Never Trust a Lady: A Novel

by Suzanne Robinson

Bestselling author Suzanne Robinson takes readers back to the days of the Civil War, as passions run high and even a proper British lady cannot resist the pull of history—or the rugged charms of a Union spy.
 
Visiting friends in Mississippi, Lady Eva Sparrow hopes to escape the tedium of London society’s social calendar. Instead she is appalled by the slavery she finds in the South. Though she is a British citizen, her heart demands that she do something to improve the slaves’ lot. But little does the lady imagine that she possesses the tools for espionage, the influence to turn the tide of a Confederate plot, and the courage to root out a rebel assassin.

Texan Ryder Drake works for President Lincoln, setting up a network of spies across the Confederacy. Seeking Britain’s support, Ryder is introduced to Lady Eva, who has powerful political connections in London. Unwilling to trust the fate of the Union to a silly socialite, he dismisses the lovely lady—until her sharp wit and intelligence win him over . . . head and heart. And though Eva is no innocent, just one dangerous glance from Ryder sets her pulse racing—and readies her spirit to risk everything to help him infiltrate society’s highest circles.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 29, 2003

About the author

Lynda Suzanne Robinson (b. July 6, 1951 in Amarillo, Texas) is an American writer, author of romance (under the name Suzanne Robinson) and mystery novels (under the name Lynda S. Robinson). She is best known for her series of historical whodunnits set in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Tutankhamun and featuring Lord Meren, "the Eyes and Ears of Pharaoh". She lives in Texas with her husband and has a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin.

Reviews

[Jiyoung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know much about this time of history, but it was a SR's usual entertaining romance story.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

solid 3, I liked the civil war spy idea but the love story was super annoying, which was actually the point. I'd try her again since she's also a fellow anthropologist

[Christina Harlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this was like time traveling, in more ways than one. Robinson's book is a well-researched historical romance with an exciting theme: the United States' Civil War and the relationship the two sides tried to establish with England. England was against slavery, of course, but its most lucrative industries also depended on the cotton from the American South. Therefore, espionage between the North and South is inevitable as both sides try to enlist England's support or, if nothing else, keep England out of the war altogether (as mighty England, at the time, would ensure victory for whichever side She chose). In the midst of this intrigue is the romance between Eva, a spirited English lady with connections, and Ryder, a southern abolitionist and undercover spy for Abraham Lincoln.

Now, I mentioned time traveling. In addition to transporting us to the Civil War, the book also takes us back to the turn of the 21st century, or 2003, when historical romances were more widely published. It's almost quaint at this point to read a romance novel in which no one is a werewolf or a vampire. Not that I mind. Some of my favorite romances are "straight" that way, without the paranormal involved at all, but added to the mix in "Never Trust a Lady" is a rather surprising lack of sensuality. Eva and Ryder do not seem to have much spark. In fact, I think they'd be better suited as friends than lovers. Ryder's undercover work with a treacherous widow actually has more sizzle, which is extremely problematic when said treacherous widow is not the heroine of the romance. Talk about awkward!

Anyway, the book is well-written and it would be unfair for me to pan it just because it's old-fashioned (so weird to say something from 2003 could be "old fashioned!"). I give it three stars with the reminder: this is an old-school historic romance, and a pretty clean one at that.

[Natward1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish after page 76. There is A LOT of historic detailing in this book. Sadly I just don't care to read too much detail about what exactly all went down during the Civil war and the authors writing didn't make it entertaining enough for me to be able to enjoy the history lesson. This is just personal opinion and doesn't necessarily make this a bad book, it just isn't for me. The writing was fine I just found my eyes glazing over a lot because of all of the historic details being portrayed that I just wasn't interested in. If you really enjoy reading about things that happened or could have happened during this time you may like this book. It was just way too boring for me. The characters do nothing to bring life into the story either. I like their viewpoints but can't connect with them on a personal level.

[Joyce Abell]

Very good. Worth reading. This is the first book of hers that I have read. I will certainly look for more.

[Macaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was good but I didn't like the protagonists. The love story is not romantic at all. we don't have the impression that they are in love.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so good to say that I would not let it go!!!

[Joyce Abell]

Very good. Worth reading. This is the first book of hers that I have read. I will certainly look for more.