Velvet is live!

An exciting, intriguing and well-developed steamy story of spies and subterfuge with just a hint of darkness, and a unique romance that is full of chemistry. It’s the first in a brand new series by new author, Lisette Marshall.

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Blurb

She despises his coldness. He loathes her nosy questions. But enemies become lovers in this steamy historical fantasy romance…

The Princess…

Three years at a foreign court have completed Viviette’s education as crown princess of the Peaks. Now the threat of war forces her to return home: back to the thorny intrigues of Rock Hall, and to a father who still believes she’s a helpless little girl. Despite his concerns, Viviette is determined to protect him and her kingdom – even if it means she must cooperate with the cold, bitter Spymaster she hates nearly as much as their enemies.

The Spy…

Jaghar is already dealing with a looming war, a spurned lover and an old enemy stirring up memories he never wanted to confront again. The last he needs is the return of his king’s daughter, with her rebellious streak and her endless questions. But the princess is no longer a little girl he can easily ignore… And as she manipulates herself into the diplomatic machinations of the kingdom, she awakens something in him too – something he thought the pain of his past had killed for good.

A threat of war…

Armies are gathering at the Peaks’ borders. Dark conspiracies are taking shape in the shadows of Rock Hall. Someone must budge – or someone must die. But even with the king’s life on the line, the princess and the spy cannot deny the forbidden fire flaring up between them…

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Review

4.5 unexpected stars!

What the hell did I just read? An exciting, intriguing and well-developed steamy story of spies and subterfuge with just a hint of darkness, and a unique romance that is full of chemistry. It’s the first in a brand new series by new author, Lisette Marshall, and I loved it!

19-year-old Viviette is the crown princess of the Peaks. She has just returned from three years away where she suffered through a vapid existence of balls, gowns, gossip, and ‘training’ to be a lady. Now she’s home and desperate to become a valued part of her kingdom’s future, if only her father would stop looking at her as if she’s still a little girl. Her return home coincides with a visit from representatives of two neighbouring countries threatening war; there are secret plots and dangerous games unfolding, and she is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on.

Broody and enigmatic Jaghar is the king’s Spymaster, and he knows all that goes on within the kingdom. The return of the princess means he’s responsible for the security and protection of the girl, and it’s the last thing he needs as he tries to uncover the latest threat to his king. Vivi and Jaghar do not get along. He is around ten years older than her, and still thinks of her as the irritating little girl who used to constantly ask him questions – something he does not have the time or patience for. But his eyes are very quickly opened to the fact that she’s all grown up, and as she throws herself into the court intrigue, right into the path of danger, he figures the best way to protect her is to work with her.

Copper Coast might have perfected the surface of the meek, polite lady, but underneath that mask it had crafted something far more dangerous, something angry and determined – she had learned to recognize her limitations and, worse, to work around them.

And so the stage is set for all that is to come. But don’t go into this book expecting a hearts and flowers romance, because this book is not that. It’s a dark world where sex isn’t sacred, it’s for pleasure, and it’s a weapon, used to elicit secrets and information, and none do it better than the Spymaster and his service of loyal spies who essentially whore themselves out to specific targets, before coercing them into talking in the quiet of night.

Vivi is thrilled to join Jaghar’s service – not only to finally be useful as something other than decoration, but to give her the opportunity to openly (yet secretly) explore her sexuality, which is something she’s been desperate for. And who better to show her the way than the Spymaster himself who, in all of his broody intensity, is sexy as all hell and all too willing to personally introduce her to his world.

“I don’t think I’ll ever find the words to tell you how much I want you.”

It may sound heartless, but the chemistry is there, and we all know that more is slowly brewing between the two of them. But Jaghar and Vivi both have jobs to do, and they do it without question. For those who want details –

“What do you feel, Spymaster?”
“Too much.”

But in the meantime, there is a plot to uncover, and when the king himself becomes the target, they’ll need to work hard and fast to find the bad guy and bring them down.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s fast paced, exciting and intriguing, and Vivi and Jaghar are wonderful characters. She is bold and brave, with a thirst to experience everything and truly live, which is a great contract to Jaghar who is cold and ruthless. He has been emotionally scarred by his past, and he has some issues to overcome, but when Vivi comes into his life, she pretty much turns it upside down. Both are intelligent and witty, their banter is fantastic, I loved seeing them clash, argue and tease, and those moments where Vivi made Jaghar smile, and even laugh, felt like a small triumph. It was gorgeous watching them come together, and I’m really excited for the possibilities of this potential powerhouse couple.

This book is ‘historical fantasy romance’. There’s no fantasy yet, except for some vague mention of witches, magic and dragons, but it has that historical, distant feel of a fantasy series with the story taking place in a different world, and the names all hinting at the fantastical. I look forward to seeing how it all develops.

It’s clever, and so well written, and I was hooked from start to finish. The book ends in a good place, though there is definitely more story to be told, and I can’t wait for more!

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Princess & The Spy

About the Author

Lisette Marshall is a librarian by day and a writer of fantasy romance by night. She combines a lifelong love for fairytales, mystery novels and sexy adventures in her steamy historical fantasy romances. The Princess & The Spy, an steamy trilogy taking place in the world of the Five Kingdoms, will be her first published full-length work.

When Lisette isn’t dreaming about gorgeous heroes and sensual heroines, she can usually be found reading about weird history, playing the violin or baking way too many chocolate cookies for herself and her boyfriend.

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