CONFESSIONS OF A VISCOUNT

Author: Shirley Karr ISBN: 0060834129 12/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Regency - 1816 England

The Naked Truth... Alistair, Viscount Moncreiffe, must confess: he is thoroughly bored with the proper ladies of the ton. The rogue longs for an adventurous beauty who will make his world more... interesting. So Alistair is delighted when fiery, fearless Charlotte Parnell literally drops into his arms—and he's quick to tender a marriage proposal when they are discovered in this scandalous position. Better a Spy Than a Bride... Charlotte wishes to continue spying for the Crown alongside her brother, who thinks she should marry instead. Now she's determined to solve a most important and dangerous case before he does. But a misstep on a London rooftop has landed her in Viscount Moncreiffe's embrace—and she is intrigued by the handsome rake's offer of matrimony. With a fiance by her side, she'll arouse fewer suspicions—and she'll end the engagement once her mission is completed. But will Alistair's disarming passion inspire Charlotte to uncover the most astonishing secret of all: the love hidden deep in her heart?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

What would you do if you lived in 1816 and your brother was trying to get you to give up your espionage career for the life of a young miss on the marriage mart? Why, you'd try to prove you were better at the spying game than your brother, and apply yourself fiercely to get the notice of your employer by solving the latest case before your brother and his friends.

Charlotte Parnell was orphaned at 15, and as a result, her brother pulled her into the world of espionage during the Napoleonic Wars. But now the war is over, and he wants her to have a normal life. She has no intention of retiring, and sees men only as tools. She borrows Alistair, Viscount Moncreiffe's arm one day while on a scouting mission, and soon ends up in such a compromising position with him that he proposes a fake engagement.

Alistair himself is happy to have a shield from the girls who throw themselves at him. An adventurous sort, the gentleman scientist is increasingly pulled into Charlotte's case. As the bullets fly, they fall in love.

CONFESSIONS OF A VISCOUNT is a fast-moving intrigue, complete with all the dastardly and heroic characters you'd want in a historical romance. Charlotte and Alistair are enthusiastic characters who will win you over as fast as a starry night sky will turn your thoughts to those of romance.

Heather Hiestand