Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 02/03/19 Beleaguered:

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

My 10 year celebration continues with the reveal of the new cover for Beleaguered. 🙂

 

Beleaguered is the third and final book of the original Time Enough to Love (there is a short story and a novella with the same characters).

It is 1348 in England, at the court of King Edward III. Edward’s daughter, Princess Joanna, is about to journey to Spain to marry Prince Pedro. This is the story of some of the princess’s courtiers.

In this book, Alyse, Thomas, and Geoffrey sail with the Princess to France, where unbeknownst to the party, the Black Death is raging. Also unbeknownst to Alyse, her feelings for Geoffrey are not quite as dead as she believed they were. In this snippet, Alyse is dancing with Geoffrey at Thomas’s command.

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules and snippet may therefore be slightly different from published version.)

Then they were circling one another, hands clasped, arms rubbing intimately — oh, yes, the fire between them burned hot as ever, searing her where they touched. The figure reversed, scorching her other side. Her gaze locked onto Geoffrey’s, and the music, the dancers, the Great Hall and all its inhabitants melted away until all that was left was the whisper of his breath in her ear and the heat of his body pressed close against her.

He leaned in closer to murmur, “I must lift you now.”

Before she could grasp that staggering news, his arm went around her waist and he lifted her, twirling them around and around. She panted, blood pounding in her temples and roaring in her ears.

They continued to dance, but she moved as a doll made of rags, her legs barely able to bear her weight. Her world narrowed to the single source of light and life that was the man who held her in his arms again, the man whose love she could no longer deny. Despite the agony of the betrayal, in the core of her being she knew neither the vows she had spoken to Thomas nor the passion they had found in his bed would ever match the intensity of the love and belonging she shared with Geoffrey. As soon compare a candle’s flame to the sun.

BLURB:  

When death holds sway in the world, can even the greatest love survive?

Finally in France, Alyse and Thomas return to their roles as courtiers to Princess Joanna. Their passion for one another continues to smolder hot and deep—until one fateful encounter changes everything.

During a formal banquet, Alyse must share an intimate dance with Geoffrey, her first love. His searing touch proves Alyse’s love and desire for him is as strong as when they first met. Tormented by this revelation, Alyse is bitterly torn between the love of her life and her love for her husband.

Into this agonizing situation, the disaster of the Black Death rears its head, decimating the princess’s retinue and threatening all their lives. Alyse, Thomas and Geoffrey must try to save the princess from the ravening disease but at a dire cost to themselves. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both of the men she loves. But which love will survive?

Beleaguered is available on sale for .99 on Amazon for two more days!

 

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

Time Enough to Love series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

Posted in Beleaguered, Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Time Enough to Love Giveaways Winners!

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Once again I wanted to thank everyone who came by this past month to help me to celebrate my 10 years as a writer and

CONGRATULATIONS!

TO ALL THE WINNERS!

 

 

WINNER #1

An e-copy of BETROTHAL and a $5.00 GC to Starbucks

LORRAINE RYAN

 

WINNER #2

An e-copy of BETRAYAL and a $5.00 GC to Starbucks

SILVATREND

 

RAFFLECOPTER

WINNER 

$25.00 AMAZON GIFT CARD

AMBER DAULTON

Congratulations to all my winners (I will be contacting you sometime today) and another thank you to everyone who”s been by my blog during the month to help me celebrate this wonderful milestone in my career! (The giveaway for Beleaguered will be announced next week after it runs for a full week. So get your comments in to enter!)

Next Wednesday, February 6, I’ll be spotlighting the first book in the House of Pleasure series, Only Scandal Will Do. There will be more giveaways on that date of books and gift cards. I’ll also have some exciting news about the series as well!  So please stop by as the celebration continues!

BOOKS IN THE HOUSE OF PLEASURE SERIES

 

Posted in Beleaguered, Betrayal, Betrothal, Giveaways, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion, Winners | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cover Reveal: Beleaguered, Book 3 of Time Enough to Love

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to my year long 10th Anniversary celebration!

This week I’m revealing my new cover for Beleaguered, the third book of the Time Enough to Love series.

 

 

 

Thank you for another beautiful creation, Danielle Fine!

Beleaguered is on sale this week, from January 30 thru February 5 for just .99 on Amazon, Smashwords and other retailers.

Don’t forget to comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Beleaguered and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card!

Here’s the blurb for Beleaguered and an excerpt:

BLURB:

When death holds sway in the world, can even the greatest love survive?

Finally in France, Alyse and Thomas’s passion for one another continues to smolder hot and deep—until one fateful encounter changes everything.

During a formal banquet, Alyse must share an intimate dance with her first love. His searing touch proves Alyse’s desire for him is as strong as when they first met. Tormented by this revelation, Alyse is bitterly torn between the love of her life and her love for her husband.

Into this agonizing situation, the disaster of the Black Death rears its head. Alyse, Thomas and Geoffrey must try to save the princess from the ravening disease but at a dire cost to themselves. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both of the men she loves. But which love will survive?

EXCERPT:

Geoffrey hurried on with a suggestion. “’Twould be the work of a few moments for me to teach it you, my lady.”

It would have to serve. She shot a look over her shoulder at her husband, who nodded and laughed with the princess though his eyes were trained on her. Best get on with it then. The sooner ’twas done, the better.

“Your skill at dancing is such that you would certainly learn the steps with but slight instruction from me.” Geoffrey leaned so close his voice, against her ear made her jump and recall herself. She stepped back and looked at him.

His practiced courtier’s smile flickered at her, and she caught something deeper shining in his eyes that she fought not to see. Her heart stuttered a beat.Her body flushed with the anticipation of dancing with him again even as misgivings swirled in her mind. No good would come of this dance, but Thomas watched closely to see that she acted cordially to Geoffrey. Would that it was an act.

With a sense of heavy foreboding, she extended her hand to him. “Very well, Sir Geoffrey. What must I do first?”

He placed her hand atop his arm and led her to their place in the circle of dancers then grasped her hand to pull her around to face him.

The moment his hand touched her skin, a streak of fire shot through her. Her mouth went dry, and her gaze flew to his face. Surely he felt that as well?

He stared back, his eyes mirroring all too clearly the blaze that coursed up her arm.

Damn Geoffrey Longford.

In a daze, she looked around at the other dancers, expecting them to stare accusingly at her. As if they could see this sinful feeling that tore at her soul. At a loss for how to act, she raised her gaze to beseech Geoffrey. “What do we do now?”

’Twas an apt question for, God forgive her, at the touch of Geoffrey’s hand, all thought of her husband had fled. She was back on the deck of the Phillipa, facing him once more. Loving him once more.

Geoffrey cleared his throat, his face flushed, and said simply, “Follow me.”

Then they were twirling around the circle, hands clasped, arms touching intimately, He seemed to brand her wherever he touched. The figure reversed, and her other side was scorched as if a red-hot blade seared her. Her gaze locked onto Geoffrey’s, and the music, the dancers, the Great Hall and all its inhabitants melted away until all that was left was the whisper of his breath in her ear and the heat of his body pressed close against her.

He leaned in closer to whisper, “I must lift you now.”

Before she could grasp that staggering news, his arm went around her waist and he lifted her, twirling them around full circle. She panted, blood pounding in her temples, roaring in her ears.

They continued to dance, but she moved as though she were a doll made of rags, her legs barely able to stand. Her world narrowed to the single source of light and life that was the man who held her in his arms again. The man whose love she could no longer deny. Despite the agony of the betrayal, in the core of her being she knew neither the vows she had spoken to Thomas nor the passion they had enjoyed in his bed would ever match the intensity of love and belonging she shared with Geoffrey. As soon compare a candle’s flame to the sun.

I hope you enjoyed that little snippet of Beleaguered.

And don’t forget, tomorrow is the LAST DAY to enter my Rafflecopter giveaway of a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To enter just click here and follow the instructions. 

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you come back next Wednesday when I showcase another of my historical romance series, The House of Pleasure series.

Books in the Time Enough to Love series

Posted in Beleaguered, Cover Art, Cover Reveal, Giveaways, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/27/19 Betrayal: “Let the Bedding be Done”

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

My 10 year celebration continues with the reveal of the new cover for Betrayal. 🙂

 

 

Betrayal is the second book of Time Enough to Love. It is 1348 in England, at the court of King Edward III. Edward’s daughter, Princess Joanna, is about to journey to Spain to marry Prince Pedro. This is the story of some of the princess’s courtiers.

In this book, Alyse has been given the devastating news that Geoffrey has been forced to marry another woman. Her grief is monumental, however, she is forced by circumstances to marry Thomas. In this snippet, they are undergoing one of the more embarrassing marriage customs of the Middle Ages: bedding the bride.

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules and snippet may therefore be slightly different from published version.)

“The wedding is done,” Thomas nodded to his attendants, who stepped forward, “let the bedding be done as well.” Stretching forth his arms, he waited as the men stripped the robe from him, revealing his perfectly nude body beneath.

A brisk hum echoed around the room as the whispered comments of the ladies merged with the bawdy japes of the gentlemen. Thomas stood unflinching, a slight smile still on his lips.

Alyse’s mouth dropped open, and her gaze raced over his form as she tried to look everywhere and nowhere at once: his shoulders, smooth and broad, showed strength from wielding his sword these many years; the arms that had held her were now bare and sculpted like a statue’s. Her gaze slipped lower, to his chest matted thickly with pale hair over well-defined muscles. She tried to stop there, to force her eyes back to his face. But she had seen his shaft, jutting boldly from a golden bush. Heat rushed to her cheeks; she could no longer deny that their bedding tonight would completely consummate their marriage–whether she agreed or not. How else would the witnesses be satisfied?

If you’d like to learn more about this unusual custom, click here for my blog post on the subject.

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?

Betrayal is available on sale for .99 on Amazon for two more days!

Time Enough to Love is available on sale until January 31 for $2.99 on Amazon.

And now for the Rafflecopter giveaway. To celebrate my 10th year as a writer, I’m giving away a $25.00 gift card to Amazon. Just click here and you can enter to win by random drawing in several different ways. The drawing will be held on January 31.

Next week I’ll be moving on to Beleaguered, the final  cover of the series I’m revealing this Wednesday on my blog.

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

Time Enough to Love series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

Posted in Betrayal, Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Bedding the Bride: A Medieval Marriage Custom

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

This week I’m revealing the new cover for Betrayal, Book 2 of the Time Enough to Love series, so I thought I’d bring back a very popular post that I wrote then Betrayal was first released: Bedding the Bride.

One of my favorite things about writing historical romance is all the really cool customs and laws and tradition you run across that seem barbaric to us now, but were pretty much accepted at the time they were done. Bedding the Bride was a custom from the Middle Ages that lived on in some form until much later, although I can scarcely imagine that we would condone it these days. But a scene in Betrayal occurs where the custom is enacted with very interesting results.

Marriage customs during the Middle Ages were varied and in some cases, exceedingly strange to our modern day sensibilities.  One such custom was “bedding the bride.”

The ceremony actually should be called “bedding the couple” because both bride and groom were participants along with their family, friends, and wedding guests.

According to Alison Weir,  “One feature of medieval royal weddings that seems shockingly intrusive today was the public bedding ceremony, in which the newly wedded couple were put to bed together by their attendants and toasted by their guests, as the bed was blessed by a bishop or priest.  Then they were left alone to attend to their chief duty, the begetting of heirs to ensure the succession.  This bawdy custom had died out by the end of the 17t century.”

The custom was not confined to royalty, however.  Both nobles and commoners celebrated weddings in this manner as well.

After the marriage ceremony, the bride and groom would retire to separate rooms and their attendants (family or friends) would dress them for bed.  At one time, in Scandinavia, the guests would instead strip the couple naked.  Then they would be conducted to the bedroom, often followed by shouts of bawdy comments.  A priest would bless the bed and the couple would be put into bed and handed a cup of “sweetened and spiced wine, again blessed by the priest, known as the ‘benediction posset,’” according to George Monger.

Afterward, the attendants participated in “the divination custom of throwing the stocking.”  The attendants would have secured the stockings of the bride and groom. Two grooms’ men would sit on one side of the bed and two brides’ maids would sit on the other with their backs to the center.  Each one took turns throwing the stockings over their shoulders.  If a groomsman hit the bride or a bridesmaid hit the groom with one, then it indicated that person would soon marry.  A forerunner of tossing the garter and the wedding bouquet.

Once the posset was drunk and the stockings tossed, the curtains would be drawn, the company would retire, and the newlyweds would be left to their own devices.

In rare cases, if the couple were royalty, or if there was a doubt about the “ability” of the groom, attendants stayed in the room while the consummation took place.

The custom of the bedding ceremony died out by the late 1600s. But until then, brides and grooms had lots of company on their wedding night. Apparently no one had heard that two’s company, twenty’s a crowd. J

Sources:

http://www.alisonweir.org.uk

Marriage Customs of the World:  From Henna to Honeymoons by George Monger

Sex:  A User’s Guide by Stephan Arnott

And here’s an excerpt from that wedding night scene in Betrayal:

“Lady Braeton.” He held out his hand, and Alyse had no choice but to take it. He raised it to his lips, searing her flesh with their warm touch. “You are a vision I scarce would credit this side of heaven.”

She peered into his darkened eyes, seeking mercy. At his almost imperceptible nod, she could breathe again.

He released her and stepped back. “The wedding is done.” Thomas nodded to his attendants, who stepped forward. “Let the bedding be done as well.” Stretching forth his arms, he waited as the men stripped the robe from him, revealing his perfectly nude body beneath.

A brisk hum echoed around the room as the whispered comments of the ladies merged with the bawdy japes of the gentlemen. Thomas stood unflinching, a slight smile still on his lips.

Alyse’s mouth dropped open, and her gaze raced over his form as she tried to look everywhere and nowhere at once. His shoulders, smooth and broad, showed strength from wielding his sword these many years. The arms that had held her were now bare and sculpted like a statue’s. Her gaze slipped lower, to his chest matted thickly with pale hair over well-defined muscles. She tried to stop there, to force her eyes back to his face. But she had seen his cock, jutting boldly from a golden bush. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She could no longer deny that their bedding tonight would completely consummate their marriage. Whether she agreed or not. How else would the witnesses be satisfied?

Anger flooded her mouth with a sickening metallic taste. This was where her duty now lay. She had to submit to Thomas as her husband, before all these people. Even though he had promised not to force her, he would need to claim her or else suffer ridicule at the hands of the courtiers. Why had he not told her the truth?

She looked up to find him engaged in some rude jest with his friends, likely at her expense. One more grievance to lay against him. Trying to ignore them, she willed herself to control her anger. Then a small movement drew her attention to Lady Carlyle, standing almost beside Thomas. Her eyes, riveted to him, revealed a hunger as deep as his had been moments before when he beheld Alyse. She remembered Thomas paying court to Lady Carlyle in the joust procession and at the banquet. Were there other, more intimate times as well? The woman’s actions toward Alyse tonight suddenly made perfect sense. Simple jealousy had been behind her disrespect.

Astonishment at the one revelation gave way to another: her pulse pounded with the selfsame jealousy. A possessiveness she had not expected reared its head and seized her.

He was her husband now. Hers alone.

With a brief glare at the woman she now deemed her adversary, Alyse turned her gaze to her bridegroom and steeled herself. Time to bed the bride.

Betrayal is available on Amazon, Smashwords, and other e-book retailers for .99 for one week only.

BOOKS IN THE TIME ENOUGH TO LOVE SERIES

Posted in Betrayal, Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cover Reveal: Betrayal, Book 2 of Time Enough to Love

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to my year long 10th Anniversary celebration!

This week I’m revealing my new cover for Betrayal, the second book of the Time Enough to Love series.

 

 

Another gorgeous creation from Danielle Fine!

Betrayal is on sale this week, from January 23 thru January 29 for just .99 on Amazon, Smashwords and other retailers.

Don’t forget to comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Betrayal and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card!

Here’s the blurb for Betrayal and an excerpt:

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:

“Alyse, if you consent, I would be honored to have you for my wife.”

Outrage struck like a lightning bolt to the heart. Her body tensed, blood drained from her face, and she started to her feet.

He held onto her hand and went down on his knee. “My lady…”

She stared at the handsome face, furious, wondering just how far into hell she had to go before reaching its icy core.

“Thomas!” She tried to wrest her hand from his, but he would not loose her fingers. Rather than struggle, which she did not have the strength to do, she curled her lip with cold disdain. “I had thought your attentions these many days were out of respect for your friend and the love you bear him. I see now ’twas for your own benefit alone.”

“Nay, my lady.” Thomas rose to his feet but did not relinquish her hand. His voice matched hers, cool and removed. “Not solely for my benefit. Indeed, not for my benefit at all.” Those words jolted her, and she stilled. He took advantage and pressed her down onto the bench again. “Are you with child?”

His question so stunned her that for some minutes she sat completely speechless. How had this not occurred to her in the past weeks? She had not even considered the possibility, but now the thought screamed at her, focusing all her attention on her body. Instinctively, her hand stole over her belly, and her cheeks stung with heat.

She stared at him, her mind in a whirl, and slowly shook her head. “Nay, Thomas. I know not. I have not had…my courses since…since that night, but I am not yet overdue. ’Twill be some time before I can hope to know.”

He sighed and some of the tension left his face. “That is good. Then there is hope yet that nothing untoward has come from that night.”

“Why do you ask this? How does it matter to you?”

He pursed his lips as if impatient with her. “’Tis one reason I asked you to marry me,” he said, his voice emotionless. “If there is a child and we marry now, ’twill be easier thought to be mine.”

“Why would you want that?” Indeed, no man she knew would want to claim another’s child as their own.

He paused, as if unsure how to answer. “When I pledged myself to your service, ’twas in absolute earnest. I mean to protect you in all ways possible, including safeguarding your reputation with the court. If you are with child and unmarried, you will be dismissed from Princess Joanna’s service in disgrace. I would not stand by and see that happen while I have means to prevent it.”

“But, Thomas, I do not wish to…marry.” Alyse closed her eyes and swallowed hard. The thought of being joined to another man—even Thomas—horrified her.

“And yet you must.”

She opened her eyes to find him staring steadily at her.

“If there is no child then perhaps haste is not necessary. You could, if you prefer, marry in Spain. But remember, madam, you are due to sail in a fortnight.” His gaze became stern. “If your courses do not appear, you will have scarce a week to wed, and the haste of your actions will call attention to you. If the marriage can be accomplished now, ’twill look more seemly.”

Alyse stared at the rose she still held, not seeing it as she fought to take in Thomas’s words. She had thought never to marry. How could she when she belonged heart and soul to Geoffrey Longford?

Relentless, Thomas drove his point home. “Whether or not there is a child, your father will betroth you to someone else at his earliest convenience. My guess is he will take it as an affront that the king put aside your betrothal, so he will not be overly solicitous when allying you to another man. You will be given to either the first or highest bidder in as quick a manner as possible. He may be a man you do not know. He may be a foreigner in Spain.” Thomas paused and sought her eyes. “He may be Guy de Valere.”

“What?” That name sent a chill down her spine.

“He has already begged an audience with the king, who still acts in loco parentis. Until your father revokes the guardianship, King Edward can act in his stead. Valere intends to put forth his suit at once.”

Alyse closed her eyes, trying to shut out the thought of Guy as her husband. Knowing him as she did made that possibility less bearable somehow.

“If he succeeds, you will scarcely be better off. He did not strike me as a man who will understand your anguish or take your feelings into consideration. He will simply be a man marrying a woman for two reasons: to receive a rich dowry and to get heirs on her.” He hesitated a moment. “And I doubt he will be pleased that you do not come to his bed an untouched maid.”

Alyse winced. Thomas spoke true. A low moan escaped her. Guy would not be an understanding husband. He would not care about her explanation, only that he was not the first. And the thought of lying in bed beneath anyone not Geoffrey so reviled her that images of death by her own hand danced across her mind. She would not submit to another man, by God.

She turned a shrewd eye on him. “And if I married you, Thomas, would you not demand my obedience in your bed? Do you not also need heirs?”

He smiled broadly, as though scenting victory. “Aye, I do need an heir for my estates. But I can be a patient man.” His voice lowered, sweet and enticing, even as his eyes promised compassion. “I have the advantage, Alyse, of knowing you and knowing your regard for Geoffrey. I understand ’tis not something to be overcome in a few days or even a few weeks. If you marry me, I swear my oath I will not force you to my bed. We are young. There is time.”

“I do not know that I can ever submit to you.” The idea sent a shiver of dread through her.

He reached out to stroke her cheek with one long, sensitive finger. “Time heals many things, my dear. Perhaps enough time will allow an affection to grow between us before the heir must be produced. I am willing give you that time, where others would not.”

She wavered. What he proposed hung temptingly before her, the best outcome of a wretched bargain, but her conscience tugged at her, unrelenting. “I would feel as though I betrayed him.” Her heart ached at the word. “I can never call Geoffrey husband. To call you so would be sacrilege.” Tears oozed down her cheeks once more.

Thomas waited as she attempted to stem the tide, but her grief would not abate. She could not betray Geoffrey. The black claws of such a thought had sunk into her and would give her no respite.

“My lady.” He finally spoke, his tone tender, yet firm. “As much as it pains me to remind you, Geoffrey is married to another.”

She stifled a moan. That wound had yet to begin to heal.

“You cannot betray him by marrying me.”

I hope you enjoyed that little snippet of Betrayal.

And don’t forget to enter my Rafflecopter giveaway of a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To enter just click here and follow the instructions. 

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you come back next Wednesday when I reveal the new cover for Beleaguered.

Books in the Time Enough to Love series

Posted in Betrayal, Cover Art, Cover Reveal, Giveaways, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Joust in Time

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

As part of my celebration of the new cover for Betrothal, I’m re-posting an article I wrote when Betrothal was first released. It’s on jousting–the iconic medieval entertainment that figures largely in the book.

Knights on horseback racing full tilt toward each other with lances fixed may be the most iconic image many of us have of the Medieval period, and for good reason.  Jousting was one of the most popular and dramatic entertainments people of all classes could enjoy at a time when life was uncertain.

Jousts were usually part of a tournament, held by royalty usually during the summer months of the year.  They were major events where knights were pitted against each other for honor, for glory, and for prize money.  They may had had their roots in Roman games at the Coliseum.

On the opening day of a tournament, which may have lasted from 3 to 5 days, there was a formal procession out to the lists (the barriers that defined the field of combat).  This procession could be quite elaborate.  In Betrothal, the knights and their ladies are dressed in costumes as members of King Arthur’s Round Table and it was a great honor to be chosen to ride. I modeled this procession after an actual procession in which 25 ladies on horseback rode beside their knights who walked to the lists (at least a couple of miles) in full armor while tethered to the ladies by silver chains.  King Edward III, at whose court the major action of the book takes place, had in fact given a grand tournament in 1344, which gave me the idea for one in my book.

Once on the field, the spectators were seated in a grandstand called a berfrois, built a story above the lists. Knights were assigned to brightly colored tents called pavilions, where they rested, waited, and donned their armor, with assistance from their squire, in preparation for the joust.  As a side note, the armor typically worn weighed about 60 pounds, but was so well-articulated that the combatants had much more mobility than we would believe.

The horses used by knights were a special breed, called destriers, who could manage the great weight of knight and armor and still maneuver on the field.  The horses were draped with a cloth called a comparison that covered them from nose to tail, designed in the knight’s colors and emblazoned with his heraldic design.

Of course, as with any contact sport, the potential for injury and death in jousting was

By National jousting association – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68728077

great. The most famous death occurred when King Henry II of France was killed when a lance broke on his helmet and a wooden splinter pierced his eye and brain.  Oddly enough, the almost exact same thing happened in January 2011 when a jousting re-enactor was killed when a lance splintered on his helmet and a large piece of it pierced his eye and brain.

With such a rich heritage of jousting, is it any wonder that I incorporated a joust and as many details of it as possible into Betrothal, the first book of the Time Enough to Love series?  You’ll find the procession—which becomes a serious conflict—the joust itself, and a stunning injury that threatens the happiness of the hero and heroine.

If you love the color and pageantry of the Middle Ages, you’ll love Betrothal.

Betrothal is on sale through tomorrow at midnight for .99 on Amazon and other e-book retailers.

Come back Wednesday, January 23 for the cover reveal of Betrayal, Book 2 of the Time Enough to Love series!

 

BOOKS IN THE TIME ENOUGH TO LOVE SERIES

 

Posted in Beloveds, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/20/18 Betrothal: Spellbound

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

My 10 year celebration continues with the reveal of the new cover for Betrothal. 🙂

 

 

 

Betrothal is the first book of Time Enough to Love. It is 1348 in England, at the court of King Edward III. Edward’s daughter, Princess Joanna, is about to journey to Spain to marry Prince Pedro. This is the story of some of the princess’s courtiers.

I’ve skipped ahead a little bit (If you want to read that snippet, visit my blog post for the release of Betrothal’s new cover)  from where we left off last week. Alyse has discovered the man she is betrothed to is Sir Geoffrey Longford, Lord Braeton’s best friend. They are standing in front of all the court after the announcement is made.

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules and snippet may therefore be slightly different from published version.)

Spellbound, she watched him, head bent over her now-smoldering hand, kissing it with an unhurried thoroughness that seemed to stop time. His lips scorched where they lingered, spreading a fire that consumed her body and mind. Had she the strength, she would have snatched her hand from his grasp to save herself from immolation. Other men had danced with her, held her hand, kissed it. They had never made her feel thus.

In a daze, she watched Geoffrey wrench his lips from her hand and stand, eyes widened as if amazed. His brows furrowed a moment then he spoke to the king. “May I ask, Your Majesty, when the banns will be read? I am sorely pressed to begin my ‘repentance.’”

BLURB:  

When Lady Alyse de Courcy is betrothed to Sir Geoffrey Longford, she has no choice but to make the best of a bad bargain. The hulking knight is far from her ideal man, and although he does possess some wit and charm, he is no match for the sinfully sensual man she secretly admires, Thomas, Earl of Braeton, her betrothed’s best friend.

From the first, Sir Geoffrey finds himself smitten by Lady Alyse, and, despite her infatuation with his friend, vows to win her love. When Geoffrey puts his mind to wooing Alyse, he is delighted to find her succumbing to his seduction. But when cruel circumstances separate them, Geoffrey must watch helplessly as Thomas steps in to protect Alyse—and falls in love with her himself.

As the three courtiers accompany Princess Joanna to her wedding in Spain, they run headlong into the Black Plague. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both the men she loves. But which love will survive?

Betrothal is available on sale for .99 on Amazon for two more days!

Time Enough to Love is available on sale until January 31 for $2.99 on Amazon.

And now for the Rafflecopter giveaway. To celebrate my 10th year as a writer, I’m giving away a $25.00 gift card to Amazon. Just click here and you can enter to win by random drawing in several different ways. The drawing will be held on January 31.

Next week I’ll be moving on to Betrayal as I’m revealing that new cover this Wednesday on my blog.

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

Time Enough to Love series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

Posted in Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Cover Reveal: Betrothal, Book 1 of Time Enough to Love

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to my year long 10th Anniversary celebration!

This week I’m revealing my new cover for Betrothal, the first book of the Time Enough to Love series.

 

Another gorgeous creation from Danielle Fine!

Betrothal is on sale this week, from January 16 thru January 22 for just .99 on Amazon, Smashwords and other retailers.

Don’t forget to comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Betrothal and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card!

Here’s the blurb for Betrothal and an excerpt:

BLURB:

Lady Alyse de Courcy has fallen in love with Lord Braeton, a nobleman in King Edward III’s court and a man to whom she has barely spoken. Fate, however, has decreed her betrothal to his best friend, Sir Geoffrey Longford—a handsome and imposing knight, yet hardly the man she wants to wed.

When Sir Geoffrey is bound in betrothal by his father, he could not have expected the beautiful stranger to win his heart the moment they meet. Nevertheless, the fascinating Lady Alyse has done exactly that, and his feelings for her only grow as he learns more of her gentle yet spirited nature. But Alyse’s infatuation with his friend casts doubt on whether she can ever return his regard and their wedding day is fast approaching…

Will he have time enough to win her love?

EXCERPT:

“What do you require of me, Majesty?” Her mouth so dry she could taste sand, Alyse fought to speak in a normal tone. With a sigh of relief, she dropped into a deep curtsy, hiding her face in the folds of her skirt. If only she could remain bowed thus before His Majesty for the remainder of the evening.

King Edward laughed. “Obedience, Lady Alyse, as I require of all my subjects. As your father requires of his daughter.”

Her heart thumped wildly in her breast. That could mean but one thing.

“Rise, my lady.”

She did so on unsteady feet. “I am ready, as always, Your Majesty, to obey my father as I would you.”

Holy Mary, let it be Lord Braeton.

King Edward lifted an eyebrow toward Alyse. “A very pretty answer, my lady. And are you ready to accept your father’s decree for your betrothal? His messenger has today reached me with the contract, as I am to stand in his stead in this matter.”

Alyse took a deep breath and hoped her voice did not tremble. “Yea, Majesty, I will obey my father.”

King Edward nodded and leaned over to whisper something to Queen Phillipa, who sat beside him, heavy with their twelfth child.

Mere seconds before she learned her fate. She could scarce affect an indifferent pose before the court when inside every inch of her quivered with anticipation of the name. His name, pray God, on the king’s lips.

Thomas.

In her mind, she heard the word.

The king straightened, glanced at her then at the man by her side.

“What say you then, Sir Geoffrey? Does the lady not speak fair? I vow she will make you a proper wife and a dutiful one as well.”

Alyse turned, until that moment unaware that Geoffrey Longford stood beside her. Chills coursed down her body as the king’s words echoed in her mind. The sensation of falling backward assailed her, as though she rushed away from the tall man at her side even as his figure loomed larger and larger in her sight.

Not Lord Braeton.

Her numbed brain repeated the phrase, trying to comprehend that instead he would be her husband. Geoffrey Longford.

God have mercy on me, for by the look of him, this man will not.

Fearful, she cringed as her gaze climbed higher, over his chest, over his chin, finally resting on the dark blue eyes turned toward her.

Geoffrey returned her appraisal, his gaze sweeping her figure as a smile crept over his face. “Your Majesty.” He spoke to the king but his attention remained fixed on Alyse. “When my father told me of the betrothal contract before I left his home, I resolved to play the dutiful son. Now, however, I find I do not wish to act that role after all.” His eyes held hers as he paused.

Dear God, does he mean to renounce me here before the entire court?

Alyse stared at the man beside her, willing herself to remain upright, despite the waves of ice and fire alternating through her body.

“Now I find I would rather play the ardent lover.”

An amused murmur ran through the Hall at his words. Sir Geoffrey grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor and something more. Despite the uneven light, Alyse saw an unfathomable promise in their dark depths. She took a shaky breath and looked away.

“I affirm Lady Alyse to be all that could be hoped for in a wife. Please you and God, we shall make the match and with all good haste.”

His self-satisfied tone and the thought of his outrageous teasing touched a contrary nerve in Alyse. She pulled her wits together and beamed brilliantly at her newly-betrothed lord. “Take care, my lord, for the wise women say, ‘Marry in haste, repent at leisure.’”

Sir Geoffrey raised a dark eyebrow while those around the banquet hall laughed. Heart pounding at her audacity, Alyse watched helplessly as he reached over and lifted her hand. “Such repentance could never be suffered too slowly, my lady, if ’twere your gentle hand that held mine through it.”

Laughter and applause washed over Alyse, who was struck absolutely dumb at the touch of his lips to her skin. Her heart pounded, and a strange roaring sounded in her ears; she wondered vaguely if she were about to faint.

I hope you enjoyed that little snippet of Betrothal.

And don’t forget to enter my Rafflecopter giveaway of a $25.00 Amazon gift card. To enter just click here and follow the instructions. 

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you come back next Wednesday when I reveal the new cover for Betrayal.

Books in the Time Enough to Love series

Posted in Betrothal, Cover Art, Cover Reveal, Giveaways, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/13/18 Time Enough to Love: “Everyone Knows”

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Jenna Jaxon

Thanks to everyone who came out on Wednesday to help me celebrate my 10-year anniversary as a writer! We had a blast all day with lots of fun and games and giveaways. In fact, there’s one still going on, a Rafflecopter giveaway you can enter after my snippet below! It runs all through January.

And here is my new cover for Time Enough to Love, if you haven’t already seen it. 🙂

 

 

I began at the beginning of the book last week. It is 1348 in England, at the court of King Edward III. Edward’s daughter, Princess Joanna, is about to journey to Spain to marry Prince Pedro. This is the story of some of the princess’s courtiers.

I’m continuing on from where we left off last week. With Alyse wondering where a certain gentleman is for the evening meal in the Great Hall.

(Creative punctuation utilized to conform to WWW rules and snippet may therefore be slightly different from published version.)

Love Tapestry c. 16th Century

“My only hope is that my father’s interests and mine are similar.”

Pray God they are exactly the same.

She strained in the uncertain light to catch sight of the man whose mere presence incited her heart to riot.

“As most women can attest, Alyse, fathers’ interests are seldom the same as their daughters’,” Maurya gave a sharp laugh and glanced at her own husband.

“Aye,” the thought did little to comfort Alyse, “I only hope I will be able to accept my father’s choice with fortitude should he not choose—” She stopped abruptly before the name could escape her lips, her face heating like a flame. With a sip of ale, she tried to cover yet another blunder then glanced surreptitiously at Maurya, who wore a smug smile.

“You might as well say the name; everyone knows you favor Lord Braeton.”

“I…I do not… he is not…” Stuttering and humiliated, Alyse closed her eyes and silently cursed to think her secret passion for Thomas Knowlton, the Earl of Braeton, had become common knowledge–did Lord Braeton himself know of her regard?

BLURB:  

When Lady Alyse de Courcy is betrothed to Sir Geoffrey Longford, she has no choice but to make the best of a bad bargain. The hulking knight is far from her ideal man, and although he does possess some wit and charm, he is no match for the sinfully sensual man she secretly admires, Thomas, Earl of Braeton, her betrothed’s best friend.

From the first, Sir Geoffrey finds himself smitten by Lady Alyse, and, despite her infatuation with his friend, vows to win her love. When Geoffrey puts his mind to wooing Alyse, he is delighted to find her succumbing to his seduction. But when cruel circumstances separate them, Geoffrey must watch helplessly as Thomas steps in to protect Alyse—and falls in love with her himself.

As the three courtiers accompany Princess Joanna to her wedding in Spain, they run headlong into the Black Plague. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both the men she loves. But which love will survive?

Time Enough to Love is available on sale for $2.99 on Amazon.

And now for the Rafflecopter giveaway. To celebrate this being my 10th year as a writer, I’m giving away a $25.00 gift card to Amazon. Just click here and you can enter to win by random drawing in several different ways. The drawing will be held on January 31.

Next week I’ll be moving on to Betrothal as I’m revealing that new cover this Wednesday on my blog.

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

Time Enough to Love series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

Posted in Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments