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The Boxer and the Booksmith
When the Blood Is Up
Edie Cay
The Boxer and the Booksmith
Publish Date: March 1, 2021
Available: Paperback, Ebook

Can London’s lady champion fight for love?

As London’s undefeated women’s boxer, Bess Abbott has the scars—both inside and out—to prove it. But when one of her boxing students, Violet, needs protection, Bess Abbott’s rock hard heart cracks open. And when a handsome blacksmith comes along, giving her compliments and treating her, well, like a woman, Bess doesn’t know what to do. She’s on the ropes in the face of his affections.

Os Worley was a child when he became an accidental stow-away. He grew up not knowing the family or the island that inflected his accent. His only memory of his mother is a head bent, hands working a stitch, a voice humming a melody. Now that he has his own foundry, and his own apprentice, he’s come to London to find the woman attached to this impression. His heart is already tempered and quenched, focused on his goal—but a lady boxer threatens to recast his love in her own image.

As Os and Bess face off, will they toe the line or retreat to their corners?

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Everand

“I love this series. Each book provides a cast of rich characters and a romance set against the unique backdrop of boxing in regency England. Although they’re set in the early 1800s, these books explore very modern issues: racism, classism, sexism, transphobia, and more. In this particular novel, racism and classism are at the forefront.”
-Ellie Dee, Amazon Reviewer

“Bess was one of my favorite characters from the first book, and I enjoyed seeing her shine in this one. And Os is truly swoon worthy. The setting is well researched and lushly described, and the characters have a depth that makes them compelling.”
-Linda Ulleseit, PLW