Scandal Takes the Stage

October 5, 2015
Leigh’s buoyant and artistic second Wicked Quills of London historical (after Forever Your Earl) is set in 1816 London. The only thing Cameron Chalton, Viscount of Marwood, loves more than the feel of a woman is the theater. He knows talent when he sees it, and it’s that talent, among other things, that draws him toward elusive playwright Margaret Delamere. Maggie can’t deny her attraction to the well-known rake, but she refuses to become another one of his playthings. Giving him her body would ultimately include her heart, and after being impregnated and abandoned by an aristocrat, she has no intention of traveling down that road again. When an extended case of writer’s block threatens her future and that of her troupe, she turns to Cameron for help. He gladly gives it, allowing Maggie to see a side of him that leaves her vulnerable to his charms. This lighthearted romp is full of rambunctious characters, witty repartee, and believable emotional development. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Agency.

October 15, 2015
For a playwright, the worst ailment to suffer is writer's block, which is precisely what ails Maggie Delamere. She has two weeks to deliver the sequel to her successful burletta (brief comic opera) or she will be out of a job! The only sparks of creativity she has lately coincide with her being around the handsome theater patron, Lord Marwood. Could he be the muse who will save her? In a moment of generosity, Lord Marwood offers her his country estate as a writer's refuge. Living under the same roof, they are unable to fight their attraction, and soon embark on a wild affair. Maggie knows that they cannot be together. Society would never allow it; after all, she is the daughter of a merchant, and he is a viscount. But together, might they be strong enough to take the chance? Leigh (Forever Your Earl, 2015) continues her lively Wicked Quills of London series with this behind-the-scenes look at life in the theater in a romance with witty dialogue, heady passion, and strong female characters. Brava!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)