July 1, 2019
Eden’s sweet, lighthearted historical pits a pair of popular writers against Victorian London’s dark underbelly. Famed penny dreadful author Fletcher Walker rescues abused children on behalf of the secretive, charitable Dread Penny Society, which fights for and educates the city’s unfortunates. He’s also trying to hunt down his enigmatic rival writer, Mr. King. Lowborn Fletcher finds unexpected commonalities with literary writer Elizabeth Black, a girls’ school headmistress. Elizabeth joins Fletcher’s adventures fighting the criminal element but hides her own potentially dangerous secrets from him until she can reveal them on her own terms. Their slowly building, chaste, period-appropriate romance delivers congenial interludes throughout their assorted investigations into such villains as a cruel, sadistic chimney sweep and a shadowy arsonist who threatens Elizabeth’s school. Chapters of their respective serials are interspersed throughout, providing a subtle view into the authors’ emotional lives. Dedicated readers of historical romance will enjoy many nods to the origins and attractions of their genre. Agent: Pam Victorio, D4EO Literary.
September 1, 2019
Fletcher Walker, author of the day's most successful penny dreadfuls, has never forgotten his origins. As a member of the Dread Penny Society, he uses his earnings to help make the streets a cleaner and safer place to live. When he learns a new upstart named Charles King is eating away at his top spot and therefore his contributions to the society, he sets out on a quest that leads him to Elizabeth Black, a headmistress at a local girl's school and author of respectable silver-fork novels. Her commitment to causes similar to those Fletcher advocates for intrigues him, but he also senses that Elizabeth knows more than she's letting on about the identity of the mystery author. In fact, she is writing the popular works in question, but if her secret were revealed, her own reputation and that of her school would be ruined. Drawn to Fletcher's intellect as much as his gorgeous looks, Elizabeth finds it increasingly difficult to refuse his invitation to help track down the elusive King. VERDICT Eden's latest entry in the "Victorian" series (after Ashes on the Moor) is a joy to read, filled with adventure, suspense, two characters longing for love but protective of their secrets. Two original penny dreadfuls interspersed throughout make this story even more impressive.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash
Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 1, 2019
Fletcher Walker worked his way up from street urchin to London's most successful penny-dreadful author, but he's starting to lose sales to newcomer Charles King. Fletcher needs the money to help fund the Dread Penny Society, a group of authors who rescue street children. To find the elusive Mr. King, he enlists the help of literary novelist and school headmistress Elizabeth Black. While consorting with Fletcher might damage her reputation, it would be worse if her secret identity as Fletcher's penny-dreadful rival were discovered. Several subplots involving saved children add suspense to Eden's chaste yet exciting romance as Fletcher and Elizabeth grow closer together despite their different class backgrounds. Thoroughly enjoyable chapters of their penny dreadfuls are interspersed throughout the book, offering insight into how each views the world and its struggles. Eden does not shy away from the hardships faced by the Victorian poor, but the daring escapades of the Dread Penny Society and the attraction between the two authors keep the novel from turning grim. Readers will hope for future appearances of Eden's irresistible characters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)