I’m happy to be here at Books-n-Kisses, the second stop on the My Highland Spy Teaser Tour! Thanks for having me.
My Highland Spy is the first book in my new Highland Spies’ series, and I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. We left off yesterday with Ravenna being in The Devil’s Tavern. Let’s see what other trouble she can get herself into.
My Highland Spy
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This Highland Laird won’t bow to the Crown
Laird Ruairi Sutherland refuses to send his only son away to be educated by the English. And he most definitely will not appear in Edinburgh to pay homage to a liege who has no respect for Scotland. So he does what any laird would do-he lies to the king. The last thing Ruairi expects is a beautiful English governess to appear on his doorstep.
But this lady spy might make him…
Lady Ravenna Walsingham is a seasoned spy who is sent to the savage Highlands to uncover a nefarious plot against the Crown. Playing the part of an English governess—a job easier said than done—she infiltrates the home of Laird Sutherland, a suspected conspirator.
If she doesn’t betray him first
Ravenna soon discovers that the only real threat Sutherland poses is to her heart. But will the proud Highland laird ever forgive her when he discovers the woman he loves in an English spy?
The establishment was notorious for housing smugglers, cutthroats, thieves, and pirates. If Lord Cobham was meeting anyone here to further promote his illicit behavior, she was going to find out.
Without warning, Ravenna was roughly pulled down onto a lap. The man’s breath reeked of ale and he smiled, fingering her locks.
“This place keeps getting better and better. I haven’t seen you here before.” He lowered his head and sniffed down her body. “Mmm…you smell of lavender.”
She didn’t think it wise to tell the man what he smelled like so she politely nodded. When she tried to stand, he pulled her back down and held her with a firm grip.
“Let me tell you a little secret.” He lowered his voice and leaned forward. “I think you are by far my favorite.” His hand encircled her breast, and it took all of Ravenna’s might not to slap him. And that’s when she looked up and noticed the men.
Dear God.
Lord Cobham was walking straight toward her. She hastily glanced to Cobham’s right and saw Charles Paget. What was he doing here? She couldn’t risk being spotted, so she did the first thing that came to mind. She turned in the lap of the man who held her and brought his lips to hers.
The man’s comrades cheered him on, and his hands roamed all over Ravenna in places they shouldn’t. She had to endure quite a repulsive kiss and felt as though she needed a cloth to wipe away the slobber that had escaped the man’s lips. How she despised this part of the masquerade! Only when she was confident that the two men had departed did she dare pull back, attempting not to think about the bile that rose in the back of her throat.
She placed her finger to the man’s lips. “I have something for you. I’ll be right back.” When the man nodded, as she knew he would, she made her escape to the back room. She didn’t want to spend another moment in that place. Grabbing her cloak from the corner, she bolted out the door.
She did not look back.
What was Lord Cobham doing with Charles Paget? She thought Paget was still in Paris. No matter, she would simply give the information to her uncle. She wrapped her cloak tighter around herself as the cool breeze whipped her cheeks. She walked with long, purposeful strides, clutching the dagger in her pocket. She didn’t like walking the streets of London by herself, let alone by the docks in the darkened hours of the night. One of these days her luck was going to run out. She prayed it was not at this moment.
Her uncle’s carriage waiting at the end of the dimly lit street was a welcome sight. George climbed down upon her approach and extended his hand. He was a large man with graying hair at the temples and stood well over six feet tall. He always aided her when she needed protection from places like the Devil’s Tavern.
“Lady Walsingham, did you find what you were looking for?”
“Thankfully, yes.”
“Home, my lady?”
“Yes, please.”
Ravenna climbed into the coach and breathed a sigh of relief. She sat back, closed her tired eyes, and fell asleep to the gentle, rhythmic movement of the carriage and the sound of clomping hoofbeats. When the carriage suddenly stopped, she was jolted awake.
“My lady, we have arrived.”
She took George’s hand and climbed down. “Thank you. Could you please ask my uncle to pay me a visit on the morrow?”
He nodded. “Of course. Have a pleasant evening, Lady Walsingham.”
*****
What the people are saying:
“An exciting Highland tale of intrigue, betrayal, and love.” —Hannah Howell, New York Times bestselling author of Highland Master
“Roberts’ newest features a surprise-laden, quick-paced plot, replete with unconventional and fiercely independent characters. Her lyrical prose grabs readers’ attention, and the high level of emotional tension simply adds to the depth of the story. This book begs to be read and reread.” —RT Book Reviews
Victoria Roberts writes sexy, award-winning Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. Prior to ever picking up a single romance novel, she penned her first young adult novella at 16 years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt wearing Highlander wielding a broadsword? Victoria lives with her husband and their two beautiful children in western Pennsylvania. Visit her at Website | Facebook| Goodreads|
*****
Sourcebooks will give away one copy of My Highland Spy to a lucky commenter (US and Canada only, please.)
To enter please tell Victoria the name your favorite spy movie.
Follow the whole tour here:
8/18 – The Reading Café
8/19 – Books-n-Kisses
8/20 – Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
8/21 – Long and Short Reviews
8/22 – From The TBR Pile
8/25 – SOS Aloha Book Blog
8/26 – The Bookish Babe
8/27 – Fresh Fiction
8/28 – Harlequin Junkie
8/29 – Urban Girl Reader
If I had to pick just one spy movie, it would have to be an either an early James Bond with Sean Connery or one with Pierce Brosnan, so I’ll go with Goldeneye.
Sean Connery. *sigh*
This book sounds awesome. I just know this series will be a hit.
Favorite spy movie is James Bond. Especially when Pierce Bronson plated him,,
Oh, I love James Bond, Cindy!
Great excerpt…Congrats to Victoria on the upcoming release. I like anything James Bond or Bourne Identity series.
Jason Bourne is a great series!
The Bourne movies
Agree.
Congrats to Victoria on the new release! Sounds awesome 🙂 I loved!!! Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Thanks for sharing!
Brad and Angelina… What can I say? They had chemistry from the start.
A fish named wanda
I loved that movie! My kids are downstairs watching a Jamie Lee Curtis movie now. 😉
I can’t wait to read your new book, Victoria! I love James Bond.
Hi Jena! I’m a big Bond fan.
Oh, boy! Another riveting book by one of my fave authors of Highland kilted guys! Can’t wait to read this one too. This excerpt really got me going, especially when the heroine forced herself to kiss that slobbery guy in order to escape! 🙂 I’m gonna enjoy this book! Thanks for the post.
Hi Janice! I hope you enjoy the book. Men in kilts and lady spies. 😉
Oh I have been waiting for this book FOREVER, lol.
Favorite spy movie…Well the Sean Connery Bond films come to mind first but there have been other good ones…
RED and RED 2 and Smiley’s People (PBS) were favorites.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to tell me if MY HIGHLAND SPY was worth the wait.
I recently watched SALT again w/Angelina Jolie, and it’s a really good spy movie. I like all the 007 movies of course.
I really liked SALT. Angie is a great actress.
Have to go with Sean Connery as Bond. He made me fall for 007. So excited for this release, love the cover. It’s my new favorite.
Hi Stephanie. Thanks so much. And I have to agree. Sean Connery will always be 007.
It would have to be Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger.
Yep. I think Sean will always be the best Bond.
Sean and/or Pierce as Bond–any of those movies!
Pretty much. 😉
True Lies is my favorite spy movie.
Oh, that’s a great movie!
Bond movies win out for me – especially with Daniel Craig and Sean Connery. Although a lot of other great ones have been mentioned in the comments. 😀
I really like Daniel Craig as Bond. Skyfall was wonderful, especially in Scotland. 🙂
James Bond with Daniel Craig, particularly Casino Royale, but got to see Scotland in Skyfall
Absolutely, Diane!
James Bond. Pierce Brosnan is my favorite one.
Hm.. maybe True Lies. I’ve seen that one about 100 times.
That’s one movie that doesn’t get old.
loved the movie: True Lies. With Jamie Leigh Curtis, Tom Arnold, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Casino Royale
I like Matlock as far as shows are concerned however I don’t watch a lot of shows or movies. I liked the Sherlock Holmes’ movies with Robert Downey Jr. although I don’t know if those are really a spy movies.