What a Hero Dares by Kasey Michaels: Conspiracy, intrigue, betrayal and romance with a dashing hero and heroine make for a quick moving adventurous romp.
The very handsome and brave Maximillien (Max) Redgrave, brother of Gideon, the Earl of Saltwood, is heading back home, after being an agent for the Crown in France for many years. He’s returning with a group of smugglers, who may also be working for 
Bonaparte and the mysterious “Society” a secretive group which desires the overthrow the English government. Unfortunately for Max, his own family, in the guise of his grandfather and father, had actually been the founders of the Society, and now his generation of Redgraves are trying to defeat it.
On the ship he is unexpectedly joined by Zoé Charbonneau, a femme fatale who Max thinks is a double agent for England and France. They had worked together for many years, as comrade-in-arms and lovers, until about a year prior to the channel crossing. At that time, Max believed that she had betrayed him by having good agents murdered, but was later was captured by the French and imprisoned. Angry and heart-sick, he walked away from her to leave Zoé to her fate.
Zoé knows that she is innocent, and has been betrayed herself by another agent that Max and she both worked with, Anton Boucher. While in prison, Anton even told her that Max had died. Freed from prison, she is after Anton for revenge, and was surprised to see Max alive and with Anton on the ship. Zoé is still deeply in love with Max, although she fears that their relationship has been permanently poisoned by the fallout from the supposed betrayal. Zoé is a genius with languages, an expert with knives, and carries at least three knives on her person at all times.
More or less captured by Max and his family after the ship lands on the English shore, Zoé is able to tell Max her side of the story in entirety, including the fact that she tacitly assumed guilt for the murders to protect Max from being killed by Anton. With admirable quickness, Max forgives Zoé, and while not everything is well, at least it’s a start on the road to full reconciliation:
“And I reacted just as you thought I would, curse me.” He placed his hands on her shoulders once more. “You saved me, and I’ve spent these last long months hating you, and hating myself for being so besotted to think you ever loved me.”
And with that, the hunt is on for Anton, the other Society members and conspirators, and a vengeful family of former servants. Aided by Max’s brothers and sister, their spouses, their redoubtable and indomitable grandmother Trixie, and mysterious pirates, adventure and romance abounds.
This book is packed full of everything. There are many strong female characters (no shrinking violets in this book!), and understanding, forgiving and manly alpha males. The protagonists are very bad and easy to dislike. The landscape descriptions are well also, and you really get a feel for the area. The knowledge of the military strategy and infrastructure is also nicely done, and I was tickled by the mention of the Martello towers built for defense against Napoleon.The English built Martello towers everywhere they colonized, and there are few in the city were I live, so I was able to feel a personal connection to the story.
This book had so many good things going on that I wish I liked it more. However, this is the fourth book in The Redgraves series, and I had never read the three previous books. Unlike some series, where each book can stand alone with some exposition, I felt somewhat adrift for at least 40% of the book, even though it started with a lengthy prologue. Additionally, many essential plot points were wrapped up very quickly, and in such a way that I felt unsatisfied with the book overall. Probably if you have read the other three books in this series you would really enjoy What a Hero Dares, and I recommend it to those who have already invested emotions and time in these books.
Book Info:
Publication: March 25th 2014 by Harlequin HQN | The Redgraves series #4
Desire and loyalty collide in the riveting conclusion to USA TODAY bestselling author Kasey Michaels’s series about the Redgraves—four siblings united by their legacy of scandal and seduction…
Punished for his father’s crimes and scorned by society, fearless soldier Maximillien Redgrave fights to protect England. But his quest to restore his family’s reputation is his own private battle. Trusting the irresistible young Zoe Charbonneau, whose betrayal destroyed his closest comrades and nearly unraveled his covert mission, is a mistake he intends to never repeat. So when the discovery of a smuggling ring compels him to embark on a voyage straight into danger, he’s prepared for anything—except to find Zoe on his ship.
Believed to be a double agent for England and France, Zoe must clear her name in order to save her life. Convincing Max of her innocence seems impossible, until inescapable desire tempts them both to trust—and love—again. But a circle of enemies is closing in, and their time together might run out before they outrun danger…
