Bianca M. Schwarz

Dark Knights!

This last in the Gentleman Spy series is alive with danger, love and doing the right thing.
Maximilian Warthon, Lord Didcomb, grandson of the vicious and debauched Earl of Warthon, has distanced himself from the wrongs of the ancient brotherhood, The Knights, but hasn’t cut the ties. Instead, he’s taken the younger Knights in a new direction of investment in the future—trade, steam engines, railways. You name it, Max is there. He’s a very wealthy man. He doesn’t much care for ton functions finding them insipid.
Emily March illegitimate daughter of Sir Henry March, is making her debut. The family and friends are all in London for the beginning of the season. Emily is feisty, generous and lovely. She also rides like a demon in the early morning in Hyde Park which is where Max first spies her. Cupids arrow pieces his heart. Max attends her come-out ball, waltzes with Emily and leaves, setting the ton all a twitter.
Max has his heart set on Emily. Max’s grandfather the Earl, head of The Knights, has his black heart set on revenge. As does Baron Ostley, a friend to the Earl. Even more disgusting is his attempt to abduct Emily and force her into intimate relations with her half brother Charles. (That connection is not known to Charles.)
Max is shaken into the realization that he can’t remain a Knight and dismiss the path of depravity that it has followed over the generations. He must make a choice.
An exciting read, although at times there’s a loss of flow that almost seems strained and sits at odds with what’s happening. Part of the Gentleman Spy journey that continues to captivate.

A Central Ave. ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.… (mehr)

Spies and secret societies!

Underneath Regency England there bubbles a cauldron of warped men, historically a cabal of landless knights left over from the time when William conquered England, now important Lords and landowners. A secret society termed the knights of the Snake Pit. Once they were part of a Jacobite movement to restore the Stewart’s to the throne. These days many of the adherents are more dissolute, turning their minds to matters of sexual depraviltiy, Although there are shifting parts and doorways untapped that threaten the stability of the land.
Sir Henry March is an agent for the crown investigating the society. He’s also looking for the right sort of wife. One who’ll accept his illegitimate daughter Emily and will sponsor her come out into society.
Isabella Chancellor wants to paint, but is thwarted by her mother’s social ambitions.
Henry and Isabella collude to present themselves to society as a courting couple—giving space to further their own aspirations.
When danger rears it’s head all bets of distance and being uninvolved are off!
A solid, satisfying read.

A Central Avenue ARC via NetGalley… (mehr)

The Gentleman's Daughter is the much anticipated second novel in The Gentleman Spy Mysteries. Having read The Innkeeper's Daughter I was quite excited to read this one.
The subject matter in this series is quite dark involving sexual violence. But, the tension, sense of menace and threat, danger and suspense really leave the reader on tenterhooks and unable to put the book down.
I loved that the darker elements were offset with a lovely and sweet budding romance. Isabella and Henry make an adorable couple and I loved how sweet he was when he was trying to encourage her trust, confidence and friendship. Their romance gave the story a lighter feeling in the first half of the story. Then the excitement and suspense ramped up big time.

With a satisfying and nail-biting conclusion, this book is an all-around winner.

#TheGentlemansDaughter #Netgalley… (mehr)