Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: May 23, 2017
Sold by: Random House LLC
ASIN: B01M6ATB84
Blurb
Blistering seduction meets international intrigue in the Highlands as a veteran spy infiltrates the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. There he matches wits against a tantalizing enemy: his new wife.
Simon Marcheford wants nothing more than to settle down on the land bestowed upon him by the English crown. Queen Elizabeth, however, is not about to let her best spy retire so easily. Simon will have his reward, she decrees, after he completes one last mission in Scotland. But no sooner has he sussed out a diabolical plot up North than Queen Mary weds him to her cousin—an exquisite beauty with troubled, soulful eyes—and orders Simon to watch her every move.
Aimee de Verris is no spy. But her life may depend on becoming one. Banished from the French court by Catherine de Medici, Aimee finds herself tasked with reporting on Queen Mary’s activities in Scotland, where she’s unnerved by the frigid weather and brutish customs. Worst of all, Aimee’s been married off to a most uncouth lout. But when murder strikes, she learns to appreciate Simon’s talent for shielding her with every inch of his muscular frame. If Aimee desires her husband, perhaps she could trust him—or even love him.
Review:
After being caught in a compromising position with her then-lover Pierre, Aimee was sent by her aunt to live with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, which was actually a spy mission in disguise. Aimee is no spy by skill or desire, which is even more obvious when the Queen suspects her of being just that and orders her and Simon, an actual – well-trained- spy to marry. By the Queen’s deduction, the marriage was the best way to keep a watchful eye on her supposed enemy, and perhaps gain some information. Neither Simon nor Aimee is aware of each other’s mission, so the marriage has more secrets than normal – even for the time.
When a murder takes place in their presence, they find themselves on the run. More than ever they have to depend on each other. The nights hiding out provide ample time for meaningful discussion, and they soon realize that physical attraction is not the only thing they each have to offer. There’s plenty of action and intrigue, and with Simon’s two close friends (who also happen to be spies) assisting them, things just get more eventful. Aimee has a loyalty to her ex-lover whose waiting for her back home; but soon that loyalty finds its rightful place. With her husband. Of course it was a struggle to get to that point as neither wanted the marriage in the first place. The change of her heart’s ownership was rather abrupt considering she couldn’t stop thinking about Pierre, but it’s believable that she fell for her strong, intelligent, handsome, and chivalrous groom. It could be concluded that the relationship developed as a result of instead of in spite of the danger, but the couple actually develops sincere feelings for one another. The story ends with several unanswered questions; but instead of feeling cheated, readers will anxiously await the next in the sequel.
Rating system: Cups of Coffee (the less the better)
0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.
My rating: 1 cup of coffee