The Scandalous Life of a True Lady (Signet Eclipse)

More a romantic novel than a Romance, but -- funny, sweet, thoughtful, without a speck of rape apology -- charmed me right out of my stockings.

(4-20? or something like that.)

A nice mix of intrigue and romance.

Harry Harmon's luck hasn't run out yet. He's staging his own death as a spy so he needs to be in plain view while the deed is done.

He decides to attend a house party with a courtesan contest. But then he needs a courtesan, but not a real one. He gets a break and meets Simone Ryland, who needs money and can help him.

A pleasant diversion.

Barbara Metzger is a writer I can count on to deliver a few hours of pleasureable and entertaining reading. Her recent release "The Scandalous Life of a True Lady" was no exception. Her heroes are heroic and her heroines are smart. They each try to do the right thing and somehow find their way to each other in the process.

Harry is tired of his life as a disguised spymaster. He's decided to stage the death of that character so he can quit constantly looking over his shoulder. Everything's set, now all he needs is to find an intelligent, beautiful, and trustworthy courtesan...uh huh!!

Simone is at the end of her choices. With brutal honesty she realizes all she has left to barter is her virginity so she makes a furtive visit to the bawdy show more house madam. The madam immediately realizes she's found just what Harry's looking for.

It was fun and a pleasure to read about the antics of these two as they learn about each other, try to rout out a spy, foil a plot on Harry's life, and compete in a Queen of the Courtesans tournament, all while 'enjoying' a country house party. show less

Lightweight, enjoyable, sweet story.