Once upon a time…Ooops, wrong story!
But the one I’m going to tell you is just as good. Maybe even a little more fun. Welcome to the Tell A Story Blog Hop. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do. The participants in the blog hop will a post either a short story, flash fiction story or a piece of their writing journey.
For a grand prize we are giving away a $30.00 Amazon gift card!!! All you have to do is hop through each blog site by clicking on the picture above, leave a comment with your email address, and be entered to win! The more sites you visit the more chances you have to win!
As a special treat I am offering one lucky commenter a $10.00 Amazon gift card!! Just leave me a comment with your EMAIL address and I will draw one random commenter at the end of the blog hop. Plus three commenters will receive a book of their choice from my four published works. Also to be drawn at random.
So I’m going to tell you part of a story that’s set to be published by Lyrical Press sometime this summer, my historical romance novel Only Scandal Will Do. Kat and Duncan have just formally met, though they met somewhat less formally in an earlier scene–in a brothel. And Duncan is trying his best to apologize.
“I cannot find the words to tell you how deeply I regret I was not a better man that night.” He paused, and she held still and waited. “What I tried to do was madness, without thought, without honor. I do not even have an excuse other than my base desires, and that your abundant charms overwhelmed me.” His face was shadowy in the scarce light of the sickle moon, but he sounded contrite. “I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. I have no right to expect it. But I would ask you to allow me to attempt to remedy the situation.”
Kat shook her head slowly. “What on earth do you believe you could do, Lord Dalbury, that could even come close to a remedy for the terror and humiliation you put me through? Do you think now that I have met you, heard your feeble attempts at an apology, and rejected them, the memory of that night will magically disappear?” She fought to control her anger, though she yearned to blast him with it. “What magic potion would you have me take that would erase the memory of you pinning me to the bed? Because if you have such an elixir, then yes, I will gladly take it from you and obliterate you absolutely and irrevocably.”
He stood silent at her words, then said simply, “I have only myself to offer, my lady.”
“You would have me kill you, my lord? In that, too, I agree I would oblige you, but not at the cost of my own life. I understand the English law punishes those who do murder quite severely.” Kat was astonished when he lurched backward, as from a blow.
“No, my lady, I would not have you kill me,” he said, sounding grimly amused, “though indeed that would probably give you most satisfaction.” Then, “I meant I would have you marry me.”
His words surprised a laugh out of her. “Marry you?” The laughter grew. “I see, my lord, you think me both a whore and a fool.”
“I think you are neither, Lady Katarina.”
“Then you are the fool to believe I would put such a man as you in control of every aspect of my life.” That he thought she would even entertain the suggestion was insulting.
The pale moonlight shadowed his face, but she could read displeasure there just the same.
“You judge me solely on one act that, I assure you, was grossly out of character for me. You cannot possibly know what kind of husband I would be.”
“And never will, Lord Dalbury. I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.”
He inclined his head toward her, a faint smile touching his lips. “I believe you made a similar claim about dancing with me, Lady Katarina. Yet we have indeed enjoyed a dance together despite your words.” His tone was soft, the sensuous, cajoling one he had used to seduce her that night in the House of Pleasure.
Kat trembled, recalling the incredible sensations of his hands, his mouth on her body. Damn. He could not do this to her again. Not just with his voice.
“Is there nothing that would entice you to leave your Hell for my Heaven?”
She struggled to answer, opened her lips to deny it, only to find her mouth completely sealed by his.
What do you think? Heaven or Hell for Lady Katarina?
I hope you enjoyed this little journey back to 18th century England. I love to hear from my readers so leave me a comment and be sure to leave your email for a chance to win! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
| 1. | Allison Merritt | 2. | Romance With A Bite |
| 3. | Lisa Kumar | 4. | Eliza Lloyd |
| 5. | Lacey Wolfe | 6. | Ella Jade |
| 7. | Tamaria Soana | 8. | Theresa Stillwagon |
| 9. | Bella Street Writes | 10. | Further Explorations |
| 11. | Ahmad Darkside’s Musings | 12. | Anne Glynn’s smut |
| 13. | Books Are Cool | 14. | The Dark Lake Book Blog |
| 15. | Jennifer Lowery | 16. | Window Over the Sink |
| 17. | D’Ann Lindun | 18. | Cera duBois |
| 19. | Jenna Jaxon |
Thank you all so much for hopping by this weekend. Happy travels!
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
This only makes me want to read the book! And I loved the pictures!!!
Flowerlady_23 @ yahoo . com
LikeLike
Loved it, and the pictures were a nice touch too. But you always have good stuff to share with us. This is already on my wish list. LOL
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win!
reneebennett35(at)yahoo(dot)com
LikeLike
I cant wait to read more! Definitely adding this to my wishlist. Love it! Thanks! Thank you for the great giveaway and the fun hop!! Have a great weekend! 😉
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
hehe. me thinks the lady doth protest too much ….
LikeLike
Hi, Everyone! Thanks so much for all the kind words about my little story. 🙂 I do appreciate your kudos more than you know. They are urging me on as I’m deep into final edits for Only Scandal Will Do and the quicker I go the quicker it can get out there for you to enjoy Kat and Duncan’s complete story. That’s why I’m not answering each individual comment–though they seduce me each time I read them. Please know that I’m reading your words and have a big grin on my face! Enjoy the rest of the hop–I’m planning on hopping around myself as soon as I press send. LOL
Happy Weekend!
Jenna
LikeLike
Loved it Jenna…and enjoyed the pictures too!
LikeLike
I am anxiously waiting for this one!!! Thank goodness I have summer break in 19 days and will have lots of time to read!
Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
LikeLike
That’s awesome, Jenna!
LikeLike
It never ceases to amaze me how much I like the way you write historical romance. *applause* Plus the pics were cool in your excerpt too – love that!
sherfredricks @ charter .net
LikeLike
What timeless romance. It’s wonderful writing, Jenna. But that’s to be expected from a talented person like you. 🙂
LikeLike
Heaven for sure, lol! Love the chemistry between these two. A very funny scene in a different sort of way.
author.tonikelly@gmail.com
LikeLike
Katrina’s first response is probably the rational one, but one that would make life boring.
LikeLike
Methinks she choose his Heaven! Great snippet, Jenna.
LikeLike
Fantastic! I loved it. She is totally going to give in to him, because he is not going to stop until he has her.
krystalshannan@yahoo.com
Hugs,
Krystal
LikeLike
Your prose is like spreading soft butter over warm bread. It just melts so smooth and easy and before you know it – your at the end of the damn sample! I hate that. LOL
LikeLike
Nice! Love it.
horses5@frontier.net
LikeLike
Wow, Jenna. I was completely drawn into your story. I loved it.
brenda_dyer212@hotmail.com
LikeLike
Wow. That’s all I can say. Wow.
LikeLike
Wonderful excerpt, Jenna! Have fun hopping today!
LikeLike
Maybe a little of both for Lady Katrina! You know how I love reading about her! Loved the excerpt, Jenna!
jennyrlowery@yahoo.com
LikeLike
Great excerpt–and pictures! 🙂
LikeLike
Oooh, this sounds like my sort of historical romance. Nice excerpt Jenna, hmmm heaven or hell? Maybe a little bit both for Ms. Katarina? This is definitely going on my TBR list!
kakuchouakisame_19@yahoo.com
LikeLike
Excellent excerpt! Love this line–>I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.
LikeLike
Only Scandal Will Do excerpt makes me want to read more. Thanks for the giveaway!
hai-yen.huynh@sympatico.ca
LikeLike
I so enjoyed this. I also always love the visuals you give! Thanks Jenna.
Ebonysbbwnikki@yahoo.com
Nikki
LikeLike