Historical
Thief of Shadows
By Sarah W
Jul 1, 2012 - 5:34:44 PM

Lady Isabel Beckinhall is used to living a rather staid life as a widower. She has money, her own home, and the means to live her own life. When she rescues the Ghost of St. Giles and brings him to her home to heal him, her life changes forever. He excites her in a way no man of the aristocracy ever could but when she checks in on him in the morning, he is long gone from her home.

Winter Makepeace is the dour and grumpy headmaster of the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. Isabel finds him an annoying man who seems to have no sense of humor and definitely no social graces. He is in danger of being replaced as headmaster of the home if he does not learn to interact with the rich peers who can provide money and help to the foundling home. Thus begins their lessons where Isabel tutors him on manners, on dancing and on flirting. As they spend more time together, Isabel realizes that Winter is not the staid and formal man she expected; he is instead a man of wild passions and generosity. He is also a man living a double life.

Winter Makepeace faces danger each night as the Ghost of St. Giles. He rescues children and brings them to the foundling home where they can be raised in a safe environment. But the Ghost is in more and more danger and it is not just from the violence of St. Giles. Isabel is ravaging his heart, something he has guarded from love all his life. Will he ever be able to give in to the passion and sensuality that Isabel raises in him, before it is too late?

THIEF OF SHADOWS is the newest book in Elizabeth Hoyt’s MAIDEN LANE series and it is definitely one that needs to be read in order. The Ghost of St. Giles has made appearances throughout the series and readers will get a better understanding of Winter if they have read the previous books. Readers have seen glimpses of Winter’s passionate nature in the previous books but those hints truly come to fruition. Winter and Isabel have an electric connection that lights up the pages. This is truly a book about two individuals coming together against all odds, when they were least expecting to find someone. Isabel also comes alive in this book as glimpses of her past burdens wreak havoc on the story and on Winter’s compassion. She is not the privileged lady Winter expected but instead, the one woman who completes him. Theirs is truly an utterly romantic love story.

THIEF OF SHADOWS will steal into your heart. Winter is a man of deep empathy and when he loves, he loves utterly and completely in a way that will leave you breathless. Elizabeth Hoyt does not let readers down as the Ghost of St. Giles is revealed for much more than a man who encounters danger on darkened streets. I expected something wonderful with Winter and Isabel’s love story but was truly astonished at just how much I enjoyed this book.

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