Interview and Giveaway with Shana Galen
Hi Shana and welcome to Under the Covers!
Shana: Thanks for having me.
Can you please tell us more about True Spies?
Shana: I’d love to. True Spies is the second novel in my Lord and Lady Spy series. It’s the story of Baron Winslow Keating and his wife Elinor Keating. Elinor is a wife and a mother who basically runs the household while Baron Keating is off managing his estates. The problem is that Baron Keating, unbeknownst to Elinor, is actually an elite spy for the Barbican group. Elinor is bored with her life and decides to seek some adventure of her own, and that is where their very different worlds collide.
How would you describe the hero of True Spies, Winslow Keating? Why did you feel compelled to tell his story?
Shana: Winslow Keating is a hard working spy, who’s spent his life focused on his job and not much time on his family. He’s come to the realization that he’s not getting any younger, his daughters are growing up fast, and his wife seems to manage just fine without him. I felt compelled to write a character like Winn because so many people, men and women, are just like him. Life happens so quickly, kids grow up while parents are at work, relationships change, and people drift apart.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a historical romance author? What is the most challenging thing?
Shana: The most rewarding thing is getting to interact with readers, be it via email, signings, conferences, or on social media like Facebook and Twitter. Facebook has a really wonderful community of romance readers that love to talk about romance books.
The most challenging thing is finding the right balance between work, and family. I don’t want to miss a minute of my daughter’s childhood and suddenly, like Winn, find myself with a grown child.
Your books also have quite a bit of intrigue. How do you keep that element fresh without it overpowering the romance?
Shana: I feel that the intrigue spices up the relationships between the hero and heroine. I like to challenge the characters in ways that are exciting for readers. The intrigue can enhance the romantic situation by adding tension to an already tense budding relationship. The balance seems to come naturally for me. I grow bored if I don’t have an element of adventure in a book. I like stories that have action and adventure balanced with romance and intimacy.
If you could be a character in one of your novels, which one would you pick and why?
Shana: I love to sing, so I would have to pick Helena in my recent novella The Spy Wore Blue. She’s an opera singer who lives in a tiny artistic flat with a cat and sings at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, Italy. Helena is also married to a sexy and enigmatic spy, Agent Blue, which might make for a fun “imaginary “change of pace.
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
Shana: The Elite by Kiera Cass and yes, I would recommend it. It’s a YA novel set in a dystopian world, and second in the series The Selection. I really enjoyed the first book, and the second book did not disappoint.
Who are your favorite authors and what is it about their work that resonates with you?
Shana: I have lots of favorite authors, but Julie Garwood will always be close to my heart. She writes fabulous stories with dynamic heroes and heroines. I love the way she uses language and humor, and I find it a pleasure to get lost in her fictional world. I was thrilled to get to meet Julie Garwood for the first time, this year at the Romantic Times convention in Kansas City. She’s absolutely lovely in person.
What are some basic items you absolutely require to write?
Shana: A snack, my purple mechanical pencil, and a latte. Actually, it helps to have Dora the Explorer on in the background.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us!
Thank you so much for having me!
TRUE SPIES BY SHANA GALEN
IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2014
He’s Getting Tired of Deception…
Baron Winslow Keating is honor-bound to finish one last mission as an elite spy for the Barbican group even though he just wants to go home and be with his family. But after years of secrecy and absence, his daughters hardly know him and his wife has given up on him…
She Wants to Try a Little Intrigue…
Lady Elinor has had enough of domestic boredom. She contemplates an affair with a rakish spy, only to discover a world of intrigue and treachery that she never knew existed. Even more shocking, her neglectful husband is suddenly very attentive—quite the jealous type—and apparently there is much more to him than she ever knew…
To Purchase True Spies: Amazon
Books-a-Million
IndieBound
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.
Sourcebooks is giving away 1 copy of True Spies. US and Canada only
- Review: Claimed by J.R. Ward - November 1, 2021
- Buddy Read: Holiday In Death by J..D. Robb - December 16, 2019
- Buddy Read: Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb - August 2, 2019
I’ve seen such good reviews for this series. Haven’t had a chance to read it, but is at the top of my TBR list.
Thanks, Janice! Hope you enjoy it when you get to it 🙂
I love the romance books this looks really good i have seen reviews on the book and has made me want to read it good luck and congrats on your book release
Thank you. I’ve been so excited to see the reviews. I know people had high expectations after Lord and Lady Spy, and I was worried about disappointing readers.
Any book of Shana’s that I read is a real treat! I haven’t read this one yet, but would love to! Winning it would be great!!
Thanks, Betty! Good luck.
Thanks for the fun interview and congrats to Shana on the newest release ! I absolutely adored Lord and lady Spy and I can’t wait to get my hands on this newest 🙂
Thank you, Erin! I hope it lives up to expectations 🙂
This book looks really good. I love historical romance.
Me, too, Lori! Thanks for stopping by.
Dora the Explorer? How does that work? Is it kinda background noise? I was like that for years after my kids went off for school…I had to have Sesame Street on to feel OK, lol
LOL! I actually relish the silence. Right now The Care Bears is on. I have learned to tune it out.
I can’t wait to read this one Shana!! I love your work 🙂
Vicki, that’s so sweet of you. Thank you! Good luck!
Great interview!!
Sounds like a great read!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Good luck!
Ooo julie garwood!… love her
Me, too, and she’s so lovely in person.
This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I love reading any romance books. I know that I will be reading this book soon! thks for the giveaway.
Thanks Felicia. Good luck!
nice review and awesome giveaway
Thank you, Carolyn 🙂
book sounds good..cant wait to read
Thank you, Jodi. Good luck!
It’s so nice to see you here Shana! Kids grow up so fast don’t they. I just want them to be lttile forever, sometimes. LOL
Sometimes is the key word, Ki!
Hi Shana ! Great interview! Can’t wait to read the new book! And the kids do grow up too fast – my “little” one is starting high school. Eek!
I don’t think mine will ever be that old, Sharlene. Lalalal–what’s that? I can’t hear you!
I’ve never read a Julie Garwood book. I have a couple on my shelves. I always love to find out what authors read. I usually find that if I like an author, I like what they read!
Jen, you should read The Secret, The Gift, and–oh, pretty much all of hers are good.
This sounds like another great read from another author I really like. I can’t wait to read.
Thanks 🙂
Thank you, Lori. Good luck!
Awesome interview! This series gets such great reviews! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks, Linda!
Do you have packages of purple mechanical pencils? My breaks a lot.
I usually do keep a package around, but mine don’t break. I have to hide them or the cats play with them and take them to the Land of Hidden Cat Toys.
I enjoyed the interview. I remember the movie “True Lies.” I like books much better. I can certainly see the humor in this situation. If the characters are fun, does it make the book more fun to write? I look forward to reading this book. Thanks so much for sharing a part of yourself with us.
And for the record, I have some of that Peter Pan stuff at my house. MY kids aren’t growing up EITHER. I’ll lalalalala with you if anyone ever says otherwise.
Hey, Michelle, you know if the characters are fun, the book is more fun to write. The more tortured characters are hard for me and not as fun. Readers like them, though, and sometimes I do want to write a more complex, emotional book.
I loved Lord and Lady Spy and The Spy Wore Blue and I’ve been looking forward to reading True Spies ever since I heard there would be another book in the series. I’m so glad it’s finally release day.
Me, too, Barbara! It’s been like 2 years in the making!
Nice interview
Thanks!
Great interview!! Shana’s a new author to me, so thanks for the post 🙂
Nice to meet you, Diana!
I’m so looking forward to reading this!! Shana’s books remind me why I love spies 🙂
That’s a lovely thing to say, Anita! Thanks!
I’m really looking forward to this book! I always enjoy reading anything of Shana’s! Thanks for the interview and giveaway 🙂
Thank you, Ada, and good luck!
Boy sounds like I could relate to this story….two of my kids are off at college and the youngest is in 11th grade. I got the first book in this series but haven’t read it yet. Thanks for the chance to get the 2nd one.
Good luck, Sue. Yes, I do think you could relate to Elinor’s feelings at the beginning of the book.
Isn’t it amazing how the kid’s playing or watching TV in the background can actually help you concentrate?
It’s all in what you get used to, right, Jasmyn?
Hi Shana! From the blurb on this post it sounds like your True Spies book might be a little like my fave movie with Jamie Lee Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger: True Lies. 🙂 I think I would love this story too, so I gotta read it!
That’s right, Janice! It is a little like the movie 🙂
Really enjoyed the interview and the blurb as well. This book falls out of my typical reading genre, however I am definitely adding it to my to-read list! It sounds exciting 🙂
Crystal, what’s your typical reading (just curious, as an author)? Not historical romance?
Lord & Lady Spy was one of the first books I read by Shana and fell in love. I am very excited to check out this book. Definitely adding to my must buy list.
My question for you is: How many more books are going to be in this series? Maybe a longer book for Blue? Are you working on any other books or series right now?
Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds great! Adding to my wishlist! 🙂
Sounds like a great book-I love historical romance novels with a bit of intrigue. I agree with Shana in that kids grow up so fast-almost before you know it they are graduating from college!
I haven’t read this series yet, but I have heard wonderful things about them. Thank you for sharing the interview and I look forward to reading your work. I appreciate the chance to win.