Title: The Orchid Affair (Pink Carnation #8)

Author: Lauren Willig

Publisher: New American Library 2011

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 403

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; 52 Books - W13

Veteran governess Laura Grey joins the Selwick Spy School expecting to find elaborate disguises and thrilling adventures in service to the spy known as the Pink Carnation. She hardly expects her first assignment to be serving as governess for the children of André Jaouen, right-hand man to Bonaparte's minister of police.

At first the job is as lively as Latin, but Laura begins to notice Jaouen's increasingly strange behavior. As Laura edges closer to her employer, she is surprised to learn that she has much in common with him. And Jaouen finds he's hired more than he's bargained for...

A lovely change of pace for the series to move the action to France. I immediately fell for Andre and Laura. I love their characters. I loved their relationship. I loved the double-crossing and spy work. It was great to get more from Delaroche (that odious man!) and even an appearance from the Purple Gentian himself. Definitely a great addition to the series. I sped through this one in just a few days.

Pink Carnation:

• #1 The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
• #2 The Masque of the Black Tulip
• #3 The Deception of the Emerald Ring
• #4 The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
• #5 The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
• #6 The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
• #7 The Mischief of the Mistletoe
• #8 The Orchid Affair
• #8.5 Away in a Manger
• #8.7 Ivy and Intrigue
• #9 The Garden Intrigue
• #10 The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
• #11 The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
• #12 The Lure of the Moonflower