A riveting story of politics and intrigue. Isabel is thrust into a world for which she is not prepared. It is complicated by her attraction to Gavin who is on a mission and fighting his feelings for her. The author leads us this perilous journey while the two try to unravel all the pieces of the puzzle around them, stay alive and protect their budding romance.

This historical romance is set in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, during the time of the Ridolfi Plot. The author is the new-to-me Pamela Mingle.

Gavin is Equerry to the Earl of Shrewsbury, Mary’s “host”. He is embedded in the household to spy on Mary and her retinue for Elizabeth. Isabel is a lady in waiting to Mary. There loyalties are very much to their respective mistresses, but matters are complicated in this political snake pit, and the natural attractions of men and women bring them together.

History and setting are the strong points of this book. The romance is less compelling.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When Isabel Tait is offered a position as a lady in waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots, it seems like a good opportunity for her to avoid a marriage she doesn't want or being forced to live with a mother who doesn't want her around. But life at court is nothing like she expected and Isabel has lived such a sheltered life that she's inept at social maneuvering. The other ladies are immediately catty and when one man, Gavin, is kind to her, she finds herself drawn to him and noticing him in a physical sense as well. Isabel doesn't know how to do anything the other ladies do and this, along with her unusual knowledge of languages and literature ensure she doesn't fit in. Nothing is what she expected, including Gavin, to whom she finds herself growing ever closer in the lonely new world in which she finds herself.

Gavin Cade, with his Scottish mother and English father, can easily fit in on either side of the border. He's been charged with covertly spying on Mary for Queen Elizabeth and believes shy, naive Isabel could be a great help to him. She seems just as susceptible to his charms as the other ladies have been, but soon his flirtation with her starts becoming all too real. Gavin begins to believe Isabel could be the one to restore him to his former self, the man he was before his late wife's infidelities. But Isabel is a distraction from his true purpose and one he can ill afford.

This was my first read from this author and it took me awhile to get used to the writing style and forms of address used. The writing itself was fine, but the pacing was a bit slow. I had trouble getting into this one and staying interested enough to finish it. It annoyed me that Isabel's intelligence is lauded repeatedly and yet she was completely clueless as to Gavin's true purpose and failed to make sense of observations and information that was readily available to her, despite the fact that she's also repeatedly described as being super observant. I can also see why she was hesitant around Gavin given how wishy-washy he was with her. Despite her tragic backstory, I still couldn't bring myself to like Isabel. Her sheltered and yet also very intelligent persona just wasn't working for me and her insistence on hanging on to her naive viewpoints, along with all the intrigue, got a bit tedious for me. Usually it's mostly the heroine who gets on my nerves if I find a character annoying, but this hero irked me too. Both main characters were stubborn and self-focused, typical human flaws that should've just made them more genuine, but eventually both went to far to be believable for me: Gavin with his inability to trust his own feelings or judgments and Isabel with her willful naivete.

The plot was strong in potential but I found the pacing just didn't quite hold my attention and I didn't care for the main characters. Overall, this one was just okay for me, but I'll still check out other works from this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.25 Stars
Isabel Tait had lived a very sheltered but abusive life until the day the Countess of Shrewsbury arrived & Isabel suddenly found herself a lady in waiting for Mary Queen of Scots. She must either tolerate the mindless partying and ceaseless backstabbing of Mary’s other ladies, or risk being sent home to a forced marriage. The only 2 people who brightens her day are Bisou the Queen’s dog & the far too handsome Gavin Cade. Gavin is on a mission recruited by Nicholas Ryder & tasked with spying on the Queen, he’s found the perfect woman to help. Sweet, shy Isabel is an easy target for his charms.
This is the second book in the series however it’s easily read on its own. I was once again drawn in from the start & found it very hard to put down until I turned the last page. Strong believable characters & a fast paced story all made this a captivating read. The mix of real & fictional characters all added to the story & at times made me wonder how much was fiction & how much real. I applaud the author for having the controversial figure of Mary in the book but she managed to paint a picture of Mary that left the reader to decide what was truth & what was lies. The romance between Gavin & Isabel was a slow burn throughout the book & the ending left me very satisfied. I love a love story with spies & intrigue & this book ticked all the boxes
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I was given an digital advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated for this review and opinions are my own.

Game of Spies is a historical romance novel set in the Elizabethan era and focuses on the little court of Mary Queen of Scotts in her prison in England. Our heroine is a 25-year-old, nearly spinster woman, Isobel, who repeatedly describes herself as being plain, unfashionable, clumsy and very sheltered. Immediately upon arriving at the house where Mary is being kept, Isobel, rechristened Bel by Mary, becomes the number one target for cruelty by the other girls. This is because Bel's naivity and earnestness make her an instant favorite of the Scottish Queen's and she also falls directly into the path of the most handsome, eligible member of the household, Gavin.

Gavin is nursing a broken heart from the loss of his late wife and discoveries about her that completely changes his perspective on their marriage and relationship. He serves two purposes as a member of the household, managing supplies, and also spying on the incoming and outgoing correspondence of Queen Mary. Enter the unconventionally beautiful, innocent and charming Bel, and it looks like a dangerous distraction is thrown into his path!

I greatly enjoyed this book. Romance is not usually a genre that I read, but I greatly enjoy Tudor-era fiction and am a sucker for a good love story. While at times, the pair's indecisiveness about whether they should or should not be together started to feel a little stale, the book keeps things interesting with a mystery subplot that ties in tightly with our hero and heroine's romantic journey.

In all, this book gave me everything I would want in a historical romance, our hero was dreamy, our heroine was smart (and not just a beautiful damsel - though she was also that) and the surrounding plot was well thought out with a nicely written world. I enjoyed a brief escape into this novel and would recommend to anyone looking for the same.

Game of Spies by Pamela Mingle is a complex tale of intrigue and romance. The history of Mary Queen of Scots is intense, filled with treachery and sorrow. The story is woven through Mary’s luxurious imprisonment. The main characters are intricately introduced and have detailed backstories. They also have many idiosyncrasies that drive their actions and beliefs. Many of the secondary characters are historical figures including Mary, Lindsey, Cornwall and Sheffield. There is a lot of action, suspense and intrigue in the story. I highly recommend the story. It has more history and intrigue than romance. And is still very enjoyable.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. I was drawn to this title because it was set during the Tudor era of England instead of the 1800s. Isabel Tait's mother wants her to be married as soon as possible to clear the way for her remarriage, but Isabel doesn't want to marry without love. When an opportunity is offered to become a lady-in-waiting to Mary Queen of Scots who is currently a "guest" of Elizabeth I. Isabel agrees and quickly finds herself part of Mary's court that is filled with women of look down on her for her innocence and lack of worldly experience. Overall, I liked Isabel, but I struggled a little at times with just how naive she was.

Gavin is half Scot and half English and has been at loose ends since the death of his wife during childbirth along with the child. He found a letter from her shortly after her death the revealed she had betrayed him and the child wasn't his. When approached by a representative from Queen Elizabeth asking him to spy on Mary to help ensure that there are no plots that would threaten Elizabeth or her grip on the throne. He finds himself drawn to Isabel and her open nature despite his mistrust of women.

My favorite part of this book was the setting and era. The peek inside Mary's court was interesting and one got a feeling of how constraining her stay as her cousin's "guest" would have been. The romance was ok and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the star of the book for me. Anyone looking to enjoy a historical romance with a non-Regency or Victorian setting will enjoy this title.

3.5 stars, best enjoyed with mulled wine by firelight.

Isabel Tait has known little of the world outside of her home where she lived with her mother, half brothers, and recently deceased step father, who was not a very nice man, other than the world can be a cruel place. Cloistered all her life, she is both grateful and afraid when her mother tells her that she is getting remarried and her spinster daughter is to be married off or sent elsewhere. Hope comes in the form of Bess Shrewsbury, an acquaintance of her family, who offers Isabel a place amongst the circle of companions for Mary, Queen of Scots. Isabel takes the position and is thrust into a world she has never been a part of, full of plotting, dancing, intrigue, gossip, and secret trysts.

Amongst those at Shrewsbury is the handsome and beguiling Gavin Cade, a reluctant spy sent on behalf of queen and country to look into a suspected plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I, with the Scots queen at the very center. Isabel, who is quickly taken into Mary's confidence, become a pawn in a game she never wanted to play, and falls prey to Cade's charms. However, Cade's own allegiance seems to shift as he gets to know the demure and intelligent 'Bel' and finds himself falling for the fiercely loyal young woman. Their love grows even as their lives are thrown into chaos, with an attempted abduction, murder plots, and other unsavory dealings. Apparently, that's just court life with an imprisoned Queen whose very existence is a threat to the crown.

I'm a sucker for historical spy romances, especially when the romance was one of the slow burn kind. It's a super niche interest, but Game of Spies satisfies and checks a lot of the boxes. I was pretty hesitant when it came to this because I recently studied this period in history and Queen Elizabeth and Mary's relationship is hotly contested, and historians are still trying to figure out whether Mary truly was involved in planning the plots in which she was embroiled and also whether Elizabeth meant to put her to death (spoiler alert--not in the book, but historical spoiler if you don't know anything about this piece of history). However, Mingle showed her hand and expertise on staying as true as possible to the historical subject matter and did an excellent job of straddling that line, allowing her characterization of Mary to still leave the reader to decide if she was, in fact, guilty. It's always difficult to take on controversial subject matter like this in a novelization and I was left entirely satisfied.

Additionally, Mingle used the actual places that Mary was during that period, which only added to the realism of the story. It's also pretty fantastic to be able to see pictures of the actual places and get a sense of what it was like. One such example is Tutbury Castle. Although the castle isn't exactly intact 500 years later, recent pictures nonetheless still lend credence to the events that took place and also allow the reader to visualize what it looked like for these historical players and their fictional counterparts, bringing us further into the story.

https://www.hauntedrooms.co.uk/tutbury-castle-staffordshire

Although the book admittedly seems to drag around 75% of the way through, I was invested enough in knowing how it turned out and also enjoyed reading the author's interpretation of Queen Mary, which helped me keep my pace. Overall, Game of Spies was an enjoyable read, and the only reason I didn't read it all in one sitting was because I looked up and it was 3am on a 'school night' and I'm sure my husband was getting tired of the light from my e-reader.

It's the perfect season for an escapist read like this one. If you're into historical romance I recommend you pick up a copy for a summer escape!

Thanks to Netgalley & Entangled Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for a fair review!

Game of Spies is a great historical story that is well written and has great characters. This is the second in the series, but can be read as a standalone. I must go back and read the first. A must read.

Game of Spies by Pamela Mingle is Book 2 in
"The Spies in Love" series, which can be read as a stand alone. Books in the series thus far:
Book 1 "Mistress Spy"
Book 2 "Game of Spies"

Well written and well excuted, with history and fiction interwoven together to make a conflicting, and compelling story. The plot will pull you in from the first page to the last. The characters are charming, engaging and believable.

Follow, Isabel Tait and Gavin Cade, whose on a mission to spy on Mary Queen of Scots. Isabel is shy, sweet, innocent and one of Mary's
lady-in-waiting. She also has grit, strength and backbone, especially when she believes what in Mary Queen of Scots, as told her.
An exciting, story of spies, romance, secrets, conflict, betrayal, finding love and a HEA. There are twists and turns, a few surprises and a heroine who has backbone and strength and of course, a brawn, hero who is determined to learn, whose involved in the plot to dethrone the Queen of England.
Readers will get a glimpse into Mary Queen of Scots, as she is used as a pawn against Elizabeth, Queen of England.

I enjoyed GAME OF SPIES, the characters and the plot. There are a lot of characters involved in this story, and the reappearance of Nicholas Ryder, from MISTRESS OF SPIES. If you enjoy steady paced Regency Romance, with a beautifully written plot, spies, and love, GAMES OF SPIES, is a great read.
Great read!
#NetGalley, #SpiesinLove,#PamelaMingle

"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR

Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/06/10/game-of-spies-by-pamela-mingle/)

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance ebook collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.

________________



Number of titles I have read by this author: 2

Love story speed: Medium burn

Relationship dynamics: The Reluctant Spy (H); The Sheltered Lady-in-Waiting (h)

Sexual content: A smidge. Romantic, “onscreen,” and explicit, but not overly so

Triggers: murder; descriptions of physical abuse (of h, not by H)

Grammar/Editing: I found a few typos in the ARC, which will hopefully be fixed in the final, published version.

Review: Like its predecessor, this book is well-paced and fairly well-written, although I found myself wishing that the author would choose to consistently refer to the heroine either by her name or her nickname, rather than interchangeably by both. The action involves and follows the movements of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a host of other historical characters. The author openly acknowledges that she has taken license with the historical timeline to suit the narrative of her story but, as before, is consistent in her execution. Her characters are inserted into the Scots Queen’s life in a plausible way, and the story does not come off as a revisionist history.

Isabel is a timid, sheltered girl who is very much thrown into her role as a lady-in-waiting. Gavin is a jaded widower, and a self-assured and successful man who is also very much thrown into his role as spy and equerry. Their romance starts out rather unassuming and sweet, but takes a turn for the melodramatic when Isabel develops into a more confident version of herself and Gavin fails to evolve at the same rate. Some of the early action and conflict also seemed a bit superfluous when the basic arc of the novel provided ample excuses to throw Isabel and Gavin together. The supporting characters are surprisingly well-developed given the number that appear, and the appearance of the hero from the previous novel features as the catalyst for the action of this story, which was quite well done.

Elizabethan proverbs version: “Youth and white paper take any impression” but “sing before breakfast, cry before night” and “labour is light where love doth pay”.

Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was an enjoyable read, during the time where Mary, Queen of Scots in under house arrest by Queen Elizabeth. Isabel Tait has had a terrible childhood and at present a not good adulthood. She jumps at the opportunity to be a lady in waiting to Mary. Isabel is kind, intelligent, but naive to the workings of the court. Gavin Cade is a spy for Queen Elizabeth. He does not trust any woman, after the betrayal from his deceased wife. He immediately likes Isabel, but has intentions to use her to help with his s investigation. Gavin is a determined man, but let’s his past influence his current decisions. Gavin and Isabel each discover plots, but they keep them from each other, Isabel because she promised to keep Mary’ confidences and Gavin because he does not know where Isabel’s loyalties lie and his own investigation. However, attacks on Gavin and Isabel make them realize they are no longer safe. Each need to discover the truth based on their own observations and information. What neither expected was to develop feelings for each other, which leads to conflict with each other. Yet, they need to determine truth from lie, foil plots to upsurge Elizabeth, and discover their own happiness.

Lady Shrewsbury recruits Isabel Tait to serve as one of Mary Stewart's ladies-in-waiting at Tutbury Castle, thus allowing Isabel to escape a possible arranged marriage engineered by her distant mother and scheming half-brother. There Isabel encounters Gavin Cade, recruited by MISTRESS SPY's Nicholas Ryder to keep an eye on the Scottish Queen while ostensibly serving as Equerry to the Earl of Shrewsbury. The two become players in the dangerous game played by those loyal to Queen Elizabeth, Mary's cousin/jailer and the supporters of Mary Stewart's claim to the Throne.

Isabel Tait has never left home before but her mother wants to get remarried and wants her out of the home.
Luckily before she is forced into a loveless marriage she is offered a respectable alternative. Little does our naive heroine know, that what she's getting into when she joins the exciled Queen Mary's ladies could kill her.
Gavin Cade has been sent to spy on Mary. It's a job he hates but it needs to be done. Danger is everywhere and nobody can be trusted. Our hero has reason not to trust easily and a house full of scheming females is just about his worst nightmare.
An intriguing story with great characters. It might be easy for us to know who the bad guys are, but not our characters. How many will die before the full plot is uncovered????
I loved it.