To Kiss a Spy

Rating:
Summary: It's not long enough to be a novel!
Review: 240 pages. that's like half a novel.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful historical romance
Review: And to think I actually disliked Jane Feather at one time and considered not reading any more of her books!! One of her earlier books, Silver Rose, really put me off. It featured a lame, weak "hero" and a cold heroine with 3 very cruel brothers. Feather has since redeemed herself (in my eyes) with the "Bride" series and now with The Widow's Kiss and her latest To Kiss a Spy. The latter is an excellent story full of sympathetic, multi-dimensional characters, suspense, intrigue and history. Lady Pen Bryanston is positive that she delivered a healthy baby boy ( albeit prematurely) because she heard him cry. But she was told by her evil mother-in-law that he was stillborn. French spy, Owen D'Arcy plans to seduce Pen to discover state secrets. Instead he finds himself very attracted to the honest, no-nonsense widow, who convinces him to help her find her lost baby. Spy turns detective and the 2 fall in love during the search. Pen is the kind of woman you'd want as your best friend - strong but not obstinate, pretty enough but full of inner beauty, loyal and loving. Owen is a wonderful, compassionate, competent hero with dark secrets of his own. This was a wonderful, wonderful romance that I highly recommend to you. Author Jane Feather has numerous excellent options for her next book - a story about Pippa or Robin? perhaps Philip? Or Lucy and Andrew? I anxiously await her new one. If you enjoy romance set farther back than the 19th Century, especially ones set in the Middle Ages or the 1600's, try Madeline Hunter's books: By Design, By Arrangement and By Possession. Also Patricia Ryan is fabulous, her best being Secret Thunder and Silken Threads.

Rating:
Summary: Dangerous and emotional historical...
Review: Exhausted and barely coherent after an intense, anguishing twenty-hour labor, recently widowed Lady Penelope Bryanston refuses to believe her mother-in-law's declaration that her baby died at birth. She knows she heard the babe cry. As part of Princess Mary's entourage, Pen spends the next two years obsessing over her son and uncovering the truth, albeit secretly, while staying close to the Princess.

Owen de Arcy, a smart, sophisticated spy, is sent to King Edward's court to seduce Lady Penelope in hopes of becoming her confidante in matters of royal secrets, which he will deliver back to the French ambassador. Instead of the meek, pliable woman he has been led to believe Pen is, Owen finds a strongly independent woman who resists the charms that never failed him before now.

Following a short period of becoming better acquainted with each other, Pen and Owen not only form a deep attraction, but confide their secrets and enter into a dangerous bargain to help one another. Master spy that he is, Owen will call upon his contacts to see what he can learn about Pen's child, living or dead, and Pen will confide any secrets she learns regarding Princess Mary's fate.

Centered on young King Edward's court and his cousin and heir, Princess Mary, TO KISS A SPY is a complex, dangerous, mysterious tale of lies, betrayals, power and greed. After the initial sparks fly between Pen and Owen, their relationship travels along a natural path, both being open and honest with the other. Secondary characters also shine, most especially Pen's sister, Pippa, and stepbrother, Robin, lending much needed support and touches of humor.

Ms. Feather pens a dangerous, emotional tale that takes the reader from London proper into the seedier spots where brothels and stews abound. Some dialogue seemed more modern to me than sixteenth century "speak", but did not detract enough to pull me out of this exciting story.

I recommend TO KISS A SPY as a fast-paced, engrossing novel of intrigue, passion and the power of not only romantic love, but love of family, to conquer and heal all.

Rating:
Summary: Don't go by the reviews- read it for yourself.
Review: I don't agree with other reviews that put this one down so bad. I did read the previous novel "A Widow's Kiss" which is great! Pen Bryanston who was a child in it is now grown and a widow. She believes that the child she had who was claimed to have been still-born is actually alive and is out to prove it to her family and others. Owen d'Arcy is a French spy for the cause of Princess Mary and has been told to get close to Pen who is Mary's lady-in-waiting. After being approached by Owen, Pen strikes up a "devil's bargain" with him to keep him informed by spying on Mary and inturn Owen will help uncover the truth of her baby's claims. I enjoyed the fact that Pen is intelligent. She is not a raving beauty but yet has a way about her that shows beauty. Owen has a dark past himself that makes him mysterious. I enjoyed this book and hope you will give it a chance.

Rating:
Summary: A Total Waste of Time!!!
Review: I have a policy that if I start a book I read the entire book even if it starts slow and doesn't really grab me. I do this because sometimes the book will start slow but become a worthwhile read in the end. This is not the case with "To Kiss A Spy". In fact I would have to say that if I could have given this book a minus 5 stars I would have!!! The characters are dull and truthfully I never cared for even a moment if they eneded up together. The "Steam" factor of this book is a big zero. This book is to say the least a big waste of valuable reading time.

Rating:
Summary: Betryal, Heartbreak, Action, History & Love
Review: i have read the other reviews of this novel & i have to say that i disagree that this novel was slow. the story of Pen's betrayal by her husband's family pulls at your heart (and brought me to tears a number of times) & it runs along at an exciting pace. perhaps if you want more sex you will be disappointed; however, if you like more story, suspense and intrigue than sex (like myself), this book definitely answers that need.

i must add that after reading "the Queen's Fool" by Philipa Gregory, i am biased to stories based in Queen Mary I time and court. I am fascinated by this sad, dark and tragic time in England's history. to have Mary's uncertainty and love for England and her religious fanaticism as a backdrop for "to kiss a spy" made it more captivating for me to read. if you enjoy historical novels that have true historical persons entwined among its plots, you will enjoy "to kiss a spy".

Rating:
Summary: Betryal, Heartbreak, Action, History & Love
Review: i have read the other reviews of this novel & i have to say that i disagree that this novel was slow. the story of Pen's betrayal by her husband's family pulls at your heart (and brought me to tears a number of times) & it runs along at an exciting pace. perhaps if you want more sex you will be disappointed; however, if you like more story, suspense and intrigue than sex (like myself), this book definitely answers that need.

i must add that after reading "the Queen's Fool" by Philipa Gregory, i am biased to stories based in Queen Mary I time and court. I am fascinated by this sad, dark and tragic time in England's history. to have Mary's uncertainty and love for England and her religious fanaticism as a backdrop for "to kiss a spy" made it more captivating for me to read. if you enjoy historical novels that have true historical persons entwined among its plots, you will enjoy "to kiss a spy".

Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: I own 22 books by Jane Feather....so, you can see I am a big fan; however, if this were the first book I read of hers, I would not read another. The characters are flat. Even though I had met Pen in a previous book by Jane Feather, I found that I could not connect with the character at all. The book starts out with a pretty good prologue; but, then the story line doesn't feel credible. Read any other book by Jane Feather. She's an excellent author. But, stay away from this one.

Rating:
Summary: Flat and disappointing
Review: I own 22 books by Jane Feather....so, you can see I am a big fan; however, if this were the first book I read of hers, I would not read another. The characters are flat. Even though I had met Pen in a previous book by Jane Feather, I found that I could not connect with the character at all. The book starts out with a pretty good prologue; but, then the story line doesn't feel credible. Read any other book by Jane Feather. She's an excellent author. But, stay away from this one.

Rating:
Summary: Unusual....
Review: Lady Pen believes her son, who she was told was stillborn, is really alive. Since none of her friends or family believe her, she enlists the aid of a French spy, Owen, to help her in exchange of passing alone some information about Princess Mary.

What starts out as a personal intrigue twists into a political intrigue as more people beomce aware of their connection. Is Pen's son still alive? Why would her mother-in-law lie to her about her son? How will Princess Mary avoid the Tower and succeed her brother to the throne? Will Pen and Owen become more than just conspirators?

I always trust Jane Feather to come up with an unusual twist to an historical romance. Another "feather" in her cap (sorry-- I couldn't resist). Well written, well plotted, and no loose ends. Definately worth the read.