Surrender to a Wicked Spy (The Royal Four, Book 2)

This is the second book in the Royal Four Series and is the story of the Lion. Lord Dane Calwell is very serious about his duty to the crown...his father was a traitor who fell in love with a French spy and betrayed secrets out of that love. Dane knows he has to marry he has a duty to produce an heir and chooses Olivia because she seems to be of sturdy stock, he will never be able to love because it will interfere with his duties. It seems Dane has an unusual problem (he is unnaturally large Victoria refers to him as a blond Viking) and needs a wife who will be able to withstand his attentions and produce an heir. Olivia knows her family is desperate to make a good match for her because of their financial problems...it was thought that her brother Walter would save the family by marrying an heiress but he drowned a month before. Olivia's mother never worried about a match for her because she spent all her attention on Walter. Out of desperation Olivia's mother pushes her into the Thames so that Lord Dane will jump in and rescue her. Olivia, a strong swimmer, ends up having to rescue Lord Dane who is stuck in the mud after jumping in to save her. A few days later, she is shocked to learn she has been bethrothed to him by her father. Dane makes no attempt to woo her and barely even sees her until the night of her wedding. Dane comes in on their wedding night and does delicious things to Olivia without actually consummating their marriage. Olivia is confused and turns to a local courtesan to help her with her marital woes, what happens later is hilarious but some scenes border on erotica. Not only is Olivia confused about their personal relationship, she is curious about the secret "business" dealings her husband is always having. It seems that he is always meeting with the same few men but Dane keeps putting her off when she asks questions. Before long, it seems that devious things are underfoot and someone is out to undermine Olivia. Dane struggles against his growing feelings for Olivia, when things go bad, he forces himself to put duty first and almost destroys the one woman who ever meant anything to him. I love Celeste Bradley's characters. They are always intense, with depth, humor and not at all your typical regency characters. Can't wait for the third book.

This is the first Celeste Bradley book I've read and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was soooo pleased with this story. The characters are believably real: they have their issues and aren't perfect. Thankfully, they're not raving loons either. I loved both Dane and Olivia. Ms. Bradley has a remarkable style; the plot was fast-paced, writing was funny and the romance was touching.

Okay, so I just stayed up until 3 am last night reading this book and I am a total wreck at work right now. But, oh, it was so worth it. For those of you that have not yet read a Liar's Club/Royal Four book - you need to run to the nearest bookstore and get them now. Or, buy them off of Ebay for discounted rates, but YOU MUST GET THEM. Furthermore, you need to read them in order. The book "Surrender to a Wicked Spy" is the latest book in the series. With some series the books can work as stand-alones, but I think that the Liar's Club/Royal Four books are MUCH better when read as part of the series. Characters from previous books play roles in current books, and there is a story of treason and a villain that is a common thread in each book of the series. With each book, we learn more about the activities of the villain and the great grand plan. Don't get me wrong - you can still read them individually, but I just think you'll get a lot more enjoyment out of it if you read them all. Plus, you should read them all, anyway, because she's a terrific writer and the books are great fun. The series (in order): The Pretender (#1); The Impostor (#2); The Spy (#3); The Charmer (#4) ; To Wed A Scandalous Spy (Royal Four Book #1); The Rogue (#5); Surrender to a Wicked Spy (Royal Four Book #2); One Night with a Spy (Royal Four Book #3 - due out mid-2006); Untitled Royal Four Book 4 (due out late 2006) Now, on to the review: Olivia must marry for money - her brother passed away and she is her family's only hope. In an effort to get Olivia wed to a titled, wealthy man, her mother pushes Olivia in the Thames River and that prompts Dane Calwell to jump in after her to save her. Dane has realized that he needs to marry and, upon some reflection, decides that Olivia would be a perfect wife. He decides that she is well-bred, well-mannered, and has, in short, all of the qualities that would make a perfect Lady Greenleigh. They marry and that's where the fun begins. To start off, Olivia is nothing like Dane imagined her to be - her mother has completely over-sold her abilities to run a household, be a fine hostess, and be poised and elegant. Secondly, Dane is a member of the Royal Four - a group of influential lords that manages and protects the Crown in secret. He is the Lion (the other four are the Cobra, the Fox, and the Falcon) and has a secret fear that prevents him from getting close to anyone. His father was a traitor to the Crown - all for the love a French woman. This has tainted Dane's perception of love (and women) and feels that if he allows his feelings for Olivia to deepen, then he will choose to be loyal to her above the Crown and he cannot allow himself to make the same mistakes his father did. Olivia, for her part, does not allow Dane to remain detached and quickly captivates him and forces him to become her husband not just physically, but also emotionally. Another thing that is holding their relationship back is that Dane is afraid of hurtin

Olivia Calwell is newly married to the devastatingly handsome, somewhat secretive, and incredibly dashing Dane Calwell, Lord Greenleigh. She finds great pleasure in his company, in the bedroom and out. Unfortunately he is a very busy man during the day. He is usually away at meetings or locked in his study with his business advisor. Although she is falling helplessly in love with Dane, Olivia is very frustrated by her new husband's cryptic behavior. Dane Calwell, Lord Greenleigh, is a member of the Royal Four, men charged with protecting England and the Prince Regent in complete secrecy. Known as the Lion, Dane knows that his service to England is his foremost duty. But the new Lady Greenleigh, Olivia, tempts him from his mission in ways he never expected. Olivia is poised, intelligent and has a marvelous sense of humor. While Dane appreciates Olivia's cleverness, he also laments this very trait for she is constantly questioning things. If he isn't careful, her curiosity and intellect will interfere with his latest mission, putting Olivia in terrible danger. Can the Lion protect his country and his heart? I love these characters and I love their story. Olivia is sweetly awkward and delightfully funny. I especially love her fearless interaction with Dane, although, there were times I wanted to shake him senseless and wished Olivia would do it for me. But I forgave him, how could I not? For Dane is dutiful, noble, and oh, so sinfully gorgeous. Dane has me so enthralled that I am still drooling over him. Surrender to a Wicked Spy is a keeper! I knew I'd love this book when I giggled out loud in the very first chapter. Ms. Bradley's sense of humor always shines in her writing, but especially so in Surrender to a Wicked Spy. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of romance, intrigue and hot, delicious sex. And I cannot stress enough how delicious it is! I think this is the most erotic book in both the Liar's Club and the Royal Four series. Surrender to a Wicked Spy is my favorite Celeste Bradley book thus far!   Annabelle Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed