Author Visit: My Lord Rogue by Katherine Bone (Excerpt, Review, Guest Post & Giveaway)

My Lord Rogue (Nelson's Tea #0.5) by Katherine Bone
Published by esKape Press on May 6th 2014
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
Goodreads
Rating:

Gillian Chauncey, Baroness Chauncey, is a master of disguise, trained by her expatriated husband, a former French royalist, in the arts of espionage. When a dangerous life or death secret lands in her lap, she's thrust into a perilous world of ticking clocks and desperation, arrowing her directly into the arms of the man who arranged her marriage. Lord Simon Danbury is no ordinary nobleman. He's been tasked by Admiral Nelson to organize an elite group of clandestine first sons willing to sacrifice all to protect England's shores. When an assassination attempt is made on Nelson, Simon isn't sure what poses more danger, the enemy or the masterfully seductive Gillian.
Prequel novella to the Nelson's Tea series.

Ahoy, me hearties! I got the rights back to my Nelson’s Tea Series in 2017 and have been busy revisiting the characters and writing new scenes just for you. Do you believe in second chances? I sure do! And a second chance is exactly what Lord Simon Danbury and Gillian, Baroness Chauncey, need in My Lord Rogue. If you like Regency stories filled with romance, lords and ladies, intrigue, betrayal, deception, marriages of convenience, action/adventure, spies, espionage, seafaring battles, swashbuckling heroes, and dukes and pirates, find out what happens when two former lovers, now spies, meet up again in 1801. The danger is very real!

I always get asked, “What is Nelson’s Tea?”

In 1801, Admiral Horatio Nelson returned to England to recover from another bout of malaria. While recuperating from his illness, he was tasked by the Admiralty to organize a way to protect England’s shores from Napoleon. My Lord Rogue is a fast-paced introduction to this thrilling series sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Read how Lord Simon Danbury organizes the clandestine group, code-named Nelson’s Tea, and how a former actress at Drury Lane becomes the only female member of the group.

Why the code name Nelson’s Tea?

Admiral Nelson was never without his tea, even during battle. In this fictional series, Nelson could ask his aides for tea, but mean his mercenary group, first sons from all walks of life, men beyond suspicion, men Nelson could call to action at a moment’s notice. Determined, disciplined, and dedicated men willing to serve the crown with duty and honor, men who will die to protect England and the ones they love.

Again, Simon was met by a defiant mix of stubbornness and sorrow. Then mind-boggling silence. Disgruntled but spurred to action, Simon slapped his hat on his head and began to shove on his gloves. A gentleman wouldn’t have removed his gloves at all, he berated himself. But I am no gentleman. Gentlemen didn’t fixate on married women. And married gentlemen didn’t betray infirm wives, no matter the arrangement.

Oh, his sins were many—too many to count. Damn his eyes! On entering Bedford’s box, a small part of him had held out hope that Gillian still loved him. But he’d chosen his path, and in doing so, he’d lost Gillian forever. Lies and misery separated them now. Hers. His. Bloody hell, they’d never been fated to be together, and nothing he could do or say would change that.

Gillian, Baroness Chauncey had become resourceful, cunning, and ruthless in her dealings with him. He deserved every cutting remark, every heated look. But that would not stop him from discovering the reason for her presence in Town. He’d get to the bottom of it, with or without her help.

Regret rose like a deafening buffer between them as applause ignited the crowd below and in the boxes around them. Lighting in the theater had dimmed. The play had begun. And Nelson was late, as usual, which meant Simon needed to return to his duties.

“Promise me you will not leave until our conversation is finished,” he said as he made his way to the curtained exit.

“I cannot.” She slanted a look at him. “I will not.”

His brows shot up in surprise. “As you wish, but I will be back.”

Holcroft’s Deaf and Dumb began like the metaphor it was—neither character understanding the other, neither ready to accept their true feelings, neither willing to make more sacrifices than had already been made. Gillian stood before him, proud and undaunted with her chin raised and eyes set with unflinching determination.

Simon bowed, barely catching her polite curtsey. “Baroness,” he said stiffly before sweeping the curtain to the side.

She made no sound.

Perhaps it is for the best, eh? his conscience prodded.

Duty linked him to Vice-Admiral Nelson, to a cause greater than flesh. The mission they embarked on together—he and Nelson—organizing a group of mercenaries that would answer to the vice-admiral and act to stop Napoleon’s threat of invasion, depended on total discretion and his complete concentration. As quickly as his instincts had been triggered to follow Gillian, Simon forced her to the back of his mind, turning off his emotions as he exited the box. His heart was not equipped for the gut-wrenching truth that Gillian wanted nothing to do with him. So be it. A man could not turn back the tide.

***Treasure Alert*** One lucky commenter will win a signed paperback of My Lord Rogue with swag! Huzzah!

Katherine is all about bringing swashbuckle, adventure, and intrigue to the stories she writes.

What is your Favorite type of trope in Regency romance?

~~Reviewed by AnnMarie~~

My Lord Rogue: A Nelson’s Tea Novella is the first book in Katherine Bone’s Nelson’s Tea series.

Gillian Chauncey, Baroness Chauncey, despite being married to another, has always only been in love with one man, Lord Simon Danbury. He loved her in return but an obligation to his family meant me must marry another. Gillian spent the next 5 years as a spy for the English and many times worked beside her husband who was also a spy. Sad circumstances make her a widow and she must return to London to convey a message to stop an assassination attempt on Lord Admiral Nelson.

Simon Danbury is also a spy and when he saw Cynthia marry his friend and move to the country he never dreamed that the safety he wanted for her would be non-existent. He has no idea she has been risking her life as a spy. When they see each other in London all their feelings which they have pushed to the back of their minds coming flooding to the forefront. Cynthia is now free, but Simon is still married, so it still seems that their love will never be. They both realise that that should be the last thing on their minds though with Admiral Nelson’s safety in danger, and with war looming large.

If I were to sum this book up in one word it would be WOW! It may only have been a novella but it was full of action, romance and historical facts. It was very obvious that the author paid meticulous attention to her research. The book held me in awe from the very first pages where I found myself in tears over Cynthia’s husband’s death. From there I ran the gamut of emotions as the story unfolded, more tears, some laughter, and times when I held my breath because of the suspense. I can’t believe that such a short book could be so exciting. I enjoyed this story so much, I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! I can’t wait for the next one to be released.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers’ copy of this book.

Rating:

Related Posts