Darling Beast

June 15, 2015
Hoyt's seventh Maiden Lane Victorian romance (after Duke of Midnight) gives a unique twist to the tale of Beauty and the Beast. In mid-18th-century London, Lily Stump is a beautiful young actress trying to make ends meet for herself and her young son, Indio. While living in a burnt-out theater, Lily is drawn to a mute gardener, whom her son has nicknamed Caliban. Though initially Lily had thought that Caliban lacked intelligence, she quickly learned otherwise as he begins communicating with her through writing. Drawn to his protective kindness toward Indio, Lily is fascinated that a man as strong as he could harbor such a gentle nature. As she learns the secret behind his true identity and his greatest fear, Lily must decide whether her love for him is strong enough to weather the obstacles that threaten to destroy the possibility of their future together. Hoyt's Maiden Lane novels are always a treat, and this installment is no exception to the rule, with a fascinating hero and his resourceful damsel in distress. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House.

Starred review from October 15, 2014
There is no such thing as monsters. At least this is what actress Lily Stump tells her young son, Indio, until she sees the tall, dark, and scary-looking thing in their garden. Once Lily actually comes face to face with the mute beast, she realizes he is only one of the gardeners hired to restore the grounds of Harte's Folly. Wanted for a murder he didnt commit, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne, has finally escaped from Bedlam, but he has no place else to go. Disguised as Sam Smith, Apollo has been living on the grounds of Harte's Folly, redesigning the gardens in order to recoup the money he invested in the place. However, Apollo's plan to lie low, avoid attention, and finish the job starts unraveling the moment he meets Lily. Best-selling Hoyt is known for her flawlessly written historical romances, and Darling Beast, the seventh in her Maiden's Lane series, is her best book yet. Hoyt's exquisitely nuanced characters, vividly detailed setting, and seemingly effortless and elegant writing provide the splendid material from which she fashions yet another ravishingly romantic love story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)