I thought I’d do something a little different today and spotlighting one of my favorite historical authors (she also writes contemporaries), Jenna Jaxon and her new medieval romance, Betrothal. Jenna will giveaway a copy of Betrothal to one lucky commenter. Please leave your email address to be eligible.
First I’ll give you the cover. Nice isn’t it?
Now the blurb.
Lady Alyse de Courcy has fallen in love with Lord Braeton, a nobleman in King Edward III’s court and a man to whom she has barely spoken. Fate, however, has decreed her betrothal to his best friend, Sir Geoffrey Longford—a handsome and imposing knight, yet hardly the man she wants to wed.
When Sir Geoffrey is bound in betrothal by his father, he could not have expected the beautiful stranger to win his heart the moment they meet. Nevertheless, the fascinating Lady Alyse has done exactly that, and his feelings for her only grow as he learns more of her gentle yet spirited nature. But Alyse’s infatuation with his friend casts doubt on whether she can ever return his regard and their wedding day is fast approaching…
Will he have time enough to win her love?
Because I know you want more here is an excerpt of Betrothal.
“What do you require of me, Majesty?” Her mouth so dry she could taste sand, Alyse fought to speak in a normal tone. With a sigh of relief, she dropped into a deep curtsy, hiding her face in the folds of her skirt. If only she could remain bowed thus before His Majesty for the remainder of the evening.
King Edward laughed. “Obedience, Lady Alyse, as I require of all my subjects. As your father requires of his daughter.”
Her heart thumped wildly in her breast. That could mean but one thing.
“Rise, my lady.”
She did so on unsteady feet. “I am ready, as always, Your Majesty, to obey my father as I would you.”
Holy Mary, let it be Lord Braeton.
King Edward lifted an eyebrow toward Alyse. “A very pretty answer, my lady. And are you ready to accept your father’s decree for your betrothal? His messenger has today reached me with the contract, as I am to stand in his stead in this matter.”
Alyse took a deep breath and hoped her voice did not tremble. “Yea, Majesty, I will obey my father.”
King Edward nodded and leaned over to whisper something to Queen Phillipa, who sat beside him, heavy with their twelfth child.
Mere seconds before she learned her fate. She could scarce affect an indifferent pose before the court when inside every inch of her quivered with anticipation of the name. His name, pray God, on the king’s lips.
Thomas.
In her mind, she heard the word.
The king straightened, glanced at her then at the man by her side.
“What say you then, Sir Geoffrey? Does the lady not speak fair? I vow she will make you a proper wife and a dutiful one as well.”
Alyse turned, until that moment unaware that Geoffrey Longford stood beside her. Chills coursed down her body as the king’s words echoed in her mind. The sensation of falling backward assailed her, as though she rushed away from the tall man at her side even as his figure loomed larger and larger in her sight.
Not Lord Braeton.
Her numbed brain repeated the phrase, trying to comprehend that instead he would be her husband. Geoffrey Longford.
God have mercy on me, for by the look of him, this man will not.
Fearful, she cringed as her gaze climbed higher, over his chest, over his chin, finally resting on the dark blue eyes turned toward her.
Geoffrey returned her appraisal, his gaze sweeping her figure as a smile crept over his face. “Your Majesty.” He spoke to the king but his attention remained fixed on Alyse. “When my father told me of the betrothal contract before I left his home, I resolved to play the dutiful son. Now, however, I find I do not wish to act that role after all.” His eyes held hers as he paused.
Dear God, does he mean to renounce me here before the entire court?
Alyse stared at the man beside her, willing herself to remain upright, despite the waves of ice and fire alternating through her body.
“Now I find I would rather play the ardent lover.”
An amused murmur ran through the Hall at his words. Sir Geoffrey grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor and something more. Despite the uneven light, Alyse saw an unfathomable promise in their dark depths. She took a shaky breath and looked away.
Buy Link:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZDFtSq
And finally, something about Jenna.
Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do, the first in a series of five interconnecting novels, was released in July 2012. Her contemporary works include Hog Wild, Almost Perfect, and 7 Days of Seduction. She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as a member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her medieval romance, Time Enough to Love, is being published this summer as a series of three novellas.
Jenna has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.
She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.
I finished this last night! Loved it and I can’t wait for the next one in the series! Tweeted
I’m so thrilled you liked it, Nancy! I’ll get that second one one its way ASAP. 🙂 Thanks for coming by and sharing.
Love that cover!
Me too, D’Ann! Thank you for dropping by. 🙂
YAY! The return of the great medieval romance. I’m looking forward to reading it, Jenna!
LOL From your mouth to God’s ears, Angelyn! Hope you enjoy it and thanks for coming by!
I love the cover and the excerpt! I had to smile when I read this phrase:
“Now I find I would rather play the ardent lover.”
Seems like a book I would love reading. I have a question! is this book part of series or is it the first one! I am new to Jenna’s books! thank you for the giveaway, it gives me a chance to discover “new-to-me” authors and their beautiful books!
nlaverdure88@videotron.ca
Hi, Nicole! I emailed you earlier, but yes, Betrothal is the beginning book of Time Enough to Love, a three part medieval romance. Hope you get a chance to enjoy it!
Betrothal is already on my Kindle! I love medieval romances and this is going to be my special treat when the pile of work on my desk is…substantially lower. I was going to say all gone, but work is never done, LOL.
Oh, thank you, Barbara! I do hope you enjoy it when the work is…almost done. 🙂 Thanks for coming by!
Love, love, love this story and this author. Congrats on the new release. When’s the next one coming out? LOL
Thank you so much, Kary, for that fabulous endorsement! I’ve got Betrayal, the second book, hopefully scheduled for release in July. Fingers crossed on that. 🙂
Thank you, Ella, for having me here today! I can tell already this is going to be a fun day!
You’re welcome, Jenna. It’s my pleasure!
When an author can “think” like a historical character, then the story comes alive! I can’t wait to read this one!
Thanks Sheri! I give credit to my theatre training for thinking in period. I love Shakespeare and read all about him and the period. After that i learned to read extensively in the period made me think in the language. Like an actor becoming the character. 🙂
I love how you bring history to life. Your books are great reads.
Thank you so much, Karen! I do so appreciate that! Thanks for coming by. 🙂
Can’t wait to read this. I’m gonna tweet too. (Ella’s good manners rubbing off on me)
LOL Liza, you crack me up, lady!! ❤ You're so right tho, Ella does have fantastic manners! 😀
Thanks so much, Liza! Hope you enjoy it!
I equate reading to eating choc. Love both & yes I can’t stop once I start too. Looking forward to “indulging” in your books Jenna. Sounds yummy.
Thank you, Linda! Yes, chocolate is my drug of choice. LOL Hope you get to indulge in both your passions soon. 🙂
Fantastic author spotlight, ladies! You always deliver, Jenna! ❤ your work! So excited to read Betrothal! Bought my copy!! 😀
Aww, thank you, Karen! You can read it on the plane to RT! 🙂 Hope you enjoy it! And thanks for stopping by!
You know what I dislike about Jenna’s excerpts – they are about 175 pages tooooooooo short. More please. MORE MORE MORE. I can get pouty.
I hate to disappoint you, Daryl, but there aren’t but 160 pages to Betrothal. LOL But, there are two more books about the same length, so don’t pout! 🙂 Thanks for coming by. 🙂
What a great excerpt. This is going to be a wonderful series!
I love these sort of books. This one sounds delicious!
If its not too late, I would love to win a copy of this book. darlene.foster@telus.net
I’m sorry, Darlene, but the contest ended. Look for Jenna, she’s doing a blog tour, so there will be other opportunities.