A Christmas Code

Code Breakers #2

by Jacki Delecki

All that stands between Viscount James Ashworth and a much-anticipated quiet retirement is one simple assignment: protect the Prince Regent at a holiday house party. But there's one thing the seasoned spy didn't count on--his childhood friend, Lady Gwyneth Beaumont, who has blossomed into an enticing, passionate hellion.

Gwyneth has a secret mission of her own: prove she's worthy of joining the Code Breakers, winning the heart of the hard-headed viscount she's loved since they were children. When her spying undercovers a secret so shocking the enemy would kill for it, she's thrown head-first into a dangerous world of intrigue and treachery.

With Ash by her side, Gwyneth is unstoppable. Soon the notorious rake realizes that the woman he'd always considered off-limits is his perfect match, this Christmas and forever after--if only they can survive long enough for that mistletoe kiss.

Enjoy the passionate, suspenseful Regency world of the Code Breakers, where daring lords and ladies decode the path to happily ever amidst their dangerous, heroic fight against Napoleon's treacherous designs.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Holiday, Novella

164 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2014

About the author

Jacki Delecki is a USA Today bestselling romantic suspense author whose stories are filled with heart-pounding adventure, danger, intrigue, and romance.
Her books consistently receive rave reviews for her three bestselling suspense series: Contemporary romantic suspense The Impossible Mission Series, featuring Special Force Operatives; The Grayce Walters Series, contemporary romantic suspense following a Seattle animal acupuncturist with a nose for crime; and The Code Breakers Series and A Lady’s School for Spies Series, Regency suspense set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.
Jacki’s stories reflect her lifelong love affair with the arts and history. When not writing, she volunteers for Seattle's Ballet and Opera Companies.
To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about giveaways, join her newsletter found on her website. JackiDelecki.com
Follow her on FB—Jacki Delecki

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christmas Code by Jacki Delecki is the second book in the Code Breakers series but it works well as a standalone novel.

The novella takes place in England during the Regency period. Viscount James Ashworth has one more assignment before he retires from being a spy. He needs to protect the Prince Regent who plans to attend a holiday party in the countryside. His childhood friend, Lady Gwyneth Beaumont, is his boss' sister. She plans to attend the party as well. She wants to prove herself in more than one way. Her spying uncovers a secret and the plot unfolds.

The book is well written and you do get a feel for the times. I also learned more about how herbs and spices were stored during the times as well as how many of the aristocratic houses had a conservatory. There are also a number of secondary characters that play pivotal roles in the story. However, due to the shortness of the book, it felt a little rushed to me.

Will the Prince Regent survive? Who are the potential assassins? Will Lady Gwyneth make a good spy? Who finds romance? Read it to find out? While I felt the author's book Mission: Impossible to Surrender was a much better book, this is an entertaining holiday historical romance/suspense.

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was on board with a cute little Regency Christmas romance. I stayed with them through the poisonings, spies and even the long-enough-to-have-caused-brain-damage unconsciousness due to a blow on the head. But then they ‘jumped the shark’ with seeing the Star of Bethlehem.
Oh well, still a cute story. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Trish R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF..

At only 41% I was curious as to whether or not I even wanted to finish this novella. I mean, Gwyneth sounded more like a 16 year old than a grown up, “Oh, Ash, our first real kiss.” Or “oh, Ash, I just melt when you kiss me.” Really? Could anything sound more teenager-ish. And when they were talking outside the conservatory they both sounded kind of idiotic. This could have been written by a high school student for her Literature or English class. I would have given her/him a B but for an adult to have written this I’d give it a D.

This is my first book by this author and I’m not sure I will read anything else by her. I didn’t read the first in this series because I can’t stand the name Henrietta for a heroine. Now, this one is so childish.

At 55% I decided I was done. This was too immature for me.

I’m sure there was sex in this book, I just didn’t wait to see how descriptive it was. There was no swearing up until the point where I quite.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Code by Jacki Delecki is a 2014 Smashwords release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novella is centered around Lady Gwyneth Beaumont and Viscount James Ashworth. Ash is a close friend of Gwyneth's brother and he has known Gwyneth since her childhood days. However, she is now a grown woman living in a world of spies. Gwyneth wants to do her part to help her country and has some valuable skills. When it becomes apparent there could be a plot afoot at an upcoming Christmas ball, a ball where the King's son is set to make an appearance, Ash is adamant that Gwyneth not attend the party for her own safety. But, Gwyneth is determined to show Ash how useful she can be and finagles a way into the party anyway, despite Ash's objections. However, the danger is far more serious anyone could have guessed as the deadly holly berry and other poisons seem to be in abundance.
I really enjoyed the games and intrigue in this story. Gwyneth is a very strong character and I loved her insistence on being involved in things. I loved seeing Ash finally realize that he was stifling her with his overprotective nature and if he didn't stop thinking of her as a child he could very well lose her. He has to work hard at changing his view of Gwyneth, but in the end he sees her in a whole new light . As a result he no longer has to keep her at arm's length.
This is a great book to fit into your holiday reading schedule. It's short so you could read it very quickly and since it's not the usual over emotional sentimental type of Christmas themed romance, it is a nice , light chance of pace, offering intrigue, danger, mystery, and a sweet romance to top it all off. This one is 4 stars.

[ABesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with the last book in this series the dialog between the two main characters is painful to read.

This novella was like eating one of those desserts that are so powerful sweet they make you have a pounding headache and feel sick.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mercifully short, anyway...

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was embarrassing to read. I felt like I was reading a teenager's first attempt at romance. No more for me.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25 Stars
All that stands between Viscount James Ashworth and a much-anticipated quiet retirement is one simple assignment: protect the Prince Regent at a Christmas house party.
Lady Gwyneth Harcourt has a secret mission of her own: prove she's worthy of joining the Code Breakers, winning the heart of the hard-headed viscount she's loved since they were children.
This is the second book of the series & it could be read on its however we did met both Ash & Gwyneth in the previous book. This was a novella which I read in a sitting. I would have preferred a longer read as I felt both Ash & Gwyneth were a bit two dimensional & a longer book could have allowed for their characters to be more fully developed. The pace was good & the next book was nicely 'set up'. I did feel a couple of issues weren't resolved eg Thomas the footman was he friend or foe?

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[Sandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written romance with a touch of intrigue. Similar to other historical romances with spies the story is predictable but the characters in this one captured my interest. I liked them all and enjoyed the relationships and emotions.

[Dannica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this after downloading it about a year ago. Because it's almost Christmas. :)
But it was not good.
I'm not saying it made me angry. It was just...so dumb. The way the characters always say exactly what they're thinking and the narrator dictates every single emotion. The romance, for example: dictated rather than shown. We're told the FMC has a crush, so she must have a crush. We're told the MMC thinks she's hot, so he must. But we never really see any chemistry, or see their relationship develop and change.
Predictable, poorly characterized and stiff. There was just nothing good about it.
I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever like regency romance.

[Voirrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear. I don't think this was actually meant to be funny - but it was.

As a kindle freeby which was described as a story of spies and intrigue in Regency England it was worth a shot I though - it might have led me to read the rest of the series.

Except the writing wasn't very good, the story jerked from scene to scene, there was really very little sense of the period or place, and when I came to the description of someone wearing denim boots I gave up trying to take it in any way seriously.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing style was what ruined it for me. I could have taken the use of all the tropes...I have read so many regency romances at this point that I am used to those familiar devices. However, the dialogue was just so forced (see Trish R's review) and the reveal of the "bad guy" pretty much instantly removed any sense of tension. In romances you know who is going to end up together. It is the side characters and side plot which can make it interesting. These two things made it a rare DNF for me.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think one needs to read book one to get into this book.

This book is the 2nd in the series and I didn't read the first. After one chapter I felt like I was missing something...the back story from the first?

I also felt the female lead to be frivolous and self centered. I got very little feeling for the male lead.

So basically I could not get into this book. I will say it seemed well written.

[Renae Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This... *shakes head* Where to start?

Everything in this story was way too convenient. The Code mentioned in the title has nothing to do with the story. It gets alluded to once but has no bearing on anything else. I didn't believe the heroine was behaving in a way that was consistent with the period the story was set in and her station and experience in life. I just... Aagh! I was frustrated with so much of it. I'm sorry. I tried.

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a pretty good book. Well written and engaging, the characters are likable and the plot is interesting. I would have rated it higher if the romance had been a bit more satisfying. There wasn't really any buildup.

[Sarah Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually no, I didn't read the whole thing. It just struck me as tedious. The characters didn't grab me and it seemed to be the all-too-common modern romance in long, swishy ball gowns that too often passes for historical romance.

[BJ Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

#2 A Christmas Code by Jacki Delecki is the 2nd book in the Code Breakers Series. I really love that this regency series is loaded with suspense, intrigue, mystery and romance all at once. This story is a little shorter so not as much depth with the characters’ personalities.

[Tallesa Hamilton moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a good read

Badly written. This book was very disappointing. I wouldnt reccomend wasting the time download this book. The characters are underdeveloped, and the storyline lacks immagination.

[Sharyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this story had potential, the poor writing let it down.

[Momof5boys · Rating 2 out of 5]

too short, too choppy, not clean. Liked the premise, but that was about all.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same problem as the previous book; good premise but overall not that great of a book.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't recommend it.

[D Call · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a mystery, not a romance

MY RATING
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good
2 stars--didn't enjoy
1 star--didn't finish

Should I read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no

SUMMARY
Gwyneth and Amelia are at a ball. Amelia designed Gwyneth's dress. This season, she's already declined 5 men, but it's Viscount Ashworth she wants. She's loved him since she was 10yo. Forbidden by some unwritten gentleman’s code, Ash considered her off limits. She wasn’t sure if it was the age difference of eight years, his rakish past, or her position as his best friend’s younger sister. Amelia and she had become close since Henrietta, Amelia’s best friend, had married Gwyneth’s brother, Cord. Rumors are Ash seeks alliance with a French widow. Amelia commiserates with Gwyneth because she has been waiting for Michael, Henrietta's brother, for years, too. Gwyneth has decided to go to a Christmas house party to get away from Cord and Henrietta being so happy. Amelia and her brothers will be there. French widow Lady Charolois is going to the same house party. Ash is, too.

Ash desires Gwyneth. He invites her to walk. He can't let anyone know how he feels about her until he breaks this ring of spies. She tells him she's kissed other men. He'd assumed that, when he was done with spying, she'd be his. He forbids her from going to the party. He kisses her, their first.

Gwyneth asks Aunt Euphemia for help being a spy so Ash loves her for her skills as well as beauty and being wonderful.

The next day, Ash waits at the office for Cord, head of British secret intelligence. Cord announces he's to be a father. Ash feels his best friend pulling away. Ash tells Cord he doesn't want Gwyneth at the party because his intelligence says there's to be an attack on Prinny's life there. “Your aunt, the foremost spy in our business, thinks Gwyneth should be involved in a clandestine operation?” “My aunt, like me, thinks it will be a mistake to have Gwyneth working on her own, trying to prove to you that she can be helpful. My aunt believes if you’re there to guide Gwyneth, she won’t rush into danger. It’s safer to make her an ally and work with her, instead of leaving her to go off alone.” Ash refuses. “Well, I have it on the best authority, that of my wife and my aunt, that unless you include Gwyneth in your work, you’ll lose her.”

EVALUATION
The motive wasn't clearly explained until the epilog, when the author gives us a history lesson. The conservatory scene makes no sense logistically. There's no code breaking, no real spying, no real intrigue. Ash and Gwyneth have already decided on each other, and there's no wooing because they've known each other since childhood. All in all, this is a disappointing read.

RECOMMENDATION
Read Regina Scott's My True Love Gave to Me. It's a solid Regency Christmas romance with a little intrigue.

FAVORITE QUOTES
He leaned toward her in an intimate way, his shoulders and head bent to her as if she were the sun and he a flower. [I like the imagery]

POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: a little petting
Language: 0 f***, 8 Lord's name in vain, 0 s***
Violence: poisoning, assault, gunshot

CRITIQUE (SPOILERS)
Why would Brunton follow Gwyneth to the conservatory and try to get the flowers then? That's insane.

[iread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Gwyneth Beaumont has been in love with Viscount James Henry Ashworth since she was 10 years old. Ash as he is known to his friends is the best friend of Gwyneth’s older brother Cordelier Beaumont – head of the British Secret Intelligence. Cord’s story is told in “A Code of Love” the first book in The Code Breakers Series. Ash is a spy for the British government. Lady Gwyneth longs for Ash to see her as a grown woman and not as the little girl who dogged his every step growing up.
When Gwyneth and Ash attend a Christmas house party, a plot to kill the Prince Regent is uncovered. Can they work together to uncover the assassin? Will Ash see Gwyneth as the lovely woman that she has become? Intrigue, danger and poison stalk their steps. This was a great romance. Although, not as strong as the first book and much shorter, it is still a delightful read.
“He pulled her hard against him and took her lips in a deliberate, demanding way. He held her tightly as his tongue darted in and out of her warm moisture. Once he felt her soften against him, he lightened the pressure of his lips and ran his tongue along the edge of her lower lip. ‘So sweet.’ And so innocent. What was he doing?”
I highly recommend this book.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

While holiday novellas are usually exactly my jam, this one left me completely cold. There was basically no good reason why the hero and heroine weren't already an established couple - not only were they mutually interested, but they both KNEW they were mutually interested. The only roadblock was some dumb "alpha protector" chauvinist posturing by the hero and some equally dumb "I can do everything a man can do, even if I don't have the training, experience, or physicality required" blah blah blah on the part of the heroine. There was very little real affection or understanding between the two of them, just straight up lust. The author clearly knew the next-to-nonexistent romantic tension between the two of them couldn't last the length of the very short story, so they get together halfway through. Unfortunately, however, all that's left is a very boring and implausible mystery plot, which ALSO had no shot at being able to hold up the rest of the story. Historicity ping-ponged like crazy throughout the entire story, veering from extremely specific correct details that must have required research to utterly ridiculous situations that just threw every scrap of plausibility out the door, sometimes pages apart. Overall, just a huge miss for me.

[Suzanne Garrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t hate it

Regency romances are my least favorite books to read. The idea of the simpering female, helpless until some gorgeous man arrives to save her simply nauseates me. While there is plenty of simpering, there is a strong, smart heroine in this book.

Another thing I don’t like about books of this genre is you can usually see the outcome a mile away. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I’d placed my bets on a red herring. You know there is a happily ever after, but you don’t see the twist in the tale until Delecki wants you too.

The steamy parts were of course, steamy. More so than any 19th century Miss would a) allow, and b) be able to handle. But if you can suspend your belief enough to buy into a family of spies (aging spinster aunt & little sister included), you’ll have no problem accepting the heroine’s forward responses to her paramour’s advances.

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger makes an exciting holiday romance!

Lady Gwyneth Beaumont is attending her first Christmas party at a country estate. She is determined to win the heart of her brother’s best friend, Viscount James Ashworth, but he only seems to remember her as the child he watched grow up. Both her brother Cord and James are spies in his Majesty's service and Gwyneth believes that she would be a great help in their endeavors to uncover a French plot. James has noticed Gwyneth more than she realizes but does not dare act on his desires. If his enemies realize his affection for her they could kidnap her and use her as a tool against him.

This is a well-written historical romance. The characters are likable, the romance is sweet, and there is plenty of suspense and danger. I finished the book in one day.

[Riana Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Our library is currently offering December "Bonus Borrows" (library check-outs that don't count against your monthly check-out limit) of select holiday books so I decided to spin the wheel and randomly select a few to read. Will it be a surprise gem or rotting drivel? Time will tell...

The premise was intriguing but I was surprised at the shorter length of this book (166 pages) at the onset - not so much now. It's because the author took large leaps between character introduction - conflict - resolution - another conflict that came out of nowhere - resolution with no rhyme or reason - another random character introduction - another weird conflict - maybe a resolution - why do these characters even like each other? At least the words are strung together in the correct order to make some sense.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love story where the heroine is allowed to to be a strong smart woman. Jacki Delecki has created series where woman are allowed to use their brains and aid in protecting the British Empire by working as spies. Lord Ashworth doesn't want to involve Gwenyth in his operation (because she is a woman who needs to be protected). Fortunately for her, her sister-in-law and brother have already walked this path in Book 1 and with her brother's agreement, she is allowed to go to a house party and use her gifts of observation to help solve a plot to murder the Prince Regent.
The characters are well written, The story is fast paced and fun and of course there's the Happily Ever After in the end.