The Portrait of the Devil of St. James

by Emmi West

The Marquess is desperate. To avoid a marriage he never wanted, he plans to send a portrait that will terrify the bride. His war-scarred face, branded "The Devil of St. James," will surely end the engagement – or so he believes.

Just as he’s about to give up on finding the right artist, a woman appears at his door, offering her services on behalf of the renowned painter, Francis Fitzroy.

She has three

1. The fee is double.
2. Meetings must be private, without witnesses.
3. What happens in the atelier stays there.

The Marquess has no idea what he’s getting into with the enigmatic woman. Even the first session is far from what he imagined...


Exciting – humorous – filled with love. In the new Regency romance by USA Today Bestselling Author Jenny Foster as Emmi West, you’ll meet a man who knows how to wield his devilish charm and will stop at nothing to win the woman of his heart. A standalone novel with a guaranteed happy ending.

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Forced Proximity

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2024

Reviews

[Em Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was well-done, but the plot was too convoluted and rushed at the end and fell flat. I wasn’t really rooting for the couple. Furthermore, how are you going to constantly allude to their lust but not actually write out a scene?

[Mackenzie Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun historical romance where I ate up the chemistry between the MFC and the love interest. However, the ending really dragged and did not to be as long as it was. During the third act, we were introduced to so many other characters that were missing from the majority of the book and I couldn’t tell if they were couples from companions novels, making my investment in the story dwindle.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would’ve dnf’d if not for the cat.

[Lois Karasek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in Regency England, women had few choices. They either married and had a family or prostituted themselves to earn enough money to feed and clothe themselves. Men held all the power and gainful employment positions. Even in the Arts.

Frederica Fitzroy was married to such an artist, but it was her talent that propelled him to fame, not his. She finished nearly all of his portrait works, but no one knew. Nash Burnwood, Marquess of Arden, returned from the Battle of Waterloo with a massive scar across and down his face, which turned his former handsome self into a monster. He took advantage of this fact, which allowed him to remain a bachelor. He had no desire to be burdened with a wife.

But when he was affianced to a young Scottish maiden, who he had never met, nor she, him, he was determined to "scare her off" by sending her a life portrait. For this he needed an artist who would render a true depiction of his face. Mrs. Fitzroy was determined to be that artist, but she had to disguise herself as her deceased husband. Would she be able to pull off the deception? And would the Marquess of Arden be fooled?

Any reader of this Regency romance will be captivated by the characters and their interactions. There's tender romance and breathtaking suspense....and even a few laughs....and many tears. I highly recommend this very well-written story of (almost) lost love.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woman artists were few and far between before and during the regency period. The heroine is an artist who worked behind the scenes for her late husband. Now she desperately needs money so she applies to paint a portrait under her husband’s name. The hero is battle scarred and want the scar to ward off an engagement he didn’t approve of. He hires an artist to paint accurately his scar. There are some humorous moments in the story, but it also shines the light on the few options afforded women. It was an entertaining read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but I felt I skimmed over a lot

The plot was good and interesting but I found myself skimming over a lot of the book. Like when the characters were alone and thinking about things. Even though I skimmed over sections, I still knew what was going on. There was a point where I didn’t think some of it was needed.

On note the book is a clean story, the most they do is kiss.

[Richard Burlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the first part of this book when it was mainly a two hander, with the marvellous addition of the cat as a minor character, was superb. The characters were well built and the interaction between them was delightful.

I found the sexual references rather strange as this is essentially a clean story with no erotic elements.

[Linda Galway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I love reading Regency/Victorian romances, they tend to be formulaic. This book took a different turn with an older heroine and a battle-scarred hero, both thrust into situations not of their making. Well done, and I loved the conspiratorial aspect as well as the humor!

[Lizzie Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with interesting characters from Regency England. A slight Austen-style romance and coming-together ending which felt like a comforting trope to lean into given the nature of the book.

Soft romance and gentle dialogue and description throughout

[Ruth Abbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing romance

Some sorrow, growing interest and intrigue-well developed characters including an interesting pet, all culminate in a fascinating romance - thoroughly enjoyed!

[Yamsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my genre so I can't speak to how it holds up, but I enjoyed the tension in the first half. Felt a little bit contrived but ultimately was memorable.

[Avid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters make this book spectacular. Both are mature individuals that face life head on. Great story!!!