2020 HOLT Medallion Winner - Historical

“Matthews weaves suspense and mystery within an absorbing love story. Readers will be hard put to set this one down before the end.” —Library Journal

An Uncommon Beauty...

Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it's caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke's clutches, she's going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero...

Captain Arthur Heywood's days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her—and her heart—in more danger than ever?

More Reviews:

“The author seamlessly combines a suspenseful tale and a soaring romance, the plot by turns sweetly moving and dramatically stirring...A thoughtfully executed tale that perceptively dramatizes the tension between the demands of love and commerce.” —Kirkus

“Mimi Matthews pens a thrilling novel of a young lady at the mercy of distant relations...a deliciously enchanting novel which was a delight to read.” —Readers' Favorite

“The Work of Art is a book that keeps you guessing until the very last chapter...In its pages are romance, adventure, bravery, and humor...and my absolute favorite—the universal themes of courage, loss, and restoration. I highly recommend this enchanting and thought-provoking novel...” —Austenprose

“Truly a work of art...when it comes to this book, romance and suspense are a match made in heaven.” —Bookstr

"If all Regency Romances were written as well as The Work of Art, I would read them all...[Matthews] has a true gift for storytelling.” —The Herald-Dispatch

“I crave well written historical romances and this fit the bill perfectly. A fantastic story. Highly recommend!” —Jane Porter, New York Times bestselling author

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.

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"Kline keeps the pages turning...a lively interpretation that will win Oxfordian approval and may even convince Stratfordians to suspend disbelief and enjoy it." —Kirkus Reviews

FIRST PLACE WINNER 2014 CHAUCER AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION IN ELIZABETHAN/TUDOR CATEGORY

Charged in 1616 by the Earls of Pembroke and Montgomery to edit a folio of Shakespeare plays, writer Ben Jonson races against time to uncover the missing manuscripts by seeking out his former nemesis, the bedridden William Shaxper. But far more worrisome is that the Earl of Oxford's daughter, the Countess of Montgomery, wants the folio published as a tribute to her father. Could Lord Oxford's darkest secrets threaten the throne of King James?

Witty, intriguing and suspenseful, Syril Levin Kline's controversial novel calls into question everything you ever thought you knew about the Bard by exploring the irony of a creative genius forced to hide behind the identity of another. Kline proudly joins Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, James Joyce, Charles Dickens and other writers in their skepticism about the Shakespeare authorship. As fascinating as it is entertaining and deftly written, Shakespeare's Changeling:  A Controversial Literary Historical Novel offers the most reasonable solution to the authorship mystery ever presented.

Author Bio:
Syril Levin Kline is an educator, journalist, theater director, and performer who believes that challenging academic orthodoxy can lead to new insights and discoveries that enhance all fields of learning. She believes that writers create within the context of their experience and that by helping students connect an author with his or her work, we can enable them to see relationships between their own learning, thinking, and writing. For too long, Shakespeare's true identity has remained an intriguing mystery to students and teachers. In her novel, Syril breathes new life into the literary world of Elizabethan England, enlightening readers with the many connections between the life of the 17th Earl of Oxford and the Shakespeare canon.

Murder's a Bad Stroke of Luck

River Thames boat races between the London University colleges are popular events, and Mrs. Ginger Reed is excited to attend for the first time, especially since the son of a good friend of her new husband, Chief Inspector Basil Reed, is racing.

When a very unusual murder presents itself at the boat club, Lady Gold's Investigations is hired to take on the case. Ginger's determined to solve the mystery before someone else dies, but can she manage it without ruining another pair of Italian leather T-strap shoes?