I love Shana Galen's novels, but this one was a bit too dark and bloody for my taste. I considered not finishing it, but stuck with it. I am glad I did because I enjoyed the HEA.

I read anything Shana Galen writes. She is a natural story teller and is able to make you feel you are in the story itself. This book will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Ms. Galen has a way with her characters so you will call in love with them. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this book.

I really enjoyed Gabrielle and Ramsey's story. IT was not your typical HR and I enjoyed it that much more because of it.

Gabrielle will do anything to survive and that includes stealing. She just didn't know it would lead her back to the "one that got away". Lots of intrigue and secrets to be discovered along the way. I really loved watching Gabrielle and Ramsey interact with each other. Lots of chemistry and banter throughout the story.

I'm very excited to see where Galen takes this new series!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
I'm a sucker for Historical Romance, but what I enjoy the most is when an author writes outside of what is the norm for the genre. When a heroine has an unconventional career/backstory, versus being on the marriage mart, awaiting the perfect match, I always end up reading feverishly.

As the widow of a gambler husband, Gabrielle struggles to survive as creditors want her to pay the debt with her flesh. She ends up becoming a thief to survive. I enjoyed reading a strong heroine with life-experience, versus a simpering, vapid damsel-in-distress awaiting her prince charming to save her.

Gabrielle is commissioned by the Scarlet Pimpernel to go on a rescue mission in Paris, which leads the reader to our hero.

Lord Sedgewick – Ramsey is being blackmailed, and the blackmailer wishes to know the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel. In his quest to meet his blackmailer's demands, this leads him to Gabrielle.

With plenty of tension and chemistry, Traitor in Her Arms is a twisty, turny, intriguing tale, where the romance is not front and center. In truth, for me, the fact that the romance takes a backseat to the conflict, rather than using it to drive the story forward, made it more realistic.

Galen writes strong, intelligent characters, with a dynamic story that doesn't rely on over-the-top romance to overshadow it. Page-turner. That's not to say there isn't oodles of romance, just not with flowery overtures that are generally a standard for the genre. Ramsey and Gabrielle allow their actions to speak loudest, versus saying endearing things but never following through. This made for a more realistic coupling, where I could buy into their connection, versus feeling as if the author was forcing it.

Highly recommended to Historical Romance and fans of the author.

I always wished for a modern story of the Scarlet Pimpernel as it has been one of my favorites. This was a very well done book that I did not want to stop reading as this Author brings you into the story almost like you are there watching it happen. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

Oh my, I just adored this book. I'm all in for a historical female heroine who has some...ahem...real street skills! Starts off heart-pounding and shows the sizzling relationship with Gabrielle and Ramsey right off the bat. Drops the reader into the bloody violence of France's rebellion but Ramsay's secret (and the romance) really kept me reading because I just had to know how it ended. Love scenes are page-melting and the journey to true-love is heartwarming. No slow moments. Character development is amazing. I just loved loved loved :)

Shana Galen has become one of my favorite writers. I love how her story keeps you on your toes always guessing what is to come next. That along with the steamy love scenes it is a must read. Keep the awesome books coming!

<strong>Traitor in Her Arms</strong>, the first book in Shana Galen’s new <em><strong>Scarlet Chronicles</strong></em> series, takes place in Revolutionary France and features two individuals who are sent to Paris to undertake two very different and dangerous missions in order to fulfil debts owed to a pair of less than scrupulous characters back in England. A novel set in France at a momentous time in history featuring spies, feats of derring-do, a central couple who are keeping secrets and the Scarlet Pimpernel himself sounded right up my street; but while I enjoyed it for the most part, there were a few things about it that didn’t quite gel and prevented me from rating it any more highly.

The widowed Lady Gabrielle McCullough was left destitute when her husband died, and worse, is being hounded by a ruthless man who will not hesitate to hurt her if she fails to pay her late husband’s gambling debts. Having no way of raising such a large sum, Gabrielle has resorted to thievery; with the help of her housekeeper, who taught her to pick locks, and her staunch friend, Lady Diana, the daughter of the Duke of Exeter, Gabrielle has been stealing jewellery from various ladies of the ton in order to pay off the debt. She doesn’t steal from anyone who can’t afford it, but still, stealing is stealing; she doesn’t like it, but it’s that or end up working off the debt on her back in a brothel.

But at last, the end is in sight. If she can filch the lapis-lazuli necklace believed to have been owned by Cleopatra, the money she will make from it will be enough to set her free. She attends the ball given by the necklace’s owner and makes short work of breaking into the room in which the necklace is kept, only to discover that she has been beaten to it by Ramsey Barnes, the Earl of Sedgwick. Gabrielle has no idea what he could possibly want with the jewellery and tries to relieve him of it, but the charged atmosphere between them is impossible to ignore and she succumbs to a kiss – which she later realises he used to distract her and to regain possession of the necklace.

Gabrielle has no idea that Ramsey is in a not too dissimilar position to herself, although unlike her, his situation is largely of his own making. He is being blackmailed by someone who has discovered his deepest, darkest secret, something which could lead to his being condemned to death if it is ever exposed, and intends to use the necklace to buy her off once and for all. But she refuses to trade and ups the stakes, telllng Ramsey that she will only hand over the incriminating documents if he agrees to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

London is rife with stories of the man who is rescuing aristocrats from under the nose of Madame la Guillotine, but many believe him to be merely a myth. Gabrielle is among their number – until the evening she is approached by him in secret, and asked to perform a service which will mean great personal danger, but which, if successful, will mean freedom for a young woman and her daughter and a new life in England. The prison commander at La Force prison in Paris has agreed to smuggle out the Comtesse de Tonnerre and her infant daughter in exchange for Le Saphir Blanc, a bracelet containing an incredibly rare white sapphire that was commissioned by Louis XIV but which went missing in one of the raids on Versailles. For this job, the Pimpernel needs a skilled thief, and from what he has heard, Gabrielle fits the bill.

Gabrielle is a mess of different emotions. Flattered to have been asked, scared at the thought of the danger she might face in a Paris gone mad... but mostly relieved that here is an opportunity to get out of England and out from under the threat of her late husband’s creditors. She takes the mission and makes arrangements to leave for Paris as soon as possible.

Of course, Gabrielle and Ramsey end up taking the same ship for France, both of them being cagey about their reasons for going at such a time. Each begins by viewing their mission as either an impersonal but necessary task (Ramsey) or a noble quest to save innocent lives (Gabrielle), but their outlooks change quickly once they have entered a Paris in which the streets really do run with rivers of blood. Ms. Galen’s depiction of the horrors of the revolution and of the mood of fear and disquiet that pervades the city and its inhabitants is very evocative, and she doesn’t sugar-coat the fanatical devotion of the new republicans or the violence and destruction that continue to plague the city. The relationship between the couple plays out against this backdrop; they have known each other for a number of years and although Gabrielle was married to Ramsey’s best friend, there has always been a strong undercurrent of attraction between them. This pre-existing situation makes it easier for the reader to believe in that attraction and in their subsequent romance, although to tell the truth, there isn’t a great deal of romantic development in the story - which is not surprising given that Ramsey and Gabrielle are forever looking over their shoulders in fear of discovery. (Mind you, that doesn’t stop them from having sex on the floor of the catacombs!) It’s also rather a big stretch of credulity to believe that the Pimpernel would send someone like Gabrielle on such a mission. She’s supposed to be a super-expert thief, but we never really see that, and it’s quickly obvious that she’s completely out of her depth and just isn’t capable of the kinds of machinations and level of deception that she needs in order to pull off her task successfully. On the one hand, her fears and doubts about what she is setting out to do feel realistic and I applaud the author for showing those to the reader; characters need a little vulnerability otherwise there’s a danger they could become unlikeable. The problem is that Gabrielle almost always needs Ramsey or one of the other characters to help her out of a tight spot, and is following rather than leading. Plus, we know that Ramsey is using Gabrielle to get to the Pimpernel, which doesn’t exactly make for the ideal romantic hero; although it’s very obvious that his principal concern is to keep Gabrielle safe for her own sake and in spite of his ulterior motive.

Ultimately, Gabrielle is fairly bland but Ramsey made more of an impression on me. Stories in which the hero lies to the heroine are difficult to pull off, but Ms. Galen just about manages it here, especially when the reader is made privy to the secret that has come back to bite him in the arse and the reasons behind it. He made… let’s call it an <em>unwise</em> decision for altruistic reasons when he was a much younger man and exposure will risk more than his own neck.

The weaknesses in Gabrielle’s characterisation and Ramsey’s not-always-palatable motivations are the main reasons for my not rating the book more highly, although a couple of smaller things bugged me, too, such as the overly-chummy housekeeper and the fact that I couldn’t help wondering why, when so many historicals feature men landed in debt thanks to their profligate predecessors, Gabrielle’s late husband’s debts hadn’t been ‘inherited’ by his heir? When push comes to shove however, I did enjoy the story and will look out for the next one as the adventure portion of <strong>Traitor in Her Arms</strong> is very well done. I’d like a bit more actual romance next time, though.

C+/3.5 stars

4.5 Stars

Shortly after Gabrielle first made her debut into society, she knew that George McCullough was about to propose. However, she felt a strong attraction to his best friend, Ramsey, Lord Sedgwick, and had an inkling that he felt the same. Gabrielle managed to find Ramsey alone, and they shared a kiss, but he made it clear that no proposal would be forthcoming from him. With no chance of marrying the man she really wants, Gabrielle accepts George's proposal. Though George loved Gabrielle, he also loved gambling. He was killed in a duel, leaving Gabrielle with nothing but debts and a long line of creditors.

The path Gabrielle chooses is to become a thief, stealing the odd piece of jewelry from homes where she attends balls, then paying down her late husband's debts. She has become quite adept, but on one particular occasion, she is caught by Ramsey, who manages to steal the prize she wanted right from under her nose. It seems that Ramsey has resorted to thievery, too, only his goal is to pay off his blackmailer, Madame Fouchet, who knows a secret that could cost Ramsey his title, possibly even his life.

There is someone else who is aware of Gabrielle's abilities. The legendary savior of many French aristocrats, the Scarlet Pimpernel, himself, has decided that he wants to use Gabrielle's talents in a risky plan to rescue a doomed countess and her young daughter. Gabrielle accepts the assignment and arranges to travel to Paris, where she encounters Ramsey, who is boarding the same ship. It seems that Madame Fouchet is tightening the screws. If Ramsey will find out the secret identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel, and provide that information to Madame Fouchet, she will finally release him from her web of blackmail.

Though Gabrielle and Ramsey never took their attraction any further once she married George, they still felt it, but buried it under snarky conversation and a mild antagonism. Now, not knowing each other's true mission in Paris, and not trusting each other, they decide it's in their best interest to pretend to be a couple as they enter the dangerous world of the French revolution.

Author Shana Galen's vivid descriptions and brilliant writing seemed to take me back to that dark part of history. I could feel the danger and the bloodlust coming from the French citizens, as they became part of the madness that destroyed so many lives and families. The sheer despair of those in prison and the terror of those riding in the tumbrels to the guillotine was so realistic that I felt my heart pounding. While Gabrielle and Ramsey struggle just to stay alive in this mad world, they also have to confront their passionate feelings for each other. I admit that thievery and deceit are two of the things I hate most, yet that's exactly what the hero and heroine have done. Still, their heroic and unselfish actions while in Paris, redeemed them in my eyes, and had me longing for some way for them to survive, then find a way to be together. TRAITOR IN HER ARMS is intense, exciting, passionate and satisfying. I did feel very emotionally impacted by this story, and can highly recommend it for readers who love swashbuckling adventure in their historical romance.

Very interesting and different to read a HR set in the French Revolution. It was such a different view then the typical London Seasons. To find love and goodness amidst such a terrifying time was a victory in itself.
Ramsay and Gabrielle find themselves making desperate decisions to save themselves from bad circumstances-little does Gabrielle know it puts her right into the arms of a traitor. This traitor and Gabrielle also have undeniable chemistry and a past. It was an bumpy road from England to France and back but what an intriguing ride it was. Galen was able to bring intrigue, terror, deceit into the mix with love, passion, and forgiveness seamlessy. Looking forward to more of the Pimpernel league!

What romance lover can resist a book that promises the Scarlet Pimpernel as a character? Not this romance lover. And I wasn't disappointed.
The plot of Traitor in Her Arms, is an intricate, twisting construct that gradually reveals itself, pulling the reader into an irresistible maze that doesn't let you go until the very end.
Lady Gabrielle McCullough, left in debt by her deceased husband, has no choice but to become a thief; a very resourceful and accomplished one.
This has not gone unnoticed by the Scarlet Pimpernel, who recruits her to rescue a mother and child who have an appointment with Madam La Guillotine in Revolutionary France.
The descriptions of the state of France at this time are compelling. They build the tension Gabrielle is under to such a degree we feel the cementing of the bond between her and Ramsey, as it strengthens throughout their trials while in France.
Ramsey Barnes, the Earl of Sedgwick, has his own reasons for thievery. He has never considered himself to be an honorable man, but being blackmailed to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel doesn't give him many options. He can either betray Gabrielle, who he has come to love, or lose everything.
Bronwen Evans has created a masterful depiction of France's upheaval, as well as characters who, although flawed, are redeemed by their love of each other.
I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderfully complex and suspenseful book, which kept me enthralled to the end. I can't wait until the next book in The Scarlet Chronicles.

Reading a Shana Galen book is like stepping back in time. She is very descriptive in her writing, which completely sucks you in on the first page. I like that she shows the darker side of London and Paris.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Fair warning; if a Regency novel also includes stories about the legendary Scarlet Pimpernel, I'm probably going to squee over it. If it's also written by Shana Galen, one of the finest writers in the Regency genre today, it's pretty much a sure-fire winner.

So when I saw Traitor In Her Arms available for review on NetGalley, I pounced to click and then crossed my fingers to be selected.

I was not disappointed. This is a fabulous Regency romp with plenty of drama and deeper themes underlying the fun. The scenes set in Paris were terribly poignant, especially those of the French aristocrats going to the guillotine; Galen captures the pathos of the moment and the atmosphere of a city at war against itself perfectly.

Ramsey, Earl of Sedgewick, is hiding a secret he will go to any lengths to protect. The fact that protecting his secret and protecting Lady Gabrielle McCullough as she undertakes a mission of her own to Paris align, is just fate as far as he is concerned. Until his conscience starts to niggle and he realizes that some things really are worth dying for.

Gabrielle McCullough has a secret too. Left in dire straits by her wastrel husband, she has turned to thievery to keep his creditors from her throat. Specializing in the theft of rare artifacts, when the Scarlet Pimpernel himself recruits her to steal a rare piece that is the only hope for a French countess and her daughter to escape the guillotine, Gabrielle sees little choice but to accept.

This is one point where the story fell down a little for me. Gabrielle has an opportunity in the first few pages of the story to steal a duchess' entire jewelry collection - described as 'a treasure of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds' but she ignores the whole lot in favor of getting the single piece she has been commissioned to steal. Since this single piece still wouldn't clear the whole of her debts, even if she found it, I couldn't comprehend why she didn't grab a handful of the rest. Not doing so left her vulnerable to the creditors who all wanted their pound of flesh. I have no doubt that the villainous 'Mr Pin' would have happily accepted a diamond necklace as part payment.

That point didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story, but it did strain my credulity when it came to other things I was just expected to accept for the story's sake. I found myself examining Gabrielle and Ramsey's decisions critically and thinking that they weren't acting logically. So while I enjoyed the book, I can't really say that I loved it, and therefore I am awarding it 4 stars.

Lady Gabrielle McCullough has struggled to survive in London after her husband died and being widowed. Gabrielle realizes that her husband has left her in debt and now resorts to the only thing to prevent her from being homeless and on the streets to become a thief. Gabrielle has the advantage a proper lady but knows how to steal objects to sell in her latest escapade Gabrielle must steal a bauble known as Queen Cleopatra’s lapis lazuli necklace. Gabrielle is almost successful in knowing where the necklace is but she must deal with her greatest nemesis Ramsey Lord Sedgwick also desires the necklace and has it in his possession. Gabrielle needs the money but luck comes her way when she is offered by a secretive man known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel to go to Paris France to steal a bracelet to buy the life of a woman and her child. Gabrielle doesn’t know what to do but decides that she must in order to finish paying the debt her husband accrued. Ramsey also a thief due to several secrets he must hide is ordered by a woman wanting to know the Scarlet Pimpernel’s identity orders him to also go to Paris to find out the identity of the Pimpernel using Gabrielle as a way to find out who the pimpernel is.
Okay I knew just by looking at the beautifully well done cover and a book by Ms. Shana Galen I was not only going to be enthralled enchanted but entertained as well. I have a few of Ms. Galen’s works only in paperback will it be good enough in eBook which fortunately for me it is. Ms. Galen threw me in the heart of Paris France a beautiful place known as the city of love but during the time of the Reign of Terror the guillotine, the massacre of nobles and the Scarlet Pimpernel. I liked how Ms. Galen brought the city alive even though I didn’t want to be there at that time and the story just pulled me in with breathless anticipation with each narrow escape and adventure the protagonists were witness to. I shuddered every time the guillotine was mentioned and even felt sadness for anyone that was beaten to death even though they were minor characters or had the unfortunate dance of death with Madame Guillotine.
Well in first reading about Gabrielle I didn’t like her because she was a thief and I didn’t trust her then again I didn’t understand her fully. Of course as the story progressed I grudgingly accepted her role and liked that even as a thief she aspired to save someone of importance, herself and even Ramsey. In fact by the end of the book I was cheering her on and glad that she was a strong woman that despite her narrow escape with Madame Guillotine I couldn’t help but like her. Ramsey on the other hand I proceeded with warily. I wanted to know his secrets yes there were many. He was an interesting complex enigmatic guy yes he was good and evil but knew how to protect Gabrielle too. I just liked him as a spy because despite all his betrayals deep down he had a heart cared and even had morals. I was sad to see the book end and can say that despite the horrific time period there is a lot to like in this story hope, action, adventure and the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel so yes I can’t wait to read another of Ms. Galen’s stories to see where she will put me next!

I found Traitor in her Arms by Shana Galen while poking around on Netgalley looking for something new and exciting to read. I’ve been reading a lot of rather interchangeable Regency era books, so the French Revolution setting appealed to me. And, honestly, the cover caught my eye. Hello beefcake and the red dress is gorgeous! Though, based on the cover alone, it could have been any number of historical periods and my first guess was US Civil War. I’m okay with being wrong! This is my first book by Shana Galen and it is the first in a new series, so it works incredibly well as a stand-alone novel. That being said, it is important that the reader is familiar with the Scarlet Pimpernel books or play in order to really understand this book’s plot, as well as the similarities and character nuances. I’m sure there are elements that I didn’t pick up on since it has been 20 years since I read Orczy’s book, but I remembered enough to find this book fun and exciting.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. And, I gotta say, I really liked it! Gabrielle was a spitfire, doing her thang and working her way back from a disaster. Ramsey was trying his best to atone for his past. And, they both are really good people, trying to make the most of their situation. The chemistry is hawt and builds nicely. The plot moves quickly and is full of action, adventure, and *ahem* more action.

There are only two reasons I just can’t give this book five stars. First has to do with the plot: Why was Gabrielle responsible for George’s debts? Since he was titled and died without an heir, wouldn’t his debts have been passed along with the title to his closest male relative, the next Viscount? This is a big problem that kept me from enjoying the book. Based on my knowledge of laws of inheritance, which, let’s be honest, comes entirely from reading historical romance novels, she should never have had to deal with this issue.

And, the other big issue, has to do with timing. I just do not believe that Gabrielle, with her fear of rats, or Ramsey, with his fear of discovery, would be comfortable enough in the Paris catacombs to decide then and there is where they want to consummate their relationship. No. Just, no. They’re being chased. It is dark, dirty, and cold. Not to mention the smells. So, no, that just does NOT work for me. Don’t get me wrong, the scene is hawt, but no way is she screaming her pleasure for all of Paris to hear when they’re literally being chased and their lives are at risk.

So, if you can get over those two points, in general, I think you’re going to love this book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

The underlying Scarlet Pimpernel plot was a little weak, but the more immediate plot of the relationship and subsequent romance was fun to read. There was a lot of action and intrigue. Overall, I liked it, but there were parts of the spy subplot I skimmed through.

Best historical romance I've read in a while! I loved all the elements of the story-the mystery, the intrigue, the chemistry and sexual tension. It was equal parts steamy and romantic mixed with suspense and a lot of nail biting action. I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading this because of the nature of Gabrielle's mission. The author didn't hold back on describing the brutal and ugly parts about the French Revolution. It felt so real and I was truly immersed in that horrifying time period. It was lightened up by the growing relationship between Ramsey and Gabrielle. It takes a very talented author to create something so beautiful in the midst of so much blood and gore but Galen achieved this perfectly. The story felt so real and believable. I loved it from beginning to end and highly recommend it! I'm looking forward to see what the Scarlet Pimpernel has in store next!!

'Traitor in Her Arms' by Shana Galen is the First Book in a New Series called "The Scarlet Chronicles".
This is the story of Lady Gabrielle McCullough and Ramsey Barnes the Earl of Sedgwick.
Gabrielle is a widow whose husband had left a heavy debt that she is trying to repay via being a Thief. Ramsey was once her husband friend but now he too is having to steal to satisfy a blackmail deal.
When Gabrielle is approached by Scarlet Pimpernel to do a job that will give her the money she needs and will save two people she agrees. But the job will take her to France and its unsettling times.
Ramsey too has been ask by his blackmailer to find the identity of Scarlet Pimpernel which too will take him to France. Ramsey soon learns that Gabrielle is doing a job for Scarlet Pimpernel he knows that if he gets close to her he can get the information he needs.
But at the same time he is learning to care more deeply for Gabrielle...can he betray her trust?
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

Traitor in her arms is my first book from this author and the first of The Scarlet Chronicles series. If you read my blog or follow my Instagram, you might know how much I love historical romances. Well, let me tell you that Traitor in her arms has everything I like in those type of read : the passion mixed with adventure and suspens. A perfect historical romance.

♥ The characters ♥

Gabrielle – I loved reading about this character. The paradox between the good girl from a noble family and the thief is really entertaining. If you like strong characters that are determined and go for what they want, you’ll love Gabrielle. She’s loyal, courageous, beautiful and kind.

Ramsey – Ramsey’s character is really intriguing from the beginning. We know he has a big secret and we can’t help but read to discover it. I found the secret not to be disappointing. Ramsey is touching by his story, his loyalty and by his love for Gabrielle while he tries to keep his distance from her but fails.

♥ What I loved ♥

The chemistry between Ramsey and Gabrielle
The suspens and adventure mixed with a passionate romance

In conclusion, it’s a historical romance I strongly recommend to all lovers of this genre.