Friday, October 17, 2014

Review - - Darling Beast

Darling Beast
By Elizabeth Hoyt
Publisher: Grand Central
Release Date: October 14, 2014




I adore the Maiden Lane series. I’ve adored it since I inhaled Wicked Intentions; and every book thereafter has become my favorite. Typically, series go for 3-6 books tops; however, Darling Beast makes #7 in the series. According to the dedication page, we have Hoyt’s agent, Robin Rue, to thank for that, so be sure to put your Thank You cards in the mail when you finish reading this book at 3 a.m. and wonder what the next book in the series will be.

Granted, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne, is perhaps even more heroic, different, alluring than the other heroes in the series have been, which if you’re keeping count is saying something since we’ve got a gin-maker, a pirate, a preacher-by-day/Marvel-Avenger-in-harlequin-garb-by-night, and a duke or two who are nothing to sneeze at. So to up the stakes, Apollo spends time in Bedlam, convicted of a murder he never committed. Of course, that’s what everyone says. Right now, he’s managed to escape and is working as a gardener, rebuilding the gardens to the completely totaled and burned up theater where all of his (Apollo’s) money is tied up into. If he has any hope of getting any money, he needs the theater working again.

Living in the burned-out wreck of a theater is Lily Stump, stage-known as Robin Goodfellow, the Meryl Streep of her age and part of the reason why the theater is burned down. Her current employer, Asa Makepeace, lured her away with the promise of twice the salary, and her old boss was so mad, he burned down the joint and then promised her she’d never work for anyone else. So far, he’s made good on the threat; and Lily is trying to keep everything together until the theater is up and running again. In the meantime, she writes plays that she sells under her brother’s name and gets a cut.

Lily has a son named Indio, a curious little creature that is only a few bits brighter than his faithful companion, Daffodil the Italian greyhound who steals every scene she’s in. Indio is how the two star-crossed lovers meet; and of course, there is a long and varied list why they can’t hook up, and once hooked up, why they can’t be together, and once together, why they can’t make anything permanent ever. Thankfully, Ms. Hoyt is able to prove everyone wrong and these two lovable, world-worn characters get the happily ever after they deserve.

Ms. Hoyt’s books have been described as “crack”—and this one is just as much crack as its predecessors. You’ll be going back to your dealer for your next high within 48 hours and will be dismayed you have at least 6 months or so to wait. Fortunately Ms. Hoyt always makes it worth waiting for.

~Hellie

Hellie Sinclair (a.k.a. Fran) was one of the founding members of the Romance Writer's Revenge, where she frequently got to satisfy her love of good books and her need to expound by writing reviews. Hellie loves to craft on projects she rarely finishes, watch British dramas as a sort of Olympic marathon event, and do most anything that fits the description "indolent and pleasurable." Fortunately reading falls into that category.  Connect with Hellie on Facebook


12 comments:

  1. Great review, Hellie! Can't wait to read it!

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! Hope you love it. I'm not sure how many more in this series there can be--I feel for it how you felt for Jill Shalvis' beloved series--I know it has to end some time, but all the books have been really great.

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  2. Another wonderful author - you can't go wrong with her books!

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    1. You really can't. I've read and loved them all. *LOL*

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  3. I am reading #6 right and really enjoying it. Great to know Apollo will be featured in the next one. Can't wait to read it.

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    1. Oh, goody! You've got the benefit of having completed book 6 and not have to wait for book 7...so it'll all be fresh in your mind. :) (I have this issue; I don't remember things. *LOL*)

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  4. Been waiting for this one. Sounds irresistible!

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  5. When I saw the cover for WICKED INTENTIONS, I knew it was a book I wanted to read. But since it was part of a series, was going to wait until they were all out before starting to read them. I lasted until I had the first five, then couldn't wait to read them. This series is firmly on my keeper shelf and each new book will join them. I bought DUKE OF MIDNIGHT as soon as it came out, but got busy and couldn't get the time to read it. I am glad of it now. I can enjoy the sister's and brother's stories together. I am hoping there will be more to the series, but at this point don't see where it will go. As soon as I manage to get DARLING BEAST, I can set a few days aside and let the housework slide so I can indulge.
    Thanks for another informative review.

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  6. I haven't read this series. I will have to check it out.

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  7. I love enthusiastic reviews, Hellie. :) There's no such thing as a bad Elizabeth Hoyt book. This one is already on my Kindle. I just have to find time to read it.

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  8. I am currently reading this (Almost done) and LOVE it!! My first Hoyt book was from the four soldiers series and I became addicted and had to buy all her books and I stalk her release dates for upcoming books :)

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  9. I totally agree, Hellie. Just finished up DARLING BEAST and thought it was awesome. As always, can't wait until her next book!

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