An Island Princess Starts a Scandal
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Cora Kempf Bristol, duchess of Sundridge, just needs one last piece of land to complete the route that will earn her company, South American Railways, a great deal of money. All it takes is the right financial incentive to convince Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan to sell the property to her. However, it turns out that painter Manuela, who is visiting Paris to show her art in the 1889 Exposition Universelle, has a different kind of proposition in mind. Manuela needs someone who can show her places in the City of Light where women feel free to indulge in shared pleasures. Given the kiss they shared the day before, Manuela is now certain that someone is Cora. Set against an alluring and expertly evoked historical backdrop that also artfully illustrates the cultural contributions of the Latinx community of the time, the latest boldly sensual, fiercely feminist addition to Herrera's Las Leónas series, following A Caribbean Heiress in Paris (2022), will have romance readers swooning in delight.

A lesbian artist wants to make the most of her summer in Paris in this belle epoque romance. Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan would like to be thoroughly debauched before returning to Venezuela and entering into a loveless marriage for the benefit of her family's finances. After she bonds with the enticing Duchess of Sundridge, Cora Kempf Bristol, over their mutual appreciation for art, the women come to an agreement. Business-minded Cora wants to buy land owned by Manuela to complete a railroad, and Manuela agrees to sell in exchange for Cora's introducing her to the parts of Paris where women who like women gather throughout the remainder of her trip. Cora was once involved in a scandal and has no desire to be part of another, so she tries to push aside her desire for vivacious Manuela, but their attraction proves irresistible. As Manuela's sojourn approaches its end, though, the women realize they don't want a future without each other. Herrera delivers another sumptuous and historically rich romance, following A Caribbean Heiress in Paris (2022). The queer and Latine characters are lively and bold, and they get to embrace a full, earned happily-ever-after despite all obstacles and detractors. The big emotions, exciting drama, and toe-curling sensuality make for an engrossing tale, but what stands out is the sense of community. This is a riveting story of finding one's person, but equally important, it's about finding one's people--the friends who understand, accept, embrace, and encourage. It's with that support that these characters are able to be their full, vibrant selves and open themselves up to love and be loved. Empowering and exhilarating. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Cora Kempf Bristol, duchess of Sundridge, just needs one last piece of land to complete the route that will earn her company, South American Railways, a great deal of money. All it takes is the right financial incentive to convince Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan to sell the property to her. However, it turns out that painter Manuela, who is visiting Paris to show her art in the 1889 Exposition Universelle, has a different kind of proposition in mind. Manuela needs someone who can show her places in the City of Light where women feel free to indulge in shared pleasures. Given the kiss they shared the day before, Manuela is now certain that someone is Cora. Set against an alluring and expertly evoked historical backdrop that also artfully illustrates the cultural contributions of the Latinx community of the time, the latest boldly sensual, fiercely feminist addition to Herrera's Las Leónas series, following A Caribbean Heiress in Paris (2022), will have romance readers swooning in delight. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

When Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan travels to Paris with her circle of best friends, she's there ostensibly to showcase her paintings at the 1889 Exposition Universelle, but also to enjoy all the delights available to her as a sapphic woman in one final fling before entering an arranged marriage. For the Duchess of Sundridge, Cora Kempf Bristol, Manu is both the exciting and delicious woman she found exploring her private chamber at the house of pleasure she frequents and the one person in the way of finalizing a deal that will forever secure her fortune and position as a savvy business woman amongst men. Manu holds the deed to the last and most vital parcel of Venezuelan land Cora must secure to finish a South American railway project. To please the stubborn heiress, Cora agrees to a scandalous proposal—Manu's land in exchange for one summer of immersion in Cora's corner of Paris—and maybe even Cora herself. VERDICT Herrera (A Caribbean Heiress in Paris) brings to life the epoch and her characters in this delicious and superbly researched historical romance that is a must buy for libraries.—Elizabeth Gabriel