When Crispin, Viscount Margrave joined the Regent's Consul, an elite group of spies formed during the Napoleonic Wars, he did so with the understanding he would never marry. Unfortunately, the most alluring debutante of the Season has set her cap for him, and resisting the desire to make her his own is sweet torture. One magical kiss from her uncle's handsome godson under the mistletoe convinced Sophia Darlington of what she suspected all along. Lord Margrave is her soulmate. Persuading the stubborn viscount, however, is an exercise in frustration. One moment he encourages her to find a more suitable husband, then he frightens away would-be suitors with his dark glowers and menacing presence. The man is impossible, but she loves him. And she'll entice him into admitting he loves her too, even if it kills her.
This the fourth book in the series & I really need to read the earlier books. A very well written book that I devoured. I loved both Crispin & the delightful Sophia, I also loved their journey to a HEA which was a roller coaster of a journey but it kept me enthralled
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Book four of the Gentlemen of Intrigue series a well written story that have a very good storyline. Viscount Margrave joined the Regent's Consul with the understanding he would never marry, but he has now meet Sophia Darlington what happened made for a story I enjoyed reading.

This book has mystery, secrets and dangerous enemies. It’s full of intrigue, spies, danger, murder, and traitors. It keeps you on your toes.
I enjoyed the character development; Aunt Bea was awesome.

Loved this story. This series is wonderful. The sisters are real! Sophia is sweet and strong. Crispin is a wonderful man. I enjoyed the story line and the HEA.

A rather cute read and the fourth installment in the series, Lord Margrave’s Secret may be a bit confusing in the beginning for those who haven’t read the previous installments. The story is still enjoyable and easy to become absorbed in once the action begins. Sophia is a likable female lead as is Lord Margrave, though his lack of conviction could be annoying.

That being said, this is more than a simple story of romance. There are secrets abound and mysteries to be solved even as the leads work through their attraction to each other. The story itself is enjoyable, with a well written plot and developed, interesting characters.

This is the first book by Samantha Grace that I have read. I found all the characters interacted well and I enjoyed the way they were written. There was more than one mystery which keep you guessing making the book enjoyable to read and a page turner. I only gave the book 4* because it seemed very long for me but it was far from boring. I prefer a slightly shorter book. There was a longish sex scene which this reviewer skipped as I usually do and it did not affect my enjoyment of this book. All though this book can be read as a stand-alone book, it would have be nice to have read the books before and I am sure I will go back now and read them. I look forward to the next one.

I've a number of books by Samantha Grace, and this is the first one I've read. When I started out, I was feeling a bit lost. It seems there were many references to what had happened in earlier books in the series. However, when the action began, I no longer cared! I got caught up in Crispin and Sophia's adventures and totally forgot about my earlier confusion.

Crispin and Sophia made a good pair, though I was getting frustrated with Crispin at the beginning of the story. You could tell he really cared about Sophia....so why was he pushing her away? That was answered later, and I did forgive Crispin. Sophia was not shy in letting Crispin know how she felt. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also smart and knew exactly what she wanted. When the action started, you could really tell how much they needed each other.

There were some great supporting characters, especially Aunt Beatrice, her dog and the Duke of Stanhurst. (Dare I hope there may be a romance between His Grace and Sophia's unattached sister? Please?!) I also liked the interaction between Crispin and his estranged mother and brother. This was an exciting story, and I'm eager to go back and read the other books in the series. I know I'll be in for a treat.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Lord Crispin Locke, Viscount Margrave, was the godson of Charles Wedmore, who was the guardian for Sophia, Evangeline and Regina. Their parents had died and their Uncle Charles had taken them in and because he was away so much, Aunt Beatrice took care of them. Sophia was lovely to look at and Crispin wanted her but felt he could not get involved with her. She loved him with all she was.
This is a story full of intrigue, spies, danger, murder, and traitors. It keeps you busy reading about the spies and who has to run from who. Who have they killed lately and why. I loved the way Sophia tried to keep her independent nature free from the demands of men. But Crispin could make her do anything. Crispin had a few secrets he wanted no one to know about and was very tight lipped about them and where or when he went.

I received this ARC from et Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Lord Margrave’s Secret Desire is his love of Sophia Darlington, but he does not feel he can ‘afford’ to be wed. He is a spy for the Regent’s Consul and worries his secret job will keep him from home causing her to eventually despise him or put her at risk. Unaware of his work, Sophia is going to wait him out until he realizes he cannot live without her. Trouble is, he keeps kissing her while pushing her away.

Their journey from friends to lovers is surrounded by intrigue, mystery and good friends. Sophia is a delight to everyone around her. She is a deep and caring heart, as well as a brain that serves her well. Margrave or Crispen, which he goes by, finds out fairly quickly that she is a help to him in solving the difficulties within their lives.

The secondary characters are entertaining, especially Aunt Beatrice’s openness and forthrightness. The new Duke of Stanhurst, too, is an honest and loyal man who adds to the strength of the book with the revelations that are thrown at him about his family.

Crispen and Sophia have a strong love and trust that take them to a well-deserved HEA. This is my first Samantha Grace book, thus the first in this series, and I loved it.

Disclaimer: I am shockingly new to the romance genre in general, and seemed to have randomly stumbled into a historical romance binge during my much larger historical obsession.

Pros: The overall plot, the spy plot, the characters, the side characters, showcasing Sophia's intelligence too, her aunt

Cons: None I can recall

If you like romantic regency historical novels, you will adore this book! Sophia Darlington is determined. After one kiss under the mistletoe convinced her that Crispin, Viscount Margrave was meant for her. But what must one do to convince him they are destined for each other? Crispin, unknowing to Sophia, was part of an elite group of spies formed during the war. With all the tight spots he could get into with danger around every corner, he was determined never to marry. But that was before he meant beautiful Sophia and his resolve was challenged at every corner.
There is a little of it all in this tale with of course spies, secrets, enemies and intrigue. Oh and did I mention Aunt Beatrice? You will be anxiously turning the pages to see if the two will finally end up together and the path they follow! A delightful story and although part of a series this can be read as a standalone.

I loved this! A kiss from the right person can lead even the toughest of hearts astray, and when they fall they fall hard! As was the case with Crispin and Sophia! His vow not to marry went out the window. I loved Sophia she’s spirited and feisty,
Loved their witty banter and the chemistry was sizzling. Lots of mystery and intrigue make this a fast paced read.
I highly recommend this and the prior books.
I recieved a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion

I have to admit, I hadn't read the other books in the series, but I will be shortly! Loved the story of Sophia and Crispin! Loved watching him fall hard under her spell. Aunt Bea was almost my favorite, but Crispin barely beat her out. I did enjoy watching Crispin try to keep Sophia in check and protected, she just refused to cooperate! Now to go back and read the others in the series!

Publisher's Description:

In the game of espionage, love is a weakness. . .

When Viscount Margrave joined the Regent's Consul, an elite group of spies formed during the Napoleonic Wars, he did so with the understanding he would never marry. Danger lurks around every corner in the world of intrigue, and vulnerability quickly becomes a nail in one’s coffin. Unfortunately, the most alluring debutante of the Season has set her cap for him, and resisting the desire to make her his own is sweet torture.

In the game of courtship, love is the prize

One magical kiss from her uncle’s handsome godson under the mistletoe convinced Sophia Darlington of what she suspected all along. Lord Margrave is her soulmate. Persuading the stubborn viscount, however, is an exercise in frustration. One moment he encourages her to find a more suitable husband, then he frightens away would-be suitors with his dark glowers and menacing presence. The man is impossible, but she loves him. And she’ll entice him into admitting he loves her too, even if it kills her.

My Thoughts:
I love historical romance and prefer them to be at least somewhat historically accurate in back story. However with this one the author freely admits to creative license in her Forward so we know to expect her very imaginative touch to this story in advance.

Spies, miscreants, murder and mayhem abound in this interesting tale.

Sophia is ready to marry and has set her cap for Viscount Margrave not knowing that he is a spy for the crown and intends to never marry because of the fact that anyone close to him would be in danger.
This story seesaws back and forth between our hero wanting Sophia to find a more suitable suitor and wanting her for himself and scaring off any other man who dares to pursue her.

Will Sophia get her hearts desire or will Margrave eventually push her away?

I gave this enticing regency romp 4.4 of 5.0 stars (rounded down to 4.0) for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 2.25 of 5.0 flames. This book is an interesting romp but like many traditional regencies it is less intimate.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Spies, Thugs, Murder & Treason - this book has it all. A light fast paced narrative with interesting well rounded characters. Thoroughly enjoyable. Recommended read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely love historical romance of the Regency era, but tend to be a little fussy when it comes to the “historical” part. However, I found a special appreciation for Samantha Grace’s LORD MARGRAVE’S SECRET DESIRE, despite the fact that the author freely admits to making up parts of the historical features, confessed to in the forward.

Lord Crispin Locke, Viscount Margrave, has given his life— literally— to become a member of the Regent’s Consul, a deeply secret and selective group of England’s best. The members function as spies during the Napoleonic war, and they belong to the Consul for life. As a very young man, Crispin accepted this calling, despite the understanding that it meant he could not marry because of the dangers by which he would always be surrounded. A wife would be seen as a weakness in his imagined armor.

Miss Sophia Darlington, Crispin’s godfather’s niece, has other ideas! She has been in love with Crispin for what seems like forever and cannot understand his hot and cold responses to her overtures. She is a strong and independent-minded young woman, taught to think for herself and even physically defend herself. After all, her Uncle Charles, a long-time member of the Regent’s Consul, has taught her well!

The novel is the fourth book in a series titled GENTLEMEN OF INTRIGUE and reintroduces a number of characters known from the previous three books. Although each stands well individually, reading the series in order will help to minimize questions. Samantha’s Grace has created a vast and complex narrative that blends wonderful history with even better romance!

What a good read! I enjoyed the tail of the The Black Death! Viscount Crispin , what a man! I love Alpha males, he is one of the best! I like Sophia, beautiful, intelligent, and handles her Alpha Male perfectly! All of the characters are well written, you can't wait to see the Duke, and Crispin's brother Alexander again! It is a good read, and I highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley, and yes I have bought the book!
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I really enjoyed Sophia and Crispin's story!

Sophia has been in love with Crispin for years, but because of his secret job, Crispin has vowed never to marry. But after one kiss, Sophia is determined to catch Crispin and he is second guessing his decision not to marry. Add in a little bit of mystery, a bad guy and an interfering aunt and and this was a wonderful read!

I'm looking forward to seeing where else Grace takes this series. There is still one Darlington sister left and they haven't caught the bad guy yet, so I imagine there is more to come!

This was an enthralling read with very likeable characters and plenty of action. Sophia was someone who brought joy into the lives of her family and friends. She also had a special ability. Sophia was also in love with Crispin, Lord Margrave. Crispin has his own secrets and is concerned if he becomes too close to Sophia it may put her in danger. There is a mystery to solve, secrets to uncover and dangerous enemies. Aunt Beatrice was very special and not to be underestimated. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.