Simon Marcheford wants nothing more than to settle down and bring his sister to live with him, but Queen Elizabeth has other ideas. She sends Simon on another mission where he ends up at Queen Mary of Scotland’s court as a spy. Catherine De Medici sends her niece, Aimee de Verris to Queen Mary’s court to forget about the Frenchman she loves, Pierre, but she soon finds herself tasked with reporting on Queen Mary’s activities in Scotland. Queen Mary is a matchmaker and decides Simon and Aimee must wed so Simon will become more loyal to her and keep a watchful eye on Catherine’s spy. Disaster strike when someone close to Queen Mary is murdered, and Simon rushes to keep both himself and his wife safe from harm. Aimee soon realizes getting back to France is looking farther away, but she learns to appreciate Simon’s talent for shielding her with every inch of his muscular frame. Fleeing for their lives across country Aimee realizes she wants it all, a life with Simon, a family and children. It’s quite a captivating journey for these two to find their HEA and it’s one I’m sure you’ll enjoy!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher.

After being caught in a compromising position with her then-lover Pierre, Aimee was sent by her aunt to live with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth, which was actually a spy mission in disguise. Aimee is no spy by skill or desire, which is even more obvious when the Queen suspects her of being just that and orders her and Simon, an actual – well-trained- spy to marry. By the Queen’s deduction, the marriage was the best way to keep a watchful eye on her supposed enemy, and perhaps gain some information. Neither Simon nor Aimee is aware of each other’s mission, so the marriage has more secrets than normal – even for the time.

When a murder takes place in their presence, they find themselves on the run. More than ever they have to depend on each other. The nights hiding out provide ample time for meaningful discussion, and they soon realize that physical attraction is not the only thing they each have to offer. There’s plenty of action and intrigue, and with Simon’s two close friends (who also happen to be spies) assisting them, things just get more eventful. Aimee has a loyalty to her ex-lover whose waiting for her back home; but soon that loyalty finds its rightful place. With her husband. Of course it was a struggle to get to that point as neither wanted the marriage in the first place. The change of her heart’s ownership was rather abrupt considering she couldn’t stop thinking about Pierre, but it’s believable that she fell for her strong, intelligent, handsome, and chivalrous groom. It could be concluded that the relationship developed as a result of instead of in spite of the danger, but the couple actually develops sincere feelings for one another. The story ends with several unanswered questions; but instead of feeling cheated, readers will anxiously await the next in the sequel.

Wed to a Spy by Sharon Cullen was an interesting historical romance with lots of steam. The novel puts us in the time of Mary, Queen of Scots; Elizabeth, Queen of England; and Catherine de’Medici, regent Queen of France. Three strong women who were powerful and always trying to prevent the others from getting a hand up over the other. Into this world of came Aimee de Verris, a young innocent woman forced to spy on Mary by Catherine. However, Aimee is no spy and never figured out what, if anything, she should find out. Then comes Simon Marcheford, a long time spy for Elizabeth who ended up at Mary’s court. Mary forces them to wed. What a twist for Aimee’s life and Simon’s mission. How will she get away back to France and an Englishman? How will he explain to Elizabeth that he was forced to be married?

I found the book to be interesting and I wanted to know how they worked out their problems. The book did make me feel the time period and the problems of the people involved. Wed to a Spy by Sharon Cullen was a hot interestingly good read.

A Thoroughly Enjoyable Love Story.
Set during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth 1 and Mary, Queen of Scots, this love story is set against the backdrop of a turbulent time in Scottish history and the difficulties faced by monarchs in keeping control of their throne and country. It also delineates how the lives of their subjects could be irrevocably altered based on their whims. I loved this story and highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I’m beginning to think that there was more spying done during the middle ages than what goes on today. Not only spying but assassination plots and betrayals abounded during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary which happens to be the setting of WED TO A SPY.

Aimee de Verris was just a young maiden in love with a charming French courtier but she was banished from the French court by Catherine de Medici. Aimee was told to join the court of Queen Mary and report back to Catherine any information that would be useful.

Simon Marcheford has been a spy for Queen Elizabeth for many years and wants nothing but to settle down and swears that this is his last mission before he retires. He is sent to Queen Mary’s court and while he is trying to discover a diabolical plot against Mary she orders him to marry her cousin Aimee de Verris and asks that he discover if Aimee is a spy from the French court.

*** Lots of threads to spin in this mystery of spies, betrayals and planned murders. Having been watching the TV series of REIGN I had some knowledge of the different characters and historical significance of what was going on. However the romance between Aimee and Simon was fresh and appealing in it’s innocence and eventual passion. After a murder occurred in front of Aimee who happened to be standing close to Queen Mary, Aimee was immediately put in a dangerous spot that pointed to Aimee’s involvement (which obviously was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time). Here was where Aimee began to see Simon for the wonderful husband, man and protector he became after he rescued and helped Aimee escape Scotland to England.

Bottom line: The character development was skillfully done, and the slow and sensual attraction between Simon and Aimee was slowly built and cleverly worked to perfection as Aimee discovered the difference between infatuation and true love. Actually, this was a quite enjoyable read where history and fiction blended beautifully together.

Marilyn Rondeau

I enjoy stories set in the Elizabethan era and this one did not disappoint. Sir Simon Marcheford is a spy for Queen Elizabeth who would like to retire to his estate with his younger sister, Judith, who is residing at Elizabeth's court. But the queen has one last mission for her best spies, Simon, Viscount William Sheffield and Tristan Fitzherbert. William and Tristan are sent to Scotland and Simon to Spain, though he ends up in Scotland.

Lady Aimee de Verris has been sent to Scotland from France by her aunt, Catherine de Medici, to spy on Queen Mary. Aimee is furious as she believes herself in love with Pierre and fears she will never see him again. Mary is not sure of Aimee and introduces her to Simon, direct from Philip's Spanish court, to neutralize her spying. Mary insists they wed.

When Rizzio is murdered before Aimee's eyes, Simon pulls her away and they hide in the castle until they can escape. They meet up with Will and Tristan and plan an escape back to England. No spoilers from me, but of course there is a HEA.

Sharon Cullen writes excellent Scottish stories and I look forward to Will and Tristan's HEA. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC.

Simon is trying to retire and take his sister to his estate to live peacefully for the rest of his life. But, the queen has other ideas. She sends him to Spain and his friend to Scotland to spy. He ends up in Scotland and all of a sudden he is married to Aimee, a French spy. Aimee isn't much of a spy, but she is trying so that she can go home to France and marry Pierre. Queen Mary decides that Simon and Aimee would be great together and tells them they will wed the next day. Neither wants the marriage, but how do you say no to the queen? After a murder and an arrest warrant for Simon and Aimee, they are forced to flee. They end up back in England, Queen Elizabeth isn't happy to have a French spy married to one of her spies and refuses to release Simon's sister to him. How will they all be together?

Thanks Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept and netgalley for this ARC.

Love this frisky, unusual love story. Two people reluctantly forced to spy will find happiness together but only after earning it.

Publisher's Description:
Blistering seduction meets international intrigue in the Highlands as a veteran spy infiltrates the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. There he matches wits against a tantalizing enemy: his new wife.

Simon Marcheford wants nothing more than to settle down on the land bestowed upon him by the English crown. Queen Elizabeth, however, is not about to let her best spy retire so easily. Simon will have his reward, she decrees, after he completes one last mission in Scotland. But no sooner has he sussed out a diabolical plot up North than Queen Mary weds him to her cousin—an exquisite beauty with troubled, soulful eyes—and orders Simon to watch her every move.

Aimee de Verris is no spy. But her life may depend on becoming one. Banished from the French court by Catherine de Medici, Aimee finds herself tasked with reporting on Queen Mary’s activities in Scotland, where she’s unnerved by the frigid weather and brutish customs. Worst of all, Aimee’s been married off to a most uncouth lout. But when murder strikes, she learns to appreciate Simon’s talent for shielding her with every inch of his muscular frame. If Aimee desires her husband, perhaps she could trust him—or even love him.
My Thoughts:
I loved this intriguing tale fraught with spies, murder, intrigue and love.
This Elizabethan Era tale encompasses the courts of Catherine de Medici, Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth the Virgin Queen.
It is filled with spies, both experienced and novice.
Aimee has been sent from the French Court to the Court of Mary Queen of Scots to spy. Aimee is not a very good spy.
Simon is a veteran spy from the Court of Elizabeth. He intends to retire, but Elizabeth insists he must complete this one last assignment for her. He has just ferreted out the information that Elizabeth wants when Mary decrees he must marry Aimee, his enemy.
Does Mary suspect both of these courtly visitors of something nefarious?
If she does, it may show when she declares them both to be enemies of her crown and puts them on a list of people she intends to have executed.
The only way out of these dire circumstances is to flee for England.
Will these two spying enemies turned spouses find their way to love and their own happily ever after in spite of the machinations of these three Queens?
I gave this book 4.75 of 5 stars for character development and storyline and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Great historical romance! I loved the realness of this story. The main characters had really good chemistry but at the same time their relationship progressed as you would expect (in real life) considering the circumstances surround their arranged marriage. My favorite part of this book was the historical accuracy weaved into the fiction of the story. It brought people who you really only read about in text books to life in a way that you could actually relate to them. Aimee and Simon are solid characters and I really got a sense of their struggles as they learn the navigate their arranged marriage. They learn to care and respect each other before they become physical and it made the romance in this historical feel more real. A great start to a new series with equal parts romance and suspense and of course a happily ever after! I'm looking forward to Will and Tristan's stories!

Aimee de Verris was sent off to the Scottish court by Catherine de Medici in order to spy on Mary, Queen of Scots. Aimee is no spy though, she’s just a young naive girl who was in love with someone Catherine didn’t approve of and only wants to return to her homeland. However Aimee finds that Catherine had other plans for her, she’s tasked Queen Mary with finding her a husband.

Simon Marcheford has been a spy for Queen Elizabeth but all he wants now is to retire to the land bestowed upon him by the English crown. Queen Elizabeth has one more task for Simon though and he finds himself spying yet again, this time he’s ended up in the Scottish court. The last thing Simon expected to come of the job was gaining a wife but how can he resist when ordered by Queen Mary to wed Aimee without losing her trust.

Wed to a Spy is the first book in the An All the Queen’s Spies series by Sharon Cullen. The book is a historical fictional romance which is centered in the real life setting of the Scottish court of Queen Mary during the time of the assassination of Rizzio, one of the Queens court. The setting and time period was one of my favorite parts of the read to have real life events written into this story.

For me this book only ended up being about 3.5 stars even though I enjoyed the historical part of it. The problem I found was the author seemed to write herself into a corner so to speak with having Aimee in love with someone back at home and devoted to him but married off to Simon in the story. It just seemed like a fine line to make a reader feel for the current relationship after spending so much time hearing of how she wanted to go home then out of nowhere in love with Simon.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

On this occasion I shan't be leaving a review. Thank you for the opportunity.

I love the Elizabethan era and was intrigued when I read the description of this book. Simon Marcheford and two fellow spies travel to Mary, Queen of Scots, court. This is Simon's last mission for Queen Elizabeth and he longs to retire from service and living quietly with his younger sister on his country estate. This dream is foiled when Queen Mary decrees that he should marry Aimee de Verris, a young French nobleman who was sent to Mary's court by the diabolical Catherine de Medici to spy on Mary. Simon and Aimee find themselves wed within 24 hours and neither one of them is happy. When Rizzio, Queen Mary's trusted advisor, is murdered in front of them, they must run for the lives before they are implicated in the murder plot.

I enjoyed this story although I thought Aimee was a bit immature for a young woman of twenty-one. Having grown up in the French court, she should have been more savvy and especially about why Catherine had sent her to Mary's court. Her constant pining for Pierre got a bit old. Simon, on the other hand, was the consummate hero. He was kind, generous and cunning. He would protect his wife with every resource he had. I can imagine enduring the horrific details and the subsequent run for their lives would bring Simon and Aimee closer. That part of the story was very believable. I loved all the historical details woven into the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Simon has served Queen Elizabeth faithfully for many years but now he is ready to retire back to his manor. However, Elizabeth wants one more assignment out of him, to find out if Mary of Scotland and Philip of Spain are conspiring.
Aimee wants to marry the love of her life, Pierre, but her aunt Catherine wants her to spy on Mary before she will consent to the marriage. Aimee is no spy and instead finds herself married to an Englishman.
Simon and Aimee have found themselves pawns in a larger game but their hearts won't be controlled.
 
He'd been sent to Spain and ended up in Scotland, married to a French woman.
 
With a stunningly gorgeous cover, Wed to a Spy is book one in All the Queen's Spies series. We are introduced to Simon, Will, and Tristan as Elizabeth of England sends them off to gather information about Mary of Scotland. This first book focuses on Simon and even though he is sent to Spain, through what seemed an unnecessarily tangled way, he winds up in Scotland and Mary's court. Simon seems nice with his desire to get to know his younger sister and retire to home. He's twenty-five and claims to be world weary from working for Elizabeth but we don't get any solid information or stories of his background for us, as the reader, to really sympathize for him.
 
Our heroine, who for most of the book I assumed was sixteen or seventeen, is twenty-one and a very immature one at that. The vast majority of the story she languishes for her lost love Pierre, which we see through very southern belle hand on forehead and clutched to chest letters written by her. I just could not connect with this heroine, she wasn't given much substance. She mopes about a lot about her circumstances and lacks the backbone I personally like seeing in my heroines. I felt the longing for Pierre went on for far too long, especially when we never get to meet the guy and then she decides being turned on by Simon disrobing means she is in love with him; sex with Simon seemed to cure her longing for Pierre.
 

As I mentioned, Elizabeth and Mary make appearances in this story, along with other real historical figures and the murder of Mary's private secretary Rizzio, plays a main part. Even though this was set during a tense political time, I felt like the story was slow moving. The suspense of the time is touched on but more of a little sprinkling than intricate weaving and our couple lacked the chemistry and emotional relationship that keeps me locked into stories. Having Aimee pining for Pierre didn't so much as create angst but acted more as a wall between the romance and Simon and Aimee. The latter second half felt like sex scenes suddenly thrown in for stimulation but I found them lacking because of the dearth of emotion. This story kind of boiled down to people in fancy clothes banging for me, which for the less historically inclined, may just hit the spot

Simon Marcheford is a spy for Queen Elizabeth but wants nothing more than to settle down on the land bestowed upon him by her. Queen Elizabeth, however, is not about to let her best spy retire so easily. Simon will have his reward, she decrees, after he completes one last mission & he is sent to Spain, then finds himself in Scotland. Aimee de Verris is no spy. She is banished from the French court by Catherine de Medici, after being found in an embrace with Pierre , so Aimee finds herself tasked with reporting on Queen Mary’s activities in Scotland, where she’s unnerved by the frigid weather and brutish customs Simon & Aimee meet at Quenn Mary’s court & a couple of days later they are married after Mary decreed it. There’s a murder & soon the pair are hiding & then fleeing for their lives.
I really enjoyed the book, the characters were well developed & had depth. Simon definitely a knight in shining armour & everything you want in a hero, strong, handsome, caring & loving. Aimee whilst likeable & a strong character was immature for her twenty one years. The pace is very good & the tempo is kept up throughout the book. This would have been a five star book but the journey from Edinburgh to London was spoiled for me as it took weeks & two days from London they were still in Scotland! Edinburgh is only just over 30 miles from the English border.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Simon and Aimees story was very likeable with just enough intrigue to keep the reader interested workout turning the book into just another shot novel. I look forward to reading the next book.

Anytime I have the opportunity to read one of Sharon Cullen’s novels, I will. She is an auto-buy for me—I started following her when she first started her writing career and look forward to every read. This advanced copy is provided to me by the publisher for a review and all my opinions and comments are freely given.

Wed to a Spy is humorous at times, although there is plenty of suspense, danger and action-packed scenes. I enjoyed how Cullen’s gave us a glimpse into the events in history involving Queen Mary, her relationship with Queen Elizabeth of England and her association with the king of France.

I appreciated Aimee’s struggle with her task as a spy, her innocence, yet manipulated by her own country’s powerful people, including those she experiences in Scotland and then again in England. She’s a spy, but not of her choosing and certainly not from any ability she has. Queen Mary soon realizes she is there to watch her and report to France. With a twist of ‘I’ll get even’, she decides to wed Aimee to Simon, who she thinks also an English spy.

The couple are given no choice. They marry, they escape the danger of Queen Mary’s treachery at court. They are then listed to be brought in with treason on their heads. A painful way to begin a relationship, but this danger only brings these two spies together–trust is necessary to come out alive.

I adored Simon who honored his marriage vows even though he is coerced into marrying Aimee. He protects her, respects her and eventually falls so deeply in love with her, you will start believing in arranged marriage! I also approved of Simon’s concern for other spies left behind in Scotland. He has made fast friends with Tristan and Will, two men I hope to read about in the sequels.

Simon learns his little French woman has more gumption than he first thinks, and strength, both physical and emotionally, which does her in good stead and saves his backside.

The story is fast-paced, humorous, suspenseful and easily read in a very short time, a page-turner you won’t be able to put it down. Passion and love will clutch your heart before you turn the last page.

Ingredients: Two spies*, a devious de Medici, and two equally cunning female monarchs. Mix thoroughly. Add heat. Watch carefully.

The Plot: Aimee is blackmailed by her own cousin, Catherine de Medici, to spy on Queen Mary, a task for which she is unsuited though she is certainly motivated, as the prize is matrimony with her French paramour. Simon, already at Mary’s court spying for Queen Elizabeth, laughingly laments to Mary his inability to find a wife. Mary mandates Aimee and Simon’s marriage, neatly neutralizing Aimee and solidifying Simon’s loyalty. Can Aimee and Simon make their union work? And what of Simon’s mission?

This well crafted plot is a love story backed by 16th century political machinations. Don’t like that kind of thing, you say? Well, don’t let that stop you, because there are no dry, dusty details here. Wed to a Spy is character-driven, and you’ll be carried along by the story.

* I said two spies, but at times it felt like there were more spies in this story than courtiers.

Heat level: 2.5. Until more than halfway through the book, Aimee and Simon don’t exchange more than a couple of kisses (after all it’s an arranged marriage and , but when they finally consummate their marriage, they get pretty enthusiastic about it.

Would I spend my hard-earned money on this? Maybe
Will I recommend it to friends? Yes
Is it a Kindle Keeper (tagged ‘do not delete’)? Maybe

I’ve read (and reviewed) two others in Cullen’s Highland Pride series, Sutherland’s Secret and MacLean’s Passion. They're well worth your time and money.

The first book in a new series by Sharon Cullen takes us into the Scottish court of Queen Mary. Queen Elizabeth has sent three of her spies to Mary's court in order to keep tabs on her. One such spy is Simon, a man who dedicated his life to Queen Elizabeth and now just wants to retire to his country estate with his younger sister. But Elizabeth forces him into yet another mission. While in Queen May's court, he meets Aimee, a French woman who was sent to spy on Mary for her Aunt in France. She hates that she is forced to leave her home and the man she loves but she does it with the hope of returning to France to marry her love. What she wasn't expecting was for another meddling monarch, Queen Mary, to force her and Simon into a marriage, one that neither wants. Once married their adventure truly begins and it takes them into hiding during a coup, on the run to England from an angry Queen Mary, and then into Queen Elizabeth's court to fight for the right to their happy ending. Their story was enjoyable, passionate, exciting, and emotionally stimulating. I liked it a lot and enjoyed watching them grow to first trust then love each other deeply. They were well matched and I look forward to seeing what the series has in store for the other two English spies.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. Loved this book. It is full of romance, mystery and danger. The love that grew between Aimee and Simon is a great story and it is intriguing. The book holds your attention and it is full of suspense. I would highly recommend this book for a great read.