At Her Service (Darley)

Loved the author and book.

The story had some parts that dragged, but all-in-all a decent book.

It's okay.

I like her writing style. Not all romance writers are good writers; however Susan Johnson's style is smart and engaging.

boring

Susan Johnson brings us three generations of the Marquis of Darley. This is book 3. I recommend reading this series in order starting with book 1 about Hugh's grandfather, Lord Julius D'Abernon.1. When you love someone - Julius' and Elspeth's story - year 17882. When someone loves you - Duff's and Annabelle's story (son of book 1) - year 18163. At her service - Hugh's and Aurore's story (son of book 2) - year 1855AT HER SERVICE (Book 3)Hero: Hugh D'Abernon, Marquis of Darley/38 years old/British Secret Service-Lord-heir to the Duke of Westerland-playboy/$$$$/dark hair/dark eyesHeroine: Aurore Clement/undercover agent for the French allies/gold hair/blue eyesAnother amazing hero!The year is 1855 and the Crimean War is wrecking Europe. Lord Hugh, The Marquis of Darley (son of book 2, grandson of book 1) and Aurore are both on clandestine missions in disguise. They meet and it's electric. But times are dangerous and enemies are lurking. After a brief affair and a shared mission it's just easier for Hugh to go back to his playboy ways.The Epilogue left the door open for a book 4, year 1914.... I highly recommend this book and this series!***Hero rating: 5 starsHeroine rating: 4.5 starsSex scenes rating: 5 starsSex scenes frequency: 5 starsStoryline concept rating: 5 starsStorytelling skills rating: 5 starsStory ending rating: 5 stars******************************Overall rating: 5 starsWould I recommend this series: Yes.Would I re-read this series: Yes.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

I have been a major fan of this author. She is one of my favorites but her recent books have all been duds for me, this included. It was tolerable at best. Was certainly not as torrid as her others and that is not a good thing where this author is concerned. First of all I am not a fan of the entire Russian scene, no matter who writes it and especially the War. This author tends to get a bit crazy with history and you really have to love it to like her books. (Stay away from "Taboo" if you are new to this author and trying to catch up). Years ago after reading "Taboo" I almost gave up on her and stopped reading her books for quite a while. It was a bit ridiculous how they don't show their true feelings to the very very end. Come on. How thick can you be. The hero was just too obstinate. Very boring at times and I did not like the heroine, which is very surprising with this author. I usually really like her heroines.Like many, this author has had her share of misses. I would avoid, "Seductive as Flame, and" "Sexy As Hell." "Sweet As The Devil," (good only because of the hero, the heroine was just awful, terrible)!Out of this group, "Gorgeous As Sin" is the best in my opinion in this series and most like her classics.Don't miss "When You Love Someone" which took place in a much earlier time period then this author usually writes, the 18th century but yet, "When Someone Loves You" was not good. Classic favorites include, Brazen, Pure Sin (my favorite) and Silver Flame.

In 1855 Aurore Clement travels to Sevastopol in the Crimea to bring her injured veteran brother back home. She is using a wounded sibling Etienne who allegedly lies in one of the filthy hospitals as a cover for her undercover spying for the French government. Meanwhile in the beleaguered city she meets British Marquis, Hugh D'Abernon, who offers a ride to her to the nearby city after he introduces himself as trader Gazi Maksound to hide his secret service work as an undercover British espionage agent.Aurore and Hugh desire one another from the first moment they met. That wanting leads to an incredible all night tryst. However, when both are exposed as spies, they flee eventually making it to Paris where he must rely on her to keep him safe, but he also has doubts about trusting her or his feelings for her.AT HER SERVICE is an engaging historical romance starring two courageous likable star-crossed heroes working as spies for their respective governments. The fast-paced storyline hooks fans from the first fateful February meeting in Sevastopol and never slows down until Paris. The 1914 coda is a perfect ending to a great tale as Susan Johnson provides a powerful mid nineteenth century espionage romantic suspense as only she can.Harriet Klausner