Consumed

"What a life Lady Hester had!...Simply sparkles!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Diamond Eye

Fans of Shana Ab?, Theresa Ann Fowler, and Fiona Davis will be captivated by the unforgettable spirit at the heart of the USA Today bestselling author's dazzling new historical novel based on the real life of Lady Hester Stanhope, a British aristocrat born into an illustrious family of swashbuckling war heroes and brilliant political leaders. Lady Hester was a Regency-era adventuress who lived on her own terms and defied all conventional strictures of what a woman could and couldn't do during the Regency era.

"Andrea Penrose's impeccable research and attention to detail brings this unique and fascinating historical figure to sparkling life." --Christine Wells, author of The Royal Windsor Secret

"A truly dazzling read!" --Eliza Knight, USA Today and international bestselling author of Starring Adele Astaire

Even with her privileged life, Lady Hester Stanhope knows that claiming the adventurous life she truly wants will not be easy, thanks to her eccentric father's stifling grip. With the help of her renowned statesman uncle William Pitt the Younger, she takes on the glittering, treacherous heights of London Society. Her formidable intelligence, outspoken opinions, and headstrong determination gain the favor of the beau monde's leading taste-maker Beau Brummell--and she quickly learns to bend the rules of the ton to her own advantage. And as her uncle's hostess, she astutely uses her skills to preside over--and give advice to--the most influential figures of her day, rising to a position unequaled in society . . .

But when it comes to holy matrimony, Hester will settle for no less than a passionate match of equals--a search marked by challenges and heartbreak. Her affair with a charismatic naval officer tempts her with forbidden pleasures--even as it threatens her reputation. Her love for a sophisticated, brilliant diplomat offers the marriage of her dreams . . . and unsuspected betrayal. And as England is plunged into war, Hester's world changes forever, causing her to find courage and strength amid loss, chart a completely unexpected future--and make a glorious legacy forever hers . . .


About the Author
More than a thriller, this pulse-pumping saga offers a captivating glimpse into a treacherous underworld filled with grit and suspense. Fans of crime literature should be prepared for an exhilarating ride as they buckle up and ride shotgun in this gripping page turner.

Though battle-wounded and scarred, Raphael has survived the criminal underworld in Benin with the help of the US government. Together with his wife, Essie, and their adoptive son, Kaion, they enjoy a seemingly picture-perfect life. Their harmony is shattered when CIA agent Rhys unexpectedly shows up at their doorstep.

No aspect of life comes without a cost, and Raphael soon realizes that even his comfortable existence has a price. In a move to bring down Abaku, the mastermind behind US financial scams and the same man responsible for the international wire fraud that nearly cost Raphael his life, the US government opts to cash in their favor, endangering the lives of those Raphael cherishes the most.

To expose the elusive enemy, Raphael must delve deeper than he ever imagined, putting his family at risk and questioning loyalties. Betrayal lurks around every corner as he is coerced into joining an elite government agency, and the stakes are higher than ever before. As the casualties mount in this deadly game of cat and mouse, Raphael must discern friend from foe in order to survive and save his family.