A Heart Worth Stealing - (Proper Romance Regency) by Joanna Barker (Paperback)

About the Book

"Sowerby, England, 1802. Miss Genevieve Wilde--a magistrate's daughter and independent heiress--is determined to meet life's challenges all on her own, just as her late father had taught her. So when her father's pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent. Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It's a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she'll be able to resist such a man. But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack's help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade--pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life. "--

Book Synopsis

Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde--a magistrate's daughter and independent heiress--is determined to meet life's challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father's pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.

Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It's a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she'll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack's help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade--pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.

Review Quotes

"Intriguing mystery and delightful romance. Witty and flirty and the banter is a joy to read."-- "Compass Book Ratings"

"Barker presents a wonderfully exciting work of Regency romantic suspense that features the scintillating thrill of coquetry and the high drama of a period mystery. Her characterization of Genevieve as a woman of gumption who balances determination with vulnerability shines. Humor and wit are delightfully laced throughout the novel and offer a colorful contrast to the story's complex emotional landscape of grief, family relationships, identity, and worth. Whether from the adrenaline of the action or the indubitable chemistry radiating from this proper romance, readers will be kept on edge until the final pages."-- "Booklist, starred review"

"Beguiling. Pairs an unusual, independent young woman with a compelling investigator to captivating effect."-- "Foreword Reviews"

"Barker does an admirable job conveying Jack and Ginny's passionate chemistry without revealing too much, while the side cast, including a disapproving butler, an unconventional set of friends, and a rival suitor for Ginny's affections, are all thoroughly enjoyable. An excellent choice for readers who love both traditional Regencies and detective mysteries."-- "Library Journal"

"Opposites attract in this adorable Regency romance. When the authorities refuse to believe Miss Genevieve "Ginny" Wilde's claims that the watch bequeathed to her by her late father, a magistrate, was stolen, not misplaced, Ginny hires thief-taker Jack Travers to investigate. To preserve Ginny's reputation, they're forced to pretend to be cousins while he's residing at her estate--but their lingering stares and obvious attraction threaten the ruse. Jack proves easy to crush on: he's witty, sweet, and thoughtful, with just a touch of a bad boy persona. Unique characters and a fast-paced mystery add flavor to this sweet romance."-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

Joanna Barker firmly believes that romance makes everything better, which is why she has fallen in love with writing Regency romances. When she's not typing away on her next book, she's listening to podcasts, eating her secret stash of chocolate, or adding things to her Amazon cart. Joanna's books have received praise from Publishers Weekly, the Historical Novel Society, Readers' Favorite, and more. She thinks being an author is the second-best job in the world--right after being a mom. She is just a little crazy about her husband and three wild-but-loveable kids.