Category: Clarissa Kae

Prism Book Tours - A Stolen Heart by Clarissa Kae (Giveaway)

3/16/2022

A Victorian twist on Robin Hood.

The Earl of Rochelle, Nikolas Whitworth, is handsome, charming. And a traitor.

He can outwit and outcon any Englishman—and any Englishwoman. When his debts are called in a savior appears, the criminal mastermind known only as the Tailor.

Nikolas is bought and sold, his future no longer his. But when a beguiling thief picks his pocket, Rosalyn Devereaux steals more than his coin. Orphaned as a child, Rosalyn trusts no one. She picks the pockets of lords and ladies alike, donating her spoils to the poor. The Tailor notices her skills and demands Rosalyn enlist in his cause.

With every moment beside Rosalyn, Nikolas changes from a life of lies to a man with a conviction. She occupies his every thought but can Nikolas outcon the Tailor and secure Rosalyn’s heart before the Tailor steals his love?

Historical Romance, Fairy Tale
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 264 Pages
January 29, 2022 by Carpe Vitam Press

Goodreads | Amazon

(Affiliate links included.)

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

My Review

Time may be in short supply for them both...

And there went everything I thought I knew about Robin Hood. I've loved Robin Hood stories since childhood, whether it's the singing animated animals from the Disney classic or Stephen Lawhead's very different 11th century Welsh setting. But Rosalyn and Nikolas have a knack for really changing things up...

When I started A Stolen Heart it was with a bit of trepidation. I despised Nikolas from the first two Victorian Retellings books and it never bodes well when you are already predisposed to strongly dislike the hero of any tale. While I can't exactly say that I came to like Nikolas I did understand him a bit better and I came to the conclusion that it was both daring and smart of Clarissa Kae to transform one of her villains into an eventual hero. The hero that Rosalyn needs.

Rosalyn herself was quite interesting. And, having been a teen/young woman with a heart condition myself made her one of the most relatable characters I've read about in awhile. I really appreciated how she didn't let her health problems stop her, she simply worked around them when she had to.

In many ways A Stolen Heart kept me guessing even as I was finally getting answers as to who The Tailor might be. Yes, I had my suspicions, and I was right....but I was wrong...I really enjoyed the surprise twists that Clarissa Kae wove into this Victorican Retelling.

If you love Robin Hood or just fairytale retellings in general may I recommend this series to you...Personally, I've liked every single one of them and this one was no exception...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Stolen Heart by Clarissa Kae 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Clarissa Kae

Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She's the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.

Since her first novel, she's explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.

Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Three winners will receive a $25 Amazon gift card

(US only)
Ends March 23, 2022

ENTER HERE

3 Comments

Cinders Like Glass Post Glitch Fixed

9/28/2021

0 Comments

Ooops!

Apparently our Cinders Like Glass review and giveaway post had a little glitch which has now been fixed. Our deepest apologies! You can access that post content now by clicking the button below.

Cinders Like Glass

0 Comments

Prism Book Tour - Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae (Review, Giveaway)

9/27/2021

5 Comments

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Grieving her father's sudden death, Lady Ada Whitworth's childhood stutter resurfaces. She seeks solace in her charcoal sketches secretly published in London's Thames & Times newspaper. Her brother's sharp tongue and quick temper shame Lady Ada into complete silence but not before she overhears his traitorous plot to kill the queen at the upcoming International Ball.

Mute and heartbroken, Lady Ada's private pain is mistaken for arrogance, earning the ire of society. The Duke of Girard is tasked with sniffing out the elusive French spy called Tailor while an anonymous artist pokes fun at the duke's failed pursuit, taunting him every step of the way. With the upcoming International Ball just weeks away, the Duke will stop at nothing to bring stability back to his beloved Britain-including finding the artist behind the sketches.

When Lady Ada's accused brother disappears, she becomes the target of the Duke's wrath, assuming her silence is from guilt, not grief.

To loosen her tongue, the Duke demands Lady Ada be interrogated at his estate, a home hidden in the wild Welsh countryside. She sweeps the chimney, launders her clothes and helps the cook-she will do anything but speak to the Duke.

Lady Ada's quiet service softens the Duke, his mind often turning to thoughts of her. But can he earn Lady Ada's trust in time to save the queen?

Historical Romance, Fairy Tale
Paperback & ebook, 234 Pages
July 29, 2021 by Carpe Vitam Press

Goodreads | Amazon | Google Books

(Affiliate links included.)

Other Books in the Series

A Victorian Twist on Beauty And The Beast

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Book Depository

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

Cinderella and her Prince Charming? Maybe...

Over the last couple of years I've really gotten into fairytale retellings, I went through a kick as a teen but there weren't as many options back then as there are now, and from medieval to fantasy I've read them. Then I discovered Clarissa Kae and her Victorian Retellings series with its blend of historical romance, suspense, and wonderful Gothic overtones. I was totally hooked.

Cinders Like Glass is the second book in the series and is every bit as good as its predecessor! Right away Clarissa Kae had me immersed in the political intrigue of Victorian London. And Cinders Like Glass has A LOT of intrigue! This book picks up the search for the mysterious villain 'Le Tailleur' where the first Victorian Retellings left off. The stakes are even higher as the hunt heats up and I was kept flipping my ereader's digital pages nearly as fast as I could. In fact, I read this book almost in one sitting.

Lady Ada and the Dark Duke, where to start? They both have their faults and I liked them because of it. She sometimes came of as a bit naive, despite where she's come from, and he is overbearing and frequently judgmental. One thing I will note here is that there is some use of mildly stronger language.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings and Gothic style fiction I definitely recommend Clarissa Kae's very entertaining Victorian Retellings series. As with the first book, Cinders Like Glass is recognizable for the fairytale it is based on but also comes across as fresh and new and different. Now I have to wait...and wait...and wait for the next one to release. Can you tell I'm just a touch impatient?

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae a 4.5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Clarissa Kae

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Five winners will receive one of the author’s backlisted titles: Once And Future Wife,
Pieces To Mend, Taming Christmas, Of Ink And Sea, or A Dark Beauty

(ebooks to international winners, print to US winners)
Ends October 6, 2021

ENTER HERE

5 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - A Dark Beauty by Clarissa Kae (Review, Guest Post, Giveaway)

3/29/2021

6 Comments

A Victorian Twist on Beauty And The Beast

Bold and brilliant, Georgiana has a gift for fixing machines—from clocks to carriages—while her father has a penchant for finding trouble. In an accidental fire, Georgiana and her father scar the once handsome face of Lord Pichon, cousin to the queen.

Rumors of Georgiana’s gift raise her family’s status. Her incomparable beauty captures the eye of many gentlemen and the wrath of Lord Pichon. Abandoned by his peers and alone in his cold castle, Lord Pichon is determined to enact revenge.

When Georgiana’s father makes a terrible mistake, she sacrifices herself to pay his debt—as a lowly maid in Lord Pichon’s castle.

Her wit and warmth begin to thaw Lord Pichon’s estate, making him question his version of the past. Will her kindness break the beastly lord or will he hold her family hostage forever?

Genre: Fairytale
Release date: March 9, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

She destroyed his life, now he will destroy hers...

As a kid I collected fairytale books. As a teen I discovered fairytale retellings. I was intrigued by A Dark Beauty when I first saw the pretty cover, and, as soon as I found out it was a Beauty And The Beast retelling I knew I had to read it.

Clarissa Kae is a new-to-me author but this won't be the last book of hers that I read. Nope, I enjoyed this one and will certainly be wanting to get my hands on the next Victorian Retellings novel. I was curious where the author would take her beauty and beast, and, despite having read the back cover blurb I was still a bit surprised. From the Palace of St. James to the wild spaces of Wales, betrayal and political intrigue, this book has it all. However, what I loved the most were the witty barbs zinging back and forth between Georgiana and Lord Pichon. Ouch!

A Dark Beauty was a fairly quick read, aimed a little bit more towards older teens I still had no problem enjoying the story as an adult. I liked the fact that the original fairytale elements were all there but Clarissa Kae certainly made the story her own and told it in her own voice. If you love fairytale retellings I would easily suggest adding the first Victorian Retellings book to your shelf...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Dark Beauty by Clarissa Kae a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Clarissa

As a young girl most of the fairy tales talked about beauty as the only attribute but when Disney came out with Beauty and the Beast, my world was rocked. For the first time the heroine was a woman with a brain and a plan. I began researching the fairy tale and read every version.

When my youngest daughter was born (with dark hair and big beautiful brown eyes) I named her Isla Belle. For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of writing a Beauty and the Beast retelling. And finally, that dream as come true.

Clarissa Kae

Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She’s the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.
Since her first novel, she’s explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.
Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.
She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittens aplenty.