Leading Lady (Ay Insp - Blackwell)

Rating:
Summary: A story of intrigue, romance and forgiveness in London.
Review: I really enjoyed this new story by Lawana Blackwell. Set in the theatre world of London in the late 1890s, she creates a plot and subplots of lively characters onstage and backstage. Bethia Rayborn is the new wardrobe mistress of London's Royal Court Theatre. She accepts a seemingly innocent invitation for a tea outing with her cousin Jewel's cousin Douglas Pearce after the departure of her intended fiance, Guy Russell. That cup of tea turns into a persistant and relentless pursuit as Douglas begins stalking her after she repeatedly refuses his attentions. In the heat of anger as he continues to persist, Bethia writes him a scathing letter, sending Douglas off on a wild chase which results his death. Douglas's sister, Muriel decides to take her revenge on Bethia by becoming the new leading lady in the Royal Court with the intent of sabotaging Bethia's job and eventually steals Guy away from her. This story includes a handsome new actor named Noah Carey from York with a past of his own. I am loving all of Lawana's books and am looking forward to her upcoming release "A Table by the Window".