A horrible French prison and an unlikely rescue was a unique start, unfortunately the first quarter of the book contained the extend of the action.

Reed and Fleur were both admirable in their love for country and cause but lacked a certain warmth together. I couldn’t seem to get close to the main characters. Mutual respect was practically the only emotion the two expressed.

Reed, the former rogue and English spy seemed only capable of gratitude. Fleur, the mysterious Black Widow, played out her charade as a way to deal with her first husbands death, whom she claimed to have been deeply loved. The depth of that first relationship was never fully explained. That lack in the story line made it difficult to accept that she was now madly in love with Reed. I almost found more enjoyment in the secondary characters, Updike and Lisette.

Of course you can always count on Connie Mason for hot and heavy passion, and this book is no exception. Too bad that most of the love scenes were highly predictable; except maybe, that first encounter. Even the mystery of the unknown assasin was predictible. The last quarter of the book did begin to show more intensity and depth but did not save it entirely. I still love Connie Mason but this story is not among her best. ( )

Very enjoyable with the banter between the two. I also enjoyed the subplots involving spying between England and France and a woman operative. The love scenes played well between the widow and the bachelor, and it was refreshing to not have a blushing virgin bride occasionally. Espescially to have one that enjoyed sex from the get go and loved her previous husband. The "my first husband abused me" plot is getting a little thin as of late. ( )