Collection
Series
Publication
Emily Larkin (2016), Edition: 1, 324 pages
Description
Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: One intrepid young lady, one imperiled earl, sundry nefarious villains ... and a dash of dangerous magic. On her 25th birthday, Charlotte Appleby receives an unusual gift from the Faerie godmother she never knew she had: the ability to change shape. Penniless and orphaned, she sets off for London to make her fortune as a man. But a position as secretary to Lord Cosgrove proves unexpectedly challenging. Someone is trying to destroy Cosgrove and his life is increasingly in jeopardy. As Charlotte plunges into London's backstreets at Cosgrove's side, hunting his persecutor, she finds herself fighting for her life�??and falling in love. The first novel in the wildly entertaining and multi award-winning Baleful Godmother series by USA TODAY bestselling author Emily Larkin. Length: Full-length novel of 94,000 words Sensuality level: A hot Regency romance with steamy love scenes If you love page-turning historical romances that keep you reading all night long, then this series is for you. Be swept into a Regency England brimming with passion and peril, adventure and romance, magic and love. Start this addictive series today! BOOKS IN THE BALEFUL GODMOTHER SERIES: Original Series Unmasking Miss Appleby Resisting Miss Merryweather Trusting Miss Trentham Claiming Mister Kemp Ruining Miss Wrotham Discovering Miss Dalrymple Garland Cousins Series Primrose and the Dreadful Duke Violet and the Bow Street Runner Pryor Cousins Series Octavius and the Perfect Governess Decimus and the Wary Widow… (more)
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member pgchuis
Charlotte receives the gift of metamorphosis on her 25th birthday and chooses to leave her uncle and aunt, who are unkind to her, and become a man so she can live independently. She becomes Marcus' secretary and falls for him.
I had read the second novel in this series and so I knew roughly what was
I had read the second novel in this series and so I knew roughly what was
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going to happen. The first half, where Charlotte was adjusting to "the way men live", was very good and well-described. The second half, where Charlotte started meeting Marcus as Miss Brown, was less successful in my opinion. Emotions got a little murky and confused. The very ending was sweet though. Show Less
LibraryThing member SaraAnn05
At first I thought this was not my kind of thing "magic", but it's such a good story it just draws you in. Marcus and Charlotte's characters are more equal than you often find. He's not too overbearing and she's no simpering miss. And for a genteely bred woman of those times, to find out what men
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get up to in their absence was eye-popping for Charlotte and very funny for the reader. I did figure out who the villain of the piece was as soon as he was introduced, as well as his motivation. But this was still a five star read for me Show Less
LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Charlotte Appleby is living as the poor relation to her aunt and uncle when a fairy appears on her twenty-fifth birthday to grant a wish. She chooses the ability to change shape, reasoning that as a man she can make her way better in the world and leave her horrid relatives. She obtains a job as
Marcus has been suffering from attacks on his person, home, and reputation. He has numerous enemies; he's an abolitionist who wants to stop the slave trade, his wife cuckolded him then died in an accident, and his heir wants him dead. His new secretary means to help him discover who is actually trying to kill him.
I got this book on a sale and I was unsure about how I'd like it. I don't usually care for women dressing as men; it's unrealistic generally that no one recognizes the deception. But Ms. Larkin does an excellent job in portraying Charlotte not only as Albin, but also the occasional dog or sparrow. She makes Charlotte's naivety very believable as to her new body functions. Also, it's pretty funny.
In addition, the romance between Charlotte and Marcus is a slow buildup that works. The device she uses to have them meet as man and woman makes sense in the story, so there's no weirdness in Marcus's relationship with Albin; Albin and Charlotte really act as two different people.
The mystery as to who is trying to kill Marcus fits into the overall story, and I admit I was surprised at the denouement.
I'm very glad I read this book and I will definitely continue with the series.
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secretary to Lord Marcus Cosgrove as Christopher Albin.Marcus has been suffering from attacks on his person, home, and reputation. He has numerous enemies; he's an abolitionist who wants to stop the slave trade, his wife cuckolded him then died in an accident, and his heir wants him dead. His new secretary means to help him discover who is actually trying to kill him.
I got this book on a sale and I was unsure about how I'd like it. I don't usually care for women dressing as men; it's unrealistic generally that no one recognizes the deception. But Ms. Larkin does an excellent job in portraying Charlotte not only as Albin, but also the occasional dog or sparrow. She makes Charlotte's naivety very believable as to her new body functions. Also, it's pretty funny.
In addition, the romance between Charlotte and Marcus is a slow buildup that works. The device she uses to have them meet as man and woman makes sense in the story, so there's no weirdness in Marcus's relationship with Albin; Albin and Charlotte really act as two different people.
The mystery as to who is trying to kill Marcus fits into the overall story, and I admit I was surprised at the denouement.
I'm very glad I read this book and I will definitely continue with the series.
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LibraryThing member WhiskeyintheJar
I liked the hero and the heroine but the paranormal aspect of shapeshifting kept them from building a romantic relationship together. I know they spend time together but hero doesn't know it's her and they never bond that way.
The trying to murder mystery was loose end, red-herring, and fractured
I may be too square for this story, lol. Like I said in a update, there was more intimacy between the heroine and her "pego" for most of the story than between her and the hero. I'd be interested in reading this author if she didn't include paranormal elements because I liked the hero and heroine's character.
The trying to murder mystery was loose end, red-herring, and fractured
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for me; didn't flow or provide entertainment for me to follow along with.I may be too square for this story, lol. Like I said in a update, there was more intimacy between the heroine and her "pego" for most of the story than between her and the hero. I'd be interested in reading this author if she didn't include paranormal elements because I liked the hero and heroine's character.
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LibraryThing member AVoraciousReader
Book source ~ NetGalley
Charlotte Appleby is living a miserable life with her aunt and uncle. Sure she has a roof over her head and food to eat, but they treat her like crap. So when a Faerie shows up in her room on her 25th birthday and says she has to bestow a gift on her, what’s a woman to do?
This is one of those books that will grab your fancy and not let go until the end. Charlotte has to pick a gift and the Faerie bestowing it is not like the fairy godmother in Cinderella. She’s like the ones in Grimm Fairy Tales, she may have to bestow a gift, but she’s going to be cruel if she can get away with it. Charlotte is no dummy though and asks questions and carefully weighs her options before choosing her gift.
The year is 1805 and Charlotte’s options are limited. So she decides to shift into a man and apply as a secretary to a Lord from an ad she sees in the paper. She may be a poor relation now, but at one time her mother and father made sure their daughter had a well-rounded education. She’s confident she can do the job. She’s not so sure about being a man. Luckily, Lord Cosgrove takes a chance and hires her, uh, him, uh, Charlotte who is now Christopher Albin. Lord Cosgrove is having some difficulties that a mere secretary would have a hard time helping him to investigate. But Charlotte is in a unique position. She can change into any person or animal and sneak into places neither one could go. The plot is twisty, the characters are wonderful, and Charlotte’s adventures into shape-shifting are fun to witness. Add some romance to the mix (it’s complicated) and it’s the perfect storm. I had a hard time putting this book down. I couldn’t wait to see what was on the next page. Who was the one causing Cosgrove all the trouble? When would he find out about her shape shifting? What would happen when he did? The suspense builds at a steady pace until the big finale. Wonderful!
Charlotte Appleby is living a miserable life with her aunt and uncle. Sure she has a roof over her head and food to eat, but they treat her like crap. So when a Faerie shows up in her room on her 25th birthday and says she has to bestow a gift on her, what’s a woman to do?
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Pick one and get the hell out of Dodge, that’s what. Charlotte chooses the gift of metamorphosis or shape-changing. The best part is: it’s not just shape-changing, it’s life-changing for Charlotte.This is one of those books that will grab your fancy and not let go until the end. Charlotte has to pick a gift and the Faerie bestowing it is not like the fairy godmother in Cinderella. She’s like the ones in Grimm Fairy Tales, she may have to bestow a gift, but she’s going to be cruel if she can get away with it. Charlotte is no dummy though and asks questions and carefully weighs her options before choosing her gift.
The year is 1805 and Charlotte’s options are limited. So she decides to shift into a man and apply as a secretary to a Lord from an ad she sees in the paper. She may be a poor relation now, but at one time her mother and father made sure their daughter had a well-rounded education. She’s confident she can do the job. She’s not so sure about being a man. Luckily, Lord Cosgrove takes a chance and hires her, uh, him, uh, Charlotte who is now Christopher Albin. Lord Cosgrove is having some difficulties that a mere secretary would have a hard time helping him to investigate. But Charlotte is in a unique position. She can change into any person or animal and sneak into places neither one could go. The plot is twisty, the characters are wonderful, and Charlotte’s adventures into shape-shifting are fun to witness. Add some romance to the mix (it’s complicated) and it’s the perfect storm. I had a hard time putting this book down. I couldn’t wait to see what was on the next page. Who was the one causing Cosgrove all the trouble? When would he find out about her shape shifting? What would happen when he did? The suspense builds at a steady pace until the big finale. Wonderful!
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LibraryThing member Vesper1931
Charlotte Appleby is totally surprised to find on her 25th birthday that she has been granted a wish from her Faerie godmother - but can she choose wisely.
Given her current situation she becomes a man, and applies and is given the position of secretary to Lord Cosgrove. Unfortunately someone is
Really enjoying this series though I have not read them in the right order. The writing style is very easy and enjoyable to read and I like the characters.
Given her current situation she becomes a man, and applies and is given the position of secretary to Lord Cosgrove. Unfortunately someone is
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trying to destroy Cosgrove's reputation and kill him. Can they solve the mystery of who and why.Really enjoying this series though I have not read them in the right order. The writing style is very easy and enjoyable to read and I like the characters.
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