Review #9: The Scarlet Spy

Title: The Scarlet Spy
Author: Andrea Pickens
Series: Merlin's Maidens #3
Released Date: October 1, 2008
Type: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Spy Thriller

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They were once orphans from London's roughest slums. Now they are stuidents of Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies, learning the techniques of spying and seduction. Bold, beautiful, and oh-so-dangerous, they are England's ultimate secret weapons...

The most ladylike of "Merlin's Maidens," Sofia possesses a natural grace and grandeur to go along with her deadly arsenal of martial skills--which makes her the perfect choice for a dangerous assignment to investigate rumors of government corruption. She must spin through the glittering ballrooms of Mayfair and the sinister back alleys of the city in search of the truth. One misstep on her part could prove fatal as she works to unravel the tangled web of deceit...but keeping the sinfully sexy Deverill Osborne at arm's length is a real test of her mettle. 

Handsome, witty and charming, Osborne is the darling of the ton. So when he is asked by the Marquess of Lynsley to introduce a lovely young Italian Contessa into Society, he is only too happy to oblige...however he soon has suspicions about the Contessa. W hen he catches her stealing valuables from a gentleman's study, should he believe the worst? Or should he trust the tantalizing murmur of her words...and the sultry, sensuous whispers of her body. To unmask the conspirators, Sofia and Osborne will overcome hidden dangers, including their own growing passion...which may be the most dangerous force of all.

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Under all the rich glamorous and sometimes fickle lifestyle of the High Society, there are those who hide much more sinister personalities than the Society would dare to know. Here, it follows the story of the past Merlin's sisters-in-arms. One who has a strict view of her given mission. One who puts duty and loyalty above all others. And here comes a rather rakish rogue, determined to disrupt all her carefully laid plans. 

It's an amusing story about a very determined, and yet tenacious to a fault, gentleman and his high-flying Merlin. This particular lady, unlike her sisters in arms, have a past that needs to be discovered. Their mission--actually it was mainly hers but the gentleman stubbornly wants to help(really, he's like a blood hound when he gets wind of something)--much to this lady's frustration. It's kind of amusing how Lady Sofia rebuffs every effort made by Dev for creating some sort of easy rapport. And yet, I pity her for her tough upbringing even if that made her a strong woman now, but had yet to feel the softer emotions that a lady should feel at least once in her lifetime. Anyway, their efforts made for an intriguing discovery of a very sinister plot that could make or break London's victory against Napoleon. 

Like the two books before, this one is another book I'd willingly read over and over with pleasure. The concept of "highborn" ladies acting like men, perhaps exceeding in things that men have usually are incapable of accomplishing made me consider deeply. For women then were highly oppressed and considered as second citizens, but women can always hide their true potential from the public's eye, as featured splendidly in this book. All in all, a great historical romance during London's struggle in an epic war. 

A wonderful, adventurous story showing women's veracity and showing poise in the face of danger.

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Rate: 5/5

Review #8: Seduced by a Spy

Title: Seduced by a Spy
Author: Andrea Pickens
Series: Merlin's Maidens #2
Released Date: March 1, 2008
Type: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Spy Thriller

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They were once orphans from London's roughest slums. Now they are students of Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies, learning the techniques of spying and seduction. Bold, beautiful, and oh-so-dangerous, they are England's ultimate secret weapons...

Hot-tempered and a warrior to the bone, Shannon is the most daring of "Merlin Maidens." Her assignment: stop the fiendishly cruel assassin who is targeting a top British ballistics expert's family. Marshalling her intelligence, fighting skills, and weapons is easy. Being forced to work with the rakishly handsome Russian spy she loathes is something else.

Witty, resourceful, and notorious for his rakish charm with women, Alexandr Orlov tempts Shannon's fierce reserve and lithe body to win her trust. But in the remote Scottish castle where they are sent to protect the innocent, their games of parry and thrust could end in death. A ruthless enemy is watching...and planning to turn their passion into the most dangerous weapon of all.

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Andrea Pickens's Seduced by a Spy  is what I would call an oldie but a goodie. It's a rather interesting story of espionage, a hot tempered, stubborn as an ass lady and a dashingly clever Russian spy. They're story takes us into an adventure of epic proportions where a neither of them could trust each other as long as they could throw each other. Both of them refuses to give an inch in the battle of wills. But beneath all that steel, lies a surprisingly vulnerable young lady which our handsome Russian goes on out of his way to prove to her that trust could exist between them. Of course, while doing a lot of seducing--as the title implies--with more than winning her trust in his mind. 

For those who love a good historical romance and a bit of old-fashioned spy games, this is a book worth reading. Not only does it get your heart pumping with the frustrations and annoyance of the characters, it also shows how two people with strong wills can get along for the sake of the safety of others. 

Its a rather good book, though on some scenes, their frustrations tend to affect me as well. Meaning, I sometimes to climb in there and strangle her and shake some sense into her. But there are some that I find funny since they seem to clash to be at arms against each other, unknowingly that the feelings in them only grew with every encounter. And through hard times, once must learn to set each other's grievances aside and use their heads together. It is for the sake of the greater good, you know.

And finally, what I really liked about this one as well as her first book, was that looks can be deceiving. That under all that frill, poise and cool-under-pressure facade, lies a woman ready to do whatever it takes for duty, loyalty and eventually love. All in all, like her first book, Andrea Pickens's novel shows that women can kick ass too. 

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Rate: 5/5