Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

Happy Easter!

To all those who celebrate the holiday, Happy Easter, and to everyone who’s experiencing some long awaited sunshine and milder temperatures, Happy Spring!

I’m continuing this week with snippets from The Ruin of Miss Amelia Burrowes, Book 4 of The Matchmaker’s Ball series, that releases on May 1. 

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 continues where we left off last week, Amelia and Nathan out in the garden–alone and just having kissed rather passionately. So passionately that Nathan is thinking about continuing the encounter even more intimately. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

A door slammed, and the breeze brought the sound of voices from the verandah.

With a gut-wrenching sigh, Nathan stepped back, although he kept hold of her hands.

They stood together in the glorious night air, beneath the fragrant cherry tree, a whole new world within his grasp. “Amelia, I will speak to your father tomorrow. Ask permission to court you formally.” He gazed down at her beautiful face. “Ask for your hand in marriage, if that would be agreeable to you?”

The smile that lit up her face could’ve outshone the sun. Against the dull moon there was no contest. “Oh, yes, Mr. Locke. That would be very agreeable to me.”

And a little bit more…

Nathan thought his heart might burst with happiness. To have the world handed to him at the age of one and twenty surely made him the luckiest chap he knew. He couldn’t wait to tell Marcus. His best friend would be giddy with happiness for him. But it must remain a secret until he’d received Mr. Burrowes’s approval, which he undoubtedly would. What father would not wish his daughter to marry the heir to a viscountcy?

He was roused from his reverie when Amelia took his arm. “Shall we return to the ballroom now?” She smiled up at him, and his body twisted with the repressed desire to claim her as his own, this very minute.

“Yes, my dear. I think we must.” He moved them out from behind the safety of the cherry tree. Whatever it took, he’d curb his desires as best he could. He’d wait until he and Amelia were properly married—or at least properly betrothed—before continuing this heavenly interlude. Thankfully, it wouldn’t be very long now.

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!