I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Just okay. I felt the story rushed and just unrealistic. I absolutely did not like the main characters and I just found them both annoying. Just a hard pass for me.

this was a great historical romance, I loved getting to know Chloe and watch her grow. There was a wonderful tension in the book that added to the romance. I really enjoyed going through this read.

Set in Tudor times this historical romance was written by an experienced author with an excellent grasp of the period, Chloe is the adopted daughter of a Merchant couple who live in London, she has just found out her mother is alive and running a brothel, so she is running away disguised as a boy to find her. Enroute she gets caught up in a incident with Sir Robert Mallory, a young and handsome but slightly silly man, working as a spy to repay a debt. He is instantly mistrustful of Chloe, and this put them both in some very tricky situations. obviously this is a historical romance, so the inequality between the sexes is a given, however, the attitudes and behaviour of Robert towards Chloe, especially at the beginning of the story felt very uncomfortable and predatory in some ways.

The adventure and convoluted plot were fun initially, but went on a bit too long. The silliness between Chloe's father and her mother and Mallory was a bit frustrating, and there were just a few too many un-fleshed out plot devices used, that made the narrative a bit disjointed.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of Romance books and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.

Chloe is bound and determined to find her birth mother. She knows where she must go, but being a woman who is about to be forced into a loveless marriage to a man she can't stand, her options are limited. But if she were a man/boy she could go anywhere. She dresses up like a man and heads to Southampton. She is close to her destination when she is almost killed by falling debris. She is rescued by Sir Robert Mallory. He is on assignment for the Queen. He is quite sure there is something more to this lad....Chloe and is determined to figure it out. Well, Chloe finds her mom, not quite what she expected and now Robert has figured out he is a she. After one misadventure after another Robert is head over heels in love. They now must work together and with Chloe's help (one injury after another) They will definitely find their HEA

Another great adventure from Elizabeth Keysian who does not disappoint!

A Most Distrustful Spy

A more suspicious fellow, you never will find. It started with an encounter when he rescued a woman, disguised as a lad, from falling masonry. His locket disappeared, so he was certain she was the thief. Things only got worse from there, and his suspicions of her might be both their undoing.

Chloe and Robert are about to get into mischief, and the fate of the monarchy is at risk. Spies are everywhere, and lives are in peril. Will the two adventurers survive the mayhem? Will Robert ever learn to trust? It might behoove him to trust the woman who stole his heart. Their love sprouts in treacherous circumstances, but will it thrive? I enjoyed this tory and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with adventure and intrigue.

Mistress Chloe Emmerson had the perfect plan to avoid marriage to Lord Brooke to run away and find her true mother in Southampton, England. Chloe had to disguise herself as a boy and while walking down the road a large block of masonry was up in the air came crashing down to where Chloe was. Luckily, Chloe was saved by Sir Robert Mallory. Chloe told Robert a false story to escape him going to the brothel to meet her mother. As Chloe meets her mother she gets some very good advice but her mother advises her to go back home to her aunt and uncle. So Chloe leaves but Robert accuses her of stealing. Chloe is appalled she didn’t take anything from Robert but he is positive that she took things. As Robert loses one thing after another he drags Chloe in his scheme. As Chloe gets to know Robert in more dire circumstances Chloe loses her heart to him. Robert also can’t help his feelings but knows that he expresses them Chloe’s life and his is in danger.
This is a wonderfully written Regency historical story filled with mystery, suspense and subtle romance! The book is also different because the main protagonists aren’t lords or ladies but regular people. The numerous plot twists drive and further the novel making it quite enjoyable. There are a few things that aren’t really explained. Robert the clever spy of a hero but his limp isn’t really explained. So his back story needs to be delved into a little bit. Some of his spy escapades would have been nice also to read about as well. Robert does seem to be a stick in the mud so it’s good that he has Chloe to shake up his world a little bit. Chloe the feisty, always in trouble heroine despite her dilemmas would definitely be fun to hang out with and go on adventures with. This is really an intriguing story that is well worth the read and a lot of fun too!

Robert is a sweet hero. He has a good honorable heart. Chloe is a kind girl out to find out who her parents really are. No spoiler here, but the meeting of these two start a whirlwind of events. I enjoyed the development of the romance and the plot. It was very enjoyable!

Chloe Emerson is determined to find her birth mother and father to avoid marriage to her aunt’s choice of a husband. She runs away disguised as a boy where she meets Robert Mallory. He thinks she a thief, but he eventually aides her in her search. Little does he know her father is the one man he’s can’t disappoint Sir Mortimer Fowler. These two have quite the adventure filled with danger as they look for spies, her father and try fight the attraction rowing between them. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

Mistress Chloe Emmerson wants to avoid a possible betrothal to Lord Burke. She discovers letters her Aunt had hidden, and finds her real mother is not dead as she has been told. Chloe dresses up a boy and takes off to Southampton to find her mother.
Sir Robert Mallory is a spymaster for Walsingham who works for Queen Elizabeth.
Robert and Chloe are initially suspicious of each other. They actually end up saving each other over and over, and sparks fly between the two. There is definitely mystery and romance in this great story!

I couldn't put this book down. It is so good that I ended up staying up way past my bedtime.

I do recommend it.

Mistress Chloe Emmerson is betrothed to Lord Brooke, which would not be a bad situation, except she cannot stand the man. She has been raised by her aunt and uncle; believing that her mother is dead. When she discovers that she is alive, she sneaks away from London to an address she found on letters her mother wrote to her aunt. To accomplish this feat, she dresses as a lad, and makes her way to Southampton. But she discovers her mother owns a brawly house and will not help her. Chloe meets a handsome stranger by the name of Sir Roger Mallory, who is on his own mission. This is the perfect setting for an adventure with dangerous occurrences, not knowing whom to trust and of course romance. This is a great read, and the pages keep you mesmerized in the characters and the adventure they find along the way.

What may seem as a best laid plan, often finds danger along the way. Such was the case as Chloe set out to find her birth mother with the information she had found. Desperate to not marry the man her aunt and uncle had deemed appropriate, she found her mother was a brothel owner. Oh yes and her father was none other than a pier.

Fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be she found herself in the company of one Sir Robert. Her rescued her, then manhandled her and ended up traveling with her to London. But oh, there was some attraction there that could not be denied!

Mystery, spies, secrets and a journey to find answers, brings these two together in a story not soon forgotten! Elizabeth Keysian weaves another tale that wraps you in her imagination and does not let go until the end! Sit back and enjoy!

Lord of Mistrust by Elizabeth Keysian is another in her series Trysts and Treachery, which tells of spies of Sir Francis Walsingham, spymaster to Queen Elizabeth. All Mistress Chloe Emmerson wants is to ride herself of her possible betrothal to Lord Brooke. Having discovered that her mother is not dead, as she had been told all of her life, she sneaks away from London to Southampton to seek her at the address she had found in letters written to her aunt. To accomplish this, she dresses up as a lad and through series of misadventures arrives at her mother's home to discover she owns and runs a brothel. A man, Sir Robert Mallory comes to her rescue after she is nearly killed by falling rubble at a building site not far from her mother. Another series of misadventures leads her to fall in love with him. He is in love with her as well but given his personal situation, he feels he has nothing to offer her. It is truly a muddle.

Throughout the story we get to know both of the main characters very well. Chloe is adventuresome, fearless, loving, and kind, while Mallory is courageous, daring, responsible, and sometimes a bit thick. The plot is very convoluted although it almost makes sense most of the time. It flows well and the pacing is good. It is breathtaking in its daring and violence and makes the read truly thankful that they didn't live at this time. Communication was slow, morals were odd, and being an aristocrat forgave a majority of sins. The medical issues alone would turn a person's hair gray. It was fun. It was exciting. It was a wonderful adventure, a true romance. I loved it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Lord of Mistrust by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #lordofmistrust

This was a good paced story with engaging characters. Chloe Emerson was certainly brave and determined. She set out by herself to find her mother, quite a dangerous undertaking, travelling from London to Southampton. She is also trying to escape from an unwanted suitor. When in Southampton, she is aided by Sir Roger Mallory, a handsome man, but someone who is on his own mission. The more time they spent together, the more they are attracted to each other. But can anything come of it, given Chloe’s suitor is still on the scene and Roger needs to fulfil his duties. Chloe’s mother is a force to be reckoned with but she is there for Chloe. There are some dangerous events, misunderstandings, spies and a happy ending. This was an entertaining read. I did receive a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did purchase my own copy.

This fast-paced romance, set in the Elizabethan era, has adventure, espionage, and humour. Chloe and Lord Robert were fated to meet and from the outset, there is a connection as even before Robert realises what or who Chloe is, he protects her. Given that young women of the era were strictly protected and chaperoned, it is a wonder that Chloe managed to escape her aunt and uncle, but she is strongly motivated by their choice of husband for her, who is abhorrent to Chloe. She accidentally discovers that she is not the orphan she has been led to believe and sets off to find her parents. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned but this leads her into Robert's arms. I loved the main characters in this book and although Robert is torn between his duty to his Queen and his deep feelings for Chloe, he is a gallant gentleman who comes to love and respect the courageous young woman who has fallen into his lap. Despite her youth and naivete, Chloe barrels through her adventure, little realising just how precarious it is. Nevertheless, she is resourceful and brave and manages to come through her escapades slightly the worse for wear but relatively unscathed. The story is well-written and has a good plot, one that kept my interest and had me laughing out loud at times. It is a standalone and comes to a happy and joy-filled conclusion. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Spies & Secrets have a way of interfering in peoples lives. Chloe has discovered a secret that was withheld about her birth and she is determined to discover her birth mother. Some secrets however could cause even more harm than good if they are not handled in the right way.

Robert is a Spy for the Crown, but he is also a loving brother who will do anything to protect his family members. When he happens upon Chloe their paths are anything but a smooth journey, but in some deep way they will need each other in the future.

The storyline is fresh and humorous at times. It keeps you wanting to want to know what will eventually happen and it is overall a good lighthearted read.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Lord Of Mistrust is a fabulous historical romance by Elizabeth Keysian. Ms. Keysian once again provides readers with a book that once started is impossible to put down. You've been warned. This book is well-written and the characters a phenomenal mix of stuffy and uhh...not so stuffy. Chloe's aunt and uncle are favoring her marrying Lord Brooke. Chloe has no intentions of marrying him, so she sets off on an adventure to find her mother and possibly her father too. Robert is doing some investigating for the Queen when Chloe, dressed as a boy, interrupts. Chaos ensues and gives readers plenty of drama, humor, spice, action and suspense throughout the book. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to my next book by Elizabeth Keysian. Lord of Mistrust is book 4 of the Trysts and Treachery Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

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

Another brilliant historical fiction by one of my most favorite authors. I love reading historical fiction and I read a lot of it. Elizabeth Keysian is one of the best authors I have come across. Her attention to detail is amazing and she writes the most interesting characters. These are the kind of characters you will love and root for without a doubt. This book is no exception. I loved every minute of it.
As always the beginning is what drew me in and the fast-paced, well-written story is what kept me there. Once started, I couldn't put it down. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an exciting adventure and a hot romance. Overall, it is a great read.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lord of Mistrust was a fast read (read during the few hours of a blackout, in fact, when I found I had not much else to do). Like the first three in the series, it’s an engaging historical chock-full of intrigue and danger, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

Chloe and Robert are both wonderful characters in their own right, both navigating the cutthroat world of Elizabethan England, her fleeing an arranged marriage and finding out some family secrets and him working as a spy for Sir Francis Walsingam.

But while there is a bit of a spark between them, I didn’t feel like the romance was developed enough amid everything else going on with all the politicking and espionage. I ended up feeling satisfied with the way those external plotlines were resolved, while feeling very lukewarm feelings about the two being together.

This wasn’t a bad installment in the series, but it definitely falls slightly short of the previous three in terms of my personal enjoyment. But I think if you like a good combination of history(especially the Tudors!), mystery/intrigue, and romance, you’ll still enjoy this one for what it is.