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Brethren of the Coast #8
To Catch A Fallen Spy
Lady Elaine Prescott, the most timid member of the Brethren, has spent much of her time in the shadows, forever blending into the background. From her unconventional perspective, she studies people and their behavior, gleaning information most overlook, and she is content in her quiet little world. When her unusual habit puts her in the right place at the wrong moment, she witnesses a violent crime, and her life is threatened. To her dismay, Elaine finds herself in an unwelcomed spotlight and in need of a knight.
Sir Ross Logan is a master spy and the mysterious head of the covert Counterintelligence Corps. In dark spaces he lurks, scrutinizing those he is charged to defend, and it is an easy and uncomplicated existence for a man of many secrets. In the midst of a murder investigation, he is tasked with guarding a noblewoman, the gentle lady he has furtively admired for years. Young and unspoiled, she is everything he is not, and he vows to protect her. While he doubts not his ability to save her from a lethal villain, can Ross defend Elaine against himself?
Sir Ross Logan is a master spy and the mysterious head of the covert Counterintelligence Corps. In dark spaces he lurks, scrutinizing those he is charged to defend, and it is an easy and uncomplicated existence for a man of many secrets. In the midst of a murder investigation, he is tasked with guarding a noblewoman, the gentle lady he has furtively admired for years. Young and unspoiled, she is everything he is not, and he vows to protect her. While he doubts not his ability to save her from a lethal villain, can Ross defend Elaine against himself?
- GenresHistorical Romance
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2016
57 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Devlin
53 books516 followersBarbara Devlin was born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, Barbara hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love for writing.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80’s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new chosen career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. However, on an uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English, continued on a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric, started writing historical fiction in her spare time, and completed five full-length novels featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast. Book six is currently in the works.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80’s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new chosen career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. However, on an uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English, continued on a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric, started writing historical fiction in her spare time, and completed five full-length novels featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast. Book six is currently in the works.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 9, 2016
4 stars
I liked this book, but it seemed a little light on the romance.
Lady Elaine Prescott is the "quiet one", she is treated like a delicate flower by her brethren family and she is tired of her dull existence. What Elaine wants is a husband and a family. But not just any husband - she wants Sir Ross Logan, spy master and head of the counterintelligence corp.
For his part, Ross is intrigued by the lovely Elaine - but he has a dark past which he is loathed to inflect on any woman, especially Elaine. So he rebuffs her time and again.
When Elaine witnesses a brutal murder and she becomes a target, Ross vows to protect her.
When they are caught in a compromising position and Ross offers marriage, she thinks all of her dreams have come true - until she finds out the truth.
Ross convinces Elaine to marry him and she again hopes that they will share the same type of marriage that the other brethren have. Again her hopes are dashed and honestly my heart broke for her.
Just when all hope seems lost, a villain from the past shows up and abducts Elaine. Ross has now realized that he loves her and will move heaven and earth to save her.
They are reunited and again Ross screws it up and Elaine is done - she concedes that he doesn't love her and knows she must set him free (Lord, forgive me - I hate martyr hero/heroines).
Can Ross pull his head out of his butt and win back the woman he loves? Will Elaine believe that he truly loves her? Will these two ever get a HEA?
Best part is the book? Jean Marc Cavalier!!
I liked this book, but it seemed a little light on the romance.
Lady Elaine Prescott is the "quiet one", she is treated like a delicate flower by her brethren family and she is tired of her dull existence. What Elaine wants is a husband and a family. But not just any husband - she wants Sir Ross Logan, spy master and head of the counterintelligence corp.
For his part, Ross is intrigued by the lovely Elaine - but he has a dark past which he is loathed to inflect on any woman, especially Elaine. So he rebuffs her time and again.
When Elaine witnesses a brutal murder and she becomes a target, Ross vows to protect her.
When they are caught in a compromising position and Ross offers marriage, she thinks all of her dreams have come true - until she finds out the truth.
Ross convinces Elaine to marry him and she again hopes that they will share the same type of marriage that the other brethren have. Again her hopes are dashed and honestly my heart broke for her.
Just when all hope seems lost, a villain from the past shows up and abducts Elaine. Ross has now realized that he loves her and will move heaven and earth to save her.
They are reunited and again Ross screws it up and Elaine is done - she concedes that he doesn't love her and knows she must set him free (Lord, forgive me - I hate martyr hero/heroines).
Can Ross pull his head out of his butt and win back the woman he loves? Will Elaine believe that he truly loves her? Will these two ever get a HEA?
Best part is the book? Jean Marc Cavalier!!
September 1, 2017
My favorite in the series so far!
This is a much better storyline and one of the best of this series. It has a more human theme and the characters reactions are more real. The plot is original when compared to the other books.
I would recommend this book, even as a standalone.
This is a much better storyline and one of the best of this series. It has a more human theme and the characters reactions are more real. The plot is original when compared to the other books.
I would recommend this book, even as a standalone.
September 29, 2017
Sweet
This series is wonderful as a whole and Ross and Elaine's story was a sweet addition. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This series is wonderful as a whole and Ross and Elaine's story was a sweet addition. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 9, 2018
Exciting
Wonderful, exciting story. Strong characters. Beautiful love story. Adventure, spies, bad guys, murder. What more could one ask for in a love story.
Wonderful, exciting story. Strong characters. Beautiful love story. Adventure, spies, bad guys, murder. What more could one ask for in a love story.
November 14, 2019
Compared to the rest of the series this one is a definite let down. The storyline was rushed and not developed enough. I had much higher hopes for Elaine's story.
June 18, 2017
This is one of my favorite book series. Each story is unique, as well as the characters themselves. Since I've read all the books in the series to date, I've been intrigued by Sir Ross Logan, master spy and the mysterious head of the covert Counterintelligence Corps. Barbara Devlin is a wonderful storyteller of mystery and intrigue and she's created another great book with To Catch A Fallen Spy. I tend to get invested in the characters of each book in a series, and I love the way Ms Devlin brings all of the characters together in each successive book. I hope you'll read this and all the Brethren of the Coast books, for I know you'll enjoy them as much as I have.
July 15, 2016
To Catch A Fallen Spy (Brethren of the Coast Book 8) by Barbara Devlin is an intriguing Medieval Romance. While, it is Book 8 in this series, it can be read as a stand alone.
Lady Elaine Prescott, is the most timid member of the Brethren, until she witnesses a brutal crime, now she needs a Knight in shining armor, or a spy. Sir Ross Logan is the mysterious head of a covert Counterintelligence Corps, and a master spy. Now, Sir Ross finds himself in charge of guarding Lady Elaine, from an insane villian, because she is strangely involved in a dangerous murder investigation. He has admired the noble Lady Elaine for years, from afar. Will he be able to protect her and keep his desire for her in check or will their passion overrule their common sense?
Steady paced, well written with well-developed and captivating characters and a unique and unforgettable storyline.
Filled with secrets, spies, sexy Knights, adventure, danger, betrayal, passion, challenges, suspense, a touch of humor, and an electrifying romance. Love can offer a powerful redemption, for someone with dark moments and the keeper of many secrets. But will he be able to keep Lady Elaine safe from danger, or lose everything to an insane, depraved villian, or will they find their HEA?
What more could a Historical Romance wish to find, in a sure to love, Historical Romance. This is the ending and the beginning of another series. Yay! "The Black Morass" promises to be just as adventurous, and heart-pounding as "The Brethren of the Coast" has been. "To Catch A Fallen Spy" is an intriguing and captivating story! A must read!
Received for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
Lady Elaine Prescott, is the most timid member of the Brethren, until she witnesses a brutal crime, now she needs a Knight in shining armor, or a spy. Sir Ross Logan is the mysterious head of a covert Counterintelligence Corps, and a master spy. Now, Sir Ross finds himself in charge of guarding Lady Elaine, from an insane villian, because she is strangely involved in a dangerous murder investigation. He has admired the noble Lady Elaine for years, from afar. Will he be able to protect her and keep his desire for her in check or will their passion overrule their common sense?
Steady paced, well written with well-developed and captivating characters and a unique and unforgettable storyline.
Filled with secrets, spies, sexy Knights, adventure, danger, betrayal, passion, challenges, suspense, a touch of humor, and an electrifying romance. Love can offer a powerful redemption, for someone with dark moments and the keeper of many secrets. But will he be able to keep Lady Elaine safe from danger, or lose everything to an insane, depraved villian, or will they find their HEA?
What more could a Historical Romance wish to find, in a sure to love, Historical Romance. This is the ending and the beginning of another series. Yay! "The Black Morass" promises to be just as adventurous, and heart-pounding as "The Brethren of the Coast" has been. "To Catch A Fallen Spy" is an intriguing and captivating story! A must read!
Received for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
October 29, 2016
A bit of a letdown to a reader of the full series
It seems as though Ms. Devlin is running out of enthusiasm for this series and its characters. The descriptions and conversations of her once beloved, bold Knights have not so gradually been reduced to whimpering pups ruled by their cocks. They seem to have no other occupation or raison d'etre other than rogering their wives in the most undignified was possible. Repetitive references to sailing the back channel, docking in her honey harbor and other nautically inspired descriptions of sexual and far-fetched reasons for using such euphemisms abound. Gone is the witty dialog and heart-felt conversations that had initially identified our fellows as men of honor and purpose. The whole group had once been ladies and gentleman of higher ideals, dreams and goals inherited from their humble yet noble antecedents. Not that I have a problem with their taking joy and pleasure in their love but the their demeaning preoccupation without any evidence of an accompanying emotional or intellectual devotion is cheap and tawdry. I had been led to expect more and now find myself disappointed.
I hope in moving to a new place and people that Ms. Devlin can find her spark that drew us into her world initially.
I'm also dismayed by the lack of editing in the book. Frequent typos and misused words showed us a lack of interest by her publisher, too.
It seems as though Ms. Devlin is running out of enthusiasm for this series and its characters. The descriptions and conversations of her once beloved, bold Knights have not so gradually been reduced to whimpering pups ruled by their cocks. They seem to have no other occupation or raison d'etre other than rogering their wives in the most undignified was possible. Repetitive references to sailing the back channel, docking in her honey harbor and other nautically inspired descriptions of sexual and far-fetched reasons for using such euphemisms abound. Gone is the witty dialog and heart-felt conversations that had initially identified our fellows as men of honor and purpose. The whole group had once been ladies and gentleman of higher ideals, dreams and goals inherited from their humble yet noble antecedents. Not that I have a problem with their taking joy and pleasure in their love but the their demeaning preoccupation without any evidence of an accompanying emotional or intellectual devotion is cheap and tawdry. I had been led to expect more and now find myself disappointed.
I hope in moving to a new place and people that Ms. Devlin can find her spark that drew us into her world initially.
I'm also dismayed by the lack of editing in the book. Frequent typos and misused words showed us a lack of interest by her publisher, too.
July 14, 2016
My knightly devotion endures!!!
I have adored the Brethren and their ladies for quite some time and this is a tale that I did so long for. Now that I have it I will forever treasure it as I have the others. I admittedly reached for the tissues on a few occasions as my heart broke and then hope was once again renewed and as scars from the past threatened to take hold and drown them but alas there is always light at the end of the tunnel and a silver lining for every cloud.
I have adored the Brethren and their ladies for quite some time and this is a tale that I did so long for. Now that I have it I will forever treasure it as I have the others. I admittedly reached for the tissues on a few occasions as my heart broke and then hope was once again renewed and as scars from the past threatened to take hold and drown them but alas there is always light at the end of the tunnel and a silver lining for every cloud.
August 1, 2016
Ross and his lady love!
Barbara Devlin keeps to the historical nature all throughout this book. Ross the handsome spy keeps his lady on her toes. He feels he doesn't deserve her. Yet she loves him anyway. When she witnesses a murder he vows to protect her at all costs, including marrying her. This book made me swoon with the characters from past books and the focus on Ross and Elaine. Can't wait to read more of this fabulous series.
Barbara Devlin keeps to the historical nature all throughout this book. Ross the handsome spy keeps his lady on her toes. He feels he doesn't deserve her. Yet she loves him anyway. When she witnesses a murder he vows to protect her at all costs, including marrying her. This book made me swoon with the characters from past books and the focus on Ross and Elaine. Can't wait to read more of this fabulous series.
November 8, 2016
Lady Elaine gets her man.
This is a continuation of one of my favorite series. Elaine was the youngest character and here she gets her own story. We see more of her true character and catch up briefly on the lives and loves of the other Brethren couples.
This story leads directly into The Black Morass.
If you are new to the series, start at the beginning. There is a big cast of characters and references to previous events are frequent.
This is a continuation of one of my favorite series. Elaine was the youngest character and here she gets her own story. We see more of her true character and catch up briefly on the lives and loves of the other Brethren couples.
This story leads directly into The Black Morass.
If you are new to the series, start at the beginning. There is a big cast of characters and references to previous events are frequent.
October 18, 2016
Ross and Elaine’s journey, as two people who have known each other for years, but really don’t know each other, is emotional and exciting and heartbreaking, all rolled into one voyage readers should not miss out on!
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 2, 2016
Another great book by Barbara Devlin
5 Stars.....read them all.....there great.
When a women's sets her sights for her man.....well....why did he fight it.
He has secrets.....he is a spy after all......
5 Stars.....read them all.....there great.
When a women's sets her sights for her man.....well....why did he fight it.
He has secrets.....he is a spy after all......
July 4, 2016
Awesome
Another great book from a great author I have read every book she has written. I will be wAiting for more romance spies pirates
Another great book from a great author I have read every book she has written. I will be wAiting for more romance spies pirates
July 19, 2016
Another good one for the series, enjoyed knowing more about these characters and was interesting how things developed and progressed. Loved the interaction between the ladies :)
August 4, 2016
Ross and his lady, I enjoyed this couple very much
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews