I was excited for this novel to land in my inbox, but also sad because I thought this was the last in the series. But, I’m hoping that this isn’t the end as we’ve met a few other characters and there’s still supposedly a missing brother? Yeah? I hope it is not the end! Full disclosure—-I’m writing this review well after my bedtime, so if the ramblings don’t make sense, I’m sorry.

Freed from the clutches of her cruel, traitorous mother and impostor husband, Lady Camden wants to rebuild her fractured life. But the years of terror and pain she endured at their hands continue to grip her heart in an iron vice. Refusing to stray from the refuge of her country estate, Kate tentatively agrees to an unusual alliance with the new Lord Camden, being mindful to keep her trust, and her heart, firmly safeguarded.

Adrien, the Earl of Camden, had lost everything he held dear while working undercover in France as an agent of the Crown, known only as Hawk. Now an earl, he wants only to repair his tattered, lonely life. His efforts are interrupted, however, when he is called to accept another assignment: Stop French spies from passing a bill in Parliament that will eliminate British aid in the war against Napoleon.

When Kate’s past pulls her into a web of treachery and deceit, a life she is wholly unprepared for, Adrien must use any means necessary to stop the French spies from succeeding in their evil designs and keep her safe. When the truth is finally revealed, will Lady Camden be strong enough to seize her own future and happiness, or will her heart be too shattered to ever love a spy?

My Thougts

While I think the first book is my favorite so far in this series, Laura crafts another solid story. This wraps up some lingering questions for the family’s past and present, and delves deeper into who is behind the plot to put the French as spies in Parliament. But, we end up with one escaping, so I’m thinking there has to be a fourth to bring the scalawag in.

I related to Kate and wanted to cheer her on, but at the same time, as is often the case in recovering from tragic events, when she swings the other way and starts assuming thing rather than just having a conversation with Adrien drives me nuts. I suppose it brings down the drama of the book if they just say down and talked it out, using good communication skills, how much smoother it would’ve been! Since hubs and I play this dance a couple times a week, it’s one I understand why, and EVERY TIME I’m like “we should just talk about it!” But then we don’t….circle….

Overall a fab read with our favorite spy Adrien. There is one moment where his very dangerous side comes out and it made me a bit squeamish, but it also told me so much about him as a character that the strong language wouldn’t have accomplished without the actions. (explaining without spoilers is hard!)

I was very happy that I moved it straight to the top of my TBR pile because it was totally worth it.

How long until we get another book, Laura?!!!!

I received a complementary copy of this story from this author. I am not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Author Laura Beers

Laura Beers spent most of her childhood with a nose stuck in a book, dreaming of becoming an author. She attended Brigham Young University, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. Many years later, and with loving encouragement from her family, Laura decided to start writing again. Besides being a full-time homemaker to her three kids, she loves waterskiing, hiking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Currently, Laura Beers resides in South Carolina.

Laura wins the award as the first author to reach out to me cold-turkey for a review. And after much patience on her part I finally got them read and made a post! Boy am I glad she did.

About the Books

Saving Shadow:

Born with a perfect memory, Lady Elizabeth Beckett has become one of the world’s most notorious spies, despite being the daughter of a duke. She is shielded only by her code name: Shadow. When young ladies of High Society begin disappearing from London, Eliza has no doubt who is orchestrating these crimes; a heinous man she has been investigating for years. Vowing to save them before they are sold to the highest bidder, she must risk everything to stop him.

Lord Sinclair was perfectly content being the second son of a marquess, but when his brother is murdered, he is thrust into a position he has not been prepared for and does not desire. As an agent for the Crown, he is expected to retire now that he is the heir, but he’s been granted special permission for one more mission… to obtain justice for his murdered brother.

Used to keeping secrets, Lady Eliza and Lord Sinclair must learn to open up to each other when they are assigned as partners to bring down the same ruthless man and his brutal empire of abduction and slavery. As Eliza’s tainted past becomes too much for her to bear alone, can she learn to trust her new partner with her secrets, her life, and possibly her heart?

A Peculiar Courtship:

Lord Jonathon Beckett’s mission is simple: retrieve Lady Hannah and place her under the protection of the Crown. But he isn’t prepared for the havoc she inflicts on his world, making him question whether his duty as an agent of the Crown should always come before his heart.

Lady Hannah’s father has uncovered evidence exposing a French traitor to the Crown. Willing to do anything to silence him, the traitor’s primary target has become Lady Hannah. Keeping her safe means locking her away from Society, but she refuses to stand idly by, letting others put their lives on the line to protect her. Instead, she will stop at nothing to learn to defend herself, even at the risk of losing Lord Jonathon’s protection, or his affections.

With a sinister scheme in play to collapse the English government from within, Lord Jonathon must protect Lady Hannah from the French spies intending to use her as a pawn in their game of treachery. But can he protect her from herself?

My Review

I’ll start with this: being a new to me author, I emailed Laura that sure I’d read the first and then we’d see about number two. I emailed her about 3 chapters into Saving Shadow and asked her to send the next because I DID NOT WANT TO WAIT; as soon as I finished A Peculiar Courtship I wanted to be able to start on A Peculiar Courtship …and I’m impatient for the third, To Love A Spy, which comes out April 1st.

One thing I enjoyed about Saving Shadow was the physical chemistry. While some of the more conservative readers might feel the kisses get a little intense, I love the way Laura brought out that aspect of the relationship while still keeping it a clean reads and not going over that line before getting married. I loved even more how in A Peculiar Courtship Saving Shadow we get to follow up with Eliza and Benedict and they are VERY affectionate as a married couple, which I think is a great example in fiction. But, again Laura does a great job of keeping it clean while making it clear they adore each other.

And then there’s Jonathon. He’s an awesome interfering brother give dishes out the check to his sister while still caring for her deeply. How can you not love that? I knew his own story was going to be great. Then he meets Hannah and she is not what he expected at all. Imagine that? No demure female here and Jonathon has to change his expectations. I have to admit there were a couple times I wanted to smack him, but he portrays the common male viewpoint of the time and eventually comes around, so I’ll give him a pass.

While Laura doesn’t feature faith themes throughout the books, she does convey lessons about life and love that are worth learning.

I received a copy of both of these books from the author. A positive review was not required and are entirely my own.

About the Author

Laura Beers spent most of her childhood with a nose stuck in a book, dreaming of becoming an author. She attended Brigham Young University, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. Many years later, and with loving encouragement from her family, Laura decided to start writing again. Besides being a full-time homemaker to her three kids, she loves water skiing, hiking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Currently, Laura Beers resides in South Carolina.