From Publishers Weekly
In the early months of 1775, Boston is seething with unrest ready to explode into revolution. Into this climate of hostility appears accomplished liar and thief Katie Armstrong, a runaway indentured servant. When two men observe the attractive young woman successfully plying her skills in the market, she has no choice but to do as each one bids in order to retain her precarious freedom. The ruthless Viscount Lowden forces Katie to spy on subversive colonial activity in hopes of learning the real identity of John Smith, a revolutionary leader who is constantly thwarting redcoat activities. Ethan Harding, a wealthy Tory sympathizer, forces Katie to spy for his side, and establishes her in elegant surroundings. Both men control Katie by threatening to return her to her sadistic master if she fails, but promise her freedom if she succeeds. Katie's dangerous existence becomes even more critical when she falls in love with Ethan--and discovers John Smith's true identity. Guhrke's (Breathless) cast of engaging characters, the well-researched historical background and a fast-paced plot provide a perfect context for the clever repartee and romantic tension between Katie and Ethan. (Mar.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
Honor, freedom, liberty...those were mere words to Katie Armstrong, a savvy thief and indentured servant on the run in colonial Boston. For the sake of survival, she agreed to a British lord's bribe: unmask the identity of the patriot known as John Smith, or be returned to her brutal master. But soon the cagey John Smith was making the same threat -- unless she spied for him. Katie planned to play both men against each other...until, masquerading as Smith's mistress, she lost her heart to the seductive stranger she had set out to undo. Ethan Harding's steely heart was ready to risk anything to end British tyranny -- even if it meant taking on the false identity of John Smith, putting his own life in jeopardy, or blackmailing a beautiful and terrified young woman. And if that woman's angelic face made other men spill their secrets, so much the better. But now, Katie Armstrong's charms were about to betray his heart and his cause -- and his desire for the elusive temptress would turn the tables on everyone and everything he had pledged to protect.

About the Author
Laura Lee Guhrke is the author of several historical romances, including Conor's Way, which won the prestigious Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Historical Romance. Laura knew she wanted to be a writer the day an English teacher told her she could never be successful at it because her stories were "too sappy." That teacher also told her she would never amount to anything because she had terrible penmanship. Now, armed with the knowledge that nobody could read Hemingway's handwriting either, Laura pens her stories of happy endings on her computer and thoroughly enjoys knowing that her teacher was wrong. You may write to her at P.O. Box 1143, Eagle, ID 83616, and she promises to read your letters even if your penmanship is as bad as hers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Honor, freedom, liberty...those were mere words to Katie Armstrong, a savvy thief and indentured servant on the run in colonial Boston. For the sake of survival, she agreed to a British lord's bribe: unmask the identity of the patriot known as John Smith, or be returned to her brutal master. But soon the cagey John Smith was making the same threat -- unless she spied for him. Katie planned to play both men against each other...until, masquerading as Smith's mistress, she lost her heart to the seductive stranger she had set out to undo.

Ethan Harding's steely heart was ready to risk anything to end British tyranny -- even if it meant taking on the false identity of John Smith, putting his own life in jeopardy, or blackmailing a beautiful and terrified young woman. And if that woman's angelic face made other men spill their secrets, so much the better. But now, Katie Armstrong's charms were about to betray his heart and his cause -- and his desire for the elusive temptress would turn the tables on everyone and everything he had pledged to protect.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly