4-STAR REVIEW: TO ENTICE A SPY by Diane Scott Lewis

Book Reviews Historical Romance Thriller/Suspense

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The Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2021

In 1794, Widowed Countess Eseld Trehearne seeks revenge for the brutal death of her female companion during a Paris riot. On her return to England, Eseld delves into espionage to defeat the French rebels.

Baron Robert Penhale, Eseld’s childhood love, rejoins the Secret Services after his wife’s death. He’s determined to protect England from the revolution terrorizing France.

A ruthless French spy fights for the common man while disguised as an English aristocrat. He’s intent on revenge against those who oppose him.

With the spy stalking them and Robert in fear for Eseld’s life, the fate of the couple verges on disaster.

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The Review

Countess Eseld Trehearne has returned to her beloved England after five years in France, where she mourned her husband. Wanting to do her part after witnessing events in Paris during the French Revolution, she volunteers to seek out covert operations in her hometown. Author Diane Scott Lewis uses Eseld’s mission as the foundation for her book, To Entice a Spy.

While similar stories typically cast a fresh-faced debutante as the lead character, Eseld is a widow with two older children. This adds a fresh take on the storyline, particularly when she encounters her first love, Baron Robert Penhale, opening up the possibility of a second chance. Penhale’s job is to root out any spies, which could put him at cross purposes with Eseld.

With a backdrop of the very finest parties, the characters get caught up in drama and intrigue. Eseld receives high marks for using her feminine wiles to hone in on who might be the spy. Her daughter is a delightful secondary character with a penchant for attracting stray animals. Together, they demonstrate bravery and aspirations typically out of reach for women of this time period. Meanwhile, Robert is the epitome of the protector who must use caution in handling the independent Eseld.

The dastardly villain ramps up the suspense and is exposed during a thrilling conclusion. This sweet Regency romance ties up all the loose ends effectively. To Entice a Spy is a delightful light romance with a dose of suspense to keep it interesting. About The Author

Diane Parkinson (Diane Scott Lewis) grew up near San Francisco, joined the Navy at nineteen, married in Greece and raised two sons in Puerto Rico, California, and Guam. She’s a member of the Historical Novel Society and wrote book reviews for their magazine. She’s always loved travel and history and has had several historical novels published. Her most recent is the Oyster War Novel set in the 1950s: Ghost Point.

Her spy novella, To Entice a Spy, set in England during the French Revolution—two former lovers chase a ruthless spy; will love rekindle as murder stalks them?—will be released on October 11, 2021.

Diane lives with her husband and one naughty dog in western Pennsylvania.

For more on her books visit her website: www.dianescottlewis.org