Dec 21
8th Day of Christmas
It’s the 8th day of this contest, and I neither know nor am giving away a maid a milking. And aren’t you glad? What am I giving away? Scrumptious Avon historical author Jenna Petersen’s first release of her “Lady Spies” trilogy:
FROM LONDON WITH LOVE
Avon
ISBN-10: 0060798610
ISBN-13: 978-0060798611
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Mass market historical
Buy print book from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders
Meredith Sinclair is everything a lady of society should be. She sparkles at every party, men fall at her feet and every woman longs to be like her. But beneath that popular exterior lurks a serious spy. And her newest assignment is very personal.
She is sent to investigate Tristan Archer’s involvement in the robbery of a painting that may have hidden secret information about the British Army’s movements in France. Meredith knows she shouldn’t grow to close to a potential traitor, but many years ago Tristan saved her life. And it’s harder and harder to believe he could be so wrong when his kisses are so right.
Will the evidence break her heart… or will her heart set them both free?
Reviews
“…as romantic as it is mysterious…” — Joyfully Reviewed
“…a very erotic and heartfelt journey…” — Romance Junkies
“If you love romances that curl your toes and tales that provide page turning excitement you will find a place for From London with Love on your keeper shelves.” — Fallen Angel Reviews
Excerpt
Chapter 1
1812
Meredith Sinclair held her breath as she knelt before the safe, a lock pick clamped between her teeth and a candle flickering on the floor as she gave the door a pull. Her lips tilted into a smile around the pick as the safe door swung open, revealing two identical velvet boxes.
Withdrawing them both, she pulled a tiny magnifying glass from the pocket of the fitted gentleman’s trousers she wore as a disguise and removed the first necklace from its box. She barely held back a gasp of pleasure at the beauty of the piece. The diamonds sparkled in the glow of the candlelight and the amethysts reflected a violet so rich and deep that it was worthy of a king.
She dipped her head and examined the piece. When she didn’t find what she had been looking for, she opened the second box, to reveal a necklace that was identical to the first in all ways.
“All ways but one,” she murmured to herself with a smile as she found the tiny mark on one stone that indicated a forgery. She replaced the real necklace in its case and put it into her bag, then got to her feet.
Carefully, she slipped from the room and down the dim hallway to the servants’ entrance she had paid a disgruntled footman to leave open for her. The home was silent as a grave, its occupants at a party across London, where they were no doubt scouting out their next piece of jewelry to steal. The servants had the night off or were in their quarters.
It was all too easy.
Meredith stifled another smug smile as she made her way into the garden behind the estate. In a few short steps she would be in her waiting carriage hidden around the corner and on her way back home. Another case solved.
The thought had no more than passed through her head when she heard a shout behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see three men burst from the home in her direction.
“Damn it,” she muttered as she started to run. The door leading from the garden onto the street was still a good twenty feet away.
That was when the first shot whizzed past her ear. Without breaking stride, Meredith looked back to see the second man lifting his gun as the first man fell behind to reload.
She dropped her shoulders and darted to the left as she reached the garden door, just as a second bullet slammed into its wooden face and splintered wood flew in all directions. She grabbed the door handle and pulled…
Only to find it had been relocked since her entry into the home not half an hour before.
A wide variety of curses passed through Meredith’s mind, but she didn’t utter them. For one, she had to save her breath for running, and two, since she was in disguise, she didn’t want her pursuers to know she was a woman. That would only complicate matters.
She bounded along the garden wall in hopes she would find something to be her salvation. And then it appeared. A wheelbarrow propped against the wall by some helpful gardener.
“Thank you patron saint of spies,” she murmured as she jumped onto the rounded top of the wheelbarrow, balanced for a brief moment, then braced her hands along the garden wall and pushed herself over the top.
She hit the cobblestone below with a jarring force that made her teeth rattle, but was instantly on the move again. Her carriage was parked in sight in the dark shadow of a nearby building and her driver had turned, looking for her. Likely he had heard the gunfire inside the garden, for his own rifle was raised to cover her if need be.
With a yank, Meredith pulled the carriage door open and dove inside.
“Go, Henderson!” she called as another bullet shattered the glass window on the door. She reached back and pulled the damaged door shut as she flattened herself against the floor in case her pursuers fired again. “Drive!”
The horses had already begun to move before the second order left her lips. They roared forward under Henderson’s skilled whip, leaving her hunters behind, their loud curses echoing along the quiet streets.
* * * * *
In addition to Jenna’s book, the winner will also receive a signed copy of TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, a copy of SLAVE by Cheryl Brooks and more chocolate! Start commenting now! More tomorrow…
46 comments46 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Yes, books are better than 8 maids a milking!
Wow! The prizes are the greatest and I always appreciate the excerpts that you tempt us with.
Happy Holidays!
Great Prizes ;-)
Yeah, who the heck wants the 8 maids a milking anyway!
Happy Holidays!! 
Lois
It’s always interesting to see a historical novel with an empowered female.
Deidre
I’m not much on historical romances, but I agree
with Deidre, it is interesting to see an empowered
female in one. I might have just been tempted to
give this one a try. Thanks
I love Jenna Petersen’s books.
Sounds interesting.
Love the cover and excerpt is so wonderful!Just love reading Historical romances. Happy Holidays everyone!
I am looking forward to reading this one. I will be adding it to my tbr list.
The book sounds really interesting. Much better than eight maids a-milking.
books are great. but any prize is wonderful
Books are much better then maids a milking. This books sound awesome. I love a good suspense book. This is one great prize. Please count me in on this one. Please, Please, PRETTY Please pick me!!!
Love a historical that allows the woman to be strong and important member of society.
A great group of books and authors in this prize pack!
Sounds very good! Loved the excerpt!
Awesome series.
Don’t put me in this one because I loved SLAVE and too all of Jenna’s books! I just need to get her recent one. She’s awesome! But didn’t want to miss posting. I’m having a blast here Shelley!
I really like the excerpts you have been putting up. Of course now I have to figure out how to fit them into my book budget now. :-)
I love stories about female spies. Count me in..Thanks
I’ve never been a huge fan of the historical genre, but this excerpt sure sounds exciting! I love kickass heroines!
This is a different slant on the heroine. I like it!
This book sounds great. I love historical romances.
Ooooh, yes, I love kick-ass heroines. Are all her books as good as this one sounds?
Thanks for all the giveaways, Shelley!
Great prizes today…books and chocolate are 2 of my favorite things!
Blessings,
Rhonda :0)
I really liked this excerpt. I love women that can kick a**.
Ohhhh romance and intrigue – I like.
I enjoy reading the excerpts – more books and chocolate, two of my favorite things
Yay!! Again, again!!
I’m so excited it worked again!!
Hope your holiday season is not too rushed!!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥,
Sabrina
sounds very cool – and definitely an improvement over the 8 maids a-milking!
This book looks wonderful too. I haven’t read this title but Jenna Petersen delivers. Thanks for the recommendations for all these fabulous books!
count me in as I love spy stories. On the edge of your seat kind of stories.
Enjoyed the excerpt, count me in for this one!
I’ve never read any of Jenna’s stories, but this excerpt was fabulous, and makes me want to read more.
I loved this whole historical Charlie’s Angels spin on this series. It’s so delightful.
Hi, when are you going to pick me to win?? Hope your ready for Christmas.
I LOVE historical romances!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
I am so glad to read this blog gives me a list of things to get in the future… and not to mention i dont feel the cold any more
oh this book is good…i so gotta read this
This sounds so good.
Happy Holidays!!
Great prizes, books and chocolate who could ask for more!
sounds like a great book!!
A new to me author and chocolate. Can’t get any better.
Jenna is another awesome author! Good luck everyone!
Thanks Shayla, and Happy Holidays!
She’s a great author!
Great prizes, books and chocolate!!!!