I am so excited to have my friend and fellow welcome historical author, Wendy LaCapra to the blog!! Wendy is a Golden Heart finalist, and she is here to tell you about her debut novel, Lady Vice!! In a bit of a twist on giveaways, and because Wendy’s novel is not on pre-sale, she is giving away a copy of Elizabeth Essex’s Almost a Scandal, which is the first book in her fabulous Reckless Brides series: “Bold, brazen, and beautiful, the Reckless Brides refuse to play by society’s rules of courtship. But-come hell or high water-they always get their man.” Just leave a comment telling her you want the book! Unfortunately, print books are limited to the US and Canada.
First the amazing cover!!
Now the blurb:
Not every lady plays by the rules.
Lady Lavinia Vaile knows what happens to a woman who puts her faith in society. For her, it was a disastrous marriage to a depraved man-one she threatened to shoot when she left him. Now Lavinia lives outside of society’s strict conventions, hosting private gambling parties. It’s only when her husband is shot dead that Lavinia finds herself in terrible danger…
A former judge in India’s high court, Maximilian Harrison will do anything he can to help Lavinia. In the darkest of times, he held on to thoughts of her and the love they once shared. Now he risks his own position in society―along with his ambitions―in order to clear her name. Yet as desire reignites between them, Lavinia remains caught up in secrets and shame. Her only salvation is to do the unthinkable…and trust in both Maximilian and love.
And finally an excerpt!
Max had found heaven—or, perhaps he had found hell. He was not completely convinced of which, knowing only he floated in the hazy glow of tender—
Good God. When have I ever used the word tender?
He rolled to his side and fitted Lavinia against his heart, concentrating on her pulse. Her soft breath fanned his skin, and his thoughts dissipated into a pool of languid oblivion.
“You said you knew this would happen,” she whispered.
Stalling for time, he kissed the tips of each of her slender fingers.
“Until I saw you, I was not certain how either of us would react.” He paused to kiss her palm. “But I always hoped.”
If she were to parse his words, she would notice he had avoided her question. Of course he had not known, but it would be a lie to say he had not been driven by a kind of irrational desire.
Her lids fell and her gaze gentled. She looked dreamy. Perhaps she was from Elfhame after all, a fairy princess playing in mortal form. Never in his life had he seen, nor would he see, anything so beautiful.
She sat up. Her hair swished like a curtain, falling over her breasts. Her tiny palms pressed his cheeks. With her fingernails, she etched small patterns beneath his ears as she lowered her lips.
A gentle kiss—sweet and supple.
She leaned away, smiled demurely, and stretched. He sensed she reached for something she could not quite grasp. He understood. A powerful surge of yearning stole his breath.
No matter how much he felt like crowing, his elation brought him no closer to truly making Lavinia his than she had been when he was thousands of miles away. They had stolen an act of love, but he wanted to make her his in truth—not just in private, but for the entire world to see—a gentleman and his lady.
“So here we are, lying on a bed covering I carried across the continents for you—”
She laughed. “You sailed home.”
“Across one continent, then.”
Another laugh. In Lady Sophiaʼs garden, he had despaired of ever glimpsing the Vinia he had known. This was the second time heʼd seen her carefree. He clasped her hand tightly, so very grateful to have been wrong.
“So” he continued, “when this is over…”
A sudden, nervous uncertainty massed in his throat, killing his words. Who was he to a fairy princess that she should condescend to his petition? He rested on his arm and drew her hair to the side, exposing her neck. He placed a kiss on her shoulderʼs curve.
“Umm, that feels lovely.”
“Shh, Vinia,” he said, allowing his courage to build.
“Am I to be kissed and not heard?” she asked, teasingly.
“No, never. But interrupting is rude.”
“Apologies,” she said, grinning.
“Accepted.” What he wouldnʼt do to capture that smile. “So, as I was saying”—He swallowed—“when this is over, will you make an honest man of me?”
Release Date & Link
Release Date March 9th. Book page link: http://www.wendylacapra.com/mybooks/
Netgalley request link: http://bit.ly/1zNvD4y
About Wendy:
Wendy LaCapra has been reading romance since she sneaked into the adult section at the library and discovered Victoria Holt & Jane Aiken Hodge. From that point on, she dreamed of creating fictional worlds with as much richness, intrigue and passion as she found within those books. Her stories have placed in several contests, including the a 2012 Golden Heart®. She lives in NYC with her husband and loves to hear from readers.
Reblogged this on NEVA BROWN & BOOKS.
I loved the excerpt — OMG, what does she reply?? I look forward to finding out. Congrats, Wendy!! 🙂
Reblogged this on doingsomereading and commented:
Oh this book!!! I’m excited because I’ll be reading this soon. 😉
Thank you for sharing, Neva! And I’m so tickled you like the excerpt, Barbara *wide grin*
Thank you, Ki! I am excited, too 🙂
Great excerpt Wendy! The cover is beautiful. Can’t wait to read your release!
Thank you, Tina!!
Amazing cover and OMG I loved the excerpt! I’d love a copy – both of Lady Vice and Almost a Scandal! Guess I have to wait a while for Lady Vice!
Thank you, Glenda!
Always good to hear what Wendy’s up to!
Thank you, Angelyn 🙂
Reblogged this on and commented:
I am over on Ella Quinn’s blog today in my first Author Spotlight!
I cannot wait to read Lady Vice, Wendy! It looks great!
Thank you, Bess!
LOVE this cover, Wendy and a SMOKIN’ excerpt! SO excited for you and I cannot wait to read it!
Thank you so much! I love, love, love the cover, too.
This book sounds awesome!!! Would love to read it!!!!
Thank you, Lisa!
Congratulations on your debut release! It’s always a pleasure to watch a new author born.
Thank you, Eileen!
Reblogged this on Realm of Romantic Mystical Manuscripts and commented:
One to be added to my TBR List…
After reading the blurb and excerpt it had me hooked. Lokk forward to reading this one.
Thank you for the compliment and for the reblog! Much appreciated 🙂