Genres: Historical, Romance
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Mistress Suffragette by Diana Forbes
Synopsis:
A young woman without prospects at a ball in Gilded Age Newport, Rhode Island is a target for a certain kind of “suitor.” At the Memorial Day Ball during the Panic of 1893, impoverished but feisty Penelope Stanton draws the unwanted advances of a villainous millionaire banker who preys on distressed women–the incorrigible Edgar Daggers. Over a series of encounters, he promises Penelope the financial security she craves, but at what cost? Skilled in the art of flirtation, Edgar is not without his charms, and Penelope is attracted to him against her better judgment. Initially, as Penelope grows into her own in the burgeoning early Women’s Suffrage Movement, Edgar exerts pressure, promising to use his power and access to help her advance. But can he be trusted, or are his words part of an elaborate mind game played between him and his wife? During a glittering age where a woman’s reputation is her most valuable possession, Penelope must decide whether to compromise her principles for love, lust, and the allure of an easier life.
During the time of the Gilded Age, we have Penelope Stanton, recently dumped by her fiancée due to her family’s financial hardships. She is attending the Memorial Day ball, destitute but spirited, Penelope draws the attention of the handsome, but nefarious millionaire who takes advantage of troubled women – the unrepentant and married Edgar Daggers. After running into him several times, Edgar begins to promise Penelope the financial security she needs and desires. Penelope can’t resist his charms and is very attracted to him, but at what cost? He promises to help her with her advancement in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Can Penelope trust Edgar? Will she fall captive to his charm and her growing desire for him? Will she compromise herself for a better life with someone she is unsure that she can trust? Will she become his mistress? One must read the book to find out.
Mistress Suffragette is a compelling engaging romance story that is unusual and unique in its premise. Author Diana Forbes does an excellent job bringing the Gilded Age, Women’s Suffrage Movement and the 1890’s to life. It is descriptive and beautiful. I couldn’t put it down and read it into the late hours of the night. Diana Forbes has done extremely well writing and portraying history accurately. A lot of pertinent research was put into this engrossing novel.
In Mistress Suffragette, the characters are great and well developed with unique personalities and very interesting natures. They are multidimensional and well fleshed out. The main character Penelope is particularly likable, with Edgar Daggers being a very interesting and somewhat ruthless, yet alluring character, in my opinion. I was impressed by the dialog between the characters and the entire story is written with an excellent original voice.
The descriptions of everything from the clothes to the scenery are vivid and a delight for the imaginary senses. I reveled in this book for many reasons, but especially because of the descriptive writing.
The storyline, plot and characters are woven together beautifully like a tapestry. The ending is satisfying and unpredictable. I loved Mistress Suffragette, and I highly recommend it all historical romance lovers that want a more unique context with interesting settings and circumstances, like in this fabulous engaging story.
Purchase Mistress Suffragette @Amazon Today
