If you’re looking for the HHD post, click here.
Spring is a time for firsts: first robin, first flowers, first baby animals. On Jenna’s Journal it’s a first for my characters in my medieval romance: their first meet. This was also my first book, so the firsts just keep on coming! LOL And I’m hoping it will be my first book of 2013, with an April release date.
Blurb for Betrothal:
Lady Alyse de Courcey is head over heels in love with a man to whom she’s barely spoken, Thomas Knowlton, a nobleman in King Edward III’s court. Alyse would give anything to marry him. However, she must come to terms with her betrothal to Thomas’s best friend, Sir Geoffrey Longford, a handsome and imposing knight, yet hardly the man she wants to wed. She continues to cherish hopes of Thomas, though as her nuptials approach, Geoffrey is the one most often on her mind.
Sir Geoffrey Longford is bound by his father’s hand to wed Lady Alyse. And Geoffrey is eager to do so after meeting the young maid. She is gentle and beautiful, with just enough spice and wit to make her seem a willing partner in and out of bed. But when Geoffrey learns of her infatuation with his friend, and sees her regard for the man growing as their wedding day approaches, Geoffrey takes matters into his own hands. Can he win his lady’s love without killing his friend into the bargain?
Now it’s time to reveal the Grand Prizes for this Blog Hop:
1st Grand Prize
Kindle Fire (international)
2nd Grand Prize
$50 Amazon.com gift certificate
Please leave a comment telling me what “first” you look for to know it’s spring. Please make sure to leave your email address!
And click here to enter for the Grand Prizes.
One commenter on my blog will win a signed, print copy of Only Scandal Will Do, my historical romance set in Georgian England.
Excerpt for Betrothal:
King Edward lifted an eyebrow toward Alyse. “A very pretty answer, my lady. And are you ready to accept your father’s decree for your betrothal? His messenger has today reached me with the contract, as I am to stand in his stead in this matter.” Alyse took a deep breath and hoped her voice did not tremble. “Yea, Majesty, I will obey my father.”
King Edward nodded and leaned over to whisper something to Queen Phillipa.
Mere seconds before she learned her fate. She could scarce affect an indifferent pose before the court when inside every inch of her quivered with anticipation of the name. His name, pray God, on the king’s lips. Thomas. In her mind, she heard the word.
The king straightened, glanced at her, then at the man by her side.
“What say you then, Sir Geoffrey? Does the lady not speak fair? I vow she will make you a proper wife, and a dutiful one as well.”
Alyse turned, until that moment unaware that Geoffrey Longford stood beside her. Chills coursed down her body as the king’s words echoed in her mind. The sensation of falling backward assailed her, as though she rushed away from the tall man at her side even as his figure loomed larger and larger in her sight.
Not Thomas Knowlton.
Her numbed brain repeated the phrase, trying to comprehend that instead he would be her husband. Geoffrey Longford.
God have mercy on me, for by the look of him, this man will not.
Fearful, she cringed as her gaze climbed higher, over his chest, over his chin, finally resting on the dark blue eyes turned toward her.
Geoffrey returned her appraisal, his gaze sweeping her figure as a smile crept over his face. “Your Majesty.” He spoke to the king but his attention remained fixed on Alyse. “When my father told me of the betrothal contract before I left his home, I resolved then to play the dutiful son. Now, however, I find I do not wish to act that role after all.” His eyes held hers as he paused.
Dear God, does he mean to renounce me here before the entire court?
Alyse stared at the man beside her, willing herself to remain upright, despite the waves of ice and fire alternating through her body.
“Now I find I would rather play the ardent lover.”
An amused murmur ran through the hall at his words. Geoffrey grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor and something more. Despite the uneven light, Alyse saw an unfathomable promise in their dark depths. She took a deep breath and looked away.
Hope you enjoyed that! Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered to win! And if you’re ready to hop to the next author, click the icon below. Happy Rites of Spring!
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Love the flowers!
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the blooming flowers
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
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I love wearing the light colors of spring, there are so many.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
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Love historical romance! Great excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway.
Happy Spring!
bhometcho(at)hotmail(dot)com
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correct email
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
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Wow – great cover and great excerpt.
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I forgot my email: queendsheena@hotmail.com
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Flowers start to bloom, dew on the fresh grass. Spring is here! Thanks for the giveaway and the excerpt was great. Medieval/Historical fiction isn’t easy to write.
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All the flowers to start blooming!
Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
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I would love to read ONLY SCANDAL WILL DO thank you.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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Love your excerpt!!!
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Thanks for the hop! mikiajanai@yahoo.com
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Spring ushers in azaleas and dogwoods here. So pretty! I’m looking forward to Betrothal. I remember reading some of it from Six Sentence Sunday!
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Fabulous excerpt, Jenna, I’m looking forward to this read immensely. Firsts in Spring? I love hearing the first sound of lawn mowers powering up in the neighbourhood, then I know warm weather is definitely here to stay (a wee while anyway) Great post, made me think!!
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I love seeing green again! The grass isn’t dull anymore, leaves start growing on the trees again, and new blooms come to life.
Happy Spring!
bas1chsemail at gmail dot com
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Great excerpt. It pulled you right on in and you wanted to keep reading after it was over! It was fun to read and an immediate “to read list” addition. The cover is absolutely beautiful as well.
As for what I look for first to know it’s spring, usually it’s the daffodil buds that seem to spring up fairly early on (when the snow goes away that is). Now the other day I heard geese flying over which is also a pretty good indication usually but the poor things flew in the day before a snow and ice storm! Poor buggers, I do hope they are ok!
Thank you for the chance to enter the giveaway and happy spring everyone!
Shelly H.
Booski24@hotmail.com
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When the blackbirds and killdeer arrive back, I know spring is right around the corner. Thanks for the giveaway.
skpetal at hotmail dot com
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Wonderful excerpt. Spring depends on where I’m living. Here the frangipani trees start to bud. In Germany it was spring bulbs.
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I live on a country road – we look for the Weight restrictions sign. It means the frost is coming out of the ground. Which isn’t happening at the moment as we got a foot of snow yesterday!
Love the excerpt.
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great excerpt, Jenna! I can’t wait for spring, but I think it’s still a few weeks away from us – even if the calendar says differently! Once my first tulip buds are up, I’ll believe warmer weather is here!
kristi_writes_romance@yahoo.com
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Thanks for participating, Jenna! 🙂
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Great excerpt! I look for robins to know that spring is here.
angiek@cfu.net
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hi! Sounds great:) I look for green and the smell of rain. Somthing that says spring is on it’s way! I love spring,everything comes back and all the smells:)
elliott2668[at]yahoo[dot]com
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I definitely look for robins in the yard. After that, I look for the tulips and honeysuckle to start sprouting.
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Hey Jenna! Has to be the daffadills…..as soon as they start popping up I know its here!! hanks for the great giveaway!!
viajeradelmar@aol.com
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Hi Jenna! Love your excerpt. I’m a medieval girl myself, though my writing leans more toward SF or time travel. Still, I love anything medieval. The first thing I look for in spring is no snow!
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