The Gentleman and the Thief

GIVEAWAY

EDEN, SARAH M.

THE GENTLEMAN AND THE THIEF

A gentleman scribes penny dreadful novels by night and falls in love with a woman who is a music teacher by day -- and a thief by night.

LONDON 1865

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Anna Newport, he's smitten. Even though he's from a wealthy, established family and she isn't, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father's successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduces his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the "Phantom Fox." She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.

When Hollis's brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief? 

My Review:

Sqqqquuuueeeaaaalllll!!!!

Eeeeeeeeppppp!!!!!

Sqqquuueeeeeeeppppp!!!!

I am in a twitterpated state of giddy bibliophile euphoria because this book is sooooooooo brilliantly clever and tons of fun as well as being exquisitely romantical!!! And it's made me  a sputtering ditherer so excuse me while I gush. 

First off -- The Gentleman and the Thief (lovely title, even lovelier cover) is the second book in the Dread Penny Society series. I haven't read the first one, The Lady and the Highwayman (hanging my head in shame, because how could I have not?) and I didn't have any issues delving into book two. All you need to know is that there is a secret society made up of Penny Dreadful authors who are dedicated to assisting the downtrodden. The story starts with Hollis heading off to a secret meeting so if it seems a bit confusing at first, don't worry, it will all make heaps of delightful sense soon.

And this is the point where I have to admit to being in a near swoon over the meticulous way the author has woven this story together because we not only have the main plot involving Ana and Hollis and friends, but there's also two full penny dreadful novels woven within. Each story is distinctive but there are parallels...so pay attention as you dodge in and out among the three plots. One of them is so beyond-my-wildest-dreams witty and smart that I think the author should create an entire children's  series featuring those characters and that setting.

I do so love a clever turn of phrase, and this book is chock-full of them! It's amusing and entertaining and just a little bit out-of-the-box crazy and I grinned and guffawed my way through Justine Eyre's incredible narration.

Romance, mystery, larger-than-life characters (who all need their very own stories told in future books!) make for a lively, rabid-listening (or reading, depending on your choice of edition) delight!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for either a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Gentleman and the Thief, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 28 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!