Product Description

She spied him in the shadows . . .

And in an instant, Thalia Langley knew the man before her was no saint. He might claim to be the Duke of Hollindrake's unassuming country cousin, but no man that handsome, that arresting, could be anything but . . . well, he simply must be an unrepentant rogue. His cat-like grace and power leave Tally shivering in her slippers at the notion of all the wicked, forbidden things he might be capable of doing . . . to her.

Indeed, Lord Larken is no bumbling vicar, but a master spy there in his majesty's service to find—and murder—a notorious pirate freed in a daring prison escape. Devoted to the Crown, Larken's not about to let an interfering (and not entirely innocent) Mayfair miss disrupt his ruthless plans. Yet how can he be anything but tempted by this lady in a little black gown . . . a dress tantalizing enough to lead even Larken astray.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #215889 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-01
• Released on: 2009-03-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780061373237
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Booklist
Boyle continues her Bachelor Chronicles. Thalia “Tally” Langley just knew her sister Felicity’s house party—otherwise known as “Felicity’s Infernal Folly”—was going to be a catastrophe. Before the party even begins, another woman’s trunk of clothes is mistakenly delivered in place of Tally’s luggage. Then any hopes Tally might have of finding her very own man of mystery are dashed once their first guest—her brother-in-law’s deadly dull vicar cousin Milo Ryder—arrives. But everything isn’t a total disaster. Tally discovers a gorgeous, scandalously sexy black gown in the trunk, and there are hints that Milo might not be a complete bumbling bore. All of Boyle’s signature elements—high wit, delightfully original characters, and a wildly creative plot spiced with deception and desire—blend together brilliantly. The series continues with Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress (2009), reviewed below. --John Charles

Review
"All of Boyle's signature elements-high wit, delightfully original characters, and a wildly creative plot spiced with deception and desire-blend together brilliantly." (Booklist )

About the Author

Elizabeth Boyle has always loved romance and now lives it each and every day by writing adventurous and passionate stories that readers from all around the world have described as "page-turners." Since her first book was published in 1996, she's won the RWA RITA^® Award and a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award and saw six titles become USA Today bestsellers. His Mistress By Morning is her eighth book for Avon. She resides in Seattle with her husband and two small sons, or "heroes in training" as she likes to call them.

Customer Reviews

Mediocre Read
Elizabeth Boyle is one of my favorite authors: she is an autobuy for me. This book just never grabbed me. I did not feel the emotion between Tally and Larken. After I read an historical romance, I think about whether or not I could have written it. If the answer is yes, then I know the book's not that great. Sad to say, I think I could have written this book. There are some amusing secondary characters but this book was not driven by characterization. There was quite of bit of telling and now showing in the plot. I'm sorry I wasted my money. I'm giving it 3 stars only because I usually enjoy the author's books.

Fantastic Mystery!! Great Read! 4.5
I see that this book is not the first in a series, but this is the first I have read in it. Still, I did not feel I was missing anything and I loved this story. All of the characters were likable and well-defined and the romance was enjoyable. I felt like this was more mystery than romance, but it was a great mystery and it keeps you turning the pages wondering what will happen next. It was not totally predictable and you won't be able to put it down. The hero is hardened by a career as a ruthless spy bound by his honor and duty to his country, and to restoring the good name of his family. He is ordered on a new mission, which he is very reluctant to carry out...the killing of a friend who is wanted by the Bristish government. The heroine is the daughter of a former spy. She has traveled the world and knows the second that she meets the hero that her life is forever changed. But she has deep loyalities and familial obligations that stand in the way of this romance. She must learn who to trust and hopes that she makes the right decision in the end.

I stayed glued to this book from the second I began reading it. I highly recommend it and think it will be a winner for anyone who enjoys suspense/romance.

On a completely different page
Well, I don't know what book the other reviewers have been reading, but I feel as if I have read a completely different book. I found this book boring and predictable. And it had been so long since I'd had read the previous books that led up to this one, that I had lost my connection with the girls. I couldn't finish it, which is a shame because I am usually a great fan of Elizabeth Boyle.