Book excerpt: Every heart holds a secret, but some are harder to reveal than others… England, 1812. Aster Simmons lives a quiet and orderly existence working as a secretary and indulging in her love for puzzles—until her routine is disrupted by the arrival of an impertinent Scotsman who lounges around her office like an overgrown dog. The heated glances he casts her way make her think very non-routine thoughts. Hamish Logan, captain in the Highland Wolves, has been given a mission to protect the man working on a coded list of traitors. If the Wolves are ever to have the same rights as ordinary men, he has to prove to those in power that a wolf can be civilised. The only problem is the fascinating secretary, who makes his wolf rise to the surface and makes him want to do very uncivilised things. When the traitors strike, Aster flees with a wolf in pursuit. But can she determine who is behind the plot against England before she forfeits her heart and her life? A Regency paranormal romance with shifters, magic and manners. A mashup of Jane Austen and Buffy the vampire Slayer that is perfect for fans of Mary Robinette Kowal, CJ Archer, Bec McMasters and Charlie N. Holmberg. Keywords: free, Regency, Regency era, Regency mystery, regency romance, gaslamp, historical fantasy, paranormal romance, shifters, werewolves, gothic, historical fantasy, historical mystery, romantic fantasy, fantasy mystery, mystery, action and adventure, alternate history