The Leading Lady (Half Moon House Series) - Deb Marlowe 

 

What a pleasure to pick up a book by a new to me author and thoroughly enjoy it! <3 
This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first one yet I never felt lost or like I needed to read the first one first. 
I love enemies to lovers stories and this one hit the mark in all the right places. Callie is smart, determined, caring, and knows how to fight against injustices in a world where men set the rules. Although Truitt was at first hesitant of working alongside such woman, he learned to admire her both as a fighter and as a woman. Their romance had the perfect pace and their chemistry, in and outside the bedroom, was perfect as well. They made have made a few mistakes towards the end but overall they made a pretty good team. I think they are one of my favorite couples ever. 

So the romance was wonderful but it was not the only good thing about the book. Not exactly a story about spies it had some its elements. The suspense was engaging from the start and it kept me turning the pages even when it wasn’t about the two main characters, which is always a good thing. Most of the story takes place in France and I loved that the author didn’t use any “accented” dialogue nor used unnecessary situations to remind me where the story was taking place. 
With complex, fun characters; suspense, action, and romance, this is a story I definitely recommend to anyone that enjoys stories outside ballrooms. 

*I received this book at no cost to me and I volunteered to read it; this is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher*

Royal blood runs through Callie Grant's veins, except only two more people know that. After her mom passed away, Callie found a safe haven in Hestia's home for women and learned a thing or two for how to take care of herself on the streets of London.

Callie took the role of older sister and worked hard to bring food to the table. The problem is that no matter what she does, her sister always ends up in trouble. Callie has had it and if it weren't because her sister hadn't been kidnapped or wasn't about to be murdered, Callie wouldn't run to her rescue yet again.

Callie is after clues to find her sister when she stumbles upon Lord Truitt. He's a thorn on her side, the same way he is to her. It turns out they're both after the same man who kidnapped her sister, though their reasons are not the same.

Lord Truitt wants to restore his credibility in London and the only way he can do so is by bringing back the man who used him. Teaming up with Callie and pretending to be husband and wife isn't something he accepts lightly but weighing the pros and cons he admits the plan has merit.

What neither expects is to discover the real person behind their mask. Slowly the lines in their pretend game are blurred and soon they end up falling for each other.

This is a great read for fans of Stephanie Laurens. There's mystery, action, sexy time. A little bit of everything for a historical regency romance.

 

 

 

My Review

 

The Leading Lady (Half Moon House Series) by Deb Marlowe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A strong female lead shrouded in secrets and mystery.  Callie and Truitt are brought together for a purpose.  That purpose takes unexpected twists and turns that land them in sometimes dangerous situations.  Through it all they face peril and intrigue with the strength and depth of character common in Deb Marlowe's stories.  The Leading Lady by Deb Marlowe is a suspensefully fun and unique spin on the romantic historical fairytale.   Received a copy of this story for an honest review. Enjoyably entertaining.
(www.goodreads.com/review/list/25556913-isha-coleman)

 

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Lady-Half-Moon-House-ebook/dp/B00Y3TWCJ6/

 

Barnes and Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-leading-lady-deb-marlowe/1121989347?ean=2940151564007

 

Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Deb_Marlowe_The_Leading_Lady?id=0x-iCQAAQBAJ&hl=en

 

Itunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-leading-lady/id997918292?mt=11

 

Kobo:  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-leading-lady-2

 

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/544857