Move over 007, here come the girls
Move over James Bond, there’s a new spy in town and she’s more than making her mark. From Dusty With Love introduces Britain’s latest, most enthusiastic spook.
With all the speculation on who is going to take over as James Bond as febrile as ever, local writing duo Nina Whyle turn spying on its head with the introduction of their outstanding new recruit to MI6. The book launched at The Swan at Streatley on Saturday.
Nina Whyle is a writing duo of two best friends, Nina Bowden and Clare Whyle, from Pangbourne and Tilehurst. “We have been finishing each other’s sentences since 2010 but have been friends a lot longer. To start with we wrote together from Copenhagen to London, then we ended up in neighbouring villages years later,” explains Clare, who was bought up in Bradfield Southend and Nina in Chippenham. “We are both Berkshire lasses.
“We’ve written books together for a few years and this our fifth. It’s getting good reviews.”
They all have romance, some have steamy scenes, but they are comedic with adventure and touching on more serious topics within the storyline.
Nina worked in the TV and film industry for several years, on such British classics as Prime Suspect and Benidorm. She also wrote, directed and edited a short film, Sucking is a Fine Quality in Women and Vacuum Cleaners, which did the festival rounds and picked up an award for Best Comedy short at Swansea Bay Film Festival.
Clare worked in luxury retail in London and Copenhagen before moving back and working in geotechnics (it’s much more interesting than it sounds). After years collaborating across the North Sea, Nina and Clare are now living in neighbouring villages.
“Our books (up until now) are set in the TV and film industry,” continues Clare. “We write about young women navigating their way through relationships, love, and careers. We like to put them into comedy situations and watch them squirm their way out of.
“Fortunately for them, they have a great network of friends. The type of friends you can rely on, the type that are there no matter what, helping you through the difficult times as well as celebrating the best of times. Finally, but certainly not least, the all-important boy meets girl and the spark, there’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing new love bloom.
“Our latest book, From Dusty With Love is part of a new series which enters into the world of espionage. It’s a Bond-style romp with female friendships and family at its heart. Bursting with action, intrigue and a bucket loads of glamour!”
Nina Whyle introduces her deliciously enthusiastic new recruit to His Majesty’s Secret Service – Dusty Hall. From out-of-work actress to spy, Dusty and her lethal colleague, Yazmin, are tasked with their first mission in Morocco. But when her new task and sister’s hen party coincide, Dusty decides to kill two birds with one stone. What could possibly go wrong?
This intoxicating Bondesque romp delivers an action-packed read that highlights what Dusty lacks in conventional spying acumen – problem solving, communication, teamwork and delivering under pressure – she more than makes up for with her perky enthusiasm and desire to do the right thing.
Hugely entertaining and firmly putting girl power, friendships and family centre stage, From Dusty with Love makes for a first-class light-hearted distraction from today’s realities. Readers will also be delighted to learn that Dusty’s spying career isn’t a one-book wonder and that her next mission, A Licence to Thrill, is already in the publishing pipeline.
Synopsis:
Out-of-work actress Dusty Hall is recruited into His Majesty’s Secret Service and this might be her best role yet. In training she meets Yazmin Khan, the epitome of a walking lethal weapon. The two women couldn’t be more different but together they make the perfect duo.
Ready or not, the duo are sent on their first undercover mission; to infiltrate a Moroccan hotelier and suspected arms smuggler, Ahmed Al Sahid. Except there’s a snag, it falls on her sister Coco’s hen weekend. As maid-of-honour it is Dusty’s duty to ensure the bride-to-be has the best hen weekend ever. Coco is not someone you want to disappoint and is far scarier than any undercover operation. So, Dusty comes up with a cunning plan, to kill two birds with one stone, why not invite all the hens to Marrakech? All she has to do is keep the two worlds apart – what could go wrong?
From Dusty With Love is available on Kindle format (£1.99 or free via app) on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3zRZagJ
Follow the writing duo on Facebook or check out their website – www.facebook.com/Nina-Whyle and www.ninawhyle.com
Dusty is part of a series and book two in the Duty Calls series, A Licence to Thrill will follow in 2023.
