Emily Bryan

The common thread running through these three stories is Lord and Lady Hartwell's ball. The first deals with the disappearance of Lady Sybil Somerville the day before the ball at which she is to receive and accept Lord Eddleton's arranged proposal. Sybil's bastard half-sister who is a maid in the household is recruited to fill in. The main characters are Jane and her boyfriend Ian, the head groom. Different perspective from typical Regency romances. The second story is part of the Nvengaria series and deals with logosh (wolf/demon/human shape-shifter), Valentin, and Scottish widow Mary Cameron who meet again when he accompanies their Ambassador and his wife to England. There is a lot of political intrigue, spying and assassination attempts as well as romance. The third story deals with practical, organized Lord Casselbury and his decision to marry. He has inherited a title he wasn't expecting upon the deaths of 2 cousins and an older brother. However, his well thought out choice of bride does not attract him as much as her poor, dependent friend, Patience. When Patience's history and secret are revealed she retires to the country. William is determined to overcome her objections and attends Lord Hartwell's ball to make his stand. All of these stories deal with lesser positions in Society and were refreshingly told.… (more)

In the first The Order of the M.U.S.E. book, society debutante Cassandra Darkin learns quite unexpectedly that she has the ability to create and control fire, and she doesn’t know what to do about it. When a handsome man abducts her from Almack’s after she’s set the place on fire, she knows her life will never be the same.
The reclusive Garret Sterling, the heir to an earldom, can send thoughts into other people’s heads and bend them to his wishes, and his nightmares always come true. He’s sworn off friendships, acts snide to most everyone, and he doesn’t care for anyone to protect them. If he cares about them, then he’ll dream about them. Then they’ll suffer and possibly die. He joined the Order for help to control his nightmares, and he agreed to help Cassandra get control of her gift as well. He just never expected the young fire mage to break through his defenses and claim his heart.
I absolutely loved this story. Both Garret and Cassandra are very likable characters with serious problems with their psychic gifts and in their personal lives. They both want to love and be loved, but it feels as though everything is standing in their way. They brave through it together, and it was amazing to watch them grow and learn to trust each other and in the other members of the Order.
The side characters are awesome. The Duke of Camden, usually just called Camden, is the head of the paranormal defense agency that works to protect the English Crown from supernatural threats. Vesta is a saucy, wonderful woman who is also a fire mage with a romantic entanglement with Camden. Viscount Westfall is a strong but mentally unbalanced man. His story is next, and I would love to read it. Miss Anthony is absolutely adorable, and I can just imagine how she’ll grow throughout the series.
I have a few questions but none affect the overall plot or the love story between Garret and Cassandra. Mainly: what will happen to Paschal? His plot wasn’t wrapped up very tight. He’s the villain, yes, but he’s not really a bad guy. I’m very curious about him.
Anyway, this is a great paranormal historical romance. I would definitely recommend it.
5 Stars
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