Monday Excerpts!

I’m still on the Christmas theme. So, today we’re doing excerpts of your Christmas book or your latest release! Don’t forget to add your by links.

Here is mine from Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince.

Damon sucked in a breath as Meg emerged from the corridor wearing a deep-red velvet gown that accentuated her curves as she glided toward the stairs. Her dark curls picked up the candlelight and danced around her face. Sweet Jesus, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and she would be his.

Pretending that she was walking to him, he held out his hand. “Good evening.”

She lifted her eyes to his, but they were shuttered, as if she was attempting to deny even the friendship that was growing between them. “Are you always before times, my lord?”

“I like to scout out the area before others arrive.” He waited until she placed her hand on his arm before asking, “What is your reason?”

“I merely enjoy being timely.”

“A virtue, to be sure. After you left, I found another riddle.”

“Were you able to figure out the answer?”

“This one was not difficult. Shall I recite it to you?” Without waiting for her to answer, he began. “‘My first doth affliction denote, which my second is destined to feel; and my whole is the best antidote that affliction to soften and heal.’”

She wrinkled her brow, then after a moment shook her head. “No. You will have to tell me.”

“The answer is a woman.” Meg opened her lips, but he continued before she could speak. “It appears that most men think of women as the remedy to any affliction.”

“I am positive I do not wish to be anyone’s cure.”

“Perhaps it is better that one has experienced love, even if one then loses the love.”

“Why would you think that?”

Meg made a derogatory snort. “I am quite sure that is only true in your imagination. Normal people are perfectly capable of living their lives in calm contentment. Mad love is not necessary to happiness and can be detrimental to it.”

Perhaps now he would have the conversation he had wanted to have with her. “Marriage without passion seems to be a rather boring proposition.”

“Not at all. It is perfectly reasonable. Neither party need be injured by the other’s actions.”

“No need to be upset if the husband looks too long at another lady. No need to—”

“I did not say that.” Her chin firmed as if she was ready to do verbal battle. “After all, it would be a matter of respect for the husband not to leer at other women in his wife’s presence.”

He fought to keep his lips from quivering with a smile. “I understand you. He may act as he pleases as long as his wife is not around.”

“You are being unreasonable.”

“Not at all. I am merely trying to understand your point. You do not wish for passion in marriage, yet you would forbid passion altogether.”

“One may have passion for one’s family and children.”

“Do you plan to—”

“Hawksworth.” Lady Bellamny led a footman carrying a box of greenery. “I have received these from Lady Grantville. Since you and Miss Featherton are early, you may direct their hanging.”

He carefully picked up one of the red ribbons and grinned. Hanging from it was a kissing ball, complete with mistletoe. “It would be our pleasure. Although, I must confess, I know little about hanging kissing balls, but I am certain Miss Featherton will know.”

She turned bright red then gasped. After a few moments’ struggle, she retorted, “I can only tell you where my mother hangs them, my lord. She must know best, as they are denuded of berries before Twelfth Night.”

Buy Links:

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Amazon UK  http://amzn.to/1ZQy5BF

Apple http://apple.co/1LFhzg2

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Google http://bit.ly/1EsPLvs

Kobo http://bit.ly/1FbSi8l

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Monday Excerpts!

Welcome to Monday Excerpts. I am going to assume most of you are overloaded with family obligations and getting ready for Christmas. So today we’ll keep it easy. Post your Christmas story blurb or, if you don’t have one, your most recent release.

Here is mine from Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince.

Ella Quinn’s wealthy, titled bachelors think they’re immune to romantic notions. Yet no matter how they try to evade it, love somehow finds a way… 

In the two seasons since her triumphant debut, Meg Featherton’s heart has been tested to its limits. Her first suitor: a criminal. The second, a cur. For her third act, Meg vows to leave love completely out of the marriage equation. She has set her sights on a newly made viscount whom she could take or leave. However, now she must avoid his handsome, roguish, irresistible best friend like the plague. It’s no easy feat, as they are all attending the same house party…

Damon, Marquis of Hawksworth, cannot imagine why Miss Featherton seems so damn disinterested—or why he cares so terribly much. Certainly Meg is a fine wifely prospect for a man in his position, but more than that, he finds he longs for her as he has never done for another woman. She may be determined to protect her heart, but Damon is equally set on winning her over, one delicious kiss at a time…

Buy Links: Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ Google ~ Apple

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Monday Excerpts!

It’s time to strut your stuff!! Let’s do secondary characters.

I’m about two weeks out from my next release, so mine is from Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince.

After spending over four hours at her mother’s modiste, Amanda rushed through the door of her home, still trying to decide how she going to convince Meg to end her pursuit of Viscount Throughgood. Meg was beautiful and vivacious and everything Amanda was not. If Meg set her cap at his lordship, she would surely catch him. It was not that Amanda did not wish her friend happiness; she wanted nothing more. Yet despite what her friend had said about giving up on love, she still believed Meg would find the right gentleman for her, and Amanda did not believe it would be Lord Throughgood. He had been so kind to her last evening, even going so far as to request a dance at the next entertainment, and he had made an appointment to take her riding in the Park to-day. For which she must change immediately if she was not to be late. She smiled as she remembered how easily they had conversed, as if they had known each other forever and not merely a few hours.

As she entered the hall and almost ran into the round hall table. A large bouquet of hot-house roses stood in a vase in the center. “Where did these come from?”

“They are for you, miss.” The butler directed her attention to the smallish piece of white paper. “The card is next to them.”

Amanda donned her glasses and read the words, hardly able to believe them.

<LET>My dear Miss Hiller,

Please accept this small token of my regard. I saw them this morning and their loveliness reminded me of you.

Yr servant,

C, Viscount Throughgood

From the moment she first saw him, he had struck her as the most handsome gentleman at the ball. His lovely brown hair curled softly. His blue eyes, with just a hint of gray, had smiled at her. He was not very tall, but more than tall enough for her. The fact that he was a little plump appealed as well. After all, she was no sylph. When they had danced together there had been no awkwardness at all. They just seemed to fit together.

She clutched the note to her bosom and buried her nose in the blooms. She could happily remain there for a life-time. There must be some way to preserve the roses. “Oh my,” she mumbled into the flowers. “No one has ever called me lovely!”

“I’m quite sure that is not true,” her mother said prosaically. “Just the other day your father said you were a beautiful girl and one day some gentleman would recognize it.” Amanda lifted her head. Mama had stopped and glanced at the flowers as if seeing them for the first time. “Who are those from?”

“Lord Throughgood.” Amanda reverently breathed the words. She felt as if she had died and gone to heaven. No one had ever sent her flowers before. “I hope you do not mind that I already opened the card. It is perfectly unexceptionable.”

“Well.” Her mother was still staring at the bouquet as if it might disappear at any moment. “What a nice young man. We must invite him to dinner.”

Still clutching the card, she threw her arms around her mother. “Oh, could we?”

Mama patted Amanda’s back. “Now, do not be such a goose. Naturally, I shall send him an invitation.”

Mama held out her hand, and Amanda dutifully gave the missive to her mother. After a few moments, Mama said, “Very unexceptionable. I shall look forward to meeting his lordship. Now you must change, or have you forgot he is taking you for a ride today?”

The moment she had read the missive, she had forgot. “No, I’m on my way to my room now.” Amanda practically floated to her chamber, then fell on her bed. “Oh, Jubie, I think I am falling in love.”

Her maid had received the flowers from a footman who had brought them up, and placed them on Amanda’s dressing table. “There, you see. There was nothing to worry about. How many times have I told you that the right gentleman would come along? Stand up and let me get you out of your gown.”

Amanda stood, allowing her maid to take charge. She was the happiest lady in the world, except for one small problem. What was she going to say to Meg? She had just recovered from Lord Swindon when Lord Tarlington broke her heart. If Amanda was truly the good friend she thought she was, she would step aside for Meg to have Lord Throughgood. Then again, gentlemen regularly fell in love with Meg. This might be Amanda’s only chance at love and happiness. She re-read the note and sighed.

Buy Links.

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Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1ZQy5BF

Apple http://apple.co/1LFhzg2

B&N http://bit.ly/1KWU6nE

Google http://bit.ly/1EsPLvs

Kobo http://bit.ly/1FbSi8l

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Happy Columbus Day!!

For many, Columbus Day is traditionally the day when we celebrate Christopher Columbus’s discover of America. For me it’s Annapolis Sailboat Show weekend. I had a lot of stuff to get for the boat, and still have a few more things to do. So I’ll leave you with images of sailboats old and new. Happy Columbus Day!!

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Monday Excerpts!

It’s a long weekend, so let’s do something easy. Blubs come to mind. Please feel free to post your buy links as well.

Here is mine from Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince, the last book in The Marriage Game for a while.

Ella Quinn’s wealthy, titled bachelors think they’re immune to romantic notions. Yet no matter how they try to evade it, love somehow finds a way…

In the two seasons since her triumphant debut, Meg Featherton’s heart has been tested to its limits. Her first suitor: a criminal. The second, a cur. For her third act, Meg vows to leave love completely out of the marriage equation. She has set her sights on a newly made viscount whom she could take or leave. However, now she must avoid his handsome, roguish, irresistible best friend like the plague. It’s no easy feat, as they are all attending the same house party…

Damon, Marquis of Hawksworth, cannot imagine why Miss Featherton seems so damn disinterested—or why he cares so terribly much. Certainly Meg is a fine wifely prospect for a man in his position, but more than that, he finds he longs for her as he has never done for another woman. She may be determined to protect her heart, but Damon is equally set on winning her over, one delicious kiss at a time…

Buy links: Amazon ~ Apple ~  B&N ~ Google ~ Kobo

Now it’s your turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Monday Excerpts!

It’s time for Monday excerpts. I invite you to post any excerpt of 800 words or less. Please keep it PG. I encourage buy links as well.

Here is mine from Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince, which releases on November 10th.

Featherton House, London, Late Autumn 1817, London.

Miss Margaret Elizabeth Lucinda Featherton, second daughter of Viscount Featherton, glanced down at the missive in her lap. The letters were rounded, much like a child’s would be, but the spelling and grammar were correct.

Dear Miss Featherton,

I pray this letter arrives in time to save you from making a horrible mistake. Lord Tarlington is not what you think him. I do not expect you to take my word for it. However, if you go to number Twenty-Three Basil Street in the neighborhood of Hans Crescent around seven in the morning, you will find the evidence for yourself.

A Friend

The first time she had received such a letter, the warning had concerned her last suitor, the Earl of Swindon. She shuddered at how close she had come to marrying such a monstrous man. A heaviness lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe. What would she discover about Tarlington?

The following morning at half past six, Meg and her maid, Hendricks, sallied forth as if taking their usual early stroll in Hyde Park. However, instead of walking down Charles Street toward the Park they headed in the opposite direction to Hay Hill, then on to Bond Street and hailed a hackney.

The day was cool but sunny. A clean, crisp scent, which reminded her of newly-harvested apples, unusual for London, filled the air. Trees were showing off their brilliant autumn colors. It was altogether too pretty a day for their mission. Meg was tempted to go back and hide in her chamber as if she had never received the missive. Yet if she did, she could end up wed to a man as bad as or worse than Swindon.

Twenty minutes later, she and her maid were situated two houses down from Twenty-Three Basil Street. The town house consisted of three stories and a cellar area. Flowers in pots stood on either side of the well-maintained front door. The brass knocker gleamed as if polished regularly.

Hendricks drew back the leather shade in the hackney, keeping watch on the house as Meg pressed back against the thin, poorly cushioned squabs. She resisted the urge to pleat her skirts, which would surely draw a rebuke from her maid, and waited.

Wondering if, yet again, she had fallen in love with a fiend.

After several minutes, she shifted on the hard bench. Two women carrying baskets hurried past the coach, staring at the vehicle as they went. If Meg and Hendricks remained here much longer, they would begin attracting attention.

Frustrated with waiting, Meg blew out a puff of air. “Do you see anything yet?”

“No.” Her maid started to shake her head, then stopped. “Oh, wait. The door is opening.”

Finally. She slid to the other side of the hackney and glanced out the window. A handsome gentleman with curling dark blond hair stepped out of the town house holding an infant. Lord Tarlington smiled down at the woman standing next to him, who clutched the hand of a small child still in skirts. For a moment the smile appeared to be the same as the ones he had given Meg on numerous occasions. Then his smiled deepened and his face lit with love as he embraced the woman before kissing her and handing her the baby. As the woman’s hand rose, a glint of gold on the third finger of her left hand appeared.

Married! The cur was already wed!

Fury swept through her. The pain in her breast deepened as her heart broke into sharp shards. How could she have been so gullible to fall in love with a man who so obviously did not return her affections and was not even free to give them?

Unable to watch any longer, she slid back to the other side of the coach. Lord Tarlington might not be the ogre Swindon was, but he had lied to her and had deceived her, and, worst of all, he had pretended to love her. For that she would never forgive him.

Buy links: Amazon ~ Apple ~ Google ~ Kobo ~ B&N

Now it’s your turn to strut your stuff!!

 

 

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Monday Excerpts!

It’s time for Monday Excerpts! Since most of us are probably recovering from the holiday weekend, let’s do blurbs, or snippets. Buy links are welcome.

Here is mine from A Kiss for Lady Beresford, which releases on July 21 and is on pre-order!

Ella Quinn’s bachelors are quite sure of what they want in life—and love—until the right woman opens their eyes…

After a painful heartbreak, Rupert, the handsome young Earl of Stanstead, has decided that when it comes to love, avoidance is best. Until he meets a woman who makes him forget his plan—and remember his longing for a wife and family. Yet he senses that she too has been hurt, though she attempts to hide her feelings—and more—in the most baffling and alluring way. Intrigued, Rupert is willing to play along, if winning her is the prize…

Crushed by her late husband’s scorn, Vivian, Countess of Beresford, believes she is monstrously undesirable. Sadly childless, she has moved to London resigned to a solitary life. Still, when she encounters Rupert at a masquerade ball, her disguise as Cleopatra emboldens her. Convinced he doesn’t recognize her, she begins an after-hours affair with him, always in costume—while allowing him to innocently court the real her by day. But when Rupert makes a shocking choice, will Vivian be able to handle the truth?…

Buy Links: Kensington  ~  Amazon ~  B&N ~ Kobo

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Monday Excerpts!

It’s time for Monday Excerpts! Today I invite you to post the first time your characters meet. Buy links are encouraged as are social media links.

Here is mine from Lady Beresford’s Lover, which releases on July 21st, and is available for pre-order.

Vivian had the strangest sensation she was being watched. She glanced up and fought to control her countenance. It was him! The gentleman from the park. She was sure of it, and he was staring at her. Their gazes met, and he held hers as he strode forward, apparently not seeing either the footmen who darted out of his way or the other guests attempting to draw his attention.

He was taller than she’d thought, had a strong face with lean cheeks and strong bones. His aristocratic nose was blade straight, reminding her of an ancient Greek or Roman. He carried himself with ease, as if he was the master of his life and the world around him. At first he appeared to be in his early thirties, but when he came closer, she could see no lines bracketing his well-defined lips or marring his smooth brow. The gentleman appeared good-natured, as if a grin hovered permanently around his mouth. In time, she imagined his eyes would have smile lines.

When he reached her small coterie he bowed to Phoebe. “My lady, always a pleasure to see you again.”

Phoebe smiled at him. “You will soon rival Kit and Robert in your address, my lord.”

Vivian did not know who Kit was, but the only Robert she had been introduced to was Lord Beaumont. The grin Vivian had known was not far away graced the gentleman’s lips. “Ah, Featherton is the standard to which all gentlemen aspire. I am a mere pretender to his throne.” The man’s gray eyes twinkled. “As for my cousin, I trust I have surpassed his address already.”

He did resemble Lord Beaumont to a large degree. Both gentlemen had classic good looks, but this man appeared—Vivian searched her mind for the word . . . vital. He had an energy about him she did not see in most gentlemen of the ton. Even young men, such as he must be, contrived to appear fashionably bored.

“Please introduce me to your friends, my lady,” he said to Phoebe as he glanced at Vivian.

Phoebe’s eyes seemed to dance, but there was no indication of laughter in her voice. “Certainly. Ladies, my I introduce you to the Earl of Stanstead. My lord, the Dowager Marchioness of Telford, the Countess of Beresford, and Miss Corbet. Lady Telford is my great-aunt, Lady Beresford is her cousin, also a connection of mine, and Miss Corbet the granddaughter of my aunt’s friend.”

Lord Stanstead bowed over each of their hands. “My pleasure, ladies. We shall all be richer for your presence.”

Vivian tried not to let her heart flutter, but it was no good. She drew in a small breath. His voice was as deep and clear as his eyes.

Buy links: Kensington  ~  Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo

Now it’s your turn!! 

 

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Monday Excerpts!

Today is a free for all. Post any excerpt of up to 600 words as well as your buy links or social media information.

Here is mine from Lady Beresford’s Lover which just went on pre-order.

Rupert tried not to grin as Wigman, his valet, plucked an invisible piece of lint from Rupert’s jacket. It was a ritual they had gone through every day since he was sixteen, when his grandfather Stanstead had insisted Rupert have a valet. Some gentlemen would probably become annoyed with such fussiness, but he believed in encouraging everyone to perform their duties to the best of their abilities. If that meant a few moments’ delay in dressing, so be it. “Am I presentable, Wigman?”

“None more so, my lord.” Wigman gave a small sigh. “I do regret that Mr. Brummell was allowed to hold sway over gentlemen’s clothing. There was nothing like a nice lace cuff or velvet jacket to show a gentleman to perfection.”

“I have no doubt you are correct.” Truth be told, Rupert thought the previous styles had some merit. “Though, I do have an aversion to wigs and hair powder.”

“I must agree with you regarding that particular affectation, my lord.” He handed Rupert his watch fob and quizzing glass. “You are fortunate that you do not require padding. One could more easily disguise additions to a gentleman’s physique before the styles changed so drastically.”

“Fortunate indeed.” Rupert clamped his lips together. If he didn’t depart immediately, he’d be subject to the litany of faults in Wigman’s previous employers. “I have no idea when I’ll return.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Rupert strode out of his Grosvenor Square town house to the waiting town coach. He’d considered walking to Robert’s home on Berkeley Square, but dark clouds had hung low all afternoon, and the scent of rain was in the air. Not to mention arriving at his cousin’s house for their first ball, soaked, was not a wonderful idea. Rupert settled on the soft brown leather seat, a footman closed the door, and his coachman started forward.

He attempted to tamp down the feeling that something momentous was about to happen. His parents and Robert were most likely correct that he wouldn’t meet anyone he didn’t already know. Still, he couldn’t help a surge of excitement when the carriage came to a stop. Somewhere the perfect lady was out there waiting for him. All he had to do was find her.

The coach door opened, and he caught a glimpse of pale blue skirts moving up the steps before they disappeared into the house. The urge to chase after her, whoever she was, was almost too strong to resist. Rupert could feel his pulse beating a tattoo against his cravat; still, he forced himself to calmly take his place in the line. What were the chances it was the same woman who had watched him as he traversed the Mount Street Gardens? Surely she wouldn’t wear the same gown to a ball, yet he had noticed that when a lady favored a certain color, she wore it more often than she did others.

He was being absurd. Even a bit mad. Rupert knew absolutely nothing about the woman, not how old she was, or if she was married, or what she looked like, or if it was indeed the same female. In addition, there were a great many people between him and the lady in blue. Yet there was some force pushing him forward, necessitating that he follow her.

Buy Links: Amazon ~ B&N

 

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Monday Excerpts!

I hope you’re having or had a wonderful Easter weekend!! Do you have an animal in your story? If so, post an except with the beastie in it. If not, pick any excerpt and post it. Buy links are welcome.

Here is my excerpt from Lady Beresford’s Lover, which releases in July.

Vivian strolled into the parlor. It was well appointed with walls and curtains matching the ones in the bedroom. On one wall, long windows flanked a French window which led to a small balcony where one had the promised views of the park. A chaise rested along the inside wall, two comfortable-looking chairs stood before the fireplace, and a writing desk was situated between two windows on the other outside wall.

“I’ve got the fire going in your bedchamber,” the housekeeper said. “If you want I’ll have the one here lit as well. Your bath will be up in just a bit.”

“Thank you.” Vivian smiled. “I don’t believe I will want a fire here until later. Do you know if my maid arrived?”

“Yes, my lady. I believe she’s pressing some of your clothes, and your cat’s around here somewhere. I saw a footman bring her up. Shall I send your dresser to you?”

“Not at the moment.” Vivian glanced at the balcony, wanting to get a better look at it. “I will not require her until my bath is ready. Could you please bring me some tea? I find I’m quite parched.”

“As you wish, my lady.” Mrs. Murchison bobbed a curtsey, then left the room.

Vivian opened the windows, stepping out onto the balcony. A small table and two chairs were situated off to the side. Gisila paced up to her and chirped. Vivian scratched the cat’s head, then placed her hands on the wrought iron rail and stretched, sniffing the air.

“What do you think, Gisila? It is not as clean as in the country but not as bad as the other parts of London we passed through.”

Gisila sat and stared up at Vivian with large yellow eyes.

“I’m sure Hall will have found a place for your toilet.” She sniffed. Actually what she smelled was roses. Sweet with spicy facets. Looking down, she spied a trellis of pink roses. If nothing else, she would enjoy these rooms.

Glancing over at the Mount Street Gardens, a tall man striding as if he would be late captured her attention. He stopped and removed his hat for a moment, giving her a glimpse of his curly, pale blond hair. Even at this distance, something about him was compelling. His dark jacket appeared molded to his torso, and a well-made torso it was. Tight pantaloons encased his muscular legs. She couldn’t drag her eyes away from him.

Then he looked up, almost right at her. Oh Lord, she’d been caught! Vivian ducked back into the parlor, hiding behind the curtains. Had he seen her? Inching forward, she peered out again, but he was gone.

Now it’s your turn!!

 

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