The Spy Beneath the Mistletoe

Lord and Lady Spy #3.5

by Shana Galen

When weapons designer Eliza Qwillen (Q) is sent to the English countryside with Pierce Moneypence, clerk to the mysterious M, she’s worried the memory of their steamy encounter will interfere with the task at hand.

The operatives are intent upon capturing the highwayman styling himself as the New Sheriff of Nottingham. But with the Sheriff in their sights, secret rendezvous, mistaken identities, and cat-and-mouse games challenge these fledgling agents—and Q and Pierce will learn that rediscovering their passion for each other is the most rewarding mission of all.

***This novella was previously featured in the anthology CHRISTMAS IN THE DUKE'S ARMS.***

Genres: Historical Romance, Christmas, Romance, Novella, Holiday, Historical, Fiction

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2015

About the author

Shana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.

Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews

Reviews

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Musings

I found this jewel of a story buried in my cloud. I can't believe I downloaded it but didn't read it ! I am glad I discovered it now. Great plot and loved both MCs. I always know I am in for a treat with one of Ms. Helen's amAzing romances. Happy ☺reading 📚!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has read Shana Galen’s fantastic Lord and Lady Spy series will be thrilled with this novella, and those who haven’t will know what they’ve been missing. THE SPY BENEATH THE MISTLETOE features Eliza Qwillen and Pierce Moneypence, who work along spies, but are usually in the background. A highwayman who calls himself the New Sherriff of Nottingham is wreaking havoc in the countryside, and Eliza and Pierce have been dispatched to catch the villain. Eliza and Pierce, who have a lot of chemistry, but this is not the time to flirt, there is a job to be done, but one can always find a moment or two for romance, can one?

BENEATH THE MISTLETOE is absolutely delightful, as is the case for each instalment of the Lord and Lady Spy series. The characters are great, there’s a lot of action and romance, it’s fast-paced and fun, the dialogues are brilliant, and of course it’s beautifully written. Shana Galen never disappoints!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandra R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to Shana's Lord and Lady Spy series.

I read this novella in the anthology:~ "Christmas in the Duke's Arms".

Q and Moneypence were such fun characters. Well written romance/spy story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute but short!

[IllyrianShadowsinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierce Moneypence, clerk for the best spies in England.
Elize Qwillen, weapons designer for the best spies in England.
They're a match made in hell.
Too bad Christmastide has other ideas...

I loved this book! We were introduced to Pierce and Eliza's romance in Love and Let Spy, but Shana Galen deeply explores it in this novella. Light-hearted, sweet, and adorable, Pierce and Eliza are relatable, funny, and heartbreaking. Eliza loves Pierce, but she just wants some sign he might love her back to marry him. Pierce has been abandoned by everyone who should have loved him, so he has no idea how to feel such an emotion.
And when the only woman he's ever wanted to marry demands its love or nothing, Moneypence is forced to make a decision that could change everything.
Run like he's always done?
Or stay and fight?

While the "mystery," aspect was easy to follow, and your first suspect is the right one, the romance made up for everything. The fact Pierce learned sex from a book was....sadly relatable.
A Shana Galen masterpiece, I would recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a quick, one-sit read during the winter months.
Who doesn't want to love a spy?

[Jan Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute nod to James Bond with the names, but I found Eliza to be a bit annoying and immature though Pierce was well written. Overall, I think this story was both too short and too slow paced. It needed to be longer to really get into the plot, but faster paced in that the scenes we did get dragged. Still enjoyable in the end, I just wanted more out of it. Three stars.

[Sieravonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, however, I just find it stupid that Pierce felt dizzy at the sound of blood and fainted at the sight of it. Even if he was not a real spy nor a soldier, he was still a man, not a swooning miss.

[Celeste Duque · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good plot with well conceived characters.
The gold formula an alpha male/heroe/spy and a damsel (somewhat strong but vulnerable craving adventure) in distress and the birth of a everlasting love story.
A good historical, regency, ChicLit

[Georgina Parkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute short story! A little mystery & a couple of virgins being freaks together lol. Very enjoyable.

[Beth Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows Q and Moneypence out into the country where they have to capture a highwayman. After their disappointing love affair ceases (including a night of not-so-hot lost-their-virginity sex), Q is done and just wants to prove herself as an agent. Moneypence wants to rise up in the ranks, and this mission will help. For him, it's a side bonus to to find Q, and he wants a second chance to win her over -- he's read books to improve their sexual relations. Books. My kind of guy. I found the story to be charming and fun, although I am rather sick of characters that don't know if they're in love. We need a checklist for these people.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the Lord & Lady Spy series, and the two main characters in this story, Pierce Moneypence and Eliza Qwillen, are on a mission to find the highwayman who has been terrorizing the countryside. It was quickly established that they had a history together, with some misunderstandings about what they wanted in a relationship. Seeing them work together to solve the case and resolve their differences was a treat. I was delighted that this couple was a bit older than the usual, I think they deserve to find love just as much as the young debutantes and it was refreshing to see.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Kobo+. Christmas Romance 2024. Novella. Tropes: Law Enforcement/Spy, Mature Romance 35+, Bluestocking, Work Romance, Knight in Shining Armor.
MC's h. Eliza Qwillen,35, Bluestocking, designs guns, spy. H. Pierce Moneypence, spy, asked Eliza to marry him but was turned down. They are on assignment to catch a Highwayman.
*****************************************************************************

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
meh