It’s Monday and your turn to sparkle. Since I’m doing a countdown to when I leave for Nationals, and it’s in fourteen days, post an excerpt no more than fourteen sentences long. Add your buy links if you have them, if not a link to your website or blog.
Here is mind from the Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, book #2 in The Marriage Game.
The innocent expression in Miss Marsh’s large blue eyes belied the stubborn set of her lips. Rutherford turned his choking laughter into a cough and looked down so she couldn’t see his expression.
When he raised his head, she was in negotiations about something with Lady Marsh. He took the time to admire her. As always, Anna was elegantly attired. She wore a day gown in printed mulberry, and he could make out the lean lines of her slender figure. Lately, his fingers had itched to touch her in ways they never had before.
Gleaming chestnut curls were allowed to escape the loose knot held by combs at the back of her head. During the past year, her heart-shaped face had lost much of its youthful roundness. When she stood, the top of her head was below his collarbone. Rutherford had kicked himself at least a dozen times in the last few weeks for not having made a move to engage her affections sooner.
He had simply always just assumed she’d be available when he was ready, but he couldn’t have been more wrong. To his chagrin, after Anna had made it very clear he’d have to win her heart, he’d noticed other gentlemen of his ilk also vying for her hand. He wished she’d go home to Kent where he’d have a better chance. At least he’d have her alone.
Buy Links: Amazon US ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon France ~ Amazon Germany ~ Amazon UK ~ Barns & Nobel ~ Kensington * iTunes
Excerpt from Red Zone by Sherri Hayes
http://amzn.to/19ObKcT
Back inside the house, however, her luck ran out the minute she turned to go up the stairs and bumped into Daniels.
“Good morning, beautiful.” A huge smile graced his face. It made him look even more handsome than he usually did, and he knew it.
“Good morning, Mr. Daniels. My apologies. I didn’t hear you coming down the stairs.”
“Oh, I don’t mind one bit. A lovely lady like yourself crashing into me first thing in the morning isn’t something that needs an apology.” As he spoke, he leaned his body closer to her. She stepped back, trying to maintain an appropriate distance between them, but it didn’t work. Every inch she moved, he countered by the same inch, sometimes more.
“Mr. Daniels—”
“Gage,” he insisted, nearly pinning her against the wall with his body.
He sounds like trouble!!
Yes, he is. Especially for her. BIG trouble. LOL.
This is an excerpt from the very first book of a Victorian mystery series I’ve written, but yet to publish. (I’m focused on contemps right now). However, it is the best series I’ve written and I begin at the beginning or Xavier will be miffed. (And trust me, you do not want Xavier miffed at you.)
London, England, Spring 1893
Xavier Thorn rarely attended funerals since he had no family and only a handful of friends. Mostly what he had were clients, and he tried very hard to keep his clients from dying. He failed with Maddy Hamilton, who was both friend and client. Thus, he presently stood in the cold, miserable rain, watching those who loved Maddy mourn her death.
Once the service ended and the crowd thinned, Xavier stepped up to Maddy’s grave. He knelt and spoke in a soft whisper. “Forgive me, Maddy. Forgive me for failing to protect you. I will not rest until I find the person that ordered your assassination and send him to hell. I give you my word. Justice will be served!”
He rose and stepped forward, ready to face his guilt head on. Because of him, Maddy’s nephew and niece were orphaned a second time at the age of twenty-two and twenty. They stood together, receiving condolence for the insurmountable loss of their aunt.
Hope you enjoyed it. The whole series can be found on http://www.bloodygoodread.com.
under the penname Caroline Adams
Very nice Liza!!
Today is release day for my reunion story Hazard Duty ~ Sexy Sailors # 2. This excerpt snippet is the start of Navy Recruiter, Chief Joe Hazard’s first date with Principal Roslyn Duncan.
They weren’t on the road for two minutes when Ros realized their d
estination. “You’re taking me to The Point.”
He cast her a grin before taking a hairpin turn. “This is a date.”
She swallowed, her throat dry at the memories assaulting her, and tried to calm her racing nerves. “I prefer to think of it as having dinner together, which we could have done in a restaurant. Couples go to The Point to…to…” She couldn’t say the words. Memories swamped her, clogging her throat into silence.
The Point, aka make-out central. Every town of any size had one, a place where sexually charged balls of hormones, i.e. teenagers, escaped from adult supervision long enough to find mutual release from the demon desires driving them. Ros came by her knowledge of Bird’s Gap’s Point not by experience but by observation. She’d been too gawky and nerdy a girl for any boy to think of taking her to The Point, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t been curious.
Satisfying her curiosity was part of what made her a good educator. But at fifteen, she’d simply wanted to know what all the giggles and sly looks were about. So she’d snuck out of the house one night and ridden her bicycle up to The Point.
You can find the rest of the excerpt at http://rueallyn.com/2b21HDexcerpt.html
Purchase just about any format you want and get the best deal today at Red Sage Publishing.
That brings back memories. Wonderful excerpt, Rue.
Lovely excerpt, Ella, and love the colour of the gown on cover image. 😉
As per your 14 line excerpt guideline, this is a snipit from Infamous (Rival) A Regency Romance & Murder Mystery.
…“But did it not cross either of your minds what Adam’s intentions were? You knew him. You were his friends. You knew what he was about with Beatrice Knightley, yet you stood back and watched from the shadows.”
“We were drunk, too, and not really thinking all that straight at the time. What he did with the young Knightley girl we looked upon it as just a bit of fun.”
“To you, but not to Beatrice. She thought him in love with her. Naïve to be sure, but at barely fifteen she was easily influenced by his attentions upon her. And then what he did to me, and how he lied afterwards. You stood there in front of the assembled and let Adam tell them how James had discovered us in the hayloft, and how he had then stormed off and shot himself.”
“I dare say my sins will catch up with me, yet.” He refilled his goblet and swigged the contents in one gulp. “As for Jack’s death. I don’t believe it was suicide.”
She sat quiet, aware Rantchester found solace in wine. What could she say?
“Georgette?”
Very nice, Francine!!
Thanks, Ella.
Here’s my excerpt from A Taylor-Made Life, releasing on July 18th.
“I collapsed while I was on a date with Matt and was rushed to the hospital. I thought, at first, I’d overexerted myself at cheerleading practice.”
He grinned at the thought of her in a short little skirt with pompoms in her hands.
“But when they took my blood, they found my white counts were really high. They ran more tests and diagnosed me with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A week later I had my spleen removed and, at the demand of my mother, started four weeks hormone therapy where they harvested six of my eggs. Then I got the first of forty-four weeks of chemo cocktail split into three phases. The funny thing is—AML is rare in people under forty and much more common in men than women. So I guess my blood cells think I’m old man.”
An old man? I don’t think so. A small laugh spilt from him as he allowed his gaze to wander down the outline of her body against the darkness. Her skin glowed in the moonlight and his breath caught in his throat with the desire to nuzzle his nose at her neck
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18012643-a-taylor-made-life
Congratulations on your release, Kary!!
Thanks much, Ella. This is a snippet from Darlin’ Irish, book one in my Texas Devlins series. It takes place in the Omaha train depot, where David and Jessie first meet. He has just forcibly interceded between her and a disrespectful young corporal, much to Jessie’s displeasure.
Whirling around, the woman drew back her arm as if to slap him, only to freeze when their eyes met. A choked sound escaped her lips and the angry color drained from her cheeks. Seeing her sway, David grasped her shoulders to steady her. Her hands clutched his forearms as he returned her wide-eyed stare.
Her eyes were sapphire blue, so dazzling that he had trouble breaking their hold upon him. When he did, he noticed how young she looked – eighteen or twenty, he guessed – and what a beauty she was.
His gaze wandered over her smooth, creamy cheeks and dainty nose then lingered on her pink parted lips. Forcing himself to look elsewhere, he noted the dark auburn curls framing her brow. Her ugly bonnet hid the rest of her hair, but he bet it would look like silk when she let it down.
Then he noticed how rapidly her breasts rose and fell, and desire surged through him, swift and strong. He felt a loco urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Reluctantly dragging his gaze back to her sapphire eyes, he wondered what had come over her. A moment ago, she’d been mad as a hornet. Now she stared at him as if she were seeing a ghost.
Ooooh, I wonder what’s happening here.
An excerpt from my erotic urban fantasy romance, The Witch And The Familiar:
When is Tina getting home? Why does she need to work at that bookstore anyway? She doesn’t need a paycheck to survive anymore. She’s a Witch, for Hell’s sake! She can conjure up anything she needs. His more practical side chided, pushing aside his more demonic bad boy one. Did you think she could give up her old life at the bookstore that easily?
He stopped by the coffee table and gave a snort. “Hell, yeah!”
She only gave in to become a Witch for the world . . . and you. Do you want her to change completely?
No, he’d fallen in love her just the way she was.
Find the book at Phaze Books, BarnesandNoble.com, Books A Million online and at http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Familiar-Sapphire-Phelan/dp/1606596829/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372688279&sr=1-8
Poor guy!! Thanks for posting.
Love these excerpts! This is an excerpt from my newest WIP, whose name keeps changing. Today it’s calling itself The Marquess of Secrets
The pathway where her father disappeared down was hazy with torchlights, the tall, thick hedges providing cover for intimate encounters. Her frustration mounted as she peered around hedge after hedge, encountering nothing but darkness. At the bottom of the path, a line of paved stones led off to the far reaches of the garden. She followed the trail, the light dimmer now, her way lit by the silver of the moonlight and the stars blanketing the night sky.
Then she saw them, and her world came down crashing down around her. It was one thing to hear the whispers and innuendos, but to see her father’s lips upon another woman’s bare breasts. Hear the woman moaning his name. Watch his fingers traveling up under her gown. It was horrifying, wounding. The end of her innocence in a way. How could she ever look upon him as someone she should love and respect?
She must have made a sound, an involuntary groan of pain perhaps, for the figures sprang apart, her father cursing, the woman turning away to hide her face. Pain and devastation swept through her, rendering incapable of standing on her feet as she sank to the ground, her arms hugging herself around.
She looked up into the furious, ice grey eyes of her father and swiped away her tears.
What a thing to have happen!! Great excerpt, Nancy!
Loved your excerpt, Ella! Can’t wait for the release. I tweeted. 🙂
Here’s an excerpt from Betrothal, my medieval romance (Book 1 of Time Enough to Love) which is on sale today and tomorrow for .99 at Amazon.
Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Betrothal-Time-Enough-Love-ebook/dp/B00CF6UZFW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372680599&sr=1-1&keywords=betrothal
“It has been decreed by His Majesty that on the first day the festivities will begin with a procession of ladies and knights of King Arthur’s court, starting at the Tower of London and winding through the town out to the lists. There are to be twenty-five knights on the king’s side who will joust and fight in a pas d’armes, so there needs be twenty-five ladies as well, to escort them to the field.”
These festivities had been determined last week. Did he have anything truly new to impart?
“You have been chosen to be one of the ladies.”
Alyse’s mouth dropped open and a thrill coursed through her. “But I am only Princess Joanna’s attendant, Sir Geoffrey. Why did they choose me?”
“Because I am to be one of the knights, and I begged a boon of the king to allow you to be my lady.”
She stared at him in shock, almost unbelieving, though she knew he would not lie about such a thing. To think she owed such an honor to the man she would soon call husband, that he had asked the king himself to grant the favor, made her heart beat an unsteady march in her chest. Alyse parted her lips to thank him when he swooped forward, secured her chin in his hand and kissed her.
Strangely soft, yet very sweet, his touch sent a searing bolt straight to her stomach, setting it afire. After moments that seemed an eternity, his mouth slackened on hers as though he would release her—then he flicked the tip of his tongue across the hard-pressed seam of her mouth, testing for another invitation.
I love this excerpt, Jenna. Now the whole world will be able to read it!!!
Thank you, Ella. Lots of great excerpts again today.
Here’s mine:
She smiled. A woman awakening to her nature. She liked the sound of that.
“Your smile means you agree?”
She laughed. “I’m not about to jump into bed with you.” When he stared, she blushed. Had she mistaken Rolf’s intent? Then he smiled, showing his teeth, and she knew she’d been right.
Audrey’s Love
amzn.to/126VT88
Audrey’s Love #Time-Travel #Humor #Romance B&N http://bit.ly/UYq53f US http://amzn.to/126VT88 UK http://amzn.to/Y3UknV
Great, Geri!!
Thank you, Ella.
🙂
What wonderful excerpts! Thank you, Ella, for allowing us to post these! Here’s mine from My Daring Highlander. This is Keegan and Seona.
“You’re a beautiful lady and I’m…just a guard.”
She frowned. “You are much more than that.”
’Twas obvious he was trying to maintain his pleasant expression, but a hint of sadness crept into his blue eyes that near broke her heart.
He shook his head. “Nay, I fear when it comes to you, Lady Seona, I’m naught but a knave and a rogue. I’ve hardly been able to concentrate today because of memories of that amazing kiss.” After shoving his fingers through his windblown, damp mane, he backed away and stared out at the blowing rain. “I must behave myself,” he muttered, as if to himself, but she heard it despite the roaring wind.
She could not take her eyes off him and the stunning passion in his gaze. He was right… completely and unequivocally right. He should never touch her again. She should’ve never allowed him to kiss her the night before, but she could not have stopped him any more than she could’ve stopped breathing. Speaking of which, her own breaths were now short and shallow, and her chest ached with the need to be closer to him.
My Daring Highlander
http://amzn.com/B00C3ONO22
Very nice, Vonda!! Thanks for stopping by.
Great posts, all!
From my current release, Promise Me Eden:
Careful not to crush her, he eased down with her.
Her arms clung to his shoulders, her legs wrapped around his waist and her pelvis collided with his. His cock responded, rising. He held in a groan. It had been a long time since they had been intimate. Eden’s pregnancy had been difficult and she had not been able to make love for the last eight weeks of it. Then, after Ty died, she hadn’t wanted anything to do with lovemaking.
He dipped his head and closed his eyes, willing away his throbbing erection. What kind of jerk thought about sex at a time like this? But maybe that’s what they needed. A reminder they still had each other. He nuzzled her neck. She had always liked that. When she didn’t pull away, he tasted her skin.
Wonderful, D’Ann!!
Hi Ella. Thanks for the promo chance.
A Mutual Interest in Numbers (Love and the Library Book 2:) Ellen and Laurence
A sweet, traditional Regency romance. With a duck. Quack.
EXCERPT:
Laurence pushed aside a copy of Byron’s The Corsair and then curled his lip at a volume of sermons. Gads, sermons on Sunday were enough for anyone.
He set the sermons aside to reveal the book beneath. Pride and Prejudice. The novel that had brought his friend his lady.
Could this book somehow help a man find his love? He extended his hand toward the tome…
A gloved feminine hand, also reaching for the novel, bumped into his. “Oh, I beg your pardon.” The voice was soft and musical.
He jerked upright. “No, I beg your pardon.” The same extraordinary blue eyes that had almost knocked him flat a moment ago threatened to do so again. And he wouldn’t even care.
As if he were under the effect of Mr. Mesmer’s animal magnetism, he waved in the general direction of the book. “Please, be my guest.” Take the book. Take me.
Available at
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mutual-Interest-Numbers-Library-ebook/dp/B00CWF21RG/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372699986&sr=1-3&keywords=linda+banche
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-mutual-interest-in-numbers-linda-banche/1115398898?ean=2940016617343
Other formats (Smashwords); https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/317971
Linda Banche
http://www.lindabanche.com
http://lindabanche.blogspot.com
Lovely, Linda.
An excerpt from Dark Reaper by Charlotte “Charlee” Boyett-Compo.
The first plink of rain hitting the window panes broke the kiss, made them turn to look in that direction.
“It will be a wet morning,” he predicted.
She unlaced her fingers from his to slide her arms around his waist. The press of their bodies made her shiver. “I like the rain,” she told him. “I love storms.”
“I do, too,” he admitted and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “They make me feel alive.”
Gently he eased her to the mattress, turning so he could recline beside her. One thigh draped over hers and his hand glided over the flat surface of her belly. He traced the circumference of her navel then ran a finger from there to the underside of her breast.
“So soft,” he said, rubbing her flesh as it quivered beneath his touch. “Like expensive silk.”
Kalli wasn’t in the least self-conscious about him looking at her naked breasts. She could tell from the way his gaze roamed over her that he liked what he saw. His touch was exciting. It felt natural.
Thanks so much for posting, Charlee.
Thank you for offering, Ella.
I love these excerpts! Reminds me of tapas in Spain. A little taste of this and a little taste of that. Except for the tripe. That was awful!
Here’s a tidbit from Highlander’s Hope. Yvette’s in trouble.
………..
“I thought the room was empty. My room is next door.” Yvette stole a glance at the closed door separating their rooms.
Lord Sethwick stood, then secured the insufficient toweling about his waist before edging nearer. It seemed he was afraid she might bolt. Moving inch by careful inch, he approached her. Yvette felt like an animal caught in a snare, and though she didn’t move, her gaze skipped to her door several times.
She closed her eyes and swallowed, trying to dislodge the nerves gripping her throat and striving for the courage to face him. He tipped her chin upward with his finger. Startled, she sprung her eyelids open and met his hypnotizing gaze. She suppressed an insane urge to giggle.
And here, she’d wondered if she would ever see him again.
Holding her chin, he pressed her in that same caressing tone. “If you’ve a chamber of your own, why are you in mine?”
Available here: http://amzn.com/B00CW1TTIO
Thanks, Ella!
Great one, Collette!!
Ella, what a wonderful snippet! *claps hands*
This snippet is taken from my soon to be released novel, Prophecy’s Child.
The gorgeous sight of Kal’s muscled frame and the broad expanse of golden skin turned Katherine’s insides to jelly. Wide shoulders, a bare, well defined chest tapered to a washboard tight stomach. A small patch of hair circled his bellybutton then trailed down, disappearing under the waistband of his jeans.
Oh, good God. He was living perfection. He was exactly how she remembered him, except for an intricate tattoo drawn in black ink around his left bicep. The design looked a little like Chinese symbols. It was sexy as hell.
He slowly released the snap of his pants and drew down the zipper. The sharp rasp filled the room.
Prologue to Midnight Caller – NJ Cole
“That was beautiful, butterfly.”
Those were the words the caller had used last night. Just that one statement, and then the line went dead. It had obviously been a wrong number, but still, the timing of it unnerved me.
I’d just finished masturbating, and not one minute after I had come down from my high, the phone rang.
Maybe it was the deep voice that spoke in only a whisper, sending chills up my spine. Maybe it was what he had said, as if he knew what I had just done. Whatever it was, it had me tossing and turning all night.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/midnight-caller-NJ-Cole?store=allproducts&keyword=midnight+caller+NJ+Cole
Thank you for the opportunity Ella!
Here is a slice of my zombie romance ONLY LOVE SURVIVES…
A storm that spelled danger flashed across Sam’s face. He advanced on Megan so fast, she backed up against the side of the Suburban. Planting a hand firmly on each side of her, he pinned her with his arms as well as his gaze.
“What I want? Are you so hard headed you can’t tell what I want?” He covered her mouth with his lips and crushed her clever comeback with an assault on her senses.
Megan pushed him, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he continued to kiss her until her heart raced and cheeks flushed with need. All resistance melted and she succumbed to the warmth of his embrace. Her arms wound around his neck of their own accord pulling him closer while her tongue sought his in a passionate dance, completely ignoring what her heart wanted.
When he finally broke away leaving Megan breathless and wanting so much more, Sam put his forehead to hers and watched her mouth like a drunk watches amber liquid poured into a glass. “You,” he rasped. “I’ve wanted you since I found you hanging from that damn roof, and all our little encounter in the river did was add fuel to the fire.”
Available on early release through Amazon
Very nice!!
Thanks for letting us take over your blog! Here is my excerpt from Jaded Hearts:
As I was putting my eggs and bacon into the fridge, John came up pushing the door closed from behind, pinning me up against it. Lost in my own thoughts I jumped at his sudden presence behind me. I didn’t even hear him approach me. I could feel the intensity of his emotions and it made me tremble as he played with the loose tendrils of my up do.
“Jade, I asked you if he was your guy and you said he wasn’t. If there is something more going on please tell me. I hate finding things out,” he finally responded.
I shuddered from both the soft touch of his fingers as they lightly caressed my neck and the strange darkness that lined his words.
“John, there is nothing going on that I am hiding from you. I met him before you and he was interested in me. Very interested but for some reason unexplained to me he had to go away for business and I haven’t seen him since nor have I heard from him.”
My voice sounded like a small child. I turned around to face him not being able to stand the torture of being cornered anymore. He placed his other hand on the fridge trapping me in his prison.
Amazon: http://ow.ly/myKm6
Barnes & Nobel: http://ow.ly/myKwv
Thanks Ella for the invitation to post fourteen sentences. This is from my current release, THE LETTER. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C1IHMGY
“So,you want to be my mistress? I hadn’t considered it, but you have my interest.” With his gaze focused on her, he walked toward her, keeping his steps slow.
Her eyes widened. “You hadn’t considered it?”
He suppressed a smile at the squeak in her voice, walked behind her and stopped. She swiveled to face him.
He shrugged. “I wish I had, but no. I must thank you for putting the idea in my head.”
“I didn’t…did I?”
“I’m afraid so.” He was undoubtedly having too much fun. Perhaps he could learn to like traveling uncharted roads and detours that led to adventures.
Well done, Sandra!!
Ella – Love your excerpt. Sweet! Now, I’ll add 14 sentences from my new release HER ETERNAL ROGUE
Ian sat across the table from him, staring. Alexander knew the Scotsman too well to believe he’d stay silent much longer.
“So,” the Scotsman began. “When will ye tell the lassie she’s gonnae home?”
Alexander looked at him hard and poured himself another glass. “I’ll not be goin’ close to any British port with a damaged ship…”
“Ach, I see,” the Scotsman speculated. “So, you thinkin’ about keepin’ her fer yerself, then?”
“No,” Alexander answered too quickly, downing a gulp. An absurd thought, he knew, but so tempting.
“Well,” Ian continued. “Wi’ her stayin’ here, that’ll leave many tae believe we’re cursed wi’ a woman onboard and no charges lifted.”
Alexander laughed. Cursed by having a woman onboard? He’d tell them about curses…
Available at Amazon http://amzn.to/19NmEQ7
& Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/17NluHb
ginadanna.com
That’s great, Gina!!
Love all the excerpts!!!
I can share an excerpt from my newest release What She Was Missing
“Well?”
Donovan stopped his fork halfway to his mouth. “Well what?” Her brows furrowed and he suddenly wondered if she’d asked him a question he’d yet to answer. He slid the fork in his mouth to stall for time.
She saved him from too much thought. “Aren’t you going to offer me a bite of yours?”
He looked at the plate of half-gone pie, and then glanced at her. Share? She wanted him to share the most amazing pie he’d ever tasted? “I don’t know. What’ll you give me for a bite?”
“I already gave you a piece of my treat.”
He liked the way she scrunched her nose in frustration. “That’s true, but I didn’t ask for it. Never would have. It’s rude to beg,” he teased.
“I was being nice.” She took another bite of her muffin and chewed thoughtfully before sipping her coffee. “You should try it.”
“The coffee?”
This time she rolled her eyes. “Being nice.”
Available:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/15cdqfi
B&N: http://bit.ly/12arKzG
Candi, thank you so much for posting!!
Thanks so much for doing this, Ella! My excerpt if from my Regency novella, HEALING HEARTS, on sale now @CarinaPress.com. Use the code HISTC25 for a 25% discount!
Grief chilled her, numbed her heart, deadened the tender feelings she’d once had for him. Only her need for vengeance broke through her frozen emotions now. She longed to set Riverton in his place, however little effect her words might have on a man so impervious to remorse.
But once again Emma could neither confront him nor beseech him. The evidence of his stiff-necked pride–and her own–continued to hold her back with as much force as if an unseen hand pressed down upon her shoulder. She glared in the man’s direction, as if it were his hand oppressing her.
Fierce gusts punished him, impeding his tortured progress. Pain twisted his handsome features but he confronted the gale without flinching. A tiny chip splintered off from the ice sheath encasing Emma’s heart.
Damn him.
How do you bear it, Riverton? Are you made of stone?
http://bit.ly/14KlSjx
Lovely excerpt, Ella! 😀
Thanks Ella for allowing us to post! My new historical romance is called Cross the Ocean.
London 1871
“Pardon me?”
The starch in Mrs. Wickham’s black dress seemed to wilt as she quivered. The soft folds of her jowls shook. “The Duchess is not coming down, Your Grace,” she repeated.
The Duke of Wexford stood stock-still. The guests were to descend on his ancestral home in a matter of moments. The candles lit, the buffet laid, the flowers had bloomed on cue. The last remaining detail was the receiving line.
“Mrs. Wickham. There is a small matter of greeting two hundred and fifty guests arriving momentarily. The Duchess needs to attend them,” Blake Sanders, the Eighth Duke of Wexford, said sternly to his housekeeper.
When the woman had announced his wife would not be joining him, Sanders was certain he had not heard correctly. The Duchess knew her duties, as did he. He turned abruptly to the staircase and stopped as a shiver trailed down his arms. He turned back. The rotund woman had not moved other than the flitting of small hairs peeking out of her mobcap. After twenty-five years of service to his family, he supposed she stood rooted for good reason.
The Duke spoke quietly. “Is there a problem conveying this message, Mrs. Wickham?”
The woman swallowed. “Yes, Your Grace. There is.”
Blurb:
Worlds collide when American Suffragist, Gertrude Finch, and titled Brit Blake Sanders meet in an explosive encounter that may forever bind them together. Gertrude Finch escorts a young relative to London and encounters the stuffy Duke of Wexford at his worst. Cross the Ocean is the story of an undesired, yet undeniable attraction that takes Blake and Gertrude across an ocean and into each other’s arms.
I wish I were going to Nationals–would love to see you.
What pretty covers!
I wish you were too. Thank you!!