Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless.

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 02/28/21 A Return to Life ~ A Headache

Posted on February 28, 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?

EXCERPT:

Her shout made Judith cringe as her head pounded. “Larkin, please, my head is tender. Why should you both be so excited because I’m awake?” Staring at the maid, Judith suddenly looked at the bed she lay in and cocked her head saying, “This isn’t our room at Downing Place.” Her gaze roamed the walls, filled with family portraits. “It looks like my old room at home at Ruecroft.”

“Dearest, you are at Ruecroft,” Dora took her hand and squeezed it, excitement animating her usually solemn face, “Larkin, go tell Mrs. Welbourne to come quickly–Judith is awake.”

“Mamma is here?” Nothing was making any sense at all. “But of course if I am at home she would be there, but why am I home?”

And now a little more of the scene :

“My dear, it is a very long story that I cannot begin to tell you.” Dora’s smile stretched across her entire visage. A smile that Judith saw all too seldom. “Although I will tell you that you have been very ill indeed these past—” Her sister-in-law reddened. “For some time now. But here is your mother.”

Mamma rushed into the room, gasped, and burst into tears. “Judith, my love.” She ran to the bed and threw her arms around Judith. “Oh, we were certain you would die, my dear. It is a miracle that you live.” Tears glistened on her mother’s cheeks. “Lord Farringdon has wrought this miracle. God bless him.” Mamma wiped her eyes and turned to Larkin. “Run find Mr. Welbourne and Lord Farringdon. Tell them what has happened.”

The maid bobbed a curtsy and bolted from the room.

“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?”

A Return to Life is available on Amazon for .99 and on Smashwords for free. I was so busy finishing the book, I didn’t post the release! But I will on Tuesday.

But here is the temporary cover for A Countess of Convenience which is also available on Amazon for the pre-sale price of $2.99.

There will also be a cover reveal for the real cover for A Countess of Convenience here on my blog on Wednesday!

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 | 23 Comments

Medieval Monday ~ A Knight in Rusted Armor by Bambi Lynn

Posted on February 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 3’s excerpt is from Bambi Lynn’s medieval romance,

The Knight in Rusty Armor.

BUY LINK:

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BGCJZBN/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bourdbooks-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08BGCJZBN&linkId=bfb6821489b06d82a727fd94c46a7199

BLURB:

Allys Stone would risk repute as a ruined woman to gain control of her life. Thorin Svenson would battle the most skilled knights in the realm to win her. Theirs is a love story of fairy tales and wild passion, a battle of wills as well as brawn.

Allys wants to choose her own husband, one who loves life and laughter as much as she does. One who considers her a partner instead of a possession. She has never had any choice but to live by her father’s decisions, and now he’s offering her as grand prize in a tournament.

Thorin must win the hand of a nobleman’s daughter to regain the wealth and position of his family. Consumed by guilt, he will risk his very life to win. Not even her attempts to sabotage his victory will get in his way.

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #3:

Once again he looked around at the faces hungry for blood and violence. He lowered his fist, ashamed that he had almost used his bare hands in battle.

“You are not fit to call yourself knight,” he said. He shoved the man back to the ground where he sat with his arms covering his face.

Allys stood leaning against the rail at the perimeter of the dais. Debray stood protectively at her side.

Thorin retrieved the lady’s favor from the ground. Leaving his horse for Hasheem to fetch, he marched over to stand before her.

Follow my snippet on Bambi Lynn’s blog today:

https://bambilynnblog.wordpress.com

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 Bambi Lynn, Hero/Heroine first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, The Knight in Rusty Armor | 10 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 02/21/21 A Return to Life ~ Awake

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !

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

BLURB:

EXCERPT:

The slow tick, tick, tick of a clock penetrated the fog of sleep enveloping Judith Harper. Her rest must have been fretful, for she didn’t want to open her eyes, would rather drift back off into slumber. But that infernal ticking irritated her no end. It sounded so loud. She’d ask Simon if they could take it out of the room, at least until she could get a good night’s sleep. The creak of a door and hushed whispering annoyed her as well. Why couldn’t they just let her sleep? Likely her maid had come to wake them. What she wouldn’t give for just five minutes more beneath the warm covers. She began a slow slide back down into the lovely oblivion…

And now a little more of the scene :

The whispering continued, more animated. So animated it brought Judith to the verge of wakefulness this time. Good Lord, she might as well get up then. “I’m coming,” she mumbled and tried to push back the covers, though they wouldn’t cooperate at all.

A loud crash jerked Judith completely awake. Her eyes flew open in alarm to find Dora, of all people, bending over her, wide-eyed and staring.

“Judith? Did you say something?” Her sister-in-law sat on the bed and gripped her shoulder.

“I said….” Judith coughed, her throat too thick to easily bring forth the words. “I said, I’m coming.” She frowned. “Why are you awakening me instead of Larkin?”

“Oh, dear God be praised!” To Judith’s astonishment, Dora jumped up and clasped her hands. “Larkin!”

At the shout for the maid, Judith winced. Her head hurt abominably all of a sudden. Had she taken too much claret last evening? She and Simon had been making a little too merry in the library after dinner.

Larkin appeared, took one look at Judith and her jaw dropped. “Mrs. Harper! You’re awake!”

A Return to Life will release tomorrow on Amazon for .99 and on Smashwords for free. (Hopefully Amazon will pick that up eventually.) I hope you return to my blog tomorrow for the release post and the reveal of the temporary cover for A Countess of Convenience which goes on pre-sale tomorrow.

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 Return to Life

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Today I’m revealing the cover for A Return to Life, the first chapter of my upcoming release A Countess of Convenience. Take a look!

Isn’t it gorgeous?

A Return to Life will release on Monday, February 22nd simultaneously with the pre-order for A Countess of Convenience.

Here’s the working blurb for A Return to Life:

On Monday, I’ll post (along with my usual Medieval Monday posting) the link to A Return to Life, which will be offered FREE on Amazon and Smashwords, and the pre-sale link to A Countess of Convenience.

Everyone have a great weekend and stay safe!

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, Free Book, Georgian romance, Jenna Jaxon | 3 Comments

Medieval Monday ~ Tremors by Anastasia Abboud

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Week 2’s excerpt is from Anastasia Abboud’s time travel romance, Tremors.

Buy Link: getbook.at/Tremors http://getbook.at/Tremors

BLURB:

In the infinite vastness of time – past, present, future, past – love would prevail.

A Norse farmer crashes into this century from fourteenth-century Scotland. How did it happen? Why did he escape the plague when the rest of his family died? He should have died with them.

Three years later, Lachlann is no closer to the truth. His body has healed. He has a job and a place to lay his head at night. He has even learned a little modern English. If he could just figure out how to go back, he might be able to save his family, save his son. But he still can’t read, is still tormented by throbbing headaches and nightmares. Maybe he died after all. Maybe he’s in hell.

But would there be an angel in hell?

Deidre became a medieval history professor because of a treasured family heirloom, the medieval drawing of a farmer that she loved since childhood. Too bad she couldn’t have married him instead of the lying, vicious cheat who had almost ruined her life. Almost.

With a new life in a new city, she has moved forward. She doesn’t need anyone, especially a man. But she can’t seem to ignore her new neighbor, a gorgeous giant with a strange accent, haunted eyes, and a shocking resemblance to her medieval ploughman.

How can she erase the tormented look in his eyes? If only he would confide in her.

But is she prepared to do the same? To explain how she lost everything – her job, her family, her self-respect – because of her own, poor choices?

And why does she have the feeling that she could lose it all again?

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #2:

“No,” he said again. “I just… the toy reminded me of someone I knew once. Someone I loved. Someone I miss.”

“A child.” The words were barely a whisper.

“Aye.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I.”

They walked for a few moments in silence. The breeze was refreshing, pine-scented. Stars began to twinkle through the trees.

Last week’s snippet on Anastasia’s blog: https://www.anastasiaabboud.com/grainsofsand

Follow along next week on Mary Morgan’s blog: https://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog

Follow my snippet on Anastasia Abboud’s blog today: https://www.anastasiaabboud.com/grainsofsand

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 Anastasia Abboud, Hero/Heroine first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, time travel romance, Tremors | 6 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 02/14/21 Only A Mistress Will Do ~ “Let Me Help You”

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors Valentines Day Weekend!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO ALL!

This week I’m continuing snippets from my newly released Only A Mistress Will Do, Book 3 of the House of Pleasure series. I’ve recently gotten the rights back to this book and am thrilled to say it is currently available on Amazon, Smashwords, B & N, iTunes, and Kobo.

Next week I’ll be moving on to my newest WIP, A Countess of Convenience, whose heroine is first introduced in Only A Mistress Will Do.

NEW BLURB:

Friendless and destitute, Miss Violet Carlton has no choice but to seek work in London’s most notorious brothel, The House of Pleasure. She steels herself for her ultimate ruin at the hands of her first customer, only to be offered a reprieve in the form of a position as the gentleman’s mistress—in name only. Grateful for his benevolence, Violet agrees to the proposition and enjoys the life of a pampered courtesan—until her dashing rescuer puts her heart in jeopardy. Violet’s growing desire for the gentleman must be squashed when she discovers he belongs to another woman.

Tristan, Lord Trevor enters the House of Pleasure bent on a final night of carousing before donning the leg-shackle of marriage. To his shock, he recognizes the woman in his bed as a lady of the ton and resolves to save her from life in a brothel. After whisking her away under his protection, Tris endeavors to find her a husband, to secure her future and stem his own intense longing for the beautiful woman. With growing anguish Tris fears he can never make Violet his own for the impediment of his coming marriage pales in comparison to the secret he must hide from her or risk her loathing him for the rest of their lives.

This snippet moves ahead to the chapter where Violet has met her customer, a handsome, virile gentleman with lust in his eyes. The scene begins exactly where we left off from last week’s. Violet and “Lord John” are in bed and the gentleman is questioning her.

EXCERPT:

Violet’s heart pounded when she realized he was leaving. What had she said to anger the man? Was he too disgusted by her brother’s dishonorable behavior? Whatever it was, it must have been horrific if it had deadened the rampant lust he had shown for her.

The man pulled on his shirt, shook his hair back and glared at her.

She reached down and pulled up the covers, shielding herself as best she could from the eyes that still smoldered, with anger now rather than lust. Should she be relieved by her reprieve, or despair that her inevitable ruin was merely postponed? What Madame Vestry would have to say about the turn of events she had no idea, save it would not be pleasant.

“Let me help you dress, my dear.” The soft-spoken words exploded in the quiet room.

And now a little more of the scene :

She rose on her elbow, keeping the covers tight over her shoulder. “Thank you, my lord, but I will manage. I would not want to put you to any trouble.” If only he would leave, she could go back to her room upstairs and perhaps stop shaking enough to get some sleep.

“It’s no trouble.” He stooped, grabbed her purple dress then approached the bed. “Here…” He stopped, a light flush suffusing his face. “I am sorry. Miss Carlton.”

Violet shook her head, regretting she had given him that piece of information about her identity. “I’m Cassandra.”

“No, you are Miss Carlton. Miss…” He waited expectantly, with a raised eyebrow that brooked no nonsense.

“Violet,” she whispered, her shame complete that he now knew her name. She cringed and slid further under the covers. Madame Vestry was right. Only anonymity made survival possible at the House of Pleasure.

“Well, Miss Violet Carlton, I have a proposition for you.” His bright blue eyes glittered.

“What do you mean, my lord?” She clutched the cover tighter.

“I want you to become my mistress.”

Oh, God. She slid all the way beneath the covers. He still wanted her. So why hadn’t he taken her just now?

“Miss Carlton?” There was a tap on her shoulder. “It would be a temporary arrangement, and in name only. I would like to help you.”

Only A Mistress Will Do is now available on Amazon, Smashwords, B & N, iTunes, and Kobo.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, my book tour has been postponed until further notice.

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

The House of Pleasure series

by Jenna Jaxon

Posted in Blog Hops, Historical Romance, House of Pleasure Series, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Only A Mistress Will Do, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged Georgian romance, historical romance, House of Pleasure Series, Jenna Jaxon, Only A Mistress Will Do, Regency romance, Weekend Writing Warriors | 28 Comments

Medieval Monday ~ Betrayal ~ “I Have Not the Same Regard”

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Good Morning! Welcome to the Spring 2021 Medieval Monday blog hop! The hop is our usual format: I will post my excerpt this week on my blog, then beginning next Monday, 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 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.

Available on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

BLURB:

The worst betrayals come from within.

After a night of passion with her betrothed, Sir Geoffrey Longford, Lady Alyse de Courcy is eagerly looking forward to her wedding. But when Geoffrey is forced to marry another, a heartbroken and possibly pregnant Alyse finds herself in her own private hell. She must either gamble with her reputation or marry someone she does not love.

A reputed connoisseur of women, Thomas, Lord Braeton, has dallied with many ladies of King Edward’s court, although he has favored none. However, as Geoffrey’s best friend, Thomas has sworn to serve and protect Alyse, an oath now sorely tested when he agrees to marry her—in name only—to guard her reputation. Yet, as they grow closer, and Thomas discovers Alyse’s sweet but spirited nature, he comes to desire a marriage in truth. Can he overcome her memory of Geoffrey or is Thomas doomed to burn with passion for a woman he can never possess?

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #1:

He let her have another moment then continued his explanation. “It has been my honor and privilege to attend and comfort you as friend and champion, for I swore my hand to your service and now I ask only for the right and privilege to comfort you as befits the duties of a husband.”

Alyse bowed her head, unable to meet his compassionate gaze. “But, Thomas, I do not…” She paused, unsure how to say what she must. She lifted her gaze and looked earnestly into his eyes. “I hold you in the highest esteem. Your care and concern have made me see your great worth as a gentleman and a true friend and in that respect, I find your company most desirable, yet,” her cheeks heated at the intimate nature of her confession, “my feelings for you do not…I have not the same regard…” She stopped, unable to continue.

Follow along next week on Anastasia Abboud’s blog: https://www.anastasiaabboud.com/grainsofsand

For more Medieval Monday snippets, click here. And be sure to return next week for the next installment of Betrayal or grab a copy on Amazon, Smashwords, or Barnes & Noble now!

Time Enough to Love Series

Posted in Betrayal, Historical Romance, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, Medieval Mondays, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged Betrayal, Hero/Heroine first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Time Enough to Love series | 19 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 02/07/21 Only A Mistress Will Do ~ A Most Dishonorable Thing

Posted on February 7, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

NEW BLURB:

EXCERPT:

“No one at all you might turn to?”

Madame Vestry had questioned her thoroughly about her connections.

“My brother was killed in a duel over a year ago. What money and possessions I had left, I lived on until last week when there was no more.”

He searched her face as if trying to catch her out in a lie. “Your brother was killed in a duel? Then he was obviously a gentleman–have you no family or friends who might take pity on you?”

“Our family had dwindled in our generation, though there may yet be a cousin in the colonies, but here in England it was just Jamie and Kit and I. After my brother died, the way he died, most of our friends shunned me.”

“Jamie and Kit?”

And now a little more of the scene :

Resigned, she stared at the glowing embers in the grate. What was that shame compared to this? “James Carlton. In his cups one night, our cousin insulted a nobleman’s family and was challenged to a duel. Jamie agreed to be his second although I begged him not to, but he said he had to look after Kit.”

With a grim-set mouth that alarmed her, Lord John studied her face.

“Our cousin was killed in the duel and Jamie—” She still hated admitting this to anyone, but forced the words out. “Jamie then attacked the nobleman and was killed himself.”

Harshly, he seized her legs through the sheet and pinned her with an intense stare. “Do you know who the nobleman was? Who killed your brother?”

“No, my lord.” She dug in her heels, trying to shrink away from him. “The men who brought his body home wouldn’t tell me anything. Except what he had done was a most dishonorable thing.”

He slid off the bed, and to her amazement, padded over to the heap of his clothing and began dressing, all the while cursing lightly under his breath.

Only A Mistress Will Do is now available on Amazon.

And Feb. 15 thru Feb. 22 I’ll be on a blog tour with Only A Mistress Will Do through Hot Damn Book Tours. If you would like to host me on your blog, please contact Hot Damn Book Tours to arrange a day. I’d love to be a guest on your blog!

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

The House of Pleasure series

by Jenna Jaxon

No Occupation for a Lady

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

I’m on Historical Hussies today with a post about the very few occupations that were allowed for ladies of the aristocracy or genteel birth in the 18th century. If a woman did not marry by the time she was in her mid-twenties, she faced a very harsh reality about what the rest of her life would be like.

If you’d like to read more, click here.

Posted in Historical Hussies, Historical Romance | Tagged Historical Hussies, Jenna Jaxon, Only A Mistress Will Do, Women's Occupations in the 18th Century | Leave a comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/31/21 Only A Mistress Will Do ~ “It Will Not Hurt”

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

NEW BLURB:

This snippet moves ahead to the chapter where Violet has met her customer, a handsome, virile gentleman with lust in his eyes. The scene begins several pages further on from last week’s. Violet and “Lord John” are in bed.

EXCERPT:

Bounding up, he pressed his knee between her thighs and her whole body tensed, waiting for the pain; tears slid down her cheeks as she tried to stifle a sob.

“Did I hurt you?” His kind voice held a desolation all its own.

How could she rail against such kindness? Even that bit of comfort was denied her.

“No, my lord,” she said and fought the tears, but they choked her voice even worse when she held them back. Instead, she concentrated on controlling her breathing, hoping that would calm her and in just a few minutes it would be over.

“I know you haven’t had a man before,” he brushed her hair back from her forehead, a soft touch that devastated her with its gentleness, “it will hurt, but not very much, and not for very long.”

No, not for very long–only for the rest of her life. She buried her head in the pillow and sobbed.

And now a little more of the scene :

Suddenly, her hands were free and his weight eased off her.

“Look at me.” Lord John grasped her chin and her eyes popped open. He wiped his thumb over her cheek, collecting the tears she could not stop. “Is Madame Vestry forcing you to do this?”

Violet blinked rapidly and shook her head. “No, my lord. I came to her of my own free will.”

He scowled and moved back on the bed.

“Why?”

Odd he would be interested in her woes. “I have no one and nothing, my lord.” Despite the heat stinging her face, she forced herself to continue. “Except for my body.”

Only A Mistress Will Do is now available on Amazon.

And Feb. 15 thru Feb. 22 I’ll be on a blog tour with Only A Mistress Will Do through Hot Damn Book Tours. If you would like to host me on your blog, please contact Hot Damn Book Tours to arrange a day. I’d love to be a guest on your blog!