"One fine work of romantic suspense"

After traveling with her diplomatic father Sir Phillip Amherst around the world, in 1813 Evelyn returns home to England following his death. She promised her beloved dad that she would carry out a death bed pledge by finishing his final mission and accepting her legacy.

Some members of the English government want Evelyn assassinated because she lived with Phillip and Sullivan, both considered traitors to the crown. Only intelligence agent Lord Justin Barclay refuses to kill a potential innocent under the guise of war. Instead he decides to "befriend" her to learn what she might know about a somewhat substantiated rumor that Napoleon plans to destroy the English economy as the means to devastate the country. As they fall in love, he knows nothing can come of it once she learns of his duplicity even if it is for their country.

Regency romance readers will enjoy this historical romantic suspense novel. The story line has plenty of action, but also contains a fully delightful love subplot built on deceit and innocence as the admirable lead charcaters forge a shaky relationship. Though the macroeconomics is not quite clear, the sub-genre crowd will applaud this fine tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 28, 2003