Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample! All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. I’m switching up today: still historical but my Victorian short story, Heart of Deception.
This is the beginning of the story, set in London, 1860. I hope you enjoy.
“I’ll just die if I can’t marry you, Andrew!”
True anguish twisted Celinda Graham’s face as she gazed at Andrew Finley, her hands grasping his with a desperation she had never felt before. Sunshine filtered through the red and white blossoms of the old hawthorn tree, behind which she and her beloved managed to meet. Celinda had successfully evaded her companion, Miss Walton, stealing out to a secluded area of Belgrave Square’s park. Despite the warmth of the day, a chill rippled through her heart.
“Papa simply would not listen to me.” She reached up to dash a tear trickling down her upturned cheek. “Of course he has never approved of any of my suitors, so I should not be surprised that he doesn’t approve of you either.”
Papa should be glad I want to marry Andrew. Celinda could not imagine a more wonderful man to be in love with. Andrew was older, almost thirty, much more mature than boys nearer her own nineteen years. He was not a rake. At least, she didn’t think he was. Certainly, he never made any improper advances towards her in the short time she had known him. How unfortunate that he was new to London’s social scene and Papa didn’t know him at all.
But the most important, most wonderful thing about Andrew was that he loved her. Not that he had ever said the words. He doesn’t need to. Standing here, his warm hands holding hers, his kind eyes gazing down at her, his brilliant smile just for her, Celinda knew in her heart that Andrew loved her.
“It’s because of my family, Celinda.” The fine lines around Andrew’s bright blue eyes deepened, mirroring her distress. “I suppose I believed he would judge me on my own merits and not on the scandalous behavior of my ancestor.”
“I told him you were nothing like the first viscount. But Papa said it was in your blood—that you couldn’t help but behave badly.” She smiled up at him, willing him to feel her confidence in him. “I know you would never be dishonorable toward a woman. Papa just doesn’t know you as I do. We must find a way for the two of you become better acquainted. Then he will realize that his fears are groundless.”
But are they groundless? Come back next week for another little snippet to see if Andrew is truly what he seems. Hope you enjoyed today’s sample of Heart of Deception. It’s available for the tempting price of .99 at Books To Go Now, Amazon, All Romance E-Books, and Barnes and Noble.
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Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
I suspect she protests Andrew’s goodness too much 😉
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Great hook! Somehow I think Andrew isn’t right for her, LOL …
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Great opening! Sounds like there are a lot of twists and turns in this romance already.
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I read the book and that’s all I’m going to say
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I have a sneaking feeling that the apply may not fall far from the tree, here. Love this snippet and look forward to more. Very intriguing story, Jenna.
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What a delightful snippet you shared! Loved it!
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Well right now I agree with Papa. If Andrew didn’t go to see him first and he’s engaging in clandistine meetings with Celinda…
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I love how you created uncertainty in my mind. Is Andrew a good guy or not? Is Papa right? Then there’s the 10-year age difference. Lots of opportunities for conflict here.
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Celinda sounds very young and naive. I hope Andrew realizes this and treats her right, or I’ll have to climb into the pages and… Ooops, that’s Mama bear coming out. 🙂 See, you drew me right into the story. Very nice!
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Oh, my! I hope he’s what she thinks he is.
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Awesome sample, awesome book!! Thanks for sharing, Jenna! Always enjoy reading your work 🙂
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How do you choose these tempting tidbits that tease? You always make me want to re-read your stories. Not because I don’t remember the twists, but rather to re-live them. Great post, Jenna!
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Very nice sample. I enjoyed this story a lot. Hmmm, and is he a rake? Does he love truly love her? One would have to read the story to find out, LOL. But I know and I’ll never tell.
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Your writing and description is so beautifully vivid. Fantastic job!
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Something tells me there more here than Celinda knows. You hooked me. 🙂 I have to know more. Great sample!
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He’s never said the words…. Maybe, just maybe Papa is right? loved the use of the word Rake 😀
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