Love and Let Spy

( 8 )

Overview

Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde...
A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she's one of the Crown's most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn't know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love...until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He's exactly the kind of man she's not looking for. And he's dangerous, because ...

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Overview

Her name is Bonde, Jane Bonde...
A beautiful and eligible member of the ton, Jane has more than a few secrets: she's one of the Crown's most elite agents. She may be deadly, but she doesn't know a thing about fashion, flirtation, or love...until Dominic Griffyn shakes up her carefully stirred world and asks her to be his bride. He's exactly the kind of man she's not looking for. And he's dangerous, because falling into his arms is so much more satisfying than saving England from her enemies.

He's an improper gentleman who needs a wife...
Tall, dark, and tortured, Dominic Griffyn is haunted by demons from his past. When his stepfather insists that he marry, Dominic allows himself to hope that the beautiful but mysterious Miss Bonde might help him forget his troubles. As they grow closer, it's clear that there's more to Jane than danger. She might be just what his neglected heart needs.

Praise for Lord and Lady Spy:
"Lively, utterly delightful adventure romance." -RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
06/09/2014
Though the setup is implausible, Galen provides plenty of explosiveness, both literal and erotic, in a Regency-era romantic thriller packed with intrigue and lust. Bonde, Jane Bonde, lead spy for Britain’s elite Barbican Group, wants to focus on stopping the French assassin Foncé, but her boss and uncle, Lord Melbourne, thinks she needs to marry to provide cover for her travels. His choice for her spouse, Dominic Griffyn, would rather tend his horses than confront the demons of his past. He has no interest in either pursuing intimacy or submitting to his mother’s schemes, until he and Jane discover how much they enjoy each other’s company. The overall feeling is adventurous fun, but Galen’s story is surprisingly modern despite the 1816 London setting: the married secret agents from Lord and Lady Spy model successful work-life balance, and Griffyn’s self-protective response to a history of abuse feels emotionally authentic. Series fans will be eager to see what comes next. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"The fun, ebullient spy-driven plot is gratifyingly over-the-top in a Bond-movie way, while the romantic arc remains authentic and affecting." - Kirkus

"Well known for her delightful adventure historicals, Galen raises the bar with Love and Let Spy. This is definitely a book you'll read more than once." - RT Book Reviews

" Galen provides plenty of explosiveness, both literal and erotic, in a Regency-era romantic thriller packed with intrigue and lust." - Publishers Weekly

" [A] sexy, often witty romance that is tailor-made for readers who don't take their Regency romances too seriously." - Booklist

"Ms. Galen is a very gifted author and gets better all the time. In this book, she might have gone where no historical romance writer has gone before, and the result is an absolutely sublime love story that shines above everything else." - Fresh Fiction

"If you like a good action adventure but want a touch of relationship building then you'll want to get your hands on a copy of his book as Galen's ability to move a story along at a rapid pace, yet somehow magically slows the story for moments for courtship, romance and relationships to grow is what will keep you coming back again and again for her next book." - GourmondeGirl

"An utterly wonderful historical romance..." - Books of Love

"an effortless and enjoyable read. Every aspect was well done — characters, plot, romance and it had the right amount of steaminess for me." - Books for Her

"Love and Let Spy is easily my favorite Shana Galen book, so far." - Lady Celeste Reads Romance

"Shana Galen (True Spies) offers more Regency-era passion and fast-pace derring-do in the third novel in her Lord and Lady Spy series. Despite the level of action and the occasional dead body, Galen keeps this spy caper light and breezy, with just enough 007-inspired jokes to make readers chuckle, not groan" - Shelf Awareness

Kirkus Reviews
2014-07-01
Despite her success as a spy, JaneBonde is still beholden to strict social mores, so when her spymaster unclepressures her to marry enigmatic Dominic Griffyn, she's totally conflicted. Bonde, Jane Bonde, has trained froma young age to be the best spy England's supersecret Barbican group has tooffer. On an intellectual level, she understands her uncle's desire to see hermarried, since it's difficult to navigate society as a single young lady.However, to be ordered to marry a man she's never met gets Jane's back up.Then, when she meets the darkly handsome Griffyn, she finds him wildlyattractive, which is a wholly unwelcome distraction, since she's trying tovanquish the evil villain Foncé, who's sworn to destroy the Barbican group andbring England to its knees. At first, Griffyn is against marrying her, too, buteverything about him is a mystery, and if there's one thing Jane can't resist,it's a puzzle. Of course, the fact that his kisses drive her crazy doesn'thelp, and then there's the way he steps up to every challenge; better than somemen trained for years to control the chaos and danger of her field. For his part,unsavory events from Griffyn's childhood mire him in guilt and feelings ofunworthiness, and he has convinced himself he will never marry. But theexquisite and exceptional Jane may be just the woman to treat his psychologicalwounds, if they can defeat the maniacal Foncé and forge a future together.Galen pens a delightful, entertaining James Bond homage in her newest spy-basedRegency romance; from the very first 007-inspired chase scene, we're hooked bythe adventure and physical jeopardy, and we keep reading for the emotionalrisks and high-stakes love story unfolding between Jane and Griffyn. The fun, ebullient spy-driven plot is gratifyingly over-the-top in a Bond-movieway, while the romantic arc remains authentic and affecting.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781402291739
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 8/5/2014
  • Series: Lord and Lady Spy , #3
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • Sales rank: 84328
  • Product dimensions: 4.20 (w) x 6.80 (h) x 1.10 (d)

Meet the Author

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. 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: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she's up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.
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Read an Excerpt

One

Somewhere in Europe, 1816

She crept down the corridor, back to the wall, straining to place the voices of the men. Somewhere a woman was crying, a dog barked, and a horse-drawn cart rattled by. The stench of urine and blood burned her nostrils, but she moved forward.

Two men. French-speakers, though only one was a native speaker. The other...the accent sounded Turkish? She turned her head to locate the voices.

Closed door.

Room at the end of the hall.

Three steps. Two. One.

She paused outside, drawing her knife. She didn't want to risk her pistol misfiring and left it tucked inside her coat, along with a stash of ball and powder. She was dressed as a man because the clothing was more practical and attracted less attention. She didn't think she'd fool anyone who looked closely. And she didn't care.

A man inside the room-the Frenchman-spoke again, and her hand stilled on the door's latch.

"Reaper is dead," she translated silently. "He took his life in prison."

News traveled quickly, though not accurately. The report she'd seen claimed Foncé had gained access to Reaper and slit his throat. The leader of the Maîtriser group didn't tolerate failure. When Foncé realized she, an agent of his hated Barbican group, had tracked two of his men to this ramshackle flash ken, their lives would be forfeit as well. Perhaps that cold fact would be incentive for them to assist her in locating their leader.

Or perhaps it would only make them more eager to kill her.

Either way, the games were about to begin.

She pulled her hand away from the door, stepped back, raised a booted foot, and kicked. The thin wooden door splintered and shot open with a loud crack. The men jumped up, but they didn't move quickly enough. Her knife flew from her fingers, catching one man in the shoulder and pinning him to the wall behind him. He screamed while the other man fumbled for his pistol. She obligingly reached for hers. "I'll kill you before you even pack your powder," she said in French. "Do us both a favor and lower your pistol before I'm forced to shoot you."

"I don't owe you any favors, Bonde." The man holding the pistol sneered. He was called Tueur, and he was an assassin-one of Foncé's best now that Reaper was dead. She wished she'd thrown the knife at him. They'd met before and, since he had been trying to kill her at the time, had not parted amicably.

But she could let bygones...and all of that rubbish. "That's Miss Bonde to you. Shall we have a little chat?"

"No time today," he said and threw the pistol. Bonde ducked, and the weapon clattered to the floor behind her. She reached for it, tucked it in her waistband, then whirled back around. Tueur had wasted no time. He waved as he raced across the room and climbed out the window.

She uttered a most unladylike expletive, her body pulled between Tueur and the Turk. She couldn't split in half-that was the disadvantage of working alone. Working with another agent-that was the disadvantage of a partner.

She headed for the window, glancing at the Turk over her shoulder. A knife protruded from his neck. Tueur had made certain the other man wouldn't talk. He'd also made her decision easy. She leaned out the window and spotted Tueur hanging from the faded awning of the shop below. He dropped to the ground and made a rude gesture.

Bygones were, apparently, not bygone in Tueur's opinion.

She did a quick calculation then dove out the window, pulling her knees in so when she landed on the awning she would roll easily to the edge. She held her breath for the free fall and felt the air whoosh out of her when she hit the fabric.

But she didn't roll.

She heard an awful ripping sound and reached out just in time to catch the edge of the awning before she fell through. Her feet dangled above the hard cobblestones as the material slipped through her fingers. With a sigh, she let go, dropped, and tumbled. The ground was hard, bruising her hip and shoulder. She hobbled to her feet and wiped her bloody hands on her trousers. Where was the dashed man? She glared left and then right.

Unfortunately, he'd seen her and took off at a fast clip.

She went after him, her hip protesting the movement. Red clouded her vision, and she realized her forehead was bleeding. She swiped the blood away and rounded a corner, emerging onto a busy avenue lined with carts and vendors. Men and women walked leisurely along the avenue, shopping on the lovely spring day. Bollocks! Again she'd lost him. And on a crowded street, no less.

Bonde noted a statue and raised fountain standing in a nearby esplanade, and she dodged horses and carriages to reach the monument. She climbed up, hanging on by one arm, and peered down the busy street. He was gone...no-wait.

There! He'd climbed into a Bath chair, which two men were hastily pulling away. She jumped down, searching for another chair for hire and realized Tueur had taken the last. She glanced about, her attention landing on a sporty gig. A footman waited beside the horse, presumably while the vehicle's owner shopped for produce. Bonde ran for it, hopping up before the footman could protest. He stared at her dumbly for a moment, but when she snapped the reins, he grabbed for the horse's bridle.

"Sorry!" she said, straining to control the skittish animal. The horse tried to rear and then shot off. Fortunately, the beast chose the direction she wanted. Unfortunately, he was going much too fast for the crowded avenue. Men and women jumped out of the way as she struggled to gain the upper hand. The Bath chair was just ahead, but the horse bolted to the side before she could jerk him back. The gig's wheel caught on the edge of a fruit stand, sending the vendor's cart toppling over. Oranges and lemons tumbled into the street, and apples bounced in every direction. One bounced into the conveyance, and she caught it with a hand, took a bite, and snapped the reins.

She was grinning. She had Tueur now. He yelled furiously for the men pulling his chair to go faster, but they couldn't compete in a race with a horse. She gained ground until she finally pulled alongside the chair. "Ready for our chat now?" she yelled.

"Go to the devil, Bonde!"

"You first," she muttered, steering the horse closer to the chair so the men pulling it were forced to move aside. Tueur didn't wait for the inevitable. He rose and jumped from the chair, smashing onto the ground. She reined in the horse and jumped nimbly down, landing on her feet and running to grab Tueur before he could rise. She all but collided with a woman carrying an armful of flowers, and the woman tripped and went sprawling to the ground. Bonde spit a daffodil from her mouth and kept running. But the delay cost her. Tueur was up again and moving quickly toward a busy alleyway, where artists sold jewelry, paintings, and mementos. She pictured the city map in her mind. At the end of the alley was a canal. If Tueur reached the canal, he could jump on a vessel and she'd never catch him.

She pushed two men out of the way and raced forward. Tueur saw her coming and began to jog. Some of the crowd saw them approach and parted, but others had to be thrust out of the way. Bonde jumped lithely over a stack of crates, wobbled, and regained her balance.

Tueur was definitely headed for the canal. If she lost him, M would have her head. She sped up just as a young mother holding a little girl's hand stepped out from behind a stall. With a yell, Bonde narrowly avoided them and crashed into a flower cart. Everything went dark and floral for a moment, and when she surfaced, this time spitting tulip petals from her mouth, the flower girl screamed obscenities. At least Bonde thought they were obscenities. Amidst the haze of petals and stems, she'd forgotten in which country she'd landed and the native language spoken. She pulled a rose from her hair, handed it to the woman, and arrowed for the canal.

Tueur was already there, and she saw his dilemma immediately. No vessels. Bonde reached for her pistol. She had him.

He saw her coming then looked back at the water. Then back at her. He took a step forward.

"No!"

But it was already too late. He took two steps back and ran. She reached the edge of the canal as the water splashed back down, mud from below churning up and darkening the already filthy waterway.

"Come up. Swim, damn you," she muttered. The ripples grew larger, and the water stilled. She stared at the place he'd gone under for a long moment, her gaze scanning the rest of the canal.

Nothing moved.

"Bollocks," she said.

"Hey!"

Bonde turned to see a crowd of angry merchants and shoppers approaching. Some waved damaged goods, some waved fists, some didn't have the courtesy to wave.

"Bollocks," she said again. There was nothing for it. She pulled off her cap, allowing her golden hair to spill down her back, and smiled prettily.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 8 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(3)

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Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews
  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Aug 09 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    Could not put the book down!!!!! Read it almost all in one night

    Could not put the book down!!!!! Read it almost all in one night!
    Loved the characters. I love how Shana writes such a strong, smart heroine.
    Her books just keep getting better and better. Can't wait for the next book.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Thu Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    more from this reviewer

    LOVE AND LET SPY by Shana Galen is an exciting Regency Historica

    LOVE AND LET SPY by Shana Galen is an exciting Regency Historical Romance. #3 and final in the "Lord and Lady Spy" series, but can be read as a stand alone. See "Lord and Lady Spy","The Spy Wore Blue (novella)" and "True Spies".

    Another awesome tale of intrigue, romance, passion and the promise of true love. What a finale! Ms. Galen has once again given her readers something to hold on too, with her engaging, and enchanting characters. Her fast paced, action packed, thrill-seeking adventures that are filled with energy, passion, sensuality,romance and love. You do not want to miss one of Ms. Galen's stories! Never disappointed in one of this author's stories!! An awesome read! Received for an honest review.

    Rating: 4.5

    Heat rating: Mild

    Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Tue Aug 05 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    more from this reviewer

    With lovely romance and thrilling danger, Love and Let Spy was a

    With lovely romance and thrilling danger, Love and Let Spy was a wonderful read. I really liked this book. From the sweet and hot romance, to the dark secrets, and endless thrills, this book was fantastic.

    Jane...First of all, I loved her name. When I first read 'Jane Bonde,' I was both amused and intrigued. The name fit her, though, because she was a totally badass spy. She was definitely not to be underestimated, taking down traitors and keeping her hair and dress perfect and the same time. But, I also liked that, when she let the spy fade into Jane, she was a kind and likable character. I thought she was great.

    Dominic was also wonderful. He had some dark secrets in his past that still affected him. But, despite that, he was still a kind man who was the epitome of a gentleman. He was very sweet and endearing and I totally adored him.

    The romance was lovely. Jane and Dominic were great together. They were both strong, and they had both seen darkness in their lives, so it was clear how they implicitly understood each other. And, the heat level was steamy between them. Sparks were always flying with these two.

    The plot was well paced and, while I wasn't completely hooked, I was kept interested the entire way through. There were plenty of thrills to be had as Jane tried to take down a criminal. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.

    Love and Let Spy was a fantastic historical romance. I really liked this wonderful book. It had delightful romance, constant thrills, and I enjoyed all of it. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.

    *I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Tue Aug 05 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    Romance lovers, this is the book you must read! A fantastic, fab

    Romance lovers, this is the book you must read! A fantastic, fabulous, marvellous, magnificent book!!! As the previous books in the Lord and Lady Spy series, it’s an exciting spy story, and a romance. Shana does it so well: she remains faithful to the era, she never goes steampunk on us, and still she writes about spies.

    It doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the previous books, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. The story is great, the characters wonderful as always, but the best thing about this book is the most wonderful love story ever, in my opinion. I seldom cry, maybe a tiny tear or two, but this book had me bawling like crazy! It’s so beautiful, your heart breaks; never have 3 little words, and not the ones you’re thinking of, have been so moving and heartbreaking. Do not miss it!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Tue Aug 05 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    The third and final entertaining book in the Lord and Lady Spy s

    The third and final entertaining book in the Lord and Lady Spy series by Shana Galen, this story is a spoof on the popular James Bond series of by Ian Fleming but set in Regency London, 1816.
    I really felt this romance was more about Jane Bonde, a strong and admirable heroine who is a spy. It’s fabulous to see a woman in Regency England kicking some spy ass while falling in love and being able to keep her position despite the conventions of the time. Realistic? Perhaps, perhaps not. But I’m sure there were unconventional marriages and relationships then just as there are now.
    The allusions to the Ian Fleming James Bond stories are fun to read, especially since the spy is a woman. What’s unique about Jane is that she isn’t a girl-in-pants spy. She’s every inch a gorgeous and accomplished lady. She also happens to be unconventional, fearless, and smart.
    "What she would not give for a night of quiet and a good book on ancient weapons or deadly poisons."
    "It wasn’t that she didn’t like children. She did like them, but she also liked traveling the world, hunting double agents, and priming a pistol."
    "She objected to marriage and the freedoms it would curtail."
    We meet Baron and Butterfly (True Spies) as well as Wolf and Saint (Lord and Lady Spy) from the previous books, all members of the Barbican group, a spy network for the home office, run by Melbourne, aka M., and Jane’s uncle and guardian. He has raised her since she was orphaned and groomed her to be a spy and she’s one of the best. Oh, and let’s not forget the enigmatic and ever fashionable Blue! (I think he’s my favorite Barbican spy).* 
    At the beginning of the story, as in all the books, they are on the hunt for Foncé, a dangerous French nemesis. 
    When M. tells Jane that she must marry, he arranges a match with Dominic Griffyn, the son of an actress friend from M.’s past. Dominic has dark and disturbing secrets, but Jane is the right woman for him as nothing shocks or surprises her. Both are immediately attracted to each other even as they both resent the forced betrothal. Their romance is highly-charged with eroticism and attraction. Dominic breaks all his rules for her.
    I liked Dominic very much, but this is really Jane’s book to shine; this is not a criticism in the least. Most of the story is told from Jane’s point of view. In other words, she steals the show. Brilliantly.
    Dominic loves horses and breeds them and his kindness and handling of them provide clues to his inner nature for Jane as she gets to know him. Dominic wants to uncover Jane’s secrets but also greatly fears her discovery of his own.
    "Griffyn wasn’t a threat to her life, but he was a threat nonetheless. He wouldn’t take her life, but he might just take her heart."
    If you enjoy Ian Fleming’s James Bond books, you will enjoy discovering all the minute references from that series including Moneypence, Miss Qwillen, and M. And, of course, Jane Bonde. I’m sure I missed several.
    As in all of her fast-paced and entertaining books, Galen writes the very best fight scenes, though there aren’t as many as in True Spies—my favorite if the series. I think the best part about her stories is the poignancy and authenticity she evokes in her characters. There’s danger and daring and excitement, but there’s also deep pain and emotion. She really makes you feel for her heroes and heroines.
    There is also a nice little secondary romance for the lovesick Moneypence and we learn a surprising truth about the devious and lethal Foncé.
    Just one more thing, I would like to make a call for Galen’s publisher to take more care in the creation of her books’ covers. They’re not terrible but they’re not “wow!” either. Galen’s stories deserve far better attention to its cover presentations than they’re getting and I am sure I’m not the only one who feels this way.
    A highly original, fun, and sparkling romantic adventure.
    *Blue’s love story is The Spy Wore Blue.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Thu Aug 14 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    I was so excited to read this book. I mean, c'mon, you have Bond

    I was so excited to read this book. I mean, c'mon, you have Bonde...Jane Bonde. 

    What really thrilled me about this book was the fact that it was DEFINITELY the female who was involved in the intrigue. Dominic was there, but he definitely wasn't a spy, wasn't cut OUT to be spy, though he had his heroic moments. You don't get a chance to see that as often in historicals because of the traditional role of women in earlier ages, but I felt Ms. Galen really pulled it off believably (well, as far as fiction can go for realism).

    Jane - they were trying to force her into marriage and she didn't wanna go. Good for her. I'm glad she fell for Dominic though. He was a great foil to her passion for her spycraft.

    Dominic - Poor guy. Had to feel for him, ending up with Jane when he probably originally just wanted a sweet miss and instead got a kick-butt spy who's out to get the bad guys at all costs. Still, he proved his worth throughout the book and I was glad to see him get some resolution to his own ghosts.

    Definitely a not-to-miss book. So glad I read it. I've eagerly devoured this entire series.

    Book provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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  • Posted Wed Aug 06 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    I wanted to like this title, since I enjoyed other titles in the

    I wanted to like this title, since I enjoyed other titles in the series. There is nothing really wrong with the story. However, I never could bring myself to like or care about the characters. The protagonists start off not wanting to be wed. They change their minds but there doesn’t seem to be any reason why they should. The author deserves credit for dealing with the issue of childhood sexual abuse but it is not enough to make the characters interesting. The title is worth reading to complete the series. Readers new to the author or series would be better served by starting with another title.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Aug 11 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    No text was provided for this review.

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