Wednesday, May 8, 2013

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.

* * * * * 

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.

* * * * * 

Rate: 5/5


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