Reclaiming the Spy by Lorri Dudley is a Christian Historical Romance. After ten years of praying for her husband’s return, Lady Abigail unexpectedly finds him again when she falls sick, and he cares for her. But the things of fairytales turn into nightmares when he tells her to forget him and move on with her life.

Nicholas Emerson married the girl of his dreams and then immediately got pressed into service for the Crown. War has ravaged his physical appearance as well as his mental state. He returns home after ten years for his mother’s funeral. He has no plans to see his wife, but that plan fails.

Lorri Dudley creates a story filled with faith, hope, charity, and, most of all, love. I found myself unable to put this book down. The book contains characters that surprise me, including one that I initially disliked but then proved to be one of my favorite characters.

So, if you enjoy Christian Historical Romances, check out Reclaiming the Spy by Lorri Dudley for yourself. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

“I didn’t want the world. I just wanted you.”

Set in the broader scope of Regency England, Lorri Dudley’s Reclaiming the Spy is a great novel to read on so many levels. You could read it for the romance. Will Abby and Nick ever get their conflicting, see-sawing emotions and actions on one plain?

On the marriage front, several thoughts emerge. When is enough, enough? How long do you keep hoping and praying for change? Can you assume you know how your partner will respond to your trial?

Who are the true friends? Who are the enemies? You may be surprised!

I loved that Mama Em’s words of faith often come back to Abby, even after Mama Em has passed. Our words of faith can have such power! “Now, it was Mama Em’s words that kept Abby from teetering over the edge into hopelessness. ‘Bring your questions to God. He can handle them.’”

And, our intercession for others can makes all the difference, in Heaven’s economy. “There were times when Abby hadn’t been able to pray. It had been too painful, but Mama and Katherine had prayed in her stead.”

And a thank you to Ms. Dudley. We are dealing with a ongoing, painful, family crisis. I laughed my way through the last part of the book and felt healing for my soul!!

A must-read!! I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought a copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“It’s like I told you, even when He’s silent, He’s working.”

“God hasn’t deserted you.” Her voice pleaded for understanding. “It says in His word that He will never leave you or forsake you. I used to think God had forgotten me, but I grew to realize that He was by my side pulling me though. He’s with you too.”

“…marriage isn’t an emotional thing. People don’t merely fall in and out of love. You make a decision to love, for better or worse. Sometimes you have to make that decision daily—sometimes it’s hourly.”

‘The success of one’s turnaround depends upon the depths of one’s desperation.’ ( )

This is book two in the Agents of Espionage series and although they build on each other I was able to read it as a stand-alone as I had somehow missed book one. I was so glad I did as this was gobsmacking good and left me with heart palpitations. Abigail has waited ten years for her husband to return from the Peninsula War. Unbeknownst to her he has returned a broken man suffering from PTSD that could have him placed in a mental hospital permanently as in those days it was not understood as it is now. It is written with finesse and empathy and you are quickly drawn into Nicholas life and his love for his wife that he wants to protect from himself. Abigail has an undying love for her husband and a faith that gives her strength as well as compassion for the local orphans so you will quickly love her character. The romantic tension is swoon worthy and the storyline well developed and leaves you not wanting it to end. I highly recommend a fainting couch for this one.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required. ( )

The book's introductory scene happens when Nicholas Emerson and Abigail get married. Everyone is happy up until Nicholas goes off to war. The focus of the story is on this couple and how war affects them and their families. Abigail discovers that her husband has been reported missing in action shortly after kissing him goodbye and telling him she was proud to be his wife. Despite the devastating news, she is loved and supported by her family.

This story focuses on the difficulties and recovery from PTSD, a condition that was not recognized back then. The conclusion is charming and motivating despite the choices Nicholas and Abby make. This is the second book in the Agents of Espionage series. Even though II haven't read any of the other novels in this series. I never felt lost. This can be read as a standalone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/ ( )

It has been ten years since Abigail has seen her husband. They married young and suddenly he was called away to war. Now after losing her mother-in-law she feels very alone. In her heart she still feels that Nicholas is alive and can’t give her heart to someone else. I admire her loyalty and faith which has helped her all these years.

Nicholas has been damaged by the war emotionally and physically. What his wife doesn’t know is that he is very much alive. He has endured so much that it has affected him in ways that many do not understand. Being tortured and having to keep your cover is difficult. I think he may be dealing with PTSD. When he runs into his wife he is happy yet scared for her life. She has no idea that he has been a spy and hold secrets that could put others in danger. How will he explain that he can’t stay? Will he be able to forget about her?

I could not put this book down with its deep faith content and illustration of trust in God. No matter what trials Abigail faced she never gave up hope that her husband was alive. Nicholas continues to tell Abigail that he must leave het. She fights with all she has to let him know that he is safe now.

Emotional scars run deep and are hard to overcome. Nicholas allows his fears to convince him that he can never be happy or have a life with Abigail. There are deep scars that only God can heal for him. The journey in this story is filled with sadness, pain and forgiveness. The truth lies in believing God and allowing him to heal what the enemy tried to use for bad. Will Abigail and Nicholas get their happy ending?

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )