***The Starry-Eyed Revue***: cindy anstey

Title: Duels and Deception
Author: Cindy Anstey
Series: n/a
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Miss Lydia Whitfield, heiress to the family fortune, has her future entirely planned out. She will run the family estate until she marries the man of her late father's choosing, and then she will spend the rest of her days as a devoted wife. Confident in those arrangements, Lydia has tasked her young law clerk, Mr. Robert Newton, to begin drawing up the marriage contracts. Everything is going according to plan.

Until Lydia—and Robert along with her—is kidnapped. Someone is after her fortune and won't hesitate to destroy her reputation to get it. With Robert's help, Lydia strives to keep her family's good name intact and expose whoever is behind the devious plot. But as their investigation delves deeper and their affections for each other grow, Lydia starts to wonder whether her carefully planned future is in fact what she truly wants…

Well, this book was utterly charming. I read a lot of adult historical fiction novels, and I usually love when the characters flout societal norms for a risqué tête-à-tête...or two. But in this case, I was happy to see the young gentleman acting so gallantly and in defense of the main character's reputation.

It's difficult to imagine how hard it was in those days to maintain one's integrity and always act accordingly, especially compared with society today. But even so, Miss Lydia Whitfield stands apart as a headstrong and capable woman of means. She always endeavors to maintain a modicum of decorum, but she also has a knack for making things happen in just the manner she planned. Until someone takes matters into their own hands and makes things happen to Lydia.

I greatly enjoyed the element of mystery to this story, though I did figure out the gist of it pretty early on in the story. And I loved that Mr. Robert Newton made it his mission to discover the truth behind the abduction, going above and beyond his duties as Lydia's solicitor. They were so utterly guileless in their affection for each other and it was completely endearing but also totally frustrating at times because I just wanted so badly for them to kiss already. =)

On a side note, I initially thought this book was a sequel of sorts to Love, Lies and Spies, but it is a completely separate story. Both books can be read on their own in whatever order you choose. But you should definitely read both if you're a fan of wholesome, clean fun by way of historical fiction. Duels and Deception was adorable, quirky, and just plain delightful, and I can't wait to read more from Cindy Anstey.

GIF it to me straight:

About the author:

Cindy Anstey spends her days painting with words, flowers, threads and acrylics. Whenever not sitting at the computer, she can be found—or rather, not found—traveling near and far. After many years living as an expat in Singapore, Memphis and Belgium, Cindy now resides with her husband and energetic chocolate labrador in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Find Cindy:

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Labels: cindy anstey, duels and deception, historical fiction, macmillan, reviews

Title: Love, Lies and Spies
Author: Cindy Anstey
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: April 19, 2016
Source: from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Juliana Telford is not your average nineteenth-century young lady. She’s much more interested in researching ladybugs than marriage, fashionable dresses, or dances. So when her father sends her to London for a season, she’s determined not to form any attachments. Instead, she plans to secretly publish their research.

Spencer Northam is not the average young gentleman of leisure he appears. He is actually a spy for the War Office, and is more focused on acing his first mission than meeting eligible ladies. Fortunately, Juliana feels the same, and they agree to pretend to fall for each other. Spencer can finally focus, until he is tasked with observing Juliana’s traveling companions . . . and Juliana herself.

Is that cover not adorable?!? If you answered that question with a resounding YES then you will probably like the story on the pages of this book, as well, because it is equally charming. I've really gotten into Regency period romance novels lately, this novel included. I've mentioned before that I think that has to do with the sense of decorum that comes with these stories…but especially when those rules of propriety are inevitably broken.

That being said, I like Juliana's character for the opposite reason. Yes, she is unconventional and a little quirky - and yes, a little single-minded when it comes to the ladybugs she studies - but she doesn't intentionally set out to break the rules or bring shame upon her family as some Regency era heroines are wont to do. Juliana has no desire to end her Season in London by making a match; romance is the furthest thing from her mind. So it goes without saying that any breaches in etiquette on her part are largely due to her need to publish her and her father's findings on the lady beetle so that she may return home and remain his caretaker. No stolen kisses or secret rendezvous in her future; nothing to necessitate a quick match to end a scandal.

And yet, Juliana can't seem to stay out of trouble. Whether it's driving her buggy off the side of a cliff or dealing with insufferable mean girls who are determined to ruin her, she is destined to be a damsel in distress. Which is perfect because Mr. Spencer Northam is perfectly suited to be her knight in shining armor. And he does it so well that the two form a friendship, grounded in their mutual desire to remain unmarried and in control of their futures. I loved their subtle banter and the immediate sense of camaraderie that develops into much more, something neither of them expected.

This story employs the fake relationship trope to an extent but it's very well done. As in, the interfering mothers and aunts are so busy with their machinations that they don't care one iota what their children desire, so it's almost as if Juliana and Spencer's efforts are wasted. Except that they aren't because - as with most stories that involve the fake romance - real feelings develop.

Love, Lies and Spies is an adorable little romp in Regency-era London, perfectly-paced and delightfully entertaining. It had me grinning from ear to ear, cover to cover. And the best part of all is that it seems to be a stand-alone with none of those ridiculous miscommunications. It really was just a pleasure to read!

GIF it to me straight:

About the author:

Whenever she is not sitting at the computer, throwing a ball in the backyard, gardening or reading, Cindy can be found--actually, not found--adventuring around the world with her hubby.

She has lived on three continents, had a monkey in her yard and a scorpion under her sink, dwelt among castles and canals, enjoyed the jazz of Beale St and attempted to speak French.

Cindy loves history, mystery and... a chocolate Labrador called Chester. Love, Lies and Spies is her debut novel.

Find Cindy:

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