Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!
This month I’m highlighting my Handful of Hearts series by putting each of four of the novellas on sale, one each week in October and offering a ghostly Regency romance short story, Hearts at All Hallow’s Eve, in the same series for FREE on Smashwords and B & N (On Amazon it’s .99) thru October 31.
For Halloween this coming Saturday, this week’s featured book from Handful of Hearts is my Regency ghost story, Hearts at All Hallows’ Eve.
Here’s the blurb:
BLURB:
When Miss Cecilia Powell attends her very first masquerade on All Hallows’ Eve, she’s thrilled when a mysterious reveler pays court to her. As their encounter continues, Cecilia is charmed, then smitten with this masked stranger, even though she senses something odd about him. Is he truly the man of her dreams, or will Cecilia find her dream a true nightmare?
Masquerade Ball by Rowlandson
EXCERPT:
Skillfully, he led her around the ballroom floor, and she was so light on her feet she scarcely touched the boards. Only one other man had ever danced so beautifully–he was gone, but could this be his brother, perhaps?
Laughing up into his face as he spun them around, Cecilia bubbled with joy at her discovery–he knew her; now she knew him.
“You dance divinely, sir, so well, in fact, I believe I have determined who you are behind that gleaming mask.” Tilting her chin flirtatiously, she studied his full-lipped mouth through shuttered eyes.
“Do you indeed,” his quick laugh made her heart stop, “somehow, I think not, however, as the clock is about to strike midnight, you will certainly see shortly if you are correct.”
The waltz ended, and her partner led her to the side of the dance floor, to a somewhat secluded corner away from the chattering, excited crowd.
“Are you ready to unmask, Astraea?” he asked, his eyes eager.
Domino and Mask–Photo By gnuckx
Smiling so broadly she worried he might take her for a lunatic, Cecilia nodded, dancing on her toes in anticipation and said, “I am, my lord.”
And now to finish the scene :
“So, you do have a hint of who I am.” Dark eyebrows quirked up over the edge of his mask.
“Indeed, I do, for your dancing gave you away.” She giggled again, nervous as the clock began to strike. “I believe I met and danced with your brother at Lady Hamilton’s ball in May. You whirl your partner in just the same breathtaking way he did.” Some of the lightness left her. “I was very distressed when I heard he had—”
“Drowned?” The clock almost smothered his voice as it continued to chime the midnight hour.
“Yes. May I extend my belated condolences to you?” He must be grieving still, for his lips had tightened.
“I accept them with heartfelt gratitude, however, I fear you are mistaken.”
“Mistaken?” Was he not the new Lord Seaton after all?
“Yes. You see, I had no brothers.”
Hearts at All Hallows’ Eve is available for .99 on Amazon, and on Smashwords, Kobo, and Apple for FREE.
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
Handful of Hearts series
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
I love this story! I did NOT see it coming.
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Great twist at the end.
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That was a twist! I want more!
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Not what she expected. Nice twist.
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Thank you, Elaine! 🙂
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This is a fabulous story. Perfect for this time of the year.
Tweeted.
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Thank you, Daryl! Isn’t this the one you shared down at the beach? It came back quite bedraggled!
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Such a plot twist right there! Love it!
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Thank you, Jessica! 🙂
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That’s quite the stunning revelation!
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Yes, it is! And opens up interesting and unexpected possibilities!
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Uh oh, something tells me the unmasking may not turn out the way she’s been anticipating! Can’t wait though…great snippet!
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Thank you, Veronica! And you’re right. This unmasking is not going to be what she thinks at all!
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In 2020 masques will take on a different meaning!
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So true, Sandy! 🙂
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