Love and Let Spy

June 9, 2014
Though the setup is implausible, Galen provides plenty of explosiveness, both literal and erotic, in a Regency-era romantic thriller packed with intrigue and lust. Bonde, Jane Bonde, lead spy for Britain’s elite Barbican Group, wants to focus on stopping the French assassin Foncé, but her boss and uncle, Lord Melbourne, thinks she needs to marry to provide cover for her travels. His choice for her spouse, Dominic Griffyn, would rather tend his horses than confront the demons of his past. He has no interest in either pursuing intimacy or submitting to his mother’s schemes, until he and Jane discover how much they enjoy each other’s company. The overall feeling is adventurous fun, but Galen’s story is surprisingly modern despite the 1816 London setting: the married secret agents from Lord and Lady Spy model successful work-life balance, and Griffyn’s self-protective response to a history of abuse feels emotionally authentic. Series fans will be eager to see what comes next.

July 15, 2014
Despite her success as a spy, JaneBonde is still beholden to strict social mores, so when her spymaster unclepressures her to marry enigmatic Dominic Griffyn, she's totally conflicted. Bonde, Jane Bonde, has trained froma young age to be the best spy England's supersecret Barbican group has tooffer. On an intellectual level, she understands her uncle's desire to see hermarried, since it's difficult to navigate society as a single young lady.However, to be ordered to marry a man she's never met gets Jane's back up.Then, when she meets the darkly handsome Griffyn, she finds him wildlyattractive, which is a wholly unwelcome distraction, since she's trying tovanquish the evil villain Fonce, who's sworn to destroy the Barbican group andbring England to its knees. At first, Griffyn is against marrying her, too, buteverything about him is a mystery, and if there's one thing Jane can't resist,it's a puzzle. Of course, the fact that his kisses drive her crazy doesn'thelp, and then there's the way he steps up to every challenge; better than somemen trained for years to control the chaos and danger of her field. For his part,unsavory events from Griffyn's childhood mire him in guilt and feelings ofunworthiness, and he has convinced himself he will never marry. But theexquisite and exceptional Jane may be just the woman to treat his psychologicalwounds, if they can defeat the maniacal Fonce and forge a future together.Galen pens a delightful, entertaining James Bond homage in her newest spy-basedRegency romance; from the very first 007-inspired chase scene, we're hooked bythe adventure and physical jeopardy, and we keep reading for the emotionalrisks and high-stakes love story unfolding between Jane and Griffyn. The fun, ebullient spy-driven plot is gratifyingly over-the-top in a Bond-movieway, while the romantic arc remains authentic and affecting.

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