While You Were Spying by Shana Galen is a fantastic prequel in her Regency Spies series. I’m always ready to read a great spy story set in Regency England that has dashing Lords besotted by strong and resourceful women. Oh, and the cover – OMG it is absolutely fabulous! Based on a few book covers I’ve seen lately, I think purple is the new hot color!
Our heroine, Francesca Dashing, is still trying to sort out her future after her broken engagement a short while ago. No one has discovered the reason for her unmarried state and she hopes to never reveal the truth to anyone. If her parents had their way she’d be married and settled down, but that doesn’t seem to be in her future just yet.
As usual, one afternoon while out and about she plans to save yet another animal, from a neighbors farm, from a fate worse than death. Unfortunately, she falls into the arms of the Marquess Winterbourne, Ethan Caxton and discovers she may be the one in need of rescuing.
Unfortunately, Francesca is not content sitting about and learning the skills necessary to take care of domestic tasks. Much to the exhaustion of her parents, she finds herself in precarious positions of adventure that test everyone daily. When she brings home another injured animal in need of rescue, her father finally puts his foot down and tells her no. However, when Francesca’s parents discover who the gift is from, they assume there is something much bigger going on and insist on an explanation. Will she be able to find a way out of her sticky situation this time?
Ethan was hurt before and is convinced he will never be able to fully give himself to another woman ever again. No matter how pretty, smart or seductive and charming she might be. When Ethan can’t get Francesca out of his thoughts he has a decision to make, his job isn’t one that allows him to disclose personal information or matters of the heart. Still unable to trust after being hurt he has a choice to make and it’s one he can’t seem to do on his own.
When lives are in danger and a thief must be caught they will have to work together, or risk endangering everyone they care about. Will Francesca finally put herself first? Will Ethan allow himself to truly trust and be open to finding love again?
Through the sweeping countryside of England to the taverns and rustic roads of Paris, France, this book will take you on a journey of the heart and capture your soul. This prequel is the perfect beginning for a fabulous new series filled with spies, mystery, romance and lots of sizzle that will leave you breathless and wanting more from these fabulous characters! I received this ARC from the author for an honest and fair review. I loved it and know that you will too! I only hope that I hope that we don’t have to wait too long to read the next book!
Author Info:
Shana Galen is the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, “The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun,” and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching.” She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston’s inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers, so send her an email or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.
