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Friday, August 22, 2014

TEASER TOUR: My Highland Spy by Victoria Roberts


We are excited to be taking part in a teaser tour to promote Victoria Roberts's latest book, My Highland Spy. Over the next two weeks, a different blog will be releasing a new excerpt every day.  We have part 5 for you below!  To read the other parts, check out the tour list at the end of the post!

Author: Victoria Roberts
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date of publication: September 2, 2014
ISBN: 9781402292002
$6.99/£4.99
Mass-market Paperback

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?

Hello! Thank you for having me at From the TBR Pile today, the fifth stop on the My Highland Spy Teaser Tour!   

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 finding out why Ravenna is a spy for the Crown. She’s about to be given her next assignment.

Excerpt Five/Chapter One:

“The Highland lairds are completely out of control and the men refuse to listen. Between their squabbles among themselves and increased rebellions against the Crown, the king has required that all Highland lairds send their heirs to Lowland Scotland to be educated. Futhermore, the men are to regularly report to Edinburgh to stand for their actions. King James demands conformity and hopes that by abolishing the Gaelic language and destroying Scotland’s culture, he will get it. The lairds won’t conform on their own so the king is left with no choice but to force their hand.”

“And what does that have to do with me, precisely?”

“There is a man in the Highlands that the king’s men have been watching—Laird Ruairi Sutherland. He has not sent his heir to be educated, and he has not made an appearance in Edinburgh for quite some time. Although he claims his wife is gravely ill, the king’s advisors think this is nothing more than another clever plot to refuse King James’s authority. They also believe Sutherland’s absence in Edinburgh is because he’s conspiring with other lairds in the Highlands to raise arms against the realm.” He sat back casually in the chair.

“Whether these rumors are true or not, an example is to be made of Sutherland. The king grows tired of these…Highlanders”—he sniffed—“and their constant disobedience. These barbarians need to understand they cannot do whatever they please and pay no heed the authority of the king. Sutherland has a formidable stronghold in northern Scotland. He could be a pow­erful enemy. He’s been told a governess will be sent to his home to educate his son, since his wife is ill. You will travel to the Highlands. Find out if what he says is true, or if he and others conspire against the Crown.”

Ravenna’s eyes widened and her voice went up a notch. “A governess?” She cleared her throat. “Uncle Walter, surely my…talents would be much more valuable closer to home. I have spied on men who’ve conspired against the realm, uncovered a wealthy lord’s machinations in selling secrets to the French, discovered a traitor before he made his escape to the colonies, and now you ask me to masquerade as a governess for some Highland laird’s child?”

He chuckled. “Not me. His Majesty.”

“Surely there is a more appropriate assignment for me. A governess—I have no idea what or even how you expect me to teach a boy anything, especially one who doesn’t speak English. And travel to the Highlands? The place is completely uncivilized. More to the point, you know I can’t be gone for that long. What about the girls?”

“I understand this assignment will take a few months. I will, of course, see to their welfare while you’re away. As a woman, you have the perfect dis­guise. You’ll be safe, Ravenna, and you’ve certainly been placed in more dangerous circumstances than in the Scottish Highlands as a governess. I’ll have George and Mary escort you.”

She groaned. “I don’t like this.”

He gave her a sympathetic smile. “I know. At times, your father didn’t, either.”

“I’ve been managing to live in two worlds quite well. You know how strongly I desire to follow in Father’s footsteps, but I can’t be traveling to Scotland or God knows where. There are more than enough troubles in England. As always, I will fulfill my duty to the Crown, but please recognize how imperative it is for me to be here for my sisters, my family. I want the girls to have an ordinary life. How can they do that if I keep disappearing for long periods of time?”

“I tried to speak on your behalf. You don’t have a choice.”

She let out a heavy sigh.

Her uncle rose and walked around the desk to embrace her. “Passage is being made two days from now.”
She stepped away from him, her mouth pulled into a sour grin. “The girls are not going to be happy.”
He patted her on the shoulder and then walked to the door. “They never are. Safe travels, Ravenna.” The door closed and reality struck.

Sourcebooks will give away one copy of My Highland Spy to a lucky commenter (US and Canada only, please.) What’s your favorite book genre?

Tour Stops:
8/18 – The Reading CafĂ©: www.thereadingcafe.com
8/19 – Books-n-Kisses: www.books-n-kisses.com
8/20 – Fiction Vixen Book Reviews: www.fictionvixen.com 
8/21 – Long and Short Reviews: www.longandshortreviews.com
8/22 – From The TBR Pile: www.fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com
8/25 – SOS Aloha Book Blog: www.sosaloha.blogspot.com
8/26 – The Bookish Babe: www.thebookishbabes.blogspot.com
8/27 – Fresh Fiction: www.freshfiction.com
8/28 – Harlequin Junkie: www.harlequinjunkie.com
8/29 – Urban Girl Reader: www.urbangirlreader.com

About the author:

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

Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound | !indigo | iBooks

“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

14 comments:

Kimi's Blog said...

What’s your favorite book genre?

Medieval Scottish/English Romance. I just love Victoria's books. You are one talented lady.

charlene said...

Medieval/scottish romance love the cover!

J R Salisbury said...

Scottish/English historical romance. Does not necessarily have to be Medieval - just historical. I devour them as fast as I find them. Victoria is quite the prolific writer and I've made more than one sales clerk at B&N go to the back and find her latest release when it's not on the floor on release day! Best of luck with the new series!!

Victoria Roberts said...

Awww... Thank you, Kimi!

Hi Charlene. Yes, Jon Paul did the cover for MY HIGHLAND SPY. He did a fabulous job. I love all his work.

Hi Jamie! I know. There's just something about historical romance. I love the genre, the clothes, the accents... What's not to love?

traveler said...

Historicals which are set during the 1920's until the 1950's. Meaningful, memorable and captivating. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I enjoy all kinds of romance, but it's a tie between historical and paranormal for my favorite. Victoria's stories are at the top of my favorite historical romance books.

Glittergirl said...

I'm a romance reader of all types...especially Scottish/English historical, paranormal, fantasy/sci-fi, erotic and contempory. Thanks for the giveaway! glittergirl54 at ymail dot com

Jan Hougland said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jan Hougland said...

Oh how I feel for Ravenna after this excerpt! I know how little regard the men of this era had for women in any capacity other than their bedding. I can understand her reluctance to go to a strange land, too, one that has a savage reputation. I'd be scared to go too because of perceived failure to do what I was bid by the King! I have to read this book now to find out what happens after Ravenna gets to the Highlands. Whew! This is suspenseful to say the least. jdh2690@gmail.com

Di said...

I read all genres (as long as there is romance with an HEA), but first choice is Historical Romance!
sallans d at yahoo dot com

jmcgaugh said...

PNR/urban fantasy is my favorite genre, followed by historical romance.
jmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu

Glenda said...

Another excellent excerpt! I love a variety of genres, but always go back to historicals!

Diane D - Florida said...

I read Medieval, Scottish and Regency romance. I love them all, especially the HEA's. Your new series sounds amazing, and I must admit that I'm a sucker for a spy romance, especially when it's the heroine.

dpd333 @aol.com

Sandy said...

I have so many genres on my list that I can't narrow it down....Congratulations Victoria on the new series and new release.

Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.