Unwrapping A Review of SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS, book three of the Sinners Trio by Anna Randol

Already a huge fan of Anna Randol, I have been eagerly awaiting Wraith’s story in SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS, book three of the Sinners Trio series. As usual, Anna didn’t disappoint - although I had hoped for more.

***Missed out on the galley so I purchased this one for my own personal reading but am more than willing to share my honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS:

In the scorching finale of Anna Randol's wickedly tempting Trio series, the Wraith takes on a mission—and a princess—he'll never forget…

Ian Maddox, aka the Wraith, is happy to leave his life as a spy— as soon as he discovers who's been trying to kill his friends. All clues lead him to the bedroom of an exiled princess. Yet Princess Juliana isn't the simpering royal he expects, and this irresistible beauty agrees to give him the information he seeks…for a price.

Princess Juliana has never cowered—not even as she fled her burning castle in the midst of a rebellion—so she won't tremble before the darkly charismatic man who appears in her bedchamber and holds a knife to her throat. Instead, she bargains with the infamous spy to help her retrieve sensitive documents and restore her kingdom. But Juliana quickly finds that Ian is no humble servant, and she never imagines that lessons in thievery will lead to schooling in seduction.

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Princess Juliana is trying to save her homeland, Lenoria, from both the French and the Spanish. Having seen her parents brutally murdered at the hands of a mob incited to kill by the nefarious Trio, she’s never cowered and never will. Not before the infamous spy, Wraith, nor the Duke who wishes to use her brother to steal her throne.

Ian Maddox is determined to discover who is behind the attempts on the lives of his friends, Madeline and Clayton, before they can succeed. His investigations lead him directly to a beautiful princess who pleads with him to teach her the ways of thievery and subterfuge.

Each has their own goals, each has their own mission, but when they discover their enemy is the same person, it’s more than their missions that bring them together. Now Ian worries how to keep Juliana safe and Juliana worries how to keep Ian with her always.

I fell in love with Ian ‘Wraith’ Maddox back in book one of the Sinners Trio, SINS OF THE VIRGIN, and had such high hopes for his story. Whereas, the story is wonderful, the mission adventurous and dangerous, and the falling in love romance delightful, I truly expected something a bit more dramatic from Wraith. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS by Anna Randol. She has once more created a cast of characters that will delight, entertain, and keep us on the edge of our seats as they make their way through the maze of questions, mysteries, and whodunits that Anna so skillfully concocts.

SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS is exciting, filled with intrigue, dangerous explorations, devious plans, betrayal, and flirtations with definite steam factor. Ian is a hero that you want to have rescue you from the bad guys even as he sweeps you off your feet with his dramatic escapades. Juliana is smart, inquisitive, and a wonderful heroine who doesn’t back away from excitement, and danger but throws herself forward with enthusiasm. An eager enthusiasm that wins the heart of the most nefarious spy, thief, and all out sexy hero. Secondary characters are a delight and keep us enthralled, especially Eustace and Canterbury, and Apple is an absolute sweetheart.

I definitely recommend reading SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS by Anna Randol if you’ve read Madeline and Clayton’s stories but I highly recommend reading it because it’s worth it. If you haven’t experienced the Sinners Trio by Anna Randol then by all means, do. Start from the beginning though, because they are that good. I only had one complaint - it’s been the same complaint throughout – too many editing errors. It’s very distracting. Read it though – it’s an amazing series.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SINS OF A WICKED PRINCESS, a Sinners Trio novel by Anna Randol, Avon Romance, available in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

***click on links or cover below for purchasing information

   

Unwrapping: Review of SINS OF A RUTHLESS ROGUE by Anna Randol

I fell in love with Anna Randol's fascinating and intriguing spy twists on historical romance from the first time I read her debut novel, A SECRET IN HER KISS. When she began the Sinners Trio series, I knew I'd never pass up a chance to read her work, ever! Thankfully, I was able to read an ARC of the second book in the series, SINS OF A RUTHLESS ROGUE and I was not disappointed.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SINS OF A RUTHLESS ROGUE:

Revenge never tasted so sweet…

When Clayton Campbell shows up on her doorstep, Olivia Swift is stunned. For long ago, Clayton was the boy who stole her heart. He’s also the man her betrayal had sent to the gallows. A man she believed dead, now standing before her, looking leaner, harder, more powerful than ever, his haunted eyes filled with a lust she had never seen—for vengeance…
Or burned so hot…

He’s a Crown spy who once faced death and escaped unscathed. Yet Clayton Campbell cannot deny that the sight of Olivia rouses in him something more than a thirst for revenge. Or that the bold beauty would lure him once more into a dangerous game. Only this time, Clayton plans to be the victor—with the tempting Olivia in his bed as his prize. But once passion ignites between them, the hard-hearted agent will face his greatest battle yet—for his heart…

                                           *                   *                   *                   *                    *                    *

Clayton Campbell, aka Cipher, has returned to gain revenge on the man and girl who sent him to the gallows and prevent them from further undermining the British government through criminal dealings. Having spent the years since escaping the gallows as a spy and trained assassin for the crown, he uses the wealth he's accumulated to purchase the debts owed by Olivia Swift, her father, and the mill where he'd once clerked, fell in love, and then was betrayed by the woman to whom he gave his heart.

Olivia Swift believed the only man she ever loved to be dead, sentenced to hang because when he came to her with the accusation that her father was guilty of criminal acts against the Bank of England, she didn't believe him. She ran to her father, told him of Clayton's belief and in return, her father accused Clayton of the act and sent him to the gallows. Olivia has lived with the weight of that betrayal, and vowed to undo all the evil her father had perpetrated upon others, help the town, aid those less fortunate, and to change her selfish ways. She thought she was doing right by all until one day when Clayton returned from the dead and carried with him, the mill's debts and an order to repay them or he will shut down the mill. Frustrated, angry, bewildered and fearing that Clayton will learn of her deceptions to undo the wrongs of her father, Olivia attempts to concoct a plan to outwit Clayton and save the mill - only all goes astray when she's mistaken for the spy, La Petit, is kidnapped, and taken to Russia.

When Clayton discovers her missing, he has no choice but to follow even while believing her to be working with revolutionaries, only to rescue her and keep her at arms length until he can learn the truth. 

I love historicals, I love regency but sometimes, like with anything in life, change is good. Russia, how wonderful! In SINS OF A RUTHLESS ROGUE by Anna Randol, we travel to the cold, barren, frostbitten world of Russia in the time of Czar Alexander and the unrest that is already beginning to plague Russia's undercurrents. This action-filled, tense, dangerous, mystery-laden story is engrossing, captivating, and exceptionally endearing as Olivia attempts to convince Clayton of her innocence, all the while carrying the guilts of her past actions. Clayton fights his attraction and his, still very much alive, love for Olivia because he cannot trust her. The tension between these two is nearly as hard and cold as the deep frozen snow they find themselves trying to survive. Fortunately, my favorite member of the trio shows up to lighten the mood - Ian Maddox, aka Wraith. With his teasing, self-aware intelligence and sense of humor, Ian does more to bring the couple together than any argument, attempt at seduction, or confession. As a team, Clayton, Olivia, and Ian manage to thwart a revolution, make new friends, and save those who need saving and dispatch those who don't.

I highly recommend SINS OF A RUTHLESS ROGUE by Anna Randol if you're a true lover of historical romance filled with wonderful characters, fictional as well as factual, political intrigue, old world settings, and lots of action-filled scenes that bring out the best in spies, friends, and lovers. Anna Randol has definitely become a beautiful and exciting voice in the romance genre.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SINS OF A RUTHLESS ROGUE, a Sinners Trio novel by Anna Randol, Avon Romance, release date - March 26, 2013 in print and ebook formats.

                                                                                           

Unwrapping Romance: Review of SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol

Releasing at the end of this month on August 28th is the newest novel from this year's debut talent in historical romance who has most definitely become a must read on my reading list. SINS OF A VIRGIN, book one in the Sinner Trio's series is Anna Randol's second full-length novel from Avon and I was thrilled when they asked me as an Avon Addict to read an e-ARC from Edelweiss for it. My only sorrow is that I don't get to keep it so I'll have to get a permanent copy for future re-reading.

Blurb for SINS OF A VIRGIN:

There is improper, there is scandalous… and then there is Madeline Valdan.

To the world, Madeline Valdan is a scandalous courtesan, with society's most eligible gentlemen at her feet. But no one knows her shocking secret: she has never experienced the most intimate touch of any man. So she astonishes the ton by telling them the truth . . . and by announcing the auction of her virginity to the highest bidder.

Handsome and disciplined, Gabriel Huntford knows his time is best spent hunting down criminals from the darkest corners of London. As a Bow Street Runner investigating his sister's death, he has no desire to join London's strutting peacocks in this competition when there are more important tasks at hand.

Now, his quest leads him to one of Madeline's "suitors," so he agrees to help this sinful woman. But what begins as a business arrangement quickly turns into something more . . . and love blooms with a passion neither one expected.

                       *                                *                             *                               *

Mystery and suspense abound in this historical romance from the first page to the last.

Madeline Valden is nothing of what she appears. As we get to know her, we discover that she's been more than anyone suspects since the age of fourteen. Experienced and skilled in all ways necessary to protect herself from men, including not allowing her heart to feel, she still possesses something that the men of London find priceless - her virginity - and now she's putting that last item of value on the auction block.

Gabriel Huntford is a man who never gives up - on anything. He's been searching for his sister's killer for seven years and even after being ordered off the case, he's not willing to step away so easily. Set to protect a notorious courtesan who is professing to be a virgin, he uses her case to seek out the murderer from among her bidders or rather her noble suitors. Unimpressed with the woman's claims of virginity, he cares not what she does as long as he can pursue his investigation. When it becomes obvious that someone wants her dead, he begins to be drawn in by her beauty and the truly innocent Madeline who lies beneath the hard-edged manipulating woman of mystery.

Anna Randol is fast becoming a formidable voice in historical romance with her unique stories of spies, mystery, murder and passion. SINS OF A VIRGIN is the first book in a series that I hope will follow this trio that consists of Madeline and her two spying partners, Campbell and Maddox - I am especially intrigued by Ian Maddox.

In SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol, the reader is drawn into a fast-paced story that will keep you begging for more and not wishing the story to end even after the murderer is finally uncloaked. There's danger around every corner yet nowhere is truly safe not even in the midst of a room full of people. The greatest danger exists in the growing attraction that Madeline and Gabriel are fighting to resist but no fear, the author makes sure there's a happy ending.

Whereas the story is exceptional, the characters alive and attractive, I fear that the writing at times left me perplexed. I found that there were many times when I was forced to turn back a page or two to reread because I wasn't sure from which character's point of view I was reading. It happened most often in the first chapters but then corrected itself yet re-emerged briefly toward the end of the book. Despite these brief problems in the book, I thoroughly enjoyed SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol and eagerly await her next foray into this world of suspense she is building for us.

I very much recommend SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol to anyone who loves historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, murderous suspects and most of all teasing passion that will have you begging for just a bit a more as you turn the pages until you find yourself truly satisfied.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol, Avon Romance, release date - August 28, 2012, will be available in print and ebook format.

                                                                     

WINNER of A MOST NAKED SOLUTION by Anna Randol

I'm so sorry I'm so late posting the winner of the ecopy of A MOST NAKED SOLUTION by Anna Randol. We were hit with a very violent and very sudden storm Friday night that took down our neighbors' tree which took out the power lines and is still laying across our driveway. The power lines are still down and so we are left with no power, no water, and no Internet since the cable line is down, too. I'll have to deal with getting that back up and running after we get the power back. [sigh]

I'm borrowing from a friend to get this posted and set a post for Tuesday, a guest reviewer which I hope you will enjoy.

Now for the winner of an ecopy of A MOST NAKED SOLUTION by Anna Randol:

The Winner IS:

Julie Beasley

I've notified Julie by email so I hope she will check her mailbox

and her SPAM folder in case it goes in there.  : )

Hopefully, I'll be back up and running as usual very soon, in the meantime,

Happy Reading Everyone!!

Wacky Wednesday: TIME TRAVELING WITH ANNA RANDOL, author of A MOST NAKED SOLUTION

On Monday, I posted my review of Anna Randol's newest release A MOST NAKED SOLUTION, novella now available from Avon Impulse. It's a murder mystery regency romance novella well worth reading - if you'd like to read my review, CLICK HERE but hurry back because Anna and I are about to embark on a journey back through time in hopes of learning more about the events surrounding the book's mystery!

*                   *                  *                  *                    *

Anna Randol, author of the newly released novella, A MOST NAKED SOLUTION, and I are here at the tavern owned by Mr. and Mrs. Haws in the village of Weltford in England, the year is 1816. The tavern is well-kept and clean. Oak paneling. Roaring fire in the hearth. We’re tucked away in a quiet corner with a good view of the town out of the window.

A handsome, well-dressed lord and blond, almost ethereal lady enter and go straight to the bar to speak with Mr. Haws, the owner of the establishment.

Haws: (shifts behind the bar, the rag in his hand slowing) Lord Grey. Lady Harding. It’s a surprise to see you both again. (pauses) So soon.

Lord Grey: I’ve come to ask again if you remember any strangers from around the time of Lord Harding’s murder. Lady Harding has come along to tell you how grateful she’ll be for any help.

Lady Harding: (hesitates) Of course.

Haws:  (lowers his eyes to the top of the bar) Well, er …

Mrs. Haws explodes out of the kitchen. A look passes between her and Lady Harding.

Lord Grey: (watches the two women and sets his jaw before returning his attention to Haws) I know two men were here after the murder. Two men from London.

Lady Harding pales. She and Lord Grey whisper back and forth. Despite Anna and my best attempts, we cannot overhear what they say. However, we do hear Lord Grey’s growl. Sophia quickly backs away, her face wary.

Amy: (lowers her voice so only Anna can hear)  Do you think we should—  

Mrs. Haws throws a mug of ale in the man's face before we have a chance to act. Anna and I stare at each other wide-eyed as he mops up the mess, and we’re definitely disappointed when the pair leave a few moments later.

Mrs. Haws comes over to our table, the steaming meat pie we ordered in her hands. The crust is golden and flaky and just a touch of rich, brown gravy is bubbling out from under the crust.
Considering her treatment of Lord Grey, we are a trifle hesitant to take the pie.

Mrs. Haws: (winks) I’m not normally in the habit of throwing things at my customers.

Anna: (eyes her warily but then takes the pie) What was going on over there?

Mrs. Haws: (frowns) Lord Grey may be justice of the peace, but I won’t have him scaring women in my tavern. Especially not Lady Harding. The poor chick’s been through enough.

Amy: What precisely has she been through?

Mrs. Haws: (sighs) What with the death of her beast of a husband, then Lord Grey suspecting she had something to do with it. The man finally pries himself away from his mathematics and it’s to investigate the murder.

Anna: (eyes wide) Did she have something to do with it?

Mrs. Haws: (glares) If you think that, then you’re as blind as his lordship. She’s a sweet, dear lady, and if she wants me to keep quiet about the two men that were in the tavern at the time of her husband’s death, I’ll do it.

Anna and Amy glance at each other.

Amy: (lowers voice) She asked you to keep quiet about something?

Anna: (glances at Amy) That seems rather suspicious.

Mrs. Haws: (scowls) Now look what you have gone and made me say. Now eat your pie before I have to take my rolling pin to both your backsides.

We quickly grab our forks and plates and scoop a hearty portion for ourselves.   

Amy: (calls out as Mrs. Haws walks away) Is there something between the two of them? They couldn’t seem to keep their eyes off each other.

Mrs. Haws: (a smile crosses her face) She did love him as a girl, you know. She wrote him the only letter he received while he was in the army. (Her smile turns to a grimace.) Of course, he never wrote her back.

Anna: (frowns) How very sad. (suddenly smiles) But then perhaps now that they’re together again—

Mrs. Haws: (winks, smiles, and lowers her voice) Hush now, don’t jinx it.

                 *                           *                         *                        *                        *

Blurb for A MOST NAKED SOLUTION:

Sometimes the best solution is found in bed . . .

Lady Sophia Harding: beautiful, blond, and . . .capable of murder? That's what Lord Camden Grey intends to find out. It is Camden's duty to uphold the laws of the land. His neighbor's pale beauty and winsome grace don't make her the most likely suspect, but is the innocent and altogether beguiling look in her eyes the truth, or is she secretly a scheming seductress?

Lord Camden Grey is entirely too distracting and too smart. Sophia knows that to keep her family's secrets, she must avoid any entanglements with the powerful and brutally handsome man. But the pull of their mutual desire is all-consuming. Can Sophia trust Camden with the truth when she knows it might kill the love that has grown between them?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Anna Randal writes sultry, adventurous Regency romances for Avon. Her first novel, A Secret In Her Kiss, earned a starred review and Top Pick in Romance from Publisher’s Weekly, who called it a “...masterful debut…[that] spins a tale replete with mystery, espionage, and memorable romance.” When she’s not plotting fun, sexy storylines, Anna’s usually eating dark chocolate, having wild dance parties with her kids in the living room, or remodeling her house one ill-planned project at a time.

Our trip to the past was brief but we've learned that Lady Sophia Harding has friends who love and care about her. Mrs. Haws is even hopeful for a lasting romance between Sophia and Lord Grey even if she did throw ale in his face.

I'd like very much to thank Anna for traveling with me and creating such a delightfully fun post for our Wacky Wednesday (I did help a little by giving her the idea.) It's obvious that her creative talents know no bounds.  Thank you, Miss Anna and know that you are always so very welcome here at UNWRAPPING ROMANCE.  xoxo

Now, Anna and I would like to ask if you could travel to the past, what event would YOU like to eavesdrop on?

One lucky commenter will win an ecopy of A MOST NAKED SOLUTION from Anna to celebrate the release of this most excellent novella.
Please leave a comment & a valid EMAIL ADDRESS for as I've said before, if I can't contact you, you cannot win.
This Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE and will run until 11:30PM EDT Friday, June 29, 2012 and the winner will be announced on Saturday after being notified by email. (See why that email address is important?) 

Happy Reading Everyone and Good Luck!!

A MOST NAKED SOLUTION, a novella by Anna Randol, Avon Impulse, now available in ebook format.

                                                             

Unwrapping: Review of A MOST NAKED SOLUTION, a novella by Anna Randol

When Anna Randol debuted with A SECRET IN HER KISS, I knew I would want to read everything this young author wrote so imagine my delight when Avon asked me to read an eARC for Anna's upcoming new release - a novella sequel to her first called A MOST NAKED SOLUTION. This historical romance novella releases TOMORROW!

Doesn't she get the most beautiful covers!?

Blurb for A MOST NAKED SOLUTION:

Sometimes the best solution is found in bed . . .

Lady Sophia Harding: beautiful, blond, and . . . capable of murder? That's what Lord Camden Grey intends to find out. It is Camden's duty to uphold the laws of the land. His neighbor's pale beauty and winsome grace don't make her the most likely suspect, but is the innocent and altogether beguiling look in her eyes the truth, or is she secretly a scheming seductress?

Lord Camden Grey is entirely too distracting and too smart. Sophia knows that to keep her family's secrets, she must avoid any entanglements with the powerful and brutally handsome man. But the pull of their mutual desire is all-consuming. Can Sophia trust Camden with the truth when she knows it might kill the love that has grown between them?

                  *                    *                   *                  *                 *                 *

The novella, A MOST NAKED SOLUTION by Anna Randol is a wonderful sequel to A SECRET IN HER KISS. This was the novel where we first hear of Bennett Prestwood’s sister, Sophia, whose marital condition Bennett frets over even as his heart and protection are claimed by Mari Sinclair. We learn that Sophia has entangled herself with a husband who is less than honorable in regards to her respect and Bennett has long suspected of her abuse. Bennett, it turns out, was not wrong in his assumptions.

Lady Sophia Harding now finds herself the widow of Lord Harding after the man is shot dead, presumably by a poacher. When Lord Camden Grey, the Justice of the Peace for the village of Weltford, has evidence brought to his attention that the man may have actually been the victim of a hired killing, he sets out to solve the crime. His main suspect, the dead man’s wife and the same woman who had claimed his heart so many years earlier.

In A MOST NAKED SOLUTION, Anna has continued the story first brought to our attention in A SECRET IN HER KISS but without taking anything away from either story. A MOST NAKED SOLUTION stands alone in its tale containing a murder mystery, a second chance at love, and how that love can clear the mind, the conscience, and the soul.

Lord Camden Grey, with his mathematically analytical mind, has more than a crime to solve. He’s been so caught up in his attempt to impress his father by solving a mathematical mystery that he’s ignored the mystery of his heart – his unrelenting attraction and desire for the young girl who used to linger in the hallway to listen to his tutorial lectures on mathematics. Now he is faced with not only confronting that part of his heart that he's shut away but he's also faced with the prospect that Sophia may also be involved in her husband murder.

Lady Sophia Harding, on the other hand, has never forgotten her first love or the assumed rejection she’d felt after writing Camden of her love and respect while he was away at war. Despite the cruelties she was forced to endure at the hands of a husband who claimed to love her, her heart refuses to allow Camden to keep himself from her even while he believes her capable of murder. So who did kill the dastardly Lord Richard Harding and why? Was it Sophia or someone who loved her enough to protect her from such a monster? Was it someone who wants to see Sophia go down for the crime? All will be revealed in A MOST NAKED SOLUTION.

A MOST NAKED SOLUTION by Anna Randol is a novella of dimension containing multiple levels of plot and intrigue. Anna proved herself a talented story teller with A SECRET IN HER KISS but has acknowledged herself even more improved with A MOST NAKED SOLUTION. The characters are believable and extraordinary in intelligence and personality. Many questions are put forth to the reader and then summarily answered easily and intelligently - except for one unanswered question left at the end. I can only hope that this question will lead us to the next creative story from this talented author.

I highly recommend A MOST NAKED SOLUTION by Anna Randol to anyone who enjoys a bit of murder and intrigue with their delightful Regency Romance.

Happy Reading Everyone!

BTW, join Anna Randol and myself as we go on a time traveling adventure this coming WACKY WEDNESDAY - she's even offering a giveaway!

A MOST NAKED SOLUTION, a novella by Anna Randol, Avon Impulse, release date - June 26, 2012 in ebook format.

                                                                  

Unwrapping: Review of A SECRET IN HER KISS by Anna Randol

I love reading books by new authors and am very glad I read this one!

A SECRET IN HER KISS is Anna Randol's debut Historical Romance Novel and does not disappoint. Released on January 31, 2012 by Avon Publishing, A SECRET IN HER KISS is a breath of fresh air that most definitely breathes new life into the historical romance genre.

Blurb from A SECRET IN HER KISS:

She would gladly relinquish her life of intrigue…
A rare beauty, raised in the exotic heart of the Ottoman Empire, Mari Sinclair knows it’s time to end her career as a British spy when she narrowly avoids a brush with death. Unfortunately her employers think otherwise—and they are not above using blackmail to keep Mari in the Game.
Saddled with a handsome, duty-obsessed “minder” to ensure that she completes—and survives—one last mission, Mari is incensed…for her guardian, Major Bennett Prestwood, is simply too dedicated, too unbending, and too disarmingly attractive. But in the face of dark secrets and deadly treacheries, as the true peril to Mari is slowly revealed, loyal soldier Bennett realizes that, to save and win this extraordinary woman, he will have to do the unthinkable and break the rules—rules that passion and desire have suddenly, irrevocably changed.

So different from other Regency Romances, A SECRET IN HER KISS set during the time of the Ottoman Empire in the city of Constantinople, gives the reader a taste of the exotic while infusing the story with intrigue, danger, betrayal and undeniable passion.

The year is 1815, Major Bennett Prestwood, ordered to travel to Constantinople to play protector to a woman whose artistic talents are too important to lose to whoever has uncovered her role as spy for the English, discovers his new charge is headstrong and independent. Mari's loyalties to those closest to her - Nathan Abington, her father, her servants and Esad Pasha, the man whom she has come to think of more as a father than her own - may well be putting her in greater danger than her missions.

Annoyed and irritated that the Ambassador has saddled her with a guardian, Mari Sinclair's irritation doubles when she discovers how incredibly handsome and unyielding the British officer is both in appearance and in attitude. Forced to play the role as charming suitor, she sets out to persuade Bennett to leave her be and return to England. Working slyly, she attempts to drive him away by any means possible only to find her desire for him driving her to need and depend on him even more. Still not trusting the man, she begins to learn he has a side that he keeps hidden from everyone, including her. The man has something fierce driving his sense of duty just as she has her own secrets driving her reasons for completing increasingly dangerous missions for the British. 

As the dangers increase, so does the desire smoldering beneath the surface of this couple who are forced to play at courting in public but soon practice the role to perfection in private. The only thing holding them back is their lack of trust in each other. The pair take turns betraying each other's trust until both fear there is no trust left to salvage. Both have a duty to complete and neither are willing to allow that duty to fail even for love.

A SECRET IN HER KISS is an exotic trip into a land of strange and dangerous cultures. Intrigue abounds behind every door, market cart, and desert boulder. From the first page to the last, Anna Randol keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as a fiery desire develops between Mari and Bennett while the dangers around them increase.

Over all, I found this debut novel strong, inventive, and a delightful foray into an exotic setting. I do wish the ending was a bit stronger. This was a story that I didn't want to end and when it did, I was left wondering what would happen to Mari's father, Achilla and Selim. Even a simple line or two could have vanquished my concerns for these characters. 

I highly recommend A SECRET IN HER KISS by Anna Randol - published by Avon, available in print (beautiful cover) and ebook formats.  Happy Reading!!

                                                                 

BTW: If anyone is interested in entering Juliana Stone's WRONG SIDE OF HELL Pre-Order Contest - a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card (1st prize) or a signed copy of WICKED ROAD TO HELL (2nd prize and the one I want) - click here for details.  : )