Marietta Hughes has never seemed to be certain about what she really wants out of life. Her first love ended in disaster, as a widow she finds that she never really loved her husband, and now in mourning she is being pursued and pursuing her husband's brother. Into this foray of her complicated life is thrown the knowledge that her family has been and is currently involved in espionage in the War Between the States. Now, her grandfather Thadd wants Marietta to spy on her brother-in-law and help an undercover Pinkerton detective discover what threats lie in her home that could destroy the Union. As Marietta discovers secrets about her home and in-laws, she is also discovering secrets of her own mind and heart. But, will Marietta live long enough to make the changes to her life she feels are necessary to becoming who she wants to be? ( )

An intriguing story with lots of twists and turns…. a great read for anyone interested in the civil war era. This is the third book in the series, “The Culper Ring”. I have not read the previous books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this one and didn’t feel that anything was missing from not having read the series in order.

Book blurb:
Circle of Spies combines fascinating cloak-and-dagger secrets with a tale of love and intrigue at the end of the Civil War.
Baltimore, 1865--Marietta Hughes never wanted to be a spy...but espionage is thrust upon her as the War Between the States rolls on. Unbeknownst to her, a Confederate secret society bent on destroying the Union she loves has been meeting in her basement. When she discovers the plots and papers covering her walls, she feels as though she is losing her world.
Slade Osborne, an undercover Pinkerton agent, is determined to do whatever is necessary to help end the conflict between the North and the South. When he infiltrates this secret cell, it isn't just their inner workings that baffle him--it's the beautiful woman who seems to be a puppet for the new leader and yet...somehow not an enemy of the Union.
Can he trust her? Will she trust him? Will their shared faith sustain them? And can Marietta and Slade stymie the enemy long enough without being discovered to see their beloved country reunited?

“Circle of Spies” is full of delightful characters and a few evil ones as well! I have since added the other books in the series to my reading list. There are a total of 3 full length books and two novellas in the series to date.

A special thanks to Harvest House and Netgalley for providing a free ebook for review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )

Title: Circle of Spies (Culper Ring #3)
Author: Roseanna M. White
Pages: 357
Year: 2014
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
The books in this series keep getting better and better! This third installment in the Culper Ring Series is my favorite one. This story is set in 1865 near the end of the Civil War in Baltimore, Maryland. The Lane and Arnaud families are still involved in the spy game and have brought their children into the game too.
Slade Osborne is a Pinkerton agent sent to the Confederate sympathizing group known as the Knights of the Golden Circle. This group is bent on raising havoc against the North and keeping the South’s way of life alive and well despite what President Lincoln has decreed as law. The head of one of the subgroups is Slade’s target. Slade is a Unionist, but is working undercover to infiltrate the KGC. They are planning something big, but Slade must discover what it is and stop it before it is too late. The man in charge of this group is courting Marietta Hughes, a woman who attracts a lot of male attention, including Slade’s. At first he isn’t sure which side of the war she is on. She has an understanding with Devereaux Hughes, who owns slaves, but her family is staunchly Unionist. Is she more than the flirt and manipulator she shows to society? Is there more to this woman underneath the surface? What exactly is the KGC up to?
Marietta Hughes is a young widow who has previously only concerned herself with…herself. However, she begins to question if Devereaux really loves her or is just using her. She has a photographic memory and puts it to good use spying. As Slade begins searching for evidence of what the KGC is up to, he and Marietta spend more and more time together. Their romance blooms in secret, but neither thinks they are worthy of the other and that their probably is no together forever in their future. Marietta realizes what a shrew she has been and embraces the faith she has been taught by her parents. Is it too little too late? Can she right the wrongs in her life?
I thought watching Marietta struggle with the shame of her past was very realistically portrayed. She has seeks forgiveness from God and believes He has forgiven her, but hasn’t been able to grasp the freedom that goes with the forgiveness until she listens to the wise counsel of her friend. Once she understands, she blazes with her faith, compassion and mercy. Slade spent his young adulthood gambling, drinking and rebelling against his preacher father. However, he came to realize the value of his father’s teaching, how he was wasting his life and turned his life around to become a strong man of God. I liked both main characters for their wit and intelligence as well as their faith. This story just flew by as I quickly kept the pages turning to discover what was going to happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed all three novels in this series and am looking forward to what this author puts forth next.
My rating is 5 stars.
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Spies-Culper-Ring-Series/dp/0736951032/ref=pd_sim_b...
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )