|
The debut of rich heiress Lady Jane Pennington has the whole of London society agog. However, his quick-witted, intelligent young woman soon gets tired of being fawned over by penniless fortune-hunters at countless parties but bears the tedium by composing detailed letters to Mother. At one such monotonous party, she has a memorable encounter with one of London’s most notorious and charming gamblers, Ethan Damont.
Ethan’s by now quite used to and to a modicum, contented with a life dependant on the turn of a card. But after the brief bout of adventure he’d recently shared with pal Colin Tremayne, he’s begun to feel the lack of a certain something in his life. Meeting Lady Jane, who for some reason persists in the absurd notion that he’s a gentleman at core despite his vices, and later on being approached to become a double spy soon has Ethan battling between lust and loyalty.
Celeste Bradley’s ‘The Liar’s Club’ series scarcely needs an introduction, so popular it’s become with readers ever since its inception. These stories of spies, both men and women, caught in a whirlwind of treachery and romance are exhilarating to say the least. While equally charming, the story’s somewhat predictable. However, Bradley skillfully evades the grasp of monotony by treating readers to a pair of feisty protagonists. Jane’s no simpering society miss but rather a determined young woman with deep secrets and fears that she keeps well hidden. Her belief in the rogue Ethan Damont’s hidden virtues has the effect of simultaneously provoking and inspiring this not-so degenerate. How these two battle out their feelings, both romantic and patriotic makes for a book that’s as sensual as it’s suspenseful. Altogether intriguing, exciting and entertaining, this book is a sterling addition to the Liar’s Club series.
Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
for The Road to Romance
June 26, 2005
|
