I love the idea of this book! Β I can’t wait to get a chance to read it.
I got to see a couple of different sneak peeks and the one below is by far my favorite. Β Something about the look into his feelings just calls to me.
*****
It Takes a Spy
Secrets and SeductionΒ series
Publication Date: November 1, 2014
Genres: Historical, Romance
Blurb:
In 1851, Cecilia Paring has serious reservations about marrying her fiancΓ©, Devin Montlake. Gone is the boy who could capture her heart with a word or a glance and in his place is a man who has made it clear that to be a proper barrister’s wife, the exciting and impulsive Cecilia must change as well.
Although Devin Montlake loves his orderly life as a barrister, he’s determined to follow his roadmap to achieve his goal of becoming a judge. His biggest obstacle seems to be convincing his headstrong fiancΓ©e to fulfill her social obligations with a modicum of propriety.
But when the jewelry collection belonging to Cecilia’s family is stolen the night before it is to be auctioned off and Devin is framed for the crime, he discovers that following his much-loved rules won’t solve this particular problem. He’ll need the inventiveness of his irrepressible fiancΓ©e to catch the thief.
*****
Excerpt:
βTrust you?β She narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion. βI donβt trust anyone who says βtrustΒ me.β Arenβt you the boy who put frogs in my teapot when Evangeline and I were having a tea partyΒ at Sir Timtonβs lawn party?β
The knot in Devinβs stomach eased at her bantering words. βYour memory is faulty,β heΒ said, using a teasing tone that mimicked hers. βIt was his daughterβs birthday party. And if youβll putΒ your mind to it, youβll recall that you said you planned to kiss one hundred frogs in order to findΒ your prince. I was simply trying to help you on your quest.β
The childhood fantasy had suited her. Sheβd always looked like a princess to him, with herΒ pale hair framing her face like a shimmering crown of gold. Even though her hair was darker now,Β when he looked at her, he could still catch a glimpse of that child.
His princess burst out laughing. βIβd forgotten about that plan. How did you even knowΒ about it?β
βIt was common knowledge.β He recalled his half-thought-out plan to appear when sheβdΒ kissed her one hundredth frog. Well, perhaps it had been more of a daydream. Sheβd kiss her lastΒ frog and then look up to find Devin waiting for her. The daydream ended there. After all, heβd beenΒ five years her senior.
Of course, heβd been more whimsical back then. At least, heβd tried to be. Being aroundΒ Cecilia seemed to have that effect on him. She leached the rigidity from him, making him feelΒ unconstrained and free to be himself.
Even now he was amazed at the way fate had thrown them together. Would he have evenΒ met her if she hadnβt lived so close to him? Would he have fallen in love so irrevocably? He knewΒ Miss Cecilia Paring. He knew her deep down to the tips of her toes and the corners of her soul.
Heβd seen her splashing in the rain puddles after a storm until her dress was soaked all the wayΒ through. Heβd seen her caring for an abandoned baby bird, allowing it to perch on her shoulder allΒ day, leaving white droppings on her dress. Heβd even seen her slamming her hand against the pianoΒ keyboard with frustration when she couldnβt move her fingers fast enough to master a new piece.
βDid you ever make it all the way to one hundred frogs?β he asked. He would have missedΒ it, since heβd left not long after that party to attend Oxford.
She didnβt respond for a moment, and he began to think she wouldnβt, until she finally said,Β βOf course I did. I found my prince, didnβt I?β
*****
Author Info:
Sheridan Jeane writes exciting and emotion-packed historical romances set in the Victorian Era that confront issues of trust and conformity.
With the advent of the industrial age, life was changing. Many people tried to hold on to the old ways of life while others embraced the new opportunities open to them.
Join Sheridan as she explores the clash between the old and the new.
Sheridan has always loved books, history, and stories about amazing people who blaze new trails.
Despite naming their daughter Sheridan because they thought it might someday look great on the cover of a book, Sheridan’s parents urged her in a more practical direction for college. Sheridan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in English.
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Romantic Reads and Such 