The Valet's Secret by Josi S. Kilpack, New Release!

By Books Are Sanity!!! - March 08, 2022

Synopsis:

A passionate kiss from a handsome valet becomes a Regency Cinderella story when he is revealed to be the heir to the earldom. York, England, 1819 As a once happily married woman, Rebecca Parker had a good life, but now widowed, working for a living, and her only child grown, she feels invisible, tired, and lonely. That is until the day a valet speeding by on a horse nearly runs her off the road. Mr. Malcolm Henry is apologetic, gentle, and handsome. She’s instantly drawn to him, which is why, rather than stopping him from kissing her, she kisses him back, reigniting a nearly forgotten passion. But love at first sight only happens in fairy tales—never to an ordinary woman like her.

She sees Mr. Henry again and feels the possibilities growing until, while working in the kitchens during a dinner party, she sees the valet she kissed sitting at the right hand of the baroness. Mr. Henry is not the earl’s valet; he is the heir to the earldom—Kenneth Winterton.

Heartbroken, angry, and betrayed, Rebecca does not trust Lord Winterton and refuses to accept his apology. But when Lord Winterton proves he is as kind and gentle as “Mr. Henry” was, she finds herself willing to give him a second chance. But will he take a chance on her? He needs a wife to help him in his place in society, and nothing about Rebecca’s life does that . . . except how he feels when she is with him.

Trust, love, loneliness, and passion collide in this story about a man who will risk it all to fight for the woman he loves and a woman who does not believe in fairy tales—until she finds herself living in one.

My Review:

This Cinderellaesque regency romance was beautifully written and I read it in one sitting. Kilpack transported me to Rebecca and Kenneth’s world and I didn’t want to leave. The emotional pull between the two of them was magnetic and I could feel the sparks flying. Their connection was tangible and Kilpack portrayed that so well. This isn’t your typical regency romance. There is depth and emotion that bleeds off the pages. Kenneth and Rebecca face what seem to be insurmountable challenges and Kilpack keeps the reader wondering how they can overcome them. You will be transfixed from the first chapter and won’t be able to put it down until you have finished it. I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Advance Praise:

"Ebullient Regency romance...a classic case of mistaken identity inspires love between the heir to an earldom and a widow. Rebecca’s funny, chaste fantasies and worries about her humble stature mix with Kenneth’s discomfort about his subterfuge. Introspective passages reveal what each of them makes of the other. The novel is moved along by their fascinating hidden desires and aches, all of which are magnified by unspoken moments and meaningful gestures. There are nice period embellishments...The book is lighthearted about reimagining Cinderella’s tale, too. Uplifting themes about second chances in middle age come in as well. Reticence and propriety dictate Kenneth and Rebecca’s interactions; both are sensitive about social classes. The conclusion is joyous. Sweet and intense, The Valet’s Secret is an enchanting romance in which a like-minded couple faces odds that seem insurmountable, but remains passionate."

—Foreword Reviews

About the Author:

JOSI S. KILPACK is the author of several novels and one cookbook and a participant in several coauthored projects and anthologies. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner—including Lord Fenton’s Folly (2015) for Best Romance and Best Novel of the Year—and a Utah Best in State winner for fiction. She is the mother of four children and lives in northern Utah.

You can find more information about Josi and her writing at josiskilpack.com

For author interview requests, please contact Callie Hansen at chansen@shadowmountain.com