Time for your weekly sweet treat. Time for another Sweet Saturday Sample. Many thanks to all who’ve come by each week. I appreciate your comments very much. Thank you also to first-time visitors. I appreciate everyone’s comments.
This week I’m posting from my Victorian historical short story Heart of Deception. This was my first story to be accepted for publication, so it is very near and dear to my heart. :)Please enjoy the sample!
Celinda had known from the very start that Andrew was something out of the ordinary. She met Lord Hurston two months earlier, at the Hamptons’ gala ball opening the London social season. Her heart began to beat a bizarre, staccato rhythm at the sight of the tall, dark-haired stranger, dressed in the elegance of a black swallowtail coat, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He walked towards her, deep in conversation with Lady Hampton, who smiled and nodded at him while shooting speculative glances at Celinda.
“Lady Celinda Graham, may I present Andrew Finley, Viscount Hurston? My lord, Lady Celinda Graham.” Lady Hampton’s presence melted away as Celinda curtsied to the handsome man, her eyes only for him.
“Lady Celinda, I am enchanted.” His deep voice sent shivers through her. “I am just returned from America and so have not had the honor of making your acquaintance. A devastation of which I am now acutely aware. ” Celinda blushed at the compliment and tried not to smile. “May I hope, Lady Celinda, that you will allow me to lead you out for the first dance?”
Without even checking her dance card, Celinda nodded and gave him her hand. Smiling broadly, the viscount swept her into the first waltz where she was caught in the depths of his fascinating crystal blue eyes. The heat of his hand penetrated through her long white gloves as he guided her into the dizzying whirl of the dance. Crisp linen and faint, spicy cologne wafted over her, setting her pulse into a frantic beat. By the end of the waltz she was convinced this was the man she was destined to marry.
But is he? Sometimes what we want and what is good for us are two different things.
Thanks again for sampling my 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, and you’d like to purchase Heart of Deception, it’s available at Books to Go Now. Or if your tastes run to erotic contemporary, Hog Wild, from New Dawning Bookfair, might suit you. Check them out on my Published Works page. And coming soon from Decadent Publishing is Almost Perfect.
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
“A devastation of which I am now acutely aware. ” What a perfect line! You’ve captured the moment in time perfectly. Sounds like an intriguing story.
Thanks for stopping by my post!
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Thank you, Dianne! Yes, Andrew is a smooth customer. And almost too good to be true. LOL And you’re welcome. 🙂
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A very romantic scene. I love your description of the warmth from his hand through her glove. Wonderful use of the senses, Jenna.
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Thank you, Patricia. I couldn’t help thinking this would have been so thrilling for her because there was so little physical contact during that period. Of course, there is more contact later. LOL Such fun to write. 🙂
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Wonderful sample!!!
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Thanks, Brenda! I appreciate your stopping by. 🙂
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I love the way you capture the essence of the ball room and ettiquette here. Great sample
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Thank you, Sherry! I love the formal atmosphere of society during this time. In some ways I feel I was born about a hundred years too late. Writing historicals is how I compensate. 🙂
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Great sample. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Lia! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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Great sample, Jenna! Can’t wait to find out if he’s the one she’ll marry or not! Always enjoy reading your work 🙂
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Thank you so much, Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed the work. 🙂
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Such a lovely excerpt. I love your descriptions! I can see why this is so dear to your heart.
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Thank you, Carrie Ann. I do have a soft spot for this story. It makes me smile. 🙂
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She didn’t check her dance card! Scandalous.
Great excerpt.
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Yes, wasn’t it! Thanks for coming by, Daryl. 🙂
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Hehehehehehe. I read the book so I know what’s going to happen. So, for once I’ll be nice and not say anything except if you love this passage then you should go out and get the book. It’s great.
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Thank you, Lindsay! Both for not giving me away and for promoing for me. 🙂 You’re a peach!
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More like a crabapple since I’ve barely written a word in the past few days
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