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, … 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 . . .more
Ms. Hoyt has the most delightful way of making us fall in love with dastardly heroes!
I really liked this one. It features the most hedonistic anti hero and his prim house keeper. Both characters until this book were kind of shrouded in mystery therefore making this story a tell all about their past and present as well as revealing more atrocities about the Lords of Chaos society. It’s hard to hate Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery. He is so unrepentant in everything he does, so shocking and risque in his words and actions. But I liked him anyway. It was absolutely fantastic to see him change, to learn to trust and be open in his affections. What he has gone through and what shaped him the man he was is hard to even contemplate. He could have been so much worse, but there was humanity in him even if he thought himself hollow and cold. It just needed a proper incentive to come fourth. In this case it was Mrs. Crumb.
Bridget Crumb is set in her ways, and the way she sees the world helps her be the best house keeper in London. The aplomb with which she handles every problem that comes her way is amazing. I loved her composure in the face of Duke’s attempts to provoke her. The banter they had was absolutely scrumptious and very engaging. Bridget defied and taught him while Valentine seduced and thawed the years of ice in him.
This couple is one of my favorite. Val is so disagreeable and provocative but suddenly one sees vulnerability and sadness in his gaze and want to forgive him everything. Bridget Crumb while being a bit innocent embraces and loves Val as he is. She does not make him change, she shows him he wants to be a better man for his own sake. And the flourish Valentine Napier uses to express his thoughts with makes for such spirited story. I loved where and how they ended up. Author wrote a good one here.
** spoiler alert ** Major spoilers ahead…..Loved it! Complicated characters and the plot has dark elements, but it is not as gory or angsty as it could have been; it gave context to Valentine’s seemingly bizarre behaviour.
I think having recently read the earlier Maiden Lane novels gave me additional appreciation for how various threads and plot twists come together, particularly the Caire Family storylines. In addition, anyone not having understood the history between Maximus the Duke of Wakefield and Valentine will miss the context for the several hilarious references to their antipathy.
So impressed with the writing and how Ms. Hoyt has given us insight into Val’s motivations and I came to understand and care for this complex, noir anti-hero. Adored Bridget who was quirky and special in her own way; a perfect match for Val and I loved them as a couple. Their intimate scenes were steamy and sensual and they were adorably loving and romantic in places. By the end of the story I kept thinking that the word devotion described what their relationship evolved to.
So understand Ms. Hoyt on her Pinterest Boards using Simon Baker in his Patrick Jane persona as an archetype for Valentine – if you love the Mentalist’s quirky, off-the-wall seeming non-sequiturs that turn out to be brilliant, then you will love Valentine’s character and his engaging, winsome “I’m adorable even when I’m crazy” twinkle and his moments of brilliant, insightful philosophical bon mots.
Very entertaining, with very, very clever, amusing, witty, writing – I have many margins notes where I was snorting with delight at the wit in the prose. This book is going on my 2016 Favourites List. I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish – going to re-read immediately to savour. 5 Stars
Slow start but got better and better.
My favorite book in the series. The Duke of Montgomery is one of the most memorable characters in historical fiction. Bridget Crumb is an original heroine drawn to someone much above her station, and yet this book does not sink into the stereotypical “romance”.
Audio-book: Narrator – Ashford McNab
Holy heck I can’t praise this narrator enough for a job so well performed that I am in awe.
I really didn’t have any desire for Val’s story as he has been pretty much a villain each time his name as turned up in previous books. But I couldn’t just skip this one because then I wouldn’t have the background info I needed for the next book and I’m kind of on a roll with this series so I just went for it. And yep, I did not like Val…at all. He was snobby and pretentious the whole time and even after falling in love with Bridget he really never changed and I’m not certain if his villainy ended or not to be honest. I did like Bridget and the fact that she was just so smart. She was right where she needed to be when she needed to be there and knew how to handle herself. I enjoy that in a heroine, even one based in this time period.