Mysterious Saturday Review: Orchid Affair

Laura Grey doesn't want to be a governess anymore. She applies to the Selwick Spy School. After completing her training, she's sent to France to infiltrate the house of Andre Jaouen - as a governess.

Known as the Silver Orchid, she's to teach his two children. On her first day, she takes the children to the bookstore to select reading material for them. It's also the place where she'll receive messages from the Pink Carnation herself.

However, as soon as they return, Monsieur Jaouen forbids them to leave the house. Laura isn't sure how she'll receive her messages now, but she's determined not to let M. Jaouen intimidate her. She stands up to him as much as she possibly can without getting fired.

Gradually she begins to unravel the secrets in the house of the man second in line to Bonaparte's minister of police. As she learns more about her employer, will she find her heart changing?

My Thoughts: I love this series! It's one of my favorites. I enjoyed this new spy's tale in the heat of the French Revolution. I liked the devious plots, the false leads, and how everyone wasn't what they seemed. I liked watching the relationship between Laura and the children grow. I loved the banter between Laura and M. Jaouen. I loved the present day parallel story between Eloise and Colin. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Cover Thoughts: I love the parts of the city in the background and how it goes with the rest of the books in the series.

Source: My Library

I also met Lauren Willig last month in New Haven. She was charming and funny. Sadly I didn't take any pictures of the event. She did pass around cupcakes. I was very happy to see her. Plus YA author Jennifer Lynn Barnes was there too. It was great seeing her again.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Mischief of Mistletoe

Jane Austen's friend Arabella Dempsey's life took a turn for the worse. She's spent the last several years as a companion for her Aunt. Recently, her aunt married a man Arabella thought would ask for her hand. Now, in order to save her pride and gain some sort of freedom, she's taking a teaching position at Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies in Bath.

After her interview for the position, she runs into a gentleman. As she falls to the ground, his Christmas pudding falls with him. As she leans over to pick up the pudding, she notices writing disguised within the pudding.

Together Arabella and Turnip reveal the message - stating a location and meeting time at an outdoor party. They immediately suspect French spies surrounding England. Arabella agrees to accompany the blundering gentleman to sniff out the potential spy.

Will the uncover the spies and their plans or will danger find them?

My Thoughts: This book takes places after The Seduction of the Crimson Rose and before The Temptation of the Night Jasmine. I love this series for its blend of Regency Romances with spies! Plus, this edition to the series holds a favorite historical person: Jane Austen! As the adventure unfolds, the characters make way for a Yuletide house party - which the readers have witnessed from a very different perspective which I quite enjoyed. This installment of the series stayed in the Regency era and did not mention the modern day characters. Plus, Turnip's blunders, while funny, often work in his favor.

Cover Thoughts: I really like it. I love the mistletoe around the cover and the title wrapped up like a present.

Source: My Library

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