After Ginny Blanchard's abusive husband died, she looked forward to a more independent life where she could raise her young son as she pleased. But when Simon Webber is assigned as trustee to her estate and her son's fortune, she feels she must come up with a plan to force him from her life. But she doesn't count on sensual Simon's insistence that he not only take a role in her son's life but in her own.

But Ginny has dark and terrible secrets that she must hide. Even from the man she loves. And even if it puts her own life in terrible danger.

Title: THE DESIRES OF A COUNTESS
Author: Jenna Petersen
Series: The Jordans, book 3
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Self-Published
Year of release: 2011, October 25
Format: eBook
Source: Received an e-ARC from author for review

First line:
"If he comes here, I'll run him out myself!"

Memorable Scenes:
- Simon and Jack on the stables with the horses > very endearing
- Simon giving Ginny lilacs after their first night together in London > oh so very romantic *sigh* and *melt*
- The reunion scene with Ginny, her sister and her mother > moved me to tears

Virginia 'Ginny' Blanchard is Lady Westdale, widow of Henry Blanchard, a drunkard and unfaithful abuser. The only good thing that came from her marriage is her son Jack. Ginny is outspoken, defiant and spirited even though her late husband tried to break her. She is sharp-minded, and guarded but can also be icy and prickly.

Simon Webber is Henry's cousin and trustee of Jack's inheritance. He is commanding and occasionally rigid but he can also be patient and he’s big on honor and responsibility.

The chemistry between Ginny and Simon is there instantly yet starts off hesitantly from both sides. Though Ginny tries to conceal her attraction by being hostile and untrusting, she's drawn to his quiet and kind manner. Simon at first doesn't know what to think of Ginny and doesn't understand where her hostility is coming from yet he is drawn to her fiery personality. The romance is built up slowly but in a great way. I was anticipating the moment they would give in to the attraction. Once they did, the sparks came off the pages.

I was wondering when I would get to see more of the Jordans as I had grown fond of the entire family over the first two books and at that moment the plot took me and Ginny to London and to her estranged family. I liked this development in the story and loved seeing the former couples again. Also, just as I was wondering where Jenna Petersen’s trademark heinous family members would enter the secondary cast, she presented me with Cordelia, Simon’s aunt from hell and Ginny’s horrible mother-in-law.

The book focuses mainly on the romance between Ginny and Simon but there a tiny plot of exactly what happened when Ginny's late husband died. Subtle hints led me to a certain strain of thought and I was curious to see if I was right. Well I was close but no cigar… As subtle as the suspense was woven throughout the majority of the book, the culmination and wrap-up was surprising and riddled with twists that had me reading with bated breath. Well done, Ms. Petersen!

I think historical romance readers who prefer their romances without a spy or suspense plot will definitely like this third installment in the trilogy the best. It was wonderfully written and I loved the focus on the romance even if I did miss the thrill of a more elaborate suspense or spy plot, which are there in both previous two books, a bit.

THE DESIRES OF A COUNTESS is an emotion- and character-driven historical romance with a hint of suspense that was wrapped up in an exciting and satisfying way. I loved the recurring themes of family and duty and love pitted against each other as much as I love Jenna Petersen’s writing style, which is easy and fluent, filled with great dialogue, intriguing characterization and light on extensive descriptions. In short, an author with a style that is very much to my liking and I look forward to more of her work in the future.

Favorite Quotes:
Where was this venom coming from? And how could it exist in the guise of such loveliness? He‘d come to Westdale with an open mind, ready to do his duty and assist in any way he could. He‘d expected a brokenhearted widow to greet him. Instead he found this… this…
Fireball

He rubbed his thumb along her palm and little tingles shot through her body. Like waves they grew from the source until her whole body sang with pleasure.

Cordelia sputtered as she always did when her poison was met with civility. It was a tactic Ginny had to bite her tongue to use, but it served her well. Later she would be free to ponder all the nasty things she wanted to say to the witch.

She caught her breath at the tingles created by his mouth. ―Y-yes.‖
How was she able to talk when she could barely breathe? And what was he doing that was making her vision blur like that?

Noah Jordan misses the life he once led as a spy so when he's asked by his former superior to head to the countryside and investigate a potential murder, he jumps at the chance. He doesn't expect to meet Marion Hawthorne, a young woman his suspected murderer is interested in taking as his wife.

In an effort to help her... and to get closer to the fascinating lady, Noah asks for her help in his investigation. But as they grow closer, their desire grows and suddenly Noah has a harder and harder time remembering any duty, any promise or any future he ever imagined without her.

Title: THE TEMPTATION OF A GENTLEMAN
Author: Jenna Petersen
Series: The Jordans, book 2
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Self-Published
Year of release: 2011, September 26
Format: eBook
Source: Received an e-ARC from the author for review

First line:
"Get your mind out of the game and into the parlor, Woodbury," Noah Jordan admonished himself as he paced the sitting room of the Ives family.

Memorable Scenes:
- the scene where Noah tells Marion he's a spy > awesome! Both Marion's reaction to it and Noah’s shock at that reaction.
- Marion's escape > breathtaking
- The reunion scene > can't divulge what reunion for spoiler reasons but it was heartbreaking and moving

Marion Hawthorne is a merchant's daughter. She’s a real spitfire, direct, outspoken and spontaneous. She’s also perceptive, vivacious and bold. The life she’s led hasn’t been easy and though her father belittles her and treats her like she’s a commodity she never loses her zest for life.

Noah Jordan is the new Marquis of Woodbury after his father’s demise and has a hard time filling his father’s shoes. At least, in his own eyes. He’s flirtatious and seductive yet honorable. But he’s also adventuresome, passionate and proud. Noah loves challenges and Marion definitely proves to be one.

After a year away from active duty, Noah is asked to go back to the spy business for one last assignment: solve a murder in his shire (Woodsbury). While doing that he stumbles upon Marion who is there with her father for some business. It turns out Marion's father's business is to marry her off to the murder suspect (in Noah’s case) in order to be cleared of his debt to the man.

The secondary characters in this second installment of The Jordans series is not big in numbers but they are all crucial to the plot and the romance in some way or form. I really liked the glimpse I got of Audrey and Griffin (main couple from book 1).

Every time I read a Jenna Petersen historical romance I'm amazed at the vileness of some of her secondary characters and how unlikeable they are. Mostly they are family members and in THE TEMPTATION OF A GENTLEMAN Walter Hawthorne and Josiah Lucas took the prize. They were once again proof that Jenna Petersen knows how to write her villains.

Though I didn't like Tabitha Jordan, Noah's mother, in the first book of this trilogy very much, in this book she has definitely been redeemed. A sad event has made her more tolerant and supportive towards her children and their (love-)lives and that made her so much more likeable to me. The way she advised, reprimanded and accepted was a welcome change compared to her behavior in THE SECRETS OF A LADY.

I really love Jenna Petersen's writing. She balances plot, romance and humor perfectly and once I start reading I don't want to stop as she has the uncanny talent to hook you with both plot and romance. Her characters are lively and have depth to them and she also has the emotional rollercoaster down pat.

THE TEMPTATION OF A GENTLEMAN is a captivating combination of danger and romance with a suspicious death and a potential forced marriage on the side. It was fast-paced with an excellent plot and the romance was heartfelt and though complicated there was no unnecessary drama! I utterly enjoyed this middle book of the Jordans Trilogy!

Favorite Quotes:
"Well..." She placed a fingertip on her chin as if in deep thought. "Do you promise not to molest me while you walk me home, my lord?"
He choked on his surprised laughter, but her question forced sudden, heated images to his mind that he had been fighting with desperation. Obviously this was a losing battle. He was destined to picture the lovely Marion Hawthorne in various states of undress and pleasure.

“I‘m trying to decide if you‘re being serious or if you‘re simply daft. She folded her hands on her lap. I no longer think you‘re lying, though.”
“Well, thank God for that.” With a grunt, he threw himself back into the seat. “I so enjoy being called crazy rather than a liar.”

She pursed her lips as irritation lit up in her eyes. “If you‘ll allow me to finish, I‘ll explain exactly what I did. Then you can scream and bellow like a barbarian.” (Marion to Noah)

If she had her wits, she would have been embarrassed by her wanton display, but her wits had left her the moment Noah had touched her in that secret place where she only dared to wash and not think about. All that was left was the throbbing need for him to release her from the prison he‘d locked her in with hot kisses and shocking touches.

Tabitha‘s demeanor softened. “Control is a tricky thing, Marion. We never have it, even when we think we do. And constantly striving for it only seems to put it further from reach.”

She stared up at him with brown eyes that were wide and clear and full of trust, trust in him. Even in her shaken state, her beauty and good soul were as evident as her worry and fear. And Noah realized, with the strength of a thunderbolt, that he loved her. Not loved her as a friend, but an all-consuming, earth-shaking love that rocked him to the very center of his soul. He loved her and had loved her from the very first moment she‘d stormed around the lake and given him… and his horse… a tongue-lashing.

Audrey Jordan isn't your typical Regency lady. To escape unrequited feelings for her brother's best friend Griffin Berenger, she entered a life of a spy. But her current case has brought her back to the man she once loved and lost, a man who is now a broken widower. Audrey and her brother are stalking his neighbor, a man who may be plotting to kill the Prince. Staying in Griffin's home, Audrey is reminded of all the desires and feelings he once stirred in her. As for Griffin, he finds himself obsessed with Audrey, and driven to protect her even if it threatens her case.

But as their desire for each other grows, the case Audrey and her brother are investigating heats up. And if she cannot arrest the blackguard in her sights, she may not live, let alone get to live happily ever after with the man of her dreams.

Title: THE SECRETS OF A LADY
Author: Jenna Petersen
Series: The Jordans, book 1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Self-Published
Year of release: 2011, August 30
Format: eBook
Source: Received an e-ARC from the author for review

First line:
"Damn weddings, damn love and damn Griffin Berenger!"

Memorable Scenes:
- The first kiss between Griffin and Audrey (not the one in the prologue) > this gave a perfect little taste of what to expect from the love scenes.
- The scene where Griffin explains to Audrey about his marriage > emotionally gripping

Audrey Jordan is a spy. She helps her brother solve cases for the War Department. Though circumstances forced her into this line of duty she does love the thrill and challenge of it. She’s impulsive, stubborn and wears her heart on her sleeve. Audrey was a heroine I enjoyed reading a lot. Her love for Griffin was palpable but she was not willing to settle for anything less than him loving her back.

Griffin Berenger was a little more complicated but I loved him as the hero of this book. He’s controlled, protective and guarded with his emotions and trust after having a lying, deceitful wife. He tries so hard to stay away from Audrey because he’s convinced he cannot give her what she deserves: love. He thinks he has no love left to give as without trust there cannot be love and betrayal has made it hard for him to trust women claiming to love him.

THE SECRETS OF A LADY starts off very intriguingly as the prologue describes the Audrey being at the Griffin's (her brother's best friend and her childhood crush) wedding celebration. She gets drunk, kisses the newly married Griffin and getting caught by the wife. Drunken Audrey is escorted out the room by her brother and fade-out...
First chapter we've fast-forwarded 5 years and the scene opens with Audrey and her brother watching a now widowed Griffin at the cemetery, at his wife's grave. And this solves the married hero problem. I must admit I was a little worried after the prologue how the married thing was going to be solved. This was an adequate solution.

The romance between Griffin and Audrey was exquisitely done. It's an intricate love story, with its share of complicating factors. Risky decisions are made and the plot lands both Griffin and Audrey in some tricky situations and I liked that Jenna Petersen never let them take the easy, obvious road. They have to work for their HEA and I always like reading that as I’m not one to take the easy way with anything.

This historical romance is set in the early 19th century and the plot is centered on spies. Readers who don’t like historical spy romance (I know some) should not read this book as the major part of the plot centers on this trope. I enjoy historical spy romances when they are well done and I know from experience that Jenna Petersen does them well.

In THE SECRETS OF A LADY Audrey and her brother Noah are after the mastermind of a plan to kill the Prince Regent and they need Griffin's help to get close to one of the traitors. So the villain is known and the plot revolves around catching him and bringing him to justice before he can execute his evil plans. Petersen doesn't go easy on her main characters and her villains are so utterly evil you hate them as much as the main characters do yet she never takes them truly over the top. She does end them in horrible yet deserved ways and this particular villain suffered that same fate.

I loved the insertion of the secondary characters in the story and their roles in the plot and the romance. There are enough secondary characters to make the book more plot-driven than character-driven yet they never take the focus away from Audrey and Griffin, if anything they complement them perfectly. I especially loved the bond between Audrey and Noah. Noah was a great brother, protective but not smothering her.

I really like Jenna Petersen's historicals and THE SECRETS OF A LADY was no exception. Her writing is fluent and fast-paced, mixing the spy stuff and the romance nicely together, she does a great job of balancing them in a way that neither takes the upper hand, yet they're both strong elements in the book. Especially the second half kept me turning the pages quicker and quicker as to find out what would happen next.

In fewer than 200 pages Jenna Petersen penned a well-rounded story and gave me characters with depth to them. A story of betrayal in different forms, a deeply rooted love and a happy end that resonated with me because of the battle fought to get to it. So another win in my book for Jenna Petersen and I am ready for the next in this trilogy, brother Nathan.

Favorite Quotes:
All she had to do was go into the room once Noah had convinced Griffin to help them. Oh, and keep herself from fainting with nervousness, and remember to breathe, and speak, and make an effort to appear calm. Just because she’d never been able to do any of those things near Griffin before…

Griffin settled into a chair beside the crackling fire and covered his face with his hands. What had he just done? No, he knew the answer to that question. He had opened Pandora’s Box and now it was too late to turn back.
“Audrey.”
Her name burned his lips as much as her kiss had five years before.

Blood raced hot in his veins and the evidence of her power over his body grew. He swelled against the barrier of his trousers after just her kiss.

His warm lips sent moist heat through her veins and turned her knees to water. It took all her willpower not to lean against him and beg him for more.

“Are you planning on explaining yourself, Griffin Berenger, or just dragging me back to your home like the puffed up, pompous…” she trailed off, trying to find the right word. “Brute that you are?”

Back cover:
Blackmailed into a marriage five years ago, and forced by their overbearing families to consummate that union so it could never be legally questioned, Victoria and Justin Talbot have been more than happy to live apart ever since, although neither one has quite forgotten the one night they shared.

But now Victoria has been forced to come to London in the disguise of London’s most talented and sought after courtesan. Invading Justin’s world, she is on a desperate search to find a missing friend and stay clear of her very angry, suddenly possessive husband. Only this time, one taste is not going to be enough for Justin. He is determined not only to uncover Victoria’s secrets, but to claim her, body and soul.

When her father forces her into a marriage with the Earl of Baybary, Justin Talbot, Victoria Reed resigns and tries to adjust to the idea of a marriage of convenience until Justin leaves her after one pleasure-filled wedding night. Heartbroken she stays in the country running the estate as Justin tells her to. Now, three years later, Victoria has her own reason for coming back to London Society, posing as a courtesan.
The last thing she expected though was finding her husband who proves to be a problem for her one-woman mission.

Since their one and only night of passion, Justin has tried to forget the woman he was blackmailed into marrying, by her father, three years ago. He hasn't quite succeeded but now that she has come to London he's sure he won't be able to. But first he has to discover why his wife has come to London posing as a courtesan.

Victoria is brave and kind but defiant and resourceful at the same time. She has learned, not in the least because of the way Justin abandoned her, how to fend for herself and take care of her business and the people she cares about. Beneath her strength there is a sense of vulnerability and innocence that make her a character you can easily empathize with. Little by little her life after Justin's abandonment is disclosed and you understand the motivation for her actions.

Justin is passionate, masculine, intelligent and seductive. He has made some decisions in the past concerning Victoria that may seem harsh but he too has understandable reasons for his actions, which Ms Petersen discloses in small amounts throughout the story.

The chemistry between them is explosive and immediate. Despite their respective reasons to maintain some emotional distance toward each other, they are drawn to each other like bees to honey and they can't resist the pull. They try to conceal their feelings but in the very sensual and tantalizing love scenes their hearts and feelings are laid bare to one another.

There are quite some secondary characters but they fit in the story nicely. Like in the LADY SPIES-series friendship is an important theme in the book and I hope to see some of the characters supporting Victoria and Justin take center stage in their own stories. If I am not mistaken some set-ups were already made but I will have to wait for the next book to see if I was right.


I have been a fan of Jenna Petersen's work ever since I read SCANDALOUS. She captivated me with that book and enthralled me with her LADY SPIES-series. Now she has thrilled me further with his book. It gave me everything I loved in the other books and more. It had great characters with a full-bodied story between them. It has a secondary plot next to the romance that holds the attention without distracting from the main couple.
The search for the villain in the story and the conclusion of the plot were truly perfectly done. It was the combination of the sensual romance and the wonderful and carefully executed storyline that made this one of Jenna's best novels so far.

This book reads like clockwork! Before I knew it I was at the end of this lovely story. The writing style is easy and fluent, it's fast-paced, the dialogues are witty and smart, the characters are wonderful and endearing and the plot is set up really well and provides plenty mystery to intrigue and captivate the reader.
In short, a fast-paced story that I finished in the bat of an eye because I couldn't stop reading it.

Quotes:
Their bodies ground together, warring and merging at the same time. It was a battle for pleasure, a battle for truth, a battle for everything being waged between them.

Justin and Victoria:
“Do you remember how you are to approach Alyssa?”
“I have not forgotten in the last five minutes, I assure you. I am your erotic plaything, not touched in the head, if you remember.”

Master spy Emily Redgrave hasn’t been the same since a night six months ago when she was cut down by a would-be assassin’s bullet. Though she is physically recovered, she’s still haunted by memories of the trauma and regrets for what almost happened. She’s desperate to re-enter the field and regain her confidence. When she’s assigned to follow and protect Grant Ashbury, the Earl of Westfield, she reluctantly accepts, knowing this ‘babysitting’ duty could very well lead to more advanced cases.

What she doesn’t know is that Grant is a troubled spy in his own right. And he’s just been assigned to follow her by his own superior officers. But as the two chase each other around London, they inadvertently uncover a real case and a magnetic desire that draws them together in shocking, scandalous ways. Can Grant and Emily overcome their past traumas and work together?

And just who is the mysterious Lady M?

As the last single lady spy, Emily Redgrave feels her only devotion is her work for the Crown but since her injury her fellow spies and superiors watch over her constantly, making her feel incompetent. She's thrilled when she finally gets a case again: protecting Grant Ashbury, Lord Westfield, and finding out who's threatening him. When she finds out the latest assignment is a ruse in order to protect her, and the man she's protecting turns out to be a fellow spy, she's furious. During the case she stumbles upon a real and dangerous case and partners up with Grant. Who knew the partnership would grow into something so much more than she intended to...

What a wonderful ending to a great trilogy. This is truly a case of saving the best for last!
The story starts relatively slow and easygoing, building up gradually to a satisfying conclusion with a nice twist at the end, where all questions are answered and you're not left wondering. Maybe just hoping for some connecting books with some of the secondary characters from the three books.

I loved Emily and Grant to pieces...Their interactions were intense and sparkling. Their blossoming love was palpable despite the fight they put up to deny it. They were true partners in the case as well as in love. The really complemented each other, finding in each other what they didn't know they were looking for.
And the secondary characters are perfect. Visible enough to be complementary to the storyline and the main characters but never overbearing. I liked the bond between Grant and his brother. The bond between Emily, Anastasia and Meredith is strong despite Emily feeling left out after their marriages and her injury.

The plot was thrilling. The romance was so emotional it had me wiping tears at the end.
The case they had to solve was well written and intriguing. The mix of action and emotion was perfectly balanced
Jenna Petersen's writing is easy to read and fast-paced, despite the strong emotions displayed between hero and heroine. It pulled me in bit by bit until I just couldn't stop reading and kept reading to find out what would happen next, either with the case or with the relationship.

The Lady Spies have gained themselves a place on my list of favorite heroines being strong, brave, fiery, sensual and loyal. They certainly are no regular Regency ladies.
And their men are downright yummy, being strong and manly but also unafraid to show their emotions when it comes to the woman they love.

I loved all the installments in this trilogy equally. Every book has it's own uniqueness and together they form a perfect whole. This is a first for me. In series/trilogies there is always a book I like more or less. This proves to me the consistency of Jenna Petersen's writing and I wonder what she has in store for us next.

Quote:
He wanted to walk across that room, back Emily into a dark corner, and press his body against hers until there was no space between them. He wanted to fill himself with the scent of her hair. Taste her skin until he was drunk on its flavor.

Shy, intelligent widow Anastasia Whittig is really a Lady Spy in name only. Though she invents important items and decodes evidence, she’s hardly ventured into the field and keeps herself wrapped in a shroud of mourning for her late husband. She’s perfectly content to continue her sheltered life, but when one of her best friend’s is shot, she’s forced into service at the side of Lucas Tyler.

Lucas is a daring, talented spy, driven to solve the case of attacks on his fellow agents. He doesn’t want any help, and certainly not from Ana. But as the two edge ever closer to the disturbing truth, they cannot keep from developing a grudging respect for each other. And they cannot ignore the undeniable desire that threatens to change both their worlds.

Ana is the quiet, intelligent one of the Lady Spies. She cracks codes, invents gadgets, makes disguises and is not involved much in the actual field work.
Lucas is a straightforward, blunt, cut-to-the-chase kind of man.
After Emily is shot, ambushed while working with Lucas, Ana has to take her place in the field. Something neither she or Lucas is happy with. Ana prefers working behind the scenes and Lucas doesn't want a partner and certainly not a female one. And besides that, they both feel things they don't want to feel when the other is around and working together means they have to be in each other's vincinity a lot.
But they have no choice and it turns out Lucas brings out the best in Ana: spunk, liveliness, things she was hiding by staying in the background hiding herself.
For Lucas it's love at first sight. For Ana it takes a while for her to acknowledge her feelings for Lucas because she stills clings to the memory of her deceased husband, seeing falling in love with another man as a betrayal to him.
Circumstances force them into marriage and the danger of losing the other while solving the case makes them acknowledge their love for each other.

This is book 2 of the Lady Spies and Jenna Petersen continues the series in a formidable way. The story is fast-paced, action-filled, with sensuality and a whirlwind of emotions. I really love the way Jenna makes the characters come to life, everything sparkles and sizzles making you want to delve deep into the book and just come up for air when really neccesary.
The plot is obvious fairly early in the story but this doesn't matter because the focus is on solving the case and dealing with the consequences. And on how Ana and Lucas deal with these consequeces and feelings and the effect it has on their relationship and partnership.

The connection to book 1 (Meredith's story) is there and the friendship between the women, as in book 1, is strongly present. But Ana and Lucas truly hold their own in an unique and beautiful love-story that made me laugh a little, cry sometimes, hold my breath on occasion and feel like fanning myself at times.

I'm really looking forward to Emily's story and I'm sure it will be the perfect addition to these first two books.

Meredith Sinclair is everything a lady of society should be. She sparkles at every party, men fall at her feet and every woman longs to be like her. But beneath that popular exterior lurks a serious spy. And her newest assignment is very personal.

She is sent to investigate Tristan Archer's involvement in the robbery of a painting that may have hidden secret information about the British Army's movements in France. Meredith knows she shouldn't grow to close to a potential traitor, but many years ago Tristan saved her life. And it's harder and harder to believe he could be so wrong when his kisses are so right.

Will the evidence break her heart... or will her heart set them both free?

Man oh man, Jenna Petersen sure knows how to write books that make you go through every emotion.
I felt everything the hero and heroin were going through just because of her writing-style.
It's intense and very vivid...it just sizzles of the pages.
After reading Scandalous I had high expectations for the Lady Spies-trilogy and I must say those expectations were certainly met.
It was a little less in playing havoc with my emotions than Scandalous but that didn’t make it a less wonderful read.

And also a great concept for a regency-trilogy: Take three widows of the ton and train them to become the best spies of the country. No one will suspect the popular ladies to be the ones who solve cases of theft, murder and treason. Of course comparison with the hit-series from the seventies is inevitable when you have three lady-spies and there boss is called Charlie, but I thought it still was a nice concept. While reading I pictured myself in a beautiful gown roaming the ballrooms and at the same time decoding letters, picking locks, dodging bullets and bringing traitors to justice.

This is the first book in the trilogy and tells the story of Meredith Sinclair and Tristan Archer.
Tristan is suspected of treason and Meredith is the spy assigned to bring him to justice because they have a prior connection.
The attraction and sensuality between Meredith and Tristan is sparkling and intense. Both of them have their understandable reasons for not giving into it but of course ultimately it’s unavoidable that they do.

I really liked the secondary characters, especially Meredith’s fellow-spies Ana and Emily. Each of them have their own specialty and together they form a practically invincible team.
Another intriguing character in the book was Tristan's friend Phillip. I wonder if he gets his own story in the future...

Another thing I liked was the plot. You know it from the start but because Tristan's motivations are not clarified until the very end it keeps you on the edge. Although in various earlier parts in the book I really wanted Tristan to tell Meredith his reasons for doing what he was doing, this way was much better for the book!

I'm really looking forward to the next two books in the series since these are about the two fellow-spies who are secondary characters in this book.

Quote:
There was his name again, coming from her lips to arouse him. Just that whisper made him forget his position both in society and his current situation.

I read this book in April 2007

There is only one word for a passion this sizzling…Scandalous!

Katherine Fleming has lived her life without even a hint of indiscretion. So she is devastated to discover the nobleman she’s engaged to has a secret he’s kept from her: a wife! Suddenly Katherine’s enmeshed in a scandal that has the ton buzzing--and forced to accept a most unconventional proposal from the notorious seducer Dominic Mallory, her faithless fiancé’s brother…and precisely the sort of rake she has sworn to avoid!

Charming and dangerously sensual, Dominic has desired the stunning beauty from the first moment he spied her. Now, with Katherine’s reputation in tatters, it’s the ideal opportunity to bed her--though it will take wedding vows to do so. But can a rogue be reformed by the unleashed passion of a normally reserved lady? And can a marriage made for all the wrong reasons flame into the love match of the season?

I really loved this one.
The interactions between hero and heroin were sizzling and intens.
The sensual tension between the two is almost palpable.
This was my first Jenna Petersen book and I liked it very much.

Dominic is the hero who's tormented by his past. He is the result of an affair his mother had and he doesn't know who his father is. His only goal in life is to find out his parentage. His mother's husband and his halfbrother never accepted him and their actions and those of his mother lead to him not believing in love.
Until he meets Katherine (Kat).
Because of the problematic relationship her parents had, Kat also doesn't believe in love. Love is humiliating and painful in her eyes.
Until she meets Dominic and must marry him to prevent scandal to come over her and his family.

Once they are married they start developing deeper feelings for each other. But because of their pasts they won't admit to it and settle for just the physical side of marriage.
Of course lies and secrets puts a wedge between them and drive them apart but fortunately everything works out just fine.

Jenna Petersen has a delightful writing style, easy to read and accessible. This book was't fast paced but that wouldn't do the story justice. This story is meant to be taken in slow and easy so you can savor every word, every feeling, every emotion.
She knows how to pen down a beautiful story of love that conquers all.
While reading I went through a whole bunch of emotions but what touched me most was their hurt caused by their pasts and in the end of the book I just had to cry.

The secondary characters were also brilliantly pictured and true additions to the storyline. They also made me feel emotional but in the angry sense of the word. Man....At some point I really wanted to strangle the halfbrother Cole and his wife Sarah. They were so evil and selfish.
Halfsister Julia was a nice and lovable character though.

I'm really looking forward to reading more by Jenna Petersen because this one has sparked a flame that hopefully won't extinguish very soon!