FOR LOVE OR COUNTRY

Complete with a colonial, James Bond–type hero and a wealth of gadgets that even Q would approve of—a walking stick that doubles as a sword, an egg-shaped submersible and a carriage outfitted with a deadly trap door—this 18th-century adventure lacks the intense romantic conflict often found in romantic suspense novels but fills the gap with an abundance of humorous hijinks. When Quincy Stanton, a ship owner and American patriot, returns to Boston after a disappointing visit to his father in England, he is immediately recruited by his Uncle Edward to spy on the English. With very little complaint, Quin dons a purple wig and recasts himself as a loyalist in order gain entry into the homes of prominent loyalists. In one such home, he meets Virginia Munro, who has also taken it upon herself to spy on the English. Although their relationship gets off to a rocky start (he tries to buy her), their attraction is strong, and only the prickly matter of trust stands between them. Meanwhile, Quin must deal with his haughty half-brother, Clarence, who is trying to wrench control of the Stanton merchant business from him. Although Quin and Virginia's bumbling attempts at subterfuge provide plenty of laughs, transparent secondary characters and a pat conclusion keep this from becoming anything more than a comedy of errors. (July)