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Spies and Lovers #2
The Beauty and the Spy
For the many romance fans who can't get enough of romances set in England, as well as fans of Christina Dodd.
He kidnapped her to keep her safe, but the captor soon becomes a captive when she turns on her charm and has him falling in love.
Nicholas Wright is a spy. It's what he loves to do – his calling, even. His current mission brings him home to England, where he's on the trail of a spy.
When his plans are overheard by one Charlotte Sinclair, he has no choice but to kidnap her to keep her safe.
But Charlotte is not your typical London socialite and her wit, intelligence and beauty all threaten to corrupt Nick's resolve to never fall in love.
He kidnapped her to keep her safe, but the captor soon becomes a captive when she turns on her charm and has him falling in love.
Nicholas Wright is a spy. It's what he loves to do – his calling, even. His current mission brings him home to England, where he's on the trail of a spy.
When his plans are overheard by one Charlotte Sinclair, he has no choice but to kidnap her to keep her safe.
But Charlotte is not your typical London socialite and her wit, intelligence and beauty all threaten to corrupt Nick's resolve to never fall in love.
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2004
About the author
Gayle Callen
52 books530 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Gayle Callen writes historical romances for Avon Books. Her twenty-second novel, The Wrong Bride, was published in November 2015.
Gayle’s novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. She was a nominee for RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She also writes the contemporary romances as Emma Cane.
Gayle resides in central New York with her husband. Now that her three children are grown, she has time to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc. Visit her website at http://www.gaylecallen.com
Gayle’s novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. She was a nominee for RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She also writes the contemporary romances as Emma Cane.
Gayle resides in central New York with her husband. Now that her three children are grown, she has time to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. A past President of the Central New York Romance Writers, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc. Visit her website at http://www.gaylecallen.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 30, 2016
I have really enjoyed reading Gayle Callen, she is a amazing historical romance author. Whose books takes you back through time. This is one of my favorites of her's since its a spy story and a well written one at that.
You have Charlotte Sinclair, who has a sister that is recently engaged. She hasn't seen much of her father, who she finds out from his journals that she found in the attic, that he does spy work for a living. She finds his journals exciting and thrilling and adventurous. At a ball one night, after going through mourning of her late husband, there is a mysterious man that she finds intriguing. He certainly doesn't act like most men do at a ball. So she follows him, and hides in a room where a conversation endangers her. Nick has been a spy for quite some time, and is posing as a criminal to get find the one person that is a traitor to the country. However one willful young woman threatens everything, and he knows he must keep her by his side to protect her. Charlotte is furious when he gags and ties her up constantly, of course she knows she wants to escape from him not knowing if he will kill her or not. He insists that he just wants to protect her, he just wants to make sure his plan goes through. Charlotte over a little time, figures out that Nick is just trying to protect her and she finds her heart softening toward him.
This was definitely one of my favorite spy romances. Gayle Callen truly portrayed the suspense and surroundings so it seemed genuine and real. I found myself wishing I was in the middle of the action and intrigue. I found myself just loving Charlotte and her willfulness and creating mishief. It was also pretty funny as well, especially at the first of the story. Where she keeps trying to escape Nick's clutches, and never succeeds of course. But she endlessly tries more and more. Its definitely humorous, which is always good for a genuine romance. The passion that develops between both Nick and Charlotte, gets pretty intense and as you get through more of the book, their connection strengthens and a strong love develops before either one of them know it. I also loved the mystery of the story, I sure love reading spy stories, and this one is at the top of great ones!!! From beginning to end, it was filled with mysterious intrigue, heated passion that lights up the room, wit, and is filled with one adventure after another. Definitely another 5 for a fabulous well written genuine book!!
You have Charlotte Sinclair, who has a sister that is recently engaged. She hasn't seen much of her father, who she finds out from his journals that she found in the attic, that he does spy work for a living. She finds his journals exciting and thrilling and adventurous. At a ball one night, after going through mourning of her late husband, there is a mysterious man that she finds intriguing. He certainly doesn't act like most men do at a ball. So she follows him, and hides in a room where a conversation endangers her. Nick has been a spy for quite some time, and is posing as a criminal to get find the one person that is a traitor to the country. However one willful young woman threatens everything, and he knows he must keep her by his side to protect her. Charlotte is furious when he gags and ties her up constantly, of course she knows she wants to escape from him not knowing if he will kill her or not. He insists that he just wants to protect her, he just wants to make sure his plan goes through. Charlotte over a little time, figures out that Nick is just trying to protect her and she finds her heart softening toward him.
This was definitely one of my favorite spy romances. Gayle Callen truly portrayed the suspense and surroundings so it seemed genuine and real. I found myself wishing I was in the middle of the action and intrigue. I found myself just loving Charlotte and her willfulness and creating mishief. It was also pretty funny as well, especially at the first of the story. Where she keeps trying to escape Nick's clutches, and never succeeds of course. But she endlessly tries more and more. Its definitely humorous, which is always good for a genuine romance. The passion that develops between both Nick and Charlotte, gets pretty intense and as you get through more of the book, their connection strengthens and a strong love develops before either one of them know it. I also loved the mystery of the story, I sure love reading spy stories, and this one is at the top of great ones!!! From beginning to end, it was filled with mysterious intrigue, heated passion that lights up the room, wit, and is filled with one adventure after another. Definitely another 5 for a fabulous well written genuine book!!
July 2, 2024
Nick is just someone I had difficulty figuring out. Nick is a spy and has done his duty for England for years! Nick Wright aka Earl of Folkestone! We have Charlotte Whittington aka Mrs Sinclair read her father’s journals and his spy adventures and she was intrigued!
Life in a journal is far different from real life! Charlotte attempted to emulate her father got her kidnapped by Nick and his other friends to secure the safety of England against a traitor.
Nick has secrets but I disliked his treatment of Charlotte even after she shared secrets of her horrible marriage!
Nick could have and should have handled things much differently! Charlotte was just like someone who has slept and was just waking up from a very bad dream after mourning!
Nick kept blowing hot and cold and blaming his past and his care and concern for all women!? What! The more I learned about Nick’s past the more I understood he was not ready for a future!
Charlotte fell first and fast and more so because he showed her some kindness after a lifetime without!
Do these two get a HEA? After many adventures yes! I did like how these two stories overlap! Bravo
Life in a journal is far different from real life! Charlotte attempted to emulate her father got her kidnapped by Nick and his other friends to secure the safety of England against a traitor.
Nick has secrets but I disliked his treatment of Charlotte even after she shared secrets of her horrible marriage!
Nick could have and should have handled things much differently! Charlotte was just like someone who has slept and was just waking up from a very bad dream after mourning!
Nick kept blowing hot and cold and blaming his past and his care and concern for all women!? What! The more I learned about Nick’s past the more I understood he was not ready for a future!
Charlotte fell first and fast and more so because he showed her some kindness after a lifetime without!
Do these two get a HEA? After many adventures yes! I did like how these two stories overlap! Bravo
November 30, 2019
I can't believe I waited to read this series. Read #1 yesterday, and will read # 3 today. The year is 1844 andv3 British spies have returned from Afganistan. There is a traitor on the loose and they believe they have captured her. Meanwhile, Charlotte, the daughter of a Viscount who she learns from his journals is a spy master. At a ball she follows a suspicious fellow and gets captured. She of course believes he is a villain . He kidnaps her because she heard too much, and the book is the rest of the story. What I loved about the book is that it overlaps with Will and Jane's story, so we have some of the same scenes. I don't think that will happen with book 3, which I am going to start right now.
October 30, 2021
Charlotte is attending her first event since coming out of mourning and she's recently discovered her father is a spymaster by reading his journals, so when she sees a man at the ball that doesn't blend in she follows him. She winds up putting herself in danger and then getting herself kidnapped because her other option is being possibly raped and murdered.
When Nick finds the woman hiding in the wardrobe he volunteers to be the one to get rid of her, once his mark leaves he binds the woman and passes her off the balcony to his partner. Turns out they are government spies trying to catch a traitor.
For a spy adventure their isn't to much in the way of thrills or suspense, but the emotional damage the characters have previously suffered was interesting and the steam was decent.
TW: previous sexual abuse
When Nick finds the woman hiding in the wardrobe he volunteers to be the one to get rid of her, once his mark leaves he binds the woman and passes her off the balcony to his partner. Turns out they are government spies trying to catch a traitor.
For a spy adventure their isn't to much in the way of thrills or suspense, but the emotional damage the characters have previously suffered was interesting and the steam was decent.
TW: previous sexual abuse
September 27, 2022
The Beauty and the Spy by Gayle Callen was a cute story, with a well-deserved Happily Ever After!
Nicholas (Nick) Wright, the "H", and Charlotte Whittington Sinclair, the "h", were both good characters. I really enjoyed Charlotte, and the way she improvised.
I chuckled a few times, and I am now also interested in reading Sam's story.
Nicholas (Nick) Wright, the "H", and Charlotte Whittington Sinclair, the "h", were both good characters. I really enjoyed Charlotte, and the way she improvised.
I chuckled a few times, and I am now also interested in reading Sam's story.
March 1, 2025
The Spy
This is another good book in this series. Nick was hurt in his youth and Charlotte had an abusive husband. Now that she is a widow she craves excitement. Well, she found it along with danger and love.
This is another good book in this series. Nick was hurt in his youth and Charlotte had an abusive husband. Now that she is a widow she craves excitement. Well, she found it along with danger and love.
August 7, 2024
A story of spies, intrigue, and love.
October 19, 2024
The Beauty and the Spy. book 2
This book was just as good as book 1 which I think might be hard to do as an author. Once again I just couldn’t put it down!!
This book was just as good as book 1 which I think might be hard to do as an author. Once again I just couldn’t put it down!!
March 10, 2017
Sokkal jobb volt, mint az előző kötet. Nick és Charlotte sokkal közelebb került hozzám, mint az előző pár. Remélem a trilógia befejező kötete is lesz ilyen jó mint amilyen ez volt.
Ez a regény pérhuzamosan haladt az előző kötettel így egy-két jelenet megjelent ebben is ami az elő kötetben csak most Charlotték szempontjából.
Szegény Charlottot nagyon sajnáltam. Amit az előző férje művelt vele az kegyetlenség volt. Szegénykémnek kellett Nick, hogy megmutassa nem csak rossz dolog van a házaséletben. Nagyon jó párt alkottak. Szeretem az olyan történeteket amiben előszór utálják egymást majd egymásba szeretnek. A gyűlöletet a szerelemtől csak egy lépés választja el.
Ez a regény pérhuzamosan haladt az előző kötettel így egy-két jelenet megjelent ebben is ami az elő kötetben csak most Charlotték szempontjából.
Szegény Charlottot nagyon sajnáltam. Amit az előző férje művelt vele az kegyetlenség volt. Szegénykémnek kellett Nick, hogy megmutassa nem csak rossz dolog van a házaséletben. Nagyon jó párt alkottak. Szeretem az olyan történeteket amiben előszór utálják egymást majd egymásba szeretnek. A gyűlöletet a szerelemtől csak egy lépés választja el.
December 12, 2010
I actually liked this one. It's hard to find captor/captive romances that don't stray into abuse.
From the back cover:
Over her head...
Charlotte Sinclair is seeking a bit of adventure in her life--but that doesn't mean she relishes being kidnapped by a traitor to England! Straying innocently from a crowded ballroom, she overhears a conversation, and suddenly she's a captive of Nicholas Wright. Now Charlotte is forced to go on the run with a devil who's far too attractive for his own--and Charlotte's--good.
Head over heels...
Nick can't believe his bad luck! His mission for the Crown requires that he pose as a criminal, and now this meddling beauty threatens to muck everything up. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with a willful, spirited, and utterly bewitching woman whose stunning sensuality is driving him to distraction. And as duty draws them deeper into peril, Nick is discovering that the greatest danger is one he seems powerless to avoid: falling in love!
And my review:
I've enjoyed Gayle Callen's work before, and this book was no exception. I was a little worried about the whole captor / captive plot, as many authors use this for an excuse to write an abusive hero into the story. But that didn't happen here. Callen never even comes close to the "he rapes her and she loves it" theme. The hero was always honorable. Anything physical between them was completely consensual.
I really liked the heroine in this one. I felt that she was strong and spirited, and never came across as shrewish. Very few authors are about to manage a spirited heroine without having her come across as witchy, but this author did it. I was impressed. A lot of romance heroines are always weak, wailing and helpless. I liked to read about one who had a head on her shoulders and a strong will. It was a welcome change.
I really liked watching the gradual change from adversaries to lovers. I felt that it was really well done and never rushed. It was believable. It was as if the love came along so gradually that it was impossible to pinpoint where it started. Only the very best romances are like that, and I really enjoyed finding another one. I also liked that while the hero and heroine were physically attracted to one another, they didn't just rush into bed together.
However, I did feel that the "spy" storyline was a bit weak, which is why I gave this book four stars instead of five. This book's greatest strength lay in the relationship between the hero and heroine. Whenever the spy plot took over, I found myself skimming, just a little, in order to get back to the romance. The intrigue just didn't capture my interest the way the romance did. But that could just be a matter of personal preference; you'll have to decide for yourself. However, I never felt like the romance was pushed so far away that it was lost in the shuffle. That often happens in these kinds of books, but it didn't happen here.
While this is the second book in a series, you can also read it on its own. I hadn't read the first book, yet I never felt lost. I will be on the lookout for more of this author's books. While it wasn't one for my keeper shelf (very few books are), BEAUTY AND THE SPY was one I never regretted buying, and it was very difficult to put down once I got started. Recommended.
From the back cover:
Over her head...
Charlotte Sinclair is seeking a bit of adventure in her life--but that doesn't mean she relishes being kidnapped by a traitor to England! Straying innocently from a crowded ballroom, she overhears a conversation, and suddenly she's a captive of Nicholas Wright. Now Charlotte is forced to go on the run with a devil who's far too attractive for his own--and Charlotte's--good.
Head over heels...
Nick can't believe his bad luck! His mission for the Crown requires that he pose as a criminal, and now this meddling beauty threatens to muck everything up. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with a willful, spirited, and utterly bewitching woman whose stunning sensuality is driving him to distraction. And as duty draws them deeper into peril, Nick is discovering that the greatest danger is one he seems powerless to avoid: falling in love!
And my review:
I've enjoyed Gayle Callen's work before, and this book was no exception. I was a little worried about the whole captor / captive plot, as many authors use this for an excuse to write an abusive hero into the story. But that didn't happen here. Callen never even comes close to the "he rapes her and she loves it" theme. The hero was always honorable. Anything physical between them was completely consensual.
I really liked the heroine in this one. I felt that she was strong and spirited, and never came across as shrewish. Very few authors are about to manage a spirited heroine without having her come across as witchy, but this author did it. I was impressed. A lot of romance heroines are always weak, wailing and helpless. I liked to read about one who had a head on her shoulders and a strong will. It was a welcome change.
I really liked watching the gradual change from adversaries to lovers. I felt that it was really well done and never rushed. It was believable. It was as if the love came along so gradually that it was impossible to pinpoint where it started. Only the very best romances are like that, and I really enjoyed finding another one. I also liked that while the hero and heroine were physically attracted to one another, they didn't just rush into bed together.
However, I did feel that the "spy" storyline was a bit weak, which is why I gave this book four stars instead of five. This book's greatest strength lay in the relationship between the hero and heroine. Whenever the spy plot took over, I found myself skimming, just a little, in order to get back to the romance. The intrigue just didn't capture my interest the way the romance did. But that could just be a matter of personal preference; you'll have to decide for yourself. However, I never felt like the romance was pushed so far away that it was lost in the shuffle. That often happens in these kinds of books, but it didn't happen here.
While this is the second book in a series, you can also read it on its own. I hadn't read the first book, yet I never felt lost. I will be on the lookout for more of this author's books. While it wasn't one for my keeper shelf (very few books are), BEAUTY AND THE SPY was one I never regretted buying, and it was very difficult to put down once I got started. Recommended.
May 12, 2009
This is one romance not to pick up. Unfortunately Callen has quite a few books written and this is not one to be recommended by the author. There is no chemisty between the heroine and hero and the whole spy drama is laughable.
This review maybe a bit harsh and if you read this story, you will understand why. The writing is too simple and not at all interesting. The reader will probably not get through the first few chapters.
Charlotte comes across as too whiny and a tad immature for a widow in her early twenties.
Nick has no dimension. Not much more you can say about that.
This review maybe a bit harsh and if you read this story, you will understand why. The writing is too simple and not at all interesting. The reader will probably not get through the first few chapters.
Charlotte comes across as too whiny and a tad immature for a widow in her early twenties.
Nick has no dimension. Not much more you can say about that.
March 2, 2013
I'm a sucker for spy based historical romances and that's what this one is. Fun and easy. It was a little rushed and undeveloped at the end with the Julia storyline. However, I believe tHat is because her story is the next book.
June 17, 2013
This was a very entertaining read. The captive/kidnapper storyline actually worked really well with none of the cringe-worthy concerns of abuse and possessiveness that could so easily have occurred. The characters were appealing and the spy storyline was engaging.
Read
May 27, 2009Charlotte overhears Nick at a party as he is posing as a criminal. He is really doing undercover work. Now he has to bring Charlotte along with him so that she does not uncover his true identify.
June 2, 2010
I lost my zeal when I finished another book, so I just skimmed through this book. However I do plan to re-read this in the future.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews