Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless.

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:

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 solution?

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

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 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

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 A Highland Autumn, Hero/Heroine first kiss, Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Sophia Nye | 7 Comments

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.

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

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

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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