Intriguing, want to read sequel to learn about what happens to secondary characters. A bit scary for a romance, but all ends well. ( )

This is the second book of the spies of Nexus series and I liked it better than the first.

If you decide to read it, please do so in order, so that you’ll get the greatest enjoyment out of this story, and the entire series. Here’s the order of the series: #1 is ‘A Lady’s Revenge’ followed by #2 here ‘Checkmate, My Lord’ and ending with #3 ‘Lady’s Secret Weapon’. The reason behind it is the back-story and the dynamic of the Nexus group and who they are and what their mission is.

And now let me tell you why this story impressed and delighted my little ol’ self. The reason behind it is Catherine and Sebastian. They were solid, three-dimensional and very complex characters that fascinated and at times boggled the mind.

Catherine is forced to deal with a personal loss of her husband and is ready to do anything it takes to discover who’s behind it, even if it means a personal sacrifice.

Sebastian is a Chief of Nexus, a spymaster whose enemies are widely spread and as advanced as their own organization and while he might seem calm, cool and collected on the outside, he is anything but.

Even though the storyline was a tad predictable, I enjoyed the plot and its fast pace. Those combined with two very headstrong characters, such as Sebastian and Catherine, make this a very compelling story.

Tracey Devlyn had managed to create a fascinating, exciting and intriguing world of good guys and bad; love stories with passion and chemistry that jumps off the pages; characters that have gone through betrayals and heartbreak only to realize that they’re just human and therefore flawed, yet still capable to give and receive deep and abiding love.

Bottom line my bookworms? If you’re a history buff, you’ll like this story; if you like your romance with seduction, sensuality and suspense, you’ll love this story very much.

Melanie for b2b.

*Book provided by the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads, the opinions are my own.

I think I have stopped gushing over this book long enough to write a review!

When Catherine Ashcroft loses her husband, she turns to Sebastian Danvers, Lord Somerton for help deciphering her late husbands letter and Lord Somerton seems to be the man for the job. Unaware that Sebastian is a spymaster and a Chief of an organization called Nexus that have spent protecting the English Shores from the French invasion and a man of quiet a few enemies.

Sebastian is unable to keep the widow from his mind and offers her an affair while he moves down to lay low in the country from London. Unaware the real reason behind Catherine risking a scandal.

When a strange man approaches Catherine on the streets of London, claiming to know the information behind her late husbands murder – he offers the information in exchange of Catherine spying on Lord Somerton. Living in the quiet comfort of Winter's Hollow. Catherine finds herself helping Lord Somerton tend to the disgruntled tenants and their share of complaints against their landowners absence. Seducing her way into his house, as well as his heart. When her daughter's life becomes endangered, Catherine is found herself doing everything in her will in order to save her, which includes betraying Sebastian.

Oh how I loved this book. I was so excited to run into a few great historical romance recently when I needed that fix. I loved Checkmate, my Lord. It had a riveting storyline, exciting characters, and a very emotional ride. Catherine was a head strong heroine who even though has had a rocky marriage with her late husband, still wanted the truth behind her husbands death – knowing how it had effected her daughter.

Sebastian was always known for his cold logic and putting everything out there in sacrifice of the greater good. Though the Earl has countless of hard walls holding up his exterior, on the inside there is a void of loneliness that only the widow and her daughter can fill.

I loved the passion and attraction between Sebastian and Catherine. I also loved how he was with her daughter as the book progresses. The way Sophie got attached to him, it really captures your heart. Tracey Devlyn has created a world of intriguing characters with real emotions and attachments. Catherine would have done anything to protect her daughter including betraying the one man that had made her feel love in a very long time.

Checkmate, my Lord is also filled with tons of supporting characters that make the story that much more compelling, interesting and down right emotional. Parts of it even had me on the edge of the street, and one piece in particular downright shocked me. Loved Tracey Devlyn's writing, the way she tells the story and makes you feel so involved you cannot help but feel attached to the characters. I was even a little sad when the book is over but I am looking forward to finding out what happens to Danforth, one of my favorite supporting characters in this book. I will also have to find book one that started this wonderful series. ( )

I had to give this book three stars and that is not because it's a mediocre book, but because as per my usual I didn't realize this was part of a series. I felt like I missed a huge part of the story, which I did by skipping the first book, but it wasn't so bad that I had no idea what was going on. The book is full of reoccurring characters and subplots but not enough to distract from the story between Sebastian and Catherine. Once I got into the story a few chapters it picked up and was very enjoyable, but I would recommend to read these books in order for the best possible pleasure. This was the first time I read this author but it won't be the last. ( )