Spy Fall

Rebellious Brides #1

by Diana Quincy

“Lovers of historical fiction could hardly do better than Diana Quincy’s Spy Fall,” proclaims Fresh Fiction. In this uniquely fresh and innovative Regency romance, a fearless French parachutist lands on top of a wicked rogue who endangers her mission—and her heart.
 
Mari Lamarre is gaining fame on both sides of the Channel for her daring aeronautic endeavors, but she hasn’t come to Dorset to showcase her talents. Rather, she’s been tasked with recovering sensitive information that may have fallen into the hands of the Marquess of Aldridge. It’s the riskiest adventure of her career—and it begins with a crash landing. Her fall is broken by the Marquess’s very own son, Cosmo, who’s clearly a rake and a drunk, not to mention a liability. So why does Mari find him so utterly alluring?
 
When he first spots the vision of loveliness in the sky, Lord Cosmo Dunsmore surmises he’s imbibed one drop too many, and an angel has come to fetch him. Little does he know that this female daredevil will make him feel more alive than ever before. But when their torrid affair takes a shocking turn, Cosmo must choose where his loyalties with his respectable father—or with the captivating beauty whose fierce passion makes him feel like a new man.
 
Praise for Spy Fall
 
“There’s a gonzo style to this book that I just adore. Plus, I love the twist on the Regency romance. I’ve read an awful lot of Regency romances and I’ve yet to read one in which a pants-wearing female French spy parachutes onto a drunk duke who thinks she’s an angel. It takes ‘meet cute’ to a whole new level.”—Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
 
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance, Romantic Suspense, Espionage

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2013

About the author

Bestselling author Diana Quincy is an award-winning television journalist who decided to make up her own stories where a happy ending is always guaranteed.

Her books have been included on "Best of" lists in Library Journal and The Washington Post.

As a U.S. Foreign Service brat, Diana grew up all over the world, but is now happily settled in Virginia with her husband and two boys. When not bent over her laptop, Diana spends time with her family, reads, practices yoga, and plots her next travel adventure.

Diana loves to hear from readers. You can follow her on Twitter @Diana_Quincy, Facebook, Instagram (diana_quincy_author) or visit her website at dianaquincy.com

Reviews

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spy Fall I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review."Spy Fall" by Diana Quincy is book one in the 'Regency Spymasters' series. This is the story of Mari Lamarre and Lord Cosmo Dunsmore. I thought this was a really great book that had some drama, romance, mystery and great secondary characters.
Mari and her brothers are spy's for the Crown. Their new assignment is to find out if Marquess of Aldridge is giving information to France as a spy / traitor. Mari and her brothers are also aeronautic / balloonist who learned their skill from their father. She used that skill to get onto the property of Aldridge and landing on his son Cosmo.
Cosmo was coming back from drinking and whoring when he was caught off guard by Mari landing on him and his property. Comso has been feeling sorry for himself since the death of his sister when he was not able to save her when she was giving birth alone and died. This has also put a strain on his relationship with his father. His father is also going through a hard time with his health and the lost of his daughter. Cosmo is quickly attracted to Mari but feels that she is not what she is representing her self to be. So he has decided to keep an eye on her and find out what is going on with her.
Mari has found too that she is finding Cosmo hard to resist and she likes his father. Mari has been hurt by a man before and she knows most man will not put up with her balloonist activities not to mention the spying she does.
Will we find out what is going on with the father Aldridge? Can Cosmo stop his bad ways to become the man for Mari and his father need? Will Mari be able to let her guard down and believe that she can have it all?

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[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

***ARC Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley***

I find myself oddly neutral about this book.

I don't know how to explain this without spoilers, so I am going to discuss the first scene. In it, we meet Cosmo...who reeks of sex and perfume and alcohol. Not attractive in a hero. And then he is described as perfect, as attractive, as capable. So, do we like him, or not?

Mari is funny, capable and fierce, but at the same time, she is over the top and, IMO more than a little rude. I think this is supposed to be charming, to show her strength...but it left me not 100% sure what I thought of her, if I liked her or not...she fell out of the sky, onto him...yet it is HIS fault.

Some of this was over the top. Some of it seemed reasonable, some of it wasn't something I connected with...leaving me neutral.

I didn't dislike this book, and I do recommend it for it's rather different, throw everything you can at it, style. But, neutral.

[Patty McKenna Van Hulle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when the spying heroine drops from the sky & lands straddling the drunk hero's head? Very happy girlie parts, a hilarious spy intrigue romance filled with NIGHTS OF NAUGHTINESS!

Mari Lamarre is an unique female of the 1800s with not wanted to get married, wearing breeches, financial supporting her family, being a spy for hire, jumping out of "nothing wrong with it" balloon & parachuting to the earth. The death of her fiancé made her heart impregnable against any male ever. Now she is on the most important spy mission of her life, to get the secret list that could endanger her family & herself. Mari will do anything to protect her loved ones like lie, cheat, steal, stalk & SEDUCE if she used to!

Lord Cosmo Dunmore is a deeply tormented man hiding his deep inner pain of failing to save his sister's life. He was to busy with drinking, getting laid & partying as his sister died in childbirth in Paris. So now to dull his father's, the Marquess of Aldridge, disappointment in him & his tremendous guilt, he continues to drunk, womanizing & partying 24/7.

Now this romance has a unique & one-of-a-kind of PIXIE DUST carrying Fairy (a 1st for me) Godthingie that bring these 2 crazy kids together & it's a PARACHUTE & Mari lands & straddles on the drunk Cosmo's head! Mari sees a drunk idot & Cosmos sees his own personal angel. One thing about the glorious outraged angel straddling his head, is instantly somberness! Mari thinks it's her lucky day that she lands on the son of her target, changing into her damsel in distress persona & gets herself invited to stay at Langtry House, but Cosmo thinks this sky dropping angel is up to something & he will discover exactly what it is! So with the bridge washed out (like Mari didn't know that) the sickly Marquess offers his home & a roomy cottage for her brothers, Marcel & Max (who Cosmo calls "The Ms"). "The Ms" soon show up with all the ballooning & parachuting supplies for their family's big exhibition in London & start causing a sexy ruckus!

Now this unplanned house party is filled with a jealous female neighbor, many mysterious accidents, a Lord of Perfection, a guest from the Home Office, an unknown nemesis, blackmail, an adorable unexpected tiny guest, "The Ms" caressing info out of the area females, a kidnapping, shots fired, a mysterious Spymaster & most importantly, nighttime NAUGHTINESS! Let's explore the NIGHTS OF NAUGHTINESS (my personal favorite) with Mari searching every room in her unmentionables & somber Cosmo stalking her via secret passages! Soon they become unlikely allies "with benefits" like undies melting kisses, wandering hands, unmentionables evaporating, dipping girlie parts & male parts turning to comfortable steel. With great passions comes those evil FEELING & soon the walls protecting their hearts begin to crumble with each kiss, lick, moan & screaming satisfaction! Will Mari find the list before it destroys her family? Can Cosmo prove to himself that he is worthy of love? Can Mari walk away from her torture past? Or embrace her future with Cosmo? Will they expose their underbellies to accept love? Is the marquess the traitor? Who is the next "M" to fall?

This is the 1st book in Ms. Quincy's newest Regency Spymasters series & she filled it with hilariousness aplenty & spy adventures galore. Ms. Quincy had 2 flawed characters that needed that 1 special someone that could complete them & made them travel a long hard journey inside themselves to get it! Mari was an a$$ kicking, totally taken names, gutsy, gave society the finger about what a female should be & ruled her family with an iron fist kind of heroine. Her parachuting was uncommon for males in the 1800s, but it feed her that adventurous high that helped her get through her lonely days. Cosmo was a typical rogue of the times, but his sister's death devastated him & his self worth, so being a drunkard & womanizer was the easier path for him to take, then to really excepting what his failings & change! Ms. Quincy floored me with her PIXIE DUST card carrying Parachute that played its Fairy Godthingie part beautifully, with adding an introduction filled with sexual hilariousness for her h/h! Let's chat about the yummy sparks, there was sexual tension that built up to blowtorch meeting a puddle of kerosene, PASSION EXPLOSION & my girlie parts were so very satisfied! Ms. Quincy also taught me some really unique new words about sex like dock, docking or diddies that caused my furry grandbaby to give me the evil EYE, but no bloodletting! Ms. Quincy made this espionage rollercoaster ride filled with ROFL hilariousness, quirky, unique & loveable cast of characters, my 1st Fairy Godthingie, 007 inspired spy moves & scenes that steamed up my new Kindle! So Ms. Quincy has totally EARNED my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes for this 1st book in her Regency Spymasters series & PLEASE WRITE FASTER!

NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly the premise of their meet cute is what sold me on this book. And, it’s pretty good! The spice is kinda cringy at times and it was instalovey (which is not my fav), but given that this was one of Diana’s earlier books, I’m thoroughly impressed with how far she’s come. This was overall, a light hearted, enjoyable read.

They do get spicy up in a hot air balloon though, so that was fun

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read, about a female balloonist and parachutist in the early days of aeronauts. She lands like an angel beside a slightly hung over member of the nobility, and her French accent immediately makes him wonder if she is a spy. Napoleon has taken over France and it's only a matter of time before he thinks about invading England. The southwest coast is popular for smuggling brandy but aeronauts are a new method of gathering information.

As the lady is indulging in such risky sport, and wearing breeches, she is clearly no lady; the unmarried man thinks nothing of propositioning her and although it's a fair while before they make it to a bed, we can see that it's a sexy, warm romance from the start.

I love the details about the new science of aerostation and seeing the silk parachute which supported a wicker gondola to hold the parachutist - at exhibitions, she even dresses in a long fine dress to please the crowd. This raises money as her family is not wealthy.

However the author has not put the same level of research into horses. Many times the reins of a riding horse are referred to as ribbons. Ribbons are only the name for carriage horse reins. This annoyed me considerably as I've never seen this mistake elsewhere and it is so easy to check.
The riding horse of the gentry, or the army, wore a double bridle. At one point the lady is put onto a horse and told to pick up the reins, which is new to her. The double bridle has two sets of reins, the bridoon to turn and the curb to brake and make the horse flex his neck. The bridoon rein goes under the third finger and the curb rein is controlled by the little finger as it is so severe. Nobody could just pick up her reins if she is not shown how to hold them and what each rein does. The ladies at this time were always supplied with a long spur for the heel to hit the horse's left flank, and tapped the right side with the whip as this gives the signal on the legless side. No spur is mentioned, though the whip is. Sidesaddle riders could hunt with all this equipment.
However the horses are a small part of the story so I won't reduce the star rating.

[Joanna Shupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something soft and rounded bumped up against his cheek, and straddled his head. His angel was sitting on his face. Smiling, he curved his hands around the delightful swells of her bottom.

Perhaps heaven was what one wanted it to be.

I loved this book. The opening is so clever, with the female parachutist landing on the drunken hero. It made me laugh, as did the rest of the book.

This is a fun, light-hearted historical with a hot, rakish hero and a smart, bold heroine who isn't afraid of anything. The plot had some surprising twists and turns, and the romance was spicy!

If you like different historicals, you'll definitely enjoy this one.

[SmartBitches · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Spy Fall is a crazy historical romance about a French paratrooper spy named Marie who crash lands on top of a drunken English Lord named Dunsmore. The story is insane but it’s a ton of fun, although the ending is a bit of a mess.

In this kind of book, it’s much easier to sum up what’s wrong with it (so much, you guys) than what’s right. I enjoyed the smarts of the main characters, their adventurous spirits, the overall tone of “Hey, let’s have a good time running around in breeches and doing crazy things,” and the chemistry between Dunsmore and Marie. There’s a gonzo style to this book that I just adore. Plus, I love the twist on the Regency romance. I’ve read an awful lot of Regency romances and I’ve yet to read one in which a pants-wearing female French spy parachutes onto a drunk duke who thinks she’s an angel. It takes “meet cute” to a whole new level.

This is the kind of book that embraces the crazy, and it walks a delicate line with it. The right degree of crazy is perfect fun but too much crazy stretches belief. I’m fine with the ballooning stuff (see below). I’m fine with the spy stuff and the illegitimate child subplot (other than it’s resolution) and Marie’s breeches and Dunsmore’s fascination with her wearing men’s underwear and the avalanche of side characters with their own side plots.

But the sex is just ridiculous. The first time Dunsmore and Marie do the deed it is in the air, in her balloon, which – OK they would actually die, but I’ll go with it, because that’s just the kind of book this is. But when Marie is hiding under Dunsmore’s desk and she gives him a secret blowjob WHILE HE’S TALKING TO HIS DAD who is right there in the room – no. All the no. That is not sexy to me.

Alas, not all is blissful crazysauce in the land of Spy Fall. Things come crashing to a disappointing end with the botched conclusion. There were some really sad components to the HEA that weren’t acknowledged. There was one subplot in particular that the characters seemed to think ended in triumph and happiness but that I thought was terribly sad or at best bittersweet.

- Carrie S.

[Lesia Chambliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about a sexy female spy, who is also a balloonist, and a debauched English Lord. You know this will be quite an interesting match. I'd say the heat level is, oh, about a 4 out of 5 for this book! I enjoyed the story from beginning to end, there was never a boring moment, with plenty of intrigue and excitement to keep you guessing until the very end. Our heroine will turn this English Lord's life upside down, and of course reform him in the process. This heroine is the hero of the story and a most interesting and daring half English, half French lady to boot! When Mari meets, and let me just say it was a knock down meeting, our English Lord Dunsmore, he is a drunken, debauched sot! He is very much in need of reforming, and Mari Lamarre is just the lady to meet this challenge, not that that is her mission, but this is a romance story after all. You will enjoy this Diana Quincy book, Spy Fall, as much as I did, I am sure. This is the first book in her new Regency Spymasters series. After meeting all the characters in this book, I cannot wait for book 2, A License to Wed, coming in the Spring 2015.

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daring, dashing and devious! A wonderful female hero!

Mari Lamarre's aeronautic jump from her hot air ballon falls somewhat short of her target, although others might say she was spot on! She lands on top of the drunk Lord Cosmos Dunsmore, son to the Marquess of Aldridge, in a somewhat compromising position. Off to a hilarious start this novel of spies, traitors, deceit and love has it all.
Half French Mari Lamarre is a spy tasked with searching for compromising materials known to be in the hands of the Marqess. The practice of her craft is the lure, the cover to getting herself inside the walls of the home of the Marquess. What she doesn't count on is Cosmos his rake and debauched son, her liking of the Marquess of Aldridge and deeper family tragedies concealing secrets that will both complicate and shed light on the whole taught situation. Lives are depending on her success, and as it turns out, lives that are closer to the Aldridge's than conceived.
An unusual plot that carries the story well.
I loved Mari's enthusiasm for her parachute jumping and the introduction to a topic I know little about--parachutes! (in the Regency era! Great hook!)

A NetGalley ARC

[Tina Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! What's better than a feisty heroine who is a parachutist who lands on a drunken and handsome scoundrel? Both Mari and Lord Cosmo are fascinating and multi-faceted characters who grow throughout the book. The author keeps you guessing who the villain is until the end. Is Cosmo's father, the Marquess of Aldridge, guilty of treason? Is Mari a French spy? The sexual attraction sizzles on the page between Mari and Cosmo. There's even a love scene in a hot air balloon. I highly recommend it!

[Nanou · Rating 3 out of 5]

L’intrigue d’espionnage est plutôt sympa et on apprend les ramifications petit à petit, j’avoue que j’avais pas deviner qui était le traite avant qu’on le découvre (en même temps je l’avais pas spécialement cherché xD)

Pour la romance, je suis plus réservée. Il y a certes une bonne dynamique entre les héros, mais le rapport au sex est un peu trop moderne pour l’époque et certains dialogues un peu trop cru (et c’est pas forcément nécessaire). Après, on ne peut pas nier que Cosmo et Mari sont direct l’un envers l’autre dans ce qu’ils veulent, il y a de l’échange et une écoute mutuelle qui rend leur couple agréable à suivre.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the premise, I found that the story, while well written and enjoyable, rather underwhelming in execution. Nothing particularly memorable stands out apart from the opening scene

[Jenny Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. As soon as I saw the description of Spy Fall, I wanted it. Y'all know I'm always looking for something different in romance, and here it is! This is a smart, sassy, sexy, totally original, adventurous, and FUN Regency romance!

When Mari Lamarre parachutes into Dorset, she literally lands on top of Sir Cosmo Dunsmore in a cornfield, returning from a night of debauchery. Annoyed by the shockingly improper and infuriatingly alluring rake (who can't wrap his still-drunk head around what he's seeing), her attitude quickly changes when she realizes who he is: the son of the Marquess of Aldridge, the very man she's investigating, and her ticket into his house. Faking an injury, she convinces an unwitting Cosmo to carry her into the house of the man she intends to destroy. And her luck gets even better. Turns out the Marquess is fascinated with the emerging world of aeronautics and extends Mari an invitation to use his grounds to practice for her upcoming London exhibition. Soon her flying brothers--and fellow spies--arrive, and the three of them get down to work, the brothers canvassing the countryside and village taverns while Mari searches Aldridge's house for the evidence she needs.

But Cosmo is no dunce, and he is quick to catch on to the fact that his angel is hiding something. He's fascinated by Mari, who is unlike any woman he's ever known. So it's really her own fault that he catches her mid-snoop since he can't take his eyes off of her. But when he learns why she's there and what she suspects his father of, he becomes determined to prove otherwise, and in the process, he begins to learn more about his father and the burdens he shoulders, and Cosmo starts to do some long overdue growing up. Things get even more complicated when he and Mari finally become lovers. (Things do get a little wild and a whole lot of hot between them, but I found it all to be tastefully done.) As if her profession weren't already dangerous enough, a series of accidents turn out to be anything but, and Cosmo is forced to accept that not only might his father be a traitor, but someone is trying to kill the woman he loves, and he may be the only person who can save them both.

There is much to love in this sparkling novel from Diana Quincy. The hero and heroine are fresh and engaging, and even the supporting characters have real dimension. The banter between Mari and Cosmo is peppered with wicked dialogue full of sexy double entendres. And the best part? It has a real plot! I know my above recap seems rather vague, but I don't want to risk spoiling it for anyone. I was burning through the pages as secrets unraveled and new twists were revealed. There are real obstacles standing between Mari and Cosmo's happily ever after--no contrived plot points or annoying misunderstandings here. And the entire story is underscored by Mari's love for balloons and parachuting, and the author has obviously done her research to make that aspect of the story come to life authentically and believably.

I'm bumping it down a notch for some modern language, and the final resolution of the mystery didn't play out quite as I'd thought it would, veering too much into melodrama instead of the poignant turn I was hoping for and leaving me with some questions, but I'm thinking those might be addressed in the next book in the series, which I've already added to my wishlist. If you're like me, always looking for something different in a historical romance, and if you like your romance with healthy doses of sass and sex, add Spy Fall to your list.

*This review was originally posted to Romantic Historical Reviews.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of reading three or four books by Diana Quincy now and I have really enjoyed each one. Spy Fall has a great plot and interesting characters that certainly had no trouble keeping my attention. There is mystery, romance, a few twist and turns, and plenty of drama. All of the wonderful things I enjoy reading about.

Lord Cosmo Dunsmore is a bad boy. He enjoys all the sins of the life and has no problem finding a willing woman to warm his bed at night. When a beautiful woman falls into his world he quickly questions how and why she is there. When I first started reading this book my opinion of Cosmo wasn't very high at all. However, the more I really had a chance to get to know him, I found I really did like him. He has been through a dramatic situation that changed his life. He just doesn't quite know how to deal with the grief.

Mari Lamarre, oh my goodness, where do I start with this lady. I LOVED her! She is fun, sassy, and has no problem putting everyone in their place or flirting her way into finding out what she wants to know. This lady was a lot of fun to get to know. I enjoyed her adventure side with her jumping from the hot air balloons. She really is a very smart lady and very good at her side line of spying.

I have to admit I was afraid what she was going to find out. The more I read I just did not know who might be the bad guy. Well was I in for a shock when I did find out. No sorry, I will not tell you who it was. That would so totally ruin this awesome book for you. My suggestion would be to go grab it now.

I enjoy laughing when I read and Mari and some of her actions and reactions to things sure did add some humor to the story. I really did enjoy watching her and Cosmo getting to know each other. These two have a deep and HOT attraction but they can also disagree with each other quite well.

I have to say I really enjoy Diana Quincy story telling style. She has a way of captivating my attention and hanging on to it. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in the next book in the Regency Spymasters series. I will be anxiously awaiting it's release.

I was given the opportunity to read this great book so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Spy Fall.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t remember how I got introduced to this author but I must say that however it was, I’m glad I found her. What I love about Ms. Quincy’s books is the way she has fun with her characters, yet still manages to give her stories plenty of romance and action.

‘Spy Fall’ is her first book in her brand new series under the title of ‘Regency Spymasters’ and if I had one word to describe this series [and thank goodness I don’t!] it would be “clever”. Even her titles are clever and a take on spy movies, this one was named after “Sky Fall” and the next book which is coming out in 2015 is called ‘A License to Wed’ after James Bond movie “A License to Kill”.

This story has a clever plot, an amazing couple and a very interesting mystery. And speaking of the amazing couple, I have to say that Cosmo was such a well-rounded character. When you first meet him you may form one opinion but as with most of Ms. Quincy’s characters, she does her best to give them many shades thus making them as complex and real as one can with a written word.

The same applies to our heroine, Mari. I just adored this woman! Every time she opened her mouth, or we got into her head, I had a grin on my face. Cosmo as well as the reader were in constant anticipation of her next move and I believe we all loved it when it came.

If you love dramatic yet funny spy stories with a clever mystery and romance I highly recommend you grab this one. It will not fail to entertain you. I promise.

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the author

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Cosmo Dunsmore is sure he must be dead when he wakes up to see an angel falling from the sky. He is in the cornfield. (How he ended up in the cornfield in his shirt sleeves we don't know ) As the woman reaches the ground Cosmo walks towards her and she lands on him. (Quite a few giggles here. )
Mari Lamarre is an aeronaut. She jumps from hot air balloons with a parachute. (I must admit when it became obvious she was parachuting down it confused me. I though how can she do that before planes were invented. I have not heard that they could do it from balloons. Apparently they did. )
Mari also has a reason for landing there . She is a spy and is investigating Lord Cosmo's father.
This book is so much fun. Our heroine is an incredible woman, she is brave and so clever. At the beginning of the story our hero is a dissolute rake with a guilty conscience. However he gets so caught up in what Mari is up to he starts to pay attention to what is happening. This is the start of a series that I know I will be addicted to. I loved it.

[Maria Dariotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC copy from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.
Honestly this book was wonderfully written, I loved Lord Cosmo he's a sexy rogue who is passed out drunk in the fields after a night of carousing, he thinks he's hallucinating when he sees Mari floating above in her parachute. She's a headstrong independent heroine who isn't afraid to take risks. I kinda liked the reversal of rolls having the woman leading is refreshing . Lots of sexy scenes between the main characters. Intriguing plot and lots of action, this is a story that has to be finished once started. Diana Quincy is a very talented author!

[Talking Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, drama and suspense, right from the first page! Cosmo and Mari were at many times hilarious how they challenged each other and ultimately revamped each other throughout the story. Lots of chemistry, twists and many surprises that keep the reader glued to the book with a more than favourable outcome to the story with an introduction to the next book in the series that keeps the reader intrigued!
*ARC received from the Author for an honest review

[Kathleen Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories that feature a different kind of heroine other than what one has come to expect in historical romance. Well, you have one here! Half French, half English (yay), a spy, and a balloonist at that! How different can you get? Then toss in a sot of an English lord in dire need of reforming, one that Mari Lamarre virtually knocks off his feet, and you know from the get-go that she’s about to turn his life into a debacle. The first in Quincy’s spy series, I can’t wait for book two.

[J.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first scene in Quincy's SpyFall is officially my favorite historical romance opener EVER! Too funny, and rips right into some fantastic banter between Cosmo & Mari. That keeps all the way through, along with a little intrigue, and some hot bed play. Also: there's not a ballroom in sight—very refreshing! Plus, I find Quincy's writing top-notch!

[kathy kemmerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story.

Diana Quincy always seems to have the right amount of romance and action in her stories. Cosmo and Mari have a great relationship, both are very cautious and are not ready for anything permanent. But as life, things work out for the best. Can't wait for the next Spymasters story..

[Jabberwoky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everything I hate in historical romance.
The book is sold to us as « feminist » because the heroin is supposed to be a « rebel » who jump in parachut, is a spy, and indulge in carnal relashionship with a man without being married.
Alright. She is. The rest is… as problematic as ever.
The hero ? a smug macho man rake, driven by his cock from the start. He is supposed to be « modern » because he does not call her a slut once she had sex with him, but he thinks about her as a slut (all the assomptions that because she fucked him in the balloon, she surely has a multitude of lovers all over europe, for exemple).
The romance ? I hate stories in which the man force the woman to change or whatever for him because he just knows better than her what is good for her. And here we have it there, a grown ass woman, spy, parachutist, with a horse phobia. You could think that she knows herself, but OF COURSE he force her to learn to ride (because, really, she is silly not to). And OF COURSE she falls, and he carry her like a fucking prince charming. And OF COURSE first she is angry at him, but at the end she is grateful. « Oh thank you for forcing me to do this, you were right, I’m so silly hihihi ». Oh for fuck’s sake….. Oh, and when they start having physical intimacy ? that’s because he blackmailed her, yes. Great. Be still, my heart…
During the all story, he is useless (she is an experienced spy, not him, and he is painfully stupid), he almost jeopardise everything every time he opens his mouth in front of witnesses, but OF COURSE he takes a bullet to save her life a the end, so she can’t leave him to live her best life, can she ?
The sex scenes ? Not bad at the begining, but by the end, he takes no time for preleminaries, cause they are useless once the woman belongs to you, right ? she is just a hole to possess when you feel like it. Even when she is yawning from being exausted, if he wants it… he’s got it. But since we don’t want to read about a rape, she enjoys it of course. NO, the fact that you are used to a bed partner does not mean preliminaries are optional !!
(I will not talk about the moment when she is in his father’s office, under the desk, and give him a freacking blowjob WITH HIS FATHER IN THE ROOM, coz… no NO NO).

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh MY the spying drops from the sky and lands straddling the drunk hero's head. What follows is a hilarious spy intrigue romance filled with passionate nights to light up the sky. Mari doesn’t want to get married she will do anything for her family and spying makes her able to help take care of them but now she is on the most important mission of her life trying to keep her family alive. Cosmo has failed he was unable to keep his sister safe now he spends his time drinking away the memories. He's fascinated by Mari, who is unlike any woman he's ever known, when he learns why she's there he becomes determined to prove otherwise. What he finds makes him do some growing up.

I really liked the characters from the heroes to the supporting they play a big part in the ending. I had a fun time reading this and totally enjoyed it. I thought the author did a wonderful job entertaining and keeping my attention from the romance to the mystery it was a wonderful delightful read.

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[Angel Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Cosmo Dunmore is a drunken womanizer and while lying in the grass staring at the sky, his next conquest falls into his lap, literally. Mari Lamarre, a half French parachuting aeronaut, can’t believe her luck. She has fallen into her quarries lap and his fascination with her gives her the freedom she requires to complete her assignment for the British Crown.

This story is a page turner with steamy sex scenes, intrigue, and a true love that fights to break free much like a butterfly breaking from its cocoon. It made me want to kick Cosmo in his frank and beans for being a womanizing douche. It made me feel the fear to fall in love again from Mari. I felt the grief and hope that Lord Aldridge, Cosmo’s father, was living with.

The adventure, the plot twists, and conspiracy against the Aldridge family line kept me completely engrossed in the story. I plan on recommending this book to my family and friends who enjoy historical romance.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Join me on a ride to crazy town. This novel is packed with plot, and needed a good 200 pages more to let the storyline breathe. All of the ideas are good: french spies, smuggling history, a lost sister, dying father, balloonist heroine (!), drunken hero who likes her in pants... but there's no room to appreciate these as we are on to the next topic (or the next crazy location sex scene).

The writing and characterization is strong - enough to still enjoy the novel and try the next one. But I wish Quincy would give us some time to slow down and enjoy the ride.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this series in the middle and am now going back to read the first two books. What an enjoyable read about aeronauts, wastrels, hidden passaways, spies and love. Is everyone who we think they are? Definitely not. Cosmo is sometimes so over the top that I had to laugh but could not help but love him. Mari is just a spitfire who knows what she wants and goes after it. I also love the secondary characters, even Darling. Now onto book 2 with Will and Elinor.

[carrietracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly below adequate read. I liked that I was reading something different. Adventures, mishaps, women in breeches, I'm in. But. If you're hoping for a Joanna Bourne level romance/spy book, this is NOT IT. The spying is all very amateurish, the plot twist and secrets are fairly easy to discern in advance and the actual romance *cough*sex*cough* is an absolute mess. It's like a string of bad ideas. All the bad ideas. Together. Here in this book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the start of a series and was quite slow going at first. Mari is an aeronaut who lands on the estate of Cosmo. There is no mistake on her part, as she is spying on his father. After the first third there is far more action and the story is quite good. A few twists at the end make the last third of the book really quite good. Will be reading the others in the series.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

There are many interesting aspects of this story, but also some that made me set the book down in disbelief. I will try more of this author's work which will hopefully improve as she gains experience.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was obvious about Elinor's child much earlier.

Interesting to have a main character that was so involved in aerostation. I don't think I realized that parachutes initially had frames. Or that they were first used from balloons.