“If you’re going to take credit for all the wicked things you did as a spy, you must also take credit for the good.”

“Life isn’t a scale, Gabriel.” The fight had gone out of her voice. “Good deeds don’t’ cancel out the bad.”

Redonk Nutshell: Retired spy & famed faux-courtesan hires a Bow Street runner to investigate the men bidding on a night to take her virginity

To the world, Madeline Valdan is a scandalous woman of the night, but those closest to her know that she really is a spy working for the crown. Now that the war is over, Madeline is put out of the job and she needs a way to make some quick income. Using her reputation, she scandalizes the ton by putting her virginity up for auction to the highest bidder.  In order to ensure she makes good on the bargain, she hires a Bow Street runner, Gabriel Huntford, to investigate each person making a bid. What she doesn’t count on is Gabriel’s calculated and unaffected composure enrapturing her. Gabriel doesn’t think too highly of his current employer. In fact, he doesn’t believe much that comes out of her mouth, and for good reason. Then he realizes there’s much more to Madeline than meets the eye, and he quickly finds himself become attached to her.  They engage each other in verbal spars and force each other to face facts they’d rather not heed.

This was a fun read. I was intrigued by the premise and Ms. Randal truly delivered. She manages to find the intricate balance of writing a historical romance that’s emotionally engaging but mixed with just enough fluff to keep things engaging and lasting. This isn’t a book that’s going to leave you emotionally drained, but it’s one you’ll remember long after having finished it.

This was an excellent follow up to her first, A Secret in Her Kiss.  I look forward to her future work!

Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol

Rating: B

Romance: 3/5          Raunch: 3/5