Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Review: Dangerous Seduction by Zoë Archer

Dangerous Seduction by Zoë Archer
Series: Nemesis, Unlimited, Book 2
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genre: Historical Romance Dangerous Seduction Cover
ISBN: 9781250015600
Blue Ribbon Rating: 3 out of 5
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As an agent for Nemesis, Unlimited, Simon Addison-Shawe has perfected the art of going undercover. But his latest mission – to help the miners of a small Cornish village – threatens to throw him off his stride. Or more accurately, outspoken bal-maiden Alyce Carr does. He knows he needs to recruit Alyce to help him bring down the corrupt mine owners who are slowly starving their workers to death, but Simon’s usual charm isn’t going to work on the sharp, suspicious Alyce. And if he does manage to convince her to help him, will their mutual attraction throw a wrench into their plans to save the families of Trewyn?

I can always count on author Zoë Archer to deliver a unique historical romance, and DANGEROUS SEDUCTION is no exception. Rather than an heiress or governess of some sort, the heroine of this second NEMESIS, UNLIMITED novel is a sharp-minded bal-maiden with a thirst for justice. Alyce doesn’t need to be swept off her feet, but that doesn’t mean she’s not left breathless by Simon. Simon’s an aristocrat with no desire to lead a pampered life when he could be of use to the world. It’s easy to admire Simon and Alyce for their intelligence and determination to save the people of Trewyn from the increasingly underhanded, abusive dealings of the mine owners and their bullying lackeys. Alyce and Simon fit one another like a lock and key, and watching them fall in love as they work to make the lives of others better was wonderful.

DANGEROUS SEDUCTION is every bit as much a love letter to equality as it is a romance, and I liked that about this book. Yet, while every single element of the story worked for me, as a whole it was missing that coveted spark to keep me engaged. Normally I practically devour Ms. Archer’s books, but I never quite connected to DANGEROUS SEDUCTION. Still, there’s no denying that this is a well-written, original story with clever characters and a strong moral center.


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

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