Seduced by a Spy-Andrea Pickens

Seduced by a Spy
Andrea Pickens
Forever, Mar 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780446617994

She, like her peers, was taken from the London slums and sent to attend Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies where she learned espionage skills including weapons usage. By 1812 as Napoleon wins every battle, this member of Merlin's Maidens, espionage operative Shannon having proven extremely competent with a gun is assigned to kill French spy D’Etienne who her superiors know is making trouble in Ireland, expected to cause waves in Scotland, and ultimate believe he plans to assassinate the family of a ballistics expert. Russian agent Alexandr Orlov is assigned to work with her, but she distrusts him; writing him off as a rogue while he has doubts about her competency.

The duo pursues their target into Scotland. However, the prey proves diabolically clever ready to use innocent pawns to keep his mission functioning. Shannon knows she has no choice but to trust her teammate if they are to prevent D’Etienne from achieving his objectives as well to stop him from killing people. As they fall in love, time is running out on their assignment.

The latest Merlin’s Maidens espionage Regency romantic suspense (see THE SPY WORE SILK) is an exhilarating action-packed thriller starring two fascinating lead characters whose relationship initially reflect that of their respective countries; needing but distrusting one another. The story line is fast-paced once Shannon negotiates her way to an apprentice under fire role and never slows down as she and Alexandr must learn to believe in one another if they are to achieve the mission and follow up on their love for one another. Andrea Pickens provides a fun historical.

Harriet Klausner