Blog Tour and Giveaway: Velvet, Undercover by Teri Brown

Author: Teri Brown
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 336

Series/Standalone: stand alone

Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Donnelly and Libba Bray comes this page-turning historical spy thriller from 

Teri Brown, author of the Born of Illusion series.

Samantha Donaldson's family has always done its duty for the British Crown. In the midst of World War I, seventeen-year-old Sam follows in their footsteps, serving her country from the homefront as a messenger for the intelligence organization MI5. After her father disappears on a diplomatic mission, she continues their studies of languages, mathematics, and complex puzzles, hoping to make him proud.

When Sam is asked to join the famed women's spy group La Dame Blanche, she's torn—while this could be an unbelievable adventure, how can she abandon her mother, who has already lost a husband? But when her handlers reveal shocking news, Sam realizes she can't refuse the exciting and dangerous opportunity.

Her acceptance leads her straight into the heart of enemy territory on a mission to extract the most valuable British spy embedded in Germany, known only as Velvet. Deep undercover in the court of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Sam must navigate the labyrinthine palace and its many glamorous—and secretive—residents to complete her assignment. To make matters worse she must fight a forbidden attraction to the enemy—a dangerously handsome German guard. In a place where personal politics are treacherously entangled in wartime policy, can Sam find Velvet before it's too late . . . for them both?

I'm obsessed with spy books lately it seems. I also just finished Trust me, I'm Trouble by Mary Elizabeth Summers. This one although still a spy-ish novel was a bit different. The time period was during the first world war, and with me not being a big history buff I can't comment to much on that. What I can say is that every other aspect of this book I loved so much. Yes, it was a bit silly in what was going on sometimes, but if you have characters you love then to me nothing else matters. I mean I can see a young woman moving to a new place to become a nanny for rich kids. I can see said girl falling for a solider as well. We can have our fairy-tales right?  Just make sure those fairy-tales don't turn it to nightmares. :) I adored Sam I think it took courage and a lot of heart to let go of her mom, and go in enemy territories to find Velvet who she didn't know, or who no one actually knew. All so she could find out about her dad.

I will say that the ending was definitely an ending. Although, I had a few people in mind who could be Velvet. (One of whom it was) I did keep flip flopping on who it was.

I'm a little sad to see the characters go, and

I wouldn't mind another story told with maybe a different POV like Velvets. :) MUAHAHA

Playlist

Carman Fantasy, Sarasate. Played by Itzhak Perlman because the violin gymnastics are awesome.

Fugue for Solo Guitar JS Back (Because Bach!)

 El Condor Pasa by Simon and Garfunkel. Work Song by Hozier (because I'm not a complete egghead!)

All Eyes on You by St. Lucia Turn Away by Beck

Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner because I once saw Miss. Piggy do a music video to it and even though I haven't ever been able to find it again, the image and the musicstayed with me!

She Lit a Fire by Lord Huron

Nocturne Op.9 No. 2 by Chopin because no one can write piano music as lush and evocative as Chopin.

All I want in a Perfect World by Kodaline

Buy the book

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PRAISE FOR VELVET UNDERCOVER

“A slow-burning tale of espionage and deceit that explores the complexities and moral uncertainties of war.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“A taut and swiftly paced historical spy mystery, filled with suspense and surprising plot twists...A great fit for fans of Elizabeth Wein’s Code Name Verity.” (School Library Journal)

"Clever, impetuous Samantha Donaldson is a delight to follow through the murky world of the German court in this twisty tale of espionage and forbidden romance.” Katherine Longshore, author of Gilt, Tarnish

"Brown's latest is a pulse-racing, whip-smart thriller that kept me guessing until the end."

—Cat Winters, Morris Award Finalist for In the Shadow of Blackbirds 

Well behaved women rarely make history. Teri Brown lived that quote way before she ever even heard it. The two things she is most proud of, (besides her children), is that she jumped out of an airplane once and beat the original Legend of Zelda video game.  She's a novel writer, head banger, pet keeper, math hater, cocktail drinker, booty shaker, book reader, city slicker, food fixer, rule breaker, wine sipper and word scribbler. She loves her husband, children, puppies and chocolate. 

Find her on

Facebook|Twitter|Instagram

GIVEAWAY
 One Grand Prize Winner will get:
 - One signed hardback copy of Born of Illusion
 - One signed hardback copy of Born of Deception
 - One drawstring spygirls bag from the International Spy Museum
 - One tablet of spy paper that dissolves when wet
 - One password required lock and key journal
 - Two black light spy pens 
- One pair of brass spyglasses with brass rope chain (Perfect for spying!)

 Must be 13 + To Enter | Ships in US Only
 This giveaway will be cross-posted on the release day celebration
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

October 12th  Such A Novel Idea REVIEW

October 13th Curling Up With A Good Book TEN RANDOM THINGS

October 14th  Downright Dystopian REVIEW

October 15th  The Book Cellar REVIEW

October 16th  Bookaholics Anonymous REVIEW + MUSIC PLAYLIST

October 17th One Night Book Stand BOOK REVIEW

October 18th  The Cover Contessa TENS LIST

October 19th A Dream Within A Dream REVIEW