WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED is the third book in the Studies
in Scandal series by Manda Collins. I recommend reading
this series in order. The first book in this series details
how four young women -- Ivy, Daphne, Sophia, and Gemma --
arrive at the Beauchamp House in hopes of collecting on an
inheritance. The presence of their benefactress, Lady
Celeste Beauchamp, can be felt by each woman as they forge
their path in each book. In WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED, artist
Sophia Hastings falls into the strong arms of the charming
vicar Lord Benedick Lisle. Their attraction to each other
grows as they dig up clues in a tantalizing mystery and bust
a cutthroat group of forgers.
When Sophia overhears two unseen villains plotting before
taking a potentially fatal tumble, Manda Collins gives this
historical romance a Hitchcockian flair. Sophia is
determined to investigate the evil that seems to have
infected the sleepy town of Little Seaford. Ben is the
perfect partner to have along on for her sleuthing because
of his strength, temperament, and intellect. As vicars go,
in Jane Austen terms, Ben is much more the Henry Tilney type
that the obnoxious and pious Mr. Collins. The art world and
local politics collide when Sophia and Ben must decide if
the suspicious things they slowly become aware of are
connected, or two separate, sinister operations. Bullies and
thugs populate WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED and create danger
amidst balls and afternoon tea. Blowhard and
businessman-turned-local politician Peter Morgan is the
apparent crook, but it's less clear what his role in
everything is, and whether he's working alone or with
others. Ben and Sophia make a great team. I like how Sophia
demands respect and refuses to be steamrolled by anyone. Her
strength and spirit make her just as attractive to Ben as
her physical appearance.
WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED is a thrilling mystery with
small-scale political intrigue, art capers, and a dazzling
romance. It was terrific seeing more of the always amazing
Lisle brothers in WALLFLOWER MOST WANTED, and I hope to see
more of the fiery chemistry between Gemma and Cam in the
next book in this series. I look forward to the next
Studies in Scandal novel.
THE PICTURE OF ROMANCE
A dedicated painter, Miss Sophia Hastings is far more
concerned with finding the right slant of light than in
finding Mr. Right. But when an overheard conversation hints
at danger for another local artist, Sophia is determined to
get involved. Even if it means accepting help from an
impossibly good-looking vicar who insists on joining her
investigation—and threatens to capture her heart…
Reverend Lord Benedick Lisle knows that Sophia is no damsel
in distress. But he won’t allow her to venture into peril
alone, either. . .especially since he finds Sophia’s
curious, free-spirited nature so alluring. But protecting
her from harm is becoming more difficult than the vicar
could have expected as he and Sophia confront their fiery
mutual passion. Who could have known that the art of love
would prove so irresistible?