Jenna Jaxon Romance–because passion is timeless.

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.

“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.

“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.

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!