By Manda Collins
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Recently deceased Lady Celeste Beauchamp, eccentric spinster and member of a wealthy, aristocratic family, leaves her home, which has been in her family for centuries, to four female scholars: Aphrodite Wareham (informally known as Ivy) a translator and student of ancient Greek texts; Sophia Hastings, a painter; Sophia’s sister Gemma, whose focus is fossils; and Lady Daphne Forsythe, a mathematician without a social filter. Given the difficulties confronting female scholars during the Regency period, the women are understandably delighted with their good fortune and set off for Beauchamp House.
Torquil “Quill”
Beauchamp, Marquess of Kerr, may have been lax about visiting his aunt in
recent years, but he has fond memories of her and of Beauchamp House. He
refuses to believe that Lady Celeste would have been so lacking in family
feeling as to leave her historic home outside the family. As head of that
family, he is convinced that it is his duty to see that the four women
understand that they will not be allowed to profit from what was clearly their
exploitation of his aunt. With this goal in mind, the marquess leaves London
for Beauchamp House.
Ivy, the granddaughter of a duke and the eldest of seven
daughters of a former Oxford don,
and Quill meet at an inn near Lady Celeste’s estate. Quill
mistakes her for a governess—an attractive one despite her spectacles--and he
defends her against discourtesies she is subject to at the inn. Ivy is
impressed by his behavior. However, Quill’s consideration and Ivy’s admiration
last only until he discovers her identity and accuses her of deceiving his
aunt. Their ire does not prevent Quill from offering Ivy transportation to
Beauchamp House nor Ivy from accepting his offer.
They find the other heirs already at the manor house along
with Lady Serena Fanning, Quill’s cousin, who is there to chaperone the four
younger women by Lady Celeste’s arrangement. Serena insists that Quill’s
suspicions are unfounded, but he does not lose hope that he can rid his late
aunt’s home of the women her terms “interlopers.” However, thanks to a letter Lady Celeste left
Ivy, Quill and Ivy are soon partners in finding her murderer. Thrown into one
another’s company by their sleuthing, the marquess and the classics scholar
move from enmity to intimacy. If they can outwit the murderer, they may
discover a happiness neither ever expected.
I’m a Manda Collins fan and a fan of bluestocking heroines. Thus,
it is hardly surprising that I loved this book. I found both Ivy and Quill
appealing characters—intelligent, witty, and interesting. I was particularly
pleased that Ivy, although independent and assertive, is also practical enough
to see the advantages of sharing Lady Celeste’s letter with Quill from the
beginning. Quill’s arrogance is tempered by his basic decency and his affection
for his cousins. Watching Ivy upset his certainties was a delight.
Collins has a knack for balancing mystery and romance so
that neither overshadows the other. She employs that skill to good effect in
this book. Another winning characteristic of this author is the twist she gives
the mystery that ensures the reader is caught by surprise even when the
identity of the murderer is known. Ivy and Quill’s relationship has ample
sizzle, but the pace allows time for them to know one another so that the
reader understands that intimacy for them is more than a synonym for sex.
The secondary characters are vividly drawn and engaging.
Lady Daphne almost steals the scenes of which she is a part. Since Ready Set Rogue is the first book in the
Studies in Scandal series, readers can expect the stories of the other
bluestockings to follow. I am especially eager for Daphne’s book. I hope we
also get more of Lady Serena’s story. She and Jeremy, her six-year-old son,
were among my favorite characters.
If you like historical romance that includes mystery in the
mix, you should be reading Manda Collins. Her novels offer sensuality and sense
(with the Austenian meaning) and characters who captivate. If you have enjoyed
Collins’s earlier series, I think you will love this book. If Collins is a new
author for you, Ready Set Rogue is a
terrific introduction to her work. I highly recommend it.
~Janga
Do you enjoy historical romances with bluestocking heroines?
Do you like a little mystery mixed in with your romance?
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on this post before 11:00 PM, January 17, 2017 will receive a print copy of Ready Set Rogue. (U.S. addresses only)
Do you enjoy historical romances with bluestocking heroines?
Do you like a little mystery mixed in with your romance?
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on this post before 11:00 PM, January 17, 2017 will receive a print copy of Ready Set Rogue. (U.S. addresses only)
Manda Collins is the author of The Lords of Anarchy series,
which includes Good Earl Gone Bad and
A Good Rake is Hard to Find, as well
as several other Regency-set romances. She spent her teen years wishing she’d
been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside.
Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and
indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. When she’s not writing, she’s helping
other people use books, as an academic librarian.
Twitter: @MandaCollins
Facebook: @MandaCollinsAuthor
http://www.mandacollins.com/
Facebook: @MandaCollinsAuthor
http://www.mandacollins.com/
I always enjoy reading about Blue Stocking heroines and the added mystery. Manda, I loved The Lord of Anarchy series. Thanks for sharing the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I always enjoy reading about Blue Stocking heroines and the added mystery. Manda, I loved The Lord of Anarchy series. Thanks for sharing the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
You had me at mystery. This is going on my TBR. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like bluestocking heroines and always enjoy a book more when there is mystery in it. Manda's books are great, and I love the cover of Ready Set Rogue.
ReplyDeleteBluestocking Heroines are wonderful and combined with mystery makes this a captivating novel. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis historical romance interests me greatly. The bluestocking heroine is attractive as well as the mystery aspect.
ReplyDeleteI like bluestocking heroines. I like mysteries. And I loved the description of this story. I cannot believe y'all continue to introduce me to new authors and books I want. And what I really need in my life - more books - NOT
ReplyDeleteI love bluestocking heroines but to be honest they have to be well-depicted. There are some stories that make them boring as opposed to intriguing. And I do love a good suspense plot in my historicals, I do, I do, I do!
ReplyDeletelove bluestocking heroines! mysteries are fun, too!
ReplyDeletedenise
I enjoy anything historical - my favorite genre. Suspense and mystery are my next favorites so the combination sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes to both questions. It makes for a more complicated storyline.
ReplyDeleteYes to mystery with the romance and yes to bluestocking. I love historical romances that have some depth to them. Thanks for the post. jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Smart heroine out to solve a mystery is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI love bluestocking heroines and some mystery mixed in. I also love Manda's books.
ReplyDeleteOf course I love bluestocking heroines! I have low tolerance for those who are TSTL or just never think for themselves. I also love having some mystery every now and then.
ReplyDeleteMs. Collins is a new author to me. Would love to receive a copy of this!
ReplyDeleteI do love a bluestocking heroine and also a little mystery! I am a fan of Manda's earlier series.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it will be a wonderful series. Quill sounds like a genuinely nice person, not overbearing and unreasonable. Bluestocking stories are also a personal favorite. I would hate to have my ambition and abilities stifled as those of women of this period were. I am sure I have a Manda Collins in my TBR Mountain. This may be the first book and series of her's I read. The premise appeals and the characters sound delightful.
ReplyDeleteSince romantic suspense is a favorite sub-genre, I indeed enjoy a little mystery and adventure incorporated into the story.
Thanks so much for the review. I have found our tastes are similar and I have enjoyed every one of your recommendations that I have read.
I'm with the pack...yes to both questions. I like bluestocking heroines and I like a little mystery in the stories.
ReplyDeleteYes and yes! I love a bluestocking mixed with a little mystery! After not reading much over the last couple of years, I am looking for new authors and new books to devour! :)
ReplyDeleteI like a bluestocking heroine
ReplyDelete