Minerva Spencer – The Book Date

The Boxing Baroness

Published: Kensington
Date: 25th October 2022
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Magnetic and educated, Marianne Simpson has the manner of a lady and the looks of a lover, not a fighter. Neither of which explains her occupation as a boxer in her uncle’s circus, Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre. Nonetheless, when St. John Powell, the exquisitely handsome Duke of Staunton, begins turning up at her shows, she finds herself dangerously distracted by the powerful peer’s mysterious presence. With her safety at stake, Marianne’s days in the ring are numbered. But how long can she fight her attraction to the man the ton calls Lord Flawless?

St. John Powell doesn’t just want Marianne Simpson, he needs her … to rescue his brother, who is being held for ransom by a treasonous English baron—the man all of Britain knows as the Rake of Rakes. No matter how little Marianne wants to see her duplicitous ex-lover, the man responsible for the humiliating nickname the Boxing Baroness, St. John must convince her.

The Boxing Baroness by Minerva Spencer is a regency romance with some unique aspects to it.

Marianne is a feisty character and a woman boxer in her uncle’s Fayre. She catches the eye of the Duke of Staunton, although such an alliance if it were to happen wouldn’t exactly favor Marianne, as the class system would be a barrier. However soon St. John Powell (the Duke) and some of his friends are part of the Fayre and off to France. He wants to find out about his brother and the horrible Strickland who had duped Marianne previously demands he bring her with him.

It’s a circuitous tale, with some really interesting women who no doubt will make further appearances in their own books, along with some interesting reveals and of course romance. It’s open door so if you like to avoid that this won’t be for you.

I enjoyed it, evidently a little of it is based on actual history, so while to me it seemed a bit fantastical it could be more real that I thought. So it you are feeling like a regency romance this could be for you.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Jen Vincent, Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It’s Monday! a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels or anything in those genres – join them.

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Greetings all. I had a good week. We dipped back into winter for a very short time but seem to be out of it again. Sunday I went into the city and my friend and I did our usual trip around the harbour for oysters and chips. Only trouble was as we sat on a set near the sea, a gust of wind took our paper and emptied some of said chips and oysters onto the sand. To the glee of some very eager seagulls, and the disappointment of two horrified adult humans. We rescued what we could and the seagulls had a bit of a win. We had a walk afterwards up into the hilly bush which was nice and contemplated how soon we might be swimming in the sea below. In fact a few brave people were but just a tad early for me.

What I read last week:

Three review books and Lessons in Chemistry on audiobook completed. I really enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, it is so well done on audio. Possibly not for everyone but I was entranced by it.

What I am reading now:

So about to get into The Winter Garden. I am a little nonplussed about why I chose this, I think it came through on an email offer and I was in a clicking mood. It is a dual time line and I don’t usually go for them. However it will be a different kind of read and that’s always good.

The winter garden

I am going to do a reread of One Mountain Away by Emilie Richards. These books were on sale recently and I couldn’t resist as the series is a favourite of mine.

One Mountain Away