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Heart of Enquiry #0.5
The Widow Vanishes
A Lady in Peril
A disastrous marriage leaves Annabel Foster buried in her dead husband's debt and at the mercy of a menacing cutthroat. Faced with death or selling her body, she makes an unthinkable choice...
A Scotsman with a Past
Haunted by his past, Scottish soldier William McLeod seeks forgetfulness in the arms of a tempting wench. What begins as a night of lust, however, transforms into desire beyond his wildest fantasies...
One Night of Passion
Insatiable hunger flares between the pair even as an evil enemy seeks to destroy them both. Can one night of passion lead to their salvation and love forevermore?
The Widow Vanishes is a novella (approximately 36,000 words) and had a preview release in the 2014 Scandalous Summer Nights anthology.
A disastrous marriage leaves Annabel Foster buried in her dead husband's debt and at the mercy of a menacing cutthroat. Faced with death or selling her body, she makes an unthinkable choice...
A Scotsman with a Past
Haunted by his past, Scottish soldier William McLeod seeks forgetfulness in the arms of a tempting wench. What begins as a night of lust, however, transforms into desire beyond his wildest fantasies...
One Night of Passion
Insatiable hunger flares between the pair even as an evil enemy seeks to destroy them both. Can one night of passion lead to their salvation and love forevermore?
The Widow Vanishes is a novella (approximately 36,000 words) and had a preview release in the 2014 Scandalous Summer Nights anthology.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2014
110 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Grace Callaway
51 books1,083 followers
Preorder GLORY AND THE MASTER OF SHADOWS (Lady Charlotte's Society of Angels #4) for March 28th!
Put it on your "To Read" shelf ➤
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Don't miss this thrilling new historical romance by USA Today Bestseller Grace Callaway! Set during the Opium Wars, this steamy and spellbinding Charlie’s Angels meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon romance will leave you breathless...
Their love is forbidden…and irresistible.
The daughter of a half-Chinese duke and a lady fossil hunter, Lady Glory Cavendish is a free-spirited campaigner for justice. She belongs to a secret society of lady detectives whose goal is to help women in need. During her latest case involving a dastardly dognapping, Glory crosses paths with the handsome and mysterious Wei Chen, a master of healing and martial arts. Fascinated by the noble shifu, Glory convinces him to take her on as a pupil; the more time she spends with him, however, the more she longs for lessons of a more intimate nature.
Master Wei Chen has led a life of discipline focused on a single goal: avenging his murdered kin. His journey takes him to London where, by day, he treats opium users in his East End clinic and, by night, he secretly hunts the villain who destroyed his family. Yet for the first time, temptation distracts Wei: his spirited and lovely new pupil stirs dangerous needs in him. Desires that are forbidden between a shifu and his student…and between a commoner and a duke’s daughter.
As Wei and Glory’s slow-burn romance ignites into fiery passion, they are drawn into a web of betrayal and deceit. Torn between honor and desire, revenge and love, the pair must decide if they will let the past determine their future…or if they will fight the shadows for their chance at happily ever after.
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About Grace
USA Today & International Bestselling Author Grace Callaway writes hot and heart-melting historical romance filled with mystery and adventure. Her debut novel was a Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist and a #1 National Regency Bestseller, and her subsequent novels have topped national and international bestselling lists. She is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, the Maggie Award for Excellence in Historical Romance, the Golden Leaf, and the Passionate Plume Award for Historical Novel. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan and lives with her family in a valley close to the sea. When she’s not writing, she enjoys dancing, exploring the great outdoors with her rescue pup, and cheering on her favorite basketball team.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 24, 2024
The imminent danger he faced made her pulse thrum with a wild mix of love, fear, and gratitude. He'd done so much for her and asked for nothing in return. He was the noblest of men—her hero.
I loved this sweet, spicy little story! So much goodness packed into just 112 pages:
- A big, sexy, protective and kind-hearted Scot
- A very likable young woman
- Friendship and intimacy
- Smokin hot sexytimes
- A touch of danger
- A put-a-smile-on-your-face HEA
What’s not to love?
To her shock and delight, she could feel his stiffening manhood against her thigh. "Already?" she said breathlessly. Laughter and desire blazed in his eyes. "Aye, lass. Try to keep up.”
I loved this sweet, spicy little story! So much goodness packed into just 112 pages:
- A big, sexy, protective and kind-hearted Scot
- A very likable young woman
- Friendship and intimacy
- Smokin hot sexytimes
- A touch of danger
- A put-a-smile-on-your-face HEA
What’s not to love?
To her shock and delight, she could feel his stiffening manhood against her thigh. "Already?" she said breathlessly. Laughter and desire blazed in his eyes. "Aye, lass. Try to keep up.”
December 31, 2024
Annabelle Foster's trash husband had the audacity to die and leave behind a ton of debt. Now it's up to Annabelle to pay that debt. Did I mention that the debt is owed to a criminal overlord? COOL. Annabelle struggles to gain respectable employment because men just won't leave her alone and LET HER DO HER DAMN JOB. Now she has no other option but to work for the criminal overlord and sell her body for a year to pay her dead trash hubby's debt.
On her first night on the job, she's offered to Peregrine (BUT DON'T CALL HIM THAT) William Mcleod. Mcleod is...it's kind of hard to describe his job 😂 He's like a contract tracker? And he's currently doing a job for the same criminal overlord who's currently making Annabelle's life difficult. Criminal Overlord also wants Mcleod on his payroll but Mcleod's like "Nah, you're actually insane. I'm finishing this last job then I'm out." To reward Mcleod for a job well done-and also to entice him to work for him long term?-he offers him a night with one of the women at his establishment. That's when Mcleod locks eyes with Annabelle. Did I mention that McLeod is very BIG, very SEXY, very SCOTTISH and most importantly, very HONORABLE (aka my ideal historical romance hero)
So, Mcleod is so good at pleasing a woman that Annabelle is basically like "Eff this, it won't get better than tonight. I'm out" and do you know how Annabelle thanks Mcleod for the great s*x and multiple orgasms?!? She picks his pockets, steals his shirt then DIPS. HOW RUDE. But it's ok, because she does feel really bad about it. Anyway, Mcleod wakes up and he is PISSED and he's also like NOT AGAIN because this is not the first time that he's been deceived by a woman: his older brother seduced his fiancée, knocked her up and then married her so ya boy understandably has ✨trust issues✨
Long story short, Mcleod goes after Annabelle but once he gets the full story, he's instantly like "MUST. PROTECT." They grow closer, the walls come down, the clothes come off and they fall in love. While all this is happening, there's a bit of danger and an appearance from his fiancée seducing older brother who may not be as bad as he seems (yes, he has his own book which I've just realized has been on my kindle for months 😭)
Overall, this book was fabulous. Grace Callaway always delivers on steam and story. She’s also fabulous at depicting complicated family dynamics. My only gripe is that I wish this was a full-length novel instead of a novella but that's because Mcleod and Annabelle were such well written characters, and I wanted to spend more time with them.
CW: death of a child (off-page) attempted assault (on-page)
On her first night on the job, she's offered to Peregrine (BUT DON'T CALL HIM THAT) William Mcleod. Mcleod is...it's kind of hard to describe his job 😂 He's like a contract tracker? And he's currently doing a job for the same criminal overlord who's currently making Annabelle's life difficult. Criminal Overlord also wants Mcleod on his payroll but Mcleod's like "Nah, you're actually insane. I'm finishing this last job then I'm out." To reward Mcleod for a job well done-and also to entice him to work for him long term?-he offers him a night with one of the women at his establishment. That's when Mcleod locks eyes with Annabelle. Did I mention that McLeod is very BIG, very SEXY, very SCOTTISH and most importantly, very HONORABLE (aka my ideal historical romance hero)
So, Mcleod is so good at pleasing a woman that Annabelle is basically like "Eff this, it won't get better than tonight. I'm out" and do you know how Annabelle thanks Mcleod for the great s*x and multiple orgasms?!? She picks his pockets, steals his shirt then DIPS. HOW RUDE. But it's ok, because she does feel really bad about it. Anyway, Mcleod wakes up and he is PISSED and he's also like NOT AGAIN because this is not the first time that he's been deceived by a woman: his older brother seduced his fiancée, knocked her up and then married her so ya boy understandably has ✨trust issues✨
Long story short, Mcleod goes after Annabelle but once he gets the full story, he's instantly like "MUST. PROTECT." They grow closer, the walls come down, the clothes come off and they fall in love. While all this is happening, there's a bit of danger and an appearance from his fiancée seducing older brother who may not be as bad as he seems (yes, he has his own book which I've just realized has been on my kindle for months 😭)
Overall, this book was fabulous. Grace Callaway always delivers on steam and story. She’s also fabulous at depicting complicated family dynamics. My only gripe is that I wish this was a full-length novel instead of a novella but that's because Mcleod and Annabelle were such well written characters, and I wanted to spend more time with them.
CW: death of a child (off-page) attempted assault (on-page)
March 24, 2022
Widow Annabel Foster is trapped under a debt her dead husband owed to a dangerous man. With no way to pay him back, she’s forced to sell herself. On her first night, she has an explosive encounter with former soldier William McLeod.
This was a really good novella and my first time reading this author. It won’t be the last! I really enjoyed the steam and the pacing.
Tropes: Widow, Auctioned/Settle-a-Debt, Protector
Steam: 4
This was a really good novella and my first time reading this author. It won’t be the last! I really enjoyed the steam and the pacing.
Tropes: Widow, Auctioned/Settle-a-Debt, Protector
Steam: 4
April 20, 2025
⭐⭐⭐
3 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Some parts of the story were a little interesting.
Curvy/full-figured heroine. 👍
Widow heroine.
The hero was not a rogue/rake or womanizer.
The heroine was not a aristocrat and the hero was in a roundabout way a indirectly a aristocrat… but lived as part of the “working class”… so both hero and heroine are Not actually aristocrats.
The curvy/full-figured heroine is more or less written like any other heroine…like any other heroine of any other size… which is a really good thing.👍
And she is more or less confident or at least neutral about her body.
And the heroines issues has nothing to do with her looks or her body… but about her class and her background…. And what she had to do to survive and her mistakes etc.
But……..
No quick fix for the relationship between the hero and the heroes awful half-brother …. even-though he did help the heroine (but he did so because he wanted something from the hero.)
How the heroines situation shows how vulnerable and precarious and also dangerous women's lives were back then… especially for women in the working class and unmarried women or widowed women.
➖ What I disliked:
The heroine is a curvy/full-figured heroine and seems to have no real issues with her body…👍
BUT.... there is a scene were she is out of the blue self-conscious about her plumpness…. Even-though she had not been before even when she was in a vulnerable situation with the hero (hero being the heroines first “client” etc.) and No mention of any self-conscious moments about her plumpness in the beginning of the story or after that scene just that 1 time… it seemed out of character for the heroine and contradicting… but also unnecessary and jarring… and kind of disjointed and out of place for many reasons ...and just added to be added.
How reckless the heroine was in the end of the book … even if she did it for love…… it was very reckless and nonsensical.
Even for a novella … there was too much insta-lust and insta-love.
Even for a novella there was lacking info and depth to the main characters.
Issues and problems were resolved too easily and quickly.
Some parts of the story were just a little too anachronistic.
Some cringey parts … especially some word choices here and there.
The steam was OK… but some scenes or the scene in the beginning of the book is a little too much tell and not enough show.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of the hero.
(Hero= very tall, big/broad and muscular, handsome.)
The book is a rather "old" book (almost 11 years old) but …..
➖ 😒👎 The cover is not representative at all…. The heroine is described as a curvy/voluptuous /plump heroine……. The cover shows a slender woman on the cover (on all editions)…. Not at all like the heroine is described/portrayed in the book.
January 3, 2025
This was a sweet and steamy novella.
December 28, 2021
YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT THIS LITTLE GEM DOWN!!
Loved this novella💕...Our Hero, McLeod, was brawny and protective Scotsman 🏴 perfection and independent and determined heroine Annabel was brave and steadfast. I loved how McLeod worshipped and adored her; body, mind and soul. This story was such a perfect balance; never once feeling rushed. Their chemistry was breathtaking and authentic and the steam was some of the mouthwatering BEST I've ever read...off the charts.Thoroughly engaging and interesting plot and a beautiful HEA.
...Can't recommend more highly!
Amazing introduction to Heart of Inquiry series OR to anyone wanting an introduction to Grace Callaway's writing.
Absolutely riveting💖
Loved this novella💕...Our Hero, McLeod, was brawny and protective Scotsman 🏴 perfection and independent and determined heroine Annabel was brave and steadfast. I loved how McLeod worshipped and adored her; body, mind and soul. This story was such a perfect balance; never once feeling rushed. Their chemistry was breathtaking and authentic and the steam was some of the mouthwatering BEST I've ever read...off the charts.Thoroughly engaging and interesting plot and a beautiful HEA.
...Can't recommend more highly!
Amazing introduction to Heart of Inquiry series OR to anyone wanting an introduction to Grace Callaway's writing.
Absolutely riveting💖
October 26, 2024
4 stars
Poor FMC is forced to sell her body to pay for her dead husband’s gambling debt, and her first customer is the Scottish ex-soldier MMC who thinks she is doing this of her own free will.
Grace Callaway really knows how to write a good sex scene! And I am trash for the “I would do anything to save you” energy, so I was almost guaranteed to like this.
The only downside is that this novella is part of connected series, and .
Poor FMC is forced to sell her body to pay for her dead husband’s gambling debt, and her first customer is the Scottish ex-soldier MMC who thinks she is doing this of her own free will.
Grace Callaway really knows how to write a good sex scene! And I am trash for the “I would do anything to save you” energy, so I was almost guaranteed to like this.
The only downside is that this novella is part of connected series, and .
July 21, 2015
I rarely try out new writers because most of the time, I find myself getting burned by them. That's why it came as a shock to me when I started reading Grace Callaway's The Widow Vanishes immediately after rage quitting Tessa Dare's A Lady by Midnight. Normally, I'd stick to what I call "safe reads" after a bad book--those written by tried-and-tested novelists like Lisa Kleypas, Amanda Quick, and Lorraine Heath--to drain my anger away. But I decided to take a risk with this one.
And it paid off. Because this novella is a gem, and the writer deserves to be discovered by the historical romance world. I loathe the fact that this only has 71 ratings, and it's my hope that more people will try this out after this review.
First, I have to make it clear that the book was not flawless. In fact, I found the prose too simplistic at times, making me feel like I was reading a story intended for children or teens, rather than an adult. There were also some instances when I had to roll eyes at the storytelling, such as:
And:
"Gooey as treacle tart?" "Head over slippers in love?" That's not really my idea of wit.
Moreover, the lack of dialogue failed to give the story depth, and what little dialogue it had seemed rather odd and flat. The story elements were also introduced in a disorganised way; the conflicts were injected at unusual times, the plot lacked a smooth structure, and the characterisation were inconsistent at certain points in the story. For example, Annabel's eyes were described as a shade of violent at the start and near the end, but in the middle they were characterised as amethyst. Also, Will kept on going back and forth from "Bella" to "Annabel" when talking about the heroine. I didn't like the fact that Annabel kept on referring to Will as "McLeod" even at the end. And oh, the latter part was kind of anticlimactic, too.
These flaws are a testament to the writer's lack of experience. So why did I end up giving it three glowing stars, you ask? Well, because I found that the book's good points outweighed the bad ones.
The plot, despite its flaws, was very original, interesting and well-executed. Normally, I would've been put off by the prospect of the heroine being a prostitute--because I hate prostitution themes--but Ms. Grace Callaway managed to pull it off brilliantly. I admit that it was courageous for a starting writer to take on a risky premise; even the best ones have a hard time managing it to the readers' satisfaction. I won't spoil the story, but believe me when I say that everything made sense in the end.
In addition, the characters were very likeable. Annabel frustrated me a bit near the end, but she was generally likeable throughout the book. And Will... Oh, God, he was delicious. Extremely honourable and kind, he was the perfect hero.
Well... Too perfect, in fact, and sometimes bordering on being unnatural. But hey, we are talking about Romancelandia here, so I don't think I should complain.
Overall, I liked this book. Ms. Grace Callaway showed promise, and I'm excited to read more of her works. I didn't like Alaric, though, so I might skip his story. He was just beyond redemption for me, especially after his betrayal of his brother.
And it paid off. Because this novella is a gem, and the writer deserves to be discovered by the historical romance world. I loathe the fact that this only has 71 ratings, and it's my hope that more people will try this out after this review.
First, I have to make it clear that the book was not flawless. In fact, I found the prose too simplistic at times, making me feel like I was reading a story intended for children or teens, rather than an adult. There were also some instances when I had to roll eyes at the storytelling, such as:
Annabel's insides turned as gooey as a treacle tart fresh from the oven.
And:
In two weeks, she'd fallen head over slippers in love with William McLeod.
"Gooey as treacle tart?" "Head over slippers in love?" That's not really my idea of wit.
Moreover, the lack of dialogue failed to give the story depth, and what little dialogue it had seemed rather odd and flat. The story elements were also introduced in a disorganised way; the conflicts were injected at unusual times, the plot lacked a smooth structure, and the characterisation were inconsistent at certain points in the story. For example, Annabel's eyes were described as a shade of violent at the start and near the end, but in the middle they were characterised as amethyst. Also, Will kept on going back and forth from "Bella" to "Annabel" when talking about the heroine. I didn't like the fact that Annabel kept on referring to Will as "McLeod" even at the end. And oh, the latter part was kind of anticlimactic, too.
These flaws are a testament to the writer's lack of experience. So why did I end up giving it three glowing stars, you ask? Well, because I found that the book's good points outweighed the bad ones.
The plot, despite its flaws, was very original, interesting and well-executed. Normally, I would've been put off by the prospect of the heroine being a prostitute--because I hate prostitution themes--but Ms. Grace Callaway managed to pull it off brilliantly. I admit that it was courageous for a starting writer to take on a risky premise; even the best ones have a hard time managing it to the readers' satisfaction. I won't spoil the story, but believe me when I say that everything made sense in the end.
In addition, the characters were very likeable. Annabel frustrated me a bit near the end, but she was generally likeable throughout the book. And Will... Oh, God, he was delicious. Extremely honourable and kind, he was the perfect hero.
Well... Too perfect, in fact, and sometimes bordering on being unnatural. But hey, we are talking about Romancelandia here, so I don't think I should complain.
Overall, I liked this book. Ms. Grace Callaway showed promise, and I'm excited to read more of her works. I didn't like Alaric, though, so I might skip his story. He was just beyond redemption for me, especially after his betrayal of his brother.
June 29, 2016
I have to be careful with Callaway books because some of her books are too explicit and not to my taste...but one thing you can count on for her books is original plots....I enjoyed this novella thoroughly. One of my favorites. Its so hard to connect with the characters in these short books and only a few can pull off true character development in a few pages but Callaway manages it beautifully. Annabel's tenacity, fortitude, and craftiness to evade her fate and McLeod. Sometimes I laughed out loud at McLeod's frustration when she keeps outwitting him. McLeod again is the typical Callaway hero....I love him...endearing and completely smitten and helpless in the face of his feelings for Annabel. I really liked the development of their relationship from sexy erotic to tender and heart wrenchingly beautiful. The scene when she walks in on him while he is naked in the bed with glasses on and reading a book is right out of my fantasies. This book is when Alaric, one of my favorite Callaway heroes, is introduced. I loved loved loved this book. Definitely recommend it.
March 18, 2016
What a lovely story! I really loved Annabel and Will. It didn't occur to me that Will worked for Gavin Hunt (Her Wanton Wager) and I totally remembered him from when he was a bodyguard for Charity in Her Prodigal Passion. I didn't make the connection until Will went to see Hunt. I love how Grace Callaway brings character from her books with surprise appearances in other ones. We get to see Hunt and Percy which was really nice. Then a surprise visit from Alaric, Will's brother, who was as arrogant as ever. By the way, Alaric's late wife, Laura really screwed up both brothers. Like seriously messed them both up in different ways. I'm so happy that Will found Annabel, by unusual means. I love seeing inside the love story between Annabel and Will because they seemed so happy in The Duke Who Knew Too Much so it is wonderful to see how everything started for them.
November 17, 2018
Over a month has passed since I read the book, so I don't remember too many of the specifics. I do remember that the hero and heroine were a bit annoying; the book started off quite promising, but they became attached to each other very quickly and it turned sappy and corny FAR too quickly for my taste. Granted it's a novella, so there's not much word space to spread it out, but at this point I've read several fantastic historical romance novellas, so I know that it can be done.
While I've read some good Grace Callaway books in this series, this isn't one of them: skip it.
Historical Romance Novellas That I Do Recommend:
* A Kiss For Midwinter by Courtney Milan
* Her Christmas Earl by Anna Campbell
* Kisses, She Wrote by Katharine Ashe
* A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
While I've read some good Grace Callaway books in this series, this isn't one of them: skip it.
Historical Romance Novellas That I Do Recommend:
* A Kiss For Midwinter by Courtney Milan
* Her Christmas Earl by Anna Campbell
* Kisses, She Wrote by Katharine Ashe
* A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
December 28, 2015
This is another novella by Grace Callaway and although I normally don't like novellas, this was nearly perfect. The pacing, the characters and of course the relationship and story development well balanced. It was a joy to read
November 11, 2023
2.5*
I hate reading about hs who are abused or who have to take up selling their bodies to make ends meet.
So, to have a h 'take up the profession' but not really! Because it's just a plot device to make the h/H meet and have sex. This tropey-ness irked me some.
We have the destitute and tired h, in this brothel, being humiliated by the owner. She's tried her best to pay off her dead husband's debts but now accepts the inevitable. The author creates a chilling scene of a woman/women having to agree to sell her body, getting commodified and dehumanized - a reality for many helpless women then and now.
The H, the owner's henchman-on-hire asks for his prize in form of the h.
We get the h having sex with the H - and not really 'hating' it - and then escaping the next morning, mostly unscathed (i.e. if we discount a night of orgasmic bliss).
Ofc, the brothel owner has other ideas. Debt is debt. And who better to send after her but the H.
I thought the whole use of the brothel trope/setting to be trivializing a serious issue.
I hate reading about hs who are abused or who have to take up selling their bodies to make ends meet.
So, to have a h 'take up the profession' but not really! Because it's just a plot device to make the h/H meet and have sex. This tropey-ness irked me some.
We have the destitute and tired h, in this brothel, being humiliated by the owner. She's tried her best to pay off her dead husband's debts but now accepts the inevitable. The author creates a chilling scene of a woman/women having to agree to sell her body, getting commodified and dehumanized - a reality for many helpless women then and now.
The H, the owner's henchman-on-hire asks for his prize in form of the h.
We get the h having sex with the H - and not really 'hating' it - and then escaping the next morning, mostly unscathed (i.e. if we discount a night of orgasmic bliss).
Ofc, the brothel owner has other ideas. Debt is debt. And who better to send after her but the H.
I thought the whole use of the brothel trope/setting to be trivializing a serious issue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2022
New-to-me author
One that I'm looking forward to reading more
Engaging and entertaining
One that I'm looking forward to reading more
Engaging and entertaining
December 20, 2022
Going with three stars because I think this was fine, just not especially in my wheelhouse. I generally liked the characters and their relationship, but I felt like there were some missed opportunities to explore parts of their past here. And having already read Alaric's book, there were huge missed opportunities to do more with the relationship between the brothers and how that came to be. Maybe missed more in Alaric's book but as this was the one I read second, this is where I'm making the point.
July 26, 2021
Wills book! I wanted to see more of him after reading Her Prodigal Passion and I'm so glad GC gave him a HEA. This was a great novella and the perfect intro to the Heart of Enquiry series. But now I'm even more excited to start the Duke Who Knew Too Much!
March 24, 2015
The Widow Vanishes by Grace Callaway is a 2014 publication.
Annabel's husband left her in serious debt and now she has no other recourse but to work off the debt as a prostitute.
William McLeod returns from the war wishing for a peaceful life, but that is not to be. After doing a job for the man Annabel is indebted to, William is given his choice of a prostitute as payment. William wants to forget his pain and spending a night with a lusty woman just might give him some reprieve.
Annabel finds William to be quite unlike anything she was expecting. Their one night together takes an unforeseen turn which has William hopping mad, but leads him to the truth about the fiery Annabel. Honor prompts him to become her protector as he looks for a way to erase her debts.
This is a short prequel novella and it got off to a very good start. The story line has a combo of danger, tender moments, and hot steamy love scenes. I liked how William stepped up to the plate for Annabel although he doesn't really know her and has some heavy trust issues. The only issue I had was with the sex scenes. Not because they were steamy, but because the prose was so flowery. I haven't read that kind of prose since the 1990's. ( “His beast” - “Her petals” ) Other than that, the story was fast paced, with good character development, which is hard to do in shorter stories sometimes. I think the book is a solid lead into the new series. Over all this one gets 3 stars
Annabel's husband left her in serious debt and now she has no other recourse but to work off the debt as a prostitute.
William McLeod returns from the war wishing for a peaceful life, but that is not to be. After doing a job for the man Annabel is indebted to, William is given his choice of a prostitute as payment. William wants to forget his pain and spending a night with a lusty woman just might give him some reprieve.
Annabel finds William to be quite unlike anything she was expecting. Their one night together takes an unforeseen turn which has William hopping mad, but leads him to the truth about the fiery Annabel. Honor prompts him to become her protector as he looks for a way to erase her debts.
This is a short prequel novella and it got off to a very good start. The story line has a combo of danger, tender moments, and hot steamy love scenes. I liked how William stepped up to the plate for Annabel although he doesn't really know her and has some heavy trust issues. The only issue I had was with the sex scenes. Not because they were steamy, but because the prose was so flowery. I haven't read that kind of prose since the 1990's. ( “His beast” - “Her petals” ) Other than that, the story was fast paced, with good character development, which is hard to do in shorter stories sometimes. I think the book is a solid lead into the new series. Over all this one gets 3 stars
May 16, 2021
Steamy story with h forced into a terrible situation with the H. He is her first client and it goes all rather too well, so of course she runs away. She's sweet, earnestly trying to be honourable. He has a history so mistrusts his decisions, but he can't stop falling in love with the h. Interesting plot and I enjoyed the writing style.
February 22, 2021
McLeod 💛 Annabel
First time reading this author’s work. Enjoyed the storylines, characters, and writing style. This prequel caught my interest, and I’ll definitely be checking out the Heart of Enquiry series. Can’t wait to read McLeod’s brother’s book!
First time reading this author’s work. Enjoyed the storylines, characters, and writing style. This prequel caught my interest, and I’ll definitely be checking out the Heart of Enquiry series. Can’t wait to read McLeod’s brother’s book!
June 10, 2021
Cute and passionate novella! I am very excited to start this new series by Callaway!
July 25, 2021
I love Grace Callaway. I've read all her books but not a fan of novellas so never ordered this one. I decided to go ahead and finish out any unread books.
Liked this story a lot.
Liked this story a lot.
November 3, 2021
Sweet little novella. It was interesting how they met in a brothel and quickly realized their feelings and would do anything for each other.
September 17, 2017
The Widow Vanishes by Grace Callaway was one of the stories in a box set I purchased, Scandalous Summer Nights, which has seven different stories by seven authors. The novella, The Widow Vanishes, is the Prequel to the Heart of Enquiry Series by Grace Callaway.
The premise of the story centers around Annabel Foster, our heroine, because of a disastrous marriage has left her buried in her deceased husband’s debt and at the mercy of the evil cutthroat, owner of a gambling hell/brothel her dead husband owed money. Faced with death or selling her body to pay her husband's gambling debts, Annabel makes an unthinkable choice to sell the only thing left that she has, herself. Our Hero of this story is a former soldier, William McLeod, who is haunted by his past. He is a Scotsman who works as a guard, strong arm, for hire. He receives Annabel as a bonus for a job he does for a gaming hell owner. Seeking forgetfulness in the arms of a tempting wench for a night of lust. But the night will transform into desire beyond his wildest fantasies when he meets Annabel. Attraction flares between the pair even as an evil enemy seeks to destroy them both. Their amazing night together changes both of them and will lead William to seek to rescue the woman who doesn't expect to be rescued by anyone.
I really enjoyed this short story and can not wait until the next book in the series is published. I would rate the sensual level a 9. Highly recommend this romance.
The premise of the story centers around Annabel Foster, our heroine, because of a disastrous marriage has left her buried in her deceased husband’s debt and at the mercy of the evil cutthroat, owner of a gambling hell/brothel her dead husband owed money. Faced with death or selling her body to pay her husband's gambling debts, Annabel makes an unthinkable choice to sell the only thing left that she has, herself. Our Hero of this story is a former soldier, William McLeod, who is haunted by his past. He is a Scotsman who works as a guard, strong arm, for hire. He receives Annabel as a bonus for a job he does for a gaming hell owner. Seeking forgetfulness in the arms of a tempting wench for a night of lust. But the night will transform into desire beyond his wildest fantasies when he meets Annabel. Attraction flares between the pair even as an evil enemy seeks to destroy them both. Their amazing night together changes both of them and will lead William to seek to rescue the woman who doesn't expect to be rescued by anyone.
I really enjoyed this short story and can not wait until the next book in the series is published. I would rate the sensual level a 9. Highly recommend this romance.
January 31, 2016
Overall, this was an entertaining, easy read. I liked the H/h well enough, especially considering the mutual appreciation and respect between the two of them. Annabel was a woman that one could relate to on some levels, and Will was a man that many women would want, with his courage and kind, but straightforward demeanor (Okay - he was also hot).
And the hero's sinister (and also hot) brother Alaric was interesting enough that I MIGHT be tempted to read about him in the future.
However, the thing that threw me off was the mixing of old-fashion prose in the telling of the story, with modern (and sometimes crude) vocabulary in regards to the sex scenes. For example, there were many uses of the word 'twas' and then we get a 'p***y clench'...LOL. It seems to me that if the author was going for a more authentic narrative, using more old-fashion words - like manhood, for example - would fit the time frame better. Hell - even c**k once or twice would work, in moderation.
Anyway...the profuse use of c**k, c**t, and p***y grated my nerves, and cheapened the reading experience for me. I know it's hard, but someone, somewhere, has got to find and/or make up a new vocabulary here!
If it seems that I'm going on and on about the sex in the story...well - it did take up a large percentage of the book, so...
And the hero's sinister (and also hot) brother Alaric was interesting enough that I MIGHT be tempted to read about him in the future.
However, the thing that threw me off was the mixing of old-fashion prose in the telling of the story, with modern (and sometimes crude) vocabulary in regards to the sex scenes. For example, there were many uses of the word 'twas' and then we get a 'p***y clench'...LOL. It seems to me that if the author was going for a more authentic narrative, using more old-fashion words - like manhood, for example - would fit the time frame better. Hell - even c**k once or twice would work, in moderation.
Anyway...the profuse use of c**k, c**t, and p***y grated my nerves, and cheapened the reading experience for me. I know it's hard, but someone, somewhere, has got to find and/or make up a new vocabulary here!
If it seems that I'm going on and on about the sex in the story...well - it did take up a large percentage of the book, so...
July 29, 2021
Wow! I loved it!! I'm usually wary when it comes to novellas because not many authors can fit a good story with believable plot and character development in such a short amount of pages. In my experience, Courtney Milan seems to be the best HR author who does this form of writing justice. There are other authors who sometimes get it right, but CM somehow excels at it. I'm now adding Grace Callaway along with CM.
I was able to experience a range of emotions through the novella. The supporting characters such as Alaric, Gavin and Percy, were included effortlessly and didn't take the spotlight away from the main couple. The romance itself was not forced. The story was action packed without detracting from the romance. This novella basically had everything a full length novel has. Everything flowed naturally and it didn't feel overpacked. Essentially, it felt like I had read a novel instead of a novella. The only author who's made me feel this way before was Courtney Milan (Unlocked).
Anyway, this was really well written and had a unique plot that most authors wouldn't have dared explored. I'm excited to read more about Alaric because there is obviously more to him. It'll be interesting to read about the brothers' relationship from Alaric's POV.
I was able to experience a range of emotions through the novella. The supporting characters such as Alaric, Gavin and Percy, were included effortlessly and didn't take the spotlight away from the main couple. The romance itself was not forced. The story was action packed without detracting from the romance. This novella basically had everything a full length novel has. Everything flowed naturally and it didn't feel overpacked. Essentially, it felt like I had read a novel instead of a novella. The only author who's made me feel this way before was Courtney Milan (Unlocked).
Anyway, this was really well written and had a unique plot that most authors wouldn't have dared explored. I'm excited to read more about Alaric because there is obviously more to him. It'll be interesting to read about the brothers' relationship from Alaric's POV.
May 22, 2022
**Trigger Warnings Below**
Heroine: Anabel Foster, age unknown. Nickname: Bella. Widow of a man with gambling debts.
Hero: Peregrine William McLeod, age unknown. Nickname: Will. Works as a guard for hire.
Date: unknown
How they meet: Will has done a job for the owner of a gambling den. As an extra bonus payment, he offers Will his choice of a prostitute for the night and he selects Bella.
What happens: Bella has been forced to work as a prostitute to pay off her dead husband’s gambling debts. When Will selects her, it is her first night of work.
Trigger Warnings:
Verdict: This book was pretty much just about a lust relationship. Will was supposed to be an honorable guy, so why was he working for such a vile man? The best thing about the story was the body positivity message regarding a curvy heroine. It was steamy, but I didn’t like some of the language choices for those scenes--just a personal preference, but I think there are a lot of other authors writing intimate scenes in a classier and more respectful way.
Steam-level: Steamy and explicit, with some crass language
Rating: 2 stars
Heroine: Anabel Foster, age unknown. Nickname: Bella. Widow of a man with gambling debts.
Hero: Peregrine William McLeod, age unknown. Nickname: Will. Works as a guard for hire.
Date: unknown
How they meet: Will has done a job for the owner of a gambling den. As an extra bonus payment, he offers Will his choice of a prostitute for the night and he selects Bella.
What happens: Bella has been forced to work as a prostitute to pay off her dead husband’s gambling debts. When Will selects her, it is her first night of work.
Trigger Warnings:
Verdict: This book was pretty much just about a lust relationship. Will was supposed to be an honorable guy, so why was he working for such a vile man? The best thing about the story was the body positivity message regarding a curvy heroine. It was steamy, but I didn’t like some of the language choices for those scenes--just a personal preference, but I think there are a lot of other authors writing intimate scenes in a classier and more respectful way.
Steam-level: Steamy and explicit, with some crass language
Rating: 2 stars
July 7, 2020
Stubborn souls collide
Mrs Annabelle Foster, a widow down on her luck due to her stubborn nature and deceased husband, is for f her best to survive. As a young girl her parents adored her up to their deaths. Forsted to live with the only relatives she was not allowed to enjoy anything. So the first person she meets offers marriage for her speedy only unbeknownst to her. After he quickly goes thru her money and more he flees in the night only to end up hanging by a free with body parts missing. Now the evil cutthroat that owns the debt is insists g she is now responsible for it. Try as she might she can't find a way. As a last resort she makes a deal with the devil himself.
William, Will, McLeod is a grumpy Scot who served in the army as scout mostly. Now working for himself, he uses his skills to track and locate people and will only do so if no innocent person is involved. Good the underworld bosses wants McLeod to work solely for him but McLeod does not want that. As a thanks for a job well done McLeod is offered a special gift of a night with a white of his choosing. He chooses Annabelle.
Todd, the mean, vile, and brutal cutthroat of the I underworld owns gaming hells, whores, and holds auctions of women. He does not are about anything but now g until and money. If you cross him hurts you, if you try to run he kills you.I
One night together and the mayhem starts as these two stubborn people go from chasing/running from each other to working together until McLeod gets shot, his estranged brother shows up, and Annabelle tries to make a deal with Todd.
If I give you more information then it will spoil this fun, adventurous, catty thriller. You will love the characters and the plot so much you won't be able to put it down. I had it read in six hours.
Mrs Annabelle Foster, a widow down on her luck due to her stubborn nature and deceased husband, is for f her best to survive. As a young girl her parents adored her up to their deaths. Forsted to live with the only relatives she was not allowed to enjoy anything. So the first person she meets offers marriage for her speedy only unbeknownst to her. After he quickly goes thru her money and more he flees in the night only to end up hanging by a free with body parts missing. Now the evil cutthroat that owns the debt is insists g she is now responsible for it. Try as she might she can't find a way. As a last resort she makes a deal with the devil himself.
William, Will, McLeod is a grumpy Scot who served in the army as scout mostly. Now working for himself, he uses his skills to track and locate people and will only do so if no innocent person is involved. Good the underworld bosses wants McLeod to work solely for him but McLeod does not want that. As a thanks for a job well done McLeod is offered a special gift of a night with a white of his choosing. He chooses Annabelle.
Todd, the mean, vile, and brutal cutthroat of the I underworld owns gaming hells, whores, and holds auctions of women. He does not are about anything but now g until and money. If you cross him hurts you, if you try to run he kills you.I
One night together and the mayhem starts as these two stubborn people go from chasing/running from each other to working together until McLeod gets shot, his estranged brother shows up, and Annabelle tries to make a deal with Todd.
If I give you more information then it will spoil this fun, adventurous, catty thriller. You will love the characters and the plot so much you won't be able to put it down. I had it read in six hours.
December 26, 2022
For such a short book, it packed a punch! It's raw, gritty, and steamy with some fantastic characters and a great story.
Annabel is a widow. Her husband had piled up a mountain of debt before he died, leaving her to pay it off. She tried different jobs, but they didn't pay much and while this debt was outstanding, it was also accruing interest. She was never going to get it paid off. Her last act of desperation was to go to work for the man whom her husband owed. She didn't want to, but she had no choice. She had to sell her body.
Will McLeod was her first customer. He was given a choice of women from Todd, the pimp, after completing a job for him. He really wasn't one to take up with prostitutes, but it'd been awhile since he'd been with a woman and he saw no harm in it. Rather than pick the audacious, outspoken women who promised him a night he'd never forget, he chose the quiet one on the end.
It changed their lives forever.
I don't know what the keywords are that distinguish this novel. I never check that and after reading The Duke Who Knew Too Much, I didn't bother to read the blurb. This is a love-at-first-sight story, yes, but it's also a story of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. I don't usually get this much satisfaction from a novella, but this had it all.
*This is the first book of the Heart of Enquiry series and can be read independently, but we are introduced to Alaric and his cool ways of doing things. You don't have to read this first to enjoy The Duke Who Knew Too Much.
Annabel is a widow. Her husband had piled up a mountain of debt before he died, leaving her to pay it off. She tried different jobs, but they didn't pay much and while this debt was outstanding, it was also accruing interest. She was never going to get it paid off. Her last act of desperation was to go to work for the man whom her husband owed. She didn't want to, but she had no choice. She had to sell her body.
Will McLeod was her first customer. He was given a choice of women from Todd, the pimp, after completing a job for him. He really wasn't one to take up with prostitutes, but it'd been awhile since he'd been with a woman and he saw no harm in it. Rather than pick the audacious, outspoken women who promised him a night he'd never forget, he chose the quiet one on the end.
It changed their lives forever.
I don't know what the keywords are that distinguish this novel. I never check that and after reading The Duke Who Knew Too Much, I didn't bother to read the blurb. This is a love-at-first-sight story, yes, but it's also a story of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. I don't usually get this much satisfaction from a novella, but this had it all.
*This is the first book of the Heart of Enquiry series and can be read independently, but we are introduced to Alaric and his cool ways of doing things. You don't have to read this first to enjoy The Duke Who Knew Too Much.
September 22, 2025
I wanted to read about this couple after meeting them in Emma and Strathaven's book.
Will seemed more down to earth. Annabel Foster is desperate and agrees to sell her body to pay off her recently deceased husband's debt to a ruthless gaming hell owner. She is chosen by Scotsman Peregrine William McLeod and they have an unexpected passionate night together. She has always been body shamed for her looks: red hair, violet eyes and a curvy body and even mistreated. I was pretty impressed with how she evaded him as he is a scout and very good at gathering information on others.
I liked how he was protective of her and did all he could to make her feel safe.
There are some uncomfortable scenes where she is attacked by a group of ruffians, her top is torn and she is groped. Another scene was when she agrees to be auctioned off to men of the Ton and her top and most of her bottom are torn off.
The author did a good job at creating connection beyond sex and lust for these two and while McLeod is reluctant to trust because of a past love gone wrong, he does not brood too much and steps up to take care of Annabel "Bella". It was interesting to see Strathaven from McLeod's pov. Mentioned briefly is the hero's slight limp from a war injury and scars on his hands.
I liked the cameos from Hunt and Percy. It would have been nice if a plus sized model was used for the couple on the cover
Tropes: Heroine in danger, protective hero, caretaking, he falls first
Representation:
- Heroine is plus sized
Will seemed more down to earth. Annabel Foster is desperate and agrees to sell her body to pay off her recently deceased husband's debt to a ruthless gaming hell owner. She is chosen by Scotsman Peregrine William McLeod and they have an unexpected passionate night together. She has always been body shamed for her looks: red hair, violet eyes and a curvy body and even mistreated. I was pretty impressed with how she evaded him as he is a scout and very good at gathering information on others.
I liked how he was protective of her and did all he could to make her feel safe.
There are some uncomfortable scenes where she is attacked by a group of ruffians, her top is torn and she is groped. Another scene was when she agrees to be auctioned off to men of the Ton and her top and most of her bottom are torn off.
The author did a good job at creating connection beyond sex and lust for these two and while McLeod is reluctant to trust because of a past love gone wrong, he does not brood too much and steps up to take care of Annabel "Bella". It was interesting to see Strathaven from McLeod's pov. Mentioned briefly is the hero's slight limp from a war injury and scars on his hands.
I liked the cameos from Hunt and Percy. It would have been nice if a plus sized model was used for the couple on the cover
Tropes: Heroine in danger, protective hero, caretaking, he falls first
Representation:
- Heroine is plus sized
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