Despite the first in this series being an all time favorite I think it's time for me to accept that I'm no longer into Spymasters. Whenever I pick one up to dip back in I just don't find them as satisfying. I think because of the distinctive style and the characters all being so closely tied to each other, they are all reading the same these days. I can't tell any of them apart any longer. ( )

I wish the heroine had been a tad better matched with the hero. She's made out to be smart and capable and everything, but somehow he seemed to always be just a little bit more so, at everything. =/ Overall I liked them though. And they had some great moments. It was also fun to see many of the previous characters being kind of like her 'friendly uncle ___' who just happens to be a spy. =) From how early she started to receive training, (and at the hand of some of the best spies in the world), I would have expected her to be the best yet though, but she ended up feeling a little bit average for a spy, or like a new recruit. Meh. It had an interesting child supporting character which was a nice addition. ( )

3.5 stars

She used light words that didn’t say what she was thinking. He was doing the same. They leaned on each other and everything important between them went unsaid.

While you absolutely could read this book without reading the rest in the series, you absolutely do not want to. The romance is a little weak, the mystery threads dominate and I had problems feeling like I "knew" Raoul. Do not look for really any movement in the romance front until after 50%.

“I understand. I’m not an innocent.”
“That’s not what I’m saying, Séverine. Not what I’m asking. I want to explain that this isn’t a game to me. I’m free. This is courtship.” He leaned to set his lips to her breast, through the fabric of her shift. “I thought you should know."

Now, just because I said the romance is weaker, it doesn't mean there isn't love in this story. Why I think you should read the preceding in the series is because Severine is the daughter (adopted) of the hero in "The Forbidden Rose" and sister-in-law to the hero in "The Black Hawk" and the love/relationship between the three is so worth reading. Also, Black Hawk has been my favorite of the series, so reading this, seemingly simple description of him: Hawker sat at the head of the table, his feet propped on one chair, evening coat and cravat thrown over another. His shirt was open at the collar, his cuffs rolled back, and his waistcoat unbuttoned. had me wanting to read his book all over again. What disappointed the heck out of me was that the wives/heroines of these two men were off page the whole time and I missed out seeing them together again.

Women saw that glint of reckless sensuality in him. The promise that he would not only please a woman in bed but make her laugh while he did it.

Severine's character did not disappoint and I loved her; I would be first in line for a novella about her time serving the Military Intelligence. The mystery plot of Raoul searching for his daughter, an amulet, and who/why killed his wife (a forced marriage, he hadn't even seen her in years) was really only interesting to me because of the strength of the characters (Severine, William Doyle, and Adrian Hawkhurst) and how real, nuanced, and wonderfully Bourne writes them.

Bourne's writing style is one of my favorites, its immersing, emotional, and at turns beautiful. I'm just a little worried that reader's new to the series wouldn't have the background attachment to stay with this, because of the slow burn, not always the focus romance. This was a very quietly and understated emotional story, which worked for me at times and didn't at others.

The series is great though, so if you want to fall in love with Severine like I did, definitely start from the beginning.

*In case any group members are reading, this series would be a great Buddy Read series ;) ( )

Beauty Like the Night was a good story. It kept its feeling the entire book. The end of the book was well thought out and tied up all of the loose ends. I recommend Beauty Like the Night. ( )

4.5 "A Love Interconnected by Espionage" Stars!

Why did I wait so long to discover this series? Being a lover of historical romance and mystery/suspense, Beauty Like the Night satisfied my desires on a number of fronts. I also really enjoyed Ms. Bourne's talented writing and witty repartees between the hero and heroine. Now I simply must go back and read or listen to Ms. Bourne's Spymasters backlist titles!

For those who are wondering if this story can be read as a standalone, it definitely can. As you can surmise from the opening paragraph of this review, this is my first foray into the Spymasters Series and I had no difficulty following both the romance and suspense plots which seemed to be fully contained within this book.

Sèverine de Cabrillac, the "daughter" of a British intelligence agent and friend of many other spies has grown up learning the spy trade. "Adopted" after being left an orphan by the French revolution, Severine has her own list of spy accolades now. However, in an attempt to "settle down" and lead a less dangerous life, she has turned her specialized talents to work for those needing an investigator to find justice.

Her latest assignment, is finding a lost daughter and amulet for Raoul Deverney. Raoul has his own clandestine background and Severine instantly starts to question what this proclaimed wine merchant's true career is. Should she trust Raoul? Just what is the truth? Moreover, when a series of dangerous events, including a murder plot involving a famous British military commander is uncovered, it seems like too much of a coincidence for the events not to be interconnected somehow, but just what is the connection?

But its not all intrigue and danger where Severine's and Raoul's relationship is concerned as they seem to have a chemistry laden attraction to one another. Is it purely physical attraction or something more? Moreover, could there ever be a HEA for a potentially politically mismatched couple such as this?

There is one aspect of the plot which I think could have remained a mystery longer, but there are also a number of suspense and mystery plots weaved in which are not uncovered until later in the story. The romance also takes a while to develop, but once it does it adds a heated element to this intriguing romantic suspense title.

All in all fans of Ms. Bourne's, as well as, historical romantic suspense enthusiasts in general will not want to miss Beauty Like the Night.

Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.