I have a HUGE treat in store for my readers today. I’m featuring the very talented author Shana Galen, who writes adventurous and romantic Regency-set historicals. Shana is a wonderful writer who was first published in 2005, and she’s been wowing critics and readers ever since.
Interestingly enough, Shana’s first book was a contemporary romance called The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Men I’ve Dated, which she wrote under the pen name of Shane Bolks. That book was nominated for a RITA, the prestigious award sponsored by the Romance Writers of America. It’s the same book that Meg Cabot—yes, THAT Meg Cabot—said was a “fun, snappy read” that she couldn’t put down.
Oh, boy. If I ever got a cover quote from Meg Cabot, I would probably faint on the spot!
Shana has garnered even more acclaim for her historical romances. Take, for example, Blackthorne’s Bride, which was also nominated for a RITA.
Blackthorne’s Bride received a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews and tons of critical acclaim, including this review from the Chicago Tribune:
“Shana Galen adds a generous dash of action and adventure to the already irresistible mix of sexy romance and sharp wit in Blackthorne’s Bride, her latest fabulously fun Regency historical.”
—John Charles
This book is part of the popular Misadventures in Matrimony series, which was preceded by the Regency Spies series. She also has a more recent series called The Sons of the Revolution, a trilogy about three brothers struggling to restore their noble heritage in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Doesn’t that sound great?!
You can find out about these series on Shana’s website, and read some fab excerpts from the books. Trust me—you won’t be sorry you stopped by!
Shana has a new book out, and I’ve been waiting several months to read this one. It’s called Lord and Lady Spy, and it features the adventures of two out-of-work spies who just happen to be married to each other.
It’s been getting great reviews, including this one from RT Book Reviews: “Lively, utterly delightful adventure romance. The witty, sexually charged dialogue fuels the rivalry between the realistic characters and sets the pages flying.”
AND the book was chosen as one of Publishers Weekly Top Romance Picks for Fall!
Here’s the blurb for Lord and Lady Spy:
Meet Lord and Lady Smythe, England’s preeminent spies. Their identities are guarded even from each other. After years of secrets and lies, their marriage is little more than a crumbling façade. But even love isn’t as important as The Mission—to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte.
But what happens when the mission is complete?
Meet Lord and Lady Smythe, out of work spies. Lady Sophia Smythe will scream if she has to attend another tea party. Lord Adrian Smythe will hit someone if he’s forced to while away another evening in Parliament. What are secret agents to do when the war is over?
There’s one chance left to get back into the game. The prime minister needs a murder investigated. The problem? Two spies. One position.
All’s fair in love and war.
Oh, my God! Doesn’t that sound like so much fun? I’ve got this one sitting right at the top of my teetering To Be Read pile.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGiC2TmbQBo&feature=player_embedded]
You find read all about Lord and Lady Spy on Shana’s website.
To celebrate Shana’s new release, her publisher has donated two copies of Lord and Lady Spy for a giveaway to my readers in the U.S. and Canada. Just tell me who your favorite book, movie, or TV spy is, and why. Two people who comment will win copies of the book!
Got Lord and Lady Spy on my Nook not too long ago and can not wait to read it. The story sounds yummy!
Yes it does!
Vanessa, thank you so much for hosting me, and thank you for the lovely write up. I’m so pleased to be here today!
Shana, I’m so happy you’re visiting with us today! I’m not kidding when I say Lord and Lady Spy is at the top of my TBR pile – this book sounds like so much fun!
Sue, I hope you enjoy LORD AND LADY SPY. I think it’s rather tasty 🙂
Thanks for great interview… L&LS isgoing to be a Fun read!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much, Howehowse! Good luck with the contest.
OK – this will definately show my age, but I loved Illya Kuryakin in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. played by David McCallum, one of the most underrated actors I know of. (Thank goodness the powers that be hired him to play Ducky on NCIS!) So cute compared to Robert Vaughn! Looking forward to reading this one. Cheers!
Sue, I TOTALLY agree! I loved Illya – so much cooler than Napoleon Solo.
Well, I didn’t think I was that young, but I haven’t seen that one. I’ll have to put it on my list to rent.
I am new to your books Ms.Galen but, I would love to give it a try where do I start? Do you have a series?
Readergirl, Shana has several series out. Just click on the links in the body of my post to get to her website. Under her historical books page, she lists all her series.
Here is another one showing her age–Magnum. Tom Selleck played him and it was set in Hawaii. He has a very distinctive voice, and one day I heard it from my neighbour’s garden, having a conversation. Had to go out to investigate. Yes, neighbour saw me and invited me over to meet his son, the dentist. Looked like Tom Selleck, talked like him! Amazing! I almost expected him to be undercover researching a role. Could not kidnap him and keep him forever, dh might have objected. And the dentist thing kind of bothered me. Didn’t want to star in ‘The Dentist’s Revenge’.
And I loved Illya Kuryakin, too. My sister got Napoleon Solo and my mother got her pick of the guest stars. That was a fun show!
Who can resist Regency Spies? Not me!
Maggie, I love Tom Selleck and I loved Magnum. He was the epitome of laid-back cool.
Can’t really visualize him as a dentist, though.
Now, I have seen Magnum P.I. That was a really fun show. I love all those 80s undercover detective shows.
I love james bond. I loved when sean connery playes him, but Roger Moore was my favorite. I was around 10 years old when I first watched Octopussy and fell in love with my first older man. I liked Pierce Bronson(he’s pretty sexy too) and enjoyed his movies. I also thought Daniel Craig is pretty gorgeous also. James Bond is just straight up sexy, a lady’s man, loves martini’s, and loves adventure.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win. I would love to win and read this book. I have heard many good things about it.
I’m definitely with you on James Bond, Chris. Loved Connery but I’m really enjoying Daniel Craig’s portrayal too.
Thanks so much, and good luck with the giveaway. I have to say I didn’t like Roger Moore as much as the other Bonds. I think Connery is my favorite.
Sean Connery as 007 is my all time favorite. What a sexy man… even at his age he can still get my heart racing! I liked Pierce Bronson in his TV program, “Reminton Steele”… definately prefer Sean Connery as my all time favorite 007…
Best Wishes with the latest book… it sounds like a real winner and I look forward to reading it!
Remington Steele! That was a very fun show, Betty.
Remington Steele was a really fun show. That was Pierce Brosnan’s best role yet, I think.
Lord and Lady Spy sounds wonderful. Love the cover. My favorite movie spy is Agent 007 and favorite tv spy was Sydney Bristow from Alias.
Three cheers for Sydney! We don’t want to forget the lady spies, do we?
Thank you Crystal! I forgot about Alias. that’s a great show too.
I have to ask since I am a big spy movie buff, Shana, did you happen to get the idea for this book from the movie Mr and Mrs Smith, the movie that stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? Just thought, Smythe is the British equivalent of Smith and it is pretty much the same premise, one job, two agents, neither of them aware of the others’ identity. Anyhow, All time favorite spy in a book, Dalziel in the Bastion Club novels. All time favorite spies in a movie Sean Connery as Bond, or as mentioned before, Pitt and Jolie as Mr and Mrs Smith.
Lora, I loved the Pitt/Jolie movie too!
Yes, Lora! The premise is the same as Mr. and Mrs. Smith. In fact, I originally called the book Lord and Lady Smythe, intentionally playing on the movie title. I asked my publisher to design a cover that would remind readers of the movie too. I loved the movie, but the book is different in a lot of ways.
There are so many out there. I am am a huge James bond fan, however I owuld have to say that Jason Bourne is my favorite operative.
Jason Bourne was great – loved the books and the movies!
Jason Bourne is really great. Is it just me, though, or are the Bourne movies really shaky? I get dizzy.
Until I read Sue’s comment above about Illya Kuriyakin (who I thought was so cute in Man from Uncle), I was also going to say James Bond. Particularly Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. But Sean Connery was pretty great too. Wouldn’t it be fun to have him as an older spy? Like when he played Indian Jones father. I guess he could be James Bond Sr. with a son who is also a spy.
Diane, that would be a fun movie!
Diane! That’s such an awesome idea. I would love to see a movie with 007’s father.
My favorite spies are the Russian spies of the times of the World War II.
That’s an interesting choice, Tatiana! Can you recommend any books about the Russian spies of the period?
World War II is one of my favorite time periods. One day I’d like to write a book set in that period.
World War II is one of my favorite time periods. I’d love to set a book during that time some day.
I liked True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger as a spy and Jamie Lee Curtis as his wife who he kind of trains to be a spy. I like how she becomes one. It’s not him in the movie as much as her that I like. I would love to win this book it sounds so good 🙂
Great movie! And I agree that it was wonderful to see the wife’s character grow throughout the film. That’s really the fun part.
That is one of my favorite movies! The Romantic Times Convention was held in that hotel this year, and it brought to mind so many scenes from the movie.
Sean Connery will always be the greatest actor to play James Bond. None of the others could live up to his persona to me.
Janice, I mostly agree, although I think Daniel Craig does a great job.
I agree completely. Connery is my favorite Bond.
I have too many to name. I mean on the TV side Magnum rocked it. Loving that Tom Selleck is back on TV in Blue Bloods! I also really loved Remington Steele. Pierce Brosnon was always the ideal Bond, so when he finally did the role, I was thrilled. However, Connery is the best Bond EVER! I mean who doesn’t love Bond?
More recently I loved Mr. and Mrs. Smith, so I am really looking forward to Lord and Lady Spy. I can only think of a few “spy” novels I have read: Julie Garwood’s Crown’s Spies Series and Jude Deveraux’s Secrets. But those weren’t all that spy-like. They were good, but not as great as I wanted them to be. Not enough spy! I am holding Lord and Lady Spy to a high standard because I have heard nothing but positive feedback! I hope I win so that I can see if it is a great as I am hoping it will be!
Kendra, good choices. I’m also really happy to see Tom Selleck back in Blue Bloods.
Thanks so much Kendra. Julie Garwood has always been one of my favorite authors.
I liked Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase. Those are my favorites! I still laugh at that movie. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Mary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
Mary, what movie was that? I don’t remember.
I’m not sure what movie that was, either, but I remember Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn in a movie that had an albino trying to assassinate the Pope. It was funny and suspenseful.
I have to go with James Bond. It’s just so over the top, and completely unrealistic, that you suspend your belief and just enjoy yourself. I actually wrote a college paper on sexism/racism/heteronormativism in Goldfinger. (For example, in the book, Bond converts Pussy Galore from lesbian to straight.)
Ha! That sounds like a great paper, Emily!
Yeah, that’s the thing about Bond. It’s not really romantic. I don’t rush to the theaters to see the films, but I’ll watch them if they’re on TV.
I was just reading the comments and have to agree with Mary. Spy’s like Us with Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase was pretty funny! I’m not much into spy movies because most are too violent and geared toward guys. I like my comedies and chick-flicks but True Lies was very good. Pierce Bronson was my favorite Bond! Very sexy!
Johanna, Pierce was a very sexy Bond, wasn’t he?
Oh, yes! Spies Like Us! That’s a classic.
There are so many good spies. I love all the James Bond movies! But my favorite is Mr and Mrs Smith. I loved the chemistry of the characters. and plot of the story.
Cannot wait to read this historical Mr & Mrs Smith!
Yes, Pitt and Jolie pretty much burned up the screen on that one. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Thanks, Sherie. I hope you enjoy it!
I look forward to reading this book. It sounds fabulous!
My favorite spy is Bond, the Daniel Craig version.
Daniel Craig in a tight swimsuit – yum!
Thanks! You know, I had sort of a mix between Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt in mind when I wrote Adrian…
Shana, I just love your books. I hadn’t realized you have written a contemporary is it available in e-format?
Looks like Shana’s contemporary is available in Kindle.
I think Vanessa is right. My website has buy links. http://www.shanagalen.com
It’s a toss-up between Sean Connery and Daniel Craig as James Bond for me…I can’t wait until there are more released!
Julie, I think they’re making another Bond movie now, aren’t they? I hope so!
Yup! November 2012 – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/
According to Wikipedia it may be titled Carte Blanche.
I still say Sean Connery. I was surprised at Craig as the choice for the new Bond, but he plays it well.
Hi Vanessa and Shana! I love Shana’s books since I first read Blacktorn’s Bride and of course after that couldn’t miss reading the other books in the series. I can’t wait to explore the advanture of Sophia and Adrian in Lord and Lady Spy.
My favorite spy was Sean Connery as James Bond. Who can decide which movie was best? Diamonds Are Forever, Dr. No, Goldfinger or From Russian With Love? To me he portrayed the debonair spy and all who came after him were a mere immitation of a star. After all who since than has been more debonaire. On the other hand I have a feeling that Sophia and Adrian might just surpass him!
Any movie producers out there listening?
Thanks so much, Jeanne. Hopefully some movie producer heard you!
Oh, all the ones I thought of have been mentioned – James Bond, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and I believe the Chevy Chase movie was called Fletch which is another favorite.
This sounds like a wonderful read!!
Thanks, catslady. Fletch was pretty funny. I always forget about Chevy Chase in those films.
These are such great comments! Thank you. I’ll check back again later.
I like the spies in Joanna Bourne’s series… I like all of them actually…
Also like The Avengers… thought they were great…
May, Joanna Bourne is one of my favorite authors. I like her spies as well.
Joanna’s books are FANTASTIC!! Can’t wait for Adrian’s story.
James Bond, well All the James Bond’s!! I especially like the last one, sorry I don’t know his name. Very smart and sexy all rolled in one.
Daniel Craig is the actor’s name. Rowr!
Oh, yes, I actually had a mixture of Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig in mind as I wrote Adrian.
My favorite spy would be Roy Miller from Knight and Day. I know it’s not the best of spy movies out there, but I thought it was nice seeing Tom Cruise be the old Tom Cruise we all know and love from the 80s and 90s. Also I like that it was comedic in not so in your face way. I thought it was funny how he kept knocking out June (Cameron Diaz) whenever she would freak out about being in a difficult situation.
You know, Elizabeth, I like that movie too! I think Tom Cruise does a great job with that kind of role.
See, I haven’t seen that movie. I have been waiting for someone to tell me if it was good or not. now i am definitely renting it. Thank you!
the old tv shows “the avengers” (perhaps you herione reminds me of Ms Peele) & mission impossible are about all that comes to mind for some reason. I remember watching them (prob in reruns) with my mom when I was young. other than that, its mostly detectives, PI’s & such that come to mind rather than spies. I do enjoy reading about spies in my romance though 🙂
Mission Impossible was a fun show. So was I Spy, with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. That was a groundbreaker.
Oh, I can see Sophia being a little bit of Ms. Peele. That’s a great show, by the way. Thanks for the comment!
I loved the early spy series on TV. Both THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. and I SPY. They were fun (especially I SPY. How could it not be with Bill Cosby.) but serious when they needed to be. I will say I had quite crush on Illya Kuryakin. The Mission Impossible TV series was pretty good, too, come to think of it.
In the movies, my favorite is TRUE LIES. It is just such fun. I’m afraid I don’t care for the overly serious spy movies. They are really too depressing.
I loved the sound of LORD AND LADY SPY the very first heard of it. It sounds like a fun romp, and we all need those every once in a while. I look forward to reading it.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
Thanks so much. It sounds like I am going to have to watch Illya Kurakin. He must be something else to inspire all these crushes.
Lord and Lady Spy looks excellent! I also loved the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Robin D
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thank you, Robin!
Mr & Mrs Smith is my favorite… I like how they have marriage problems and solve them (by kickin’ butt! lol)
I do like James Bond, but he (they?) never keep a female, so it isn’t my style =D
emilytardy@yahoo.com
I feel the same way about James Bond. Those movies aren’t really romance. But they are fun for the action and gadgets.
The Man from UNCLE, they still give me shivers
Gwen, I’m adding this to my TBRented list!
My favorite spies are the kids from The Spy Kids movies.
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