This week, we're welcoming
author Sophie
Schiller with her latest title, The Spy Island. Join us on Sunday, when the
author will offer a free copy of the book to a lucky blog visitor.
Here's the blurb:
At the height of the Great War, Abby Maduro
is an adventurous orphan who saves the life of a stranded sailor who has washed
ashore on her Caribbean island. In spite of the danger and consequences she
faces, Abby shelters Erich Seibold in the basement of her house and friendship
and love blossom between the unlikely pair. In time, Abby learns that the
erudite stranger is a deserter from a German U-boat. When the island's German
Consul, Lothar Langsdorff, also discovers Erich's true identity, he blackmails
him into joining his spy ring by committing sabotage and murder. After a tumult
involving the Danish governor, Erich is hunted down and thrown into prison,
forcing Abigail to risk everything to save him. But with Langsdorff and his spy
ring still on the loose, Abigail relies on wits, bravery and a little island
magic to save her tranquil island from a dangerous German spy. Spy Island is a
historical spy thriller for the adventure-lover in you. Prepare to be carried
away to an exotic tropical island with its potent mixture of action, suspense,
romance, and delightful island characters who will cast their spell over
you.
**An Excerpt from Spy Island**
In this scene, Erich has been arrested and Abby
infiltrates the prison in order to carry out her escape plan.
I trail the policeman through the
courtyard, attempting to avert my gaze from the hissing prisoners as I search for
Erich. Suddenly, we halt in front of a cell door in the prison's southern wall.
"You have five minutes, no more,
then be on your way," says the policeman, inserting the key in the lock
and calling out, "Hey Kaiser man, you have a visitor."
When the prisoner turns around, my relief
is boundless. Although his face is obscured by the shadows, I have no doubt
that it's Erich. As soon as he sees me, Erich bolts upright and starts toward
us, but the jailer holds up his huge, powerful hand.
"Not so fast, Kaiser man," he
yells. "Stop right dere. Talk from ovah dere."
The policeman turns and retraces his
steps through the courtyard, leaving us alone for a few precious minutes. With
the door ajar, I slip inside Erich's cell and throw my arms around him.
"Erich! I thought I'd never see you
again. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," he says, with a
mixture of shock and relief. "And what about you? How the devil did you
manage to get in here?"
"I have my ways," I say. "I
did what anybody would do under the circumstances. But I had to see you again,
no matter what. What are they going to do to you?"
"They'll charge me with espionage,
but only after they interrogate me for any useful information I care to divulge
about German wartime strategy."
I hiss in his ear. "Now listen
carefully. I'm going to get you out of here. Just do what I say…there’s no time
to lose."
"What? Are you crazy?"
"I'm quite serious," I affirm,
pulling out the gendarme uniform. "It's our only chance. Put it on quick.
The outside gate is still unlocked and there's only one policeman on duty right
now. Larsen's in his office daydreaming and if you hurry, you might be able to
slip through the front gate. I calculate you have about two minutes."
Erich's eyes go wide as he assesses the
uniform. Then he tears off his clothing and pulls on the uniform with a
ferocity I have never seen. First the jacket, carefully fastening all the
buttons as he mutters, "This is the craziest thing I've ever
heard." Next he switches trousers, almost stumbling over from
exasperation. He smooths back his hair, tops it off with the cap and
lowers it until it almost conceals his eyes.
By now, Erich's forehead is sweating
profusely. "If they catch me, they'll shoot me. You realize that, don't
you?"
"Shhh!" I caution. "He's
coming back."
My knees quiver uncontrollably as I hear
the policeman’s footsteps approaching. I glance over at Erich. Though his
knuckles are white and his face is drained of color, his disguise is perfect.
He's virtually indistinguishable from any other gendarme. He presses me against
the wall with his left arm while he holds his right index finger to his lips,
motioning for me to be quiet. I nod and we both fall silent. The policeman's
whistles reverberate off the thick walls, blending in with the banter of the
grooms and the splashing of the water.
When it feels as though the noise can't get any louder, I hold my
breath. Next to me, I feel Erich's muscles tensing, waiting for the moment to
strike.
Sophie Schiller on Facebook: https://www.
Twitter: @SophieSchiller
