Synopsis
A determined sister . . .
Madeleine Vernon’s dreams should be filled with elegant gowns and marriageable men. Instead, she dreams of avenging her brother’s death. But when she’s captured by the queen’s men, she’s forced to become a spy by her mysterious yet undeniably attractive captor.
A rakish spy . . .
After years of working for his father in Queen Elizabeth’s service, Nicholas Ryder is close to going his own way. But now he’s got a feisty beauty he must protect or risk her execution as a traitor to the crown. She’s a distraction he can’t afford, but he also can’t stop thinking about her.
A dangerous lie . . .
It is Nicholas’s job to foil plots against Elizabeth, and he sends Maddy into a household of suspected traitors to garner what information she can. As the line between captor and prisoner blurs, deceit, betrayal, and desire become a perilous mix. Ultimately, Nicholas must decide whether duty to the queen is more important than winning Maddy’s heart.
Review
It's an absolutely amazing book full of mystery, romance, and thrill. I loved both Maddy and Nicholas. They're perfect together, both reluctant spies working to uncover traitors to the crown.
After her brother died, Madeleine only thought about getting revenge. Unfortunately, she was captured and faced trial. Only when she thought all hope was lost, she was given a choice. Die as a traitor or become a spy. She chose to live. Her mission is not as simple as it sounds. There will be danger and it might not end well for her. But she is willing to make an effort and so her best. Her future is uncertain but for now she is working with Nicholas to make things right.
Nicholas Ryder does not enjoy working in Queen Elizabeth’s service but when his father needs him, he doesn't have much of a choice. He also dislikes putting Madeleine in danger but this is the only way for her to earn her freedom. So, together they must find all the information needed in order to put an end to any plot against Queen Elizabeth, that maybe brewing in the north.
It's a very well-written book. I especially enjoyed the action packed ending. It's an interesting spy story set in Queen Elizabeth’s time when Mary Queen of Scots was thought to be plotting against her, and laying claim to the British throne. I don't know much about historic facts but the story had me intrigued from the very beginning. I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend to all historical fiction fans.
P.S. I received a complementary copy of this book via NetGalley.