Ruining Miss Wrotham

A Baleful Godmother Novel, Book 5

By: Emily Larkin

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

A triple award-winning Regency romance.

Eleanor Wrotham has sworn off overbearing men, but she needs a man’s help - and the man who steps forward is as domineering as he is dangerous: The notorious Mordecai Black.

The illegitimate son of an earl, Mordecai is infamous for his skill with women. His affairs are legendary - but few people realize that Mordecai has rules, and one of them is: Never ruin a woman.

But if Mordecai helps Miss Wrotham, she will be ruined.

Length: Full-length novel.

Sensuality level: A Regency romance with steamy love scenes.

• Winner of the 2018 Romance Writers of Australia Long Romance of the Year Award
• Winner of the 2018 Romance Writers of New Zealand Long Romance of the Year Award
• Winner of the 2018 Romance Writers of New Zealand Best Overall Romance of the Year Award

Q and A with the author

• How would you describe this series?

It's Regency England with a dash of magic. I hope to take listeners on a journey from the glittering ballrooms of the aristocracy to the dark underbelly of Regency England - with passion, danger, adventure, romance, and a little magic thrown into the mix.

I think the series could also be labelled Regency Noir, because it falls on the darker, grittier side of the romance fence, although each book contains humor, too. The stories are emotional, but not sweet (there’s sex, violence, and my heroes do swear at times!).

• Why did you write this series?

I wanted to get my well-bred heroines out of the drawing rooms and put them in the way of adventure and romance. But I didn’t want to write a series where magic is common; I wanted to write a series where only a few characters have magic, and it’s a deep, dark secret, and no one else knows.

• But...do magic and Regency England go together?

Definitely! Many, many years ago I read Sorcery and Cecelia (or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot) by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, and totally loved it and ever since then I’ve thought that Regency England and magic go very well together.

• What was the catalyst for this series?

A magazine article I read in which celebrities were asked what magic power they’d choose and why. That got me thinking! (I’d choose shapeshifting, by the way.)

• How would you describe your writing?

Several reviewers have likened my writing to Georgette Heyer, which is the hugest compliment ever. I adore Georgette Heyer! She’s why I write historical romance, and I reread her books over and over. (If you’ve not read The Grand Sophy, please do so!) I’ve also had readers compare my writing to Courtney Milan and Mary Balogh, which are also massive compliments.

• Who would like this series?

This series will appeal to listeners who enjoy the historical backdrop of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen, the dark and sensual "noir" feel of Anna Campbell, the emotion of Mary Balogh or Courtney Milan, and the magic of Patricia Rice and Mary Robinett."

©2017 Emily Larkin (P)2019 Emily Larkin

Critic reviews

"An outstanding story that I just could not put down! I finished this book in one sitting." (Shakera, More Books Please Blog)

My Favorite!

I think this was my favorite book of this series! It was so tender and compassionate! Everything in this book was explained naturally and in detail. I loved how each character grew (especially Miss Wrotham). Her thinking changed and she realized it herself - how wrong she had been! This couple was the best!

Great series

I am enjoying this series a lot. This book was a bit different in that Eleanor did not get her wish until at least half way. Good story though.

Mordecai was a good hero. I loved his persistence and understood his shock after the wish. It was a sacrifice for Eleanor to have to change her wish at the last minute...always a dangerous thing to do with this fairy.

Nice to see other characters from earlier stories. Highly recommend the entire group. On to the next book. Georgiana's story.

Rosalyn Landor is a marvel!

Well-written, well-developed characters

OMG....I loved this book. Emily Larkin is now one of my favorite authors. It's a testament to her outstanding ability to develop interesting and complex characters that I found the heroine, Nell, so irritating at times that I wanted to strangle her. AND she stayed irritating until the very end. However, all the other characters made up for Nell. The male character, Mordecai Black was one of those guys you could just fall in love with. He's strong, handsome (except for his nose) with a kind heart. Yep...I fell in love. While I'm not one who loves mystical books, there is just enough in this book to give it purpose. AND....Rosalyn Landor, through her intrinsic interpretation skills gave life and interest to EL's characters. Great Job!!!

I really enjoy this series but...

The word choice.... I think the word haughty was used 150 times, among other very repetitive word choices. I mean it speaks to how good the storyline is that I didn't stop listening however infuriated I got when I heard the same words 😂

Good not great.

I'm a big fan of the Baleful Godmother series and although I enjoyed this, it wasn't my favorite. Perhaps that is because the Godmother arrives much later in the book than the others.

Unimpressed

I’m not sure what went wrong with this one, but IMHO, Ms Larkin missed the boat. The story line is weak and full of extraneous detail, and randomly introduced characters, as if she had to get her word count up. Nearly every time she referred to the main characters she used their full name. It really got on my nerves after awhile. No chemistry between the H and h, and much of the plot centred around waiting to make enquiries. I kept thinking, “oh, just get on with it!” Just not worth a credit. As usual, Ms Landor does a superb job of narrating, but even her expertise couldn’t save this dud.