3.5 stars rounded up.

Rose Fleming is the most well-respected mapmaker in London. Only, no one knows this since she’s a woman and would not be able to command such high prices for her maps if this were known. She’s the brains behind her family business but they’d be ruined if the truth got out, so she has to conform to her husband’s desires more often than she’d like to. Her secret-keeping abilities are sorely tested by the arrival of a new footman who is entirely too forward for a servant. Rose battles her attraction to a man who works for her, but keeping her distance is challenging when the temptation is in such close proximity.

Alexander Worthington, the Marquess of Brandon, is perhaps best known for being enigmatic and unknown to many. Half-Arab, Alex contends with much prejudice from those who insist on maintaining supposedly pure bloodlines among the nobility. It doesn’t help that his mother also came from a merchant class family and so he is viewed as being soiled by common blood. Alex has no issue ignoring the outrageous rumors that abound about him, but he draws the line when his neighbor attempts to cheat Brandon out of his land. Furious, Alex disguises himself as a footman and infiltrates the home of London’s most prominent mapmaker to find proof of the plans to draw faulty property lines. Alex is determined to retain what is his, but his attraction for the secretive lady of the house is an unwelcome distraction. With both Alex and Rose keeping a multitude of secrets, they’re about to test the bounds of the bond that has developed between them.

I have so many mixed feelings about this one. Overall, I enjoyed the story and its originality, but the lying was a bit of an issue for me, mostly because of how long it carries on, how many lies there are, and how many missed opportunities there were for the truth to come out. With new lies being added after some truths were revealed, I just got a bit frustrated with this story, most especially with the heroine. At least Alex’s reasons for his lies were in the name of protecting his tenants, and later, Rose herself, while her lies were basically just self-serving, so I didn’t exactly find this endearing. I don’t want to say much more on the subject and risk spoilers, but I definitely wanted Rose’s erstwhile husband to face more consequences for his actions. Beyond that I think a big annoyance for me was Rose’s tendency to take to her bed for days on end after receiving disturbing news. I completely understand her upset, but as much as she had fought for her family business, her just lying down and being so defeated seemed rather out of character. I was equally frustrated by her hypocritical refusal to forgive Alex for lying to her about his title, when she had lied to him way more frequently and about way more important things, and she continued to do so after he had been honest. I just couldn’t get behind her on that one and that made it hard for me to root for her, especially after everything Alex did for her, even when she wasn’t treating him very well. I think the attraction between Rose and Alex was told more than shown so that made it a bit hard to root for them as a couple as well, especially when Rose was just being willfully obtuse. I actually found her to be incredibly snobby and that didn’t quite jive with her merchant class station. I also found it odd that Rose withheld her forgiveness from Alex for so long and then gave it so abruptly; it was just a bit jarring for me.

Other than these issues I had, there were aspects of this story that I loved, most especially the closeness and loyalty displayed among Alex’s extended family. I definitely appreciated the originality of this plot too. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it, and I look forward to seeing what Quincy pulls out next, hopefully for one of Alex’s extended family.

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

Quincy has one again proven that she knows how to write a romantic story with interesting, unique characters. I love the diversity in her books, and having a half-Arab main character is such a positive reinforcement of diversity, especially in the romance novel community. This is such a tender love story, and I think it may be my favorite of the three books in the series so far! Excellent job, Ms. Quincy!

Diana Quincy delivered a Downton Abbey and how the heck are they going to get together book. This book was. just so good. I loved the clandestine affairs.

Ok, I absolutely loved the story of this female mapmaker, and the idea that she has to hide her brilliance from the world felt so true (if frustrating!). I really liked Rose and was invested in her - as a person and as a wife and as a businesswoman. I also loved Alex - I loved his background and his kindness and how he cared for the people (family and otherwise) around him. This book kept me on my toes, and I didn't see a lot of it coming. Lots of fun!

I am really enjoying this series, this book is pretty unique in its characters and storytelling as well.

Rose Fleming is a married mapmaker who is hiding a secret. All of her maps are signed by her estranged husband as she's worried that a woman mapmaker won't be accepted. Reclusive half-arab, Marquess of Brandon, becomes her footman after he finds out that a map of his property has swindled him out of a large portion of it that his tenants need. He's looking for evidence of the theft but soon finds that all is not as it seems in the Fleming household.

So I hated this book right off because Rose was married but Quincy fixes that storyline pretty quickly and then it's off to the races for Brandon and Rose. Brandon is pretty unapproachable in the previous books so it's really nice to get his story and have him fall for a strong female heroine. An unconventional heroine for an unconventional hero. I won't spoil the rest, but there are a lot of twists and turns that made this book hard to put down and his sister and cousins make an appearance of course.

Alexander (Alex) Worthington, Marquess of Brandon is reclusive and half-Arab. After a map-maker causes him to lose some land and water rights on his country estate he vows to get to the bottom of the theft. He happens into a job as foot-man at the home of the renowned cartographer. Alex wants to get proof of the deceit. He doesn't expect to find himself attracted to the lady of house Rose Fleming. All isn't as it seems in the house. The cartography business should actually be hers but her husband is the face and handler for the their shop. But in reality she is the map-maker.

This is the third in the Clandestine Affairs series. It isn't necessary to read the previous book but they feature Alex's sister and cousin who are the heroines in the other stories. They both make appearances in this book. I was fascinated with Rose's work as a cartographer as a woman. Like in the second book about the the "bone-setter" I felt I learned work I wasn't familiar with. This also deals with Alex's feelings of not being fully accepted by the ton because of race and class issues with him becoming involved with a merchant class woman. The author does allow things to get steamy and makes it work so that there is no cheating. I did think the middle slows a bit with continued secrets both are keeping. Overall I enjoyed the story even more than the last one in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I received this book as a ARC from net gallery. This does not affect my review.


Let's talk..LOL.. this was a very fast paced and enjoyable read.. great addition to the series. If you have not read the other 2 books it is OK as the book gives a little background for other characters but does not take away from the storyline. I love the well written characters and again Mrs. Quincy gives us a heroine who can stand on her own and the challenge women faced in those times to try to work for themselves

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

Alex Worthington, Marquess of Brandon, has been duped by London's most prestigious mapmaker, Roger Fleming, so he poses as a footman in the Fleming household to find out the truth. There he meets Mrs. Rose Fleming who has her fair share of secrets too.

I enjoyed this one, BUT there were lots of secrets that I thought should have been addressed much earlier in the story. The reveal kept getting delayed on both their parts, and it was a little frustrating. Alex and Rose had great chemistry together, but the story started to drag at the end because of how the secrets and the misunderstandings kept being prolonged. Their situation could have been solved a little earlier with a little talking.

Overall, this was good read albeit a little predictable. I still enjoyed it as I have other books by Diana Quincy. I'll be interested to see who she writes about next.

3.5 rounded up.

This is a first time story from this author for me and I will definitely be reading more of her stories. Well developed characters and story line with romance, humor, and fun.

I found The Marquess Makes His move to be a totally charming love story. I loved the independent and creative female protagonist. The Marquess was charming in his methods of wooing the lady. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, escapist romantic story.

Ironically, the other day, I was looking around for different sort of troupe. I wanted something new and refreshing. Low and behold I started reading The Marquess Makes His Move without knowing what the book was about, I just liked the cover and the author, and it was what I needed, something different and refreshing! This is one of my favorite books I have read from Diana Quincy!

Brandon is half-Arab and disguises himself as a footman in one the home of one of the most famous mapmakers in London as Alex Worth. Brandon was cheated out of some property on his estate that had access to a waterway, he wants to try and find out who was behind redrawing of the wrong property lines.

Rose Fleming comes from a prominent map-making family and inherits the business from her uncle. As secrets are revealed to Rose and Alex, they grow closer and sparks start to fly. I enjoyed the servant/lady of the home relationship. It is just so different from everything else I have read!

This story had so many unexpected twists and turns to it. Without giving too many details, let me just say, it is really a fabulous story. The characters have lost of depth and inner anguish. There is a lot of visits from previous stories, which I enjoyed. I loved all the interactions between all the characters. The book was spicy, had a great ploy and twists! It's definitely a must read!

Thank you, Avon, #Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!

I haven't read a lot of Diana Quincy but this was a great start. I read all of it in one sitting and enjoyed it thoroughly. I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future!

Rose is living the good life. She has everything she could have ever wanted. Or so she thought. This book kept my interest throughout the whole story. Lots of ups and downs and surprises. A great book! 👍

Alex is a footman in Roger Flemings house. Except he isn't really a footman. Rose Fleming is Roger Fleming's wife. Except she isn't really his wife. But she is the best mapmaker in London, even if Roger takes all the credit. Alex is actually Alexander Worthington, Marquess of Brandon and he has gone undercover to find out why Fleming has made a map that erroneously gives Alex's neighbor a key part of the Brandon estate.
In his role as footman in the Fleming household, Alex and Rose develop a tentative friendship that turns into something a little bit more. They slowly discover more and more about each other that is hidden from the world in general, including family of Middle Eastern background. (Alex's sister is Delilah Chambers, the heroine in Her Night with the Duke)..Both characters are fascinating in their own right and intensely satisfying in the way their relationship develops. This book is well worth the read.

This was a delight from start to finish, and I was so absorbed in the story, it became a very quick read for me. I really appreciate how multilayered both main characters are - neither are simply one thing or behave in just one way. It allows the reader to truly sympathize with them and to rejoice with them. And there was some lovely mid-level spiciness mixed in as well. :)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Book 3 in the Clandestine Affairs series. Pub. March 29, 2022.

Our hero, the reclusive Alexander Worthington, Marchess of Brandon, is the half-Arab heir of society’s inappropriately nicknamed “Mad Marquess.” Alex is the brother of the heroine in book 1, and cousin of the heroine in book 2, a bonesetter. Our feisty heroine and merchant’s wife, Rose Fleming, is a cartographer (which is kept TOP SECRET), in her family’s mapmaking business that she inherits from her Uncle.

Alex is investigating a crime concerning his country estate’s property line, putting himself into the home of the Flemings disguised as their footman. He thinks Mr. Fleming, a renowned cartographer, along with Alex’s next-door neighbor are behind the fabricated ruse/theft.

Alex and Rose both feel a strong connection from the very start, and pine incessantly for one another. Under extreme anguish due to her husband, and to Rose’s dismay, Alex being an upstanding man won’t cross boundaries with a married woman. They soon discover a treacherous secret that leaves Rose to devise a scheme to come out on top, and to save her reputation.

Y’all this is steamy and tense, along with a lot of funny moments surrounding the hero that had me laughing out loud! And I loved the surprise at the end! I’m enjoying this new series more & more after every book, rating all three—5 stars each. This can be read as a standalone, but I promise this is a series you’ll definitely want to check out!

*Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the arc!

Historical Romance with a Difference!!!!!

Synopsis- So the book starts with a subterfuge with the hero posing as a footman at heroines house. Heroine is a working woman making maps (which is awesome). Hero is there to correct the wrongs and heroine is on her own similar path.

Critique- The book has an interesting premise and becomes more promising as the Hero is half Arab, it adds a bit of freshness to the premise amongst most of other historicals. Heroine is a cartographer which I think is different in terms of working women in earlier times. I love historical romances where women actually work and there work is integral to their identity and have bearing on plot. I loved that this book uses the profession as a device not just gloss over entirely later on.

Although with all th we points I have to say the first conflict was not elaborate enough and it feels more rushed. As I have not read previous works from author I don't know how they were but this book felt a bit off after the quick resolution of conflicts.

All in all it is a fun quick read with the backgrounds of both hero and heroine lending a freshness for the historicals.

Once again, Diana Quincy comes up with a thoroughly unique, creative storyline for her third book in the Clandestine Affairs series. Alex, Marchess of Brandon, comes up with an outlandish plan to pose as a footman in the household of Roger Fleming, famed mapmaker, in order to expose the fact that he misdrew a map that deprives his land of water rights that his tenants need. Needless to say, a member of the landed gentry is not so good at being a servant, creating both amusing moments and inspiring ones with the staff of the Fleming household. If he doesn’t already have his hands full, he’s assigned full-time to Rose, Fleming’s wife, who is the actual talent in the household, but one not to be respected by society because she’s a woman. How many other romance novels would start with a large portion of the book where one of the HEA pair is married to someone else? And yet Quincy makes it work marvelously, building on the outrage the reader has for all of the circumstances that Rose has to deal with in her cold and despicable husband. And Rose is not the only one that has to deal with the prejudices of society. Alex, who is half-Arabic by his mother’s side, is gossiped about by his peers and conspires to marry the society darling of the season to show all of them up. But when an opportunity exists for Alex and Rose, who quickly go from friendly to romantic, to be together, will Alex be willing to set aside his desire to show up his peers, and will Rose be willing to love someone who came into her household in a deceptive way? This book, and the others in the series, are for anyone that enjoys historical romance with a more creative and diverse storyline, and was a joy to read. A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Few have met reclusive half-Arab Alexander Worthington, Marquess of Brandon. He's disguised himself as footman "Alex Worth" in the home of a respected mapmaker who he intends to prove cheated him out of his land. Rose Fleming is a first-rate mapmaker...but no one knows SHE is the one behind the renowned creations. Alex's masquerade uncovers more than just secrets about his stolen property! He and Rose have to decide if their growing attraction can overcome so many revelations.

This is the third book in the Clandestine Affairs series. The hero is brother to book one's heroine, and cousin to book two's heroine. This story can stand alone, but his relative do make appearance.

This was an engrossing tale with some unexpected turns! Rose comes from a prominent map-making family and inherits the business from her uncle. Believing that maps commissioned by a woman would not be as successful, she is convinced to marry and hide behind her husband as the face of the company. Alex believes that her husband is responsible for the map with improperly drawn property lines that cuts his estate off from an important water source. He aims to prove it, by hiding in the household as a servant and searching it. Of course, things don't quite go as planned and he starts to discover some unusual things...including a magnetic interest towards the lady of the house.

The plot played out incredibly well but having one of the main characters already attached has its challenges. The chemistry was there, but the romance wasn't quite as strong as I would have liked. Without giving away spoilers, I was very happy that the author did not make the couple suffer apart through the whole story.

I love that Diana Quincy brings her culture into the historical romance bubble, and I hope she continues world-building. I would love to see cousin Rafi get his own book!

Tropes: Class Difference, Disguised, Revenge, Working Heroine (map maker)

Steam: 3.5

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheMarquessMakesHisMove #NetGalley

This just might be my favorite book from Diana Quincy yet. We had seen glimpses of Brandon in the first two books, but his plotting and unexpected moves right at the beginning of the book had me reading like I don't even have kids. Between him hiding in plain sight and the unexpected twists and turns in her life, I could not stop.

Brandon disguises himself as a footman in the home of London's most famous mapmaker in order to uncover the secret behind a piece of his land that has been stolen. What he finds in the Fleming home is so much more than he AND Rose expect. Their connection and the twists and turns in this story are to die for. If you love stories with steam and tension, books with unexpected tropes and twists - you need this one now.