Title: Vienna Woods The Imperial Season, Book 2
Author: Mary Lancaster
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
Story Setting: Vienna
Pages: 232
Published by: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.; 1 edition
Published Date: December 27, 2016
ASIN: B01N9FW208

Publisher’s Summary
Intrigue, suspicion, and true love at the Congress of Vienna.

Esther Lisle, daughter of a general turned diplomat, wakes up in the Vienna Woods to find her royal betrothed dead and an agent of the dreaded Austrian secret police asking her awkward questions.

In trying to protect her father and her country, she enters a battle of wills and wits with the mysterious Agent Z.

From masquerade balls to desperate escapes, the more she gets to know him, the more fascinated she becomes. And the more anxious to discover the truth. Is he deceiving her?

Who killed the crown prince, and who is threatening her own life? It seems there is no one she can trust, and yet Agent Z is always there to aid or provoke her.

By the time he abducts her to his very odd home in the Vienna Woods, staffed by young and only partially reformed criminals, it breaks her heart to believe he is the villain of the piece.

My Thoughts:  Book 2 of this series propels us deeper into the chaos of the reigning times, and the continued questioning of whose side are you on, anyway?

I enjoy the way the author drops us into a scene where the character is struggling to bring herself back to reality—great adrenalin-pumping beginning.  A good conk on the head would do it-something she experiences.  From the outset, author Mary Lancaster, superbly sketches the kind of person Esther is. Esther doesn’t coware as many young woman of that time – her upbringing brought her close to violence and injuries, while following her father’s career. Nor is she swayed by the crown prince’s betrothal.  Esther wants to marry for love and will not settle for less.

Agent Z is full of surprises.  I enjoy learning about him, his character and how he fits into the Austrian secret police. Esther had trouble trusting him, but there comes a time she must trust someone. But, is he completely trustworthy and reliable?

This story will sate your every need of conspiracy, where wits are sharpened in dangerous dealings and trust and passion finally rule the day. I enjoyed this read and definitely recommend it.