About the Book:

The moment spymaster Baron Fulkham meets the stunning Princess Anne of Chanay, he’s positive her royal persona is a ruse and that she’s actually Monique Servais, the mysterious actress he met three years before in Dieppe. But as he pursues his suspicions, he uncovers a plot of attempted assassination and betrayal that could very well destroy his career, expose his own secrets…and ruin the woman he’s rapidly coming to love.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                               The Secret of Flirting (The Sinful Suitors Book 5)

My Review:               

Gregory Vyse, Baron Fulkham, is a spymaster and a foreign office undersecretary.  He has big plans for his future.  Currently, he is meeting the candidates who are being considered as the next ruler of Belgium.  When he meets Princess Aurore of Chanay, he realizes that he’s met her before – only it wasn’t the princess he met, but actress Monique Servais.  Three years ago, Gregory went backstage after a performance to meet Monique, only to find her less than receptive to his title or his good looks.  In fact, their meeting was a series of snarky dialogue, which was really a cover for the sizzling attraction they were both feeling.  Monique had an ailing grandmother to take care of, and no time for a flirtation with an arrogant Englishman.

Monique actually has ties to the royal family – she is cousin to Princess Aurore, and looks remarkably like her.  Monique’s grandmother was disowned when she married an actor, and is now very ill.  When Monique is approached by her uncle, with a mad scheme to impersonate the princess, who is also gravely ill, she accepts because the reward will allow her grandmother to return to her family and be cared for.  However, she will only obtain this if she is successful in her masquerade.  It’s her bad luck that she will be forced into continued contact with Gregory, the man she brushed off three years ago.

When Gregory confronts Monique, she remains in character as the princess, and denies that she’s the woman he thinks he met.  Gregory is frustrated, because he has no proof, and cannot rely that his memory is really accurate.  He also can’t fathom why an imposter would take the princess’s place.  As he works to find the truth, he and Monique begin a cat and mouse game, where he’s constantly trying to trip her up.  She is a very good actress, however, and is very motivated to be a success.  This couple still has an undeniable attraction, which leads to some steamy encounters while they try to outwit the other.  Then the assassination attempts start.

THE SECRET OF FLIRTING is full of intrigue and adventure to go along with the romance and steam.  Gregory is a man who is hiding a secret past, and who comes off as very focused and determined, but not very warm.  Soon Monique’s charms melt his reserve, and he’s searching for a way to fit her into his life permanently.  Monique shows strength, but had a softer and caring side, and I rooted for her to be happy.  I was surprised when the villain was revealed, and I always love it when that happens, as I enjoy the unpredictability.  If you enjoy a steamy, enemies-to-lovers story, where the suspense and action play a prominent role, I believe you’ll enjoy THE SECRET OF FLIRTING.  ~Rose