Story #4: “The Scandalous Widow” by Erica Monroe From: “It Started With A Whisper”-A Historical Romance Collection. (Released Jan 23, 2018)*

*NOTE: “The Scandalous Widow” (Gothic Brides #3) will be available as a stand alone 24 April 2018. However, you can purchase it now as part of the “It Started with a Whisper” Collection (while it is still available).

Story #4: “The Scandalous Widow” by Erica Monroe

Mystery Person:

Of course, the identity of the Mystery Person, known only as Lady X, is still a mystery. There were absolutely NO clues in this story as to their identity. It amazes me how they seem to be everywhere all of the time.

The Story:

As I stated in my review of Erica Monroe’s “Secrets In Scarlet“, “The Scandalous Widow” has all of the elements that I love to read: Mystery, Detective work, Historical Significance, Adventure. I did kind of have a feeling of deja vu while reading it, because it is very similar to “Secrets in Scarlet“, but it was different enough to keep me interested in the story and the characters. I honestly thought it was part of her “Rookery Series” at first, but realized that it wasn’t when the story barely mentioned the Rookeries at all. This story DID have a touch of Science Fiction/Paranormal to it, but it’s so subtle that it isn’t frightening at all. There weren’t any drawn out sexual scenes in this one either. (Thank you.)

I would rate this story a soft PG, and definitely is not boring. This novella is definitely a quick read, and also difficult to put down.

Stand Alone? Or No?:

While “The Scandalous Widow” is the fourth story of the “It Started With A Whisper” Romance Collection, I do believe that this could well be a stand alone book. (And as I said above in my note it is being released as one 24 April 2018)

My Rating:  (using the new Purple Butterfly System)

I give “The Scandalalous Widow” 5 Purple Butterflies.

A Review of “Historical Hellions” In The Order of the Box Set, Review #3: “Secrets In Scarlet” by Erica Monroe

I’m really behind on my reading as I’ve had a lot going on.

“Secrets In Scarlet” by Erica Monroe was originally published 09 Sep 2014, then republished 23 Sep 2014 by Quillfire Publishing as a standalone, the second installment of Erica Monroe’s Rookery Rogues Series. You can read the synopsis here.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed “Secrets In Scarlet”! It has all of the elements that I love to read: Mystery, Detective work, Historical Significance, Adventure. The only thing missing was Science Fiction, but that in no way took away my enjoyment of this story. And while it did contain some sexual scenes here and there, they were not drawn out, as they were with the first book in this boxed set (which apparently is no longer available, my apologies to the authors).

Another thing I particularly liked is found at the end of the book, where Erica takes the time to explain some of the historical aspects of the book, or where she had to deviate from them for the purpose of the story. It’s particularly good for those readers who 1) want to know more about some things that are mentioned in the story and 2) for those history buffs that prefer their Historical Romances to be true to life. Definitely a win/win.

I also found at the end of the book the titles of the remaining Rookery Rogue Series and I now have to go back and read the first, (I really do not like reading stories out of their series order, however, I don’t think it will be a problem as far as confusing me as to what is going on, but will clarify some things mentioned in “Secrets In Scarlet”, though while intertwined (I am guessing here) into Poppy and Thaddeus’s story, really didn’t make me crazy as happens most of the time when I start a series out of order. This is a great thing, especially in this case).

Using the Amazon star rating I give this book in the box set (and the stand alone) five stars!!!!

Other books in the series include:

A Dangerous Invitation (The Rookery Rogues Book 1) (Kate and Daniel’s Story)

Secrets in Scarlet (The Rookery Rogues Book 2) (Poppy and Thaddeus’s Story)

Beauty and the Rake (Abigail and Michael’s Story)

Stealing the Rogue’s Heart (Mina and Charlie’s Story)

The Lady Rebels (Sally and Matthew’s Story) Coming May 2018

There are more books in this boxed set that will be read and reviewed, but I have to deviate for two books…stay tuned.