ARC REVIEW Lost to a Spy by Sharon Cullen

All the Queen's Spies #3, Yay, it's Tristan! I was looking forward to finding out who would be a match for the closed off Tristan. I was very excited to get this one. I love the series even though I usually try not to read historical romance with real historical figures as secondary characters. Not much of this one actually take place in the Scottish Court but in Tristan's print shop and the streets of Edinburgh. Tristan's job is to use the print shop to influence what the common people of Scotland think of Queen Mary and to turn them against her insuring that Queen Elizabeth remains in power of England and soon Scotland. Lady Emma has been friends with Queen Mary since she found out of the gross mistreatment done to Emma by her dead husband. Mary took Emma in so she would have a place to live and replaced all her inheritance that her husband squandered away. Mary has earned Emma's loyalty. 

Lady Emma is waking home with her ladies maid after a dinner with a friend, as cold as it is she soon regrets not taking them up on their offer to ready the coach for her. When they are almost home something happens and Emma really regrets not taking that coach now. There was an explosion and Emma got caught in the blast. Tristan after hearing the noise rushes to where the commotion is and finds an unconscious Lady Emma. Not knowing who she is or if she had any part in this mess he thinks it best he takes her with him so the royal guard doesn't just arrest her because it is said that the King died in the explosion. When Emma finally comes to she has no idea where she is, Tristan explains what happened and that it's best if she stays where she is until she's better. In there time together Emma has never felt more comfortable talking to someone and being with someone. During her somewhat brief marriage she was verbally and physically abused she never thought she could trust another man, but Tristan makes her want to feel again. Tristan never thought he could fall in love, after his failed marriage he thought he would be a spy for life, Emma makes him want more but he feels he isn't good enough for her because after all is said and done he is still just a stable master's son and she is connected to two of the most powerful families in Scotland. It isn't until after she seduces him that she realizes he is a spy for Elizabeth and he's been spreading the flyers speaking out against Mary. Her time with Tristan opened her eyes and she sees for more than she did in court than she ever did before. She realizes it's not safe anymore and with the death of the King and Mary in turmoil and the people speaking out against her and her adviser, Emma must pick between her loyalties and her heart.

Overall, this was such a good read. The romance between Emma and Tristan is easy and even with the whole he's a spy thing their romance is pretty smooth and well Tristan shows her what it's really like to make love. The majority of the book is them getting to know each other and falling in love and Tristan opening Emma's eyes up to the possibility that things are not what they seem at the palace. The whole spy plot and internal struggle of power within Mary's court is such a tangled web, I can't wait for what I think is the conclusion with Lagrange (finally) and Lady Margaret who has had small parts in all the books.          

ARC REVIEW Bound to a Spy by Sharon Cullen

Book two in Sharon Cullen's series All the Queen's Men can easily be read as a standalone. I'll be the first one to admit I'm weird, I love historical romance and I love history, but I don't like political machinations and all the double crossing and back stabbing drama but I love spy novels. I usually tend to avoid books with actual historical figures as main or secondary characters in them honestly I don't really know why I guess I like my fiction to remain fiction. That being said I really enjoyed this one. Sharon Cullen is a fantastic writer enough that I overlook my weird reading tendencies.

Mary the Queen of Scots and her boorish husband are still at outs and with the baptism of their son looms closer and closer there is a plot afoot to kill the King. Unfortunately for poor Rose Turner she just happened to overhear the conspirators talking and now she conflicted. While he is the King and morally no one should be murdered she can't help but think that maybe he deserves it because she has been on the receiving end of his unwanted attentions.   

Rose isn't the only one aware of the plot Will Sheffield was there too and for some reason he feels like he has to protect Rose from the dangerous situation she unintentionally got herself into. The more Time they spend together trying to figure out what to do the more they fall in love. Will however doesn't want a wife, because he loves his job as a spy and it has no place for a wife, or atleast that what he tells himself Rose knows the real reason he resists her and even though he's nothing what she wanted for herself she falls in love with him for the man she knows he is underneath the exterior.

Overall, it was a really good read. My only issue is that it ended abruptly, it was a good ending it was fine that it stopped there but it just stopped, I was left wanting a little more.   

ARC REVIEW Wed To A Spy by Sharon Cullen

Wed to a Spy is the first book in Sharon Cullen's newest Historical Romance series, All the Queen's Men. I have avoided Elizabethan era romance I use to read it quite a bit and burned myself out on it. I also tend to avoid books where they have actual historical figures for me, I tend to overthink and overanalyze the small nuisance of the minor/secondary characters if they were real people; in other words my brain gets in the way and it pulls me out of my fictional world. That being said, I loved this book. Sharon Cullen does a fantastic job setting up the premise for this book and the others to follow. It established the three main characters for the series and what she wants them to do. The intro focuses on Simon Marcheford a spy who is ready to retire and take the time to get to know is adolescent sister. The Queen basically blackmails him into cooperating. Aimee de Verris comes from a large french family and her mother has basically given up on getting yet another daughter married off so she pushes Aimee off on a family relative, her Aunt Catherine. However when Aimee thinks she has fall in love with a young man her guardian sees fit to send her off to Scotland as her "spy". Aimee can't defy her aunt and is stuck in cold and dreary Scotland spying on Queen Mary.

Simon was initially sent to Spain to keep tabs on the Spanish King's ties to Mary, but after gaining the King's confidence he was sent to Scotland on a errand for the King. Mary is delighted to have Simon there and sees the perfect opportunity to handle one of her obligations since he showed up. Queen Mary knows that Catherine sent Aimee to her to act as a spy but is going to honor Catherine's request that she find Aimee a husband, and she does, Simon. Marriage is the last thing Simon wants but he can't get out of it and he figures it's a easy way to get on Mary's good side and therefore easier to spy on her. It doesn't hurt that Aimee is breathtakingly beautiful and Simon is halfway in love already. Aimee doesn't take the news well. She very much is a petulant child at this point, but raised in that era spoiled yes, but she also should have also expected to have her marriage arranged for her and shouldn't have been as whiny, but it leads to her actions. Simon tries not to show how hurt he is by the fact that Aimee wants nothing to do with him and reacts in a way she he's not exactly proud of.

Meanwhile the conspirators that are out to dethrone Mary have a plan firmly in place and when they take action Aimee and Simon are in the thick of it. At this point Simon must confide in Aimee of who he really is so he can safely sneak her away from Scotland and back to London so he can explain everything to Elizabeth. In this time Aimee realizes how wrong she was about Simon and accepts her fate as well as falls in love with him. But more trouble comes when they get to London and Elizabeth discovers the truth about Aimee. Their fate lies in the hands of Queen Elizabeth.

Overall, it really was entertaining and I liked the characters, really for the exception of Aimee, but I look forward to the other spies to get their HEA.          

ARC REVIEW Campbell's Redemption by Sharon Cullen

Yea! Sharon Cullen's book three of her Highland Pride series. Iain Campbell and his "English sympathies" are fully explained. I knew Iain's story would be a good one, mysterious Lord who helps out his fellow Scottish people behind closed doors but plays nice nice to the brutal English army. It takes place a short time after the other books, after Culloden when the British were using any means necessary to control the Scottish rebellion and abusing the power they had. The people of Scotland were split in two groups, people who were tired of persecution and just wanted to be left alone and those who wanted to fight back and get Scotland back from British control. Iain was working both sides, he used his British birth right and connections to help the rebels where he could, all without their knowledge. They viewed him as a traitor and he was fine with that he helped where he could and hated the English just as much as his people. Cait hated Iain, she hated the fact that her husband was so loyal to Iain that he died protecting Iain. Cait is a healer and she will turn noone away not even the English soldiers her impartialness allowed a bit of leeway when it came to her they left her alone for the most part. But that was just a show for the English she helped the rebels hide out until they could escape on the ship to Canada.

Iain needed the help of Cait on of his men had been shot and she was the closest healer. He hasn't seen her since her husband's death he felt to guilty that he couldn't save him, that he died taking an arrow meant for Iain. Finally after five years Iain has the chance to apologize and he's going to start fulfilling his promise to look out for her. Cait doesn't want or need help from Iain or even her own stubborn Grandfather's who basically disowned her after she married. But now someone is going around killing English soldiers on Campbell land and very close to Cait's house it's causing the English to look a little to close at her. Iain is falling in love with Cait and when one English soldier tries to take liberties Iain is there to protect her he' willing to risk it all even if it means leaving her all alone again.

Overall it was a good story so very enjoyable, very emotional there at the end.    
    

ARC REVIEW MacLean's Passion by Sharon Cullen

The second book to Sharon Cullen's Highland Pride series is just as good as the first. Maggie really makes the book. I really liked this because one Maggie, two sexy scottish brooding loner.

When we last saw Colin he was leading the British away from his friends so they could escape, when we start the book Colin is in a cell waiting for the hangman's noose. Fortunately the unknown element in this Iain Campbell, no one really knows whose side he's on. When Eleanor and Brice ask for his help with Colin he agrees and arranges his escape. Colin would rather trust his adversary Campbell then face the end of the rope so when the opportunity arises he takes it but he's not alone he takes the young man who shared the cell with him.

Maggie was raised by her brothers, they raised her like one of them, she is strong and confident, stubborn and can hold her own against even the British. But when her brother starts making her feel bad about not being lady like and forcing her to marry a snobbish British sympathizer she runs off and fights alongside her fellow Scots at Culloden. Believed to be a young man she is rounded up and locked up with the others, she is smart enough to fade into the woodwork and avoid her captors. She eagerly joins Colin in his escape. When Colin finds out his cellmate is a woman he is honor bound to see her safely home. When he gets her home he isn't so eager to leave her to marry a man who doesn't deserve her or appreciate her as she is. He tries his damnedest but he can't keep his hands to himself or leave her.

Overall, this was quite the entertaining read.

ARC REVIEW Sutherland's Secret by Sharon Cullen

This was a fabulous read. Sharon Cullen is an enchanting writer she captivates and entwines you in the story. It takes place after the bloodbath at Culloden when the English were still trying to bring the Scottish to heel and the Scottish were pretty much okay fine leave us alone already. It was like a giant witch hunt, anyone could basically claim that someone was a Jacobite or a sympathizer just to get rid of them and claim what they wanted. So many people were afraid for their lives they ended up emigrating to Canada just to get away from the English. The characters in the story were great very easy to sympathize with, Eleanor you can see how she changes throughout the book from a scared and tortured young woman to a strong confident woman who won't back down. Brice Sutherland is a great character; he is a good man, a great leader, and very caring for his people; even the half dead British woman he found on the side of the road.

Lady Eleanor Hurst was suppose to be enjoying the newly married life instead she's a widow and on the run from the man who had her husband killed and tried to blackmail her in marrying him. When she refused he locked her up in Fort Augustus with all the other Jacobites. Eleanor changed in that time, watching innocent men beaten, children dying at the hands of the British she was no longer the prim and proper British Lady. After managing to escape Eleanor ran as far as she could go before collapsing on the side of the road. Brice Sutherland the Earl of Dornach, is just trying to keep his people safe. When coming home from a chief clan gathering Brice and his men find a half dead woman on the side of the road, not willing to leave her for the animals send his men ahead so he can take care of her until she dies. But Eleanor is strong and she finally recovers, but she has lost her voice she went so long without talking she forgot how. Brice bring her to his home and offers her sanctuary. Eleanor is scared at first and unsure who she can trust. Once Brice proves she could trust him by not turning her into the British when they come looking for her, she starts to warm up to the environment around her and the people. Eleanor makes a place for herself not wanting to feel like a helpless female again she does what she can. Brice risks his life every night spiriting families and men from house to house until he can get them on a boat bound for Canada. It's easier for Brice to keep an eye on Eleanor if she goes with him, and proved she could be an asset. Brice and Eleanor fall easily in love. Brice has his own fears about falling in love with an English Lady and Eleanor is worried about endangering Brice and all his people.

Eleanor's husband was charged with treason and executed without a trial, she was imprisoned without evidence. All she needs is the courage to confront the right people to fix everything but that means she has to face her worst fear. With the love of Brice and his people behind her, and the sudden appearance of her brother Eleanor finally agrees to do what she needs to do.

Overall this was a really good read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story was very detailed and really takes you  back. I even had to look up when the Dress Act of 1746 came into effect because the Scots in the book are still wearing their kilts.

ARC REVIEW The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen

The Reluctant Duchess is an enjoyable read. I really liked this one. It has mystery, scandal, and romance. It's an exciting story with an unsolved murder, threatening letters with a love story between two unexpecting people. Sara Emerson is a shy and reserved Lady, who let her cousin's vivacious attitude outshine Sara's own beauty. Gabriel Ferguson, the Duke of Rossmoyne, was once engaged to Meredith Emerson but she was murdered in a horrible fashion two years ago. Gabriel and Meredith's engagement was the talk of the town and her murder was shocking, there were no clues to who could do this.

Two years after the death after her cousin, Meredith, Sara started to receive letters, strange letters from an unknown person claiming he knew Meredith and claims that he was there when she died. The only person Sara can think of to help is Meredith's fiancee, Gabriel Ferguson. Gabriel didn't recognize Sara when he first saw her and when he saw her he felt something he has never felt before. Gabriel never really saw Sara when Meredith was around he just thought her as plain. Now that she is out of the shadows of her cousin, Sara has her chance to shine and Gabriel wants her to shine; for him. Sarah however hates to be the center of attention.

Sara has convinced Gabriel to keep her in the loop and to let her help and in return Sara agrees to stay at his residence, with his mother as a chaperone. Gabriel's mother makes it very obvious to Gabriel that he isn't good enough for Sara, and vise versa to Sara which is fine because Sara doesn't think she could be a good Duchess with her dislike of anything social. But the more time Sara and Gabriel spend together the more they realize they are perfect for each other. Sara keeps getting letter that are escalating to the point of threatening and with the help of a young boy and the original investigator they help track down the man behind the letters and the murder of Meredith, but not before he kidnaps Sara.

Overall, this was a fun read.

            

ARC REVIEW Sebastian's Lady by Sharon Cullen

Sebastian's Lady Spy is book five in Sharon Cullen's Secrets and Seductions series it can be read as a stand-alone. It was enjoyable I like reading it I enjoyed the characters and and their history, but nothing else much stood out. I think the only thing that makes this book stand out from others in the Historical Spy troupe is Gabriella and her true origins.

Sebastian is one of the best spy's for the crown, on a personal trip to Italy he meets up with Contessa Gabriella Marciano and they share three steamy lustful day together each knowing it will never last beyond that. Seven months later back in England Sebastian is ordered to work with a partner to find the man behind the uprising that has been whispered about. Sebastian is thrown for a loop when his mission is to pretend to court Gabriella. Gabriella is also a spy for the crown and has been almost her whole life.

Working together is harder than Sebastian; he hasn't been able to stop thinking about the woman and now here she is and a spy no less. But even with the distraction of their attraction they work out the ploy and have a typical HEA.