Love and survival in the shadow of Waterloo . . . Wearied by his years as a British intelligence officer, Simon Duval resigns his commission after Napoleon's abdication. Hoping to find new meaning in his life, he returns to England, where he discovers his cousin's widow, Suzanne Duval, the Comtesse de Chambron. Working as a seamstress, living in reduced circumstances, Suzanne has had a life as complicated as Simon's. While both believe they are beyond love, their sympathetic bond leads him to propose a marriage of companionship, and Suzanne accepts. She didn't want or expect a true marriage, but as Suzanne joins Simon in a search for his long missing foster brother, warmth and caring begin to heal both their scars?and a powerful passion sparks between them. Then news from France threatens to disrupt their happiness. Napoleon has escaped from Elba and Wellington personally asks Simon to help prevent another devastating war. Only this time, Simon does not go into danger alone. He and Suzanne will face deadly peril together, and pray that love will carry them through . . . Praise for the Rogues Redeemed series "Deftly balances fascinating historical detail, adventure, and menace with a passionate romance." ?Library Journal "Though suspense and adventure drive this story forward, the love at its center sets it apart." ? Kirkus Reviews "Impeccably written." ? Booklist.
Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2019 September #2 What does a soldier do when the war is over? For Simon Duval, who had served as a spy for the British government, now that Napoleon has abdicated, it's time to return home to England. While in London, Simon manages to track down Suzanne Duval, his late cousin's wife, and is shocked to discover that she is now working as a seamstress. Proposing marriage to Suzanne as a means of helping her financially is out of the question due to Suzanne's past experiences with men. But what about a marriage of "friendship?" However, just as Simon and Suzanne are settling into their new lives together, their marriage of friendship is tested on several fronts as the couple becomes caught up in the turmoil surrounding Napoleon's escape from Elba, Simon's search for a long-lost relative, and their growing desire for one another. RITA Award-winning Putney is known for her sublime romances that are expertly steeped in history, and Once a Spy, the latest flawlessly plotted and finely crafted addition to her Rogues Redeemed series, is no exception. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.
Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2019 October
Col. Simon Duval has returned to England after years serving as a British Intelligence Officer and is trying to piece together a new life. Unsure of what the future holds, but looking for some sort of connection, Simon seeks out his cousin's widow, Suzanne Duval, the Comtesse de Chambron. He finds her working as a seamstress, still recovering from her own harrowing and devastating past. Neither Simon nor Suzanne see a future with love factored in, but Simon convinces Suzanne that companionship without the trappings of lust is a worthy endeavor and proposes marriage. As Suzanne assists with Simon's quest to find his presumed dead friend, passion grows, and both are unsure of what this means for their current arrangement. When Napoleon escapes Elba, however, both Simon and Suzanne are thrust back into the intrigue of an impending war and must determine if the scars of the past will prevent the possibilities of the future. VERDICT With this fourth installment in the "Rogues Redeemed" series, Putney continues to offer a fascinating historical perspective combined with a tender love story that slowly moves from friendship to desire to love, making this an excellent addition to any collection.âKellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash
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