Customer Reviews

The Beauty and the Spy

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second Gayle Callen book I have read - the first, "No Ordinary Groom", is set at the same time as this book and with some of the same characters. In fact, one scene in this book is also in the other. We are following the fortunes of two sisters and their dealings with men who turn out to be spies in this pair of books.

"The Beauty And The Spy" features Charlotte Sinclair, widow and sister to Jane Whittington (who gets her man in "No Ordinary Groom"). Charlotte has just put off her mourning a year after her husband's unexpected death - not that she was genuinely mourning him as he turns out to have been a nasty chappie. Anyway, Charlotte is now back in the social world and theoretically looking for another husband, at least her mother wants her to, even though she herself is far from sure she wants to put herself at risk of another man like her dead husband.

Anyway, Charlotte is at a party and gets rather carried away when watching a man behave oddly. She recently found some journals of her father that prove he is a spymaster for the British Government and she consequently sees spies and intrigue under every bush. She follows the mystery man, ends up hiding in a cupboard whilst he has a conversation with another man which shows they are up to no good. Unfortunately they find her and one man threatens to kill her, other other says he will deal with her and kidnaps her.

So Charlotte is tied up, covered with a blanket, lowered out of a window and taken away in a carriage with "Nick", the rather dishy man she followed into the room. He explains that he's trying to uncover a spy who caused a lot of deaths in Afghanistan and that he's working for the government - Charlotte doesn't think she can believe him. And thus the book turns into "Stockholm Syndrome on the A1" as they travel northwards by carriage chasing after the mystery spy woman, Julia Reed. As her captivity continues Charlotte starts to trust Nick her captor and ends up helping him. He also does his part in helping her - helping her to get over the bad ways in which her husband treated her, mainly in bed; guess how Nick helps her with THAT problem?

The story periodically interweaves with Will and Jane (the couple in "No Ordinary Groom") but most of the time they are stuck in a bedroom in an inn discussing captivity, spying and what's happening next - oh, and dealing with her issues about sex too, of course. The book slowly builds to a fairly unspectacular finale where Julia Reed is caught but then is rescued by a baddie but most of the action is actually happening within our lead characters' heads - and body parts.

Sadly this book didn't work for me. I found it quite slow going as the basic plot wasn't really enough to keep my attention. Nick as a character didn't seem all that well formed (I suppose, as a spy, he must be hard to read!) and Charlotte, too, seemed rather irritating. The whole spying sub-plot seemed rather far-fetched and the fact that Nick didn't just stash Charlotte somewhere else right at the beginning, rather than bringing her along with him and thus massively overcomplicating his plans, seems rather a plot hole. Although set in Regency times and travelling by carriage to Leeds from London (presumably the Great North Road then) there is almost no period detail and the characters speak to each other in American English; an example from Nick: "Sam, take Cox and go retrieve the body for me. It's at the entrance to the park a couple blocks east of here." Three non-English but American word-forms in those two sentences so evidently the author and her editor haven't checked it that closely.

If you just want a romance with some sex and some handsome/beautiful people you might like this; if you want more of a story, more genuine character development, more accurate historical detail and depth, you need to give this one a miss.

In 1844 at a party, undercover spy Nicholas Wright seeks a female traitor so he cuts a deal with one of her minions, Campbell. Overhearing the transaction is widow Charlotte Sinclair, daughter of the recently retired spymaster and Nicholas' former boss. Campbell wants Charlotte dead immediately, but Nicholas tells him this is not the place and he will take care of this intrusion.

Nicholas and his partner Sam abduct Charlotte to keep her safe. As the plot boils and the danger increases, Charlotte takes risks too feeling she is a chip off the old block having recently read her father's journals. Nicholas finds himself panicking over her safety as he has fall in love with her; she reciprocates his feelings but wonders whose side is he really on?

This engaging Victorian romance, the second in the "Spies and Lovers" series, is a fabulous espionage love story that takes readers for quite a ride once Charlotte is discovered. The story line moves at a fast pace as Charlotte tries to escape as she believes her kidnappers will dispose of her at the first convenient moment. Worse to this feisty young woman is that she is attracted to Nicholas though she vowed never again after a brutal marriage. That odd relationship makes for a terrific historical.

Harriet Klausner

This is the second book in Callen's "Spies and Lovers" series. It's a fast paced, action- espionage love story that offers full-bodied characters, and a delightfully romantic storyline.

This book is a great escape. I was particularly impressed and inspired by Callen's well-rounded and substantial secondary characters. They never stole the spotlight, but they definitely claimed my interest. I also greatly enjoyed the author's wit and mastery of the language. I am looking forward to Sam and Julia's story that will arrive in Spring of 2005.

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.

The story starts off quickly and gets right into it. Moves quickly and keeps your attention. The characters are well written and endearing. Very impressed!

This book is hilarious. I love books that are smartly written, funny, hott, sexy, and mysterious. I love the characters in this book as well. They are great! This is a book that I will read again. I'd recommend this book to anyone that has a sense of humor and adventurous spirit.

Gayle Callen writes a great book full of adventure and romance! It kept me on the edge of my seat and I could hardly put it down. I can't wait to read the rest in the series!

This was a very good book - a lot of action, good plot and well developed characters. The attraction between Nick and Charlotte was very intense and you really hoped that this love between them would work out in the end. The book kept my interest throughout - I could not put it down!

I have been a long time fan of Ms. Gallen and her latest effort is a remarkable read that offers a fun spy storyline, wonderful characters, and a truly wonderful romantic storyline. This is a story that allows both Nick and Charlotte a chance to see how others see themselves, as well as giving them a chance to grow indpendently. The storyline that brings them together is fast-paced and entertaining. The secondary character bring much to the story, and we get to briefly visit with Jane and Will yet again.

Ms. Gallen is a truly talented author and this is her second book in her spy series. I anxiously look forward to Sam and Julia's story which will be arriving in Spring of 2005. This book is a great place to escape to and Nick and Charlotte will steal into your heart.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

This book is truly wonderful! I've loved this writers' historicals from way back when she was writing Medievals, and I still love them when she writes in the VICTORIAN era, like this book. Callen's characters act appropriate for the era. This book is lush and well-researched as usual. I can't wait for her next book!!