Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !
This week I’m continuing snippets from my just released short read, A Return to Life, an excerpt from A Countess of Convenience, book 1 of my new series, Captivating Countesses.
BLURB:
Following a tragic accident, an unconscious Judith Harper returns to her childhood home. Miraculously, she awakens but to a horribly changed world in which she finds her husband not only dead, but herself dishonored by him before his death. Can she find the strength to pick up the pieces and return to a life of her own?
I’ve skipped ahead this week to the point where Judith’s sister-in-law Dora has just told her that her husband, Simon, is dead and how Judith came to be injured.
EXCERPT:
“I heard the sound of a slap, and then a thud.” Dora looked away. “Then Simon called out for help. I rushed in, and he said you fell and struck your head.”
Judith’s mouth dried. It would not have been the first time Simon had struck her, but as his wife, she was duty bound to defend him. “You can’t know for certain what occurred when you weren’t in the room.”
“I didn’t need to be, Judith, his handprint was on your cheek.”
And now a little more of the scene :
Dora rose and paced to the window. “Simon was a bully from the day he was born. He loathed me and made my life miserable. I’m only surprised he didn’t turn you against him with his hateful ways.”
“I’m his—” Judith stopped, gritting her teeth and clenching her one good fist. “I was his wife. A wife is loyal to her husband.”
“Even when he isn’t loyal to you?” Dora had turned from the window and stared straight at her, a scowl on her usually pleasant face.
“What do you mean?” Fear stole into Judith’s heart.
“After your accident, Simon attacked two of the governesses Father had hired for Anna. He…ravished them.” Dora’s cheeks reddened. “When he tried to do the same thing to the third one, Miss Carlton, Lord Trevor rescued her and challenged Simon to a duel for her honor.” Dora’s chin went up. “Lord Trevor is a real hero. I was sorry to break our betrothal, but he was desperately in love with Miss Carlton and she with him. So, he and Simon dueled. I think, for my sake, Lord Trevor spared his life.”
“But then how did he die?”
Next week I’ll move on to A Countess of Convenience.
A Return to Life is available on Amazon for .99 and on Smashwords , B & N, Apple, and Kobo for free.
A Countess of Convenience is also available on Amazon for the pre-sale price of $2.99.
But don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
Captivating Countesses series
by Jenna Jaxon
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Sounds like he got what he deserved! Though what a great shock to suddenly find all this out at once.
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Sometimes bad people do get what they deserve.
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Well, they did in this book at least. LOL
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Your work is so angst driven! I’m like: I want to read this. No, no. I can’t… but I want to…
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Thank you, Sue. I’ve done theatre for so long I have that need for drama in my books as well. Glad you’re enjoying it!
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Glad he got what he deserved. Always exciting to read something new.
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Oh, and he got it in spades! Thank you, Diane!
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Ahh! No fair Dora! You cannot leave me hanging. Now I’ll never know unless I can get my hand on a printed paperback. The snippets are amazing. I would enjoy even more if I have the entire book to read. Well done, Jenna!
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Thank you, Karen. The whole incident is related in Only A Mistress Will Do (the books are tied together with some characters and incidents) so you should be finding out shortly. 🙂
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Yes, how did he die? He deserved to die, of course.
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Let’s say he got what he deserved, Ed. If you happened to have read Only A Mistress Will Do, that part of the story is in there as well.
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Sounds like there is no loss that he died but I’m still curious to know how it happened.
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It wasn’t a loss to anyone but his parents, Karen. Grab the chapter (free on Smashwords) and that will tell you.
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I really feel for her. So much to take in.
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Yes, she’s awakened to an unending nightmare.
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I read this last week. Just preordered the book. 🙂
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Thank you, Teresa! 🙂 I hope you enjoy the whole book!
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It sounds like a complicated series of events. Clearly her dead husband was a real cad.
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He was a scoundrel for sure. Got his just desserts.
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So much to take in! He truly seemed like an evil man, but I’m curious as to how he died as well.
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Simon was a “bad ‘un” for sure. And his end was both fitting and justified.
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Fascinating backstory here…the poor woman, waking up to all of this! I have to agree with Dora, the heroine can stop defending him any time now. Great snippet!
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Thank you, Veronica! Judith may feel a sense of loyalty to her husband, but it’s really misplaced. She comes to see that throughout the book.
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I love how honest and intelligent Dora is. I’m glad Judith has her to make sense of things, but I also need to know how he died! 😀 Great scene!
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Thank you, Julie! She does have a great friend in Dora.
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OOOOO! An exciting new read. Loving it already.
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Thank you! I hope it gets people excited!
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