Maid of Secrets

Brief Description: In 1559 England, Meg, an orphaned thief, is pressed into service and trained as a member of the Maids of Honor, Queen Elizabeth I's secret all-female guard, but her loyalty is tested when she falls in love with a Spanish courtier who may be a threat. Review Quotes: "This lively and fast-paced debut has plenty of action and plot twists to keep readers fully engaged."Review Quotes: "Whether recounting her perilous missions or her moral dilemmas, Meg's first-person narrative is consistently engaging. Meg's adventure comes to a satisfying conclusion while leaving the door open for sequels."Marc Notes: ; In 1559 England, Meg, an orphaned thief, is pressed into service and trained as a member of the Maids of Honor, Queen Elizabeth I's secret all-female guard, but her loyalty is tested when she falls in love with a Spanish courtier who may be a threat.. Publisher Marketing: In this breathtaking start to a series, a secret society of young women make up Elizabeth I's most trusted royal guard. God Save the Queen--or the Maids will. Orphan Meg Fellowes makes her living picking pockets--until she steals from the wrong nobleman. Instead of rotting in prison like she expected, she's whisked away to the court of Queen Elizabeth and pressed into royal service, where she joins four other remarkable girls in the Maids of Honor, the Queen's secret society of protectors. Meg's natural abilities as a spy prove useful in this time of unrest. The Spanish Court is visiting, and with them come devious plots and hidden political motives. As threats to the kingdom begin to mount, Meg can't deny her growing attraction to one of the dashing Spanish courtiers. But it's hard to trust her heart in a place where royal formalities and masked balls hide the truth: Not everyone is who they appear to be. With danger lurking around every corner, can she stay alive--and protect the crown? Review Citations:

Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2013 (EAN 9781442441385, Hardcover)

Booklist 05/01/2013 pg. 42 (EAN 9781442441385, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2013 pg. 475 (EAN 9781442441385, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 07/01/2013 pg. 98 (EAN 9781442441385, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2014 pg. 119 (EAN 9781442441385, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2013 (EAN 9781442441408, Open Ebook)

Contributor Bio:  McGowan, Jennifer Jennifer McGowan was born in Ohio, grew up in Montana, and studied in Paris. She fell in love with the Elizabethan era as a college student, and is now an unrepentant scholar of that period, happily splitting her time between the past and present. An RWA Golden Heart Award winner and multiple finalist, Jenn is the author of "Maid of Secrets" and the Maids of Honor enovella A Thief Before Christmas". She lives in Ohio. Visit her (and the Maids of Honor) at JenniferMcGowan.com.