Review: The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen

The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen, Book III of The Sons of the Revolution trilogy, combines stunning romance, a fast-paced adventure story, an unconventional heroine (my favorite) and a breathtaking hero to create a delectable concoction of a Regency historical sure to please readers tired of cook-cutter romances.

Admiral's daughter Raeven will not rest until she kills Captain Cutlass, the pirate who killed her fiancée. Dressed as a boy, she challenges him to a duel. But Captain Cutlass isn't so easy to kill. When she loses the fight and he discovers her identity, she winds up as his cabin girl.

Bastien, Captain Cutlass, wishes he had never encountered the hellion. The girl fights, knows as much about the sea as any sailor, and never follows orders. He's only too happy when she escapes. Or is he?

Most romances have a larger-than-life hero and a girl-next-door heroine. I want stories where the heroine is as extraordinary as the hero. Ms. Galen has created such a heroine in Raeven, who has sailed on her father's ship since she was four. No embroidery or kowtowing to society's inane rules for her. She had learned everything there is to know about her father's ship, from mending sails to navigation. She also knows how to handle a pistol and knife, and isn't afraid to use them. And no matter what anyone says, she always tries to get what she wants. On the downside, she is somewhat immature and thoughtless. I would have preferred her a little older and more responsible. All in all, though, I would like to see more heroines like Raeven.

Bastien is my favorite kind of hero, a wronged man whose suffering has transformed him into the best of men, a true hero. The action and romance are both nonstop as Raeven and Bastien fight the villains and each other until their HEA.

If you're tired of all the same-old, same-old romances with little nothing heroines, The Rogue Pirate's Bride is the book for you.

Thank you all,
Linda
ARC provided by Sourcebooks

Review: LORD AND LADY SPY by Shana Galen

The war with Napoleon is over. What's a spy to do? Such is the problem facing Adrian and Sophia in Lord and Lady Spy, Shana Galen's latest Regency historical with mystery and action.

Unbeknownst to each other, Adrian and Sophia both worked for the same top secret organization in the Foreign Office. Retirement holds no allure for spies who thrive on danger and deception, especially when their marriage is troubled. And then the prime minister requests their services in a murder investigation. The catch--they must compete with each other, and the one who solves the case will be reinstated into his or her former job.

Loners both, with divergent styles, they must join forces to solve the case, increasing the strain on their relationship. They love each other, but do they love each other enough to take another chance on their marriage when only one of them can win the competition?

Ms. Galen's latest effort is an exciting mystery/spy story, interlaced with the sadness of a troubled marriage. I like stories that contain another element in addition to the romance, and this one has not only a murder mystery, but a spy story, too. I also like a non-traditional heroine, and Sophia is one of the best. She's a lady who can take care of herself in any situation her work throws at her. Her personal life is another matter. And I like Adrian, who wants both his life as a spy and the love of his wife, but who doesn’t know how to reconcile the opposing desires. Neither Adrian nor Sophia is perfect, and their suffering and humanity come through in this courtship-in-marriage story as they work to repair their relationship and solve the mystery. And the mystery will keep you wondering right until the end.

If you want a Regency with something in addition to fancy balls and pretty clothes (which this book also has), Lord and Lady Spy is the book for you.

Thank you all,
Linda
ARC provided by Sourcebooks

Review: THE MAKING OF A GENTLEMAN by Shana Galen

Shana Galen's The Making of a Gentleman, the second book in her Sons of the Revolution series, is the riveting tale of a brutalized man and his salvation through love.

This tale of three brothers separated by the atrocities of the French Revolution continues with the story of second brother, Armand. After rotting for twelve years in a French prison, Armand must relearn how to live a normal life. Although his body has healed, his demons so terrify him he can no longer speak--until he meets Miss Felicity Bennett. His desperate family has hired her as a tutor to guide Armand on his tortuous journey back into the world.

The lovely Felicity reaches him through her music, her tolerance and also with her touch. After the abuse Armand has endured, even a kind touch pains him--but not Felicity's.

Unfortunately, deadly mystery surrounds them. Two men stalk Armand and he cannot remember why. Felicity harbors secrets of her own, ones that can separate her and Armand even as their growing attraction draws them closer.

Armand is my favorite type of hero--a good man whose suffering has made him a better man. Ms. Galen does a masterful job of showing the world from the viewpoint of a man stripped of his humanity and how his perception changes as he heals.

I enjoyed this book even more than The Making of a Duchess, which I liked very much. When does the next book come out?

Thank you all,
Linda
ARC provided by Sourcebooks

Heroes: British? French? Maybe a Little of Both?

Today I am delighted to host fellow Regency author, Shana Galen. Sourcebooks will release her latest book, The Making of a Duchess, this month. Today she talks about Regency heroes. Why are they all British? Not hers.

Sourcebooks will give away two copies of The Making of a Duchess. Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win one. Shana will select the lucky winners, and I will contact them by email. Check the comments to see who won. The winners are Lin and StephB. Lin, please contact me at linda@lindabanche.com to claim your prize. If you do not contact me by June 18, I will award your prize to an alternate. Steph, I already have your address. If I cannot contact the winners with a week of their announcement, I will award the books to alternates. Note that Sourcebooks can mail only to addresses in the USA and Canada.

Welcome, Shana!

I know what you’re thinking: a French hero in a Regency romance? I didn’t think you were supposed to do that.

Even my mom, who hasn’t read any romance novels but mine, said, “Didn’t an editor tell you too much of that one book was set in France?”

And the idea that a novel set partly in France with a French hero might not appeal to Regency readers, who tend to prefer English and Scottish settings, did occur to me. It was just that by then I’d already written about 60 pages of The Making of a Duchess, and I couldn’t let the story or my hero Julien go.

Julien Harcourt, duc de Valére is forced to flee France at the age of 13 when his family’s chateau is attacked by peasants during the French Revolution. He flees to England, but he never forgets where he came from or who he left behind. During the attack, Julien tries to save his younger twin brothers, but he’s forced to leave them behind. Everyone assumes the twins are dead, but Julien never stops searching for them.

Of course, this requires frequent trips to France, and when France and England go to war, the British Foreign Office takes an active interest in Julien’s forays abroad.

Until now all of my heroes have been dyed-in-the-wool British gentlemen. Having done my research, I feel I have a sense of how the British gentleman speaks, thinks, and behaves. But what did I know about Frenchmen? How do they speak? How do they think? How do they behave?

So, I admit, I cheated a bit. Julien’s mother is English, and she takes him to London after the attack. Growing up in London, Julien is really half-English. He’s a deposed duc and quite wealthy, which means he’s accepted by England’s ton, or aristocracy.

But as I said before, Julien never forgets where he came from. He’s not English, and in the novel, I try to highlight this in subtle ways. For example, Julien is Catholic, he still prefers to speak French, and he wants retribution for the loss and harm done to his family. Even if he can never regain his title or lands, he feels that by marrying a French comtesse and producing heirs, he thumbs his nose in a small way at those who perpetuated the Revolution. Unfortunately, the French comtesse he plans to wed isn’t exactly who she claims…

I think in some ways Julien is sexier than any of my previous English heroes. What’s more arousing than a hero whispering French endearments while he slowly and delicately kisses the heroine’s neck in that one spot just behind the ear…

But I digress.

So what do you think? Could a French hero ever compete with those sexy Englishmen? I’ll be checking in later to read your answers.

I hope you’ll pick up a copy of The Making of a Duchess. Check out the excerpt on my website at www.shanagalen.com.

THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS by SHANA GALEN—IN STORES JUNE 2010
A very dangerous attraction…
Julien Harcourt, duc de Valère, is more than willing to marry the lovely young lady his mother has chosen. Little does he know, she’s been sent to prove him a spy and a traitor…

And an even more dangerous secret…
Sarah Smith’s mission is to find out whether the Duc’s trips to the Continent are as innocent as he claims, but the way he looks at her is far from innocent…

Their risky game of cat and mouse propels them from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris, and into a fragile love that may not survive their deceptions…

About the Author
Shana Galen is the author of five Regency historicals, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold in Brazil, Russia, and the Netherlands and featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She is a happily married wife and mother of one daughter and two spoiled cats. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com.

Review: THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS by Shana Galen

French dukes, Regency spies and a prison breakout. Oh my!

What's a poor governess to do? Blackmailed into spying on an émigré French duke in order to prove him a traitor, untrained and unsure of herself Sarah must convince him she's the aristocratic French lady, Serafina, he's supposed to marry. Julien, forced to flee France for England to escape certain death in the Revolution, considers marriage to the so-called Lady Serafina a duty. As much of a duty as finding his long-lost brothers.

The plot twists and turns as Sarah's contact in the Foreign Office applies more and more pressure for her to prove Julien guilty. But as Sarah begins to know and love Julien, she finds it increasingly difficult to believe him a traitor.

Julien, attracted to Sarah, yet suspicious of the contradictions in her behavior, discovers her true identity. The only way to prove his innocence and give their budding feelings a chance is to find his brother. They join forces in a dangerous journey to France from which they might not return.

I like stories that contain elements in addition to the romance. The Making of a Duchess has everything I could ask for--romance (of course), spies (I LOVE spies), mystery (is Julien a traitor? And what about Sarah's contact in the Foreign Office? ), and even some adventure (a prison break-in).

The plot keeps you guessing until the last few pages where the story resolves with a tense, dramatic confrontation that ties up all the plot lines. For an enjoyable read, try The Making of a Duchess, which continues with The Making of a Gentleman, which is on my TBR pile.

Shana Galen will guest blog here on June 10. Return then and leave a comment for a chance to win one of two copies of The Making of a Duchess.

Thank you all,
Linda

ARC provided by Sourcebooks