Sorry about yesterday. I was continuing to bask in the light of my cover for Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret.
Today I invite you to post your page ten of your WIP, recent release or future release. If for some reason it’s not appropriate, feel free to post a different page. If you have buy links you may post them as well.
Here is my page from Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret, and—sigh—the cover.
Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret
They reached another pier, where Andrew hailed a tall man with broad shoulders, who’d clearly been at sea for a while. “That’s Captain Black. His ship is one of the fastest you’ll find, even with cargo.”
“Mr. Grayson,” the captain grinned, “I see you’ve found his lordship, and in good time.”
“His gear will be here directly,” Andrew said, “Captain Jones is seeing to it.”
Captain Black turned his attention to Will. “Welcome aboard the Sarah Anne, my lord. I’ll have you in St. Thomas in no time at all.”
An hour later, Will stood near the bow of the ship, looking out over the water and trying to decided how to approach the problem his father had asked him to look into in St. Thomas. Though it would delay his exploration of the other islands, he knew that Watford’s protective arms encircled all of their family, no matter where they were located, and Will felt the same way. Anyone in the Wivenly family was his to care for.
Andrew joined him. “Have you decided how you will approach the problem yet?”
Will wished he had; the whole thing was deuced strange. He shook his head. “My original intent was to pay my respects to my great-uncle Nathan’s widow—funny that. Nathan was only a few years older than Will—then meet with the manager, Mr. Howden. Yet after receiving the last letter from her, telling my father the business was failing, right on the heels of a report from Howden, showing it was as prosperous as ever, I don’t know what to think, or whom to trust.”
Andrew leaned against the rail. “Someone is being economical with the truth.”
An understatement if Will had ever heard one. “The question is who. I can’t think of a reason my aunt would be dishonest. Her distress was clear from her letter. However, Howden has an impeccable reputation.”
Now it’s your turn!
ellaquinnauthor
Great excerpt!
Gorgeous cover even on the smaller image. Everything flows together so beautifully. Congrats!
Thank you, Stacey!! I love it!!
Hi Ella, Your cover is lovely. eye-catching. I’ve just found your blog and would like to post my p 10 of Bella’s Betrothal. I hope that placing it here is right. Apologies if not, Anne Stenhouse
Bella’s Betrothal, p 10
he will abduct a carriage with two women, a coachman, and a groom? In broad daylight? Besides, my uncle has said he will ride out to meet the carriage.” Bella glanced at the novel she’d dropped. Her uncle’s letter peeped from the pages. It gave her courage. “Your fears are perhaps over-stated by the amount of Mr. Direlton’s wine you have consumed.” “I do not drink to excess, ma’am, and resent the implication you feel able to make when I have put myself in considerable physical danger to reach you unobserved,” Lindsay said curtly. Bella saw a dark flush spread over his features. Whether of anger or frustration she could not tell, but he made no apology for his behaviour. “You must see how singular your actions are,” she said crossly. “Of course I see how singular my actions are,” he grated, and Bella quailed. “What you seem perversely unable to grasp, ma’am, is that you are in danger.” “And what is that to you?” “Your uncle is my friend and neighbour and in his absence, I am honour-bound to act on his behalf. I have a sister, and I would expect no lesser attentions from Mr. Menzies or any of my friends were Florence to be similarly compromised.” “Except Mr. Direlton,” Bella said softly. “You are in the right with that observation, Lady Isabella. Had I known of Direlton’s plans I would have warned your uncle, but I did not know. You say Mr. Menzies intends to ride out to meet your carriage. I think that probably means as far as the toll at Causewayside. It is a mere two miles from George Square and that will be too late to save you from Direlton’s assault. His house is situated across the river North Esk at Lugton—a scant mile from here.” Bella was silent. Her uncle had said he would be at the Causewayside Toll to pay her dues and escort the carriage up Causewayside past the fringes of the Borough Loch and on to her aunt and cousins in George Square. He had done this
Anne Stenhouse. Published by MuseItUp
http://goo.gl/PKptQg US
http://goo.gl/5RBzIm UK
Thanks so much for posting, Anna!! I’m glad you found me!
I LOVE the cover! And can’t wait to read the book especially after the tease about St. THomas. Best wishes!
Thanks so much, Bonnie. I love this cover.
I love this cover & think its the best you’ve had done yet! Nice excerpt 🙂 Now, from my book, The Wicked Bargain, to be released June 2014 –
He opened the door to the porch on his wing. Standing there, draped in a black, stood the tall, chestnut-haired, hazel-eyed beauty. Ethan took her hand and pulled her inside, giving her a smile as he shut the door.
“Welcome, my lovely Jane.” He kissed her wrist. She tasted of honeysuckle and vanilla.
The duchess blushed.
He led her to his bedchamber. Removing her pelisse and hat, he gave her a glass of wine and walked behind her. It was then, he lost himself to that other façade he put on, the adoring lover. The mask that made his spine prickle for a moment, a measure of disgust hidden deep in his soul.
“What are you thinking, you sinful man?”
Her question snapped him back to the present. She paid him to pleasure her. He must keep his own feelings dormant. Ethan plucked the hairpins from her coiffure, her hair falling loose about her shoulders.
“Helping you to relax, sweetheart.”
She laughed.
He ran his fingers through her hair, and its silken tresses twirled around them. She sighed. He smiled, enjoying the feel of her creamy smooth skin and luxurious hair. She was a client he enjoyed pleasuring. One he didn’t have to worry of her wanting to change him or frankly, keep him. He kissed her earlobe, traced it with his tongue and caressed it with a light graze of his teeth. He trailed a path of kisses down her neck.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.
“I know.” He feather-kissed her bare shoulder as he slowly untied her bodice lacings. Honeysuckle scent flared his nostrils as he inhaled. Nice.
“How do you know?”
He turned her towards him, a seductive grin curling his lips as he pulled her bodice open. His thumbs caressed her nipples. They hardened instantly. He heard her sudden intake of breath at his touch. She succumbed to him so easily. Pleasuring a woman for money. What an easy way for him to raise the cash to pay his debts. If only his insides didn’t clench at the cost to his soul.
I agree, Gina!! Thanks so much for posting!
That cover is gorgeous! They really got this one right!
This is page 10 of Betrayal, my medieval novella that releases on Friday!
Alyse turned sweetly to the young woman and said, with venom in her voice, “But, Lady Anne, if you were there and awake, you were chaperone to us, were you not?”
The princess intervened. “Ladies, I believe the proprieties were well observed. Sir Geoffrey will shortly be Lady Alyse’s husband and Lady Anne was in the bedchamber. I think perhaps we can find a more pleasant way to spend the rest of the morning.”
They both curtsied to the princess and dutifully replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Princess Joanna smiled at them and nodded toward Alyse. “Perhaps we can all add prayers for Sir Roland. I know him as a worthy lord and very gallant in his manner. He is betrothed to Lady Mary Percy, who is my cousin and in my sister’s household. In fact, perhaps we should return to the chapel now, to add our prayers to those of Lady Alyse for Sir Roland and his family.” The ladies curtsied again as Princess Joanna moved past them toward the door, but as she passed Alyse, she paused. “What is that, Lady Alyse?”
Alyse had forgotten the tiny plant she clutched in her hand. Looking down at it, she flushed, grasping it even tighter. “’Tis a sprig of lavender, Highness, sent to me this morning by my lord.”
Joanna raised an eyebrow. “We seem to be in need of more explanation in this matter. Please tell us why and how your betrothed has sent this token.”
Alyse took a deep breath and related the story of her lavender scent, Geoffrey’s knowledge of it, and Sir Thomas’s charge this morning.
Throughout the tale, Anne’s eyes smoldered. The princess’s, however, were kind. “Lady, you have a very pretty courtier for your betrothed. He woos you well, it seems.”
They did, Jenna!! Thank you!!
Love, love love that cover, Ella! Congrats!!!
Thank you so much, Kristina!! I love it too.
PS: I’ll share from page 10 of The Saint’s Devilish Deal:
Dread shivered down her spine. “Interesting? It’s a room with a bed, Santiago.”
“A bed I’ve been sleeping in since Con took me in.” He leaned his strong, tanned forearms against the desk, his hands so close she could feel his radiant body heat. His rich brown gaze fastened on her and she couldn’t move. Her breath came in little gasps and her throat tightened. But she held herself upright, refusing to sway further into his orbit. “I’ve been sleeping in your bed, Esmerelda, and here you want to join me after only a few hours. Think of the scandal.” He winked again, and his next words all but kissed her skin. “You’ll probably be more comfortable in Con’s suite, but my rooms are always open.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest. She remembered being in his bed all too well. Four years hadn’t dimmed those memories and neither had her fling with Jason the Jerk. Her knees went wobbly as he leaned another inch across the desk, his mouth inches from hers, so close she could feel his breath against her skin.
Where was her bravado when she really needed it? Gone. Evaporated with a single scorching look from Santiago Cruz. She wasn’t ready for this. For him. And she had to be. Constance and the villa depended on her keeping her wits about her. Keeping him at a distance. She swallowed hard as she backed up to the stairs. “Nevermind, I’ll stay in the suite.”
Not running, she assured herself.
“You are fighting the inevitable, pequeña.”
It’s available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Saints-Devilish-Deal-Kristina-Knight-ebook/dp/B00H3ROYVY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1390918982&sr=1-1&keywords=the+saint%27s+devilish+deal
Bask away, Ella, your new cover deserves it. Here’s my page 10:
All the feverish conversations, whispered low at night came back to her. If the soldiers come, lead them in the wrong direction. Retrieve the cache of clothes and jewels. Find Henri. Leave Paris. Promise you’ll run away! they had urged over and over, until she had promised through hot tears.
Henri lived near the Sorbonne, where he had attended classes until the Revolutionary Tribunal closed all the schools last month.
First, she would find her brother. Together, they could find their parents, appeal their arrest, do something, anything, to save them.
Without disturbing the horses, Sophie went into the tack room. It was dark, but she knew her way by heart. She found the chest on the floor below the different saddles hanging on the wall.
Sophie pulled her night shift over her head. Naked and shivering, she drew out of the chest white breeches and long white socks that she slipped into, toes tingling with newfound warmth. An undershirt, a shirt with lacy cuffs, a grey undercoat with silver buttons and a leather belt followed. The undercoat hung heavy, small knives hidden inside pockets.
A royal blue coat fitted loosely across her shoulders, its length just below her knees. Long black riding boots completed her disguise. Last, over her blue coat, she tied a second belt, from which hung her short sword.
From the bottom of the chest, Sophie retrieved two last items, a small but heavy purse and a soft liberty cap. She slid the purse inside her shirt, felt its weight against her skin. With the two belts she wore, nothing short of a blade cutting through her clothes would dislodge it.
Ella, Thank you. Here’s my page 10 from VIKING FIRE – currently a Kindle Daily Deal and 99cents. Kaireen has just learned her parents have arranged her to marry a former enemy- a Viking.
Her father held his cup in a toast. “To Bram, the first man ever to bring a blush to my daughter’s cheeks.”
Kaireen glowered, her anger filling her.
The hall rang with laughter. She wished for honey to stick their mouths shut.
After the laughter subsided, her father cleared his throat. “Now, now. We must control ourselves. Not every day a man gets his last child married.”
“I am not marrying,” Kaireen interrupted. “And I am not a child.”
“Gracious Bram has agreed to stay on with us for a fortnight. Then he will marry our Kaireen.”
The applause was deafening.
She jumped off the bench, glaring at the Lochlann’s smiling face. “A fortnight?” she screeched. “Not enough time for me to… he is a foreigner and a Lochlann at that.” Why did they believe it was suitable for her to marry this Viking? She had to have time to figure out how to get rid of him.
“How much time do you need?” her mother asked in a warning tone.
“Never would be too soon,” Kaireen shot back.
“Enough.” Her father slammed his fist on the table.
Amazon: http://goo.gl/71VAsf
Thanks so much for posting, Andrea!!
Wonderful excerpts!! Thank you for inviting us to share, Ella! Here is mine from My Notorious Highlander:
During supper at Castle Dunnakeil, one of the guards approached Lady Jessie MacKay at the high table. “We have visitors, m’lady,” he said, raising his voice over the roar of conversation in the candlelit great hall.
Halting her knife in the midst of cutting a piece of venison, she glanced up at him with trepidation. Please don’t let it be Haldane. She couldn’t deal with her outlaw younger brother. Although Dirk hadn’t exactly left her in charge of the castle, she was the next oldest of her siblings and of the highest rank here. Dirk’s sword-bearer, Erskine, and the guards were to handle defense. But if they had noble visitors, she was the one left to entertain them… along with her other brother, Aiden. But his method of entertainment was music. She would have to deal with everything else.
“Who is it?” she asked with dread.
“Chief MacLeod and Chief MacBain,” the guard informed her.
“What?” Jessie’s mouth hung open. Noticing a few people staring at her, she snapped her mouth closed and tried to contain her shock. Those were two names she’d hoped to never hear again. “Are you certain? Torrin MacLeod and Gregor MacBain?”
“Aye.”
“What on earth are they doing here?”
“They would not say, but they’re requesting entrance.”
“How many men with them?” her younger brother, Aiden, asked beside her.
“Just over a dozen.”
“I’ll see what they want.” Aiden stood.
“Wait.” Jessie grabbed his slender arm. “I’ll go, too.” Why couldn’t Dirk have been here at a time like this? He and around twenty-five had left, traveling south, a few weeks ago. They’d been planning to stop by Munrick Castle, Torrin MacLeod’s keep. He knew Dirk wasn’t here. Was that why he’d come? To harass her about marrying him? “Where is Erskine?” she asked. Her older brother’s sword-bearer would ken what to do if conflict broke out.
“Outside,” the guard said. “But he wanted your permission before we allowed them entrance. We’re fair certain the MacLeods are allies, but we don’t ken about the MacBains since… eh…” The guard’s face flushed.
“Aye.” Since her handfasting with him had gone sour three years past.
“I don’t think Torrin MacLeod wants to wage war with you, sister.” Aiden smirked, his boyish face taking on a pixie charm.
My Notorious Highlander – Vonda Sinclair
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-notorious-highlander-vonda-sinclair/1117318060?ean=2940148831570
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00GB5M4K2
Wonderful, Vonda!! Thanks for posting!
Ella, the cover is stunning! I’m adding it to my Pinterest book covers!
This excerpt is from The Earl’s Enticement which releases in May 2014.
~~~
At his and Adaira’s appearance, a hush cocooned the room.
Surprise, followed by confusion, then anger flashed across several faces including Sethwick’s. A flush of humiliation surged over Roark. He’d never appeared in public, or private for that matter, this unkempt.
With several days’ growth of beard on his face, and in his shirt sleeves and filthy stocking feet, he stood before them wholly disheveled. His clothes were so soiled that despite his hurried bath, he could barely abide his own scent. He knew his appearance bordered on scurrilous.
Adaira’s arm was wrapped in his grasp. She gave a tentative tug, slanting him a hesitant glance. Face flushed, her eyes, the pupils dilated and black as coal, were wide and anxious. Her chestnut hair, an unruly mass, hung to her waist, and her rumpled shirt was untucked.
His chest tightened. Good God, she looked like she’d been thoroughly compromised. He shot a quick glance at the others, their gazes a concert of negative emotions. There would be hell to pay if they jumped to that ridiculous conclusion.
Adaira’s pink tongue darted out and traced her lips. A painful surge of blood rushed to his groin.
Ye god’s. He curled his lips in self-reproach. Had she done that on purpose, to disarm him in from of her family? Her kind knew how to use their tears and wiles. Delia had perfected the art of manipulation. Thinking of his late wife served to cool his ardor while inflaming his ire.
Adaira swallowed several times. Was she nervous? Good. She should be.
Love this excerpt, Collette!!
What fun, Collette. Love your new cover. This excerpt is from The Bride Gift, due for release in May, 2014.
—
Guy shifted his weight, uncomfortable at witnessing such a private scene. He knew the exact moment she caught sight of him standing in the shadows at the foot of the bed. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in surprise.
Peering over her uncle’s shoulder she frowned at him. “Who are you?”
Guy would lief be strung up by his toes than answer her question. This was Roger’s idea, he could tell her.
“Um, Nell,” Roger drew her back from him gently. “May I present Guy of Helston?”
She blinked at him and drew a sharp breath. “The Scourge of Faringdon?” Her eyes grew huge in her face.
Guy grit his teeth and stirred. The name was like a curse.
“Nell,” Roger glanced at him apologetically. “He does not like to be called such.”
“Then he should not have earned it,” snapped the lady, recovering from her moment of fear. “What is he doing in my bedchamber?”
Guy saw Roger take a deep breath before the man admitted softly, “He is your … husband.”
This sounds like an good read, Sarah!! The cover is mine, not Collette’s. Though hers are wonderful as well.
Apologies Ella,
I only realized that when I had already posted the comment. Let me say again, Great Cover!
That’s not a problem, Sarah! Thank you!
And thanks, Ella for this opportunity.
Beautiful cover. This is page 10 from The Masked Lady and The Murder. It’s the first book in the Markson Regency Mystery series which I’m hoping to release mid-February.
“Yes? You have a question?” she said, giving his forearm a slight squeeze.
Through his perfectly tailored black evening jacket he felt her action, wondering if she did it to see if she might be dreaming.
“No, my dear. This is very real. Now shall we find a comfortable place to watch the others.”
“Most definitely.”
Over the next hour Robert quizzed her about what was going on within the ton, after explaining he’d been in Spain for the past two years. Against the rules of only dancing with the same partner twice, every time a waltz was played they joined the other couples on the floor.
After the first time both ladies and gentlemen would smile and nod approvingly to them. It was several of the matrons who did their protesting, silently.
As the midnight hour approached Robert turned to Kristina.
“M’ lady would you wish to depart before the unmasking,” he asked, hoping she’d agree.
“In the past I would have agreed with you but for the first time I’m confident in myself, with thanks to you m’ lord,” she said, bestowing him a smile.
“Very well then,” he answered hoping what she was going to be seeing wouldn’t horrify her to greatly.
This was the main reason he’d attended this ball but unfortunately as he now found out couldn’t slip away unnoticed. In a few minutes the bells would ring out and everyone would reveal themselves which in his case would send at least one lady either fainting or running away.
With a not so confident grin he peered down to Kristina who was looking up at him.
Now I want to know why!! Thanks for posting, Lindsay!
If things go as planned Ella the book will release sometime mid February.
Yay! We were hoping you’d have Monday excerpts for us. So glad you decided to post one. Loved the line, “Someone is being economical with the truth.” and I am hell bent on somehow working it into a conversation today. LOL. Unfortunately we’re still in the editing process of our current WIP or we’d would’ve jumped at the chance to post it on your site. But as soon as we can yours will be the first blog that we share an excerpt of New Salem Chronicles: The 13 Reapers. Have a great day, Ella. 🙂
Thank you so much, Inion!! I love that line as well. I look forward to reading your excerpt!!!
Fabulous cover. Great snippets.
Tweeted.
Thank you so much, Daryl!!
I love the cover. It was fun to read everyone’s excerpts
The Call Release Date April, 2014
page 10
The tall grass rustled in the wind as Angharad ran, unable to stop, toward her destination. Arriving at the cliffs, she stood and watched the ocean crash against the rocks below, creating swirls of white caps. Despite being fearful of heights, she stood at the edge, unable to tear herself away, riveted by the ocean’s majestic power. Its strength and fury left her in awe. The tide was in, covering all signs of the beach that lay below the crashing waves.
Instantly her headache roared in her skull, much like the waves crashing below, and she dropped to her knees, holding her head in agony. She swayed back and forth with the pain until the vision came. The face of a woman, in her mid-thirties, with long, curly, dark hair appeared in her mind. Her blue eyes set in a heart-shaped face stared vacantly. Angharad cried out as she recognized the similarity between the woman and her own appearance. It was as though she looked in a mirror. Holding her head, she began to sob uncontrollably. Tears splashed on her knees as she rocked back and forth. The image was either that of a loved one or worse. The terrifying thought crossed her mind that she saw herself in death. Whichever it was, she had a sense of overwhelming grief. She screamed, and the sound was carried out to sea by the wind.
Angharad wondered if her visions were manifesting into her own reality. Absorbed in the memory, she jumped when she felt a hand touch her elbow. “Miss, may I help you?” She turned to the voice and let out a breath; relieved she was not yet lost to the madness in her mind. The stranger helped her to her feet. Angharad was confused by the vision and the reality of the moment. Who was this handsome stranger? Where did he come from? He must be real. I can feel him. He looked concerned and held her steady. When she opened her mouth to thank him, her words blew away with the wind. He led her down the path to his car, gently helping her into the front seat. Still struggling for awareness, she let the stranger drive her away.
Hi Patricia. Thank you!
The Passionate Love of a Rake – Book 2 in the Marlow Intrigues Series
She’d considered this meeting thousands of times in the years since their last and she’d pictured herself armored in sophistication, someone he would respect and admire. Yet, now, she felt everything the opposite.
The gulf he’d left in her life ripped open wider. He was magnificent – she insignificant. If he’d been attractive as a nineteen-year-old youth, he was a demigod as a man in his late twenties. His physique was muscular, yet lean and athletic.
His hand rose and swept long fingers through his chestnut-colored hair, swiping a loose lock from his brow. A gesture she had seen him do a hundred times as a child.
Still, he did not move, just looked, watching, appearing self-absorbed.
His confidence had not been there in the zealous, full-of-adventure and expectation youth.
She felt tears in her eyes and an ache in her chest, inspired by the could-have-beens and if-onlys which had haunted her throughout her married life.
It was a long time since Robert Marlow held her dear. In the intervening years, he’d toured the continent, establishing a reputation in the vices of a gentleman. His prowess in the sexual arts was renowned. He was no longer the young man she’d adored. He was a very different beast, one whom she’d no experience or knowledge to understand.
When he’d returned to claim his father’s estate a few years ago, his reputation had endured. He was one of, if not the most, profligate rake in the ton.
She’d never been able to stop herself seeking his name in the gossip columns of the papers Hector left lying on the breakfast table.
Robert’s gaze passed across the dancers and reached toward her. Jane turned, covering her face with the fan, hiding. She needed to regain command of her wits.
Her feet led to the refreshment room, where groups and couples stood with glasses in their hands, and servants hovered around the tables bearing the giant bowls of punch and Orgeat. The sweet scent of almond and orange blossom permeated her senses as a footman held out a silver tray and offered her a glass. She refused, waving a hand and walking on toward a door in the far wall.
She knew it opened into the hall. She would go to the ladies’ retiring room. She was in no state to face the ghost of her past when she had yet to master the demon of her present.
“Oh!”
As if summoned, when she stepped through into the hall, the very man she had come to the capital to escape was there, blocking her path.
“Jane, are you going somewhere? Perhaps I could accompany you?” He posed it as a question, but she knew he meant to give her no choice as the oppressive size of the current Duke of Sutton, Joshua Grey, her stepson, presented a solid barrier.
She stepped back so she could look him in the eye, rather than face his cravat, and used the moment to assess her situation.
The Passionate Love of a Rake
on Amazon http://ow.ly/t2zWB
on Barnes and Noble http://ow.ly/qbo8t
on Kobo http://ow.ly/qpcNW
Lovely, Jane! Thank you!
Nice cover and excerpt.
Excerpt for new WIP (Sarah De Luz – When Darkness Falls).
I narrow my eyes. “Do not try and scan my thought again, Calix. You’re not welcome in my head.”
“I am part of the Voorhees household and your elder, child. Therefore, I have the right to scan your thoughts if I so choice. And Sarah of Voorhees blood, you will be submissive.”
“You may be older, but you won’t enter my thoughts, not without my permission, which you clearly do not have.” I take in a deep breath then push the following words into his thoughts, “And Calix, I don’t have a submissive bone in my body. Now, back off.”
“Be careful, little one.” Vlad’s words resonate in my mind. “You are not in the human world you grew up in. The rules are different here as you already know. Voorhees or not, he is still your elder.”
I tilt my head to the side and peer into Vlad’s eyes. “I don’t care who the hell he is. He doesn’t have any business in my head. I already have you in here. I damn sure don’t need anyone else. I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying…two is company, but three is a crowd.”
“Is there a reason you need to scan Sarah’s thoughts, Calix?” Arlo asks, placing his hands on top of the table. “If so, make the reason known to all members. We may then cast our votes. Otherwise, do not violate the child.”
“The House of Voorhees was notified when the child drank the elixir of life. She is the first female born into the Voorhees bloodline in five hundred years. It was made public to our house that she is fertile. I am here because we want her paired with a mate, one of our choosing.”
“Don’t talk about me as if I’m not even in the room. And for the record, I’m not going to willingly submit to something like that.” I narrow my eyes as I look at Calix then push him from the outer edges of my mind. “It is my body you are talking about, which means it is my choice…not yours.”
“Enough child, you must learn your place.” Amias rises from his seat. “The House of Voorhees has a right to submit this claim under Avalonian law regardless of where you grew up. What says you, council members?”
My eyes widen, and I gasp. “Wait? What?”
Hi April, thank you so much for posting!
I love your cover. I’m hoping for a lovely one for my new release coming March 26, 2014 (An Enduring Love.)
Thank you, Wareeze!! I hope you get a wonderful cover. It’s horrible when they aren’t what you want.
This page is pretty angsty but I’ll post it nonetheless. It’s page 10 from Saved by a Rake
Then the countess walked into her room, shut the door and enveloped her daughter in her arms. Rebecca’s façade dropped as a huge sob racked her body. The older woman steered her to the bed, coaxed her down onto it and held her as the tears flowed.
Strangled sobs choked her, forcing the air out of her body and preventing her from dragging more back into her lungs. Her throat was raw, her chest ached, but still they kept coming in uncontrollable staccato bursts. She had no idea how long her mother held her, but eventually the countess lifted her chin and looked at her.
“What happened?” Her voice was firm but kind, but she had a steely look in her eye which told Rebecca that the older woman expected the truth.
“He…the Earl of Newthorpe…he dismissed Betty and took me upstairs to show me the rest of the house. When we went into the …countess’s bedchamber he…he…he…” She did not have the words to tell her mother what had happened. And in some ways, she could not bring herself to admit the awful truth.
“He what, Rebecca? What did he do to you?”
“I cannot say.” Her own voice sounded like a whimper. She tried to shake free of her mother’s hold, but the other woman held firm, forcing her to face the truth and explain.
“Darling, you must tell me. I will not faint or have a fit of the vapours. I am a woman of the world. And I need to know what he did to you.”
“He…he…well, he ravished me.” She blurted it out, still expecting her mother to faint or call for smelling salts. Instead she lifted Rebecca’s chin again.
“How far did he go, Rebecca? Did he…did he take your innocence?”
She nodded then looked up into her mother’s eyes, expecting to see revulsion. There was a slight flicker in her mother’s grey-blues, but her mouth straightened into a thin line and the muscles in her jaw flexed.
“I see. How badly hurt are you?”
“He was rough, and I fear I am bruised all over. I was bleeding between my legs, but I do not know if that was just…just my maidenhead.” Just saying the word jolted Rebecca with a horrible reality. She could now never marry. No one would want her. She was no longer an innocent.
“It probably was. Once you have had a bath, you’ll know. If you are still bleeding, we will get a doctor.”
It’s only 99c just now
http://www.amazon.com/Saved-Rake-Em-Taylor-ebook/dp/B00GTA9WS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390963889&sr=8-1&keywords=saved+by+a+rake
Angsty is right, Em! Thanks for posting.
That’s OK, it feels like Monday. Some great WIP excerpts. Here is page 10 of my WIP, Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone..
Amanda walked over to a bed covered in a red and grey striped wool blanket. On the bed was an open fiddle case, a cribbage board and a newspaper open to a page with an advertisement for a western jamboree. The bedside table consisted of a wooden apple crate on its side, the bottom lined with books. On top sat a picture of a pretty young girl with braids and a cowboy hat. Beside the picture rested a couple of smooth rocks. Amanda was tempted to pick them up and examine them when a man with red hair came rushing up the stairs out of breath.
“Sorry to disturb you folks,” said the cowboy. “I forgot something here earlier.”
“We should be going anyway.” Amanda’s mom steered the girls down the stairs.
As they were about to leave the cook house, Amanda noticed some rocks in a cupboard behind the glass doors.
“Look at all these cool rocks. Were did you get them?”
“People who have lived and worked here have been collecting them over the years. If you look closely, many are fossils. It’s hard to imagine, but this entire area used to be a sea bed. You’ll notice seashells embedded in some of the rocks,” explained Andy.
Amanda noticed a dark grey rock with interesting marks on it. “What do those marks mean?”
“I don’t know. They may be pre-historic. Perhaps a form of written language.”
Amanda thought the marks looked similar to the one on the stone the clown dropped. The one she picked up and put in her pocket.
Thank you, Darleen. Great post!
Great excerpts! I’ve just bought Saved by a Rake!
Aw, thank you Carol. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Aw, thank you Carol. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
(This time from the correct ID)