REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: WHEN A LADY DARES by TARA KINGSTON

 

They must tear down their defenses and learn to trust their hearts
 

 

WHEN A LADY DARES

Her Majesty's Most Secret Service #2

Tara Kingston

Released May 15, 2017

Entangled Select Historical

In When a Lady Dares (Her Majesty's Most Secret Service #2) by Tara Kingston, as a secret operative for the Crown, Sophie Atherton can easily spot when someone's lying. However, it's not as if she can call Gavin Stanwyck out on his deception when she's just as guilty. Determined to discover clues to a series of unexplained deaths, Sophie finds herself becoming more embroiled in her employment with a phony medium. Yet, when her investigation starts to turn dangerous, will Sophie put her trust in Gavin?

What do readers get when Ms. Kingston mixes Historical Romance with a good dose of suspense? Well, they get an exciting and riveting read, which grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept my eyes glued to every word, as Gavin and Sophie face a lot of danger that made me want to know what would happen next, especially since Sophie isn't very welcoming towards Gavin the moment they meet. Will Sophie put her trust in Gavin when things become too dangerous? Will she listen to Gavin's advice when it comes to facing the danger in terms of facing it head on or running from it? 

The dialogue was intriguing and had me hooked due to what the heroine must do to uncover the information she needs. She makes connecting with the dead look easy, even though Gavin believes she's nothing more than a charlatan deceiving everyone with her words of hope. Moreover, I liked how the heroine stands up to the hero and doesn't back down when it comes to her safety. Certainly, she's strong, brave, loyal, independent and I liked how determined she was to discover the information she needed. Seriously, she didn't give up when things became too dangerous and that's what I liked most about her.

While the hero, he has his own reasons for wanting answers and I could understand why he pushes the heroine to get what he wants. Luckily, she can handle the hero and provides quite a challenge for him with her stubbornness and desire to do things on her own. I also liked how protective he was of the heroine, because he's beginning to realize that she's not the charlatan he thought she was. But instead, is a complex woman with many secrets he's determined to discover. Will he learn the truth of who she really is and why she's working for a man she doesn't particularly like?

Overall, Ms. Kingston has penned a fantastic read in this book where the chemistry was potent, compelling and had me hoping for the very best for this couple, as there were moments when I wasn't certain they'd achieve their happy ever after. The way this story ended had me on the edge-of-my-seat due to what happens to the main characters. How will the pair manage to get themselves out of trouble? However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up really well, as readers learn how far this couple have come in their relationship and I loved the way they tease each other about love and Gavin's response to what the heroine's initial reaction to the hero was. I would recommend When a Lady Dares by Tara Kingston, if you enjoy Historicals by Darcy Burke, Callie Hutton or Tamara Gill.

 

BLURB

Sophie Atherton knows a liar when she sees one. Perhaps because she’s so skilled at deception herself. Searching for clues to a string of mysterious deaths, the secret operative for the Crown has connived her way into a phony medium’s confidence. When a dashing archaeologist seeks out the charlatan’s services, Sophie suspects he’s after more than a long-lost heirloom. Their electric attraction storms her defenses, but loving the rakish scholar would threaten her investigation and the life she’s crafted.

Gavin Stanwyck is a man on a mission. Masquerading as a treasure hunter to trap the spiritualist, he's drawn to the medium’s enigmatic assistant. As treacherous forces close in, passion awakens his hardened heart—he’ll protect Sophie at all costs, but he cannot give her his love. Uniting to survive a sinister plot, they must tear down their defenses and learn to trust their hearts.

 

“The way I see it, you set forth a challenge. I am debating whether or not to accept it.”

 

“A challenge?” She frowned. “I don’t follow.”

 

He unfolded his arms and stalked to where she stood. Gently, his hands draped her shoulders. Strong, but without pressure. Without violence. “You said I would have to try harder for you to be convinced I am a scoundrel. What is that, if not a challenge?”

 

Words hovered on the tip of her tongue but failed to escape her lips. He shouldn’t be holding her, regardless of how warm his hands were against her body. He shouldn’t be so very near. She drank in subtle notes of sandalwood on his jaw and his throat. He shouldn’t be studying her with those perceptive eyes, a glint of sensual interest darkening his sapphire irises.

 

She drew in a breath, even as he held her closer still. If she’d detected any hint of danger, she would’ve brought him to the ground with a well-placed knee or a calculated swing of her weighted reticule against the pulse point behind his ear. But this man did not present that nature of a threat.

 

No, the danger in his touch was more subtle. More insidious. And ultimately, far more powerful. She could not betray the effect he had on her. She could not give him that weapon against her.

 

“I meant what I said.” A miracle, how steady she held her tone. “When I look at you, I do not see a cad. I see a man in need of answers. The only question is, what are the answers you truly seek?”

 

“And if I kissed you? Would you think me a rogue?”

 

The heat in his gaze kindled a spark deep within her, but she steeled herself against the sudden and powerful need. She could not let on how delicious his breath felt against her cheek, how good…how right…it felt to be in his arms.

 

“No.” She lifted her gaze to lock with his. “I would think you a man, with a man’s desires and needs. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

 

“You are a temptation I could not have anticipated.” A tiny muscle in his jaw tensed. “And I…well, I am a bloody fool.”

 

His hands slid lower, settling on her leg-of-mutton sleeves, and he dipped his head. She might’ve imagined the sound, but his breath seemed a sigh. And then, his lips claimed hers in a kiss.

 

Oh, my, such a delicious caress. Shock rippled through Sophie’s veins, coupled with an instinctive alarm. Not fear. Far from it. Rather, this man’s touch should not feel so very tempting, so very tender. So maddeningly right.

Award-winning and Amazon.com best-selling author Tara Kingston writes historical romance laced with intrigue, danger, and adventures of the heart. A Southern belle-out-of-water in a quaint Pennsylvania town, she lives with her real-life hero and a pair of deceptively innocent-looking cats in a cozy Victorian. A former librarian whose love of reading is evident in her popping-at-the-seams bookcases, she’s thankful for the invention of digital books, thereby eliminating the need for yet another set of shelves. When she’s not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys movie nights, cycling, hiking, DIY projects, and cheering on her favorite football team.

 

 

 

Tasty Q&A with Tara Kingston

1) Can you tell us a little about your book?

I’d love to tell you a bit about When A Lady Dares. The story is set in London during the late Victorian era, a few years after Jack the Ripper roamed the alleys of Whitechapel. The heroine of the story, Sophie Atherton, is an undercover agent for a secret government agency called upon to pursue criminals who pose a threat to England—cases that require specialized expertise and resources beyond the realm of Scotland Yard. Here’s a brief summary of the story:

In Victorian London, a daring female agent confronts a notorious rogue, but who’s seducing who?

Sophie Atherton knows a liar when she sees one. Perhaps because she’s so skilled at deception herself. Searching for clues to a string of mysterious deaths, the secret operative for the Crown has connived her way into a phony medium’s confidence. When a dashing archaeologist seeks out the charlatan’s services, Sophie suspects he’s after more than a long-lost heirloom. Their electric attraction storms her defenses, but loving the rakish scholar would threaten her investigation and the life she’s crafted.

Gavin Stanwyck is a man on a mission. Masquerading as a treasure hunter to trap the spiritualist, he's drawn to the medium’s enigmatic assistant. As treacherous forces close in, passion awakens his hardened heart—he’ll protect Sophie at all costs, but he cannot give her his love. Uniting to survive a sinister plot, they must tear down their defenses and learn to trust their hearts.

2) If you had a theme song, what would it be?

It’s a tie between three songs, depending on my mood:

Paperback Writer (The Beatles)

Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)

Roar (Katy Perry)

3) Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

My e-reader…I always have to have a great book on hand.

4) Name three things on your desk right now.

My laptop, a variety of multi-colored post-it notes with my scribblings on them, and a very old folder with Han Solo’s picture on it, just because… after all, who wouldn’t want a large picture of Harrison Ford on their desk?

5)What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

When I’m not writing, I love to spend time outdoors with my husband. We ride our bicycles, hike in the state parks near our home, take long walks, and generally, enjoy nature. I also like to head to the beach every chance I get—a day at the beach is good for my soul. I enjoy watching a good comedy, and in the fall, I love getting together with friends to watch football and cheer on my favorite team.

6) If you could have dinner with any three authors (alive or dead), who would you choose and why?

Jane Austen —I’d love to discuss her inspiration for Mr. Darcy and get her thoughts on a matter of great importance—who’s the better Darcy—Colin Firth or Matthew Macfadyen? For the record, I’m Team Firth.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley — She wrote Frankenstein… need I say more? Discussing her inspiration for the novel and the characters would be fascinating. I’d also love to get her opinion on the great portrayals of the monster in film… who’s her favorite—Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Peter Boyle, or Robert DeNiro? Personally, I have a soft-spot for Peter Boyle’s portrayal in Young Frankenstein (or is that Fronk-en-steen?)

Charlotte Bronte — Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite novels. I’d be thrilled to discuss the inspiration for Mr. Rochester with the author who created him…simply fascinating!

7) What 5 things should readers know about you?

~ I am hopelessly devoted to Fox Mulder and have watched every episode of the X-Files.

~ I can cook, but it’s a pretty rare occasion when I make anything from scratch. I’d rather be writing, biking, walking, laughing at a good comedy, reading on a beach, reading on my porch, painting furniture… pretty much anything but standing in the kitchen.

~ I do not like sad movies and books. I’d much read a happily-ever-after or enjoy a movie comedy or a rollicking adventure—Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my favorite movies of all time. The adventure, the gorgeous hero (yes, I adore Harrison Ford, as evidenced by the fact I possess a years-old folder with Han Solo on the front), and the touches of humor make it an ideal movie for me.

~ We have two kitties who were incredibly innocent-looking when we adopted them from the shelter, but the pair quickly began to compete for the title of “bad kitty”. We’ve actually had to child-proof a cabinet in the kitchen to keep one of them from opening the door and walking right in, and trust me, you do not want to see what they will do to a bag of treats that’s left out on the counter. But they make up for their naughtiness with their sweet, loving ways. They really are cuddle-bugs.

~ As a child, I loved to read Nancy Drew books non-stop. Even then, I enjoyed stories with clever heroines and a good mystery. This has definitely carried over to my own novels. I love to read and write romance with strong heroines and an air of mystery threaded through the story.

 

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