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Scandals and Spies #3
Tempting the Rival
When newly-minted spy Lord Gideon Graylocke is asked to put his botany skills to the test and concoct a serum vital to the defense of England, he eagerly agrees. Never mind that he has to combine forces with F. Albright, a crackpot scientist with whom he had recently been in a public feud. At least he'll have a chance to prove this crackpot's theories are pure bunk. Felicia Albright has been her own woman, answering to no one since the age of seventeen. But when the Duke of Tenwick elicits her aid in helping England, she can hardly refuse. Even more so when she finds out she'll be working with the annoying botanist who has been trying to disprove her research. What better way to help her country and prove that she is right? But when things don't go as planned, Felicia and Gideon have to not only fight their unwanted, growing attraction but also the evil-doer who seems intent on sabotaging their work. Even worse, it can only be someone within Tenwick Abbey that is trying to subvert their mission. Someone in their midst is an enemy spy. With their research in shambles and their lives in danger, Gideon and Felicia realize they can only trust each other. Will they be able to perfect the serum in time to protect England... and themselves?
474 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2016
141 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Leighann Dobbs
134 books1,857 followersUSA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 15, 2021
Hmm, I have mixed feelings about this one lads. I mean, it certainly wasn't bad, not at all, but I certainly wish it was far better. I loved the concept, rivals-to-lovers always has the potential to be a hit, but this one just didn't do itself justice. Y'know, they didn't even fully admit their feeling until the very, very end, it was quite frustrating. I also loved the idea that Felicia was not only a scientist, but an older woman (only by a few years but still) too. I'm sad to say that this one just didn't hit as well as I hoped it would, in fact, I'd say this is the weakest book in the series yet.
Even still, I must reiterate that this was not a bad book, I still enjoyed myself somewhat, I just thought it could be better.
Even still, I must reiterate that this was not a bad book, I still enjoyed myself somewhat, I just thought it could be better.
December 20, 2018
Mystery and mayhem
When a botanist and a chemist are recruited to create a truth serum sparks are bound to fly especially when they have been arguing in scientific papers long before actually meeting.
Adding to the conflagrations are actual ones caused by someone trying to disrupt the flow of their work.
Figuring out who may be after them works against Gideon and Felicia completing their assignment.
Good reading with mystery solved.
When a botanist and a chemist are recruited to create a truth serum sparks are bound to fly especially when they have been arguing in scientific papers long before actually meeting.
Adding to the conflagrations are actual ones caused by someone trying to disrupt the flow of their work.
Figuring out who may be after them works against Gideon and Felicia completing their assignment.
Good reading with mystery solved.
March 28, 2017
This is the third book in the Scandals and Spies Series. I like the series but don't understand why the authors feel the need to include a racy sex scene in each one. This one isn't as bad as the previous two, but I still feel it's an unnecessary addition.
April 17, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, Leighann Dobbs writes under Leighann Dobbs, Annie Dobbs and (soon) L.A. Dobbs but her real name {not sure if she writes under that one} is Lee Dobbins, Hazel Martin Mysteries only one I found for this type with her, she has not made sure that terms used match the British terms as well as in other areas for that period of architecture and assorted styles.
The Notch Cozy Mystery Series {5 out as of this writing} and the Blackbore Sisters Cozy Mysteries are not on Kindle Unlimited which as said before about 1 & 7 {the only ones given free, sure would not have bought them} and ditto for Ghostly Paws which is 1 of 5 at this time but did get others free over time.
While some of her other books are Kindle Unlimited none of the Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mysteries are which doesn't matter to me as read #1 and #7 and was way underwhelmed. Leighann Dobbs writes under Leighann Dobbs, Annie Dobbs and (soon) L.A. Dobbs but her real name {not sure if she writes under that one} is Lee Dobbins, Hazel Martin Mysteries only one I found for this type with her, she has not made sure that terms used match the British terms as well as in other areas for that period of architecture and assorted styles. By the way, bakeries and other food service places don't run like that. Badly needs to proof things, it's messing up the flow of the book, which my computer reads to me, so that's bad. As for these, it's not that the situations couldn't happen, it's in the telling of the story, with unlikable unbelievable characters and situations, again.
Yet another goodreads won't hide it don't want to see the badly proofed badly plotted poor excuse for bad soft core porn crap. The 'historical' ones are like that and so are the some of the non cozy mysteries and some of the sorta but not really mysteries because can't write, etc ad nauseum. The most any of them got was 2 changed to 1 for crap cozy, some get a 1 which means basically crappy soft porn 'romance' etc.
3 in Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series so far which are on kindle unlimited, 3 in the Moosamuck Island Mysteries , 5 in the Mystic Notch Cozy Mysteries so far {not ku}, Blackmore Sisters has 7 {not ku}, Hazel Martin Mysteries only has 1 so far, Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery series 12 so far is on ku. Others.including Scandals and Spies Book series so far 4 which are basically romance soft core porn dreck but hey you can get them on ku. Witches of Hawthorne Grove 1 so far,Cevonne Bride of Oklahoma, Unexpected Series 4 so far ku.
The Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series By the way, bakeries and other food service places don't run like that. Badly needs to proof things, it's messing up the flow of the book, which my computer reads to me, so that's bad. As for these, it's not that the situations couldn't happen, it's in the telling of the story, with unlikable unbelievable characters and situations, again.
Copy/paste fill in the blank seems to be pretty much what she is doing in her books, which wouldn't be half as bad if the plots and ploys and actions were believable at all.Just change the name for a book and maybe change the series list under, and you are right back to copy paste same old same old.
NOTE: I specifically mentioned certain of the 'books'/series were achieving soft core crap status, and specifically said which ones those were, reference AGAIN the above quoted review, and did not specifically mention the blackmore ones as that, BUT and had not mentioned that had went back and rated all no talent no plot cardboard charactered 'stories' listed above as 1 as well. I will change the original review to reflect that, but it is still a 1, and MY review of the crap stands.
The Notch Cozy Mystery Series {5 out as of this writing} and the Blackbore Sisters Cozy Mysteries are not on Kindle Unlimited which as said before about 1 & 7 {the only ones given free, sure would not have bought them} and ditto for Ghostly Paws which is 1 of 5 at this time but did get others free over time.
While some of her other books are Kindle Unlimited none of the Blackmoore Sisters Cozy Mysteries are which doesn't matter to me as read #1 and #7 and was way underwhelmed. Leighann Dobbs writes under Leighann Dobbs, Annie Dobbs and (soon) L.A. Dobbs but her real name {not sure if she writes under that one} is Lee Dobbins, Hazel Martin Mysteries only one I found for this type with her, she has not made sure that terms used match the British terms as well as in other areas for that period of architecture and assorted styles. By the way, bakeries and other food service places don't run like that. Badly needs to proof things, it's messing up the flow of the book, which my computer reads to me, so that's bad. As for these, it's not that the situations couldn't happen, it's in the telling of the story, with unlikable unbelievable characters and situations, again.
Yet another goodreads won't hide it don't want to see the badly proofed badly plotted poor excuse for bad soft core porn crap. The 'historical' ones are like that and so are the some of the non cozy mysteries and some of the sorta but not really mysteries because can't write, etc ad nauseum. The most any of them got was 2 changed to 1 for crap cozy, some get a 1 which means basically crappy soft porn 'romance' etc.
3 in Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series so far which are on kindle unlimited, 3 in the Moosamuck Island Mysteries , 5 in the Mystic Notch Cozy Mysteries so far {not ku}, Blackmore Sisters has 7 {not ku}, Hazel Martin Mysteries only has 1 so far, Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery series 12 so far is on ku. Others.including Scandals and Spies Book series so far 4 which are basically romance soft core porn dreck but hey you can get them on ku. Witches of Hawthorne Grove 1 so far,Cevonne Bride of Oklahoma, Unexpected Series 4 so far ku.
The Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series By the way, bakeries and other food service places don't run like that. Badly needs to proof things, it's messing up the flow of the book, which my computer reads to me, so that's bad. As for these, it's not that the situations couldn't happen, it's in the telling of the story, with unlikable unbelievable characters and situations, again.
Copy/paste fill in the blank seems to be pretty much what she is doing in her books, which wouldn't be half as bad if the plots and ploys and actions were believable at all.Just change the name for a book and maybe change the series list under, and you are right back to copy paste same old same old.
NOTE: I specifically mentioned certain of the 'books'/series were achieving soft core crap status, and specifically said which ones those were, reference AGAIN the above quoted review, and did not specifically mention the blackmore ones as that, BUT and had not mentioned that had went back and rated all no talent no plot cardboard charactered 'stories' listed above as 1 as well. I will change the original review to reflect that, but it is still a 1, and MY review of the crap stands.
January 31, 2017
Gideon and Felicia are 2 very dynamic characters, when they come together things will certainly heat up there may even be a few chemical reactions.
Talk about chemistry but really what do you expect when you mix a botanist and a chemist together nix in some pheromones and shazam you have a chemical reaction known as love, but don't expect smooth sailing just because there is instant attraction, oh no there has to be lot's of arguments, stubbornness and a few stolen steamy kisses first also add in someone trying to stop Gideon and Felicia from completing their joint project and you have a very compelling who done it with a side of romance and a few good belly laughs.
Talk about chemistry but really what do you expect when you mix a botanist and a chemist together nix in some pheromones and shazam you have a chemical reaction known as love, but don't expect smooth sailing just because there is instant attraction, oh no there has to be lot's of arguments, stubbornness and a few stolen steamy kisses first also add in someone trying to stop Gideon and Felicia from completing their joint project and you have a very compelling who done it with a side of romance and a few good belly laughs.
February 6, 2019
L.Dobbs/Tempting the rival
Very entertaining and a enjoyable read with some humour and a little mystery involving a dukes son Giddy who is a botanist but initiate in being a spy for the crown . And then you have a chemist, felicia, whom is initiate into working with lord giddy to produce a truth serum to help infiltrate whom the spy is that's giving information to the enemy. But between all this you got someone trying to harm the chemist and botanist. Love the story and characters.
Very entertaining and a enjoyable read with some humour and a little mystery involving a dukes son Giddy who is a botanist but initiate in being a spy for the crown . And then you have a chemist, felicia, whom is initiate into working with lord giddy to produce a truth serum to help infiltrate whom the spy is that's giving information to the enemy. But between all this you got someone trying to harm the chemist and botanist. Love the story and characters.
October 26, 2018
Interesting
Dobbs is not only versatile regarding the type is story but accomplished in the writing of them. This is the first time I have read in this series instead of several of her others. It fits right in with test of her multi star rating. She is just plain a star type author.
Dobbs is not only versatile regarding the type is story but accomplished in the writing of them. This is the first time I have read in this series instead of several of her others. It fits right in with test of her multi star rating. She is just plain a star type author.
December 15, 2019
Love this heroine & great spy story
I love this character as she isnt the norm for a heroine - older than the hero, working, and very intelligent but also has great common sense. And I like Giddy, who seems like a good fit that ultimately proves worthy of her. Best of all is the spy aspect which kept me on the edge of my seat and tied in well to previous books
I love this character as she isnt the norm for a heroine - older than the hero, working, and very intelligent but also has great common sense. And I like Giddy, who seems like a good fit that ultimately proves worthy of her. Best of all is the spy aspect which kept me on the edge of my seat and tied in well to previous books
July 15, 2017
Very intriguing
This series gets better with each book. I think this one is my favorite so far. I get so drawn into the story I lose all track of time. I can hardly wait to begin book 4.
This series gets better with each book. I think this one is my favorite so far. I get so drawn into the story I lose all track of time. I can hardly wait to begin book 4.
November 28, 2018
Tempting The Rival
This was an amazing read so much fun and excitement with suspense ,drama and lots of love.This was exciting and interesting made me laugh and cry.Thank you. You are an awesome writer and have made my day .
This was an amazing read so much fun and excitement with suspense ,drama and lots of love.This was exciting and interesting made me laugh and cry.Thank you. You are an awesome writer and have made my day .
December 18, 2019
Love this series!!
December 27, 2019
Mehhhhh
Not my favorite. Felt like she was playing with Gideons emotions. He was all helpless and innocent and she was acting like a hussy. Like the other books more.
Not my favorite. Felt like she was playing with Gideons emotions. He was all helpless and innocent and she was acting like a hussy. Like the other books more.
April 28, 2020
*3.5* This was very cute. I like this book the best in the series and I'll probably read the next one. However, this isn't a MUST read series by any means.
June 26, 2020
Enjoyed it kept you guess who did the spying
September 19, 2021
Keeps getting better
This series keeps getting more delightful with each book and addition of new supporting Characters including the family's many pets.
This series keeps getting more delightful with each book and addition of new supporting Characters including the family's many pets.
September 17, 2025
so repetitive
March 18, 2017
Gideon and Felicia made a wonderful couple
Once the truth serum worked they were able to know each other's true feelings and it didn't mean that Felicia had to lose her independence.
Once the truth serum worked they were able to know each other's true feelings and it didn't mean that Felicia had to lose her independence.
April 26, 2017
Good story
The plot is good, but really not very believable. The characters are ok. I have been disappointed in the storyline.
The plot is good, but really not very believable. The characters are ok. I have been disappointed in the storyline.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews