This month Heart of Desire is “Book of the Month,” Book 2 in my Regency series Handful of Hearts, so here’s the first snippet of this sweet Regency.
This snippet is from the very beginning of Heart of Desire. The time is the beginning of the Season in London, May 5, 1820. Hope you enjoy!
Packed to the gills, Lady Hamilton’s ballroom glittered with candlelight, fine silks and satins, and every type of precious jewel known to the world. The music had a lively air and Miss Katherine Locke would have thought herself fortunate to be out again in Society after a long, cold, dull winter in Somerset save that her partner, Lord Haversham, was the rudest man in London. Well, his lordship was about to discover that Kate Locke did not suffer fools lightly.
“So you refuse to allow your sister to waltz, yet you are quite willing to stand up with me and dance this, according to you, most scandalous of dances, my lord.” Kate smiled into the odious wretch’s face. “I should say that smacks of hypocrisy.”
“Indeed,” Lord Haversham said as he turned them skillfully at the end of the floor. “I would say it shows a want of character in your brother for allowing you to dance it with me. The waltz should be danced by married couples and no one else.” He pulled her close against him, so their bodies almost touched.
Blurb:
Follow your heart to find your desire
Miss Katherine Locke is irked to start her 3rd season dancing with the disagreeable Lord Haversham, her brother’s friend and her own arch enemy. After three years out, however, she’s finally interested in the dashing Lord Finley—only to find out her cousin has set her cap for him too. To make the man jealous, Kate feigns interest in Lord Haversham, only to be shocked to find herself falling for the handsome lord against her will.
Marcus, Lord Haversham, is in a tight pinch. His estates are failing and worse, he’s just lost 5,000 pounds to his best friend, Lord Ainsley. Ainsley’s solution: have Marcus marry his shrewish sister and he’ll cancel his gambling debt plus give him 10, 000 more for her dowry. With nowhere to turn, Marcus agrees, praying he can keep word of the wager from Kate until he can woo her and charm her into marrying him.
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
The prequel to Heart of Desire, A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe is available at Amazon currently on sale for $.99.
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
I love the sense of rebellion and passion lying just under the surface- put there under the pressure of societal dictates. You get it across so well. Nicely done, Jenna.
LikeLike
So far he’s acting rather contemptuous of her and her brother. I suspect that may change during the dance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not during the dance, I’m afraid. They’re in for some more bumpy encounters, Ed. 🙂
LikeLike
OMG, that will probably just be ignored like sparks in a fireworks factory! Love it. Tweeted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, no. This little spark is not going to be ignored! Thanks, Elizabeth!
LikeLike
I sense sparks galore coming up. She will not stand for what he has in mind and body.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right about the sparks, Charmaine!
LikeLike
I love the intrigue and hidden passions of the Regency gentry. And I always fall for the bad boy too! Lovely piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rachel! Bad boys are a lot of fun, in the Regency or any time!
LikeLike
I love the plot of this novel, as described in the blurb. Now I have no choice but to read it LOL. Enjoyed the excerpt, sparking as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Veronica. It was sort of inspired by the Johnny Depp movie Benny and Joon, where Joon wins someone’s cousin in a card game. LOL
LikeLike
Ah yes, waltzing while trading witty barbs. Regency is so much fun. And that cover is gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I do love the Regency civility that masks so much emotion. 🙂 And thank you, Christina! I really love this cover too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do as I say, not as I do, right? I have a feeling this battle is not over between them. I love that Kate’s not afraid to speak her mind. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, Jessica! And Kate is one of my more outspoken heroines I think. 🙂
LikeLike
I love this scene! This is what I love about Regency: the intense emotion, politely expressed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cara! I so love creating that polite veneer that hides the cats claws. Although these two are a bit more unsheathed than most.:)
LikeLike
They sound like a couple with perfectly-matched wits! I can’t wait to see what kinds of sparks fly between them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And believe me, there will be sparks! 🙂
LikeLike