The Cutthroat Countess - (Wicked Women of Whitechapel) by Minerva Spencer (Paperback)

About the Book

"After saving the life of handsome Honorable Elliot Wingate, circus owner Josephine 'Blade' Brown, who's as deadly with a knife as her nickname suggests, tries to keep a safe distance from this man who has the power to stir up her deeply buried, extremely dangerous secrets"--

Book Synopsis

Regency-era England may be a man's world, but a lady boss is about to show them how it's done! In the newest of her witty, Regency-set, feminist romances exploring the roles of women in a rigidly patriarchal society, acclaimed author Minerva Spencer makes the cut with loner Jo "Blade" Brown, a circus performer who's as deadly with a knife as her nickname suggests. A new generation of readers and Bridgerton fans will delight in the rapier sharp wit, sexual fireworks, and thought-provoking entertainment of The Cutthroat Countess. Before Josephine Brown began working as a blade expert for Farnham's Fantastical Female Fayre, she'd never stayed put for long. She'd never had friends, either. Nor had she allowed herself to open her heart to a man. Yet now, as part owner of the circus, she's suddenly forming real friendships. And then there is her attraction to clever, handsome Honorable Elliot Wingate-whose life she happened to save. After forever fleeing her past, the last man she should choose is one who ferrets out secrets on behalf of King and Country . . . Elliot was fascinated by Jo "Blade" Brown even before he witnessed her lethal gifts, firsthand. He's never met a woman who is such an intoxicating combination of self-sufficiency, beauty, and mystery. He's never been in love before, but there is no denying he's fallen hard. Yet each time Elliot tries to get closer to Jo, she slips farther away. If he reveals what's in his heart, will he risk driving her away for good? As their investigation-and her feelings for Elliot-stir up Jo's deeply buried, extremely dangerous secrets, she'll have to decide whether to run once again, or trust somebody at last . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for Minerva Spencer's The Boxing Baroness, Book 1 in The Wicked Women of Whitechapel

"With the launch of her swooningly romantic, sizzling sensual new Regency-set Wild Women of Whitechapel series, Spencer delivers her own one-two knockout punch with a superbly realized cast of characters that includes an intriguingly different yet historically credible heroine and an exhilarating plot that not only delves into the fascinating world of female pugilism--Marianne is based on a historical figure, Mary Anne Pearce--but also deftly illuminates the dangerous state of affairs in France after Napoleon escaped from Elba." --Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

"Spencer launches her Wicked Women of Whitechapel Regency series with an outstanding romance based in part on a real historical figure...Spencer ramps up the mystery and the romance in equal measure as the threat of Dominic and the knowledge that society would be unaccepting of their relationship hover over the captivating couple. This is sure to wow." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"Fans of historical romances with strong female characters in non-traditional roles and the men who aren't afraid to love them won't be disappointed by this series starter." --Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"Sparkling . . . impossible not to love." --Popsugar

"I've never read a historical romance featuring a professional woman boxer, but this one is set to change that!" --BookRiot on The Boxing Baroness

About the Author

Minerva Spencer is the multiple award-winning author of Regency set historical romance novels, including the highly acclaimed Rebels of the Ton, Wicked Women of Whitechapel, and Outcasts series. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she lived in Canada, the US, Europe, Africa, and Mexico before moving to New Mexico, where she resides now with her husband and dozens of rescue animals. She was previously a college history professor, a criminal prosecutor, a bartender, and owner of a bed and breakfast. Visit Minerva online at MinervaSpencer.com.