Explosive

by Charlotte Mede

London, 1818. A beautiful, brilliant woman and a cynical, aristocratic spy are forced into a desperate mission to decipher a secret code that could change the face of Europe forever. . . Explosive Gray Dalton, the Marquess of Blackburn, wakes in a dark London cell staring down a gun barrel. Devon Caravelle, alleged mistress of a deadly French aristocrat, has been sent to ensure Blackburn's cooperation in a secret plot to unlock the mysteries buried within Beethoven's Third Symphony, the Eroica. It's terribly convenient and just as Blackburn planned. And taking the lady hostage is--if not terribly gentlemanly--not very difficult. Resisting her dangerous allure, on the other hand, is. Suddenly, the man famed for his cold-blooded control, wants a woman fiercely, wildly, forever. . . Devon Caravelle has loved two things in her life: music and her father. She would do anything to discover his murderer and clear his name, even if it means forcing the contemptuous, debauched Marquess to her aid. But when he turns the tables and takes her prisoner, she is not prepared for his skillful seduction or her white-hot response. . . It was supposed to be a seduction each side intended to win easily. Instead, the first spark unleashes an untamed passion in a game where all rules are forfeit and every move brings them closer to an unspeakable danger. . .

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 075822365X
• ISBN13: 9780758223654
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

historical suspense

I really enjoyed Explosive which is a terrific example of what I'd personally love to see more of -- historical romantic suspense. Here we have a hero and heroine (and their hot relationship I might add) confronting a crazy madman who who wants power for his own destructive ends. Devon Caravelle and the Marquess of Blackburn are an unusual couple, reluctantly teaming up to decipher a secret code in Beethoven's Eroica that could change the face of Europe forever. She is a brilliant pianist whose father was a cryptographer mysteriously murdered for his knowledge. Blackburn is a conscienceless spymaster who has a very personal agenda for revenge and will use anyone, including Devon, to get what he wants. Explosive is a thrilling read because it breaks the formula. You won't find a blushing virgin or useless rake or any of the other tired cliches typical of historical romances between these covers!

This is one Explosive book!

This debut novel by Charlotte Mede is as EXPLOSIVE as the title indicates. A master spy and a brilliant musician team up to break a deadly code and stop a madman. Devon Caravelle is the daughter of a brilliant mathematician who is also said to be a traitor to France. Within the manuscript of Beethoven's Third Symphony, the Er'oica composition, lies a formula so deadly in the hands of the wrong man it may well destroy the world. Devon is trapped in a cat-and-mouse game; blackmailed by a madman into trapping a master spy. The trouble really begins when the spy in question wakes up in a dank cell with a gun trained on him by Devon. Gray Dalton, the Marquess of Blackburn is a deadly adversary. A master spy for the Crown, he is a brilliant mathematician and code breaker. Gray has an allure that is hard to resist though he thinks Devon is the madman's mistress. Devon only wants to prove her father's innocence and find out who killed him. The man known for his cold-bloodedness is now obsessed with a woman who could destroy not only him, but also the innocent people of the world. A tense and edgy adventure from the first page, EXPLOSIVE is just that. Action-packed with plenty of vile undertones to keep chills running up the spine, it will keep readers on the edge of their seats for the entire novel. With a gothic atmosphere, author Charlotte Mede grabs readers and draws them deep into the intrigue of Gray and Devon's deadly mission to stop a diabolical plot. The chemistry and passion between Gray and Devon is also EXPLOSIVE, culminating in an intense, dark, and sensual delight. The story is packed with wonderfully complex characters whose personalities are gradually revealed. Devon is a woman I was well able to empathize with. The pawn in a deadly intrigue between two powerful men, she is trapped by the need to prove her father innocent and afraid of the consequences if she fails; hanging. Gray is a cold-blooded and jaded individual since the murder of his brother, until he comes face-to-face with Devon. All bets are off when he is trapped by his own desires, as is Devon. Charlotte Mede's thorough descriptive prowess places readers right in the thick of the plot, drawing them in for the duration until the climactic ending. The intricate blending of fact and fiction made for a thrilling read. This is truly a book you don't want to miss. Scarlet, Reviewer for Romance Junkies

great espionage Regency romantic suspense

In 1818 Marquess Gray Dalton, still recovering from the opiate his enemy's operatives used to capture him, meets Devon Caravelle, mistress to high ranking French official le Comte, in a dank cell. Each has a need that they believe the other can fulfill. They need each other to decipher a secret code hidden in Beethoven's third symphony, "Eroica." Both have a reputation for remaining calm almost aloof under dangerous situations. Yet each desire the other, but conceal those feelings out of fear that weakness would expose them. They each try to take charge of a game of seduction even as enemies from both sides of the Channel threaten to end their duet in death. This is a great espionage Regency romantic suspense that grips the audience from the first encounter in the prison cell in which on the surface Grey is Devon's prisoner, but readers will soon realize they are each other's prisoner. The story line is fast-paced and never slows down from that superb opening act while the tension on several levels including the heart is palpable. Charlotte Mede provides an excellent EXPLOSIVE historical romantic thriller that readers of any era will relish Harriet Klausner

smart and sexy

Explosive is just that -- an engaging adventure from the first page to the last. A master spy, a brilliant musician and a madman round out a cast of characters and drive a diabolical plot that make for a thrilling read. The heroine Devon is cool and smart (nice change) while the hero Blackburn is pretty hot, particularly when he finds himself trapped by his own desires. The chemistry between these two is also explosive -- so get ready!

A roller coaster ride hard to beat

Spent all weekend reading this book and I couldn't put it down. Explosive is an historical romance with a difference, in that there's more suspense than in your typical romance. Both Devon and Blackburn are strong and intriguing characters that have to come to terms with their own complicated pasts before they can build a relationship together. The sparks fly and ignite and it's about as hot and sexy a read as you can get. Then there's the thriller suspense aspect which forces the two of them to confront a powerful and dangerous enemy whose plans would not only destroy them both but also change history. If you want a read that will keep you up all night, Explosive is it.