TO WED A SCANDALOUS SPY

Author: Celeste Bradley ISBN: 0312931166 2/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: ST. MARTIN'S PRESS
Time Period: Regency 1813

Lovely, high born Willa Trent was an orphan, raised by a local, somewhat odd family in the country, who want nothing but the best for their girl. So when she drags the unconscious man she accidentally hit with a slingshot home, they arrange a hasty marriage and pack the couple off with best wishes. Armed with a groggy husband and a new future, Willa's pie-eyed optimism has no limits...until she discovers the secret, dangerous world of Nathaniel Stonewell, Earl of Reardon, a.k.a. "Lord Treason." Though Nathaniel is reviled by most of England for his devious plot against the Crown, he is, in reality, a member of an elite cadre of secret royal defenders on a daring undercover mission. He must keep his secrets at all cost, especially from Willa. And yet, he is enchanted...though he stubbornly refuses to surrender to his passion. Far better, he tells himself, to turn his back on love than risk everything for it. Luckily, his bride has other plans...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

There's just no stopping Celeste Bradley. First, she gave us the wonderful spy adventures of the Liar's Club trilogy to whet our appetites. Now, she continues onward with her new Royal Four series, beginning with "The Cobra's" story in TO WED A SCANDALOUS SPY.

The sexy and charismatic Nathaniel and the somewhat jinxed Willa are a perfect fit. Willa, though at first seeming to be just a country bumpkin, is wise, loyal, funny and the perfect counterbalance to Nicholas' character. You can't help but fall in love with her inquisitive, chatterbox personality and her unwavering devotion to her husband. Nathaniel (or Lord Treason, as he is more commonly known to society) has vastly matured, thank goodness—despite his mistake-laden past and willingness to play the martyr. His gallantry toward Willa and his eagerness to move forward despite his past mistakes, and leave the past behind him, define him as the noble man only Willa seems to see him as.

I will admit that I did have a problem or two with the plot. Not big problems, mind you, but little, niggly ones. For example, there's a scene where someone is shot and killed by a sniper and the main characters' responses, or lack thereof, just didn't ring true to me. It seemed to be an almost glanced over happening. Not a biggie, but just enough of a sticky point to make me sit up and take notice.

Otherwise, TO WED A SCANDALOUS SPY is a wonderful start to a very looked-forward-to new series (or better yet, a continuation of a previous one), once again showcasing Celeste Bradley's talent of creating sensual and intriguing plots filled with memorable and endearing characters (Aunt Myrtle is a hoot!). TO WED A SCANDALOUS SPY proves, yet again, that when you pick up a book written by Celeste Bradley, you'd best settle in for a non-stop read. Don't dare to miss a one!

Nancy Davis