Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless.

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 03/28/21 ~ A Countess of Convenience ~ “Can I Help You?”

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing with A Countess of Convenience, book 1 of my new series, Captivating Countesses.

BLURB:

Following a tragic accident, an unconscious Judith Harper is returned to her childhood home to die. Miraculously, she awakens but to a horribly changed world in which she finds her husband dead and her world upended.

Judith must regain her strength, not only to reclaim her life but also to right a terrible wrong–a feat which may require her to marry again, and quickly. But not only is Judith not ready for another husband, a marriage before her year of mourning is up will ruin her in London society.

Still, if she hopes to have her life back, she may have to risk the scandal and make a marriage of convenience…but to whom?

John, Lord Haxby has loved Judith since childhood, and because of that he stood aside while she married another eight years ago. Now she is free of her odious husband, he hopes he can persuade her that he is the only man who can make her truly happy. However, he discovers Judith is more than interested in Lord Farringdon, the man who saved her life. Can he stand aside once more and watch the love of his life make a grave mistake, or will he step up and show the woman he loves he is not a convenient solution to her problem, but the perfect one?

I’ve jumped ahead from last week’s snippet several chapters. Judith and John are traveling to London, using two of the housemaids as chaperones for Judith. Earlier in this scene, Judith asked John a very leading question, but they left it without an answer. Now, after she’s gone to bed, Judith is feeling guilty that she teased John.

EXCERPT:

Judith had a choice to make–either give up this mad attempt and go back to the torturous bed or forge on without a robe. Scandalous by anyone’s standards, but then what she was attempting to do—accost a gentleman who was not her husband, in his bed chamber—was equally risqué. In for a penny, in for a pound.

With great stealth, she managed to make her way into the parlor without incident. She unlocked the door then inch by inch opened it and stuck her head out. Nothing stirring at all, thank goodness. She glided through the doorway and pulled the door to, being careful to hold onto the key. With a backward glance toward the stairs, she hurried down the corridor to John’s room. Hoping to God he wasn’t asleep, Judith scratched on the door and whispered, “John? Can you open the door, John?”

And now a little more of the scene :

Nothing. Perhaps he was asleep already. She put her ear to the panel. “John?” Once more she stepped back and drew back her hand to knock this time.

“Good evening. Can I help you?”

The sound came not from within the chamber, but from down the hall behind her. Judith jumped and turned around, her hands going up to cover her face. The less anyone saw of her, the better.

A man stopped and squinted at her in the shadowy light of the sconces.

A Countess of Convenience is available on Amazon for the pre-order price of $2.99. After the release, this Tuesday, March 30, 2021 the price will change to $4.99.

A Return to Life is finally available on Amazon for FREE and on Smashwords , B & N, Apple, and Kobo for free as well.

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

Captivating Countesses series

by Jenna Jaxon

Posted in A Countess of Convenience, A Return to Life, Blog Hops, Captivating Countesses, Historical Romance, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged A Countess of Convenience, A Return to Life, Captivating Countesses series, Georgian romance, historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Regency romance, Weekend Writing Warriors | 20 Comments

Medieval Monday ~ The Highlander’s Reward ~ The Stolen Bride Series by Eliza Knight

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Good Morning! Welcome to the Spring 2021 Medieval Monday blog hop! The hop is our usual format: the first week on my blog I posted an excerpt from my book, then afterwards, I’ll post another Medieval Monday author’s excerpt and they will post mine, plus a link where you can find excerpts from all the authors via Medieval Romance Lovers.

Our theme for the Spring is First Kiss and throughout I’ll be sharing an excerpt from my medieval romance Betrayal, book 2 of Time Enough to Love. In this book, Alyse, the heroine, has just received the news that her betrothed lord, Sir Geoffrey Longford, has married another. As Alyse and Geoffrey had already been intimate, she is in rather a predicament. Follow my snippets of Betrayal at my guest’s blog site.

Week 7’s excerpt is from Eliza Knight ‘s medieval romance,

The Highlander’s Reward.

BUY LINKS:

➡️Amazon: https://amzn.to/31v9rxZ

➡️Apple: https://bit.ly/HighlandersReward

➡️B&N: https://bit.ly/BN-Reward

➡️Kobo: https://bit.ly/KoboReward

BLURB:

She belonged to another… But was destined to be his…

Lady Arbella de Mowbray abhors the idea of marrying an English noble occupying Scotland. When she arrives in Stirling, she is thrown into the midst of a full battle between the Scots and the English. Besieged by rebels, she is whisked from her horse by a Highland warrior who promises her safety. But when he kisses her, she fears she’s more in danger of losing herself.

The last thing Magnus Sutherland wants is to marry the beautiful English lass he saved. As the laird of his clan, he has a responsibility to his clan and allies. But when Arbella is attacked by one of his own men, he determines the only way to keep her safe is to make her his. A decision that promises to be extremely satisfying.

Magnus brings Arbella to his home of Dunrobin Castle in the Highlands. And that’s where the trouble begins… Their countries are at war and they should be each other’s enemy. Neither one considered their mock marriage would grow into a deeply passionate love. What’s more, they were both unhappily betrothed and those who’ve been scorned are out for revenge. Can their new found love keep them together or will their enemies tear them apart?

“For fans of Highlander romance, this series is a must read!” ~ Night Owl Reviews, TOP PICK!

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #7:

She gazed at him with a mixture of rapture, curiosity and surprise. ’Twas an expression he liked, and he took pride in having been the cause.

“You don’t taste like death.”

Magnus wrenched a brow. “Death?”

She looked bemused. “Aye. You taste…sweet.”

Follow Jenna’s snippet on Eliza Knight’s blog today.

For more Medieval Monday snippets, click here.

Time Enough to Love Series

Posted in Betrayal, Historical Romance, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, Medieval Mondays, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged Eliza Knight, Hero/Heroine first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, The Highlander's Reward, The Stolen Bride series | 3 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 03/21/21 ~ A Countess of Convenience ~ For Better or Worse

Posted on March 21, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m transitioning from my just released short read, A Return to Life, to the actual book, A Countess of Convenience, book 1 of my new series, Captivating Countesses.

BLURB:

Following a tragic accident, an unconscious Judith Harper is returned to her childhood home only to awaken to a horribly changed world: her husband is dead and her child has been given to her in-laws to raise.

As Judith regains her strength, she makes plans to reclaim her child, but to her dismay, the law of the land might not grant her guardianship unless she can show herself to be the better choice, which means she may need to marry again and quickly. Not only is Judith not ready for another husband, but she is newly widowed and will be part of a scandal should she wed before her year of mourning is up.

Still, if she hopes to have her daughter with her once more, she will have to make a marriage of convenience, but to whom?

John, Lord Haxby has loved Judith since childhood, and because of that he let her marry another eight years ago. Now she is free of her odious husband, he hopes he can persuade her that he is the only man who can make her truly happy. However, he discovers Judith is more than interested in Lord Fitzhugh, the man who saved her life. Can he stand aside once more and watch the love of his life make a grave mistake, or will he step up and show the woman he loves he is not a convenient solution to her problem, but the perfect one?

I’ve continued immediately after last week’s snippet so you can find out how Simon Harper died. 🙂

EXCERPT:

If Simon survived the duel, surely he must still be alive?

“The coward attempted to shoot Lord Trevor in the back, but that bit of dishonor was thwarted by Miss Carlton, who hit him in the head.” Dora stared at Judith with cold eyes. “In just the same place you were hit, my dear; Simon, however, did not manage to survive as you have.”

Staring dully at the blue-striped counterpane that covered her, Judith sank into her thoughts. Dora had been right to tell her about Simon. Although the ache of his treachery stabbed her to the heart, she needed to know that the husband she’d been truly fond of had been untrue. His perfidy cut her to the bone when she thought of herself lying helpless in bed while her husband debauched unsuspecting women. Tears oozed from her eyes, and she turned her head into her pillow. “Please leave me alone.”

And now a little more of the scene :

The quiet click of the door closing gave her permission to cry in earnest. But she didn’t want to cry, to show weakness. She had to be strong. If she was a widow now, she must be able to manage her own affairs. Since the day she married Simon she’d done nothing save please him and his father and mother. Harper’s Grange had been a prison in some ways, perhaps, but a pleasant one that had sheltered her from the necessity of making her own decisions about anything other than her choice of clothing. Now life had changed irrevocably. Whether for better or worse was yet to be discovered.

A Countess of Convenience is available on Amazon for the pre-order price of $2.99. After the release on March 30, 2021 the price will change to $4.99.

A Return to Life is finally available on Amazon for FREE and on Smashwords , B & N, Apple, and Kobo for free as well.

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

Captivating Countesses series

by Jenna Jaxon

Medieval Monday ~ Leif, Viking Glory 1 by Celeste Barclay

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Week 6’s excerpt is from Celeste Barclay ‘s medieval romance,

Leif, Viking Gloy 1.

BUY LINK:

www.books2read.com/leifvikingglory

BLURB:

Fate brought them together. Free will binds them.

After months at sea, Leif Ivarrson wants nothing more than to revel in the comforts of home. Yet when word arrives that a new threat has invaded their land, Leif is forced to take up his sword once more. Tasked with rescuing a jarl’s niece, Sigrid, from this malicious enemy, Leif departs on a journey that will alter the course of his fate.

Since she was a young girl, Sigrid Torbensdóttir’s visions have been both a blessing and a curse. Now a grown woman and powerful seer, she knew enemies would come for her, eager to exploit her gift. Yet her visions taught her that fate could not be denied or ignored. As she had foreseen it, the heroic Viking would save her and sweep them both up in the raging storm of inescapable destiny.

Drawn together by the will of the gods, Leif and Sigrid battle to save their people from a rival tribe’s scramble for power. Will their blossoming love survive the tests of war and family? Can a match created by fate withstand the machinations of man?

Set sail for adventure in this steamy Viking romance sure to leave you breathless! Norse lore meets passion and intrigue in Leif, written by Celeste Barclay!

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #6:

“Leif, I didn’t nod my head because I agree you shouldn’t have done it. Just the opposite. I nodded my head because that was what the gods wanted. It was what I wanted.”

“You don’t know what you mean… You don’t understand what I was prepared to do. How far I would have gone if I hadn’t come to my senses.”

“And you’re not listening. I may be a maiden, but I know what occurs between a man and woman. Remember, I have seen you.”

Check out last week’s with Judith Marshall: https://judithmarshallauthor.com/blog/

Follow along next week with Bambi Lynn: http://www.bambilynnblog.wordpress.com/

Follow Jenna’s snippet on Celeste Barclay’s blog today.

For more Medieval Monday snippets, click here.

Time Enough to Love Series

Posted in Betrayal, Historical Romance, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, Medieval Mondays, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged Celeste Barclay, Hero/Heroine first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Leif, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Viking Glory 1 | 2 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 03/14/21 A Return to Life ~ The Sound of a Slap

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing snippets from my just released short read, A Return to Life, an excerpt from A Countess of Convenience, book 1 of my new series, Captivating Countesses.

BLURB:

Following a tragic accident, an unconscious Judith Harper returns to her childhood home. Miraculously, she awakens but to a horribly changed world in which she finds her husband not only dead, but herself dishonored by him before his death. Can she find the strength to pick up the pieces and return to a life of her own?

I’ve skipped ahead this week to the point where Judith’s sister-in-law Dora has just told her that her husband, Simon, is dead and how Judith came to be injured.

EXCERPT:

“I heard the sound of a slap, and then a thud.” Dora looked away. “Then Simon called out for help. I rushed in, and he said you fell and struck your head.”

Judith’s mouth dried. It would not have been the first time Simon had struck her, but as his wife, she was duty bound to defend him. “You can’t know for certain what occurred when you weren’t in the room.”

“I didn’t need to be, Judith, his handprint was on your cheek.”

And now a little more of the scene :

Dora rose and paced to the window. “Simon was a bully from the day he was born. He loathed me and made my life miserable. I’m only surprised he didn’t turn you against him with his hateful ways.”

“I’m his—” Judith stopped, gritting her teeth and clenching her one good fist. “I was his wife. A wife is loyal to her husband.”

“Even when he isn’t loyal to you?” Dora had turned from the window and stared straight at her, a scowl on her usually pleasant face.

“What do you mean?” Fear stole into Judith’s heart.

“After your accident, Simon attacked two of the governesses Father had hired for Anna. He…ravished them.” Dora’s cheeks reddened. “When he tried to do the same thing to the third one, Miss Carlton, Lord Trevor rescued her and challenged Simon to a duel for her honor.” Dora’s chin went up. “Lord Trevor is a real hero. I was sorry to break our betrothal, but he was desperately in love with Miss Carlton and she with him. So, he and Simon dueled. I think, for my sake, Lord Trevor spared his life.”

“But then how did he die?”

Next week I’ll move on to A Countess of Convenience.

A Return to Life is available on Amazon for .99 and on Smashwords , B & N, Apple, and Kobo for free.

A Countess of Convenience is also available on Amazon for the pre-sale price of $2.99.

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

Captivating Countesses series

by Jenna Jaxon

Medieval Monday ~ The Last Dragon by Daryl Devore

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Week 5’s excerpt is from Daryl Devore’s medieval romance,

The Last Dragon.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon – ebook – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QPW4CVF

Amazon – print – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QRVJ59P

Books2read – universal link – ebook – https://books2read.com/The-Last-Dragon

Books2read –universal link – print – https://books2read.com/The-Last-Dragon-

BLURB:

What do dragons, knights and romance have in common? Grab a copy of multi-published author Daryl Devore’s medieval fantasy romance – The Last Dragon and discover the answer.

A sorcerer craving dominance merged with a dragon, the power overwhelmed him causing him to split into three dragons. Demora ruled thought, but was lost in time. Yidithe offered protection, shining like the light of the sun. Ayrradex craved chaos, revelling in destroying souls.

Many knights died, attempting to slay the devil beast. One knight, Prince Hawkyns, did not fear death. He’d lost everything. Away on a mission when Ayrradex attacked his father’s kingdom, Penrythe, Hawkyns returned to find his noble father – feeble and defeated. His wise mother – crazed. His beautiful wife and unborn child – dead. Only a pile of ashes remained for him to bury. He knelt before his King and vowed to slay the devil-beast or be slain.

Derry was born with powers that terrified her parents. They delivered her to a nunnery to be raised in secret. Jathe, a wise sorceress, discovered the young girl and trained her to one day use the secret hidden in her soul.

Legends spoken around campfires hinted the sole way to destroy Ayrradex was when the hearts of a knight and a golden dragon became one. But after a vicious battle with Ayrradex, the golden dragon was thought to be dead.

Can Prince Hawkyns’s bravery and Derry’s powers end the reign of the devil-beast’s terror?

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #5:

“Derry, I beg thee. Ask.” Hawkyns chuckled. “Or shall I make it a royal command?”

“My liege.” Playfully attempting to curtsey while astride a horse proved to be awkward. “I am being foolish. I fear asking what I already know.”

Confusion settled onto his brow. “Why?”

“Truth is a scary thing. Unspoken truths can lie hidden in the shadows where they can be ignored.”

Hawkyns swung his leg over his mount and slid down the side. He reached up and helped her dismount. Standing close—too close—he placed her hand in his and waited for her to speak.

See last week’s snippet on Judith Sterling’s blog – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/blog/

Follow along next week on Bambi Lynn’s blog -: www.bambilynnblog.wordpress.com

Follow Jenna’s snippet on Daryl Devore’s blog today

For more Medieval Monday snippets, click here.

Time Enough to Love Series

Posted in Betrayal, Historical Romance, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, Medieval Mondays, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged Daryl Devore, Hero/Heroine first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, The Last Dragon | 7 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 03/07/21 A Return to Life ~ Four Months

Posted on March 7, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

This week I’m continuing snippets from my just released short read, A Return to Life, an excerpt from A Countess of Convenience, book 1 of my new series, Captivating Countesses.

BLURB:

I’ve skipped ahead this week to the point where Judith’s sister-in-law Dora has just told her that her husband, Simon, is dead.

EXCERPT:

“He’s truly dead?” Dora’s words sounded like so much nonsense to her. Perhaps her injury had addled her brain after all for she should be weeping, sobbing great tears, but the words hadn’t touched her heart, not yet.

“I am so sorry, my dear, but yes, he is, since January.”

Judith glanced out the window at the sunny day, hints of green misted over the trees. “But it’s November, isn’t it?” She shrank back into the pillows and asked, “How long have I been ill?”

Dora’s lips firmed into a straight line. “Four months, my dear–I’m afraid it’s already the middle of March.” She squeezed Judith’s hand, which she’d held all through the horrible revelation.

And now a little more of the scene :

“But…but what happened to me? Why can’t I remember? You said I’ve been ill?” As though the world she had always known was spinning off its axis, Judith closed her eyes and gripped the sides of the mattress.

“Please, Dora, for pity’s sake, tell me what happened to me to make me forget four months of my life. Forget that my husband died.” Oh, but to say that hurt abominably. She had been wild for Simon once, though over their years of marriage the fever had dulled. They had had differences of opinion, he’d had cruel moments, but surely every marriage was not a carpet of roses you walked down all your life. And now he was gone? She could scarcely wrap her head around it.

“That night in November, you and Simon quarreled in your room. I’m not…sure what you were arguing about, but I heard voices raised as I came toward your chamber. Then…then…”

Dora’s hesitation, coupled with the look on her face, made Judith fear her next words even more.

A Return to Life is available on Amazon for .99 and on Smashwords for free.

A Countess of Convenience is also available on Amazon for the pre-sale price of $2.99.

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

Captivating Countesses series

by Jenna Jaxon

COVER REVEAL: A COUNTESS OF CONVENIENCE

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Today I’m revealing the cover for my upcoming release

A Countess of Convenience.

Isn’t it gorgeous? Danielle Fine, my editor and cover designer outdid herself. 🙂

BLURB:

Still, if she hopes to have her daughter with her once more, she will have to make a marriage of convenience, but to whom?

EXCERPT:

“Do you truly think she is cured, my lord?”

“I think she is close to it. I will call again tomorrow. If the headaches have truly gone and her hand is as strong as it was today, then I believe you will be seeing less of me in future, Mrs. Welbourne.”

“Except for social occasions, my lord?” Dora spoke up brightly and cut her gaze at Judith. “I hope we would see you at any neighborhood gatherings. Or perhaps a dinner party.”

“To be sure, Miss Harper.” Miles beamed at her. “I would never refuse an invitation to dine here at Ruecroft Manor, should one be extended.”

“Indeed, Lord Farringdon,” Mamma clutched the necklace at her throat. “We would be honored if you would dine with us Thursday evening.”

“It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Welbourne.”

“Who is that?” From the corner of her eye, Judith caught sight of a figure, dressed in a well-cut suit of dark blue, striding down the pathway toward the folly and her heart unaccountably sped up again. “Oh, I believe it is John.”

“I was wondering when he would return.” Mamma sipped her tea, her gaze resting uncomfortably on Judith. “He always visits regularly when he is in residence at Donningham.” She smiled triumphantly. “How fortunate I asked Inman to lay in a supply of cups.”

John’s lanky form hurried toward them, a joyous smile on his face. “Ladies, my lord. At last I have discovered your hideaway.” He bowed to them all. “Mrs. Welbourne, Judith, Miss Harper.” He paused and his smile dimmed slightly. “Farringdon.”

The man’s timing could not have been better as far as Judith was concerned. She could change the subject easily now. “What brings you here, John?”

“I stopped by to ask your father about the planting. My steward had mentioned Mr. Welbourne might be changing his wheat crop.” John grinned at her. “Deadly boring stuff for ladies, I suppose. Although you might be interested, Farringdon.”

Miles shrugged. “I’m too new to this side of owning property to have a decent opinion. I fear I’ve been leaving everything to my steward and hoping for the best.”

“We three should make an appointment to thrash out what will be best for us and our tenants.” A smug smile flitted over John’s face, then disappeared as he turned to her. “I see you are mending very well now, Judith.” His avid gaze seemed to take in all of her, from top to toe and inside to out. “You are enjoying the weather I see.”

“We all are, John. It is a truly lovely day.” Judith leaned her head back and savored the soft breeze. Spring had always been her favorite season.

“I am surprised you haven’t brought Anna out with you.”

Judith’s head snapped forward. “What did you say?”

Immediately on guard, John glanced from Mama to Dora, their faces suddenly drained of all color. “I simply wondered why your daughter wasn’t enjoying the day with you, my dear. Is she perhaps napping?”

“My daughter?” A sharp pain shot through Judith’s head and she pressed her hand to the spot Miles had operated on. “I have a daughter?” She gripped her head tightly, willing the pain to subside. She couldn’t think with the pain throbbing, making her face go numb. An image of a young girl, perhaps five or six, in a simple white dress, her golden hair hanging around her face rose to mind. With a sigh of relief, Judith said, “Anna. My daughter’s name is Anna.” Immediately, all the memories of the little girl flooded her mind.

“Yes, my dear.” Mamma had clutched her arm, which helped steady Judith. “She has just turned seven years old.”

Judith nodded and continued to rub her head. Perhaps the soothing motion would bring back more memories. Memories past this last week. But other than the image of her child’s face, she had no recollection of seeing the girl here at Ruecroft. “Is she napping as John suggested?”

Mamma and Dora exchanged a look that frightened Judith more than the news of her husband’s death ever had.

Slowly she rose and leaned toward the two panicked women. “Mamma, Dora, where is my daughter?”

If you’d like to pre-order A Countess of Convenience, it is available on Amazon for its pre-order price of $2.99. After the release it will rise to its normal price of $4.99.

A digital chapter book containing an excerpt (Chapter 1) from A Countess of Convenience titled A Return to Life released on Monday, February 22nd and is available on Smashwords for FREE and on Amazon for .99.

CAPTIVATING COUNTESSES SERIES

Posted in A Countess of Convenience, A Return to Life, Captivating Countesses, Cover Art, Cover Reveal, Georgian romance | Tagged A Countess of Convenience, A Return to Life, Captivating Countesses, cover reveal, Free Book, Georgian romance, Jenna Jaxon, New historical series | 1 Comment

NEW RELEASE: A RETURN TO LIFE

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Today I’m celebrating the official release of A Return to Life, the first chapter of my upcoming release A Countess of Convenience.

It’s now available on Smashwords for FREE and on Amazon for .99 (Amazon is refusing to make it free and apparently they don’t price match any more. But Smashwords lets you download a lot of different formats–mobi works on Kindle–so perhaps that will work for you.)

BLURB:

Following a tragic accident, an unconscious Judith Harper is returned to her childhood home. Miraculously, she awakens but to a horribly changed world in which she finds her husband not only dead, but herself dishonored by him before his death. Can she find the strength to pick up the pieces and return to a life of her own?

EXCERPT:

“Please speak lower and slower, Mamma. I have a headache right here.” Judith touched her right temple to discover a bandage of some sort tied around her head. With her fingers she traced the edge of the linen and pressed inward. “Ouch.” That had hurt dreadfully. “Mamma, what has happened to me?”

Her mother glanced at Dora, then squeezed Judith’s hands. “I think Dora must tell you what has transpired, my dear. She knows much more about your time at Harper’s Grange than do I.” She ran her hand down Judith’s face, her eyes still wet. “I am only thankful that I have you back now.”

Completely confused and becoming more than a little frightened, Judith struggled to sit up, but when she tried to put pressure on her left arm and hand, they had no strength in them and she flopped onto her side. What had happened to her?

Dora darted forward. “Let me help you, dear.”

Judith nodded and her friend helped as she tried to push up with her right arm and hand. To her surprise, she was rewarded with the normal use of them. She scooted further up in the bed and fixed her sister-in-law with a frantic gaze. “Dora, tell me what has happened to me.”

Footsteps pounding up the steps made her pivot her attention to the door, half-expecting to see Simon round the corner, but the gentleman who appeared could not have been more different from her husband. Tall, well-built beneath his buff-colored suit, the man’s physical attributes startled Judith out of her thoughts about her circumstances. His brooding dark eyes fixed on her so intently that she gasped and ceased to breathe. The gentleman darted forward and took her hand.

“Mrs. Harper, can you hear me?”

She gazed into his rugged face, broad nose, tanned skin, firm mouth with lips pressed together sternly, and frowned. “Yes, of course I can hear you. Why do you ask?”

A broad smile broke over his face, his lips now tilting up at the ends giving him quite a jovial aspect where a moment ago had been despair. “Because had I asked you that last evening I would not have gotten an answer at all.” The gentleman smiled at the ladies in the room and they all broke into first laughter, then a deafening clapping of hands.

Judith clamped her hands over her ears. “Please for the love all that is holy, stop that infernal noise and fetch me some willow bark tea.”

Larkin scurried away and the tall gentleman proceeded to look into her eyes, press on her wrist, and finally unwound the curious bandage around her head. “Your head hurts, Mrs. Harper?” He ran his fingers lightly over her head just above her right temple.

“Like a fiend is sitting on my shoulder hammering a horseshoe.” The pain subsided when everyone stopped making noise.

“That’s what you always used to say when you had a headache, Judith.” Her father came forward from behind the gentleman, his usually taciturn demeanor replaced by an animated countenance. “You’ve worked a miracle plain as day, Lord Farringdon. A miracle, mark my words.”

Lord Farringdon. Judith’s gaze darted toward the stranger. Who was this lord and why was he attending her? Where was Mr. Tucker who had served her and all her family since she could remember? Frowning, she asked, “Mamma, Pappa, who is this?” She glanced to Lord Farringdon. “You are acting awfully familiar for a gentleman to whom I have not been introduced. Where is Mr. Tucker? And where is Simon?”

The room went silent, all smiles wiped away as with a rag.

A Return to Life is a digital chapter book, the first chapter of my upcoming release, A Countess of Convenience which will release on March 30, 2021. It is the first book in a new series, Captivating Countesses, set in Georgian England and all four books of the series are based on secondary/minor characters readers met in Only A Mistress Will Do, book 3 of the House of Pleasure series.

A Countess of Convenience is available on pre-order on Amazon if you’d like to run over and snag your copy at the pre-sale price of $2.99. After the release the price will change to the regular price of $4.99.

And if you’d like to get a jump on things and meet all four countesses beforehand (Judith, Dora, Kitty, and Susan), why not grab Only A Mistress Will Do for your reading pleasure before the upcoming release? 🙂

I also hope you’ll return tomorrow when I reveal the official cover for A Countess of Convenience!

If you want to get a sneak peek of the cover, join my newsletter that will release today. Just click here and sign up. Newsletters go out once a month with news of sales, new covers, ARC copies, upcoming events and recommendations for other historical romance books you might like as well.

Posted in A Countess of Convenience, A Return to Life, Captivating Countesses, Digital Chapter Books, Georgian romance, New Release, Short Stories | Tagged A Countess of Convenience, A Return to Life, Captivating Countesses, Digital Chapter Book, Free Book, Georgian romance, Historical romance short read, new release | 1 Comment

Medieval Monday ~ A Highland Autumn by Sophia Nye

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Week 4’s excerpt is from Sophia Nye’s medieval romance,

A Highland Autumn.

BUY LINK:

Available on Amazon.

A murder, a mix-up, and a midnight missive make for one unforgettable Highland romance…

BLURB:

When a fiery, red-haired Englishwoman falls for the laird’s charming, off-limits son, their passion ignites a fire that threatens to engulf the clan.

Ronan Calder, eldest son of Clan Calder’s laird, is going to stay as far away from marriage as he can get. After losing his mother and beloved sister during childbirth, Ronan knows there is no way he could ever inflict such a fate upon any woman. Things get a little complicated when he meets the enchanting new scholar and mistakes her for his future bride.

Adelina Matheson has every intention of becoming the first female scholar at Oxford, and the quick wit to prove it. The only thing she’s missing is permission to attend lectures. When the masters challenge Adelina to serve as advisor to a Highland laird in exchange for entry, she is left with little choice. She agrees to the challenge – surely she can manage such a simple task to prove herself.

Except that once Adelina arrives at Calder Keep, she realizes that nothing about her task is simple. She must battle her alarming attraction to the laird’s handsome son while enduring the laird’s beastly temper. The only other Englishwoman is also her competition for Ronan’s affection, and the entire clan is under threat of attack at the upcoming Samhain celebration. Can Ronan and Adelina put aside their personal troubles and save Clan Calder, or will they doom the entire clan?

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #4:

As though reading his thoughts, the door to the solar flew open and the object of his deliberations strode in. Her fiery hair fell in a long braid down to her hips. Her face was the picture of shock, staring straight at Ronan in adorable surprise.

Fighting his urge to walk over to her, Ronan broke the awkward silence first. “Can I help you?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest in an attempt to look intimidating. Mayhap he could make her uncomfortable enough to leave and spare him any temptation.

She worked her lips, searching for words. Ronan couldn’t take his eyes off them. Soft and inviting, he was certain they would be delicious on his own. He shook the thought from his head and began walking in the hopes of taking his mind off such nonsense.

See last week’s snippet on Judith Sterling’s blog: https://judithmarshallauthor.com/blog/

Follow along next week on Bambi Lynn’s blog: www.bambilynnblog.wordpress.com

Follow my snippet on Sophia Nye’s blog today