Lady Wynwood's Spies: Archer [Review + Giveaway]
If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you'll know that one of my favorite authors is Camy Tang! Writing historical fiction under her pen name, Camille Elliot, Tang has just launched an exciting and ambitious Regency series full of adventure and romance. Read on for the full review of the first novel, Archer, and enter to win a year-long subscription to Kindle Unlimited which will allow you to read all of the released Lady Wynwood's Spies novels!
Title: Lady Wynwood’s Spies #1: Archer
Author: Camille Elliot
Released: 2020
About the Book:
"She met him again by shooting him.
Part one in a Christian Regency Romantic Adventure epic serial novel with a supernatural twist. After four seasons and unmarried because she is taller than most of her dance partners, Miss Phoebe Sauber receives the shocking news that she is being callously banished from her father’s estate because he is remarrying. Feeling betrayed by her father and by God, and wanting to escape her family’s presence, she attends an archery tournament with her friends.
But her perfect aim fails her, and her arrow hits a piece of paper held by Mr. Michael Coulton-Jones, whom she hasn’t seen much in society in several years. But strangely, her arrow tears a section of the paper with a partial symbol that looks eerily familiar to her.
He met her again while searching for a killer.
Michael had quit his work as a spy for the Foreign Office when his brother was poisoned. His search for the murderer leads him to Apothecary Jack, a criminal underworld leader with a penchant for poisons, who is gathering a powerful army through an alchemical potion that can give men supernatural strength.
But his path unexpectedly crosses again with Miss Sauber, who saves him from a trap laid by Jack. She and her Aunt Laura, Lady Wynwood, have found a vital connection to Apothecary Jack and the mysterious group he works for.
Now Michael, who had vowed to never again allow civilians to come to harm, must work with a nobleman keeping dangerous secrets, a human lie detector, a chemist, a fellow former spy, and the one woman he’s never allowed himself to get close to.
And it is only this ragtag group that stands against a traitorous organization that could enable Napoleon to conquer the world."
The Artist Librarian Review:
The British Regency Era is one of my favorite historical periods and it is a mainstay of the Christian historical fiction genre with its proper ways and manners, often delightfully paired with verbal sparring and flirting. Julie Klassen, Sarah E Ladd, Kristi Ann Hunter, and countless other authors have followed in Jane Austen's footsteps, but I had yet read a Regency novel quite like this! In Archer, the first entry to the Lady Wynwood's Spies series, Camille Elliot is back in fine form with her first full length Regency since 2014.
Unique in comparison to most Christian historical fiction, there's a touch of fantasy that slightly reminded me of steampunk (if steampunk was set in the Regency Era rather than Victorian) with the incorporation of an alchemist plot. The supernatural elements in this fictionalized version of London I associated more with a superhero/villains vibe rather than the paranormal that is often combined in a historical setting. I think part of the reason Elliot is able to utilize such uncommon elements is because she is independently publishing her series.
Another unusual component to this series is the structure itself. Elliot has shared on her website that she was inspired by serial novels and light novels in the creation of Lady Wynwood's Spies. Again, her choice to independently publish helps make this possible, since the serial novel format is quite rare with traditional publishers today. As such, this book does end on a cliffhanger, with the fate of supporting characters unknown and the main villain still at large. Though perhaps unusual for a romance series, those who read fantasy or other such genres will be used to this. Fortunately, at the time of this review, Berserker, book two of the series has released, so readers can dive into the next installment immediately if they desire. There is also a prequel novella that was published a few years ago, The Spinster's Christmas, but I don't think it is essential to read prior to starting Archer if you aren't able to.
While in my opinion the spiritual elements were fairly subtle at this point, with several characters' journeys of faith left still unresolved, this is understandable since as the first entry, Archer had a lot of focus on setting up the series. I look forward to getting to know Phoebe, Michael, Sol, Aunt Laura, and some other introduced characters in future novels. Overall, if you want a unique, faith-based Regency with some fantastical elements, be sure to try out the Lady Wynwood's Spies series!
[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes through the Celebrate Lit Blogger Program.]
If you missed it last week, be sure to check out my author interview with Camille Elliot a.k.a. Camy Tang!!
About the Author:"Camy writes Christian contemporary romance and romantic suspense as Camy Tang and Regency romance as USA Today bestselling author Camille Elliot. She lives in San Jose, California, with her engineer husband and rambunctious dog. She was a staff worker for her church youth group for over 20 years and she currently plays on one of the Sunday worship teams. Visit her websites at http://www.camytang.com/ and http://www.camilleelliot.com/ to read free short stories and subscribe to her quarterly newsletter."
Be sure to visit the blog stops for up to nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click on this link to enter.
Other Blog Stops:
February 15: Locks, Hooks, and Books ; Carpe Diem
February 16: Hebrews 12 Endurance ; Ashley's Clean Book Reviews
February 17: Artistic Nobody ; Inside the Wong Mind
February 18: Through the Fire Blogs ; Mia Reads ; Sarah Jane Jacobs
February 19: Debbie's Dusty Deliberations ; Hook Me In a Book
February 20: Betti Mace ; Inklings & Notions
February 21: Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess ; Texas Book-aholic
February 22: Connie's History Classroom ; Pause for Tales
February 23: For Him & My Family ; Labor Not in Vain
February 24: deb's Book Review ; Fiction Book Lover
February 25: Happily Managing a Household of Boys ; Just Your Average Reviews ; Simple Harvest Reads
February 26: Tell Tale Book Reviews ; Truth & Grace Homeschool Academy
February 27: Blossoms & Blessings ; Britt Reads Fiction
February 28: Adventures of a Travelers Wife ; A Good Book & A Cup of Tea ; Blogging with Carol
More
Posts
3 comments
Thanks so much for the review, Jen!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely hooked and looking forward to the rest! ^_^
DeleteHistorical stories are one of my favorites genres! I'm very interested in reading this one!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! Comments are always welcomed and appreciated.