For Love or Country [Mass Market Paperback]

Kerrelyn Sparks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2002

The Scarlet Pimpernel meets The Patriot in Kerrelyn Sparks' debut novel, For Love or Country. With an army of wigs and a wardrobe that favors lavender, Quincy Stanton poses as a Loyalist fop by day. By night, he wages a secret war against the British with an impressive array of eighteenth century spy gadgets. If the truth is discovered, he could hang. Then along comes Virginia Munro, a lovely fellow patriot who's becoming entangled in her own brand of spy games...

When spy falls for spy, anything can happen. Both are reluctant to admit their motives to the other... which, of course, makes dinner party conversation awkward. When two spies are stumbling upon each other in the dark, the results can be hilarious and dangerous. Is Boston big enough for the two of them? Perhaps if they combine forces...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Complete with a colonial, James Bond-type hero and a wealth of gadgets that even Q would approve of a walking stick that doubles as a sword, an egg-shaped submersible and a carriage outfitted with a deadly trap door this 18th-century adventure lacks the intense romantic conflict often found in romantic suspense novels but fills the gap with an abundance of humorous hijinks. When Quincy Stanton, a ship owner and American patriot, returns to Boston after a disappointing visit to his father in England, he is immediately recruited by his Uncle Edward to spy on the English. With very little complaint, Quin dons a purple wig and recasts himself as a loyalist in order gain entry into the homes of prominent loyalists. In one such home, he meets Virginia Munro, who has also taken it upon herself to spy on the English. Although their relationship gets off to a rocky start (he tries to buy her), their attraction is strong, and only the prickly matter of trust stands between them. Meanwhile, Quin must deal with his haughty half-brother, Clarence, who is trying to wrench control of the Stanton merchant business from him. Although Quin and Virginia's bumbling attempts at subterfuge provide plenty of laughs, transparent secondary characters and a pat conclusion keep this from becoming anything more than a comedy of errors.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Having recently returned to Boston from England, Quincy Dearling Stanton finds he is perfectly positioned to become a spy for the Americans. Adopting the affected airs and silk wardrobe of a Loyalist dandy, Quincy pretends to be a devoted British subject all the while secretly trying to ferret out any information that might prove useful to the American cause. Things become a bit more challenging for Quincy when he encounters Virginia Munro, who seems to be indulging in her own bit of covert espionage. While at first it seems that Virginia has quite a knack for uncovering British secrets, Quincy is determined to "retire" her from the dangerous game of spying once he realizes how attracted he is to the saucy minx. After giving her hero some nifty, historically appropriate "spy" toys and a debonair and sexy charm, Sparks pairs him up with a feisty heroine who is more than his equal when it comes to wits and bravery. This humor-laced historical with its delightful characters and snappy dialogue is pure fun. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (June 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765340372
• ISBN-13: 978-0765340375
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #796,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kerrelyn Sparks is the New York Times bestselling author of the Love at Stake series. Her heroes are generally fanged or furry, but never suffer from cavities or fur balls. And in spite of a tendency to nibble or howl at the moon, they're still wonderfully romantic. Please feel free to visit www.kerrelynsparks.com where you can read excerpts, play vampire games, join the forum, or send Kerrelyn an e-mail. She loves hearing from readers!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to believe this is a DEBUT novel! Wonderful!, May 22, 2002

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Love or Country (Mass Market Paperback)

Set in Boston, 1769. Quincy Stanton and his uncle, Edward Stanton, owned Stanton Shipping which was very profitable. Quin was the illegitimate son of the Earl of Dearlington in Britain. After a short, and awful, visit with his father Quin returned to find British soldiers all over Boston to suppress the colonists. When Quin found out his half brother, Clarence, was coming to Boston to take over Stanton Shipping, it was the last straw!

Quin and Edward became spies for the Sons of Liberty. Quin played a Loyalist dandy. He had several gadgets on his person, as well as, within his coach to help him ferret out secrets from the wigs.

Virginia Munro and her sister, Caroline, were staying in Boston with their newly widowed aunt, Mary Dover. Mary's husband had been a Loyalist so Mary had access to all the Tory parties. They went to all of them in hope of stumbling across information that could help the Sons of Liberty.

Quin and Virginia found themselves attracted to each other. However, they could not trust one another. After all, their necks would be stretched after a single false move. Things became worse when Clarence entered the picture and lived with Quincy.

***** I have not read a Historical Romance this good in quite a while! I am amazed to learn that this is the author's debut novel! Kerrelyn Sparks is a name to watch! She is destined to become a well known name in book stores! This one will win awards! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A name to watch., March 4, 2004

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For Love or Country (Mass Market Paperback)

Set in Boston, 1769. Quincy Stanton and his uncle, Edward Stanton, owned Stanton Shipping which was very profitable. Quin was the illegitimate son of the Earl of Dearlington in Britain. After a short, and awful, visit with his father Quin returned to find British soldiers all over Boston to suppress the colonists. When Quin found out his half brother, Clarence, was coming to Boston to take over Stanton Shipping, it was the last straw!

Quin and Edward became spies for the Sons of Liberty. Quin played a Loyalist dandy. He had several gadgets on his person, as well as, within his coach to help him ferret out secrets from the wigs.

Virginia Munro and her sister, Caroline, were staying in Boston with their newly widowed aunt, Mary Dover. Mary's husband had been a Loyalist so Mary had access to all the Tory parties. They went to all of them in hope of stumbling across information that could help the Sons of Liberty.

Quin and Virginia found themselves attracted to each other. However, they could not trust one another. After all, their necks would be stretched after a single false move. Things became worse when Clarence entered the picture and lived with Quincy.

***** I have not read a Historical Romance this good in quite a while! I am amazed to learn that this is the author's debut novel! Kerrelyn Sparks is a name to watch! She is destined to become a well known name in book stores! This one will win awards! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic!, June 11, 2002

By 

Ellen "avid reader" (Washington State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Love or Country (Mass Market Paperback)

This story is well-written, funny, historical, romantic -- everything! The author treats the reader like he/she is intelligent (refreshing). I am weary of trying different authors, but I'm delighted I tried Kerrelyn Sparks. Her first novel was fun to read, and I hope she gives us more soon!