Lovely Review of A Baron in Her Bed

NEW REVIEW OF A BARON IN HER BED BY MAGGI ANDERSEN

July 8, 2013 by carolcork

(The Spies of Mayfair #1)
Genre :Historical Romance
Official blurb 
Horatia’s plan to join the London literary set takes a dangerous turn. Now that the war with France has ended, Baron Guy Fortescue arrives in England to claim his inheritance. When Guy is set upon in London, a stranger, Lord Strathairn, rescues and befriends him. But while traveling to his country estate, Guy is again attacked. Guy suspects his relative, Eustace Fennimore, is behind the attacks on his life. Horatia refuses to believe her godfather, Eustace, is responsible. Secure in the knowledge that his daughter will finally wed, Horatia’s father allows her to visit her blue-stocking aunt in London. But Horatia’s time spent in London proves to be anything but a literary feast, for a dangerous foe plots Guy’s demise. She is determined to keep alive her handsome fiancé, who has proven more than willing to play the part of her lover even as he resists her attempts to save him.
★✩★✩★✩★✩★
This is the first book in Maggi Andersen’s The Spies of Mayfair series. I have not read any of Ms Andersen’s books before but an engaging heroine, a dashing hero, interesting secondary characters and just the right amount of intrigue made this a very enjoyable read.
Guy

Frenchmen always seem to have that “Je ne sais quoi” that makes them totally irresistible. So it’s understandable that Guy charmed his way into my heart. He’s romantic, seductive, passionate, flirtatious, witty, attentive and what woman could resist a compliment like this.
“Do you know your eyes aren’t brown? They are closer to pure amber with touches of green and gold. Like some rare stone.”
But there is another side to him. It’s when he recounts to Lord Strathairn the terrible things he witnessed whilst fighting against Napoleon’s army in Spain, that we see a man with strong values…a man of honour and integrity. He shows that same honour in his relationship with Horatia much to her chagrin!
Horatia

Horatia is a spirited (maybe a little too much at times but her intentions are admirable) and likeable heroine. She feels stifled by the confines of Malforth Manor and longs to be independent like her Aunt Emily sampling all that London has to offer …poetry recitals, museums, art galleries and parks. She has no desire for love or marriage until Guy comes into her life. He stirs her senses and she’s eager to explore these new emotions and passions.
I was totally charmed by their delightful romance. I especially loved their first meeting when Horatia is disguised as a young groom. It leads to all sorts of wickedly funny moments such as this one…
“You must become a good lover, my friend. It is a skill that requires much study to perfect.”
“In what way?” Oh why had she asked that? She’d just invited him to tell her. She bit her lip, half wanting to hear it and half fearful of what he would say.
“By listening,” he said, surprising her. “What she tells you gives many clues.”
“And if she tells you nothing?”
“You ensure the woman has her pleasure before you take yours, using all of your body, your hands, your tongue and lips, as well as your cock. When she comes, you will hear it, see it, feel it, and delight in it.”
Horatia dipped her head to hide her hot cheeks as he elaborated on what he liked a woman to do to him.
I was really intrigued by Guy’s friend John, Earl of Strathairn. There’s definitely a lot more to him than meets the eye and so I’m pleased he will be getting his own book, TAMING A GENTLEMAN SPY, coming in September 2013.
I adored Guy’s sister Geneviève who obviously cares for her brother and was not above throwing caution to the wind in her efforts to assist him.
I appreciate Ms Andersen’s obvious attention to detail with regard to the historical period and setting. I like how she included real life contemporary figures like the poet, Wordsworth and the actor, Edmund Kean.
The mystery aspect of the plot held my interest and the identity of the person responsible for the attempts on Guy’s life was a real surprise. I fear we haven’t seen the last of Count Forney either.
This was a delightful, entertaining romance and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
REVIEW RATING: 4/5 Stars 
SENSUALITY RATING: WARM