"Suspenseful Masterpiece"
Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Posted August 30, 2017
Romance Historical
TRAITOR IN HER ARMS by Shana Galen is a perfect combination
of history, romance, and intrigue. The novel takes place in
France during the height of the French Revolution. Ms.
Galen's rich descriptive voice perfectly conveys the bloody
conflict between the aristocrats and the revolutionaries and
the overwhelming sense of uncertainty during this time
period. The setting, suspenseful plot, and the passion and
conflict between the hero and heroine captivated me. Lady Gabrielle McCullough's husband died and she inherited
his gambling debts. She has resorted to stealing jewelry and
objects d'art to keep his creditors at bay. Gabrielle
attends a ball given by the Duke of Beaumont with the intent
to steal an expensive necklace. Gabrielle is startled by a
familiar voice as she opens the jewelry box; her husband's
friend the Earl of Sedgwick is also in the Duchesses'
bedroom! Sedgwick has the necklace! The chemistry between
the couple is apparent from this meeting and the passionate
kiss they share in the hallway. Gabrielle is approached by a man, that she assumes is the
famous Scarlett Pimpernel, who asks her to join his league.
This man is aware of her secret skill set and asks her to
steal a bracelet and assist the Comtesse de Tonnerre and her
child out of France. Gabrielle meets with Comte de Tonnerre
and decides to accept the dangerous mission. Sedgwick is
being blackmailed and has been tasked with uncovering the
identity of the Scarlett Pimpernel. I loved these scenes in
as they showed Gabrielle's bravery and compassion and
Sedgwick's desire to keep his family safe. Gabrielle is accosted by Mr. Pin, one of her late husband's
creditors, as she boards a ship destined for France.
Sedgwick grabs Gabrielle and they board the ship; he lifts
the gangplank and sends Mr. Pin into the water. Sedgwick
announces to Gabrielle that they are traveling to Paris
together. The scenes by the entry gate to the city of Paris
were superbly written; each word added to the suspense and
drama as Gabrielle and Sedgwick waited in line to enter the
city. I could see the crowds, hear the screams and feel the
danger. The suspense intensifies in the novel as Sedgwick
accompanies Gabrielle to a ball at a cemetery and
Gabrielle's mission begins. I enjoy Ms. Galen's novels because of the elements of
suspense and intrigue that she weaves into each story.
Traitor in Her Arms is the most complex novel she has
written. Just when I thought Gabrielle was safe; an expected
obstacle was introduced into the storyline. It was
challenging to determine who the traitors were in the story
as not one character's true identity or motives were
apparent. Gabrielle and Sedgwick learned to trust each other
during this chilling cat and mouse game with the French
soldiers. The novel's ending is superbly written and kept me
reading past my bedtime. I couldn't put the book down! If you are looking for a passionate, suspenseful historical
novel—TRAITOR IN HER ARMS is the book for you!
SUMMARY
Two morally compromised souls wage a battle of wits—and
seduction—against the backdrop of the French Revolution in
this thrilling romance from bestselling author Shana Galen. After her late husband leaves her in debt to some dangerous
people, Lady Gabrielle McCullough is forced to become a
thief. In the intervening years, her skills have not gone
unnoticed. After being recruited by the Scarlet Pimpernel,
the mysterious do-gooder spiriting aristocrats out of
revolutionary France, Gabrielle crosses the Channel for the
most daring mission of her life. Accompanying her is the
Earl of Sedgwick, a thief in his own right and an enticingly
masculine presence. The man is not to be trusted—nor is
Gabrielle’s body when he’s near. Ramsey Barnes would not say he is an honorable man. His
whole life has been based on a lie; why change now? Although
it pains him to deceive the tantalizing Gabrielle, he’s
working toward an altogether different objective: unmasking
the Scarlet Pimpernel. If Ramsey fails, his blackmailer will
ruin him. But when Ramsey’s confronted with the carnage of
the Reign of Terror, he seeks refuge in Gabrielle’s heated
embrace. Now he faces a terrible choice: betray the woman
who’s stolen his heart—or risk losing everything.
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