"Delightful historical tale"
In 1803 Richard sets out to prove that Thaddeus Morley
betrayed his country; instead the patriot is murdered and
his lover Anna Holt accused of the crime. Richard's
friend James Makepeace helps Anna flee London, but without
her beloved three daughters, Susannah, Sylvie, and
Sabrina; he promises to insure their safety. As she
leaves behind all she cherishes, Anna knows she will love
Richard forever, but never forgive him. In 1820 Susannah Makepeace enjoys her season when someone
murders her adopted father James, leaving her with nothing
as even her fiancé dumps her. She moves into her aunt's
cottage in Barnstable where she sees a naked male swimming
in a nearby pond. She sketches the sight in elaborate
detail. His father has exiled him to Egypt to keep him
out of trouble as the womanizing drunken Viscount Kit
Whitelaw, as a loyal English spy, seeks to prove that
Morley killed James. Instead of Egypt, he heads to the
country following clues. When he meets the artist who
drew the erotic pictures of him sparks fly. However,
someone wants Susannah dead as mysterious accidents occur
to her while Kit needs to uncover the truth about the
woman who owns his heart. The first of three Regency romances starring the Holt
siblings, BEAUTY AND THE SPY is a delightful historical
tale. Readers will feel for Anna as she has learned one
thing about her daughters over the seventeen years of
exile that they are safe. She doesn't know Susannah is
not out of harm's way as her guardian is killed and an
unknown assailant wants her out of the picture. Sub-genre
fans will appreciate Julie Anne Long's opening swing of
the BATS while looking for ward to Sylvie Lamoreaux's
story. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 18, 2006
SummaryDESCRIPTION: SHOCKING! London's belle of the ball,
Susannah Makepeace, is the last person who should suddenly
be stuck in the sleepy village of Barnstable. In town, she
would never have seen a man swimming naked in a pond. And
she certainly would have resisted the urge to draw every
single bit of him in astonishing detail! SIZZLING! Very
few people know that Viscount Kit Whitelaw is the best spy
in His Majesty's secret service. But his high-flying life
has finally banished him from London. Not to worry—if
Susannah's erotic sketches are any indication of her
nature, she'll be a delicious stand-in for the thrill of
espionage. SCANDALOUS! When odd accidents follow in
Susannah's wake, Kit's spy senses start tingling. For what
better mystery is there for England's greatest spy than
the secrets of the delectable puzzle that is Susannah?
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