Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!
Today I’m continuing with my Christmas novel that releases at the end of September, The Widow’s Christmas Surprise. This is book five of The Widows’ Club series and is Maria’s story.
(Today I’m on the road visiting relatives, so I won’t be visiting your sites until the evening.)
Here’s the blurb:
BLURB:
The death of her husband has thrown Lady Maria Kersey’s future into doubt—and her heart into the arms of a man she cannot have. But Christmas with the Widows’ Club will bring choices—and surprises–that may change all her holidays to come . . .
Maria just gave birth to her first child, a beautiful daughter—but the event is shrouded in sorrow. A month earlier, Maria’s husband, Lord Kersey, was killed in a duel under compromising circumstances. Worse, Maria’s failure to provide a male heir has stripped her of any hope of an inheritance. Scorned by the ton, one of her few allies is her late husband’s steward, Hugh Granger. Hugh is everything her husband was not—warm, charming—and penniless. . . .
Hugh has fallen desperately in love with Maria, but has little to offer but comfort. As their attraction becomes impossible to resist, Maria flees to London to spend Christmas with her dearest friends, a group of widows who lost their own husbands in the Battle of Waterloo. Little does she know the holidays will reveal a twist of fate she never expected—proving that the greatest Christmas gift is the magic of true love . . .
I’m starting this snippet well into the book because this is a fun scene. Maria is about to leave her lover, Hugh, to go to Scotland until they can marry. Hugh has taken Maria out for a final outing, to spend some time together before they have to say goodbye.
We are in Hugh’s POV.
EXCERPT:
Courtesy Evelyn Simak and Wikimedia Commons
“Ice skates!” Maria darted forward, taking one up, but being mindful of the blade. “I used to go ice skating all the time at my parents’ house. There is a river nearby that would freeze when the weather was cold enough.” She turned a gleeful face to him,“How did you know?”
“I didn’t.” Grinning like a fool at her look of pure pleasure, Hugh thanked whatever angel had whispered in his ear to take Maria skating. “I hoped you had skated before, but I would have been happy to teach you if you hadn’t.”
“Well let’s see who knows what,” she said and dropped down onto the log and began to tie the skates onto her shoes, “last one onto the ice has to pay a forfeit.”
Lord, and didn’t he know what her forfeit would be if she won the wager.
And now to finish the scene :
Hugh sat down to strap his skates on as well. The process wasn’t terribly difficult, just lengthy. He fumbled with the straps, his fingers stupid as he tried to hurry.
“One skate on!” Maria laughed and began on the other one.
“No fair. You have smaller fingers that work better than mine.” Cursing under his breath, Hugh buckled the first skate on and reached for the second, although he doubted he could catch up with Maria now.
“Done!” Pink cheeked she laughed again as she stood before him, showing him first one and then the other skate. “Do you need some help with your laces, my dear?”
“No, thank you.” His words came out a growl, which made Maria laugh all the harder.
“Come.” She held out her hand and helped him up when he was finished. “I cannot wait to skate again. It has been an age at least. I had to have been ten years old.”
“Well, I hope it comes back to you, but if not, I will be here to save you.” He grinned as they made their way toward the pond’s edge.
The Widow’s Christmas Surprise is available on Amazon, B & N, Kobo, and Apple.
I’ll be running a Christmas giveaway between now and September 27 when The Widow’s Christmas Surprise releases. The prizes are signed print copies of the previous Widows’ Club books, Christmas ornaments, swag, and a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To enter this Rafflecopter giveaway, click here.
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. 
Fun scene and great snippet.
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I enjoyed the blurb & excerpt. It sounds like a wonderful book and I love the cover.
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This was fun and a pleasure to read. I enjoy their chemistry. Although I wonder if her skills are as pristine as she recalls lol
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I’m glad they’re getting this time together. Seems like a lot of fun for both of them.
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A fun scene – I hope neither one of them comes to grief on the frozen pond! Nice level of detail…enjoyed the snippet!
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What a fun scene! As a figure skating fan, it particularly appeals to me. There’s so much potential for romance on the ice.
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I’m curious as to whether her skills will be the same as when she was a child. Fun snippet!!
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What a delightful, teasing scene . . . imaging what fun they’ll have warming each other up!!
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Can’t wait!
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Hmmm – what could the forfeit be???
Tweeted.
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Looks so interesting!! Can’t wait!!!
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Usually sensual scenes involve taking things off, not putting them on. 😉
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