The Leopard Prince

by Elizabeth Hoyt

This is the story of Harry Pye and Georgina Maitland. Georgina Maitland has inherited the estate of her Aunt, and that simple fact is fairly uncommon for the era. Mr. Pye is her land steward. He is stoic around "His Lady" but happens to understand her better than anyone else. She appears flighty and fanciful, but is really untuitive. She has a heart for the people even if she doesn't know how to help them. Harry fights his attraction to her out of duty and a lifetime of seeing Aristocracy mix with the working class. However, he cannot help himself but fall for her. She seems to unlock the humor in him and he the passion in her. They must also face the allegations that Harry Pye is poisoning the farmers sheep.

There is a fun and quirky cast of characters. I so enjoyed the interplay between the entire Maitland family. I also enjoyed the mixing of of the actual plot with the fairytale. If you want to smile, and chuckle, and fan yourself then this steamy book is for you. It is second in the "Prince's Trilogy" The Raven Prince, The Leopard Prince, and The Serpant Prince.

The Serpent Prince

by Elizabeth Hoyt

#9 Title from AAR top 100.

Rated 4 stars

Back Cover:

Lucy Craddock-Hayes thought the man lying in the ditch was dead, but he survived the assault. With the help of her servant, Lucy brings the gentleman home, and learns that he is Viscount Simon Iddesleigh. As Simon slowly recuperates, he finds himself falling in love with sharp-witted and surprisingly sharp-tongued Lucy, but he also knows that the longer he stays, the more likely it is that his quest for vengeance will endanger Lucy and her family.

My Thoughts:

Elizabeth Hoyt does it again. She wrote a steamy novel about the redemption of love. Simon is a lost soul bent on vengeance. Lucy is his angel of mercy, who attempts to save him from himself. I enjoyed the scenes at her home. He acts all unaffected. He blathers, she ignores his blather. He is astonished that she seems to see right through him. I like her cast of secondary characters. Here's what I didn't like. So, Ms Hoyt writes them steamy. She writes hotter than what I normally read. That's fine. I mean hey...a little steam is good for you, right?! Here's my issue....her Juicy scenes...are a little to "juicy". Now I'm not talking about steamy, sexy! I'm talking about juicy. She's describing the often wet details of their love. Her juices, coating, dripping/ his juices, spraying. Everything is slick and wet. Dewd! Made me want to hand someone a towlette. A little too slimy, oozey for me. I enjoyed when she got a gander at his, "mini me" the first time. She's all " Ooh, I finally get to see him. He's a shy fellow. Oh, and look here are his 2 friends to say hello as well." Cracked me up. Then she gets down to business.

The Raven Prince

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

#2 Read a book reviewed in the Fall Reading Challenge

Pages 356

rated 4.5 stars

Back Cover:

THERE COMES A TIME IN A LADY'S LIFE...Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits. What is a gently bred lady to do?WHEN SHE MUST DO THE UNTHINKABLE...The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior. Dammit! How hard can it be to find a decent secretary?AND FIND EMPLOYMENT.When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red--and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires...with the earl as her unknowing lover.

My Thoughts:

I liked this story quite a bit. I liked the heroine as a woman who doesn't back down. I liked that she pushed her own comfort zone in several areas. finding a job, her wants and needs, following her conscience, and even in the bedroom. I like reading about women of courage. I liked the hero. He wasn't a perfect picture of manly attraction. I liked that he had his insecurities about his appearance, and that he had a temper and knew it. I liked that he liked her courage. I liked that he liked the dog and horse. I liked the secondary characters. Some of whom were a little ridiculous like Hopple and his wardrobe. I felt like I got to know the deepest longings of the couple without it being a pity party. They wanted what they wanted and were self-aware enough to realize it.

This book was..."Steamier" than I typically read. It was ok, but a little too much for me at this time. That is the sole reason I didn't give this book a 5 stars. If you like steamy, then this book is a must read. If you don't, then read at your own risk. The story was great.