Rebel is my first Beverly Jenkins book, but won't be my last.

It was an excellent mixture of history and romance. I honestly felt that I learned so much about Reconstruction Era. She did an excellent job mixing in the history without overpowering the romance.

Fair warning, the book is a little slow moving at first but once you are deeper in, you see that the author was really setting the scene and giving an in-depth view into the city and time.

I loved the banter between the hero and heroine. Although I felt as much as she called herself a hellion, she could have shown it more.

Also, there were a few moments where I thought the drama would be heightened but the situations were resolved a little too quickly for my liking. I.E. the appearance of the Mistress &Fiancé. What can I say I love the drama.

All in all I loved the characters and enjoyed this book. I cannot wait to read more about the LeVeq family.

I found the characterization poor and the romance not very interesting, but the details about the historical era were fascinating. I think I would have preferred a non-fiction account. There was too much going on in the background and frankly it was more engaging than the central romantic plot.

I received a free copy of Rebel in exchange for an honest review. I have a fascination with the civil war, and was excited to see a romance book from a different perspective. Overall, the book was mediocre. There was nothing that really drew me in and said "wow.". It felt like a lot of themes were introduced, but never developed. I probably wouldn't recommend this book if there were other options

Heat Factor: warm to moderately steamy
Character Chemistry: sudden but believable
Plot: worked, but there was a lot going on
Overall: This would be a good holiday read except that it’s also heavy because it’s set during Reconstruction

There’s a lot going on in this book. Valinda and Drake meet while Valinda is being assaulted in the woods and Drake and his sister-in-law come to her rescue. Valinda is having a Very Bad Day. She’s been having trouble getting paid, her school has been spoliated, her precious readers have been burned, she’s been assaulted by the men responsible for the spoliation, her nice landlady has died, and her rude and racist landlady has evicted her. To add insult to injury, she can’t get into the safe haven of the convent that’s been providing her teaching work, and she’s from New York, so it’s not like she has local family to turn to.

Naturally, Drake’s family are A++ humans, more than happy to take in an unknown waif, and Drake himself has decided he’s going to stake a claim. If he didn’t do it, one of his brothers totally would, because even after the terrible day and with a bruised face and no money, Valinda is obviously a cut above. There’s an unfortunate issue of Valinda being engaged, but we’ll manage that. After all, Drake is a hot, wealthy, playful bear of a man. Pretty much irresistible. So Valinda moves into Drake’s mother’s house and proceeds to become a part of the family. Because why wouldn’t you adopt a homeless woman you don’t know at all and proceed to spend a ton of time and money on her?

In terms of suspension of disbelief, this book asks the reader to accept that Valinda and Drake are pretty much perfect human beings. As I consider this, one might not believe they’re perfect human beings, so I’ll amend: this book asks the reader to pretty much accept that Valinda and Drake are perfect human beings provided that you believe in equality among people and justice when the justice system fails. This is where the "a lot" comes into play. What exactly are the problems that Drake and Valinda need to overcome to be together?
- Is the conflict going to be because Valinda’s engaged but she and Drake are MFEO?
- Is the conflict going to be because Valinda will move away?
- Is the conflict going to be because Drake loves Valinda but she doesn’t believe in love?
- Is the conflict going to be because Drake is going to be somehow harmed by white supremacists?
- Is the conflict going to be because Valinda’s father is going to force her to marry someone else?
There are points when all of these questions crop up and they are each addressed with very little drama (which is slightly odd, considering the stakes of some of them). Indeed, this might be more a story of Reconstruction New Orleans and less a story of people overcoming obstacles on the path to love and happily ever after.

This story being set during Reconstruction was rough. Most my association with romance set during a period of significant turmoil is linked to Culloden (because British history is my jam), and from this period authors are able to pull a reasonably believable HEA. But if you know the history you just know the ugly future, and it’s so difficult to buy in. Jenkins seems to be of the same opinion, because there are numerous instances in which a scene fraught with racial tensions is presented and then concluded with a “when will this end?” And we know that we’re not even in the Jim Crow era, and it’s going to get extraordinarily worse before it gets better. More to the point, we know that it hasn’t ended, even in the present day.

The history of Reconstruction and systemic racism is a story that needs to be told, and Jenkins presents this story in an engaging and easy-to-ingest way. Maybe too easy? I think not. At the end of the day, here we have a nice love story with lovable characters and a sweet HEA, and if that's the way people feel comfortable consuming the history, it's not a bad thing.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

MY THOUGHTS: 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃

In Rebel, the first installment of the Women Who Dare series, we get to enjoy time with LeVeq family. Set in New Orleans during post-civil war era, Beverly Jenkins gives us a great viewpoint of the struggles, racism and experiences of people determined to overcome.

Valinda, a freewoman, travels to New Orleans to escape her father’s sexist views of women. She is excited to find her gift of teaching is well received until her attacked and is thrown in the path of Captain Drake LeVeq.  Now her life’s course is derailed, she must work through discovering love and passion.  She realizes her father's prejudices  that women should not aspire to be anything other than a bed warmer is not the only ugliness she will encounter.

You'll love the hero, he is multi-talented, charming, with an ego as big as he is, but it is his loving and sensitive nature that will endure you to him. As an architect, he finds joy in giving much detail to the things he builds, including his relationship with Val.

The author gives us realistic accounts of history and a romance full of love and passion. There are highlighted examples of how bonding together during the post-civil war, people of color accomplished more together and their defenses were difficult to infiltrate.

I recommend you add this to your reading list!


#Rebel #NetGalley

Rebel is the first book in the new Women Who Dare series by Beverly Jenkins. We are introduced to a new historical character: 28-year-old Valinda Lacy, set in New Orleans, 1867. It is the aftermath of the Civil War. The backdrop is a busy city of newly freedmen, ambitious women of color, wealth and societal class.

Val is temporarily in town for one sole mission: to educate newly emancipated adults and young children. Her intended husband is away securing a newspaper deal so she has limited time to teach the community before heading back north. Then danger strikes. After discovering her school is destroyed, Val is cornered by sinister men who intend her harm. A brave man named Captain Drake LeVeq comes to her rescue.

The handsome Drake recognizes Val's determination to succeed and help the community. His own mission as an architect is to rebuild New Orleans. He absolutely admires Val but knows she is intended for another. But maybe he can convince her to believe in a love match rather than marry another man out of obligation.

Rebel is so well written. It is informational, captivating, romantic and funny at times. It also addresses racially charged situations and the power of passion. In such a cynical time when marriages were arranged, it gives light to relationships made out of genuine love. Most importantly, this new novel features a strong black woman determined to better her surroundings and not afraid to rebel when necessary. She is certainly a woman who dares!

Once again, I look forward to the history lessons behind every new historical fiction book written by Ms. Bev. Rebel is no exception. The years 1863-1877 are known as the Reconstruction Era in America. Such promise for our nation! Yet here we are today in 2019...

Happy Early Pub Day, Ms. Bev! Rebel will be available Tuesday, May 28.

LiteraryMarie

My Rating 4.5 Stars

History is changing in New Orleans. Valinda Lacey is happily busy as she is educating newly freed slaves. She is teaching more than reading and writing. She is also teaching basic skills. Sadly, thugs destroy her school. Then she is targeted. When she receives the aid of Captain Drake LeVeq, more than reestablishing her school is on tap. She just might lose her heart.

Drake is an architect and he has plans on rebuilding in New Orleans. When he sees that Valinda is in trouble, he sets out to, at the very least, help her rebuild. As drawn as he is to the beautiful woman, he does his best to respect the fact that her father has promised her to another.

Valinda is in dire straits when it comes to the demands of her father. She does not love her intended, but her father is more than insistent as he is very controlling. She really likes Drake, but he strives to remain honorable to respect the wishes of her father.

Things change, however, and the two strike a path that will no doubt lead to a wonderful future together. Inasmuch as romance is key in this story, this time in history is pivotal. Just because emancipation has occurred, and New Orleans is being reconstructed does not mean times are easy. As it is, Valinda's school was destroyed, as mentioned. There is further danger and Valinda and Drake work together as best they can.

Rebel is the first book in the Women Who Dare series. No doubt, as engaging as this book was, future offerings will be just as compelling. I very much look forward to the next book in this series, as well as finding the time to peruse Ms. Jenkins backlist.

Many thanks to Avon and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Valinda Lacy has arrived in Reconstruction Era New Orleans to educate the formerly enslaved. Captain Drake Leveq volunteers at the New Orleans Freeman's Bureau. Their paths cross in dramatic ways and an already engaged Valinda finds unexpected passion in Drake Leveq.

Beverly Jenkins is a romance novelist and historian. One of the few writers of historical fiction centering black stories in a way that isn't painful to digest or stereotypical. Even when a story includes a slave narrative it is not driven by this narrative. She doesn't use trauma as a singular and sole plot device and her stories are more balanced because of it. Beverly's writing is rich with history and vivid with details. You can read to lose yourself in fiction while learning a great deal of history that is often minimized or ignored!

Rebel tells the story of Valinda Lacey, a young black woman who comes to Louisiana to teach freedmen after the Civil War, and Drake LeVeq, one of several sons of a wealthy New Orleans Creole family. When Valinda's school is taken over and she's attacked, Drake comes to her rescue and takes her into his family home. Soon the two begin a relationship, but neither knows where it will lead them.

I've long been a fan of Ms. Beverly Jenkins. She was the very first African American historical romance author that I've ever read. Before her I didn't think it could be done, especially not set during the period of American slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. But Jenkins continues to put forth well written and well researched books that, while presenting the harsh realities of the time, show love can flourish under any circumstances.

Rebel was a long awaited book for me, being a return to the LeVeq family of New Orleans that were the center of some of Jenkins earlier books. Over all I have to say that I was very satisfied with the book. While I don't think it's Jenkin's best work, I thought it was a good entertaining read and a good start to a new series.

I do feel like Rebel was very reminiscent of some of Jenkins previous works but that is to be expected when revisiting previous characters and settings. I do wish some of the characters were fleshed out more and that we learned more about their motivations, especially the villains in the story. I'd love to know more about Valinda's family. But I'm hoping that will come in a later book, as her sister Caro seems like a good choice for the next book in this series.

One of the things I loved about the book is Jenkin's push towards inclusivity with Cole and Lenny's characters. I really liked our main characters Valinda and Drake. They both represent some of my favorite romance archetypes, Val, the young woman gaining her independence and trying to make her way in the world, and Drake the confirmed bachelor who gets blindsided by love. This might sound strange but one of the things that I liked best about their relationship was how they talked to each other. I know some times showing and not telling is best but for this book, I loved the dialogue and I enjoyed reading their thoughts as their relationship evolved and progressed.
And as always I'm impressed with the amount actual history presented in Jenkins books.

In the time of Reconstruction after the American Civil War, New Orleans is a roiling city. An intrepid Northern woman comes south to fight her own brand of independence and follow her dreams of teaching her own race and being her own woman like her grandmother. Valinda encounters Drake Le Veq and learns that passion and love are possible and she can dream of that for herself, too. My first read with this author and it won't be my last the way history came alive and sensual romance made me swoon.

Rebel is the first book in the Women Who Dare series, but it is also the fourth book in the Le Veq series. I had no trouble beginning with this story as a first in series, but now I want to go back for the three earlier Le Veq stories and the closely related Indigo.

Valinda comes south from NYC to teach school under the auspices of a Convent and the Freedman's Bureau. She comes alone and only with her father's dubious blessing. She grew up free and educated in a fine upstanding family, but she never felt truly free knowing her father saw marrying her off as a business transaction at best. But, she has no intentions of marrying into a cold, arranged marriage and plans to marry a friend who won't hinder her plans or have expectations. Right now, Cole is in Paris trying to get start-up help for his newspaper and she is temporarily in New Orleans to teach school.
But, it is dangerous times and she is set upon by three men who started squatting in the barn she was using as a school. A handsome man comes to her rescue and she is pulled into the intriguing world of the House of LeVeq descendants of pirates and their fierce, strong independent loves.

Captain Drake LeVeq is a catch around New Orleans and he isn't intimidated by a courageous woman with plans. He is attracted to Valinda and is frustrated that she is intended elsewhere. He understands dreams with his work as a builder and architect and volunteer work in the Freedman's Bureau and other organizations that protect and aid his own race and all people get a leg up after the war. Naturally, there are bigoted and prejudiced men who resort to threats and violence to have his way and his own Lieutenant is one of them. He tries to avoid Valinda, but finds her sweet innocence paired with the respect he feels for her capability and intelligence a heady combo to resist.

I went into this one eager because I've been meaning to try this author's work for years. I even have a couple on the shelf, but this latest was the one that finally got me. The Reconstruction Era South and old New Orleans is something of a favorite period and setting for me. I was thrilled to discover shortly into the book that the author did her homework and painted the background and setting well. She brought in a free Northerner's perspective, long-time free wealthy black business women, the sometimes snooty Creoles and the vibrant times and troubles for people trying to get their lives back after war and many starting over with nothing.

As to the romance, that is where I was on iffy ground. I loved both characters and thought they were great for each other. Respect and understanding was as important as the sexual attraction which was great to see.
However, I'm not a fan of my romance pair starting something even if its just kisses and spending time together with each other on their minds when they come with encumbrances. Valinda was engaged and Drake had a mistress. He eventually didn't have the mistress, but it wasn't because he left her- she took a better offer. I would have felt better if he had set the mistress aside earlier, but to be fair, he thought Valinda was going to leave and marry her intended.
It was Valinda who niggled me more. She was attracted to Drake and wanted to get rid of her own innocence so she kept up a light seduction to get him to show her and teacher her things. He was the gentleman who said no and kept his distance and she came onto him. It had a whiff of using him since she wasn't planning to pursue him and that I found disappointing.

There was some late inning conflict when Valinda is forced to come to terms with whether she can trust that there really is such a thing as a love match between equals. Her waste of air father did some damage to her that now has to be handled. I get that, but at this point in the book after she's been in intimate contact with three couples who are in love and are equal partners all from Drake's family, her resistance to him felt a tad contrived.

I loved Valinda's choice to provide education as her help to others and later realizing that practical skills paired with a fine education would serve people better than just handouts. The darker side of rape and pillaging from both sides, secret groups protecting their own and wrecking revenge, militant segregation, and evil people and opportunists taking advantage of the after-war chaos was also there and helped make up some of the book's suspenseful moments.

Overall this was a splendid first outing with the author. I enjoyed her writing and will definitely be going back for more particularly the Le Veq family series and related stories. Historical Romance fans should definitely give this authentic-feeling, sensual, and engaging book/series a go.

3.5 stars. Rebel is the story of Valinda Lacy and Drake Le Veq, and is set in New Orleans after the end of slavery and the Civil War. Valinda has come down from the north to teach freed black people to read, and she becomes involved with Drake and his family after he rescues her from a harrowing situation which leads to her school being unusable. She resists his charms at first, since she in engaged to a friend from her childhood, but the sexual tension builds and becomes impossible to ignore...

There are things about the writing that didn't really click with me, weird phrasing at times and sometimes the sex scenes got a little purple. But overall this was really enjoyable--great characters in Valinda and Drake (as well as the rest of his family), lots of history, delicious build up of tension, and an engaging plot. Would recommend to fans of historical romance, and after reading this I'm eager to go back and read the other books about the Le Veq family!

An absolutely stunning story. Beverly Jenkins rocks. Filled with the struggles that it took to make us a great nation. Drake is a total hottie. Válida is valiant and brave. In a time when making waves could get you killed, they stood for truth and justice. They saw the promise of the future and worked hard to make it come true. With the help of strong, loving, and trustworthy friends and family they forged bonds that were strong and unbreakable. They were passionate and fierce in everything, including their love for each other.

Confession: I have never before read a historical romance. Which is a little odd, considering my pre-romance preference for historical mysteries (such as Maisie Dobbs and A Beautiful Blue Death). In any case, tired of the expression of shock/surprise that typically accompanied my declaration of never before having dipped my toe into this genre, I decided it was high time to dive in.

And dive into Beverly Jenkins' Rebel I did. (I picked it because it was a first in series from a well-known HR author and because I was interested in the blurb. Marriage of Convenience always seems to pique my interest.) Naturally, I was completely unsure of what to expect—after all, it wasn't just a new-to-me author, it was a new-to-me genre—but I'm fairly certain I didn't expect to be utterly enchanted (and, at times, completely gutted) by the story of Valinda and Drake.

Rebel takes places in New Orleans, during the Reconstruction period after the War Between the States. As a History major (in Australia, with a focus on modern history, though with a small trove of Civil War knowledge), I was immediately taken by the unfettered way Ms. Jenkins' describes life for the freedmen and women of NOLA. In truth, I learned a lot from this book—some of enough to make my heart truly ache, knowing as I do that, despite the 150 years that have past since the setting of this book, our world is still cruel and thoughtless on issues of race and equality.

And yet, in the growing romance between Valinda and Drake, this book gave me reason to smile and to hope. I adored the strength and hellion nature of Valinda. She's my favorite kind of heroine—the kind that stands up to be counted, who holds her own against the odds, and who does so without trampling those who would trample her. It's easy to believe that Drake LeVeq would fall for her, because I did the very same.

Speaking of Drake and being easy to fall in love with . . . (Forgive me my terrible segue, I've literally JUST finished and am still flying high.) This is the kind of man I love to read, which makes him the exactly the man for the woman I loved reading. He's a little bit (okay, a lot) pirate, but he's also kind and caring, passionate and respectful. Basically, he's perfect. And perfect is probably a good way to describe my first taste of historical romance. Though I remain unsure about what to expect from the genre as a whole—I have downloaded a few books from several other recommended HR authors—I do expect to be back for more of the Women Who Dare.

Rebel is the first book in the Women Who Dare series and is also part of the Le Veq Family series as well. I was super excited to see that this book is set in New Orleans, in the reconstruction era. Beverly Jenkins is pure talent when it comes to writing historical’s, especially intensely accurate ones. What I really appreciated about this book is how much you learn in such a short period of time. Ms. Bev surely knows how to write such fantastic books that blends a delightful romance with great authentic historical facts that comes alive on the pages.

Rebel begins with our heroine, who has come down to New Orleans as she waits on her fiancee who is in France for a printing press to start his newspaper shop. Valinda is a teacher and is hoping to help those that are in need of a education both children and adults. But when she finds her school trashed, and she is almost raped and then rescued by a military officer…Captain Drake Le Veq. But now Valinda has seen the kindness from Drake and when she is tossed out of her current living residence, she goes to the only person she knows….Drake and his family’s home. Valinda has never known such graciousness or generosity or love that she has seen in the Le Veq home or felt such a strong connection to anyone like Drake. She is about to be married to a friend but has never felt passion like she feels with Drake. Valinda will have to make a decision to marry her friend to protect him so he can be with the man he loves or…..be with the man she loves and live in a place that calls to her.

I blame you and your pirate kin. I was fine until I met your family with all its love and passion.

Rebel is such a well-written story that had me in TEARS especially towards the end. There was so much heartfelt emotion that we see in this book and you know I never expect it but Bev Jenkins surely knows how to work me in a story and boy she worked my emotions so well in this book. I first want to discuss the setting that we have in this book. Its set in New Orleans shortly entering in the Reconstruction Era and boy the things that we see are heartbreaking and it really brings bigotry and racism so close to home for me. The way in how seeing the social injustices and seeing the fight that these people had to gain their independence, freedoms and education and more. To fight for a chance to live their own lives and not to be raped, abused, or murdered for it. It really made me realize that there is so much work today that needs to be done.

So we get to see so many delights from the Le Veq family and now I know I just need to re-read this series because boy I love them all…such a hoot. I love the bantering between the brothers and we finally get DRAKE’s book. I have been wanting it ever since I fell in love with Indigo and got my first introduction to this family. I love the way that this family works together and how they defend their own. I honestly had so much love for Drake as the hero of the story, because is the epitome of a hero. If you are looking for an AVENGER of the Reconstruction era, he is that. He does what he can with the people in his life.

Our heroine is such a passionate and full of life character and I just loved her so much and all that she does here. She is so strong willed and a fighter. She is a teacher, and has such a drive for education and helping others. I love what she wants to do with her knowledge and see what she is capable of. She never gives up on what is right, no matter how hard or challenging it is. Valinda (such a gorgeous name) has never really seen love or passion in her life and doesn’t believe it exists in a marriage. But her world gets turned upside down when she meets the Le Veq family and I loved seeing this change in her.

“What’s your dream, cheri?”

“To head up a school where girls who, like me, have no interest in embroidery or playing the piano, can learn as much about whatever they want: mathematics, botany, the stars. They can study animals or anatomy. And I’d have the money to provide excellent teachers who don’t believe learning will damage them.”

The relationship between Drake and Valinda is pretty insta lust, there is a powerful chemistry that sparks between them from the very beginning and I adored the growth from the sexual sparks and which developed into something more vibrant and full of emotion. The adaption of their relationship was so poignant at times, and love seeing how their relationship deepens through their challenges and seeing what they both overcome.

If you do leave New Orleans, I’m keeping your smile so I can pull it out and look at it whenever I think of you

Rebel is powerfully portrayed love story that takes us back to New Orleans, a story of sacrifice, passion and what love can do at the right time, right place and with the right person!! TRULY A TREASURE TO HOLD ONTO!

Well written and especially researched as to what life was like in New Orleans a few years after the civil war ended. The uncertainty for the freedmen and women trying to make lives for themselves and their children was well represented as well as the upheaval for the plantation owners not wanting to give up their way of life, and the Creole who didn't want to be included with the uneducated newly freed slaves. Lots of factions represented for the backstory here. I liked the main characters, and especially Valinda having her code of ethics for her betrothed and best friend, as well as women didn't have much say in their lives at this time as their husband or father needed to do the thinking for them, because women needed a man's guidance. Valinda was very outspoken for a woman of her time, but she had a grandmother who was a strong influence on her, and New Orleans was different in a lot of societal ways from the rest of the country allowing women and people of color to shine in owning properties and businesses. Looking forward to the next edition in this series.

Beverly Jenkins does not disappoint with Rebel! There was obviously a backstory here, and after some research, I found that she had written 3 novels about the LeVeq family 20 years ago. Valinda comes to New Orleans during reconstruction to teach former slaves. She is saved from being raped by soldiers by Drake LeVeq. Their love story is sweet and Who doesn’t love a man who is hot, generous and a gentleman.

I was really excited to read this book because not only is it written by an author of color, but features people of color on the cover, and the romance genre is sorely lacking when it comes to representation. If you like the history part of the historical romance, you may really like this one! For me personally, I wanted it to be more about the fictional romance. Also, I was not a fan of the barriers to the romance itself--which included the main characters being involved on some level with other people. Historically, these barriers were realistic, but I just can't get behind them. This is all very dependent on my personal preferences, so I still believe that many people are going to love this book.! Plus, the writing itself is great. I will definitely be checking out the second book in the Women Who Dare series.

I was drawn in right away with this. Look at that dress! So pretty! And plus this a fresh of breath air from the atypical HRs. Unquie and different!

This is book 1 of a series, but also book 4 of another series. There are some references to the older books, but the author did well to have this be standalone. I am curious about the other ones now.

The story follows Valinda who wants to teach the children and those adults who never had a chance to learn and read. New Orleans is beautiful, but there is also danger especially for an unmarried African American woman. This is where Drake comes in. He saves her from these jerkfaces. He is a good guy and wants to help rebuild the city from after the war.

I loveeeddddd Drake. He was such a good guy! Sure he was a rogue, but he was such a gentleman! He was so sweet and kind. Loved him. I liked Val too even though I wanted to shake her! DRAKE IS THE ONE FOR YOU FOOL! *shakes fist*

I also loved Drake's family! I would love to be a part of his family ;) Julianna was such a wonderful role model!! Strong and not messing around, but a heart of gold.

Honestly, the story had me hooked from page 1. The characters were so intriguing and yes I loved the romance. But I also loved the nod to the social issues of the times. Kuddos to Drake and his pals for not rolling over and taking the abuse. A certain scene made me cheer! Good! That guy was a jerk.

Now...the last 15% was rough. It seemed to drag on and I was SO annoyed with Val still being pig-headed. C'mon woman! You know you want Drake! Fine. I'll take him if you don't want him ;)

Overall though...I really did like the story even with the last few pages making me yawn and annoyed. I want to read more about this family. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.

Lovely Adventures Await in this civil war era story!
This was my first time ever reading a book by Beverly Jenkins and I really enjoyed being immersed in the culture and time of the Louisiana south (So made me wish I was born back then!). This book showed some challenges people had to go through during that time period and how they found ways to get around some of the rather restrictive laws. I truly enjoyed this love story.

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Beverly Jenkins latest novel. This series, Women Who Dare, is going to be a fun and exciting one. Jenkins always writes heroines that are braver than I dare to be in TODAY's times, let alone in history when women had much less freedom and sexual congress. And let's not mince words about that gorgeous cover. I plan to buy the paperback just so I can have it! Great read, as always. Ms Jenkins is very much a comfort read for me.