A Caribbean Heiress in Paris (Las Leonas, 1)
In 1889, Luz Alana Heith-Benzan finds herself in a conundrum. The only way she can receive her inheritance is to marry—something she isn’t really interested in doing, as she has no desire to lose her independence. Instead, she sails from her home in Santo Domingo with her sister, two best friends, and several hundred casks of her family’s rum. She’s determined to enter the Exposition Universelle in Paris to make a name for her business and earn her own living. Unfortunately, a woman of color is the last person the businessmen of Paris will take seriously, and Luz is faced with many difficulties and setbacks.
James Evanston Sinclair, Scottish Earl of Darnick, is determined to live a life away from the influence of his domineering and corrupt father. Focusing on a whiskey business helps him maintain a distance as he plots revenge with a conspirator. However, a complication ensues which requires Evan to take a wife. The fiery Spanish-speaking Luz Alana seems like an ideal choice. What better than a marriage of convenience so they can both receive an inheritance and get what they want?
Readers will quickly recognize a familiar plot: an independent woman ahead of her time forging a new way, an incredibly sexy hero wooing her, miscommunication and trouble quickly resolved with passionate kisses (and much more). Steamy (and quite detailed) sex scenes take over. Most of the book focuses on the growing passion between Luz and Evan; lesser plot lines include Luz’s friendships, Evan’s encounter with his father, and the grand finale. An excellent read for escapism and hot romance; not so much for those hoping to learn about distilling in the 1880s.
