The Devil in Disguise
Stefanie Sloane
Ballantine, May 24 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780345517395

In 1811 the Ton believes Lord William Randall is a notorious rake. However, the Duke uses his roguish reputation to conceal the fact that he belongs to the top secret Corinthians; an espionage cell working for the Crown.

Information from a reliable source claims that French assassin Antoine Garenne plans to kidnap England's wealthiest heiress Lady Lucinda Grey. The Corinthians assign "Iron Will" to keep Lucinda safe. Lucinda rejects his company until he offers her a deal; his racing horse King Solomon's Mines for a chance to court her. She accepts his terms. As she begins to see the brave caring man behind the fa ade and him her courage and lan, they begin a friendship that turns to love. However, an assault on her forces him to reveal his secret identity to protect her; this angers her as she no longer trusts what is in his heart.

The first Corinthian Rogues Regency is an engaging romantic suspense that grips the audience from the moment the lead couple meets and never slows down until the final confrontation with the villain and with each other. The story line is fast-paced and though similar to many nineteenth century undercover espionage thrillers (see Joanne Bourne's Spymaster series), the refreshing protagonists make for a wonderful historical.

Harriet Klausner