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Kingsland #2
Pasiones Peligrosas
Su tierra natal esta amenazada. Su hermano ha sido asesinado despues de descubrir la pista del Halcon, un espia que vende secretos a los aliados de Napoleon. Elissa Tauber decide desenmascarar al traidor y a partir de ese momento su vida se transforma en una voragine de riesgo y pasion. Elissa finge ser una condesa alemana para ingresar en el deslumbrante mundo de la corte austriaca, tras la pista del traidor. Sabe que su belleza le abrira todas las puertas, pero no imagina que alli encontrara al apuesto Adrian Kingsland, el hombre que pondra en peligro su objetivo y su vida y la llevara a debatirse entre la irresistible atraccion y la sospecha. El destino la enfrentara a la terrible disyuntiva de traicionar su mision o perder al hombre que ama.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
31 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
189 books3,174 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 12, 2022
I don't know if it's bc this is a sentimental read for me but I love this book! Kat Martin rarely disappoints me. This story goes from the ballrooms to the battlefield.
Story: Elissa receives a note from her murdered brother that he believes a traitor named the Falcon is giving Austrian secrets to Napoleon. He has 3 men he suspects. So the 21 year old englishwoman decides to pretend to be her father's widow. With the help from her actresd mother and an Austrian Duchess, she transforms herself into an older Countess and travels to the Austrian court so she can discover the traitor. Yes, this is farfetched but just go with it! She is able to investigate 2 of the 3 possible suspects in town. If only the the charismaticly handsome British Captain would leave her alone!
Adrian happily discovers the beautiful Elissa when he climbs through her window at night expecting his lover. Right away he wants her but she ignores him for an old British officer and an insane Austrian General. He can't figure her out but he knows she keeping a secret.
The first half of the book is Elissa investigating her suspects at Court and the second half (my favorite) is on the battlefield.
Good:
1. I love the chemistry between the MC! They were such a good team when they started working together. I truly rooted for them.
2. I was surprised by Adrian's sad backstory. It's not revealed till the 2nd half of the book. I loved him even more for it!
3. There is a secondary romance and I actually liked it! It didn't take away from the the story but instead enhanced it.
4. Most Napoleon War hrs tend to be about the Peninsular War, Waterloo, or Russia. This is the first hr that I've ever read that deals with the Austrian Napoleon conflict. The battles are heartbreaking. One day 40,000 Austrian soldiers dead the next another 40,000. The number of deaths was disturbing and the author doesn't shy away from that fact.
Problems:
1. The beginning was a little farfetched and some parts were slow.
2. When the H discovers the h is a virgin and not the experience widow she pretends to be, he decides to blackmail her into having an affair. This was something that he didn't need to do because he discovered she was a virgin when she gave herself to him. To be fair, he wanted her but also he was afraid she was the spy. Still, this part was a little outdated and unnecessary.
This is probably a 4 star book but I added a star bc it's such an enjoyable reread for me. I loved the romance and the history. I highly recommend!
Story: Elissa receives a note from her murdered brother that he believes a traitor named the Falcon is giving Austrian secrets to Napoleon. He has 3 men he suspects. So the 21 year old englishwoman decides to pretend to be her father's widow. With the help from her actresd mother and an Austrian Duchess, she transforms herself into an older Countess and travels to the Austrian court so she can discover the traitor. Yes, this is farfetched but just go with it! She is able to investigate 2 of the 3 possible suspects in town. If only the the charismaticly handsome British Captain would leave her alone!
Adrian happily discovers the beautiful Elissa when he climbs through her window at night expecting his lover. Right away he wants her but she ignores him for an old British officer and an insane Austrian General. He can't figure her out but he knows she keeping a secret.
The first half of the book is Elissa investigating her suspects at Court and the second half (my favorite) is on the battlefield.
Good:
1. I love the chemistry between the MC! They were such a good team when they started working together. I truly rooted for them.
2. I was surprised by Adrian's sad backstory. It's not revealed till the 2nd half of the book. I loved him even more for it!
3. There is a secondary romance and I actually liked it! It didn't take away from the the story but instead enhanced it.
4. Most Napoleon War hrs tend to be about the Peninsular War, Waterloo, or Russia. This is the first hr that I've ever read that deals with the Austrian Napoleon conflict. The battles are heartbreaking. One day 40,000 Austrian soldiers dead the next another 40,000. The number of deaths was disturbing and the author doesn't shy away from that fact.
Problems:
1. The beginning was a little farfetched and some parts were slow.
2. When the H discovers the h is a virgin and not the experience widow she pretends to be, he decides to blackmail her into having an affair. This was something that he didn't need to do because he discovered she was a virgin when she gave herself to him. To be fair, he wanted her but also he was afraid she was the spy. Still, this part was a little outdated and unnecessary.
This is probably a 4 star book but I added a star bc it's such an enjoyable reread for me. I loved the romance and the history. I highly recommend!
February 16, 2022
This was the 3rd book voted for March’s trope “ All is fair in love and war”. For my book club. This was not only a love story but a murder mystery to catch a spy. The H is Col. Adrian Kingsland of the British Army serving as an advisor in Austria in 1808 during the Napoleonic Wars. The h is Elissa Tauber daughter of Countess von Langen. Elissa’s brother Captain Karl Tauber was murdered by a spy giving information to the French Napoleon Bonaparte army from the Austrian army. Karl sent a note home to Cornwall telling who the suspects were: General Steigler ( into S&M), Ambassador William Pettigru and Joseph Becker aid to Gen. Manfred Klammer. Elissa took her mothers title Countess von Langen posing as a widow and staying with her mothers friend the Duchess in Baden. Meet cute: Adrian a notorious rake climbs through the bedroom window Elissa is sleeping in and thinks at first she is his latest paramour. He kisses her neck and she turns over and he sees that it is not her. But she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and he plans to make her his next conquest. He pursues her and she continues to refuse him. He ends up saving her several time from harm and she eventually dates him. They end up as lovers. Jamison and Nina get married. Gen Klammer is the spy.
In the epilogue Elissa and Adrian marry and Adrian meets his real father the Duke of Sheffield.
In the epilogue Elissa and Adrian marry and Adrian meets his real father the Duke of Sheffield.
April 5, 2022
I can’t decide how to rate this one. I did not like this one over much. There are a couple things that do not age well, but mostly it was ok. I think the biggest thing was the character development was lacking for most of it. I was not very interested in the characters. And the plot didn’t move well. Also I didn’t think it made a lot of sense.
Ok, 2.5 stars but rounding down, I think.
Ok, 2.5 stars but rounding down, I think.
November 23, 2017
2.25 Stars.
This is what happens when you blindly grab something at the library...
Dangerous Passions started out with a wildly implausible premise, but hey, nobody's perfect and the story was interesting enough to keep me engaged. Even the overblown insta-lust was tolerable. But Elissa as a spy is just plain ridiculous.
After nearly getting - this is where the book began to lose me. If that wasn't bad enough, everyone seemed to find this reckless behavior plucky, and admirable...
Adrian really takes his merry old time in nutting-up and getting over his baggage, and the subject of his emotional constipation feels beaten to death by the end... Kat Martin missed the mark on this one!
This is what happens when you blindly grab something at the library...
Dangerous Passions started out with a wildly implausible premise, but hey, nobody's perfect and the story was interesting enough to keep me engaged. Even the overblown insta-lust was tolerable. But Elissa as a spy is just plain ridiculous.
After nearly getting - this is where the book began to lose me. If that wasn't bad enough, everyone seemed to find this reckless behavior plucky, and admirable...
Adrian really takes his merry old time in nutting-up and getting over his baggage, and the subject of his emotional constipation feels beaten to death by the end... Kat Martin missed the mark on this one!
March 3, 2024
Eu adoro os livros de Kat Martin! Adoro os mundos para os quais nos transporta com as suas histórias, que vão muito além de simples romances de época. Desta vez caímos em cheio no meio das guerras napoleónicas, que no início do século XIX levaram à criação do Império Austríaco. Adorei este ambiente de guerra, lamentando, contudo, o muito que o nosso Mundo já perdeu para as guerras do Homem.
Elissa e Adrian movem-se em ambientes de luxo, contrastando estes com os campos de guerra que são descritos mais tarde no enredo. Confesso que o início do livro foi um pouco lento e não foi, de todo, ao meu gosto, mas a partir de, mais ou menos, metade do livro, sem dúvida que a autora compensou. Mais uma série terminada, desta vez com apenas dois livrinhos. Sinceramente, não sei dizer de qual dos dois gostei mais!
Elissa e Adrian movem-se em ambientes de luxo, contrastando estes com os campos de guerra que são descritos mais tarde no enredo. Confesso que o início do livro foi um pouco lento e não foi, de todo, ao meu gosto, mas a partir de, mais ou menos, metade do livro, sem dúvida que a autora compensou. Mais uma série terminada, desta vez com apenas dois livrinhos. Sinceramente, não sei dizer de qual dos dois gostei mais!
April 16, 2018
Leído en Noviembre 2014
Fue entretenido!!
Fue entretenido!!
November 16, 2020
Me gustó muchísimo. No soy de leer romance histórico con batallas (? A ver, para explicarme, amo leer romance histórico, es mi subgénero favorito dentro del romance, pero cuando hay guerras o batallas me aburro un montón, y acá no pasó. Esta autora fue un gran descubrimiento este año
February 28, 2015
I wish, truly wish I could say to you that I loved this novel. I didn’t.
While Kat Martin has long been a “go-to” author for me – this one just didn't click with me. I wanted it to but no matter how many chances I gave the novel to pull me in and make me really care about these folks – I never did.
On the other hand, Dangerous Passions is a very good spy novel… with a touch of romance tossed in. I learned more about spy networks during the time when Napoleon’s madness raced across several countries than I ever knew before. While fascinating in some respects – it was very slow reading for me.
I did care about Elissa and Adrian as a couple with their rocky romance interrupted by war. And was relieved when they finally found their way to each other.
It just did not capture me enough to sit down and finish it in a day or two.
I will always read Kat Martin’s novels, one book that didn't click with me won’t change that. I just wish I could have agreed with other reviewers that found this novel wonderful.
Do I recommend Dangerous Passions? Yes, if you are a Kat Martin fan, if you love suspense and spies mixed in with your romance. It’s not a bad book, it just wasn’t a great read for me.
While Kat Martin has long been a “go-to” author for me – this one just didn't click with me. I wanted it to but no matter how many chances I gave the novel to pull me in and make me really care about these folks – I never did.
On the other hand, Dangerous Passions is a very good spy novel… with a touch of romance tossed in. I learned more about spy networks during the time when Napoleon’s madness raced across several countries than I ever knew before. While fascinating in some respects – it was very slow reading for me.
I did care about Elissa and Adrian as a couple with their rocky romance interrupted by war. And was relieved when they finally found their way to each other.
It just did not capture me enough to sit down and finish it in a day or two.
I will always read Kat Martin’s novels, one book that didn't click with me won’t change that. I just wish I could have agreed with other reviewers that found this novel wonderful.
Do I recommend Dangerous Passions? Yes, if you are a Kat Martin fan, if you love suspense and spies mixed in with your romance. It’s not a bad book, it just wasn’t a great read for me.
November 2, 2013
I had actually read this book many many moons ago but I had forgotten. Just took the flip of a few pages for me to remember it:D
April 12, 2025
(3.5)
Tenia mis dudas de leer el libro porque está autora o me gusta lo que escribe o lo odio. En este caso me gustó pero también me decepciono en algunas partes.
El libro empieza bien, me gustó el tema de la guerra y el espía, como la protagonista se involucra mostrando ser una chica fuerte y determinada.
El romance no es malo pero no sé, la presencia de Adrián llevaba a Elisa a mostrarse torpe e insegura, entiendo que la atracción la hacía que no se concentrará pero que se le olvidará en ocasiones su misión pues no me gustaba porque parecía que en cierto punto del libro su pensamiento era más para Adrián que el resto de la misión y las personas.
Ahora, la primera mitad está muy bien, tanto los protagonistas como el tema de la guerra y los sospechosos, pero entre más avanzaba la historia, se centraba más en el romance dejando de lado muchos personajes que en la primera parte tenían un fuerte peso en la trama. Así que prácticamente las últimas hojas la autora se acordó de esos personajes y situaciones para explicar que ocurrió en un solo párrafo pequeño, lo cual me decepciono porque si el trama te habla del traidor te esfuerzas un poco más en dar más detalles y no dejarlo todo a tres hojas (si, las conté).
El final pues como dije me decepciono porque se me hizo apresurado, pero si hablamos solo del romance, el romance terminó bien y la segunda relación me encantó demaciado (a veces la segunda pareja llega a gustarme más, no sé porque).
Tenia mis dudas de leer el libro porque está autora o me gusta lo que escribe o lo odio. En este caso me gustó pero también me decepciono en algunas partes.
El libro empieza bien, me gustó el tema de la guerra y el espía, como la protagonista se involucra mostrando ser una chica fuerte y determinada.
El romance no es malo pero no sé, la presencia de Adrián llevaba a Elisa a mostrarse torpe e insegura, entiendo que la atracción la hacía que no se concentrará pero que se le olvidará en ocasiones su misión pues no me gustaba porque parecía que en cierto punto del libro su pensamiento era más para Adrián que el resto de la misión y las personas.
Ahora, la primera mitad está muy bien, tanto los protagonistas como el tema de la guerra y los sospechosos, pero entre más avanzaba la historia, se centraba más en el romance dejando de lado muchos personajes que en la primera parte tenían un fuerte peso en la trama. Así que prácticamente las últimas hojas la autora se acordó de esos personajes y situaciones para explicar que ocurrió en un solo párrafo pequeño, lo cual me decepciono porque si el trama te habla del traidor te esfuerzas un poco más en dar más detalles y no dejarlo todo a tres hojas (si, las conté).
El final pues como dije me decepciono porque se me hizo apresurado, pero si hablamos solo del romance, el romance terminó bien y la segunda relación me encantó demaciado (a veces la segunda pareja llega a gustarme más, no sé porque).
December 21, 2021
Over-the-top plot points large and small, including several just-in-time rescues, but also much gritty detail of fighting in the Napoleonic war. Given the setting, it's hard to call this a fun read, and the suspense subplot threatens to take over the story, but with the romance promise of a happy ending I zipped through to see how that was accomplished.
August 4, 2018
My review is probably colored by character treatments that are dated.
October 11, 2025
Filled with over blown hyperbolic writing. Interesting history.
August 2, 2012
3.5 stars
I kept going back and forth with this rating. A big part of me wanted to give it 4 stars, but I refrained, due in large part to the abundance of romance cliches in this novel. Most were done remarkably well, but still. A big part of my ratings are originality, and this book didn't have enough to earn 4 stars.
That said, Dangerous Passions is the kind of book you just want to sink into on your day off, curled in the corner of your couch, or tucked into bed, losing yourself in the heady romance and passionate erotica.
Elissa is trying to unmask a war spy who played a huge role in her brother's murder. She has a shrewd, cunning mind and fiery personality, but she is an innocent of the flesh - until she meets Colonel Adrian Kingsland. What starts as a physical affair with a level of mistrust on both of their parts turns into a burning passion, an all-consuming love. Adrian is the typical romance heart-throb, impossibly sexy with a bit of a troubled past that has him questioning his belief in love. Elissa is your typical romance heroine, no mary-jane by a long shot but her feelings toward Adrian are easy to get lost in and relate to. The novel is set in a war-torn backdrop, with enough historical fiction to offset the romance and give just a little more plot to this otherwise 358-page cliche.
But once you embrace the tried romance novel formula, you'll find yourself getting swept up in this tale and rooting for the couple, while feeling your blood grow hot reading some of the love scenes. Dangerous Passions isn't going to change the face of the romance genre, but it will provide a very fun afternoon or two. Don't let the 3-star rating fool you; this is definitely a book with high entertainment value.
I kept going back and forth with this rating. A big part of me wanted to give it 4 stars, but I refrained, due in large part to the abundance of romance cliches in this novel. Most were done remarkably well, but still. A big part of my ratings are originality, and this book didn't have enough to earn 4 stars.
That said, Dangerous Passions is the kind of book you just want to sink into on your day off, curled in the corner of your couch, or tucked into bed, losing yourself in the heady romance and passionate erotica.
Elissa is trying to unmask a war spy who played a huge role in her brother's murder. She has a shrewd, cunning mind and fiery personality, but she is an innocent of the flesh - until she meets Colonel Adrian Kingsland. What starts as a physical affair with a level of mistrust on both of their parts turns into a burning passion, an all-consuming love. Adrian is the typical romance heart-throb, impossibly sexy with a bit of a troubled past that has him questioning his belief in love. Elissa is your typical romance heroine, no mary-jane by a long shot but her feelings toward Adrian are easy to get lost in and relate to. The novel is set in a war-torn backdrop, with enough historical fiction to offset the romance and give just a little more plot to this otherwise 358-page cliche.
But once you embrace the tried romance novel formula, you'll find yourself getting swept up in this tale and rooting for the couple, while feeling your blood grow hot reading some of the love scenes. Dangerous Passions isn't going to change the face of the romance genre, but it will provide a very fun afternoon or two. Don't let the 3-star rating fool you; this is definitely a book with high entertainment value.
February 14, 2015
Dangerous Passion is a great suspense and spy romance novel. Although parts of it were a little slow, still the story and plot was really good. I usually read Kat Martin's book in a day or two and can't put them down, This one I had a bit trouble getting into, but once I did I couldn't put it down.
Kat Martin writing is fantastic with so much adventures, danger, passion and unpredictable ending.
Thank you Kat Martin
March 23, 2015
It lost its heat in the middle but I liked this book!
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November 11, 2017
Regency
March 17, 2011
Ah, Romance and intrigue and spies together in Austria during the Napoleonic. Kat Martin does it well.
January 8, 2023
Una storia davvero emozionate e avvincente.
August 9, 2013
Muuuuuy larga.
October 17, 2014
love this author a good read
May 31, 2015
It pulled me in and I didn't stop till I finished it in the wee hours of the morning...
August 25, 2013
Loved the story - I'm never disappointed by Kat Martin!!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews