A Lady’s Formula for Love

Everett debuts with an enjoyable feminist romance between a widowed viscountess and her bodyguard. In 1842 England, Lady Violet Hughes runs Athena’s Retreat, a secret club of eccentric and groundbreaking female scientists. Meanwhile, Omnium Democratia, an illegal workers’ organization demanding suffrage for all men, grows increasingly radical and violent. When Omnium brings a devastating new chemical weapon to their riots, the Crown tasks Violet with developing an antidote, and her stepson, Grey, hires protection officer Arthur Kneland to keep her safe as she completes the formula. Between contending with sabotage attempts on her work and keeping up the appearance of propriety to protect her beloved club, the last thing Violet needs is to let the “instantaneous, primal attraction” between her and Arthur cloud her judgement. The pair decides their affair must be fleeting and purely physical—but both soon realize that deeper feelings lie beneath their chemistry. Everett’s expert character development results in Violet and Arthur’s believable and scorching connection, though this is sometimes at the cost of the suspense plot, which is underdeveloped in comparison. Nevertheless, the diverse cast and admirable heroine will win over fans of historical romance. Everett’s off to a promising start. [em]Agent: Ann Leslie Tuttle, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Feb.) [/em]