Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors !
It’s RELEASE WEEK for Romancing Lady Augusta! Release Party on this blog on Tuesday, August 20! Excerpts, book trivia, and giveaways all day long!
Romancing Lady Augusta
BLURB:
If the players are evenly matched, romance can be the most exciting game of all.
Over her parents’ protests, Lady Augusta Hardy has set her matrimonial sights on a renowned adventurer. With him, she knows she’ll live an extraordinary life. But as that gentleman is off exploring, she resigns herself to being courted while waiting for her hero to return. Would-be suitor Julius Price, Lord Boxted, is admittedly handsome, witty, an amazingly good dancer, and extremely well-traveled. In fact, he’s a worthy rival for her affections, save for one major drawback: his title would ensure that Augusta ends up living the boring life she so detests. Despite her growing affection for him, she sadly relinquishes all thoughts of marrying Lord Boxted.
From the moment Lady Augusta beats him at chess, Julius is fascinated by the intelligent, strong-willed lady. During the Season, he takes heart as he makes inroads with her affections, determined to win her over. Elated when passion between them sparks, Julius plans to redouble his efforts, until an overheard conversation convinces him Lady Augusta would never be happy with the only life he can offer her.
With a heavy heart, Julius determines he must allow her the freedom she longs for—just as Lady Augusta realizes love has the power to change one’s mind. But has she discovered that lesson a little too late?
I’m very excited to see what you think of my newest book in the Welwyn Marriage Wager series. Meet Lady Augusta Hardy–a very headstrong young lady who knows very well what she wants. Enjoy! I’m moving a little bit further in the story, to where Lady Augusta and Lord Boxted meet over a chess board.
EXCERPT:
“And what will you forfeit in the event you lose, my lord?” Her intense blue eyes were on him, and suddenly Julius found himself swallowing hard.
“Um…,” he couldn’t look away from her penetrating azure gaze, “I lose the first dance with you?”
“Perhaps you should lose all chance of partnering me tomorrow evening.” Her even tone coupled with the power of her regard unnerved Julius to no end.
“I will accept that wager, Lady Augusta now,” he certainly had an incentive to win, as if he’d needed one, “will you begin the play?”
Lady Augusta nodded, then without hesitation moved her pawn, calling the move as “King’s pawn to King four.”
“King’s pawn to King four,” Julius countered, interested to see her next move as it would tell him so much about her level of skill.
“King’s bishop’s pawn to King’s bishop four.”
Julius stared at the board–was the lady going for the King’s Gambit opening or simply moving the pieces?
And a little bit more…
“Pawn takes pawn.”
“King’s knight to King’s bishop three.” She moved the piece so quickly it seemed to fly.
That settled one thing. This was definitely the King’s Gambit opening. And Lady Augusta was apparently very familiar with it. Julius pulled his tumultuous thoughts back to the board and considered his options. “King’s knight’s pawn to king’s knight four.”
“Queen’s knight to queen’s bishop three.” Lady Augusta moved the knight then sat back, gazing at him evenly.
What a random move on her part. She’d started out well, but that move had left her vulnerable on several fronts. “Pawn to king’s knight four.” He smiled and began to think of a popular waltz tune in his head. Perhaps he could make certain the orchestra played a waltz for the first dance tomorrow night.
She moved her knight and he countered by bringing his queen into play threatening her king.
Holding Lady Augusta closely in his arms would be oh so satisfying. She really was quite a stunning wo—
“Queen to king’s knight four.”
The tune in his head halted abruptly as the board came into focus and Julius stared uncomprehending at the white queen that now threatened his queen. He shot a surreptitious glance at his opponent, whose face stared serenely back at him.
This lady was a worthy opponent indeed. But he could recover. “Pawn to king’s knight seven.” She would obviously then take his queen but he would get it back when his pawn took her rook and he would threaten her bishop and king.
Two moves later her queen’s knight took his bishop’s pawn and Lady Augusta sat back, a smile on her lips once more as she announced, “Checkmate.”
Romancing Lady Augusta is available for pre-order on Amazon for just .99! Grab your e-copy here!! It will release on Amazon this Tuesday, August 20, 2024!
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the WWW snippets here! There are some great stories out there!
young lady determined to marry the man of her choice no matter what her father said. I really loved the heroine of this story, Lady Celinda Grantham, and began to plan a series of sweet books that all took place during the Season of 1820, a series called Handful of Hearts. And I decided Celinda needed to be introduced to my readers as the friend of Jenny Crowley in A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe.
Eventually, I wanted all the books in the series to have the word “Heart” in the title, so I changed the name to Hearts Beneath the Mistletoe, got my indie editor, Danielle Fine, to create a fabulous new cover, and the book became the prequel to my Handful of Hearts series.
You can still read the original story, ‘Tis the Season, in my collection of the four flash fiction pieces called All Wrapped Up. It’s available for Free here on 
she fled for the far side of the circle. She could hear her pursuer’s soft laugh as he drew closer to her. She glanced back to find him only a few paces behind her, his eyes intent on her as he reached for her. He’d have her in his arms in moments. Had she made her point that she would not simply fall into his arms as Celinda had done with Alec? Could she now slow her stride and show him she did wish to be captured? Wanted his kiss?
“You look like you could use a cup of tea right now,” said a petite blonde in a sweet pink and cream sprigged dress, holding out a steaming cup toward her.
