Secret Ways [Mass Market Paperback]

Kat Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

No one sets fire to the page like New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin, who takes readers into the opulent world of Regency-era England with novels that shimmer with passion and linger in the heart long after the last page is turned.

Vermillion Lee Durant is well versed in the art of seduction and determined to remain loyal to the destiny she was born to fulfill. But to Captain Caleb Tanner, a British officer hunting a spy who has been leaking information to the French, she may be more than the flirtatious young woman she seems. Assigned to uncover the truth about Vermillion and her aunt, Caleb poses as a groom at the Durant racing stables -- and fights an attraction to Vermillion that may cloud his judgment and threaten his heart.

Both captivated and annoyed by the handsome, arrogant groom, Vermillion vows to resist him -- knowing she must choose allegiance to her family over the desires Caleb has awakened. But passion and truth cannot always be denied, even for two lovers who are masters at keeping secrets.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Martin (Fanning The Flame; Hot Rain) is well known for her sensuous love scenes, but hot sex isn't enough to make this tepid Regency-era romance sizzle. To ferret out a French spy, Captain Caleb Tanner has taken a position as a stable groom at Parklands, an estate belonging to the famed courtesan Gabriella Durant. One of Caleb's prime suspects is young courtesan Vermillion Lee Durant, Gabriella's irresistible niece. As is the case in many of Martin's romances, instant attraction pulls the protagonists together, but the author wisely allows Caleb and Lee to develop a friendship before they become intimate. A few flimsy hurdles threaten their relationship-such as Lee's determination to become a courtesan, and Caleb's distaste for her profession and his dedication to his own. But in a derivative plot twist, Caleb discovers that Lee is really a virgin who's playing at being a courtesan to please her aunt. The romantic tension runs rampant after Caleb reveals his identity, but the two predictably push each other away until the conclusion's climactic spy unveiling. Though the book's tired plot and stock characters aren't likely to appeal to seasoned romance readers (and may even disappoint some of Martin's fans), readers new to the genre should enjoy this sexy, serviceable story.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Romantic Times Kat Martin shimmers like a bright diamond in the genre. -- Review

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743419170
• ISBN-13: 978-0743419178
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,049,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Currently living in Missoula, Montana, Kat Martin is the bestselling author of over fifty Historical and Contemporary Romance novels. Before she started writing in 1985, Kat was a real estate broker. During that time, she met her husband, Larry Jay Martin, also an author. Kat is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. "I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."

To date, Kat has over twelve million copies of her books in print. She is published in twenty foreign countries, including Germany, Norway, Sweden, China, Korea, Bulgaria, Russia, England, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Japan and Greece.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fans will not be disappointed., March 31, 2003

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret Ways (Mass Market Paperback)

Vermillion Durant's destiny seems to be that of her beautiful and famous relatives, that of a courtesan. Even her name is spicy and enticing. Yet she prefers to think of herself as simply "Lee", a much more innocent and free young lady than she is expected to be. However, she is resigned to her fate, believing that is what her beloved aunt needs her to be.

However, Vermillion is suspected of being more than a temptress, but also of being a spy. To uncover the truth, Caleb Tanner will masquerade as a simple groom and try to get close enough to see whether or not she is responisible for secrets making their way to France. Caleb is shocked to learn that Lee is nothing like what he expected. The real woman is someone that he can not help but love. Vermillion finds herself attracted to this man as well, but believes such a match would never work. Even when she finds her true identity, the situation appears hopeless.

The complexities of war and of the 'ton are equal, and when meshed become a tangle that only skillful minds can fathom. With Ms. Martin's long heralded skill at delivering a sensual romance, this novel gives readers a most unique heroine. Wise and innocent simultaneously, Vermillion is somewhat like the younger days of Elizabeth Taylor, while Caleb is the kind of hero readers have grown to love. Fans will not be short changed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A page turning historical..., May 22, 2003

By 

iheartjackbauer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret Ways (Mass Market Paperback)

Vermillon 'Lee' Durant is preparing to follow the destiny of all the female Durants as a courtesan. By day she is Lee, a carefree innocent who loves horses and kittens. At night she transforms herself into Vermillon, a seductress that needs to choose her protector by her nineteenth birthday. Though she thought she had come to terms with her destiny, she soon finds that she is far from sure if she wants to spend her life as a mistress. When she meets Caleb Tanner, the new head groom at Parkland, she finds someone who can ignite the fire deep within her. As the weeks pass, she realizes that she has to be independent, even at the cost of her aunt's dissapointment.

Captain Caleb Tanner has been assigned to Parkland in as a groom to try to uncover a traitor to the Crown. He didn't count on meeting someone as seductive as Vermillion nor as innocent as Lee. Though Vermillion and Lee are one and the same, only Caleb has uncovered the true person she is.

Though Secret Ways isn't has emotional as Martin's previous historicals, it is still an easy read that you will want to finish. Caleb and Lee work together to uncover a traitor which is a little unbelieveable, but the sexual tension between them is undeniable. Also unbelieveable is the fact that Lee is a virgin, which is what all our heroines in historicals are. It was a change from historicals where the heroines were a part of the ton, as Lee had more freedom to do what she wished. I have had a hard time lately getting into historicals, but I'm glad I took a chance on this one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Redemption., February 6, 2004

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secret Ways (Mass Market Paperback)

Just when I was about to dive off the Kat Martin bandwagon, she writes this little treasure. I'm not saying this book is phenomenal, but it is enjoyable.

Our heroine, Vermillion Lee Durant, is a trained connoisseur in the art of pleasuring a man. Throughout the lustful London male society, an unknown detail stays hidden -- Vermillion is only trained. As yet, she has not practiced her satisfying skills. She will remain a courtesan student until she turns nineteen; at the conclusion of this birthday ball, Vermillion will choose her first lover.

The youngest son of the Earl of Selhurst, Captain Caleb Tanner, a British officer, has been called back from the Spanish front. He is an expert horseman and will act as an undercover spy in the Durant stables. His mission is to uncover the traitorous traitor who has been leaking information to the Napoleon military.

I appreciated the length Kat Martin employed for sexual tension -- all the luring glances, aching desires, illicit kisses -- were paced for the reader's total enjoyment. Such longing earns the word romance. The stable scenes are delightful. Gently written was the soft and assuring manner Caleb used to help "Lee". Their competitive horse-race "the contest" is assembled with innocence and fun. Martin allowed such tender moments to help the reader overlook the anxious times our two lovers are forced to suffer.

Kat Martin's two lovers may not see eye to eye, but at least, they are not fighting, demeaning, hating, and then regrettably making love - the usual Martin outline. Kat Martin, if you are out there in author land, your writing skills are extraordinary, but please keep your war machine and arguing lessons in the skim mode.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.