Archer

Lady Wynwood’s Spies #1

by Camille Elliot, Camy Tang

Part one in a Christian Regency Romantic Adventure epic serial novel with a supernatural twist

She met him again by shooting him.

After four seasons and unmarried because she is taller than most of her dance partners, Miss Phoebe Sauber receives the shocking news that she is being callously banished from her father’s estate because he is remarrying. Feeling betrayed by her father and by God, and wanting to escape her family’s presence, she attends an archery tournament with her friends.

But her perfect aim fails her, and her arrow hits a piece of paper held by Mr. Michael Coulton-Jones, whom she hasn’t seen much in society in several years. But strangely, her arrow tears a section of the paper with a partial symbol that looks eerily familiar to her.

He met her again while searching for a killer.

Michael had quit his work as a spy for the Foreign Office when his brother was poisoned. His search for the murderer leads him to Apothecary Jack, a criminal underworld leader with a penchant for poisons, who is gathering a powerful army through an alchemical potion that can give men supernatural strength.

But his path unexpectedly crosses again with Miss Sauber, who saves him from a trap laid by Jack. She and her Aunt Laura, Lady Wynwood, have found a vital connection to Apothecary Jack and the mysterious group he works for.

Now Michael, who had vowed to never again allow civilians to come to harm, must work with a nobleman keeping dangerous secrets, a human lie detector, a chemist, a fellow former spy, and the one woman he’s never allowed himself to get close to.

And it is only this ragtag group that stands against a traitorous organization that could enable Napoleon to conquer the world.

PLEASE NOTE: Like the novels published in Jane Austen’s time, this is a novel in multiple parts. Each volume has a completed story arc, but this is NOT a stand-alone novel and ends on a cliffhanger.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency, Historical, Suspense, Christian Fiction

359 pages, ebook

Published December 9, 2020

About the author

Regency romance with Zondervan under her pen name, Camille Elliot, Camy writes Christian romantic suspense with Love Inspired Suspense as Camy Tang.

IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE ME A MESSAGE, please go to my other Goodreads author profile, since I don't log into this one very often:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archer is unlike anything else I’ve read this year, full of the sensibilities of the time, but also science, espionage, treason, and a dash of romance – oh, and archery, of course! In her note at the end, Elliot mentions that she wanted a story that combined Mission Impossible and the Regency world, and she definitely delivers in that regard. A Goodreads friend of mine said “Jane Austen meets Marvel,” and that’s pretty much on the mark, too.

This story centers more on Phoebe Sauber, our archer of the book’s title, but also Lady Laura Wynwood and Solomon Drysdale, who readers will be familiar with from the prequel novella, The Gentleman Thief, which I do recommend reading first, although you can still enjoy this story without having read it. You might also read The Spinster’s Christmas since it’s that time of year, but if you only read one prequel, make it The Gentleman Thief. Our other characters include two former spies, a lady chemist, as well as some servants with what we might call a particular set of skills. I really thought that the story worked well in terms of the character development of both Phoebe and Laura. They are both at a bit of a crossroads in life, know what they want, but still have obstacles to overcome in order to get there.

Often I get bored during fight sequences in suspense novels, but I felt like the scenes were very well written, without going overboard on details. They’re exciting though and definitely held my attention. There are also some scientific things that I’m still not quite sure how they work, but I’m thinking there will be more explanations – not to mention evil machinations – in the coming books. I’m just glad to know there is more of this unique series to come, and I look forward to going on more adventures with this intriguing group of people.

I received an advanced copy of this novel; I was not required to post a positive review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun cast of characters including a female member of the ton that is practicing to be an accurate knife thrower. This first novel of the Lady Wyndwood's Spies Series is a blend of Regency and Action. Main character Phoebe feels displaced after her dad announces he will remarry and no longer wishes for his daughter who has already gone through four seasons to live in his home any longer. Fortunately, Phoebe has a loving aunt more than happy to take her in.

The secondary story line is about a mysterious drug that is causing normal men to have ultra power.

Warning: cliffhanger ending!

My gratitude to the author for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great, fantastically unique novel! This is the first book by Camille Elliot that I've read and I enjoyed this take on regency London. I really liked Phoebe and I could relate to her quite a lot as I too am tall for a woman, and I am an archer (though I am much less skilled than Phoebe and I only do target practice for fun, I don't compete like she does) and I loved seeing her rise to the occasion and help people in ways she wouldn't previously have thought possible. There were a lot of characters in this book and I sometimes had trouble keeping them all straight in my mind. There were lots of exciting parts in this story but overall it didn't hold my interest throughout the way I'd hoped for. I've never read a serial novel before so I don't know what is normal for the development of a romantic relationship in this type of story, but I was a bit disappointed there wasn't more romance between Phoebe and Michael in this story, though I do realize their relationship will likely develop further in future books.
Overall, I'm glad I read this super unique and original regency story and I definitely recommend it!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camille Elliot's regency romance has always been top notch; but this time she combined it with a hint of Marvel Comic's The Incredible Hulk, and the action never stops. Phoebe Sauber is a tall young woman who has been through 4 seasons without finding a husband. She's also a talented archer. When, during a match, she finds a piece of paper with an unusual symbol that leads her to a trail of mysteries along with hidden stories behind some men of her acquaintance, suspense begins to unwind with twists and turns that never stop even when you come to a cliffhanging ending in this first in a group of serial novels.

The main characters were very well written with unique characters that all combined to make a perfect mystery team. Lady Wynwood is such a caring person and took Phoebe in so readily after her father's obnoxious decision. She's also very independent and intelligent. Solomon Drydale with his wisdom is a great team leader as he hides his feelings for Lady Wynwood behind his busy work for the government. Michael Coulton-Jones has quit his spy work but finds himself pulled into the mystery when it might connect with his brother's murder. It will take a team effort to solve this mystery. Throw in some astonishingly evil villains, and you certainly have a read you can't put down and will leave you screaming: When is the next book coming out?

**I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author for this review. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first began reading Archer, it took me a bit to sort out who the characters were and what was happening. The story jumped right in, after a quick prologue, and I realized that there were things that had happened in a previous story that I did not know about. I have discovered that those events are covered in a prequel novella. However, the author did a very good job of filling in the details in a general way and so I was able to start enjoying this book from that point on.

What a dynamic and exciting story! This is a serial novel series and the book is definitely a full-length novel. It wraps some things up, but an overarching problematic situation continues throughout the entire series.

I really liked the characters in this book. I was appalled at the way Phoebe’s father and his intended bride treated Phoebe. I couldn’t help but empathize with her, feeling her anger and hurt. Michael was another interesting character. His focus on finding out who was behind the poisoning death of his brother pretty much set all kinds of dangerous events in motion in the story.

The two characters I found myself most interested in were Laura, who is Lady Wynwood, and her friend, Sol. I felt an underlying tension and possible attraction between these two that may have been showing itself as a friendship for the past ten years. However, things are not so simple and there are plenty of secrets that they have been keeping from each other which could definitely end in hurt.

I am very excited to see what happens in the next book and am happy to see that it is already available to read!

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Pegg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm floundering a bit on how to review this book, which is unusual for me. If you love a historical romantic suspense series, you'll likely enjoy Archer. The characters are diverse, the setting is well displayed, and all the story elements are there. But it just didn't come together for me.

It's not a bad book. The writing was solid but didn't seem to bring all the elements to their full potential. I found myself skimming large areas of text. And it's one of those series books that doesn't have an ending, it just stops. It's not a cliffhanger, it just ... stops ... with many questions left unanswered. Obviously, the story picks up again in book two, but it lacked a really good, solid hook to entice me to read the next book.

Or maybe I was just in too curmudgeonly a mind-frame when I read it.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I've read I was on the look-out for Camille Elliot's next regency book. And this year we are spoiled with a serial - please be warned that each book should be read in order and book 1 ended with a cliffhanger.

This book was different. It was Regency and all you love about that, with a dash of lots of action and then the cherry on top was the "visionary" part with the super strong villians.

I loved all the characters we got to meet in this first Book, and there was a lot. I found the book a bit on the slower side because of that, but the action and suspense build towards the end and then you are left with big question marks by the end. Laura is such a fun character and I'm really intrigued with the secrets she is hiding.

“Laura.” He took a small step back to the edge of the front step. “Not hiding a pistol in your skirts, are you?”

Looking forward to see what will happen next.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Austen meets Marvel.
You've gotta read it to believe it.

This is one of those books that you just have to start talking about, even before you've finished (and I did). The concept is incredible and unique, and will keep you on the edge of your seat!

I really appreciated the author's ability to make the characters' abilities more realistic than your common fiction read - they don't win every fight, they get injured, they each have there own special talents that all have to work together (rather than a bunch of people who can all do anything that needs doing). They're smart (after all, we're talking about spies), and they figure things out as the reader does instead of frustrating you with their seeming stupidity after being called intelligent through the rest of the book! :) I kept thinking "How is she going to keep this plot going, if they keep solving the puzzle so quickly!?" And then something else would happen, and a few more layers get pulled back...

Hold on to your carriage seat - you're about to take a wild ride through Regency London!

*I read The Spinster's Christmas and The Gentleman Thief before diving into Archer, and I'm really glad I did.

**I will add for my fellow Christian Fiction lovers that the spiritual content is light in this book, but I'm assuming that's because it's really only the first part of the whole story and needs to build through the series. I would recommend to mature readers for a few words, innuendos, or phrases from the era, and descriptive fighting scenes.

[I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.]

[MJSH · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You may not know this, but men rarely feel the need to talk about anything."

I have not read any historical from Camille Elliot so this was a pleasant introduction. There is a Christmas novella and a prequel novella in this series before this book and reading them first may help the reader make better sense of the atmosphere as this book begins. Unfortunately I did not read them before starting this book, so I had to pay extra careful attention to all the characters and plot to find my footing. As is typical in Regency era novels, the dialogue is delightfully fun, the plot involves an almost spinster daughter, and the London Season is in full swing. There is plenty of dialogue and conversation that carries the plot at the beginning of the story. Atypical of Regency era novels is the fast-moving suspense-filled plot that comes into play about halfway into the story, after all the necessary characters and their roles are introduced. Some of the moving pieces and backstories start clicking into place but the book does end in a cliff-hanger of sorts. The series has an overarching theme that will be carried throughout the series so make sure to start with the prequel novella and read the books in order.

There are indeed quite a number of characters in the story but they're easy to keep track of. Phoebe and Michael, Keriah and Septimus, and Laura and Sol make a great team of spies, chemist, and botanist. Laura (Lady Wynwood) has a group of servants who are wonderful secondary characters. Even the villains in the story have a voice, which adds another layer to the suspense and intrigue of the plot. I'm not certain why the series is named Lady Wynwood's Spies but I'll be sure to keep reading the series to find out the answers to all the questions I have after finishing the first book.

Those who love Regency and suspense will enjoy this book. I received the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a while since I have read a book by Camille Elliot, but I am so glad to read her Regency-set novels again.

These characters are unique. The woman who wants more out of life is somewhat familiar in Regency fiction, but to find a male character who sees her and is attracted to her for her unique abilities, rather than in spite of them, was refreshing and welcome. God gears each of us differently, and provides others around us who can support and encourage us, challenging us to become better. I really loved that aspect of this book.

Another part that I enjoyed was the exploration of what gives us value as a person, both for ourselves and to others, and even further along those lines, what gives us real worth as opposed to a false sense of it. These are real questions that concern real people, and reading about the character’s journey shows we aren’t alone in our struggles.

This is a spy novel, a very exciting one with a lot of mystery involved. There are rougher elements to the book, but the author keeps things firmly in the clean category with descriptions of fighting, injuries, and language, but without losing realism. There are certainly elements of the story that can be uncomfortable, like brothels, violence, and lying as a way of life, but these things are not glorified.

My only caution for this book is that it is part of a serial novel, and not all threads will be tied up at the end but will continue into the next installment. This is the length of a standalone novel, however, with a well-developed cast of characters, an incredible plot with plenty of surprises, and a satisfying, though incomplete, ending to this volume.

I highly recommend this book for older teens and up, especially those who enjoy mysteries, Regency England, or spy novels, but without the language or gory scenes that can often stray into disturbing territory. This is a fantastic start to a new series, and I’m looking forward to more!

I received a review copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

[MJSH · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You may not know this, but men rarely feel the need to talk about anything."

I have not read any historical from Camille Elliot so this was a pleasant introduction. There is a Christmas novella and a prequel novella in this series before this book and reading them first may help the reader make better sense of the atmosphere as this book begins. Unfortunately I did not read them before starting this book, so I had to pay extra careful attention to all the characters and plot to find my footing. As is typical in Regency era novels, the dialogue is delightfully fun, the plot involves an almost spinster daughter, and the London Season is in full swing. There is plenty of dialogue and conversation that carries the plot at the beginning of the story. Atypical of Regency era novels is the fast-moving suspense-filled plot that comes into play about halfway into the story, after all the necessary characters and their roles are introduced. Some of the moving pieces and backstories start clicking into place but the book does end in a cliff-hanger of sorts. The series has an overarching theme that will be carried throughout the series so make sure to start with the prequel novella and read the books in order.

There are indeed quite a number of characters in the story but they're easy to keep track of. Phoebe and Michael, Keriah and Septimus, and Laura and Sol make a great team of spies, chemist, and botanist. Laura (Lady Wynwood) has a group of servants who are wonderful secondary characters. Even the villains in the story have a voice, which adds another layer to the suspense and intrigue of the plot. I'm not certain why the series is named Lady Wynwood's Spies but I'll be sure to keep reading the series to find out the answers to all the questions I have after finishing the first book.

Those who love Regency and suspense will enjoy this book. I received the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's uncharacteristic of Phoebe Sauber when she loses her aim at a "friendly" archery tournament. Her wayward arrow leads her into the path of Michael Coulton-Jones, a man who's been avoiding Phoebe ever since he once danced with her. He unintentionally draws her into a mysterious mission concerning a dangerous potion that gives men phenomenal strength in Lady Wynwood's Spies, Volume 1: Archer by author Camille Elliot.

Having enjoyed all of Elliot's books so far, I was excited to hear about this ChristFic Regency suspense serial novel. And the fact that it's got a science-fiction-esque twist to it? Even better.

Now, much of this first volume was slow-going to me, and some of what concerns Phoebe becomes pretty redundant. Perhaps the lags in my interest were the reason why I had a hard time getting a grip on what all was happening on the suspense side and why it mattered for the characters. (I skipped reading the book blurb beforehand on purpose.) Also, while I trust the complete novel will be romantic on the whole, this first installment just lays a foundation for romance to come.

Even so, I liked the science and archery action parts best, and some of the read was kind of like watching Marvel's The Avengers. I'm looking forward to reading more of this serial.
_________
I received an advance reading copy of this book for an honest review.

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start to a swashbuckling Regency serial, this first book introduces many of the characters as well as the stakes.

Slow to start it takes a while to pick up steam, but once it does there isn't any stopping. A new intrigue filled adventure, with a splash of speculative fiction.

I loved the Phoebe finds friends that she can trust, my favorite was Keriah, who is wonderfully supportive and skilled with healing.

Overall, this book introduces the plot and characters of a new series. At times it was difficult to read, with the slower start and the inhumanity of what the bad guys were doing. But it really picks up at the end, leaving me aching to know what would happen next in true serial style!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[(Jen) The Artist Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing historical fiction under her pen name, Camille Elliot, Camy Tang has recently launched an exciting and ambitious Regency series full of adventure and romance. The British Regency Era is one of my favorite historical periods and it is a mainstay of the Christian historical fiction genre with its proper ways and manners, often delightfully paired with verbal sparring and flirting. Julie Klassen, Sarah E Ladd, Kristi Ann Hunter, and countless other authors have followed in Jane Austen's footsteps, but I've yet read a Regency novel quite like this! In Archer, the first entry to the Lady Wynwood's Spies series, Camille Elliot is back in fine form with her first full length Regency since 2014.

Unique in comparison to most Christian historical fiction, there's a touch of fantasy that slightly reminded me of steampunk (if steampunk was set in the Regency Era rather than Victorian) with the incorporation of an alchemist plot. The supernatural elements in this fictionalized version of London I associated more with a superhero/villains vibe rather than the paranormal that is often combined in a historical setting. I think part of the reason Elliot is able to utilize such uncommon elements is because she is independently publishing her series.

Another unusual component to this series is the structure itself. Elliot has shared on her website that she was inspired by serial novels and light novels in the creation of Lady Wynwood's Spies. Again, her choice to independently publish helps make this possible, since the serial novel format is quite rare with traditional publishers today. As such, this book does end on a cliffhanger, with the fate of supporting characters unknown and the main villain still at large. Though perhaps unusual for a romance series, those who read fantasy or other such genres will be used to this. Fortunately, at the time of this review, Berserker, book two of the series has released, so readers can dive into the next installment immediately if they desire. There is also a prequel novella that was published a few years ago, The Spinster's Christmas, but I don't think it is essential to read prior to starting Archer if you aren't able to.

While in my opinion the spiritual elements were fairly subtle at this point, with several characters' journeys of faith left still unresolved, this is understandable since as the first entry, Archer had a lot of focus on setting up the series. I look forward to getting to know Phoebe, Michael, Sol, Aunt Laura, and some other introduced characters in future novels. Overall, if you want a unique, faith-based Regency with some fantastical elements, be sure to try out the Lady Wynwood's Spies series!

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes through the Celebrate Lit Blogger Program.]

[Nyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Archer, is a Christian regency thriller, adventure, romance book that is a penned by author Camille Elliot. Ms. Elliott is one exceptional storyteller with an imagination to match. This first offering in her Lady Wynwood’s Spies Series reads like a chart topping action adventure movie.

This is the story of sassy Phoebe Sauber. She is our rarcher from the book’s title. It is also the tale of feisty Lady Laura Wynwood. These are two colorful characters. Both of these ladies had me smiling all of the way throughout this action adventure tale.

The author has a pleasant style of writing. I was immediately invested in the story. The pace was even throughout the book. While there are “fight” scenes, there are no cringe-worthy ones that made me want to stop reading. All of the characters are multi-layered and easy to find interesting. This is not a boring book!

I found many life and faith lessons included in this story. It relates how God has His hand in everything. There are no coincidences because God knows what is happening as well as what will. His hand is upon all. What an important lesson for everyone.

This delightful action adventure historical story will keep you on your toes and have you begging for more. If you are looking for something different, this is it. I highly recommend it. It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

[Jennifer J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly and cleverly crafted. A truly extraordinary tale filled with escalating intrigue, mystery, mayhem, loyalty and more. This new to me author has decidedly caught my attention with this riveting and addicting Regency-with-a-twist serial novel. Especially appealing to me are the particularly plucky female characters – fabulously created! I am grateful for the opportunity to read this unique novel and certainly look forward to continuing the series! Very highly recommended!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Regency Romance turned Regency Mystery, with spectacular results!

With an attention-grabbing opening scene, our story begins. What then seems to be a “typical” Regency Romance (a debutante facing yet another another season without prospects of a betrothal), suddenly transforms into another art form. Mysteries, homeland agents operating in disguise, then the appearance of ‘Incredible Hulk’ or Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde-type characters wreaking havoc and death, the story developed into a complex kaleidoscope, wherein every chapter presents a new permutation or another aspect of one of the character’s past life is revealed.

The storyline is well-developed, providing a solid basis for subsequent books furthering our acquaintance with the plethora of distinctive individuals to whom we have been introduced (good character development). A clean book I will not hesitate to recommend to my teenage granddaughter. I look forward to the next books in the series.

[Shannon McNear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, LOVE this Regency series with its blend of suspense and supernatural/speculative, strong and smart (but very human) characters (and the women's intelligence doesn't make the men stupid by comparison). Be aware, however, that once you start, you're in for the long haul ... but IMHO, it's a very worthwhile commitment. (I've read up through #5 at this point.) Camille Elliot has become a must-read for me!

(cross-posted up through book 5)

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to shout at an author? If I wasn’t such a lady I might ask if you’ve ever wanted to cuss out an author. You see, this is one of those books that when it ends you’re going to still want to read. It leaves you hanging and waiting on the next book. Which unfortunately was not out when I finished book one. And that is why I am mad at the author.

You should know that book two is out now but that it is not the end of the series and the next book is again not out for when you finish book two. Which you will do in a matter of hours as I did.

If you’re going to write a serial novel then please please make sure they come out like the day after each other so that I’m not kept in suspense this long!!

Okay, so now that we’ve gotten that out of the way.

Archer is an amazing book. I really enjoyed reading it and getting to know the characters. It started a bit slow to me. I was expecting something amazing. While it had suspense and a plot it did have to set the stage for the whole series. I did realize this and kept reading and soon could not put the book down. I really wanted to play sick so I could just curl up in bed and read this book. But alas, my children needed their schooling done and fed multiple times.

Really I don’t know if I can choose a favorite character. This one focused on Phoebe the most as she is the archer. But you also get up close and personal with Michael as he is definitely another main character in this book. I have to say he plays a very important role.

I think before the series is over our little female apothecary may well end up being my favorite character though.

So, here is my recommendation. There are a few prequels to this series that have come out to explain a few of the characters. Read those while you wait for book three to come out. Because you’re going to be impatient.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archer was a complex and unique story that had me from the very first when the author said this was like a regency with a Mission Impossible vibe. The regency seemed very spot on and I really enjoyed the out of the box Laura Wynwood and our archer Phoebe Sauber.

Lady Wynwood is her own woman and as I began reading the story I knew she had an interesting background. Especially since she sincerely liked throwing knives at the portrait of her late husband, who seems to not have been a very nice man. She is also "friends" with an interesting character by the name of Sol, who is a gentleman and a spy as he works for the home office.

Phoebe, our archer, is a young woman who has been scorned by her father now that he is to marry again. That part of her story had more of a Cinderella feel to it. Phoebe is devastated, not so much because she lost her father's love, she just always tried to earn the love he did not have for her. Her emotions and feelings were will written, she tried very hard to not show how her father's treatment of her affected her, but she is a woman.

Enter Mr. Michael Coulton-Jones who is the one man that has caught Phoebe's eyes. He is working undercover to locate a very unsavory villain who is using alchemy to make a super army. Very intriguing and unique storyline.

There is a lot to uncover in this story from spies, tangled relationships, a romance, secret symbols, alchemy and witty banter. This is a story that is unlike any I have read before including it being a serial. All stories really must be read to get a complete picture. I am eagerly looking forward to Berserker, book two. The name gives me all kinds of chills. I did go looking for any earlier books, and there were a couple that tie in. I just felt at the beginning I was missing some information, but those stories do not seem to have to be read to enjoy this serial.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...

[Kim - Inside the Wong Mind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Wynwood's Spies, Volume 1: Archer
by Camille Elliot
Romantic Suspense Serial Novel
Rating: 4/5

Having read everything by Camille Elliot (aka Camy Tang), I was excited to get a chance to read this fast-paced romantic suspense with some supernatural elements. It ended on a cliffhanger with some unanswered questions, and I need the next book now.

Miss Phoebe Sauber has never been able to get Mr. Michael Coulton-Jones out of her mind after dancing with him a few years ago until seeing him again after accidentally shooting at his document with an arrow during an archery contest where her opponent cheated. She is surprised at his appearance (or disguise) but easily recognizes him. Phoebe had been distracted by her opponent and her emotions were all over the place because of her father's announcements that he was getting remarried and she was being sent to Bath to care for her aunt. Phoebe picks up a part of the torn document that has a mysterious symbol that looks very familiar to her. Phoebe's struggling relationship with her father drives her to seek out her favorite Aunt Laura, Lady Wynwood. Away from her father's criticisms and disappointments, Phoebe is able to flourish under her aunt's influence, and she finds a confidence to track down Michael and figure out that he was searching for clues to find his brother's killer. With the help of some friends, Phoebe and Michael embark on an adventure to discover the truth and find a way to stop the ones making and distributing a new drug that seems to give superhuman strength and hearing.

As someone who loves reading about supernatural creatures, I was pleasantly surprised that a regency novel included some supernatural elements. I always love when the author throws in some botany into her scripts, which lends some credibility to her plot. Her characters are quirky and fun with heart and passion and spunk. I was impressed with how descriptive the story was while still being full of action and intrigue.

Highly recommend if you enjoy reading romantic suspense during the Regency period with some supernatural aspects thrown in. It's a clean read you won't want to miss.

My thanks to the author and CelebrateLit for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a generally excited when it comes to Christian Historical Romance. The genre
is one of my absolute favorite genres to read. I was intrigued that this book
also includes Mystery/Suspense genre. Camille Elliott is a new to me author.

Phoebe Sauber just received news that she has to move out of her Father's
house as he is getting remarried. To deal with the stress from this news, she
attends an Archery event with her friends. Phoebe takes an arrow and aim,
and fires. Her arrow doesn't quite make the target, it instead hits a paper
being held by Michael Coulton-Jones. Phoebe hasn't seen Michael in a long
while. Michael has been on a "mission" for the past few years, when his
brother was murdered. Michael quit his job as a spy for the Foreign Office
and has been on a personal mission to find the group who poisoned his
brother. Michael has befriended, Apothecary Jack, who has connections
to the underground world of poisons that supposedly give men superpowers.
The "run in" with Phoebe and her aunt may have saved Michael
from a trap from the Mysterious group he has been involved with and
Apothecary Jack. Phoebe, her Aunt Laura and Michael begin working together
to solve the new information they have come across. Will they be able to solve
the mystery or will they keep uncovering more information and clues? Will there
be a Romantic Connection between Phoebe and Michael?? Ohhhh, you will just
have to grab a copy of this book to find out!

I have to admit it took me about 3 Chapters to really get into the book. The book
starts off slow and has so much information and happenings in the first few
chapters. I finally got to a point where I was understanding all the characters and
storyline and then it was hard to put it down. The book really sped up when the
characters all were interested in the new happenings and clues. I felt for Michael
and his loss. I love how Phoebe and Michael lean on each other to get through the
difficult points in life. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it for those who
like the Regency time period and romance. Good Book!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, the cover is gorgeous! I love all of the attention to detail and the model is perfect. Now I know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but in this case I did. I’ve never read any books by this author, and I barely read the back cover before choosing to read it.Overall, I found her story very different than normal Christian Fiction and let me tell you why.

The story is about Phoebe Sauber who has just been kicked out of the only home she’s ever known. She decides to stay with her Aunt Laura instead of with her Great Aunt in Bath and that was the start of a very unusual adventure. While at an archery tournament,one of her arrows go wild and almost hit someone in the woods. When she finds out that a very old acquaintance was in disguise and was meeting someone, she is beyond curious. She find a piece of paper with an unusual symbol on it, but when she inquires about it, she finds that it belongs to a very dangerous man — a man who is taking over the gangs of the city, but providing men with something that will give them supernatural strength.

As Phoebe works with her friends and family to stop a madman, she finds out that she doesn’t have to change for God to love or use her and that a sense of purpose is better than a heart filled with bitterness and anger. Overall, I liked the story, but felt it dragged a bit in the middle. I also didn’t like Phoebe’s attitude at the beginning, but can totally understand why she acted the way she did. I did LOVE her bravery and how she wasn’t afraid to lay her life down to save a friend. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars because of the cliffhanger ending and because I didn’t care for parts of the story, but would recommend it for anyone who likes Christian Fiction mixed with a bit of “super hero”.

Warning!! This book is a part one, so it ends with a cliff hanger.
Special thanks to Camille Elliot, and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read and review this book — all opinions are my own.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

At long last, the first full-length Lady Wynwood’s Spies installment, Archer, is available! Having first read the first prequel years ago prior to the change in direction, I’m satisfied with how everything came together, although, as this is just part one of a serial, while containing a complete story arc, I’m sure my opinions of the direction of the series will change as the story goes on, as it is hard to quantify an opinion on a part of a whole. But overall, this is a fun mesh of genres, with romance, mystery, and even a bit of a paranormal twist, which another reviewer called “Jane Austen meets Marvel,” and the author herself cited a desire to combine the Regency with Mission Impossible.

I liked getting further insight into Lady Wynwood in this story, as while she’s still not the main POV character of this installment, she is a major player in both the series’ external action and the heroine, Phoebe’s, life as her aunt who is willing to take her in. There’s hints of a subtle, slow-burning romance between her and one of her spies, Solomon Drysdale.

As for Laura, I really liked her, admiring her skill at archery and her determination to work out the clues in a puzzle that falls into her lap. And then there’s former spy Michael, seeking answers for his brother’s murder.

This was a fun ride, and while the romance is light and it does end on a cliffhanger (as Elliot has made clear in all the promotional material she has released for the book), it is still satisfying, and I can’t wait for the next installment to see how things proceed from there. If you love the Regency, mystery, romance, and a dash of magic, I strongly recommend this book.

[Kim Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe has had enough! Her father has proven that he simply does not care about her and she refuses to go to Bath to spend, probably her last season, taking care of her aunt so her father can have her horses and carriage! She decides she'd rather go to her mother's sister in town and with that decision she is thrust into the biggest adventure of her life, and perhaps it could cost her her life.

Michael is working on his own to find that man that poisoned his brother. Phoebe and Michael's paths cross when she misfires her arrow and it pierces the paper that he is holding, a piece with a symbol on it, which for some reason she recognizes!

There is a lot of action in this story which I really like, and the dialogue is quite good. Yet, there are times when the author puts in some modern crude language that is bothersome. Shortly after the arrow pierces the paper and Michael is talking to a man that can lead him to Apothecary Jack, the man makes a crude comment about where the arrow almost hit him. Totally unnecessary. Near the end a comment is made about how there was a boy in the factory who was brave, and a modern comment was made there that again was totally unnecessary and inappropriate for the time period.

I'm impatient, so when something bad happened near the end I didn't care what Aunt Laura was thinking about everything happening around her and how she was seeing her niece flourish and she was drowning in the past! Michael is in trouble - who cares about her feelings right now, save the poor guy! That was the only part where I wasn't interested in where the author took me, I wanted to get to where the action was and save the guy!

For the most part, this is a clean read. No bad language, just some crude language, and no sexual content at all.

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is quite daunting at first for me. It is a Regency Historical Romantic Suspense and it does take a bit to figure out who the characters are. I did feel like I was overloaded with information and it frustrated me. I do like the time period and the setting in London though. Center stage is the charming Phoebe. I love her outspoken attitude and how she didn’t back down from anyone. I like how the author made Phoebe an archery expert. Her skills are sure to be the talk of the town. If she is ever in need of protecting herself, she only needs to turn to her skill.

There is plenty going on in the story to satisfy those who like mystery, danger and a dashing spy who must go to great lengths to accomplish his mission. He isn’t all that great as a spy when Phoebe catches on to him right away. Perhaps she needs to team up with him. Michael has retired but with the murder of his brother he has no choice but to join the group. They all seem to work well together. I found it interesting that during some fights, they didn’t always win. It shows them as vulnerable and makes them more realistic. I enjoy a story where the good guys never give up and support each other.

The author has warned us that there will be another book in this series, so be prepared for a cliffhanger. It motivates me to want to find out what happens next. The only thing I have to say is I hope it is not as wordy and has more action and suspense. I liked the story but like I said earlier it did feel like it was too much of character introduction that took up half the book.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Wynwood’s Spies 1: Archer By: Camille Elliot is a Christian Historical Romantic Suspense book. This is the first book that I have read by this author. This book is part of the Lady Wynwood's Spies series. There are some references to characters in a prequel, which I have not read. That being said, I enjoyed this book very much. This book is set in London England in 1811. Regency Fiction is not a genre that I read a lot of - but I always learn so much when I read them. Miss Phoebe Sauber is taller then most of the guys that pursued her. She has been dancing with suitors for four seasons. She stands out due to her height. If that factor is not bad enough, her father is remarrying and she is kicked out of the estate she has been living in her whole life. She is angry, betrayed and hurt. She even wants to turn her back on God. Trying to escape the nightmare that has become her life, she goes to an archery tournament with her friends. This is where the author did some amazing research. While I know what archery is, I did not know how much detail goes into it. However while she is there she sees an old friend, Michael Coulton-Jones. He is someone she has not seen on the London social scene in awhile. Michael is looking for a killer. However, when Phoebe inquires about a symbol on a paper she is thrust into an underworld of potions and so much more. The author has crafted a very suspenseful storyline that will take your heart on a rollercoaster of a journey. She has crafted some unique characters. I look forward to finding out what happens next.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I began reading this book, I quickly found myself relating to Miss Phoebe Sauber – perhaps because my relationship with my father remains nonexistent currently. This regency Christian romance includes plenty of action, unconventional behavior, and more to keep your interest. I love how Phoebe is an archer, it makes her come to life and helps give her life purpose. Being the oldest of two – with her younger sibling being a brother and the heir apparent, Phoebe must come to terms with her father’s impending marriage to a new woman with two daughters, the loss of her life’s purpose managing her father’s estate, and more.

As part 1 of a series, I definitely plan to read the rest of these books. I believe my favorite character would have to be Phoebe’s, Aunt Laura. The author portrayed her in ways that I could picture in my mind her actions while hearing her words. She definitely fails to keep to standard behaviors for a lady of this period. However, she loves her niece unconditionally and has a sense of adventure. Her butler Graham adds a spark of the traditional while mixing with unexpected behaviors sometimes. The two make the perfect mix.

If you desire to read only books that wrap up by the end of the book, then you may not want to read this one. Because it is a series, you will definitely need to read the rest of the books in the series, and I plan on doing exactly that. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Donna C · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I think you know:
Lady Wynwood’s Spies 1: Archer is the first book in a trilogy by Camille Elliot. It is a Christian Romantic Historical Suspense with a supernatural element. It is set in 1811 England.

What you might need to know:
This story ends in a cliffhanger , there will not be resolution to a major plot point until book three ( which is not out at the time of this review).

What I think about this book:
Elliot has written a very exciting and faced paced story that captured my imagination. Laura is very fascinating, I can’t imagine having the ability to know if someone is lying to me, that would be such a double edged sword. Phoebe who calls herself “the single most overlooked wallflower” is so much more than society sees her for. I love how she is strong and confident in her ability as an archer, but hate that she has not transferred that confidence to her life outside of archery. I hope that before the end of the book she will see herself with the value that God sees in her. Michael and Sol were mysterious and exciting. I also enjoyed the secondary characters like Keriah, Lissa, Clara and Calvin who had lots of spunk. I hope to see more of them in the next books. I loved this book and immediately wanted to read the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

They will have to work together...

I've read a couple of Camille Elliot's romantic suspense books, written under another name, but Lady Wynwood's Spies: Archer is the first one that I've read of her Regencies. But trust me, this book just ain't a normal historical romance. Nope, this one adds a healthy dose of suspense and some elements that are reminiscent of Speculative fiction.

Part of what first attracted me to Lady Wynwood's Spies: Archer was the pretty cover, oh, and I loved the title as well. The idea of a woman having a crew of spies was intriguing and sounded like fun reading. And it was quite the story. I was never sure exactly what to expect from Camille Elliot and her characters, an afternoon tea or a life-or-death narrow escape. What I did figure out fast was to always expect the unexpected.

I will take the time to give you a quick warning. This is the first book in a serialized series, meaning there is some resolution but the overarching plot will not conclude until the final installment.

If you are looking for a Regency Era historical romance, but enjoy a good twist, you should look into Camille Elliot's serialized Lady Wynwood's Spies, especially book one, Archer.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)