FAVORITE QUOTE:
“So you’ve done exactly what you promised God you wouldn’t do. You’ve hidden your light under a bushel, to pull a verse out of context. You’re not being the woman God made you to be, too scared to stand up and say you are a fine engineer. No wonder you can’t see which way God wants you to go. You’ve been lying, both to Eli and to Him. If you harbor sin in your heart-sin you know and do nothing about-God isn’t likely to answer your prayers.”
Subterfuge opens the pages of Erica Vetsch’s novel, The Engineered Engagement. A unique twist on the arranged marriage trope, Vetsch weaves in threads of unrequited love, the bittersweet angst of familial obligation, and a complicated matter between sisters. With the plot unwinding in each chapter, the complexities deepen, tightening the knot in the reader’s gut and adding a thrilling measure of intrigue.
Her main characters, with their distinct personalities and quirks, and even the supporting cast, each add a unique flavor that elevates the story. The frustration of unanswered questions battles with curiosity as the intricate plot unfolds in early twentieth-century Duluth. The importance of the ship industry and whispers of espionage are a cut-throat backdrop to the romantic nature of the story. The mystery of Josie’s secret collaboration, coupled with the palpable chemistry of her years-long crush on Eli, creates an irresistible appeal, making her an extremely likable main character. Eli’s aloofness, on the other hand, marked by disinterest in matrimony and romance, makes him frustrating but likable.
The story unfolds at a captivating pace, each chapter revealing more and maintaining the reader’s interest. Vetsch masterfully paints a picture of 20th-century high society, seamlessly weaving in rich details of clothing, architecture, and social customs without overwhelming the reader. As the plot twists and turns with surprising developments, the romance unfolds with captivating unpredictability. Every turned page was full of tension and delightful surprises. The suspense, a delicious agony, kept me sailing through chapters long past bedtime, wondering how it would all conclude. This book will be a wonderful delight for fans of Regency Romance.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own. Click on the book cover for purchase link.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.
The Engineered Engagement involves ship building and hydrodynamics. Now, I know nothing about either of these disciplines, but I did glean some information, hopefully enough to make my characters, Eli and Josie, sound like they do. Ah, the joys of writing fiction! And while Eli and Josie are loaded with brains and tenacity, I also wanted them to have real emotions, to care about each other. One of the joys of writing fiction is getting to live through the eyes/hearts of your characters and feel what they feel. The Engineered Engagement was a joy to write.
If you are interested in Great Lakes shipping, I highly recommend the Duluth Canal Camera, https://www.duluthharborcam.com/p/canal-park-cams.html
And if you are interested in learning more about the SS Meteor, I recommend this site: https://superiorpublicmuseums.org/ss-meteor/
Devoted Steps 