Sandy M’s review of Libertine Lord, Pickpocket Miss by Bronwyn Scott
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Undone 1 Nov 08

I have a feeling these new Undones by Harlequin are going to be as addictive as the Nocturnes were since I’ve just read my first one.  The Undones are shorter reads, but they’re full of intrigue, fun, and, of course, romance.  I do admire an author that can give the same impact of emotion, that can make me love the characters, and keep me interested with a lot fewer pages than the norm.  It’s not easy and very few can do it well.  I’m happy to say my first Undone scores high all the way around.

Julian is a spy of sorts, one with sticky fingers to return historical/important items to either Britain or their true owner.  His current assignment is a diamond necklace that’s been long lost to the crown and that is also being coveted by an Italian count. Julian is a lover of women and delights in the sensual aspects of his occupation with aristocratic European ladies who don’t hang on and cause a scene when he must move on.  But the night he thinks to get his hands on the necklace is the night he meets Miss Sophie DuPlessy, a woman after his heart and his jewels.  From the moment they meet, not only do sparks fly, but witty banter and repartee are zinging off the pages.

Sophie is beautiful, intelligent, and, on this last job that will finally help free her, she’s in big trouble.  And she doesn’t know it yet.  She tries to concentrate on the job at hand, but memories of Julian keep interfering, and then the man himself keeps her from her goal.  Even when danger is all around them, when they’re together you can feel their mutual respect, their want for each other, and you hope Sophie will see her way clear to give up a little of her independence to rely on Julian to keep them away from the violence suddenly cropping up everywhere around them.

Besides the fun to be had in this book, I also enjoyed the fact that Julian and Sophie worked together to parlay any conflict the story needed, instead of being separated while danger abounds and then finding their way back to one another after all is said and done.  They are a likable and complementary couple.  I also liked Viscount St. Just, Julian’s friend and co-operative and who has some secrets back home in England, and look forward to his story in The Viscount Claims His Bride due out in January.  I think Harlequin has done it again, and we can expect more compelling yet fun books in this new line.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Julian Burke’s reputation as a libertine was famous throughout Vienna. Few people know his debauchery is merely a pleasant way to mask his true mission: to recover jewels stolen from the British monarchy by a French comte. When he spots Sophie DuPlessy at the comte’s party, he thinks the vivacious beauty is just another debutante who can help his charade. But Julian soon learns Sophie is no innocent young miss – she’s a passionate, daring woman who challenges and arouses him like nobody else. A woman playing a dangerous game of her own…