Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This is release week for The Dandy Lyon! Wednesday the book will be available for sale, but you should get your copy ASAP as Dragonblade Publishing usually increases the price after the book drops. So grab your copy for .99 TODAY!

The Dandy Lyon

BLURB:

In love, the odds may never be in your favor.

Ruthless, wealthy, social outsider Marcus Dandridge has fallen in love. Hard. So hard he’s already attempted to force marriage to Lady Joanna Longford by means of blackmail—and failed utterly, gaining the eternal enmity of her brother. Now desperate, Marcus consults his friend, Mrs. Dove-Lyon at The Lyon’s Den, whose recommendation is a wild gamble–one Marcus would never lay odds on at his gaming establishments. But he’s so desperate to have Joanna, he’s willing to roll the dice just once more.

Lady Joanna Longford, just out and already bored by the conventional gentlemen she’s met, is suddenly intrigued by the darkly handsome Mr. Dandridge. He’s different from the other Society men—which makes her even more susceptible to his unconventional pursuit of her.

Still, the odds are against them, until Fate—and her brother’s decree that they will never marry—triggers a defiance that may well spell disaster for both of them…

Today’s snippet continues where we left off last week, with Marcus and Joanna dancing. After the break, the POV switches to Joanna. It’s rather a long snippet, but I couldn’t resist. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“I am so looking forward to this first dance, Mr. Dandridge.” Lady Joanna’s lilting voice brought Marcus back from his brooding and focused all his attention on her.

That might not have been the best thing, however. Gazing at the lady, so close to Marcus he could see every lovely line of her body, every beautiful inch of her face, he could scarcely believe he was walking next to her, her small, gloved hand tucked so naturally in the crook of his arm it made Marcus ache all the more with longing. He must find a way to leave a lasting impression of himself upon her in the few minutes of the dance they would share. It was the only way he could ensure the lady would remember him favorably.

“I am as well, my lady.” They had reached the ballroom floor and taken their places with the other couples for a quadrille. Marcus looked at Lady Joanna, trying his best to keep the longing look out of his face. “You have no idea.”

And a little bit more…

As the music began, they bowed to one another, then to their corners, and when they took hands, the first thing Joanna realized was that Mr. Dandridge was an extremely strong individual. The grip of his fingers on hers almost made her gasp. It wasn’t painful, so much as it was forceful. But that was enough to make her look a second time at the gentleman. She’d looked at him of course when Lady Hamilton had introduced them and thought him a very distinctive man indeed. A gentleman to be reckoned with, no doubt. The next sets of couples commenced their turn to exhibit the steps, and she leaned over to tell her partner, “I think the quadrille a marvelous dance, don’t you?”

He smiled sheepishly. “I fear I do not dance it often enough to have an opinion on that, my lady.” His penetrating, dark gaze seemed to go straight through to her soul. “However, I will say that I think this particular quadrille is especially stirring, because we are dancing it together.”

The intensity of feeling in his voice startled Joanna. He truly sounded as though he meant every word. She’d been trained to remain calm when gentlemen spoke to her in a manner that indicated he had some interest in furthering their acquaintance. Mr. Dandridge wasn’t wasting any time making his wishes known. His dark chestnut-colored eyes scarcely left her own, their power almost palpable though they stood at least a foot apart at the moment.

Joanna swallowed hard, trying to summon some moisture to her mouth, but none was forthcoming. It wasn’t like her to act this way, although it was her first official ball. Perhaps, these kinds of nerves were normal. She would have to ask Celinda.

“I would venture to engage you for another dance, my lady.” Mr. Dandridge had her hand in his, the heat from his fingers searing her own. “Although I suspect that will not be possible.”

“Why…why do you say that, sir?” Joanna didn’t quite know what to do. Her entire arm now felt as though it were on fire. “I have not promised any other dances at the moment.” She glanced up into his hungering eyes and the pit of her stomach dropped to her toes. She had to take time to breathe before she could speak again. “If you wish for another dance, you need only ask.”

The moment before they joined the other couples in the intricate steps a look of pure joy flashed over his face, replaced immediately by one of resignation. “I thank you for that, my lady. I will treasure your words for some time to come.”

Joanna cocked her head, entirely puzzled by his response. “I might think, Mr. Dandridge, you would be better off asking for the dance, which you could then treasure instead of the mere words agreeing to it.”

The Dandy Lyon, part of Dragonblade Publishing’s Lyon’s Den shared world series, is now available for preorder on Amazon as an e-book for $.99. Grab your copy here!!

And please come by Wednesday, March 26 for the Release party and a chance to win a signed print copy of the book!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the WWW snippets here! There are some great stories out there!