The Story behind The English Lieutenant's Lady by Evelyn M. Hill and #Giveaway!!

While researching Oregon history for my debut release, His Forgotten Fiancée, I ran across a reference on a local county website that triggered my upcoming novel. British spies… in Oregon!

No, really. It’s true.

In 1845, Britain and America were both thinking of going to war. Both countries wanted to claim the Oregon Territory as their own. The British Colonial Office sent a couple of Army lieutenants into the Oregon Territory as spies. They posed as tourists, but their real mission was to put together a report on how much effort would be required to defend the territory against the Americans, if it came to war. They even drew up a plan to occupy the only large settlement in the area, Oregon City.

I researched further, and found records of the supplies that the lieutenants ordered from the local trading post at Fort Vancouver. These were items that the men were charging to their account as part of the mission. Their orders were to pass as gentlemen of leisure. To keep up the illusion, they dressed up as dandies. But some of the items on their list of supplies don’t fit with this image. One of spies, Lieutenant Vavasour, bought hair ribbons, lace, yards of silk, and even a pair of ladies shoes.

I could see him buying the silk and lace for a fancy waistcoat, perhaps, but ladies shoes? No. I think it’s a safe assumption that he was buying at least some these supplies to give them to a local lady. And he was charging them to his account as items he needed for his mission. Hmmmn....

That's how I came up with the idea for my next book, The English Lieutenant's Lady. The story of Geoff, an Army lieutenant who swore an oath not to reveal his identity, and Lia, a young woman struggling to survive on her own in the Oregon Territory.

Book Blurb:

"I'm not your enemy." He held her gaze, willing her to believe that lie.

It's 1845. Britain and America both claim the Oregon Territory, and neither side is willing to back down. As the two nations prepare for war, the British government sends Lieutenant Geoffrey Montgomery to Oregon City on a confidential mission. Doing his duty means lying to everyone--including the woman who catches his attention the moment they meet.

Lia Griggs needs to find a home for herself and her nephew. She has the chance to carve a niche for herself in Oregon City--so long as she is prepared to hide her past from everyone, even the Englishman who quickly becomes her friend and ally... and more.

To survive, Geoff and Lia both need to pretend to be someone they're not. The last thing either of them wants is to fall in love. And as the threat of war grows stronger, choosing to stay together could cost them everything they have.

Links:

His Forgotten Fiancée https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SQ3YYQ

The English Lieutenant’s Lady  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SQ3YYQ

Evelyn M. Hill http://www.evelynhillauthor.com

Author Bio:

According to family tradition, Evelyn M. Hill is descended from a long line of Texas horse thieves. (But when your family is not only Texan, but Irish, tall tales come with the territory.) This might explain why she devoted much of her childhood to writing stories about horses. Once she grew up, the stories naturally featured a tall, handsome cowboy as well.

She lives at the end of the Oregon Trail, where she gets to do all her historical research in person.

Evelyn is giving away an autographed copy of His Forgotten Fiancee to one commenter, USA only. Please include contact information.