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The Culper Ring #3
Circle of Spies
Baltimore, 1865. Marietta Hughes never wanted to be a spy, but the family legacy of espionage is thrust upon her as the War Between the States rolls on. Unknown to her, the Knights of the Golden Circle—a Confederate secret society bent on destroying the Union her brother died for—has been meeting in a lair hidden beneath her home. Faced with the secrets of her late husband and his brother whom she thought she could trust, Marietta's world tilts out of control. Can she right it by protecting a Union agent infiltrating the KGC?
Slade Osborne, an undercover Pinkerton agent, is determined to do whatever is necessary to end the conflict between the North and the South. When he infiltrates the secret cell, it isn't just their inner workings that baffle him—it's also the beautiful woman who seems to be a puppet for the new leader and yet...so much more.
Do they dare trust each other in this circle of intrigue? Will their shared faith sustain them? And can Mari and Slade stymie the enemy long enough to see their beloved country reunited?
Slade Osborne, an undercover Pinkerton agent, is determined to do whatever is necessary to end the conflict between the North and the South. When he infiltrates the secret cell, it isn't just their inner workings that baffle him—it's also the beautiful woman who seems to be a puppet for the new leader and yet...so much more.
Do they dare trust each other in this circle of intrigue? Will their shared faith sustain them? And can Mari and Slade stymie the enemy long enough to see their beloved country reunited?
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
61 people are currently reading
1255 people want to read
About the author
Roseanna M. White
60 books3,811 followersRoseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
see also Roseanna White
see also Roseanna White
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
August 13, 2016
5 Stars arent earned easily.But this book deserves every one of them.
It isn't often I read a book and say "I wouldn't change a thing ". There's always SOMETHING that just doesn't quite 'scratch the itch'. So I was amazed that when I at last put this book down I didn't have one negative thing to say about it. It was perfect.
The characters are flawed and REAL. The heroine is a coquette and drawn in many directions by her desires; she makes some bad choices in her life which eventually cause her to rethink where she is heading. At heart she is a good person. She's also fascinating in that she has perfect recall. She only has to glance at something (or see something or hear something) and it is forever and indelibly inscribed on her memory. This is both a blessing and a curse. But its interesting how it all pans out and is put to use.
The hero is very likable. A bit of a rogue who has turned his wayward life around (on the inside) but as a Pinkerton detective he assumes the role of his traitorous dead twin brother to infiltrate the KCG.
And the villain...he's a perfect villain. I liked that he didn't hide his "villain-ness" til the last page. He was a villain from the very first chapter which made it all the more spooky. But don't get the idea that he's somehow comical. He is an abusive control freak who will stop at absolutely nothing to posses his deceased brothers wife. (The heroine) .He's positively smooth at the start of the book but becomes increasingly unhinged as he loses the devotion of his intended.
I just loved this book. You need to read it. Even the secondary characters were well formed and living. Such a well developed story. Did I say I loved it??
CONTENT :
SEX : None (although a past indiscretion is mentioned)
VIOLENCE : A few people are shot and there are plans to assassinate the president.
PROFANITY : None
SERMONIZING : Very mild and not at all "forced". It just seemed normal progression of thought (regret, repentance, righting wrongs etc) . I didn't find it preachy or "denominational" at all.
MY RATING : G
Many thanks to NetGalley for my free ecopy to review
It isn't often I read a book and say "I wouldn't change a thing ". There's always SOMETHING that just doesn't quite 'scratch the itch'. So I was amazed that when I at last put this book down I didn't have one negative thing to say about it. It was perfect.
The characters are flawed and REAL. The heroine is a coquette and drawn in many directions by her desires; she makes some bad choices in her life which eventually cause her to rethink where she is heading. At heart she is a good person. She's also fascinating in that she has perfect recall. She only has to glance at something (or see something or hear something) and it is forever and indelibly inscribed on her memory. This is both a blessing and a curse. But its interesting how it all pans out and is put to use.
The hero is very likable. A bit of a rogue who has turned his wayward life around (on the inside) but as a Pinkerton detective he assumes the role of his traitorous dead twin brother to infiltrate the KCG.
And the villain...he's a perfect villain. I liked that he didn't hide his "villain-ness" til the last page. He was a villain from the very first chapter which made it all the more spooky. But don't get the idea that he's somehow comical. He is an abusive control freak who will stop at absolutely nothing to posses his deceased brothers wife. (The heroine) .He's positively smooth at the start of the book but becomes increasingly unhinged as he loses the devotion of his intended.
I just loved this book. You need to read it. Even the secondary characters were well formed and living. Such a well developed story. Did I say I loved it??
CONTENT :
SEX : None (although a past indiscretion is mentioned)
VIOLENCE : A few people are shot and there are plans to assassinate the president.
PROFANITY : None
SERMONIZING : Very mild and not at all "forced". It just seemed normal progression of thought (regret, repentance, righting wrongs etc) . I didn't find it preachy or "denominational" at all.
MY RATING : G
Many thanks to NetGalley for my free ecopy to review
March 20, 2015
There were so many things that made this five stars, I don't know where to begin.
I've been wanting to read this book for awhile but just never got around to it. Now that I've read it, I wonder what took me so long. I don't often feel that a book is "perfect" and needs no changing. But I didn't even feel like I had to have another page. Sure, I'd love it if this book had kept going on and on, but I'm content with how it ended and I don't NEED another page to satisfy me.
I love that the hero grew, he was a rouge once upon a time, and now he's making improvements in the right direction, even though it doesn't appear to some that he's changed at all.
The heroine took a chapter or two for me to fully warm up to, purely because it took a bit to see under her porcelain mask. Once I saw under it I couldn't help but love her, and she only got better.
The Civil War, Pinkerton Detectives, Murder, Assassination and a Perfect Memory all twisted together to make the perfect book to curl up with, I loved every minute of it. I 100% recommend Circle of Spies, and if I had this in paperback I'd be egging my friends into reading it. I think I have another favorite author…
G rating, some shooting, a passed indiscretion and a knock or two. The preachyness was low key and felt like it was just a part of the characters, not forced at all.
I've been wanting to read this book for awhile but just never got around to it. Now that I've read it, I wonder what took me so long. I don't often feel that a book is "perfect" and needs no changing. But I didn't even feel like I had to have another page. Sure, I'd love it if this book had kept going on and on, but I'm content with how it ended and I don't NEED another page to satisfy me.
I love that the hero grew, he was a rouge once upon a time, and now he's making improvements in the right direction, even though it doesn't appear to some that he's changed at all.
The heroine took a chapter or two for me to fully warm up to, purely because it took a bit to see under her porcelain mask. Once I saw under it I couldn't help but love her, and she only got better.
The Civil War, Pinkerton Detectives, Murder, Assassination and a Perfect Memory all twisted together to make the perfect book to curl up with, I loved every minute of it. I 100% recommend Circle of Spies, and if I had this in paperback I'd be egging my friends into reading it. I think I have another favorite author…
G rating, some shooting, a passed indiscretion and a knock or two. The preachyness was low key and felt like it was just a part of the characters, not forced at all.
July 7, 2020
Overall, this book was a miss for me because of the leading lady. She fell in love with no less than four different men, sometimes even cheating on one with another, and I’m not sure how I was supposed to relate to her, let alone actually root for her.
One of the other characters was a psychopath, and reading his POV, particularly his sensual desires, was hard.
Therefore, this was my least favorite of Mrs. White’s books. All of her other ones that I’ve read have been amazing, but I really struggled with this one since there was a heavy emphasis on sensuality.
There were a couple of things I really adored about this book.
That a guy was described as having a “bergamot scent” was unique. So many fictional guys smell of peppermint, cinnamon, or sandalwood that it becomes a bit routine, so it was refreshing to have a new scent to enjoy, even if it was only in words rather than in actual aroma. Though, I like to think I caught a whiff of citrus at one point, thanks to the beautiful, expressive writing style.
The Civil War era was well researched and written. This is an era I normally struggle with, but I figured under Mrs. White’s hand, it would become something beautiful and immersive. The setting of the era was a masterpiece. From spies and liquid stain to an assassination plot, various aspects of the war were included to create wonderful atmosphere and an overall tense mood. This was likely one of the most excellent deliveries of a Civil War-era setting that I’ve read.
I adored the little Deaf girl. She was so cute!
Content: emotional and marital affairs, pre-marital sex, heavy sensuality, mention of rape (kept off-page)
One of the other characters was a psychopath, and reading his POV, particularly his sensual desires, was hard.
Therefore, this was my least favorite of Mrs. White’s books. All of her other ones that I’ve read have been amazing, but I really struggled with this one since there was a heavy emphasis on sensuality.
There were a couple of things I really adored about this book.
That a guy was described as having a “bergamot scent” was unique. So many fictional guys smell of peppermint, cinnamon, or sandalwood that it becomes a bit routine, so it was refreshing to have a new scent to enjoy, even if it was only in words rather than in actual aroma. Though, I like to think I caught a whiff of citrus at one point, thanks to the beautiful, expressive writing style.
The Civil War era was well researched and written. This is an era I normally struggle with, but I figured under Mrs. White’s hand, it would become something beautiful and immersive. The setting of the era was a masterpiece. From spies and liquid stain to an assassination plot, various aspects of the war were included to create wonderful atmosphere and an overall tense mood. This was likely one of the most excellent deliveries of a Civil War-era setting that I’ve read.
I adored the little Deaf girl. She was so cute!
Content: emotional and marital affairs, pre-marital sex, heavy sensuality, mention of rape (kept off-page)
December 5, 2016
Another well-written read! My mind was just twirling with all of the interwoven plots and character stories. Super impressive! I enjoyed how the Culpers and Pinkertons worked together, and the whole unraveling of plots against the president. The mystery of who the Hughes really were was also intriguing.
It left me a little confused as to whether Marietta got saved during the story or just rededicated her life to Christ (I'm inclined to think the latter). Her story with learning how self-centered she was had a good message. Thinking back on the story, I can't recall a super strong Christian theme. It was a good undertone, I just don't remember a specific strong point that stood out to me.
Again, a little high on the romance gauge. An affair was alluded to, but not explicitly portrayed. A lot was mentioned about a man's lustful desires. And there was quite a bit between two of the main characters sneaking kisses and having strong affection for each other.
It left me a little confused as to whether Marietta got saved during the story or just rededicated her life to Christ (I'm inclined to think the latter). Her story with learning how self-centered she was had a good message. Thinking back on the story, I can't recall a super strong Christian theme. It was a good undertone, I just don't remember a specific strong point that stood out to me.
Again, a little high on the romance gauge. An affair was alluded to, but not explicitly portrayed. A lot was mentioned about a man's lustful desires. And there was quite a bit between two of the main characters sneaking kisses and having strong affection for each other.
September 22, 2024
I'm really glad Marietta's character arc happened so early in the book. I strongly disliked her in the beginning, so it was great that she changed pretty quickly. It was also cool to see the different elements that have persisted throughout the series in this one. Slade was great, too, and I loved Barbara. And Grandpa was the best!
Content here was a little heavy, too.
Content here was a little heavy, too.
June 26, 2017
This book was an uncomfortable read for me. This is due in part to the fact that the h was really flawed and unlikable but at the same time so familiar. I don't judge her at all for her character flaws or for the mistakes that she'd made as a result of them, for how could I judge her for some of the things I see in myself? Regardless of judgment withheld, however, I didn't like her character much. And what's that say about me as a person? Hence the discomfort.
There are books that I will rate highly (3.5-4 stars)because they were well written and I was highly entertained. There are also books that I rate highly due to the need that people should feel to read them. They will provoke you, make you feel distressed, and quite possibly change your opinion on something important. A true five star book will combine those two and be highly entertaining and challenging at the same time. Unfortunately in the case of Circle of Spies, I found myself having some original thoughts but not really enjoying myself along the way.
The h was a Debbie Downer and that dampened my enjoyment of this book. Plus her self stated fickle heart was really annoying after a while. I know the main message of this story is that God can redeem you no matter what your sins are, no matter how selfish you've been or how rotten of a person you've become. The journey that the h took to arrive at this conclusion and really believe in it dragged on and on. She believed, then she didn't. She felt convicted and then she didn't. She hoped and then she felt foolish for her hope. Ugh. I know that not all books can be light and fluffy, especially those that deal with heavier subject matter, but had this one been written with a slightly lighter hand, I would have given it a higher enjoyment rating. As it was it was a worthwhile read, as long as you don't mind feeling sad for a while.
There are books that I will rate highly (3.5-4 stars)because they were well written and I was highly entertained. There are also books that I rate highly due to the need that people should feel to read them. They will provoke you, make you feel distressed, and quite possibly change your opinion on something important. A true five star book will combine those two and be highly entertaining and challenging at the same time. Unfortunately in the case of Circle of Spies, I found myself having some original thoughts but not really enjoying myself along the way.
The h was a Debbie Downer and that dampened my enjoyment of this book. Plus her self stated fickle heart was really annoying after a while. I know the main message of this story is that God can redeem you no matter what your sins are, no matter how selfish you've been or how rotten of a person you've become. The journey that the h took to arrive at this conclusion and really believe in it dragged on and on. She believed, then she didn't. She felt convicted and then she didn't. She hoped and then she felt foolish for her hope. Ugh. I know that not all books can be light and fluffy, especially those that deal with heavier subject matter, but had this one been written with a slightly lighter hand, I would have given it a higher enjoyment rating. As it was it was a worthwhile read, as long as you don't mind feeling sad for a while.
March 31, 2016
This book is not afraid to get down into the real hearts and souls of the characters. Every one of them are flawed, all in need of redemption. Mari and Slade are an interesting couple; Slade is sent to infiltrate the Knights who are plotting to tilt the war in favor of slaveholders by nefarious means just as Mari is shown by her friends that her late husband's family is in the plot up to their necks. She is a staunch Unionist and can hardly believe that her brother-in-law and new fiancé is one of the ringleaders of the movement which goes against everything she's ever believed.
With her world turned upside down, she does what she can to halt the Southern plot and help Slade catch the ringleaders.
What I liked best: Mari's awakening, and how her brother's legacy helped her look in the right place when she was ready to seek redemption.
What I liked least: The book is too short to deal fully with the issues of the war. It is character and plot driven, and even rich with historical period detail, but a book of this type and length must take a more simplistic view of the issues of an incredibly complex war. So North=good and South=bad for the most part. It is only toward the end that the book touches on the incredible difficulties that slaves and former slaves did and would face in Northern society as well, and then it was only briefly. There were heroes and villains on both sides, but it seems we mostly hear of the heroes of the North in modern historical fiction.
With her world turned upside down, she does what she can to halt the Southern plot and help Slade catch the ringleaders.
What I liked best: Mari's awakening, and how her brother's legacy helped her look in the right place when she was ready to seek redemption.
What I liked least: The book is too short to deal fully with the issues of the war. It is character and plot driven, and even rich with historical period detail, but a book of this type and length must take a more simplistic view of the issues of an incredibly complex war. So North=good and South=bad for the most part. It is only toward the end that the book touches on the incredible difficulties that slaves and former slaves did and would face in Northern society as well, and then it was only briefly. There were heroes and villains on both sides, but it seems we mostly hear of the heroes of the North in modern historical fiction.
May 6, 2018
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one just wasn't as good. It had some good messages, but it was a bit confusing, and not really my thing.
September 3, 2016
Marietta Arnaud Hughes is being called upon to be something she had never dreamed of being. A spy. And what better person to take on such a task then someone with her extraordinary memory, inane reputation and connections. She has a formidable foe before her. The Knights of the Golden Circle is a group to be reckoned with, but Marietta refuses to shy away. When Pinkerton agent Slade Osborne is sent in to infiltrate the group, Marietta does what she can to lend a hand. As their work becomes more dangerous and more intense Marietta and Slade find themselves drawn to one another. But can they overcome their troubled pasts to look to the future? Or for that matter survive the punches the KGC throw their way.
I have heard a lot about Roseanna M. White's work, but I don't always pay too much attention to the hype surrounding certain authors; it's proved very disappointing in the past and an extreme time waster. For months I have had one of her novellas languishing on my Nook, but I never read it. At this point I could kick myself for putting it off for so long. Ms. White has a special talent for telling stories. While there is a hint of classical to her style contemporary readers will be enthralled with the action-packed tale of derring-do presented in this Civil War story. There is very rarely a dull moment in Circle of Spies as unexpected twists lead readers around in head spinning adventure. Ms. White did not shy away from flawed characters when she wrote Circle of Spies; and that is totally fine in my book as it does much to add realism to the story. Thankfully, at the same time she didn't go into sordid detail over characters' past indiscretions. I did think some of the scenes were a little sappy, but not nearly as much as some other books, so I was good with that.
So do I recommend this story? You betcha. This will be one tale I can guarantee you won't be able put down.
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received an electronic copy of “Circle of Spies” from NetGalley.com provided by the publishers, Harvest House Publishers, in exchange for our honest review.
reetchampionbookreviews.wordpress.com
I have heard a lot about Roseanna M. White's work, but I don't always pay too much attention to the hype surrounding certain authors; it's proved very disappointing in the past and an extreme time waster. For months I have had one of her novellas languishing on my Nook, but I never read it. At this point I could kick myself for putting it off for so long. Ms. White has a special talent for telling stories. While there is a hint of classical to her style contemporary readers will be enthralled with the action-packed tale of derring-do presented in this Civil War story. There is very rarely a dull moment in Circle of Spies as unexpected twists lead readers around in head spinning adventure. Ms. White did not shy away from flawed characters when she wrote Circle of Spies; and that is totally fine in my book as it does much to add realism to the story. Thankfully, at the same time she didn't go into sordid detail over characters' past indiscretions. I did think some of the scenes were a little sappy, but not nearly as much as some other books, so I was good with that.
So do I recommend this story? You betcha. This will be one tale I can guarantee you won't be able put down.
DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received an electronic copy of “Circle of Spies” from NetGalley.com provided by the publishers, Harvest House Publishers, in exchange for our honest review.
reetchampionbookreviews.wordpress.com
August 23, 2024
Mini review because I'm swamped rn... (I hope to make it more aesthetic later)
I was super pumped up for a grand finale to this series but sadly it just wasn't for me.
If you like heavier more matured romance with some more described action than I'm sure you'll find it a great book but personally it's not my favorite.
Instead of the sweet more innocent relationship we see in book #1 this book felt more intense. There was love outside of marriage, murder for marriage, rape, and just a dating relationship that was the most described I've ever read. Keep in mind these are all shown in their hurtful relaties but again, just not for me.
I enjoyed the spy element to it, and the forgiveness of our mc's family was a nice touch. And ofc my historical buff inside was loving all the historical accuracies hehe.
I will say in true Roseanna M. White fashion I couldn't put it down even if it was my cup of tea so keep in mind her writing tends to be addictive :)
Overall, I'm a bit disappointed this was a miss but I hope someone else loved it as much as I'm sure it deserves.
TWs: R@pe, semi detailed violence, murder, descriptions of how a murder happened, detailed romance (kisses ranging in swift to almost more & implied s*x), a man who takes advantage of any woman he can (described but slightly more implied through his pov)
I was super pumped up for a grand finale to this series but sadly it just wasn't for me.
If you like heavier more matured romance with some more described action than I'm sure you'll find it a great book but personally it's not my favorite.
Instead of the sweet more innocent relationship we see in book #1 this book felt more intense. There was love outside of marriage, murder for marriage, rape, and just a dating relationship that was the most described I've ever read. Keep in mind these are all shown in their hurtful relaties but again, just not for me.
I enjoyed the spy element to it, and the forgiveness of our mc's family was a nice touch. And ofc my historical buff inside was loving all the historical accuracies hehe.
I will say in true Roseanna M. White fashion I couldn't put it down even if it was my cup of tea so keep in mind her writing tends to be addictive :)
Overall, I'm a bit disappointed this was a miss but I hope someone else loved it as much as I'm sure it deserves.
TWs: R@pe, semi detailed violence, murder, descriptions of how a murder happened, detailed romance (kisses ranging in swift to almost more & implied s*x), a man who takes advantage of any woman he can (described but slightly more implied through his pov)
November 7, 2023
This book is the third and final book in Roseanna M. White's Culper Ring series. One of the things that I've enjoyed most about this series is how each book happens years after the one before it, but it's still characters from the same family, showing how the Culper Ring of spies has been passed down through the generations and taken action during each of America's major wars in order to defend truth and justice.
This story had an interesting twist because the heroine, Marietta actually starts the story in a relationship with the man who becomes the villain. White shows how unhealthy the relationship is and deals with some weighty subjects through it, and she does so with all the grace, tact, and biblical thinking that she always uses in her fiction. I adored how White took Marietta and Slade from both having their own issues at the start of the story to eventually dealing with those issues from a faith perspective and changing their thinking so that they were starting to become better people by the end.
As this story happens during the days leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination, it's very tense and exciting and I had trouble putting it down! There were many historical figures featured and mentioned along with the characters whom White made up. The Civil War was a very complex time in America's history, but White dealt with all of it very well. The ending in particular had me pretty worried for a minute there, but I liked how everything ended up.
The one thing that I would critique is that, when villains are psychopaths and there are chapters from their perspective, as there are in this book, sometimes those can be pretty hard to read. The villain in this book in particular is a womanizing jerk along with being evil and manipulative in many other ways, too, so I can't say that I enjoyed reading his sensual, twisted perspective. So, that's the main reason I gave this one 4 instead of 5 stars.
If you're a lover of history, especially American history, with a twist of romance, then I think you'll enjoy this series.
Content Advisory:
This book is written for adults and I would say that, depending on the teenager, it's also readable by ages 16+ due to some more mature themes.
Language:
There are mentions that someone swore, but the word is never written out.
Sexual/Romance:
We become aware early on that the lead heroine, Marietta, became associated with the wrong man and they apparently were intimate with each other before the book started. There are no inappropriate details about the act, we just know that it happened and that Marietta regrets it. White deals tactfully and graciously with the issue, acknowledging unmarried sex as a sin, but not treating it as if it's unforgivable. She acknowledges the natural consequences of sin, but also acknowledges God's amazing grace and willingness to forgive when people repent.
The man the heroine is initially involved with (who becomes the villain of the story) is very possessive of her, touching and kissing her aggressively sometimes, and pressuring her to marry him even though he basically just wants her as a trophy. Once, he threatens to rape her, but it doesn't happen. We learn, however, that he did rape an enslaved woman and impregnated her. Again, there are no details about the evil act itself, we learn that it happened after the fact. We also learn that he forcibly kissed another woman and (in his own words) "allowed his hands to wander" but there are no more details than that.
There are also multiple consensual kisses between the hero and heroine, a couple of which are pretty lengthily described in emotional terms, not physical.
Violence:
This story is set during the American Civil War and the violence of that time is acknowledged, but not described graphically. Lincoln's assassination is also acknowledged, but the main characters don't witness it.
The biggest moment of violence is when someone gets shot in the chest and is thought to be dying, but There are multiple mentions of blood, but again, it's not graphic.
There are more threats of violence than actual acts of violence. One of the main characters is a spy who infiltrates the rebel group in which John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin was a member and, obviously, they plot and plan much violence and mayhem. The main villain is also a member of this group and we see a lot of the plotting from his twisted perspective. He also kidnaps and threatens to shoot the heroine.
Drug/Alcohol
Mentions of drinking and smoking as is historically accurate.
Spiritual:
As always with White's books, there is a strong Christian faith thread, discussions about belief, and quoting of Scripture.
This story had an interesting twist because the heroine, Marietta actually starts the story in a relationship with the man who becomes the villain. White shows how unhealthy the relationship is and deals with some weighty subjects through it, and she does so with all the grace, tact, and biblical thinking that she always uses in her fiction. I adored how White took Marietta and Slade from both having their own issues at the start of the story to eventually dealing with those issues from a faith perspective and changing their thinking so that they were starting to become better people by the end.
As this story happens during the days leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination, it's very tense and exciting and I had trouble putting it down! There were many historical figures featured and mentioned along with the characters whom White made up. The Civil War was a very complex time in America's history, but White dealt with all of it very well. The ending in particular had me pretty worried for a minute there, but I liked how everything ended up.
The one thing that I would critique is that, when villains are psychopaths and there are chapters from their perspective, as there are in this book, sometimes those can be pretty hard to read. The villain in this book in particular is a womanizing jerk along with being evil and manipulative in many other ways, too, so I can't say that I enjoyed reading his sensual, twisted perspective. So, that's the main reason I gave this one 4 instead of 5 stars.
If you're a lover of history, especially American history, with a twist of romance, then I think you'll enjoy this series.
Content Advisory:
This book is written for adults and I would say that, depending on the teenager, it's also readable by ages 16+ due to some more mature themes.
Language:
There are mentions that someone swore, but the word is never written out.
Sexual/Romance:
We become aware early on that the lead heroine, Marietta, became associated with the wrong man and they apparently were intimate with each other before the book started. There are no inappropriate details about the act, we just know that it happened and that Marietta regrets it. White deals tactfully and graciously with the issue, acknowledging unmarried sex as a sin, but not treating it as if it's unforgivable. She acknowledges the natural consequences of sin, but also acknowledges God's amazing grace and willingness to forgive when people repent.
The man the heroine is initially involved with (who becomes the villain of the story) is very possessive of her, touching and kissing her aggressively sometimes, and pressuring her to marry him even though he basically just wants her as a trophy. Once, he threatens to rape her, but it doesn't happen. We learn, however, that he did rape an enslaved woman and impregnated her. Again, there are no details about the evil act itself, we learn that it happened after the fact. We also learn that he forcibly kissed another woman and (in his own words) "allowed his hands to wander" but there are no more details than that.
There are also multiple consensual kisses between the hero and heroine, a couple of which are pretty lengthily described in emotional terms, not physical.
Violence:
This story is set during the American Civil War and the violence of that time is acknowledged, but not described graphically. Lincoln's assassination is also acknowledged, but the main characters don't witness it.
The biggest moment of violence is when someone gets shot in the chest and is thought to be dying, but There are multiple mentions of blood, but again, it's not graphic.
There are more threats of violence than actual acts of violence. One of the main characters is a spy who infiltrates the rebel group in which John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin was a member and, obviously, they plot and plan much violence and mayhem. The main villain is also a member of this group and we see a lot of the plotting from his twisted perspective. He also kidnaps and threatens to shoot the heroine.
Drug/Alcohol
Mentions of drinking and smoking as is historically accurate.
Spiritual:
As always with White's books, there is a strong Christian faith thread, discussions about belief, and quoting of Scripture.
December 6, 2017
Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White
Timeframe: 1865 (Civil War era Lincoln was in his second term)
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Main Characters:
Marietta Hughes: Widow of Lucien Hughes.
Slade Osborne: Pinkerton Operative
Walker Payne: Freed slave Marietta used to be in love with
Devereaux Hughes: Marietta's brother-in-law intent on marrying her
Very interesting book about the Culper Spy Ring, a organization dating back to the Revolutionary War. In this book the group included the Lane family (Marietta's grandfather, Thaddeus, brothers Hez and Isaac, Walker Payne, and now Marietta, among maybe others.) Their purpose is to see that the cause of the North is aided, and now to protect Lincoln.
Slade Osborn is a Pinkerton operative who is sent to infiltrate the Knights of the Golden Circle, a group intent on stopping Lincoln in hopes that The South would return to its former way of life. He is disguised as a Northerner turned Southern sympathizer, who supposedly wants to stop Lincoln as well. Their secret lair was tunneled directly under Marietta's home.
Just a side issue…An indiscretion is discussed several times. It's part of the plot, and we get to witness Christ's redemption through it, which overwhelms Marietta. Half star down is mentioned in the spoiler, but I rated it as 5 because 4.5 isn't offered.
Timeframe: 1865 (Civil War era Lincoln was in his second term)
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Main Characters:
Marietta Hughes: Widow of Lucien Hughes.
Slade Osborne: Pinkerton Operative
Walker Payne: Freed slave Marietta used to be in love with
Devereaux Hughes: Marietta's brother-in-law intent on marrying her
Very interesting book about the Culper Spy Ring, a organization dating back to the Revolutionary War. In this book the group included the Lane family (Marietta's grandfather, Thaddeus, brothers Hez and Isaac, Walker Payne, and now Marietta, among maybe others.) Their purpose is to see that the cause of the North is aided, and now to protect Lincoln.
Slade Osborn is a Pinkerton operative who is sent to infiltrate the Knights of the Golden Circle, a group intent on stopping Lincoln in hopes that The South would return to its former way of life. He is disguised as a Northerner turned Southern sympathizer, who supposedly wants to stop Lincoln as well. Their secret lair was tunneled directly under Marietta's home.
Just a side issue…An indiscretion is discussed several times. It's part of the plot, and we get to witness Christ's redemption through it, which overwhelms Marietta. Half star down is mentioned in the spoiler, but I rated it as 5 because 4.5 isn't offered.
June 23, 2024
Roseanna has become my favorite author this year, and for a good reason at that. She’s incredibly talented and skilled at creating storylines, deep characters, and keeps you guessing throughout her stories what will happen with these characters. Also, none of the characters ever show all their cards immediately, which keeps me constantly wondering about what happened in their past that has yet to be revealed to us as an audience. All while learning a lot historically speaking.
Our heroine, Marietta, is wonderful to follow along and see her life changes and her decisions. Slade, our hero, also is complex and has gone through life changes that we can appreciate and watch. I also really thought it interesting reading through our villain’s, Dev, POV while reading through the story. He’s an excellent villain and the evil within constantly grows (reminding me of the story of the two wolves battling - the one that wins is the one you feed) His love for Marietta starts in a way where you wonder if under the current of possessiveness is there truly a glimmer of true love for her? Perhaps is it buried beneath, where he truly does care for her? But reading through the rest of the book, as much as he terrified me and was awful, it made me sad to see how broken he is as a human underneath all that pride.
I also was so fascinated by the KGC - I had no idea about this part of history! I also really thought it interesting seeing John Wilkes Booth throughout the story as well. In real life, it’s so easy branding someone like him as a villain and not thinking of them as a human with feelings. And yet Roseanna painted him in a light that shows us his humanity and relatability (the actor side of him at the Ford theatre with Slade was a fun scene) — as well as his villainess too. My heart cried out for President Lincoln, and mourning him as a nation would not have been easy. I enjoyed seeing the historical side of this, even if it was still the ending none of us wanted for President Lincoln.
All in all, Roseanna is such an incredible writer, writing deep characters and beautiful storylines filled with hope, excitement, suspense, and a beautiful way of portraying God. She has so many golden gems of faith tucked into each of her books, and I love how each and every one of her books explores a different type of character relationship with God, and seeing each of them gain understanding of our beautifully kind God.
Loved it!
Our heroine, Marietta, is wonderful to follow along and see her life changes and her decisions. Slade, our hero, also is complex and has gone through life changes that we can appreciate and watch. I also really thought it interesting reading through our villain’s, Dev, POV while reading through the story. He’s an excellent villain and the evil within constantly grows (reminding me of the story of the two wolves battling - the one that wins is the one you feed) His love for Marietta starts in a way where you wonder if under the current of possessiveness is there truly a glimmer of true love for her? Perhaps is it buried beneath, where he truly does care for her? But reading through the rest of the book, as much as he terrified me and was awful, it made me sad to see how broken he is as a human underneath all that pride.
I also was so fascinated by the KGC - I had no idea about this part of history! I also really thought it interesting seeing John Wilkes Booth throughout the story as well. In real life, it’s so easy branding someone like him as a villain and not thinking of them as a human with feelings. And yet Roseanna painted him in a light that shows us his humanity and relatability (the actor side of him at the Ford theatre with Slade was a fun scene) — as well as his villainess too. My heart cried out for President Lincoln, and mourning him as a nation would not have been easy. I enjoyed seeing the historical side of this, even if it was still the ending none of us wanted for President Lincoln.
All in all, Roseanna is such an incredible writer, writing deep characters and beautiful storylines filled with hope, excitement, suspense, and a beautiful way of portraying God. She has so many golden gems of faith tucked into each of her books, and I love how each and every one of her books explores a different type of character relationship with God, and seeing each of them gain understanding of our beautifully kind God.
Loved it!
April 24, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were amazing and the story 👌 perfection! I loved all three of the books in this series 💖.
August 10, 2019
Though I did *not* like Marietta at first, I think this may be my favourite of the Culper Ring series. The transformation Yetta goes through is miraculous (and no doubt, given the Source of said transformation). I also enjoyed Slade, and his determination to help his beloved nation, no matter the cost.
I liked how previous characters were included in the book, as well as new characters related to those we'd 'met' before. And the villain? Utterly . . . horrifyingly . . . chilling.
4.5 stars
I liked how previous characters were included in the book, as well as new characters related to those we'd 'met' before. And the villain? Utterly . . . horrifyingly . . . chilling.
4.5 stars
March 11, 2022
This was a spectacular ending to The Culper Ring series! Based on a true spy ring in American history, the series spans the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and ends with the Civil War. Roseanna White supplies such great detail and descriptions of areas and events that I increased my knowledge of these time periods. I don't want to provide any information that would lead to spoiling the story. Suffice it to say, the characters are amazing and the ending dramatic! Well done, Roseanna!
February 11, 2020
What an exciting finale! This was my least favorite of the series(but I still really enjoyed!) mostly due the fact that the Civil War isn't my favorite story line time period and I didn't connect as well with Mari and Slade as I did with Wynter and Bennett and Gwen and Thad. The story moved well and kept me intrigued with a few surprises along the way. This is a FANTASTIC series. Be sure not to miss it!!
June 20, 2014
You know how sometimes you read a line of writing so lovely, you have to reread it again?
I did that countless times while reading this book. I probably should have finished it long before 1am last week, but I savored so many amazing lines that it took me longer. No matter. I'll reread it again soon, if only to enjoy once more this thrilling conclusion to Roseanna M. White's expertly crafted spy series.
Mari confused me, at first. She seemed to have it all, but she isn't at all happy at the beginning of this book. She's made her own choices, but now she has regrets. She's plagued by guilt and determined to set right what has gone wrong in her life, if she can. In short, she's carrying a pretty heavy burden.
Enter Slade Osborne, a man who carries burdens of his own.
I'll try not to spoil the story for you (really, you must read this book and the whole series!), but I was wondering when Mari and Slade would ever realize they were perfect for each other, when wham, all of a sudden, they realized it all right. But a whole lot of other things had to happen first--like maybe infiltrating the KGC, an organization trying to divide the Union and kidnap Lincoln.
Why I Recommend This Book and Series
One of the things I admire most about this story (besides the breathtaking writing style and sigh-worthy romance) is that I knew how it would end and I didn't mind. We all know Lincoln's life ends tragically--so how was Roseanna going to pull off an ending that didn't make me feel like Slade had failed?
I won't give it away, but she does. Excellently.
Love history? The Culper Ring Series tracks some of the most pivotal points in our nation's history--through the eyes of a family of espionage. Love romance? Each of the books in the series holds a beautiful message about the One who loves us best, while offering a story about a couple brought together by God and circumstances. Check out my thoughts about Ring of Secrets (Book One), Fairchild's Lady (the free novella between books one and two), Whispers from the Shadows (Book Two and] my favorite).
And don't forget to download A Hero's Promise (the novella between books two and three) for free. Coincidentally, I was up until 2am reading that one. :)
I did that countless times while reading this book. I probably should have finished it long before 1am last week, but I savored so many amazing lines that it took me longer. No matter. I'll reread it again soon, if only to enjoy once more this thrilling conclusion to Roseanna M. White's expertly crafted spy series.
Mari confused me, at first. She seemed to have it all, but she isn't at all happy at the beginning of this book. She's made her own choices, but now she has regrets. She's plagued by guilt and determined to set right what has gone wrong in her life, if she can. In short, she's carrying a pretty heavy burden.
Enter Slade Osborne, a man who carries burdens of his own.
I'll try not to spoil the story for you (really, you must read this book and the whole series!), but I was wondering when Mari and Slade would ever realize they were perfect for each other, when wham, all of a sudden, they realized it all right. But a whole lot of other things had to happen first--like maybe infiltrating the KGC, an organization trying to divide the Union and kidnap Lincoln.
Why I Recommend This Book and Series
One of the things I admire most about this story (besides the breathtaking writing style and sigh-worthy romance) is that I knew how it would end and I didn't mind. We all know Lincoln's life ends tragically--so how was Roseanna going to pull off an ending that didn't make me feel like Slade had failed?
I won't give it away, but she does. Excellently.
Love history? The Culper Ring Series tracks some of the most pivotal points in our nation's history--through the eyes of a family of espionage. Love romance? Each of the books in the series holds a beautiful message about the One who loves us best, while offering a story about a couple brought together by God and circumstances. Check out my thoughts about Ring of Secrets (Book One), Fairchild's Lady (the free novella between books one and two), Whispers from the Shadows (Book Two and] my favorite).
And don't forget to download A Hero's Promise (the novella between books two and three) for free. Coincidentally, I was up until 2am reading that one. :)
April 3, 2014
It is 1865, and young widow Marietta Arnaud Hughes will shortly come out of mourning, and it is expected she will then marry her brother-in-law, Deveraux, who has been in love with her since they first met. Marietta is an odd combination of believable and fantastic. Her foibles and weaknesses are both familiar and relatable, but she has a gift, a photographic memory, and can remember every conversation she has ever had and every page of every book she has ever read.
A visit from her grandfather reveals a long-standing secret: that the family is a network of spies, and they need her help, both because of her special gift, and because they believe Deveraux is a leader in a secret organisation trying to undermine the government. But help is at hand, in the form of Slade Osbourne, a Pinkerton agent working for the family rail business. Unfortunately, he’s also too attractive for his own good, and Deveraux is a jealous suitor …
I really enjoyed Circle of Spies. The one fault is I thought there was too much male point of view—we got scenes from the viewpoints of Deveraux, Slade and Walker. While each character and scene did add to the overall plot, it just felt a little male-dominated at times (although that was probably a fair representation of the times!).
This is the fifth book in the Culper Ring series, following two novels and two free novellas, all following the Lane family and the activities of the Culpers at different times in American history. All have been good, but this was excellent. The research is excellent (but doesn’t overpower the characters and the story), the story is well-plotted with plenty of twists and turns, the characters are strong yet fallible, and there is a solid Christian message without being preachy. Recommended.
Thanks to Harvest House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
A visit from her grandfather reveals a long-standing secret: that the family is a network of spies, and they need her help, both because of her special gift, and because they believe Deveraux is a leader in a secret organisation trying to undermine the government. But help is at hand, in the form of Slade Osbourne, a Pinkerton agent working for the family rail business. Unfortunately, he’s also too attractive for his own good, and Deveraux is a jealous suitor …
I really enjoyed Circle of Spies. The one fault is I thought there was too much male point of view—we got scenes from the viewpoints of Deveraux, Slade and Walker. While each character and scene did add to the overall plot, it just felt a little male-dominated at times (although that was probably a fair representation of the times!).
This is the fifth book in the Culper Ring series, following two novels and two free novellas, all following the Lane family and the activities of the Culpers at different times in American history. All have been good, but this was excellent. The research is excellent (but doesn’t overpower the characters and the story), the story is well-plotted with plenty of twists and turns, the characters are strong yet fallible, and there is a solid Christian message without being preachy. Recommended.
Thanks to Harvest House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
May 31, 2016
I wanted to like this book, but I didn't find the characters believable. The author takes on a pretty big plot, but just can't sell the story because the characters do too many random things that don't make sense.
For example, the hero and heroine are spies, risking their lives to gather information from a dangerous enemy. And yet, in several scenes, when they are on the verge of being caught by our antagonist, they stand around red handed flirting and chatting casually about inconsequential personal matters. I'll give it to the author that at least half the time when she has her characters do unrealistic things, she tells the reader that it's because God just told them to do it. The other half of the time she gives no explanation at all.
In another scene, a woman who suffered in a complex situation forgives her persecutor as if her struggles were no more important than a pesky hangnail. I'm all for forgiveness and saintly behavior, but the reaction again didn't match the gravitas of the situation.
Also, nearly every minor character in this story has some crazy dramatic backstory of abuse, betrayal, or a secret marriage. It's unrealistic and exhausting.
Not as exhausting, however, as our heroine's love life. By the middle of the book, the heroine has been "in love" with three people, not including the hero, and none of the relationships are remotely believable. She spends half her time mentally beating herself up, which is perhaps the only part of the plot I can agree with.
And don't get me started on the prose. This author really likes to compare her characters to animals. Sometimes she compares one character to several different animals all in one paragraph. But, to be fair, she also has some really good lines now and then. It makes me wonder what this book could have been with a great editor.
For example, the hero and heroine are spies, risking their lives to gather information from a dangerous enemy. And yet, in several scenes, when they are on the verge of being caught by our antagonist, they stand around red handed flirting and chatting casually about inconsequential personal matters. I'll give it to the author that at least half the time when she has her characters do unrealistic things, she tells the reader that it's because God just told them to do it. The other half of the time she gives no explanation at all.
In another scene, a woman who suffered in a complex situation forgives her persecutor as if her struggles were no more important than a pesky hangnail. I'm all for forgiveness and saintly behavior, but the reaction again didn't match the gravitas of the situation.
Also, nearly every minor character in this story has some crazy dramatic backstory of abuse, betrayal, or a secret marriage. It's unrealistic and exhausting.
Not as exhausting, however, as our heroine's love life. By the middle of the book, the heroine has been "in love" with three people, not including the hero, and none of the relationships are remotely believable. She spends half her time mentally beating herself up, which is perhaps the only part of the plot I can agree with.
And don't get me started on the prose. This author really likes to compare her characters to animals. Sometimes she compares one character to several different animals all in one paragraph. But, to be fair, she also has some really good lines now and then. It makes me wonder what this book could have been with a great editor.
August 31, 2014
Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/RAUHGT6F...
Review on my blog (to be posted 9/9): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
The Culper Ring series has been a great historical/spy series and Circle of Spies was a wonderful conclusion. I loved the thread of redemption and forgiveness in the story.
Marietta was definitely one of those characters that goes through a lot of change. At the beginning of Circle of Spies she wasn't that likeable, but she does get better. Her unique ability (which I won't name, since it's not mentioned in the book's blurb) was so intriguing!
I absolutely loved that Slade was an undercover Pinkerton agent! I always enjoy books with those types of agents. :) There were also quite a few humorous moments, which was great!
Overall, a wonderful historical read with romance AND suspense! I definitely recommend Circle of Spies and this entire series.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Review on my blog (to be posted 9/9): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
The Culper Ring series has been a great historical/spy series and Circle of Spies was a wonderful conclusion. I loved the thread of redemption and forgiveness in the story.
Marietta was definitely one of those characters that goes through a lot of change. At the beginning of Circle of Spies she wasn't that likeable, but she does get better. Her unique ability (which I won't name, since it's not mentioned in the book's blurb) was so intriguing!
I absolutely loved that Slade was an undercover Pinkerton agent! I always enjoy books with those types of agents. :) There were also quite a few humorous moments, which was great!
Overall, a wonderful historical read with romance AND suspense! I definitely recommend Circle of Spies and this entire series.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
August 19, 2014
Age Appropriate For: 15 and up for romance and some thematic elements
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Sadly, this book ended up being my least favorite of the series. Most of it had to do with Marietta. I never felt a connection to her or even felt sorry for her, which made it very hard to enjoy the story. Although I really appreciate the author using Marietta to show that God can forgive even our worst sins, I felt it could have been much better.
To be honest, I was disappointed that I didn’t get to hear more about the couple from the novella before this book. I had been expecting their story to be a part of this story, but it wasn’t. I also felt that the Civil War, especially the causes of the south, were not well presented at best and flippantly treated at worst.
The romance in my mind left much to be desired. I really didn’t understand how Marietta went from helping Slade to suddenly being in love with him. Maybe I just missed something, but I just didn’t get how Marietta’s emotions changed.
With that said, I didn’t hate the story. The suspense was by far the best element. I knew that the good guys were in a race against the clock (even when they didn’t know) which kept me turning the pages. The villain was perfect for the story. He was evil, but very believable.
I always like stories of redemption, and the story of redemption in this story was one a lot of girls need to hear. Marietta made a huge mistake in her past and she knows it, one she thinks she cannot be forgiven for. Her journey to forgiveness and finding the Grace of God was worth it.
Although not my favorite, I think that most people who read this series will enjoy reading this last story.
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Sadly, this book ended up being my least favorite of the series. Most of it had to do with Marietta. I never felt a connection to her or even felt sorry for her, which made it very hard to enjoy the story. Although I really appreciate the author using Marietta to show that God can forgive even our worst sins, I felt it could have been much better.
To be honest, I was disappointed that I didn’t get to hear more about the couple from the novella before this book. I had been expecting their story to be a part of this story, but it wasn’t. I also felt that the Civil War, especially the causes of the south, were not well presented at best and flippantly treated at worst.
The romance in my mind left much to be desired. I really didn’t understand how Marietta went from helping Slade to suddenly being in love with him. Maybe I just missed something, but I just didn’t get how Marietta’s emotions changed.
With that said, I didn’t hate the story. The suspense was by far the best element. I knew that the good guys were in a race against the clock (even when they didn’t know) which kept me turning the pages. The villain was perfect for the story. He was evil, but very believable.
I always like stories of redemption, and the story of redemption in this story was one a lot of girls need to hear. Marietta made a huge mistake in her past and she knows it, one she thinks she cannot be forgiven for. Her journey to forgiveness and finding the Grace of God was worth it.
Although not my favorite, I think that most people who read this series will enjoy reading this last story.
May 1, 2014
Another Wow! from Roseanna M. White. This lady has more talent in her little finger than most of us have in fingers, toes--well, the whole body combined.
Marietta Hughes married the wrong man. Even though she remained loyal to her husband Lucien during their marriage, her eyes too often strayed to his brother Devereaux. Now her husband is dead, killed by muggers, and Dev steps in to claim Marietta as his own. Except a new man is also on the scene. Will Slade Osborne steal her away from Dev's schemes?
Family secrets trouble Marietta, confusing her about those she thought she knew so well and the war she thought she could ignore.
Marietta Hughes married the wrong man. Even though she remained loyal to her husband Lucien during their marriage, her eyes too often strayed to his brother Devereaux. Now her husband is dead, killed by muggers, and Dev steps in to claim Marietta as his own. Except a new man is also on the scene. Will Slade Osborne steal her away from Dev's schemes?
Family secrets trouble Marietta, confusing her about those she thought she knew so well and the war she thought she could ignore.
March 16, 2014
The history and writing is impeccable however I'm struggling with the heroine in this. I can't really find her likable. For one who was supposedly feeling guilt over being too loose (for lack of better word) she's too easily kissing Slade and not even regretting it! She also is overly flirtatious and I get the feeling she would welcome any man's attention :/ if that was her in the past and I see growth it would be easier but she's not growing past that :(
May 17, 2019
I was disappointed with this final book in the culper ring series. This one spent a lot more time on the redemption and forgiveness of the heroine...I didn't care for her at all and her change was really not very believable. Also, there was too much focus on the physical attraction and heated kisses etc. Honestly, you wouldn't miss anything skipping this one.
July 25, 2024
This book caught me at the beginning & kept me intrigued. I loved the twist of them being spies to keep Lincoln safe… especially since we already know he ends up being assassinated. Unfortunately it did start losing me about 3/4 of the way through & I was a little bummed about the ending. But it was overall a great book & has given me much to think about character- wise 😊
My library does not have the other books in this series & so I haven’t read them, but I didnt feel lost in any way. It worked fine as a standalone 💜
My library does not have the other books in this series & so I haven’t read them, but I didnt feel lost in any way. It worked fine as a standalone 💜
August 5, 2020
Another imaginative historical fiction book! A great ending to the Culper Ring Series!
May 28, 2020
Circle of Spies #3 Culper Ring by Roseanna M. White
Baltimore, 1865.
Marietta Hughes is a widow who finds herself caught up in the family’s secret espionage activities. Something she did not want to do, but circumstances being what they are she really has no choice as she has the gift of total recall of anything she reads or hears. Then she learns some unsettling news regarding secret activities on her own land and even regarding her deceased husband and his brother. I did not like Marietta very much in the beginning of the story, however, she learns some valuable life-lessons along the way, especially her need for God, and turns her life in a far different direction than she was living. As she grows in her faith and her heart changes in so many ways, I grew to really like her.
Undercover Pinkerton agent Slade Osborne is determined to end the secret meetings and activities contributing to the conflict between the North and the South. But he is not sure what part the beautiful widow plays in these activities. Slade is my favorite character in this story. He is a handsome, godly man who has a past he is not proud of and flaws, which makes him the perfect hero.
I was glad to see some of my favorite characters from previous books. This story has so much to offer: the Civil War, Pinkerton detectives, murder, assassination, greed, evil, danger and spies, second chances, forgiveness, a story-line that pulls the reader in with gripping details, historical facts woven into the story-line realistically, romance and love and faith. I love the spiritual aspects within the story. A gripping, heartwarming story.
Baltimore, 1865.
Marietta Hughes is a widow who finds herself caught up in the family’s secret espionage activities. Something she did not want to do, but circumstances being what they are she really has no choice as she has the gift of total recall of anything she reads or hears. Then she learns some unsettling news regarding secret activities on her own land and even regarding her deceased husband and his brother. I did not like Marietta very much in the beginning of the story, however, she learns some valuable life-lessons along the way, especially her need for God, and turns her life in a far different direction than she was living. As she grows in her faith and her heart changes in so many ways, I grew to really like her.
Undercover Pinkerton agent Slade Osborne is determined to end the secret meetings and activities contributing to the conflict between the North and the South. But he is not sure what part the beautiful widow plays in these activities. Slade is my favorite character in this story. He is a handsome, godly man who has a past he is not proud of and flaws, which makes him the perfect hero.
I was glad to see some of my favorite characters from previous books. This story has so much to offer: the Civil War, Pinkerton detectives, murder, assassination, greed, evil, danger and spies, second chances, forgiveness, a story-line that pulls the reader in with gripping details, historical facts woven into the story-line realistically, romance and love and faith. I love the spiritual aspects within the story. A gripping, heartwarming story.
June 23, 2018
This book took me a while to read, but that wasn't the book's fault. Life got crazy but it happens. :) I loved Circle of Spies! By far my favorite of The Culper Ring series and quite possibly my favorite Roseanna M. White book (So far. I haven't read all of her's out yet)! I pretty much loved everything about Circle of Spies. The ONLY issue was occasionally sentences didn't make sense. For example "He did _____." But there were 2 men and it wasn't clear which one was the "he" referred to. So they could be interpreted two different ways.
Ok so with that out of the way, on to the good stuff! First, I loved Mari!! One of the things I haven't cared for in Mrs. White's other books was that the characters felt way too perfect. I get that as christians we should strive to do what is right, but they made it seem like there was no struggle. It's not always easy to do what God wants and that's why I loved Marietta so much. She had struggles. She had past mistakes and regrets and I could totally relate to that! She had to deal with the consequences of those mistakes, but God redeemed her and she was able to find forgiveness and build a relationship with God. Also, that growth wasn't overnight, it progressed through the book, which made it seem more real and genuine. Something else that grew throughout the book? The romance! So many books have the hero and heroine meet in chapter 1 and are in love right away. Not the case with Mari and Slade! Without giving too much away, they started out not trusting each other and had to move from that to working together to take the bad guy down and finally to love. I love when books take the romance slow so we as the readers can watch it develop. It seems so much more real that way. Also the chemistry between Mari and Slade was off the charts!
Other things I loved: The setting! The Civil War meets the Culper Ring, two subjects that really interest me put together! I found it so interesting and I even learned a bit from the history! I love when books teach me things! The secondary characters really stood out to me as well and I enjoyed reading their stories. Mrs. White has always created a wonderful family dynamic in her books and this one was no exception. I enjoyed seeing Mari and her family/friends interact. Last, but definitely not least, is the spiritual content. I mentioned it some above, but what I loved about this book is how natural it was portrayed. In some books the religious part can be heavy and sermon-like. Often times it feels like it is thrown in almost as an afterthought. Not so with Circle of Spies. It was so natural and flowed through beautifully. Many of the characters had struggles, but through their faith in God and christian friends and family, they were able to overcome them.
So yes, I loved this book! :) I think it could be read as a standalone, but to get the most out of it the series should be read in order. Mari is the granddaughter of the couple from book 2 and there are some threads that carry over from the others as well (such as the Culper Ring itself).
Ok so with that out of the way, on to the good stuff! First, I loved Mari!! One of the things I haven't cared for in Mrs. White's other books was that the characters felt way too perfect. I get that as christians we should strive to do what is right, but they made it seem like there was no struggle. It's not always easy to do what God wants and that's why I loved Marietta so much. She had struggles. She had past mistakes and regrets and I could totally relate to that! She had to deal with the consequences of those mistakes, but God redeemed her and she was able to find forgiveness and build a relationship with God. Also, that growth wasn't overnight, it progressed through the book, which made it seem more real and genuine. Something else that grew throughout the book? The romance! So many books have the hero and heroine meet in chapter 1 and are in love right away. Not the case with Mari and Slade! Without giving too much away, they started out not trusting each other and had to move from that to working together to take the bad guy down and finally to love. I love when books take the romance slow so we as the readers can watch it develop. It seems so much more real that way. Also the chemistry between Mari and Slade was off the charts!
Other things I loved: The setting! The Civil War meets the Culper Ring, two subjects that really interest me put together! I found it so interesting and I even learned a bit from the history! I love when books teach me things! The secondary characters really stood out to me as well and I enjoyed reading their stories. Mrs. White has always created a wonderful family dynamic in her books and this one was no exception. I enjoyed seeing Mari and her family/friends interact. Last, but definitely not least, is the spiritual content. I mentioned it some above, but what I loved about this book is how natural it was portrayed. In some books the religious part can be heavy and sermon-like. Often times it feels like it is thrown in almost as an afterthought. Not so with Circle of Spies. It was so natural and flowed through beautifully. Many of the characters had struggles, but through their faith in God and christian friends and family, they were able to overcome them.
So yes, I loved this book! :) I think it could be read as a standalone, but to get the most out of it the series should be read in order. Mari is the granddaughter of the couple from book 2 and there are some threads that carry over from the others as well (such as the Culper Ring itself).
May 10, 2016
Though there are three spy groups operating - the Knights of the Golden Circle, the Pinkertons, and the Culpers, White does a good job at keeping them distinct. Devereaux Hughes is a leader of the secret Confederate society the KGC (a solid bad guy that one can joyfully hate, in an evil and mildly creepy society). Slade is a Pinkerton agent who is pretending to be a Pinkerton double agent for the KGC, when he is really spying on them to take them down. Marietta, the Culper, is keeping an eye on both parties, to help Slade where she can and make sure the KGC does not succeed, while keeping her role unknown to the both of them. I had no trouble keeping track of which party was doing what, which is testament to the author's excellent ability to tell a story.
Marietta surprised me; it is not often the heroine of Christian fiction is an accomplished coquette. She can flirt, tease, and seduce with the best of them, but really she is operating under an oppressive burden of guilt for her fickleness with men, even if she has never broken the letter of the law. She is the sadder but wiser girl - surrounded by wealth, but poor in spirit; free to do as she pleases, but imprisoned by guilt.
A major point the author makes - one pointed at Marietta - is that while forgiveness does not eliminate the consequences of one's sins, that responsibility should not be a prison to one's soul. She writes, "You have prayed for forgiveness from your sins. Have you prayed for freedom from their bonds? . . . Never once in the bible does God speak either for or against physical slavery. But spiritual slavery - that is a topic He addresses time and again. Over and over Paul pleads with the early church to embrace the freedom of the soul that Christ offers. You must do that, Mari. You must cling, not just to cleansing, but to freedom." (228).
Circle of Spies is an excellent novel and I enjoyed immensely, but I wish it were not the conclusion to the series. The author hit on a marvelous theme for the books, and it is sad to see them end. However, she finishes it with a flourish! 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you Harvest House and NetGalley for providing a free e-copy for the purpose of review; I was not required to make it positive, and all opinions are my own.
Marietta surprised me; it is not often the heroine of Christian fiction is an accomplished coquette. She can flirt, tease, and seduce with the best of them, but really she is operating under an oppressive burden of guilt for her fickleness with men, even if she has never broken the letter of the law. She is the sadder but wiser girl - surrounded by wealth, but poor in spirit; free to do as she pleases, but imprisoned by guilt.
A major point the author makes - one pointed at Marietta - is that while forgiveness does not eliminate the consequences of one's sins, that responsibility should not be a prison to one's soul. She writes, "You have prayed for forgiveness from your sins. Have you prayed for freedom from their bonds? . . . Never once in the bible does God speak either for or against physical slavery. But spiritual slavery - that is a topic He addresses time and again. Over and over Paul pleads with the early church to embrace the freedom of the soul that Christ offers. You must do that, Mari. You must cling, not just to cleansing, but to freedom." (228).
Circle of Spies is an excellent novel and I enjoyed immensely, but I wish it were not the conclusion to the series. The author hit on a marvelous theme for the books, and it is sad to see them end. However, she finishes it with a flourish! 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you Harvest House and NetGalley for providing a free e-copy for the purpose of review; I was not required to make it positive, and all opinions are my own.
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