Review: A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones

From the author of the Charley Davidson books comes a fresh, comedic mystery series that will have you laughing out loud and hanging onto the edge of your seat at the same time.

A GOOD DAY FOR CHARDONNAY by DARYNDA JONES

Series: Sunshine Vicram #2

Publication date: July 27, 2021

Published by: Saint Martin's Press

Genre: mystery, humor

 

SYNOPSIS

Running a small-town police force in the mountains of New Mexico should be a smooth, carefree kind of job. Sadly, full-time Sheriff--and even fuller-time coffee guzzler--Sunshine Vicram, didn't get that memo.

All Sunshine really wants is one easy-going day. You know, the kind that starts with coffee and a donut (or three) and ends with take-out pizza and a glass of chardonnay (or seven). Turns out, that's about as easy as switching to decaf. (What kind of people do that? And who hurt them?)

Before she can say iced mocha latte, Sunny's got a bar fight gone bad, a teenage daughter hunting a serial killer and, oh yes, the still unresolved mystery of her own abduction years prior. All evidence points to a local distiller, a dangerous bad boy named Levi Ravinder, but Sun knows he's not the villain of her story. Still, perhaps beneath it all, he possesses the keys to her disappearance. At the very least, beneath it all, he possesses a serious set of abs. She's seen it. Once. Accidentally.

Between policing a town her hunky chief deputy calls four cents short of a nickel, that pesky crush she has on Levi which seems to grow exponentially every day, and an irascible raccoon that just doesn't know when to quit, Sunny's life is about to rocket to a whole new level of crazy.

Yep, definitely a good day for chardonnay.

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Praise for A Bad Day For Sunshine (book one):

"Provides plenty of action. Recommended for fans of Linda Castillo and J.A. Jance." - Library Journal

"Jones has a real talent for balancing suspense with laugh-out-loud humor, never losing the tension from either." - BookPage 

"A Bad Day For Sunshine is a great day for the rest of us - captivating characters, great writing, pace, humor and suspense." - Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author 

"Fans of Jones’ bestselling Charley Davidson series and Janet Evanovich’s romps will devour this steamy series launch, which introduces both an irresistible pair crime-busting Gilmore Girls and a quirky, mysterious setting.” - Booklist 

"Compelling characters and a sexy, angst-filled bunch of mysteries add up to a winning series debut." - Kirkus 

"A Bad Day for Sunshine is everything you want from Darynda Jones … and more! Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun with a sassy new heroine you will love. Prepare to be hooked by this witty, sexy, and thrilling new series from one of my favorite authors!” - Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, certain they went away the better for it. She penned the international bestselling Charley Davidson series and is currently working on several beloved projects, most notably the Sunshine Vicram Mystery Series with St. Martin's Press and the Betwixt and Between Series of paranormal women's fiction. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. 

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REVIEW

A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's been over four months since I received and read A Good Day for Chardonnay. Just thinking about it and reading my notes in preparation to write my review, I'm already jonesing for a re-read. The minute this book landed on my kindle in March, I was ready to flip to page one and dive in immediately. The anticipation had been building for a whole year and my excitement never wavered. After the resounding success of the first installment, I didn't think it was possible for a second book to top it, but somehow Darynda Jones has pulled it off. This series is shaping up to be on my all-time favorites list. I couldn't be happier that my first series introduction to this author has gone above and beyond my expectations. I owe all of that to my book bestie for giving me the push to go outside my comfort zone and give this author a chance. (Thanks Astrid!)

As I returned to Del Sol and all of its quirky, off-the-wall inhabitants, I was reminded how my addiction built to the level it did. There is an instant, effortless, immersion into the story which has been incredibly hard to come by lately for me as a reader. It was such a relief to open a book and immediately become fascinated with what will happen on the next page and where the story will take me next. If there's one thing I can predict about the bitingly funny Sheriff Sunshine, it's that you NEVER know what's in store for her on any single day on the job. Between the town flasher, petty crime, the Dangerous Daughters, kidnappings, her daughter sneaking out, and Levi Ravinder popping up at unexpected times, she never gets a moment's rest.

I really loved getting Sunshine's daughter Auri's POV-possibly even more than Sunshine's this time. She is such a sweet, old soul inside of a teenager's body. Sometimes she seems wise beyond her years, and others her age shows as she makes impulsive decisions. Of course she inherited her mother's wicked sense of humor, which was absolutely hilarious and had me laughing out loud on too many occasions to count. The same goes for Sun and her best friend Quincy's conversations. They never give an inch when it comes to their banter.

    I’m giving you two days to tell me what’s going on, 

or I’m finding a new best friend.” 

“You can’t do that.” 

“Watch me.” 

“No, I mean you literally can’t do that. No one wants to be friends with you.”

There were so many different plot points, it could have felt chaotic and overwhelming, but I never once felt that it was too much of a mess to wade through. We had Auri meeting a new friend, finding a sweet boyfriend named Cruz, her investigations around town as she tried to identify a killer, Sunshine's complex relationship with the brooding Levi, and finally some secrets unearthed that I have been dying to see come to light. There is a little romance and passion in this installment between the two of them, but it's definitely a very slow progression. That is perfectly fine by me, as I know that there will be many books in the series and this is first and foremost a comedic mystery. Not only was I belly laughing at a lot of the dialogue, I even got emotional at some very heart-wrenching events that occurred towards the end. I was not expecting things to veer on that side emotionally at all, but I really got choked up over what Auri and Cruz in particular were going through.

This book reached me in a wide variety of ways, I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish, and I left the book once again desperate for more. I can't say enough about this FANTASTIC series, and I urge everyone out there to give it a chance. Even if you're not a mystery reader like me, I'm pretty confident that this series may be the one to convert you. Now excuse me while I go count the days left until I get my hands on the next piece of Sunshine's exhilarating adventures.

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Review: Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas

New York Times bestseller Lisa Kleypas returns with an enthralling and steaming romance between a Scot with a mysterious past and strong-willed lady looking for adventure—and love. 

DEVIL IN DISGUISE by LISA KLEYPAS

Series: The Ravenels #7

Publication date: July 27, 2021

Published by: Avon Romance

Genre: historical romance

 

SYNOPSIS

Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible.

From the moment Keir MacRae arrives in London, he has two goals. One: don’t fall in love with the dazzling Lady Merritt Sterling. Two: avoid being killed.

So far, neither of those is going well.

Keir doesn’t know why someone wants him dead until fate reveals his secret connection to one of England’s most powerful families. His world is thrown into upheaval, and the only one he trusts is Merritt.

Their passion blazes with an intensity Merritt has never known before, making her long for the one thing she can’t have from Keir MacRae: forever. As danger draws closer, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the man she loves... even knowing he might be the devil in disguise.

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Praise for Devil in Disguise:

“Undemandingly pleasurable and guaranteed to go on the reread shelf. The novel abounds in the vintage pleasures of her writing: finely drawn characters; a tactile, sensuous style in both the sex scenes and the landscape descriptions; banter that illustrates the emotional compatibility of romantic partners; dual points of view that show both the hero’s and the heroine’s interior lives; moving moments of familial ties; and glimpses of couples from other novels to assure us that love lasts forever.”

 

-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.

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REVIEW

Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Lisa Kleypas is an unstoppable force in the historical romance genre. Her books are some of the most iconic, widely cherished romances out there, so anytime she has a new release, people (myself included) rush to snatch it up. In Devil in Disguise, there is the added bonus of more time with the Marsdens and Challons. Anytime you see Devil in the title, you can expect to see the Duke of Kingston's family involved. Lillian and Marcus' kids, and Sebastian and Evie's kids have grown up alongside each other and are now adults looking for their own HEA.

Lady Merritt Sterling is the widowed daughter of Lillian and Marcus. After her husband tragically died in an accident out at sea, the responsibility of running their shipping company fell on her shoulders. Her calm, easy mannered personality, and her ability to solve a myriad of problems without breaking a sweat has kept the business running smoothly. As the oldest of six children, she's used to being a peacekeeper. Merritt meets our hero, Keir McRae almost immediately in chapter one. Keir is a whiskey distiller from a remote Scottish island who has come to England to sell his valuable liquor. He's had a miserable trip filled with mishaps and he's not a happy camper. It was funny to see him storm into her office growling like a disgruntled grizzly bear only to be discombobulated and expertly subdued by Merritt.

What came next really threw me off. There was an instant attraction on both their parts which is fine, however, their emotions seemed to escalate from 0-100 in a matter of three days. If you're not a fan of insta-love, this story probably won't work for you. Typically I don't care for it, but there are exceptions where it will work for me. I did feel that the internal/external dialogue at this point in the book was much too intense based on the time spent together, so it affected the authenticity of the romance in the first stages.

    "(...) someday, Luke...you'll meet someone. 

and from one breath to the next, 

everything will change. 

You won't care whether it makes sense. 

All you'll know is that 

a stranger owns your every heartbeat."

This issue did bring down my rating a bit, but it wasn't enough to ruin the whole story. As crazy as it was, there was something sweet about the way a woman like her fell hard and fast. A woman who was level-headed and thought that being practical about your life partner would bring success in the long run. The irony of her falling for someone so different from her idea of a perfect husband was a lesson about not being able to plan and manage love, I suppose.

Keir was another wonderful, sweet hero from Kleypas. He's a strong, steady man who is loyal, honest, and his gruff exterior hides a softie that Merritt easily coaxes out. They may have an abrupt start in their relationship, but eventually they won me over. Although Merritt unequivocally falls for Keir from the start, there is still some hesitation on her part because she feels that she can't give him what he needs. They both have their reasons for attempting to keep their distance from one another at different points, but neither can eventually deny the overwhelming need they have to build a life together.

The other major plot arc besides the romance is that Keir's life is in danger due to a secret in his past. He was adopted as a child, and there are people who know his true identity who don't want that getting out. Attempts were made on Keir's life at several points in the book, and Merritt's "Uncle" Sebastian and Ransom step up to the plate to help find the perpetrators. The person at fault wasn't really in question-you pretty much know early on who is to blame, so the element of mystery isn't there. What I enjoyed about the resolution was the fact that Merritt insisted on taking on the protector role that you typically see in the hero. Because her father is such an expert huntsman, she was raised around guns and is actually the most expert shot in the entire family. I liked seeing that less than traditional side come into play when the man she loved needed her. She won't allow herself to be handled by those wishing to protect her, and she shows that she's far from a helpless female in need of saving.

Overall, this was a fun read based on the interactions between the Wallflower families. I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading about them as they hold a special place in my heart. Anytime I'm gifted with a little more of them, I have such a warm feeling of nostalgia. Keir and Merritt were the type of opposites attract couple that play off of each other's differences and balance each other out beautifully. In the end, I thought the Epilogue was the perfect conclusion, and left me in a very happy place. I can't wait to see who Lisa Kleypas will be giving a story to next.

All he knew was that after he left, 

he’d have to learn how to live with 

his heart beating somewhere far away.

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Review: Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

Everything has a price except for her...

CHASING CASSANDRA by LISA KLEYPAS

Series: The Ravenels #6

Publication date: February 18, 2020

Published by: Avon Romance

Genre: historical romance

 

SYNOPSIS

Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough to satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything—or anyone—is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife—and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love—the one thing he can’t give.

Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win.

When a newfound enemy nearly destroys Cassandra’s reputation, Severin seizes the opportunity he’s been waiting for. As always, he gets what he wants—or does he? There’s one lesson Tom Severin has yet to learn from his new bride:

Never underestimate a Ravenel.

The chase for Cassandra’s hand may be over. But the chase for her heart has only just begun...

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Praise for Chasing Cassandra:

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY-Starred Review

"Opposites attract in spectacular fashion in the sixth Victorian-era Romance in bestseller Kleypas’s Ravenel series (after Devil’s Daughter), which pairs a true romantic with a cynical intellectual. Lady Cassandra Ravenel has turned down many proposals, holding out for real feeling. That doesn’t stop railway magnate Tom Severin from asking for her hand within moments of meeting her. Though she ignores his proposal, the shrewd businessman fancies her from just a glance and sees winning her as a thrilling challenge. His pursuit leads the pair to grow close. But when Tom starts to feel more than lust, he abruptly ends their budding friendship to avoid the liability he feels his emotions pose on his cold, calculated life, leaving a smitten Cassandra confused and hurt. They continue to run into each other, and their physical and mental attraction proves too strong to ignore. When one of Cassandra’s scorned suitors slanders her reputation, Tom is determined to protect her. The plot is well-balanced, the pace steady, the characters deliciously complex, and the chemistry electric. Returning readers will also be pleased by cameos from characters from earlier installments. Kleypas fans and first timers alike will fall in love with this refreshing romance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.

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REVIEW

Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


With every new installment in The Ravenels series, by excitement grows by leaps and bounds. Tom Severin has been intriguing from the very first introduction, so it's safe to say I was counting down the days until I could get my greedy hands on his story. On paper, he sounds like a guy you'd love to hate. Borderline sociopath. Unabashedly money hungry and ruthless in his pursuit of it. Lacking empathy for others and a heart encased in ice. You wonder why you could possibly find a character like this appealing let alone charming. But someway, somehow, Lisa Kleypas infused her magic once again and made me fall head over heels for this enchanting couple. For all of Tom's faults, he sneaks an admirable trait in to balance the scales. He's capable of seeing his faults and growing as a person. He's an absolute genius at business, and how can anyone resist a huge brain? Not me. Add to that decisive, dynamic, and vulnerable with just the right woman and he makes a man worthy to marry a Ravenel.

    No one—least of all Tom—had doubted that he would someday become an extraordinarily successful businessman. Whether he was successful as a human being, however, was still open to question.

This is a perfect example of opposites attract and why they work. Cassandra Ravenel is everything Tom is not. She's such a warm and open woman who dreams of having a family and her own home. He's closed off from other people and doesn't allow anyone to get close enough to see the man under the magnate. Though he has no interest in marriage, he's awestruck and infatuated at first sight with Cassandra. He believes he can bulldoze over her protests and win her over like he's done everything else in his life, but she's a woman who knows her own mind. She's not willing to sacrifice a loving marriage for Tom, and he doesn't feel he's even capable of love as an emotion. After all, he's only been able to observe six types of feelings in his personal arsenal. Adding any more would be dangerous to his peace of mind. Cassandra sees something in him that he thought was missing. And she was willing to take the biggest risk of her life with him.

    He’d been taken apart by her and reassembled differently. Outwardly, everything seemed to work well enough, but he wasn’t the same inside.

I loved how Kleypas kept Tom the flawed, quirky man he is and didn't try to give him a personality transplant. He's the same oddball, yet you get to see him mature right in front of your eyes through Cassandra's unwavering faith. The Ravenels are very protective of their own, and they were horrified at first that she was making a huge mistake with him. But there's just something about him that makes you feel like he can be more than he believes he is. It was hilarious to see their reactions to him as he integrated into the family. They were part supportive, part perturbed. Luckily, she saw through his facade and was able to coax Tom into looking deeper into himself as well. He deserved more than the empty life he'd been existing in, and with Cassandra, she gave him more than he could have ever dreamed.

    What was the name of this feeling? It was if he’d fallen through the surface of his life into some strange new territory, a place that had always existed even though he hadn’t been aware of it. All he knew was that the careful distance he’d put between himself and other people had finally been crossed by someone . . . and nothing would ever be the same.

This was another amazing read from the incomparable Lisa Kleypas. It was lighter on the angst, leaning more toward witty and sweet which is why some of the others in the series edged this one out for me. But I wholeheartedly enjoyed every minute between the pages. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a light historical with the beauty we've all come to expect from this seasoned author. I'll never tire of her lyrical descriptions and charismatic characters. Definitely another must read!

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Review: Angel in a Devil's Arms by Julie Anne Long

From USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long comes the second book in an exciting new historical romance series, the first since her beloved Pennyroyal Green series.

Title: Angel in a Devil’s Arms 

Author: Julie Anne Long

Series: The Palace of Rogues #2

Genre: Adult Historical Romance

Publisher: Avon Books

Publication Date: October 29, 2019

Synopsis:

He has devil’s blood in his veins. At least, that’s always been the legend. How else could the Duke of Brexford’s notorious bastard son return from the dead? The brutal decade since Lucien Durand, Lord Bolt, allegedly drowned in the Thames forged him into a man who always gets what—and who—he wants. And what he wants is vengeance for his stolen birthright . . . and one wild night in Angelique Breedlove’s bed.

Angelique recognizes heartbreak when the enigmatic Lord Bolt walks into The Grand Palace on the Thames, and not even his devastating charm can tempt her to risk her own ever again. One scorching kiss drives home the danger.

But in the space between them springs a trust that feels anything but safe. And the passion—explosive, consuming—drives Lucien to his knees. Now his whole life depends on proving his love to a woman who doesn’t believe in it . . . because his true birthright, he now knows, is guardian of Angelique Breedlove’s heart.

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iBooks:  https://apple.co/31WwXSK

ABOUT JULIE ANNE LONG 

USA Today bestselling author JULIE ANNE LONG originally set out to be a rock star when she grew up (and she has the guitars and fringed clothing stuffed in the back of her closet to prove it), but writing was always her first love. Since hanging up her guitar for the computer keyboard, her books frequently top reader and critic polls and have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Rita, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, and The Quills, and reviewers have been known to use words like “dazzling,” “brilliant,” and “impossible to put down” when describing them. Julie lives in Northern California.

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REVIEW

Angel in a Devil's Arms by Julie Anne Long
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you don't have this series on your radar, stop what you're doing right now. Add these to your TBR, one-click, and prepare for historical romance bliss. Book one, Lady Derring Takes a Lover, was laugh out loud funny and gorgeously written all at the same time. I was so impressed with Julie Anne Long's writing style and her skill in storytelling. Sometimes book two in a series doesn't live up to the genius of the first, but in this case, it was EVEN BETTER.

There just aren't enough words to describe how ecstatic I was to revisit the ever entertaining Grand Palace on the Thames. Delilah and Angelique have carved out an unlikely living with their respectable boarding house down by the docks. They've seen a number of colorful characters step through their doors, but I don't think anything could have prepared them for the mysterious Lucian Duran. He sweeps into the parlor with an enigmatic, calculating gaze and an unquenchable thirst for revenge. The gossip mill in London has declared Lucian dead and gone, and in fact he even had a funeral, paid for by his self-centered father, the Duke of Brexford. It seemed this was an undisputed reality. Until Lucian starts silently appearing in public places, scaring his betrayers silly and giving the Ton a lot to talk about. He's like a predator gleefully playing with his prey's emotions.

It seems impossible to imagine a man like him obeying the laughably ludicrous rules Angelique and Delilah require for their guests. But when Angelique throws down the challenge expecting him to pack his bags and remove his unsettling presence, he smoothly accepts without batting an eye. Not only is he attracted to her from the start, he relishes the opportunity to verbally spar with this worthy opponent. Angelique is like him in many ways, both are reserved, cool, and private, but able to turn on the charm when the need arises. She's also observant and intuitive about people, as he is, and they're able to pick each other apart more than is comfortable at first.

Angelique has a painful history and is trying to reinvent herself in a shiny new image. She's been taken advantage of, used, and eventually walked a path she's ashamed of. She buries the shame under a tough exterior and protects her heart and body fiercely. Lucian shows his interest in enjoying each other while he's there, but unfortunately he (and his bruised ego) are put firmly in the friend zone. She wants no part of a messy entanglement, temporary or not, because the risk is no longer worth the potential passionate reward. She's suffered the consequences enough for one lifetime, and the only thing she wants now is safety and peace.

    Things that are bound together make terrible ripping noises when torn asunder. She wanted no more pain, and no more sundering.

Some things are beyond your control however, like the uncomfortable emotions he stirs, and how her heart pounds when he gets near. Neither of them had the time or desire to fall in love. They tried hard to keep things platonic, but the more time he spent getting to know her and all of her closely guarded truths, the more he wanted to be the one she could confide in. I'll admit, it took me a little while to warm up to her. Not because she was unlikable, but just as she doesn't let Lucian in for some time, she keeps her distance from the reader as well. She's like a fortress. Strong and capable of keeping out invaders who try to scale her walls and conquer. When she loses the safety of her carefully constructed new image, she's forced to face her unresolved feelings from her past. She realizes that she was never really at peace all along, not until she accepts her own truths and grows from them. She's human, she makes mistakes along the way, but in a completely relatable and genuine way. It actually made me empathize better and root for her more.

    Who would have guessed that the secret of safety was surrender to this man?

I may have to repeat myself with every review for a Julie Anne Long book, but it must be said: her writing is exquisite. So many times I have to stop and reread passages to take in the beauty. The way she's able to blend her dry wit and enchanting, romantic prose gives you the perfect package. You get sharp, entertaining dialogue and banter, and an abundance of angst and emotion to make your heart flutter. I'm seriously kicking myself for not reading her books sooner, I feel like I've been living under a rock for missing out for so long. The Palace of Rogues series has everything you could possibly want in historical romance. Look no further because they are a veritable goldmine just waiting to be discovered.

    He paused. She would not be surprised if it was because he heard her heart beating. He’d toyed with the rhythm of it since they met. He ought to know it the way a violinist knows his own instrument.

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Review: The Spitfire by Christi Caldwell

Her dream is to open a music hall. Only one thing stands in her way—the man she loves. The final Wicked Wallflowers novel from USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell.

THE SPITFIRE by CHRISTI CALDWELL

Publication date: September 17, 2019

Published by: Montlake 

Series: Wicked Wallflowers #5

Genre: historical romance

 

Synopsis

Leaving behind her life as a courtesan and madam, Clara Winters is moving far from the sinful life to which she was accustomed in the gaming hell the Devil’s Den. Her more reputable and fulfilling endeavor is a music hall for the masses. One night, when she sees a man injured on the streets of East London, she rushes to his aid and brings him home. It’s then that she discovers he’s Henry March, Earl of Waterson, and a member of Parliament. No good can come from playing nursemaid to a nobleman.

When Henry rouses to meet his savior in blonde curls, he is dazzled. This smart and loving spitfire challenges his every notion of the lower classes—and every moment together is a thrill. But after Henry returns to his well-ordered existence, he strikes a political compromise that has unintended consequences. Will his vision for London mean dashing the dreams of his lovely guardian angel?

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Praise for Christi Caldwell’s The Wallflowers Series 

“[A]n atmospheric and captivating romance." —​Publishers Weekly o​n ​The Hellion
"The story gave me the angst and emotion I wanted and an ending that satisfied." —Red Hot Books ​on​ The Vixen

About Christi Caldwell

USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love—ones where even the most perfect heroes and heroines had imperfections. She learned to enjoy torturing her couples before they earned their well-deserved happily ever afters.

The author of The Hellion in her Wicked Wallflowers series, Christi lives in Southern Connecticut, where she spends her time writing, chasing after her son, and taking care of her twin princesses-in-training.

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REVIEW

The Spitfire by Christi Caldwell

It's a little bittersweet to see this series come to an end. I only started reading Ms. Caldwell less than a year ago and I've already binged all of the Sinful Brides and read every one of the Wicked Wallflowers. I was hoping that Stephen, the youngest of the Killorans, would be getting a book, but maybe we'll be gifted with that later in the Lost Lords of London series. The Spitfire is about Clara (Broderick's former madam and Reggie's business partner) and Henry March, Earl of Waterson. Henry is friends with the Marquess of Waverly from To Love a Lord. So if you're a fan of the couple from that novel, they do make a minor appearance! It's always nice to get some bonus time after the HEA to catch up on how things are going.

We got to know Clara Winters a little bit in The Governess when she became Reggie's business partner and close friend. After years of being used by men during her years as a prostitute and madam, the only thing she wants from them is her freedom. The music hall venture she's planning is her chance to not only start a new independent life, but to give a respectable living to others in St. Giles. One that would enable them to entertain on stage and do what makes them happy when no one else is willing to provide the opportunity. She has a true passion for music, and a determination to succeed no matter what the cost. Because of that single-minded drive, they've been able to overcome every obstacle thrown in their path.

One of Clara's faults is probably her stubborn pride, and her inability to share her burdens with her friends. She finds it hard to confide in Reggie, or agree to any assistance from Broderick, but I understand where she's coming from. Even though her pride gets in the way sometimes, I can understand her wanting to achieve her goals without any outside help. To feel as if she has accomplished her dreams without giving up any of the power she's trying to reclaim. Her life plan is to own her own business with Reggie, and marriage and children have no part in that. She's not afraid to let her feelings be known on that either, or anything else for that matter. If words didn't get the message across, she wouldn't hesitate to make her point with her fist. I enjoyed her fire and spirit which I think balanced out Henry's calm, cool demeanor really nicely.

Henry is an MP who spends his entire waking existence creating laws and networking with other politicians in order to reach his end goal. He's a man who has built his life around family, duty, and honor, and that doesn't leave any time for any distractions in his personal life. Believing that he failed his sister years ago when a traumatic event occurred, his heart and soul is poured into enacting legislation that would establish a police force to protect the public. He has the best of intentions, but in working so hard for the benefit of his family and the rest of the general public, he has lost sight of what's important. Finding joy in the every day, making time for his mother and sisters, and finding a woman to share his life with. There is a small amount of guilt on his part for neglecting his duties in begetting an heir, but he comforts himself in the knowledge that he's provided for everyone financially. That is, until Clara steps into his life and makes him reexamine his priorities and opens his eyes to things his privileged life has shielded him from.

Henry has always been stuffy, proper, and pompous his entire life, but after being rescued by Clara during a vicious attack, she has an immediate effect on him. Suddenly he's loosening up, making jokes, and becoming someone his family almost doesn't recognize anymore.

    Is that . . . truly what the world thought of him? Nay, worse . . . his own mother? That he was so stodgy that any hint of mirth on his part must be a mark of madness?

In turn, he helps Clara to see that not all men are out to harm or dishonor. However, just as she's starting to build a fragile trust in him, he has an impossible choice to make. Fulfill his promise to save the music hall, or finally have his legislation passed that he's been fighting so long for. He's torn between family and his budding feelings for this woman he greatly admires.

I did enjoy these two together, but I felt that there was something missing. I would've liked to have seen them spend more quality time together and building their feelings for one another. They didn't see each other for much of the book, and their relationship felt somewhat rushed at the end in my opinion. It caused me to feel a bit of a disconnect to their romance, but I did appreciate this opposites attract couple overall. Henry's skill in instantly pleasing Clara when they became physical was an issue for me. After reaching the advanced age of forty-one and remaining celibate, I would expect Clara to have to give him some advice in that department. In fact, I would have enjoyed seeing that! Oddly, he knew exactly what to do and she didn't even realize his inexperience until he told her after their first time. That's just not plausible when you have zero experience to learn from. I was also hoping to see more of the Killorans since this was the last book in the series, but Reggie was the only established character to get page time.

One of my favorite things in the book was Henry's sweet relationship with his sister Lila. I'm really hoping we get to see her find her own healing and HEA in the future. I feel like she was developed exceptionally well with an intriguing backstory, and her story could be a beautiful addition in a future series.

In summary, this wasn't my favorite in the series, but it was still an enjoyable read. Christi Caldwell's books are always a must read for me now, and her books are added to my TBR. No synopsis needed.

    “You have tucked yourself into a drawer, like Schubert’s music; you speak of yourself as if you’re somehow second to anyone, when not even the damned sun could compare with you in brightness. The same way Schubert underestimated himself is what you’ve done, and you are, you are,” he repeated, caressing his palms down her arms, “superior to all, Clara Winters."

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