Release Tour and Monday Excerpts!

On one of the last release tour stops, I’m on Bookworm2Bookworm today talking about Italian food and giving away a copy of Desiring Lady Caro! While I’m doing that, I invite you to post any excerpt of 500 words or less. Please keep it PG-13. Feel free to add your buy and social media links as well.

Desiring Lady Caro

Here is mine from Desiring Lady Caro, regarding the food on B2B.

She tried to keep her tone light and reminded herself that she was not going to ruin this dream world, but then, unable to help herself, she said, “You do not have to stay with me, you know.” Suddenly her throat was sore. Yet she had to tell him. “I’ll understand if you need a mistress.”

Huntley scowled. It was the first time he’d frowned so seriously at her. When he spoke, his tone was harsh. “No.”

“You needn’t be angry with me.” What right did he have to be incensed with her when she was giving him the freedom to be with other women that most men wanted?

“I have no intention of being unfaithful. No good ever comes of it. This will all work itself out,” he growled, and went back to his pasta.

For some ridiculous reason, her heart lightened, and it shouldn’t have. This marriage was so unfair to him. The waiters returned with trays of other foods. Huntley must have planned another dinner like the one last night. She smiled. “Thank you.”

Shedding his frown, his lips tilted up. “I hope you like what the chef and I have selected. The dishes here are much more Austrian than Italian.”

As before they inspected the offerings on the sideboard, he hovered over her and helped her choose the dishes to try first. She turned her head toward him and, for a moment, their faces were close together. His gaze dropped to her mouth and rose, almost at once, back to her eyes. Her heart had stopped when she’d thought he was going to kiss her. Thankfully, he didn’t, but he was still too close. “I think I have enough food for now.”

He held out her chair and, after filling his plate, joined her. Once Caro had finished the last piece of venison, she leaned back in her chair. “All of it was wonderful. I don’t think I could eat another bite.”

A wicked smile appeared on his lips. “Oh, I think you might eat just a little more, my lady.”

He stood and walked to the bell-pull. After giving it a short tug, he sat back down. The door opened and a waiter entered the room carrying a large platter. She sniffed and sat up, then looked. “A chocolate torte? Oh, Huntley, thank you!”

The waiter placed the plate on the table and cut them both slices of the cake. She took a forkful of the piece Huntley offered, and sighed. “It has fruit in it as well.” Caro held out the next bite to him. “Here, have a taste.”

Leaning over the table, Huntley touched her hand as he guided the fork to his lips and opened them. She drew a sharp breath as warmth infused her fingers. What on earth was that tingling, and why was it suddenly so hard to draw a breath?