Andrea Pickens

Lady Hester Stanhope’s eccentric father has controlled her life, and she escapes as soon as she can. With the support of her uncle William Pitt the Younger, she maneuvers through the glittering and treacherous heights of London Society, earning favor with the influential Beau Brummell. While presiding over her uncle's gatherings, she seeks a passionate and equal match. Hester finds courage, strength, and an unexpected future that establishes a glorious legacy of her own.

I’d heard of Lady Hester Stanhope before but I didn’t know much about her. There is much to admire about a lady who was determined to live life according to her own rules. At the same time, I’m not sure I would have liked her if I’d met her. She seems to have been someone ruled by her emotions and little self-control.

The plot moves at an even pace and the details of the time were enjoyable. Much of the story revolves around her various love affairs. Hester throws herself into each one, risking scandal and censure each time. Although the sex scenes were not detailed, they were enough to make me uncomfortable.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy fictional biographies about a historical figure. I received an advance copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.… (más)

After Lord Wrexford and his friend Sheffield stumble upon a murder scene in a park, he becomes involved in another investigation and seeks Charlotte's assistance. Thanks to a generous friend, she's moved to a better location where she and her wards Raven and Hawk can live a little more safely. The murdered man was a well-bred man on the verge of patenting an engine that would be revolutionary for its time. I love the way the author makes street urchins useful in her plots. I loved the inclusion of mathematics in the plot. I wondered how long we'd have to wait for Raven to be the one to solve the puzzle. We see the relationship between Lord Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane deepening. The mystery was well-built and kept the reader interested. I listened to the audiobook read by J. C. Stewart. I'm enjoying this series very much.… (más)

I received this as a Goodreads giveaway and have never been so excited to win a book in my entire life!

This was everything Wrexford and Sloane should be. Excitement, murder, spies, and politics. However, there were fewer instances of reactions to Quill's caricatures, and I was a little disappointed in that they did not play more of a part of the story. That, and the extreme use of the words "villain" and "Damnation" were what prevented it from being a 5-star rating. Once you got past everyone saying one or both of the two words on seemingly every page (and sometimes multiple times in a conversation), it was great!… (más)

Extraordinary!

I began this title whilst in the middle of another genre. Caught up in that read, I put this away for a time, wondering if I’d make it back. I’m glad I did!
The more I read about Lady Hester Stanhope, the more intrigued I became.
The volatile, intelligent Lady Hester, a superb rider, an extraordinary “amazon” of a woman, of “fierce intellect and ambition”. A woman who stepped into the world of men, navigating her way through a closely strewn minefield of political, social and familial relationships that changed frequently, except for the latter. “Witty and often cynically pragmatic” we are told in Penrose’s excellent Author’s Note.
Her time as her beloved uncle, William Pitt’s hostess at Walker Castle and later, when Pitt formed government, as Pitt’s ‘Private Secretary’ gave her the chance to blossom, as she served as his sounding board and confidant for various political actions.
She was a close acquaintance of Brummell. She and her cousin the wildly unpredictable Lord Camelford sparked off each other, a tempestuous relationship. Her relations with Lord Granville Leveson Gower, later Ambassador to Russia left her damaged. With Lieutenant-General John Moore however, she was able to be herself. She was shattered by the tidings of his death during the retreat of the British at Corunna.
Still she walked on with life, wounded but determined. Remembering John’s words, “It was the journey that mattered” and “Fortune favors the bold.”
This fictionalised biography of Hetty’s life until she left Portsmouth with her brother James, whilst he recuperated before returning for duty at Gibraltar, really touched me. A woman fighting her times. Hetty journeyed on to the Middle East, to the Levant, an explorer, archaeologist and adventurer. Never to return to England. Her story had me transfixed in the end. Her pain, her courage, all extraordinary.

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change… (más)