The Maiden Lane series is one of the BEST historical romance series I've read...EVER! Each book is just as good, if not better, as the previous one. When Winter's secret was revealed at the end of Scandalous Desires, I knew that I needed his book stat and that his book was going to be absolutely phenomenal. Thief of Shadows did not disappoint.Winter comes across as a staid and boring headmaster but underneath he is dark, intense and sexy. His dedication to the home and the children of St. Giles knows no bounds. As the Ghost, Winter feels that he can have no life of his own but his encounters with Lady Isabel changes that.Isabel has always poked, prodded and gotten underneath Winter's skin from the beginning. When she is tasked with teaching Winter proper manners so that he doesn't insult the very people who support the Home, her attraction to Winter grows. Even though Isabel has encountered the Ghost and has an attraction to him, there's something about Winter that reminds her of the intensity and voracity of the Ghost of St. Giles. Elizabeth Hoyt does a great job of building up the sexual tension between Winter and Isabel. With verbal jabs and intense looks, the chemistry between the two is off the charts. As a widow, Isabel is no stranger to sex and isn't afraid to express her desire. Winter views sex as an act between two people who love each other so when he makes the decision to have sex with Isabel, it's with no holds barred. "I regard physical loveamking as something sacrosanct to love. And if I loved a owman enough to take her to my bed, then I would love her enough to marry her."*swoon* That statement and his feelings thereafter made me love Winter even more. I never expected Winter to be so intense and sexy. It was a pleasant surprise and I loved it.Thief of Shadows may be my favorite book of the series thus far. I thought Pirate Mickey was my favorite but I must say, Winter Makepeace was a pleasant and sexy surprise. Thief of Shadows elicited so many emotions. Winter does not do anything halfway. He's in with both feet and that's what makes him sexy. Whether it's running the school or being in love, it is all or nothing with Winter.The Maiden Lane series is a must read. Even though you can read Thief of Shadows as a stand alone, I don't suggest you do it. Start with Wicked Intentions so that you can get the history of all the characters and situations in the books. This is one of my favorite series and I look forward reading each and every book.
