This month A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe is “Book of the Month” so here’s the first snippet of this midwinter Regency.
Miss Jenny Crowley has found out on her 18th birthday that instead of getting her long-promised season in London, she’s instead been betrothed to the boy-next-door, Alec Isley. To give her a chance to socialize before her parents insist she marry, her aunt invites her to a Christmas house party where she can meet other young men. In this scene Jenny is attracted to Lord Somersby, who is proposing a game between sets in an evening of dancing.
Jenny turned back to Lord Somersby, whose gaze still lingered on her face, or was it more particularly on her mouth? “You have played Blindman’s Bluff before I take it, my lord?”
His blue eyes darkened and he chuckled. “I have had occasion to play it since childhood. We are often so fond of the chase, but rarely allow ourselves the pleasure of being caught. Prey are sometimes luckier than the hunter.”
“And you deem yourself an expert huntsman, my lord?”
“Indeed, my lady, an excellent one, which I am about to prove.” His keen gaze rested on her for what seemed and age.
Shivers cascaded down Jenny’s spine.
A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe is available at Amazon currently on sale for $.99.
Blurb:
Is one kiss ever enough?
Jenny Crowley has been duped! At her eighteenth birthday celebration her parents announce that instead of having the London Season she’s dreamed of for years, Jenny has been betrothed from birth to Alexander Isley, son of family friends and heir to a title. A distraught Jenny refuses point-blank to marry Alec, and when her aunt offers to whisk her away to a Christmas house party, complete with many eligible young bachelors, Jenny jumps at the chance to enjoy a variety of entertainments, be courted, and perhaps fall in love.
Alec Isley is between a rock and a hard place. He desires a marriage with Jenny no more than she does, but when his family’s dire financial status is revealed, he follows Jenny to the house party in hopes of convincing her to marry him after all. When he discovers who else is courting her there, Alec is frantic to keep her from making a dreadful mistake. Struggling with new-found feelings for his childhood friend, can Alec convince her of his love in time to save her from being ruined under the mistletoe?
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Oh my, the chase in on…bet she won’t run too fast.
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Jenny is a bit naïve in this scene, so she’s not sure about running away or trying to get caught. 🙂 Her dilemma throughout the book!
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He’s the hunter and she is, I think, a not unwilling prey.
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Jenny is still on the fence as to whether she’s willing or unwilling. She’s trying to be smart about her suitors, but Somersby is quite the slick talker!
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I love the natural conversation between them. Sometimes being hunted can be fun, if you’re willing prey.
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Thank you, Carrie-Anne! The key word is “willing” here. And I think Jenny is going to decide being chased is a lot of fun.
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I loved this conversation between them, sheer pleasure to read. Great snippet!
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Thank you, Veronica! I do confess I prefer writing dialogue to any other part of a novel. LOL I guess it’s my theatre training coming out. 🙂
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Just lovely. Lots of mischief in this snippet.
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It’s a mischief-filled house party, Charmaine! LOL Just the kind that Regency readers love. 🙂
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With a dangerous man like that around, I can see why her parents are trying to marry her off in a hurry!
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Well, they’re more concerned with her marrying well–a title–so they’d think Somersby quite a catch! But does Jenny? That’s the question. 🙂
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Fantastic banter between Jenny and Somersby. He’s definately got an agenda during blind mans bluff. Watch out Jenny! LOL
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Yes, Jenny is going to have her hands full at this house party, Heather!
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“rarely allow ourselves the pleasure of being caught”
A very insightful line, Jenna. This Lord is definitely up to the chase. But will our heroine realise it, before she gets in too deep?
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Thank you, Kim. And yes, Somersby is definitely up to the chase. Jenny’s response, well, that’s the rest of the story!
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