The first foray into the field by Shannon, the newest member of "Merlin's Maidens", an elite force of English female spies, proved both her courage and her lack of self control. Shannon disobeyed a direct order by riding to the assistance of her roommate Siena and then found herself in hand to hand combat with a Russian spy, Alexandr Orlov, who just happened to be going after the same target as Shannon. The encounter left Shannon with a badly bruised wrist and a pronounced dislike for the handsome Russian. Determined to prove herself worthy of her wings, Shannon eagerly accepts a new mission to hunt down D'Etienne, a deadly assassin from Napoleon's army who is targeting key English allies. Shannon's mission is interrupted, however, when she crosses paths with Orlov in Ireland, and the two find themselves dodging gunfire from the Irish bandits who were being trained by D'Etienne. Shannon and Orlov manage to escape, but Orlov suffers a bullet wound in the process, and must rely on Shannon to arrange safe passage back to England.

While aboard ship together, the two establish an uneasy truce born of grudging respect and a strong attraction, but upon their arrival at Southampton, they agree to go their separate ways. Their superiors, however, have other plans. The two are instructed by their respective directors to travel to Scotland and guard the orphaned niece and nephew of Angus McAllister, a renowned English munitions expert. The English believe that D'Etienne will attempt to kidnap the children as hostages to control McAllister.

The Scottish castle where the children and their elderly grandmother live is a security nightmare, but Shannon and Orlov still believe they have the upper hand until the grandmother's niece pays a visit, bringing with her two ladies and three gentlemen, one of whom is French, and all of whom could be part of a plot to harm the children. With potential enemies all around them, Shannon and Orlov must rely on each other if they are going to succeed in protecting the children. But that trust only deepens the emotional bond that has been steadily growing between them, a bond which neither believes can lead to anything but heartache. When D'Etienne finally reveals himself, Shannon and Orlov are catapulted into a deadly battle of wits where love may be their greatest reward.

SEDUCED BY A SPY is a rollicking action adventure, full of historical intrigue, dry wit, and a smoldering romance. The return of two popular characters from the first book in the series will delight readers who have already discovered Merlin's Maidens, while those who are new to the series will thoroughly enjoy getting to know the spirited and courageous Shannon and the wickedly charming Alexandr. An excellent follow-up to THE SPY WORE SILK, SEDUCED BY A SPY grabs hold of you on page one and never lets go. I highly recommend it.

Book Summary

They were once orphans from London's roughest slums. Now they are students of Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies, learning the techniques of spying and seduction. Bold, beautiful, and oh-so-dangerous, they are England's ultimate secret weapons...

Hot-tempered and a warrior to the bone, Shannon is the most daring of "Merlin Maidens." Her assignment: stop the fiendishly cruel assassin who is targeting a top British ballistics expert's family. Marshalling her intelligence, fighting skills, and weapons is easy. Being forced to work with the rakishly handsome Russian spy she loathes is something else.
Witty, resourceful, and notorious for his rakish charm with women, Alexandr Orlov tempts Shannon's fierce reserve and lithe body to win her trust. But in the remote Scottish castle where they are sent to protect the innocent, their games of parry and thrust could end in death. A ruthless enemy is watching...and planning to turn their passion into the most dangerous weapon of all.