Maggi Andersen's Blog, page 53
February 10, 2014
Taming a Gentleman Spy is released in print today! Answer the question to win a prize!
Hi everyone, I have a contest today. One winner will receive both a print copy of Taming a Gentleman Spy - The Spies of Mayfair and an e-book copy of the first in the series, A Baron in Her Bed. (Or choose another of my books WEBSITE) More print copies are on offer at Goodreads Giveaways.
AmazonBARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
KNOX ROBINSON PUBLISHING (40% OFF E-BOOKS FOR A LIMITED TIME)
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:
"It is a beautiful historical romance of the lives of the rich and famous during the Regency period. It's sweet, charming and filled with schemes and plots." Nicole Laverdure
In this excerpt, Sibella and two of her siblings, her sister, Maria and brother Edward, try to help her decide her future.
“I subjected Lord Coombe to the usual close inspection,” Maria said, winding a piece of pine-green velvet ribbon around her finger, “as I do all of your beaus.” “He’s hardly a beau. But what did you make of him?” “I don’t know,” Maria said thoughtfully. “He’s polite and well-mannered of course, but he gives very little of himself away.” “Dark brown eyes are so inscrutable, aren’t they?” “You didn’t warm to him then.” Sibella shrugged. “I neither disliked him nor felt a strong attraction to him.” “Well we know why that is, do we not?” The name Strathairn hovered unsaid between them. As Maria rummaged in her jewelry box, Sibella was tempted to tell her about the kiss. They shared everything, and it felt disloyal not to, but for some reason she wanted to hold the heady, sensory details of John’s kiss in the moonlight close for a while, not wishing the experience pulled apart in the cold light of day. When Edward returned to the house, Sibella waylaid him in the front hall. “I’ll thank you not to help mother find me a husband,” she said in a waspish tone. For once Edward didn’t laugh. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the corridor and into the library. She spun as he shut the door behind him. “What is it?” “You need to forget Strathairn.” “I …” He held up a finger. “There’s a very good reason for it.” “I know. He doesn’t wish to marry. At least me, anyway,” she said ruefully. “A spy cannot marry. That is, a spy with any integrity who doesn’t wish to place those he loves in danger.” “A spy?” Sibella’s chest tightened. “Are you sure you’re not embellishing, Edward?” It did make sense now that she thought of it. “I did not want to tell you. I trust you’ll be discreet. And for heaven’s sake, don’t tell Maria! She’s the worst at keeping secrets.” Edward folded his arms and leaned against the door. “He works for the military.” So that was why such mystery surrounded him! “But what if a woman was prepared to marry him anyway and face those risks with him?” “And subject yourself to a life of fear and heartbreak? You don’t know what you’re saying. Forget him, Sib, please.” He shook a finger at her. “Strathairn appears on the surface of things to be an earl with a passion for breeding horses. But he also inhabits another dark, dangerous world, which is beyond your dreams. He resists drawing you into that world and exposing you to possible danger. If you wage a war of seduction, his resolve may well crumble. I’ve seen how he looks at you. Leave the man alone. There are other more suitable men in the world.” He leaned forward and brushed a kiss onto her cheek. “Do you understand?” She nodded mutely as she fought to grasp the truth, the certainty that she and Strathairn would never marry. Edward opened the door to find a footman standing in the corridor trying not to look intrigued.
Question: Strathairn is a spy, but what does he do in his spare time?
February 6, 2014
Ind'tale Magazine review: "Taming a Gentleman Spy is a tale of romance and mystery."
"Lady Sibella Winborne is the only unmarried sister left among her large group of siblings, well past her first Season, her family is pushing her to marry and settle down, but Sibella has been holding out, hoping for an offer from her good friend and crush, the Earl of Strathairn. Strathairn has strong feelings for Sibella, but his work as a spy for the English government is dangerous and he refuses to put her in harm's way or potentially leave her a widow. When it becomes clear that Strathairn will not propose, Sibella accepts the offer of Lord Henry Coombe. As she gets to know him better, Lord Coombe makes her feel uneasy although she cannot pinpoint why. He has secrets Sibella need to uncover before marriage ties her to him forever.
InD'tale Magazine February editionTaming a Gentleman Spy is a tale of romance and mystery." Leslie Stokes.Read the whole review in the February InD'tale Magazine.
February 1, 2014
I'm appearing in the February Big Thrill Magazine!
I'm discussing Taming a Gentleman Spy, my research, my next book in the Mayfair spy series and a passion of mine. THE BIG THRILL
January 29, 2014
Giveaway! I'm featured at HF Book Muse - News - more on Charles Stuart, Lord Stuart de Rothesay, diplomat and part spy, and the Affair of Queen Caroline.
Pop over to HF Blog Muse - News. Read some of the great articles and comment for a giveaway! My post today follows a piece in Castles, Customs, & Kings, True Tales by English Fiction Authors. HF Blog Muse - News
Diplomat and spy, de Rothesay provides inspiration for the third novel in the Mayfair Spy Series.
Diplomat and spy, de Rothesay provides inspiration for the third novel in the Mayfair Spy Series.
January 24, 2014
Julia Quinn was in Sydney recently and gave a talk for ARRA members. Here's the first video.
Catch part 2 & 3 on You Tube.
January 19, 2014
5 Star Top Pick Review for TAMING A GENTLEMAN SPY
Taming a Gentleman Spy by Maggi Andersen Jan20
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… Publisher and Release Date: Knox Robinson Publishing, December 2013 RHL Classifications: Time and Setting: Regency England Genre: Historical Romance Heat Rating: 2 Review Rating: 5 Stars Review by Anita Being a fan of Maggi Andersen’s Regency stories, I was not disappointed in this latest addition to her ‘Mayfair Spy’ series. Her heroines are always of their time, in that being dominated by male relatives, husbands and sometimes even suitors, they have to find a way round Regency conventions to live the life they want. Her heroine Sibella, like the author’s other ladies, is no weak and pliable female, but even so, her life is not completely her own as she has familial responsibilities and her position in society to consider. Sibella is under pressure from her family to choose a suitable husband, the only ambition for a woman in the early 1800’s. Given the freedom of being left her own devices, she would settle on her long time love, John, Earl of Straithairn, a family friend returned from the wars whom she would marry for love. John has also been doing his duty, to the crown, working as a spy to root out Napoleonic sympathizers who threaten the English government. John has lost a close friend to the cause, leaving a widow and child, so he feels he should deny himself domestic life in case history repeats itself. He underestimates Sibella, however. Feisty and intelligent, she is prepared to take John on any terms, and the chemistry between them is unmistakable. There is a degree of misunderstanding between the two as John does his best to disguise his feelings and tries to convince Sibella she would be better off without him – which is guaranteed to make her more determined, naturally – but how does a respectable Regency lady get the man she wants and still remain acceptable to society? It is the misunderstandings and flashes of mutual attraction that keep the reader glued to this story to discover not if, but how Sibella will convince John she would be a perfect wife, while John clings to his resolve not to bring danger into her life as he continues his secret work. Then there is Lord Coombes, Sibella’s unwelcome suitor to complicate things and add a dash of menace. Miss Andersen is a master at portraying the complicated emotions of an age where married love was not expected, or even sought, where even her character’s respective families come to recognize Sibella and John deserve a chance at happiness. A true romance in every line – lovely. Anita Davison is a Historical Fiction Author whose latest release, ‘Royalist Rebel’ a biographical novel set in 17th Century England released by Claymore Press under the name Anita Seymour
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… Publisher and Release Date: Knox Robinson Publishing, December 2013 RHL Classifications: Time and Setting: Regency England Genre: Historical Romance Heat Rating: 2 Review Rating: 5 Stars Review by Anita Being a fan of Maggi Andersen’s Regency stories, I was not disappointed in this latest addition to her ‘Mayfair Spy’ series. Her heroines are always of their time, in that being dominated by male relatives, husbands and sometimes even suitors, they have to find a way round Regency conventions to live the life they want. Her heroine Sibella, like the author’s other ladies, is no weak and pliable female, but even so, her life is not completely her own as she has familial responsibilities and her position in society to consider. Sibella is under pressure from her family to choose a suitable husband, the only ambition for a woman in the early 1800’s. Given the freedom of being left her own devices, she would settle on her long time love, John, Earl of Straithairn, a family friend returned from the wars whom she would marry for love. John has also been doing his duty, to the crown, working as a spy to root out Napoleonic sympathizers who threaten the English government. John has lost a close friend to the cause, leaving a widow and child, so he feels he should deny himself domestic life in case history repeats itself. He underestimates Sibella, however. Feisty and intelligent, she is prepared to take John on any terms, and the chemistry between them is unmistakable. There is a degree of misunderstanding between the two as John does his best to disguise his feelings and tries to convince Sibella she would be better off without him – which is guaranteed to make her more determined, naturally – but how does a respectable Regency lady get the man she wants and still remain acceptable to society? It is the misunderstandings and flashes of mutual attraction that keep the reader glued to this story to discover not if, but how Sibella will convince John she would be a perfect wife, while John clings to his resolve not to bring danger into her life as he continues his secret work. Then there is Lord Coombes, Sibella’s unwelcome suitor to complicate things and add a dash of menace. Miss Andersen is a master at portraying the complicated emotions of an age where married love was not expected, or even sought, where even her character’s respective families come to recognize Sibella and John deserve a chance at happiness. A true romance in every line – lovely. Anita Davison is a Historical Fiction Author whose latest release, ‘Royalist Rebel’ a biographical novel set in 17th Century England released by Claymore Press under the name Anita Seymour
January 9, 2014
Giveaway! Taming a Gentleman Spy - The Spies of Mayfair
Drop by Joanna Lloyd's blog today. I discuss writing with an excerpt of my wip: What a Rake Wants plus an e-book giveaway of Taming a Gentleman Spy. http://joannalloydauthor.wordpress.com/
