Time Travel to Ancient Rome with Gina Danna and Love & Vengeance

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Today my guest is Gina Danna, a fellow historical author and great friend ofGina_036 mine. She’s re-releasing her Ancient Roman romance, Love & Vengeance and came by to talk about her inspiration for choosing this fascinating period of history.

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

A fellow writer had written a time travel piece I read about going back to the time of knights. It was good and I commented how I’d travel back to Ancient Rome but feared I’d enter the Colosseum where I would be killed like the Christians. She retorted but what if a man saved me? That immediately set my muse to playing. What if…

            Instantly, Marcus and Gustina came to life. The opening to Love & Vengeance is that rescue. These two demanded I tell their story, which got me into researching just how did people live back then? What was the Colosseum like? Gladiators? Research isn’t new to me – I have graduate degree in History though I admit, my favorite time has been the American Civil War. But Ancient Rome held a certain appeal to me I couldn’t deny.

            The Roman Empire thrived for hundreds of years, first as a Republic then as an Empire. It expanded throughout Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa. But the pinnacle of the entire civilization was Rome itself. To the Romans, everyone wanted to be one of them. The town itself grew to over a million inhabitants by 100 A.D. (or C. E.). There many of today’s foundations took hold – the idea of a representative assembly, The Senate; philosophy (they took the Greeks beginnings and expanded them, adopting them as their own); architecture; sewer systems that survive to today; aqueducts and baths survived; roads.

And war. The bulk of their Empire was amassed through war. Those defeated in war often were turned into slaves – a commodity the Romans needed badly. Those infamous structures like the Colosseum were built through slave labor. Anyone could become a slave then, even miscreant Romans, conflicted of crimes, would become a slave. Slavery was extremely bad then, used as expendable lives. Even gladiators for the most part were slaves though a few freemen fought in the games to earn coin enough to get out of debt, selling themselves to the gladiatorial schools for a couple of years to do so though the price tag could mean they died in the games instead of leaving a free man. Gladiators, though, were the ‘rock stars’ of the period. Successful champions had a following of fans, mostly women. Roads to the arena often were lined on game day with vendors selling items for purchase on those favored, like pictures, trinkets used by them, vials of their blood (blood of a champion was thought to cure ills like infertility, epilepsy, etc.) and other goods.

It is a fascinating time, full of intrigue and mystery. Come and get a taste of long ago, in Ancient Rome with Marcus and Gustina in Love & Vengeance!

GinaDanna_Love&Vengeance_2500px

Blurb:

Rome 108 A.D., under the Emperor Trajan, is the center of the civilized world. It is a time of sophistication and decadence, a brutal world to their conquered.

Marcus, a Roman citizen sentenced to die as a gladiator, accused by his wife and brother for a crime he did not commit. Yet death eludes him and he rises to become champion of the sands. The title he does not want. He seeks revenge but his victories in the Colosseum bestow monetary rewards he can use to save a beautiful slave, Gustina, from certain death by the beasts. She gives him a taste of love in a world full of lies, betrayal and murder.

But his overwhelming desire for vengeance, for blood and the kill, brings a higher price tag – can he satisfy the demon inside him and face the truth? A truth that will kill the woman he loves?

Buylinks –

 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1Y4BzhU (paperback)

                 http://amzn.to/1PCtGgP (Kindle)

iBooks:    http://apple.co/1SKrVhA

Kobo:      http://bit.ly/20NEm1f

 

Excerpt –

Gustina stood before him, terrified, angry and numb. As the door shut behind her, fear coiled down her back but she refused to acknowledge it. He was just another man. Like the rest. No better and no worse.

            Ah, but he’s so much better looking, her mind teased. Still dressed in the pure white linen cloth, the folds placed so precisely over his cock, his skin weathered from hours spent outside in the sun, muscles rippling over his chest and stomach, he was a god. Apollo or maybe even Hercules. His bare feet rested on the dirt floor, corded tendons and contours ran up his legs. She couldn’t tear her gaze from him. He knew it, just sat and drank her in.

            The puckered seam stood out on his chest and the scrape above it. His lower lip puffed slightly, as if he’d been beaten, but it was hard to tell when his square jaw ticked. Those brown eyes, dark, desire brewing at the surface.

The pull to him came from deep within. Her heart skipped a beat, the air in the cell became heavy and she couldn’t breathe. She tried to swallow but her mouth was too dry. Heat spiraled inside her, deep, pooling in her lower stomach. A small voice inside her screamed and fought for control—a control she could no longer maintain.

            He exhaled, and she realized his tension matched her own. Strange, for this gladiator, this champion of death, to be tight because of her. That realization gave her strength to struggle from this quagmire of desire. Until he stood and took a step closer.

            “I was sent to pleasure you,” she stated as brusquely as she could. Even she heard her voice hitch.

            He smiled. Warm and intoxicating, with dimples. She felt like she was drowning.

            “Truly?” he asked, his voice rich, deep and smooth like good wine.

            “Yes,” she whispered. “Dominus said I am to see you satisfied.”

            He laughed. Her toes curled at the heat rolling off him, covering her. “And what do you want?” His seductive voice broke her defenses and lulled her into his arms. He bent his head to kiss her.

Posted in Guest Bloggers, Guest Posts, Historical Romance, Promotion | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Medieval Monday ~ First Encounter: Ruth A. Casie’s The Druid Knight’s Tale

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Medieval Monday is back, with a new twist. This time around we post excerpts that fulfill a different requirement each month. For November we must post an excerpt with the meeting of the hero and heroine. My guest today is Ruth A. Casie with her medieval short story The Druid Knight Tales.

MedMon

 

druid knights tale

Blurb: The Druid Knight Tales

After a year of searching, Maximilian, the druid Grand Master, finds the sacred mistletoe destined for his soul mate shriveled and dead. He must journey to the Otherworld and tell the Ancestors of his failure.

Ellyn of Brodgar is an exceptional healer. But each healing kiss depletes her energy and brings her closer to death. Ellyn needs to find her own healing power before it’s too late.

Max and Ellyn are tossed into the Otherworld and have until the third sunset to appeal to the Ancestors or be lost forever. Together they find love, and as the last rays of the third sunset slip away, both are willing to sacrifice their hopes, dreams, and lives for the other. Do they have what it takes to escape the Otherworld and begin their life together?

Amazon: http://bit.ly/DruidKnightTales

BN: http://bit.ly/DruidKnightTalesBN

iBook: http://bit.ly/DruidKnightTalesiBook

KOBO: http://bit.ly/KOBO_DruidKnightTales

Druid Knight’s Tale

Excerpt Nov. 2015: First encounter of hero and heroine:

“I thought they called out and I followed,” Max said.

“Who called out?” Ellyn asked.

“The Ancestors, of course. This is the shortest way to the standing stones. I was too eager. I knew something was amiss.” He winced in pain. “I should have listened to my own words,” he said between clenched teeth. “The Otherworld is not to be trusted.”

“Yes. There are traps and villains everywhere,” she mimicked his words. She opened the pouch she wore at her waist and removed a vial. “You must have slid down cliff on your back. The scrapes are deep.” Before she took care of his wounds she pressed her lips tenderly on his head, a kiss she was certain he would not feel. But his muscles twitched in response. She gasped in surprise at his reaction.

“I stepped onto the platform. It was fine.” He yawned. “But when I moved to the walkway the ropes gave way and I was falling through the air…” His voice trailed off and his eyelids slid closed.

She tenderly touched the rune tattoos on his back and gaped as each touch made them glow. She heard the tales of the magick runes but thought they were just that, tales. She stared at him, unable to say a word. She worked quickly, checking every scrape.

His wounds dressed and bandaged, she massaged his shoulders. When she was satisfied his muscles were relaxed, she gently prodded him to roll onto his back. The scrapes on his chest appeared to be minor.

Kneeling beside him, she ministered those wounds as well. When she was done, she sat back on her heels, startled. “Well, Grand Master, that is as much as I can do. The rest is up to you.”

“Aye,” he said sleepily, followed by a soft snore.

She wiped the blood from the scratches on his cheek and studied him.

Full brows framed his wide-set eyes with long, thick lashes. His high cheekbones accentuated the deep hollows beneath them. His close-clipped beard outlined his full lips. His face spoke of power and ageless strength. He had a face that was easy to look at.

The wounds cleaned and bandaged, she bent over and gave him a lingering kiss on his forehead. Her head snapped up and her fingers went to her lips. They tingled as if she had eaten something spicy. She searched his face. His ashen color hadn’t changed. Panic welled in her throat. Her healing kiss always brought results.

His arm snaked around her and drew her to him. She didn’t resist when he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. When she moved away his eyes were closed, the corners of his mouth tipped up in a smile, and his face took on a soft pink hue.

Relief flooded through her but was quickly replaced with doubt. For the first time she wondered if her healing kiss would be enough.

***

THIS BOOK IS FREE AT ALL RETAILERS! DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY TODAY!

Hope you enjoyed this excerpt! See you next week!

Posted in Medieval Mondays | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

‘Tis the Season: Christmas in the Regency

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Jenna Jaxon's avatarNights of Passion

I just returned home after a whirlwind trip to Memphis to see my daughter in her first University of Memphis production. Very exciting—I hadn’t seen her except thru Skype since August. We had a great, if short, visit and now I’m looking forward to her return home for Christmas.

Christmas is literally just around the corner. And I am pushing myself to finish and release a Christmas novella that I’ve been working on for two years now. It’s called Beneath the Mistletoe, and is a sweet Regency full of Christmas traditions from two hundred years ago. And therein lies the rub with the book: Christmas during the Regency period was not at all like the Christmas celebrations we have today.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS DINNERWhile doing my research, I found out that most of our current ideas about how to celebrate Christmas originated in the Victorian era, or were simply not fashionable during…

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No Fear of Flying: Liza O’Connor’s Life’s Lessons and Saving Casey

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Saving Casey banner

The Danger of Running on half your magnetos.

Not the same plane 2When I was younger, I used to fly small Cessnas. (like the one on the left). I first chose to do it to challenge myself. I’m pretty well fearless, so the possibility of dying didn’t bother me in the least. I had just gotten rid of my husband who had tried to kill me three times. In comparison, flying small planes sounded safe and exhilarating. I was pretty sure the pilot training me would NOT try to kill me given he’s in the plane as well.

Learning to fly had its ups and down.

My first instructor was a Romeo. He was cute, but I was trying to learn to fly, so I didn’t appreciate his groping. It was distracting. Then one day as I was coming in for a landing, an idiot pilot who had landed before me just stopped and sat on the runway. I announced I was doing a go around, but Gropey took charge and instead of giving it a bit more power and raising the nose of the plane, he dive bombs right at the plane sitting on the runway. I was pretty sure we were all about to die. Thankfully, he pulled up right before he reached the plane and just skimmed over the top of it and then rose to do a proper go around. He then gave the control back to me.

I brought the plane around and by the time I returned to land, the idiot who had stopped his plane on the runway was gone, so I landed and taxied the plane to its tie down. All was well until we entered the building to sign out from our flight. A very angry man storms up, declaring he’ll have my license. I raised my hands and assured him I had nothing to do with it and scurried off to the office where I told the owner what had happened, and Gropey got fired.

My next instructor was a complete ass. I hated him. Looking back, I wonder if he was friends with Gropey and blamed me for his firing.) After a couple of weeks of him screaming at me, I went back to the head guy and asked if I could have another instructor. Instead of giving me another instructor he said he’d teach me. I always wondered if he took me on to determine if I was a problem flyer. However, we got along splendidly and finally, I learned to fly properly.

Once I got my license, I continued to fly from the same airport. Then something horrible happened… the flight school was sold to new owners who evidently thought plane maintenance was an unnecessary cost. Thus a few months into their ownership, when I did the prestart, half the magnetos weren’t working, which meant the engine only had half its power. I returned to the office and asked for a different plane. None were available. So I made note in the log that the plane needed repair and went home. The next weekend I arrived and the plane had yet to be repaired. The girl at the office assured me everyone else was flying the plane just fine. Next weekend she said maintenance had fixed the problem, so I handed over my credit card, got the keys and jogged out to the plane.

You cannot fathom my outrage when the right magnetos were still out. But I desperately wanted to fly and clearly everyone could fly a plane on half its magnetos, so off I go.

Everything was fine on my way out (I had a tailwind). But when I turned to go home, I realized I was in serious trouble. On half power, the plane made little forward ground progress against the headwind. As HOURS passed and I watched the fuel drop, I grew very worried and contemplated possible landing options. Unfortunately, this airport was in a high density area of New Jersey. Other than the land for the runways everything else was commercial buildings, major packed highways, Water tanks, and the ocean to my right. If I had to emergency land, it would have to be in the ocean or the narrow strip of beach. Thankfully the wind died back a bit and I started to make better progress. When I finally reached the airport, I came in too fast and hit the runaway hard enough to bounce my plane back into air. Normally, I’d apply power and do a go around, but not this time. Today, I was landing now. So I forced it back down, eventually brought it to a halt.

After shutting it down, I stormed into the office and yelled at the girl who’d told me it had been fixed. I also refused to pay for all the “extra time” I had spent beyond my allotted time.

And I never used Linden airport again. I tried two other airports, but one was too congested and the other one was just a single runway which meant you often had to land with a crosswind. After a near death cross-wind landing, I re-evaluated why I was flying planes. It had begun as a challenge, became for a short time exhilarating, grand achievement, but had recently fallen into a state of constant stress, and it was very expensive. So I put all my pilot stuff away and moved onto gardening.

In Saving Casey, I gave my experience to Cass, which she turned into a life lesson. She has lots of life lessons.

Saving Casey 400 x 640

Saving Casey

By

Liza O’Connor

 

Saving Casey Requires Rescue

 

Book 1 of the

Requires Rescue Series

Contemporary Suspense

 

BLURB

When 80 year old Cass Goldman learns she has inoperable cancer, she decides to end her life, peacefully on her terms. So imagine her horror when she wakes to find herself in a hospital with strange rich people staring at her. It’s not until the doctor arrives to examine her that she realizes she’s no longer old. She’s in the body of a seventeen year old teen named Casey.

Unfortunately, her new body comes with some serious baggage. First of all, the kid has burned every bridge imaginable. Secondly, those ‘people’ in her room are her outrageously rich parents and while the Dad seems friendly, the mother wants nothing to do with her. The moment they take her home to a horrifically huge mansion, which she dubs Tara, she’s abandoned to the care of the butler.

While Cass is determined to turn this train wreck of a life around, doing so is far harder than she expected. In fact, without help, she’ll end up dead just like the last occupant of this body. Thankfully, her dad has his hunky head of security become her body guard. Between her eighty years of life lessons and hunky Troy’s help, she just might live long enough not to be jail bait.

 

EXCERPT

Troy and Cass’s new transport was a two-seater Cessna, which meant one of them had to fly the damn thing. “I hope you know how to fly, because my license is expired. I’d probably push the throttle all the way in instead of the carburetor heat when landing.”

He chuckled. “Good thing I’m flying.”

She followed him about the plane during his walk-about and then read the checklist aloud once they were inside.

“You didn’t check the magnetos separately,” she complained.

“We’re in a hurry here,” he grumbled.

“So stop wasting time.”

Softly cursing beneath his breath, he checked first the right and then the left magnetos. They both purred. “Can we go now?”

She returned the checklist to its place. “Seatbelt on, luggage safely stored.”

Losing patience with her, he powered up and taxied down the runway.

She smiled. It had been over forty years since she had flown a plane. “Any chance you’ll let me take off?”

“None whatsoever.” He pulled out the throttle and barreled down the runway, picking up speed, finally pulling back on the yoke, lifting the plane smoothly into the night sky.

“Almost as nice as mine,” she said and stared out the windows. “Plane at three o’clock,” she warned as she spotted blinking red and green lights.

“Where? Got it,” he replied. Once they were away from the airport, he smiled at her. “Want to hold the plane steady for me?”

She smiled and took hold of the yoke on her side. “What’s our course?”

“280.”

Either she’d forgotten the joy of flying, or teenage supersized sensations enhanced the experience. Her body sang with happiness.

 

SALES LINK

AMAZON

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Liza O’Connor is a nut.

Not a real nut, but she is prone to being a smart ass at times, and not surprisingly her heroines say odd and inappropriate things in her book, as well. So even in a suspense novel you can expect to laugh along the way. That’s because Liza loves to see humor in the crazy world around her.

Saving Casey was actually the first book Liza published. Having recently reclaimed her rights to the book, she is happily re-publishing it as her 18th book. And because her books sell better when in a series, she using Saving Casey to kick of a new series called Requires Rescue. It will be different from her other series where the same characters show up in each book. This series will be about strong women who are trying to go it alone, only when help is offered, they have the good sense to accept the helping hand, because in all of our lives, there will come a time you need someone else to help you. Being strong doesn’t make us invincible. Book 1 is Casey/Cass’s story. Book 2 will be about an entirely different young woman who desperately needs help before she’s murdered on the streets of NYC. Book 3, well the plot is super unique, and more books will follow.

You’ll be able to read the series in any order you want, but in each case, you’ll have a strong young woman, a guy stepping up to help when no one else does, and danger galore with humor stuffed in anywhere I can.

I hope you’ll come along with me so you can laugh, love, and get revenge.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT 

LIZA O’CONNOR

 

Liza’s Blog and Website   Facebook   Twitter

 

Posted in Guest Bloggers, Guest Posts, Promotion | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Medieval Monday ~ Kim Headlee’s Snow in July: The Hero and Heroine Meet

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Medieval Monday is back, with a new twist. This time around we post excerpts that fulfill a different requirement each week. For the first week we must post an excerpt with the meeting of the hero and heroine. My guest today is Kim Headlee with her medieval romance Snow in July.

MedMon

 

Headlee - Snow in July coverBLURB:

Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre has been granted what every man wants: a rich English estate in exchange for his valiant service at the Battle of Hastings. To claim this reward, the Norman knight must wed the estate’s Saxon heiress. Most men would leap at such an opportunity, but for Alain, who broke his vow to his dying mother by failing to protect his youngest brother in battle, it means facing more easily broken vows. But when rumors of rampant thievery, dangerous beasts, and sorcery plaguing a neighboring estate reach his ears, nothing will make him shirk duty to king and country when people’s lives stand at risk. He assumes the guise of a squire to scout the land, its problems, and its lady.

Lady Kendra of Edgarburh has been granted what no woman wants: a forced marriage to an enemy who may be kith or kin to the man who murdered her beloved brother. Compounding her anguish is her failure to awaken the miraculous healing gift bequeathed by their late mother in time to save his life. Although with his dying breath, he made her promise to seek happiness above all, Kendra vows that she shall find neither comfort nor love in the arms of a Norman…unless it snows in July.

Alain is smitten by Lady Kendra from the first moment of their meeting; Kendra feels the forbidden allure of the handsome and courtly Norman “squire.” But a growing evil overshadows everyone, invoking dark forces and ensnaring Kendra in a plot to overthrow the king Alain is oath-bound to serve. Kendra and Alain face a battle unlike any other as their honor, their love, their lives, and even their very souls lie in the balance.

BOOK TRAILER: http://youtu.be/vFsaD1jCLLU

BUY & TBR LINKS

Worldwide Amazon Kindle link – http://getBook.at/Snow_in_July_by_KIH_Kindle

Worldwide Amazon Paperback link –http://myBook.to/Snow_in_July_by_KIH_paperback

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-in-july-kim-headlee/1119853202?ean=2940149693818&itm=1&usri=2940149693818

BARNES & NOBLES PAPERBACK – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-in-july-kim-headlee/1119853202?ean=9780990505501

KOBO – http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/snow-in-july

SMASHWORDS – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/450831

ITUNES – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id892162990

GOODREADS – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22398941-snow-in-july

Excerpt Nov. 2015: First encounter of hero and heroine:

As Sir Ruaud babbled in his semicoherent English about Sir Robert, Kendra fought a jumble of emotions regarding Ruaud’s squire. Not only was his station beneath her rank, his being Norman placed him beneath her contempt. And yet she couldn’t tear her gaze from him.

Several inches taller than Sir Ruaud, the squire was trim where Ruaud sported a paunch, and he radiated quiet dignity to counter Ruaud’s comic disposition. Both men wore their blond hair cropped close, but Ruaud’s darker locks didn’t curl about his ears and forehead in whimsical wisps begging to be touched. Ruaud’s nose bore the lumpish evidence of having been broken at least once, but no scars marred the squire’s face. And those eyes—merciful heaven, if the squire regarded her once more with those probing, sea-green eyes, she would faint from the delectable agony.

Relief washed over her when he broke eye contact and strode to the packhorse. Broad shoulders and sinewy arms rippled as he wrestled something from a saddle pack. For one wanton moment, she imagined being encircled by those arms, protected, cherished. Loved… happy…

She shook her head. One of his countrymen had murdered her brother. She must despise this man.

And yet that task was proving to be a major chore.

***

Hope you enjoyed this excerpt! See you next week!

Posted in Medieval Mondays | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Year End Splash from The Romance Reviews

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

yes2015

Happy November! I’m participating in The Romance Reviews’ Year End Splash party November 1 thru 30, 2015. There are over 300 participating authors and therefore over 300 prizes for you to win, including a Grand Prize of  $100.00!

All you need to do to participate is follow this link, sign in to The Romance Reviews, and start following different authors and play the games! Just be sure you are registered and logged in to TRR to begin playing.

My prize is an e-copy of Crashing Into Love, a boxed set with novellas about love and adventure from fantastic romance authors D’Ann Lindun, Daryl Devore, Melissa Keir, Brenda Dyer, Deb Jullienne, and Lisa Kumar.

CrashingIntoLove_AD

Lost meets Romancing the Stone–action adventure, a dash of mystery, and romance to die for.

Seven planes lift off…seven planes crash…seven stories of struggle, passion and love in the barren Canadian Wilderness, the coast of England, or the steamy heat of a tropical island. Romance hangs in the balance between survival and death.

My time-travel novella, Crashing Through Time, is part of this boxed set:

Blurb:

More than hearts can be broken when you crash through time.

Theatre professor Corrine MacGowan, while in a sightseeing plane, crash lands in a field in Cornwall. She wanders away from the crash site, led by a strange buzzing in her head  coming from a black well (think The Ring). She falls down the well and ends up in Cornwall in 1868 at the home of her Master’s thesis subject, playwright Sir Robert Graysill. She immediately meets Sir Robert’s nephew, Ian Hunterly, and once she comes to terms with the fact that she has fallen through time, realizes from her research that Ian is doomed to die within a matter of days. Can she save him and change history? Or let history run its course and lose the man she has come to love?

Excerpt:

“Miss MacGowan, you needn’t have resorted to such subterfuge.” He crossed to her, limping but without his cane.

Subterfuge?

“You simply could have told me you wanted to audition for my uncle’s next play, my dear, and I would’ve been happy to speak to him for you. He’s in London, mounting his current play, but I will certainly tell him about your splendid performance.” Ian’s kind brown eyes, the color of shelled walnuts, twinkled.

His suddenly friendly look was the one bright spot in this spectacular failure of a plan. He thought she was an actress instead of a spy. So much for helping her with her mission. She’d never been good on stage because she’d always had a tendency to overact. Unfortunately, that was just what the Victorians craved.

Corrine had hoped to stir Ian’s patriotism so he’d take her back to the woods to find that damned well. According to her research, spies and smugglers weren’t common in this area of Cornwall, but they weren’t unheard of. And France and England were always fighting, weren’t they? It wasn’t impossible that someone would have sent her to spy in France. Was it?

“You did have me thinking you quite mad in the beginning, you know.” Ian looped her arm through his and started for the door. An agreeable buzz of warmth, like a low-grade shock, shot up her arm. “I could not imagine a more hare-brained scheme than to send a woman such as you to spy in France.”

“A woman such as me?” The hairs on the back of Corrine’s neck rose. “What do you mean by that?”

“Only that it would be unconscionable to waste the talents of a woman as beautiful and accomplished as you on the French.” He stared into her eyes, the darkness in his transfixing her.

The next thing she knew, he’d drawn her into his arms, his face inches away. Blood pounded in her veins so forcefully, her body shook with each pulse. She couldn’t look away, even as he leaned closer. Her breathing became fast and shallow. The damned corset wouldn’t let her take a deep breath. She gasped for air just as Ian covered her lips with his.

He accepted her invitation, sliding his tongue into her mouth, bringing with it the sweet taste of whiskey and a smell of bergamot that made her think of Earl Grey tea. His masculine presence—so close, so vital, so insistent—stole her thoughts and made her weak in the knees.

He explored her mouth with a tender thoroughness she’d never experienced before, one that seemed to go on forever. The intense kiss melted her inside, leaving her a limp shell clinging to him to keep from sinking to the floor.

At last, he let her go and stood staring at her, brows furrowed in contemplation. “I beg your pardon.” His frown deepened. “I should not have taken such a liberty, Miss MacGowan.”

“Pardon granted, Mr. Hunterly,” she said once she could breathe again. He looked so confused—almost embarrassed—she longed to smooth the deep lines on his forehead away, brush the dark curly hair to the side, and stroke his cheek. If she touched him again, though, she wouldn’t be responsible for what she would do. It certainly wouldn’t be proper by Victorian standards—maybe not even by those of her own time.

Crashing into Love is available at Amazon for .99!

 

Posted in Book Spotlights, Giveaways, On Crashing Into Love, On Crashing Through Time, Promotion, The Romance Reviews, Time Travel Romance | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cover Spot: An Unexpected Wish by Eileen Richards

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Anunexpectedwish_2

Blurb:

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Anne Townsend doesn’t ask for much. Plain and poor, she’d settle for the funds to put food on the table. Making a wish on the fabled Fairy Steps is hardly a solid solution, but to see her two sisters taken care of, Anne’s willing to try anything. Yet when she finds herself suddenly surrounded with suitors, romance is now a possibility for the spinster everyone always ignored except with the one man who will never want her…

Nathaniel Matthews has no time for courting. As the eldest, he has his family’s lost fortune to rebuild, and his reckless brother to manage before he gambles his future away. Odd that Nathaniel can think of little but kissing bright-eyed Anne, who seems to be fighting off admirers from all sides. Is it the country air, or is Nathaniel ready to discover that love has a magic all its own?

 

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/p7bvfuz

Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/prwaqdc

IBOOKS: http://tinyurl.com/o475rom

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/q43vg6j

 

eileen-richards-authorBio:

Eileen Richards has been writing for most of her life. Poetry, totally inappropriate answers to essay questions in school, and interesting error codes during her 30 year IT career has prepared her for the manic world of publishing.

She writes sassy regency romps set in the small villages of England where the rules are bent a bit and gossip rules the day.

Eileen resides with her husband and their diva of a greyhound in North Carolina.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.eileenrichardsauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoreileenrichards

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/EileenRAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EileenRAuthor

 

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Medieval Monday ~ Betrayal: “Have you news for me?”

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Medieval Monday. This week our theme is betrayal.  Of course, Book 2 of Time Enough to Love is titled Betrayal, but as I can’t paste in the whole book, I’ve given you one of the key moments of betrayal. I actually remember having to steel myself to write this scene, it hurt so much. The excerpt is a bit longer than usual, but you need the whole thing.

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EXCERPT:

 

betrayal_logo“Thomas.” Alyse curtsied quickly then blurted out the fear she had fought almost since Geoffrey had left. “Is my lord well? Have you news for me?” Thanks to Anne and Margaret’s thoughtless comments, she had become convinced Geoffrey had fallen ill with Sir Robert’s ailment and now himself hovered between life and death.

Avoiding her eyes, he answered briefly. “Aye, my lady. When I left him, Geoffrey was well enough.”

While his words relieved her, a shadow still lay on her heart. If Geoffrey was not ill, why had Thomas’s manner changed? What had summoned this aloof stranger? He was withholding something from her.

“And Sir Roland?”

He hesitated, searching her eyes then looking away. He fisted his hands. “Sir Roland is…has…”

Alyse could stand it no longer. She crossed to stand directly before him, laid a cold hand upon his arm, and gripped it. “Tell me.”

That there was something he could not bring himself to tell her filled her with terror. He said Geoffrey was well enough when he left. What about now?

Before she could question him further, he drew out a folded piece of parchment, sealed with blue wax and stamped with a signet ring bearing Geoffrey’s family crest. She stared at it, a cold dread creeping through her.

“Geoffrey bade me place this in your hand and no other, my lady.” Thomas thrust the missive toward her.

Alyse compelled herself to hold her hand out.

He sighed. “He also bade me be at your service, lady, had you need of anything.” He gave the parchment into her hand. As he did so, she looked into his eyes and recognized the same pity she had seen in Princess Joanna’s.

Panic made her arms weak and her fingers numb. She forced her shaking hands to break the seal. Alyse unfolded the letter and slowly read the scratched and blurry words.

* * * *

In her bedchamber, Princess Joanna waited with Maurya, Anne, and Margaret. The women’s faces had changed from puzzlement to fear. Joanna looked from one maid to another, trying to hide her despondency. So many prayers had not been answered today.

Anne finally summoned the courage to ask, “Your Highness, what has happened?” She choked back tears. “I meant no harm, earlier. Indeed,” she crossed herself, “I wish Sir Roland and Sir Geoffrey long life.” She turned stricken eyes toward Joanna and whispered, “Is Sir Geoffrey—”

A wrenching wail of anguish shattered the hushed room, as though the very walls echoed the sound. The four women stood rooted to the floor at the almost-inhuman shriek of grief.

The sound cut off abruptly, and in the eerie silence that followed, they heard the soft thud of a body hitting the floor.

Joanna threw open the door and the three of them rushed in to find Alyse crumpled on the floor, Lord Braeton bent over her, chaffing her hands. As the princess entered, he looked up, his face set in harsh lines. “She swooned, Highness.” He scooped Alyse into his arms, gazed around the room then looked beseechingly at the princess.

She understood well the depth of feeling between her waiting woman and Geoffrey Longford. Alyse would need many days to recover from this blow. “Take her to her bed chamber, Lord Braeton. When she wakes, she will likely desire the comfort of her own room.”

The courtier nodded and strode out of the antechamber, not waiting for direction.

The princess sped behind him, almost running to keep up with his hurried pace. The other women followed in her wake. The limp, insensible form cradled in Lord Braeton’s arms did not stir. Perhaps this respite from sorrow would prove a blessing for Alyse.

Lady Anne wrung her hands, perhaps even more remorseful for her earlier comments, and ventured her question once more. “Highness, pray God tell us what has happened. Is Sir Geoffrey…dead?” The girl barely whispered the word.

Joanna turned to the women as Thomas paused, uncertain which hallway led to Alyse’s chamber. “Sir Geoffrey,” she said slowly, “married my cousin, Lady Mary Percy, early this morning.”

Circle of lavender flowers

Betrothal is still  FREE at  Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. And Betrayal is only .99 at all retailers!

Hope you enjoyed this excerpt! See you next week!

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Spooktacular Special: Interview with Paranormal Author Kristine Overbrook

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

My post for Nights of Passion this week is such a fun interview with Kristine Overbrook I just had to share. We’re also giving away two books, so read on!

Jenna Jaxon's avatarNights of Passion

spooktacular

Welcome to a week of Spooktacular postings on Nights of Passion for Halloween. I’ll starting off the week with a howl of delight. I’m interviewing paranormal author Kristine Overbrook whose works include Paratherapist at Your Service, Creatures of the Moon, and her newest release, Redeeming the Night. Kristine is giving away an e-copy of Redeeming the Night today and even though I don’t write paranormal, I’m giving away a copy of my latest historical romance, Only Marriage Will Do, today, just to celebrate the season. 🙂 To enter to win either or both books, please leave a comment telling us you’d like a copy of the book. The giveaways will run until midnight tonight (October 25, 2015) EDT. Void where prohibited by law.

And now, my fantastic paranormal friend, Kristine Overbrook answers some fun questions about her, things that go bump in the night, and her…

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Interview With Historical Romance Author Gina Danna

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Jenna Jaxon

Today I’m interviewing the wickedly talented Gina Danna about the re-release of her Regency romance, The Wicked Bargain.

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  1. What was your inspiration for this story? Inspiration came from reading too many courtesan stories with the hero saving her from life of ruin – and it was a safe, one-sided view of her life as in she was a courtesan but only saw him. Unrealistic. Plus made me wonder what if it was a male courtesan and she saved him?

2. What was your process for writing this book? Is this different or the same as other books you’ve written? I did a synopsis (or outline) for it. Did that for one other book too but rest, no.

3. Do you have plans for a sequel to this book? No, this is a one of a kind story. I’ve had some inquire about his co-hort in this, and would I write about her but at this time no. It’d be just another story of a female courtesan.

4. Who was the first romance author and book you read? Kathleen Woodiwiss – The Flame and the Flower

5. What is the most exciting/daredevil thing you’ve ever done? Either horseback riding (there’s a history to that) or moving to another state, away from family

Now, Lightning Round:

6. What is your favorite amusement park ride? Rollercoaster

7. Tea or coffee? Coffee

8. French manicure or color (and if color, what color)? French manicure

9. Beach or mountains? Beach

10. Chocolate or vanilla? CHOCOLATE!!!

11. Boxers, briefs or commando? Boxers

12. Blond, brunette or redhead? (preferred men’s hair color) Brunette/dark

13. Would you rather skydive or scuba dive? Um, probably neither

14. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii, Vegas or London? London

And now for something truly wicked…

The Wicked Bargain (blurb):

London 1816

Haunted by a past as a sex slave, nobleman Ethan Warth returns to England as a male courtesan for rich matrons and runs a brothel for wealthy lords. Arabella Covington appears on his door, trained in the medical arts but unable to practice because of her gender. He hires her to care for his ladies but her inquisitive nature and beauty make him desire to teach her the world of seduction.

Ethan, however, never counted on falling in love…

Buylinks:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1j6eAn3

Nook: http://bit.ly/1L1O4CW

iBook: http://apple.co/1KVgaBU

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Q0XDFt

Excerpt:

London, 1816

Ethan Warth, Marquis of Blackmore, sat at his desk in the library adding the sums on the bills before him. Leaning back in the leather chair, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Damn. The amounts were excessive. His father had sold off every valuable piece of property leaving Ethan only the entailed country estate, crumbling from neglect, massive debts and no income. All to retrieve his heir.

He guessed he should be grateful.

Left in such a situation, Ethan knew he’d be dead by now. Perhaps that would have been better than this.

He groaned. How was he ever going to raise enough funds to leave this beautifully arranged hellhole and finally go home?

The door opened and a whoosh of silk filled the air.

“I knew you’d be in here still.”

He opened an eye and shut it again. “What, my dear?”

“It’s getting late, my lord. You need to consider your plans for this evening.”

The comment made him open both eyes and gaze at the smiling lady sitting before him. A beautiful woman, not yet out of her twenties, Elizabeth Chadway had the elegance and grace to fit into the ton though she couldn’t be bothered with society except as a way to make a living. And she did that admirably well. She could demand the highest price from any nobleman. Her current lover, Lord Clemson, would no doubt offer for her tonight and she dressed for the occasion. Her dark auburn hair was arranged in a jumble of pearl-pinned curls with a section hanging just behind her right ear. The emerald green dress with a white lace décolletage displayed her generous cleavage.

“You truly cannot mean to stay here all night.” Her brown eyes danced in merriment at his discomposure behind the desk.

“No.” Reaching for his brandy, he finished the smooth liquor in one gulp and rose to refill it.

“Just how bad is it?” she asked, watching him carefully.

He turned to her, running his fingers through his unruly hair. “Bad. Dr. Bender’s bill is outrageous.” Slamming his fist on the tabletop, Ethan upset the brandy decanter. He grabbed it in time before it fell. “The man is a grave robber charging those high fees.”

“Lydia was very ill,” Elizabeth said calmly. “And Mary is having a difficult confinement. I didn’t think you wanted to let them get worse.”

With a deep breath, he felt the weight of the entire house resting on his shoulders. Ethan cared for his ladies deeply. They needed him to watch out for them, to protect and keep them safe. He owed them that. “Of course not. Just find me another doctor. I can’t keep paying his prices. At this rate, I’ll be in debtor’s prison by next month.”

She laughed. “They’d never throw a lord into a cell.”

He glared at her. “Oh, my dear, can you be so sure?” With a snort, he reached for the decanter. “If they strip me of the title, it would be short work, considering.”

Elizabeth stood to walk over to him. Taking the glass from his hands, she sat it down to pull him closer to her. She cupped his face in her palms.

“It will be fine,” she murmured. Her eyes wandered downward. He had discarded his jacket and neck cloth, leaving his snowy white shirt agape at the throat exposing a bit of his chest. He didn’t even flinch at her appraisal. Long ago, her sweet scent and roving eyes set his blood on fire and drove him to take her in his arms. But those days had ended. She remained his friend and confidante over his sordid past. Considering how quickly those fiery impulses had died, he wondered if he was dead inside.

Tugging his shirt together, she looked into his eyes. “You should go out this evening.”

“I have work to do,” he countered.

“Yes, but Countess St. John cancelled tonight. So you should go out, to the opera or your club even.”

Slave driver. He was more than familiar with those….He raised an eyebrow at her. “Elizabeth, sweeting, are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Shhh,” she whispered, stroking his cheek. The smell of lavender filled his nostrils. “Perhaps you should go to your friends.”

“Friends,” he scoffed, giving her a gentle push to move her back a step. He filled his snifter with the amber liquor. Downing a large swallow, he welcomed its burn down his throat. He went back to the desk.

“Yes, surely some are in need of an indulgence or two.” She paused. Her lips curved slightly. “And you need to find a bride.”

He sputtered brandy out of his mouth. “What?”

“You are titled, are you not, my lord?” Her calm words were the soothing tone to tame the beast that dwelled beneath his surface. Her formality added to her argument, an argument he had to face with her and the others almost daily. “You’ll need an heir.”

“No,” he snarled, his lips curling in distaste. “I have to find a way to pay off those damn creditors before taking a wife.”

“We have done well,” she said, sitting across from his desk. “You should be able to leave us.”

“Elizabeth, sweeting,” he sighed, leaning back in the chair. “I wasn’t lying. Yes, I hoped to go home, but the bills outweigh most of what we bring in.” He took another gulp from his glass. “Have you failed to notice that despicable lot waiting for me outside? They’re not paying clients, sweeting, they want to be paid. By me. And with what, might I ask? Damn!” He stood, pushing the chair back and pacing behind the desk, running his hand through his hair. “What I need is another enticement, another lure.”

“You need an heir,” she continued. “Ethan, go, find some rich heiress to marry then you won’t have to worry.”

He looked at her and guffawed loudly. “And who would marry me? Outside the damn title, I am not the sort of man any family would want.”

That flicker in her eyes meant she’d push him until he relented. Fine. He’d go to his club and, perhaps, there he might find a few men in need of female companionship.

Elizabeth smiled broadly at him. “My darling.” Her skirts swished from the sway of her hips as she sauntered to him. “You are the most handsome man in all of London. You could have any woman you wanted.”

He snorted. Oh, he knew he was handsome. Every day he eyed himself in the looking glass, assessing himself, not because of vanity but because of his trade. He stood tall, a chiseled statue of muscle, his tawny hair and light brown eyes attracted many women’s attention. In fact, he had used his looks to save his life on a couple of occasions. Ethan Warth’s awareness of his self-worth gave him the confidence he needed to live and thrive in London Society. His income relied on his good health. He excelled in physical prowess, athletic to a fault, finding exercise one method to combat demons that pursued him. His physique, coupled with his flirtatious ways, could lure any woman into his bed. Oh yes, he knew he had the looks. They’d also chained and enslaved him for five years. He hardly called that a blessing.

“Are you telling me I have no other appointments arranged for tonight?”

Her smile turned crooked. “No.”

He downed the rest of his brandy. Resignation filled his voice as he gave in. “Fine, I’ll go.”

“My lord,” she bowed slightly, mocking his station as he passed.

“And you, sweeting….” He paused with his hand on the doorknob, casting a glance over his shoulder. “Secure your wayward lord tonight or find another. I’ll not spend another coin for you to waste in pursuit of that arse.”

 

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