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USA TODAY bestselling author and winner of the RONE Award. Maggi's books are International bestsellers of Regency and Victorian Historical Romance. She also writes contemporary romantic suspense and young adult stories. Learn more about her at her website: https://www.maggiandersenauthor.com

Sunday, April 12, 2015

#Review WHAT A RAKE WANTS #3 Spies of Mayfair

    REVIEW: WHAT A RAKE WANTS BY MAGGI ANDERSEN


    (The Spies of Mayfair, #3)
    Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)
    Cover Blurb:
    King George sends his private investigator, an Irishman, Kieran Flynn, Lord Montsimon, on a mission, the reason for which is unclear. Is it a plot against the Crown? Or something entirely unrelated? Flynn’s inquiries lead him to the widow, Lady Althea Brookwood. Known amongst the ton as a rake, Flynn is rarely turned down by a lady, and when Althea refuses not just him but many other men, he becomes intrigued. After her neighbor, Sir Harold Crowthorne informs Althea that he means to take her country property, Owltree Cottage, by fair means or foul, she must search for help. The first man she turns to is promptly murdered and the second lies to her. That leaves Flynn, Lord Montsimon, a man she has been studiously avoiding. But Montsimon is decidedly unhelpful, and more than a little mysterious. Her only option is to seduce him. Althea has little confidence that she will succeed, especially as before her husband was killed in a duel, he often told her she was quite hopeless at intimacy. When a spy is murdered, Flynn wonders just what Althea knows and what her involvement might be with the man the king wants Flynn to investigate.
    ♥♥♥♥
    This is the third book in The Spies of Mayfair series. Once again, Maggi Andersen pens an entertaining romance set against a background of intrigue.
    Flynn

    Flynn was born and raised at Greystones Manor, the family home in County Wicklow, Ireland. After his mother ran off with her lover, he was left in the care of his father, a drunkard with a violent temper. He understood why she had left his father but not why his mother had left him behind. He was condemned to a miserable childhood without parental love, only relieved when he was sent away to be educated in Dublin. As soon as he was old enough, Flynn turned his back on his father and Ireland and left for England. He soon gained a reputation as a rake but is also employed as a highly valued spy for the King George IV.
    Flynn is surprised when the beautiful, widowed Lady Brookwood refuses his advances. Women usually fall at his feet, so he is intrigued by her. When he discovers that the lady is in danger, it stirs protective instincts he has never felt for any woman before and emotions he has always kept under control.
    Althea

    Althea was married at seventeen, a marriage arranged by her father. She wanted to make the marriage work, only to be met with nothing but callous treatment from her husband. She takes no pleasure in his lovemaking and, when he accuses her of being cold and unresponsive in bed, she comes to believe that the fault lies with her. After her husband is killed in a duel, she enjoys her freedom and has no wish to remarry or take a lover. She has no intention of being subject to another man’s will ever again.
    So Althea is determined to resist Lord Montsimon, however handsome and charming he may be. However, when he is adamant that she is in danger and insists on protecting her, she begins to see that he is much more than his rakish exterior suggests
    Every time Flynn spoke, I could hear that soft Irish burr in my head. Add to that his easy charm, his sense of humour and his willingness to take in a stray, “not at all handsome” dog called Spot and how could I not adore him?  When he and Althea are forced to share a bedroom (all very innocent), he has rather a unique way of dampening his ardour…
    …he began to recite the lines of Coleridge’s The Ancient Mariner under his breath.
    I liked Althea as well. I understood her desire to be independent and admired her determination to solve her own problems. However, once she is aware that the danger is real, Althea is sensible enough to appreciate having Flynn around.
    A vision of Montsimon replaced her anguished thoughts, his compelling grey eyes, his elegant features, and the confident set of his shoulders. She was suddenly terribly pleased to have him as her friend.
    I liked how the romantic relationship between Flynn and Althea grew slowly, from their initial, verbal skirmishes…
    “Are you deaf? Put me down!” She struggled to free herself.
    “Can’t I’m afraid. At your present snail’s pace, my lady, we would be lucky to reach the carriage by breakfast.
    ….to the genuine friendship that developed between them and falling in love seemed a natural progression as they come to like and trust each other.
    There are some amusing moments when Althea and Flynn have to pose as husband and wife and Flynn’s rakish tendencies come to fore.
    “You can’t go about the house like that! Don’t you have a nightshirt?”
    He tucked his arms beneath his head. “Don’t use ’em.”
    You might have made an exception,” she said crossly while inspecting his wide chest.
    “Now it’s your turn,” he invited with a lazy, seductive grin.
    She put her hands on her hips. “You are not going to watch me.”
    “I rather thought I would. There’s a dearth of entertainment in the country. Even the newspapers are old.”
    I cheered for Althea when she decides to consummate their relationship and finally dispels all her fears of intimacy.
    The letter from Flynn’s mother was so poignant but it helped him lay the ghosts of his past to rest and it was such a lovely touch that his mother should provide the solution to the remaining obstacle in his path to marrying Althea.
    I thought the mystery aspect was rather weak but it was secondary to the charming romance anyway. I did enjoy seeing previous heroes Guy, Baron Fortescue ( A Baron in Her Bed) and John Haldane, Earl of Strathairn ( Taming a Gentleman Spy), Flynn’s former associates and friends, who provide extra muscle when it comes to tackling the villains.
    I like how real historical figures and events are woven into the story giving an insight into the personal and political machinations surrounding King George IV’s reign.
    My verdict: A delightfully entertaining story.
    REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 Stars
    SENSUALITY RATING: WARM
    Read April 2015
    The Spies of Mayfair series (click on the book cover for more details):
    A Baron in Her Bed (The Spies of Mayfair) by Maggi Andersen Taming a Gentleman Spy by Maggi Andersen What a Rake Wants by Maggi Andersen

    I would like to thank the author, Maggi Andersen, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

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