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Charmed and Dangerous
The spy who loved her...
Gavin Graham works alone, trusts no one, and never, ever gives his heart. But the spy may have met his match in an ex-governess. Laura Devane has been handpicked to fulfill an important mission: distracting him from the deceptive charms of a Russian countess. Once, years ago, she defiantly rejected his marriage proposal. Now she meets his cool mockery and sensual advances with a maddening self-possession. And she plunges headlong into a perilous investigation that leaves him fearing for her safety. Clearly the woman is a menace--to international peace and to his peace of mind. For Laura's passion for intrigue matches his own, and her touch leaves him stunningly aroused, tempting him to join her in a life of dangerous desires....
Gavin Graham works alone, trusts no one, and never, ever gives his heart. But the spy may have met his match in an ex-governess. Laura Devane has been handpicked to fulfill an important mission: distracting him from the deceptive charms of a Russian countess. Once, years ago, she defiantly rejected his marriage proposal. Now she meets his cool mockery and sensual advances with a maddening self-possession. And she plunges headlong into a perilous investigation that leaves him fearing for her safety. Clearly the woman is a menace--to international peace and to his peace of mind. For Laura's passion for intrigue matches his own, and her touch leaves him stunningly aroused, tempting him to join her in a life of dangerous desires....
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
54 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Jane Ashford
52 books403 followersJane Ashford has written historical and contemporary romances. Her books have been published in England, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, Denmark, Russia, and Latvia, Croatia and Slovenia as well as the U.S. She was nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. Her latest book, Lost Time, is romantic suspense with a touch of magic.
Her website is https://www.janeashford.com/ and her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JaneAshfordW... If you'd like to subscribe to Jane's monthly newsletter go to www.eepurl.com/cd-O7r and sign up.
Her website is https://www.janeashford.com/ and her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JaneAshfordW... If you'd like to subscribe to Jane's monthly newsletter go to www.eepurl.com/cd-O7r and sign up.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 14, 2018
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January 14, 2018
Leído en Mayo 2013
Me gusto la historia!! Entretenido
Me gusto la historia!! Entretenido
September 16, 2015
This is one of those "I have no idea what she sees in him" stories. The hero, Gavin Graham, is a spy for England, currently at work at the diplomatic congress in Vienna. The nitwit he answers to with the diplomatic corps doesn't like the way he's hanging about with a beautiful Russian countess who is rumored to be a spy (he apparently doesn't appreciate the fine art of intelligence gathering), so he recruits a nondescript governess who once jilted Gavin to lure him away from the spy (great plan, that). Laura Devane, the governess, learned to be nondescript while working for a lecherous earl--the better to avoid having to knee him in the crotch and get fired for it. But when she isn't trying to be nondescript, she's actually kinda pretty.
Gavin knows why she's being put in his way and he doesn't like it, so he works hard at being a turd in order to send her weeping back to England. Laura, though, is fascinated by the idea of being in Vienna, somehow part of great doings, and so she digs in her heels. The two of them spend most of the book sniping at each other, and Gavin is so patronizing and belittling and generally overbearing that I kept waiting for her to knee HIM in the crotch.
Despite that, the mystery surrounding the countess and what she's getting up to is interesting, and the H/h spar their way through some dangerous and exciting intrigues. The solution to their personal conflicts is obvious to everyone but the ostensibly intelligent hero, but I found myself caught up enough in the relationship by the end that I thought it might be fun to see a sequel.
Gavin knows why she's being put in his way and he doesn't like it, so he works hard at being a turd in order to send her weeping back to England. Laura, though, is fascinated by the idea of being in Vienna, somehow part of great doings, and so she digs in her heels. The two of them spend most of the book sniping at each other, and Gavin is so patronizing and belittling and generally overbearing that I kept waiting for her to knee HIM in the crotch.
Despite that, the mystery surrounding the countess and what she's getting up to is interesting, and the H/h spar their way through some dangerous and exciting intrigues. The solution to their personal conflicts is obvious to everyone but the ostensibly intelligent hero, but I found myself caught up enough in the relationship by the end that I thought it might be fun to see a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2015
This was a major disappointment to me. Not one of her best, by far. The hero, Gavin, is unlikeable and immature. Laura, the heroine, behaves in inexplicable ways as she tries to involve herself in spy craft.
November 8, 2024
That back cover blurb is basically a blatant lie. The only truth to the matter is that Laura Devane was sent to the Congress of Vienna to distract Gavin Graham away from the mysterious Countess Krelov. Everyone believes she will fail at this mission - including Laura herself - because once upon a time, Gavin had asked for her hand in marriage, and she had rejected him. He hadn't loved her at the time, only the fortune her father possessed, and she knew that, hence the rejection.
10 years have passed in the interim. Gavin was exiled to the diplomatic service by his father, who was angry at his inability to land an heiress. He's made quite a reputation for himself, having any number of adventures on any number of continents, at the heart of much intrigue and political maneuvering in service to crown and country. He has landed at the Congress of Vienna for reasons beyond even him - this is not usually his scene - and his commanding officer has had enough. General Matthew Pryor tasks his wife with finding a suitable young lady from home to bring with her as a traveling companion, who might bring Gavin to heel, and away from the clutches of the very dangerous Sophie Krelov.
Catherine Pryor chooses Laura Devane, having known her since she was a child. In the 10 years since she rejected Gavin's proposal, Laura has been pressed into service of her own, as a governess in an Earl's home. Laura learned how to make herself invisible there, in part to save herself from the earl's known lechery. She has come to the end of her post, her charges having graduated into Society, so Catherine's offer comes at just the right time.
She transforms herself into a beautiful swan, determined to take this opportunity by the horns and have an adventure, for once. She doesn't think she will succeed at her mission, knowing that Gavin's opinion of her is less than kind, but she's willing to give it a shot. Plus, she's interested in the proceedings of the congress, as she's taken it upon herself to read everything she can get her hands on.
Gavin reacts as everyone expects to Laura's sudden reappearance in his life, but Laura isn't willing to take his mockery and taunting lying down. His attitude piques her, and she decides to give as good as she gets. She's also intrigued by her mission, to keep him away from the Countess Krelov - so much so that she goes to visit Sophie herself, to learn more about what Gavin supposedly sees in her.
Sophie is amused by her visit, but when she sees Laura and Gavin together during the society events surrounding the congress, she decides that they are working together, and against her, and immediately sets out to eliminate them, and the threat they post to her intrigues. Gavin is attacked one night in a garden, and Laura is there to witness it, which pulls her further into the mire. She wants to help - she wants to do something important with her life, for once - but Gavin is bound and determined that she stay out of it and let him handle everything.
It becomes a battle of wits, between Sophie Krelov and Laura, and Laura and Gavin, as each work to unravel the other's schemes. This was actually a cracking good read, and the intrigue and adventure set against the political machinations of the Congress was a fascinating and refreshing read.
The problem was the main characters. Laura is book-smart, having read everything from dull treatises to the earl's pornographic portfolios during her time as a governess, but she is pretty naive and plunges along headfirst into some rather stupid situations. She is rather resourceful, though, if thwarted at almost every turn. I have no idea what she sees in Gavin, beyond his infamous golden blonde god looks. He treats her terribly, constantly tries to put her in her "proper" place, and insists on doing everything himself. He withholds his vow of love until literally the last page, and she's somehow struck by it, even though a great deal of energy is put into the fact that they are quite naturally drawn to each other.
Gavin is a somewhat typical tall, dark, and handsome hero, although he is of the blond-haired, amber-eyed persuasion. It is easy to understand his motivations, and how his father's treatment of him has shaped his life and career until now. He hangs onto his stubbornness for way too long, clutching at it like it's going out of style. He fights his instincts at every turn, not wanting to admit that Laura's not quite as helpless as she seems, or that she's better at spying than he wants to admit, or that she's very intelligent. At one point, they are kidnapped by Sophie's henchmen and left on a deserted island. It's Laura's wits that save them, and her book-smarts that get them off the island, but Gavin is reluctant to admit that she has advanced their position in any way.
They give in to their attraction while on the island, and it binds them even closer - but he fights it with every fiber of his being. He refuses to let her communicate, constantly interrupting her when she's trying to give him vital information. He worries about her incessantly, but this comes off as rage and anger most of the time, instead of concern. He refuses to be vulnerable, even when she realizes why he's acting the way he is. He withholds his vow of love until the very last page, a good 150 pages after they escape from the island. I have no idea how she could've been so patient with him, honestly.
The problem is that these two don't communicate verbally. When they are together physically - either having sex, or even just in the same room with each other - their nonverbal communication is amazing. So amazing that their duex es machina ending is basically a match-making scheme designed to bring them together as partners in espionage, as well as life.
I enjoyed reading about that side of their relationship. Ms. Ashford's writing is absolutely flawless, and I loved all of the moments they spend together *not* talking. Their natural pull towards each other was very lovely to read about - it's just whenever they opened their mouths, it got really tedious, really fast. Neither one of them trust their physical/emotional/sexual connection, either, each having doubts about the other's devotion AND their pasts. Gavin believes that Laura was the Earl's mistress for 10 years until he sleeps with her on the island and realizes she was a virgin. Laura believes that Gavin has dallied with the countess and doesn't confront him about this until practically the end of the book.
Still, I believe this book is worth reading, at least once, if only because of the surprise twist of the Sophie Krelov plot. Our matchmaker, the mysterious Mr. Tompkins, was also a delight (if a bit unbelievable), as he was straight out of the 1700s. He was a wonderful leader of the spy ring, and it was fun to watch him watch Gavin and Laura as they stumbled toward each other.
The villain, Sophie, was also nicely drawn, with just enough shades of gray to make things interesting. She gives Laura a kernel of truth during their very first meeting, one that ultimately leads to the unraveling of her plot. There are some other secondary strong female characters to round out the book, which was nice.
10 years have passed in the interim. Gavin was exiled to the diplomatic service by his father, who was angry at his inability to land an heiress. He's made quite a reputation for himself, having any number of adventures on any number of continents, at the heart of much intrigue and political maneuvering in service to crown and country. He has landed at the Congress of Vienna for reasons beyond even him - this is not usually his scene - and his commanding officer has had enough. General Matthew Pryor tasks his wife with finding a suitable young lady from home to bring with her as a traveling companion, who might bring Gavin to heel, and away from the clutches of the very dangerous Sophie Krelov.
Catherine Pryor chooses Laura Devane, having known her since she was a child. In the 10 years since she rejected Gavin's proposal, Laura has been pressed into service of her own, as a governess in an Earl's home. Laura learned how to make herself invisible there, in part to save herself from the earl's known lechery. She has come to the end of her post, her charges having graduated into Society, so Catherine's offer comes at just the right time.
She transforms herself into a beautiful swan, determined to take this opportunity by the horns and have an adventure, for once. She doesn't think she will succeed at her mission, knowing that Gavin's opinion of her is less than kind, but she's willing to give it a shot. Plus, she's interested in the proceedings of the congress, as she's taken it upon herself to read everything she can get her hands on.
Gavin reacts as everyone expects to Laura's sudden reappearance in his life, but Laura isn't willing to take his mockery and taunting lying down. His attitude piques her, and she decides to give as good as she gets. She's also intrigued by her mission, to keep him away from the Countess Krelov - so much so that she goes to visit Sophie herself, to learn more about what Gavin supposedly sees in her.
Sophie is amused by her visit, but when she sees Laura and Gavin together during the society events surrounding the congress, she decides that they are working together, and against her, and immediately sets out to eliminate them, and the threat they post to her intrigues. Gavin is attacked one night in a garden, and Laura is there to witness it, which pulls her further into the mire. She wants to help - she wants to do something important with her life, for once - but Gavin is bound and determined that she stay out of it and let him handle everything.
It becomes a battle of wits, between Sophie Krelov and Laura, and Laura and Gavin, as each work to unravel the other's schemes. This was actually a cracking good read, and the intrigue and adventure set against the political machinations of the Congress was a fascinating and refreshing read.
The problem was the main characters. Laura is book-smart, having read everything from dull treatises to the earl's pornographic portfolios during her time as a governess, but she is pretty naive and plunges along headfirst into some rather stupid situations. She is rather resourceful, though, if thwarted at almost every turn. I have no idea what she sees in Gavin, beyond his infamous golden blonde god looks. He treats her terribly, constantly tries to put her in her "proper" place, and insists on doing everything himself. He withholds his vow of love until literally the last page, and she's somehow struck by it, even though a great deal of energy is put into the fact that they are quite naturally drawn to each other.
Gavin is a somewhat typical tall, dark, and handsome hero, although he is of the blond-haired, amber-eyed persuasion. It is easy to understand his motivations, and how his father's treatment of him has shaped his life and career until now. He hangs onto his stubbornness for way too long, clutching at it like it's going out of style. He fights his instincts at every turn, not wanting to admit that Laura's not quite as helpless as she seems, or that she's better at spying than he wants to admit, or that she's very intelligent. At one point, they are kidnapped by Sophie's henchmen and left on a deserted island. It's Laura's wits that save them, and her book-smarts that get them off the island, but Gavin is reluctant to admit that she has advanced their position in any way.
They give in to their attraction while on the island, and it binds them even closer - but he fights it with every fiber of his being. He refuses to let her communicate, constantly interrupting her when she's trying to give him vital information. He worries about her incessantly, but this comes off as rage and anger most of the time, instead of concern. He refuses to be vulnerable, even when she realizes why he's acting the way he is. He withholds his vow of love until the very last page, a good 150 pages after they escape from the island. I have no idea how she could've been so patient with him, honestly.
The problem is that these two don't communicate verbally. When they are together physically - either having sex, or even just in the same room with each other - their nonverbal communication is amazing. So amazing that their duex es machina ending is basically a match-making scheme designed to bring them together as partners in espionage, as well as life.
I enjoyed reading about that side of their relationship. Ms. Ashford's writing is absolutely flawless, and I loved all of the moments they spend together *not* talking. Their natural pull towards each other was very lovely to read about - it's just whenever they opened their mouths, it got really tedious, really fast. Neither one of them trust their physical/emotional/sexual connection, either, each having doubts about the other's devotion AND their pasts. Gavin believes that Laura was the Earl's mistress for 10 years until he sleeps with her on the island and realizes she was a virgin. Laura believes that Gavin has dallied with the countess and doesn't confront him about this until practically the end of the book.
Still, I believe this book is worth reading, at least once, if only because of the surprise twist of the Sophie Krelov plot. Our matchmaker, the mysterious Mr. Tompkins, was also a delight (if a bit unbelievable), as he was straight out of the 1700s. He was a wonderful leader of the spy ring, and it was fun to watch him watch Gavin and Laura as they stumbled toward each other.
The villain, Sophie, was also nicely drawn, with just enough shades of gray to make things interesting. She gives Laura a kernel of truth during their very first meeting, one that ultimately leads to the unraveling of her plot. There are some other secondary strong female characters to round out the book, which was nice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2018
This so far has been one of my favorites of Jane's books. It tells of a young lady employed to watch a man so he does not sleep around while in town on government business. What she does not know is that he is a spy who is using people to get information. She gets stuck in the spy business and gets hooked. She becomes in love with being a spy and in love with the spy. They go through a bunch of troubles and tribulations that bring them close to his breaking point. All around a great read that I very much enjoyed. Do read!!!
August 24, 2019
I am not a big fan of spy novels in historical romance so this started with a knock against it. I just couldn't get into the mystery and I didn't feel the chemistry between the H/h. It still held my interest enough to finish. Just not as good as others but this author.
October 17, 2023
Heavy on the suspension of disbelief but gets the job done with all the right tropes of my type of regency romance novels.
March 14, 2016
Dangerously Charming
An obtuse general becomes an instrument of fate when he decides he must distract Gavin Graham from dallying with that red-haired spy. He sends his wife to find the woman who turned Graham down years ago, not realizing Laura's family had lost everything and she'd spent ten years as a governess.
Gavin will not be distracted from his mission to collect vital information by such a transparent ploy. Laura will not be relegated to the sidelines of life yet again. The chemistry between them is nothing but a complication. Isn't it?
Jane Ashford has set this passionately headstrong pair in the midst of the Congress of Vienna, a time after Napoleon's (first) exile when the powers of Europe thought war was over. The sparring (and lovemaking) between Gavin and Laura happen against the backdrop of a new Europe in the making.
I thoroughly enjoyed Charmed and Dangerous. I love strong characters with real goals at odds with each other and their growing passion. The obstacles are dramatic, the plot spins faster and faster, the supporting cast is varied and intriguing.
Brava!
An obtuse general becomes an instrument of fate when he decides he must distract Gavin Graham from dallying with that red-haired spy. He sends his wife to find the woman who turned Graham down years ago, not realizing Laura's family had lost everything and she'd spent ten years as a governess.
Gavin will not be distracted from his mission to collect vital information by such a transparent ploy. Laura will not be relegated to the sidelines of life yet again. The chemistry between them is nothing but a complication. Isn't it?
Jane Ashford has set this passionately headstrong pair in the midst of the Congress of Vienna, a time after Napoleon's (first) exile when the powers of Europe thought war was over. The sparring (and lovemaking) between Gavin and Laura happen against the backdrop of a new Europe in the making.
I thoroughly enjoyed Charmed and Dangerous. I love strong characters with real goals at odds with each other and their growing passion. The obstacles are dramatic, the plot spins faster and faster, the supporting cast is varied and intriguing.
Brava!
July 4, 2013
Terrible cover notwithstanding, this was a pretty good story. Laura was an interesting and smart heroine. Turns out that governess training can also be perfect for spy training! (the author even manages to convince the reader that this is just barely plausible). The hero Gavin is less of a draw. First, his name is Gavin (what?). He comes off as REALLY dismissive of Laura's intelligence for way too long, and he just didn't seem that alluring as a True Love.
The plot is fun, though. Set in Vienna at the close of the Napoleonic Wars, there's a lot of clandestine running about and getting kidnapped and stranded on desert islands...which is always fun.
The plot is fun, though. Set in Vienna at the close of the Napoleonic Wars, there's a lot of clandestine running about and getting kidnapped and stranded on desert islands...which is always fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2011
It doesn't matter how many time I read it I still love this book. I love Laura's way of viewing the world and her sense of adventure. I love the way she drives Gavin crazy with her unpredictable behaviour and conducts her life and investigations with intelligence, and with a view contributing to something important rather than being about getting involved in Gavin's life or showing him up. My only regret is that there was not a sequel. I would have loved to see Gavin & Laura's adventures as a married couple.
October 22, 2013
Pues parecia interesante pero no me gusto, por más que lo intente nunca le crei a la prota que era inteligente y que podria ser espia digo como si por ir conversando con todo el mundo en una fiesta te conviertas en una, luego la pareja sin chispa, lo bueno que solo hay una historia de la autora disponible en español.
May 28, 2024
DNF at 60%. I really enjoyed the spy story it had going and wanted to see that through but couldn't. Gavin and Laura just did not track at all. It felt like pages were missing in the middle that filled in why they were so smitten with each other and what their foundation of their relationship was.
September 30, 2011
Godd combination of spies and romance, set mainly in Vienna at the time of the Congress.
December 28, 2015
Spy story. Good characters. Okay romance.
April 14, 2016
I didn't like the way Gavin treated Laura, even knowing why he did it. The author broke the rule of alpha protagonists: I wouldn't sleep with him. So I stopped reading 100 pages in. Yawn.
August 7, 2016
I hate Gavin. I don't want him anywhere near any woman. He can go to hell. So no, I'm not finishing this book.
October 28, 2016
interesantno
January 17, 2015
Godd combination of spies and romance, set mainly in Vienna at the time of the Congress.
January 31, 2018
2.5 stars
March 24, 2017
This was not one of my favorites. I usually enjoy Jane Ashford's writing. This does not make my favorites list. Laura was a little too much. She went from a mouse and transformed too quickly into a flighty lioness. Gavin was too one dimensional. Still finished it. It was readable.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews