At the Spy’s Pleasure by Tina Gabrielle – a Review
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Description:
Every gentleman has his secrets…
London 1821
After years of marriage to a selfish man who preferred gambling to his young bride, Jane, the widowed countess of Stanwell, now seeks what she was long denied-a satisfying lover. Naturally, a lady needs a list of eligible candidates, which doesn’t include the dangerously handsome (if far too arrogant) Gareth Ramsey…until he steals a sinful kiss from Jane’s all-too-willing lips.
Reputed as an arrogant barrister, Gareth’s real occupation is as a spy in the service of His Majesty, and his suspect is on Jane’s list of possible lovers. With her life in danger, there’s no safer place for Jane than with him-and in his bed. But Jane is as distracting as she is infuriating, and keeping her by his side while he pursues his mission might just endanger them both…
Review;
Tina Gabrielle has done it again. At the Spy’s Pleasure is book 2 of her In the Crown’s Secret Service series and is just as intriguing a read as her first book A Spy Unmasked. I’m really enjoying this series by Tina for the way she writes, creates her characters, builds a world filled with mystery, intrigue, danger, suspense, and keeps me turning page after page waiting to see what’s going to happen next.
We first met both Jane and Gareth in the first book, but they played the roles of secondary characters and had little interaction with each other. However, even though their interaction was brief, you could feel something brewing between. What was brewing between Jane and Gareth in the first book carries over into At the Spy’s Pleasure and goes from brewing, to percolating, to smoldering. Ms. Gabrielle writes a very steamy and passionate romance for these two would be lovers and I adored every minute. Jane and Gareth are not only passionate, but fun and playful with each other and also understand one another very well. They are very well matched, but both refuse to see just how perfect they are together until it’s almost too late. Watching their relationship grow and seeing their feelings change for one another as Gareth continues his mission, makes the reader wonder what will happen should Jane find out the truth. Like any well written romantic story, the lady love always finds out the truth and then the fun really begins.
I quite enjoyed both Gareth and Jane. Each are well written, developed characters who were able to carry the story all on their own. However, we do have a supporting cast who aid the reader in learning more about our couple. Gareth had my toes curling and me swooning from his first scene. He’s the type of character that has that commanding presence that makes one stand up and take notice. He’s handsome, intelligent, well versed, charming, knows how to treat a lady, and has a dangerous and mysterious job. Who wouldn’t fall for a man like that. Plus, on top of all that, as I read this story, Gareth’s voice to me was that deep sexy baritone range that had me sighing every time he spoke to Jane. His voice reminded me of someone in a tv show or movie but for the life of me I can’t place which male actor it is. I shall keep thinking and get back to you when it comes to me.
As for Jane, she’s a treat of a character for an historical romance. I like that she’s not our typical lady of the times, but instead has decided to take command of her own life and do with it as she pleases and not what society dictates she should do. Deciding she wants to take on lovers after what she endured first from her husband and then after his suicide is fun to watch. I enjoyed the scene where she’s at a ball and scoping out possible lovers. It reminded me of my younger days going to the bars and scoping out the guys. The scene had me LOL as she talked about her possibilities with her friend. Oh the things we do when in come’s to the opposite sex. 😉
I’d say Tina Gabrielle has another hit on her hands. At the Spy’s Pleasure is a fun, passionate and very steamy read. Gareth and Jane pull the reader into their story, and keep your interest to the very end. The cast of secondary characters helps to add another layer to their story and give us more insight into our hero and heroine. Ms. Gabrielle seems to have a knack for the historical romance genre and proves it to us once again. She manages to always make me feel as though I’m a part of the cast playing the part of voyeur who is privy to secretive information, and is just waiting to see when the others will find out what I already know. I can’t wait for Tina to continue with this series, fingers crossed that she will.
Until then, happy reading everyone.
Reviewed by Marcie
Copy provided by Publisher
