Book Tour & Review: Behind the Marquess’s Mask by Kristen McLean

Behind the Marquess’s Mask
The Lords of Whitehall #1
By: Kristen McLean
Releasing April 30, 2016
Young Ink Press

Blurb

Even the mask of an expert spy is no defense against his own heart.

With a reputation as dark as his appearance, Greydon Sharpe, the Marquess of Ainsley, ought to have been the last agent assigned to the daughter of a well-respected Member of Parliament. However, when she is brutally attacked and left for dead, it becomes clear he is the only one with the skills to keep her alive. All it will take are a few lies to keep her breathing long enough to capture the villain. Then he can send her on her way. If she would only behave herself, he might be able to complete his mission before she turns his contentedly miserable life into a chaotic mess.

Marriage is not an option … until it is.

Lady Kathryn Bryant, the adventure-seeking socialite, has no plans to behave. Kathryn would much rather spend her time in subterfuge, nabbing villains and finding clues. However, when her memory is lost in an attack, she has little choice but to trust the handsome Marquess. Though she is almost certain he is hiding something, she is helpless against his disarming smile and warm touch. Eventually, his lies will come to the surface, leaving only one question: Is England’s deadliest spy equipped to save a broken heart?

Review:

McLean pulls readers in with a wildly irresistible hero and a reckless, yet admirable, heroine. The two together form an likely, and welcome duo, as Kathryn is a lighter, feminine version of him. Grey fights to keep Kathryn safe. What’s more is that it’s not just her person that’s in danger. His heart is also in battle. She’s the daughter of a well-respected friend and highly connected member of parliament. If she’s injured while on his watch, he’ll have 2 choices – flee or die. Unfortunately for him, Kat is not making things easy.

Although a lady, Kat prefers adventures only afforded to men. She refuses to be another proper – aka boring – lady, and rushes to find her own excitement. When she forgets her mission- literally – things become even more interesting – and dangerous- for them both. They’re fighting a war with no idea who their enemy is (at least in this case).

I was left on the edge of my sofa a couple of times. I knew who the culprit was, and then I didn’t. And later on, I did again. The back-and-forth was as tantalizing as the rakish hero, and I was all-in for them both. Kathryn contributed her own brand of intrigue to the story, and the secondary characters played their parts, as well. Grey did his best to resist the all-alluring temptation, but of course he had to eventually give in. Wouldn’t have been a romance if he hadn’t. It’s his restraint and longing that drew me in, not to mention his naughtiness. And, oh how naughty he was!

McLean did a wonderful job building the relationship amongst the turmoil. Although they were fighting for their lives, and of course Kat’s honor, they were able to get to know each other, which made their connection all the more believable.

Yay to me for choosing to participate in this tour, and Kudos to McLean for choosing to write this book!

Grab a copy!

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: 0 cups of coffee

Links to follow book tour: Tasty Book Tours | Goodreads

Buy links: Amazon | Kobo | ITunes | B&N

Excerpt

Grey didn’t bat an eyelash as he stared down the barrel twenty feet ahead of him. Surely, Bexley couldn’t be that good of a shot. The man’s hand shook something awful.

Perhaps he might get an arm

or even a shoulder at this range if he were lucky. There was only a small chance he would get a fatal shot off. Still, there was a chance, and the last thing Kathryn needed was someone else shot

and the last thing he needed was someone else shot and killed in front of her

“Kathryn, you need to leave,” Grey ordered softly.

“Absolutely not!” she protested.

“Kathryn,” Grey said patiently with a slight tremble. “For once in your life, listen to me.”

For the first time in a long time, he had no desire to die, but if he did die, he could not allow her to witness it.

“No!” Kathryn spat out defiantly, stepping out into the middle of the room between the two adversaries.

Grey blanched of all color as he stared at her, crippled with fear before torrid fury took over.

“Kathryn, what the bloody hell do you think you are doing?”

Kathryn frowned at him as if she was the one who ought to be angry. Then she turned to face Bexley, who looked more than a little annoyed.

The voice of reason piped up from behind Grey.

“Kathryn, you really should not see this,” Nick advised.

“I am not leaving.” Her simple, quiet refusal only seemed to unnerve Bexley, who was still aiming straight at Grey’s heart, the heart Kathryn was standing in front of.

“You don’t want me to waste my bullet on you, now, do you?” Bexley spat out as his hand flexed over the gun anxiously. “Move aside!” Bexley stomped his foot to emphasize his point, and a small

explosion rent the air.

Author Info
Kristen has always had a love of novels, with a special place in her heart for historical romance. After reading enough of them to fill a rather impressive library, she decided to write her own. Now she has the pleasure of writing at home, tucked away in a forest with her husband, two children and her cat. Her husband is loving, and impressively patient, her two beautiful children strive to embarrass and exhaust her, and her cat hates everyone, but tolerates—well, she tolerates whoever will feed her.