Customer Reviews

To Kiss A Spy (Get Connected Romances)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What I really liked about "To Kiss A Spy" was that Jane Feather took such great care to get the feel of this turbulent period in English history right. She accurately portrays the political jockeying for power and the international intrigue that was going on behind the scenes even as the young boy king, Edward VI, lay dying; and how ordinary people, who had very little interest in political power got sucked into the dangerous game of chance that powerful land barons were playing in the early 16th century. Of course the fact that this was also a romance novel that featured a determined and intelligent heroine, and an enigmatic and intriguing hero, helped make this historical romance novel a truly marvelous read as well!

The novel opens with Lady Pen Bryanston, the eldest daughter of Lady Guinevere Mallory (from "The Widow's Kiss") valiantly trying to give birth. She is a recent widow (her husband had died of a mysterious illness). But through all the pain of childbirth, and even though she is heavily drugged, she feels herself give birth to a life child; so that she's quite horrified when she is told by her mother-in-law, a truly evil woman, that she had given birth to a son but that it was stillborn. Because of this, Pen's husband's lands and title pass on to his weak younger brother who is completely ruled by his mother. The novel than fast forwards a couple of years. Pen is now a lady-in-waiting to Princess Mary (the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon), but she has never given up hope that her son is still alive and that she will find him. In the meantime, the young king is dying, and it looks as if Princess Mary will be next in line for the English throne. However, Mary is Catholic, and the religion of England is fervently Protestant. The Duke of Northumberland, John Dudley, has a bold plan in mind keep England Protestant (and to maintain his hold on the throne) involving the Duke of Suffolk's eldest daughter, Jane Grey, who is a Tudor by blood as well as an ardent Protestant. And this is where Owen d'Arcy, the hero of this novel enters the picture. A Frenchman, Owen is in the pay of the Holy Roman Emperor, who also happens to be Princess Mary's uncle, and he fears for his niece's future. Owen is sent to England in order to infiltrate the English court. The plan is for Owen to seduce Lady Pen Bryanston, and to get her to spy on the Princess for them -- talk about a plan full of loopholes! Pen however turns the tables on Owen: used to being able to seduce women with a few charming words and smiles, he is stunned when Pen seems to be impervious to his charms. However, Owen soon finds a way to get to Pen, by agreeing to help discover, once and for all, if Pen's child had indeed died at childbirth, or if the Dowager Countess of Bryanston had something to do with the child's disappearance. In exchange for his help, Pen agrees to spy on the Princess for Owen. However this simple contract soon becomes complicated by the growing attraction that Pen and Owen feel for each other, and by the reappearance on Pen's stepbrother, Robin, who is an agent of Northumberland's and who warns Pen to be on her guard against Owen, a man who has a dark past involving his own wife and children. What is Pen to do? Whom is she to believe? Instinctively, Pen doesn't believe Robin's claims, but surely her beloved stepbrother would not lie to her? Things become especially tense when it becomes all too obvious that the king is not long for this earth. With time running out, Pen and Owen must work their way through mistrust in order to successfully achieve their different goals. But can they do so?

My advice is to either buy this book at once (if you can afford it) or else reserve a copy at your local library, for "To Kiss A Spy" is a romance novel not to be missed. The romance that develops between Pen and Owen is electric and memorable, and refreshingly grown-up! And the plot is not one to be sneezed at either! And I liked the manner in which Feather used historical actuality as a backdrop to this fictional romance -- making this novel more substantial and interesting a read. All the characters were nicely developed (esp Pen, who possessed all the intelligence and determination and courage that every romance reader hopes the heroine would), and the plot unfolded at a breakneck pace 'that made' me devour this novel in one setting. Another thing in this novel's favour is that in spite of the many diverse subplots -- the political intirigue, the hunt for Pen's child, and the developing romance between Pen and Owen -- nothing gets sidelined. Truly a fun read.

And to think I actually disliked Jane Feather at one time and considered not reading any more of her books!! One of her earlier books, Silver Rose, really put me off. It featured a lame, weak "hero" and a cold heroine with 3 very cruel brothers. Feather has since redeemed herself (in my eyes) with the "Bride" series and now with The Widow's Kiss and her latest To Kiss a Spy. The latter is an excellent story full of sympathetic, multi-dimensional characters, suspense, intrigue and history. Lady Pen Bryanston is positive that she delivered a healthy baby boy ( albeit prematurely) because she heard him cry. But she was told by her evil mother-in-law that he was stillborn. French spy, Owen D'Arcy plans to seduce Pen to discover state secrets. Instead he finds himself very attracted to the honest, no-nonsense widow, who convinces him to help her find her lost baby. Spy turns detective and the 2 fall in love during the search. Pen is the kind of woman you'd want as your best friend - strong but not obstinate, pretty enough but full of inner beauty, loyal and loving. Owen is a wonderful, compassionate, competent hero with dark secrets of his own. This was a wonderful, wonderful romance that I highly recommend to you. Author Jane Feather has numerous excellent options for her next book - a story about Pippa or Robin? perhaps Philip? Or Lucy and Andrew? I anxiously await her new one. If you enjoy romance set farther back than the 19th Century, especially ones set in the Middle Ages or the 1600's, try Madeline Hunter's books: By Design, By Arrangement and By Possession. Also Patricia Ryan is fabulous, her best being Secret Thunder and Silken Threads.

Exhausted and barely coherent after an intense, anguishing twenty-hour labor, recently widowed Lady Penelope Bryanston refuses to believe her mother-in-law's declaration that her baby died at birth. She knows she heard the babe cry. As part of Princess Mary's entourage, Pen spends the next two years obsessing over her son and uncovering the truth, albeit secretly, while staying close to the Princess.

Owen de Arcy, a smart, sophisticated spy, is sent to King Edward's court to seduce Lady Penelope in hopes of becoming her confidante in matters of royal secrets, which he will deliver back to the French ambassador. Instead of the meek, pliable woman he has been led to believe Pen is, Owen finds a strongly independent woman who resists the charms that never failed him before now.

Following a short period of becoming better acquainted with each other, Pen and Owen not only form a deep attraction, but confide their secrets and enter into a dangerous bargain to help one another. Master spy that he is, Owen will call upon his contacts to see what he can learn about Pen's child, living or dead, and Pen will confide any secrets she learns regarding Princess Mary's fate.

Centered on young King Edward's court and his cousin and heir, Princess Mary, TO KISS A SPY is a complex, dangerous, mysterious tale of lies, betrayals, power and greed. After the initial sparks fly between Pen and Owen, their relationship travels along a natural path, both being open and honest with the other. Secondary characters also shine, most especially Pen's sister, Pippa, and stepbrother, Robin, lending much needed support and touches of humor.

Ms. Feather pens a dangerous, emotional tale that takes the reader from London proper into the seedier spots where brothels and stews abound. Some dialogue seemed more modern to me than sixteenth century "speak", but did not detract enough to pull me out of this exciting story.

I recommend TO KISS A SPY as a fast-paced, engrossing novel of intrigue, passion and the power of not only romantic love, but love of family, to conquer and heal all.

There's only one word to describe this book: Slow. The prologue started out good, but then everything went on slowly. The action was slow, the characters were boring, (save for Pippa who was a tad refreshing) and I was very tempted to stop reading the book, but (luckily?) I continued.
The story started picking up halfway through when Pen started to actually look for The Son Who -she believes- Is Still Alive with Owen. So the story proceeded on slowly, and still ended up okay.
So basically, the second half of the book is the redeeming part. But if you are someone who, like me, cannot wait for the plot to slowly develope, you might do well by skipping this one.

Lady Pen Bryanston, a beautiful widow has been but a shadow of herself - she is tormented after losing her husband, then her child some years back. As a lady in waiting to Princess Mary in the year 1550 she meets the very sophisticated spy Owen d'Arcy whose initial approach to her rather surprised and intrigued her. Owen, a somewhat dispassionate and unreadable spy originally sees Pen as another pawn to be used in the plots and intrigues surrounding the royal family. Pen, who has always been sensible, was not swept away by Owen - curious though her interest was piqued. Pen strikes a devil's bargain with the handsome, dangerous man. Pen needs Owen to uncover the truth about the baby her vicious mother-in-law claimed stillborn -dead at birth. She must use her position as favorite lady-in-waiting to spy on the princess. The situation becomes quite complicated for Pen as she battles her memories of her husband Philip with the passion and lust she begins to feel for Owen.

Owen, dark and dangerous, finds himself attracted to Pen on many levels, she makes him start to reassess his life and his motives and as Owen unravels and begins to prove Pen's obsession with the questionable death of her son, a very dangerous political storm is gathers around the people she most loves, her brother Robin (a spy fro the opposing side), Princess Mary, her parents and sisters.

To Kiss a Spy is the second book in the `Kiss' trilogy. It is filled with wonderfully descriptive and colorful historical facts that keep you on the edge of your seat as the central characters race against time to escape political maneuverings and save their loved ones from losing their heads. This book most definitely stands alone, but I do suggest that for any die-hard historical reader to really get the whole feel and flavor of this period in history to read them in the order of publication. Personally, I cannot wait to start `Kissed by Shadows' the third entry to this fantastic series.

This easily under-rated romance by maverick Jane Feather surpasses the mainstream historical fanfare with a scrupulous research of England's 16th century era and meticulous plotting. Lady Pen Bryanston, confidante of the to-be Queen Mary is targeted by French Ambassador to the English Court as a source of information to Mary's well-being and succession to the throne relinquished after young King Edward VI's delicate constitution. He sends master spy Owen D' Arcy to seduce Pen - only to be attracted to her cool-headed front and courage. When she discovers Owen is a spy, they strike a bargain that he finds her son who was secretly taken away by her mother-in-law just after minutes of his birth while she acts the mole.

As such Jane Feather's romance is downplayed by the sprawling plot and intrigue. But what delicious cunning and treacherous betrayal to jolt readers into suspenseful tenterhooks! Ambitious dukes of Northumberland and Suffolk plan to oust Mary by making the ailing Edward sign the Device and conquer England; Pen outwits her cruel mother-in-law with a subtle allegation of treason. The climax saturates with the escape of Mary to her father and brother closely thwarted by the relentless pursuit of the dukes.

The subdued romance element is poignantly illustrated through Owen's dark secrets and protective instincts towards Pen. Jane Feather's protagonists are refreshingly matured and too level-headed to engage in sentimental romance. To Kiss A Spy becomes convincingly real and engaging to break free of the traditional mold. It is a rare gem that proves intelligence can be associated with romance.

I don't agree with other reviews that put this one down so bad. I did read the previous novel "A Widow's Kiss" which is great! Pen Bryanston who was a child in it is now grown and a widow. She believes that the child she had who was claimed to have been still-born is actually alive and is out to prove it to her family and others. Owen d'Arcy is a French spy for the cause of Princess Mary and has been told to get close to Pen who is Mary's lady-in-waiting. After being approached by Owen, Pen strikes up a "devil's bargain" with him to keep him informed by spying on Mary and inturn Owen will help uncover the truth of her baby's claims. I enjoyed the fact that Pen is intelligent. She is not a raving beauty but yet has a way about her that shows beauty. Owen has a dark past himself that makes him mysterious. I enjoyed this book and hope you will give it a chance.

Very flat and dull, extremely disappointing. I had been given this book and told to read anything by Jane Feather, that it would be excellent. Well, it was average at best.

I liked the history and the setting, though the author really does need to do a better job of capturing life in Renaissance England. The characters were wooden and predictable, the book plot-driven only.

As for sizzle and sensuality, more like fizzle and not even foreplay!

The hero tries valiantly to like her, but Pen is not a nice person a lot of the time. The trust between them hardly builds enough to convince us they are falling in love, and the ending of the novel really falls completely flat.

I know it is supposed to be part of a series, but I am most definitely not swept away by this novel enough to care about Lady Pen, let alone the first or the next book.

Maybe it would have helped if I had read "A Widow's Kiss," the book which comes before this one. However, I had not, and so I found the characters to be a tad boring and ridiculous.

The main problem I had was that Pen's family did not believe her, when she continually protested that her child was alive and not still born as her Mother-in-law had said. Now if this was right after the tragedy that Pen had stated this, and then allowed herself to be pursuaded that it had not happened, that she had not heard her child cry, well then I could understand the parents and family members not believing her. However for two + years, she was staunch in her recollections, and therefore, some family member should have said "Hmm, maybe there is something to this." Instead it takes a total stranger to believe what she has to say. Not much of a family if you ask me.

The stepbrother, Robin, I found to be predictable and boring. The sister, Pippa, was too flaky. The rest of the characters were not fleshed out enough.

If you want to waste your time on this book, I have to believe that perhaps reading "A Widow's Kiss" might be worth your while, otherwise, skip it.

The book is set in 1550, but if it didn't say so, you wouldn't know it. The language, the actions of the heroes, everything was far too modern. The story was so very boring. I simply skipped the parts where they talked about spying and intrigue. Boring. Blah. But I liked the hero, his vulnerability, everything about him (well, except his long, thin fingers ;)) An OK read if you don't have anything else to do.