A Wager to Tempt the Runaway - Bronwyn Scott (HH #1583 - June 2021)

Series: Rebellious Sisterhood (Book 3)

She's a free spirit
 
He's a serious businessman
 
Josefina Ricci has run away to fulfill her deathbed promise to her father to travel the world! During her stop in England, the free-spirited artist is embroiled in a wager -- to paint an award-winning portrait of oyster businessman Owen Gann in exchange for room and board. Owen is her opposite in all ways, pragmatic and responsible, but as he reveals a wild, passionate side, might Josefina have found her greatest adventure…in him?
 
Good book. After her father's death, Josefina left her home in Venice to escape an unwanted suitor's attentions and fulfill a promise to her father. She will travel and paint the wonders of the world that he missed out on. After painting her way across Europe, she came to England and set up as a street artist to earn more traveling money. At the end of the previous book, Revealing the True Miss Stansfield, Artemisia chose Josefina as the street artist to train as part of a wager with a member of the Royal Academy. Josefina has been living at the art school and learning the techniques she needs to paint the agreed-upon portrait of oyster businessman Owen Gann.
 
Josefina is talented, headstrong, and frequently reckless. As the book opens, Josefina returns from a run with the local smugglers filled with the excitement of another successful trip. On the way back to the school, she encounters Owen, who warns her of the danger to herself and the school if she continues her reckless behavior. Josefina blows him off, telling him no one will dictate to her, but something about him draws her.
 
Owen is a self-made man. He began life as an oysterman before using his keen intelligence to create a successful business from it. Owen is pragmatic and serious, focusing his attention on growing his business. He feels a deep-seated responsibility toward the people of the village and, unknown to them, watches over them. Lately, Josefina holds most of his attention and an intense but unwelcome attraction.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Owen and Josefina. As Josefina prepares to paint his portrait, she needs to spend time with him and get to know him.  Owen is a very private man, and he doesn't share himself with many people. Their first portrait prep meeting was painful to watch as Owen did everything possible to foil Josefina's attempts to learn more about him. Her frustration was evident in her later complaint to Artemisia, prompting some advice from her and her husband. I loved seeing Josefina take that advice to heart and put it to use the next day.
 
This began a new chapter in the lives of Owen and Josefina. I loved seeing her wiggle her way into Owen's trip to check the oyster beds and finally find a window into Owen's true self. I loved watching the change in him as he explained the oystering process and again as he met with the oystermen. This Owen fascinated Josefina and inspired her to keep digging into his life. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them grew, as did feelings neither wanted to admit. Owen had been burned in the past by a woman who couldn't accept him for who he was, so he resists risking his heart again. Josefina focuses on her promise to her father and her plans to continue her travels when her commitment to Artemisia is over.
 
I ached for both Owen and Josefina as they fought their feelings. Owen reached the point where he wanted more but was afraid to go after it. Josefina struggled with her feelings for Owen and her need to fulfill her promise to her father. To complicate matters, Josefina hadn't given up her activities with the smugglers. She began to feel guilty about her part in an upcoming run, one that could cause problems for Owen. Sure enough, something went wrong, creating an awkward and dangerous situation for Owen. Owen's feelings of betrayal made him pull away, while Josefina finally understood her feelings for Owen too late.
 
But love finds a way, and I liked seeing them brought back together. The judging of Josefina's portrait is the catalyst and isn't without drama of its own. I loved seeing Josefina stand up to the intrusion of her past and Owen find a way to make both their dreams come true. The epilogue was excellent, with a delightful surprise at the end. 

Revealing the True Miss Stansfield - Bronwyn Scott (HH #1568 - Apr 2021)

Series: Rebellious Sisterhood (Book 2)

He must solve a mystery
 
She's a beguiling distraction!
 
Inspector Hazard Manning is determined to catch the art forger plaguing London's aristocracy. As his investigation leads him to Kent's new art school, sweet, beautiful Addy Stansfield volunteers as his guide. He's used to a dark criminal world, but Addy's sunny nature draws him to the light. However, as long-awaited passions stir, so do Hazard's professional instincts… Could she unwittingly be the very person he's been sent to unmask?
 
Good book. Addy is the younger sister of Artemisia, the female artist who took on the Royal Academy in Portrait of a Forbidden Love. Unlike her sister, Addy is more laid-back, painting because she can, not because she is driven. Her interests lie more in art history. Addy also has a bit of a self-esteem issue, seeing herself as plain and uninteresting. She has a suitor who pops in and out of her life, full of flattery, big plans, and expensive gifts. Addy's dreams for her future don't include marriage; she'd rather travel and learn about the art she's only heard about. In the meantime, she teaches at her sister's new art school for girls and practices her painting skills.
 
Hazard is a Bow Street inspector investigating cases of art forgery. He enjoys solving puzzles, and tracking this forger challenges him. He traced the latest painting to a small seaside town, where he lost the trail. His only lead is the girls' art school and its students and teachers. His only possible suspect is Addy, but how could someone so sweet and open be involved in something so wrong?
 
The mystery of the art forger is pretty clear-cut, and I liked that it didn't take long to figure out who the real villain was. The challenge came in carrying out the apprehension. I appreciated that Hazard helped Addy see the truth without threatening her or her sister. Once he knew the truth, he also knew that Addy was in danger and took steps to keep her safe. I did start to wonder when the bad guy would show up, but when he did, the action became intense very fast. I wanted to shake Addy for being so gullible and fall for his lies. I ached for Hazard, who wasn't sure if he'd be in time to save her. The final confrontation was intense with a satisfying end.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Addy and Hazard. The sparks flew between them from the start, though both tried to resist. Addy feels that she should be loyal to her suitor, though he doesn't have the same effect on her, and she isn't ready to marry anyway. Hazard resists because he fears that anyone he is close to could become a target of the criminals he pursues. Because of an event in his past, Hazard also believes that he doesn't deserve that kind of happiness. I liked seeing Addy and Hazard spend time together. Their shared interests in art give them much to talk about. Addy's bright nature also breaks through some of the darkness that haunts him, and Hazard finds himself wishing to make more of it.
 
I liked how keeping Addy safe led Hazard to take her to his family's home. Hazard rarely saw his family because of his fears for their safety and the guilt that haunts him regarding his brother's war injuries. Hazard's work during the war fascinated me, and I could see why he was so good at it. I liked how Addy's influence and Rafe's persistence finally helped Hazard face his past. Seeing Rafe and Hazard repair their relationship warmed my heart. Hazard and Addy spend much more time together, and as their attraction grows, so do their feelings. I ached for them both because it looked like, to be together, each of them would have to give up something important to them. Nearly losing each other made them realize what was important was being together. There was a nice twist at the end that made both their dreams come true.

Portrait of a Forbidden Love - Bronwyn Scott (HH #1550 - Jan 2021)

Series: Rebellious Sisterhood (Book 1)

The Earl's heir

And the rebel artist

Artist Artemisia Stansfield has four months to prove herself to the Royal Academy of Arts. When she finds out that aristocratic art critic Darius Rutherford has been snooping in her studio, she's furious! Sparks of anger turn into flames of desire, but one lapse in judgment could give Darius all the fuel he needs to ruin her, as a lady and as an artist! Unless she trusts him enough to take the risk…

Good book. The story opens as Artemisia arrived at the Royal Academy of Arts to hear their decision on her acceptance into that group. She is confident of that approval as she is well aware of her talent. She was furious when they turned her down for the flimsiest of reasons. Though they unbent enough to offer her a second chance, Artemisia's fury is evident in her rebuttal. I loved her parting shot as she makes it clear she suspects their intentions.

Darius Rutherford is a well-known art critic as well as being the heir to an earldom. His initial reaction to Artemisia is typical of a man of that time. He thinks she is too forward, too flamboyant, and doesn't know her place. He is not happy when the Academy asks him to judge her work, with the implication that he is to follow their lead. He prides himself on his honesty.

Artemisia and her sister go to Kent, where Artemisia plans to paint a collection that will guarantee her acceptance. Three weeks later, Darius shows up and manages to look at her work while she isn't there. Though blown away by what he sees, he also knows what is expected of him and has a decision to make. I was disappointed by his sneakiness and laughed out loud when Artemisia arrived to confront him. I loved how she got his attention and challenged him to remain there and get to know her as an artist.

Over the next few weeks, Artemisia and Darius spend a great deal of time together. It was fascinating to see Artemisia's process as she put her heart and soul into her work. I also enjoyed seeing her educate Darius on what it is like to be a woman in a man's world. It was an eye-opening experience for him, and I liked the evolution of his attitude. As they got to know each other better, the initial sparks of attraction between them began to grow. However, there are some trust issues that they need to overcome. Artemisia worries that Darius will use their passion against her, while Darius wonders if Artemisia uses it to influence his decision. It made me happy to see them talk about it rather than let their questions drive a wedge between them.

As their attraction grows stronger, so do the feelings that accompany it. Though Darius has ideas for their future, Artemisia sees too big a gap between them. I ached for her as she saw no hope for her love to go anywhere. She is well-aware of the obstacles, while Darius expects things to go his way. It was fantastic to see Darius's determination to see that Artemisia gets the respect she deserves, and I enjoyed how he carried it out. However, some of Artemisia's fears resurface, and she flees to protect herself and Darius. I hurt for him and liked how his love for her gave him the strength he needed to overcome the obstacles. I loved how well he knew her and how he used that knowledge to show his love. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic. The epilogue was great.