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Maiden Lane #6
Duke of Midnight
When a masked man ... Twenty years ago Maximus Batten witnessed the brutal murders of his parents. Now the autocratic Duke of Wakefield, he spends his days ruling Parliament. But by night, disguised as the Ghost of St. Giles, he prowls the city's grim alleys, ever on the hunt for the murderer. One night he finds a fiery woman who meets him toe-to-toe-and won't back down. Meets his match ... Artemis Greaves toils as a lady's companion, but hiding beneath the plain brown serge of her dress is the heart of a huntress. When the Ghost of St. Giles rescues her from footpads, she recognizes a kindred spirit and is intrigued. She's even more intrigued when she realizes who exactly the notorious Ghost is by day. Desire ignites a dangerous passion. Artemis makes a bold she demands that Maximus use his influence to free her imprisoned brother--or she will expose him as the Ghost. But blackmailing a powerful duke isn't without risks. Now that she has the tiger by the tail, can she withstand his ire ... or the temptation of his embrace?
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First published October 15, 2013
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About the author
Elizabeth Hoyt
49 books7,182 followersElizabeth Hoyt is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three untrained dogs and one long-suffering husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,321 reviews
October 29, 2012
10/15/2013:
So I got up at midnight to read this because of course I did.
Even with a wondrous thing like Thief of Shadows, I do always feel a little letdown with this series, but I think it's because I am looking forward to each release so much that I'm bound to feel that way.
In this case, though, there is a pretty basic element that I think is a real problem, and here it is:
10/29/2012:
Hah. I knew it would be Wakefield. How are people surprised that he gets his own book? Are you newly arrived in Romancelandia? We don't leave hot young Dukes lying around unused. That is just wasteful.
I mean, he's the goddamn Batman, seriously did you get a load of his Batcave in Hero's book? And he witnessed his parents being murdered outside a theatre in St Giles? He even briefly flipped me on my Winter as Ghost prediction and is clearly one of the alt-Ghosts, too much Winter recognition to think otherwise.
Also knew it would be Artemis for his heroine when she got around to him. She is a bluestocking with some sort of past. The bluestocking always gets the Duke, and the heroine with the questionable past always gets the most uptight, Lawful-aligned hero. THIS IS JUST BASIC MATH OR SOMETHING.
So I got up at midnight to read this because of course I did.
Even with a wondrous thing like Thief of Shadows, I do always feel a little letdown with this series, but I think it's because I am looking forward to each release so much that I'm bound to feel that way.
In this case, though, there is a pretty basic element that I think is a real problem, and here it is:
10/29/2012:
Hah. I knew it would be Wakefield. How are people surprised that he gets his own book? Are you newly arrived in Romancelandia? We don't leave hot young Dukes lying around unused. That is just wasteful.
I mean, he's the goddamn Batman, seriously did you get a load of his Batcave in Hero's book? And he witnessed his parents being murdered outside a theatre in St Giles? He even briefly flipped me on my Winter as Ghost prediction and is clearly one of the alt-Ghosts, too much Winter recognition to think otherwise.
Also knew it would be Artemis for his heroine when she got around to him. She is a bluestocking with some sort of past. The bluestocking always gets the Duke, and the heroine with the questionable past always gets the most uptight, Lawful-aligned hero. THIS IS JUST BASIC MATH OR SOMETHING.
October 11, 2020
4.5 stars
Was that or was that not the best one in the series so far?
Okay actually I still can’t decide because I really loved scandalous desires as well, so maybe we can say that these two are the best.
First of all about the “Ghost of St Gilles”, because this is quite funny, we’ve got three men who protect the city. One of them was boring with the most plain personality ever, the next one got himself stabbed every single time he went out, the third one’s identity was recognized and was blackmailed by the heroine. I could never be more proud of them. The city should feel safe with your existence you guys!
Maximus was definitely the best ghost out of the three and even though he got recognized it wasn’t because of his stupidity or recklessness, but because Artemis is just so observant and smart. She might be my favorite heroine in the whole series so far, I think? She’s strong, determined, and such an interesting character. These two are just the perfect match! And I really liked them both. And despite how different there rank was from each other, they were still equal in their personalities.
This was really good and enjoyable. I loved how the romance developed between these two. This was full of angst, has a forbidden aspect in it, and there was never a dull moment. Now I kinda wanna skip the next book and jump into Phoebe’s book.
Was that or was that not the best one in the series so far?
Okay actually I still can’t decide because I really loved scandalous desires as well, so maybe we can say that these two are the best.
First of all about the “Ghost of St Gilles”, because this is quite funny, we’ve got three men who protect the city. One of them was boring with the most plain personality ever, the next one got himself stabbed every single time he went out, the third one’s identity was recognized and was blackmailed by the heroine. I could never be more proud of them. The city should feel safe with your existence you guys!
Maximus was definitely the best ghost out of the three and even though he got recognized it wasn’t because of his stupidity or recklessness, but because Artemis is just so observant and smart. She might be my favorite heroine in the whole series so far, I think? She’s strong, determined, and such an interesting character. These two are just the perfect match! And I really liked them both. And despite how different there rank was from each other, they were still equal in their personalities.
This was really good and enjoyable. I loved how the romance developed between these two. This was full of angst, has a forbidden aspect in it, and there was never a dull moment. Now I kinda wanna skip the next book and jump into Phoebe’s book.
November 9, 2016
“Do you want to be mine and only mine, away from this cursed world, in a place inhabited by just we two?”
I had high hopes for Duke of Midnight, considering that most of my friends enjoyed it so much, and not only did this book not disappoint, it exceeded all my expectations! I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful HR story, and it pulled me in right from the beginning and firmly held there until the end. It's been a while since I read anything that kept me turning pages like crazy. This one was so engaging, so much so that I stayed up all night to finish it.
This is the story of Maximus, Duke of Wakefield, and Artemis Greaves.
After Artemis lost her parents and her brother had been imprisoned in Bedlam, she had become Lady Penelope's companion. At first, I didn't like Artemis because she looked tough and not so feminine. But as the story moved on, I gradually understood her better and grew quite fond of her eventually.
Maximus is another dark and complex hero. He witnessed the murder of his parents when he was only fourteen. Since then, he had been haunted by guilt over their death so he'd sworn he would get revenge for them. And in trying to find the killer, he’d become the Ghost of St. Giles. One night, he saved Artemis and her cousin from the three bad men while these women were wandering the street of St. Giles, and it was the first time he started to notice her. There was something about Artemis that drew him to her in a way that no other woman could do.
In my eyes, these two were a perfect match for each other. When they were together, it was like they could be themselves and it looked so natural. Their lovemaking was so passionate and scorching. Maximus is exactly my kind of hero; he's strong, brave, smart, brooding, but so sweet to Artemis. My heart completely melted when I saw him this way. Just give me Maximus and I will never ask for more!
“You’re mine,” he said, laying his cheek against hers. “Mine and no one else’s.”
Just the memory of watching her dive into the Thames made his throat close up. When he spoke again, his voice was rough. “Do not think to ever do that to me again, Diana. Had you not lived I would’ve joined you at the bottom of the Thames. I cannot survive without you.”
All in all, this is a great addition to Maiden Lane series. It was a remarkable and fun read which I will re-read it all over again and again for certain. Oh, I couldn’t praise this book more!
Loved it!
I had high hopes for Duke of Midnight, considering that most of my friends enjoyed it so much, and not only did this book not disappoint, it exceeded all my expectations! I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful HR story, and it pulled me in right from the beginning and firmly held there until the end. It's been a while since I read anything that kept me turning pages like crazy. This one was so engaging, so much so that I stayed up all night to finish it.
This is the story of Maximus, Duke of Wakefield, and Artemis Greaves.
After Artemis lost her parents and her brother had been imprisoned in Bedlam, she had become Lady Penelope's companion. At first, I didn't like Artemis because she looked tough and not so feminine. But as the story moved on, I gradually understood her better and grew quite fond of her eventually.
Maximus is another dark and complex hero. He witnessed the murder of his parents when he was only fourteen. Since then, he had been haunted by guilt over their death so he'd sworn he would get revenge for them. And in trying to find the killer, he’d become the Ghost of St. Giles. One night, he saved Artemis and her cousin from the three bad men while these women were wandering the street of St. Giles, and it was the first time he started to notice her. There was something about Artemis that drew him to her in a way that no other woman could do.
In my eyes, these two were a perfect match for each other. When they were together, it was like they could be themselves and it looked so natural. Their lovemaking was so passionate and scorching. Maximus is exactly my kind of hero; he's strong, brave, smart, brooding, but so sweet to Artemis. My heart completely melted when I saw him this way. Just give me Maximus and I will never ask for more!
“You’re mine,” he said, laying his cheek against hers. “Mine and no one else’s.”
Just the memory of watching her dive into the Thames made his throat close up. When he spoke again, his voice was rough. “Do not think to ever do that to me again, Diana. Had you not lived I would’ve joined you at the bottom of the Thames. I cannot survive without you.”
All in all, this is a great addition to Maiden Lane series. It was a remarkable and fun read which I will re-read it all over again and again for certain. Oh, I couldn’t praise this book more!
Loved it!
September 8, 2020
I have yet to read an Elizabeth Hoyt book I didn't love, yet I STILL have only read a handful. What is wrong with me!?
This series is just so so good and I cannot wait to catch up with the rest of these books. From the start, I really loved Artemis's character and how she was so determined and strong. Her brother, Apollo, was in jail after being falsely accused of killing his three best friends and Artemis is determined to get him free, including blackmailing the Ghost of St. Giles. When Artemis realizes the duke who is currently courting her cousin is the infamous Ghost, she threatens to expose his secret if he doesn't help her rescue her brother. Along the way, Maximus and Artemis grow closer and find it harder and harder to resist each other. The chemistry between them was through the roof and I enjoyed how there was a forbidden aspect to it because Artemis was lower class and Maximus was courting her cousin.
While the romance was at the center of this story, we had the two plot lines of our main characters trying to figure something out- Artemis wants to free her brother and Maximus needs to hunt down the man who murdered his parents. These storylines helped the plot move very quickly and I was never bored during this book.
Maximus's sister is Phoebe, who has book 8 in the series, and I've already read and ADORED that book. I loved getting to see her again in this book and really loved how close she was with her brother. Now I can't wait to read the rest of this series and swoon over even more characters!
This series is just so so good and I cannot wait to catch up with the rest of these books. From the start, I really loved Artemis's character and how she was so determined and strong. Her brother, Apollo, was in jail after being falsely accused of killing his three best friends and Artemis is determined to get him free, including blackmailing the Ghost of St. Giles. When Artemis realizes the duke who is currently courting her cousin is the infamous Ghost, she threatens to expose his secret if he doesn't help her rescue her brother. Along the way, Maximus and Artemis grow closer and find it harder and harder to resist each other. The chemistry between them was through the roof and I enjoyed how there was a forbidden aspect to it because Artemis was lower class and Maximus was courting her cousin.
While the romance was at the center of this story, we had the two plot lines of our main characters trying to figure something out- Artemis wants to free her brother and Maximus needs to hunt down the man who murdered his parents. These storylines helped the plot move very quickly and I was never bored during this book.
Maximus's sister is Phoebe, who has book 8 in the series, and I've already read and ADORED that book. I loved getting to see her again in this book and really loved how close she was with her brother. Now I can't wait to read the rest of this series and swoon over even more characters!
February 7, 2017
The male lead in this book is a douche. But, I knew of his douchiness going into the book. It turns out, though, that it didn't really matter because the female lead is so awesome that he pales in comparison. She is strong, determined, and cunning. She blackmails him into doing what she needs done, and won't let him control her - even after he sleeps with her. Yeah, no falling under the spell of his magic penis. No swooning and letting him take over her world. She is always in control. Yay! Girl power in the ye old timey days! She would have totally been at the Women's March yesterday. With an awesome sign.
Well, it was considered important to embroider back then.
Artemis is a kickass girl. Nobody gets away with grabbing her... kitty.
So, the story is about the Duke of Wakefield, who is a tool. He is going to marry a wealthy heiress, Penelope, even if she is a bitchy, stupid, spoiled little brat. It just so happens that she has her cousin as her companion - Artemis. Artemis is actually the opposite of everything that Penelope is, including the rich part. So, Wakefield is completely attracted to her, but has no intention of not marrying the idiot because that is what a duke does - marries heiresses. It's a good thing that Artemis isn't trying to marry him. She just needs his help in getting her brother out of an insane asylum. And, she is willing to blackmail Wakefield to convince him to help. It was pretty fun watching this "nothing" girl take down the powerful duke, who has been known to do a little blackmailing himself in past books. Ha! Never underestimate the power of determined women. They are absolutely unstoppable.
So, although I never warmed up to the hero. The heroine is what makes this book great. Totally enjoyed it.
Well, it was considered important to embroider back then.
Artemis is a kickass girl. Nobody gets away with grabbing her... kitty.
So, the story is about the Duke of Wakefield, who is a tool. He is going to marry a wealthy heiress, Penelope, even if she is a bitchy, stupid, spoiled little brat. It just so happens that she has her cousin as her companion - Artemis. Artemis is actually the opposite of everything that Penelope is, including the rich part. So, Wakefield is completely attracted to her, but has no intention of not marrying the idiot because that is what a duke does - marries heiresses. It's a good thing that Artemis isn't trying to marry him. She just needs his help in getting her brother out of an insane asylum. And, she is willing to blackmail Wakefield to convince him to help. It was pretty fun watching this "nothing" girl take down the powerful duke, who has been known to do a little blackmailing himself in past books. Ha! Never underestimate the power of determined women. They are absolutely unstoppable.
So, although I never warmed up to the hero. The heroine is what makes this book great. Totally enjoyed it.
October 23, 2023
Reread: I can’t stomach asshole heroes like I used to.
This is a four star for me now - although I’m keeping the five star rating from my first read -because this was very exciting and fast paced and I really enjoyed it and all its batman coded goodness, but holy hell Maximus was an ass to Artemis right until the end, and she let him.
Even though she was a strong, determined heroine, she still took scraps from him and accepted less than she deserved. She should have refused him early and he should never have taken advantage of her when she was a servant in his house. It was all rather distasteful, and I much prefer the morally grey heroes in this series, because the morally superior ones, like this guy, just end up coming across as pompous. There were some really great intense emotional moments in this between the two of them but overall I didn’t really like their romance. The book was really well written and the side-plots were very good. I recommend reading this, but just know, if you’re anything like me and have a low tolerance for heroes who have their heads up their asses, you’ll probably hate Maximus.
This is a four star for me now - although I’m keeping the five star rating from my first read -because this was very exciting and fast paced and I really enjoyed it and all its batman coded goodness, but holy hell Maximus was an ass to Artemis right until the end, and she let him.
Even though she was a strong, determined heroine, she still took scraps from him and accepted less than she deserved. She should have refused him early and he should never have taken advantage of her when she was a servant in his house. It was all rather distasteful, and I much prefer the morally grey heroes in this series, because the morally superior ones, like this guy, just end up coming across as pompous. There were some really great intense emotional moments in this between the two of them but overall I didn’t really like their romance. The book was really well written and the side-plots were very good. I recommend reading this, but just know, if you’re anything like me and have a low tolerance for heroes who have their heads up their asses, you’ll probably hate Maximus.
October 6, 2016
4.5 Stars.
Oh, Maximus, Maximus, Maximus. Would you come to your senses and see the treasure that was straight in front of you? Would you turn your nose up at society and do what was in your heart? I really enjoyed this one. I think of the reasons was that Artemis was not of his station but she stood up to him and he didn't know what to make of her.
Maximus is a Duke and he must marry a noblewoman. It would be unheard of for him to marry beneath his station. But he wants Artemis, his goddess, his Diana.
Not really sure I am that interested in reading about Apollo. We shall see.
Oh, Maximus, Maximus, Maximus. Would you come to your senses and see the treasure that was straight in front of you? Would you turn your nose up at society and do what was in your heart? I really enjoyed this one. I think of the reasons was that Artemis was not of his station but she stood up to him and he didn't know what to make of her.
Maximus is a Duke and he must marry a noblewoman. It would be unheard of for him to marry beneath his station. But he wants Artemis, his goddess, his Diana.
"He pulled back, his chest heaving, and looked at her angrily. “Don’t start something you mean to stop.” She met his gaze squarely. “I don’t mean to stop.” His eyes narrowed. “I cannot give you marriage.” She’d known. She’d never thought he could—she would’ve sworn so had she been asked a minute earlier—but his blunt words were an arrow of pain piercing her heart nonetheless. She bared her teeth in a smile. “Have I asked you to?” “No.” “And I never shall,” she vowed."
“Overhead the moon guided him, his fair mistress, his unattainable lover.”
“When you’ve tired of me,” she said softly, precisely, “Apollo will still be my brother. Will still be there for me.”
“I’ll never tire of you,” he said, knowing with every thread of his soul that he spoke the absolute truth.
“Then prove it.”
He knew what she asked with such an open and vulnerable face. Something within him shriveled and died... he’d been on the rack too long for a penance he wasn’t sure he could ever entirely pay.
“You know…” His voice was hoarse, the croaking of a dying man. He licked his lips. “You know why I cannot.”
Not really sure I am that interested in reading about Apollo. We shall see.
March 15, 2017
Normally in a romance novel especially a HR one I can forgive the Hero almost anything and I often do. But for some I’ll mention it later reason I just never got there with him. I spent the majority of the book mad at him and wondering when Artemis was going to figure out that she could do so much better for herself.
The Skinny
Maximus is in the market for a wife and wants a perfect Duchess by his side. Pretty much his only criteria is that she is beautiful, a virgin and from a wealthy family. He doesn’t even care that his best prospect Penelope is known as not being particularly smart and something of a ninny.
Artemis is master of survival. Her brother is in an insane asylum for false reasons and she has nothing going for her except that she is from the gentry. She is Penelope’sslave ladies companion and honestly I don’t know how she put up with that spoiled brat. But it is the price she has to pay since no one would even think to marry her since insanity runs in her family. However she has figured out that Maximus is The Ghost of St. Giles and she is determined to use that knowledge as leverage to help get her brother out of the asylum.
What was Great:
Artemis is fantastic. She has been dealt a certain hand in life and she doesn’t mope about it she just carries on and deals with it the best she can. She has a never give up never surrender attitude and keeps looking for a way to save her brother even when everyone else in the world is trying to make her act like she never even had one.
Artemis is a kind and caring person. You see it in the way that she chose to wear the same sent all the time so that Phoebe (who is practically blind) could tell who she was easily. It is also apparent in the love that she has for her brother and the lengths she is willing to go to save him. She is willing to take on and play games with a Duke in order to find an ally to get him out of the hell he is in.
The banter between Maximus and Artemis is pretty great and I felt like she came out ahead in most of it. She was smart and daring and never just gave into him like so many others had all of his life.
The other notable things are Apollo. I’m very interesting in reading his story and we finally learn what Asa has been up to all these years he has been semi-estranged from his family.
Why Maximus Never Grew on Me
He is an ass. Okay it is more than that. I was already holding a grudge against him from book 2 when he was going to still make Hero marry Thomas even after Thomas had hit her (extenuating circumstances but still not okay). Then we come into this book and he has the stupidest criteria for a wife and even while he is trying to court Penelope you can tell that he isn’t really into it at all and could care less about her.
But this is where I get so mad at him. He has taken Artemis as a lover and he was very clear beforehand that he wasn’t going to offer her marriage so at least there is that. But then the entire time he is sleeping with her and thinking how he never wants to give her up he is still planning to marry Penelope (even if he hasn’t asked her yet) *throws hands in the air* the idiot.
I hated how he treated Apollo too. He didn’t’ trust Artemis to know her brother
There are so many moments when he has thoughts similar to this one but his plan is to still marry someone else and have Artemis on the side all of his life. *smacks Maximus upside the head* what the hell is he thinking. I guess I just thought that he’d figure it out sooner than he did and while it all works out in the end and he pulls his head out I still am holding a grudge even if Atremis isn’t.
Overall
After loving the last two books this was a little of a letdown in the Hero department for me. But Artemis makes the book well worth reading and she is my favorite Heroine of the series thus far.
The Skinny
Maximus is in the market for a wife and wants a perfect Duchess by his side. Pretty much his only criteria is that she is beautiful, a virgin and from a wealthy family. He doesn’t even care that his best prospect Penelope is known as not being particularly smart and something of a ninny.
Artemis is master of survival. Her brother is in an insane asylum for false reasons and she has nothing going for her except that she is from the gentry. She is Penelope’s
What was Great:
Artemis is fantastic. She has been dealt a certain hand in life and she doesn’t mope about it she just carries on and deals with it the best she can. She has a never give up never surrender attitude and keeps looking for a way to save her brother even when everyone else in the world is trying to make her act like she never even had one.
Artemis is a kind and caring person. You see it in the way that she chose to wear the same sent all the time so that Phoebe (who is practically blind) could tell who she was easily. It is also apparent in the love that she has for her brother and the lengths she is willing to go to save him. She is willing to take on and play games with a Duke in order to find an ally to get him out of the hell he is in.
The banter between Maximus and Artemis is pretty great and I felt like she came out ahead in most of it. She was smart and daring and never just gave into him like so many others had all of his life.
“She couldn’t very well get up and leave him without causing a scene, but she dearly wanted to. “Well, then, in the interests of fairness, perhaps you ought to know, Your Grace, that I have no intention of yielding the field to you.” Beside her he inclined his head a fraction of an inch. “Then en garde, Miss Greaves.”
The other notable things are Apollo. I’m very interesting in reading his story and we finally learn what Asa has been up to all these years he has been semi-estranged from his family.
Why Maximus Never Grew on Me
He is an ass. Okay it is more than that. I was already holding a grudge against him from book 2 when he was going to still make Hero marry Thomas even after Thomas had hit her (extenuating circumstances but still not okay). Then we come into this book and he has the stupidest criteria for a wife and even while he is trying to court Penelope you can tell that he isn’t really into it at all and could care less about her.
But this is where I get so mad at him. He has taken Artemis as a lover and he was very clear beforehand that he wasn’t going to offer her marriage so at least there is that. But then the entire time he is sleeping with her and thinking how he never wants to give her up he is still planning to marry Penelope (even if he hasn’t asked her yet) *throws hands in the air* the idiot.
“It would be the height of idiocy for the Duke of Wakefield to pursue the cousin of the woman he wanted as wife. And yet, for the first time in his life, Maximus wanted to let the man rule him instead of the title.”
I hated how he treated Apollo too. He didn’t’ trust Artemis to know her brother
“This is my brother we’re talking about, Maximus.”
“You’ll take his part before mine?” Oh, he knew it was a mistake even before the words left his lips.
Her shoulders squared. “If I must. We shared a womb. We’re flesh and blood, tied together forever, both physically and spiritually. I love my brother.”
“As you don’t me?”
She stopped, her chemise in her hands before her. For a moment her shoulders slumped and then she raised her head. His goddess. His Diana.
“When you’ve tired of me,” she said softly, precisely, “Apollo will still be my brother. Will still be there for me.”
“I’ll never tire of you,” he said, knowing with every thread of his soul that he spoke the absolute truth.”
There are so many moments when he has thoughts similar to this one but his plan is to still marry someone else and have Artemis on the side all of his life. *smacks Maximus upside the head* what the hell is he thinking. I guess I just thought that he’d figure it out sooner than he did and while it all works out in the end and he pulls his head out I still am holding a grudge even if Atremis isn’t.
Overall
After loving the last two books this was a little of a letdown in the Hero department for me. But Artemis makes the book well worth reading and she is my favorite Heroine of the series thus far.
January 9, 2017
*** 3.85 ***
A buddy read with the MacHalo Freaks. Because we are romantic like that:-)
I have to admit it - I am a complete sucker for Historical Romance! I am not sure why, is it the clothing, is it the societal norms of the time, is it the idea of the gentleman hero... But I love it all!
This series has been reviving around the seedy part of London in the 18th century and the legendary Ghosts of St. Giles. It is a bit repetitive, this being the sixth book in the series, but the truth is, there aren't very many variations when it comes to this genre, and I think that reliability is what keeps many of us coming back to it over and over again...
Our Duke is a very proper, strict, and aloof aristocrat who happens to dawn on a cape and chase bad guys at night. Our Lady Artemis, is an impoverished relation to a very pretty but none too bright rich socialite, who is gunning for the Duke. Maximus finds the rich socialite perfect for a wife, but something about Artemis keeps stealing his attention. Sparks fly, hormones rule... Also, Artemis's brother gets some page time and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him.
There were moments when I wanted to shake the Duke and beat some sense into his thick scull, but overall he was OK. Artemis was quite wonderful! The butler was very cool and I liked him better than his boss most of the time. And as always, the little cameos from our previous couples were very pleasant.
Overall, it was not the best book in the series, but it was not the worst either. This series is perfect for the fans of the HR genre!
I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!
A buddy read with the MacHalo Freaks. Because we are romantic like that:-)
I have to admit it - I am a complete sucker for Historical Romance! I am not sure why, is it the clothing, is it the societal norms of the time, is it the idea of the gentleman hero... But I love it all!
This series has been reviving around the seedy part of London in the 18th century and the legendary Ghosts of St. Giles. It is a bit repetitive, this being the sixth book in the series, but the truth is, there aren't very many variations when it comes to this genre, and I think that reliability is what keeps many of us coming back to it over and over again...
Our Duke is a very proper, strict, and aloof aristocrat who happens to dawn on a cape and chase bad guys at night. Our Lady Artemis, is an impoverished relation to a very pretty but none too bright rich socialite, who is gunning for the Duke. Maximus finds the rich socialite perfect for a wife, but something about Artemis keeps stealing his attention. Sparks fly, hormones rule... Also, Artemis's brother gets some page time and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him.
There were moments when I wanted to shake the Duke and beat some sense into his thick scull, but overall he was OK. Artemis was quite wonderful! The butler was very cool and I liked him better than his boss most of the time. And as always, the little cameos from our previous couples were very pleasant.
Overall, it was not the best book in the series, but it was not the worst either. This series is perfect for the fans of the HR genre!
I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!
May 22, 2022
DUKE OF MIDNIGHT
If you are sick and tired of Neo-Maxi-Zoom-Dweebie doormats as heroines, then look no further. Artemis is an intelligent, courageous and loyal heroine with a spine of steel. Does she sound boring with all those wonderful attributes? Maybe, but she's not.
Very down on her luck as she is poverty stricken and is now companion to her aggravatingly beautiful but SHALLOW cousin Lady Penelope. On top of that her beloved twin brother, Apollo, is in Bedlam for supposedly murdering two friends in cold blood. It was either Bedlam because he's mad or the gallows because he's guilty. She is desperate to get him free.
Where does the Duke of Midnight come in? He's the secret squirrel Ghost of St. Giles and is looking to avenge his parent's death. In other words, he is Batman. Anyhoo, Artemis and the Duke meet up as he is courting the vapid Lady Penelope. He feels honor bound to deliver the best Duchess possible to honor his parents even if it means enduring the following type of conversation...
Maximus arched a brow at his rival. Really, the man had certainly won this round by the simple expedient of having been able to articulate such nonsense with a perfectly straight face. What was more—he checked Lady Penelope’s expression closely, sighing silently when he found the expected—the lady had swallowed the sweetly wrapped offal, hook, line, and sinker. Maximus discreetly tipped his wineglass to the older man.
Scarborough winked back.
But Lady Penelope was already leaning forward, nearly dipping her abundant cleavage in her fish, to say earnestly to Scarborough, “I’m so thankful you agree, Your Grace. You would not credit it, but Artemis just last week said she didn’t care one way or the other if her tea was taken with blue figured china or red!”
Scarborough inhaled sharply. “You don’t say!”
“Indeed.” Lady Penelope sat back, having delivered this terrible breach of etiquette. “I have both, naturally, but wouldn’t dream of serving anything but coffee in the red, although sometimes”—she peeked coquettishly at Scarborough through her eyebrows—“sometimes I do serve chocolate in the blue.”
The Duke is not alone in his rolling his eyes over her inane babblings as his sisters and even his valet are desperate he marry a real Duchess, one that can rub more than two synapses together.
The Duke is, oy vey, yum. One big hunk of alpha arrogance. He knows it, his family knows it, Artemis knows, everybody knows it. Growing up as a peer is bad enough in bolstering an ego, but being raised the Duke with a guilty conscience ups the ante.
Unluckily for the Duke, not only is he very attracted to Artemis, but he finds himself in a cat and mouse blackmail game with her as she discovers his secret identity. She doesn't want money. She wants his help in getting her brother free and is willing to unmask him as the Ghost if he doesn't. He can't, well, he won’t marry Artemis because of one, the lack of family stature, but more importantly the taint of mental illness from her brother.
Their relationship, the steamy, steamy sex scenes are very well done. I mean really well done. She goes openly into an affair that she knows will go no where, but her eyes are wide open. The Duke is besotted with Artemis, but he stupidly vows to stay strong in his need to marry a blithering idiot with a family pedigree in order to honor his parents.
The book is more than just the romance between the two MC's as Hoyt weaves characters from past and future books in the series into the story. The secondary characters are very well developed as well and Ms. Hoyt’s details of an era much less well-known the ever-present Regency era is excellent.
If you are sick and tired of Neo-Maxi-Zoom-Dweebie doormats as heroines, then look no further. Artemis is an intelligent, courageous and loyal heroine with a spine of steel. Does she sound boring with all those wonderful attributes? Maybe, but she's not.
Very down on her luck as she is poverty stricken and is now companion to her aggravatingly beautiful but SHALLOW cousin Lady Penelope. On top of that her beloved twin brother, Apollo, is in Bedlam for supposedly murdering two friends in cold blood. It was either Bedlam because he's mad or the gallows because he's guilty. She is desperate to get him free.
Where does the Duke of Midnight come in? He's the secret squirrel Ghost of St. Giles and is looking to avenge his parent's death. In other words, he is Batman. Anyhoo, Artemis and the Duke meet up as he is courting the vapid Lady Penelope. He feels honor bound to deliver the best Duchess possible to honor his parents even if it means enduring the following type of conversation...
Maximus arched a brow at his rival. Really, the man had certainly won this round by the simple expedient of having been able to articulate such nonsense with a perfectly straight face. What was more—he checked Lady Penelope’s expression closely, sighing silently when he found the expected—the lady had swallowed the sweetly wrapped offal, hook, line, and sinker. Maximus discreetly tipped his wineglass to the older man.
Scarborough winked back.
But Lady Penelope was already leaning forward, nearly dipping her abundant cleavage in her fish, to say earnestly to Scarborough, “I’m so thankful you agree, Your Grace. You would not credit it, but Artemis just last week said she didn’t care one way or the other if her tea was taken with blue figured china or red!”
Scarborough inhaled sharply. “You don’t say!”
“Indeed.” Lady Penelope sat back, having delivered this terrible breach of etiquette. “I have both, naturally, but wouldn’t dream of serving anything but coffee in the red, although sometimes”—she peeked coquettishly at Scarborough through her eyebrows—“sometimes I do serve chocolate in the blue.”
The Duke is not alone in his rolling his eyes over her inane babblings as his sisters and even his valet are desperate he marry a real Duchess, one that can rub more than two synapses together.
The Duke is, oy vey, yum. One big hunk of alpha arrogance. He knows it, his family knows it, Artemis knows, everybody knows it. Growing up as a peer is bad enough in bolstering an ego, but being raised the Duke with a guilty conscience ups the ante.
Unluckily for the Duke, not only is he very attracted to Artemis, but he finds himself in a cat and mouse blackmail game with her as she discovers his secret identity. She doesn't want money. She wants his help in getting her brother free and is willing to unmask him as the Ghost if he doesn't. He can't, well, he won’t marry Artemis because of one, the lack of family stature, but more importantly the taint of mental illness from her brother.
Their relationship, the steamy, steamy sex scenes are very well done. I mean really well done. She goes openly into an affair that she knows will go no where, but her eyes are wide open. The Duke is besotted with Artemis, but he stupidly vows to stay strong in his need to marry a blithering idiot with a family pedigree in order to honor his parents.
The book is more than just the romance between the two MC's as Hoyt weaves characters from past and future books in the series into the story. The secondary characters are very well developed as well and Ms. Hoyt’s details of an era much less well-known the ever-present Regency era is excellent.
September 19, 2024
✨This book was a pain in my gluteus Maximus good GOD✨
Maximus is a horrible wench and I dislike that I have even a part of him in my brain. How this book has such a high collective rating is BEYOND me. Are y’all okay?? What even was that ending? I thought I could get over Maximus’s pomposity at the beginning but by 50% I decided I could fool myself no longer: Maximus (gluteus) Batten is an Ass.
I’m also tired of the fucking Ghost of St. Giles and his stupid reckless righteous honor and all that shit. Carry a gun and be done with it! Also the short story woven through was pointless to me and I really didn’t have the energy to parse through the double meanings. I haven’t cared for it in any of the books but here it was doubly angering because, well, I was already incensed.
The steam you ask? Idk I barely remember the sex besides the fact that both characters used it to delay important conversations which severely RUINED THE MOOD. Cockblocked by the throbbing, rock hard cock itself.
I wanted to like Artemis but she was honestly a weak character as well. I was happy she didn’t stop trying for Apollo but she gave into Maximus way too many times and just let him shut her up. She also had the worst propensity to see the best in Penelope and that was, to be quite honest, the most annoying part of this book. She just always caved or didn’t speak her words and I really just wanted her to flip a tit on everyone. What a mic drop that would have been if she would have set! Penelope! down! after the slap at the end. Recognize that Penelope and her father were cruel and used her. Recognize her self worth.
Apollo was a compelling character but I didn’t like the times in Bedlam. I was very stressed and didn’t like the assault we slightly overheard/ was implied. It also made Maximus even worse because he had to be blackmailed to rescue him. Also he underestimated Artemis which frustrated me.
Don’t even get me started on Maximus telling Artemis in one breath that they could never have a future, but on the next grunt he was coming inside her. She didn’t even know what being wet meant. I doubt she knew that he could have withdrawn. Yeah this was published years ago but still. Dick. Then he was like wow did I hurt her when I said a marriage to her would taint the dukedom? When I insulted her family and her brother and her knowledge? When I consistently refused to acknowledge that I had no reason to marry Penelope but was gonna do it anyway? When I asked her to be my mistress while I STILL married her cousin? When I was just a general boorish ass?
He wasn’t a good straight laced duke begging to come undone, no, what he was was impaled on a stick shoved straight up his self-righteous ass. His character only got worse. I really hate when a main character is so hellbent on duty that he forgoes his happiness for zero reason. Sometimes a dukedom needs a fortune or something which is mildly understandable, but to please dead parents who wouldn’t want him to marry Penelope anyways? So so pointless.
Further, I’m a simple wench, I don’t want an animal to die in my romance novel. Fair warning, the lovely Ghost of St. Giles slit the throat of a horse in “kindness” so again I beg of him to get a gun. I just really hate animal deaths and I won’t stand for them.
There’s so much more I could say but I really just think this book sucked.
⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
Maximus is a horrible wench and I dislike that I have even a part of him in my brain. How this book has such a high collective rating is BEYOND me. Are y’all okay?? What even was that ending? I thought I could get over Maximus’s pomposity at the beginning but by 50% I decided I could fool myself no longer: Maximus (gluteus) Batten is an Ass.
I’m also tired of the fucking Ghost of St. Giles and his stupid reckless righteous honor and all that shit. Carry a gun and be done with it! Also the short story woven through was pointless to me and I really didn’t have the energy to parse through the double meanings. I haven’t cared for it in any of the books but here it was doubly angering because, well, I was already incensed.
The steam you ask? Idk I barely remember the sex besides the fact that both characters used it to delay important conversations which severely RUINED THE MOOD. Cockblocked by the throbbing, rock hard cock itself.
I wanted to like Artemis but she was honestly a weak character as well. I was happy she didn’t stop trying for Apollo but she gave into Maximus way too many times and just let him shut her up. She also had the worst propensity to see the best in Penelope and that was, to be quite honest, the most annoying part of this book. She just always caved or didn’t speak her words and I really just wanted her to flip a tit on everyone. What a mic drop that would have been if she would have set! Penelope! down! after the slap at the end. Recognize that Penelope and her father were cruel and used her. Recognize her self worth.
Apollo was a compelling character but I didn’t like the times in Bedlam. I was very stressed and didn’t like the assault we slightly overheard/ was implied. It also made Maximus even worse because he had to be blackmailed to rescue him. Also he underestimated Artemis which frustrated me.
Don’t even get me started on Maximus telling Artemis in one breath that they could never have a future, but on the next grunt he was coming inside her. She didn’t even know what being wet meant. I doubt she knew that he could have withdrawn. Yeah this was published years ago but still. Dick. Then he was like wow did I hurt her when I said a marriage to her would taint the dukedom? When I insulted her family and her brother and her knowledge? When I consistently refused to acknowledge that I had no reason to marry Penelope but was gonna do it anyway? When I asked her to be my mistress while I STILL married her cousin? When I was just a general boorish ass?
He wasn’t a good straight laced duke begging to come undone, no, what he was was impaled on a stick shoved straight up his self-righteous ass. His character only got worse. I really hate when a main character is so hellbent on duty that he forgoes his happiness for zero reason. Sometimes a dukedom needs a fortune or something which is mildly understandable, but to please dead parents who wouldn’t want him to marry Penelope anyways? So so pointless.
Further, I’m a simple wench, I don’t want an animal to die in my romance novel. Fair warning, the lovely Ghost of St. Giles slit the throat of a horse in “kindness” so again I beg of him to get a gun. I just really hate animal deaths and I won’t stand for them.
There’s so much more I could say but I really just think this book sucked.
⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
December 8, 2024
Review in a 🍾 from Outlier Island delivered by Lord Finney 🐬.
3.5 ⭐️ Depending whether I’m speaking from my 🖤 or my 🧠, the rating could be lower. See Reasons…
🖤 2.25⭐️ What Didn’t Work
-Unlikable MCs. Artemis was abrasive and betrayed the girlfriend code.
-Maximus treated Artemis as a side piece for reasons that made sense to him and were artificial to me. His change of mind came very late.
-Much of the story was set in dark, grim locations: Bedlam Asylum, St Giles, and a cellar.
-No humor or banter. My interest in a story suffocates without it.
-The chapter introductions. What are those??? They’re like English class assignments back in the day where you compare and contrast two works of fiction. Exited at chapter 17.
-Faux epilogue. Had nothing to do with the MCs.
🧠 3.5⭐️ What Boosted the Rating
-🌶️
-Belle, Starling, Percy, and Bon Bon 🐾🦴🐾🦴 (I do believe Percy has a thing for Lord Phinney.)
-The third act was OTT but the color and excitement compensated for the thin plot that had led up to it.
3.5 ⭐️ Depending whether I’m speaking from my 🖤 or my 🧠, the rating could be lower. See Reasons…
🖤 2.25⭐️ What Didn’t Work
-Unlikable MCs. Artemis was abrasive and betrayed the girlfriend code.
-Maximus treated Artemis as a side piece for reasons that made sense to him and were artificial to me. His change of mind came very late.
-Much of the story was set in dark, grim locations: Bedlam Asylum, St Giles, and a cellar.
-No humor or banter. My interest in a story suffocates without it.
-The chapter introductions. What are those??? They’re like English class assignments back in the day where you compare and contrast two works of fiction. Exited at chapter 17.
-Faux epilogue. Had nothing to do with the MCs.
🧠 3.5⭐️ What Boosted the Rating
-🌶️
-Belle, Starling, Percy, and Bon Bon 🐾🦴🐾🦴 (I do believe Percy has a thing for Lord Phinney.)
-The third act was OTT but the color and excitement compensated for the thin plot that had led up to it.
December 7, 2025
Oh, I shouldn't have read this story yet. Not because it was bad, no!! But because it was too wonderful
Let me explain. I'm a bit of a book hoarder. I have a few authors I adore and I keep them safely hidden until such times when I need to read something so marvelous, it brings back colors to my life.
I had read two disappointing HRs in a row and wanted to read something good in that genre. But I wasn't yet to the point where needed to grab from my 'saving for a rainy day' shelf.
It's too late now, though, and Duke of Midnight is imprinted forever in my soul.
*Okay, personal rant over. On to the review. This is going to be a praise-fest and I'm not even sorry (Also, a bit spoiler-y)
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Let me explain. I'm a bit of a book hoarder. I have a few authors I adore and I keep them safely hidden until such times when I need to read something so marvelous, it brings back colors to my life.
I had read two disappointing HRs in a row and wanted to read something good in that genre. But I wasn't yet to the point where needed to grab from my 'saving for a rainy day' shelf.
It's too late now, though, and Duke of Midnight is imprinted forever in my soul.
*Okay, personal rant over. On to the review. This is going to be a praise-fest and I'm not even sorry (Also, a bit spoiler-y)
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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August 22, 2017
This is my first Elizabeth Hoyt and I enjoyed it, but am left confused and feel like a lot of questions went unanswered. Perhaps, it is better to say I feel like I was missing a chapter or two.
You may say: "Of course you are confused, silly, you started at book #6 in a series. Duh."
**** SPOILERS ****
The heroine, Artemis, is a poor relation and companion/slave to a spoiled, beautiful heiress who has caught the hero's eye as the perfect Duchess to his exalted Dukedom. Artemis is pretty awesome. The author made her strong without resorting to making her a secret highway-woman or a foot-stomping idiot with a smart mouth masquerading as a strong woman. She was pragmatic, determined, and someone I could relate to. So far, so good.
The hero, Maximus, is pretty much a wet blanket with a stick up his butt. However, this is explained by his angst over his parent's murder and his obsession with finding their killer. Due to his childish/selfish behavior at 14, he blames himself for their deaths and decides to pay penance by not only masquerading as a caped crusader bent on finding the murderer (Ghost of St. Giles), but also by being what he perceives to be the perfect Duke. The perfect duke is apparently a self-righteous hypocritical prig (which - hey - probably historically accurate). The type who thinks he can fix poverty/crime by getting rid of the poor people's access to their substance of choice (gin), because social problems are so simple and the poor so disgusting and childlike. Take away the gin and all social ills shall be cured. I'm thinking expensive wine would be a good substitute. Of course, it is a-ok to plan on marrying the suitable woman while scheming to keep the woman he really wants as his mistress.
Sign me up. I love a hero I can love to hate. I love to see him brought to his arrogant knees. Good times! I also love this plot, which isn't done nearly as much as I'd like. I love the exploration of love in a society where class was so important and marriage was often just a financial/social transaction and everyone (heroine included) bought into the idea that marriage between the H/h was unlikely and unsuitable... whether they liked it or not. Bring on the angst!!
The angst was there, but seemed to take a back seat to the murder investigation. The transitions between chapters seemed abrupt and jarring. There were a few times when I rewound to make sure I didn't miss anything.
At a house party where the hero is courting her shallow cousin, the heroine and hero develop mutual chemistry.
Heroine realizes hero is the notorious Ghost of St. Giles.
Heroine's brother has been unfairly committed to Bedlam and, while she does feel guilty about blackmailing Maximus, she'll do anything to save her brother who is quite possibly dying.
Maximus is pissed at being blackmailed, but mostly falling for Artemis, so he storms Bedlam and saves her twin brother who he believes to be a dangerous mass murderer. He does it all for Artemis, which is kind of sweet. Even though he proceeds to chain dude up in a basement.
Artemis goes to Maximus' bed and gives him her virginity after being reunited with her brother. He's upfront about not marrying her and she says she knows, but she wants one thing for herself before resigning herself to being an old maid ladies companion/slave for the rest of her life. Plus, it's not addressed, but I think gratitude plays a big part and Maximus took advantage of that.
After all the emotional upheaval of believing she's losing her brother, committing blackmail on a powerful duke, and sleeping with the man who plans to marry her cousin and employer... reality starts to seep in. Crap. Artemis has put herself in a bind. She's human. I don't blame her for any of it. I can sympathize with her position and she is in love with Maximus. It's not like her cousin particularly even likes the duke. All she cares about is money and position and even has another duke vying for her attention as well. Still, Artemis acknowledges that it is a betrayal of her cousin and that she has unalterably changed the course of her life and become "fallen". She knows she can't go back to her cousin's employ (even though cousin doesn't know) and she has few other options for life aside from becoming another lady's companion or letting Maximus keep her. Add to that her responsibilities to her critically injured brother whose fate happens to lie in Maximus' hands and rock meet hard place.
Meanwhile Maximus, the poor dear, runs around St. Giles in his disguise and rhapsodizes about his moon goddess, Diana (Diana was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess, Artemis and becomes Maximus' pet name for Artemis). Anyway, it's hard to keep your mind in your sword fighting when you're sad that you'll have to marry and sleep with one beautiful -- albeit stupid -- woman and keep the woman of your dreams on the side in both a London and a country house,so she'll always be convenient. No man wants to be forced to sleep with two different desirable women. It goes against nature! Therefore it is completely understandable that he was forced by his deep anger to say cruel things to Artemis about intending to buy expensive ear-bobs for her cousin as a way to deal with his inner angst.
As these things tend to go - servants and nosy society ladies put two and two together and the affair is exposed. Artemis, who was already feeling guilty, is humiliated. She frees her brother from Maximus' new-and-improved dungeon and beats a hasty retreat herself.
Maximus realizes she's gone and then *boom* he's hunting down a lead about the murder. He navel gazes a bit, but he does have interrogating and surveillance to do. Just so happens his surveillance target leads him straight to the very place Artemis happens to be and the villain decides he'll use Artemis as a shield to make his escape. It's not like he actually seeks her out or anything. It's all very convenient.
Maximus rescues Artemis and then proposes marriage. The end. Why do I feel like I'm missing something here? Most importantly:
What happened to the spoiled cousin's dog, Bonbon. Bonbon was enjoying living with Maximus' dogs and getting to be a dirty/smelly dog for once. Does he have to go back to being carried around like an accessory?
I realize this is a series, but it's one of those where each book has its own couple and is relatively stand alone. Should I read on to learn about Bonbon's fate? Does the ditzy cousin marry the other Duke (I don't see her getting a story, so it should have been wrapped up here).
This could have been better had we focused more on making Maximus work for Artemis and less on him pretending to be Batman. Just saying. Still, I give it a 3 and may continue just to see if Bonbon gets to be a real dog.
You may say: "Of course you are confused, silly, you started at book #6 in a series. Duh."
**** SPOILERS ****
The heroine, Artemis, is a poor relation and companion/slave to a spoiled, beautiful heiress who has caught the hero's eye as the perfect Duchess to his exalted Dukedom. Artemis is pretty awesome. The author made her strong without resorting to making her a secret highway-woman or a foot-stomping idiot with a smart mouth masquerading as a strong woman. She was pragmatic, determined, and someone I could relate to. So far, so good.
The hero, Maximus, is pretty much a wet blanket with a stick up his butt. However, this is explained by his angst over his parent's murder and his obsession with finding their killer. Due to his childish/selfish behavior at 14, he blames himself for their deaths and decides to pay penance by not only masquerading as a caped crusader bent on finding the murderer (Ghost of St. Giles), but also by being what he perceives to be the perfect Duke. The perfect duke is apparently a self-righteous hypocritical prig (which - hey - probably historically accurate). The type who thinks he can fix poverty/crime by getting rid of the poor people's access to their substance of choice (gin), because social problems are so simple and the poor so disgusting and childlike. Take away the gin and all social ills shall be cured. I'm thinking expensive wine would be a good substitute. Of course, it is a-ok to plan on marrying the suitable woman while scheming to keep the woman he really wants as his mistress.
Sign me up. I love a hero I can love to hate. I love to see him brought to his arrogant knees. Good times! I also love this plot, which isn't done nearly as much as I'd like. I love the exploration of love in a society where class was so important and marriage was often just a financial/social transaction and everyone (heroine included) bought into the idea that marriage between the H/h was unlikely and unsuitable... whether they liked it or not. Bring on the angst!!
The angst was there, but seemed to take a back seat to the murder investigation. The transitions between chapters seemed abrupt and jarring. There were a few times when I rewound to make sure I didn't miss anything.
At a house party where the hero is courting her shallow cousin, the heroine and hero develop mutual chemistry.
Heroine realizes hero is the notorious Ghost of St. Giles.
Heroine's brother has been unfairly committed to Bedlam and, while she does feel guilty about blackmailing Maximus, she'll do anything to save her brother who is quite possibly dying.
Maximus is pissed at being blackmailed, but mostly falling for Artemis, so he storms Bedlam and saves her twin brother who he believes to be a dangerous mass murderer. He does it all for Artemis, which is kind of sweet. Even though he proceeds to chain dude up in a basement.
Artemis goes to Maximus' bed and gives him her virginity after being reunited with her brother. He's upfront about not marrying her and she says she knows, but she wants one thing for herself before resigning herself to being an old maid ladies companion/slave for the rest of her life. Plus, it's not addressed, but I think gratitude plays a big part and Maximus took advantage of that.
After all the emotional upheaval of believing she's losing her brother, committing blackmail on a powerful duke, and sleeping with the man who plans to marry her cousin and employer... reality starts to seep in. Crap. Artemis has put herself in a bind. She's human. I don't blame her for any of it. I can sympathize with her position and she is in love with Maximus. It's not like her cousin particularly even likes the duke. All she cares about is money and position and even has another duke vying for her attention as well. Still, Artemis acknowledges that it is a betrayal of her cousin and that she has unalterably changed the course of her life and become "fallen". She knows she can't go back to her cousin's employ (even though cousin doesn't know) and she has few other options for life aside from becoming another lady's companion or letting Maximus keep her. Add to that her responsibilities to her critically injured brother whose fate happens to lie in Maximus' hands and rock meet hard place.
Meanwhile Maximus, the poor dear, runs around St. Giles in his disguise and rhapsodizes about his moon goddess, Diana (Diana was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess, Artemis and becomes Maximus' pet name for Artemis). Anyway, it's hard to keep your mind in your sword fighting when you're sad that you'll have to marry and sleep with one beautiful -- albeit stupid -- woman and keep the woman of your dreams on the side in both a London and a country house,so she'll always be convenient. No man wants to be forced to sleep with two different desirable women. It goes against nature! Therefore it is completely understandable that he was forced by his deep anger to say cruel things to Artemis about intending to buy expensive ear-bobs for her cousin as a way to deal with his inner angst.
As these things tend to go - servants and nosy society ladies put two and two together and the affair is exposed. Artemis, who was already feeling guilty, is humiliated. She frees her brother from Maximus' new-and-improved dungeon and beats a hasty retreat herself.
Maximus realizes she's gone and then *boom* he's hunting down a lead about the murder. He navel gazes a bit, but he does have interrogating and surveillance to do. Just so happens his surveillance target leads him straight to the very place Artemis happens to be and the villain decides he'll use Artemis as a shield to make his escape. It's not like he actually seeks her out or anything. It's all very convenient.
Maximus rescues Artemis and then proposes marriage. The end. Why do I feel like I'm missing something here? Most importantly:
What happened to the spoiled cousin's dog, Bonbon. Bonbon was enjoying living with Maximus' dogs and getting to be a dirty/smelly dog for once. Does he have to go back to being carried around like an accessory?
I realize this is a series, but it's one of those where each book has its own couple and is relatively stand alone. Should I read on to learn about Bonbon's fate? Does the ditzy cousin marry the other Duke (I don't see her getting a story, so it should have been wrapped up here).
This could have been better had we focused more on making Maximus work for Artemis and less on him pretending to be Batman. Just saying. Still, I give it a 3 and may continue just to see if Bonbon gets to be a real dog.
October 30, 2014
**Five Glittering Stars**
I think I am running out of words to describe just how much I LOVE this series! Time and again, Ms Hoyt enthrals me with her unforgettable characters, compelling plots and sensual romances.
This was not a man to be swayed by gentleness, beauty, or sweet words. He would bend – assuming he was even capable of bending – only for reasons of his own.
I didn't particularly like Maximus in the previous books but there was just something about him that intrigued me. I wanted to know what shaped him into this cold, exacting man, so resolute when it came to carrying out his ducal duties. It soon becomes clear that the traumatic events of the night he witnessed his parents' brutal murder in the back streets of St Giles had a far-reaching effect on the fourteen year old boy. Haunted by feelings of guilt, he believes he owes it to his parents to be the best duke possible. Sworn to bring their murderer to justice, he roams the streets of St Giles nightly in the guise of the Ghost of St Giles.
...she was merely the companion. She was there to fade into the background, which she did with admirable skill, even if she did say so herself.
Just as Maximus wears a mask, so does Artemis. On the surface, she is the prim and proper, spinster companion but, beneath that drab exterior, is a strong, intelligent and passionate woman just waiting to break free. I so admired her total devotion to her brother, Apollo, who has been wrongly accused of murder and incarcerated in Bedlam. She will do anything to see him set free, even blackmail the formidable Maximus.
The chemistry between these two is a heady mixture of raw, emotional intensity and all-consuming passion. I loved that Artemis finally sheds her drab existence, willing to take what she wants even knowing that the affair with Maximus could destroy her reputation.
“Have you no care for your reputation?”
She stepped toward him until she was so close he fancied he breathed the same air as she and when she tilted her face up to look at him he saw that she wasn’t nearly as calm as he’d imagined.
“No,” she murmured, her voice a siren’s song, “none at all.”
I got more than a little frustrated with Maximus for his stubborn insistence on putting his ducal responsibilities first rather than following his heart. I did love him in his guise as the Ghost of St Giles…we get a glimpse of the real man rather than the austere duke. I couldn’t imagine the duke rifling through Artemis’ chemises as the Ghost did!
There are so many wonderful secondary characters just begging for their own books…Maximus’s visually impaired sister, Phoebe; Artemis’s tormented brother, Apollo; the honourable Captain Trevillion; the enigmatic Asa Makepiece; the rakish Viscount D’Arque; the mysterious Hippolyta Royale.
The mystery surrounding the murder of Maximus’s parents provided an exciting backdrop to the romance and Ms Hoyt evokes the unsavoury atmosphere of St. Giles perfectly... the scenes in Bedlam were particularly chilling in their realism.
There were those who compared Bedlam to hell – a writhing purgatory of torture and insanity.
The Maiden Lane series is a MUST READ for all lovers of powerful, sensual and exciting historical romances. It is a series that should definitely be read in order, not only because of the interweaving plotlines, but every book is a fantastic read!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
The Maiden Lane series so far (click on the book cover for more details):
This review is also posted on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
I think I am running out of words to describe just how much I LOVE this series! Time and again, Ms Hoyt enthrals me with her unforgettable characters, compelling plots and sensual romances.
This was not a man to be swayed by gentleness, beauty, or sweet words. He would bend – assuming he was even capable of bending – only for reasons of his own.
I didn't particularly like Maximus in the previous books but there was just something about him that intrigued me. I wanted to know what shaped him into this cold, exacting man, so resolute when it came to carrying out his ducal duties. It soon becomes clear that the traumatic events of the night he witnessed his parents' brutal murder in the back streets of St Giles had a far-reaching effect on the fourteen year old boy. Haunted by feelings of guilt, he believes he owes it to his parents to be the best duke possible. Sworn to bring their murderer to justice, he roams the streets of St Giles nightly in the guise of the Ghost of St Giles.
...she was merely the companion. She was there to fade into the background, which she did with admirable skill, even if she did say so herself.
Just as Maximus wears a mask, so does Artemis. On the surface, she is the prim and proper, spinster companion but, beneath that drab exterior, is a strong, intelligent and passionate woman just waiting to break free. I so admired her total devotion to her brother, Apollo, who has been wrongly accused of murder and incarcerated in Bedlam. She will do anything to see him set free, even blackmail the formidable Maximus.
The chemistry between these two is a heady mixture of raw, emotional intensity and all-consuming passion. I loved that Artemis finally sheds her drab existence, willing to take what she wants even knowing that the affair with Maximus could destroy her reputation.
“Have you no care for your reputation?”
She stepped toward him until she was so close he fancied he breathed the same air as she and when she tilted her face up to look at him he saw that she wasn’t nearly as calm as he’d imagined.
“No,” she murmured, her voice a siren’s song, “none at all.”
I got more than a little frustrated with Maximus for his stubborn insistence on putting his ducal responsibilities first rather than following his heart. I did love him in his guise as the Ghost of St Giles…we get a glimpse of the real man rather than the austere duke. I couldn’t imagine the duke rifling through Artemis’ chemises as the Ghost did!
There are so many wonderful secondary characters just begging for their own books…Maximus’s visually impaired sister, Phoebe; Artemis’s tormented brother, Apollo; the honourable Captain Trevillion; the enigmatic Asa Makepiece; the rakish Viscount D’Arque; the mysterious Hippolyta Royale.
The mystery surrounding the murder of Maximus’s parents provided an exciting backdrop to the romance and Ms Hoyt evokes the unsavoury atmosphere of St. Giles perfectly... the scenes in Bedlam were particularly chilling in their realism.
There were those who compared Bedlam to hell – a writhing purgatory of torture and insanity.
The Maiden Lane series is a MUST READ for all lovers of powerful, sensual and exciting historical romances. It is a series that should definitely be read in order, not only because of the interweaving plotlines, but every book is a fantastic read!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
The Maiden Lane series so far (click on the book cover for more details):
This review is also posted on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
October 24, 2013
It's about time! Loved this. I've waited forever for the story of Maximus Batten, Duke of Wakefield.
I was pleasantly surprised that I loved the heroine more than the guy!
I've had my eye on Maximus since Notorious Pleasures. Mister "I can do no wrong" is surely put to the test here. He's used to giving orders and getting what he wants. But in this story, his station in life is the one thing that is keeping him from his true desire.
The mystery of the Ghost of St. Giles continues. We all know that Maximus is the ghost. He is looking for the culprit who murdered his parents. He needs to avenge their deaths to truly feel free.
However in his search, his path crosses Artemis. And his life is no longer the same.
28-year old Artemis is a smart gal who's been dealt a crummy life. Her aristocratic father was deemed a lunatic and her mother died of illness. Her twin brother Apollo is her only family, but he's locked up in Bedlam, labeled a madman, convicted in a murderous crime. He is falsely imprisoned, wrongly accused, but no one will believe Artemis. She tries to blackmail the ghost aka Maximus to free her brother, but she gets more than she bargained for.
Artemis is a FANTASTIC heroine. She has been reduced to nothing when it comes to social rank. Given her background, this heroine is not weak. She has a backbone of steel and a reader can feel nothing but admiration for her fictional spirit.
I enjoyed her history and her obstacles. The interaction between the pair I thought was fantastic.
Artemis is able to get by as a ladies companion to her rich, beautiful cousin Penelope.
Penelope has set her sights on the rich and powerful 33-year old Duke of Wakefield. Artemis tries to help Penelope make the match, but her heart is unexpectedly caught by the wicked and powerful man.
Some reviewers have stated that there wasn't enough romance in this story...
Ummm what? Are we reading the same book? This was utterly romantic.
The only thing I did not like were:
I will say that I almost knocked down this 5 rating to a 4 just because I was very disappointed with the Epilogue. Come on Hoyt! How could you not give me more?! Torture I tell you. I definitely wanted to know
I was pleasantly surprised that I loved the heroine more than the guy!
I've had my eye on Maximus since Notorious Pleasures. Mister "I can do no wrong" is surely put to the test here. He's used to giving orders and getting what he wants. But in this story, his station in life is the one thing that is keeping him from his true desire.
The mystery of the Ghost of St. Giles continues. We all know that Maximus is the ghost. He is looking for the culprit who murdered his parents. He needs to avenge their deaths to truly feel free.
However in his search, his path crosses Artemis. And his life is no longer the same.
28-year old Artemis is a smart gal who's been dealt a crummy life. Her aristocratic father was deemed a lunatic and her mother died of illness. Her twin brother Apollo is her only family, but he's locked up in Bedlam, labeled a madman, convicted in a murderous crime. He is falsely imprisoned, wrongly accused, but no one will believe Artemis. She tries to blackmail the ghost aka Maximus to free her brother, but she gets more than she bargained for.
Artemis is a FANTASTIC heroine. She has been reduced to nothing when it comes to social rank. Given her background, this heroine is not weak. She has a backbone of steel and a reader can feel nothing but admiration for her fictional spirit.
I enjoyed her history and her obstacles. The interaction between the pair I thought was fantastic.
Artemis is able to get by as a ladies companion to her rich, beautiful cousin Penelope.
Penelope has set her sights on the rich and powerful 33-year old Duke of Wakefield. Artemis tries to help Penelope make the match, but her heart is unexpectedly caught by the wicked and powerful man.
Some reviewers have stated that there wasn't enough romance in this story...
Ummm what? Are we reading the same book? This was utterly romantic.
The only thing I did not like were:
I will say that I almost knocked down this 5 rating to a 4 just because I was very disappointed with the Epilogue. Come on Hoyt! How could you not give me more?! Torture I tell you. I definitely wanted to know
January 12, 2022
2.5 stars
Elizabeth Hoyt's books tend to be misses more than hits for me. Due to this experience, I've discovered that I can enjoy this series if I go in with little to no expectations. I don't know why I went in this time with the expectation that a little intimacy would occur around the 25 or 30% mark. When I waited too long for the first kiss to occur (42%), that's when the book started to drag for me and lost 0.25 stars from the 3 stars the book started out with. 🤣 Too harsh, I know. Plus, the timing of the kiss was way off and definitely not the correct reaction to the situation.
Yeah, what kind of first kiss is that?
Putting that aside for now, I suppose I do appreciate that the characters didn't fall in lust with each other right from the beginning. If they did, they held back their desire for as long as they could. The hero, Maximus, It worked well with Asa Makepeace in his book though. 😏 I didn't like the way Maximus treated Artemis. Artemis was a kind and caring heroine. That's all I have to say about these two. lol.
I read in a review that the reviewer didn't like it when Maximus called the heroine I wonder if I would have given that a second thought because after reading that review, it's affected my opinion and so when I read those scenes, I didn't like it either.
There is a little bit of angst, which I did like. Is he only using her for a few nights? Will he marry Artemis's cousin Penelope and keep Artemis as his mistress? 🤔 Will he tire of her? It would have been nice to have more angst than the mystery of who killed the duke's parents. Gosh, even this subplot took too long to get resolved. Maximus appeared as the Ghost of St. Giles more than I cared for. The ending was rushed. I wanted to know about I'll take off another 0.25 star for the prolonged mystery and rushed ending.
If you're new to this series, I would recommend reading the books in order. The epilogues in this series tend to be about the main characters in the NEXT book and often end in a cliffhanger that may or may not continue in the first chapter of the next book. In my opinion, these "epilogues" ought to be "prologues" or chapter 1 in the next book, especially if Mrs. Hoyt is going to continue right where she stopped. For instance, the epilogue in the previous book shows Penelope and Artemis Chapter 1 of this book continues right where that scene ended.
Another common theme in Mrs. Hoyt's books is the legends at the beginning of most chapters. I don't care for them most of the time, particularly the one in this book: The Legend of the Herla King. 😒 Sometimes they are related to the actual story but I think they ruin the flow of the original story.
I am curious to find out who murdered Apollo's friends and framed him for it, so I will be reading his book sooner than I had planned.
Elizabeth Hoyt's books tend to be misses more than hits for me. Due to this experience, I've discovered that I can enjoy this series if I go in with little to no expectations. I don't know why I went in this time with the expectation that a little intimacy would occur around the 25 or 30% mark. When I waited too long for the first kiss to occur (42%), that's when the book started to drag for me and lost 0.25 stars from the 3 stars the book started out with. 🤣 Too harsh, I know. Plus, the timing of the kiss was way off and definitely not the correct reaction to the situation.
Yeah, what kind of first kiss is that?
Putting that aside for now, I suppose I do appreciate that the characters didn't fall in lust with each other right from the beginning. If they did, they held back their desire for as long as they could. The hero, Maximus, It worked well with Asa Makepeace in his book though. 😏 I didn't like the way Maximus treated Artemis. Artemis was a kind and caring heroine. That's all I have to say about these two. lol.
I read in a review that the reviewer didn't like it when Maximus called the heroine I wonder if I would have given that a second thought because after reading that review, it's affected my opinion and so when I read those scenes, I didn't like it either.
There is a little bit of angst, which I did like. Is he only using her for a few nights? Will he marry Artemis's cousin Penelope and keep Artemis as his mistress? 🤔 Will he tire of her? It would have been nice to have more angst than the mystery of who killed the duke's parents. Gosh, even this subplot took too long to get resolved. Maximus appeared as the Ghost of St. Giles more than I cared for. The ending was rushed. I wanted to know about I'll take off another 0.25 star for the prolonged mystery and rushed ending.
If you're new to this series, I would recommend reading the books in order. The epilogues in this series tend to be about the main characters in the NEXT book and often end in a cliffhanger that may or may not continue in the first chapter of the next book. In my opinion, these "epilogues" ought to be "prologues" or chapter 1 in the next book, especially if Mrs. Hoyt is going to continue right where she stopped. For instance, the epilogue in the previous book shows Penelope and Artemis Chapter 1 of this book continues right where that scene ended.
Another common theme in Mrs. Hoyt's books is the legends at the beginning of most chapters. I don't care for them most of the time, particularly the one in this book: The Legend of the Herla King. 😒 Sometimes they are related to the actual story but I think they ruin the flow of the original story.
I am curious to find out who murdered Apollo's friends and framed him for it, so I will be reading his book sooner than I had planned.
June 22, 2018
So... For some reason, I'm appreciating this particular series less and less after Book 5, or perhaps because of book 5. I gave this one 4 stars on the first pass, it's been a while since I've reread, and on this pass, I'm giving it 3 stars. Here's why.
Contrived plot between H and h. He's a Duke out for revenge. (Kind of like the Batman origin story, which isn't all that original, tho I do like that particular trope). He feels responsible for his parents' deaths and is trying to make up for it by being the "perfect" heir and providing future perfect heirs by marrying the "perfect" woman. So here's the thing: the perfect woman he thinks he ought to marry has money, beauty, status but no real intelligence or even common sense. A twit, in other words. The woman he loves is the sister of a convicted Viscout, but still a Lady, and is brave, witty, etc. etc. Now, I find it very hard to believe that an intelligent man would think marrying a twit is better than marrying the Lady he loves who just happened to have fallen on hard times. If he is truly a Hero, he'd find a way to clear her brother's name and find a way to satisfy both his heart and his mental block. So why doesn't he??? Is he stupid? If he's stupid, he's not much of a likable Hero then. So you see my problem with this whole thing.
The Heroine is kind of annoying. Not as annoying as the one in Book 5, which I've already ranted about. I found Artemis interesting from the earlier books in the series, but in this one, I don't know, the whole "I'm a goddess because I was named for one" and the whole "Diana" thing got really irritating. Seemed too contrived. Too artificial. Would H not fall in love with h if she were simply a dedicated sister and a loyal woman with good sense and courage to help others? And those qualities don't exactly make a goddess. I'm not sure what Hoyt was trying to do with these two - is Maximus kind of primitive like the creatures that obey the moon goddess (hence his stupidity about the marriage thing) and Artemis is supposed to be some kind of exotic seductress, hence her ability to charm the Duke? I don't know. I didn't really feel the connection. Could very well just be me, but meh, this couple didn't do it for me.
I won't continue to reread the rest of this series from here, because I recall the books not being able to hold my attention even during the first read. I recall skipping a lot.
Nevertheless, I do like Elizabeth Hoyt books a lot. For this series, up to Book 4. Maybe what I'll do is read backwards to Book 1-3.
Contrived plot between H and h. He's a Duke out for revenge. (Kind of like the Batman origin story, which isn't all that original, tho I do like that particular trope). He feels responsible for his parents' deaths and is trying to make up for it by being the "perfect" heir and providing future perfect heirs by marrying the "perfect" woman. So here's the thing: the perfect woman he thinks he ought to marry has money, beauty, status but no real intelligence or even common sense. A twit, in other words. The woman he loves is the sister of a convicted Viscout, but still a Lady, and is brave, witty, etc. etc. Now, I find it very hard to believe that an intelligent man would think marrying a twit is better than marrying the Lady he loves who just happened to have fallen on hard times. If he is truly a Hero, he'd find a way to clear her brother's name and find a way to satisfy both his heart and his mental block. So why doesn't he??? Is he stupid? If he's stupid, he's not much of a likable Hero then. So you see my problem with this whole thing.
The Heroine is kind of annoying. Not as annoying as the one in Book 5, which I've already ranted about. I found Artemis interesting from the earlier books in the series, but in this one, I don't know, the whole "I'm a goddess because I was named for one" and the whole "Diana" thing got really irritating. Seemed too contrived. Too artificial. Would H not fall in love with h if she were simply a dedicated sister and a loyal woman with good sense and courage to help others? And those qualities don't exactly make a goddess. I'm not sure what Hoyt was trying to do with these two - is Maximus kind of primitive like the creatures that obey the moon goddess (hence his stupidity about the marriage thing) and Artemis is supposed to be some kind of exotic seductress, hence her ability to charm the Duke? I don't know. I didn't really feel the connection. Could very well just be me, but meh, this couple didn't do it for me.
I won't continue to reread the rest of this series from here, because I recall the books not being able to hold my attention even during the first read. I recall skipping a lot.
Nevertheless, I do like Elizabeth Hoyt books a lot. For this series, up to Book 4. Maybe what I'll do is read backwards to Book 1-3.
June 1, 2021
No no no no and no. Whaaaat? I don't even know where to start. What has just happened? Sorry in advance if I give some spoilers!
This book started so good. I mean, we know the Duke from the previous books... I hadn't any formed opinion about him, was saving it for his book. And we also knew our sweet heroine and her horrid cousin. She was much better than expected. Even the duke was quite nice. Until they started having a more intimate relationship...
I mean, what kind of first kiss was that? Seriously? That's how you treat an innocent? And the way things happened between them? The chemistry was sort of off, and when she decided to give herself to him was so weird, like she was doing it out of gratitude for something important that he did for her, the time was so not right. I hated the hero's attitude towards the heroine, how dismissive he was about others opinion, no honor at all in his actions. And she was there accepting everything... I didn't buy it that they fell in love.
And oh my goodness, it was nice seeing the Ghost once, twice was also okay, but three times was definitely out of charm! And he was the worst Ghost ever. And that end? 20 YEARS hunting his parents murderer and that is how it ended? That person was the killer? Unbelievable. We were waiting for the explanation since Lady Hero's book for that! Ha! This book ended in such an anticlimactic way. I am tired of stories where one of the main characters have to almost die for them to realize that they want to be forever together.
I really feel like giving this book a 2 star but as the beginning was so good and the side characters were so great, I will give it a 3 star instead.
PS: wigs really weird me out 😆
This book started so good. I mean, we know the Duke from the previous books... I hadn't any formed opinion about him, was saving it for his book. And we also knew our sweet heroine and her horrid cousin. She was much better than expected. Even the duke was quite nice. Until they started having a more intimate relationship...
I mean, what kind of first kiss was that? Seriously? That's how you treat an innocent? And the way things happened between them? The chemistry was sort of off, and when she decided to give herself to him was so weird, like she was doing it out of gratitude for something important that he did for her, the time was so not right. I hated the hero's attitude towards the heroine, how dismissive he was about others opinion, no honor at all in his actions. And she was there accepting everything... I didn't buy it that they fell in love.
And oh my goodness, it was nice seeing the Ghost once, twice was also okay, but three times was definitely out of charm! And he was the worst Ghost ever. And that end? 20 YEARS hunting his parents murderer and that is how it ended? That person was the killer? Unbelievable. We were waiting for the explanation since Lady Hero's book for that! Ha! This book ended in such an anticlimactic way. I am tired of stories where one of the main characters have to almost die for them to realize that they want to be forever together.
I really feel like giving this book a 2 star but as the beginning was so good and the side characters were so great, I will give it a 3 star instead.
PS: wigs really weird me out 😆
July 9, 2019
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
Ay, qué ratitos más buenos me está dando esta serie...
Ay, qué ratitos más buenos me está dando esta serie...
May 30, 2016
Who knew that the cold and seemingly unfeeling Maximus Batten, the Duke of Wakefield, could burn so passionately when in the company of the right woman…..?
He had no idea how he would do it yet, but he meant to best her. He’d show her that he was the master, and when she’d admitted his victory… well, then he’d have her. And he’d hold her, by God. His huntress.
His goddess.
Ever since the murder of his parents twenty years ago, Maximus Batten has promised himself that he would strive to be the perfect duke to atone for the guilt he feels about their murder. During the day he fights in Parliament for the eradication of gin production, and at night he is the Ghost of St. Giles stalking the streets of St. Giles, hunting for his parents’ murderer. And then one night he comes to the rescue of the woman he plans to court and her feisty companion. And he might just have met his match, because the more time he spends in the company of Artemis Greaves, the more he can’t deny his attraction to the one woman who could never be the prefect wife for a duke.
It was the man as he was now—flawed as he was now—that she longed for. She wanted to clash with his dominating nature, wanted to run with him in the forest, wanted to challenge him, mentally and physically, to games of their own making.
And the coldness?
Staring into his autocratic eyes, Artemis wished with all her heart. If she could, she’d take his coldness and make it her own.
Transform it into a heat to engulf them both.
Artemis Greaves is a lady’s companion to the very beautiful Lady Penelope Chadwicke , one of the richest heiresses in London. Artemis lost everything when her mother died, and her twin brother, Apollo, was wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to Bedlam. All she has left is Apollo, and she will do whatever she has to free him. Even blackmail the ruthless Maximus Batten when she realises his masked identity. What she didn’t count on was how tempting he was, how much he made her want to melt his coldness.
But playing with fire might just burn them both.
“You mustn’t leave me. Without you there’s no light in the world. No laughter. No purpose.
I honestly did not expect to love Maximus as much as I did. In all the other books he came across as so cold, and proper and unfeeling. But the way he lost his icy control around Artemis, how passionate he was with her, just made me swoon. Maximus is so demanding and dominating, and Artemis was just perfect for him. She never let him boss her around, she always stood up to him, and it created many sizzling scenes :-D It took a while for Maximus to realise what was truly important, and to realise that both of them deserved a lot more than what he was prepared to offer in his pursuit of atonement.
I really enjoyed the Ghost of St. Giles plotline that has been used in the last couple of books, and I’m glad that the mystery of how there could be more than one was finally revealed.
This is a wonderful HR series that I’ve enjoyed immensely. Highly recommended.
November 17, 2021
AN INCOMPORABLE STORY. Rating an Elizabeth Hoyt book is rather comical as there aren't all the stars available to me that I desire to give. Endless stars, really. This book, the sixth in the series, is another Maiden Lane gem, and I am still reeling from the intensity of it. I loved it. Our St Giles batman hero, Maximus, stern and noble duke, has met his match in Artemis...our courageous and plucky heroine who is a force of nature. What follows is a love story so alive, so vivid, so pure and compelling it went straight to my heart. Earth shattering sensuality. A plot so deftly woven every word is magical. Action, adventure, mystery and intrigue woven throughout in passages so descriptive they are immersive. An attraction that slowly burns then explodes with exquisite intensity. Nail biting suspense. Characters so interesting and sympathetic they are unforgettable. You know those stories...the ones that encompass everything... the ones you can feel run through and through you, not wanting them to end. This is THAT story.
This book is a masterpiece.
You don't want to miss it.
This book is a masterpiece.
You don't want to miss it.
August 31, 2018
5+ STARS!!
Wow, Duke of Midnight was a huge hit for me. There were so many great moments in this book, most of them filled to the brim with exactly my kind of angst. You know, the kind that tugs at your heartstrings but doesn't dip into woe-is-me territory.
Artemis Greaves is quite possibly my favorite heroine of all time!
She was strong, genuine, level-headed, and unpretentious. I completely adored her. And even better, she was uninterested in pandering to a man far above her station. Well, maybe uninterested is the wrong word . . . perhaps she just didn't see any point . . . so I'll have to add practical to her list of attributes. :-)
And watching Maximus, Duke of Wakefield, in all his self-important glory, be slowly unraveled by her was truly something beautiful to behold.
I'll re-read this one again and again!
They were a universe of two.The best of the series so far!
Wow, Duke of Midnight was a huge hit for me. There were so many great moments in this book, most of them filled to the brim with exactly my kind of angst. You know, the kind that tugs at your heartstrings but doesn't dip into woe-is-me territory.
Artemis Greaves is quite possibly my favorite heroine of all time!
She was strong, genuine, level-headed, and unpretentious. I completely adored her. And even better, she was uninterested in pandering to a man far above her station. Well, maybe uninterested is the wrong word . . . perhaps she just didn't see any point . . . so I'll have to add practical to her list of attributes. :-)
And watching Maximus, Duke of Wakefield, in all his self-important glory, be slowly unraveled by her was truly something beautiful to behold.
I'll re-read this one again and again!
August 28, 2016
EDIT: read, 3,5 stars.
Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my favorite romance authors...
...but really though? That uptight, self-serving a@ssh@t who tried to marry off his own sister to an (abusive) man she didn't love, for his selfish ambitious purposes, is getting a book?
I do have some reluctant faith, but his redemption better be believable.
Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my favorite romance authors...
...but really though? That uptight, self-serving a@ssh@t who tried to marry off his own sister to an (abusive) man she didn't love, for his selfish ambitious purposes, is getting a book?
I do have some reluctant faith, but his redemption better be believable.
January 19, 2018
3.75 stars
I'm conflicted on this one.
What I loved
Artemis: Her name suits her. She of the Warrior Goddess, who brings a stuffy arrogant Duke to his knees and doesn't bend to his will or is reduced to begging. Go girl!
Phoebe: I can't tell you how much I adore this character and want all things wonderful, beautiful and good to happen to her. She's so adorably charming. I loved her genuine friendship with Artemis and this girl's whit is hysterically sharp and so on point. Please don’t lose it! 🙏
Apollo: This character broke my heart so much. I adore his relationship and close bond with Artemis. These two are so wonderful together, their deep connection is so sweet and beautiful. You can tell how much these two have suffered but even so they try to make the most of even dire times and try to playfully tease each other. I found that so sweet and heartbreaking. The scenes with Artemis visiting him in Bedlam nearly broke me. I generally don’t like siblings used as a source of contention between the hero and heroine but here…..I got it. I understood. Also didn’t hurt that I had a huge soft spot for Apollo already.
The sex scenes: Yup I like them hot. 😜 Sue me! What can I say I’m a sucker for raw, sensual, carnal love scenes. And as always, Hoyt really delivers there.☺️ And yes I warmed up to Maximus’s nickname for Artemis too, I found it weird at first but near the end I found it endearing and sweet. Hoyt never holds anything back with the intimacy with her couples and I absolutely love that. She comes up with something new and special for each couple which I find really refreshing and original.
The rescue scene: Yes cliche as far as HR scenarios go but seeing Maximus frantic and nearly lose his shit was such a satisfying culmination for this reader. Yessss sir, claim the woman you love and f*ck Dukely expectations. 👏
What I was iffy on:
The chemistry: This is so strange but I’m still not *entirely* sold on the chemistry between Maximus and Artemis. I saw it in some parts and in others I kinda struggled with it. I’m not sure if that even makes sense but it’s part of why I’m struggling to rate this. I thought the transition from wary antagonistic strangers to lusting lovers was a little clumsy, rushed and half-approached. I felt like Hoyt missed a step between them. I loved the idea of these two, and in the bedroom they were fire but outside of it?......
I guess a big part of that was probably the blackmail angle used here to get Maximus to help Artemis. I didn’t like it. It left me feeling a little disappointed and underwhelmed because I wanted another way for these two to come together. It just felt very cold and a tad convoluted. And I certainly would have liked for Artemis to address that awkward scene from the prior book when she overheard him talking about her in a dismissively cold way (which again speaks on the hurried progress of their relationship in here).
The villain: Boo. Hiss. Another dud. 👎 I’m sorry Elizabeth Hoyt but 'Old Scratch' is as musty and corny as his name. I mean….really? Old Scratch? Sounds like a cologne fragrance ad.
And WTF is a “highwayman” doing robbing people in the slums of St. Giles?? That made no freaking sense.
The mystery plot: I found the whole murderer/emerald necklace arc the most farfetched thing out of the entire story. I initially thought the tie in with the emerald necklace Artemis owns was interesting and smart but as the story progressed, the nuts and bolts came together in a sloppy contrived mess that didn’t quite fit. You are honestly expecting me to believe a man spent nearly 20 years hunting a random killer who killed his parents and tracking down every. single. emerald. stone. from his mother’s necklace that was stolen from her the night she was murdered? Seriously?
That’s quite a skill. And logistically impossible unless the author wants us to suspend all belief and think no other necklace in all of London has the same stone and setting as the Wakefield jewels. I just found it so ludicrous imagining stoic Maximus--the Duke of Wakefield--recognizing emerald stones on people's necks all around London. lol Get real. You're telling me there aren’t any other tear drop emerald stones in all of London the same size and shape?
Ghost of St. Giles: Can this dude retire? I'm over it. This persona has been run through the ground already and I see no point in ever bringing it back after this (I already know I'm wrong on that one). This has been played out too much and frankly 3 books back to back where the heroes are the Ghost is more than enough. I'm sick of this duality and it adds no suspense or climax to the stories whatsoever IMO. Which just proves it's a dud and unnecessary. PS: I also wasn't crazy about the reasoning why Maximus took on the role of the Ghost. The whole Bruce-Wayne-of-Historical-times approach I didn't find entirely convincing (appreciated the attempt though). Nor the reasons behind why he did it. It felt so cliche and a little gimmicky.
I'm conflicted on this one.
What I loved
Artemis: Her name suits her. She of the Warrior Goddess, who brings a stuffy arrogant Duke to his knees and doesn't bend to his will or is reduced to begging. Go girl!
Phoebe: I can't tell you how much I adore this character and want all things wonderful, beautiful and good to happen to her. She's so adorably charming. I loved her genuine friendship with Artemis and this girl's whit is hysterically sharp and so on point. Please don’t lose it! 🙏
Apollo: This character broke my heart so much. I adore his relationship and close bond with Artemis. These two are so wonderful together, their deep connection is so sweet and beautiful. You can tell how much these two have suffered but even so they try to make the most of even dire times and try to playfully tease each other. I found that so sweet and heartbreaking. The scenes with Artemis visiting him in Bedlam nearly broke me. I generally don’t like siblings used as a source of contention between the hero and heroine but here…..I got it. I understood. Also didn’t hurt that I had a huge soft spot for Apollo already.
The sex scenes: Yup I like them hot. 😜 Sue me! What can I say I’m a sucker for raw, sensual, carnal love scenes. And as always, Hoyt really delivers there.☺️ And yes I warmed up to Maximus’s nickname for Artemis too, I found it weird at first but near the end I found it endearing and sweet. Hoyt never holds anything back with the intimacy with her couples and I absolutely love that. She comes up with something new and special for each couple which I find really refreshing and original.
The rescue scene: Yes cliche as far as HR scenarios go but seeing Maximus frantic and nearly lose his shit was such a satisfying culmination for this reader. Yessss sir, claim the woman you love and f*ck Dukely expectations. 👏
What I was iffy on:
The chemistry: This is so strange but I’m still not *entirely* sold on the chemistry between Maximus and Artemis. I saw it in some parts and in others I kinda struggled with it. I’m not sure if that even makes sense but it’s part of why I’m struggling to rate this. I thought the transition from wary antagonistic strangers to lusting lovers was a little clumsy, rushed and half-approached. I felt like Hoyt missed a step between them. I loved the idea of these two, and in the bedroom they were fire but outside of it?......
I guess a big part of that was probably the blackmail angle used here to get Maximus to help Artemis. I didn’t like it. It left me feeling a little disappointed and underwhelmed because I wanted another way for these two to come together. It just felt very cold and a tad convoluted. And I certainly would have liked for Artemis to address that awkward scene from the prior book when she overheard him talking about her in a dismissively cold way (which again speaks on the hurried progress of their relationship in here).
The villain: Boo. Hiss. Another dud. 👎 I’m sorry Elizabeth Hoyt but 'Old Scratch' is as musty and corny as his name. I mean….really? Old Scratch? Sounds like a cologne fragrance ad.
And WTF is a “highwayman” doing robbing people in the slums of St. Giles?? That made no freaking sense.
The mystery plot: I found the whole murderer/emerald necklace arc the most farfetched thing out of the entire story. I initially thought the tie in with the emerald necklace Artemis owns was interesting and smart but as the story progressed, the nuts and bolts came together in a sloppy contrived mess that didn’t quite fit. You are honestly expecting me to believe a man spent nearly 20 years hunting a random killer who killed his parents and tracking down every. single. emerald. stone. from his mother’s necklace that was stolen from her the night she was murdered? Seriously?
That’s quite a skill. And logistically impossible unless the author wants us to suspend all belief and think no other necklace in all of London has the same stone and setting as the Wakefield jewels. I just found it so ludicrous imagining stoic Maximus--the Duke of Wakefield--recognizing emerald stones on people's necks all around London. lol Get real. You're telling me there aren’t any other tear drop emerald stones in all of London the same size and shape?
Ghost of St. Giles: Can this dude retire? I'm over it. This persona has been run through the ground already and I see no point in ever bringing it back after this (I already know I'm wrong on that one). This has been played out too much and frankly 3 books back to back where the heroes are the Ghost is more than enough. I'm sick of this duality and it adds no suspense or climax to the stories whatsoever IMO. Which just proves it's a dud and unnecessary. PS: I also wasn't crazy about the reasoning why Maximus took on the role of the Ghost. The whole Bruce-Wayne-of-Historical-times approach I didn't find entirely convincing (appreciated the attempt though). Nor the reasons behind why he did it. It felt so cliche and a little gimmicky.
October 15, 2016
LOVED this one!
October 24, 2022
This book is dominated by one thing: Maximus Batman - I mean, Batten, Duke of Wakefield. We both felt strongly about Maximus. This dude's an alphahole par excellence: even his good qualities are bound up in his sense of privilege and sense that his decisions are always right.
Neither of us prefer an alphahole hero, but we can't deny that Hoyt writes him so well it's impressive. Laine in particular was absolutely staggered by how well she wrote Maximus as a consistent character with an utter inability to doubt his own judgment and basic unredeemed dickishness even at the end of the book. She's basically in love with this guy even though she knows it's a toxic relationship.
Check this one out if you want to know just how Georgian-era Batman would comport himself!
13-Word Summaries:
Laine: Maximus could never shame dukedom by marrying beneath him, masked vigilantism is fine.
Meg: Maximus doesn’t understand why Artemis doesn’t understand why he just can’t marry her.
Neither of us prefer an alphahole hero, but we can't deny that Hoyt writes him so well it's impressive. Laine in particular was absolutely staggered by how well she wrote Maximus as a consistent character with an utter inability to doubt his own judgment and basic unredeemed dickishness even at the end of the book. She's basically in love with this guy even though she knows it's a toxic relationship.
Check this one out if you want to know just how Georgian-era Batman would comport himself!
13-Word Summaries:
Laine: Maximus could never shame dukedom by marrying beneath him, masked vigilantism is fine.
Meg: Maximus doesn’t understand why Artemis doesn’t understand why he just can’t marry her.
November 4, 2013
I loved, loved the first books of this series, and I must admit that I like every one, but the first were the best!
In this one my main complaint is that Maximus is way too convinced that he has the right to keep Artemis without comitting to her completly. I didn't like him. He was obviously in love with her, but I felt like he was more in love with his title obligations. I felt that he didn't grovel enough at the end!
On the other hand I loved Artemis and her strenght. She realizes soon in the story that she's attracted to Maximus, but she uses him almost ruthlessly to save her brother. And more she uses him, more he falls in love. Go, Artemis, go! He deserves it!
I know this is not a nice thing to say about the heroine, but I loved her single-mindness and her courage to go against everybody (even a duke!) and everything for her love for her brother!
The reason for 4 stars is that I felt that the leading idea of the Ghost has lost its impetus. The Ghost in the latest books is just an excuse, while in the first ones it was almost another MC.
But still, I like Ms. Hoyt's style, so I'll continue reading this series! :D
In this one my main complaint is that Maximus is way too convinced that he has the right to keep Artemis without comitting to her completly. I didn't like him. He was obviously in love with her, but I felt like he was more in love with his title obligations. I felt that he didn't grovel enough at the end!
On the other hand I loved Artemis and her strenght. She realizes soon in the story that she's attracted to Maximus, but she uses him almost ruthlessly to save her brother. And more she uses him, more he falls in love. Go, Artemis, go! He deserves it!
I know this is not a nice thing to say about the heroine, but I loved her single-mindness and her courage to go against everybody (even a duke!) and everything for her love for her brother!
The reason for 4 stars is that I felt that the leading idea of the Ghost has lost its impetus. The Ghost in the latest books is just an excuse, while in the first ones it was almost another MC.
But still, I like Ms. Hoyt's style, so I'll continue reading this series! :D
November 20, 2016
I enjoyed this one just a bit more than the last.
Maybe it was Maximus and his internal struggle with who he was, who he loved, his guilt.
Maybe it was Artemis and her strength, her unwavering love, her sense of humor.
Maybe it was Apollo. I wonder about him.
It doesn’t much matter what it is. Duke of Midnight was yet another wonderfully written book by Ms. Hoyt. A perfect addition to this series.
I’m looking forward to reading on.
December 15, 2017
I'm finished, but I'm still kind of thinking about how to rate this. The heroine, she gets all the stars. And as Melody said, the nickname annoyed me. The hero...him, I don't know what to give him. He's obsessed, but with his own legacy. He's uncompromising on that. He's also upfront about that, and kind of a selfish asshole, and TBH, I kind of like myself a selfish asshole. He could be needlessly cruel, and unexpectedly demonstrative. He was definitely flawed, and I still can't tell if I love or hate him.
I'd like to add, there are as many references made to Artemis's name as there are references to the oak tree in Hot in Hellcat Canyon series (WAY TOO MANY). I thought the barefoot goddess in the woods with special powers over dogs was cute, but pointing out all the ways in which Artemis was so like her namesake became overdone.
Man, I'm not up for a great review-so let's leave it at this: Artemis: amazing. I'm still not sure despite his Batman backstory coupled with his Gordon-like relationship with Trevillion that Maximus won me over, but I honestly don't think it mattered. Their story was incredibly compelling to me. I am not sure I liked how quickly the big obstacle ironed itself out, yet other than that, I could go back and reread this any time. Bah-4 then.
I'd like to add, there are as many references made to Artemis's name as there are references to the oak tree in Hot in Hellcat Canyon series (WAY TOO MANY). I thought the barefoot goddess in the woods with special powers over dogs was cute, but pointing out all the ways in which Artemis was so like her namesake became overdone.
Man, I'm not up for a great review-so let's leave it at this: Artemis: amazing. I'm still not sure despite his Batman backstory coupled with his Gordon-like relationship with Trevillion that Maximus won me over, but I honestly don't think it mattered. Their story was incredibly compelling to me. I am not sure I liked how quickly the big obstacle ironed itself out, yet other than that, I could go back and reread this any time. Bah-4 then.
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