Claws and Contrivances
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A-
What I’m Talking About:
Claws and Contrivances is the sophomore title in Ms. Burgis’s Regency Dragons series. Set in the Welch countryside, the stories take place in the Regency era with the added twist of the existence of cat-sized dragons which are kept by wealthy socialites as fashion accessories and pets. This time around, the story is shared by the middle Tregarth sister, Rose. Unlike her older sister Elinor (book 1), Rose was taken in by loving relatives after the sudden death of their parents. When dragons suddenly appear in their home at Gogodd Abbey, Rose takes charge in a secret effort to protect her eccentric aunt and uncle from rumors or worse.
Claws and Contrivances is a joy to read. The story is light and funny, and I smiled often while reading it. Filled with silly situations, hilarious banter, and a couple of well-timed coincidences, the story puts a spotlight on Rose’s kind heart and generous nature. She likes to take charge and help those around her, even when they don’t necessarily require it.
Unlike the first book, the home is filled with love, which makes the story easier on my heart. I enjoyed meeting all of Rose’s sister cousins, even the one who causes a few problems for Rose and the dragons. Nothing comes from a place of pettiness or cruelty (other than the villain!) I adore that the author creates a HEA for not just the primary couple, but the side characters as well.
The romance between Rose and dragon expert Cornelius Aubrey is sweet. He surprises Rose and himself when he declares that she is just as interesting to him as the dragons are. He’s a bit introverted and absorbed in his work, but Rose just breaks through those walls, and he can’t help but be dazzled.
Claws and Contrivances is a delightful romance with just the right amount of silly humor. The romance is sweet, and the bad guy is evil, just the way I like it.
My Rating: A-
Jen
About the Book:
Passionate, idealistic Rose Tregarth may have been invited into her uncle’s remote home in the heart of Wales as an act of kindness to a poor relation, but it doesn’t take her long to realize that her newly-met family members are eccentric, creative, deeply lovable – and in need of all the help they can get. If the crumbling medieval walls of Gogodd Abbey aren’t to collapse around their heads at any moment, someone will have to step up and take charge of the situation. Fortunately for all of them, Rose has never lacked in determination.
Add in more and more mysteriously appearing little dragons and a threatening new neighbor who could easily star as the villain in one of her aunt’s fabulous Gothic novels, and Rose is soon up to her ears in plots and schemes to save all the people and beasts she’s come to love…with the help of a sweet, baffled dragon scholar whom Rose has swept into a fake betrothal – for purely practical purposes, of course.
With her fierce, loyal heart, Rose is more than ready to take care of everyone around her, dragons and humans alike. However, it may take an act of true magic to clear her eyes to the future – and the gentleman – she desires for herself.
Release Date: July 10, 2023
Publisher: Self-Published
Series: Regency Dragons #2
Genre: Historical Romance, fantasy elements
Format(s): hard cover (340 pages), e-book
Book Source: purchased, author
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)
Reviews in the Series:
Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis (Regency Dragons #1)