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Secrets and Spies #1-3
Secrets & Spies Box Set: Includes To Steal A Heart, A Raven's Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart.
All three of the thrilling Secrets & Spies books in one set!
TO STEAL A HEART
A master spy and a beautiful thief find love and intrigue in each other’s arms. . .
Forced to do the bidding of a corrupt government minister, Marianne de Bonnard agrees to plant incriminating evidence in the offices of France’s most notorious spymaster. Under cover of night, the tightrope-walking thief puts her skills to good use—until her aerial stunt is foiled when her target appears in the window and, with consummate poise, helps Marianne off the wire and into his lair. The tremors that run through her body are not just from fear; there’s an unwanted frisson of desire there, too. But is it because of her elegant, wickedly handsome host . . . or his proposition?
Nicolas Valette has had plans for his graceful trespasser since he witnessed her unique skills at the Cirque Olympique. Sinuous as a cat, Marianne is perfect for his next mission, but she refuses his generous offer for fear of disobeying her family’s tormenter. When their mutual enemy auctions off her virginity to the highest bidder, Nicolas leaps at the chance to purchase her cooperation. Keeping her will be like trying to tame a wild animal, but what’s life without a little risk? Besides, Nicolas and Marianne both want the same thing: revenge—and, perhaps, something else that’s equally delicious.
A RAVEN'S HEART
When a bookish codebreaker and a dashing spy are reunited in this steamy historical romance from the author of To Steal a Heart, their lives depend on their ability to resist temptation. But fate is a mistress who cannot be denied. . .
England, 1815.
In the war against France, Heloise Hampden is a high-value asset to the Crown. When she cracks the enemy’s most recent communication, French agents are sent to silence her. But it’s the agent assigned to protect Heloise who poses the greatest threat to her heart: William de l’Isle, Viscount Ravenwood. Heloise has quarreled with the man they call Raven since childhood, yet always maintained a chaste distance. She’s sure nothing will change, thanks to the disfiguring scar on her face.
Nothing has changed. Raven still wonders how Hell-cat Hampden’s lithe body would feel pressed against his, but for the mission he must remind himself that the woman takes more pleasure in ancient languages than she does in seduction.
His imprisonment six years ago broke him in a way that makes the prospect of love impossible—he’s a shadowed Hades pining for sun-kissed Persephone. Still, his heart beats like mad whenever he’s within ten paces of Heloise, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if that means taking her to Spain as an unwilling hostage.
Protecting her from danger will be a challenge; protecting her from desire will be pure agony.
A COUNTERFEIT HEART
A feisty counterfeiter and a cocky British agent clash in this sultry Secrets and Spies novel by K. C. Bateman, whose witty, intelligent, and sexy historical romances have become her signature.
As Sabine de la Tour tosses piles of forged banknotes onto a bonfire in a Paris park, she bids a reluctant farewell to her double life as a notorious criminal. Her counterfeits have destabilized the continent and turned scoundrels into rich men, but now she and her business partner must escape France—or face the guillotine. Her only hope of surviving in England is to strike a deal with the very spy she’s spent her career outrunning.
Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, will risk anything to safeguard England from the horrors of the French Revolution, even make a pact with his archenemy: Philippe Lacorte, the greatest counterfeiter in Europe. But when a cheeky, gamine-faced beauty proves herself to be Lacorte, Richard is shocked—and more than a little aroused. Unlike the debutantes who so often hurl themselves at him, this cunning minx offers a unique and irresistible challenge. Richard will help her. But in return, he wants something even Sabine cannot fake.
TO STEAL A HEART
A master spy and a beautiful thief find love and intrigue in each other’s arms. . .
Forced to do the bidding of a corrupt government minister, Marianne de Bonnard agrees to plant incriminating evidence in the offices of France’s most notorious spymaster. Under cover of night, the tightrope-walking thief puts her skills to good use—until her aerial stunt is foiled when her target appears in the window and, with consummate poise, helps Marianne off the wire and into his lair. The tremors that run through her body are not just from fear; there’s an unwanted frisson of desire there, too. But is it because of her elegant, wickedly handsome host . . . or his proposition?
Nicolas Valette has had plans for his graceful trespasser since he witnessed her unique skills at the Cirque Olympique. Sinuous as a cat, Marianne is perfect for his next mission, but she refuses his generous offer for fear of disobeying her family’s tormenter. When their mutual enemy auctions off her virginity to the highest bidder, Nicolas leaps at the chance to purchase her cooperation. Keeping her will be like trying to tame a wild animal, but what’s life without a little risk? Besides, Nicolas and Marianne both want the same thing: revenge—and, perhaps, something else that’s equally delicious.
A RAVEN'S HEART
When a bookish codebreaker and a dashing spy are reunited in this steamy historical romance from the author of To Steal a Heart, their lives depend on their ability to resist temptation. But fate is a mistress who cannot be denied. . .
England, 1815.
In the war against France, Heloise Hampden is a high-value asset to the Crown. When she cracks the enemy’s most recent communication, French agents are sent to silence her. But it’s the agent assigned to protect Heloise who poses the greatest threat to her heart: William de l’Isle, Viscount Ravenwood. Heloise has quarreled with the man they call Raven since childhood, yet always maintained a chaste distance. She’s sure nothing will change, thanks to the disfiguring scar on her face.
Nothing has changed. Raven still wonders how Hell-cat Hampden’s lithe body would feel pressed against his, but for the mission he must remind himself that the woman takes more pleasure in ancient languages than she does in seduction.
His imprisonment six years ago broke him in a way that makes the prospect of love impossible—he’s a shadowed Hades pining for sun-kissed Persephone. Still, his heart beats like mad whenever he’s within ten paces of Heloise, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if that means taking her to Spain as an unwilling hostage.
Protecting her from danger will be a challenge; protecting her from desire will be pure agony.
A COUNTERFEIT HEART
A feisty counterfeiter and a cocky British agent clash in this sultry Secrets and Spies novel by K. C. Bateman, whose witty, intelligent, and sexy historical romances have become her signature.
As Sabine de la Tour tosses piles of forged banknotes onto a bonfire in a Paris park, she bids a reluctant farewell to her double life as a notorious criminal. Her counterfeits have destabilized the continent and turned scoundrels into rich men, but now she and her business partner must escape France—or face the guillotine. Her only hope of surviving in England is to strike a deal with the very spy she’s spent her career outrunning.
Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, will risk anything to safeguard England from the horrors of the French Revolution, even make a pact with his archenemy: Philippe Lacorte, the greatest counterfeiter in Europe. But when a cheeky, gamine-faced beauty proves herself to be Lacorte, Richard is shocked—and more than a little aroused. Unlike the debutantes who so often hurl themselves at him, this cunning minx offers a unique and irresistible challenge. Richard will help her. But in return, he wants something even Sabine cannot fake.
1035 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2021
About the author
K.C. Bateman
11 books800 followersHappy Boxing Day! I hope you're sitting comfortably, because it's release day for Second Duke's The Charm! Woohoo!
This is the first book in my brand new series, Her Majesty's Rebels, which follows the three brilliant young women who run King & Co., London's most exclusive investigative agency. Think of them as a Regency-era version of Charlie's Angels. . .
The heroine of this first book is Tess, and I can't WAIT for you to read about her disastrous first wedding night to an old duke (which leaves her a very rich, but still-virginal widow.) When she makes a scandalous second marriage of convenience with the NEW Duke, sexy but cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton, sparks fly! Add in a plot to save the Princess Royal from being blackmailed, a cute dog, a VERY sexy carriage scene, and a pearl necklace used in a most disgraceful manner, and you're in for an excellent steamy romantic adventure.
Publishers' Weekly says: “The lovers’ banter crackles and their sexual chemistry burns up the pages”, and who am I to argue with that?!
Second Duke's The Charm is available in print, e-book and audiobook right now, and here are all the links you need:
Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3M4iJsy
Apple: https://apple.co/3P1ALvF
B&N Nook: https://bit.ly/SecondDukesTheCharmBN
Kobo: https://bit.ly/SecondDukestheCharmKoboA
Google Play: https://bit.ly/SecondDukesTheCharmGPA
Books-a-Million: http://bitly.ws/FDMc
Bookshop: http://bitly.ws/FDMn
Target: http://bitly.ws/FDMy
Universal link: https://books2read.com/SecondDukesThe...
Kate Bateman / K.C. Bateman, is a bestselling author of Regency and Renaissance historical romances, including the Secrets & Spies series, Bow Street Bachelors series, and Ruthless Rivals series. Her books have received multiple Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, and her Renaissance romp The Devil To Pay was a 2019 RITA award nominee.
Her books have been translated into multiple languages, including French, Italian, Brazilian, Japanese, German, Romanian, Czech, and Croatian.
When not writing, Kate leads a double life as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several TV shows in the UK. She currently lives in Illinois with a number-loving husband and three inexhaustible children, and a naughty toy Poodle named Monty. She regularly returns to her native England ‘for research.’
Kate loves to hear from readers. Contact her on Twitter @katebateman, Facebook, or via her website at www.kcbateman.com
Website: http://kcbateman.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/katebateman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kc_bateman/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-b...
Pinterest: http://goo.gl/2AHVgZ
Amazon: http://goo.gl/i3Rhyq
B&N: http://goo.gl/1YzFWU
Kobo: http://goo.gl/x1fQqL
iTunes: http://goo.gl/4b7x53
Google Play: http://goo.gl/3bxOIz
This is the first book in my brand new series, Her Majesty's Rebels, which follows the three brilliant young women who run King & Co., London's most exclusive investigative agency. Think of them as a Regency-era version of Charlie's Angels. . .
The heroine of this first book is Tess, and I can't WAIT for you to read about her disastrous first wedding night to an old duke (which leaves her a very rich, but still-virginal widow.) When she makes a scandalous second marriage of convenience with the NEW Duke, sexy but cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton, sparks fly! Add in a plot to save the Princess Royal from being blackmailed, a cute dog, a VERY sexy carriage scene, and a pearl necklace used in a most disgraceful manner, and you're in for an excellent steamy romantic adventure.
Publishers' Weekly says: “The lovers’ banter crackles and their sexual chemistry burns up the pages”, and who am I to argue with that?!
Second Duke's The Charm is available in print, e-book and audiobook right now, and here are all the links you need:
Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3M4iJsy
Apple: https://apple.co/3P1ALvF
B&N Nook: https://bit.ly/SecondDukesTheCharmBN
Kobo: https://bit.ly/SecondDukestheCharmKoboA
Google Play: https://bit.ly/SecondDukesTheCharmGPA
Books-a-Million: http://bitly.ws/FDMc
Bookshop: http://bitly.ws/FDMn
Target: http://bitly.ws/FDMy
Universal link: https://books2read.com/SecondDukesThe...
Kate Bateman / K.C. Bateman, is a bestselling author of Regency and Renaissance historical romances, including the Secrets & Spies series, Bow Street Bachelors series, and Ruthless Rivals series. Her books have received multiple Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, and her Renaissance romp The Devil To Pay was a 2019 RITA award nominee.
Her books have been translated into multiple languages, including French, Italian, Brazilian, Japanese, German, Romanian, Czech, and Croatian.
When not writing, Kate leads a double life as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several TV shows in the UK. She currently lives in Illinois with a number-loving husband and three inexhaustible children, and a naughty toy Poodle named Monty. She regularly returns to her native England ‘for research.’
Kate loves to hear from readers. Contact her on Twitter @katebateman, Facebook, or via her website at www.kcbateman.com
Website: http://kcbateman.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/katebateman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kc_bateman/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-b...
Pinterest: http://goo.gl/2AHVgZ
Amazon: http://goo.gl/i3Rhyq
B&N: http://goo.gl/1YzFWU
Kobo: http://goo.gl/x1fQqL
iTunes: http://goo.gl/4b7x53
Google Play: http://goo.gl/3bxOIz
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 15, 2021
Great set of books a must read each one gets better than the next
June 5, 2021
3 good novels 3.5 stars round up to 4
3 books in the anthology:
-to Steal A Heart 3.5 . A spy romance, set in Napoleonic times, I really liked this story. It did take awhile for me to warm up to the he-ro, he's a very cynical spy master. It reminded me a little of The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne.
-My least favorite A Ravens Heart 3. The heroine is a code breaker for England, the hero is her brother's best friend. She believes she's unlovable because he rejected her when she was.16 and she has a faint scar on her forehead. He also thinks he,'s undeserving of love...
-A Counterfeit Heart 3.5 Another intriguing couple, especially Sabine, the counterfeiting heroine. Richard Hampton, Lord Lovell is another aristocratic English spy with a bad attitude, several time referring to Sabine as being trustworthy as a cobra. He also has the charming attitude toward women in general resulting in a rule for mistresses: no wives no virgins, 3 months only.(...lovely) There's no previous trauma to explain the attitude, and he himself.notes.that he is surrounded by accomplished women. Nonetheless the.writing is good.and I enjoyed the book and will look for KC Bateman books in the future.
3 books in the anthology:
-to Steal A Heart 3.5 . A spy romance, set in Napoleonic times, I really liked this story. It did take awhile for me to warm up to the he-ro, he's a very cynical spy master. It reminded me a little of The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne.
-My least favorite A Ravens Heart 3. The heroine is a code breaker for England, the hero is her brother's best friend. She believes she's unlovable because he rejected her when she was.16 and she has a faint scar on her forehead. He also thinks he,'s undeserving of love...
-A Counterfeit Heart 3.5 Another intriguing couple, especially Sabine, the counterfeiting heroine. Richard Hampton, Lord Lovell is another aristocratic English spy with a bad attitude, several time referring to Sabine as being trustworthy as a cobra. He also has the charming attitude toward women in general resulting in a rule for mistresses: no wives no virgins, 3 months only.(...lovely) There's no previous trauma to explain the attitude, and he himself.notes.that he is surrounded by accomplished women. Nonetheless the.writing is good.and I enjoyed the book and will look for KC Bateman books in the future.
June 9, 2021
The best thing is a series
The only thing better than books that go together is a boxed set.
No difficult to endure finding the next book.
Electronically, no need to even pickup the next book.
K C Bateman writes gloriously. The letters are like prisms, the words like shimmering rainbows, the books like a kaleidoscope, magically transporting the reader to another place and time.
This group of books are wonderfully entertwined, with touches of laughter and landscapes interspersed with notes on the human condition and bits of the classics, quotes from all manner of authorities...
Read them.
You really should...
The only thing better than books that go together is a boxed set.
No difficult to endure finding the next book.
Electronically, no need to even pickup the next book.
K C Bateman writes gloriously. The letters are like prisms, the words like shimmering rainbows, the books like a kaleidoscope, magically transporting the reader to another place and time.
This group of books are wonderfully entertwined, with touches of laughter and landscapes interspersed with notes on the human condition and bits of the classics, quotes from all manner of authorities...
Read them.
You really should...
January 17, 2023
Secrets and Spies series is a Sensation!
I’ve just completed the boxed set of Kate Bateman’s Secrets and Spies series and it is truly sensational! Intelligent and witty heroines, with genuinely good hearts, and strong, and stubborn men, bound by duty, and driven crazy by the women in their lives! These stories are filled with danger and excitement, humor and wit, and the pages steam from the chemistry and sexual tension between these characters! I loved this series! ❤️❤️❤️
I’ve just completed the boxed set of Kate Bateman’s Secrets and Spies series and it is truly sensational! Intelligent and witty heroines, with genuinely good hearts, and strong, and stubborn men, bound by duty, and driven crazy by the women in their lives! These stories are filled with danger and excitement, humor and wit, and the pages steam from the chemistry and sexual tension between these characters! I loved this series! ❤️❤️❤️
May 21, 2023
Outstanding Series
If you any single book read any in the series. Indulge and read this series filled with adventure, intrigue and romance at its best. The stories will whisk you away to a tale of love conquers all. It is a series to have on your save shelf to reread again and again. I highly recommend this lovely series. What a special treat. Thank you Ms. Bateman. You have create a treasure.
If you any single book read any in the series. Indulge and read this series filled with adventure, intrigue and romance at its best. The stories will whisk you away to a tale of love conquers all. It is a series to have on your save shelf to reread again and again. I highly recommend this lovely series. What a special treat. Thank you Ms. Bateman. You have create a treasure.
June 1, 2021
I enjoyed this anthology
June 4, 2021
Fast paced and fun
Amazingly fun read. Characters are well rounded and sound as intelligent as intended. I’m going to purchase more of her books.
Amazingly fun read. Characters are well rounded and sound as intelligent as intended. I’m going to purchase more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews