Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !
For the month of March I’m bringing back snippets from my House of Pleasure series. I’ll post snippets from each of the five novels, beginning with Only Scandal Will Do. I’m doing this instead of giving snippets from my current WIP because I’m not certain the publisher will allow sharing so far before release (June 29). So until I know for certain it’s ok, I’ll stick with my first series.
BLURB:
He has the woman of his dreams, but can he find a way to win her heart?
Kidnapped, displayed on the auction block of a notorious brothel, and sold to the highest bidder, Lady Katherine Fitzwilliam is furious and vows to fight her way out. Unfortunately, the rogue who bought her is way too charming and attractive to make that easy. He seduces Kat almost to the point of ruin, but she manages to escape him, although thoughts of him tend to linger long after she’s free.
Duncan, Marquess of Dalbury succumbs to temptation one night and purchases a fiery beauty whose very looks fill him with hot desire. When she insists she’s a lady, he scoffs, but is surprised when she flees before he can claim his pleasure. When he discovers she’s sister to a peer, Duncan is horrified to have compromised her. He offers marriage to scotch the scandal and gain an heir. However, the dazzling charms of the red-haired beauty, coupled with her astonishing skill with a sword, ensnares his heart and soul. If only Katarina didn’t hate him with a fury hotter than three hells…
Can he manage to turn her anger against him into a passion for him? Or will they be doomed to live together, but forever apart?
EXCERPT:
“What on earth do you believe you could do, Lord Dalbury, that could even come close to a remedy for the terror and humiliation you put me through? Do you think now that I have met you, heard your feeble attempts at an apology, and rejected them, the memory of that night will magically disappear?” She fought to control her anger, though she yearned to blast him with it. “What magic potion would you have me take that would erase the memory of you pinning me to the bed? Because if you have such an elixir, then yes, I will gladly take it from you and obliterate you absolutely and irrevocably.”
He stood silent at her words, then said simply, “I have only myself to offer, my lady.”
“You would have me kill you, my lord? In that, too, I agree I would oblige you, but not at the cost of my own life–I understand the English law punishes those who do murder quite severely.”
“No, my lady, I would not have you kill me,” he said, sounding grimly amused, “though indeed that would probably give you most satisfaction. I meant I would have you marry me.”
And a little more for good measure…
His words surprised a laugh out of her. “Marry you?” The laughter grew. “I see, my lord, you think me both a whore and a fool.”
“I think you are neither, Lady Katarina.”
“Then you are the fool to believe I would put such a man as you in control of every aspect of my life.” That he thought she would even entertain the suggestion was insulting.
The pale moonlight shadowed his face, but she could read displeasure there just the same.
“You judge me solely on one act that, I assure you, was grossly out of character for me. You cannot possibly know what kind of husband I would be.”
“And never will, Lord Dalbury. I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.”
He inclined his head toward her, a faint smile touching his lips. “I believe you made a similar claim about dancing with me, Lady Katarina. Yet we have indeed enjoyed a dance together despite your words.” His tone was soft, the sensuous, cajoling one he had used to seduce her that night in the House of Pleasure.
Kat trembled, recalling the incredible sensations of his hands, his mouth on her body.
Damn. He could not do this to her again. Not just with his voice.
“Is there nothing that would entice you to leave your Hell for my Heaven?”
She struggled to answer, opened her lips to deny it, only to find her mouth completely sealed by his.
Only Scandal Will Do is available on Amazon in print and for .99 in e-book format on Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and B&N.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
The House of Pleasure series
Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless. 
Such a great scene. Hot. Whew!
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A perfectly delicious scene. Loved it.
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Thank you so much, Elaine! 🙂
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Love this scene! This is such a good book!
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Thank you, Teresa! I love this scene too. One of my all-time faves!
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Sounds like he’ll really have to prove himself to her. Exciting excerpt!
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He really will. And it doesn’t happen over night, let me tell you. She leads him a merry chase! Thank you, Kate!
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There’s a lot of tension crackling between them! You always write such good dialogues.
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Thank you so much, Carrie-Anne! It’s all that theater training I’ve had. I’ve listened to dialogue for so many years, and listened to how people talk doing research for the theater, that I can get it down on paper in a pretty realistic way.
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/Oh dear, she’s lost now! Love it…great snippet,
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Thank you, Veronica! Well, she’d not quite lost yet. 🙂 Kat’s a very stubborn nut to crack.
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I love this tension between them! This is a great story!!
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Thank you, Jessica! 🙂
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What a great scene! What a great book!!
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Thank you, Nancy! 🙂
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Oooo . . . what an exchange between them, followed by a hot kiss!
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Thanks, Karen! One of my favorite scenes, for sure. 🙂
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