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 … 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
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Once A Spy by Mary Jo Putney
The Rogues Redeemed #4
This historical romance is one that is definitely fiction. If you are willing to suspend reality and read about a time when Napoleon and Wellington were about to battle at Waterloo then this book might be for you. That said, the beginning was rather slow and dealt with the mundane world of two people marrying for convenience and companionship and getting to know one another over a period of time. Everything was very cerebral and open and dull with some social engagements, a lot of talking and nothing to really engage the mind. I almost gave up but plodded on
Suzanne and Colonel Duval first met when she married his cousin. In the years apart he has been a soldier and she ended up in a Turkish harem. Both are a bit tired and jaded. The fact that they married was strange enough if perhaps believable. The idea that they would not have sex was also believable after hearing all that she had endured. And yet, after hearing a bit about her life in the harem it made me question much of what she was willing to do at various points in the story. Simon was very patient and caring and eventually the two did fall in love but it was a rather torturous process and took a long time…and a lot of words.
When they ended up going to France the story became even more iffy in my mind. A long lost relative is found, war occurs, a near rape takes place, another illegitimate relative is found and helped, inheritances are sorted, some spying takes place, famous men are encountered and miraculous healing occurs that will make the HEA of Simon and Suzanne even better than a marriage of convenience would have done.
Did I enjoy this book? Not so much
Would I read more in this series? No (although I did enjoy the first book)
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest revieww.
2-3 Stars
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, she’s almost destitute & is working as a seamstress. While both believe they are beyond love, their sympathetic bond leads him to propose a marriage of companionship, and Suzanne accepts. Their journey takes them to Belgium searching for Lucas who grew up with Simon & who became a naval officer before his boat sank & he was feared dead. However he previous year an acquaintance thought he saw Lucas dressed as a friar in Belgium. The couple also visit the Chambron estate & met Phillippe the natural son of Suzanne’s first husband. They are then caught up in the Battle of Waterloo.
We met Suzanne in the previous book when she escaped a harem, she’s not had an easy life but a marriage of companionship seems a way out of her loneliness & poverty. I loved Suzanne, a weaker woman would have crumbled under all she had suffered but she emerged stronger & immensely brave. Oh Simon so caring & patient everything you want in a hero. I’ve loved the earlier books in the series, apart from the previous one where I didn’t warn to the heroine, & this I think is my favourite, a slow burn story that set out slowly but gradually the pace increased until I was furiously reading to the climax. The relationship between Simon & Suzanne also began slowly, no flashes of lightning but two people getting to know each other, learning to trust each other & falling deeply in love. A captivating, enthralling read & I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Enjoyed the story. It is well written, entertaining and holds your attention. An ex-spy and ex-soldier, Simon returns to Brussels along with his new wife Suzanne to assist Wellington gather information on Napoleon’s return to Paris and power. The story deals in part with the coming war and some of the fighting along the way. Also, it deals with Suzanne and Simon’s recent marriage and the issues that they face. This is a great read and I would highly recommend the book.
After years working for British intelligence, Colonel Simon Duval resigns his commission upon the abdication of Napoleon and begins to seek peace for himself. He returns to his home in England and finds his cousin’s widow, Suzanne Duval, Comtesse de Chambron, whom he’d thought dead. Suzanne is now struggling to make ends meet as a seamstress and has a story as complex as Simon’s. Both believe they are beyond love and desire, but they’ve always had a connection and enjoyed each other’s company so when Simon proposes a marriage of friendship, Suzanne accepts his offer.
Neither Simon nor Suzanne expected theirs to be a true marriage, but as they venture together to Belgium and then France in search of Simon’s missing cousin, their relationship continues to strengthen. Then news reaches them that Napoleon has escaped his prison on Elba and is marching on France once more. When Wellington himself asks Simon to help the war effort, he reluctantly agrees to return to war, but this time he’ll have Suzanne along to help him and they’ll have to pray they survive to enjoy their ever-growing love.
This book had so much going on and despite that, or maybe because of it, I felt the pace lagged a bit, especially toward the middle. This was definitely more history heavy than romance, though the healing and development between Simon and Suzanne was great and felt natural, especially because of their honesty with each other. The pace and suspense level picked up toward the end and got my attention again and I was happy with the ending, though I want more of the secondary characters now that so much time was spent on them. I especially want Lucas’ story now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Once a Spy is the fourth book in The Rogues Redeemed Series. An experienced soldier who is tired of war and a woman who spent years as a slave in a harem. Suzanne Duval is a woman of extraordinary strength who has lived at best would be called an eventful life so far. Simon Duval is a Gentleman in every sense of the word. His integrity is unassailable. He is also weary and lonely. When they meet again years after he attended her wedding to his cousin, she is a poor widow struggling to get by. Simon remembers her as a beautiful vivacious young woman who was in love and happy. He has a proposal for her that could change both their lives if she is brave enough to take it.
A beautiful story of two people who need each other and find that the road to happiness is paved with obstacles, emperors and war. Can they heal each other and find the peace they are striving for. This is quintessential Mary Jo Putney. She knows how to touch your heart with characters that have complicated lives and find that the simple pleasures in life are the best. I have all of her books and was lucky enough to meet her once at a book signing. She is a wonderful person and an amazing writer. This is an exciting lovely series that is a must-read.