WELCOME TO THE HERO’S BLOG HOP!

Thank you for hopping by my blog today.  We’ve got lots of celebrating to do.  We’re celebrating HEROES first of all.  And second, we’re celebrating the fact that this Hop has  some fantastic prizes you can win:

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

LARGE SWAG PACK!

What would we do without a hero?  Not much in the romance novel business!  Oh, we love our heroines, but we LOVE our heroes.

Today I’m sharing some special hero love.  My first full-length romance novel, Only Scandal Will Do, released a week ago and I’m so thrilled to bring you an interview with my book’s hero, Duncan Ferrers,  Marquess of Dalbury.  Duncan granted this interview back in May, for Hearthrob Haven, but I don’t think anyone will mind him coming back for an encore.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Jenna is seated on an 18th century Chinese Chippendale sofa, nervously fingering a locket around her neck.  Checks her watch.  Tries to relax.  A door opens and she sits up, tense.  Sound of door closing and boot heels on the polished floor.

Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, drops onto the sofa next to her, sweat beading his face, white linen shirt open to show his chest, also sweaty.  He lays his rapier across the knees of his black breeches.

Duncan:  (Sternly) Miss Jaxon.  I am here, as you requested, but I am afraid we must make this brief.  I am engaged elsewhere in ten minutes time.  It is an appointment I will not fail to make.

Jenna:  Thank you, Lord Dalbury, for taking the time to see me.

Duncan:  It is always my pleasure, my dear.  (A sensual smile steals across his lips.) But you must call me Duncan.  After all, Jenna, we are intimately acquainted. (His brown eyes gleam with a sudden light.)

Jenna: (Flustered, clutching locket.) We are?

Duncan:  You don’t recall that afternoon in October?  You were reading and I came up, quite unexpectedly, and whispered in your ear?  (He leans forward, eyes staring pointedly into hers.)  Did I make so little impression, my dear, that you have forgotten our first meeting?

Jenna:  God, no!  (Collects herself.)  I mean, yes…Duncan.  I remember that first day very well.

Duncan:  (Leans back, chuckles deep in his throat.)  I always make a memorable first impression.

Jenna:  You certainly did with Lady Katarina.

Duncan:  (His eyes narrow and his mouth tightens.)  I cannot be held accountable for that miserable debacle!  How on earth was I to know she was kidnapped?  She was on an auction block in the most notorious brothel in London–what else was I supposed to think but that she was a…a…

Jenna:  Whore?  I suppose that was the logical conclusion.  Even though she denied it.

His brows knit together and he draws in a deep breath. Jenna braces for an explosion.

Duncan:  (Slumps in chair.)  She did.  She told me who she was and I still didn’t believe her.  (Mumbles something.)

Jenna:  What was that?

Duncan:  (Annoyed)  I said I didn’t want to believe her.  Stares at Jenna, eyes narrowed.  What would you have done, my dear, (takes Jenna’s hand) had you been without “companionship” for two months, saw the most ravishing creature–your every fantasy come true–and been in a position (begins to kiss her fingers one at a time) to buy the “affections” of that person for your evening’s pleasure?  (Turns her hand over and kisses her palm, lingering.)  Would you want to simply let that person leave, or (kisses her wrist) would you (kisses her forearm) want to take (kisses her inner elbow and Jenna gasps) full advantage (kisses shoulder) of the situation?

His face is an inch from Jenna’s, his eyes on her mouth.

Jenna:  (Panting, staring at his mouth, mesmerized as a mouse staring at a snake) Full advantage.

Duncan releases her arm and sits back, a wicked grin spreading across his face.  Jenna shakes her head, as though coming out of a trance.

Duncan:  Exactly my thought, my dear.  Sometimes one simply cannot help oneself.

Jenna:  (Frowning and straightening her dress) No wonder Katarina doesn’t believe a word you say, my lord.

Duncan:  (Laughing)  Don’t fret over a few ruffled feathers, Jenna.  I just needed to make my point.

Jenna:  (still perturbed at him)  And your point is?

Duncan:  (Smirking) I know how to get what I want.

Jenna:  But you didn’t get Lady Katarina that night, did you, Duncan?

Duncan:  (smirk wiped off face)  No.  I did not.  (He stands, picks up rapier)  But I am about to go remedy that situation right now.

Jenna:  A duel with her brother for her hand, my lord?

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Duncan:  (grinning once more)  A duel with her for her hand, Jenna.  She gave the terms and I accepted.  I draw one drop of her blood and I win the prize.  (He winks at her.)  And I do expect to win.

Jenna:  “Pride goeth before destruction.”  Never underestimate a woman, Duncan.

Duncan:  (Smiling broadly)  I will try to remember that, my dear.  (Picks up her hand and kisses it. He leaves.)

Jenna:  You bet your sweet ass you will.  (She pulls a Netbook out of her bag, turns it on, punches a few keys, then sits back.)  Only Scandal Will Do, Revision 8.  (Makes a key stroke.) Revision 9.  (Begins to type.)

Sometimes a hero is too arrogant for his own good.  Perhaps Duncan will see the error of his ways–or perhaps Lady Katarina  needs to show him.  I’d put my money on her if I were you. 🙂  Their full story is told in Only Scandal Will Do, just released and available at Amazon, iTunes, All Romance E-books, and Lyrical Press (half price at Lyrical until July 31!).

Blurb for Only Scandal Will Do:

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

Now for my blog’s personal giveaway:  to one lucky commenter who tells me what her favorite characteristic for a hero is (MUST LEAVE EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE ENTERED), I’ll be giving away a Scandal Swag Pack which includes a bookmark, a signature card, business cards, refrigerator magnet, and a signed print copy of  my historical romance short story, Heart of Deception.

To hop on to the next blog in the Hero’s Blog Hop, click on the banner below and have a great rest of the hop!