Here we go again. It bashed me on my head this morning that in one week I fly to San Antonio for RWA’s annual conference!! And what have I not ordered? Swag! So where you ask is all this going? After all Monday is for excerpts. To day I invite you to post a quote from your latest book, WIP, or upcoming release. Buy links are welcome. I also want you to tell me what you are bringing for swag and if you’re not an author, what you like to receive.
Here is mine from Enticing Miss Eugénie Villaret.
“Just because I did not throw myself on you does not mean I refused you.” She scowled. “I said I would think about it. I will give you an answer later. After all, this is very sudden.”
He curled his hands into fists; otherwise they’d wrap themselves around her beautiful neck. “There is nothing hasty about this.”
Eugénie opened her eyes wide. “Oh, but there is. Before, you only wanted me as your mistress.”
“How the dev . . . Why would you think that?”
“We women know these things.”
Buy links: Amazon US ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iTunes ~ Kobo ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon DE ~ Amazon FR ~ Amazon UK
ellaquinnauthor
Ella Quinn ~ Author 
Here’s an excerpt from the novella I just finished. As for swag, I’m completely hopeless. I’ll bring some bookmarks and some chocolates to give out at the signing, but that’s about it.
Richard *Ballister?*
Edwina could do nothing but stare, aghast. Richard looked as appalled as she felt. She gazed about her hopelessly, shivering in the gathering dusk. If she went back to the inn, if she…
Richard recovered himself and handed the waiting man a coin. “Thank you, Joseph. Any other newcomers today?”
“Aye, Sir Richard, two from Manchester way.”
“Good thing it’s about to rain,” Richard said. The fools wouldn’t try digging for treasure in the midst of a storm. “Off you go before it starts to pour.” He grabbed Edwina’s valise and, with a curt motion of the head, indicated that she should follow him indoors.
She hesitated. Death from exposure to the elements―for the first fat drops had already begun to fall―or from mortification?
I loved it, Barbara!!
Great excerpts. Here’s mine from The Proxy – historical romance short story and part of the Six Shades of Romance with five other authors each writing in a different romance genre.
Here, Caroline has been given in marriage by Proxy to the Baron (whom she has yet to meet) and finds herself drawn to the Proxy.
She tore from his hold and spun around to face him. “Why can I not ask this servant? Or did you forget to have him lie for you and the baron too?”
“What do you speak of?”
“That perhaps this baron is not as kind and feeble as you led my parents and me to believe. I will meet him now … or I leave.”
He sighed. “He is more than you know and more than I can tell you. Please,” he pulled her hand to his lips, “trust me a little longer.” When he kissed her fingers, a shiver ran through her body. “He told me this morning that he wishes to woo you with words first. He will send love letters to you, and then you shall meet.”
“He may send me one letter. Then I want to see him. Regardless if he is ill or not.” She didn’t tell him that she couldn’t read. She would find someone to read the baron’s letters to her.
“One letter and no more.” Her hands betrayed her as she held on a moment longer when he released her. Still, she ached for his hand upon hers. “Then I will meet him and make my decision to his character and whether or not to annul this marriage.”
http://www.amazon.com/Six-Shades-Romance-P-Darling-ebook/dp/B00K1KW9MG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405348861&sr=8-1&keywords=six+shades+of+romance
Thank you! I like to get anything that isn’t paper. I especially like magnets.
From Lily’s Summer Cowboy:
Will gathered an armful of wood as Lily placed their food on the tailgate of the pickup. He’d parked close enough to the fire they could use the tailgate for a table, but not close enough the paint would crinkle.
He carried the logs to the fire ring, dumped it inside and lit the logs. “This will be perfect for hotdogs when we get done swimming.”
“Yes, perfect,” Lily agreed.
Will turned, stopped and stared. Wow. In jeans and a T-shirt Lily was a pretty woman, but wearing a swimsuit she rivaled any model. She had taken off her T-shirt and shorts, leaving on a turquoise bikini, and while not immodest, revealed enough to make his blood run hot. Her breasts filled the top in round, firm mounds that made him ache to taste them. And her legs. Oh, her legs. Non-stop from floor to ceiling, they grabbed his attention and held it.
Realizing he was staring, Will dragged his gaze away from the stunning woman in front of him and sprinted for the lake. “Race ya to the water.”
“Wait! No fair!” Lily chased him, laughing.
When Will hit the cold water, he gasped. The reservoir, fed by snowmelt off the nearby mountains, was freezing. He dove in and began swimming. The icy water washed over his fried skin, cooling it.
Behind him, he heard Lily splash into the water. She said a real dirty word that made him grin. He glanced over his right shoulder and saw her swimming toward him. He slowed his pace as she came alongside him.
“Damn, it’s cold,” he said.
She nodded. “Keep moving.”
http://www.amazon.com/Lilys-Summer-Cowboy-DAnn-Lindun-ebook/dp/B00L6J9S20/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1404052260&sr=1-1&keywords=lily%27s+summer+cowboy
Reblogged this on LovesHistorical Book Reviews.
I’m late today, but I made it.
This is from The Earl’s Enticement.
Drawing room? She wasn’t sitting and twiddling her thumbs in a confounded drawing room, listening to inane feminine drivel. She sliced a glance to Mrs. Winthrop. Red-faced, she appeared to be on the verge of an apoplectic fit. Count von Schnitzer remained in his seat, casually spooning trifle into his mouth.
Unmitigated, cowardly boor.
Roark laid a hand on Westbrook’s arm. “Please see to the needs of our guests.”
“Of course, my lord,” the butler said, angling his head in acquiescence.
From the glint in his eye, Adaira would wager her savings he would rather be fighting the blaze.
Without further ado, Roark and the other men, including a slew of liveried footmen, stampeded out the door. In the ensuing confusion, Adaira edged to the French windows at the end of the room. Casting a glance over her shoulder, she slipped out unnoticed.
She rucked her gown to mid-calf and tore after the men thundering to the stables. They were joined by dozens of others, both the earl’s staff and servants who’d accompanied their privileged employers to Cadbury for the house party.
The screams of terrified horses, men’s coarse shouts, and the eerie groans and shrieks of the burning buildings shattered the night’s tranquility. Flames, fueled by a brisk breeze, shot to the heavens, lighting the sky with writhing orangey-red and yellow blades. Hell on earth.
Available from Amazon: amzn.comB00KLO64S2/
As for SWAG, I’m taking magnets, recipe cards and teapot-shaped cookie cutters, pens, and compact mirrors. Oh, and bookmarks of course!
I do love the cover of Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret, Ella!
My excerpt post:
From Viking Sword: A Fall of Yellow Fire — set in southern England in 882. A young Viking, Brandr Ottarrson, is stranded after a raid gone wrong and must make his way back home to the (Essex) coast, with the lovely heroine, Lissa of Yriclea and his madcap uncle, Sindre Melrakki. First kiss…
“I have a better idea,” Brandr said. “Come here.”
Eyes the brownish gold of leaves in autumn slewed toward him. Lissa stiffened. “Why? What is it you wish?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Have you forgotten so soon my warning? A thrall has no rights. A thrall is not allowed to question. A thrall obeys instantly or suffers punishment. Come here.”
Alarm flashed in her expression and she swallowed.
He thought she would refuse. A part of him hoped she would, for her small rebellion kindled a familiar need to conquer, to bend her to his will.
Her movements lacking their usual grace, she sidled toward him as if deeming dissent unwise, but wishing otherwise. She stopped an arm’s length away.
“Closer.”
Her lips pursed, but she took one small step forward. His vexation drained away and he almost smiled. She looked like a wary fawn confronted by a large and unknown animal. He touched the sun-pinkened tip of her nose with a fingertip, fascinated by the way it tilted up ever so slightly. Then his gaze dropped to the enticing curves of her mouth. Desire sparked with a suddenness that tore at his breath. Everything vanished except the surge of primal heat that kicked through his body. His hands settled on her shoulders and drew her near, and nearer still until his arms closed to sweep her into the embrace he had wanted from the moment he first saw her. Her face grew flushed and she gasped. He felt the inhalation against his chest and closed his eyes. The heady scent of woman engulfed his senses, igniting the spark into sheets of roaring flames, billowing, cascading, burning. He trembled with the unexpected need that rioted through his veins.
One hand tangled in her short tresses as he cupped her head in his palm. He could not stop staring at the parted fullness of her lips. Their softness beckoned. His head bent in slow descent until their breaths mingled. Flesh touched. She quivered. He slowly rubbed his lips back and forth against hers in the barest of strokes. She panted. He nuzzled her. She leaned into him, the move restless, uncertain. His palm stroked her back from neck to hips.
He lifted his eyes and his gaze first clashed with, then captured hers. Passion blazed, innocent, but heated and powerful, within those golden depths. He stroked her again, and watched the desire build.
She wants me!