Title: An Indecent Invitation by Laura Trentham
Spies and Lovers Series Book One
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Historical, Romance, Mystery/Suspense
Length: 284 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author
Summary:
Keeping her safe is difficult, keeping a proper distance from her is downright impossible.
Lady Lily Drummond understands only too well the danger of spy work. Her father, a preeminent master spy, has been missing for months, and her brother barely survived his final mission for the Crown. Lily is still determined to help find her father, no matter how hard her brother and his best friend try to keep her in the dark.
Busy trying to untangle the web of deceit surrounding the Earl of Windor’s disappearance, Crown spy Gray Masterson also has to ensure Lily Drummond, the gangly, awkward child who was his constant shadow growing up, doesn’t get herself ruined at her London debut. But the girl with scraped knees and elbows has evolved into a lush, sensual beauty surrounded by a bevy of suitors.
Realizing Lily is going to investigate on her own if he doesn’t let her join the hunt for her missing father, Gray assumes he can give Lily a few minor tasks to pacify her, but he quickly learns she is a valuable asset. Moreover, she fairly crackles with life and warmth—things he craves after his dark years in service.
Product Warnings: This book contains spies, scandals, naughty liaisons in houses of ill repute, men who think they know everything and women who know they do not.
Review:
An Indecent Invitation is the scorching hot and intriguing first installment in Laura Trentham’s Spies and Lovers series. This historical novel pairs up a sassy, intelligent young woman with a long time family friend and their resulting romance is explosive. Readers of historical romances who also enjoy a suspense element to the storyline do not want to miss this beguiling and super steamy novel.
Lady Lily Drummond is a quick thinking, feisty and clever young woman who is determined to think for herself. She is nothing like the shy and retiring ladies of the peer and she wants more from life than an advantageous marriage. She can be a bit impulsive but she can take care of herself and Lily is not about to take orders from anyone.
Gray Masterson grew up beside Lily and he is best friends with her brother Rafe. While he is not an aristocrat, his career as a spy for the Crown has garnered him the respect of his peers. He is stunned to discover the hellion who tagged along behind him and Rafe has grown into a beautiful and highly sought after young woman. Gray is dismayed by his attraction to Lily but he knows she deserves a titled suitor, so he is determined to ignore his feelings for her.
Much to his annoyance, Lily is not easy to ignore or dissuade once she decides to help investigate her father’s disappearance. After Gray realizes this, he and Rafe devise a scheme to keep her busy while at the same time keeping her out of harm’s way. However, Gray underestimates Lily’s abilities and she uncovers important evidence. She can also move freely about in Society and her invitations take her into places that he cannot freely access so Lily quickly becomes a valuable asset to the investigation.
Underlying all of Lily and Gray’s interactions is a simmering attraction that soon becomes impossible to ignore. Lily might be innocent but she does not hesitate to explore her burgeoning sexuality once it is awakened. Their mutual desire leads to some very sensual and exquisitely detailed sex scenes that are also full of deep emotions. Being an honorable gentleman, Gray knows that marriage is the only thing that will salvage Lily’s reputation, but will she agree to marry him?
An Indecent Invitation is a wonderful blend of suspense and romance and fans of the genre are sure to enjoy this beautifully written and well researched first installment in Laura Trentham’s Spies and Lovers series. The mystery surrounding Lily’s father’s disappearance is quite interesting and the investigation is full of exciting twists and turns. There is a plenty of sexual tension between Gray and Lily and their exchanges are a delightful combination of witty banter and flirtatious bickering. An outstanding historical romance that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book in the series.
