Ms. Archer has written another lushly sensual historical romance that entertained me, but also made me think. It was more suspense than action-oriented outside of the romance, but readers who like espionage fiction will probably enjoy that. I liked the depth she gives her characters with quirks like Marco cursing beautifully in Italian and teaching Bronwyn rude Italian hand gestures, as well as Bronwyn's incredible violin-playing skill. It's worth a read.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the June 2014 issue. http://affairedecoeur.com

Review originally posted on The Book Pushers, see source link below.

 

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

An auxiliary Nemesis agent and a former client go undercover as servants at a country estate during the Christmas season to expose corruption among London society’s powerful elite. Michael and Ada never thought they would again be working side by side in the pursuit of justice. Now that they’re on a case together, the attraction they had once shared flares to life, making a dangerous assignment even more unpredictable. Can they take the heat?
This blurb came from the author’s website.

The nice thing about reading a series after it’s already going is the ability to read multiple installments without having to wait–in other words, going on what is called a book glom. I was lucky enough to start reading Archer’s Nemesis Unlimited when she had two novels and a novella already out. So after reviewingDangerous Seduction, the second novella last week on the blog, I dived right into this novella.

Winter’s Heat introduced two new characters, Michael and Ada. They had met during an earlier case and became attracted to each other. But Nemesis business interrupted their budding relationship and it never went anywhere. Ada was hired as additional help for the Christmas season at a particular country estate. Given her lower class upbringing, she was accustomed to the duties expected of a maid, so going undercover in that capacity was relatively easy. Expecting a partner from Nemesis, she was surprised and displeased to see Michael after the method of their previous break-up. Michael was a regular employee of Nemesis who was just returning from the successful completion of another mission. He went undercover as a temporary footman and the experienced member of the team. In addition to knowing the details of their official mission, Michael had some personal goals of his own.

I found it interesting seeing this world adapted to a novella. In this particular case, Nemesis wasn’t trying to stop a crime from continuing to happen. Instead they were after the ringleaders who had escaped with their profits. This allowed the relationship more prominence, which I appreciated given the shorter length of the story while still satisfying my curiosity for intrigue. It also helped give depth to the story that the villains, while not seen participating in anything wrong, proved through their words that they were despicable individuals.

Even with the shorter length, Winter’s Heat included some elements I have decided are vintage Archer. Michael respected Ada in what she could do and what she decided to attempt. He never tried to say that she couldn’t do certain things because she was a woman. Ada also respected and trusted Michael on a professional basis even when she was unsure on a personal level. Any chance of success required teamwork, trust, and the discovery of unknown skills. The combination of those elements along with the sexual tension created an enjoyable read.

I give Winter’s Heat a B

Review originally posted on The Bookpushers, see source link below.

 

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

CAN A COMMON CAUSE

Alyce Carr has no time for the strange man in her little Cornwall village, no matter how breathtakingly handsome he is. Life in Trewyn doesn’t allow for much fun—the managers of the copper mine barely provide the miners and their families with enough food. Outsiders are suspect and flirts are unimaginable, but Simon Sharpe is as keen as his name…and Alyce can’t ignore him for long.

LEAD TO A SHARED PASSION?

As the founder of Nemesis, Unlimited, Simon Addison-Shawe is well accustomed to disguise and deceit. Yet he’s not prepared for Alyce’s dogged defense of her people and the injustices the copper mine has dealt them. With Alyce’s help he can change the fate of an entire town, and convincing her to join him is only part of the thrill. Together, they ignite a desire in each other much too powerful to deny. But at what cost?
This blurb came from the author’s website.

If you do a search on The Bookpushers for Zoe Archer’s name you will find that she turns up on a fairly regular basis for a really good reason. She writes entertaining stories set in worlds with a twist. Not only does her settings usually contain a twist of some sort but the individuals who populate her worlds are also rather unusual. Unusual in the sense they don’t exactly fit amongst others of their peers but they provide me with hours of enjoyment. I was aware that Archer had started a new series, and I had the first one, Sweet Revenge on Mount TBR so when I saw we were hosting her (see today’s early post) I was incentivized to move it up to the top of the pile. I did this for a couple of different reasons; first I was expecting it to be good; and second, I wanted to review Dangerous Seductionat the same time as her guest post. I knew from reading other series written by Archer that the stories tend to build on each other, therefore I would catch the subtle nuances in later installments if I started with the first one. After reading and enjoying it I couldn’t wait to get started on Dangerous Seduction.

Set in an impoverished Cornish mining town, Archer explored some of the ugly sides to industrialization. Nemesis, Unlimited received an anonymous letter detailing some of the abuses and pleading for help. In response Simon, born and raised a nobleman, went undercover as a mechanic. During his very first day on the job he saw several examples of abuse. One of which was the use of company script for pay instead of cash. Company script could not be exchanged for cash because it was not backed by a hard currency thus keeping the miners and their families dependent on the company. In addition to the negatives, Simon also noticed Alyce, a villager who managed to maintain her drive for a better life.

Alyce entered the scene arguing with the mine managers as she tried to convince them they needed to dispose of the rotting butter in the company store and replace it with fresh so the miners and their families could eat a wholesome meal. The managers refused but she didn’t let that stop her from continuing to make efforts to benefit the villagers’ lives. She was attracted to Simon but she wasn’t going to jeopardize her livelihood, not with some newcomer who on his very first day caught the attention of the local law enforcement.

I really enjoyed watching Simon gain Alyce’s trust. While she was busy viewing Simon with suspicion he was also looking for an ally, someone who the villagers trusted so he could act for justice. She was so suspicious that she followed him one night because he really wasn’t acting like a typical mine employee. Her conduct that night convinced Simon he might have found the key with which to rally the miners. Alyce discovered that there was a lot more to Simon then she thought and that there might be a chance to make life better. I thought it was great that she didn’t immediately trust/believe him when Simon mentioned why he had come to their village despite his actions. Throughout the story Simon demonstrated that he enjoyed Alyce’s will and independence. He never made it seem as if the was unable to do something because she was a woman. Alyce repaid his trust by doing her part and more during their scheme. She also liked him because of who he was as a person, not because of his birth position.

I knew I was enjoying the story but I did not realize exactly how invested I was in the action portion until I took a deep breath at the end of a particular scene and noticed Archer had steadily built up the tension. Even with that small release, the tension continued to build as the stakes rose higher and higher. I thought it was a sneaky touch when the mine situation reached its climax but I still didn’t know how Simon and Alyce were going to resolve their relationship. By spreading the resolution to the mine conditions and the romance across time, Archer reminded me that while one provided the opportunity for the other they were not completely interdependent.

With Dangerous Seduction Archer has once again created a series whose installments I will continue to enjoy. Her characters are unique and memorable. The world-building in Dangerous Seduction is detailed and varied. She also combines romance with action in just the right amounts so I am invested in the story as a whole, not one particular aspect.

I give Dangerous Seduction an A-

The agents of Nemesis Unlimited spend their days and nights finding justice for those who have slipped through the cracks. Cutting across all social and economic classes, these crusaders have dedicated a part of their lives and their hearts to their cause; keeping only a few people close and separating themselves when the job is done. However all it takes is a special assignment and an exceptional woman for one agent to risk it all and loose himself in a mission.

The call for help came in the form of an anonymous letter, but the plea was one spoken by many men and women in towns across England. People are being robbed of their basic human rights and someone needs to help them. It was this well heard plea that brought Nemesis Unlimited together one dark night many years before and it was a call that Simon Addison-Shawe would always answer. Finding himself in one of the farthest corners of the country, Simon has infiltrated the Wheal Prosperity Copper Mine to determine how to break the workers out of their virtual slavery to the company and to help them prosper from their labors. Disguised as a mechanic, a trade far below his normal station as a gentleman of the ton, Simon is quickly introduced to the treachery of the managers and security forces who are keeping the quality of life for the miners at a bare minimum while they are living very high. Seeking to know the mindset of the miners and find those who would fight for their rights, Simon gets to know one of the most vocal members of the community, Miss Alyce Carr.

For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/11/zoe-archer-dangerous-seduction.html#more

Ahh I have missed Zoe Archer.  I am so glad I took the time to read this.  I loved the setting, the goals, the characters, the complexity inside the characters.  Archer has such a great way of phrasing/saying things and dragging me so deeply in the story that I don't notice the passage of time.  I am actually going to provide full reviews for her novella and the next novel for this series over on the blog in the next couple of months.  

 

But basically if you haven't read this yet... you need to :D