Giveaway and Review: "Notorious Pleasures"

As part of the "Notorious Pleasures" blog tour, I have my review and a giveaway of 3 copies of the book, sponsored by Hachette!

"Notorious Pleasures"
 by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Vision
Release Date: Jan 25, 2011

Source: sent by publisher


My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
 
Summary from Goodreads.com:


 Their lives were perfect . . .
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .

Until they met each other.
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?

My Review: 

Wow!! This love story was intense! In a very good way. I don't think there's a person anywhere who doesn't want to be loved the way Griffin loves Hero. 

As always, Hoyt's characters fly off the page. I found myself sympathizing with Griffin a bit more than Hero, just because he's so fiery and emotional. He loved her passionately, and she was still trying to sort out her feelings. Hero was much more closed off because she'd been raised to do everything a Duke's daughter must do. But still, every time she rejected Griffin, my heart broke along with his.
I loved all the drama and secrecy that surrounded Griffin and Hero's love because she was engaged to Griffin's brother, Thomas. Don't worry, it's delivered perfectly, Hero and Thomas are nowhere near a love match. Nonetheless, the family drama and brotherly rivalry amped up all of the already heated emotions.

As the second book in The Maiden Lane Series, parts of the story took place in St. Giles, the shady part of London. While still showing the seedy happenings in St. Giles, this book isn't as dark as the first book in the series, partially because the leads aren't as scarred. I really liked the first book, but I loved this one even more.

Hoyt has written a large cast of multi-faceted characters. We get to see just enough of the supporting players without them overshadowing the stars-Griffin and Hero. We also get a few more clues as to the identity of the Ghost of St. Giles. I am looking forward to Silence and Mickey's story, next! 

Main Characters: 5/5 can you tell how much I love them?
Supporting Characters: 5/5

Setting: 5/5

Romance: 5/5

Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5



Bottom Line: I can't recommend this book enough to readers of historical romance. Fans of Elizabeth Hoyt will not be disappointed and if you haven't read any of her books yet, this is a perfect way to start.




GIVEAWAY RULES:
Hachette books has generously provided three copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!


All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address!


Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.
 
Extra Entries:

  • +1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
  • +1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
  • US and Canada only
  • No PO Boxes please
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by Hachette
  • Ends Friday Feb 11
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

46 comments

  1. I follow your blog. Please enter me. I'd really enjoy this book!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh! I'm glad you liked the book so much!!! *grins*
    I sort of liked Wicked Intentions, but didn't love it like I did the Princes Trilogy or the otherone, I just forgot the name!
    LOL
    So I'm glad this one is better, or at least it sounds better.

    Thanks for the made of awesome sauce review.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a follower and Tweeted. I ADORED Wicked Intentions (as per your suggestion) and cannot wait to dig into this second novel. Plus I love a red-headed heroine. My cliche weakness. :)

    http://twitter.com/#!/DreamingReviews/status/32266765648003072

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the review and giveaway! Please count me in! The premise of the story sounds very intriguing, I can't wait to read about Griffin!

    GFC follower :)

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, and email: dreaminginbooksATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm a follower :) Great review! Definately added to my TBR list!

    aislynnt(at)gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Big Hoyt fan, been looking forward to Notorious Pleasures for months. :)

    GFC follower.

    jenma76 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would really love to win this, I love romances!
    jbdownie5@yahoo.com
    I am a follower

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a follower! Please include me in!

    I am trying to be a really good girl here... please!!!

    alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Another great review for this book.I'm looking forward to reading it.
    I am a follower

    tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/32273508318846977

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow on GFC. Sounds like you really enjoyed it!

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  12. yay, thanks for the giveaway...love the great review!

    allison.dayle at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh this one sounds perfect for the historical romance challenge I am taking part in this year. Thanks for the great giveaway.
    apk1princess(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a US follower with GFC. Thank you for the contest.

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love Her Books but have not been abel to by eny latly.
    I'm from the USA
    I follow you Via GFC

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fun!! I haven't read any of these kind of books~ but I am so intrigued now!!
    :)
    tiffb123@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I loved your review!
    I'm a follower and my email is: reginahott at gmail dot com
    Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This sounds like a great book! Your review was great and really makes me want to read this more! Thanks so much for the giveaway! I'm a GFC follower.

    lvtink21@wi.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I can't wait to read this book!!! Thanks for the giveaway!

    jenalang@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Haha yea I think it came across how much you loved the characters. I'm already a big fan of Hoyt so I'd love to win this!
    the[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. That good *bites lip* I have wanted to try Hoyt, perhaps she should take a little trip to my wishlist

    ReplyDelete
  22. Publicly following In the Hammock with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}] -- I enjoyed your review and would love to read Notorious Pleasures :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

    +1 Tweeted the giveaway

    +1 Linked the giveaway in sidebar, More Giveaways

    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  23. This book sounds so sizzling, Carrie, and it's totally a win when the characters are awesome, too. Great review, Carrie!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm a follower of your blog. :)

    books[a]muggle-born.net

    This sounds like a great book.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I’m reading this one now and loving it! I’m so excited to see you gave it 5 stars.

    (not an entry)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your review makes me excited to read it!
    I am a blog follower.
    Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/lulilut/status/32947848551071744
    Thanks for hosting the contest.
    d.septer at insightbb.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/32997861943681024



    Sounds like the type of historical I so enjoy!
    I follow on GFC.

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  28. Haven't read anything by this author yet but this book sounds good.

    June M.
    hmanning@bllsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love period romances, this one sounds like a winner.

    You have an award on my blog.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm a GFC follower w/ headlessfowl.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have read and loved everything that Elizabeth Hoyt has written (even her Julie Harper books). Not surprised that you gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Would love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    -Vonda
    2much2reid {at} comcast {dot} net

    ReplyDelete
  32. bammbles at gmail dot com.

    i follow via GFC :) love Ms Hoyt

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love Elizabeth's books!

    I'm a GFC follower.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ohhhh sign me up!

    aisleb@hotmail.com

    5 stars across the board! Girl you must have really loved this ONE! sending good karma to all and hope the passion grabs you.

    Great review girl. Historical romance ROCKS!

    ReplyDelete
  35. gfc follower

    felecia@twinoaksfl.org

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm a fan of historicals and thanks to your review, this is a must read for me.

    gfc follower

    rjofus(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would love to read this book.... I am a follower...


    chrissysworldofbooks(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Please enter me.
    niteofblu at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Great Review! I love an intense story as much as the next reader!! And a strong male who loves his heroine thourghoughly always makes me swoon! lol. I hear great things about this book! Hope to read soon!

    historicalromancejunkie[AT]gmail[DOT]com
    +1, in my sidebar on my blog

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow! This book sounds amazing. Thanks for the chance to win. I would love to read it.

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/bdecouverte/status/35191139778826240

    Sidebar: http://belledecouverte.blogspot.com

    bdecouverte@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I follow you publicly on Google Friend Connect!

    These books look so great! I have been seeing them all over the blogosphere!

    TaraTagli at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. One of the books I've been waiting for! Please count me in!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am aGFC follower now. Thanks for the giveaway! count me in. m.ramey@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am a new GFC follower. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

    bsyb100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. awesome giveaway!
    i'm a gfc follower

    mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great giveaway!
    I follow via gfc
    lgm52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your lovely comments!