LaViolette titillates in this erotic historical romance between master and servant, the red-hot second in her Victorian Decadence series (after His Harlot). Jo Leather is a woman, but she’s been raised as a man by her misguided father. Now she works as a valet to Stephen Chatham, for whom she pines in secret. Having jealously spied on Stephen with prostitutes on many occasions, Jo hatches a plan to reveal herself as Josephine while playing the part of a prostitute at a local brothel in hopes of finally experiencing Stephen’s charms. The plan works, but as Stephen indulges in decadent encounters with Josephine, he’s surprised to simultaneously realize an attraction to his longtime valet. Jo struggles to balance her newfound double life, and it’s only a matter of time before Stephen discovers the truth. Having been hurt by romantic partners in the past, Stephen lashes out, taking Jo’s deceptions as betrayal. But will his outrage outweigh his love? LaViolette’s clever, inventive plot makes room for some kinky erotic scenes as her well-shaded characters explore their sexualities. Fans of erotic romance will find much to love. (Self-published)
“Spencer’s (Phoebe) first in a new Regency-set series is a story loosely inspired by a real-life individual known as the Boxing Baroness. A mysterious past, an unsavory family business connection, and a youthful indiscretion have left Marianne Simpson with few life choices beyond being a pugilist in her uncle’s establishment, Farmham’s Fantastical Female Fayre. Unfortunately, the fights she participates in are very real and constantly put her health and future at risk. When St. John Powell, the Duke of Staunton, comes to her with a proposition to go with him to France to meet her ex-lover, who claims to have information about St. John’s missing brother, Marianne’s choices are to cooperate with the infuriating peer or risk losing her livelihood and condemning her only known relative to jail. As the two travel through a continent that suddenly teeters once again on the edge of war, their lives—and their hearts—are soon at risk.
VERDICT: Fans of historical romances with strong female characters in non-traditional roles and the men who aren’t afraid to love them won’t be disappointed by this series starter.” – Library Journal STARRED REVIEW
Spencer (Notorious) launches her Wicked Women of Whitechapel Regency series with an outstanding romance based in part on a real historical figure. Before the start of the novel, Marianne Simpson had a disastrous dalliance with dastardly Baron Dominic Strickland, who staged a fake wedding to Marianne solely to get beneath her skirts. Unable to work as a governess after this scandal, the delightfully confident and forthright Marianne now stars in Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre as the Boxing Baroness. Dominic is also causing problems for the powerful and upstanding St. John “Sin” Powell, Duke of Staunton, who receives a letter offering information about his missing, presumed dead brother if Sin can convince Marianne to meet with Dominic. The traveling circus is headed on an ill-advised tour of war-torn Europe—so Sin and two friends do the only thing they can think of and join the Fayre as carnies. Marianne initially disdains Sin for his privileged background, but as he proves himself a hard-working circus employee, he earns her respect and admiration, heightening the magnetic attraction already between them. Spencer ramps up the mystery and the romance in equal measure as the threat of Dominic and the knowledge that society would be unaccepting of their relationship hover over the captivating couple. This is sure to wow. (STARRED)
Gaius Darlington, Marquess of Carlisle, is used to women wanting to kiss him, but Cecile Tremblay is the first woman who says she wants to take a shot at him. Granted, taking aim with a gun at Gaius is part of Cecile’s act as a markswoman for Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre, but Gaius (who is working incognito in the circus as Guy Darling) still can’t figure out why Cecile is the one woman who seems immune to his legendary charm. Given her secret craving for reading London’s gossip columns, Cecile knows exactly who Gaius really is. What’s more, Cecile knows getting involved with someone who is fated to wed an heiress is asking for trouble. So why, after just one kiss, does Cecile wonder what a future with Gaius—in which she takes only verbal shots at him—might be like? With the second inventively populated and ingeniously plotted addition to her Wicked Women of Whitechapel series, following The Boxing Baroness (2022), Spencer scores a direct bull’s-eye with another carefully calibrated mix of steamy passion, delectably dry humor, and daringly original characters. — John Charles (STARRED)
Spencer takes readers back to the world of the “Wicked Women of Whitechapel” with her third installment, after The Dueling Duchess. Josephine Brown’s time as the knife expert with Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre has proven to be the most stable period of her life so far. Living in one Iplace, finding friends—these were things she’d never dared dream of before the death of her guardian. But an inadvisable attraction to the Honorable Elliot Wingate, agent for the crown, could threaten all that she holds dear. Just as Jo is finally starting to believe that she and Elliot might have a future together, some unexpected news thrusts Jo into society and places a target on her back. The story will have readers on the edge of their seats as Jo and Elliot race against time—and a possible traitor in their midst—to reveal the truth and finally find their much-deserved HEA together. VERDICT For anyone who loves the “Bridgerton” books but wishes its heroines were more adept with close combat and weaponry than the pianoforte, Spencer’s novel delivers.—Rebecca Moe
“What happens in France, stays in France. At least that is what Jo Brown would like to think with regards to her relationship with Elliot Wingate. However, a year after a dangerous rescue assignment led to some steamy moments and then a supposed parting of the ways, Jo could swear that Elliot is still hovering around the edges of her life. Given her proficiency throwing knives as a part of her act for Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre, Elliot knows he should be more wary about annoying Jo, but he can’t help being fascinated by the seemingly self-sufficient woman. So, when Elliot learns about something in Jo’s past that could threaten her future, there is no question when it comes to helping her—Elliot is all in. Spencer wraps up the ingeniously inventive Regency-set Wicked Women of Whitechapel series on a high note, smartly playing to her preferred literary wheelhouse with a fabulously fierce yet heartbreakingly vulnerable heroine, an intrigue-infused plot with a fascinating historical what-if twist, and love scenes so hot they’re combustible.” – Booklist STARRED REVIEW
Expert markswoman Cecile Tremblay, a French expat in Regency England, is the new owner of
Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre, an all-women circus. It’s a far cry from the life she imagined while
growing up in France, but after the French Revolution took nearly everything from her—and an unscrupulous relative in England finished the job—she’s not unhappy with the life she’s made for herself. Her only regret is the brief affair she had with Gaius Darlington, the darling of the ton, which ended disastrously. Then Guy’s life takes a turn when a long-lost relative strips him of his title, and he turns his attention to winning her back—the only woman he’s ever loved. Cecile’s not about to forgive and forget, though; she’s going to make Guy work to earn her love.
VERDICT Readers who enjoyed The Boxing Baroness won’t want to miss Spencer’s sequel. Indeed, anyone who appreciates strong,
unconventional heroines—and the Regency-era heroes who know (or at least manage to learn) better than to take them for granted.
Equal parts salacious and profound, the erotic romance that launches the Victorian Decadence series from LaViolette (The Footman) sees a sex worker fall in love with her client in Victorian England. Wealthy, dominant businessman Edward Fanshaw has been infatuated with stoic beauty Nora Hudson for months, becoming a regular client of hers at Madame Tosca’s gentleman’s establishment. He offers her a yearlong contract as his mistress, hoping to get her out of his system and break her hold over him. Though wary of her growing feelings for Edward, Nora agrees, moving into his house as his “ward.” Neither are particularly forthcoming about their feelings—Nora especially hides her inner life from Edward—but both enjoy their escalating dominant/submissive relationship. Things are further complicated when Edward marries young Lady Catherine to secure his social standing and get an heir. Catherine despises Edward but becomes smitten with Nora and the women embark on a secret sexual relationship of their own. When Edward finds out, he banishes Nora—but can the star-crossed lovers really forget each other? LaViolette keeps the tension high, delivering dark eroticism and emotional depth in equal measure. Readers will be hooked. Publishers Weekly
