Each month we will be bringing you the books we are excited to read for that month.
We hope you enjoy the books and maybe find a new author.
Showing posts with label Sourcebooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sourcebooks. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Guest Post: Love and Let Spy by Shana Galen + Giveaway
We would like to welcome Shana Galen to Buried Under Romance today!
About the Book:
Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde . . .
A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she’s one of the Crown’s most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn't know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love . . . until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He’s exactly the kind of man she’s not looking for. And he’s dangerous, because falling into his arms is so much more satisfying than saving England from her enemies.
He’s an improper gentleman who needs a wife. . .
Tall, dark, and tortured, Dominic Griffyn is haunted by demons from his past. When his stepfather insists that he marry, Dominic allows himself to hope that the beautiful but mysterious Miss Bonde might help him forget his troubles. As they grow closer, it’s clear that there’s more to Jane than danger. She might be just what his neglected heart needs.
Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde . . .
A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she’s one of the Crown’s most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn't know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love . . . until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He’s exactly the kind of man she’s not looking for. And he’s dangerous, because falling into his arms is so much more satisfying than saving England from her enemies.
He’s an improper gentleman who needs a wife. . .
Tall, dark, and tortured, Dominic Griffyn is haunted by demons from his past. When his stepfather insists that he marry, Dominic allows himself to hope that the beautiful but mysterious Miss Bonde might help him forget his troubles. As they grow closer, it’s clear that there’s more to Jane than danger. She might be just what his neglected heart needs.
Spies in Truth and Fiction
In my latest release, Love and Let Spy, I feature a spy who is the best the Crown has to offer. Like James Bond in modern times, my spy isn’t afraid to takes risks, shoots to kill, and always gets her man. That’s right. My ultimate spy is a woman—Bonde, Jane Bonde.
This isn’t the first time I’ve written a heroine as a spy. I write fiction. I can do anything I want with my heroines. But I’m happy to say that I also have historical backing. There were female spies during the Napoleonic Wars. One of the women spies I researched rather extensively was Grace Dalrymple Elliott. She was a courtesan and was said to have born the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales. She also happened to be in Paris during the French Revolution. Elliott was a staunch royalist, and her position as an Englishwoman and a former lover of the ducd’Orleans made it possible for her to act as a spy.
Elliott didn’t spy in the way we might think of today. She wasn’t running around with a pistol or infiltrating enemy headquarters. Instead, she would visit Marie Antoinette in prison. In the course of the visit, the Queen would secrete letters to her Austrian relatives to Elliott and when Elliott next took a trip to the spas in Belgium, she’d turn the letters over to the Austrian spies.
As you can see, there was none of the immediacy we imagine when we think of spies today. There weren’t cell phones or the internet. In the past, it might take weeks or months for messages to be exchanged.
Elliott is also credited with saving one of the King’s personal guards. After the attack on the Tuileries, the revolutionaries wanted to kill all of the men who had protected the royal family. They just about succeeded, except a handful of men, including a lieutenant escaped. He somehow made his way to Elliott’s house in Paris and begged her to hide him. She hid him under her mattress (actually, people slept on several mattresses at the time, so he was hidden under like 7 mattresses). Believe it or not, the French soldiers decided to do a house-to-house search. When they came to Elliott’s house, she stayed in bed, on top of the mattresses hiding the wanted man. She distracted the soldiers with her charms, and they didn’t bayonet her mattresses. The lieutenant had been hot and close to suffocation, but she saved him and helped him escape the country.
Were there female spies in the Regency? Yes. Were they common? Absolutely not. I imagine there were a handful, if that many. It’s hard to know a lot about spies of that period because spies, out of necessity, are secretive. Added to the confidential aspect of their job, spying was not considered an honorable or laudable profession at that time. A real man stood on the front lines, didn’t sneak around behind it. Remember that this was the time armies marched to face one another and shot at each other point-blank. When they ran out of ammunition, they used the bayonet.That was considered courageous.
In truth, spies of the Regency period were nothing like they’re portrayed in romance novels. Spies of today are probably not much like James Bond movies either, of course. But it’s fun to take some reality and mix it in with fiction.
Do you have a favorite real or fictional spy?
Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde…
A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she’s one of the Crown’s most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn’t know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love…until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He’s exactly the kind of man she’s not looking for. And he’s dangerous, because falling into his arms is so much more satisfying than saving England from her enemies.
He’s an improper gentleman who needs a wife…
Talk, dark, and tortured, Dominic Griffyn is haunted by demons from his past. When his stepfather insists that he marry, Dominic allows himself to hope that the beautiful but mysterious Miss Bonde might help him forget his troubles. As they grow closer, it’s clear that there’s more to Jane than danger. She might be just what his neglected heart needs
In my latest release, Love and Let Spy, I feature a spy who is the best the Crown has to offer. Like James Bond in modern times, my spy isn’t afraid to takes risks, shoots to kill, and always gets her man. That’s right. My ultimate spy is a woman—Bonde, Jane Bonde.
This isn’t the first time I’ve written a heroine as a spy. I write fiction. I can do anything I want with my heroines. But I’m happy to say that I also have historical backing. There were female spies during the Napoleonic Wars. One of the women spies I researched rather extensively was Grace Dalrymple Elliott. She was a courtesan and was said to have born the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales. She also happened to be in Paris during the French Revolution. Elliott was a staunch royalist, and her position as an Englishwoman and a former lover of the ducd’Orleans made it possible for her to act as a spy.
Elliott didn’t spy in the way we might think of today. She wasn’t running around with a pistol or infiltrating enemy headquarters. Instead, she would visit Marie Antoinette in prison. In the course of the visit, the Queen would secrete letters to her Austrian relatives to Elliott and when Elliott next took a trip to the spas in Belgium, she’d turn the letters over to the Austrian spies.
As you can see, there was none of the immediacy we imagine when we think of spies today. There weren’t cell phones or the internet. In the past, it might take weeks or months for messages to be exchanged.
Elliott is also credited with saving one of the King’s personal guards. After the attack on the Tuileries, the revolutionaries wanted to kill all of the men who had protected the royal family. They just about succeeded, except a handful of men, including a lieutenant escaped. He somehow made his way to Elliott’s house in Paris and begged her to hide him. She hid him under her mattress (actually, people slept on several mattresses at the time, so he was hidden under like 7 mattresses). Believe it or not, the French soldiers decided to do a house-to-house search. When they came to Elliott’s house, she stayed in bed, on top of the mattresses hiding the wanted man. She distracted the soldiers with her charms, and they didn’t bayonet her mattresses. The lieutenant had been hot and close to suffocation, but she saved him and helped him escape the country.
Were there female spies in the Regency? Yes. Were they common? Absolutely not. I imagine there were a handful, if that many. It’s hard to know a lot about spies of that period because spies, out of necessity, are secretive. Added to the confidential aspect of their job, spying was not considered an honorable or laudable profession at that time. A real man stood on the front lines, didn’t sneak around behind it. Remember that this was the time armies marched to face one another and shot at each other point-blank. When they ran out of ammunition, they used the bayonet.That was considered courageous.
In truth, spies of the Regency period were nothing like they’re portrayed in romance novels. Spies of today are probably not much like James Bond movies either, of course. But it’s fun to take some reality and mix it in with fiction.
Do you have a favorite real or fictional spy?
Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde…
A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she’s one of the Crown’s most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn’t know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love…until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He’s exactly the kind of man she’s not looking for. And he’s dangerous, because falling into his arms is so much more satisfying than saving England from her enemies.
He’s an improper gentleman who needs a wife…
Talk, dark, and tortured, Dominic Griffyn is haunted by demons from his past. When his stepfather insists that he marry, Dominic allows himself to hope that the beautiful but mysterious Miss Bonde might help him forget his troubles. As they grow closer, it’s clear that there’s more to Jane than danger. She might be just what his neglected heart needs
About the Author
Shana Galen is the national bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice The Making of a Gentleman. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married to a man she calls Ultimate Sportsfan and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. The family is owned by two cats Baby Galen named Mickey and Maisy. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com, download her free author app for exclusive content and first looks, or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.
Website: http://www.shanagalen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShanaGalen
**Giveaway INFO**
- One copy of LOVE AND LET SPY to a random commenter! Giveaway ends Tuesday, August 12th
ARC Review: The Traitor by Grace Burrowes
The Traitor by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: August 5, 2014
Series: Captive Hearts
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Amazon | Goodreads B & N
~~Reviewed by Lisa~~
WOW! Betrayal, manipulations, honor, and sacrifice, what a full story!
Sebastian, Baron St. Clair, is a man trapped between the two countries of his heritage- England and France. He is born English, but becomes, through no actions of his own, a master at extracting English intelligence for France. The war is over and he has returned to England to take up his responsibilities as Baron and the last of his line. He is labeled the Traitor Baron by the officers that were in his “care” and the name has spread to the ton. The horrors of his part in the war haunt him.
Millicent Danforth is Sebastian’s elderly aunt’s paid companion and he makes it his business to assess her role in their lives; she will do but, she throws him off kilter. She is frank, smart, insightful- almost too much so, pragmatic and not intimidated by Sebastian at all. Milly sees past the “traitor” straight to his heart.
Sebastian is being targeted by the English officers he “met” during the war and challenged to duel after duel. However he denies them the one thing they want- to redeem themselves in their own eyes and hearts. He has resigned himself to a short and lonely life. Milly gets under his skin and makes him start to wish for a future. The tenderness Sebastian was able to bring to those he cares for, despite his past is heartwarming.
Throughout the story you know who the enemy is, but not the depth of the betrayal and the hope rolled up in Sebastian’s life. The struggle to grasp a life he thought was over is poignant and the injustice make you want to stand by him and fight with him. Ms. Burrowes has created that fine balance between good and evil with skill and grace. The ending had me reaching for the tissue and cheering! I enjoyed it immensely and I recommend this series to all. Well done, Ms. Burrowes, and thank you!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Sunday, August 3, 2014
ARC Review: The Truth About Leo by Katie MacAlister
The Truth About Leo by Katie MacAlister
Publication date: August 5, 2014
Series: Noble #4
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Amazon | Goodreads B & N
~~Reviewed by Lisa~~
What a wonderful, fun and fast paced story.
Her Serene Highness, Princess Dagmar Marie Sophie, has been ordered by her cousin, the Crown Prince of Copenhagen, to leave her home. She is not sure where she will be going and is without any family in Copenhagen and has very limited funds, well none to speak of. She is feisty, smart, determined and fun.
When we meet Leopold (Leo) Ernst George Mortimer, seventh Earl of March, is in service to the crown of England and he is helping a stranded cat from a tree. Instantly we are rewarded with the quirky humor that is carried throughout the story. He is left for dead by soldiers and manages to find Dagmar’s back garden. Dagmar needs recuing and sees Leo as a way to conform to her nasty cousin’s wishes to leave her home and getting herself to England and her English relatives that turned their backs on her mother for marry her father. They marry and she nurses him back to health on the trip to England.
When Leo finally comes to his senses from his fever he finds himself married to Dagmar, which, while not what he was planning, is turning out to be the best thing for him. He finds that she had used creative sneakiness to accomplish the marriage and getting them on the English ship. They are married, but know virtually nothing about each other and during their “courtship” they discover things about themselves and they come to realize they are better together than apart. We are treated to hilarious discussions of lady and man parts and their relationship to the other and wonderfully charming advice from Dagmar’s mother on the same. There is a murderess loose and in typical period fashion the men leave the women out of the mix, only the woman have other ideas. The women that have befriended Dagmar have a whiskey induced brain storming session to figure out how to help.
Ms. MacAlister uses humor and fast paced conversations to bring out the depth of the characters she has created. They are feisty, irreverent and fun. Ms. MacAlister’s ability to be charming while bringing tension and mystery to us, the readers is brilliant. There were a couple of things along the read that I felt were not explained, but in the end they were far outweighed by the enjoyment the story brought. I love the way I came to care so quickly for the characters and was thrilled to see their story unfold.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Friday, August 1, 2014
ARC Review: Love and Let Spy by Shana Galen
Love and Let Spy by Shana Galen
Publication date: August 5, 2014
Series: Lord and Lady Spy #3
Publisher: Avon
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
~~Reviewed by Evelyn~~
Love and Let Spy, the third book in the Lord and Lady Spy series by Shana Galen, is 352 pages of mysterious and sexy fun! From the first chapter when we meet our colorful heroine Jane Bondeas she frantically chases down an international assassin through the streets of the city, to the explosive and satisfying conclusion, we are treated to twists and turns, secrets and surprises.
Jane, who was raised by her uncle to be a spy, is a very unusual but extremely likeable heroine. She is smart and tough, and not at all interested in society, men or marriage like her contemporaries. She is upset when her uncle announces that she must marry Dominic, the handsome eldest son of Lord and Lady Edgeberry, to settle a longs-standingfamily issue. Dominic, who has intense secrets of his own, is no more eager to marry than she is. In spite of their reluctance to get involved, Jane and Dominic soon find their lives entangled and a strong romantic attraction growing between them.
I highly recommend Love and Let Spyand give it five stars. While it has it’s intense moments, it is a quick read that doesn’t want to be taken too seriously. The only thing it is missing is 007 spy music playing in the background! Enjoy!
Jane, who was raised by her uncle to be a spy, is a very unusual but extremely likeable heroine. She is smart and tough, and not at all interested in society, men or marriage like her contemporaries. She is upset when her uncle announces that she must marry Dominic, the handsome eldest son of Lord and Lady Edgeberry, to settle a longs-standingfamily issue. Dominic, who has intense secrets of his own, is no more eager to marry than she is. In spite of their reluctance to get involved, Jane and Dominic soon find their lives entangled and a strong romantic attraction growing between them.
I highly recommend Love and Let Spyand give it five stars. While it has it’s intense moments, it is a quick read that doesn’t want to be taken too seriously. The only thing it is missing is 007 spy music playing in the background! Enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Review: Mini Reviews of Four Books by Grace Burrowes
Morgan and Archer, A Novella by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: November 2013
Series: Windham #8.5
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
~~Reviewed by Sharon~~
It is a short but sweet story. We first met Morgan in The Heir, she being the younger sister of Anna, Duchess of Westhaven. Morgan lost her hearing in an accident, but has regained partial hearing and she also can read lips. Archer is the cousin of Benjamin Hazlit, Earl of Hazleton, and an investigator trying to solve a plot against the Crown. Loved the interaction between Morgan and Archer and also how Morgan assisted Archer with solving the mystery. This is a novella so it moves along quickly, but I would recommend this book as well as the others in the Windham series.
Rating:
Andrew: Lord of Dispair by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: December 3, 2013
Series: Lonely Lords #7
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
~~Reviewed by Sharon~~
Andrew has lived with guilt for years after a boating accident that cost him the life of his father and his brother Gareth's fiancée and feels that he is unworthy of anybody's love, including Astrid, his brother's sister-in-law. This story picks up a few years after Gareth's book where we saw Andrew leave England for a tour of the continent, leaving Astrid behind. Astrid loves Andrew, but when he leaves her and England, she knows she needs to move on with her life so she marries Herbert, Lord Amery, who ups and dies, leaving her in the family way. Andrew returns shortly after Herbert's death and although he is very much in love with Astrid, tells her that he can never marry her. Watching these two very lonely people go through the trials and tribulations of their past had me sobbing like a baby at times, but there was also the joy of seeing them work through their past guilt to get to their HEA. If you enjoy historical romances, then I highly recommend you adding Grace Burrowes to your list of authors.
Rating:
Douglas: Lord of Heartache by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: January 7, 2014
Series: Lonely Lords #8
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
~~Reviewed by Sharon~~
Douglas, Viscount Amery, came into his title upon the death of his older brother and finds that the not only is his estate in financial difficulty, but he knew absolutely nothing about how to go about making them profitable. Guinevere Hollister, who oversees her cousin's estates in his absence has an illegitimate daughter, Rose, who is the granddaughter of the Duke of Moreland. She is happy, but lonely, with her life and just wants to be left alone. Douglas is thinking about purchasing a property of Gwen's cousin, so he persuades Gwen to travel with him to the property to see if she thinks it would be a profitable purchase and to teach him about land husbandry. Gwen is awkward and uncertain around Douglas, but he is so gentle with her that you just want to swoon. There are a few tense moments when the Duke of Moreland sets out to have Gwen marry his heir, but Douglas knows that he is the only man who could ever make Gwen happy and is just as determined to win her love for himself. Once again, Grace Burrowes has written a story that will stay with you long after the book has ended.
Rating:
David: Lord of Honor by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: March 4, 2014
Series: Lonely Lords #9
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
~~Reviewed by Sharon~~
Grace Burrowes has once again written another magnificent Lonely Lords
book. David, Viscount Fairly, has
inherited a high-class brothel, which he wants to be free from. Letticia (Letty) Banks was a former mistress
to David's late brother-in-law. When
David offers Letty the position of Madam at the brothel, she knows that it is
not the life she wants, but must accept or be forced to find another protector,
which she has no interest in doing.
Loved the interaction between David and Letty and the way they overcame
the hurdles set in front of them to get to their very own HEA.
Rating:
Monday, July 21, 2014
Review: How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days or Less by Elizabeth Michels
How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less by Elizabeth Michels
Publication date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
~~Reviewed by Ezrah~~
HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS OR LESS is the first book by Elizabeth Michels that I read.
This book is the third of the series but can read as a standalone. I initially picked up this book because I had read a couple of books with the same title (or very, very similar) last month and I loved it! I thought that this book would be the same. The story focuses on a stuffy aristocrat, Andrew Clifton, Lord Amberstall and country girl recluse, Katie Moore. Both have been a little estranged in society and found each other, quite by accident on a country road when Andrew fell off his horse. Once the two meet, sparks fly and they fall in love.
HOW TO LOSE had a lot of promise. I love the stuffy-stickler-for-propriety aristocrat and an eccentric girl trope, unfortunately, I had a hard time finishing this book. I honestly did not like both Katie and Andrew at all! I felt that Katie was too much for Andrew. Andrew, on the other hand, was too much of a stickler that I didn't warm up to him at all. And although sparks were flying between the two, I wasn't into their paring. It would have been a different story if there were more tender moments between them. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
The plot was ok, nothing really special, and a little bit unbelievable at certain parts. I think it was when I found out why Andrew left society, that I find unbelievable. Certainly it was a reason to be absent from society but it felt a little too weak, too cowardly.
HOW TO LOSE is an okay lighthearted read. And although the book was a hard read for me, I am still glad that Andrew and Katie got their HEA.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Waiting for Wednesday #34 The Laird (Captive Hearts) by Grace Burrowes
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week an upcoming book I can’t wait to read is…
The Laird by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: September 2, 2014
Series: Captive Hearts #3
Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca
| Amazon
The morning after Michael Brodie marries the lovely Brenna, he marches off to join Wellington’s army, leaving his new wife alone with his unseemly Uncle Angus and an estate to manage.
Ten years later, when Michael finally returns home, he discovers a nest of vicious lies, tales of disloyalty, and most surprising of all, a blossoming love for the woman he left behind.
But his beloved is keeping a dark secret from him. A secret that begins to unfold when Michael’s young sister joins their household, and Uncle Angus’ true nature is revealed.
Ten years later, when Michael finally returns home, he discovers a nest of vicious lies, tales of disloyalty, and most surprising of all, a blossoming love for the woman he left behind.
But his beloved is keeping a dark secret from him. A secret that begins to unfold when Michael’s young sister joins their household, and Uncle Angus’ true nature is revealed.
Author Page: http://graceburrowes.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceBurrowes
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4152482.Grace_Burrowes?from_search=true
We all love Grace Burrowes' books and Sharon mentioned, "She writes great characters and the stories always move along at a good pace...and her secondary characters have great appeal too."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for visiting the blog to see what book I'm waiting for this week! So...what book are you waiting for?
Friday, June 27, 2014
Book Review: The Captive (Captive Hearts #1) by Grace Burrowes
The Captive (Captive Hearts #1) by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads
~~Reviewed by Bonnie~~
Grace Burrowes wowed me with this first book of her new trilogy. I always expect great things when I read one of her books, but this one surpassed my expectations. This book had a slightly different feel to it than her previous books to me, maybe a little edgier or darker. This may be because of the torture Christian suffered - and he DID suffer. (ouch!)
Christian eventually is released, barely recognizable, unable to eat more than enough to stay alive, and suffering mentally. During his imprisonment, his wife and young son died. He is approached almost immediately by Gilly, his late wife's cousin, who has been looking after his young daughter, and she urges him to come back to his country estate. It's apparent that his daughter is suffering greatly, as well, and desperately needs him.
Christian convinces Gilly to stay, to help. The love that slowly develops between them is so touching, and seeing him gradually healing is amazing. Gilly is perfect for him, but their happy ever after is not so easy. Gilly has wounds of her own that haven't healed, they're just hidden. And there is still something preventing his daughter from speaking. And Christian still feels he has to find his torturer and kill him, and that may cost him Gilly. And someone appears to want Gilly dead..
This book was SO well written. The timing of events was perfect, the romance was perfect (and HOT)
and the resolution was perfect. I loved seeing St. Just (The Soldier) play a significant role in this story. Now I can't wait to see if Grace Burrowes can make me fall in love with "The Traitor" in the next installment in this series, because I haven't forgiven him yet. I couldn't put this book down, and I recommend it most highly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
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