Table of Contents
Praise for
THE FORBIDDEN ROSE
With exceptional characters, brilliant plotting, a poignant love story, and clear, realistic descriptions, this engrossing, provocative romantic adventure could easily make revolutionary France a more popular setting... Intriguing, refreshing, and rewarding.
Library Journal
Bourne is a magnificent writer. If she were a chef, youd eat slowly to enjoy each bite. With her books, you savor every word.
Salon.com
Sometimes... [I] forget what a truly great book looks likeand then I read one like The Forbidden Rose... Its fantastic.
All About Romance
Praise for
THE SPYMASTERS LADY
An American Library Association
RUSA Reading List Award Winner for Romance
One of the Top 100 Romance Books of All Time
as Voted in 2010, All About Romance
2009 RITA Finalist for Best Historical Romance
What a terrific story! One of the most unusual, resourceful, and humorous heroines Ive ever met, a spy to swoon for, and a great twisty plot with a sense of genuine danger.
Diana Gabaldon, New York Times bestselling author of
An Echo in the Bone
Love, love LOVED it!
Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of
Just Like Heaven
Wow, what a captivating, unique heroine! Joanna Bournes voice is distinct, fresh, and engaging.
Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of
Dangerous in Diamonds
A breathtaking adventure that kept me turning pages with breathless anticipation. Joanna Bourne is a master of romance and suspense! I cant wait to read her next book!
Teresa Medeiros, New York Times bestselling author of
Goodnight Tweetheart
This is a flat-out spectacular book... I cannot say enough good about The Spymasters Lady. It is smart, masterful writing and I cannot wait to see what Bourne does next.
All About Romance
As a long-time reader of romance I can say that it is a rare novel that leaves me speechless. Yet, this rather new author has done just that... What makes this book truly stunning is the beauty of the writing. Everything about the book is a revelation... This is no ordinary romance novel. Give yourself time to savor this read. It took me nearly two sleepless nights to finish itand then I wanted to start reading it all over again.
Rakehell
A masterful work... The storytelling is amazing but the writing is simply superb... I was awed by the writing, captivated by the heroine, thrilled by the plot, intrigued by all the secondary characters, and I cannot praise this book high enough. It is hard to believe this is her first book and I have only one question: Whats next?
The Book Smugglers
Spectacular... What a struggle I had with writing this review. I know some ask what are the hardest reviews to write and I am convinced, after drafting and redrafting this one, it is the review of the book that you love. Because as a reader, I am trying to convey the beauty that is someone elses writing so that others will see the same beauty. The best thing I can say to readers is to go to the bookstore and read the first chapter.
Dear Author
Clever banter... A refreshing and unexpected plot... A heaping measure of sexual chemistry... An irresistible read.
American Library Association
(2009 RUSA Reading List Award Winner for Romance)
Praise for
MY LORD AND SPYMASTER
Winner of the RITA Award for Best Regency Historical
Bournes latest espionage-based series historical entices with subtle subterfuge and heated romance. Glimpses of the leads sordid pasts add depth, and Bournes consummate way with a story line and an explosive denouement do the rest.
Publishers Weekly
A very, very good historical romance featuring complex and flawed characters far out of the typical wallpaper mode... Bourne is an undeniably powerful new voice in historical romance.
All About Romance
Ms. Bourne proves to be an excellent storyteller. [Jess is] one of the most complex and interesting heroines Ive seen in a long time.
Fresh Fiction
A fantastically clever tale with twists and turns aplenty. The setting and characters will have you quickly entrenched in the time period, and the witty dialogue and steaming sexual tension will keep you happily wrapped in Ms. Bournes world.
Romance Junkies
This tale drenches itself in sexual tension so taut that there are times you can hardly catch your breath... Steeped in rich historical atmosphere and superbly written, My Lord and Spymaster is a definite all-nighter and must-read for anyone who relishes a really good book. You wont be disappointed.
Romance Reader at Heart
Another notch in Joanna Bournes belt for a job well done. No, not just wellbut excellently well.
Romance Reviews Today
Berkley Sensation Titles by Joanna Bourne
THE SPYMASTERS LADY
MY LORD AND SPYMASTER
THE FORBIDDEN ROSE
THE BLACK HAWK
To Karen
Acknowledgments
To my wonderful editor at Berkley, Wendy McCurdy, and my agent, Pam Hopkins, of Hopkins Literary Associates. You have always believed in me. Thank you.
I am grateful to my patient beta readers: Leo Bourne, Mary Ann Clark, Laura Watkins, Madeline Iva, and Wendy Rome. I owe much to the support and friendship of the excellent folks at the Compuserve Books and Writers Community: Diana Gabaldon, Deniz Bevan, Jen Hendren, Jenny Meyers, Donna Rubino, Beth Shope, and others too numerous to mention. The Beau Monde, a special-interest chapter of RWA, has provided endless expertise on all things 1800-ish. Anything I got right is because of these wonderful people. All mistakes are my own.
One
1818
London
THE PAST CAUGHT UP TO HER IN THE RAIN, IN BRADDY Square, six hundred yards from Meeks Street.
Shed been wary as a wild bird all the way across London. No footstep echoed her own. Nobody showed a flicker of interest. But she knew someone was following. She had been a spy a long time.
Her gun was no use in this wet. She kept her knife in hand, ready, under her cloak.
In the end, it did no good. The square was a confusion of housemaids scurrying home and clerks bent under their umbrellas, resentful. They emerged out of the rain, brushed by, and disappeared into a landscape of gray. A young messenger boy ran toward her, his jacket pulled up over his head, a slouching cap hiding his face. Ordinary. He was wrapped in ordinary.
At the final instant, she sensed intention. She twisted. Slashed out with her knife. Hit him through the cover of his coat he twirled in her face. Heard him gasp. She felt the jolt and shock as his body slammed into her. She had a glimpse of his face. His knife scraped her chest, missing the blow to her heart, cutting her clothing. Cold pain speared up her arm.
He pushed her away and ran past, his boots splayed side to side, scattering gravel. It was the mark of the assassin to strike and run.
