RECOMMENDED: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is book 1 in Lauren Willig's series, and it's currently $2.99 at many retailers. The Pink Carnation series is wonderful: it's a mix of historical romance, historical fiction, mystery, and a lot of awesomesauce. It's a terrific series, really. And Willig is a tremendous writer, so grab this one if you're at all curious, but be prepared to want to read more of them.
Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard's Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian.
What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon's invasion.
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own?
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RECOMMENDED: The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig is $2.99 today only as the Kindle Daily Deal. This is book #8 in the Pink Carnation series, so if you were hoping to get the eighth book on sale or you'd like a digital copy, grab this today. (I love this series so, so much.)
In The Orchid Affair, Willig introduces her strongest heroine yet. Laura Grey, a veteran governess, joins the Selwick Spy School expecting to find elaborate disguises and thrilling exploits in service to the spy known as the Pink Carnation. She hardly expects her first assignment to be serving as governess for the children of Andre Jaouen, right-hand man to Bonaparte's minister of police. Jaouen and his arch rival, Gaston Delaroche, are investigating a suspected Royalist plot to unseat Bonaparte, and Laura's mission is to report any suspicious findings.
At first the job is as lively as Latin textbooks and knitting, but Laura begins to notice strange behavior from Jaouen-secret meetings and odd comings and goings. As Laura edges herself closer to her employer, she makes a shocking discovery and is surprised to learn that she has far more in common with Jaouen than she originally thought… As their plots begin to unravel, Laura and Jaouen are forced on the run with the children, and with the help of the Pink Carnation they escape to the countryside, traveling as husband and wife.
But Delaroche will stop at nothing to take down his nemesis. With his men hot on their trail, can Laura and Jaouen seal the fate of Europe before it's too late?
To Sin with a Viking by Michelle Willingham is $1.99 right now, and this book has some very positive reviews, though some readers had problems with a specific scene (you can read the spoiler reviews if you'd like). I'm intrigued – have you read this book?
Caragh Ó Brannon defended herself bravely when the enemy landed—only, now she finds herself alone with one very angry Viking… Styr Hardrata sailed to Ireland intending to trade, never expecting to find himself held captive in chains by a beautiful Irish maiden.
The fiercely handsome warrior both terrifies and allures Caragh, but he is forbidden territory. He is the enemy…and he is married. Yet Styr harbors a secret that just might set them both free…
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Of Poseidon by Anna Banks is today's Nook Daily Find, and the price is valid at Amazon, too. This is a YA (marked grade 9 and up) series that's a paranormal/UF (underwater fantasy! ha!) romance, though reviews do state it ends on a cliffhanger (dun dun dunnnn). Book 2, Of Triton is also available – but don't read the description, as I fear it may spoil some of this book!
Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for.
That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help–no matter what the risk.
I love the Pinks! The Orchid Affair is my sentimental favourite. Such a good deal….I have them in print, but my Kindle needs some Willig.
Lauren Willig and The Pink Carnation series has been one of my favorites for such a long time. I’m so glad to see them on your site!
I’m glad to get the chance to try these books; they’ve been haunting me for years, but the price was always too high for ebooks. Can’t wait to settle in with the first one.
My word is have14. I expect I’ll have 14 Willig books before I’m done. 🙂
I enjoy the Pink Carnation series by and large. The first volume however is a slog; it’s more dissertation than romance novel. Willig’s writing becomes much more readable, although her literary allusions keep me hopping. If her titles are on sale, maybe there’s hope for a new Pink Carnation novel.
aorist, Lauren Willig has a new book out on August 13, according to Amazon! I’ve fallen behind on this series, which is a shame, because I really enjoy these books.
The Pink Carnation series is a lot of fun and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it; good to know a new book will be out soon. I do however agree with above posters that the first book in the series is the weakest, and if I’d read that one first I probably wouldn’t have picked up the others. i recommend starting with The Masque of the Black Tulip, the second book in the series.