Medieval Monday ~ Seduction at the Christmas Court ~ “You Are No Healer”

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Good Morning! Welcome to the Fall/Winter Medieval Monday blog hop! We’re doing the hop somewhat differently this time around. There will be a link below to the Medieval Romance Lovers Facebook page that has links to all the other authors who are participating this time around. So after you read my excerpt, click the link and go have fun with our medieval romance snippets. They can also be found via #MedMonFall2020 .

Our theme for the fall is Nature and I’ll be sharing a segment from my medieval Christmas novella Seduction at the Christmas Court. The scene begins with a boar hunt some days before Christmas in 1349. Geoffrey, Lord Longford and his wife Alyse have been summoned to the King’s Christmas court and this is the King’s favorite sport.

Available on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

BLURB:

Alyse and Geoffrey, Lord and Lady Longford, have journeyed to the glittering Christmas Court of King Edward III in the year 1349 to wait upon the king and take part in some Yuletide merriment. However, when Geoffrey is suddenly called into the king’s service again, Alyse must remain at court, attending the queen and persuading her rebellious sister to accept an unwanted betrothal. When rumors of Geoffrey’s death arise, Alyse fends off an old suitor who wants to renew their friendship. But how long will he take “No” for an answer?

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #11:

“Pippa, run and get vinegar and honey from the butlery,” Alyse said, straightening from inspecting Guy’s wound, then glancing from one corner of the room to another and frowning. Then she headed into the nearest corner, a dim recess of stone–good fortune had smiled on her. Carefully, she blew on the dusty spider web, cleaning it as best she could before gathering the sticky strands one by one until she had a good wad of them in her palm.

“What are you doing with that?” Guy asked and eyed her warily, scooting closer to the wall and drawing his leg away from her, wincing at the movement.

“Have your healers at Belle Chasse never used this remedy, Guy?” She knelt beside him, playing with the ball of threads, patting them into a length to match the wound.

“Nay, I remember no such thing,” he peered at her keenly, “and you are no healer, Alyse.”

She chuckled and pulled the cloth of his chausses away from the gaping slash. “I have become one through necessity.”

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

Time Enough to Love Series

(Available on Amazon, and Free on Kindle Unlimited.)

Posted in Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, Medieval Mondays, On Time Enough to Love, Seduction at the Christmas Court | Tagged Jenna Jaxon, Medieval Monday, Nature theme, Seduction at the Christmas Court, Time Enough to Love series | 2 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 11/29/20 It Happened Beneath the Mistletoe: The Most Advantageous Match

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

This week I’m continuing snippets from my upcoming Regency Christmas novella, It Happened Under the Mistletoe. It’s a companion piece to last year’s It Happened at Christmas, and is the story of Roger, Lord Daventry (friend of Nicholas, Lord Benberry from It Happened at Christmas) and Lady Sylvia Montgomery.

I now have the blurb!

BLURB:

Christmas magic under the mistletoe…

Roger, Lord Daventry is contemplating a quiet Christmas at his home in Bath—until he literally falls at the feet of beautiful Lady Sylvia Montgomery. He and Lady Sylvia have an immediate attraction, but everyone is leaving London for their country homes for the holidays. Roger says his goodbyes, hoping to meet Sylvia again in the spring.

Lady Sylvia, however, has other plans.

Cajoling her parents into spending Christmas in Bath, Lady Sylvia is thrilled to meet Lord Daventry once more at the city’s Assembly Rooms. She and Roger manage a tryst under the mistletoe and Roger is ready to make a declaration for Sylvia’s hand. But when her father is called away on business, and her brother, Lord Chumleigh, arrives to chaperone Sylvia, Roger recognizes a man from his past who can sabotage his hopes of marriage to Sylvia.

To set the scene, Roger has come with his cousin to a winter’s ball in London to meet the young lady the cousin is enamored of. But Roger loses his cousin in the crowd, and ends up careening around the room, landing on his knees in front of someone in a white gown.

This week I’ve skipped ahead a few chapters, to a Winter Ball that is the end of the Little Season in London. So Sylvia and Roger have seen each other a few times. We are in Sylvia’s POV and she speaks to her mother first.

EXCERPT:

“Have you seen Lord Daventry this evening, Mamma? I have promised him the supper dance, but I do not believe he is here yet.”

Her mother nodded to an acquaintance before replying, “There are three more sets before the supper dance, Sylvia, so I am certain Lord Daventry will put in an appearance in plenty of time. He has seemed most attentive to you since we met, however, I do hope, Sylvia, that you have not set your cap at him so quickly. You are not technically out yet, not until next Season, and I insist you meet all the eligible young gentlemen in the spring before you decide which one will be the most advantageous match.”

Heartbeat speeding up, Sylvia shot her mother a scandalized glance. What on earth was Mamma talking about? “The most advantageous match is the one I make with the gentleman I love, Mamma–there is nothing else that matters.”

“Nonsense,” her mother turned a steely eye on her, “a young lady must weigh not only her affection for a gentleman, but his character, his status, and his wealth or at least his prospects. Lord Daventry seems to have the necessary qualities, I grant you, but you will not know who else might be just as attractive or eligible until the spring.”

And now to finish the scene :

“Your father and I will insist that you wait until your come-out before deciding on the gentleman who will be your husband.”

Sylvia opened her mouth to reply that she would not agree to such a stipulation, but shut her lips before she said a word. There was no reason to antagonize her mother at this point. If she did indeed set her heart on Lord Daventry, she would deal with her parents’ decree then. Although, if truth be told, she was becoming more and more inclined to favor Lord Daventry as a potential partner for more than a dance.

It Happened Under the Mistletoe and other Yuletide Tales, an anthology of five of my Christmas novellas, will release this Tuesday, December 1 for just .99. Please keep an eye out for the release party here on my blog!

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

Christmas Romance Novellas

by Jenna Jaxon

Posted in Blog Hops, Christmas stories, Historical Romance, Holiday Posts, It Happened Under the Mistletoe, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged Christmas romance novella, historical romance, It Happened Under the Mistletoe, Jenna Jaxon, Regency romance, Weekend Writing Warriors | 15 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving for 2020.

Posted in Holiday Posts | Tagged Happy Thanksgiving, Jenna Jaxon, The Hymns Ensemble, We Gather Together to Ask the Lord's Blessing | Leave a comment

Medieval Monday ~ Seduction at the Christmas Court ~ “A Credible Catch Dog”

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Available on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

BLURB:

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #10:

“But what happened?” Alyse bent to inspect the gash. It ran mayhap four or five inches along the fleshy part of the calf, with slight bleeding. The leg bone seemed not to be broken, so Guy would likely recover. Still, a dressing would be best to make sure it did not fester.

“I was about to kill a boar when Valere crashed through the brush. The boar took one look at him and charged.” His chuckle was echoed by the man on the floor. “He makes a credible catch dog, this one. When the beast went for Sir Guy, I was able to stab it in the neck. It fell onto Sir Guy as it died and ripped his leg as it did.”

“You must return this favor on the next hunt, Seigneur Longford.” Guy smiled and winked at Pippa. “’Tis only fair.”

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

Time Enough to Love Series

(Available on Amazon, and Free on Kindle Unlimited.)

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 11/22/20 It Happened Beneath the Mistletoe: “We Haven’t Been Properly Introduced”

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

I’m still working on the blurb, but will have it done by the time I release it.

EXCERPT:

Her voice was sweetly pitched, neither too high nor too low. He could listen to her speak for hours on end.

The lady looked pointedly at her hand, which he was still holding.

“I do beg your pardon.” He released her, albeit reluctantly. “I’m sure I don’t know what’s come over me this evening.” Except he did know. “I was trying to find my cousin and then—”

“And then?” She cocked her head expectantly.

And now to finish the scene :

His muddled brain had finally brought to his attention the fact that he hadn’t been introduced to this lady. He had no business whatsoever speaking to her as though he’d known her forever. “I must beg your pardon again, but we haven’t been properly introduced. I wouldn’t want your reputation to suffer because I’ve made a mull of this.”

She waved the objection away with a little trilling laugh. “I don’t believe I care about that at the moment, although if it will make you feel better, we can find someone to do the honors.”

It Happened Under the Mistletoe will release in November, so keep an eye out for the release party here on my blog.

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

Christmas Romance Novellas

by Jenna Jaxon

Medieval Monday ~ Seduction at the Christmas Court ~ “A Mere Scratch”

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Available on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

BLURB:

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #9:

“Sir Guy.” Pippa dropped down beside the man who lay on the floor, by turns grimacing and taking a pull from a tankard of ale.

“All is well, cherie,” Guy managed a smile and pulled back a piece of cloth from his right leg, “a mere scratch.” The pale flesh of his calf showed through the rent in his chausses, blood welling out of the deep gash and seeping into the garment, staining it a deep red.

“Goodness,” Alyse gasped. She’d seen worse, however ‘twas a nasty wound.

Pippa turned pale and sat down with a thump, narrowly missing Guy’s tankard.

“Try some of this, mon chere,” Guy said and offered his ale to her which she took it, gulping it down while avoiding the sight of his leg.

“I sent the lad to you to see an you can dress the wound–Gaddesden is still out in the woods attending King Edward—but as you’ve had some experience tending such things in the village, I thought mayhap you could aid Guy as well.”

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

Time Enough to Love Series

(Available on Amazon, and Free on Kindle Unlimited.)

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 11/15/20 It Happened Beneath the Mistletoe: “Are You All Right?”

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

I’m still working on the blurb, but will have it done by the time I release it.

EXCERPT:

She stared down at him, an incipient smile on her coral lips. Her dark eyes sparkled with mirth in a face of porcelain, her cheeks tinged with pink. Luscious ebony hair was piled high on her head in a mass of ringlets, some of which had come loose to coil becomingly around her face and long neck. A vision in white that literally took his breath away.

“Are you quite all right?” The vision extended a gloved hand.

In a daze, he took it and hauled himself to his feet, unable to wrest his gaze from her.

“Are you all right?” She spoke louder, perhaps assuming his hearing had been injured in his fall.

His hearing was fine–it was his tongue that wouldn’t work.

And now to finish the scene :

“Should we call the surgeon for you?” Her black brows had drawn down into a charming frown. “Mamma is just here. Perhaps I should—”

“I’m fine.” Roger gasped in air and pushed the words out. He could scarcely hear himself for the roaring in his ears. “I…I do beg your pardon for falling at your feet like that.”

She gave him a brilliant smile that stopped his breath once again. “Oh, good. You’re able to speak. I thought for a moment you were having an apoplexy, although you’re quite young to have one. My uncle Robert died of one a few years ago, but he was very old.”

It Happened Under the Mistletoe will release in November, so keep an eye out for the release party here on my blog.

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

Christmas Romance Novellas

by Jenna Jaxon

Medieval Monday ~ Seduction at the Christmas Court ~ “Are You Not Hurt?”

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Available on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

BLURB:

EXCERPT FOR WEEK #8:

“Come with me, I have need of you.” Straightening her shoulders, she marched back into the surgery, dragging her sister behind her.

She searched the faces of several men lying on the floor, frantic to find Geoffrey among them. Blood beat loudly in her ears.

“Milady.” The boy who had summoned her was back, beckoning her toward a corner where tucked away to the side, two men lounged against a wall, talking and laughing, disregarding the mayhem that swirled around them.

Geoffrey looked up at the lad’s cry and leaped to his feet. “Alyse, ‘tis good of you to come so quickly.”

“Geoffrey, oh, my love,” she ran to him, threw her arms around him and burst into tears, “are you not hurt? The boy said—”

“’Tis not I. Sir Guy has been wounded.”

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

Time Enough to Love Series

(Available on Amazon, and Free on Kindle Unlimited.)

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 11/08/20 It Happened Beneath the Mistletoe: An Abrupt Halt

Posted on November 8, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

So sorry I was absent last week, but my husband had just had open heart surgery and I was taking care of everything at the house while he was still in the hospital. He’s home now and doing extremely well, but it was a tense few days that I hope not to repeat again!

This week I’m beginning snippets from my upcoming Regency Christmas novella, It Happened Under the Mistletoe. It’s a companion piece to last year’s It Happened at Christmas, and is the story of Roger, Lord Daventry (friend of Nicholas, Lord Benberry from It Happened at Christmas) and Lady Sylvia Montgomery.

In this first snippet, Roger has come with his cousin to a winter’s ball in London to meet the young lady the cousin is enamored of. But Roger loses his cousin in the crowd, with quite unexpected results.

I’m still working on the blurb, but will have it done by the time I release it (this coming week) and here next Sunday.

EXCERPT:

Where the deuce had his cousin and the elusive Miss Attwater gone to? Twisting around to spot them, he followed his cousin’s example and rose onto his toes to give himself the extra inch or two advantage. Still no sight of the couple, but in the process of turning back, Roger bumped into a gentleman attempting to hurry toward the ballroom floor.

The momentum sent Roger stumbling backward. Unable to regain his balance, he fought to keep from crashing into anyone, and lost that battle immediately. He bumped into a different gentleman, who dropped the quizzing glass he was holding, though he immediately picked it up and glared at Roger through it. Roger didn’t have time to care as he stumbled next into a lady, knocking her into the gentleman to whom she was speaking. His feet seemed to have a mind of their own and neither with the sense to balance him. He careened off the offended woman and pitched forward, landing with a jarring crack as his knees hit the parquet flooring, bringing him to a merciful, though abrupt, halt.

And now to finish the scene :

Panting and completely aware of the silence all around him, Roger stared straight ahead, willing everyone in attendance to simply ignore his blundering progress and go about their business. After a moment, talking resumed, along with a few titters of mirth, and he breathed a great sigh–the whole escapade could’ve been worse, perhaps, but not by much.

About to rise and resume the hunt for his blasted cousin, Roger suddenly realized he’d been staring for some time at smooth, white satin fabric with a fine design of white birds and flowers woven into the material. Obviously a woman’s skirt; ergo the woman it belonged to had been standing over him the entire time. Accepting that the evening could absolutely get no worse, Roger raised his chin and gazed into the face of an angel.

It Happened Under the Mistletoe will release this week, so keep an eye out for the release party here on my blog.

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

Christmas Romance Novellas

by Jenna Jaxon

Holiday Winners!

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

As you may or may not know by now, toward the end of October we discovered that my husband needed open heart surgery. This came just before Halloween in the midst of my giveaways for that week, ergo my posts stopped the day he had surgery and everything having to do with writing just flew out of my head.

Well, hubby’s now home and on the mend, so I finally realized I needed to announce the Halloween giveaway winners AND the winners from September’s The Widow’s Christmas Surprise release party book giveaways.

I’ll be emailing you all shortly to congratulate you and get your mailing addresses.

THE WIDOW’S CHRISTMAS SURPRISE WINNERS

(Signed print copy of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise)