Guest Author Tara Kingston: Cloak and Dagger...those fabulous British Spies!

Welcome back to History Undressed, author of sizzling hot historical romance, Tara Kingston! 

Cloakand Dagger...those fabulous British Spies!

by Tara Kingston

 

 

 

I have a confession...this blogwill not deal with spies who made any impact on the events of nations...nope, thesespies weren't even real. My blog this month is a tribute to spies in literatureand film. I've always been a fan of spies in literature, movies and televisionshows. Even now, I do a little glee-filled dance each time a disc with oldepisodes of the Avengers arrives in the mail. I love the characters of EmmaPeel and John Steed, and must admit that I am among those in the world wholoved the Avengers movie with Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes, regardless of thecritics' opinions. Intrigue, sophistication, and secrecy...delightful!

Nothing against Americans inespionage...Jack Ryan and Jason Bourne can certainly speed my pulse...but myfavorite cloak and dagger characters are Brits through and through. Thecombination of a suave demeanor, English accent, and daring exploits is utterlyirresistible.

Of course, the most well-knownpop culture spy is Bond, James Bond. Created by Ian Fleming, James Bond remainsthe gold standard in fictional espionage. Despite his many film incarnationswith actors who don't even resemble each other (of course, one could say thesame of Batman), one thing stays the same: he's the alpha male's alpha male.Daring, smart, and never in need of a nap, he's virility and daringpersonified. Many think Sean Connery's portrayal of Sir Ian Fleming's daringhero is the superlative incarnation, but I think Daniel Craig has made thecharacter his own. Gritty and real, he brings a human quality to the Bondcharacter that I feel Connery lacked. I also liked Roger Moore's twinkle in theeye...a totally different take on the character, but very much in keeping withthe irreverence of the seventies.

Emma Peel is my idol. Nearlyfifty years after the Avengers first aired, Diana Rigg's portrayal ofthe sleek agent remains the epitome of a female spy. Witty, sophisticated, andthe intellectual superior of the men who were foolish enough to confront her,she set the bar high. Ah, to slink along in a cat suit and disarm men with awell-placed kick...such is the fodder of my dreams. Her partner in espionage,John Steed, was immaculately attired and painstakingly well-mannered, yet hecould kill a man with his hat and his umbrella without breaking a sweat.Impressive, indeed!

And then, you haveAustin...Austin Powers, that is. Yeah, Baby! This character blends the suave,lady-killer spies of the sixties and seventies into one "hairy-like-animal"creation who's bold, a bit obtuse, and ultimately quite a sympatheticcharacter. As a fan of sixties spy flicks, Mike Myers' homage to slick spieslike In Like Flint's Derek Flint, James Bond and Michael Caine's HarryPalmer with a touch of Dr. Strangelove mixed in for good measure was a perfectguilty pleasure. I admit to feeling a surge of excitement each time there's amention of Austin Powers 4 in the works...oh, if only my dreams would cometrue...


My recent Ellora's Cave release,Claimed by the Spymaster, was inspired by my longstanding fascinationwith spies. If I had to say which pop culture spy I had in mind, it would beRalph Fiennes' portrayal of John Steed. British spy Alec Jameson issophisticated, cultured, and lethal, and he'll stop at nothing to capture atraitor to Queen Victoria's empire. 

Here's a little about the story:

Russian actress Valentina Baranovatravels to England to marry, but the arrangement is definitely not a lovematch. Betrothed to a cunning and ruthless English lord, she’s the sweetener ina deal that will put stolen British documents in Russian hands and curry theCzar’s favor for her father. Determined to escape her loathsome intended, sheflees him—and promptly falls into the hands of his most bitter enemy. An enemywho stirs her like no other.

Spy for the crown Alec Jameson,Lord Carrington, is on a mission—unmask the traitor responsible for hisbrother’s death before the blackguard can further betray Queen Victoria’sempire. Capturing Valentina to use as bait, he spirits her away from London.Despite his efforts to resist the alluring captive he’s snatched from hisenemy’s grasp, Alec claims Valentina in the most carnal way possible. Once thebeauty has been in his bed, he wants her for his own. But she must lay siege toa long-untouched part of Alec’s existence—his heart.

Claimed by the Spymaster is available from Ellora's Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance E-Books. 

Contest:

Which fictional spy is yourfavorite? Share your top cloak-and-dagger heroes and heroines...one commenterwill be selected to receive an e-book of Claimedby the Spymaster.

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