Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample. Thank you very much to those of you who are coming back again this week from the premiere of Sweet last weekend. And a big Hello and Welcome to new folks sampling for the first time today. This blog tour is similar in nature to Six Sentence Sunday if you’re familiar with that. We post an excerpt of our work–published or WIP–that’s no higher in heat level than PG-13 for your enjoyment.
Sweet Saturday Sample proved a wonderful talisman for me: the story I put up last week —Almost Perfect–was accepted for publication this past week in Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series! This week I’m going to try to keep that ball rolling and post from my Georgian historical novel Only Scandal Will Do, which is also out with an editor and an agent. Again, this is the opening scene, so you won’t need any set-up! Please enjoy!
London, 1761
“Put her back in the carriage, now!”
Her assailant’s gravelly voice sent a shiver of fear through Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam. Violent hands seized and tossed her back into the carriage.
Now she was gagged, hands pinioned behind her back and ankles bound together. Trussed like a Christmas goose, she could only lie in a cramped bundle on the hard plank floor of the dim carriage, her diaphanous Grecian costume in ruins, and scheme how to get out of this predicament. The horses jerked forward and the uneven cobblestones of the London streets jounced her already aching body.
All because I was bored. Doggedly, Katarina tested the bonds securing her hands, strained against the coarse rope then relaxed, seeking play in the cords. There was none. She muttered a curse and forced her whole body to relax. Tension would never free her. Rough and tumble games growing up with Jack had taught her that.
Jack! God, where is he? Is he alive or . . . She had heard one muted cry when they were attacked, then nothing. If her brother were dead it would be her fault. Because she was bored.
She pulled and twisted her wrists. If we had stayed in Virginia we would have been better off. London was far wilder than she would have believed; although she had heard of women being abducted by highwaymen she had thought them only tales. Until now.
But Jack had inherited a title, forcing them to come to London. The year of mourning for their father was not quite over, so Great-Aunt Harriet had taken command of what little social life Katarina was allowed. For the past month she had been stuck all day with strong tea and inane gossip about people she did not know. Finally, she rebelled and forced Jack to escort her to a masquerade ball at seven this evening, ironically attired as Athena, goddess of war.
A particularly nasty rut jarred the carriage. What wouldn’t she give for Athena’s armor at this moment, or at least her spear. She had to admit, though, she had gotten her wish. She wasn’t bored now.
I think Kat’s in for a bumpy night! In more ways than one.
Thanks again for visiting me for some Sweets. Come back next week for another “Sweet Sample” or join in the fun with your own. Follow this link to Sweet Saturday Sample to find more “sweet” offerings.
If you liked the above sample, you might also like some of my published work. Heart of Deception, set in Victorian England, is available at Books to Go Now. Hog Wild, an erotic contemporary retelling of The Three Little Pigs, is available at New Dawning Bookfair. And both are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance Ebooks. Blurbs for both books can be found on my Published Works page.
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
I love Kat’s attitude, and hope she gets out of her jam!
Marsha Ward
Writer in the Pines
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Congrats on the acceptance! I hope your winning streak continues. This has to be the most ravishing “sweet” sample ever.
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Thanks, Jessica! I appreciate it. And the plot “sweetens” as Kat goes on to her fate!
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Well, Kat got her adventure. Let’s just hope it ends well for her! Great sample! I hope this story finds a home in the very near future.
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Thanks for stopping by, Lisa. I think, like most cats, she’ll land on her feet, head over heels in love. Maybe. And thanks for the good wishes! From your mouth…:)
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Great sample! I love your “writers voice”. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Lia. I appreciate the vote of confidence! You’re very welcome!
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What a great beginning! I love the action and her internal thoughts are wonderful. I already know she’s a strong but spoiled person who cares for her brother. Very nicely done!
Here’s my SSat: http://diannehartsocksalex.wordpress.com/sweet-saturday/
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Thank you, Dianne! I’ve never thought of Kat as being spoiled, but she does always expect to get her way about things, so perhaps there’s some truth there. 🙂 But she does care very much about her brother. One of the qualities I really like in her.
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I love this! And congrats on the acceptance!
Gunnar
P.S. And Patricia Green, surely you can find just a few sentences. . . ?
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Thanks, Gunnar! Glad you enjoyed the sample. And yes, Patricia Green could find some sentence to share! ‘Cos I’ve read them! LOL
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I love the opening for this book. It really grabs the reader and pulls her in. I’m totally envious, too. You can pick some “sweet” parts from your book. All my stuff is too…well…not sweet. 🙂 Great work on your recent sale! Your talent shows!
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Thanks, Patricia! But hey, you have “sweet” parts too–in Under Wraps for sure. And Goldie has some PG moments as well. Funny ones too! But I’m so glad you liked the beginning of Scandal. I tried to grab the reader’s attention. 🙂
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Wonderful start to a story. When I read other writers I see how much my work has to be improved. thanks for the inspiration
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Sue! You are too sweet. What a compliment to me, but at your expense. I’m not at all comvinced the improvement part is true. But I’m glad you enjoyed this little bit of Scandal. 🙂
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Congratulations on the acceptance of the book you featured last week. This is another great snippet and I want to read more of this book too. I hope you have similar success again.
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Thank you, Sherry. From your mouth to God’s ears! I’m glad this sample pulled you in as well. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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I love reading your samples, Jenna. You are such a good writer. I think Kat is definitely in for a bumpy ride 🙂 Great sample!
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Thank you, Jennifer. I truly appreciate that. Fortunately, Kat is one of those heroines who will bump back!
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I love this beginning. It is some of my favorite prose in the story. Katarina is a great heroine and the “trussed like a Christmas goose” line is brilliant. Well written and interesting.
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Thanks for the kind words, Casea. I liked the “Christmas goose” line as well, though it is hardly flattering to Katarina! LOL I’m glad it caught your attention. 🙂
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Interesting start. I can’t wait to read more.
And congrats on the getting accepted with Almost Perfect and good luck with the editor and agent with this work
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Thanks, Lindsay. This work is close to my heart and I’m really hoping this time. I thought it started with a bang myself, but I wanted to get your attention. LOL
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