A classic story of good versus evil-- only for our heroine things are not so clear cut. The Heirs believe capturing the magic sources of the world will help England to become the strongest country in the world. The Blades of the Rose seek to protect the magic of the world from the Heirs by any means necessary.

London Edgeworth Harcourt has spent the last three years of her life "mourning," as society says she should. Three long years wearing what was required of her and acting as a lady in her position should. Now her mourning is over, and she is given the "freedom" to travel with her father to Greece. London has a secret that she hid from her deceased husband and her father. She had secretly been studying ancient languages, dialects, and writings. Although she is well aware it is unbecoming of a woman of her class, London has hidden herself away to study and learn. Now in Greece, she is able to purchase scrolls and texts without having to send servants out to do the undercover shopping for her. With an escort shadowing her on her trip to the market place, London engages in lively debate with a merchant regarding his lies about the authenticity of the antiquity of his merchandise. Her spunk and words catch the attention of Bennett who is passing through the market place after being chased by an irate husband.

Bennett is a self-proclaimed scoundrel who will stop at nothing to gather the information he needs for the Blades. Most of these endeavors require his services in the bedrooms of the lonely wives of his enemies, where he acquires the information needed to thwart the Heir's plans. Taken aback by this intelligent woman, Bennett helps London escape the wrath of the antiquities dealer, only to later learn that she is none other than the daughter of his nemesis, Edgeworth, the head council of the Heirs.

London is kidnapped by the Blades and told their version of the truth, including that handsome Bennett is the man who made her a widow. Years of ignorance about what her father and husband did for a living had left many questions that were now answered by Bennett and a witch named Athena. London must make a major decision to maintain the status quo or believe the stranger who has shattered the whole world around her, but may give her the freedom to really live life.

Zoe Archer has created a hidden paranormal world within nineteenth century Europe which includes steamy romance and nonstop action. I look forward to future novels and plan to read the whole series as soon as it is released. This book will be fun for all romance readers who like a mixture of adventure, mystery, and magic set in the past.

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