A forbidden love...

Lucas Kemp’s twin sister died last year. He’s put aside his mourning clothes, but not his heartache. If Lucas ever needed a friend, it’s now—and who should walk in his door but Lieutenant Thomas Matlock...

Lucas and Tom are more than just best friends; they’ve been in love with each other for years. In love with each other—and pretending not to know it.

But this time, Tom’s not going to ignore the attraction between them. This time, he’s going to push the issue.

He’s going to teach Lucas how to laugh again—and he’s going to take Lucas as his lover... 

"Heartbreakingly gorgeous. Tom is the most incredible hero - patient, understanding, passionate, sensitive. Lucas is so proper and stiff, his struggles so very real and poignant. I love Larkin's stories but this one is exquisite."

~ M.C.E. Top 500 reviewer

Length: A shorter length novel of 48,000 words

Sensuality level: A hot Regency male-male romance with sensual love scenes 

Q & A with the author

Why did you write this book?

When Tom and Lucas walked onto the page in Trusting Miss Trentham (the third book in the Baleful Godmother series) I fell in love with them both. I really wanted to know their story—so I decided to write it. I’m very glad I did, because it was so much fun! Lucas is my first ever virgin hero, and I really enjoyed writing his scenes. 

Claiming Mister Kemp was meant to be a novella, but it grew and grew and grew, until finally I had to admit defeat and call it a (short) novel.

How would you describe this book?

At its most basic, Claiming Mister Kemp is a friends to lovers romance, but it’s also a story about grief, and about two men finding the courage to love one another in a time when this was punishable by death. I think it’s the most emotional book I’ve ever written. Readers have told me that some scenes make them cry, which I take as a compliment! 

Claiming Mister Kemp is a Baleful Godmother novel, so both Tom and Lucas have brushes with magic—even if they don’t realize it. And although this book is a companion novel to Trusting Miss Trentham it can be read as a standalone.

How would you describe your writing?

Several reviewers have likened my writing to Georgette Heyer, which is the hugest compliment ever. I adore Georgette Heyer! She’s why I write historical romance, and I reread her books over and over. (If you’ve not read The Grand Sophy, please do so!) I’ve also had readers compare my writing to Courtney Milan and Mary Balogh, which are also massive compliments.

Who would like this book?

This book will appeal to readers who love male-male romances, Regency romances, or both. Fans of KJ Charles, Joanna Chambers and Cat Sebastian should particularly enjoy it. 

What order should I read the series in?

Each book, whether a novel or novella, can be read as a standalone, but many readers prefer to read them in order. And although the series is set in Regency England, a quartet of medieval novellas form the prequel.

The ideal reading order would be:

The Fey Quartet (series prequel)

Maythorn’s Wish 

Hazel’s Promise

Ivy’s Choice

Larkspur’s Quest

The Baleful Godmother series

Unmasking Miss Appleby

Resisting Miss Merryweather

Trusting Miss Trentham

Claiming Mister Kemp

Ruining Miss Wrotham

Discovering Miss Dalrymple

Plus three more interlinked Baleful Godmother series to come.

Happy reading!