April Seduction (The Silver Foxes of Westminster #5)

Widow Katya Marlowe, Countess of Stanhope, is a political influencer at a time when women in England and around the world were not recognized as autonomous individuals in the eyes of the law. When she says, “Men will always find a way to push women to the fringes… unless we… demand the changes we want to see,” it resonates as a core truth echoed by the “Power concedes nothing without demand” speech by Frederick Douglass. Katya has fought and paid dearly for her power. Her fractious relationship with widower Malcolm Campbell is one of the costs. These two seasoned adults each possess an indomitable will that they use to hide their emotional vulnerabilities from each other. 

Merry Farmer creates a world of contrasts between the haves and have-nots according to gender, social class, and age. The years of overlapping connections between the families and friends of the Silver Foxes add depth and richness to the story’s foundation. Political intrigue, a villainous adversary, impending scandals, murky motives, and danger make “April Seduction” an entertaining read. Malcolm’s disturbing habit of viciously insulting Katya’s sexual virtue and never apologizing, plus one other overused trope detract from an otherwise fresh spin on a romance between mature adults as vibrant, dynamic, and desirable. 

As with other entries in this series, “April Seduction” works as a stand-alone. Strong writing mechanics, deft management of multiple story threads, and distinctive, memorable personalities for each character in the sprawling cast are only some of the appealing traits of this author’s signature style.

Cardyn Brooks