Sunday, January 24, 2016

Reviewer's Bookshelf: A Spy's Devotion by Melanie Dickerson


Book Summary (from Goodreads): In England’s Regency era, manners and elegance reign in public life—but behind closed doors treason and tawdriness thrive. Nicholas Langdon is no stranger to reserved civility or bloody barbarity. After suffering a battlefield injury, the wealthy, well-connected British officer returns home to heal—and to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

At the home of the Wilherns, one of England’s most powerful families, Langdon attends a lavish ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance—until the diary is stolen and all clues lead to Julia’s guardian. As Langdon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing, he grows ever more intrigued by the lovely young woman. And when Julia realizes that England—and the man she is falling in love with—need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray. Will the two succumb to their attraction while fighting to save their country?

My thoughts...You may have recognized this author's name from some of my previous posts : ).  Melanie Dickerson has a wonderful Young Adult series of fairy tale retellings that I have thoroughly enjoyed over the years!  Now Melanie is beginning a new series set in Regency England.  

Although this book is geared towards older audiences, it is still appropriate for young adults as the level of romance is very clean.  I appreciate that although there is a romantic aspect to the plot, that is not the only thing that will get your heart racing.  For myself, some of the best moments in the story were when Julia risked being discovered as she began to spy on possible traitors to her country.  

The bond that she and Nicholas Langdon began to form through their mutual desire to serve their country also connected them in other aspects of the novel.  Compassion, loyalty, friendship and putting others before yourself were big themes that were explored through Julia and Nicolas' relationship.  It is always refreshing to be able to read such a positive and Biblically inspired message.  As this is a Christian fiction novel, there are quotes from the Bible weaved into the pages but in a way that is natural and relevant.

This is a great new series and I look forward to Melanie Dickerson's next novel!

**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher and gave an honest review.**

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