For a star rating and a full review please visit InD'tale Magazine online, Dec/Jan 2015/16 issue www.indtale.com

Clayton’s Honor by MK McClintock
Book #3: British Agent Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 3/5 stars
My Review:

Clayton’s Honor is the third book in the British Agent series and one I have quite been looking forward too. Of the core group, Tristan, Charles and, Devon, Devon has been the most mysterious, the darkest and, the one most willing to take calculated risks and chances. To help his friends, Devon has gone to great lengths to protect them and would willingly die to save one of them or their spouses. Devon’s loyalty to his chosen family, his real family and crown and country is undeniable. His strength lies in his resolve and until Anne Doyle, nothing has ever shaken that resolve.

Anne Doyle is up to her ass in problems. Her father left her their ancestral home, Ballinrock Castle but it is nearly in ruins. Restoring the castle to its former glory is out of the question given the mountain of debt her father also left her. Adding to Anne’s daily stress are the families and employees attached to the castle, her mother who is slowly losing her mind and, a younger sister whose mind will never mature beyond that of a child. Oh, and there’s the murder she witnessed. With no choice left to her, Anne contacts her cousin Charles for help.

It doesn’t long for Charles to enlist the aid of Devon and his brothers to help sort out the mess at Ballinrock Castle. The men figure out very quickly there is much, much more to the matter than just the murder of a farm hand. Not only is Anne in mortal danger but her mother and sister are as well. With just the barest scratching of the surface, the group also discovers connections to a thirty year old death and an operation to forge currency. In no time flat, Anne’s situation has become a state matter as well as an intensely personal matter. The memory of her father is being tarnished the deeper the plot goes, her mother’s actions over the course of decades is being thrown into question and, Anne is developing serious feelings for Devon, a man who will likely never leave his life of danger and intrigue.

With each passing day and with each new bit of information, Devon sees a strength and determination in Anne that he can’t help but admire. Her loyalty to her family rivals Devon’s own and her ability to think and process information like a spy is as scary as it is attractive. Though Anne is frightened by the situation she finds herself in, she is also determined to be a part of the solution and Devon understands early on there is no use fighting her. Fighting Anne means distance from Anne and that is certainly something Devon does not want. Being near Anne is as exciting as any case he has ever worked and for the first time in his adult life, Devon can see himself leaving the Agency for good. He just has to keep Anne alive long enough to make her his own.

The Bottom Line: To date, I have really enjoyed this series but Clayton’s Honor fell flat for me. Devon has been such an interesting and somewhat mysterious character in the first two reads that I expected his story to be far more explosive, exciting and, sensual than it is. Devon is, by far the most dangerous man of the group and I expected and wanted so much more for him including more about his past. There is a lot of action and mystery in this read but it doesn’t feel as cohesive as the other two reads. So much unfolds toward the end of the read that it all feels rushed and awkward. Additionally, there are several wonky plot twists that feel like unnecessary afterthoughts. With that glowing recommendation how am I at three stars? Easy, even though I felt let down by Devon’s story, I still got Devon!! I also got more Tristan and Charles, Rhona and Alaina and, a bit more about Devon’s two brothers. I have no complaints as far as writing, editing, etc. go and, if I am completely honest, there is generally one book in every series that doesn’t quite reach the same height as the others. I am certainly not done with this series but do sincerely hope the next installment meets the stands of the first two books and not the standard set in Clayton’s Honor. ( )

ALTHOUGH THIS CAN BE READ AS A STAND ALONE, IT IS MUCH MORE APPRECIATED IF READ IN THE SERIES ORDER. THE PREVIOUS BOOKS SETS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FOLLOWING SAGA.
THIS BOOK IS QUITE PREDICTABLE, YET, WRITTEN WITH THE SAME SMOOTH FLOW M.K.'S OTHER BOOKS HAVE. THERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED TWISTS, BUT IT MAINLY JUST HAS WELL-WRITTEN, STEADY DRAMA THAT CAPTIVATES THE READER'S INTEREST. WHILE CHARLES BEGINS HIS HONEYMOON AT THE FAMILY COTTAGE IN IRELAND, HIS HONEYMOON IS INTERRUPTED BY HIS COUSIN ANNE'S DESPERATE KNOCKING AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING. SHE HAS WITNESSED A DEVASTATING SCENE AND HAS NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN. SHE ALSO NEEDS HER SLIGHTLY AILING MOTHER AND HER SWEET MONGOLOID SISTER RESCUED.
CHARLES CLEVERLY ASSESSES THE SITUATION AT HER FAMILY CASTLE. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, DISCOVERS HER MOTHER AND SISTER, THEN, WITH TRUSTED HELP, USHERS THEM ALL TO HIS FRIEND'S PALACE IN ENGLAND. THE ACTION CONTINUES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND IRELAND.
ROMANCE ENSUES BETWEEN CHARLES' FRIEND DEVAN & ANNE. NEITHER FEEL HE/SHE CAN TURN THEIR BACKS ON HIS/HER RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIFE'S WORK.
IS THE ROMANCE IS DOOMED BEFORE IT EVEN BEGINS?
THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY ENDEARING AND REAL. THE SCENES DESCRIBED WELL. THE TITLE AND BOOK COVER ARE FITTING.
THIS IS A PERFECT SAGA, ESPECIALLY, FOR SUMMER READING ENJOYMENT.

This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given. ( )