Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

Today I’m continuing with my Christmas novel that releases at the end of September, The Widow’s Christmas Surprise. This is book five of The Widows’ Club series and is Maria’s story. 

It releases this coming Tuesday, September 29 in print, e-book, and audio book!

Here’s the blurb:

BLURB: 

The death of her husband has thrown Lady Maria Kersey’s future into doubt—and her heart into the arms of a man she cannot have. But Christmas with the Widows’ Club will bring choices—and surprises–that may change all her holidays to come . . .
 
Maria just gave birth to her first child, a beautiful daughter—but the event is shrouded in sorrow.  A month earlier, Maria’s husband, Lord Kersey, was killed in a duel under compromising circumstances. Worse, Maria’s failure to provide a male heir has stripped her of any hope of an inheritance. Scorned by the ton, one of her few allies is her late husband’s steward, Hugh Granger. Hugh is everything her husband was not—warm, charming—and penniless. . . .

Hugh has fallen desperately in love with Maria, but has little to offer but comfort. As their attraction becomes impossible to resist, Maria flees to London to spend Christmas with her dearest friends, a group of widows who lost their own husbands in the Battle of Waterloo. Little does she know the holidays will reveal a twist of fate she never expected—proving that the greatest Christmas gift is the magic of true love . . .

I’m starting this snippet well into the book because this is a fun scene. Maria is about to leave her lover, Hugh, to go to Scotland until they can marry. Hugh has taken Maria out for a final outing, to spend some time together before they have to say goodbye. They have now begun to skate.

We are in Hugh’s POV.

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

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

Today I’m continuing with my Christmas novel that releases at the end of September, The Widow’s Christmas Surprise. This is book five of The Widows’ Club series and is Maria’s story. 

Here’s the blurb:

BLURB: 

The death of her husband has thrown Lady Maria Kersey’s future into doubt—and her heart into the arms of a man she cannot have. But Christmas with the Widows’ Club will bring choices—and surprises–that may change all her holidays to come . . .
 
Maria just gave birth to her first child, a beautiful daughter—but the event is shrouded in sorrow.  A month earlier, Maria’s husband, Lord Kersey, was killed in a duel under compromising circumstances. Worse, Maria’s failure to provide a male heir has stripped her of any hope of an inheritance. Scorned by the ton, one of her few allies is her late husband’s steward, Hugh Granger. Hugh is everything her husband was not—warm, charming—and penniless. . . .

Hugh has fallen desperately in love with Maria, but has little to offer but comfort. As their attraction becomes impossible to resist, Maria flees to London to spend Christmas with her dearest friends, a group of widows who lost their own husbands in the Battle of Waterloo. Little does she know the holidays will reveal a twist of fate she never expected—proving that the greatest Christmas gift is the magic of true love . . .

I’m starting this snippet well into the book because this is a fun scene. Maria is about to leave her lover, Hugh, to go to Scotland until they can marry. Hugh has taken Maria out for a final outing, to spend some time together before they have to say goodbye.

We are in Hugh’s POV.

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

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

Today I’m continuing with my Christmas novel that releases at the end of September, The Widow’s Christmas Surprise. This is book five of The Widows’ Club series and is Maria’s story. 

(Today I’m on the road visiting relatives, so I won’t be visiting your sites until the evening.)

Here’s the blurb:

BLURB: 

The death of her husband has thrown Lady Maria Kersey’s future into doubt—and her heart into the arms of a man she cannot have. But Christmas with the Widows’ Club will bring choices—and surprises–that may change all her holidays to come . . .
 
Maria just gave birth to her first child, a beautiful daughter—but the event is shrouded in sorrow.  A month earlier, Maria’s husband, Lord Kersey, was killed in a duel under compromising circumstances. Worse, Maria’s failure to provide a male heir has stripped her of any hope of an inheritance. Scorned by the ton, one of her few allies is her late husband’s steward, Hugh Granger. Hugh is everything her husband was not—warm, charming—and penniless. . . .

Hugh has fallen desperately in love with Maria, but has little to offer but comfort. As their attraction becomes impossible to resist, Maria flees to London to spend Christmas with her dearest friends, a group of widows who lost their own husbands in the Battle of Waterloo. Little does she know the holidays will reveal a twist of fate she never expected—proving that the greatest Christmas gift is the magic of true love . . .

I’m starting this snippet well into the book because this is a fun scene. Maria is about to leave her lover, Hugh, to go to Scotland until they can marry. Hugh has taken Maria out for a final outing, to spend some time together before they have to say goodbye.

We are in Hugh’s POV.

EXCERPT:

Courtesy Evelyn Simak and Wikimedia Commons

“Ice skates!” Maria darted forward, taking one up, but being mindful of the blade. “I used to go ice skating all the time at my parents’ house. There is a river nearby that would freeze when the weather was cold enough.” She turned a gleeful face to him,“How did you know?”

“I didn’t.” Grinning like a fool at her look of pure pleasure, Hugh thanked whatever angel had whispered in his ear to take Maria skating. “I hoped you had skated before, but I would have been happy to teach you if you hadn’t.”

“Well let’s see who knows what,” she said and dropped down onto the log and began to tie the skates onto her shoes, “last one onto the ice has to pay a forfeit.”

Lord, and didn’t he know what her forfeit would be if she won the wager.

And now to finish the scene :

Hugh sat down to strap his skates on as well. The process wasn’t terribly difficult, just lengthy. He fumbled with the straps, his fingers stupid as he tried to hurry.

“One skate on!” Maria laughed and began on the other one.

“No fair. You have smaller fingers that work better than mine.” Cursing under his breath, Hugh buckled the first skate on and reached for the second, although he doubted he could catch up with Maria now.

“Done!” Pink cheeked she laughed again as she stood before him, showing him first one and then the other skate. “Do you need some help with your laces, my dear?”

“No, thank you.” His words came out a growl, which made Maria laugh all the harder.

“Come.” She held out her hand and helped him up when he was finished. “I cannot wait to skate again. It has been an age at least. I had to have been ten years old.”

“Well, I hope it comes back to you, but if not, I will be here to save you.” He grinned as they made their way toward the pond’s edge.

 

The Widow’s Christmas Surprise is available on Amazon, B & N, Kobo, and Apple.

I’ll be running a Christmas giveaway between now and September 27 when The Widow’s Christmas Surprise releases. The prizes are signed print copies of the previous Widows’ Club books, Christmas ornaments, swag, and a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To enter this Rafflecopter giveaway, click here.

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

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

Today I’m changing books, to my Christmas novel that releases at the end of September, The Widow’s Christmas Surprise. This is book five of The Widows’ Club series and is Maria’s story. 

Here’s the blurb:

BLURB: 

The death of her husband has thrown Lady Maria Kersey’s future into doubt—and her heart into the arms of a man she cannot have. But Christmas with the Widows’ Club will bring choices—and surprises–that may change all her holidays to come . . .
 
Maria just gave birth to her first child, a beautiful daughter—but the event is shrouded in sorrow.  A month earlier, Maria’s husband, Lord Kersey, was killed in a duel under compromising circumstances. Worse, Maria’s failure to provide a male heir has stripped her of any hope of an inheritance. Scorned by the ton, one of her few allies is her late husband’s steward, Hugh Granger. Hugh is everything her husband was not—warm, charming—and penniless. . . .

Hugh has fallen desperately in love with Maria, but has little to offer but comfort. As their attraction becomes impossible to resist, Maria flees to London to spend Christmas with her dearest friends, a group of widows who lost their own husbands in the Battle of Waterloo. Little does she know the holidays will reveal a twist of fate she never expected—proving that the greatest Christmas gift is the magic of true love . . .

I’m starting this snippet well into the book because this is a fun scene. Maria is about to leave her lover, Hugh, to go to Scotland until they can marry. Hugh has taken Maria out for a final outing, to spend some time together before they have to say goodbye.

We are in Hugh’s POV.

EXCERPT:

Courtesy Evelyn Simak and Wikimedia Commons

Pulling Caesar down to a trot and then a walk, Hugh brought them to a stop right at the end of the irregularly shaped pond. There were bulrushes thick at the far end, with overhanging trees, now leafless. Nearest to them was the overturned log where he and Bella had sat to lace on their skates last year. There was also a place to tie the horses so they could crop the little bit of grass still left. An idyllic spot for their last day together.

Hugh dropped to the ground, then helped Maria down as well. She slid down into his arms, every part of her touching every part of him it seems. The minx would try his patience for certain. He gave her a stern glare. “You had best behave, young lady–I made a promise to your cousin not to compromise you before we could marry.”

And now to finish the scene :

“I think I will take my chances with Jane’s wrath if it means I can be close to you, my love.” She gave a coquettish laugh and Hugh groaned. Best divert her away from this dangerous topic.

“Here is your surprise.” He waved toward the frozen pond.

“I see.” She looked askance at the pond, then at him. “I will admit I am surprised, for I cannot fathom a single reason why you would have done so.”

“Ah, but here is the other part of the surprise.” He untied the parcel from behind the saddle and brought out two pairs of—

I’m sure you can already guess what it is! LOL

The Widow’s Christmas Surprise is available on Amazon, B & N, Kobo, and Apple.

I’ll be running a Christmas giveaway between now and September 27 when The Widow’s Christmas Surprise releases. The prizes are signed print copies of the previous Widows’ Club books, Christmas ornaments, swag, and a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To enter this Rafflecopter giveaway, click here.

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