The Spitfire by Christi Caldwell
Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, September 17, 2019
Time and setting: Regency England
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 327 Pages
Heat Level: 1 Flame
Rating: 5 Gold Crowns
Book Description:
Her dream is to open a music hall. Only one thing stands in her way—the man she loves. The final Wicked Wallflowers novel from USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell.
Leaving behind her life as a courtesan and madam, Clara Winters is moving far from the sinful life to which she was accustomed in the gaming hell the Devil’s Den. Her more reputable and fulfilling endeavor is a music hall for the masses. One night, when she sees a man injured on the streets of East London, she rushes to his aid and brings him home. It’s then that she discovers he’s Henry March, Earl of Waterson, and a member of Parliament. No good can come from playing nursemaid to a nobleman.
When Henry rouses to meet his savior in blonde curls, he is dazzled. This smart and loving spitfire challenges his every notion of the lower classes—and every moment together is a thrill. But after Henry returns to his well-ordered existence, he strikes a political compromise that has unintended consequences. Will his vision for London mean dashing the dreams of his lovely guardian angel?
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Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spitfire-christi-caldwell
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Vikki’s Musings
The Spitfire by Christi Caldwell is book 5 of the Wicked Wallflowers series. I’ve read the other novels and enjoyed them, so when I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I quickly accepted. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.
Wow, just wow! My attention was grabbed from the first page, and I remained enthralled until the end. Ms. Caldwell brings us a very unique heroine in Clara Winters. Then add a beta male hero, and you end up with a fascinating reading experience. Lots of emotional writing in The Spitfire!
Clara Winters is such an interesting and unusual heroine. She lost sight of her great love for music when a man convinces her she has no talent, other than as a courtesan. Now, she has a chance to return to her passion. Her insecurities are real and emotional, and they pulled at my heartstrings. I could understand why she feels she would be unworthy of true love.
Henry Marsh, the Earl of Waterson, is a man driven by events that happened during the Peterloo Massacre, which left his youngest sister changed forever. I could understand his drive to create a police force, but it caused him to sacrifice a few of his principles to accomplish his goal, believing that justified the means. He is not ruthless, but just unable to see anything but his goal. Until he meets Clara.
When she saves his life, he’s astonished by her willingness to put her own life in harm’s way for a stranger. He’s so mystified and drawn to her, even though he knows she was a courtesan. When his sister shows interest in music and wants Clara to give her lessons, he is so desperate to get her to agree, he lies to gain he cooperation. However, his conscience digs at him, especially after they become lovers.
The romance between Clara and Henry is tantalizing and fierce, with each having their own reasons as to why they believe it can never work. I loved the sexual tension between them. Ms. Caldwell is a master at creating that tension. Although, it seems impossible for lasting love, I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.
If you enjoy historical romance with plenty of deep emotion and characters that you’ll fall in love with, then you will love this novel as much as I. While it’s not necessary to read the other books in this series to understand The Spitfire, I do recommend reading them. They are all outstanding, and some of the secondary characters are from the previous books. Happy reading!
Excerpt:
“Ballocks,” she whispered.
“What was that?” an amused voice drawled from the doorway.
Screeching, Clara stopped abruptly. Mid-swing of her reticule, she lost her grip on the beaded handle. She stared on with something akin to horror, as the pale pink article sailed across the room.
Lounging one shoulder lazily against the doorjamb, Henry shot his left hand out, and easily caught the silk and ivory piece.
The bounder. “Of course you’d catch it,” she muttered aloud, the words escaping her. He’d be so perfectly coolly collected and triumphant that he’d catch the damned thing.
“Should I have let it fall, Miss Waters?”
Miss Waters, was she now? That only added to her ire that morn. “Hit you.”
Henry cocked his head; and that slight movement didn’t so much as send one of those expertly combed strands out of place. “Beg pardon?”
“You should have let it hit you.”
He grinned; that lazy half-grin better belonging to a rogue than a proper MP in Parliament. Her heart thudded. Had his smile always been that wickedly tempting; Satan’s smile in that garden of eternal damnation? As if he’d noted her interest, his smile widened.
Author Bio:
USA TODAY Bestselling, RITA-nominated author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in southern Connecticut where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances and caring for her three spirited children!
Christi makes her home in southern Connecticut where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances and caring for her three spirited children!
Social Media:
Website: http://christicaldwell.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caldwell0119/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristiCaldwell
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