MISTRESS FIREBRAND by historical romance author Donna Thorland is that most happy of confluences- a romance that has a wonderfully detailed and accurate historical story as well. While I love historical romance, I am always thrilled beyond belief by an author who takes the time to do in-depth research and correctly employ their knowledge without becoming bogged down in displaying every iota of minutiae they discovered. Thorland beautifully evokes the time of the American Revolution, skillfully and smoothly drawing us into the period of such social upheaval and uncertainty.

Jennifer Leighton is a small-time playwright and actress living with her aunt in Manhattan. Aunt Frannie, a free thinker and notorious actress from England, is encouraging Jenny to pursue a career in England, where she might have a greater artistic success and escape the dangers of the arts in the colonies (the theaters in America are being closed by Congress and the Liberty Boys have been beating up the players). To do that, however, Jenny needs to make the acquaintance of a well-known patron of the theater who can sponsor her. General Burgoyne, a loyalist, has written plays performed at Drury Lane in London. Jenny is determined to convince Burgoyne to support her, ultimately by any means necessary. Jennifer is a marvelous character. I admire her resolve to be a playwright, despite the detriments of her sex and her locale. She's loyal and honest to her principals, and engaged me wholly in the story.

Intelligence officer Severin Devere has been sent to American to bring General Burgoyne home to England. Severin tries in vain to corral the foolhardy and vainglorious Burgoyne, and stumbles across Jenny as she is trying to bring about her introduction to General Burgoyne. Severin tries to save the hapless colonial girl from Burgoyne's sexual attentions. Severin is very handicapped in life by his background- he is the half Mohawk son of Earl Devere, born as the result of a youthful western frontier exploration by the earl in his youth. Severin was taken to England by the earl as a teen, and hovers at the edge of acceptability on the basis of his bastardy and Indian blood. He is sentenced to work as an intelligence officer by those Englishman who consider themselves his betters, and he is an incredible spy. Such a crafty and intelligent man, I am highly impressed by his skills and behavior. I love how he is making the best of his world by dint of hard effort and his brains.

There are many cunning twists and turns as playwright is pitted versus spy against the backdrop of the political intrigue and unrest of revolutionary New England. The surrounding civil tensions only serve to heighten the suspense as Jenny and Severin battle those around them while they also fight the violent attraction they have for each other. The stakes are deadly, and a misstep will cost them their lives.

MISTRESS FIREBRAND is another strong winner by Donna Thorland, a deeply satisfying mix of history and romance that leaves me clamoring for the next book by this talented writer.