The Tiger's Lady (77 page)

Authors: Christina Skye

Dragon Well.

Sparrow’s Tongue.

Crimson Robe.

Who can resist their allure?

Pagan’s skill as a tea taster is part of that long and venerable tradition, which is still very much alive in Daijeeling, Calcutta, Colombo, Hangzhou, and London. And yes, even in the United States, where there are currently eight certified tea tasters. Now we even have our own domestically grown premium tea.

Now
there’s
an idea for a sequel!

Alfred Nobel, of course, is the man credited with the discovery of high-powered explosives. In 1863 Nobel received a patent to manufacture a new explosive made of liquid nitroglycerine (or pyroglycerine, as some called it), which he detonated by the action of a smaller explosion nearby. Fulminate of mercury was the substance Nobel later found to be most reliable for this initial triggering.

In 1867 his factory began to produce a solid form of his product, which he named dynamite. In this form it was much safer to use and became a great success.

But suppose another brilliant but eccentric scientist had pursued the same lines of research? Suppose a ruthless enemy decided he had to have the secret for himself? I like to believe that somewhere in England a white-maned, absent-minded inventor discovered the secrets of pyroglycerine first, but decided to abandon his research for fear of the harm that this weapon would bring the world.

History or fantasy?

Just put it down to an author’s whimsy, I suppose.

I’m delighted that so many of you have written to ask for Lord Morland’s story. Your letters have been wonderful and immensely inspiring. I thank you all so very much. You can find that story in
Seducing the Rake
.

While you read, why not brew a cup of tea? Pekoe, Daijeeling, or Dragon Well, all will do. (Never bring your water to a hard boil, by the way. This burns away the oxygen, resulting in a weaker, flatter infusion.)

Then sit back, put up your feet, and disappear into a good adventure.

It is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

With warmest regards,

About the Author

Christina Skye is the
New York Times
bestselling author of thirty-three books. She is
a pushover
for Harris tweed, Scottish cashmere, Chinese dumplings, French macarons and dark chocolate.

Not necessarily in that order.

A classically trained China scholar with over two million books in print, she has appeared on national television programs including
ABC Worldwide News, Travel News Network
, the
Arthur Frommer
show,
Geraldo, Voice of America, Looking East
, and
Good Morning, Arizona
.

Christina loves being a writer and savors quirky historical research. Most of her first drafts are written by hand, while her white Siamese helps with the “editing.” While she writes, she usually has her knitting right beside her. But don’t expect speed. “The sheer pleasure of colors and texture running through my fingers helps me concentrate on the mystery of my characters taking shape before my eyes. Researching a period draws me into a sense of place, and then knitting pulls me to a quiet place where a story can unfold at its deepest level. It’s my best writing tool.”

Visit her online at
http://christinaskye.com/
for a glimpse into new books, strange research tidbits, great recipes and some of her all-time favorite knitting patterns.

~ ~ ~

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Ebooks by Christina Skye available now or coming soon to Amazon (from Steel Magnolia Press)

Regency Romances

Come the Night
, Book 1 of The Dangerous Delameres

Come the Dawn
, Book 2 of The Dangerous Delameres

Defiant Captive

Tempting the Pirate (original title: The Black Rose)

Seducing the Rake
(original title: East of Forever)

Victorian Romance

The Tiger’s Lady
(original title: The Ruby)

Paranormal Romances
(Draycott Abbey Series)