Review: Virtue’s Lady by Jessica Cale
Series: Southwark Saga #2
Historical Romance
Released: May 1, 2015
Self Published

Reviewed by Sheena

“Where are we going?  There’s no bed!” “Oh my dear girl…” He laughed.  “There are plenty of things we can do without a bed.”

There comes a time where you read a novel and the writing is so engaging, the story so vivid, the imagery so convincing and the characters so seductive that reading it becomes more than a pastime and evolves into a totally amazing experience.  I stand before you today, barely able to communicate coherently through my blissed-out, post reading euphoric haze.  I keep trying to hold on to rationale, of course you can not transport yourself back to restoration London and be apart of this world.- No Sheena, it does not work that way, it’s a novel, honey…gah.  Virtue’s Lady has catapulted me to defcon 1 levels of OHMIGODTHISBOOKISGOOD! Book one, Tyburn, snared my attention and I was so engrossed in Virtue’s Lady that around 67% through, I became feverishly obsessed with the fear that it would all end far too soon! (Spoiler alert- it did!)

Lady Jane Ramsey is in quite the predicament.  An overnight kidnapping and subsequent rescue by a highway man has rendered her damaged goods without any legitimate marriage prospects.  Her reputation is in a shambles and the only prospects her father can drum up are  of the elderly, syphilis infected variety.  Jane has long since desired to be free to live a life of her own and being married off to an old impoverished or diseased Lord was never part of her designs for her future.  Divesting herself of her maidenhood the first chance she got, Jane gives herself to the handsome highway man who saves her from her abductors.  Little does he know, she is of noble birth and little does she know, he wants nothing to do with the ramifications of bedding a high-born lady.  Virtue’s Lady begins when Jane is left to resort to subterfuge in order to escape a most unwanted marriage.

“[Her] Father is pressing for a betrothal,” Chudderly confided.  “I won’t entertain the thought.  She may be a pretty piece, but no one in their right mind will marry her now, even if she does inherit half of Scotland.  But as a mistress…” he laughed low in his throat.

Mayhew sneered.  “Certainly not.  She has a whiff of common about her.”

Feeling mischievous, she leaned between their huddled shoulders, startling them with her sudden appearance. “Truly?” She gasped in feigned disbelief.  “You can still smell him on me?”

…

Jane had hoped that by taking a lover, she would render herself unmarriageable and free herself to live the life of adventure that she craved, away from the responsibilities and expectations that came with being the daughter of an earl.  Instead of no suitors, she had found herself receiving the very worst suitors imaginable…Compared to Mark, they were no longer even men.

Daring to live her own life, and betting on Mark’s returned affections, Jane flees the comfort of her estate and flees to the crime ridden, hard-knock town of Southwark.  As soon as she crosses the bridge to this city of ill repute, she runs headlong into the arms of her beloved Mark Virtue, the highway-man, turned carpenter, who took her virginity, her heart- and unwittingly captured her complete trust.  Unfortunately for dear Jane, Mark is not waiting with open arms as his own fears and prejudices compel him to turn her down flat.  The illusions that Jane held on to were shattered and she is faced to life in Southwark- alone, without her man and dammit, someone has already stolen her handbag and small clothes!

Cowering back home to her callous father is not an option.  Jane is determined to go it alone and admirably perseveres, and with a little kindness from new friends, she carves out a life for herself as a seamstress.  Her new way of life is so far removed from her pampered upbringing, that each day she survives is a personal victory and I cheerily rooted for her.  I cheered even harder as the story unfolded because she did not slink away when she thought her man didn’t want her.  Jane wanted freedom to live and love with or without Mark Virtue.  She is hell bent on being independent but never obstinate or cruel to others. I really admired Jane;  she was young, yet, she had a mind of her own and great values regarding human kind.

The supporting characters in Southwark really help bring this story to life.  I loved them all. Even the awful rival for Mark’s affections, Meg- who was an awfully catty and conniving woman gave me a giggle here and there.  I sympathized with her plight, an unwed, mother of three children whose only prospect is to be kept by a man, be it as a mistress or wife, all before her arresting beauty begins to fade.  Meg was a harlot through and through, and gave Jane a run for her money in a way that was so bold and crazy, it was supremely entertaining.  Jane’s new best friend Carys, is a lesbian seamstress who is outcast but brave enough to live her truth though those around her judge her harshly.  Everyone, from the larger more fleshed out back stories to the passing the glimpses caught here and there, had a rich presence and added a layer of authenticity and and depth to the story.  The descriptive language is stellar as I can vividly recall Mark’s dreary time as a common prisoner as well as the hustle and bustle of the town tavern. What I liked most was how uncomplicated the plot was.  No need to ever over complicate a good tale.  At it’s core, Virtue’s Lady is the story of two people from polar opposite sides of the track who learn to trust one another and overcome prejudices and socioeconomic statuses that threaten to keep them apart.  Self esteem, and faith are undercurrent themes and it is only when both parties are willing to lay it all on the line for the other that a HEA truly comes to fruition.  The town of Southwark is overrun with gloom, poverty and criminal antics, but the way they banded together to save one of their own was heart warming.

Annnnd did I fail to mention the sensual tension is out of this world. I was panting and practically turning the pages with my parched tongue, ready to spontaneously combust, emotional melt down balanced on a hair trigger by the time Jane and Mark re-consummated and cemented their relationship!  And yes. It was glorious.

This was the most unusual romance novel I have had the pleasure of reading.  I am a HEA kind of girl, but the strength of character and storytelling was so remarkable, that I would have been fine if the HEA were Jane living her life in peace and on her own terms with hope for love to come in the future.  Crazy right! I am always first in line to take up my pitch fork and rage with the townsfolk should a HEA be elusive, but I have had my eyes opened!  The quality of the story surpassed any HEA and as a result, the resolution that we do get is that much more beautiful, because the story is not hinged on there being a HEA to save the day.  The plot saved its own damn day! That being said, the ending is my favorite HEA troupe and there is also a deeply satisfying epilogue-  further solidifying the fact that author Jessica Cole is one to watch and I look forward to what else she has to offer.

I enthusiastically recommend Virtue’s Lady to any fan of romantic fiction.  It could possibly stand alone, there is enough gently weaved in back story to get your bearings quite nicely, but what’s the fun in that! Read book 1, Tyburn and then float your way (from the cloud #9 you are obviously going to be on) to book 2, Virtue’s Lady, and then come tell me all about it so we can squee in unison!

Grade: A+
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