Ebony Oaten

**** SPOILER ALERT ****
I truly enjoyed this anthology. It was interesting to see the take each author had of
the Soho Club.
I'm writing what I call an "envelope" review. This introduction that you're reading now.
reviews of the constituent novellas and a conclusion with my thoughts about the anthology overall.
I'll note here. Except for Linda Rae Sande, I have not read any of the other authors. So as not to be repetitive in the individual
reviews: This will be my introduction to nine new authors. I look forward to reading more of their work. In addition, all the novellas
could very well be expanded into novels. This way, I won't bore you by repeating it nine times.
First up:
"A Headhunter In London" by Theresa Fuller kicks off the anthology with a bang!
We meet Ruth Hardy and in a, very, short time meet the titular headhunter. While constrained by
the space confines imposed by novella Fuller does a very nice job of world building and character development over
the course of the story. The author, I think, shows a deft touch in bringing along Ruth's character development in particular.
The question arises, which will Ruth choose? Love, or her work as a reporter/publisher? Perchance a third path?
To find out, read this gem of a story. .

"Just a Glimpse" is Heidi Wesmsan Kneale's contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club".
Kneale did quite well with their world building, and excelled with their character development. It was refreshing to see growth in both the female and male
lead characters. I found the story to be sweet with just the right amount of spice to whet my appetite for more of Kneale's writing. I really enjoyed the humour
shown in this story and hope that this is the norm for the author. Kneale used a very deft hand with their use of humour and doesn't beat the reader over the head with it.
I sincerely hope to read more from Kneale in future.

"Hazzard's Daughter", Beverley Oakley's contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club" is a delightful read.
The author's world building and character development was top shelf, their take on the workings of the eponymous Soho Club was intriguing. I really enjoyed watching Ms. Louisa's progression throughout the story.
Ms. Louisa has served as her aunt's unpaid companion for a decade following an indiscretion. She now faces a dilemma. Accept the proposal of marriage from a boor, or face her aunt's wrath and be shuffled off to be the unpaid servant to some other elderly relation. What choice does she make?
Oakley's use of humour was delightful. Particularly the foil offered by Ms. Winthrop was quite delicious.

Renee Dahlia's contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club", "Love Wasn't Built In A Day"
The author's world building and character development were very nicely done.
On a side note, I do have to wonder, does Mrs. McLoughlin exist? A bit of "The Lady Or The Tiger" type of thing.
Now back to your regularly scheduled review.
This story shows the struggle a person has in overcoming perceptions, their own and those others have inculcated in that person.
It also shows the battle within to try just one more time to find love after getting, figuratively, kicked in the teeth over and over Only to discover that the love was there
all along waiting desperately to be noticed, acknowledged, and loved. David may have been a visionary engineer, but he was so very heart blind.
Dahlia wrote a very sweet love story with a, VERY slow burn.

"A Generous Heart" Pamela Hart's contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club" is very well written.
The author's world building and character development are very nicely done. Particularly that of Adeline and Tony.
It's amazing the misperceptions that can arise when questions aren't asked.
Adeline wants to start a school to help the poor, but is financially constrained by the trust set up by her grandfather.
Tony wants to do good and also to wed Adeline. Both of them make assumptions about the other. Well, that old saying about making assumptions
came about for a reason. Lord Pindar and Lady Penelope are more observant than Adeline accounted for.
Can Adeline marry AND maintain her autonomy in Regency England?
Hart deftly weaves comedic elements into the story as Adeline and Tony go about falling in love.
I think I laughed the hardest when I had a visualisation of Tony's face when he realised what his Mamma may have been getting up to
in the Soho club. The word "PRICELESS" comes to mind.
This anthology is worth the price of admission to enter the Soho Club.

"Redemption" is Joanne Austen Brown's contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club".
The author's world building and character development were very well done. The story
deals with topics of rape and domestic violence. In my humble opinion, Brown handled them quite well.
Can Hannah make a life for herself after her not-so-dearly departed husband shafted her by leaving her without a pence to her name?
Can Timothy face down his inner demons, heal himself, and find love?
Together, can Hannah and Timothy find redemption?
To find out, read "Redemption", while you're at it, I invite you to read the rest of the anthology.
All in all, while I found this story to be sweet, the sweetness was offset with just the right amount of bitterness to
avoid it becoming cloying.

"The Case Of the Black Diamond" is Clyve Rose's contribution to "Secrets
Of The Soho Club". I have to say that this novella is one of my favourite contributions to the anthology.
The author does an impressive job of world building and character development. Two of the three things that I always look for when I read a
book for review. What's the third thing you ask? Well, simple, a good story! Rose delivers that.
Rose has woven a tale that has as many notes and undernotes as the scents that Claire follows as she and Xander handle the case of who stole the eponymous black diamond.
I also like that the author features two romances for the price of one. Claire and Xander of course, but who is involved in the second romance?
Well, to find out, go get this anthology and read it, while you're at it. I strongly urge you read the rest of the contributions in the volume.
"The Case Of The Black Diamond" has mystery, intrigue, and romance, what else could a reader ask for? Well MORE of Claire and Xander's adventures.
Rose will be delivering this! The tale is continued in an upcoming novella in another anthology.

I read "The Making Of A Mistress" Linda Rae Sande's contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club" It was a very enjoyable read. I was glad to recognize some characters from some of Sande's other works. The author quickly draws the reader into the world that has been crafted for the reader's enjoyment. The character development was, as is usual, top shelf, particularly Daisy's.
Sande turned the "steam" up to a higher level than they usually do. While higher than their normal, the "steam" hits, I think, the "Goldilocks" zone. Just right!

"Mine On Thursday" is Fiona M. Marsden's contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club".
The author does a great job at world building and character development.
I find it interesting that the story contains a love pentagon rather than a love triangle.
How Marsden resolves the above love geometric shape is quite interesting.

"There's Something About Ms. Mary" is Ebony Oaten's ( aka Ebony McKenna ) contribution to "Secrets Of The Soho Club"
I commend the author's world building and character development. I also chuckled with Oaten's title being a play on the movie title.
Ms. Mary has an unusual, according to what she's been taught, reaction to men.
She seeks help at the Soho Club and Mrs. Skaarsgard brings in "Mr. Smith" to assist.
Leading to some bit of hilarity and embarrassment.
Some twists and turns occur, leading to Ms. Mary discovering "Mr. Smith's" true identity and a proposal of marriage from an unexpected quarter.
Q: Will Ms. Mary suss out the true reason for the surprise proposal?
Q: Will Ms. Mary and "Mr. Smith" marry?
A: To find out, grab this anthology! A piece of advice? Once you're done with reading Oaten/McKenna's contribution to the anthology, show some love
and read the other novellas!

I thoroughly enjoyed the different takes that each of the authors had of the eponymous Soho Club.
I found the quality of the novellas and by extension the anthology to be very high. The use of humour, the world building, and the character
development across the board was top shelf. I highly recommend purchasing this anthology. You'll not regret it, I'm thinking.
In the interest of transparency, I was given a review copy of this anthology and am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.… (mehr)

I have only read Linda Rae Sande’s contribution to this anthology, so I cannot comment on the other contributions. If time permits, I will read other contributions and will amend my review if/when that occurs.

The Making of A Mistress by Linda Rae Sande – 4-Stars

This author’s stories are always excellently written, well-plotted, perfectly paced, and populated with characters you’ll love. If you haven’t tried her books, you should!

Daisy has been featured in several of this author’s works as has Alex and it is nice to see the two of them together. Both Daisy and Alex work for the British government – one for the Foreign Office and one for the Home Office. When Daisy is given a new assignment, she doesn’t have the required skills and has to acquire them quickly and who better to teach her what she needs to know than Alex Bradley? Will Alex also teach her to love as well? Or, will they go their separate ways after her ‘lessons’? You’ll just have to read this lovely story to see.… (mehr)