"terrific late Regency espionage romance"

In 1828 London, the Ton considers thirty years old Xanthia Neville as an eccentric for females do not run a shipping company, work undercover for the Home Office, nor chooses to remain unmarried. Yet Xanthia does both quite successfully.

Lord Stefan Nash has a reputation for hurting men financially and loving and leaving females with broken hearts. He and his brother are new aristocratic converts who many believe in spite of his sophistication does not belong with polite company.

Under the moonlight, Xanthia and Stefan meet and share an incredible night of passion. Nash needs to know this mystery woman who has stolen his heart by making her his desire. Xanthia rejects his efforts to form a relationship until the Home Office directs her to investigate Nash's involvement with arms-smuggling. As they fall in love, each begins to think the other is dangerous to their heart and to their life, but neither can walk away.

This terrific late Regency espionage romance grips the audience from the first shared look between the lead couple and never slows down until the final confrontation. The fast-paced story line turns into a one sitting read as sub-genre fans want to know more about the unique stars as Xanthia and Stefan are atypical of the Regency mold. Liz Carlyle is at her excellent best with this superior historical.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 24, 2007