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The Spymaster #1
MY LADY'S TRUST
Laura Martin assured herself. But would the cloak of anonymity she wore to escape a hellish marriage also protect her from the discerning gaze of the Earl of Beaulieu? Or would the famed Puzzlebreaker discover her deepest secrets as easily as he had the key to her heart?
Desire filled the earl when looking upon the enigmatic Laura Martin. Reclusive as she was, he saw the tender heart she'd hidden beneath the chilly facade and recognized her as his destined bride. But could he teach her to trust him enough to let him into her life--forever?
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
5 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Julia Justiss
222 books317 followersJulia Justiss grew up breathing the scent of sea air near the colonial town of Annapolis, Maryland, a fact responsible for two of her life-long passions: sailors and history! By age twelve she was a junior tour guide for Historic Annapolis, conducting visitors on walking tours through the city that was a hotbed of revolutionary fervor. (Annapolis hosted its own tea party, dispensing with the cargo aboard the "Peggy Stewart," and was briefly capital of the United States.) She also took tourists through Annapolis's other big attraction, the United States Naval Academy. After so many years of observing future naval officers at P-rade and chapel, it seemed almost inevitable that she eventually married one.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 16, 2017
Leído en Noviembre 2009
July 17, 2023
"Esta fuerza indescriptible que late entre nosotros no puede ser desdeñada, aunque alguna vez intente negarla. Tarde o temprano, todos los secretos y la pasión que tanto se esfuerza por ocultar serán míos".
Laura es una mujer que huye de un peligro y después de meses ha logrado establecerse en un pueblito fingiendo ser una curandera y al ser hábil con los remedios y curaciones, los lugareños la buscan constantemente para ayudarlos y así es como se topa con el Conde Beaulieu, ya que, Laura está atendiendo a su hermano que está gravemente herido y al atenderlo, tendrá que pasar tiempo con ese hombre con el que siente una fuerte atracción.
Beau está muy preocupado por su hermano pero también siente una gran atracción por la mujer que lo está cuidando y ella despierta gran curiosidad en él, así que, cuando su hermano sale de peligro, Beau está decidido a conquistar a Laura.
La relación de Laura y Beau es linda porque comienzan siendo amigos, y aunque ella siente algo por él, no quiere arriesgarse a ser descubierta pero él hará todo lo necesario para tenerla.
El libro se lee en un suspiro, está entretenido y es lindo pero sentí que me hizo falta algo para que fuera perfecto. De igual manera, lo disfruté y lo recomiendo para las amantes del romance histórico ❤️.
Laura es una mujer que huye de un peligro y después de meses ha logrado establecerse en un pueblito fingiendo ser una curandera y al ser hábil con los remedios y curaciones, los lugareños la buscan constantemente para ayudarlos y así es como se topa con el Conde Beaulieu, ya que, Laura está atendiendo a su hermano que está gravemente herido y al atenderlo, tendrá que pasar tiempo con ese hombre con el que siente una fuerte atracción.
Beau está muy preocupado por su hermano pero también siente una gran atracción por la mujer que lo está cuidando y ella despierta gran curiosidad en él, así que, cuando su hermano sale de peligro, Beau está decidido a conquistar a Laura.
La relación de Laura y Beau es linda porque comienzan siendo amigos, y aunque ella siente algo por él, no quiere arriesgarse a ser descubierta pero él hará todo lo necesario para tenerla.
El libro se lee en un suspiro, está entretenido y es lindo pero sentí que me hizo falta algo para que fuera perfecto. De igual manera, lo disfruté y lo recomiendo para las amantes del romance histórico ❤️.
January 30, 2012
Laura Martin, who has fled from her husband, now lives in a small cottage making her living providing medical assistance to the local population, all of whom believe she is a widow of untarnished reputation. But when her profession brings her to the attention of the curious and attractive Earl of Beaulieu, Laura fears for both her secrets and her resolve.
I think what I enjoyed most about this book was it's willingness to take chances. There is a lot of tragedy within the plot, but it is all dealt with in such a matter-of-fact manner that it doesn't detract from the main romance. My main criticism would be of the Earl himself. While Laura was an interesting and well-rounded character, it felt at times as though the Earl couldn't quite decide what type of hero he wanted to be.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main characters, and I liked that the problems the two faced had some depth. The growth of the attraction felt relatively natural, and the scenes with the two of them together were well-handled. Very enjoyable :)
I think what I enjoyed most about this book was it's willingness to take chances. There is a lot of tragedy within the plot, but it is all dealt with in such a matter-of-fact manner that it doesn't detract from the main romance. My main criticism would be of the Earl himself. While Laura was an interesting and well-rounded character, it felt at times as though the Earl couldn't quite decide what type of hero he wanted to be.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main characters, and I liked that the problems the two faced had some depth. The growth of the attraction felt relatively natural, and the scenes with the two of them together were well-handled. Very enjoyable :)
April 13, 2014
Author: Julia Justiss
First published: 2002
Length: 3912 locations
Setting: English countryside, Regency-ish.
Sex: Explicit. Not frequent.
Hero: Earl of Beaulieu. Spymaster.
Heroine: Runaway wife abused during marriage. Baby died shortly before she left. Healer.
Triggers: Heroine was abused emotionally, physically during marriage. Implies she was further abused and raped by BadGuy during book.
A good, solid story of love found and fought for. Intelligent characters and an interesting story.
Only real problem is the n00b mistake by Beau that left Emily in peril, and that she forgives very easily.
But I can live with those.
Worth a read.
The Spymaster:
My Lady's Trust - Emily Martin and Beau Bradsleigh
My Lady's Pleasure - Valerie Mercer Arnold and Teagan Fitzwilliams
My Lady's Honor - Gwennor Southford and Gillen de Mowbry
References:
Author's website: http://www.juliajustiss.com
(ISBN 978-1-4268-3703-6)
re-read 2014
-CR-
First published: 2002
Length: 3912 locations
Setting: English countryside, Regency-ish.
Sex: Explicit. Not frequent.
Hero: Earl of Beaulieu. Spymaster.
Heroine: Runaway wife abused during marriage. Baby died shortly before she left. Healer.
Triggers: Heroine was abused emotionally, physically during marriage. Implies she was further abused and raped by BadGuy during book.
A good, solid story of love found and fought for. Intelligent characters and an interesting story.
Only real problem is the n00b mistake by Beau that left Emily in peril, and that she forgives very easily.
But I can live with those.
Worth a read.
The Spymaster:
My Lady's Trust - Emily Martin and Beau Bradsleigh
My Lady's Pleasure - Valerie Mercer Arnold and Teagan Fitzwilliams
My Lady's Honor - Gwennor Southford and Gillen de Mowbry
References:
Author's website: http://www.juliajustiss.com
(ISBN 978-1-4268-3703-6)
re-read 2014
-CR-
April 20, 2009
You know from the dedication where this story is going. It reads "In memory of fellow writer Nancy Richards-Akers shot to death by her estranged husband June 1999 and to all women caught in domestic abuse. Get help. Get out. Your children need you."
Yes it's a story about a woman who escapes an abusive husband and hides out in a small English Village. Her world changes when she goes to the aid of a young man accidentally shot and comes under the scrutiny of his brother, the Earl of Beaulieu, a man who likes puzzles and she's definitely one. However his questions may lead her problems back to her.
It's an interesting story, the author doesn't shy away from the problems the character has with her abusive husband. There are a few telling moments where Beaulieu realises that the woman he's falling for is afraid of him that just make it quite interesting.
Overall not a bad read, it does deal well with a gritty subject and doesn't gloss over some of the nitty gritty and the pain.
Yes it's a story about a woman who escapes an abusive husband and hides out in a small English Village. Her world changes when she goes to the aid of a young man accidentally shot and comes under the scrutiny of his brother, the Earl of Beaulieu, a man who likes puzzles and she's definitely one. However his questions may lead her problems back to her.
It's an interesting story, the author doesn't shy away from the problems the character has with her abusive husband. There are a few telling moments where Beaulieu realises that the woman he's falling for is afraid of him that just make it quite interesting.
Overall not a bad read, it does deal well with a gritty subject and doesn't gloss over some of the nitty gritty and the pain.
February 23, 2016
A história de uma mulher que sofria abusos do marido e após a morte da filha resolve fugir dos maus-tratos. E com ajuda de sua babá vai se esconder no campo, num lugar bem distante, onde se dedica a cura através das plantas. Mas sua vida irá mudar qdo Kit, o irmão do duque de Beaulieu (Beau) é ferido e Laura é chamada para tratá-lo enquanto o médico não chega.
No inicio, ele não repara muito em Laura, visto que ela se camufla muito bem , através das roupas feias. Mas, ao descobrir o que ela esconde sob a fachada de roupas largas, o que no inicio era só curiosidade com o tempo se transforma em paixão.
Embora, o amor floresça, ambos terão que lutar contra o marido violento dela.
Não gostei da atitude do duque que permitiu que ela fosse descoberta pelo infame marido. E também porque a autora se perdeu nas partes descritivas e por conta disso, ocorreu a quase ou pouquíssima ausência de diálogos e isto tornou o livro maçante e arrastado.
No inicio, ele não repara muito em Laura, visto que ela se camufla muito bem , através das roupas feias. Mas, ao descobrir o que ela esconde sob a fachada de roupas largas, o que no inicio era só curiosidade com o tempo se transforma em paixão.
Embora, o amor floresça, ambos terão que lutar contra o marido violento dela.
Não gostei da atitude do duque que permitiu que ela fosse descoberta pelo infame marido. E também porque a autora se perdeu nas partes descritivas e por conta disso, ocorreu a quase ou pouquíssima ausência de diálogos e isto tornou o livro maçante e arrastado.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 22, 2021Read 2021
December 29, 2021
Historical romance. Regency period.
November 5, 2024
Better than expected
November 5, 2025
o par romântico é um chato. não terminei.
April 23, 2011
This story of an abused wife in hiding and finding unexpected love was engaging. The hero is drawn to Laura, but not entirely sure for a good while what his intentions are toward her. He just knows he wants her to trust him. Eventually she does. Up to this point, I enjoyed the book. After this point, he does something so idiotic (which is out of character for a famed 'puzzle breaker'), I couldn't believe my eyes.
The only reason I can think of for this colossal mistake is that the author needed a way to set up the climactic scene. I don't like it when events in a book seem forced and inconsistent with character. That, and the fact that the violence against Laura was really horrible, greatly diminished my enjoyment of this book.
The only reason I can think of for this colossal mistake is that the author needed a way to set up the climactic scene. I don't like it when events in a book seem forced and inconsistent with character. That, and the fact that the violence against Laura was really horrible, greatly diminished my enjoyment of this book.
December 29, 2012
I didn't get the book at all! I stopped reading half way...usually i have this enormous respect for novels and due to this i would have somehow atleast finished it but i just couldn't. It was very disappointing and...boring. It was predictable and non-thrilling. And although Beau's kindness is truly appreciated and what happened to Laura was cruel, sad and unfair...but i expected something more unexpected. Laura has trouble making up her mind and her thoughts and feelings are been dragged on for pages...very frustrating. I've not read any of her other books but i'm sorry to say i didn't really like this book.
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December 13, 2014Amore e intrighi... ossia sia può amare una persona senza sapere davvero chi è?
LA CITAZIONE:
"Dopo aver condiviso tante avventure, era sempre più dispiaciuto di non conoscere, riguardo al passato di Madame Lefevre, niente di più di ciò che aveva saputo anche prima di partire da Vienna. (...) Intuiva che si stava avvicinando all'essenza stessa di quella donna, alla su anima, che fluttuava appena fuori dalla sua portata. Tuttavia Elodie Lefevre continuava a nascondersi da lui, nel corpo e nello spirito."
LA CITAZIONE:
"Dopo aver condiviso tante avventure, era sempre più dispiaciuto di non conoscere, riguardo al passato di Madame Lefevre, niente di più di ciò che aveva saputo anche prima di partire da Vienna. (...) Intuiva che si stava avvicinando all'essenza stessa di quella donna, alla su anima, che fluttuava appena fuori dalla sua portata. Tuttavia Elodie Lefevre continuava a nascondersi da lui, nel corpo e nello spirito."
April 16, 2012
Loved it, as I have all the regency romances I have read recently. I'm on a romance kick, it's all I'm watching and reading at the moment. This one was particularly engaging, and I found myself reading it in one sitting. For fans of romance, and especially this regency romance I have recently discovered and adore.
January 3, 2017
Star Rating: ★★★½☆
May 8, 2018
Starts out promising, but ends with a big cliche
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews