Moonlight Masquerade (Revell Publishers) by Ruth Axtell is a Regency-Era Romance, the first in her “London Encounters” series.
Summary from Ruth Axtell’s website:
Lady Celine Wexham seems the model British subject. French by birth but enjoying life in 1813 as a widowed English countess, she is in the unique position of being able to help those in need–or to spy for the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. When Rees Phillips of the British Foreign Office is sent to pose as the countess’s butler and discover where her true loyalties lie, he is confident he will uncover the truth. But the longer he is in her fashionable townhouse in London’s West End, the more his staunch loyalty to the Crown begins to waver as he falls under Lady Wexham’s spell. Will he find the proof he needs? And if she is a spy after all, will he do the right thing?
My thoughts:
As Rees attempts to ascertain kind Lady Wexham’s loyalties and find proof of her spying activities, he befriends her. As her true loyalties are uncovered, Rees begins to doubt his own political positions. His efforts to protect Lady Wexham from all sides of the political conflict are admirable and endearing. A sweet and unconventional friendship forms between Lady and butler, though both characters are not all they appear to be. Each character encounters obstacles which result in reliance and trust in God. Overall, I thought Moonlight Masquerade was an entertaining and delightful romance, woven with mystery, suspense, and elements of faith.
You can find out more about author Ruth Axtell at her website.
The Green Mockingbird 