Ingenious

by Lisa Karon Richardson

Lady Portia Blithe’s life really started when she was offered admission to Saint Scholastica’s, England’s most exclusive boarding school. Graduates of Saint Scholastica are always selected to serve as ladies-in-waiting to the queen. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world the school teaches more than deportment. Alongside dancing and conversational French, students are trained to guard the queen’s life. They are the Praetorienne.

On the cusp of graduation, Portia and her classmates are introduced to Princess Victoria, the next in line for the British throne. Everyone knows the elderly king will not live much longer, and for the first time in three centuries, England will have a female monarch. It’s a heady opportunity for princess and Praetorienne alike. But when it appears there is a plot afoot to kidnap the princess, Portia has to make certain that Victoria lives long enough to claim her throne.

Genres: Christian Fiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2022

About the author

Influenced by books like The Secret Garden and The Little Princess, Lisa Karon Richardson’s early stories were heavy on boarding schools and creepy houses. Now, even though she’s (mostly) grown-up she still loves a healthy dash of adventure in any story she creates, even her real-life story. She’s been a missionary to the Seychelles and Gabon and now that she and her husband are back in America, they are tackling a new adventure, starting a daughter-work church in a new city while trying to raise a family. Lisa’s most recent novel, An Unscripted Courtship came out in January 2015. Her latest novel, The Peacock Throne released in the UK in November 2015 and in the US in January 2016. You can find Lisa online at her group blog: http://inkwellinspirations.com or her website http://lisakaronrichardson.com

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls)]

temporary/soft DNF

I wish there would have been a bit more build up into the book rather than just being thrusted into the world, but I eventually caught up with what was happening. But ultimately, I am doing a soft DNF for now because I can’t get into it. Made it about fifty pages in and will try again some other day.

[Janelle Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

INGENIOUS was an action-packed velocipede ride from start to finish. I loved the twists and turns and the plot that kept me guessing (and Googling--so much history learned!). Portia is a witty character with huge helpings of spunk and depth. All the characters were well-written, and I so appreciated the fact that Lisa Richardson wrote the adults and officers as smart/observant. And although this wasn't a romance novel, and some may complain that there wasn't much/any within the pages, again I appreciate how Lisa wrote Portia and others as strong characters who learned the value of working together. I can't wait to journey along with Portia's next entanglement!

**That cover is AMAZING!