Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing to post snippets from my upcoming Georgian novel, A Countess Never Tells, Book 3 of my Captivating Countesses series. The book releases on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 and is currently up on pre-order for .99. 

This book brings back the characters from A Countess of Convenience, particularly Judith and John (Lord and Lady Haxby), as Kitty Tate, the heroine is John’s younger sister and Judith’s childhood friend and now sister-in-law. 

BLURB:

They say rakes make the best husbands…but do they?

At the age of twenty-four, vivacious Kitty Tate is having the time of her life in her first London season—such a good time in fact, she’s caught the eye of Lord Ashwood, the ton’s most notorious rake. And he’s caught hers.

She’s instantly taken with the handsome lord and finding out he’s a scoundrel doesn’t deter her one bit. Which is why her brother has forbidden her to see him. Unfortunately for him, Kitty has a mind of her own and the willpower to fight for what she wants.

Ash plans to be a dedicated rake until he’s old and gray, but at the moment he’s determined to seduce the delicious Miss Tate despite her brother’s objections. She’s such a blend of innocence and siren he cannot wait to welcome her into his bed. When he finds Kitty eager to be seduced, Ash’s desire burns brighter still.

But a dastardly wager surfaces, and Ash discovers a truly despicable man is determined to beat him to Kitty’s bed. Forbidden to marry her, Ash must now find another way to protect the woman he’s come to love before she’s ruined by another man.

Today I’m continuing on from the very beginning of the novel. Miss Kitty Tate is at a ball, dancing with a gentleman she’s just met. They manage some conversation while they dance. After the dance, they spy friends of Lord Ashwood and stroll over to say hello. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“I’ll get Miss Tate back to her sister-in-law and return to you. If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen?”

Aldbury bowed, the other gentlemen looked confused, but bowed politely. Kitty curtsied again, confused herself by that exchange.

“Come my dear.” Lord Ashbrook started them away, then stopped. “I fear the room has become warmer than I like. Would you mind if we step outside onto the verandah for a breath of air?”

And a little more for good measure. . . 

It certainly was warm in Lady Sutherland’s townhouse. The price one paid for having a popular entertainment. A breath of cooler air sounded glorious to Kitty. She opened her mouth to tell him yes, when from the corner of her eye she caught a glance between Lord Ashbrook and Lord Aldbury.

An almost smug smile appeared on Lord Ashbrook’s handsome face. Coupled with their mention of a wager, that glance boded ill things. Kitty was nothing if not cautious. She knew how easily a young lady could get herself ruined and she’d not risk that for a few more minutes with a handsome face. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I fear I must return straight to Lady Haxby. My next partner will undoubtedly be waiting for me.”

“As you wish, my dear.” Without so much as a blink, Lord Ashbrook started them off again toward Judith.

Now completely at a loss, Kitty began to doubt herself. Had she seen something pass between the two gentlemen’s faces that simply didn’t exist? Had she become too suspicious of everyone’s motives?

Has Kitty become too suspicious? Find out in next week’s snippet (perhaps).

A Countess Never Tells is now up for pre-order, set to release on August 29th! Here’s the link if you want to grab this “bad boy” for .99!

I’m now also part of two anthologies for Dragonblade–one that’s part of their Lyons Den shared world called Night of Lyons. My novella is called The Lyons’ Wager and is the pre-quel to the Welwyn Marriage Wager series. Night of Lyons is available on pre-order on Amazon for .99! 

The other one is an historical cookbook of recipies dating back over the centuries complied from the kitchens of Dragonblade authors and their ancestors. It’s called  Dragonblade’s Historical Cookbook, currently on pre-order for .99. It releases October 23, 2023 (just in time for Thanksgiving cookery!). My grandmother’s cornbread dressing I make every Thanksgiving is in there.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.

Captivating Countesses series