A Review of Mistress Firebrand, by Donna Thorland

Mistress Firebrand is a riveting historical romantic suspense novel, set during the American Revolution. I enjoyed it so much I read it twice!

Setting

Occupied Manhattan, 1775 – 1777

Main Characters

Jennifer Leighton is an actress and playwright with ambitions to have her plays staged in London’s famous Drury Lane – the pinnacle of English theater. With the support of her Aunt Frances, a famous actress, she has made it as far as Manhattan. But her provincial background is a stumbling block to rising any further without a powerful male “patron.”

Severin Devere is the acknowledged son of an earl, though everyone knows his biological father was Mohawk. By becoming more English than the English, and indispensable in doing the dirty work of highly placed men, he is tolerated in the highest circles as a spy who will do for the crown work that is legally questionable, though necessary to the war effort. He is very good at what he does.

Romance

Severin discovers Jenny while making sure she is not trying to lure his Burgoyne into a trap. Each is an actor, in their own way, and can recognize a performance when they see it. They have an instant attraction, and Severin finds himself wishing very much that he could protect her from John Burgoyne. Or perhaps simply keep her for himself. The more time he spends with her, the more he falls for her.

Jenny not only finds Severin attractive, despite her aunt’s warnings that he is dangerous, but she is drawn to him for the intelligent conversations they have and because, unlike any other men, he talks to her like an equal. The fact that they worked seamlessly together in defeating an attempt on their lives wins her heart as thoroughly as the decadent evening they spend in a hidden kitchen exploring their passion.

But they find themselves with divided loyalties and must fight to survive the fallout, let lone overcome the barriers to their being together.

Plot

Jenny discovers that John Burgoyne, the general and playwright, is in New York and invites him to watch a production of a play she has written, in the hope that he will give her introductions in the London theater world. Severin’s assignment is to keep Burgoyne safe and to get him to England before the Rebels know what he is about. He goes to see Jenny to make sure the invitation is not a trap.

But Burgoyne wants her in his bed, whether she will or not, and Severin has to exercise his finely honed espionage skills and swordsmanship to help her escape, but with methods that will not endear either of them to Burgoyne.

As the tides of the war shift, Jenny and Severin find themselves on opposite sides of deadly intrigue that seems likely to see them both casualties of their own ambitions and the vagaries of wartime expedience. John Burgoyne does not forgive easily.

Historical Worldbuilding

The worldbuilding in this book is exquisite. The detail of the John Street Theater, where Jenny is a part of the company and has her plays staged, makes you feel like you were in the actual John Street Theater during the Revolution. Thorland gives us equally vivid descriptions of other real places in the book, such as the grim copper mine in Connecticut used as a prison, the imposing ships of the line in New York Harbor, and the enchanting, if a little garish, Vauxhall Gardens in Manhattan. The clothing is also detailed and delectable, from the faux pearl encrusted stomacher Jenny wears as part of a disguise, to Severin’s regimentals, with fine lace and elegant turnbacks. Thorland has done her research and used it to transport us to Revolutionary New York.

Tropes

Our hero and heroine are from very different walks of life, and yet are both outcasts of a sort in their own world. With Severin’s deadly skills and profession, this is also classic protector trope, but be assured, Jenny is no helpless damsel.

Secondary Characters

The secondary characters in this novel are round and fully developed. Jenny’s aunt Frances, “the Divine Fanny,” is powerful, yet imperfect, and her swain, and Severin’s childhood friend, Courtney Fairchild is a delightful counterpoint to Severin. Bobby Hallam, the proprietor of the John Street Theater is nuanced and believable. Several real people make appearances as integral players in the plot. Most notably, John Burgoyne, John Andre, and George Washington, and they are as fleshed out and vivid as the fictional characters.

Point of View

This novel is written in third person and alternates between Severin’s point of view and Jenny’s.

In Summary

• This is a moving and sexy love story set in the middle of the high adventure and intrigue of the Revolution. It is masterfully written, and the suspense is electric. I loved it so much I turned right around and read it a second time!
• It is set primarily in Manhattan between 1775 and 1777, under either British or Rebel control at various stages of the story.
• The characters are complicated, nuanced, and original. They felt not only brilliantly real, but like I knew them. Severin is dangerous and oh, so appealing, and Jenny is quick witted and delightful.
• The historical detail in this novel is second to none. It comes alive like the very best of historical fiction.
• The tropes are outsiders from different walks of life, and protector.
• The heat level is about a 3 out of 5. There is sex on the page, and it is explicit. It is also safe sex, to extent such was possible then.
• It is set during a war, and one of the main characters is a spy, so there is detailed violence, but it is not gratuitous.

Keep them Coming!

Please keep the tips coming! What other historical romances have you read that are set in the Americas and you think others might enjoy? Let’s share the love. Please email me or post in the comments below with suggestions of other titles!

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Image of the John Street Theater in the public domain.

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