Medieval Monday ~ First Kiss: An Intense Ripple of Pleasure: Ashley York’s The Irish Warrior

Medieval Monday is back this week with a new snippet. For January/February we are posting an excerpt with the first kiss of the hero and heroine. My guest today is Ashley York with her  release The Gentile Knight.

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TheGentleKnight5_850EXCERPT:

“What. Will. It. Be?” He leaned in closer, whispering each word.

“Whatever you think best?” She spoke as calmly as she could but the room was getting very hot.

He glanced up as if trying to read an unclear sign but then that assured smile returned.

A tiny quiver rippled through her. Before she could speak again, he was closing in on her, his body up against hers.

“Whatever I think best?”

She wavered for a moment, unsure why he answered her with that tone. She wanted nothing more than to melt against him, envelope herself in his heat. This was just like in her dream. Hot and heady.

Then his firm lips were on hers. His hard length pressing her into the table, as if trying to meld them together. Her body would gladly have done just that if only it could have turned to pure liquid instead of just a growing warmth where his hips grinded into her.

He pulled his head back enough to search her face. He was breathing hard. He looked bewildered. “Is this what you want then?”

Her body arched towards his where the pressure had eased. “I…I’m not sure.” She should not be feeling this way. “Please.”

The answering sound from deep in his throat surprised her but then she got what she craved. His lips on hers again, then trailing across her cheek and down her jaw. An intense ripple of pleasure shot straight to her core. His hips undulated against hers, the heat, the dampness. She moaned.

He suddenly stopped, his head still dipped into the crook of her neck. She didn’t dare breathe.

“I do not believe your protector will be happy with the outcome if we continue.” His voice was husky, his breath warm against her skin. He shifted away.

Her body immediately missed his. Her eyes closed, she took a slow, steadying breath.

BLURB:

A medieval soldier returns home to find his lover died in childbirth just as his own mother had. Believing he is cursed, Peter of Normandy turns from love. When he must give escort to an Irish princess more noble than many knights, he struggles with his decision to live a solitary life. Can he take the chance that his love won’t be a death sentence and possibly make them stronger?

Padraig MacNaughton’s death bed decree rips his daughter, Brighit, from the shelter of her protective clan in Ireland. Forced to take vows at a Priory in England, she finds herself in the hands of lecherous mercenaries with their own political agendas. Dare she trust the Norman knight to see her safely to her new life as a nun? Even when she finds in him the fulfillment of all she’s ever wanted?

Or will honor and duty eclipse their one chance for happiness?

BUY LINKS: Apple    Kobo    Amazon    Barnes and Noble

Hope you enjoyed this excerpt! See you next week!

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Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 2/14/16 Only Marriage Will Do ~ Time Runs Out

 

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!!

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Only Marriage Will Do is February’s “Book of the Month” so I’ve put up 10 lines from it. This is Book 2 of my House of Pleasure series.

I’m starting somewhat in the middle, with a scene I really like. Throughout the book Juliet (our heroine) has been pursued by the Viscount Philippe St. Cyr, a debonair but ruthless Frenchman who claims he is married to Juliet through a proxy marriage in France the year before.

As this scene begins Juliet believes herself married to the man she loves, Amiable, but they are estranged and she is living with her brother and sister-in-law. In this scene, Juliet and her SIL, Katarina, have been talking about whether they would like a  girl or a boy. Both ladies are pregnant and Katarina had just excused herself to go to the “necessary” room and Philippe walks in.

ONLY MARRIAGE WILL DO

“Philippe, how did you get in here?” Juliet shrank back against the sofa, fear running coldly through her veins.

“I merely told the footman I had been summoned by you, petite,” he said, leaning against the doorjamb, his evil smile broadening.

This could not be happening.

He pushed the door shut, the latch clicking into place with a sickening finality. As he sauntered into the room, the air seemed to thicken with his presence. The warm, cheerful chamber turned cold, as though she sat in an icehouse. The walls seemed to shrink as he strutted toward her, the heels of his black boots tapping loudly on the polished floor. Each beat sounded like ticks of a clock until he stood before her.

She had run out of time.

Only Marriage Will Do is available here.

Blurb:

Not every happy-ever-after begins at “I do.”

When the man of her dreams rescues Lady Juliet Ferrers from the villain claiming to be her husband, she is sure she has found her one true love. But is she free to marry him? Not to be deterred, Juliet arranges for her hero to escort her to her family estate in far off Northern England—hoping that along the way she can win his love—and his hand… Captivated by Juliet’s sweetness and beauty, Captain Amiable Dawson can’t help but be spellbound by the promise of a life with her. But the spell breaks when questions arise about her marital status. Soon the upstanding Amiable is unsure if he is indeed married to Juliet. And when his rival absconds with her, Amiable must choose between the law of the land and his heart’s desire to rescue Juliet once more…

Today is the final day of my SWEETS TO THE SWEET Valentine’s Giveaway. If you’d like to enter to win a gift card, chocolates, and a complete set of Jenna Jaxon books (including Only Marriage Will Do) click HERE.

That’s all for this week. Hope you enjoyed it!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here.  There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

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Posted in Historical Romance, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Book of the Month: Only Marriage Will Do

My Book of the month for February is my Georgian/Regency romance Only Marriage Will Do, Book 2 in my House of Pleasure Series.  I’ll be  running giveaways all month involving OMWD and this week’s is a signed print copy of the book!

ONLY MARRIAGE WILL DO

(Isn’t that cover gorgeous!)

Yep, I’ve currently got only two print copies in my possession and  I’m going to give away one to one of you lovely readers who leaves a comment about what you look for in a heroine of historical romance on this post between today and next Thursday, February 18. The winner will be announced on Friday, February 19 along with the next giveaway.

Good luck and happy reading!

OFFICIAL BLURB FOR ONLY MARRIAGE WILL DO

Not every happy-ever-after begins at “I do.”

When the man of her dreams rescues Lady Juliet Ferrers from the villain claiming to be her husband, she is sure she has found her one true love. But is she free to marry him? Not to be deterred, Juliet arranges for her hero to escort her to her family estate in far off Northern England—hoping that along the way she can win his love—and his hand…

Captivated by Juliet’s sweetness and beauty, Captain Amiable Dawson can’t help but be spellbound by the promise of a life with her. But the spell breaks when questions arise about her marital status. Soon the upstanding Amiable is unsure if he is indeed married to Juliet. And when his rival absconds with her, Amiable must choose between the law of the land and his heart’s desire to rescue Juliet once more…

EXCERPT:

The clock on the mantle chimed the quarter hour. After one o’clock in the morning and, despite the excitement of the day, her escape from London, her afternoon nap and its disturbing dream, Juliet still couldn’t sleep.

After almost an hour of tossing and turning in her wretched bed, she’d sent Glynis to the kitchen to see if they had kept hot water over the fire. Perhaps a bath would soothe her enough to make sleep possible. Had she brought her lavender oil? So calming. Surely that would help.

She slipped on her robe and padded to her traveling trunk at the end of the bed. She lifted the lid and pulled out the box that held her soaps and perfumes. As she checked the vials, a tentative knock sounded at the door.

“Come in, Glynis.” She uncapped a vial and sniffed the contents. Jasmine. No. Not for the bath.

The door opened.

“Are they bringing the tub? I think the lavender oil will help me relax.”

“Very good, my lady.” The deep masculine voice froze her, vial in hand.

Her head snapped up.

A towering male figure stood shadowed in the doorway.

Dear God, Philippe had found her.

“Or is it Mrs. Dawson perhaps?”

No accent. He was not Philippe. A hired thug sent to kidnap her?

Strength drained away. She dropped the box and whirled around, seeking a way out of the room that suddenly seemed to close in on her.

Bottles crashed and the reek of jasmine filled the room. Juliet shrieked and stumbled back behind the bed. Trapped. Easy prey.

The man raced toward her, calling out something she couldn’t hear for the blood pounding in her ears. The candle he carried blew out. He cursed and reached for her.

“Nooo! Get away. Don’t touch me.” Slapping at his hands, she twisted to avoid him and landed with a thud, flat on her back. Air rushed out of her lungs.

He sped around the end of the bed.

She struggled to scream for Glynis, but produced only a high-pitched squeak.

The man knelt beside her.

Dear Lord, where was her rescuer now?

Only Marriage Will Do is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other e-retailers.

Posted in Book of the Month, Book Spotlights, Historical Romance, House of Pleasure Series, On Regency Romance, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Regency Romance | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Spotlight on Author Starfox Howl’s Recent Releases

Angel's Wings Image

Angel’s Wings

The year is 2068 and the MORFS outbreak is worldwide. Science has found no cure, just better ways of keeping those sickened alive until the symptoms pass. Angel Sanderson was stricken by the once deadly syndrome, the first time when she turned ten years old. After five years living trapped in the body and mind of an eight-year-old with butterfly wings, she is one of the rarest victims, someone in whom the syndrome is triggered a second time. The young woman who emerges is truly an angel, tall, lovely and a flyer with wings who can soar to the heavens. On the first day at a school just for MORFS survivors, she meets a boy with a troubled past. Her attraction to him is real, but can their young love survive the trials of life and family without crashing and burning?

http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Wings-MORFS-Book-1-ebook/dp/B007CAZFW4/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

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Jason To Jessica

Jason Ryerson wakes from sleep in a different room and a different body. In the hour after waking up, he learns that he has been a victim twice over, first of a car accident that caused massive injuries to his old body. Secondly, and more devastatingly a victim of the MORFS plague. Jason, now Jessica, learns what it means to be on the other side of the bed. Outwardly a beautiful woman, she is forced to come to terms with how the world views women. As ties to her past are confronted, dissolved or strengthened, Jessica turns her attention to her future. A man who knew her as both Jason and now Jessica becomes more than just a friend. With no secrets between them, will he help her find her way into the world of being a woman?

http://www.amazon.com/Jason-Jessica-Starfox-Howl-ebook/dp/B0057Y9IES/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Deployment Image

Deployment – Mankiller Stories, Book 1

Lisa Mankiller is spending her pre-deployment leave at the ranch of neighbors when she meets Todd Lawson, a city boy, friend, and lover, of Jake Winthrop, someone she’d not seen since departing for Navy Corpsman school years before. Witnessing how abusive Jake has become, Lisa works to rescue Todd, unaware that her heart has other plans. The Navy is sending her to sea for a year. Will someone be waiting for her when she returns?

http://www.amazon.com/Deployment-Mankiller-Stories-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00AL5GV9I/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

 

Starfox Howl Author ImageStarfox Howl Bio:

Starfox Howl is a former Marine brat who spent time seeing the world as a US Navy sailor. Between stints of peaceful civilian jobs working on computers, he spent five years in Afghanistan, working on computers, riding in helicopters and getting his first book written.  He now makes his home in Georgia, outside of Atlanta, where he takes care of his wife and son by writing, and…working on computers.

Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Starfox-Howl/e/B005E8NBC2/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1453749032&sr=1-2-ent

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Starfox-Howl-Author-180250358698918/

 

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Sweets to the Sweet Valentine’s Giveaway!

SWEETS TO THE SWEET!

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I’m running a Rafflecopter Giveaway for Valentine’s Day! For all of you sweet enough to participate, there’s a bunch of yummy prizes just waiting for you:

$10 Amazon Gift Card

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Godiva chocolates

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A Complete set of Jenna Jaxon Books

(Includes the Contemporary set AND

a Bonus: the out-of -print Heart of Deception Short Story)

Heart of Deception Print

All you have to do is ENTER BELOW to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Everyone!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
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Book Market Maven Launch by Jenna Jaxon

Great new tool for authors! Patricia Green’s new blog is a wealth of resources for writers.

Jenna Jaxon's avatarNights of Passion

Maven-Icon-W-Lettering

There’s a new blog in town that may be of great interest to writers especially, but to readers as well who want to keep abreast of what’s going on currently in the book world. The blog is called Book Market Maven and it’s written by a very good friend of mine, Patricia Green. Trish has been a professional writer for over twenty-five years, turning out diverse works from historical to science fiction to contemporary romances. She knows this business inside-out and does her research thoroughly, so I was thrilled to find she’d come up with a new venture which is dedicated to the book market.

In the introductory post to Book Market Maven, Trish lays out exactly what this blog is going to address: “Authors need to know what’s going on in the publishing business, as well as how to write award-winning stories, books and articles. We all have favorite…

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Medieval Monday ~ First Kiss: Mary Morgan’s Dragon Knight’s Shield

Medieval Monday is celebrating the first kiss of the hero and heroine. My guest today is Mary Morgan with Dragon Knight’s Shield.

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Excerpt:

His look was predatory, lustful, inviting, and she took a step backward. Words failed her as she took another step back.

He arched a brow and his smile became seductive. “Do I frighten ye?”

“No!” she lied. Like hell you do! You’re as gorgeous as sin standing there, and I want to rip your clothes from your body.

Pushing off from the wall, he stepped into the room and silently closed the door behind him, his eyes never leaving hers. His hair hung in soft waves past his shoulders, and her fingers itched to twine within them. Her body ached in places so deep—longing for even the slightest touch.

“Are ye unwell, my lady?”

The burr of his voice so low—so sexy, she could only stare at him until his words resonated in her mind. “No,” she replied softly, feeling the flames of desire heat not only her face, but also her entire body.

This time when he took another step closer, Deirdre didn’t back away. Now he stood so close she could feel the warmth of his breath across her face—a mix of wine and pure male.

She watched mesmerized as he reached for a lock of her hair, twining it around his finger. “So verra soft.”

Deirdre couldn’t breathe, as he let the curl unravel and cupped her face in his hands. “Ye confuse me. Ye torment me in my dreams,” he whispered against her cheek, sending a wave of pleasure down her spine.

Without thought, she groaned and leaned into him—his beard grazing her cheek. She no longer battled her mind for the man. “Kiss me, Angus.”

This time he groaned, capturing her mouth with savage intensity and drawing the breath from her lungs. His tongue plundered deep, and Deirdre opened fully to the fiery possession.

Blurb:

Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and he takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him.  Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight.  Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?

*****

Dragon Knight’s Shield

Available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Knights-Shield-Order-Book-ebook/dp/B018MESJ12/

Hope you enjoyed this excerpt! See you next week!

Posted in Historical Romance, Medieval Mondays, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 2/07/16 Only Marriage Will Do ~ A Slight Accident

 

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

After much soul searching, I’ve decided Only Marriage Will Do will be February’s “Book of the Month” so I’ve put up 10 lines from it. This is Book 2 of my House of Pleasure series.

I’m starting somewhat in the middle, with a scene I really like. Throughout the book Juliet (our heroine) has been pursued by the Viscount Philippe St. Cyr, a debonair but ruthless Frenchman who claims he is married to Juliet through a proxy marriage in France the year before.

As this scene begins Juliet believes herself married to the man she loves, Amiable, but they are estranged and she is living with her brother and sister-in-law. In this scene, Juliet and her SIL, Katarina, have been talking about whether they would like a  girl or a boy. Both ladies are pregnant and Katarina had just excused herself to go to the “necessary” room.

ONLY MARRIAGE WILL DOThe door opened as she set her cup on the side table.

“I don’t know which I want to have, Kat, boy or girl. Either would be lovely, don’t you know?”

“If he or she looks like their mother, then I will agree with you absolutement, mon chére.”

The oily voice shot a jolt of fear through Juliet. She jerked away from the sound and banged her hand against the cup she had just set down, sending it crashing to the floor. With unholy dread, she made herself look at the intruder.

A quick, cruel smile flashed in his handsome face, revealing predatory teeth. From the doorway, St. Cyr glanced at the remains of the teacup. “Shall I call someone to clean that up, chérie?”

Only Marriage Will Do is available here.

That’s all for this week. Hope you enjoyed it!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here.  There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

91xBE7mBjRL__SL1500_Marriage 2TETL SET CORRECT COVERAKBTM15

 

 

Posted in Historical Romance, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Chesapeake Romance Writers’ Conference 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

If you’re looking for a nice, intimate conference and you’re in the Central Virginia area (or driving distance of Williamsburg), or are just a fan of best-selling authors Cathy Maxwell and Felicia Mason, this may be the conference for you!

Jenna Jaxon's avatarNights of Passion

My local RWA chapter, Chesapeake Romance Writers, is hosting what has become our annual conference on March 5, 2016 this year, in Williamsburg, VA and I wanted to invite everyone, both writers and readers, to come out, meet some of our celebrated authors, enjoy our workshops, and have some fun into the bargain.

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Readers, we have best-selling author Cathy Maxwell as our morning speaker. Her historical romances have hit most best-sellers lists. And if that wasn’t enough, our own chapter member, best-selling author of contemporary romance, Felicia Mason, will lead the afternoon workshop. Both these ladies are dynamic speakers, something you will not want to miss.

We will also have a book sales nook, where many of our local authors will be selling and signing books.

Writers, in addition to the workshops by industry experts, we will be having pitches taken on site by acquiring editors and agents. After lunch, this panel will…

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Medieval Monday: Something More in Mind: Cameron by Lane McFarland

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First Kiss for Hero and Heroine in  CAMERON

EXCERPT:

Robert gently set Cameron on the ground, and she turned to face him. A bit dazed, she ran trembling fingers down the front of her gown. His hands lingered at her waist, and when he didn’t step back, she looked up to find him smiling.

“I believe ye owe me yer thanks, Mistress Cameron.”

At his mention of her name, she searched his face. “How do ye know me?”

He chuckled, his deep voice rumbling throughout his thick chest. “I make it my business to know all the bonnie lasses in the area.”

The men behind him laughed.

Her stomach tightened. She was no beauty. He obviously mocked her—in front of his men. Prickly heat tingled across her cheeks.

“I’ll catch up to ye,” Robert called over his shoulder.

“Oh, aye. Once ye’ve taken care of business,” one man asserted.

“Important business to be sure,” the other bantered.

The men chuckled as they nudged their mounts, then trotted down the path and out of sight.

Robert’s gaze lingered on her mouth before he raised it to her eyes. “I believe it’s customary to thank someone when they’ve helped ye.”

Cameron cleared her throat. “Aye, I do thank ye.”

He studied her lips again. “I had something more in mind. Ye know ye’d still be stuck in that tree if I hadn’t come along, so ye owe me.”

His warm breath caressed her face. He bent and placed his mouth on hers. His arms pulled her close, his muscular frame molding her body against his. Stubble scratched her skin, and she inhaled his male scent of leather, and aye, of horse.

She should be horrified at his advances. What was she thinking, allowing a Graham to kiss her so…so wickedly and deliciously? She should push him away and demand he step back, but somehow, she loathed the idea. Indeed, she reveled in the feel of his hard body pressed against hers.

 

BLURB:

Determined to band Scots together against English tyranny, Laird Robert Graham seals a truce with his feuding neighbor, the MacDougalls. But after his brother is nearly killed in a treacherous attack, Graham kidnaps the laird’s daughter in an act of revenge.

Cameron MacDougall has devoted her life to the healing arts. She’s long rebelled against her father’s feuding ways, but when Robert Graham abducts her, she’s finds herself at the center of the dispute between their families. She expects the anger she feels, not the simmering attraction to the powerful warrior, or the love she develops for his clan.

Can she stop further violence between the clans with her escape? Or will she find her surrender leads to a lasting peace and her own heart’s desire?

BUY LINK: Amazon

 

Posted in Book Spotlights, Historical Romance, Medieval Monday, Medieval Mondays, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment