Books › Heart of Fire
Heart of Fire
First published 2008 · 384 pages
A spirited blend of Regency romance and gothic-tinged mystery where a sharp-penned heroine goes undercover to unmask a scoundrel, only to lose her heart.
What it feels like
Reading this historical romance feels like stepping into a lively, suspenseful romp where ballgowns and society gossip conceal darker, deadlier secrets. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging clip, propelled by a heroine who refuses to let grief or societal expectations blunt her investigative edge. As she goes undercover in a brooding, atmospheric castle, the mood shifts from sparkling Regency wit to a slightly dangerous, gothic-tinged intrigue. The prose is accessible and spirited, perfectly capturing the crackling tension of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic built on hidden identities and reluctant attraction. It is a delightful escape for readers who crave a capable, sharp-tongued sleuth, a misunderstood hero, and a romance that blooms amidst the shadows of a genuine mystery.
- Mood
- intrigue-laden
- romantic
- atmospheric
- shadowy
- Tone
- spirited
- witty
- suspenseful
- earnest
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- uncovering hidden truths · enemies to lovers · defying societal expectations · grief and justice · deception and disguise
- The writing
- Accessible and engaging, balancing lively Regency dialogue with atmospheric descriptions of gothic-tinged estates.
- The arc
- Moves from determined grief and suspicion to reluctant attraction, culminating in hard-won trust and passionate devotion.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love their historical romances spiked with a genuine mystery, a capable heroine, and a brooding, misunderstood hero.
Content notes
- suicide of a sibling (off-page)
- murder investigation
- mild peril
About the book
As a viscount's daughter, vivacious Coralee Whitmore is perfectly placed to write about London's elite in the outspoken ladies' gazette, Heart to Heart. But beneath her fashionable exterior beats the heart of a serious journalist.So when her sister's death is dismissed as suicide, Corrie vows to uncover the truth, suspecting the notorious Earl of Tremaine was Laurel's lover and the father of her illegitimate child. Corrie infiltrates Castle Tremaine posing as a wide-eyed country relation whose charming figure--and reduced circumstances--make her irresistible to the confirmed scoundrel. But Corrie finds the earl is not all he seems...nor is she immune to his charms, however much she despises his caddish ways.Far from a society column, Corrie's life soon reads more like one of Mr. Dickens's serials. But the danger of her ruse is hardly fictional: someone is bent on ensuring Corrie's questions go unanswered--and unasked.
Description from Open Library.
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