ARC Review: Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt

 
I wondered how Elizabeth Hoyt would top the fascinating and well-written pirate hero, Mickey of the last book. However, it was obvious from the very beginning that Hoyt had a plan for Winter Makepeace. One that worked so well that it may have become my favorite book of the series.

As the headmaster of the home for foundling children, Winter is stoic, but caring. I wasn’t sure how I would handle his story because he has never quite been a favorite of mine. That has changed after reading this book. As the sun sets and the skies darken, another side of Winter appears. At night, Winter is the Ghost of St. Giles, the protector of the streets and the boogeyman of criminals. In the fourth book of the series, Hoyt delivers yet another story that reigns you right in. With her eloquent and descriptive writing , a spit-fire heroine and fascinating hero, THIEF OF SHADOWS is sure to be a hands down winner for loyal readers and new fans alike.

I was literally blown away with the romance in this one. Hoyt develops their relationship slowly, adding that mysterious allure that really drew me in. The book starts off strong, giving us readers a taste of the dark side where the Ghost does what he is meant to do. I loved this side of Winter because it added mystery, danger and a sexiness to the story that wasn’t in his character previously. Hoyt created a magnificent hero in Winter Makepeace, making him one of my new favorites in historical romance.

Now, there was the hard task of finding someone suitable for Winter and I think Hoyt did a great job of balancing him with Lady Isabel Beckinhall. She was fun and smart, the perfect complement to Winter. Their interactions with one another displayed both their palpable chemistry and each other’s personalities well:

“Where am I?”
He kept his voice to a low, barely audible rasp. Perhaps if he whispered, she wouldn’t recognize him. “My home.” She cocked her head.”I won’t touch your mask if you don’t want me to.”
He watched her, calculating. He was naked, in a strange house, and wounded. The odds were not in his favor.
She raised one elegant eyebrow. “If you’d let go of my wrist?”
He opened his hand. “Your pardon.”
She rubbed her wrist, her eyes lowered demurely.
“I saved your life earlier, and you’re quite at my mercy now” – her eyes flicked over his nude body- “yet I don’t think you truly ask my pardon.”
She raised his gaze to his, intelligent, humorous, and utterly seductive.
The danger was palpable.
Winter’s lip twitched. “Perhaps I’m just a rude fellow.”
“Rude, undoubtedly.” She flicked a finger over the small bit of material covering his pelvis, and his base flesh stirred in mindless respond. “But ungrateful as well?”
He raised his eyebrows. “I trust you do not blame me, madam, for my present state of undress. I do vow, I woke thus and know not who to blame but you.”
Her eyes widened just a fraction and she bit her lip as if to quell a tremor of laughter. “I assure you my, uh, curiosity was prompted merely by a desire to find out there you were wounded, sir.”
“Then I am honored by your curiosity.”

With heart and heat rolled into one, THIEF OF SHADOWS is a definite must-read for historical romance fans! Hoyt really has outdone herself…yet again.

Favorite Quote: