The Betrayal of the Blood Lily

A nineteenth-century exotic locale, a handsome officer and a feisty heroine make for archetypical romantic fare, but Lauren Willig's new novel THE BETRAYAL OF THE BLOOD LILY is anything BUT a conventional bodice ripper embellished with historical detail. In her sixth novel in her "PINK CARNATION" series, Willig exhibits once again that she is an accomplished raconteur as she weaves an intricate and lively tale involving spies, espionage and romance during the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France. Whereas the previous novels have taken place in England and France involving a set of interrelated characters, Willig has taken a bold leap in introducing a new ensemble cast and intriguingly transported the narrative to exotic India. Our heroine Penelope Deveraux, who we met briefly in the previous novel THE TEMPTATION OF THE NIGHT JASMINE, is as bold as brass. Her unpropitious behavior had always set more than a few fans fluttering and tongue's wagging in London society, but she never thought a little kanoodling would force her into a hasty marriage with the dissipated Lord Frederick Staines. To avert scandal, the couple is quickly packed off to India where Freddy has accepted the position as Governor General Wellesley's Special Envoy to the Court of Hyderabad. Married life is more than a bit disappointing as Freddy's diversions tend toward gambling away her dowry and dalliances with the local bibi, the Indian equivalent of a mistress. One would think that Lady Penelope would be at odds in this strange new world far and away from the tempered drawing rooms of England, but she can ride and shoot and talk politics with the best of the big boys. This is more than a bit disconcerting to Captain Alex Reid who is escorting Lord Staines and his adventurous young wife to Hyderabad. She is a willful, flipant and an opinionated aristocrat. He is a disciplined, by-the-book, level headed solider and more than alarmed by her unconventional behavior. Their sharp banter is reminiscent of Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler on a bad day. Unfortunately, he frankly does give a damn. Pen is a married woman and her overt flirtation and unguarded behavior is sorely testing his honor. The political situation in India is just as tumultuous as the British and French jockey for control after the end of the Maratha War. In the court of the Nizam of Hyderabad, power and deceit go hand-in-hand fueling rumors of a French flower spy the Marigold. Gold and guns are missing which could turn the axis of power back into French hands. Somehow Penelope is connected to the Marigold and Captain Reid reluctantly accepts her help to uncover a dangerous spy, save British interest in India and thwart Bonaparte. Oh, and along the way, a few buttons get popped. As with all of the previous novels in this series, the parallel plot with contemporary scholar Eloise Kelly prompts the historical story as she conducts her own research into the enigmatic British flower spies during the Napoleonic

I have all of the audio books in the Carnation Series and find its more fun to listen because when I read I miss all the little jokes and word play. The setting is very interesting; not the conventional India, and the characters have the ability to push the limits and still be compelling. But I hate to put the last 2 disks in my player and have it end. I am so glad Kate Reading is the reader because she is able to convey the reality of Eloise and also add gravity to the plot. I am also enjoying the way Colin's family is morphing. So glad to hear there will be more stories!!!!!

Lauren Willig's newest addition to the Pink Carnation series doesn't disappoint. Now we are in India with Penelope and her lame husband Freddy, picking up after the Night Jasmine. The book is fun, with plot twists and a new spy- The Marigold. I really enjoyed the story and the relationship that develops between Pen and Captain Reid. My only complaint is that there are some loose ends that I hope will be tied up in the next book- Does Moonflower make another appearance? When does Jane get involved? What about the concubine??? The series is a delight. This book is more like the first than the Night Jasmine.

When Penelope Deveraux's hasty marriage to Lord Frederick Staines becomes the talk of the town, she finds herself in new territory. Whisked away to Hyderabad, Penelope finds her husband's attention lies elsewhere. In this world, Penelope finds herself at odds and emotionally isolated until Captain Alex Reid appears on the scene, charming her. In the court of the Nizam of Hyderabad, appearances mask true intent. Captain Reid seems to be the one person Penelope can trust, especially as rumors of a dangerous spy called the Marigold surface as members of Penelope's social circle become threatened. Captain Reid thinks he has better things to do with his time than watch the aristocracy until he meets Penelope, a woman who doesn't exactly follow social conventions and who can outdo him on several fronts. Captain Reid can't help but notice the inexplicable connection between the Marigold's deadly acts and their connection to Penelope. By allying himself to her, perhaps he can uncover the clues to unravel a plot that threatens the British Empire itself. Sixth in the Pink Carnation series, Lauren Willig's THE BETRAYAL OF THE BLOOD LILY is a fantastic, exciting addition to the series. Lauren Willig takes all the elements fans have grown to love to a new setting in Hyderabad, India. As the French presence in India inspires a desire for consolidation of British control, the history of Maratha War forms a backdrop for the action of the story. Set within the context of a present day (2004) graduate student's search for clues about spies during the Napoleonic Wars, THE BETRAYAL OF THE BLOOD LILY brings together the beauty for readers of the magic of historical romance: the discovery of history and passion in the lives and hearts of men and women living in a distant age. Like the novel's researcher, the reader feels the moment of discovery. The embedded story within a story gives a richness to the unfolding of the narrator's relationship to Colin and Penelope's relationship to her husband and Captain Reid. Each separate story fascinates on its own but together each story gives richer depth to the other. If you are new to the series, THE BETRAYAL OF THE BLOOD LILY can be read as a stand alone but take this warning: this book leaves a reader craving more of the wonderful mix of romance, rich historical detail, and all the intrigue and mystery of spies lurking actively beneath the surface. Whether you start the series here with the sixth book or the first, this is a series not to be missed. Lauren Willig's THE BETRAYAL OF THE BLOOD LILY is the perfect choice for romance readers who crave more history in their romance --- and for historical fiction readers who want more romance and intrigue in their historical fiction. Penelope is a wonderful heroine. While circumstances leave her alone, she is not a woman to sit meekly in the corner. Daring in the face of rigid social regulations, she is active athletically and intellectually. While true to th

Lauren Willig's best work yet. Her attention to historical detail is truly stunning, and her weaving of time periods lives up to her already high expectations. I already can't wait for her next one.