accept Christopher and Isabel helping Winter realized that he doesn't have to be his father and show emotion and love.

The sex scenes were many and well written.  And the person who I thought was the villain well just let me say that I was totally wrong.  

Ms. Hoyt gives us a little tease on who the next 'Hero" and "Heroine" will be in her next book Lord of Darkness.

This was a well-written book that really shows how life was for the children who lived in St. Giles.  

I received an ARC of this ebook from Net Galley for an honest review.

Scandal Wears Satin by Loretta Chase

From the Journals of Sophia Noirot: A dress is a weapon. It must dazzle his eye, raise his temperature . . . and empty his purse.
A blue-eyed innocent on the outside and a shark on the inside, dressmaker Sophy Noirot could sell sand to Bedouins. Selling Maison Noirot's beautiful designs to aristocratic ladies is a little harder, especially since a recent family scandal has made an enemy of one of society's fashion leaders. Turning scandal to the shop's advantage requires every iota of Sophy's skills, leaving her little patience for a big, reckless rake like the Earl of Longmore. The gorgeous lummox can't keep more than one idea in his head at a time, and his idea is taking off all of Sophy's clothes.
But when Longmore's sister, Noirot's wealthiest, favorite customer, runs away, Sophy can't let him bumble after her on his own. In hot pursuit with the one man who tempts her beyond reason, she finds desire has never slipped on so smoothly . . .


My Thoughts: This is the second book in the Dressmakers series. I loved the first and this book did not disappoint me.

Sophia can blend into the scenery or have heads turning by the way she dresses.. Longmore is not your typical hero -- he's quick with fists before thinking things out.

When Longmore's sister is set-up for ruin by a scoundrel for her dowry....Clara decides to run away with her maid. Sophia and Longmore banned together to find Clara and hatch a plan to save her from a unhappy marriage. When Sophia and Longmore are on the road to find Clara you can feel the sparks fly between them. Longmore is shocked when he finally kisses Sophia and realizes that she is innocent. But is was even funnier to see him react after he realizes that he is in love with Sophia.

This book had me laughing out loud....I just fell in love with Sophia and her thinking. When she sets Addlerley up for the fall and to save Clara from marrying him, I felt like I was in the garden with them.

The sex scenes were well written and very hot!!!

I look forward to reading Leonie's story! By the way the Noirot's sisters are related to those "dreadful DeLuceys" who first meet in Lord Perfect.

I highly recommend this book but I would read Silk Is For Seduction first.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.