Happy Birthday!

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

June has always been a birthday month in my family (an overall celebration month, in fact).

My father and his twin brother, two of my father’s sisters, my nephew, and my youngest daughter all have birthdays in June!

Also, my parents’ anniversary and my husband’s and my anniversary are in June–not to mention Father’s Day.

As today is my Aunt JoJo’s birthday, and Sunday is my daughter’s birthday, I wanted to have a bit of a celebration on my blog. (Throws confetti)

Happy Birthday to all my family, friends, and fans, whenever your birthday is in the month of June! Happy Birthday to you, and many, many more!

If you’d like to wish someone you know a Happy June Birthday, please feel free to do so in the comments!

LET’S CELEBRATE!

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Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 06/09/19 Only Scandal Will Do~ “What Have You Done?”

Posted on June 9, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to WWW.

I have switched this month to one of my favorite books that is currently on sale, Only Scandal Will Do.

 

BLURB:  

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

Content warning: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

I’m starting about a third of the way through the book. Lady Katarina has been kidnapped, sold at auction in a brothel to a masked man, has escaped with her virtue, and has now come face to face with the man, who now wants to marry her. She’s refused and now her brother wants to duel with the man, to the death. Kat, who is a wicked swordswoman, has other ideas: let her fight for her own honor and the possibility of not having to marry the man she loathes. They have now agreed to fight to “first blood.” The first one to draw blood wins the match.

I’ve skipped ahead to the beginning of the match itself. Manning is Lord Manning, Katarina’s brother. The speaker is Duncan, Marquess of Dalbury, the man Kat is facing in the duel.

The snippet  has been slightly altered to accommodate the WWW format.

SNIPPET:

“But will you be so kind as to introduce me to your friend here, Manning,” he gestured to the young man he had come up behind, but who had not turned to greet him, “I did not know you were bringing another witness.”

L’Scrimeuse by Jean Beraud

“I would say we have already been introduced several times, Lord Dalbury,” said the youth, finally turning. “Do you not recognize me, my lord?” said Katarina, smiling merrily as she tugged on her shirtsleeves, easing them down under the coat sleeves.

Duncan’s mouth slackened with shock because the well-fitting garments that, from the back, had hidden her form, now showed absolutely every one of Lady Katarina’s lovely curves. His attention kept straying to the fawn colored breeches–neatly buckled below the knee, thank God. What would he have done if she had shown her knees? The breeches hugged her hips–her hips!–defining the curvaceous body he remembered so vividly.

He forced his eyes up, relaxing somewhat at the coat that resembled a lady’s riding costume; it was, however, a man’s garment, a sleeved waistcoat, in cherry-red worsted with silver buttons down the front, over a plain linen shirt–no evidence of stays. Sweet Christ, her breasts would be unconfined during the duel; what if he injured them?

Her magnificent auburn hair was pulled back from her face, but he’d seen no evidence of locks down her back when he approached her, forcing him to gasp out, “What have you done to your hair?”

Only Scandal Will Do is currently available on

Amazon for just .99!

You can also watch the trailer for the book below.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Historical Romance, House of Pleasure Series, on Georgian Romance, On Only Scandal Will Do, On Regency Romance, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Where in the World is Jenna Jaxon? Part 2

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Good morning, everyone!  It’s a lovely morning here in. . .

When last I checked in, my friend Wayne and I had been to the Uncle Billy’s Day festivities in ALTAVISTA, Virginia. And on Monday we went to LYNCHBURG for a shop-til-you-drop experience.

Next morning I got on the road at 7:30 am heading North to—upstate New York. I’m making my yearly pilgrimage to visit my friends who have the delightful cabin in the woods of the Adirondacks.

However, what was supposed to be a 9 hour drive turned into a grueling 14 hour journey due to several major traffic jams on the I-81 corridor in Pennsylvania. So I didn’t arrive in THENDARA until 9:30 pm, at which time I simply collapsed into my bed.

 

This year I’m staying in a little motel up the road from my friends, as the conveniences of the modern world (such as a place to plug in my computer and CPAP) became paramount.

Yesterday morning I visited my friends at their cabin in FORESTPORT for a wonderful

time catching up and seeing how the cabin and environs have changed.

I had a delicious lunch with them and then toddled off back to Thendara to eat and relax and finish Chapter 1 of It Happened at Christmas. Today I’m in writing mode and hope to knock out another 3,000 words and Chapter 2.

I’ll be checking in again later in the week as I make a tour of the city of Old Forge, just to the north of me, and back to the cabin on Saturday for another visit.

In the meantime, I’m off to write! Have a great Thursday and look for the next post asking “Where in the world is Jenna Jaxon?”

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Where in the World is Jenna Jaxon?

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

This summer I am traveling quite a lot and thought I’d tell you each time I traveled to a new place.

TRADE LOT UNCLE BILLY’S DAY 2019

If you’re on my Facebook feed you probably know that yesterday (and

THE VENDOR ALLEY IN ENGLISH PARK ON UNCLE BILLY’S DAY

today) I’m in Altavista, VA, for their yearly festival called Uncle Billy’s Days. It’s a county fair atmosphere, with a flea market on one side of town, called the Trade Lot, and then the fair with vendors and rides on the other side of town in English Park.

I attend each year with my good friend, Wayne Tucker, who I’ve

 

WAYNE AT ENGLISH PARK

known since undergrad school. This is his hometown and it’s become a tradition for me to come out and for us to attend, walking all over both venues, buying much more than either of us needs to,

WAYNE AND I WAITING FOR THE BUS TO ENGLISH PARK

and eating when I can find anything that won’t upset my gluten allergy (this year I just gave up and we went to Hardees afterwards).

I’m using some of the time here, while Wayne listens to opera, to write on my Christmas novella, It Happened at Christmas, which I hope will be a fun little romp, along the lines of You’ve Got Mail.

So that’s where I have been for the past few days.

But today? That’s a different story.

Right now we’re on the road to–guess where?

That’s a post for tomorrow!

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Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 06/02/19 Only Scandal Will Do~ “First Blood”

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to WWW.

I have switched this month to one of my favorite books that is currently on sale, Only Scandal Will Do.

 

 

 

BLURB:  

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

Content warning: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

I’m starting about a third of the way through the book. Lady Katarina has been kidnapped, sold at auction in a brothel to a masked man, has escaped with her virtue, and has now come face to face with the man, who now wants to marry her. She’s refused and now her brother wants to duel with the man, to the death. Kat, who is a wicked swordswoman, has other ideas: let her fight for her own honor and the possibility of not having to marry the man she loathes.

The snippet  may have been slightly altered to accommodate the WWW format.

SNIPPET:

Kat approached Dalbury, standing before him willingly for the
first time and said, “Do you accept my challenge, my lord?” She had itched to
cross swords with him since March–now the opportunity hung on a
single word.

“I fear that honor, and the code, prohibit me from doing so, my
lady.” When she sputtered with indignation, he raised a hand to
forestall her saying, “However, there is nothing to prevent us from conducting
a fencing match with a wager attached–one that would mirror the
outcome of a duel, had it been fought.”

The desire to face the marquess, sword in hand, increased with
each minute she considered the possibility; even if it was not a duel per
se, if it would satisfy Jack’s sense of honor and appease her lust to fight
Dalbury, she would agree to the terms. “Very well, my lord. I will
wager my skill with a sword against yours.”

“And your terms, my lady” the marquess said, “as we will not
fight to the death; I have no qualms about killing a man, and while I
may reluctantly wound a woman, I will not kill one.” His grin made
him almost boyish.

“I too am reluctant to take a life, Lord Dalbury,” she chuckled,
“even yours.”

“We then fight to first blood?”

Only Scandal Will Do is currently available on

Amazon for just .99!

You can also watch the trailer for the book below.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Historical Romance, House of Pleasure Series, on Georgian Romance, On Only Scandal Will Do, On Regency Romance, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 05/26/19 Heart of Decadence ~ ” I Would Not Wish to Ruin Your Reputation”

Posted on May 26, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to WWW.

I’m still  continuing from my brand new novella, Heart of Decadence, Book 5 in my Handful of Hearts series, that released on April 23 in a boxed set called Second Chance Love: A Regency Romance Set along with works from five other fabulous Regency authors! I’ll finish out the month of May with Heart of Decadence, then go on to my next new release in June!

BLURB:  

Miss Amelia Burrowes was the scandal of the ton in her first Season, when her fiancée died and everyone assumed she was ruined. Ten years later, she’s back in London to make an arranged marriage that will hopefully allow her sisters to be received by the ton. But when Nathan, Lord Ainsley appears, the man she’d really had a tendre for all those years ago, the flame between them rekindles and Amelia must convince him that a woman with a past deserves a future.

While at Lady Hamilton’s ball, Miss Amelia Burrowes has been found in the library by her suitor, Mr. Burke, who thinks because of her ruined reputation, he can take liberties. He has accosted her and does not want to take no for an answer. In the midst of their heated kiss, in walks a stranger. Amelia recognizes him as Nathan, Lord Ainsley, a gentleman for whom she had a tendre long ago. He too remembers her, very well.

Nathan realizes that Miss Burrowes does not wish to be in the company of Mr. Burke and takes her arm. he leas her outside for some fresh air, but then he asked a crucial question: “Are you indeed betrothed to him?” She declares she is not, although he will likely propose shortly. But she is submitting to the courtship because of her family’s wishes, because no one else will offer for her. This snippet begins a couple of pages further than last week’s, when Amelia has told him of her courtship with Lord Carrington and Nathan has become a bit jealous.

This snippet is still in Nathan’s POV.

The snippet  may have been slightly altered to accommodate the WWW format.

 

EXCERPT:

“Perhaps we have stayed away too long; I would not wish to ruin your reputation, Miss Burrowes, when I was trying to save it.”

At that she laughed until she wept, sitting on the bench with her eyes streaming.

Without a word, he handed her his handkerchief and with it she mopped the tears that continued to flood her face. “I am pleased I could lighten your mood, Miss Burrowes.”

She hiccoughed and sniggered, then slowly the tide turned and she sobered saying, “I do beg your pardon, my lord, for that display, but what you said…” she sputtered off again, then composed herself.  “I am afraid I could not help myself,”–lifting the sodden handkerchief, she waved it at him–“I will have this laundered and returned to you on the morrow.”

“Why not return it to me in person?” Nathan didn’t know where that question had come from. He’d had no intention of suggesting they meet again, except that now that he thought about it, he did wish to see her. “Allow me to take you for a carriage ride tomorrow afternoon.”

Here’s the link for the  Second Chance Love boxed set.

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

 

The Handful of Hearts series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in A Handful of Hearts, Heart of Decadence, Historical Romance, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Regency Romance, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Second Chance Love: A Lady of Courage by Catherine Tinley

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to day five of

Second Chance Love

Meet the Authors Week!

My newest release, Heart of Decadence,  can be found in the  boxed set Second Chance Loves: A Regency Romance Set, available for free on Kindle Unlimited or in e-book for .99 on Amazon here. I’ve been sharing snippets of my offering on this blog (Chapter 1 can be read above) and via my posts each Sunday to Weekend Writing Warriors.

So this week, I thought I’d introduce you to the other five stories that comprise Second Chance Loves. The premise of the set is women who are not in the first bloom, who have loved and lost, or in some manner needed a second chance to find love.

Below is an excerpt from A Lady of Courage:

To elope to France with the man you love must surely be the most adventurous, the most exciting, the most reckless thing a young lady can do. Elizabeth, now a respectable mother who had recently marked her forty-second birthday, could only dimly remember the impulse that had led her to escape from a London ball in the middle of the night. At the time, she had been motivated by an all-consuming passion for the dashing Honourable John Milford, known as Jack—and the knowledge that her father would never countenance her marrying him.

She and Jack, with all the confidence of youth, had been convinced that all would be well. They would be together, and surely Elizabeth’s father, faced with the inevitability of their marriage, would come to accept it in time.

The reality had been rather different. Elizabeth shook her head at the memories. How foolish I was! And how young! Oh, she had never doubted Jack’s integrity, or his love for her. But he had been, she now knew, just as naïve as she, just as unsure of the ways of the world. Only a few weeks after their arrival in France, he had gone off to fight in the Flanders campaign, promising to return in ‘a very few days—a week at most.’  He had been dead within a sennight.

Eight months later, and just weeks before her twenty-second birthday, Elizabeth had given birth to her daughter. My Juliana! she thought fiercely. What a daughter I have!

‘Good day, Mama.’ Juliana entered the parlour and stooped to kiss her. Elizabeth felt the usual rush of pride. Juliana was now a beautiful, accomplished young lady. As well as being beautiful, she was passionate, headstrong, and perfect in every way. Well, of course, occasionally Elizabeth might wish for her daughter to be a little calmer, or quieter, or amenable— she felt a little guilty at the thought.

Juliana was every inch her father’s daughter—Jack’s impulsiveness and sense of adventure had been one of the aspects of his character that had seemed most attractive to the twenty-year-old Elizabeth. Just now, she had difficulty in recalling exactly why she had found such traits so admirable.

‘Mama, I have had the most wonderful idea!’

Elizabeth’s heart sank. Some of her greatest trials had ensued from statements just like this. She maintained her normal calm demeanour, asking simply, ‘Oh? What might that be?’

Juliana crossed to the desk in their little parlour, fetching the pile of letters from her best friend, Charlotte. The girls had attended school together and became firm friends. Elizabeth approved of Charlotte—her calm reasonableness was the perfect foil to Juliana’s passionate nature.

‘You remember I told you of Charlotte’s recent marriage?’

‘Of course. She married the Earl of Shalford, did she not? What a triumph for her! And indeed, no-one could begrudge her this good fortune, for she is one of the most amiable young ladies of my acquaintance.’

Juliana beamed at this praise of her favourite. ‘Indeed, Mama. Well, she has invited us both to visit her in her new home.’

Elizabeth’s heart immediately skipped a beat. ‘In England?’ She could feel the colour draining from her face.

‘Well, yes, Mama.’ Juliana’s tone was patient. ‘That is where she lives now—in the earl’s country estate, Chadcombe, in Surrey.’

‘Oh, no!’ said Elizabeth reflexively. ‘I—we—it’s impossible!’

Juliana eyed her levelly. ‘But why not, Mama? We have never visited England, the land of your birth. This would be our opportunity to do so. You know I love living in Brussels, and we have a great many friends here, but this would be the perfect opportunity to visit England.’

Elizabeth could feel anxiety flutter to life inside her. ‘It’s out of the question!’ How can I possibly go back now and face the shame? How could I bring such disgrace on my beloved daughter? Living in Brussels all these years had enabled Elizabeth to gloss over the details of her marriage and Juliana’s birth. Why, Juliana herself had no idea of the shame surrounding her conception! And so, it must remain.

Blurb:

Following a scandalous elopement and a cloud of mystery over the legitimacy of her child, Elizabeth has spent years in exile, hiding away from society.

Now back in London for the first time, can she find the courage to regain her place and find love?

Meet the Author:

Catherine Tinley is an award winning author who writes witty, heartwarming, Regency love stories. Her first book, Waltzing with the Earl, won the prestigious Rita® Award for Best Historical Romance.

She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, NHS management, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now works in Sure Start.

She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, cats, and dog and can be reached at www.catherinetinley.com as well as Facebook and twitter.

Remember to grab your copy now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

 

Meet Second Chance Love author Cynthia Sterling here!

Meet Second Chance Love author Tabetha Waite here!

Meet Second Chance Love author Wendy LaCapra here!

Meet Second Chance Love author Annabelle Anders here!

Posted in Heart of Decadence, Historical Romance, On Regency Romance, Promotion, Regency Romance, Second Chance Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Second Chance Love: To Hell and Back by Annabelle Anders

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to day four of

Second Chance Love

Meet the Authors Week!

My newest release, Heart of Decadence,  can be found in the  boxed set Second Chance Loves: A Regency Romance Set, available for free on Kindle Unlimited or in e-book for .99 on Amazon here. I’ve been sharing snippets of my offering on this blog (Chapter 1 can be read above) and via my posts each Sunday to Weekend Writing Warriors.

So this week, I thought I’d introduce you to the other five stories that comprise Second Chance Loves. The premise of the set is women who are not in the first bloom, who have loved and lost, or in some manner needed a second chance to find love.

Below is an excerpt from To Hell and Back:

At first she thought she was sliding off of her bed. She gripped tightly to her pillow. Except this wasn’t her pillow.

Much more solid than a pillow.

“Eve. Mrs. Mossant.” Her pillow shifted and then gripped her arms tightly. “Oh, hell!”

And then the world tipped, shifted, and rolled. And rolled some more. Eve’s eyes widened in time to remember she was not in her bed, but in the carriage. Her stomach lurched and her breath stalled in her lungs as the world turned into a chaotic nightmare.

Not the entire world, but her world, she corrected herself ironically as she watched her valise and then Mr. Waverly’s hat bouncing off the ceiling of the carriage.

Crashing sounds, and the horses! Oh dear God, What of the driver?

She had nothing to grab hold of except for Mr. Waverly, who seemed to be doing his best to brace them from being tossed about any more than necessary.

By the time she was awake enough to gain her bearings, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. She vaguely heard the sound of horses running in the distance, and water trickling… Trickling right through the carriage.

“Mrs. Mossant?” The sound of Mr. Waverly’s voice brought with it some reassurance. “Are you hurt?

Ah, her head rested on his chest. And they both seemed to be lying on the ceiling of the carriage. “I am unhurt, but what of you?” He’d taken the brunt of the impact.

She was afraid to move. What if they dangled over the side of a cliff? What if the carriage were to begin sliding again? Or rolling?

“I believe I shall live.” Mr. Waverly was moving gingerly. “Be careful, there’s broken glass all around.”

Pushing off of his solid chest, Eve did her best to free him without shuffling about too much.

“Umph.”

“I’m sorry. Oh, dear.” She’d planted her knee in a most unfortunate place. He groaned and then gripped her hips when she went to push herself off again.

“Hold on, woman. Not there.”

Of all things. She was grateful for the semi-darkness so that he couldn’t see the heat rising to her face. If she could only move her knee. “I’m— Mr. Waverly—”

Before she could finish, he’d efficiently released her from her skirts and moved her leg to one side.

Only now, she straddled him.

Her breath hitched. They lay on the brink of death and she was most certain that he’d become aroused.

Blurb:

Eve Mossant’s life has been quite turned over. As has the carriage she was traveling in to attend her estranged husband’s funeral. Thank heavens for Mr. Waverly, her ever dependable man of business. She wouldn’t know where she’d be without him…

Meet the Author:

Married to the same man for over 25 years, I am a mother to three children and two Miniature Wiener dogs After owning a business and experiencing considerable success, my husband and I got caught in the financial crisis and lost everything; our business, our home, even our car.

At this point, I put my B.A. in Poly Sci to use and took work as a waitress and bartender. Unwilling to give up on a professional life, I simultaneously went back to college and obtained a degree in Energy Management. And then the energy market dropped off.

And then my dog died. I can only be grateful for this series of unfortunate events, for, with nothing to lose and completely demoralized, I sat down and began to write the romance novels which had until then, existed only my imagination. I am happy to have found my place in life.

Finally.

Remember to grab your copy now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

 

Meet Second Chance Love author Cynthia Sterling here!

Meet Second Chance Love author Tabetha Waite here!

Meet Second Chance Love author Wendy LaCapra here!

Posted in Heart of Decadence, Historical Romance, On Regency Romance, Promotion, Regency Romance, Second Chance Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Second Chance Love: Mrs. Sartin’s Secretary by Wendy LaCapra

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to day three of

Second Chance Love

Meet the Authors Week!

My newest release can be found in the  boxed set Second Chance Loves: A Regency Romance Set, available for free on Kindle Unlimited or in e-book for .99 on Amazon here. I’ve been sharing snippets of my offering, Heart of Decadence, on this blog (Chapter 1 can be read above) and via my posts each Sunday to Weekend Writing Warriors.

So this week, I thought I’d introduce you to the other five stories that comprise Second Chance Loves. The premise of the set is women who are not in the first bloom, who have loved and lost, or in some manner needed a second chance to find love.

Below is an excerpt from Mrs. Sartin’s Secretary:

Constance disturbed Amelia’s reverie with a loud clap. “I believe I just spotted a fresh fish in the pond.”

Amelia groaned. “A quill as yet undipped?”

“A quill I’d like to dip, anyway. I feel suddenly eager to catch up on my correspondence.”

“Or, if you followed your other metaphor, do a little poach—hey.” Amelia rubbed the place Constance had pinched.

“Be useful, would you? Tell me what you think. He’s standing next to a potted palm.”

“We’re standing next to a potted palm.”

“The one across the room, silly…to the right of the refreshment table. No, wait.” Constance grasped Amelia’s arm, holding her in place. “Let me guess something about him first. Then tell me if you agree.”

“Your favorite game.”

“Far from my favorite, dear. Indulging in my favorite game would have me expelled.”

Amelia snorted. “Arrested, more-like.”

“That, too.” Constance studied her subject.

“Well?” Amelia prompted.

“Judging by the size of his lapels, he’s not often out. He’s not young…but I wouldn’t describe him as old, either. Nearing his thirtieth year, I suspect. He’s uncomfortable, but not completely unfamiliar, with the ton.” Constance tilted her head. “An enigma!” She lifted her shoulders in an excited little shrug. “And here I was, thinking this Season would be dull…”

Poor man. If Constance decided to pursue him, he was already lost. “May I look, now?”

“Of course.”

Amelia followed Constance’s gaze. Recognition arrived in stages, as if the man were a conundrum she’d been tasked to solve, phrase by mysterious phrase.

First, came the vague sense she had been long acquainted with his wispy brown hair. Then, her heart involuntarily softened as she took in his prominent cheek bones. And the last piece? A small, spontaneous smile the moment she identified his straight, thin, incapable-of-holding-up-his-reading-glasses nose.

Reading glasses she hadn’t seen Matthew Bellamy without in years.

The missing spectacles must have been the reason she hadn’t known her secretary at once. And the fact she hadn’t ever seen him dressed for an evening among the ton.

“I’ve reached a verdict,” Constance announced. “Fortune hunter.”

Amelia shook her head, considering Matthew’s investments and the legacy left him by George. “Definitely not a fortune hunter.” A secretary. Her secretary.

Disconcerting possessiveness flared in her chest.

Why on earth had he come?

Blurb:

Mrs. Amelia Sartin helms her late husband’s company and implicitly trusts her Secretary, Matthew Bellamy. However, as she cedes company control to her heir, can Bellamy persuade Amelia he is one thing she cannot leave behind?

Meet the Author:

Historical Romance Author Wendy LaCapra has been reading romance since she sneaked into the adult section at the library and discovered Victoria Holt & Jane Aiken Hodge.  From that point on, she dreamed of creating fictional worlds with richness, intrigue and passion. Her stories have placed in several contests, including the Romance Writers of America®’s RITA® and Golden Heart®. She lives in NYC with her husband and loves to hear from readers. For new release and sale alerts, sign up at http://bit.ly/GetWendyNews

Remember to grab your copy now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

 

Meet Second Chance Love author Cynthia Sterling here!

Meet Second Chance Love author Tabetha Waite here!

Posted in Heart of Decadence, Historical Romance, On Regency Romance, Promotion, Regency Romance, Second Chance Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Second Chance Love: A Lady’s Guide to Marriage by Tabetha Waite

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

                 Welcome to day two of Second Chance Love

Meet the Authors Week!

My newest release can be found in the  boxed set Second Chance Loves: A Regency Romance Set, available for free on Kindle Unlimited or in e-book for .99 on Amazon here. I’ve been sharing snippets of my offering, Heart of Decadence, on this blog (Chapter 1 can be read above) and via my posts each Sunday to Weekend Writing Warriors.

So this week, I thought I’d introduce you to the other five stories that comprise Second Chance Loves. The premise of the set is women who are not in the first bloom, who have loved and lost, or in some manner needed a second chance to find love.

Below is an excerpt from A Lady’s Guide to Marriage:

God, I’ve been a fool for staying away as long as I have — for leaving in the first place.

He clenched his fist at his side as she stopped in front of him. Time melted away, and even though nearly twenty-five years of marriage had changed her features and form slightly, had dimmed the bright luster of her copper red locks into a more subdued strawberry-blond, a few wisps framing her face as they tried to escape her bonnet, he knew without a doubt, that if he had a second chance, he would choose to marry her all over again.

She was the love of his life, and it was past time that he told her exactly how he felt.

He started to open his mouth, to finally speak the words clogging his throat.

“Hello, Michael.”

Albina offered him a slight smile, inclining her head slightly, before she turned and walked into the house.

And all at once — let him know where she stood.

Swallowing down his bitter disappointment, he followed her inside.

***

“I trust your journey was pleasant.”

Albina cringed inwardly at the perfect, masculine sound of his detached voice. After five years, he might have come up with something a bit more to say. What is wrong with you! She wanted to shout at him, to ask if he even cared about her anymore, but at least she knew where she stood with him.

Now, if he had rushed to the carriage and dragged her into his arms and kissed her senseless…

But then, those were the fantasies of a young debutante, and not appropriate for a mature woman who had been married for more than two decades, who had shared everything from a bed, to children, to sorrow and happiness with this man.

At this point, Albina had to ask herself what was left.

She feared that the answer would be…nothing.

But then, that wasn’t true for her, was it? She wanted him as much as she ever had before. The instant she had set eyes on her husband it was as if they had never been apart. He was still just as handsome as ever, even if a bit of silver had colored his dark hair slightly at the temples. He still had the same chiseled lips and jawline; those eyes still the color of warm chocolate. More importantly, he still had the power to make her heart thump in her chest, even if he seemed blissfully unaware of it.

But then, she’d never encouraged his attentions lately either, so she supposed she couldn’t really blame him for something for which he wasn’t wholly to blame. They both had their faults.

Blurb:

She’s never stopped loving him. He’s never stopped loving her. But is love enough to salvage a crumbling marriage, or will it be their ultimate undoing?

Meet the Author:

Tabetha Waite is the multi-award winning author of the historical romance Ways of Love Series. Her debut novel, “Why the Earl is After the Girl,” was published in July of 2016 and won the 2017 Best Indie Book Award in Romance and the 2018 Second Place Feathered Quill Book Award in Romance. “When a Duke Pursues a Lady” was a Book Talk Radio Club finalist in romance in 2018. She is also a certified PAN member of the RWA and holds a milestone pin for 5 published romances.

When she’s not writing, Tabetha is reading as true bookworms do, or checking out any antique mall she comes across. She is a small town, Missouri girl who continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two wonderful daughters.

You can find her on most any social media site, and she encourages fans of her work to join her mailing list for updates. http://www.authortabethawaite.wix.com/romance

Remember to grab your copy now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

 

Meet Second Chance Love author Cynthia Sterling here!

Posted in Heart of Decadence, Historical Romance, On Regency Romance, Promotion, Regency Romance, Second Chance Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments