The Lady Dauntless

Secrets of the Zodiac #4

by Elizabeth Cole

The fourth novel in the Secrets of the Zodiac, a series of full-length historical romance novels, features darker, sexier storylines, complex characters, and international intrigue, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.

A fiery lady, a devilish smuggler, and a cargo nations would kill for...

Gemma Harrington leads a wild, unconventional life among con men and smugglers. She can ride and shoot as well as any man, but she wants to escape the world she's caught in for something better. Then a mysterious gentleman shows up with a daring proposal. If Gemma helps him infiltrate a smuggling ring, he'll take her anywhere his ship can sail. Captivated, she agrees to his dangerous plan.

With slightly shady ancestors and a far away upbringing, Logan Hartley isn't the typical hero, and that makes him an excellent spy. Logan had to fight for everything he ever wanted: his own ship, his place in Zodiac, and the approval of his peers. Now he wants Gemma--but he has to stay alive long enough to win her.

As Gemma and Logan follow the trail of a strange criminal, they become targets in a much deadlier game when they uncover a secret that governments would kill for. To expose the truth, they will defy convention and break the rules. And they have to act fast, because their enemies are much closer than they imagine...

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Historical, Mystery, Ebooks

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2015

About the author

Elizabeth Cole is a romance author with a penchant for history, which is why she lives in an old house in an old city. She can be found hanging around libraries and archives, or curled in a corner reading, cat on lap. She believes in love at first sight. Then again, she also believes that mac 'n' cheese is a healthy breakfast, so don't trust her judgment on everything.

Get in touch with her at http://twitter.com/coleheartedgirl

Reviews

[BigComfyChairBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great in a fun and exciting series! I was looking forward to reading more about Logan and was not disappointed. I really liked both him and Gemma I thought they were well developed characters and such a great couple.
Gemma was a wonderful fiery redhead with a personality to match!

I felt like everything in this one was rushed. I wanted more a relationship building between Logan and Gemma but it was kind of glossed over and then they were naked together. I got a little upset at the ending I don't think Gemma ever would have gone off with BLANK, she had no motivation for such a stupid decision. I'm not sure why Cole didn't just have her kidnapped.

But, it was a entertaining and stimulating read, full of adventure and romance! I highly recommend this series; each book has been intriguing and addictive!
WARNING: There is sex in this book. Please do not read if you are looking for something “clean.”

https://bigcomfychair.wordpress.com/

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I enter the world this author has created I wonder what she will have waiting next. I know I will get to be entered into a tale as I have with this one being introduced to another charming character-Gemma. She is wild and very much a free spirit even though she tries her best for her aunt she also helps her uncle. The uncle does have quite the reputation though with his business not quite being on the up and up. Thanks to the business she meets Logan who is not like most which I would say also they will be like a moth to flame. He finds out she is not quite in agreement or aware of it all so she helps him with a bit of info and the adventure really begins you might say. In this novel you get to meet and see another one of the Zodiac and the intrigue of his cover with why he is in the position he is in. Each one has their own tale that is a delight to see which each one coming up against their match that will be their softspot. Logan being no different as they work together to uncover all that needs to be revealed staying out of the crossfire will also be talent they will need. Things will also move to London where more delightful characters are featured in also touching base with ones met before if having read the ones before this. Danger is high as it should be considering the times where wits are also a plus. She will also be persuade by those of means which will also set off a certain jealous meter which is humorous when it happens. I also got to see a strong relationship build between them even if at times it would seem that stubbornness or uncertainty might get in the way. You also will get a treat of quite the swashbuckling confrontation that will result in mad skills displayed by Gemma and Logan. As the battle ends a big hurrah for the winners. The prize could very well be said the heart of the one you love for a long long time. Could this also be the birth of another member of the Zodiac too? The pages will tell. received a copy for a honest review.

[Linda Lassman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly I liked this book. Cole has really interesting plots and her characters are engaging. There were two things that happened, though, that just wrecked the story for me. And I appreciate that these may not be issues for anyone else!

The first was when the male lead attends a ball wearing his hessians. Boots. At a ball. No. Sorry. No one going to a ball in Regency England as a guest would ever, ever wear boots. Even if he didn't know better, he would not have been admitted.

The second was when the two main characters are sneaking into a warehouse in the middle of the night. They've been searching and suddenly realize that someone else is there. The scurry and hide, successfully. Whoever is looking for them doesn't find them and eventually leaves. Do they also leave? No. They have sex all over the bolts of fabric that they've been hiding amongst. For several pages. Anyone with any instincts for survival knows that just because the bad guys *seem* to have left, that's no guarantee they actually have. For heaven's sake, get out of the building and into the carriage, driving away safely, before giving in to the passion of survival and going at it like bunnies!

And it really is a shame because basically I really liked this book. So if ignoring the most basic knowledge of Regency fashion and not being bothered by people acting more like idiots than usual doesn't bother you, then enjoy this book!

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS ROUNDED UP

If you're a stickler for Regency Rules, who may have a problem with this story, but I loved it! The characters are not your cookie cutter characters for sure.

There is a scene at the beginning with the H as a child. He's aboard a ship and is raped by a man - the act is off page, but I want to warn readers that this is in the story. This horrid villain does get his!

Logan is a spy for a secret organization and pretends to be a smuggler. The h is a smuggler working alongside her uncle.

Not everyone is who the h thinks and this added to the suspense. One moment where is misunderstands something, but it's over in a few hours - thankfully.

Lovemaking outside of marriage, heat level 4 out of 5 and described a few times. I did feel a connection to the MC so it was filled with love for me.

Some twists, bad villains and some you are wondering if they're a villain too, intrigue and get dialogue. I loved the h's spirit and carefree attitude. Interesting secondary characters too.

No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic and steam. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some more tidbits to decide where to purchase. I read book 1 in the series and now this one and wasn't lost, so a standalone story. Lords name used in vain twice. (ljb)

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline. Believe able characters. Bold action.

Loved this one, too. The setting and character introductions, intermingling plots create an almost breathless need to read every page immediately. Plot twists are dark, dangerous, deceiving and delightful in a challenging way.

[Barbara Literski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Give Up

Another great book written by Elizabeth Cole. I have enjoyed reading about the people working for the Zodiac. This is about Logan, Gemma. Logan is trying to figure out what contraband is being shipped to France. From Scotland to London seeking to find answers! Happy Reading

[Jean Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was offered a free ePub of this book in exchange for an objective review.

I'd rate this at about 3.5 stars. The book was a definite page-turner with the story of fiery Gemma who can ride and shoot and who longs for adventure, and Lockridge aka Logan, a spy playing a pirate. Gemma is headstrong and intelligent, but unfortunately also often foolish, running recklessly into danger. Logan cannot resist the temptation she presents, even though he recognizes that she jeopardizes his mission.

Logan is in Caithny Scotland to try to infiltrate the smuggling operations of Gemma's Uncle Caithny. Gemma helps her uncle with his smuggling, not realizing he is smuggling on behalf of Napoleon and against British interests. She finds some evidence while snooping in her uncle's office and reports to Logan, though still with conflicted loyalties to her uncle. The night Logan's ship is being loaded with merchandise from Caithny, customs comes to call, endangering Caithny, Logan, Gemma and their men. Logan is shot, and Gemma defends him, then cares for him.

It seemed unreal to me that a man with a bullet inside him would have the energy for sexual intercourse, but that's exactly what happens when Logan and Gemma are alone -- they can't keep away from each other. The next morning, Logan's partner comes to collect him for departure on his ship, and somehow manages to do so without waking Gemma off. Logan leaves his compass behind as a token of his affection.

Gemma, awakening alone with only the compass for comfort, thinks she is being paid off, and is furious. She talks her aunt into leaving with her for London.

Now, I get that Gemma is naive, but no worries about pregnancy at this point? Really? Our heroes did not use protection, and while I'm willing to believe her naive, this is a bit much. And even if she's not worrying, how is it that he's not worrying? Surely he knows all about the birds and the bees?

in any case, Gemma and her Aung Maura make it to London, discover Gemma's large inheritance, and with the help of the mysterious Lady Sophie, they begin to take London by storm.

Logan finds Caithny on his ship -- unexpectedly -- they make their smuggling run, returning with a person called "Cargo" on the return trip, who turns out to be some kind of an assassin. Caithny makes an unsuccessful attempt to steal Logan's ship as they return to Caithny, and is apparently killed. Logan ends up in London shortly thereafter.

A few more plot twists: Logan feels inadequate to court Gemma when he learns of her inheritance, Caithny returns to attempt to kidnap Gemma (who seems infernally stupid and childish for going with him), Logan saves the day, and everything ends happily ever after with Gemma to be the newest recruit into the Zodiac *despite* her childish and stupid behavior.

I wish that intelligent, independent female characters would actually behave with the maturity and intelligence we want to believe they have. That is why this book is not 4 stars.

That said, I must emphasize that this was a definite page-turner, and should Elizabeth Cole figure out how to have her characters maneuver through her books with the intelligence she clearly wants them to have, she's going to be writing blockbusters. Meanwhile, not quite yet, as evidenced by Gemma's behavior.

[Kiltsandswords · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really adore the Zodiac series. I have read and reviewed the other books on my site. You can read them here and here and here. What I like so much is the way Elizabeth Cole crafts a great tale. While all the stories are woven together with dedication to the Zodiac, each book has a unique flavour and theme.
The Lady Dauntless is a wonderful tale that takes place in Scotland and London. I love the classic trope of a mysterious never do well who meets an impulsive woman. What sets this book apart is how charming Logan is and how vivacious Gemma embraces life. The characters really make the story.
Logan is new to the spy game. He has been with the group for two years, but is hankering to move past small missions and on to something big. He gets his shot with the Scottish smuggling ring he is to infiltrate. What I really admired about the character Elizabeth Cole created was that Logan was not the swaggering, cocky alpha male. I mean, he certainly played the part and took the lead with Gemma, but he was reflective about his life and what he was accomplishing. When he finds out how much money Gemma stands to inherit, he withdraws from her because he doesn’t feel that he is worth. It’s rare to find a character like Logan – one who questions things, yet is manly and confident. Most importantly, I liked Logan and wanted him to succeed in his mission and with Gemma.
Gemma is a wild hellion. Left to run wild in the hills of Scotland, she can shoot like a champion and is far from a delicate debutante. She has been supporting her uncle’s smuggling for years. She enjoys being one of the gang and you sense as the reader that her dream of heading to London will be a deep disappointment for this woman. Gemma was so grounded and practical. I would hope that my head wouldn’t be turned by the glamour and glitz of the season, but I probably would love it. Gemma wants a real life and she finds that with Logan and holds true to what she wants.
I loved the mystery of the story. Sneaking around, gun fights, savvy house staff and breaking and entering all make for an excellent adventure. That is one of the things about the Zodiac series that makes it so compelling. Each book is unique in the mission and the situations the characters find themselves in. There is no repetition of plot lines or that sort of déjà vu moment when you think, “Which book did I read this situation in before?”
Elizabeth Cole develops great stories with amazing characters. Her books have lovely sex scenes that never feel gratuitous, but completely natural to the evolution of the characters and stories. I can’t wait for the next one to come out as I am dying to see who joins the Zodiac next!
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com

[Ariel McCollums · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had only just discovered this series in January, so imagine my delight when the next installment came out only a month later! This installment is all about a girl named Gemma and her involvement in the family business, which just happens to be smuggling. Through her involvement she meets an undercover agent named Logan, who can't tell for himself if Gemma is innocent to the underhanded transgressions of her uncle or as deeply involved as it gets.
Gemma is impulsive and strong, almost "one of the guys" for her time period, as she was raised and let to run wild in on the moors of scotland riding her beloved horse and learning to shoot with great marksmanship. She's confident, but also very kind, and she loves her guardians (brother and sister, her aunt and uncle) very much, to the point she wishes she could be more of a "lady" for her aunt, but her uncle's draw to danger seems to have put a stop to that.
I loved how Logan initially saw Gemma, he was being a bit of a creeper while Gemma was out riding, and it was just one of those initial sparks that always ignites into something powerful, and these two are no exception.
Gemma's wild spirit reminds me of Sophie from Zodiac book #2, but without the disillusioned heartbreak Sophie had to endure to get to where she was. Gemma is very much her own character and has her own distinct personality and baggage.
Speaking of Sophie, one of my absolute favorite parts about this series is how the characters from the other novels pop up, and my girl Sophie plays a fabulous role in this book as none other than herself. I'm one of those readers who has a hard time saying goodbye to the characters in books once their story is over, and this Zodiac series mentions past characters oe involves them in some way that just leaves me completely delighted. And then there's the newly named Undesirables; the formerly criminal servants who help things run smoothly on the domestic front for the zodiac.
I really just love the world Cole has created here and really hope it goes past 12 books, I'll be reading every installment I can get my hands on and consider these novels "reread" material, I'll keep going back to visit again and again.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are always many aspect of conflict. Some horrid, some aspiring, and some simply sad. To supply the large number of troops, fighting for their country at the front line, many ingenious things were invented. What we have in Lady Dauntless was one of them.

Logan Hartly, a member of the Zodiac, a secret society that worked for the British Government during the Napoleon War, was sent to catch one of the biggest and most notorious smuggler in Scotland coast, Conall Caithny. He met Gemma Harrington, Conall's carefree and conventional niece, when he posed as another smuggler to get close to Conall. The two of them struck a bound and as the assignment carried out smoothly, so was their feeling towards one another. When the job took and unexpected turn, both of them found themselves in London. As they untangled the mysterious web surrounded Conall's smuggling business, they both came to realise what they had was one of the rarest and most precious thing in this world: Love.

This is the first book by Elizabeth Cole I have the pleasure to read. It is rather refreshing and I found myself enjoy it tremendously. I personally liked the idea of food preservation was used in the smuggling business. It added that extra spice in the already fascinating plot. My favourite part of the story was the action sequence reoccurring throughout the whole story, while it is part of how spy story progress, this is superbly done. More than once I found myself holding breath, gulping down words after words with great anticipation.

I also found how Logan and Gemma expressed their love fascination. Many story I have come across so far had always reserved the 'Big Confession/Realisation Moment' until the last moment. In Lady Dauntless, he happened relatively early and very subtly. While I enjoyed another form of how romance story was done, I liked this one just as much. It is somehow more realistic yet still make us the reader sigh.

Nine out of ten. Well done, The Lady Dauntless, you have managed to capture my attention. I definitely shall scout the bookstore for the rest of the Zodiac stories..

[Angela Withrow TheArdentReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lady Dauntless is a fantastic name for this book. Our Heroine, Gemma Harrington is most definitely dauntless. No missish young ladies here! She lives in a castle, Caithny Castle, in Scotland, with her Aunt Maura and her guardian and uncle, Conall Caithny. Gemma has a certain freedom at the castle. Her aunt Maura has tried teaching her manners and comportment. Though she knows the way she should behave, she rarely has the need to use these skills. She is most comfortable on her horse, Hector, riding breakneck over the fields ans keeping watch with her pistols drawn as her uncle and his associates smuggle goods! Gemma Wants more! She wants her freedom from her guardians domineering hand. She is almost at the age of majority and she is more than ready.

A new player comes into the smuggling game and Gemma is instantly intrigued by him, and he by her. His name is Logan Hartley. Both of them are overwhelmed by their attraction, but neither wants to give it away. The smuggling end of Logan’s visit is going as planned. Until things start happening that should not between him and Gemma. Then he is off to sail a hold full of smuggled cargo on his ship with Gemma’s Uncle along for the ride! Things go downhill from there and when Gemma thinks that Logan is not coming back, she decides it is time to have a season in London. Aunt Maura likes the idea, so off they go as well!

All sorts of fun and intrigues ensue in London! I won’t spoil the book for you but I will say, I really like the characters in the book, Gemma, Lady Sophia Forrester, who befriends Gemma almost immediately even some of the servants are memorable. They seem like interesting people that I would like to know better.
I started at the wrong end of this series, so now I will go back and read the first 3 books in the Zodiac series! Fantastic writing makes this book hard to put down.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Regency romance with a mystery twist!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I was given a copy to read in return for a fair and unbiased review.

When reading a series there's always that fear with a new book that THIS is where it will jump the rails and bring the quality down. Starting this one, I was trepidatious. Then I realized I'd been tricked onto a roller coaster. Seriously. Remember your first time on a roller coaster? How it started slow, maybe a little choppy (hey we don't all start out at theme parks) and then it slowly builds momentum and loops up and around and takes corners at a worrying speed? Yeah. That's this story. And it works.
Usually I'm not a fan of Noble Idiot moments. But...it worked in this story, and I loved that the characters actually TALK about it and the heroine's all "you know what? next time you have a concern just TALK to me" and it's like BAM agreeing to communication to maintain a healthy relationship. Yes please. Also, the Girl Who's Not Like Other Girls can be overdone. But...it worked in this story! Because her unusual upbringing was integral to the plot. And it made sense that her upbringing would give her a completely different outlook from most women in her station in life.
A lot of this story contained plot elements that usually bug me, but they WORKED in this story. And that says a lot for the writer's skill. Recommend? Definitely.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 5 out of 5]

#4 in the "Secrets of the Zodiac" series, but can be read as a stand alone. Although, I would strongly recommend reading the others in this amazing series. Simply WOW! I love this series, and this one does not disappoint. Fast paced with a well written, thrill ride of a plot. The characters are simply breathtaking, engaging and will capture your heart.
A bit of smuggling, lots of danger, suspense, mystery, deceit, passion, secrets and romance, is just a few of the things that makes this an awesome read. An awe-inspiring tale, that will have you spellbound, and on the edge of your seat. The heroine is gutsy, feisty, determined and not the least bit shy or perfect. The hero is sexy,a spy, a smuggler, protective and a definite alpha male. Well written tale which is a definite keeper, and one not to miss. I have been impressed with this author from the beginning and was not disappointed. This story held my attention from beginning to the last page and, yes, beyond. I can't wait for the next installment! A must read and one highly recommended. I can not recommend this title enough. You do not want to miss this one. A daunting tale of a lady, and the spy who loves her, tirelessly. Well done!

*Received for an honest review from the author*

Rating: 5
Heat rating: Hot
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Farrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thrills and romance, The Lady Dauntless was a fantastic historical romance. I really enjoyed reading it.

Gemma was a great heroine. Clever and strong-willed, she went after what she wanted. My only issue with her was that she had a moment where all those admirable qualities went out the window and she did something both stupid and out of character. But, otherwise, I liked her.

Logan was also good. He was very smart and skilled but he could also be sweet. Once he fell in love, there was nothing that would stop him from winning over the woman he loved. I liked him as well.

The romance was lovely. Gemma and Logan were a match for each other and rather sweet together.

The plot moved quickly and kept me hooked. I did suspect how things were going to go, so there wasn't much in terms of surprises, but there were still plenty of thrills. I liked the story and the ending was great.

The Lady Dauntless was a lovely historical romance that I liked. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[D.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of the Secrets of the Zodiac series that I’ve read. Once again, Cole does not disappoint. It is well-written, there’s suspense, there’s mystery and then there’s love. I love romantic suspense but it is incredibly difficult to get it right. Too much suspense and the romance is lost. Too much romance and the suspense seems to be a mere background story to the romance. Cole gets it exactly right in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Although I am a lover of history, I am not a fan of Georgian England as the women are all too meek and superficial; concerned only about clothes, money and who marries whom. That’s why I love this series. The heroine, in this case Gemma, is always a woman that even according to today’s standards totally kicks a**. Of course we can’t have a love story without some conflict in it. I would love to say this isn’t necessary but Cole always has a very good reason - that’s historically accurate as well – as to why there is a conflict.

I highly recommend this book and series to romance lovers, history buffs and suspense addicts.

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lady Dauntless is a wonderful historical romance set in Scotland and London. I truly enjoyed the 4th book in the Zodiac series. Gemma is a fierce heroine who is at once strong and resilient as well as innocent and vulnerable. Logan has great prowess as the hero of the story, at first using the heroine, but then he finds he can think of nothing else but her. I enjoyed the Zodiac angle of the story and it added an interesting element that allowed for the characters to show their intelligence.

Elizabeth Cole has created a host of characters whom are engaging to the reader and create a world in which many will be enthralled and excited to learn about.

I received a free copy of this book for my review.

[Tabby Shiflett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical romance that also doubles as a espionage mystery. This book is part of a series; however, the novel can be read as a stand-alone. The writing flows well and the plot is fascinating. The characters, both the primary and the secondary ones, are quick-witted, fun, and adventurous. The MCs are a bit reckless at times, but the action scenes make up for it. I will be reading more of this author's work. A quick and playful read. For historical romance and mystery romance readers.

[Florencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!!!


This was a fast paced and enthralling love story. It is a journey through mystery, hidden secrets, and romance. You can feel the attraction between Logan and Gemma from the moment they meet. From that moment on, they have to overcome dangerous situations and learn to trust each other. An amazing story filled with enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this a 3.5. I'd give it a 4 if the "dangerous situation" at the end weren't so contrived. Cole went through all this work making Gemma a strong, clever girl only to have her do something so ridiculously foolish just to have this "dangerous situation." That being said, the book was thoroughly enjoyable and I can't wait for the next. One of my favorite series.

[Jessica Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can be read as a stand alone but this is a great series, we get taken on a great ride in this book. While i was unsure on somethings how it was written and played out worked really well with this story. It had suspense, mystery, romance, sizzling passion and some secrets

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Cole's stories just keep getting better and better with time. I quite enjoyed this new Zodiac adventure. It's not every day that I read every single page instead of skipping ahead to the more interesting bits. The book was very captivating and I'm looking froward to the next one.

[Dottiebears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this series. They are all so different yet with the underlying theme of the zodiac running through them. Having said that this is my least favorite in the series so far. Gemma has one too many TSTL moments for me, although I love the hero for the entire book.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lady Dauntless is a truly wonderful story it that takes place in Scotland and London. I loved the mysterious elements. What sets this book apart is how utterly charming Logan really is and how full of life Gemma is she embraces life to the fullest. I adore the characters.

[Brooke Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story that features romance and mystery, with characters that are likeable and run to read. Although it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone, and I look forward to reading the rest!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the book overall but there were some points I disliked
One of them being ....her impulsive nature
Like seriously who runs away from home for real on whim?!

[Louiseann Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Book four was just as entertaining as the first three. And I love how all the ZODIAC intertwine in each book . As do the disreputable. They are amazing in what they do.

[MaryD · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. Not quite up to the first two, but OK.