From Booklist
For Phillipa Atwater what is more vexing than anything--even being pursued by Napoleon's soldiers--is how easily she can disguise herself as a man. While it is true that a lack of food and proper rest have taken a toll on her looks, Phillipa is still amazed at how quickly James Cunnington hires "Phillip" as his young ward Robbie's new tutor. Since the only clue Phillipa has to her missing father's whereabouts is the enigmatic message to "keep a close watch on James Cunnington," Phillipa will maintain her charade even though she finds it more and more difficult to hide her desire for her new employer. What Phillipa doesn't realize is that James has a mission of his own: find the missing daughter of Rupert Atwater! With its wonderfully witty writing, superbly matched protagonists, and intrigue-steeped plot, the third of Bradley's Liars Club historicals is every bit as much fun as The Pretender (2003) and The Imposter (2003). John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
James Cunnington has a pressing mission at had: He must find the daughter of a missing code breaker for the Liar's Club, a man suspected of turning traitor for Napoleon. Time is of the utmost concern. While it is evident that his ward's new tutor has something to hide, James in unaware that the woman he seeks now resides under his very roof...

Desperate and near destitute, Philippa Atwater must don gentleman's clothing to pass herself off as a scholarly young tutor. Her clever--if itchy--disguise allows her time to pursue her quest to find her father, ruthlessly abducted by French spies. Closely guarding the cryptic notebook he entrusted to her care, she sense danger all around her--even in the home of her roguishly handsome new employer, James Cunnington. Now Philippa is about to discover that the desire can be as lethal as a well-aimed bullet...



From the Inside Flap
James stirred in his slumping repose in the chair. His long hard body was stretched quite unselfconsciously before Philippa, and she realized that for once she could look her fill.

She leaned toward him to stare into his face, close enough to detect the brandy on his breath and the sandalwood on his skin. She shut her eyes for a moment and breathed deeply. Brandy and sandalwood and James.

Opening her eyes, she gazed at the structure of his face. The firelight bronzed the strong cheekbone and jaw, and shadowed that dent just below his full bottom lip. Stubble darkened his cheeks, giving him a dangerous air even in sleep. Her fingertips itched to feel that manly roughness. Then, with great serenity, she noticed her hand reaching toward him.

"Why, thank you, I do believe I will," she whispered to herself.



About the Author
Celeste Bradley is the author of Fallen, which was nominated for a RITA in 2002, and The Pretender, the first book in the Liars series. According to Bradley, the best thing about writing is that she finally gets to use the brain full of trivia she's collected over a lifetime of living in eight states, residing in over twenty homes, and changing her major five times. "It was research for my writing career! That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!" For now, she lives in Tennessee with her journalist husband, her two divas-in-training, and the smartest dog in the world. She is currently at work on her next book in The Liar's Club series.



Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
James stirred in his slumping repose in the chair. His long hard body was stretched quite unselfconsciously before Philippa, and she realized that for once she could look her fill.

She leaned toward him to stare into his face, close enough to detect the brandy on his breath and the sandalwood on his skin. She shut her eyes for a moment and breathed deeply. Brandy and sandalwood and James.

Opening her eyes, she gazed at the structure of his face. The firelight bronzed the strong cheekbone and jaw, and shadowed that dent just below his full bottom lip. Stubble darkened his cheeks, giving him a dangerous air even in sleep. Her fingertips itched to feel that manly roughness. Then, with great serenity, she noticed her hand reaching toward him.

"Why, thank you, I do believe I will," she whispered to herself.

FROM THE PUBLISHER