twistinthetale's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very entertaining read. The captive/kidnapper storyline actually worked really well with none of the cringe-worthy concerns of abuse and possessiveness that could so easily have occurred. The characters were appealing and the spy storyline was engaging.
gemmalaszlo's review against another edition
4.0
I actually liked this one. It's hard to find captor/captive romances that don't stray into abuse.
From the back cover:
Over her head...
Charlotte Sinclair is seeking a bit of adventure in her life--but that doesn't mean she relishes being kidnapped by a traitor to England! Straying innocently from a crowded ballroom, she overhears a conversation, and suddenly she's a captive of Nicholas Wright. Now Charlotte is forced to go on the run with a devil who's far too attractive for his own--and Charlotte's--good.
Head over heels...
Nick can't believe his bad luck! His mission for the Crown requires that he pose as a criminal, and now this meddling beauty threatens to muck everything up. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with a willful, spirited, and utterly bewitching woman whose stunning sensuality is driving him to distraction. And as duty draws them deeper into peril, Nick is discovering that the greatest danger is one he seems powerless to avoid: falling in love!
And my review:
I've enjoyed Gayle Callen's work before, and this book was no exception. I was a little worried about the whole captor / captive plot, as many authors use this for an excuse to write an abusive hero into the story. But that didn't happen here. Callen never even comes close to the "he rapes her and she loves it" theme. The hero was always honorable. Anything physical between them was completely consensual.
I really liked the heroine in this one. I felt that she was strong and spirited, and never came across as shrewish. Very few authors are about to manage a spirited heroine without having her come across as witchy, but this author did it. I was impressed. A lot of romance heroines are always weak, wailing and helpless. I liked to read about one who had a head on her shoulders and a strong will. It was a welcome change.
I really liked watching the gradual change from adversaries to lovers. I felt that it was really well done and never rushed. It was believable. It was as if the love came along so gradually that it was impossible to pinpoint where it started. Only the very best romances are like that, and I really enjoyed finding another one. I also liked that while the hero and heroine were physically attracted to one another, they didn't just rush into bed together.
However, I did feel that the "spy" storyline was a bit weak, which is why I gave this book four stars instead of five. This book's greatest strength lay in the relationship between the hero and heroine. Whenever the spy plot took over, I found myself skimming, just a little, in order to get back to the romance. The intrigue just didn't capture my interest the way the romance did. But that could just be a matter of personal preference; you'll have to decide for yourself. However, I never felt like the romance was pushed so far away that it was lost in the shuffle. That often happens in these kinds of books, but it didn't happen here.
While this is the second book in a series, you can also read it on its own. I hadn't read the first book, yet I never felt lost. I will be on the lookout for more of this author's books. While it wasn't one for my keeper shelf (very few books are), BEAUTY AND THE SPY was one I never regretted buying, and it was very difficult to put down once I got started. Recommended.
From the back cover:
Over her head...
Charlotte Sinclair is seeking a bit of adventure in her life--but that doesn't mean she relishes being kidnapped by a traitor to England! Straying innocently from a crowded ballroom, she overhears a conversation, and suddenly she's a captive of Nicholas Wright. Now Charlotte is forced to go on the run with a devil who's far too attractive for his own--and Charlotte's--good.
Head over heels...
Nick can't believe his bad luck! His mission for the Crown requires that he pose as a criminal, and now this meddling beauty threatens to muck everything up. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with a willful, spirited, and utterly bewitching woman whose stunning sensuality is driving him to distraction. And as duty draws them deeper into peril, Nick is discovering that the greatest danger is one he seems powerless to avoid: falling in love!
And my review:
I've enjoyed Gayle Callen's work before, and this book was no exception. I was a little worried about the whole captor / captive plot, as many authors use this for an excuse to write an abusive hero into the story. But that didn't happen here. Callen never even comes close to the "he rapes her and she loves it" theme. The hero was always honorable. Anything physical between them was completely consensual.
I really liked the heroine in this one. I felt that she was strong and spirited, and never came across as shrewish. Very few authors are about to manage a spirited heroine without having her come across as witchy, but this author did it. I was impressed. A lot of romance heroines are always weak, wailing and helpless. I liked to read about one who had a head on her shoulders and a strong will. It was a welcome change.
I really liked watching the gradual change from adversaries to lovers. I felt that it was really well done and never rushed. It was believable. It was as if the love came along so gradually that it was impossible to pinpoint where it started. Only the very best romances are like that, and I really enjoyed finding another one. I also liked that while the hero and heroine were physically attracted to one another, they didn't just rush into bed together.
However, I did feel that the "spy" storyline was a bit weak, which is why I gave this book four stars instead of five. This book's greatest strength lay in the relationship between the hero and heroine. Whenever the spy plot took over, I found myself skimming, just a little, in order to get back to the romance. The intrigue just didn't capture my interest the way the romance did. But that could just be a matter of personal preference; you'll have to decide for yourself. However, I never felt like the romance was pushed so far away that it was lost in the shuffle. That often happens in these kinds of books, but it didn't happen here.
While this is the second book in a series, you can also read it on its own. I hadn't read the first book, yet I never felt lost. I will be on the lookout for more of this author's books. While it wasn't one for my keeper shelf (very few books are), BEAUTY AND THE SPY was one I never regretted buying, and it was very difficult to put down once I got started. Recommended.
loverofromance's review against another edition
5.0
I have really enjoyed reading Gayle Callen, she is a amazing historical romance author. Whose books takes you back through time. This is one of my favorites of her's since its a spy story and a well written one at that.
You have Charlotte Sinclair, who has a sister that is recently engaged. She hasn't seen much of her father, who she finds out from his journals that she found in the attic, that he does spy work for a living. She finds his journals exciting and thrilling and adventurous. At a ball one night, after going through mourning of her late husband, there is a mysterious man that she finds intriguing. He certainly doesn't act like most men do at a ball. So she follows him, and hides in a room where a conversation endangers her. Nick has been a spy for quite some time, and is posing as a criminal to get find the one person that is a traitor to the country. However one willful young woman threatens everything, and he knows he must keep her by his side to protect her. Charlotte is furious when he gags and ties her up constantly, of course she knows she wants to escape from him not knowing if he will kill her or not. He insists that he just wants to protect her, he just wants to make sure his plan goes through. Charlotte over a little time, figures out that Nick is just trying to protect her and she finds her heart softening toward him.
This was definitely one of my favorite spy romances. Gayle Callen truly portrayed the suspense and surroundings so it seemed genuine and real. I found myself wishing I was in the middle of the action and intrigue. I found myself just loving Charlotte and her willfulness and creating mishief. It was also pretty funny as well, especially at the first of the story. Where she keeps trying to escape Nick's clutches, and never succeeds of course. But she endlessly tries more and more. Its definitely humorous, which is always good for a genuine romance. The passion that develops between both Nick and Charlotte, gets pretty intense and as you get through more of the book, their connection strengthens and a strong love develops before either one of them know it. I also loved the mystery of the story, I sure love reading spy stories, and this one is at the top of great ones!!! From beginning to end, it was filled with mysterious intrigue, heated passion that lights up the room, wit, and is filled with one adventure after another. Definitely another 5 for a fabulous well written genuine book!!
You have Charlotte Sinclair, who has a sister that is recently engaged. She hasn't seen much of her father, who she finds out from his journals that she found in the attic, that he does spy work for a living. She finds his journals exciting and thrilling and adventurous. At a ball one night, after going through mourning of her late husband, there is a mysterious man that she finds intriguing. He certainly doesn't act like most men do at a ball. So she follows him, and hides in a room where a conversation endangers her. Nick has been a spy for quite some time, and is posing as a criminal to get find the one person that is a traitor to the country. However one willful young woman threatens everything, and he knows he must keep her by his side to protect her. Charlotte is furious when he gags and ties her up constantly, of course she knows she wants to escape from him not knowing if he will kill her or not. He insists that he just wants to protect her, he just wants to make sure his plan goes through. Charlotte over a little time, figures out that Nick is just trying to protect her and she finds her heart softening toward him.
This was definitely one of my favorite spy romances. Gayle Callen truly portrayed the suspense and surroundings so it seemed genuine and real. I found myself wishing I was in the middle of the action and intrigue. I found myself just loving Charlotte and her willfulness and creating mishief. It was also pretty funny as well, especially at the first of the story. Where she keeps trying to escape Nick's clutches, and never succeeds of course. But she endlessly tries more and more. Its definitely humorous, which is always good for a genuine romance. The passion that develops between both Nick and Charlotte, gets pretty intense and as you get through more of the book, their connection strengthens and a strong love develops before either one of them know it. I also loved the mystery of the story, I sure love reading spy stories, and this one is at the top of great ones!!! From beginning to end, it was filled with mysterious intrigue, heated passion that lights up the room, wit, and is filled with one adventure after another. Definitely another 5 for a fabulous well written genuine book!!
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