The Bridegroom Oak Series, Book One
A viscount who maps safe routes for the British Crown. A woman who’s honor-bound to her betrothed across the Channel. One illicit encounter that changes everything.
In 1807 London, Lord Jonathan Bowen, covert mapmaker for the War Office, crosses swords with Miss Lise von Ostenfeld at a diplomatic ball. She dismantles his pride and could do it again in three more languages. Yet within a fortnight, he charts her curves and kisses her soundly before she sails home to Holstein, a land struggling to remain free from French control.
Jonathan’s next commission sends him behind enemy lines, straight into Lise’s world. Her husband-to-be profits from Napoleon’s blockade. Her brother guards his family’s honor with a pistol. French soldiers patrol the forests that Jonathan must chart for His Majesty’s army. How did a waltz and a kiss lead him to this?
In the occupied territory of northern Europe, every choice carries a cost, and choosing love may be the most dangerous risk of all.
In VISCOUNT UNDERCOVER, you’ll enjoy:
✓ Enemies to Lovers
✓ Forbidden Love (betrothed heroine)
✓ Forced Proximity
✓ He Falls First
✓ Spy Romance
✓ Star-Crossed Lovers
✓ Heroine in Peril
✓ Grand Romantic Gesture
Heat Level: Spicy
Vibes: sharp banter * espionage * passion
Setting: Regency London & Napoleon-occupied Northern Europe
Ending: Guaranteed HEA
If you love a hero who would cross enemy lines for the woman who unraveled him at a ball, start reading now.
Reviews from Readers
(As an Amazon Associate, Sydney Jane Baily earns a teeny-tiny amount from qualifying purchases.)5.0 out of 5 stars: I couldn’t put it down!
“This is another quality Historical Romance from Sydney Jane Baily. Set in London and what is now Germany, Ms. Baily weaves a story of forbidden love and intrigue that will both squeeze your heart and send it beating double time. As I got to the end of each chapter I could hardly wait to move on to the next. Forget reading one chapter and then going to bed. You won’t be able to stop reading.I got so swept up in this book, I felt as though I was the one feeling the love or the pain in another’s eyes. At one point a friend reminded me that they weren’t real people. Oops! I laughed, I cried, and occasionally I yelled at some of the characters—but I assure you they deserved it!
Ms. Baily’s stories are tightly written with interlocking themes and a story with complex ideas. Forget a story with a problem, a solution, the end. You won’t find that here. The story continues on beyond that point and beyond the next. Get your copy today. You won’t regret it.”
5.0 out of 5 stars: Spies, Sparks, and a Viscount Who Maps More Than Borders!
“Viscount Undercover sweeps you from London’s glittering ballrooms to the tense edges of early Napoleonic Germany, & Sydney Jane Baily makes every mile of the journey delicious. Lord Jonathan Bowen is a mapmaker for the War Office, who meets Miss Lise von Ostenfeld, a German lady with a spine of steel & a family name that opens doors, and trouble. Their first encounter crackles with sharp words & sharper awareness, the kind of banter that promises either a duel or a kiss. Naturally, they manage both – metaphorically & literally. As war shadows the continent, Jonathan & Lise find themselves navigating danger, desire, & a political landscape that shifts faster than he can sketch it. Their chemistry doesn’t care about borders, propriety, or the fact that half of Europe is about to explode. And honestly, that’s half the fun in reading the book.Sydney Jane Baily delivers a beautifully written story filled with love, laughter, tension, & a few well-earned tears. Her pacing is tight, her characters layered, & her emotional beats land exactly where they should. The wonderful Epilogue is a warm, satisfying hug that rewards every moment spent with these two stubborn, brave, utterly smitten souls. If you love historical romance with adventure, heart, & some exciting espionage, this one hits the mark – right on the map.”
5.0 out of 5 stars: Jonathan and Lise
“I really enjoyed this story. I like when the titled gents have another occupation. Lord Jonathan Bowen was also a mapmaker, which he loved doing. When he first meets Miss Lise von Ostenfeld, he gets the full force of her wicked tongue. But that only attracts him to her more. And what he could do with that tongue would surprise Lise beyond belief. Jonathan can’t seem to keep his thoughts away from Lise. When she leaves to go back to her country, surprising that’s where he is sent as well by the Crown to make maps of the area so the British soldiers can invade. But danger lurks in the woods that Jonathan needs to map. Can Jonathan and Lise have a happily ever after or will affects of unrest keep them apart.
The author did a wonderful job in bringing us into the world of spies and soldiers. And also, the art of map making. What an interesting skill to be able to make a map and have it be accurate. I hope there might be more stories in this series.”
5.0 out of 5 stars: Enchanting!
“If you are looking for excitement, adventure and a love made in heaven , this is the story for you. I was so enthralled with Jonathan and Lise’s love, I was crying towards the end. It didn’t just jump off the pages, it screamed! Between fighting their love, fighting the French and fighting the villain , it was hard to breathe! I enjoyed the descriptions of the German heritage, as well as some of the true History of that time of the war. I never knew about that part of the war with Napoleon. I absolutely adored the epilogue and got to see what happened with the villain. A well plotted story, with wonderful characters , no crass language(thank you Author!) and tastefully done love scenes made this story fabulous!”5.0 out of 5 stars: Spies, Secrets, and more!
“When Sydney Jane Baily writes a book, she writes one that is worth more than 5 stars!
This story starts out in London but we end up in Germany during the beginning of the early Napoleon start up.. with mapmaker Lord Jonathan Bowen and Miss Lise von Ostenfeld who is part of a prominent family in Germany.. they both meet at a party that honors her brother’s and despite the fact they shouldn’t, they not only spar words with each, but they find passion not only in London but in the dangerous times in Germany.. even with the danger of the war and so much more that doesn’t stop their love from growing.. but will it stop them from ever being together?
This story is filled with love, laughter, tears, and of course an amazing ending!!”
5.0 out of 5 stars: Wartime Romance
“Spicy, fun, scary. Villains and heroes. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what happened next.”