Guest Post with Author Shana Galen and Giveaway

Please give a warm welcome to the awesome Shana Galen  Shana is for sure one of my favorite authors and one of my most favorite people and she has stopped by to chat all about Winn, her hero from her newest release, True Spies.

Shana Galen is the author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the Lord and Lady Spy Series, the Jewels of the Ton Series, as well as the Sons of the Revolution Trilogy. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time, and is working on more regency romance novels! She’s happily married to the Ultimate Sportsfan and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Places to find Shana:

| Site | The Jaunty Quills | Facebook | Twitter |

Why Winn Should Be Your New Book Boyfriend

I’ll admit I’m not the most faithful of book girlfriends. I tend to fall in love with whatever yummy hero I’m reading about at the moment. Recent book boyfriends include Reece from Sophie Jordan’s upcoming Foreplay, Max from Sabrina Jeffries new What The Duke Desires, and Finn from Julie Garwood’s Hotshot. And, of course, there are my old flames—Jamie from the Outlander series and Rourke from the In Death series.

But I have to say that I’d dump every single one of these heroes (okay, maybe not Rourke) for my latest hero, Winn. Roll your eyes if you will. I know, I know. I have to say that because I’m the author of Winn’s book, True Spies. You’re right to be skeptical. There are a lot of worthy book boyfriends out there. Why give your heart to Winn?

He’s a Spy…a Really, Really Good Spy

How can you not love a hero who’s a spy? I mean, sure, he’s gone a lot saving the world and all that, but then you have time to read and visit your other book boyfriends. Plus, Winn isn’t just any spy. He’s a spy for the elite Barbican group. Even the other spies admire Winn (aka Baron).

He was a tall man with a broad chest and brown hair that had need of shears. The man was obviously a good operative. If he hadn’t been, he would be dead by now, because such an imposing man would make an easy target. Adrian studied him further, noting Baron had large hands that could probably crush a man’s head between them, and long legs that could outrun most pursuers. Baron was known for his unconventional tactics. Adrian wasn’t sure what that meant, but judging by the discussion they were having, he thought he might soon find out.

Sounds like a pretty good book boyfriend candidate, right? I don’t know about you, but I could be pretty happy with a tall, broad, strong spy for a book boyfriend.

He’s a Father

I know this isn’t the usual sort of criteria for a book boyfriend. On the other hand, who doesn’t melt when they see a man who’s also a great dad? Winn hasn’t been the best dad (the whole saving the world thing got in the way), but he’s trying to make up for his past absences with his daughters now.

“I am the princess,” Georgie was saying, “and Caroline is the pirate.”

“Really?” Winn lifted his fork. “I would have thought you the pirate and your sister the princess. After all, Caro is so gentle and demure.”

Both Caro and Georgie laughed. “I think I will make the better pirate,” Caro said, finally finding her tongue. “But you shall have to ask Mother for her opinion.”

“Why is that?” Winn said, his gaze meeting Elinor’s across the table. She gripped her hands in her lap to keep the flash of heat from rising. Oh, where was her immunity now? Was his look intentional? She had to remember it meant nothing. He didn’t want her. She wished she had this same effortless flare of attraction for Mr. Trollope. He obviously wanted her.

“B-because you never see our plays,” Caro said, glancing at her mother a little uncertainly.

Elinor stepped in, hating to see her daughter flounder, especially when Winn should know very well what she meant. “Caroline means to say, we know you are a busy man and undoubtedly have plans this evening.”

“No.” He bit into a potato.

“No?” Elinor said with a frown.

“I have no plans. I am entirely at your disposal this evening.”

“Really?” Georgie said, her face all but glowing. “You will watch the play?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. In fact, I am at your disposal tomorrow as well. I will be home all day.”

I love a dad who can be playful and fun with his children. A dad who can also give his kids the most valuable thing he has—his time and attention.

He’s a Protector

I don’t know about you, but I like a guy who can make me feel safe. A guy who can protect me, if the need arises. Winn is definitely the protective type. He might even be a little overprotective of his wife Elinor. But that just makes him all the cuter.

“Once you go in,” Winn said, “I’ll move to the rear of the building. There’s less chance I’ll be spotted there, and more shadows. If Blue is able to join me, I’ll station him in this position. Do not worry about me. Just get out, if need be. I will find you.”

Elinor nodded. She was shaking with nerves and tension, but Winn’s words calmed her. He would find her. She was not alone in this. There was something comforting in knowing he would be only steps away.

“If you do not emerge in four hours,” Winn said, “four exactly, I am coming for you.” As if to emphasize his words, low-pitched church bells clanged ominously in the distance.

Elinor swallowed, dismayed to find her throat seemed to be blocked by a large lump.

Winn took her by the shoulders, and even through the thick wool of her mantle, she could feel the warmth of his hands. “You do not have to do this. You can still change your mind.”

“I want to do this,” she told him, pushing down that lump in her throat until it thudded into her belly and rested there, heavy as a boulder.

He sighed, seeming resigned, and she reached out and stroked his cheek. She had always been the one seeking comfort, and now she felt a little dizzy at the change in their stations. “I will be fine, Winn. I know what I am doing.” Perhaps if she said that enough, she would begin to believe it.

“No, you don’t, but I love that you rush in anyway.”

Elinor blinked. This was the closest he had ever come to telling her he loved her. Loving something about her was not the same as loving her, but it was better than nothing.

“And I love that you will stand and protect me,” she answered after a pause. “Just think of the stories we will have to tell our grandchildren.”

“Just remember, you need to live so we might have the chance to meet those grandchildren.”

She nodded. “Point taken.” The clock clanged its last, the bell reverberating through the night. “I suppose that is my cue,” she said.

“Yes.”

She took a breath and stepped away from him. “I will see you in four hours.” She turned away and started for the appointed house, but before she could take more than a step, she was spun back around and enveloped in Winn’s warm embrace.

So that’s my case for Winn as your next book boyfriend. On second thought, perhaps I’ll keep him for myself. Who are your favorite book boyfriends? One person who comments will win a copy of Winn and Elinor’s book True Spies.

Warning! This agent’s secret identity—and his heart—have been compromised!

Winslow, an elite spy in Regency England, has managed to keep his identity secret from everyone—including his beloved wife Elinor. But his success with these covert affairs has taken a toll on their marriage, leaving Elinor to entertain the idea of a secret liaison with a rakish spy. She believes she will finally have the danger and excitement her marriage has never afforded her—until things get too dangerous, and she ends up being kidnapped. In this world of intrigue, Elinor discovers that no one is who they seem to be—not even her own husband.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | iTunes |

Check out the Lord and Lady Spies series:

Click for info.

Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:

• 1 copy of True Spies

To Enter: 

• Please answer Shana's question: Who are your favorite book boyfriends?
• Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to the Shana Galen for sponsoring this giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway