Once a Spy

Written by Mary Jo Putney

Narrated by Beverley A. Crick

Love and survival in the shadow of Waterloo . . . Wearied by his years as a British intelligence officer, Simon Duval resigns his commission after Napoleon's abdication. Hoping to find new meaning in his life, he returns to England, where he discovers his cousin's widow, Suzanne Duval, the Comtesse de Chambron. Working as a seamstress, living in reduced circumstances, Suzanne has had a life as complicated as Simon's. While both believe they are beyond love, their sympathetic bond leads him to propose a marriage of companionship, and Suzanne accepts. She didn't want or expect a true marriage, but as Suzanne joins Simon in a search for his long missing foster brother, warmth and caring begin to heal both their scars-and a powerful passion sparks between them. Then news from France threatens to disrupt their happiness. Napoleon has escaped from Elba and Wellington personally asks Simon to help prevent another devastating war. Only this time, Simon does not go into danger alone. He and Suzanne will face deadly peril together, and pray that love will carry them through . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781980016946

Mary Jo Putney

Mary Jo Putney was born in upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she became a ten-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, has published over forty books, and was the recipient of the 2013 RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reviews for Once a Spy

[phyllis2779 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Liked this installment of Rogues Redeemed a lot. The characters were terrific. Felt very authentic to the period. MaryJo Putney remains one of my favorite regency period authors. Both Simon and Suzanne's back stories added a lot to understanding the characters. I read this 6 years ago and still remember this book so I know it was a very good one.

[bintarab-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A premise with such potential ruined by such horrible execution! This book is so poorly written that I will never touch another book by this author. I forced myself to read through to the end for the sake of writing this review, and as it turned out the writing seemed to change a couple of times in the course of the novel, as if the author stopped writing for a period then came back to the story a different person with a different style. Unfortunately, none of the author's writing styles were any good.How does this book disappoint? Let me count the ways: (in no particular order)1. The dialogue is wooden; it's supposed to help with characterization, with building nuance and with allowing the reader to feel present in the story. It didn't do any of that. From the beginning of the novel, every time I read a line of dialogue I "heard" it in my head as if I was watching middle schoolers in a school play, kids trying to project their voices and acting out their parts with as much emotion as they know how. Stiff. Pretend. Lame. Supposedly the male and female main characters speak in French to each other, but their dialogue is written with so much 21st century contemporary English flavor (idioms, word choice, turns of phrase, sentence structure) that it's hard to imagine any of it being spoken in French in 1815. 2. The male main character is a chuckle-head -- literally. Every other line of dialogue out of his mouth is said with a 'chuckle.'3. Places don't feel real at all, as if the author is describing them after having looked at some postcards. Some skilled description could have brought even a drawing room scene to life.4. The author condenses time at her convenience, like when the book opens on a winter evening (February) just after the dusk has gotten too dark for Suzanne to sew even if she sits by the window. Simon comes to the house, Suzanne is summoned to the parlor to speak with him, tea is brought on a tray and consumed. After a brief conversation between them, Suzanne and Simon look out the window and see the sun rise. What? I had no idea that winter nights in London were so short.5. Way too much telling, not enough showing.6. Too much deus ex machina.7. In the beginning of the book, the style is reminiscent of a Barbara Cartland novel, with short, simplistic sentences. The style changes at least twice in the book, but none of the styles are enjoyable to read.8. The author tries hard to overturn some tropes that are typical of the romance genre, and fails miserably. 9. The main characters (Suzanne and Simon) don't have any real relationships with other characters. They are supposed to; there's Simon's "almost brother," Suzanne's "friends" from the boardinghouse, Suzanne's friends who are other characters from this "Rogues Redeemed" series, Simon's military peers... the list goes on. Somehow, their relationships with others never have any real substance, are not backed by believable or interesting interactions, and do not occasion any good dialogue.10. The book has no emotional impact. In short, it's a terrible book. I am so glad I didn't waste my money on it (I received a free copy from Goodreads Giveaway). If you want a romance novel, there are much better books out there; actually, even a mediocre book would be better than this one.~bint

[scoutmomskf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a terrific entry in the Rogues Redeemed series. Simon is a war-weary colonel of intelligence who resigned his commission once Napoleon was exiled to Elba. He returns to England hoping to find peace in his new life and discovers that his cousin's widow, Suzanne, is alive after all. He tracks her down to check on her and finds her in reduced circumstances. Suzanne came to England after being rescued from a harem (Once a Scoundrel) and tries to make ends meet by sewing. Her life isn't easy, but she's free.Simon and Suzanne met when she was fifteen and he was seventeen, just before she married his much older cousin. The only people there close in age; they became good friends in the weeks before the wedding. When they met again, they discovered that their connection was just as strong. Though Simon believes that his ability to feel has been destroyed, and Suzanne's experiences make the thought of love impossible, Simon proposes a marriage of friendship instead. After thinking about it, and receiving some unexpected motivation, Suzanne accepts.I really liked both Simon and Suzanne. The first part of the book covers the beginning of their marriage and getting to know each other again. Both enter the marriage expecting only friendship and companionship. Simon is sensitive to Suzanne's fears and is gentle and understanding when he is with her. Suzanne feels safe around Simon, his declared disinterest in physical intimacy putting her at ease. My heart broke for Suzanne when she had her nightmare, and I loved Simon's efforts to comfort her. Imagine both their shock when morning revealed the unexpected revival of Simon's ability to feel! Poor Suzanne felt terribly betrayed. I loved Simon's acceptance of her feelings and determination to be as patient as necessary to woo Suzanne. Luckily, Suzanne's trust in Simon helps her face her fears. The slow reawakening of her desire is believable and moving. I loved how the love and intimacy between Simon and Suzanne grew over a credible amount of time, enabling both to overcome the fears and obstacles of their pasts. I loved seeing them both open their hearts fully at the end.But this story is about more than just the romance of two wounded and lonely people. As a former intelligence officer, Simon still has contacts in the community. Because he is half-French and half-English, and Suzanne is French, they agree to test the temperature of the French émigré community regarding the possibility of Napoleon's escape. That was an interesting evening, as Suzanne's previous experience with these people hadn't been a pleasant one. I loved seeing her get back a little of her pride as the evening progressed, capped off with a marvelous example of righteous anger.The action moves to Belgium when Simon receives word that his favorite cousin, Lucas, who was believed dead, may have been spotted in Brussels. The sense of impending danger is palpable as they search for Lucas. With Napoleon's escape, Wellington himself asks Simon to lend his talents to the war effort, and Suzanne insists on being part of it. The very real danger that they experience is vividly described, keeping me glued to the pages. Each of them makes significant contributions, though I feel like Suzanne's may have won the prize for unexpectedness. The descriptions of the Battle of Waterloo were such that I could almost smell the cannon smoke and mud as I read.Underneath it all was the theme of family. Both Simon and Suzanne were lonely, and initially their marriage was about having someone special who could alleviate that loneliness. Also on Simon's side was his grief over the loss of his cousin, and then the revival of hope that he was still alive. I ached for Lucas when they found him and the pain that he was in because of his past. I had to laugh a little at the lecture he received from Suzanne regarding "wallowing" and how she gave him another way of looking at things. Suzanne believed herself to be without any family at all until a visit to her husband's estate revealed otherwise. There were some tense moments, but in the end family ties won the day. In both cases, "family is family" was the most important thing to remember.I also liked the cameo appearances of characters from earlier books. After Suzanne's unpleasant reception from the émigré community, her trepidation over meeting the Rogue's wives was understandable. It was fun to see these ladies together and their easy acceptance of Suzanne. Lord Kirkland, of course, had additional motivations.I look forward to the next book and seeing who it will be. The last of the cellar Rogues, who briefly appeared in the previous book? Or will it be Lucas, who feels a need for redemption of his own? It can't come soon enough!

[eyes92c · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Complicated!When Lady Aurora "Rory" Lawrence was rescued from the harem of a corrupt and powerful Turkish official by Captain Gabriel Hawkins, Suzanne Duval, the widowed Comtesse de Chambron, another imprisoned harem slave escaped with her. (Once a Scoundrel, Rogues Redeemed #3) ) As a sexual slave Suzanne suffered much at the hands of her master, Gürkan. This violation left Suzanne with a distrust of men and an obhoreance for intimate relations. Simon Duval, a half French, British intelligence officer, and Suzanne's cousin by marriage has found Suzanne working as a seamstress in a poorer part of London. After hearing some of her story he offers to teach her how to use a knife and some defensive moves to protect herself. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Suzanne defended herself from a drunken lout at a gathering of upper class French Emigres. Up until her marriage to Simon, Suzanne has been treated by the emigre community as some sort of exotic creature. She is a woman who has experienced unspeakable horrors, a survivor who deserved sympathy and respect. As it were many of the men tried to catch her unawares and the women gossiped about her. The stain of the harem talked to their suspicions and repressed desires, to their insatiable curiosities and prejudices. Unfortunately we as readers to some degree feed into that frenzy. Simon is looking for a wife and it seems a marriage of convenience is a better idea than facing up to some immature débutante. He proposes to Suzanne and after further thought and consultation she accepts. All very prosaic and calculating.The timeline is just prior to Napoleon escaping from Elba. Suzanne and Simon have already left for Brussels and from there intend to journey into France to look for Simon's foster brother who was presumed to have died in a naval engagement. Ostensibly they are on their honeymoon and taking the opportunity to check on Suzanne's dead husband's holdings and matters pertaining to the late Comte's will. Secretly they are also looking for Napoleonic sympathizers within the Emigre community.Throughout all this, Simon and Suzanne venture towards full marital relations despite the sexual traumas that Suzanne's suffered through. I have questions about the reality of all of this aspect of the storyline, which I guess throws the whole novel off balance for me. The predictability of an HEA given Suzanne's history is suspect.However as is originally posited, Suzanne has always been a woman of strength and as part of that trait. As true to the storyline, as she faces the future and events that unfold before and after Brussels that strength grows in many areas.With Napoleon having escaped, Simon is recalled to continue his reconnaissance duties for Wellington. All of this, together with them finding a relative at Chambron, the continued spying in France, and then Waterloo, the story became so much more complicated. I struggled to finish. There were just too many threads that watered things down and affected the flow.A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley

[barbararogers-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I thought the hero, Simon Duval, was a heroic man every sense of the word. He was protective, honorable, kind, considerate, a leader who was respected by his men and his superiors and most of all very caring. The heroine, Suzanne Duval, Comtesse de Chambron, is free from slavery, but she’s been living in poverty in London. Suzanne is not the fragile woman you’d think her to be after enduring the things she has, but, she can’t stand any man’s overtures.We first met Suzanne in the third book, Once a Scoundrel, when she helped to rescue the heroine, Lady Aurora Lawrence, from the harem in which they were both imprisoned. Suzanne had spent years enduring torture in the harem where she was owned by one of the cruelest men alive. Before that, she had been married, at fifteen, to a cold, unfeeling aristocrat who took her young, tender love and promptly cheated on her and treated her with disrespect and disdain. She went from that directly into slavery where she did what she had to in order to survive. Suzanne is native French, but with the Napoleonic wars going on, she asked to be returned to England when she was rescued. Even the French émigré’s won’t accept her when she returns – in their eyes, she is ruined – a whore – not fit for polite company. So, she supports herself by taking in piecework.Colonel Simon Duval had met Suzanne at her wedding when she was marrying his much, much older cousin. He was seventeen and she was fifteen and they became friends. All these years later he has learned about Suzanne’s life and her return to London. He plans to find her and assure that she is well – and maybe even help her if he can. Simon has seen years of war and cruelty – death beyond measure – including the woman he loved. He thinks he’s unfeeling, he doesn’t even feel desire anymore.When Simon visits Suzanne at her boarding house and they talk a bit, he surprises himself by asking her to marry him. It will be totally in name only with no physical intimacies at all. He wants a friend, someone to spend his life with, but no romance. That should work out for both of them because she cannot bear the idea of any man touching her. It takes a bit, but he manages to convince her that it can work - and even gives her an out and stability if it doesn't. Poor man -- he doesn't count on his desire reawakening -- now what is he going to do!I’ve seen some reviews that said the first part of the book was too slow – at least the part about coming to physical intimacy. I disagree. I think Simon was wonderful in the way he dealt with Suzanne and I think if you put yourself in Suzanne’s shoes – having had unspeakable sexual tortures visited upon her by a sadistic man – you’d realize that Simon has to be very slow in reawakening her desire. Frankly, it is a wonder it ever happened. The other parts of the story beginning-to-end weren't slow at all.Once they traveled to Brussels, the action really picked up. The very real danger in Belgium and France comes across in the actions and descriptions in the book. Suzanne shows her bravery – as does Simon. Each makes their own significant contributions to the war effort after Napoleon escapes from Elba.I loved that this book wasn’t about insta-lust. I loved that the love and intimacy grew over time until they were both ready for it. That made the romance so very believable.One thing that came out of the blue and just threw me – one of those 'Say-What' kinds of things – had to do with Lucas and his ‘gift’. I didn’t see a need for it in the story – but – I can only assume that it will have something to do with a future book focusing on Lucas. We’ll just have to wait and see.I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[readinggeek451 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In early 1915, with Napoleon locked securely away on Elba, Colonel Simon Duval is ready to leave the army. When he finds his cousins widow living in straightened circumstances, he immediately offers marriage. Both Simon and Suzanne have been bruised by life, but they agree to an unconventional union--which quickly begins to be something more. But the army is not done with Simon. Before many months have passed, they will both face a great deal of danger.After a disappointing previous book in the series, this is a return to form. Well-rounded characters, tense plotting, and a believable romance make for a very satisfying story.