Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m thrilled to introduce you to my upcoming release, book 4 of my Matchmaker’s Ball series, The Ruin of Miss Amelia Burrowes. 

The Ruin of Miss Amelia Burrowes

BLURB:

Can a woman with a past have a future?

Miss Amelia Burrowes was the scandal of the ton in her first Season, when her fiancée died, rumors flew, and she was declared a ruined woman by Society. Ten years later, she’s back in London to make an arranged marriage that will hopefully allow her sisters to be received by the ton. But when Nathan, Lord Ainsley, the man she’d really had a tendre for all those years ago, renews their acquaintance, the flame between them rekindles and Amelia begins to believe that maybe a second chance for love is possible.

Ten years ago Nathan Locke made a terrible mistake in letting himself be hustled off on his Grand Tour when what he really wanted was to marry the delightful Miss Burrowes. Now he’s just learning that the lovely lady isn’t married after all—but instead is a pariah of Society. Nathan’s not about to let that get in the way of his suit but as new rumors swirl around them, can he ignore the ton’s renewed whispers about Amelia’s reputation?

Together Nathan and Amelia must get to the bottom of the scandals—new and old—or face a devastating choice: a life together being shunned by Society or a life without each other forever.

Today’s snippet begins where we left off last week, Amelia and Nathan out in the garden–alone. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

To his utter joy, after a furtive look around, she nodded and followed him down the short flight of steps and out onto the shadowy lawn. A soft breeze made her pale gold ballgown billow out over the new grass as they sped along the white shell path then struck out over the expanse of green, illuminated only by the sliver of moon and a thousand stars until they stood behind the trunk of the largest cherry tree, hopefully hidden from sight. They couldn’t be too careful–there was Miss Burrowes’ reputation to consider.

She gazed up at him expectantly, although whether she was waiting for words or a gesture, he had no idea. That she wished something from him, however, was abundantly apparent. Her eyes sparkled, catching the faint starlight, making them look like sapphires. The moonlight touching her hair, made it glow paler than its normal chestnut color when she tossed her head, and she twitched from one foot to the other, as though she was still dancing.

Gently, he stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers, her smooth skin inciting a riot of desire throughout him. She tipped her head back, her eyelids half closed, her lips poised in a perfect bow. Passion raged in him, and he couldn’t help himself as he sank his mouth onto hers.

And a little bit more…

Her lips were warm and welcoming as he pressed himself to her and sought to deepen the kiss. To his surprise, she opened like the petals of a flower, and he plunged in, so that all he could think was that he wanted more. So much more.

At last, reluctantly, he broke the kiss. “Miss Burrowes—”

“Amelia, Mr. Locke.” She laughed up at him. “After that kiss, I think you should call me by my first name.”

Nathan’s stomach dropped. “I…I meant to say…” Dash it, why was he tongue-tied all of a sudden?

Because he wanted nothing more than to sink his mouth back onto hers, sweep her up into his arms, and find a bower hereabouts where they could continue this tryst to its glorious conclusion. From the eager look on Miss Burrowes’—no, on Amelia’s face, he’d find no opposition to that suggestion.

The Ruin of Miss Amelia Burrowes, book 4 of my Matchmaker’s Ball series, is now on pre-order on Amazon. Grab your copy at the pre-order price of only .99! It releases May 1st!

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