Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing with snippets from my upcoming release, Until I’m Safe in Your Arms, from Dragonblade Publishing. The book releases on May 30!!!

It’s the first book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series, in which the Duke of Welwyn wagers with six of his grandsons that they can all marry within a year. The family is known for its propensity to wager on just about anything, so they are all in (some more enthusiastically than others). The eldest cousin, Captain Alexander Bancroft, makes a further wager: he’ll meet and marry a young lady by the end of the month–a mere ten days away.  To that end, he attends a weekend house party given by his uncle and aunt.

BLURB:

All’s fair in love and wagers…

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go. She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

I’ve spent the past week coming back to the real world after the wonderful focus of the writing retreat. As a result, I’ve written not a lot, but I’ve begun the second draft of A Countess Never Tells, typing my hand-written draft into the computer. Deciphering some of these words, written in the heat of creation, has been a challenge!

Today I’m continuing on from where we left off last week. It is after dinner that night. Alex and Emma have just gone out onto the verandah alone and he kisses her. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Aroused by these heady sensations, Emma could have stood there kissing Captain Bancroft forever, except now there seemed to be a new sort of pressure on her mouth. The captain was pressing something against the seam of her closed lips. Glorying in the moment, Emma couldn’t think what he was trying to do. She felt so incredibly safe and warm and happy she could only press back against his lips, wishing to convey her joy in their closeness. She’d been attracted to the captain from the first, but she’d never imagined she’d feel this rush of happiness, especially toward a man who was almost a stranger. If only it would never end.

He pushed a little harder at her lips and she started to open her mouth, wondering if that was what he wanted her to do. But when she gave in that tiny bit, with an audible groan, he thrust his tongue into her mouth.

And a little more for good measure. . . 

Shocked to her core, Emma emitted a shriek and jerked backward, pulling her body and mouth away from him. She clamped her hand over her lips, not at all certain what had just happened. When she could think again, she glared up at Captain Bancroft, who stood trying not to smile at her. “What did you think you were doing, sir?”

“I thought I was kissing a very willing young lady, Miss Washer. You assured me you were before we began.” The wretch didn’t even try to sound repentant.

“That was not kissing…not that last part at the end.” Miss Mills and Mr. Huckabee had not looked as though they were doing anything at all like that.

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms is now up for pre-order, set to release on May 30! Here’s the link if you want to pre-order it for .99!

A Countess Never Tells is now up on pre-0rder as well on Amazon, also for just .99! It releases on August 29, 2023. So go grab this “bad boy” today! 

I’m also part of an anthology for Dragonblade that’s part of their Lyons Den shared world called Night of Lyons. My novella is called The Lyons’ Wager and is the pre-quel to the Welwyn Marriage Wager series. Night of Lyons is available on pre-order on Amazon for .99! 

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.

JENNA JAXON BOOKS CURRENTLY ON PRE-ORDER

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing with snippets from my upcoming release, Until I’m Safe in Your Arms, from Dragonblade Publishing. The book releases on May 30!!!

It’s the first book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series, in which the Duke of Welwyn wagers with six of his grandsons that they can all marry within a year. The family is known for its propensity to wager on just about anything, so they are all in (some more enthusiastically than others). The eldest cousin, Captain Alexander Bancroft, makes a further wager: he’ll meet and marry a young lady by the end of the month–a mere ten days away.  To that end, he attends a weekend house party given by his uncle and aunt.

BLURB:

All’s fair in love and wagers…

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go. She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

This past week I spent at a writers’ retreat down in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, culminating in a book signing at the Island Bookstore in Duck. Not a huge amount of foot traffic, but it is before the real season starts. I’ll be going back in July when I’m on vacation there.

Today I’m continuing on from where we left off last week. It is after dinner that night. Alex and Emma have just gone out onto the verandah alone and he kisses her. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Emma had never kissed a man before, hadn’t been completely certain she’d be able to entice the captain to do it. Her only experience with the intimate act had been secondhand, surreptitiously watching a couple kissing onboard the Scotia on her return trip to England. Miss Mills and Mr. Huckabee had been extremely enthusiastic and had seemed to enjoy their encounter so much Emma had secretly longed to have that experience as well.

The fervor of his kiss caught her by surprise, however. Never had she imagined it would feel like this. The pressure of his mouth against hers—lips both soft and firm at the same time—sent a fiery jolt throughout her body. Her cheeks heated until her head felt as though an inferno raged there. Suddenly, her knees seemed weak as water, threatening to collapse her to the ground. She put a hand on his chest to steady herself, eager to continue even though her head began to spin. He must have thought she meant to push him away, for he leaned backward, trying to break the kiss.

And a little more for good measure. . . 

Emma would have none of that. This sensation of warmth, of comfort, of safety was too good to lose. She grasped his jacket and pulled him back to her. That action must have convinced him, for he cradled her head in his hands, turning her face until their lips fit together perfectly. She relaxed in his arms, determined to enjoy every second of the kiss: their incredible closeness, the scent of citrus he wore, the flutter of butterflies all through her stomach that made her wish to never stop.

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms is now up for pre-order, set to release on May 30! Here’s the link if you want to pre-order it for .99!

And just this week, at the retreat, I put A Countess Never Tells up on pre-0rder on Amazon for just .99! It releases on August 29, 2023. So go grab this “bad boy” today! 

I’m also part of an anthology for Dragonblade that’s part of their Lyons Den shared world called Night of Lyons. My novella is called The Lyons’ Wager and is the pre-quel to the Welwyn Marriage Wager series. Night of Lyons is available on pre-order on Amazon for .99! 

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing with snippets from my upcoming release, Until I’m Safe in Your Arms, from Dragonblade Publishing. I’m just getting the edits, so this is unedited, but I hope you’ll enjoy it and forgive any flubs.

It’s the first book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series, in which the Duke of Welwyn wagers with his six grandsons that they can all marry within a year. The family is known for its propensity to wager on just about anything, so they are all in (some more enthusiastically than others). The eldest cousin, Captain Alexander Bancroft, makes a further wager: he’ll meet and marry a young lady by the end of the month–a mere ten days away.  To that end, he attends a weekend house party given by his uncle and aunt.

BLURB:

All’s fair in love and wagers…

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go. She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

So sorry I wasn’t able to visit everyone last week. I was traveling and got behind because of the very bad weather. I’ll see you all today, thought!

Today I’m continuing on from where we left off last week. It is after dinner that night. Alex and Emma have just gone out onto the verandah alone. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Emma’s heart beat so hard against her breast she feared he could hear it. But she couldn’t dwell on that. This was the chance she’d hoped for. She swayed toward him, tilting her head back so she looked directly into his eyes. “Shall we make it even better, Captain?”

Seeming much darker than their normal blue, his eyes widened, then his head lowered until his lips rested against her ear. “Are you merely flirting with me, Miss Washer, or was that an honest invitation to a kiss?”

“Oh, I am an honest woman, Captain Bancroft.” She licked her lips then pursed them. “Do you doubt it?”

And a little more for good measure. . . 

“Not at all.” He brushed a stray lock of her hair back off her forehead, winding it slowly around the shell of her ear, sending chills down her whole body. “However, I wouldn’t wish to persuade myself that my own desires were the same as yours if they were not.”

Trembling with anticipation, Emma swayed closer to him. “And what are your desires, Captain?” Her words, throaty and breathless, came out a bare whisper.

His lips now hovered scarcely above hers. “To kiss you, of course.”

“Then our desires are indeed in accord.” Her words, throaty and breathless, came out a bare whisper. She held her breath as he plunged his lips onto hers.

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms is now up for pre-order, set to release on May 30! Here’s the link if you want to pre-order it for .99!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing with snippets from my upcoming release, Until I’m Safe in Your Arms, from Dragonblade Publishing. I’m just getting the edits, so this is unedited, but I hope you’ll enjoy it and forgive any flubs.

It’s the first book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series, in which the Duke of Welwyn wagers with his six grandsons that they can all marry within a year. The family is known for its propensity to wager on just about anything, so they are all in (some more enthusiastically than others). The eldest cousin, Captain Alexander Bancroft, makes a further wager: he’ll meet and marry a young lady by the end of the month–a mere ten days away.  To that end, he attends a weekend house party given by his uncle and aunt.

BLURB:

All’s fair in love and wagers…

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go. She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

Today I’m moving forward quite a bit. It is after dinner that night. Alex and Emma have met after dinner in the drawing room. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

“Would you mind escorting me outside for a breath of fresh air, Captain? The drawing room seems overly warm suddenly.”

“Of course, Miss Washer.” A look of pleasure came over his face as he set his cup aside and came to his feet. He offered his red-clad arm and a little chill ran up her spine as she took it. “Nothing could give me more pleasure.”

Resisting the urge to cling to that strong arm, Emma tossed her head and laughed. She glanced over at Lady Caxton, in deep conversation with Lady Hunstanton–if they slipped out quickly, perhaps no one would notice their absence. “I am happy we are in accord once more.”

He led her to the French windows and, with a strange little flutter in her stomach, Emma followed him outside onto the veranda.

And a little more for good measure. . . 

The night air was soft and warm with a slight breeze that brought the faint scent of roses wafting from the nearby garden. Oil lamps suspended from the ceiling of the veranda at perfect intervals provided a gentle glow while still allowing for a shadowy, romantic atmosphere. The perfect setting to further her acquaintance with the captain.

They slowed to a stop halfway between the lamps, in enough shadow that Emma need not fear Captain Bancroft could see her face. Her cheeks were already hot from the knowledge of what she intended to do. Turning to gaze out over the manicured lawn, Emma released her grip on his arm and leaned against the railing. “It’s such a lovely night, isn’t it?”

“The loveliest one I’ve ever seen.”

The strange timbre of his voice made her jerk her head toward him. He wasn’t looking out at the darkened vista she’d been peering at. His gaze rested squarely on her.

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms is now up for pre-order, set to release on May 30! Here’s the link if you want to pre-order it for .99!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing with snippets from my upcoming release, Until I’m Safe in Your Arms, from Dragonblade Publishing. I’m just getting the edits, so this is unedited, but I hope you’ll enjoy it and forgive any flubs.

It’s the first book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series, in which the Duke of Welwyn wagers with his six grandsons that they can all marry within a year. The family is known for its propensity to wager on just about anything, so they are all in (some more enthusiastically than others). The eldest cousin, Captain Alexander Bancroft, makes a further wager: he’ll meet and marry a young lady by the end of the month–a mere ten days away.  To that end, he attends a weekend house party given by his uncle and aunt.

BLURB:

All’s fair in love and wagers…

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go. She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

Today I’m moving forward a bit, to where we are in Emma Washer’s POV. In this snippet, Emma is on the stairs, coming downstairs with a friend. Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

Now that she was here, Emma’s spirits actually seemed to take a turn upward. Oh, she’d only been here not quite a day, but the weather was glorious, there was a garden she’d discovered last evening and strolled in twice, and the people around her had been extraordinarily kind. Augusta had just fetched her for another walk before luncheon and Emma had enthusiastically joined her. Lively chatter surrounding them made such a difference in her mood. Perhaps this weekend would be enjoyable after all. She glanced over the railing at the throng of new guests entering the manor house–who knew, but she might find one of the few acquaintances she’d made in London also attending the house party.

“The gown Lady Caxton was wearing at breakfast was so very pretty, don’t you think, Emma?” Augusta Hardy loved nothing as much as the most up-to-date fashion. “That shade of pale green is a becoming color for her, although most blondes can’t manage it. The cut was pleasing as well, not too much decolletage yet alluring all the same–oh, bother.”

And a little more for good measure. . . 

The quick glance took in the group of people below before Augusta’s exclamation brought Emma’s attention back to her friend. “What—”

No, wait. What had she just seen? Emma jerked her head back to the mass of moving guests down below. Yes, yes it was. Eyes widening, she stared down at the gentleman dressed in the brilliant scarlet of the British Regimental uniform. An indescribable wave of happiness rolled over her, giving her a feeling of satisfaction she’d not had in many months. How wonderful to find a British officer here of all places.

She turned back to Augusta, who had not stopped talking all the while.

“Now I shall have to go change again.”

“I beg your pardon?” Emma glanced back over the balustrade, but the officer continued to stand there staring upward.

“Look here.” Augusta presented her arm to Emma. The frothy lace on her right sleeve had come loose and dangled most unbecomingly onto her arm.

“Oh, dear. Yes, you must go back and have Marks attend to it.” Another quick look, but the scarlet-clad officer continued to stare up…good lord, was he looking at her?

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms is now up for pre-order, set to release on May 30! Here’s the link if you want to pre-order it for .99!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing with snippets from my upcoming release, Until I’m Safe in Your Arms, from Dragonblade Publishing. I’m just getting the edits, so this is unedited, but I hope you’ll enjoy it and forgive any flubs.

It’s the first book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series, in which the Duke of Welwyn wagers with his six grandsons that they can all marry within a year. The family is known for its propensity to wager on just about anything, so they are all in (some more enthusiastically than others). The eldest cousin, Captain Alexander Bancroft, makes a further wager: he’ll meet and marry a young lady by the end of the month–a mere ten days away.  To that end, he attends a weekend house party given by his uncle and aunt.

BLURB:

All’s fair in love and wagers…

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go. She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

In this snippet, Alex has just arrived at his uncle’s house party and is scoping out the prospective brides–and the competition. He sees a young lady on the stairs who catches his attention. Now he has to learn her name! Enjoy!

EXCERPT:

At that moment, the lady in pink glanced over the balustrade down at the milling throng in the foyer as if searching for something or someone. Just as quickly, she looked away, but her head snapped back toward the lower hall, her gaze riveted on Alex. Her eyes widened—with recognition? It couldn’t be–he’d certainly remember this lady had they been introduced. Had she mistaken him for someone else?

“Yule…Yule.” His cousin had begun a conversation with another acquaintance, but Alex had to discover this lady’s name. “Yule!”

“What is it, Alexander, that makes you so vilely rude?” The annoyance in his cousin’s voice was almost palpable.

And a little more for good measure. . . 

“That lady on the landing there.” Alex couldn’t point—even his excitement wouldn’t allow him to be that impolite—but he nodded in the general direction.

“There are at least six young ladies on the landing.” Yule’s stiffened stance and thinned lips showed his displeasure with Alex.

“The one in the pink-flowered dress. Do you know who she is?”

Yule glanced upward, then shook his head. “Never seen her before.” He took a second look and a smile spread over his face. “Although I can see why you’d be interested in an introduction. Quite fetching, isn’t she?”

“Indeed.” Alex continued to stare, almost afraid to take his eyes off her. The young lady in question had turned back to her companion, but every so often shot a look at him, as if to assure herself he was still there. “But how am I to meet her?”

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms isn’t up for pre-order yet, but it’s supposed to release in May, so stay tuned and I’ll let you know when it’s available!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

As promised, this week I’m moving on to snippets from my upcoming release, Until I’m Safe in Your Arms, from Dragonblade Publishing. I’m just getting the edits, so this is unedited, but I hope you’ll enjoy it and forgive any flubs.

It’s the first book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series, in which the Duke of Welwyn wagers with his six grandsons that they can all marry within a year. The family is known for its propensity to wager on just about anything, so they are all in (some more enthusiastically than others). The eldest cousin, Captain Alexander Bancroft, makes a further wager: he’ll meet and marry a young lady by the end of the month–a mere ten days away.  To that end, he attends a weekend house party given by his uncle and aunt.

BLURB:

All’s fair in love and wagers…

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go. She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

In this snippet, Alex has just arrived at his uncle’s house party and is scoping out the prospective brides–and the competition.

EXCERPT:

Turning toward the library, Alex was about to leave the entry hall when his eye caught movement above him on the main staircase that wound gracefully up to the first floor of the manor. His gaze was drawn upward until it fell on a hooped skirt covered in white gauzy material with little pink flowers scattered capriciously all over it. The bell-like garment swayed charmingly as its wearer stopped, waiting her turn to descend the stairs. Alex’s gaze rose further to the face of the young lady as she looked over the railing to admire a family portrait on the opposite wall.

She had an arresting face, oval and fashionably pale, framed by rich chestnut hair styled in long ringlets that bounced when she shook her head. This charming action took place often as she talked to her companion. Her full pink lips drew a sigh from Alex, who wondered what it might be like to kiss that perfect bow of a mouth. Past caring about the conventions, he frankly stared at her, entranced. She spoke and laughed with a smaller brunette lady, who was quite well and good, but who couldn’t hold a candle to her enchanting companion, who seemed to have stepped out of a fashion plate.

“You’d best close your mouth before you start catching flies, Alex,” his cousin Yule’s voice brought him out of his musings about the mysterious young lady.

And a little more for good measure. . . 

About to retort in the negative, Alex stopped when he had to close his open mouth to form the words. Had he been gawking that badly? Turning quickly toward Yule, he smiled broadly. “That’s not all I wager I’ll catch this weekend, cousin. What brings you to Hampshire?”

“The same as you, I’d say.” Yule scanned the crowds of guests standing about chatting. “To catch the eye of some delectable young lady.” Taller than Alex by an inch, Yule craned his neck back as he perused the ladies standing on the stairs, waiting to follow the throng descending to the ground floor.  “Although I daresay you have a bit of an advantage over me by wearing your Regimentals. Ladies do love a man in uniform.”

“You are not wrong in that, cousin.” Alex chuckled, his gaze still resting on the young lady in pink. There was something about her, perhaps her perfect English maiden look, but perhaps something more than that compelled his continued gaze. “At least I hope you aren’t.”

Until I’m Safe in Your Arms isn’t up for pre-order yet, but it’s supposed to release in May, so stay tuned and I’ll let you know when it’s available!

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There are some fantastic snippets to be read.