Lord And Lady Spy

Guest Author: Shana Galen & Giveaway!!

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Shana Galen H-R-2118

It goes without saying that readers can choose from a rich pool of historical romance writers these days, from Anna Campbell and Elizabeth Hoyt, to Katharine Ashe and Jennifer Ashley, and my eternal fan-girl crush, Loretta Chase.  But to my mind, one of the best historical authors currently writing is Shana Galen.

Shana writes fast-paced, adventurous Regencies that are also wonderful romances with a lot of emotional depth.  One of my favorite historical books in the last few years was Shana’s Lord and Lady Spy, which was a corking good adventure and also a truly sigh-inducing romance.

Lord and Lady Spy

Lord and Lady Spy also happened to be one Publisher Weekly’s top romantic picks for 2011.

Shana has a brand new book in her Spy Series, in stores today.  It’s called True Spies and I can’t wait to read it!  Here’s the blurb:

He’s weary of deception…

Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him and his wife has given up on him. . .

She wants to try a little intrigue . . .

Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive – quite the jealous type – and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew . . .

True Spies

Sounds great, doesn’t it?  True Spies has already been getting great reviews, including this one from Gourmonde Girl:

“True Spies is written for those who’ve been looking for a great romance that doesn’t involve a society come out or stereotypical ‘May-December’ romances but instead: a little action, a little sex and a lot of wooing and romance. This is a true love story for grown-ups and as such it exceeds my expectations.”

If you like your historical romances with depth, adventure, and characters with a lot of strength and heart, I suggest you treat yourself to Shana’s True Spies.  I guarantee you won’t regret it!

For my readers today, Shana is giving away a copy of True Spies.  To win a copy, simply tell us who your favorite spy is–in books, movies, or real life!

Guest Author: Shana Galen & Givaway!

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I’m so pleased to be hosting one of my favorite historical romance authors on the blog today.  She’s Shana Galen, and she writes bestselling, Regency-set historical romance that’s both adventurous and sexy.  One of my most enjoyable reads this year was Lord and Lady Spy, which is a great caper story and a wonderful romance with a huge amount of heart.  I loved it!

Shana has a new book out, and she’s here to tell us about it.

Of Dukes and Downton Abbey

Like most of America and the UK, I fell in love with Downton Abbey last year. I’m not much of a TV-watcher, and my husband was so intrigued by my sudden interest, he took watched and was hooked. He’s not a writer, so when the weekly episode was over, it was over for him.

Not so for me. The cast—or at least their images—stayed in my mind. I was writing my September release, When You Give a Duke a Diamond at the time, and some of the actors provided perfect inspiration for my novel’s characters. You can see a few of my choices on my When You Give a Duke a Diamond Pinterest board.

The Duke

I chose Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew Crawley on Downton, as the model in appearance for William, the sixth Duke of Pelham. Matthew and Will have almost nothing in common personality-wise. Matthew actually seems to enjoy some leisure on the weekends. Pelham does not know the meaning of the word leisure and does not care to. He’s rigid, staid, and adheres to his routine almost as though it were a lifeline. He has many secrets and a dark past.

And when he meets the Duchess of Dalliance, his routine will never be the same again.

The Diamond

Robin Wright Penn, who played Buttercup in The Princess Bride, has the look of my spontaneous, fun-loving heroine Juliette. Juliette has been dubbed the Duchess of Dalliance, and she’s one of three glamorous courtesans known as The Three Diamonds. She cannot afford to be cut by the powerful Dangerous Duke, but that’s exactly what happens at the Prince Regent’s ball. And then to make matters worse, Juliette witnesses a murder at the ball.

The apparent murder of the Duke of Pelham’s fiancée.

The Jewels

When You Give a Duke a Diamond is the first in a new series, and I introduce several characters who feature prominently in future books. The Countess of Sinclair is one such character. She’s the much pitied wife of the Earl of Sin, the protector (read: lover) of The Three Diamonds. But take one look at my choice for the countess—Maggie Smith in her role as the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey—and you’ll know there’s more to the countess than it seems.

You’ll have to visit my other Pinterest boards for pictures of Juliette’s friends Fallon and Lily. They’ll each get their own books, filled with dangerous diamonds and dangerous men.

Do you like to picture “celebrities” as the characters in books? Who are some of your favorites?

 He had a perfectly orderly life…

William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that’s the way he likes it. But he’s in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn’t begin to describe what happens next…

Until she came along…

Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It’s disruptive to have the duke who is the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William’s darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide…

There you have it, folks!  The first book in Shana’s new series.  For my readers today, Shana is giving away a copy of When You Give a Duke a Diamond to those of you in the U.S. or Canada.  Just answer her question about celebrity inspired characters for a chance to win.  And don’t forget to visit her website for more info about her books, and also check out her group blog, The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills.

We Have Winners!

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The winners of Shana Galen’s new book, Lord And Lady Spy, are Emily Tardy and Emily.  How about that for synchronicity?  Two winners with the same first name!

Thanks to everyone for stopping by the blog – it was a really fun discussion!  I have some more great guests coming up, including paranormal and romantic suspense author Karen Whiddon and my good pal, Marie Force, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense.  Make sure you drop on by!

Guest Author: Shana Galen & Giveaway!

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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.

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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!

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