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The Gentleman Spy Mysteries #1
The Innkeeper's Daughter
In the twilight of a November evening, Sir Henry March, a man of wealth and charm — and a secret agent for the Crown — comes across a badly beaten Eliza Broad, desperate to escape her cruel stepfather. Knowing she has nowhere to go, Sir Henry takes her to his home to recover, and introduces her to a world of culture, art, and literature she never knew existed. But Eliza's brutal world follows her to London, where elite aristocratic salons coexist with the back alleys of the criminal underworld.
As romance blossoms between them, Eliza unearths an old secret that leads them into the dark, sadistic world of sex trafficking, and allows Henry to finally identify a traitor responsible for selling military secrets and causing the death of thousands.
A natural at the spy game, Eliza proves herself a worthy partner in the fight for truth and justice. But with time running out, and the fate of one girl hanging in the balance, Henry and Eliza must find a way to outwit a nasty pimp and eliminate a dangerous enemy agent.
As romance blossoms between them, Eliza unearths an old secret that leads them into the dark, sadistic world of sex trafficking, and allows Henry to finally identify a traitor responsible for selling military secrets and causing the death of thousands.
A natural at the spy game, Eliza proves herself a worthy partner in the fight for truth and justice. But with time running out, and the fate of one girl hanging in the balance, Henry and Eliza must find a way to outwit a nasty pimp and eliminate a dangerous enemy agent.
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First published October 11, 2015
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About the author
Bianca M. Schwarz
9 books113 followersBianca M Schwarz was born in Germany, spent her formative years in London, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and teenage son. She has been telling stories all her life and holds a degree in English literature. Her first novel is THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER. THE GENTLEMAN'S DAUGHTER is the second and most sweepingly romantic book in THE GENTLEMAN SPY SERIES.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
September 18, 2021
Welcome to the world of espionage, dark sadistic world of sex traffickers,pimps,traitors at early 19th century of London.
Historical fiction- mystery- espionage-suspense and romance genres adroitly blended. The characters are strong, layered, well-built. The action parts are breathtaking. It started like a abuse/ romance story but a few chapters later you realize there are so intense and complex plot lines harmonized in the book and you enjoy each of them with lots of well-balanced, meticulously crafted supporting characters.
It starts with Eliza’s heartbreaking story. The young woman has been sold to a vicious man named Wilkins by her stepfather. She fights back but is beaten to death, finding a way to escape. Thankfully her passed out, traumatized body is spotted in the middle of the street by Sir Henry, powerful, wealthy, sophisticated man who urgently takes her to his home and gives her security to heal properly with the help of loyal caretaker Mrs. Tibit.
Throughout her healing process, Eliza and Henry’s friendship slowly blossoms and we start to become witness the changing of Eliza who was a naive, abused, neglected girl who hasn’t read anything instead of bible. She slowly gathers her courage and power, learning more about books, art, broadening her vision.
But her dirty scumbag stepfather, Wilkins who has paid for her and the pimp who wants to enslave her are adamant to drag her back to the disgusted dark sex trafficking system.
Thankfully Henry is not only wealthy and charming man who attracts attention of lovely elite ladies. He has also secret identity, working as an agent to the crown which also give him enough authority to defeat those scumbags coming after Eliza.
As their friendship turns into a devoted love, Eliza’s unearthing a crucial secret drag them into sex trafficking world one time and they find the identity of a dangerous traitor who sold the kingdom’s secrets to France. From now on Eliza and Henry not only friends and lovers, they are also partners to bring the justice together.
It was entertaining, heart pounding, well written, remarkable novel with great characters, rich plot line and satisfying conclusion.
I’m giving my four shiny, mysterious, clever, romantic, enjoyable stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for sharing this incredible Arc with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Historical fiction- mystery- espionage-suspense and romance genres adroitly blended. The characters are strong, layered, well-built. The action parts are breathtaking. It started like a abuse/ romance story but a few chapters later you realize there are so intense and complex plot lines harmonized in the book and you enjoy each of them with lots of well-balanced, meticulously crafted supporting characters.
It starts with Eliza’s heartbreaking story. The young woman has been sold to a vicious man named Wilkins by her stepfather. She fights back but is beaten to death, finding a way to escape. Thankfully her passed out, traumatized body is spotted in the middle of the street by Sir Henry, powerful, wealthy, sophisticated man who urgently takes her to his home and gives her security to heal properly with the help of loyal caretaker Mrs. Tibit.
Throughout her healing process, Eliza and Henry’s friendship slowly blossoms and we start to become witness the changing of Eliza who was a naive, abused, neglected girl who hasn’t read anything instead of bible. She slowly gathers her courage and power, learning more about books, art, broadening her vision.
But her dirty scumbag stepfather, Wilkins who has paid for her and the pimp who wants to enslave her are adamant to drag her back to the disgusted dark sex trafficking system.
Thankfully Henry is not only wealthy and charming man who attracts attention of lovely elite ladies. He has also secret identity, working as an agent to the crown which also give him enough authority to defeat those scumbags coming after Eliza.
As their friendship turns into a devoted love, Eliza’s unearthing a crucial secret drag them into sex trafficking world one time and they find the identity of a dangerous traitor who sold the kingdom’s secrets to France. From now on Eliza and Henry not only friends and lovers, they are also partners to bring the justice together.
It was entertaining, heart pounding, well written, remarkable novel with great characters, rich plot line and satisfying conclusion.
I’m giving my four shiny, mysterious, clever, romantic, enjoyable stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for sharing this incredible Arc with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
October 15, 2020
Also available on the WondrousBooks blog.
* I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It could both have been worse and better.
Alright, hear me out, I do enjoy my fair share of sexy romance, when it's well written. The romance in this book, however, felt like its exact weakest point. The book is set in the 19th century and it starts with introducing us to Eliza, a common girl around the age of 18 or 19, with an abusive step-father. After the step-father in question beats her up and locks her in the cellar, she manages to escape through the coal chute and gets rescued, by chance, by the rich and handsome Sir Henry March.
At this point, in my head I already had this in mind (I do know that in the movie they are related and that MBB is 16):
He is older, very handsome, educated, charming and eloquent. Also, Henry. She is beautiful, young, kind and feisty. (There is a character called Millie, but it's not the main one.)
And of course, of course, it's insta-love. I mean, technically, a few weeks pass from the moment he rescues her to the moment they start flirting, but we only read of the time passing, and it's all pretty obvious right from the start. I believe there was maybe half a page at the very beginning where I thought he will be just her savior or more of a mentor and not her lover, but from then on it's exasperatingly cliched. He thinks she's a fast learner so he's impressed. She thinks he's kind for saving her, so she gets all googly-eyed. You know the drill.
If there had been a bit more suspense and "Will they/won't they" kind of thing, I would have enjoyed the whole affair a whole lot more.
Note: What made it all worse was the modern-day pillow-talk which felt extremely out of place around Victorian England. Like, "Good morning, sleepyhead." Yickes.
But don't get me wrong, there were other parts of the book that I did enjoy! Like, all the parts where the romance between Henry and Eliza was not happening. The detective work, the sex trafficking ring investigation, all that was quite interesting and kept me hooked. I also enjoyed following all the separate pieces in the grand scheme of the events coming together, not least of all those which I expected might get forgotten in the commotion.
There's going to be a second book:
Would I read it? Yes.
Would I roll my eyes at similar over-the-top romance? Probably.
* I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It could both have been worse and better.
Alright, hear me out, I do enjoy my fair share of sexy romance, when it's well written. The romance in this book, however, felt like its exact weakest point. The book is set in the 19th century and it starts with introducing us to Eliza, a common girl around the age of 18 or 19, with an abusive step-father. After the step-father in question beats her up and locks her in the cellar, she manages to escape through the coal chute and gets rescued, by chance, by the rich and handsome Sir Henry March.
At this point, in my head I already had this in mind (I do know that in the movie they are related and that MBB is 16):
He is older, very handsome, educated, charming and eloquent. Also, Henry. She is beautiful, young, kind and feisty. (There is a character called Millie, but it's not the main one.)
And of course, of course, it's insta-love. I mean, technically, a few weeks pass from the moment he rescues her to the moment they start flirting, but we only read of the time passing, and it's all pretty obvious right from the start. I believe there was maybe half a page at the very beginning where I thought he will be just her savior or more of a mentor and not her lover, but from then on it's exasperatingly cliched. He thinks she's a fast learner so he's impressed. She thinks he's kind for saving her, so she gets all googly-eyed. You know the drill.
If there had been a bit more suspense and "Will they/won't they" kind of thing, I would have enjoyed the whole affair a whole lot more.
Note: What made it all worse was the modern-day pillow-talk which felt extremely out of place around Victorian England. Like, "Good morning, sleepyhead." Yickes.
But don't get me wrong, there were other parts of the book that I did enjoy! Like, all the parts where the romance between Henry and Eliza was not happening. The detective work, the sex trafficking ring investigation, all that was quite interesting and kept me hooked. I also enjoyed following all the separate pieces in the grand scheme of the events coming together, not least of all those which I expected might get forgotten in the commotion.
There's going to be a second book:
Would I read it? Yes.
Would I roll my eyes at similar over-the-top romance? Probably.
January 5, 2021
In the twilight of a November evening, Sir Henry, a man of wealth and charm, comes across a badly beaten Eliza desperate to escape her cruel step-father. Realising she had nowhere to go, Sir Henry takes her to his home in Mayfair. As she recovers, Sir Henry introduces her to a world of art and literature she never knew existed. But Eliza's brutal world follows her to London, where the salons of the aristocratic elite co-exist with the back alley's of the criminal underworld.
TRIGGER WARNING; There is sexual violence and rape. The villian in this book is a man they call De Sade Anglais. De Sade had been a french soldier aand writer whose descriptions of sexual perversion gave rise to the term 'sadism'.
we follow he story of Eliza and Sir Henry who had rescued her. The story is not what i expected it to be.
sir Henry is a spy and together they unmask the criminals and save women from this terrible fate. This is an intriguing story but it is brutal in places. There is a lot of characters and the pace is slow to begin with. Eliza turns out to be an equal match for Sir Henry in bith their work and love life.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #CentralAvenuePublishing and the author #BiancaMSchwarz for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TRIGGER WARNING; There is sexual violence and rape. The villian in this book is a man they call De Sade Anglais. De Sade had been a french soldier aand writer whose descriptions of sexual perversion gave rise to the term 'sadism'.
we follow he story of Eliza and Sir Henry who had rescued her. The story is not what i expected it to be.
sir Henry is a spy and together they unmask the criminals and save women from this terrible fate. This is an intriguing story but it is brutal in places. There is a lot of characters and the pace is slow to begin with. Eliza turns out to be an equal match for Sir Henry in bith their work and love life.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #CentralAvenuePublishing and the author #BiancaMSchwarz for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars
I am sorry, but I need to vent. At least a bit. But mind me, I enjoyed this book. It wasn’t so bad, and I liked Henry and Eliza. They are such a nice pair! And Henry is a hell of a character. He is one of the most caring and attentive and thoughtful men ever! It was a nice change, and I enjoyed it a lot.
But to truly enjoy this book you need to suspend your disbelief. Quite a lot.
We have Eliza, our MC, and damsel in distress. She is not a noblewoman, she was raised in an inn and till her father was alive, the inn was quite a respectable place to grow up in, but once her father died and her stepfather stepped in, all went to hell. Quite literally. So she is not the pure dove, completely naive and unknown of the ways of the world. But she is quite sheltered, in some ways, and not yet shrewd (if I can say so) and yet… Yet in her relationship with Henry, there are quite some… Strange things, things that sound a bit not quite right.
For example, she is talking with Sir Henry (who, don’t forget it, is a man of a higher station. He is a nobleman) and she said something on the line of “I want that bastard to pay”. This is not a literal quote, it is just the gist of it, but she say “bastard” while speaking with him, without a trace of embarrassment or any trace of apology. And maybe this is a thing that I am misjudging, being English not my first language and being the curses and cussing a very cultural thing. But I think that this wasn’t really the way between a woman of the lower station and a man of the higher one. Even if they are quite informal.
And there are a lot of things like that. Mainly, they talk a lot about sex and things related to it without any hint or trace of discomfort or embarrassment. And on one hand, it was even refreshing because we have a scene in which, for example, Eliza and Henry talk about her period. And it was glorious. Really. But this kind of brazenness is, sadly, hard to find even in the present days, let alone in the past. On one hand, as I was saying, it was all enjoyable and a pleasant change of pace, but on the other sometimes it sounded more like sci-fi (or wishful thinking) because really, he was not so credible or realistic. And this was the thing that really bothered me.
At the beginning, it was just a really minor thing, but going on with the reading we get more and more of it, and in the end, it buggered me a little.
Again, I am not saying that this book is bad. It is not. I enjoyed the time I spent with it, and it has also a very pleasant Christmas vibe to it since this is the period in which the story takes place. And, again, Henry and Eliza are charming and, together, they are sweet! And we have some interesting secondary characters too! Henry’s friends are amazing, but again… They are way too comfortable around women and women matters. Not in the sense that they are libertines (well, they are, but this is not the point) but in the sense that they are way too much modern in their approach to all women things. And if it is hard to find a boy/man so comfortable today, let us imagine how easy could have been to find a bunch of them at that time. But they are rascally good, and I think that we would get more of them in the next books.
But here we have another issue of mine. Would I continue this series? Hmmm… Never say never and all that, but probably not. There are a couple of things more that made me pause at the idea of going on with this series. One of them is strictly linked with what I was saying before. Henry and his friends are spies and similar, and they enlist Eliza to help them out, and it was all good and interesting but… But again, it is like all the constriction due to society and to the times simply vanish. There are plenty of books out there that take place in this historical period and who have a female lead who team up with others to spy/fight the evil/etcetera… But usually, they find a way to go around society and what propriety dictates. The rules and the customs are there, and they feel constricted by it. And fight them, to achieve more freedom or equal rights. But in there is like all these barriers are simply not there. Again, it was unrealistic to me.
The last thing I have to say is linked with the mystery part of the book. I am not really complaining about it, because it was intriguing and it wasn’t boring, really. The problem here was solely based on personal taste. The point is that we have a lot of erotism, sex, and such linked with the plot and the mystery. It was a tad too much, for me. And it seems like we would follow the same trend in the sequels. I was hoping for more mystery things on this part. But this is really a minor thing, and if this works for you then you would enjoy this one (and probably the sequels) all the more!
I was in need to vent a bit because the book was so enjoyable and the characters were pleasant, I really enjoyed the reading. But it could have been way better, in some respects and this is a bit of a shame. But, again, it is a fast and enjoyable book, with good characters, some drama, some fun, and some very hot scenes. And action and mystery too. And the parts are well balanced. Even if there were some things that rubbed me the wrong way, I had a good time with it and I was always interested in what was happening between the pages!
3.5 stars
I am sorry, but I need to vent. At least a bit. But mind me, I enjoyed this book. It wasn’t so bad, and I liked Henry and Eliza. They are such a nice pair! And Henry is a hell of a character. He is one of the most caring and attentive and thoughtful men ever! It was a nice change, and I enjoyed it a lot.
But to truly enjoy this book you need to suspend your disbelief. Quite a lot.
We have Eliza, our MC, and damsel in distress. She is not a noblewoman, she was raised in an inn and till her father was alive, the inn was quite a respectable place to grow up in, but once her father died and her stepfather stepped in, all went to hell. Quite literally. So she is not the pure dove, completely naive and unknown of the ways of the world. But she is quite sheltered, in some ways, and not yet shrewd (if I can say so) and yet… Yet in her relationship with Henry, there are quite some… Strange things, things that sound a bit not quite right.
For example, she is talking with Sir Henry (who, don’t forget it, is a man of a higher station. He is a nobleman) and she said something on the line of “I want that bastard to pay”. This is not a literal quote, it is just the gist of it, but she say “bastard” while speaking with him, without a trace of embarrassment or any trace of apology. And maybe this is a thing that I am misjudging, being English not my first language and being the curses and cussing a very cultural thing. But I think that this wasn’t really the way between a woman of the lower station and a man of the higher one. Even if they are quite informal.
And there are a lot of things like that. Mainly, they talk a lot about sex and things related to it without any hint or trace of discomfort or embarrassment. And on one hand, it was even refreshing because we have a scene in which, for example, Eliza and Henry talk about her period. And it was glorious. Really. But this kind of brazenness is, sadly, hard to find even in the present days, let alone in the past. On one hand, as I was saying, it was all enjoyable and a pleasant change of pace, but on the other sometimes it sounded more like sci-fi (or wishful thinking) because really, he was not so credible or realistic. And this was the thing that really bothered me.
At the beginning, it was just a really minor thing, but going on with the reading we get more and more of it, and in the end, it buggered me a little.
Again, I am not saying that this book is bad. It is not. I enjoyed the time I spent with it, and it has also a very pleasant Christmas vibe to it since this is the period in which the story takes place. And, again, Henry and Eliza are charming and, together, they are sweet! And we have some interesting secondary characters too! Henry’s friends are amazing, but again… They are way too comfortable around women and women matters. Not in the sense that they are libertines (well, they are, but this is not the point) but in the sense that they are way too much modern in their approach to all women things. And if it is hard to find a boy/man so comfortable today, let us imagine how easy could have been to find a bunch of them at that time. But they are rascally good, and I think that we would get more of them in the next books.
But here we have another issue of mine. Would I continue this series? Hmmm… Never say never and all that, but probably not. There are a couple of things more that made me pause at the idea of going on with this series. One of them is strictly linked with what I was saying before. Henry and his friends are spies and similar, and they enlist Eliza to help them out, and it was all good and interesting but… But again, it is like all the constriction due to society and to the times simply vanish. There are plenty of books out there that take place in this historical period and who have a female lead who team up with others to spy/fight the evil/etcetera… But usually, they find a way to go around society and what propriety dictates. The rules and the customs are there, and they feel constricted by it. And fight them, to achieve more freedom or equal rights. But in there is like all these barriers are simply not there. Again, it was unrealistic to me.
The last thing I have to say is linked with the mystery part of the book. I am not really complaining about it, because it was intriguing and it wasn’t boring, really. The problem here was solely based on personal taste. The point is that we have a lot of erotism, sex, and such linked with the plot and the mystery. It was a tad too much, for me. And it seems like we would follow the same trend in the sequels. I was hoping for more mystery things on this part. But this is really a minor thing, and if this works for you then you would enjoy this one (and probably the sequels) all the more!
I was in need to vent a bit because the book was so enjoyable and the characters were pleasant, I really enjoyed the reading. But it could have been way better, in some respects and this is a bit of a shame. But, again, it is a fast and enjoyable book, with good characters, some drama, some fun, and some very hot scenes. And action and mystery too. And the parts are well balanced. Even if there were some things that rubbed me the wrong way, I had a good time with it and I was always interested in what was happening between the pages!
July 31, 2023
A lord who continues to work secretly for the government long after the war with France. A young woman fleeing an abusive situation. They meet on Hamstead Heath.
A dark story with the underlying aspect of young girls being stolen to meet the sadistic impulses of those often in positions of power.
Not a comfortable story but with hope
A dark story with the underlying aspect of young girls being stolen to meet the sadistic impulses of those often in positions of power.
Not a comfortable story but with hope
October 19, 2015
Don't Mess with This Innkeeper's Daughter!
The first portion of Bianca Schwarz's 'A Thing of Beauty' paints a classic, yet well told, picture of young Eliza, a woman who has been dealt a cruel blow by the hands of fate. She is in a dark and dire predicament. Both her parents are deceased and she resides at the inn her mother owned, with her abusive stepfather (who may have murdered her mother) and his horrid, rotten slag of a new wife. Sold to an even more putrid and repugnant man, who is rumored to have killed his previous wife, she does the only thing she can - she refuses to go along with it.
From the very opening scene it is clear that our heroine is not of the insipid, fainting variety so commonly depicted in historical romance. It is further clear, after she is kicked down the cellar stairs and sustains a concussion, broken ribs and various other injuries, that she needs rescuing. Being not of the 'damsel in distress' variety, Eliza rescues herself, climbing up a coal shoot and out into the cold, with just the clothes on her back. Yet even with her fortitude of spirit and indomitable will she most likely would not have made it if not for the aid of Sir Henry.
He brings her home with him and nurses her to health, and of course, the inevitable eventually happens. And if this were just a historical romance, the story could easily have ended there, with a Hallmark HEA, but it's not.
Throughout her tale, the author weaves several interesting plot lines, full of intrigue and dark drama, together, which keeps your interest well after the initial culmination of Eliza and Henry's passion for each other. There are many fascinating and well developed sub characters in the book, who are all related to each other in ways that will only become clear if you read through to the thrilling climax - which you should definitely do!
The first portion of Bianca Schwarz's 'A Thing of Beauty' paints a classic, yet well told, picture of young Eliza, a woman who has been dealt a cruel blow by the hands of fate. She is in a dark and dire predicament. Both her parents are deceased and she resides at the inn her mother owned, with her abusive stepfather (who may have murdered her mother) and his horrid, rotten slag of a new wife. Sold to an even more putrid and repugnant man, who is rumored to have killed his previous wife, she does the only thing she can - she refuses to go along with it.
From the very opening scene it is clear that our heroine is not of the insipid, fainting variety so commonly depicted in historical romance. It is further clear, after she is kicked down the cellar stairs and sustains a concussion, broken ribs and various other injuries, that she needs rescuing. Being not of the 'damsel in distress' variety, Eliza rescues herself, climbing up a coal shoot and out into the cold, with just the clothes on her back. Yet even with her fortitude of spirit and indomitable will she most likely would not have made it if not for the aid of Sir Henry.
He brings her home with him and nurses her to health, and of course, the inevitable eventually happens. And if this were just a historical romance, the story could easily have ended there, with a Hallmark HEA, but it's not.
Throughout her tale, the author weaves several interesting plot lines, full of intrigue and dark drama, together, which keeps your interest well after the initial culmination of Eliza and Henry's passion for each other. There are many fascinating and well developed sub characters in the book, who are all related to each other in ways that will only become clear if you read through to the thrilling climax - which you should definitely do!
May 12, 2016
Ms. Bianca Schwarz debuts with a fantastic, well-written novel filled with compelling characters, strong plot, rich detail. It doesn't simply blend the thriller, the historical novel, the depravity and the beautiful romance that blossoms on its pages. A Thing of Beauty balances between the darkness and light, sadism and ecstasy, lust and love. It is a difficult task to keep up with so many themes but Ms. Schwarz handles it like a pro.
Maybe it was just my luck but whenever I'd pick up a historical novel that includes love story the latter one always dominates the plot. It would usually be more of a romance novel that has some old timey settings because it seems cool, I guess. I had that initial fear about this book but I was quickly proved wrong.
The story opens in a typical Cinderella fashion – a young and beautiful girl gets brutally beaten and abused by her predatory and rapey stepfather who tries his hardest to get rid of her. However unlike her literature predecessor Eliza Broad has backbone and decides to take charge of her own destiny. While she is running away from the arranged marriage with a brute who has his fair share of dead wives our heroine gets saved by a handsome, rich nobleman and war hero whose kind heart can't stand the sight of an abused lady. Little does Eliza know that by taking that leap of faith with Sir Henry March she'd soon be drawn in a world beyond her wildest dreams filled with espionage, intrigues and darkness alongside with high society rules, education and her own sexual awakening.
I really loved both Eliza and Henry's characters and their development over the course of the novel. She started as a naïve, virginal tavern girl who has never read book different than the Bible, a diamond in the rough. However she was also strong, naturally intelligent and curious about the world. Henry helps her grow and gives her the best of himself, his knowledge, experience, protection and what he hasn't given to a woman for ages – his trust. As the blurb says he appears like every other London gentleman with too much money to burn and a reputation to match, a lover of pretty ladies and Covent Garden strumpets. Yet there is more than meets the eye with Sir Henry. He is also brave, perceptive and loyal to those who are close to his heart. The sensuality is vital part of his persona but be prepared. The mentioned reputation he has is a mere disguise to cover what he really does. That is another thing you should know about this book: nothing is what it seems in the world of A Thing of Beauty.
What I loved most about their relationship was that it was a slow burn instead of insta love or lust. First of all they were friends and kindred spirits. The more they got to know each other the more burning the chemistry between them grows till it reached boiling hot point. I actually cared for them by the time they became lovers and it doubled my pleasure with the erotic scenes. Trust me, Bianca M. Schwarz knows how to write good sex. You can expect a lot of sensual goodness and debauchery as the plot thickens.
The Regency period is expertly portrayed as a background by that talented author. She has all the details interwoven in the story, starting from the dialect, the lifestyle of the different classes, the current political and historical situation all the way to the fashion. The story had a wonderful feeling of place and time.
The novel is also a study of human nature and raises some very interesting questions about the psychology of victims and abused women forced into prostitution. It has its disturbing moments. But among the darkness, violence and intrigue there was also a lot of laughter, humor, wonderful secondary characters including Henry's three friends and confidantes, his various servants and one hilarious modiste with fake French accent.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away. All I will say is that it is dynamic and keeps the reader constantly on the edge. A lot happens in A Thing of Beauty but there is also a lot more to be unveiled in the next books. The finale has a twist that I really didn't see coming that would change your perception of the story.
So you have two strong leading characters, cloak and dagger mystery, a wonderful lover story that adds to the plot, political intrigue, cruel nemesis and unexpected turns. What are you waiting for? Buy your copy and immerse in the world created by Ms. Schwarz. You won't regret it.
Maybe it was just my luck but whenever I'd pick up a historical novel that includes love story the latter one always dominates the plot. It would usually be more of a romance novel that has some old timey settings because it seems cool, I guess. I had that initial fear about this book but I was quickly proved wrong.
The story opens in a typical Cinderella fashion – a young and beautiful girl gets brutally beaten and abused by her predatory and rapey stepfather who tries his hardest to get rid of her. However unlike her literature predecessor Eliza Broad has backbone and decides to take charge of her own destiny. While she is running away from the arranged marriage with a brute who has his fair share of dead wives our heroine gets saved by a handsome, rich nobleman and war hero whose kind heart can't stand the sight of an abused lady. Little does Eliza know that by taking that leap of faith with Sir Henry March she'd soon be drawn in a world beyond her wildest dreams filled with espionage, intrigues and darkness alongside with high society rules, education and her own sexual awakening.
I really loved both Eliza and Henry's characters and their development over the course of the novel. She started as a naïve, virginal tavern girl who has never read book different than the Bible, a diamond in the rough. However she was also strong, naturally intelligent and curious about the world. Henry helps her grow and gives her the best of himself, his knowledge, experience, protection and what he hasn't given to a woman for ages – his trust. As the blurb says he appears like every other London gentleman with too much money to burn and a reputation to match, a lover of pretty ladies and Covent Garden strumpets. Yet there is more than meets the eye with Sir Henry. He is also brave, perceptive and loyal to those who are close to his heart. The sensuality is vital part of his persona but be prepared. The mentioned reputation he has is a mere disguise to cover what he really does. That is another thing you should know about this book: nothing is what it seems in the world of A Thing of Beauty.
What I loved most about their relationship was that it was a slow burn instead of insta love or lust. First of all they were friends and kindred spirits. The more they got to know each other the more burning the chemistry between them grows till it reached boiling hot point. I actually cared for them by the time they became lovers and it doubled my pleasure with the erotic scenes. Trust me, Bianca M. Schwarz knows how to write good sex. You can expect a lot of sensual goodness and debauchery as the plot thickens.
The Regency period is expertly portrayed as a background by that talented author. She has all the details interwoven in the story, starting from the dialect, the lifestyle of the different classes, the current political and historical situation all the way to the fashion. The story had a wonderful feeling of place and time.
The novel is also a study of human nature and raises some very interesting questions about the psychology of victims and abused women forced into prostitution. It has its disturbing moments. But among the darkness, violence and intrigue there was also a lot of laughter, humor, wonderful secondary characters including Henry's three friends and confidantes, his various servants and one hilarious modiste with fake French accent.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away. All I will say is that it is dynamic and keeps the reader constantly on the edge. A lot happens in A Thing of Beauty but there is also a lot more to be unveiled in the next books. The finale has a twist that I really didn't see coming that would change your perception of the story.
So you have two strong leading characters, cloak and dagger mystery, a wonderful lover story that adds to the plot, political intrigue, cruel nemesis and unexpected turns. What are you waiting for? Buy your copy and immerse in the world created by Ms. Schwarz. You won't regret it.
August 30, 2021
If you put aside some of the modern day language and lack of reality this was an enjoyable romance. The plot was pretty predictable and there wasn’t anything original. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
November 27, 2015
This is more than just your classic historical love story. 'A Thing of Beauty' goes beyond that and into a captivating world filled with mystery, drama, love, humor, intrigue, compassion - I could go on an on, but I won't. Let's just say, it's a wonderfully well-rounded story that stayed true to it's era.
The opening scene was heartbreaking for me. To read the pain and abuse our heroine suffers at the hands of her evil, disgusting step-father left me in tears. She showed great courage in standing up to her step-father against his plan to sell her to an older, lecherous man. Thankfully, for me, this wonderful author wrote a strong female lead - which I thoroughly enjoyed. Eliza was a strong, intelligent woman who, once away from her step-father's clutches, just wants to learn as much about the world as she can. She was courageous and curious, and never the usual "simpering miss" that we often read, or would expect to read about in this genre.
Once Eliza finally escapes, she is found and rescued by our hero - Sir Henry. He is much, much more than described in the description/blurb of the story. He's the "knight in shining armor" you want to love and nurture. I truly felt for him; his pain and sorrow, his determination to do the right thing and his drive to help those who are need the most. He cares for Eliza, and through his patience and tutelage she is able to grow into who she was meant to be.
The connection between Eliza and Henry was beautiful. Their friendship gradually turned into more than just that, in a realistic way. Bianca M. Schwarz did not rush their tale, and that is what endears them to you even more. You really get the chance to learn about them individually, as well as a sense of the deep and passionate friendship that develops between them.
Besides the story of Eliza and Sir Henry, Ms. Schwarz also weaves a tale of intrigue and mystery that includes an ensemble cast of colorful characters that truly complete the whole story. She was able to write this in a way that captivated and held my attention, while staying true to the time period. It was never boring, and each character and setting played its purpose perfectly. Nothing was added just for filler. Like pieces to a puzzle, they all worked together to create the masterpiece that is 'A Thing of Beauty'.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story of ... everything.
The opening scene was heartbreaking for me. To read the pain and abuse our heroine suffers at the hands of her evil, disgusting step-father left me in tears. She showed great courage in standing up to her step-father against his plan to sell her to an older, lecherous man. Thankfully, for me, this wonderful author wrote a strong female lead - which I thoroughly enjoyed. Eliza was a strong, intelligent woman who, once away from her step-father's clutches, just wants to learn as much about the world as she can. She was courageous and curious, and never the usual "simpering miss" that we often read, or would expect to read about in this genre.
Once Eliza finally escapes, she is found and rescued by our hero - Sir Henry. He is much, much more than described in the description/blurb of the story. He's the "knight in shining armor" you want to love and nurture. I truly felt for him; his pain and sorrow, his determination to do the right thing and his drive to help those who are need the most. He cares for Eliza, and through his patience and tutelage she is able to grow into who she was meant to be.
The connection between Eliza and Henry was beautiful. Their friendship gradually turned into more than just that, in a realistic way. Bianca M. Schwarz did not rush their tale, and that is what endears them to you even more. You really get the chance to learn about them individually, as well as a sense of the deep and passionate friendship that develops between them.
Besides the story of Eliza and Sir Henry, Ms. Schwarz also weaves a tale of intrigue and mystery that includes an ensemble cast of colorful characters that truly complete the whole story. She was able to write this in a way that captivated and held my attention, while staying true to the time period. It was never boring, and each character and setting played its purpose perfectly. Nothing was added just for filler. Like pieces to a puzzle, they all worked together to create the masterpiece that is 'A Thing of Beauty'.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story of ... everything.
December 18, 2020
This is a wonderful historical romance with the added twist of some espionage. The romance was steamy, the characters were well developed, and the plot kept my interested throughout. The only that slightly bothered me was I hate it when authors write in the accents because it gives me a headache!
Overall, a vey good read and I recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for allowing me to read this arc in exchange of an honest review.
Overall, a vey good read and I recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for allowing me to read this arc in exchange of an honest review.
August 11, 2021
This is the first book in the Gentleman Spy Mysteries series.
It's a historical romance mystery series set in Regency London.
The book is meticulously researched.
It's darkness is offset by characters you just can't forger who steal the show.
It's gritty and the romance is steamy.
Storytelling that is told with a passion.
Pub Date 12 Jan 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions are my own.
It's a historical romance mystery series set in Regency London.
The book is meticulously researched.
It's darkness is offset by characters you just can't forger who steal the show.
It's gritty and the romance is steamy.
Storytelling that is told with a passion.
Pub Date 12 Jan 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions are my own.
January 13, 2021
*Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own*
I really wish I would have liked this book more. It sounded so interesting. A historical romantic suspense? Sounds so cool. I’m going to try to keep this as spoiler free as possible.
The story opens on a scene where our heroine is being beaten. It is pretty graphic and I could see it turning off some people at the jump. However, if this scene bothers you, there are more in the rest of the book that are worse. Our heroine, Eliza, is found by our Hero, Henry. As expected, they are our romantic couple. This isn’t a spoiler as it is in the synopsis. Their relationship had no push or pull. They got together a third of the way through the book and that’s it. They were just together after that. No angst, no tension. Which would be fine if this wasn’t marketed more as a romance and if the suspense aspects were in the forefront. There is a whole human trafficking ring that is brought up in the beginning, pretty much dropped in the middle for the romance, and then suddenly brought back up near the end to complete the mystery/suspense part of the story.
I thought the mystery part was interesting, but could have done with a bit more development. The romance was really lacking for me. There is like a 12 or 13 year age difference between our couple which is not something that normally bothers me EXCEPT she is barely 18 and he’s like 30 and it keeps getting brought up during the book. Soooo kinda grossed me out just a bit. No shame to people who like that sort of thing in books but it just felt a bit yikes to me. Plus there is something with there relationship that really truly pissed me off but I can’t say what it is because it is a spoiler. All I’ll say is check the synopsis for book 2.
I really think this book could have done with some additional editing of the story and maybe put the romance in the backseat and bringing the mystery to the forefront. This book could definitely be triggering for some people due to the content. Please be aware of the trigger warnings.
CW/TW: physical abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, description of rape off page, sexual sadism (to unwilling participants), pedophilia, murder. I think that’s all but I could have missed some. This is a very dark book in spots.
Spoilers below do not read if you don't want to be spoiled, but I want to rant a second about what made me so mad.
I really wish I would have liked this book more. It sounded so interesting. A historical romantic suspense? Sounds so cool. I’m going to try to keep this as spoiler free as possible.
The story opens on a scene where our heroine is being beaten. It is pretty graphic and I could see it turning off some people at the jump. However, if this scene bothers you, there are more in the rest of the book that are worse. Our heroine, Eliza, is found by our Hero, Henry. As expected, they are our romantic couple. This isn’t a spoiler as it is in the synopsis. Their relationship had no push or pull. They got together a third of the way through the book and that’s it. They were just together after that. No angst, no tension. Which would be fine if this wasn’t marketed more as a romance and if the suspense aspects were in the forefront. There is a whole human trafficking ring that is brought up in the beginning, pretty much dropped in the middle for the romance, and then suddenly brought back up near the end to complete the mystery/suspense part of the story.
I thought the mystery part was interesting, but could have done with a bit more development. The romance was really lacking for me. There is like a 12 or 13 year age difference between our couple which is not something that normally bothers me EXCEPT she is barely 18 and he’s like 30 and it keeps getting brought up during the book. Soooo kinda grossed me out just a bit. No shame to people who like that sort of thing in books but it just felt a bit yikes to me. Plus there is something with there relationship that really truly pissed me off but I can’t say what it is because it is a spoiler. All I’ll say is check the synopsis for book 2.
I really think this book could have done with some additional editing of the story and maybe put the romance in the backseat and bringing the mystery to the forefront. This book could definitely be triggering for some people due to the content. Please be aware of the trigger warnings.
CW/TW: physical abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, description of rape off page, sexual sadism (to unwilling participants), pedophilia, murder. I think that’s all but I could have missed some. This is a very dark book in spots.
Spoilers below do not read if you don't want to be spoiled, but I want to rant a second about what made me so mad.
January 9, 2021
4.5⭐️
Historical mystery romance at its finest. I was pulled right into this. It had the perfect balance of mystery, suspense and romance.
I loved the chemistry between these two. And I was head over heels in love with Henry! He was perfect. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a H be both romantic and so caring. He met her needs so well, and it made me jealous. ((Sigh))
The story was well developed and had great secondary characters. This was a stand-alone but I do know that the author is working on a second book. I can’t wait!
Side note: My only wish was that Eliza was high born.
If you love historical, romancical, mysterious, suspense, then this might be for you. Happy Reading!
Thank you Central Avenue Publishing via Netgalley for this ARC. I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.
Historical mystery romance at its finest. I was pulled right into this. It had the perfect balance of mystery, suspense and romance.
I loved the chemistry between these two. And I was head over heels in love with Henry! He was perfect. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a H be both romantic and so caring. He met her needs so well, and it made me jealous. ((Sigh))
The story was well developed and had great secondary characters. This was a stand-alone but I do know that the author is working on a second book. I can’t wait!
Side note: My only wish was that Eliza was high born.
If you love historical, romancical, mysterious, suspense, then this might be for you. Happy Reading!
Thank you Central Avenue Publishing via Netgalley for this ARC. I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.
January 8, 2016
Very good story, really loved the characters!
August 15, 2021
A complicated story with a group of sadistic men thinking they are 'dungeon masters'. They act like children with special rings, vendettas and kidnap daughters of their enemies'. I didn't like the OTT plot. At first I liked the H, he's a spy and rescues the 18 year old heroine after she was attacked. He was so just as pleased about saving her virginity as he was about her. Once she's recovered at his home, he seduces her and makes her as his mistress. Now the H is 16 years older than her and I really disliked that she felt interest in one of his friends early in the plot. I finished but didn't like it, there is no HEA and I felt this was a seduction, not a romance.
June 27, 2021
WOW.... so kidnapping, incest, bondage, sexual torture, adultery, and that is just the tip of the iceberg! BUT, somehow it all fits together well and held tight to the caste system of that time. Weird, huh?
So, Eliza's father dies when she is 10 and her mother remarries a terrible man that is violent to her mom. When Mom passes away, the Inn should go to Eliza, but the mean stepfather takes over the bar and remarries a wicked woman. They sell her (Eliza) to another terrible man because she is a virgin and the night this guy is to get her, the stepdad and mother beat her up and she escapes and is found by the hero, Henry. BLAA, BLAA, BLAA... you know the story here. Henry falls for her while they are nursing her back to health and she for him. Then it gets worse and another female is kidnapped...
This is a hot and spicy romance so get ready.... It was not really my cup of tea but it was alright.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
So, Eliza's father dies when she is 10 and her mother remarries a terrible man that is violent to her mom. When Mom passes away, the Inn should go to Eliza, but the mean stepfather takes over the bar and remarries a wicked woman. They sell her (Eliza) to another terrible man because she is a virgin and the night this guy is to get her, the stepdad and mother beat her up and she escapes and is found by the hero, Henry. BLAA, BLAA, BLAA... you know the story here. Henry falls for her while they are nursing her back to health and she for him. Then it gets worse and another female is kidnapped...
This is a hot and spicy romance so get ready.... It was not really my cup of tea but it was alright.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
April 4, 2016
I've had to sit on my review of A Thing of Beauty as I worked to gather my thoughts about the book. I really enjoyed it, but have difficulty expressing why. At first glance, A Thing of Beauty is a historical romantic suspense, but it's not your typical historical, romantic or suspenseful novel.
My first challenge was to get rid of My Fair Lady's Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in my mind as the characters Eliza and Henry. It wasn't too difficult as the Eliza and Henry of Schwarz's world are younger and a bit grittier.
In the beginning, Eliza escapes from a brutal step-father who has sold her to another man. She was found beaten and barely alive by Henry, who takes her home and nurses her to health. These two should be complete opposites; Eliza from a poor, barely educated family and Henry, from wealth and privilege. However, the two forge a friendship over books and a curiosity about the world. They also become embroiled a mystery involving sadism and sex trafficking.
Two things really struck me about the book. One was the contrasts. The world outside of Eliza and Henry is dark, violent, heinous, but the world between Eliza and Henry is wonderfully sweet and pure. Both of them have reasons to be bitter, jaded and untrusting (especially Eliza), and yet, they've retained enough of themselves to forge an incredible bond. And while Eliza is in the inferior position, her friendship and love do as much to heal Henry as his help healed her.
The second thing that stood out was the untraditional ending. It made me think of Jane Eyre and how I've always wondered if Bronte considered not having Mrs. Rochester die at the end, and if she hadn't, would Jane have accepted Edward's invite to be his mistress, now that Jane had her own source of financial security. In A Thing of Beauty, Eliza is faced with the same societal constraints as Jane. She needs marriage to provide a secure future, and a good marriage won't come her way if she isn't a virgin. But she tosses that aside for Henry. While she's young and naive about some things, she knows exactly what she's risking. Of course, this risk is lessened a bit through Henry's help in security her family's property (an inn), which provides her with income, but still, her choice to be his mistress will caste her in a low light in society.
In a traditional romance, Henry would find a way to marry her and they'd have their HEA. However, at least in this installment, that's not what happens. While Henry is no hurry to marry, in order to introduce his illegitimate daughter into proper society when she's of age, he needs to marry well, and that would not be the case with Eliza. Eliza knows and accepts this. So while you don't get the love and marriage HEA, you do get two people who love and care for each other, who are together because they want to be, and that is romantic.
Of course, the die-hard romantic in me hopes that will change in further installments, but so far Schwarz is remaining true to the times in which the book is set, which adds more realism.
It should be noted that many parts of the book are violent and gritty, and that the love scenes between Eliza and Henry are detailed. I enjoyed all of it, but some readers who might not be expecting it might be be surprised by it.
I'm looking forward to future installments of the series and have my fingers crossed that Eliza and Henry will eventually have their HEA!
My first challenge was to get rid of My Fair Lady's Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in my mind as the characters Eliza and Henry. It wasn't too difficult as the Eliza and Henry of Schwarz's world are younger and a bit grittier.
In the beginning, Eliza escapes from a brutal step-father who has sold her to another man. She was found beaten and barely alive by Henry, who takes her home and nurses her to health. These two should be complete opposites; Eliza from a poor, barely educated family and Henry, from wealth and privilege. However, the two forge a friendship over books and a curiosity about the world. They also become embroiled a mystery involving sadism and sex trafficking.
Two things really struck me about the book. One was the contrasts. The world outside of Eliza and Henry is dark, violent, heinous, but the world between Eliza and Henry is wonderfully sweet and pure. Both of them have reasons to be bitter, jaded and untrusting (especially Eliza), and yet, they've retained enough of themselves to forge an incredible bond. And while Eliza is in the inferior position, her friendship and love do as much to heal Henry as his help healed her.
The second thing that stood out was the untraditional ending. It made me think of Jane Eyre and how I've always wondered if Bronte considered not having Mrs. Rochester die at the end, and if she hadn't, would Jane have accepted Edward's invite to be his mistress, now that Jane had her own source of financial security. In A Thing of Beauty, Eliza is faced with the same societal constraints as Jane. She needs marriage to provide a secure future, and a good marriage won't come her way if she isn't a virgin. But she tosses that aside for Henry. While she's young and naive about some things, she knows exactly what she's risking. Of course, this risk is lessened a bit through Henry's help in security her family's property (an inn), which provides her with income, but still, her choice to be his mistress will caste her in a low light in society.
In a traditional romance, Henry would find a way to marry her and they'd have their HEA. However, at least in this installment, that's not what happens. While Henry is no hurry to marry, in order to introduce his illegitimate daughter into proper society when she's of age, he needs to marry well, and that would not be the case with Eliza. Eliza knows and accepts this. So while you don't get the love and marriage HEA, you do get two people who love and care for each other, who are together because they want to be, and that is romantic.
Of course, the die-hard romantic in me hopes that will change in further installments, but so far Schwarz is remaining true to the times in which the book is set, which adds more realism.
It should be noted that many parts of the book are violent and gritty, and that the love scenes between Eliza and Henry are detailed. I enjoyed all of it, but some readers who might not be expecting it might be be surprised by it.
I'm looking forward to future installments of the series and have my fingers crossed that Eliza and Henry will eventually have their HEA!
October 23, 2015
I owe a bit of an apology to Bianca M. Schwarz today as I sit down to write my review of her book, A Thing of Beauty. In my ignorance, I imagined it to be a romance and assumed it would fit within the tidy confines of a “set” recipe for romance. Don’t get me wrong — I love a good romance, especially everything Julia Quinn. All Ms. Quinn has to do is type the word “Bridgerton” and I’ve got my iPad fired up and ready to hand out 5-stars…and I don’t give out very many 5-star reviews! So I really do enjoy some romance, but most days I need more story to go with the romance.
But I digress…back to A Thing of Beauty. I did this novel a huge disservice by assuming it was strictly romance. Having finally finished this wonderful novel, I have to say that I’m not sure what genre to fit this book into. It has a little something for everyone: Romance, Intrigue, Mystery, Suspense, History…it has everything! And it doesn’t fail to deliver on each of those elements!
One of my favorite elements of this novel was the characters — I simply loved the characters, particularly Eliza and Sir. Henry. I love the relationship that they develop. Sure, their relationship is romantic and, for those who enjoy spicy intimate scenes, you won’t be let down; but it’s a relationship based first and foremost on respect and friendship. They are equals in a way that most book couples aren’t.
To delve a little more deeply, I fell in love with Sir Henry’s character. He’s basically what I think every woman looks for in a mate. He’s strong, yet sensitive. He’s protective, yet not smothering. At first glance, he’s fearless and yet he’s secure enough in his manhood to admit he’s afraid or openly show tears. And he has a moral compass that guides his actions. Simply stated, he’s awesome!
Now, I’m sure to get some flack for this, but the novel I can most closely relate this title to is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. No, it’s not set in Scotland — and no, it doesn’t have the King of Men, Jamie Fraser. What it has in common with Gabaldon’s books, though, are strong leading characters who respect each other completely. It has a sense of time and place, a lot of history thrown in, and no small amount of intrigue and mystery. In those elements, I think the comparison is fair. What it doesn’t have is time travel and Jamie. But I think readers who enjoy the relationship between Outlander’s Jamie and Claire will find much to recommend the characters of Eliza and Henry.
If readers find they enjoy A Thing of Beauty, they’re in luck. The author has left it open for further editions to follow; and I think I heard she’s already working on followup editions. As for myself, I can’t wait to read what next adventures await Eliza and Sir Henry, because surely there must be more in their future! They’re just way too good together not to have a followup title.
But I digress…back to A Thing of Beauty. I did this novel a huge disservice by assuming it was strictly romance. Having finally finished this wonderful novel, I have to say that I’m not sure what genre to fit this book into. It has a little something for everyone: Romance, Intrigue, Mystery, Suspense, History…it has everything! And it doesn’t fail to deliver on each of those elements!
One of my favorite elements of this novel was the characters — I simply loved the characters, particularly Eliza and Sir. Henry. I love the relationship that they develop. Sure, their relationship is romantic and, for those who enjoy spicy intimate scenes, you won’t be let down; but it’s a relationship based first and foremost on respect and friendship. They are equals in a way that most book couples aren’t.
To delve a little more deeply, I fell in love with Sir Henry’s character. He’s basically what I think every woman looks for in a mate. He’s strong, yet sensitive. He’s protective, yet not smothering. At first glance, he’s fearless and yet he’s secure enough in his manhood to admit he’s afraid or openly show tears. And he has a moral compass that guides his actions. Simply stated, he’s awesome!
Now, I’m sure to get some flack for this, but the novel I can most closely relate this title to is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. No, it’s not set in Scotland — and no, it doesn’t have the King of Men, Jamie Fraser. What it has in common with Gabaldon’s books, though, are strong leading characters who respect each other completely. It has a sense of time and place, a lot of history thrown in, and no small amount of intrigue and mystery. In those elements, I think the comparison is fair. What it doesn’t have is time travel and Jamie. But I think readers who enjoy the relationship between Outlander’s Jamie and Claire will find much to recommend the characters of Eliza and Henry.
If readers find they enjoy A Thing of Beauty, they’re in luck. The author has left it open for further editions to follow; and I think I heard she’s already working on followup editions. As for myself, I can’t wait to read what next adventures await Eliza and Sir Henry, because surely there must be more in their future! They’re just way too good together not to have a followup title.
October 16, 2015
A Thing of Beauty is a fitting title for this novel, because after everything that happens, the author offers you beauty in the end—which, to me, was the hope of love between Henry and Eliza. Their romance starts off with friendship when Henry rescues Eliza on the side of the road, and then blossoms into mutual trust and affection. In the beginning of the book, I was tempted to label it as a romance. But after a while I realized I was reading a thriller with romantic elements. The romance is significant, but not overwhelming. Neither does it distract from the plot. Before I discuss the thriller aspect, I would fist like to mention that Henry’s character was refreshing. He’s intelligent, a little naughty, but always a gentleman. He wasn’t overbearing, and instead welcomed and encouraged Eliza’s aid. She wasn’t just a pretty prop, but became his equal. Also, when it came to the sexy parts, Henry was a perfect lover for Miss Eliza.
Now, onto the plot. This truly was a dark historical thriller. There were moments when my heart was pulsing with anticipation and dread, and the author wrote it in such a way that made me truly fear for the characters involved. And despite the uplifting ending (which I think was necessary), there were sections that were sinister and shocking. The revelation at the end was also a pleasant surprise and sent a chill through me.
Of course, A Thing of Beauty is the first novel in a series. So I won’t hold anything against the author for not revealing everything in the first book. Those unanswered mysteries only entice me to read the next one! But everything that is necessary to the first book’s plot is resolved.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about Henry's position and the secret society the author created!
Now, onto the plot. This truly was a dark historical thriller. There were moments when my heart was pulsing with anticipation and dread, and the author wrote it in such a way that made me truly fear for the characters involved. And despite the uplifting ending (which I think was necessary), there were sections that were sinister and shocking. The revelation at the end was also a pleasant surprise and sent a chill through me.
Of course, A Thing of Beauty is the first novel in a series. So I won’t hold anything against the author for not revealing everything in the first book. Those unanswered mysteries only entice me to read the next one! But everything that is necessary to the first book’s plot is resolved.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about Henry's position and the secret society the author created!
April 11, 2016
Beautifully written
The attention detail puts you in the room. The story is beautifully written with grace and love. Every woman wishes for a Sir Henry, I found mine in the pages of this romantic story.
The attention detail puts you in the room. The story is beautifully written with grace and love. Every woman wishes for a Sir Henry, I found mine in the pages of this romantic story.
March 13, 2021
All the ingredients for a great book - plot, setting, characters. Too bad it was spoiled by boring writing. DNF.
July 1, 2022
Sir Henry rescues Eliza Broad one night—her father had attempted to all her to a pimp, and she escapes, and encounters Sir Henry on the his way home. She’s bruised and battered, and Henry ensures she has the safety and time to recover from her injuries and her fears.
They’re both strongly attracted to one another, and Henry ensures he takes things slowly, letting Eliza set the tone. She becomes his mistress, and becomes somewhat involved in his investigations of a secret society of wealthy men, who meet to abuse and rape women of lower classes for fun.
Henry also has an illegitimate daughter, whom he loves very much, and hopes to enter her into Society at some point, which will require an advantageous marriage for him. The girl, Emily, is being watched by the secret society, as they hope to use her at some point to harm Henry—very fridgey of them.
So Henry and Eliza, and his close friends, work to ferret out the identities of the members, and stop them.
A beautiful cover hides some of the genuinely ugly behaviour and actions that are at the heart of this book: we have kidnapping, abuse, assault, rape, sadism, murder, pimping, and sex trafficking.
The romance works because at no point did Henry diminish Eliza or use her much lower status in society against her. She’s intelligent, insightful and warm, and I liked how she blossomed when given the time and support to recover and learn by reading everything she could get her hands on.
The book is reasonably diverting, and the cover is gorgeous.
They’re both strongly attracted to one another, and Henry ensures he takes things slowly, letting Eliza set the tone. She becomes his mistress, and becomes somewhat involved in his investigations of a secret society of wealthy men, who meet to abuse and rape women of lower classes for fun.
Henry also has an illegitimate daughter, whom he loves very much, and hopes to enter her into Society at some point, which will require an advantageous marriage for him. The girl, Emily, is being watched by the secret society, as they hope to use her at some point to harm Henry—very fridgey of them.
So Henry and Eliza, and his close friends, work to ferret out the identities of the members, and stop them.
A beautiful cover hides some of the genuinely ugly behaviour and actions that are at the heart of this book: we have kidnapping, abuse, assault, rape, sadism, murder, pimping, and sex trafficking.
The romance works because at no point did Henry diminish Eliza or use her much lower status in society against her. She’s intelligent, insightful and warm, and I liked how she blossomed when given the time and support to recover and learn by reading everything she could get her hands on.
The book is reasonably diverting, and the cover is gorgeous.
December 19, 2020
This book was super far from what I was expecting, but I loved it all the same! As soon as I saw the cover on Netgalley, I was intrigued. I immediately requested it, and was ecstatic when I got the "request approved" email. I read it in a day, it kept me captivated!
The Innkeeper's Daughter follows Eliza, a young woman in Regency London. After her father attempts to sell her, and she refuses, he beats her. Barely escaping with her life, Sir Henry saves her, and takes her into his home. As a connection blooms between them, they begin investigating a sex trafficking ring that threatens all of the nearby women.
I feel like I need to mention this before I dive into my actual feelings regarding the book. There are tons of potential triggers in this book. Sex trafficking, abuse, rape, and sexual abuse all play large parts in this. They're important topics that need to be discussed, but this book is not for anyone sensitive towards these issues. They play a very large part in the plot, they're not just glancing references.
Those exact triggers are why I enjoyed this so much. Not because I enjoy reading about abuse, but because it was completely different from what I normally read. The villains were super easy to determine, and I really grew to hate them. I was rooting for our characters to expose them the entire time, and I loved the way it was dealt with!
Although this wasn't necessarily a romance, the romance was one of the strongest parts of it. Henry and ELiza compliment each other so well, and I love how they weren't instantly determined to marry each other. Things are moving at a logical pace, which I really enjoyed. It did feel a bit insta-lovey, but it wasn't over the top, and didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
If you're a fan of romance, historical, or thriller books, this is right down your alley! It caters to almost every genre, with an absolutely magical setting. I really enjoyed this!
Thanks to Bianca M. Schwarz and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
The Innkeeper's Daughter follows Eliza, a young woman in Regency London. After her father attempts to sell her, and she refuses, he beats her. Barely escaping with her life, Sir Henry saves her, and takes her into his home. As a connection blooms between them, they begin investigating a sex trafficking ring that threatens all of the nearby women.
I feel like I need to mention this before I dive into my actual feelings regarding the book. There are tons of potential triggers in this book. Sex trafficking, abuse, rape, and sexual abuse all play large parts in this. They're important topics that need to be discussed, but this book is not for anyone sensitive towards these issues. They play a very large part in the plot, they're not just glancing references.
Those exact triggers are why I enjoyed this so much. Not because I enjoy reading about abuse, but because it was completely different from what I normally read. The villains were super easy to determine, and I really grew to hate them. I was rooting for our characters to expose them the entire time, and I loved the way it was dealt with!
Although this wasn't necessarily a romance, the romance was one of the strongest parts of it. Henry and ELiza compliment each other so well, and I love how they weren't instantly determined to marry each other. Things are moving at a logical pace, which I really enjoyed. It did feel a bit insta-lovey, but it wasn't over the top, and didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.
If you're a fan of romance, historical, or thriller books, this is right down your alley! It caters to almost every genre, with an absolutely magical setting. I really enjoyed this!
Thanks to Bianca M. Schwarz and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
December 26, 2023
My rating: ⭐️⭐️ (2 stars)
“It seems you are forever rescuing me.” Her eyes were full of warmth, and Henry’s smile turned into a grin. “What can I say? You are my favorite damsel in distress.”
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a sucker for beautiful book covers. The first thing that drew me to this title was the gorgeous – and I mean gorgeous – cover art. And after reading the synopsis I was even more intrigued! The Innkeeper’s Daughter boasts of having it all – historical romance, suspense, mystery… As a fan of both period romances and mystery/thrillers, you can bet how excited I was to pick this novel up.
The mix of genres aside, from what I can see, The Innkeeper’s Daughter is first and foremost advertised as a romance between Eliza, the daughter of a deceased innkeeper on the lam from her abusive fiancé and step-father, and Henry, a known playboy and secret agent of the crown … something I found unfortunate, because the romantic aspects of the plot were my least favorite. 😕
Between the insta-love, the constant reminders of their notable age gap, and the uncomfortable power dynamics – not only was Eliza noticeably less experienced than Henry, but she spent almost the entire narrative feeling indebted to him for saving her life, and, being poor, had only her virginity to give him in thanks (cue: 🙄) – this relationship just didn’t do it for me.
When it comes to period romances, I’m typically a little more forgiving than this, but just the combination of all these factors together made this one in particular feel like there was too much to overlook.
- 🌹 -
Another thing worth mentioning, is that while Eliza is the titular character, the aforementioned innkeeper’s daughter, Henry was the actual main character of the novel. So this story ended up being less about a badass woman teaming up with her man to take down a seedy, unground crime organization (like I had hoped it would be) as it was about a man being a secret agent, teaming up with his war buddies, and bedding his mistress along the way…
Eliza’s portrayal throughout this story was probably my biggest let down. The narration kept saying how intelligent she was… but it didn’t really feel that way with her constantly being coddled and rescued. Honestly, the way women were portrayed in this novel in general wasn’t my cup of tea. I just felt like they were too often the victims of sexual violence and… rarely anything else.
Thank you to the publisher, Central Avenue Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.
“It seems you are forever rescuing me.” Her eyes were full of warmth, and Henry’s smile turned into a grin. “What can I say? You are my favorite damsel in distress.”
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a sucker for beautiful book covers. The first thing that drew me to this title was the gorgeous – and I mean gorgeous – cover art. And after reading the synopsis I was even more intrigued! The Innkeeper’s Daughter boasts of having it all – historical romance, suspense, mystery… As a fan of both period romances and mystery/thrillers, you can bet how excited I was to pick this novel up.
The mix of genres aside, from what I can see, The Innkeeper’s Daughter is first and foremost advertised as a romance between Eliza, the daughter of a deceased innkeeper on the lam from her abusive fiancé and step-father, and Henry, a known playboy and secret agent of the crown … something I found unfortunate, because the romantic aspects of the plot were my least favorite. 😕
Between the insta-love, the constant reminders of their notable age gap, and the uncomfortable power dynamics – not only was Eliza noticeably less experienced than Henry, but she spent almost the entire narrative feeling indebted to him for saving her life, and, being poor, had only her virginity to give him in thanks (cue: 🙄) – this relationship just didn’t do it for me.
When it comes to period romances, I’m typically a little more forgiving than this, but just the combination of all these factors together made this one in particular feel like there was too much to overlook.
- 🌹 -
Another thing worth mentioning, is that while Eliza is the titular character, the aforementioned innkeeper’s daughter, Henry was the actual main character of the novel. So this story ended up being less about a badass woman teaming up with her man to take down a seedy, unground crime organization (like I had hoped it would be) as it was about a man being a secret agent, teaming up with his war buddies, and bedding his mistress along the way…
Eliza’s portrayal throughout this story was probably my biggest let down. The narration kept saying how intelligent she was… but it didn’t really feel that way with her constantly being coddled and rescued. Honestly, the way women were portrayed in this novel in general wasn’t my cup of tea. I just felt like they were too often the victims of sexual violence and… rarely anything else.
Thank you to the publisher, Central Avenue Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.
January 22, 2016
I was fortunate enough to be involved in a live chat event with author Bianca M. Schwarz. Ms. Schwarz was promoting a fellow writer's first novel. I found myself becoming more and more interested in A Thing of Beauty as we chatted, though. I liked both the author herself and the synopsis, so off I went.
I stared at the first page in shock. What-in-thunder had I gotten myself into? I do NOT read bodice-rippers! I scanned through the first few pages, wondering how I had misled myself to think I would like this book! Earthy, coarse language and imagery (in my mind) could not deliver up a tasteful tale of intrigue, suspense, quick wit and, yes, charming characters that I could identify with.
Then I settled down and actually READ. From the first word to the last. Now, this, indeed, is NOT my usual genre. Romance books are not high in my preference list, no matter where or when they are set. However, A Thing of Beauty really did draw me in. Each time I felt I had a "handle" on a character, that I sensed the story line was falling into a pattern, there was a twist - either in the plot, the character's action/reaction, or an event that caught me off guard - that made me more eager to turn each page.
Each character is revealed as multi-faceted; no one dimensional "fillers" here. Each "good-guy" has an opportunity to reveal their best - and I brushed aside their scars, warts and blemishes to revel in their strengths, humor and intelligence. Each "bad-guy", on the surface a demon to rail against, strikes a chord of familiarity (although not taken to the same extreme, perhaps) in how I myself could be convinced that my actions were warranted. Except for the main villain. He's just a tumor in desperate need of excision.
Schwarz has crafted a fast-paced "Dagwood-sandwich" of a novel here. By combining Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Intrigue, and History genres with deceptive ease, I'm not even sure where I would shelve this book -
One final note; while not gratuitous, the torture and sex scenes in this book are graphic and intense. Had I been aware of the depths of depravity some of the characters would be subjected to, I might have passed this book by altogether.
I'm glad I didn't. I can't wait for a sequel!
I stared at the first page in shock. What-in-thunder had I gotten myself into? I do NOT read bodice-rippers! I scanned through the first few pages, wondering how I had misled myself to think I would like this book! Earthy, coarse language and imagery (in my mind) could not deliver up a tasteful tale of intrigue, suspense, quick wit and, yes, charming characters that I could identify with.
Then I settled down and actually READ. From the first word to the last. Now, this, indeed, is NOT my usual genre. Romance books are not high in my preference list, no matter where or when they are set. However, A Thing of Beauty really did draw me in. Each time I felt I had a "handle" on a character, that I sensed the story line was falling into a pattern, there was a twist - either in the plot, the character's action/reaction, or an event that caught me off guard - that made me more eager to turn each page.
Each character is revealed as multi-faceted; no one dimensional "fillers" here. Each "good-guy" has an opportunity to reveal their best - and I brushed aside their scars, warts and blemishes to revel in their strengths, humor and intelligence. Each "bad-guy", on the surface a demon to rail against, strikes a chord of familiarity (although not taken to the same extreme, perhaps) in how I myself could be convinced that my actions were warranted. Except for the main villain. He's just a tumor in desperate need of excision.
Schwarz has crafted a fast-paced "Dagwood-sandwich" of a novel here. By combining Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Intrigue, and History genres with deceptive ease, I'm not even sure where I would shelve this book -
One final note; while not gratuitous, the torture and sex scenes in this book are graphic and intense. Had I been aware of the depths of depravity some of the characters would be subjected to, I might have passed this book by altogether.
I'm glad I didn't. I can't wait for a sequel!
January 4, 2016
I love historical fiction set in the UK. Add in mystery and romance - even better. So I had high expectations when I began this novel.
It did not disappoint.
The heroine, Eliza, is beautiful, smart, strong, and by all accounts, should be damaged beyond belief. But it was the hero, Sir Henry, who stole the show for me. He is a proper hero: physically attractive, brave, insanely rich, but most of all, kind and good. He doesn't give a second thought to do for others, especially Eliza in her broken state.
As the mystery unravels, we are introduced to the author's vivid descriptions. At the retelling of a particularly horrendous act, we are dumped into the scene - the last place we want to be. The graphic nature with how Daisie tells her story had me both angry and uncomfortable, however, it is not gratuitous. When we are finally confronted with the actual environment from Daisie's story, even knowing the space was unoccupied, I stilled skimmed through.
I would have liked to have seen more of Sir Henry's relationship with his daughter, Emily, earlier rather than only hearing about it. I believe the stakes would have felt higher for me. Maybe more actual involvement of Emily to the plot as well. But those are small complaints that are easily overlooked because of the overall enjoyment of reading this book.
I highly recommend to any reader.
It did not disappoint.
The heroine, Eliza, is beautiful, smart, strong, and by all accounts, should be damaged beyond belief. But it was the hero, Sir Henry, who stole the show for me. He is a proper hero: physically attractive, brave, insanely rich, but most of all, kind and good. He doesn't give a second thought to do for others, especially Eliza in her broken state.
As the mystery unravels, we are introduced to the author's vivid descriptions. At the retelling of a particularly horrendous act, we are dumped into the scene - the last place we want to be. The graphic nature with how Daisie tells her story had me both angry and uncomfortable, however, it is not gratuitous. When we are finally confronted with the actual environment from Daisie's story, even knowing the space was unoccupied, I stilled skimmed through.
I would have liked to have seen more of Sir Henry's relationship with his daughter, Emily, earlier rather than only hearing about it. I believe the stakes would have felt higher for me. Maybe more actual involvement of Emily to the plot as well. But those are small complaints that are easily overlooked because of the overall enjoyment of reading this book.
I highly recommend to any reader.
December 2, 2020
What a magnificent book. Rich in romance and characterization as well as historical detail, it featured a lot of my favourite reading catnip tropes. I look forward to reading more by this new-to-me author
featured on instagram.
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December 13, 2015
Take The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, drop her in the early 1800's, add a healthy dash of The Three Musketeers, and you have A Thing of Beauty, the debut novel by Bianca Schwarz. This historical tale is set during the later years of George III, and Schwarz put me right in the middle of the action. Her word choice made me think the novel was written in 1815, not 2015.
The heroine, Eliza Broad, is a resourceful and beautiful young lady of low class on the run from her abusive step-father. The hero, Sir Henry Marsh, is a nobleman and military veteran who uses his playboy reputation as cover for his operations on behalf of the Crown. Henry rescues Eliza, and fall in love as they work together, along with Henry's team to solve a mystery involving an sadistic kidnapper. The story has something for everyone-intrigue, forbidden love, adventure, fashion, and characters with layers and layers of depth.
Like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, A Thing of Beauty wasn't my typical read, but I enjoyed every moment of this page turner and learned so much about life in England during the period. This is a stellar debut by Bianca Schwarz that lovers of historical fiction don't want to miss.
The heroine, Eliza Broad, is a resourceful and beautiful young lady of low class on the run from her abusive step-father. The hero, Sir Henry Marsh, is a nobleman and military veteran who uses his playboy reputation as cover for his operations on behalf of the Crown. Henry rescues Eliza, and fall in love as they work together, along with Henry's team to solve a mystery involving an sadistic kidnapper. The story has something for everyone-intrigue, forbidden love, adventure, fashion, and characters with layers and layers of depth.
Like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, A Thing of Beauty wasn't my typical read, but I enjoyed every moment of this page turner and learned so much about life in England during the period. This is a stellar debut by Bianca Schwarz that lovers of historical fiction don't want to miss.
January 2, 2021
I read this early, as a copyeditor who got to work on it, so I am perhaps biased! But it's also true that I found it exceptionally fun to work on. It's not every editing job that lets me gad about in Regency England, and as an Anglophile (in fact, a whole British-Isles-o-phile), I relished it.
Sir Henry is a charming, clever fellow who, thanks to his wealth and connections, gets to lead an unconventional life, and when he takes the poor and abused Eliza under his wing, he makes it possible for her to lead one, too, with as many advantages as he can offer. Their romance is sexy and playful, a learning experience for them both. Meanwhile, Henry is also a spy for the crown, and Eliza turns out to be adept at assisting him in pursuing their villain of the moment: a nasty piece of work who likes to sexually torture and kill young women.
Some of my favorite bits were the Regency details: the London streets, the scenery, the customs, the foods, the balls and parties, and the clothes! Oh, the gorgeous clothes.
There are more romances and mysteries to come in future books for these lovable characters, and I hope I get early peeks at them all!
Sir Henry is a charming, clever fellow who, thanks to his wealth and connections, gets to lead an unconventional life, and when he takes the poor and abused Eliza under his wing, he makes it possible for her to lead one, too, with as many advantages as he can offer. Their romance is sexy and playful, a learning experience for them both. Meanwhile, Henry is also a spy for the crown, and Eliza turns out to be adept at assisting him in pursuing their villain of the moment: a nasty piece of work who likes to sexually torture and kill young women.
Some of my favorite bits were the Regency details: the London streets, the scenery, the customs, the foods, the balls and parties, and the clothes! Oh, the gorgeous clothes.
There are more romances and mysteries to come in future books for these lovable characters, and I hope I get early peeks at them all!
June 8, 2016
The heroine, Eliza, along with her gentleman almost-prince in shining armor, Sir Henry have an undeniable connection between them, one that the exquisite author, Bianca M. Schwarz illustrates in a beautifully sinister manner. Eliza is no Cinderella, who needs a prince to rescue her; she fights for her freedom. But every heroine needs a friend, that is found in the darkly seductive Henry. Why should it be any different? Even a historical drama can be contemporary. That is the real triumph of Schwarz as the author bridges the gap between what the reader expects in a classic love affair and a current day sexual affair. I enjoyed the graphic sensuality, which made the story even more accessible for a modern audience. Grab your copy of A Thing of Beauty now, enjoy the feeling of traveling in time, and discovering the truth behind pure friendship, profound love, and passionate sexuality. Fantastic read by a new author, who will surely be around for years to come, entertaining her satisfied readers.
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