If you’re a lover of historical romance, you need to add all the books by Kathy L. Wheeler to your shelf. She’s a talented author who writes mostly historical, but the span of her settings and plots ranges from the American West to Regency England.

Her upcoming release, Captivated by His Countess, is a spicy Regency Romance that keeps the reader turning pages.

Not only is there a blossoming love—and lust—between the hero and heroine who are forced into marriage, but they both share a passion for righting wrongs. They are on secret missions. James Winthrop, Earl of Huntley pursues one for the Crown, and Lady Gabriella Lynwood helps women who’ve been abused and turned out.

The irony unfolds as James notices his new, sassy, and defiant wife is pre-occupied and secreting herself around town. But Gabby is no fool. She knows her husband is on to her and counters his spying with some savvy stealth of her own. While the fun ensues, you won’t lose sight of the importance, and daunting weight, of their personal crusades. Trust me, you, the reader, will root for Gabby as she works tirelessly to help innocents, and yes, hold their abusers accountable.

Onto the writing style. Wheeler is a master at her craft. She knows this period well, and it’s clear she’s got a gift for wordsmithing. Simply put, her words paint a delightful picture.

“Her laughter was as light as the bubbles in his champagne flute…”

“Excitement unfurled like a blossom in early spring fed with sun and dew…”

“She melted under his touch like a pot of butter in an Egyptian summer sun…”

But her prose isn’t flowering or distracting. Rather it’s infused in a carefully crafted way that rounds out the edges and plucks a chord of deep resonance within the reader’s soul. A diametrical balancing of the romance blossoming between the protagonists and sobering reality of Gabby and James’s quests.

I’m also going to add a personal note to this review. I’ve had the golden opportunity to meet, and get to know, Kathy Wheeler. She’s a mentor for me as I’m digging deeper into the craft of writing. Not only is she a great storyteller, but a wonderful human being. She’s supportive and fun and has some of the best tales to share about her own author’s journey.

If you ever get the chance to meet Kathy at a conference or book signing, do it! It’s an encounter you’ll truly enjoy.

Image Courtesy of Kathy L. Wheeler