Alibi's and spies...

Complicated spying, alibi's and history.
Set in a tempestuous time, Gus needs to rescue her friend.
Since she's in over her head, she gets help in the form of Kane.
Kane is too sweet to be a spy. Kane and Gus are great together.
Intrigue abounds.
Recommend.
4.5

Lord Ashley’s Beautiful Alibi by Cerise Deland is the first book in a new series entitled Scarlett Affairs and is about English spies in France at the time of Napoleon. Kane (Earl of Ashley, Viscount Marl, Baron Dayton), sho reports to Scarlett, the spy mistress, had discovered during his last mission that murder was not for him. Not that he didn’t think it was necessary sometimes, just not for him. His forte was more listening and learning. During that last mission, which had been a colossal failure, he had pulled a woman off a horse, and what a revelation that had been. She was soft, her mouth was soft. It had been a very short interlude but she had marked him. Now he was to be sent into France again. This time he would act on the part of the crown as a procurer of goods: wines, grains, fabrics, whatever he could obtain, to ship to England. He was also tasked with finding a woman who had been lost, one of their other spies. That would be the first goal of many, as this was possibly a multi-year mission. Then he saw her again.

This plot was fabulous. Very based in history in many ways and very intricate, as spy novels tend to be. Kane had never considered marriage for himself. Now he did. But his Raven would never consider it for herself. She considered it slavery and she would have none of it. Plus, it was her friend who was missing, the next link in the spy network she had become involved with. France was an ugly time, much like Nazi Germany. Men in power could pretty much do as they pleased and it was dangerous to be in their sights. This story showed us the reality of this statement. Raven was really Augustine Bolton, niece to Cecily, former mistress of of several powerful men, both in England and in France, and a part of Josephine’s inner circle. Quite wonderful characters. So interesting. What a good book. Thanks Deland for this.

I was invited to read Lord Ashley’s Beautiful Alibi by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #CeriseDeland #LordAshleysBeautifulAlibi

Augustine Bolton lives amid the social whirl and treachery of the stylish court of Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte in Paris. When Gus’s dearest friend, Amber, disappears, Gus must find her before the deputy chief of police finds Amber and carts her off to his bed—or to la Force. Kane Whittington, newly minted Earl of Ashley has worked for London merchant-cum-spymaster Scarlett Hawthorne for years and welcomes Scarlett’s call to build a large espionage network in Europe. The best person to help him is the lady’s best friend whom he’s never met. But when he sets eyes on ravishing Augustine Bolton in Josephine’s salon, Kane recognizes the black-haired beauty as the one he kissed years ago on the road to Malmaison during a botched abduction of Bonaparte. Kane must persuade the beautiful Gus to allow him to help her. He suggests the cover for their escapade is: They show the gossipy Parisian court they enjoy a mad love affair.
The first book in a new series & what an engrossing, captivating read it was. Set in the very early nineteenth century just as Napoleon is rising to power it blends fact with fiction & takes us on a roller coaster ride throughout Northern France as Kane & Gus search for Amber. The characters have depth & the descriptions are vivid. I loved Kane & Gus they haven’t forgotten the kiss they shared a couple of years earlier & the chemistry between them sizzles. There’s adventure, suspense, treachery, spies abound & there’s a lovely love story. I found it very hard to put down & look forward to the next in the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is set in France with the main characters being English. The young lady was known to not dally d has a sterling reputation until a certain English aristocrat charges into her life trying to find the same thing she is.. and it’s not love. I really wanted to love this book but to me it started out slow after the intro. The ending I liked. But the middle I was trudging through.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

I had the joy of falling in love to quote the Author. she did an excellent job. This is a jaw dropping historical spy romance filled with intrigue, stubborn heroines, and continued danger. I fell in love with Gus with her whole persona. This was a love for all seasons. Five stars for that. My complaint, I love history and getting the feel that I'm there in that moment in time. However, this was just too much for me. I found it hard to wrap my brain around it. I had the honor of reading and advanced copy of this thru NetGalley and I'm gladly volunteering to give this review.

I love Cerise’s stories and her writing style. This is a very nice story with loads of history. While I love history, French history is one of my least favorites so I did have to get through that. I do enjoy a good spy book and this fit the bill. Cerise writes a beautiful story.

What a truly delicious story wrapped around real events when Bonaparte was just beginning to try to take the world. Kane is a newly minted Earl and a spy, sent to France to find one of the network who went missing. Augustine (Gus) is her friend and , unbeknownst to Kane, part of the network. Their first meet up is a crazy thing about her being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I loved how Gus is a strong woman, bent on doing life her way. To see her and Kane have this sexual cat and mouse game was adorable. There were a few disjointed conversations that were rather confusing, especially after they fall into each other’s arms. Gus’s attitude was confusing and I read that part three times, trying to figure out what I missed. Otherwise, it is a well put together story, with wonderfully secretive characters and I can see some of the future stories coming out of this first in the series. Looking forward to the next!

I received this story for free and these are my own opinions.

I couldn't put it down. I was enthralled with the story. The characters were well-written. The story was good! It kept me interested from the beginning till the very end of this intriuging story.

Thank you NetGalley. This was a lovely story of spies and love in the time before the war with Napoleon. Earl Ashley is sent to Paris to find what happened to the head of the spy network for Scarlett. He finds the lovely lady he had captured in his arms for a short time the last time he was in France. They decide to help each other and that leads to love. This is the first of a series about the spy network.