Finding
her is only half the battle
Cyrus
Ryland didn’t become England’s wealthiest bachelor by being a
pushover, but the mysterious beauty he discovers sneaking around his
study during a grand ball enflames his curiosity. They share one
dance, but when the clock chimes midnight, she’s nowhere to be
found. So Cyrus vows to scour all of London to uncover who she is.
Claire
Mayhew is risking it all by forging Ryland’s signature. But the
maddening man won’t lease properties to an unmarried woman. He
stands in the way of Claire’s dream: running her own business. The
midtown property fits her plans perfectly—a place to live as an
independent woman of commerce. When she sneaks into his study and
forges his signature, she never expects to be attracted to the stodgy
bachelor. But if he finds out who she is, all of her dreams could go
up in smoke…
Gina Conkle, a history nerd to
the core, loves castles and museums. Her motto is “the older and
moldier, the better.” When not enjoying relics, she lives in the
present, dabbling in organic gardening at her home in San Diego,
California. She lives with Brian, her husband and favorite alpha
male, and their two boys. Visit her at www.ginaconkle.com.
***
Today we’re sitting down with
historical romance author Gina Conkle! Gina’s latest book, The
Lady Meets Her Match, comes out this April. To celebrate
we’re participating in the “Ask Gina Spotlight Tour”, take it
away Gina!
- What has been your biggest adventure to date?
- Eloping at midnight with Brian. We were playing a midnight game of pool in a dive bar and he said, “If I make this shot, we’re going to Vegas. Tonight.” He made the shot. I said, “Yes” and off we went.
We drove all night and got married at 9:20 AM the next day. This
could be why I like stories where everything changes at midnight.
My thoughts.....4 stars
THE LADY MEETS HER MATCH gives a passing nod at the
Cinderella fairytale. Our Cinderella, Claire, neither wants her shoe returned
nor does she require rescue from a life of drudgery and servitude to her step
relations by the King, of Commerce that is.
Claire is an independent woman during a time when such
behavior was frowned upon and every step taken to stop such actions in their
tracks. Women needed the firm guiding hand of a man, period. They certainly
weren’t capable of operating a business or making their own
decisions….Gracious, no!
I enjoyed Claire Mayhew. She was bold and audacious without
becoming a caricature. She handled events with style and grace.
Cyrus Ryland is a hero you can’t help but love. He’s willing
to meet Claire more than halfway and re-examine his thinking and beliefs. But
first he has to discover who the witty, elusive masked temptress is.
Claire and Cyrus lead each other on a merry chase that’s
simply delightful. The give-take and by-play are charming and a reflection of
the strength and nature of both characters.
Another enjoyable facet of THE LADY MEETS HER MATCH is it’s
portrayal of the emerging middle and upper middle class. Men, and women, making
fortunes based on their skills, talents, and abilities rather than birth.
Meritocracy versus aristocracy, a version of survival of the fittest done with
a light, not preachy or hamfisted, touch.
It was a pleasant change to see a historical that didn’t revolve around
and hinge on the Ton and their acceptance.
I fancied THE LADY MEETS HER MATCH so much that I bought the
first book in the series before I was even halfway through.
THE LADY MEETS HER MATCH is a read to get lost in.
An
Excerpt:
Cyrus
removed his fine blue coat, the slide of cloth on cloth an inviting
sound to her benumbed senses.
“You’re
not warming up sufficiently.” He leaned in and wrapped his coat
over her shoulders, his deep voice like an intimate connection.
“Someone needs to take care of you.”
She
shuddered when his breath tickled her ear. His warmth and nearness
was just as heavenly as what he draped around her. She could tell he
found her refusal more amusing than deterring. Cyrus closed the coat
in front of her, his body heat palpable inside. The collar’s woven
broadcloth brushed her rain-misted cheeks, his pleasant scent on the
cloth. The coat was part of an expensive, well-tailored ditto suit:
identical blue fabric with spare gold trim on the coat, waistcoat,
and breeches.
“I’ll
ruin part of a perfectly good suit.” But she pulled the coat
tighter, greedy for the snug feel.
He
added more coal to the blaze. The inferno’s orange light danced
across white cotton stretched over his shoulders. Muscles moved under
the fabric, mesmerizing her while he built a hotter fire. And then
there was his offer to waive her rent and give her a loan, an offer
apparently free of unique requirements.
His act of generosity pinched her conscience.
How
dare he be so…nice.
“About
the rent, the loan, I cannot accept your kind offer.” She cleared
her throat, trying to sound competent. “I’ll find a way.”
Ryland
glanced at her but said nothing to counter her refusal. Instead, he
dropped to the floor, kneeling before her. Without asking her leave,
he removed one shoe and then the other, and set the soaked footwear
against the hearth’s ash pan.
“What
are you doing?” Her words, like her body, went slack, all of her
too worn down.
His head bent close to her
knee. One hand, large and warm, curled around her ankle, rubbing life
back into her foot. A big, masculine palm moved under the arch,
creating delightful friction. She pressed her lips together, holding
back a moan of pleasure.
“I
would think a land steward’s daughter would know wet clothes are
hazardous for one’s health.” He flashed a devilish grin. “You
ought to remove your wet clothes, cover yourself with something warm
and dry.”
Such
as covering myself with you.
Buy Links:
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1FrN62T
Apple:
http://apple.co/1bczPjI
Indiebound:
http://bit.ly/1bczVHZ
Kobo:
http://bit.ly/18TXsf4
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Hi Ivy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me on your blog. I'm glad you enjoyed Cyrus and Claire's story. Have a great day-
Gina
Glad to have you visit, Gina.
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