Taming a Gentleman Spy – The Spies of
Mayfair Series Book Two. First book in the series is A Baron in Her Bed. While
my heroes and heroines make an appearance in each of the three books, each
story stands alone.
The third book in the series, What a Rake
Wants, is released in 2014.
Maggi
Released in e-book 4th December
2013
Released in print 6th February
2014
Blurb:
John Haldane, Earl of Strathairn, is on an
urgent mission to find the killer of his fellow spy. Has the treasonous
Frenchman, Count Forney, returned to England to wreak havoc? Or has someone new
landed on English shores to stir up rebellion in the Midlands? After visiting
the young widow of one of his agents, Strathairn strengthens his resolve. A spy
should never marry. And most certainly not to Lady Sibella Winborne, with her
romantic ideas of love and marriage. Unable to give Sibella up entirely, he has
kept her close as a friend. And then weak fool that he is he kissed her... Lady
Sibella Winborne has refused several offers of marriage since her first Season
years ago -- when she first set eyes on the handsome Earl of Strathairn.
Sibella's many siblings always rush to her aid to discourage an ardent suitor,
but not this time. Her elder brother, Chaloner, Marquess of Brandreth, has
approved Lord Coombe's suit. Sibella yearns to set up her own household. She is
known to be the sensible member of the family. But she doesn't feel at all
sensible about Lord Strathairn. If only she could forget that kiss...
Review:
“With
clever insertions of secondary characters and several moment s of intrigue as
well as clever integration of history, this story manages to engage and delight
as you continue to turn pages, cheering and jeering connections and hoping for
that happily ever after.” Gaele The Jeep Diva
Excerpt:
Linden
Hall Yorkshire, 1818
“I trust we’ll bag a few birds on
the moor tomorrow, Chaloner.” John Haldane, the 4th Earl of Strathairn, glanced
at the guests enjoying the Hunt Ball in his ballroom. Bright chatter rose in
the warm smoky air as decorative ladies mingled with the more soberly dressed
gentlemen. “My chef plans a grouse dish flavored with juniper berries for our
dinner.”
“Excellent.” The Marquess of
Brandreth raised his glass. “We will be out at the crack of dawn, I daresay.”
He took Strathairn’s arm and drew him into a quiet corner. “I don’t wish to
strain a friendship I value, John, but I must offer a word of advice.”
“Oh?” Strathairn eyed him warily. He
had liked Chaloner better before his father died. The man seemed to lose his
sense of humor after inheriting the title.
“You are often seen in Sibella’s
company. Don’t get too fond of her.”
Strathairn moved his shoulders in a
shrug of anger. He glanced over at Sibella in her white muslin, talking
earnestly to Mrs. Bickerstaff. “Your sister is intelligent and good company. I
enjoy our conversations. Nothing strange about that.”
“I struggle to believe it is just
that. I may not be privy to the details of the work you perform for the
military, but rumors do float about the House of Lords. You must admit that due
to those circumstances alone, you would not make her a good husband.”
Chaloner’s determination put him in
mind of a robin with a worm. Useless to argue. With a sigh, Strathairn acknowledged
that he only strove to protect his sister from possible hurt. “No need for
concern,” he said. “I have no wish to marry your sister, or anyone else for
that matter. I do intend to ask Lady Sibella to dance, though. Unless you think
my waltzing with her will ruin her reputation.”
Chaloner huffed out a laugh and
rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t enjoy having to say
this to you, John, but it befalls me as head of the family. Sib has a love of
home and hearth. She looks for a husband who will sit by the fire with her at
night. That isn’t you, is it?”
“She deserves the best, and no, it
isn’t me, Chaloner.”
After
a fruitful day in the fields shooting grouse, Strathairn and his guests made
their way over the lawns to the Hall.
The gamekeeper, beaters and handlers
departed for the stables with the hounds while servants came to take the birds
to the kitchen.
On the terrace, Lady Sibella, in a
gown the color of lilacs, sat playing cards and drinking tea with the other
women in the late afternoon sun.
Strathairn mounted the steps,
carrying his shotgun over his shoulder, intent on returning it to the gunroom.
“I trust you ladies enjoyed your day?”
“We did, my lord.” Lady Sibella’s
sister, Viscountess Bathe, smiled. “Or at least those of us who have not lost
our pin money at whist.”
“I see you had a successful day, my
lord.” Lady Sibella eyed his gun with a faint shudder. “I saw your kill on its way to the kitchens.”
He smiled. “I hope you’ll enjoy our
efforts once served in a tasty sauce.”
“I expect I shall. It’s contrary of
me, isn’t it?” Lady Sibella frowned up at him. “But please don’t suggest that
all women are so.”
He eyed the expectant faces of the
other ladies and held up his hands with a laugh. “I wouldn’t be so bold.”
“Perhaps you would like a cup of
tea, Lord Strathairn.” Lady Sibella gestured to the teapot a servant was
refilling with hot water. “You must be thirsty after your arduous day.”
She well knew how much he hated tea,
for he’d been forced to drink it at a morning call at their house in Eaton
Place. She had naughtily offered to pour it into a potted plant when her mother
was distracted by another guest.
Her playful smile was delicious, and
he couldn’t help grinning back. Aware of the sharp-eyes on him from around the
table, he shook his head. “I’m afraid I must decline for I’m not fit for
company. But, thank you.” He bowed and entered the house leaving them to resume
their card game.
Strathairn cleaned his gun and left
it on the rack in the gunroom. He’d enjoyed Lady Sibella’s friendship like no
other lady of his acquaintance. Her humor seemed so in tune with his and he
often found she understood his thoughts before he expressed them. Damn
Chaloner, he was such a stickler for convention.
Buy
Links: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com
Bio
Maggi Andersen fell in love with the Georgian and Regency worlds after reading the books of Georgette Heyer. Victoria Holt's Gothic Victorian novels were also great favourites.
She has raised three children and gained a BA and an MA in Creative Writing. After husband David retired from the law, they moved to the beautiful Southern Highlands of Australia.
Maggi's free time is spent enjoying her garden and the local wildlife, reading, movies and the theatre. She keeps fit swimming and visiting the gym.
Maggi is a multi-published author, and writes mysteries and young adult novels as well as her Georgian, Regency and Victorian romances.
4 comments:
Thanks for hosting me today on your lovely blog, Christina.
It's my pleasure, Maggi!
Very exciting to hear your book comes out in print tomorrow, Maggi! Loved the excerpt and wanted to keep reading.
That is one nice cover. Congrats on your new release, Maggi.
Post a Comment