Stevie‘s review of That Potent Alchemy (Treading the Boards, Book 3) by Tess Bowery
Historical Gender-fluid Romance published by Seamchecker Ent. 04 Oct 16
Historical romances featuring characters of colour are too a rare joy, especially those in which neither protagonist is white. Likewise, it’s not often we find novels that examine the characters of those individuals in history who have chosen not to present as their sex at birth. We know from written accounts of instances where women passed as men, or – to a possibly lesser extent – vice versa, for professional reasons not connected to the theatre, and we know of individuals who famously cross-dressed at times within the highest echelons of society. What we don’t know much about, however, is how those individuals viewed their identities. So, imagine my delight at finding an author, whose books I’ve already enjoyed, tackling a story in which not only are both the hero and heroine people of colour, but the heroine is the cross-dressing actress from the previous book in the series. Obviously this was a book I had to read…
Grace is the actress, best known for her “breeches” roles, who often wears men’s clothing offstage as well because she has days when she feels more comfortable dressed that way. She also has days when she feels more comfortable dressed in women’s fashions, and is happy to play either role on stage – stepping into her parts as she dons the costumes that go with them. The one thing Grace doesn’t want to do again is to dance on stage – after a childhood of being forced to practice ballet, even when her health and stamina weren’t at their best. Unlike many of her fellow actresses, Grace doesn’t want – or need – a male patron or protector, although that doesn’t stop men from admiring her from afar.
The newest of those admirers is Isaac, a set designer with ambitions to be the new Inigo Jones, and a fierce rivalry with his counterpart in one of the main competitors to the theatre that employs Isaac and Grace. When the theatre manager announces a last-mnute change to that season’s programme as a result of their rival’s proposed performances threatening to eclipse their own, Isaac is excited at the thought of finally producing an illusion to top all others. Grace is less happy, since the new proposals require her to dance, and this time she can see no way of avoiding what to her seems like the ultimate torture.
She’s distracted to some extent by Isaac’s enthusiasm for his planned stage effects, and soon becomes involved with both Isaac’s experiments, and his family – who offer Grace a welcome contrast to her own troubled memories. Grace has a professional rival too, though, and when hers teams up with Isaac’s, the ensuing sabotage could end all their careers.
As with the previous book in this series, I loved seeing aspects of historical London that are usually missed from romance novels, and it was refreshing to meet so many characters from groups too often left out of British history in general. I’d have liked to know more about Grace’s attitude toward her contrasting gender presentations, but overall this was a most cheering read.
Summary:
Is his love her safe place to land…or just smoke and mirrors?
Grace Owens danced her feet bloody to become the finest en pointe prodigy of her generation, but the only accolade she longed for—her father’s approval—never came. Finally, broken and defeated, she cut ties and fled to London to live life on her own terms.
Now, after four years as an actress in London’s smaller theatres, a last-minute production change lands her right where she never wanted to be again. Front and center in the ballet—and back in toe shoes.
From his perch on the catwalks, machinist and stagecraft illusionist Isaac Caird can’t take his eyes off Grace. A woman who wears men’s clothing, but not as a disguise. An exquisite beauty who doesn’t keep a lover. A skilled dancer who clearly hates every pirouette.
The perfect lines of her delicate body inspire him to create a new illusion—with her as the centerpiece—that will guarantee sold-out shows. Maybe even attract a royal’s patronage. But first he has to get her to look at him. And convince her the danger is minimal—especially within the circle of his arms.
Featuring a gender-fluid ballet dancer, an amateur chemist who only occasionally starts fires, and an old rivalry that could tear them apart.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
