Once Upon a Moonlit Night / Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

ONCE UPON A MOONLIT NIGHT
Maiden Lane 10.5
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: adult, historical, romance
Release Date: July 5, 2016

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ONCE UPON A MOONLIT NIGHT
(Maiden Lane #10.5)
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: historical, romance

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About the book: Release Date July 5, 2016

Hippolyta Royle is running for her life. Pursued by hounds on a cold rainy night, the heiress flags down a passing carriage and throws herself at the mercy of the coach’s occupant. Whoever this handsome traveler may be, he is her only hope to escape a terrible fate. But should he agree to escort her to safety, he’s in for much more than he bargained for.

At first Matthew Mortimer doesn’t believe Hippolyta’s story, that she’s a fabulously wealthy heiress who’s been kidnapped. He assumes she’s a beggar, an actress, or worse. But once his new travel companion washes the mud from her surprisingly lovely face, and they share a breathtaking kiss, there is no turning back.

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REVIEW: ONCE UPON A MOONLIT NIGHT is installment 10.5 in Elizabeth Hoyt’s MAIDEN LANE historical romance series. This is Hippolyta Royle, and Matthew Mortimer’s story line. Some of the events of ONCE UPON A MOONLIT NIGHT run parallel to the events of book ten –DUKE OF SIN. If you are a fan of the series, you will recognize Hippolyta from the previous two to three story lines.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Hippolyta and Matthew) follows the escape and rescue of Hippolyta Royle. In the previous installment Hippolyta was held prisoner by the Duke of Montgomery in a blackmail scheme aimed at her mother. With the help of the Duke’s housekeeper Mrs. Crumb, Hippolyta found herself on the run, and into the less than companionable carriage of Matthew Mortimer- a cartographer and explorer struggling in debt. What ensues is a quick cross country adventure wherein Matthew believes his carriage mate is nothing more than an educated whore or actress, and Hippolyta finding some solace with the man by whom she had been rescued.

The relationship is quick to develop due to the novella length of the story, and days to weeks will pass without preamble or reveal. From declaration of marriage to threats against his new wife, Matthew Mortimer becomes Hippolyta’s hero, and the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic without the use of over the top graphic text or imagery.

ONCE UPON A MOONLIT NIGHT answers the question about what happened to Hippolyta following her escape from the Duke of Montgomery. Because of the length of the novella, the character development is lacking although some of Hipployta’s background and family history are revealed. I would have liked to know a little more about Matthew’s story and his travels. The epilogue fast forwards the story line one year. The premise is an entertaining and quick read that looks at mistaken beliefs, betrayal and revenge.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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DUKE OF SIN
(Maiden Lane #10)
by Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: historical, romance

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About the book: Release Date May 31, 2016

A MAN OF SIN

Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans.

A WOMAN OF HONOR

Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery’s household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous.

A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY THEM BOTH

Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can’t resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear .

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REVIEW: DUKE OF SIN is the tenth installment in Elizabeth Hoyt’s MAIDEN LANE historical romance series. This is Valentine (Val) Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, and his housekeeper Bridget Crumb’s story line. DUKE OF SIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. The Duke is the brother of Eve Dinwoody-Sweetest Scoundrel #9.

Told from several third person points of view DUKE OF SIN focuses on Val Napier-the Duke of Montgomery- a man despised and feared for his blackmailing threats and ability to make people disappear. Valentine is the villain; more of an antihero- a man who is dishonest, is disagreeable, and lacks integrity but a man who is strong and yet capable and skilled where and when is matters. His inventory of blackmail information is beyond the scope of most men.

Throughout the series Val has been ostracized from British society, and his return comes with threats of blackmail against the King and others. He is a self confident and powerful man with the ability to destroy lives and take down governments. While Val attempts to reintegrate through dark and dangerous means, our heroine searches, on behalf of the mother she barely knows, for incriminating evidence that the Duke has on her family. What ensues is a game of cat and mouse, push and pull as Bridget struggles to stay one step ahead of the Duke as she tries to uncover his secrets.

DUKE OF SIN is a story with colorful and animated characters. The Duke is spirited and exuberant while Bridget is intelligent and in control at all times. The premise reveals Bridget’s heartbreaking past, and Val’s abusive childhood-a sadistic father and a mother who despised the ground upon which he walked. The romance softens the rough edges of Valentine’s heart but he will always be a little bit naughty and devious.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing “mesmerizing.” She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.

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