HFVBT Presents: A Lady Never Tells + Giveaway

A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester

Publication Date: September 23, 2019
Entangled Publishing
eBook, 368 pages
Series: Women of Daring, Book One
Genre: Historical Romance/Regency
Richard Downing may be a viscount of impeccable character, but he's bored beyond belief of dancing at balls, faking smiles, and making dull conversation. So when he stumbles upon a house maid with defiance in her striking blue eyes and a dagger hidden in her skirts...well, color him intrigued. Raised with a rather...peculiar upbringing, Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises. As part of His Majesty's personal homeland spy network and as a master of disguises, Vic is charged with infiltrating high society to uncover the enemies hiding in plain sight. But Richard is the first man to see through her disguises--and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects...

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My Thoughts

Lady Victoria Daring is the epitome of one caught between two worlds.
Born and raised in China.  Knowing nothing of her legacy as a daughter of the English aristocracy.  Save the wistful recollections of her rather displaced mother.

Victoria now finds herself, as a full grown woman of 26.  Having spent the entirety of her life surrounded by family.  And fully about the business of training in the arts of espionage.  At the behest of her diplomat father, truly in "the thick of it."
When the family is suddenly called to England to sus out enemies to crown and country among the haute ton.
All the while still trying to hold on to her heart.  

One part Regency romance meets two parts Mr. And Mrs. Smith.  For the perfect concoction of love, lies, secrets, and knives.  Otherwise known as A Lady Never Tells.

They say that "one never knows who one might meet on one's way to work."  And so begins the story of how one very wary lady spy and one alarmingly curious viscount meet at a party and play the most glorious game of romantic cat and mouse for hundreds of pages.  While scouring the town's ballrooms, opium dens, and various other hidey holes of the nefarious.  For clues to the identities of key players in an illegal opium syndicate.  Determined to dismantle the nation's elite.  One secret at a time.  And despite the ever-present threat of death.  Have the nerve to fall in love.

The Lady Never Tells is the perfect book for someone looking to peel plot layers one by one.  As the story's plot, characters, and motivations become increasingly more sophisticated.  And it's pace ever more break-neck.

As far as character pairings. There is no doubt that Victoria clearly outstrips poor Richard at every turn professionally.  Although the author does make the rather annoying attempt to dumb her down a bit.  Just to give the old boy a somewhat sporting chance at something akin to catching her.
And then there's the old...
"I know everyone.  So let me help you gain entry." Ploy for relevance.  Which worked.
What keeps interest high in the couple?
Finally?
His sincerest love and awe for Victoria, and all the badassery that she has to offer.
Both now and in future.
Bravo romance!

On a darker note.
This story also takes a very poignant and expertly conveyed look into the murky depths of addiction and withdrawal in the Regency era.  Providing an overall depth to this tale.  And making it all the more stunning in its craftsmanship.
Again, I say...
Bravo.

This book is the first in an ongoing series. It is highly recommended that this series be read as a collection. And in its entirety.



About the Author 

Lynn Winchester is the pseudonym of a hardworking California-born conservative, now living in the wilds of Northeast Pennsylvania. Lynn has been writing fiction since the 5th grade, and enjoys creating worlds, characters, and stories for her readers. When Lynn isn't writing she is running a successful editing business, reading whatever she can get her hands on, raising her four children, making sure her husband is happy, and binge-watching shows on Netflix.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, September 24 Review at WTF Are You Reading? Wednesday, September 25 Feature at What Is That Book About Friday, September 27 Review at A Chick Who Reads Monday, September 30 Feature at The Lit Bitch Wednesday, October 2 Review at Gwendalyn's Books Sunday, October 6 Review at Passages to the Past Wednesday, October 9 Interview at Jorie Loves a Story Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Thursday, October 10 Review at Coffee and Ink 
  Friday, October 11 Review at Spooky's Maze Of Books

Giveaway


During the Blog Tour, we are giving away an eBook of A Lady Never Tells by Lynn Winchester! 
To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to the US only. – Only one entry per household. – 
All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
 – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen. 



1 comment:

  1. YAY! I am so happy that you enjoyed A Lady Never Tells! Now I'm even more excited to read it! Thank you for being on the tour!

    Amy
    HF Virtual Book Tours

    ReplyDelete

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