It is my utmost pleasure to spotlight Taming a Gentleman Spy - The Spies of Mayfair Book #2 by
Maggi Andersen. Maggi will award a $50 Amazon GC plus an e-book copy of A Baron in Her
Bed – The Spies of Mayfair, Book #1 to a randomly drawn commenter during the
tour.
BLURB:
John Haldane, Earl of Strathairn, is on an urgent mission to find
the killer of his fellow spy. 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. Then, weak fool that he is, he kissed her.
Lady Sibella Winborne has refused several offers of marriage since
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.
Excerpt:
Beneath
glistening chandeliers, the dancers spun to the strains of a Handel waltz.
Strathairn smiled down at his partner, her slim waist beneath his hand as they
danced. Lady Sibella Winborne looked like a delicate flower in a gauzy pale
gown covered in amber blossom. White ostrich feather plumes adorned her
luxuriant dark locks. He enjoyed looking at her. Her serene oval face lifted
and she smiled at him, her mouth wide and full. Too wide for beauty some might
say, but made for kissing. She had inherited her mother’s famous eyes, a
delectable mix of blue and green, but her nature was quieter, lacking the
vivacity of her mother in her youth, who was said to have had men falling at
her feet. He admired Sibella’s calm beauty, but she was oh, so much more:
practical, poised and intelligent. Yet still unmarried, which surprised him.
“You
arrived late tonight. I wasn’t sure you’d come,” she said.
“I
was tied up with business.”
“Not
parliament?”
“No.”
She
tilted her head. “Your horses, then?”
He
grinned at her blatant curiosity. “No.”
“You
won’t tell me.”
“No.”
Sibella
laughed with good humor. “Very well. Might I find you riding in Hyde Park
tomorrow?”
“I
hope to.”
Her
delicate brows rose. “If business doesn’t keep you.”
He
laughed. “Precisely.”
The
music faded away. Strathairn escorted her back to her chair where her mother,
the Dowager Marchioness of Brandreth, sat fanning herself among the other
dowagers. He bowed, planning to slip into the rooms set aside for gambling. As
much as he might wish to dance with Sibella again, it would place them under
scrutiny, and faro was an effective release from the tension he always carried
with him.
“Don’t
rush off, Strathairn,” her sharp-eyed mother said. “We have seen little of you
of late. You rarely frequent these affairs.” She waved her fan in an arc to
encompass the ballroom. “Where have you been hiding?”
“Not
hiding, my lady, merely visiting my estates.”
Lady
Brandreth adjusted the silk shawl over her shoulders. “Did you include that
pile of yours in Yorkshire? I enjoyed the hunt ball, but it’s cold as charity
in winter up in those parts.”
“Not
this time, but I miss it. There’s a wild beauty to the dales in winter, quite
unlike southern England.”
“I
daresay.” Her purple turban wobbled as she nodded. “You are a fine figure of a
man, Strathairn. What are you now? Six and thirty? You should marry. You should
be setting up your nursery.” She gestured toward her daughter sitting beside
her. “Sibella will bear you healthy children. The Brandreths come of good
stock, and the Wederells even better.”
“Mama,
please!” He caught Sibella’s apologetic gaze and suppressed a wry smile. Her
plea would have little effect; the marchioness was known to be one of the most
colorful and outspoken members of the ton.
The
dowager batted her daughter’s protest away with her fan. “I am merely speaking
the truth, Sibella.”
“Your
daughter is a credit to you, my lady,” he said with a smile. “She has inherited
both your beauty and intelligence.”
“Now
you are toad eating.” A roguish smile lit Lady Brandreth’s face. “You always
were a charmer. Sibella is intelligent. Walk with her on the terrace to
discover it for yourself.”
“I
should be delighted.”
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AUTHOR
Bio and Links:
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 favorites.
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.
Buy
Links:
Publisher:
Knox Robinson Publishing Ltd. http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=190?osCsid=7ca7b93ba2d4d9c4a32d9ec07cf6f205
Barnes
& Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taming-a-gentleman-spy-maggi-andersen/1116300615?ean=9781908483645
For
more chances to enter to win the $50 Amazon gift card, follow the tour and
leave a comment. Find the tour dates and sites here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/virtual-book-blast-tour-taming.html
Bad boy John, bad boy. Being an agent is tough with a pretty lady around.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed, Sheena-Kay!
DeleteLovely excerpt. Thanks for hosting Maggi, Nana!
ReplyDeleteinfo at caroleavila dot com
Thanks for the comment, Carole!
DeleteThanks for hosting me on your lovely blog, Nana!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to have you on, Maggi.
DeleteYou're welcome, Rita!
ReplyDeleteLovely excerpt. Enjoyed it so.
ReplyDeleteLooks to be an amazing read.. your talent for description yet not over doing it is excellent. Happy Holidays.
ReplyDeleteoops valshemi at gmail dot com
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