Reviewer Comments: Robert Sinclair “Dove” Dovenby arrives home to a public street bonfire in front of his townhouse as it was being fed with articles of his wardrobe. Adding to the fire with great relish is his infuriated mistress, Lady Margaret, Countess of Grenham – or should I say FORMER infuriated mistress. Along with some stunningly brilliant repartees and laughingly adding to the fire himself ‘the Dove’ discovers from Lady Margaret just why she is so incensed.
Entering his abode, he finds not only a young maid, but a young gentleman, tied spread-eagled to his bed. The explanations from the ‘young man’ were that he and the maid were attempting to win a wager by stealing an article of clothing from the famous but elusive Dove when they were caught and bound up by his mistress. Dove recognized that the ‘young man’ was in disguise and not a young man at all and after losing his mistress would play along with the game in order to discover just what these two had really come to his establishment to find.
The ‘young man’ was in reality, the Countess Sylvie Georgiana, who had for years worked as a spy for the Duke of Yveshires. The duke being the Dove’s nemesis – sworn to destroy him for the ruination and death of his younger brother, Lord Edward Vane (from THE SEDUCTION). Of course at the time, the Dove did not know whom she worked for but recognized at once that the story was a cover for her real purpose, otherwise, why the disguise? He also thought that the bravery exhibited by the ‘young man’ was admirable and while he was intrigued he also felt a stronger pull of desire, that he’d not felt for any woman quite like this before. He decided that since the ‘young lad’ George White had caused him to lose his wardrobe he would make him pay his debt by working as his secretary. And so begins an enticingly passionate game of subterfuge as the spy becomes spied upon and the Dove begins a very dangerous game of seduction with a woman who has sworn an oath to discover enough of his secrets to destroy him. As the game is played, she fights her gut feelings of his innocence as even as she promises the duke that her aim was to destroy him. As the seduction becomes more and more intense, her heart and emotions are engaged as so are the Dove’s.
This is a truly enticing Georgian period tale woven with some very erotic and sensual scenes and dialogs. The action is replete with twists and turns that will engage your emotions. A plot where not everyone is as they seem and a colorful supporting cast make this a truly robust and exciting read. The lead protagonists are brilliantly crafted, with Sylvie being a brittle and cold hearted professional, and the Dove - charming, brilliant, compassionate AND a wickedly good lover! The three days spent behind closed doors could most definitely be described as a culinary feast for lovers of sensual delights. This book is highly recommended! ---
Reviewer Comments: This is the first time I've ever read Ms. Ross. I was introduced to this talented author by a fellow reader and needless to say I've ordered her back list. This was a read that drew me in from the very beginning and did not let go until the very final page. Seldom do I get so involved with a read that I can't put the book down, This book was amazing and I read it in one sitting.
Sylvie Georgiana is on a mission to ruin Robert Sinclair Dovenby or "Dove" as he is known in his social circles. He is everything that she was not expecting. What starts out to be a clear cut mission soon becomes blurred the longer she is in his employee. Did I mention that she is posing as a man?
Well, Dove knows right from the very beginning that "George" is more than "he" seems and sets out to find out just want the mysterious lady wants. In the process they play a sensual game of cat and mouse where getting "caught" is the whole point. What will happen when Sylvie learns that Dove is not the bad guy she was led to believe he is and what will she do when he speaks to her sensual self? Will she be able to walk away with her heart in tack?
This was a great historical romance full of wonderful historic details. Ms. Ross is a very poetic writer. Her prose is one of the things that sets her apart from her fellow writers. Add to this her wonderful characters, and fun storyline and you have the makings of a hard to put down read! I highly recommend Ms. Ross and I look forward to reading her again in the future!
