Firelight

by Kristen Callihan

I’m a huge fan of Kristen Callihan’s contemporary romances. So when I saw Firelight sitting on the shelf at my local library right before I left for a reading retreat, I just knew it was fate. And hot damn, why did I wait so long to start The Darkest London series?

Normally, I don’t reach for historical romances. But with the added elements of magic, curses, and demons, it felt like a decent compromise for a reader like me who still rides or dies for paranormal romances.

Lord Benjamin Archer hides his face and most of his body away. Some say he’s disfigured while others think it’s a peculiar trait used for attention. He stumbles across Miranda Ellis in an alleyway, three years prior, about to be attacked. He doesn’t know that she can harness the power of fire and she doesn’t know immediately that he’s there to kill her dad. Awkward. Fast forward and he’s asked for her hand in marriage. That’s the basic setup and I’ll leave it there. Just know there’s a bigger mystery that is tied to Archer and his “curse.”

I loved Archer and Miranda’s relationship. They easily become friends and their back and forths are so snarky and cute. Archer isn’t a hero who is afraid of his emotions either. He cries without shame! He’s so in love and devoted to Miranda; he made me all gooey with his heart-eyed feels. Meanwhile, Miranda is tough and very “mama bear” when it comes to her husband’s feelings.

There were some quibbles from me that keep this book from reaching A-grade territory. There were frequent threats of sexual violence against Miranda. There’s the bitchy jealous lover trope, which always lowers the grade for me. I also wanted more fire. When in doubt, more fire!

Despite these issues, it didn’t stop me from buying the entire series rather than borrowing the rest from my library. The only bummer is I bought my editions on Book Depository because I’m in love with the UK covers and it’ll be ages before they get here.

– Amanda

Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family’s fortune decimated and forced her to wed London’s most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it’s selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can’t help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn’t felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

Historical: European, Paranormal, Romance