A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

by Angela Bell

Overview

Named a Booklist Top 10 Romance Debut

Miss Clara Marie Stanton's family may be eccentric, but they certainly aren't insane.

London, England, 1860
When Clara's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society's prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself—at any cost.

"Utterly charming! What an original and adorable story. Angela Bell's debut is a book I can, without hesitation, highly recommend."—JEN TURANO, USA Today bestselling author

"Bell's voice will draw you immediately into her world, and her characters will hold you there. A must-read!"—ROSEANNA M. WHITE, Christy Award-winning author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764242137
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Angela Bell is a 21st-century lady with 19th-century sensibilities. She resides in Texas with her charming pup, Mr. Bingley Crosby. Her book A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure was named a Booklist Top 10 Romance Debut. One might categorize her books as historical romance, but Angela likes to describe them as a cuppa Victorian whimsy. Whenever you need a respite from the 21st-century hustle, you're welcome to visit her imaginary parlor at authorangelabell.com, where she can be found waiting with a pot of tea and a great book.

Editorial Reviews

01/01/2024

DEBUT Bell's debut novel turns The Nutcracker into a Christian-fiction romance set in 1860 London. Her once adventurous spirit broken by betrayal, Clara Stanton finds herself battling the rumors that her ex-fiancé has spread about her family. With a grandfather who creates strange automatons, a mother who rescues wild animals, and an eccentric uncle, Clara has her work cut out for her. When Grandfather Drosselmeyer takes off via flying owl, leaving a trail of clues across the continent, his mysterious apprentice Arthur, Clara, her mother, and a menagerie of animals follow. Suspicion and acrimony abound, as Arthur refuses to reveal his last name. He views himself as little more than a faulty spare part, but his unique skills may save the day. Wound tighter than her grandfather's automaton due to Victorian societal expectations, Clara slowly begins to see the wonder and adventure around her. VERDICT Full of whimsy and laugh-out-loud adventure, Bell's novel will appeal to readers who like period romances with zany characters and surprising depth, similar to those from Mimi Matthews and Carolyn Miller. She is an up-and-coming author to watch.

Library Journal

Beverley A. Crick gives a spirited performance of this historical adventure. In mid-nineteenth-century Europe, Clara, who is wrongfully accused of being "insane," meets Theodore, her grandfather's new apprentice. Theodore then whisks Clara away on scavenger hunt around Europe to find a flying machine that is coveted by villainous enemies. Crick gives a cheeky flavor to her performance, making it fun and engaging. The character details, story twists, and reveals are all done with carefully measured pacing, so no listener will become lost. Crick impressively evokes the chemistry between Clara and Theodore. Neither too dramatic nor too pensive, Crick's delivery is just right. G.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

MAY 2024 - AudioFile

Bell…will draw you immediately into her world, and her characters will hold you there. A must-read.”

author of Yesterday’s Tides Roseanna M. White

Beverley A. Crick gives a spirited performance of this historical adventure…Crick gives a cheeky flavor to her performance, making it fun and engaging…Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”

AudioFile