A Widow’s Charm

Debut author Paxson playfully toys with tropes in this heartening and hilarious romantasy set in the Regency England–esque land of Eldmere. Low-born Lady Hilde Croft has built a lovely life for herself and her sister, Han—until her dear husband, Lord Thorgoode Croft, dies and his dastardly brother takes over his lands and, with them, the livelihoods of everyone in Croftholde. Hilde, however, has a secret: she possesses a Charm, a special power considered distasteful in Eldmere and completely reviled in Relance, the country Eldmere has been at war with for decades. She hopes it will come in handy in convincing her new neighbor, Lord Erol Elmwood, to help her protect her people. Erol, a disgraced former soldier, has his own unique Charm: the ability to raise the dead. He refuses Hilde’s request to bring her husband back, leading Hilde to a series of escalating schemes to protect her people, each one causing more chaos than the last. The ensuing comedy of errors is almost Shakespearian in scope, with the humor only enhancing Paxson’s thoughtful meditation on Hilde’s desperate circumstances and the lengths she will go to for those she loves. The romance that blooms between Hilde and Erol adds to the charm and the delightfully drawn supporting cast is similarly easy to love. It’s a joy. (Mar.)