A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

by Angela Bell

Book 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-fianc 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

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 076424213X
• ISBN13: 9780764242137
• Release Date: February 2024
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Riveting Adventure!

A delightfully whimsical adventure, with a full cast of endearingly original characters, that you won't want to put down! Set in the Victorian Era tinged with steampunk, this imaginative novel has it all, strong protagonists that you can cheer for all the way through, quirky but endearing characters, along with strong themes of faith, forgiveness, and family. Clara is a spunky and adventurous heroine, who loves her unorthodox family dearly, and is very protective of them. Theodore is a man with a secret that haunts him, looking for acceptance, he is a man true to his word who takes his duties seriously. I admired his never give up attitude, when Clara kept trying to run him off. I think one of my favorite characters was Clara's mother, a woman unashamed of her convictions with a heart for all of God's creatures, who despite her eccentric tendencies is actually quite wise. There is so much to love about this whimsically delightful novel, full of humor, faith, lively dialogue, and adventure. Highly enjoyable read that I won't soon forget! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.