His Secret Mistress

January 1, 2020
An actress who has carefully chosen the rules she can break in Regency-era England finds herself painfully conflicted when she rediscovers her ex-lover, now an aspiring architect with his heart set on building bridges. Brandon Balfour has studiously avoided matrimony. His singleness has ensured continued membership in the Logical Men's Society, a group for unmarried scientific-minded men instituted by the grandfather of the current Earl of Marsden. While the matrons of the village of Maidenshop would like nothing better than to see him--and his two eligible young friends--comfortably wedded, Brandon has other concerns: Not only is he haunted by his romantic past with the indomitable Kate Addison, he is also hoping to secure the future of his ward, the Duke of Winderton. But ancient history returns to create drama in the present when he learns that Winderton believes himself in love with Kate, whose traveling theater group has halted at their village. Brandon crashes back into her life, but Kate is determined that he will not shatter her heart again. Since she suffered disastrous consequences after her tryst with Brandon 15 years ago, Kate feels used and betrayed. She is determined to prove that she can stand her ground and won't give the architect an inch. The first installment in Maxwell's A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women series is deliciously sweet when it dwells on the protagonists' interactions with secondary characters but insipid when the couple get together to trade barbs and memories. Brandon's struggle with the difficulty of building a solid foundation for his life inspires empathy, but the enormity of Kate's trauma gets obscured by drama. A fiercely ambitious woman who has braved several odds to gain financial independence, Kate is a beautifully crafted character whose story deserved more sensitivity and nuance. However, the scenes involving the villagers of Maidenshop sparkle with wit and insight, illuminating several human foibles and desires. A fairly straightforward romance set in a quaintly charming world.

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January 27, 2020
A painful misunderstanding comes to light in this delightful Regency series launch from Maxwell (The Duke That I Marry). Brandon Balfour, a 36-year-old bachelor, is a prominent member of the anti-marriage Logical Men’s Society and still smarting from a heartbreak in his youth. When Bran’s sister, the Dowager Duchess of Winderton, insists he pay off the older actor that her son has grown infatuated with to convince her to leave the boy alone, Bran laughs off her concern—until he learns the actor in question is Kate Addison, his own former lover. Bran demands that Kate immediately leave the town of Maidenshop or he’ll send the magistrate after her. Surprised at seeing Bran again, spunky Kate refuses to go and confronts Bran about just how badly the disastrous end of their relationship hurt her. Bran is stunned by her anger, believing he is the one who was jilted 15 years ago. As the dark truth of what really happened comes to light, the couple’s verbal sparring and well-matched wits hide their deep emotional vulnerability and make for electric chemistry. Readers will find it easy to root for their happy reunion. Agent: Robin Rue, Writer’s House.

February 7, 2020

Brandon Balfour and Kate Addison were once desperately in love but grossly manipulated against each other. Brandon left the country broken hearted, and Kate was forced to leave the stage and live with her rapist. Years later, Brandon is back in England, an architect and member of the bachelor club, the Logical Men's Society. One of his duties is to oversee his nephew and the ducal estate. When the young duke abruptly falls in love with an actress, and Brandon finds out it's Kate, he's convinced she's trying to con his nephew. In reality, Kate just needs time for the troupe's wagon wheel to be fixed. As the duo spar and manipulations of the past come to light, the spark of their true feelings begins to resurface. VERDICT Maxwell (If Ever I Should Love You) provides a brave heroine whom readers will root for in love and life in this first book of a new series. While the couple's intriguing backstory isn't as fleshed out as it could be, readers looking for an unconventional Regency romance should give this a try.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

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