Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 07/02/2023 ~ A Countess Never Tells ~ Lucky Girl

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:

“Before I relinquish you to your sister-in-law, Miss Tate, allow me to thank you again for a lovely dance.” Lord Ashbrook patted her gloved hand gently.

“I assure you, my lord, you were a very welcome addition to my list of dance partners.” Kitty smiled at him as she let go his arm. Sadly, they had reached Judith.

“Then may I beg to add another dance this evening?” The eagerness on Lord Ashbrook’s face sent a thrill through Kitty. “Would you favor me by allowing me one more set this evening, Miss Tate?”

Kitty nodded enthusiastically. She always saved one set toward the end of the evening, in the event she became tired and wished to sit out the set–or, as now, someone she wished to dance with asked her.

And a little more for good measure. . .

“I have the second set after supper open, if you are available then.”

“I certainly am.” He raised her gloved hand and his lips brushed her gloved knuckles, making her shiver. “I will find you with Lady Haxby after supper, Miss Tate. Until then, I will be counting the minutes.”

Heart beating fast, Kitty couldn’t speak as he bowed and walked away. Lord Ashbrook was more exciting than any other gentleman she’d met this entire Season. She followed his progress across the ballroom until he approached and greeted her friend Maria Fitzhugh, who must be his partner for the supper dance.

Kitty sighed.

Lucky girl.

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!

And the first book of the Captivating Countess series, A Countess of Convenience, is available on Amazon in e-book for .99, and in print and is on KU. Here’s the link for those options.

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.