This 8th entry in the Pink Carnation series was a bit of a let down. Kate Reading did a fine job with the narration, but the plot was predictable and in places downright dull. I don't know if I will try any more of this series, which had such promise in the early books... ( )

Another fun episode! I think I liked this one more than the last few, Laura and Andre weren't quite as goofy as some of the recent ones have been. Kate Reading was awesome as always, as a whole, a very fun series. I'm not that crazy about Eloise, but I really want to know what happens next with her and Colin too! I'm not convinced what she found was really research for a book he's writing a few books ago. *eyebrow raised* he is after all, he is a Selwick! ( )

After sixteen years as a governess, Laura Grey changes career paths, attends the Selwick Spy School, is rechristened as the Silver Orchid, and sent off to France to become the governess of Andre Jaouen who is one of Fouche's protegees. Things go pretty well until she discovers a plot to kidnap or assassinate Bonaparte and put a Bourbon back on the throne.

Part of Jaouen's role is to keep track of the artistic crowd in Paris. After all, his first wife was a noted painter before her death. He invites Laura to attend which causes her to meet people who were part of her childhood. Her parents were a famous sculptor and a famous poet who dragged her all over Europe until their deaths when she was sixteen. When one of their friends, painter Daubier, is arrested by Jaouen's rival Delaroche, the plot threatens to unravel and make it necessary for Jaouen to rescue him, grab his family, grab the Bourbon Prince, and leave Paris.

Laura calls on her fellow English spies to find a way to get all of them to safety. They find themselves traveling with a theatrical troop as they make their way to the coast and safety. I liked the way Jaouen and Laura grow closer as they travel together. Being forced to pretend to be husband and wife adds to their tension but also forces them to learn about each other.

In the present timeline, Eloise and Colin travel to France to celebrate his mother's birthday. Eloise is apprehensive but grossly underestimates just how horrible the situation really is. Luckily, it makes her relationship with Colin even stronger.

I can't wait to find out what happens next in the present and in the 1800s. ( )

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig is the eighth book in her Pink Carnation series and sticking with her winning formula all the usual ingredients are here. Laura Grey has been trained at the Selwick Spy School and has now been installed as the governess in the home of Andre Jouen, the right-hand man to the French minister of police. She is given the code name of the Silver Orchid.

Of course sparks fly between Laura and Jouen and the story culminates in a daring escape from France to England. The author also continues to insert the story of modern-day Eloise and Colin as their romance carries them to Paris for the birthday of Colin’s mother.

By this 7th book, the author knows full well what makes these books so successful, but I don’t know if it is me or the author but I felt as if it was a little tired and old. I also admit I rather missed the high comedy of the last book. There are still four books remaining for me in this series and I would like to read them all but if the next one doesn’t do a better job of engaging my interest, it may be the end of the road for The Pink Carnation. ( )

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig was another triumph. I don't know how she does it, but these books always manage to make me smile. They also make me glad that I read all those Regency Romances way back when. They familiarized me with every trope and plot twist possible. You would think that would make me easily bored by this series but it only serves to make them that much more fun to read. In the case of this particular book, I am also glad that I read Scaramouche, as a large portion of the plot of this book is taken straight from Sabatini. I listened to this novel and the recorded version is well done. Kate Reading has done another excellent job of narrating in the Pink Carnation series. ( )