Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 02/05/17 Only Marriage Will Do ~ “None of His Affair”

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

I’m moving on this week sharing snippets from the second book of the House of Pleasure series, Only Marriage Will Do. It’s got one of my favorite heroes, Amiable Dawson, a man with secrets who becomes attracted to a woman with secrets of her own.

I’m beginning at the very beginning again, as Amiable, irritated because he’s been standing out in the hot sun, knocking on the Marquess of Dalbury’s door, stumbles upon quite a scene. (Very creatively punctuated to conform to WWW rules.)

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

At last a short, dark-haired maid opened the door, took one look at him, gasped, and stepped back into the house. Her eyes widened and she glanced to her right, wringing her hands, and said, “Who may I say—”

A man shouted from within, “No, I do not believe you.”

“It is true, I tell you!” A woman’s voice, raised and sharp with terror, sent a chill through Amiable.

He barged past the stunned girl and strode down the hall toward the commotion. He burst through the doorway, expecting to defend the woman he loved, only to stop dead at the sight of a man lunging across a sofa and grasping a woman by the wrist. Amiable had half drawn his sword before he realized the woman was not Katarina, but a complete stranger. He dropped it back into its scabbard. This was none of his affair.

BLURB:

Not every happy-ever-after begins at “I do.”

When the hero of her dreams rescues Lady Juliet Ferrers from the man claiming to be her husband, she is sure she has found her one true love. But is she free to marry him? Not to be deterred, Juliet arranges for her hero, Captain Amiable Dawson, to escort her to her family estate, hoping that along the way she can win his love.

Amiable is charmed by the sweet, beautiful woman he rescued, and although he has grave reservations about her marital status, he allows himself to be swept up into Juliet’s romantic spell and the promise of a happy-ever-after.

The spell breaks when legal questions arise and Juliet faces the horror of not knowing if she is married to her knight in shining armor or the cruel viscount who is determined to have her at any price.

Books in the House of Pleasure series:

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

Posted in Historical Romance, House of Pleasure, House of Pleasure Series, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Only Marriage Will Do, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Only Marriage Will Do, Regency romance, The House of Pleasure series, Weekend Writing Warriors | 30 Comments

Character Interview with Erick Axelsson of She Came With the Tide

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Today I’m interviewing Erik Axelsson, from She Came With the Tide. We had his author, Viviana Mackade, on Be My Guest just a couple of weeks ago, so now I get your side of the story. LOL

Have you and Vivi had any major disagreements so far?

No, not really. Vivi can be a little intense but then, I’m a laid back dude.

What was your first impression of Andrea?

That she was in trouble and scared, which she was. And, Andrea being Andrea, she surprised me from the first words she uttered. My face is kind of known and there she was, asking me who I was.

What was she doing when you first saw her?

Hiding in an old blue camping tent on the beach, just inside my property. I thought it was someone high or hung-over, but she came out.

If you could change one aspect of your character, what would you change?

Well now, I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’d change something. I’m okay with who I am. But for the sake of the interview, let’s say that I’m aware I can be a little impulsive. I tend to feel and act on that feeling right on. No time like the present, right? Sometimes it had worked, like with Andrea. Other times, not so much. I’m working on that, though. Sort of.

What was the most memorable part of your story for you?

The end, hands down. I mean, Andrea, my sweet, quiet Pixie all of a sudden turns into an UFC fighter and beats the crap out of that creep. It made sense, for her to have that rage inside, but act on it? Who would have thought!

What do you do in your leisure moments?

After busting my sweet butt for 10 years at being a rock star – no, no, don’t make that face. When you’re that kind of famous, you have everything but also give everything. No life outside albums and tours. Which was fantastic until it wasn’t anymore. So when I retired and the ripe age of 30, I had nothing but fun. I did everything, first with my band, and then as a free man. Then Andrea came along, and now I took it on me to teach her how to live life. Hard work, I know. But we’re going 360 degrees with that. School, she comes with me when I visit the kids at the orphanage, plan the wedding, rock climbing. Living with her is one long, leisure moment.

If you wouldn’t have been a rock star, what would you have been?

Something that would allow me to travel. I love to explore new places–my Viking heritage, or so Andrea days. Maybe a journalist, or a blogger. I like stories.

What are you proudest of?

Of being able to accept what changes. I worked hard, really hard, with the boys to get to the top, and we did. I could have stayed, I could still be there right now. But I, all of us, didn’t feel it anymore. It would have been an act, and our music and fans deserve more than that. So I spoke with the boys and we all decided it was time to move on even though we were still going strong. In the same way, I didn’t fight when I realized I was falling for Andrea. Why would I? Changing my life once again for her, with her, felt awesome. Still does.

What is most attractive to you about the opposite sex?

“Opposite sex” includes a lot of people, and right now I like to focus on one. I can tell you what is the most attractive thing about Andrea.

Sure, go on.

Two things. She’s steady, and I need that. My life has been an on-going demanding party, one way or another, and she worked as a balm on my crazy. At the same time, she has a child’s ability to wonder about things, and her eyes get so big and… he shakes his head, shrugs. And it’s amazing. The mesh of the two never stops hitting me hard.

What trait or characteristic do you most dislike about the opposite sex?

I hate clingy. I need to know I can do my stuff alone, if I want or need to. Now, if she isn’t at school or studying, Andrea and I are pretty much together all the time, and it works because I know if either of us needed time alone, it would be totally okay.

What’s your favorite beverage?

Juices. Yeah, go ahead and laugh, it’s okay. I’ve done all the 90 degrees out there, back in my twenties. Now I want something that actually tastes good and doesn’t leave me with a headache.

I don’t think anyone’s laughing, Erik! Thank you so much for coming by and sharing today!

Here’s a little plug for your book and boxed set to keep the juices flowing. 🙂

Blurb:

Party All Night and Rock All Day…
Fall in love with the Rock Stars who write and sing the music as well as the women who long to tame them.

She Came With The Tide by Viviana Mackade:
Ax had it all: talent, fame, money. Without a second thought, he’d traded it all for the sunshine and a surfboard. Young, rich, and free – what more could he need?

Andrea Smith escaped the life her parents imposed on her when they joined a cult. On the run ever since, she had no clue her life would change with that simple ‘yes.’

But the past catches up with her, forcing Andrea to choose what person she wants to be: the scared cult member that obeyed in silence, or the new woman Erik made blossom.

The set includes romances by five other best-selling authors who love rock stars and want you to fall in love too!

It’s available at Amazon now for .99!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged boxed set, rock star romance, She Came with the Tide, The Rock Stars: Our Songs, Viviana Mackade | 3 Comments

The Romance of Language: Word for the Week 2/03/17

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Clashmaclavers:

“Low, idle, scandalous tales.”

from John Mactaggart’s Scottish Gallovidian Encylopedia, 1824.

“A spectacle of disgrace.”

from John Brockett’s Glossary of North Country Words, 1825

Eavesdroppers

Scandal was always a mere breath away in the Regency, when women could lose her reputation in the blink of an eye, either through her own fault or that of another. One never knew who was listening and willing to carry tales to the detriment of many a young miss just out.

My romance, Only Scandal Will Do, while set some years before the Regency, still shows that women could be ruined by gossip and tales spoken by wagging tongues.

Posted in Romance of Language | Tagged clasmaclavers, forgotten words, historical words, Jenna Jaxon, Romance of Language, scandalous tales | Leave a comment

Valentine Release: Her Perfect Gentleman Anthology

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Reblogged from Collette Cameron’s blog:

Coming February 14, 2017

USA Today Best-selling author, Gina Danna, joins best-selling, award-winning authors, Collette Cameron, Ella Quinn, Marie Higgins, Jenna Jaxon, Louisa Cornell, Elf Ahearn, and Lauren Smith in this delightful limited edition, containing eight tantalizing love stories.

THIS LOVE OF MINE by GINA DANNA-He must woo his wife to awaken her past or lose her to a pirate forever.

Kidnapped on a trip to London, Lady Eleanor Whitemore awakes in the hold of a ship with no memory of her past or of her perfect marriage to Lord James Haddington III, Earl of Windhaven. All she knows is that a fierce and stunningly handsome pirate is yelling about women being bad luck on a voyage. Adrift at sea in both body and mind, she finds herself falling in love with the pirate captain, whose flashing eyes and muscular frame leave her breathless.

Lord James resisted the shackles of marriage until he met Eleanor. Her beauty and charms captured his heart, and now that she’s disappeared, he vows he will find her or die trying. His search becomes a chase to the Americas, a trip that could destroy him as Eleanor’s bonds with a pirate captain tighten. Can James provoke her memory and win her love, or will the pirate steal her heart forever…

BRIDE OF FALCON by Collette Cameron – Faced with spinsterhood, Ivonne Wimpleton takes fate into her own hands determined to win the heart of her wholly unacceptable childhood love . . . scandal be damned.

After five Seasons, Ivonne Wimpleton has accepted she’s a haute ton undesirable. Always a bit ungraceful, her suitors are men desperate to get their hands on her marriage settlement. Guarded and aloof, she’s resigned herself to spinsterhood. She doesn’t mind her fate, since Chancy Faulkenhurst, the man who once held her heart, left for India years ago without an explanation. When Ivonne’s father, Viscount Wimpleton, refuses Chance’s request for her hand in marriage, he transfers to the East India Troops. Chance’s dreams of making Ivonne his wife are soundly dashed. Ignoring her letters, he closes the door on his heart and Ivonne and remains in India.

Six years later, severely injured during a battle, Chance returns to England physically and emotionally scarred. His love for Ivonne remains just as strong. When he learns due to a whim of Prinny’s she must choose one of the despots whose offered for her hand, Chance is determined that none should have her but him. Except, not only is she infuriated he made no effort to contact her in all those years, in Chance’s absence, his father arranged a marriage for him and fully expects Chance to honor the agreement.

IT TAKES A HERO by ELLA QUINN

Even though their families demand that the youngest son of a duke, Lord Quartus Trevor, and the Duchess of Wharton remain apart, but their hearts don’t seem able to listen.

For the former Anna Calder of Tortola, discovering she is the Duchess of Wharton is a shock, but being forced to find a husband is a greater one. To make matters worse, the only gentleman who interests her is the devastatingly handsome rogue she has been warned against. As inappropriate as he is, she can’t stop thinking about the way his blue eyes warm her or cut of his coat over his broad shoulders…

Upon accepting his brother’s invitation to spend the Season in London, Lord Quartus Trevor quickly discovers that being the penniless younger son of a duke is not much of a recommendation to the beguiling Duchess of Wharton. It’s ridiculous to hope her attentions are serious, but where she’s concerned, his hope refuses to be swayed.

THE SWEETEST CHALLENGE by MARIE HIGGINS

Is giving her heart to a stranger worth the price?

Melinda Stewart is far from being a debutante, but she must disguise what she does during the day to keep food on the table. When a wealthy businessman enters her life and wants to buy her land, she’s torn between giving up her deceased father’s dream—and wanting to give her heart to this stranger.

HEART OF DELIGHT by JENNA JAXON

He’ll do anything to be her heart’s delight—except tell the truth.

Gabriella d’Adventure has come to England as a lady’s maid in pursuit of the Duke of Rother. So when she meets the handsome Horace Carpenter, valet to a marquess, she is delighted to enlist his aid in gaining her heart’s desire: a meeting with the duke.

When a breathtaking young woman intrudes on the eccentric Marquess of Halford’s solitude, he is captivated and introduces himself as his valet in hopes of learning more about her. Despite his fear about the true motive behind Gabriella’s quest to meet the duke, Hal agrees to help her gain an audience, all the while hoping his deception will won’t ruin his chances of winning her love and hand in marriage.

STEALING MINERVA by LOUISA CORNELL

He has a thousand reasons to steal the bride, but only one reason to steal her heart.

Colonel Sebastian Brightworth has a reputation for seduction. He seduces money into his hands and never lets it go. He seduces women into his bed and never lets them stay. Seducing his best friend’s latest betrothed into jilting him days before the wedding seems an easy task. Especially with a thousand-pound purse in the offing. That is, until Sebastian discovers his friend is engaged to the one woman in England he cannot possibly seduce. Again.

After seven years in a less than perfect marriage and two years as the Perfect Widow, Minerva Faircloth is engaged to the most eligible earl in England. Their amiable marriage will keep her son safe from his uncle’s cruel plans and her heart safe from disappointment. Everything goes according to plan, until her betrothed’s closest friend arrives. Sebastian Brightworth stole her heart nine years ago. What thievery is he up to now? And how will she ever survive it?

HIS LORDSHIP’S DARKEST SECRET by ELF AHEARN

The thought of Claire Albright in the arms of another man is unbearable, but in his heart, Lord Flavian Monroe knows he mustn’t ask her to share the consequences of one terrible mistake.

If Lady Claire Albright had one wish, it would be to forget brooding, powerful Lord Flavian Monroe. But even after two years of bewildering silence, she yearns to touch his sinuous arms and feel his calloused hands upon her cheeks. Then, on the brink of her come out, they accidently meet. His ward is ill, and he begs her to use her knowledge of healing to help the child. But this patient is sick in a way that’s far different than what Claire expected—dangerously different. And, as she struggles to find a cure, Flavian resists rekindling their love. Is it the ward’s illness that keeps him cold and distant, or a dark and terrible secret?

TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by LAUREN SMITH

Gemma never planned on falling in love with her childhood sweetheart’s best friend, Jasper, when he returns home, but she can’t resist the naval officer’s brooding charm.

Gemma plans to marry James, her childhood sweetheart. With every letter written between them while he’s been off at sea, their love has grown. Now they will be reunited with his return to England. But the man whose words she’d fallen in love with isn’t James…

Jasper, a gentleman rogue of the first order, is trapped. Talked into a scheme by his friend, he pretended to be James for eleven years while writing to Gemma. He’s promised James he’d break it off. But when he returns home, his secret will come out – and he’ll lose the one woman he can’t live without.

For the purpose of this anthology, the following ratings apply:

One Kiss-Stories will either not have consummated love scenes, or subtly sexy undetailed scenes behind a closed bedroom door. You’re not invited inside. Sorry.

Two Kisses-Stories are more sensual than sweet with some love scenes that are more sensual than graphic. You might blush, but you won’t need a fan.

Three Kisses-Stories are sexier and bolder with more explicit love scenes and the language used to describe them may be more graphic. A fan and a cool beverage might be in order, but you won’t experience everything. *Wink*

Four Kisses–Stories have frequent, graphic love scenes with explicit language. Be prepared to blush and stand in front of the air conditioner, a tall, iced drink in hand. Clothing is optional.

Five Kisses–Stories have frequent graphic, descriptive love scenes and/or contain subject matter some readers may find objectionable. Blushing guaranteed, and you might learn a thing or two or three. But never fear, we won’t tattle if you don’t.

Preorder Here:

Amazon / B&N / iBooks / Kobo

Posted in Heart of Delight, Her Perfect Gentleman | Tagged Collette Cameron, Elf Ahern, Ella Quinn, Gina Danna, Her Perfect Gentleman, Jenna Jaxon, Lauren Smith, Louisa Cornell, Marie Higgins, Regency boxed set, Regency romance, Regency romance anthology | Leave a comment

Be My Guest! ~ Author Interview with Cara Bristol

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Hello, and welcome to my new feature for 2017.

I’ve begun a Wednesday weekly post to present interviews with authors across all romance genres. Although I’m primarily an historical romance writer, I do read outside my genre and suspect a lot of you do as well. And what’s more fascinating than finding out more about either your favorite authors or new ones? I plan to change up my questions (most of them at least) every three months or so, just to keep the interviews lively.

So now gather round the tea table, grab a scone or cookies, and a cup of tea or coffee and discover a new friend in the writing world.

This week on Be My Guest, I am welcoming one of my favorite non-historical authors, Cara Bristol. I’ve been reading Cara’s books for years–we met through Six Sentence Sunday and are both part of Weekend Writing Warriors–but her snippet were so intriguing I’ve bought and read several of them. They were some of the best beach reads I’ve had and I look forward to some time this summer with her new Cyborg series.

Now, without further ado, please meet my guest!

Author Bio
USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol has been the no. 1 best seller in science fiction romance, bdsm erotica, and holiday fiction on Amazon. She’s the author of two science fiction romance series featuring tough alpha heroes: the Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance cyborg series and the Breeder science fiction romance series, which emphasize character-driven stories written with a touch of humor and sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara lives in Missouri with her own alpha hero, her husband.

Website: http://www.carabristol.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/9aRJj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.bristol.3

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Cara-Bristol-Romance-178661122147994/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Cara-Bristol/e/B004D8KZTQ/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carabristol/

Twitter, @CaraBristol: https://twitter.com/CaraBristol

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4136271.Cara_Bristol

Hi, Cara! So nice of you to come by today. It’s so good to finally meet you!

I’m sure your fans and my readers both want to get down to the nitty-gritty and find out a bit more about you. Although I’ve read your books, I can’t say that I know you as well as I’d like to. Which is why I’m so glad to have you sit down with me today and get to know you.

First of all, who was the first romance author and book you read?

I have read so many romances in my life, I can’t remember when I started, but Devil’s Desire by Laurie McBain stands out in my mind. I read it as a teenager and I loved it. I read the entire book multiple times and the sexy scenes too many times to count!

Who would you say has been the greatest influence on your writing?

Stephen King for his plotting, Lora Leigh and Shayla Black for turning me onto erotic romance, and Eve Langlais for making me fall in love with cyborg.

Here’s a tougher one. Which of your own books is your favorite and why?

Which of my babies do I like the best?! I can’t pick one, but I can narrow it down to a few: Stolen Moments is a fun, light romantic comedy about what it’s like to be a romance author. Captured by the Cyborg has a really unique heroine. Everything has been done under the sun, but I think I created an attribute for Illumina that no other author ever has. Finally,Claimed by the Cyborg is the most romantic of all the Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance books. One of my author friends compared it to Romeo and Juliet.

Hopefully without the tragic ending! I loved Stolen Moments! And am getting ready to start Claimed by the Cyborg as soon as I can squeeze in a moment.

Steering away from books for a minute, what is your favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday everyone can participate in, yet it’s uncommercial, simple, and meaningful. It brings family and friends together.

If you could have one wish granted just for you (not world peace, LOL), what would you wish for?

I love writing romance, and I have the career I always dreamed of. But, if I could have one wild, crazy wish, it would be to hit it really big, like Harry Potter big, or Fifty Shades of Grey big.

I feel you there, Cara. Although I’d like to hit it that big just so I could quit my day job and write full time. Someday!

So, what is your biggest regret?

That I didn’t take more risks. I played it too safe. I should have been much bolder.

Again I sympathize. I could have made bolder choices as well.

Do you have any hobbies/passions outside of writing?

Writing is my great passion, but my hobby is traveling. My husband and I have traveled all over the world. My two favorite places are Italy and China. I also love to read.

China! Wow! And Italy is somewhere I’d love to go as well. Traveling is a great hobby to have.

Who is your favorite non-romance genre author? What is your favorite book of theirs?

Probably Nelson DeMille, and my favorite book is Gold Coast, about an attorney whose wife is from high society/old money. They’re upstanding citizens until a mafia guy moves in next door, and they gradually get sucked into criminal activity. The plotting is excellent, and DeMille is quite witty.

What was your inspiration for Claimed by the Cyborg?

The series came about because I fell in love with cyborgs. They are the ultimate alpha males. But I didn’t just want literary heroes, I wanted true heroes: brave men who risk their lives to save others. So my cyborgs fight against terrorism. The series tagline is “Saving the girl and the galaxy one mission at a time.” The inspiration for Claimed by the Cyborg came when I was writing another book in the series, Married to the Cyborg (the freebie given to my newsletter subscribers). A minor character mentions to the heroine she’s getting married – but she doesn’t get to meet the man until the day of the bonding ceremony. Say what??? That became the basis for Claimed by the Cyborg.

As some people might tell you, I am a fanatic about my character names. Are the character names in your book special in any way?

Yes! All the hero names in the Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series are symbolic. Many people don’t know what a cyborg is, they think he’s a robot. He’s not. A cyborg is a human being who has some mechanical and/or computer parts, like the Six Million Dollar Man. To emphasize that my cyborg heroes are human, they all have names that mean “man” Brock Mann, Kai Andros, Dale Homme, Sonny Masters, March Fellows. The only cyborg who doesn’t have a man name is Carter Aymes, and that’s because he wasn’t a cyborg when the series started.

Wonderful idea, Cara! I love that bit of symbolism!

Now, the Infamous Lightning Round: (Choose 5-6 of the questions below)

What is your favorite amusement park ride? The Matterhorn at Disneyland.

Beach or mountains? Beach.

Blond, brunette or redhead? (preferred men’s hair color) Brunette.

Would you rather vacation in Hawaii, Vegas or London? London.

What’s the one thing you would never do? Get a tattoo.

Whew! That was quite a round! And I must admit, the last answer was the one that surprised me the most. You always struck me as someone who would be into that trend. See, I really did learn about you in this interview!

Here’s the blurb for Claimed by the Cyborg, which is currently available on Amazon!

BLURB:

He lost her once. He won’t let it happen again.

March Fellows assumed he had all the time in the galaxy to pursue a relationship with Jules, an alien exchange student from Xenia, until she vanished without a trace. After years of searching, he finds his lost love on the eve of her arranged marriage.

The daughter of the Xenian emperor, Julietta never meant to fall in love with a Terran man while visiting Earth. Leaving to fulfill her responsibilities on her home planet opened up a hole in her heart that could never be filled. When March, now a cyborg, unexpectedly shows up just before she is to be bonded, she struggles to find the courage to turn him away a second time and follow through with her duty. Before she can act, the lovers are thrust into a political conspiracy that threatens the Xenian empire and their lives.

EXCERPT:

March gaped at the woman who’d entered the hall, her arm linked with a girl’s. Hair, long and curly, tumbled down her back. Her eyes were as he remembered, as black and enigmatic as space, but girlish features had matured into womanliness. Jules. My Jules. Her gaze collided with his, the darkness concealing her thoughts, but her mouth parted as if shocked. If he hadn’t been seated, the sight of her would have knocked him on his ass. His hands shook, and he clenched them into fists to quell the trembling.

He’d searched, questioned everyone who’d known her, revisited all their haunts. So much time, so much effort, and she just walked in. Of all the places, in all the years, she was here. He couldn’t believe it. A guest at the ceremony. The practiced words he’d imagined he’d say if he located her evaporated, and all he could do was drink her in.

She’d never looked more beautiful. Dignified, refined, polished. Not haughty, but self-contained. Intricate whorls adorned her face, enhancing her exotic allure. She wore the tunic and pantaloons common to Xenia, the design and tailoring of hers nonpareil, surpassing elegance, but in the same color as the garments of members of the imperial family. She must be one of the many attendants. A relative maybe? Cousin to the bride? Obviously, she knew the imperial family well, or she wouldn’t be at the banquet.

Which would begin at any moment. Damn it! He couldn’t talk to her now. Jules moved, almost as if to step in his direction, but the younger woman herded her to two open seats at the other end of the long banquet table.

At the next opportunity, he would approach her. His heart hammered. The twins probably knew her. He turned to Naimo to ask him, when Kur spoke.

“There’s your chosen! Princess Julietta is looking at you, Naimo.” He gestured in Jules’s direction. “She’s checking you out!”

March shifted his attention to the girl who’d accompanied Jules. She couldn’t be more than fifteen or sixteen. She was a little young to be bonded, wasn’t she?

Naimo took a deep, satisfied-sounding breath. “She is even lovelier with the bonding stain painted on her face. Her vids don’t do her justice.”

The younger woman’s face was clear, unmarked. His gaze zoomed to Jules, to the spiraling whorls gracing her temples, her cheeks.

No. No. No.

“The woman with the facial paint is your chosen?” His voice came out a whispered croak. “That’s Princess Julietta?” His Jules was Emperor Dusan’s daughter? No.

“The one and only.” Naimo beamed.

Claimed by the Cyborg is available at Amazon and B & N.

Next Wednesday I’ve got another hot, hot author as my guest. Daryl Devore has been a friend and collegue for years through our online writers’ group, Romance Critters. We’ve been published by the house, and have been very supportive of one another when the going got tough. She’s got a brand new book just out that I’m sure you’ll love as much as I do (well, I’m reading it now and will certainly have finished by the time next week rolls around. Hope you plan to come back for more!

Posted in Author/Character Interviews, Be My Guest, Interviews, Promotion | Tagged author interview, Be My Guest, Cara Bristol, Claimed by the Cyborg, Cy-Ops, Cy-Ops Sci-Fi Romance Series, cyborg romance, cyborgs, fantasy romance, Jenna Jaxon, love story, romantic suspense, Space romance | 10 Comments

Medieval Monday: Celebration! ~ Barbara Bettis’s The Lady of the Forest

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Celebration!

is our theme for this round of Medieval Monday!

Join us as we celebrate weddings, holidays, and all manner of medieval events!

This week’s excerpt is from

Barbara Bettis’s

The Lady of the Forest

Excerpt:

In this excerpt, Henry has interrupted the wedding celebration at Stonehill Castle to challenge Mortimer’s right to marry Kate.

[Henry and his two friends] stalked into the hall where the lord held forth at the high table before the household left for the chapel. Kate sat at his right, the priest at his left.

“Sir Mortimer.” Henry’s voice boomed above the din. “Stand and answer my challenge.”

Mortimer lifted his head. “Lord Henry. Sit, break your fast before I wed my lady.” His oily tone did not match his hard set of jaw and narrowed eyes.

Henry ignored the words and continued across the floor. Mortimer rose but before he could speak, Henry leaped onto the dais.

“You have no right to demand Lady Katherine in marriage.” It took all Henry’s determination not to glance at Kate.

“I have an order from the king, granting me this holding and the lady as my bride.”

“I say the order does not exist.” A murmur rose from the people seated at the lower tables. Calling the lord a liar meant a fight. But no sounds arose of benches scraping back. Perhaps the soldiers awaited a signal. Henry stepped closer. “Produce this writ. Let me examine the seal.”

Dull red moved up Mortimer’s neck; his nostrils flared.

Henry sucked in a breath of satisfaction. He had him now. “You cannot. The people of Stonehill have been mistreated and their lady driven into hiding in fear for her life. You’ve lied and cheated, and you’ve taken part in a treasonous attempt to overthrow one of the king’s barons.”

He hadn’t known what to expect from Mortimer, but it wasn’t the self-satisfied upturn of the man’s mouth. Dread scraped a cold trail along Henry’s spine.

“You may be another baron and a pet of the king,” Mortimer said, “but that don’t make you always right, and that don’t keep you from facing a fight when you accuse an honest man of wrongdoing.”

He motioned to the priest, who stood and withdrew a section of parchment from a leather satchel beside him on the bench. It contained no seals.

Henry clenched his teeth. Why in the devil’s own hell hadn’t he considered the priest as the knight’s accomplice?

The churchman opened the document and at a nod from Mortimer, read. “Sir Mortimer of Corbeau, in gratitude for service, is granted the holding of Stonehill in Nottinghamshire…”

A loud buzzing in Henry’s ears blotted the words that followed. Satan’s backside! The writ existed. The parchment was stained and tattered, not the official document often used to dispense favors, but he’d seen Richard direct a clerk to scratch out such awards after a battle. They were rough and hurried, yet they carried the weight of the king’s power.

And they always carried his seal.

Where was the seal for this order?

Blurb:

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate’s past catches her.

When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

Buy Links:

Buy Links: AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2czF6Fl

TWRP:http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/search?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=the+lady+of+the+forest&submit_search

Next week we begin a new cycle and a new theme, with a new format! Come back to this blog to begin a Medieval Monday blog hop, where you’ll follow all the snippets each week to get the whole story for the author you’re following. I start my snippet next week here, then I’ll tell you where my next snippet will be the following week and so on. Once it starts it’s going to be lots of fun!

Oh, and our new theme: VILLAINS!

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged Barbara Bettis, Celebration theme, historical romance, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, The Lady of the Forest | 1 Comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 01/29/17 Only Scandal Will Do ~ “There will be Pleasure”

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

I’m back this week sharing snippets from the first book of the House of Pleasure series, Only Scandal Will Do. It’s one of my favorites of my books, and although many of you may remember it, I do want to share that 18th century world of Georgian England with you once more.

I began at the very beginning with an introduction to the heroine, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, then moved on to the auction block, where Lady Katarina was perused by Duncan Ferrers, the Marquess of Dalbury. This week, their first meeting where Kat tries to convince him she’s a lady. (Very creatively punctuated to conform to WWW rules.)

“A lady in distress?” he laughed and straightened. “How did a lady come to find herself on display at an auction, scandalously clad in a transparent Greek costume, in Madame Vestry’s House of Pleasure?”

“House of Pleasure?” she squeaked.

“Where else would such a thing occur?” The masked man’s amusement seemed to deepen at her indignation. “And there will certainly be pleasure here tonight, slave.”

He ran a hand slowly down her arm, fingers trailing silkily against her bare flesh. Mouth agape at such a liberty, she slapped the hand away and ran for the door. With a long arm, he snared the diaphanous folds of her gown. The material strained against her body and Kat froze lest it rip, exposing her completely; cursing her own folly for choosing such a costume, she swung around to face her captor.

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?

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

Books in the House of Pleasure series:

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

Posted in Historical Romance, House of Pleasure, House of Pleasure Series, On Only Scandal Will Do, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Only Scandal Will Do, Regency romance, The House of Pleasure series, Weekend Writing Warriors | 22 Comments

The Romance of Language: Word for the Week 1/27/17

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Monomachy:

“A duel.” from Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language, 1755.

Even though I’ve written about duels in my romance novels Only Scandal Will Do and the upcoming Only A Mistress Will Do, I had not come across this term for single combat. It is apparently from the Latin “monomachia,” taken from the Greek “monomakhia” (mono=single and makhia=fighting).

Although in my books duels are usually fought with swords, by this time duels could just as well occur using dueling pistols. In fact, next year’s Only Seduction Will Do will have a duel with pistols.

As I am a big fan of Hamilton The Musical, I

Hamilton-Burr duel

should feel remiss not mentioning that famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr was fought with pistols. And the American forefather seemed to be spoiling for “monomachies,” because in addition to this famous duel, Hamilton himself received/issued almost a dozen challenges to duel and his son, Philip, was killed in a duel.

And here is the song from Hamilton: “The Ten Duel Commandments”:

Posted in Romance of Language | Tagged duel, forgotten words, Hamilton the Musical, Hamilton-Burr duel, historical words, Jenna Jaxon, monomachy, Romance of Language, Ten Duel Commandments | 4 Comments

Be My Guest! ~ Author Interview with Alexandra Christle

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Hello, and welcome to my new feature for 2017.

So now gather round the tea table, grab a scone or cookies, and a cup of tea or coffee and discover a new friend in the writing world.

This week on Be My Guest, I am so very excited to have my BFF, Alexandra Christle here. Alex and I joined Chesapeake Romance Writers on the very same day and over the years have come to enjoy a wonderful friendship. Although Alex has been writing for much longer than I have, she’s just recently gotten a contract for her first book with Deeds Publishing, and is celebrating the release of her first book this coming weekend! So come on in and meet Alex!

Who was the first romance author and book you read?

Sandra Brown – probably her Texas Trilogy

Who has been the greatest influence on your writing?

My friends from Chesapeake Romance Writers – too many to name. But they’ve encouraged me, inspired me with their successes (and failures), and pushed me when I was about to give up. Without CRW, I wouldn’t be on this blog interview right now. (Thank you, Jenna!)

And Elizabeth Sinclair and Cappy Rearick, who, 20 years ago, believed in me.

Aww, thank you, Alex! But who or what inspires your writing?

Events – I like finding unusual tidbits and weaving a story around them.

Kind of like you did in Between Nowhere and Lost. Okay. I’ve done that myself.

Which of your own books is your favorite and why?

Hitchin’ (coming out this summer, hopefully). It’s partially autobiographical, except I don’t know anyone in the Mafia. Lol I have, however, met people who were in the DEA and FBI

If you could have one wish granted just for you (not world peace, LOL), what would you wish for?

Living closer to my grandchildren, which is something I plan to do.

You’re going to leave me? Oh, the humanity. 🙂

What is the most exciting/daredevil thing you’ve ever done?

Skydiving. Scared the **** out of me and I said I’d never do it again, but if I had the chance now, I would.

I would have died of a heart attach on the way down. *smh*

Who is your favorite non-romance genre author? What is your favorite book of theirs?

I have lots – I like thrillers, so I read David Baldacci, William Bernhardt, Vince Flynn, Michael Palmer. I also love Tami Hoag, who started as a romance writer.

My, my, you do read a lot! Now, tell us a little bit about one of your books.

Between Nowhere and Lost is a love story…not a genre romance. It takes place in the 1960s and deals with racial issues and textile unions. It’s Bridges of Madison County combined with Norma Rae.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I found some information about Darlington Manufacturing Company, a textile union that voted to go union in the 1950s. The owner closed the mill. It’s a heartbreaking event and it touched me deeply.

Just like you said above. So, do you have plans for a sequel to this book?

No, unless my readers demand it. 😉

Consider yourself demanded! It was a great story and I’d like to hear more!

Now, the Infamous Lightning Round: (Choose 5-6 of the questions below)

What is your favorite amusement park ride?

None, and I HATE roller coasters. I will never ride Space Mountain again. I worked at Disney World back in the early 80s.

Tea or coffee?

I like both – mint-flavored green tea is great, but I need my morning coffee.

Beach or mountains?

I love both, but if I could only have one, I’d have to take the ocean.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate! Dark! On or with anything!

Blond, brunette or redhead? (preferred men’s hair color)

Brunette. I have to really push myself to give a male character light hair. (Although Chris Hemsworth could make me change my mind. LOL)

Would you rather skydive or scuba dive?

Skydive. If I’m going to die, going splat would be faster than drowning. LOL

Would you rather vacation in Hawaii, Vegas or London?

I’d like to just take a vacation, period. Want to go with me?

All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…any time! LOL

Now let’s give our readers a taste of your love story!

BLURB:

1960s housewife Helen Hodges has reconciled herself to a quiet, childless life in a small South Carolina mill town, but when she has a happenstance encounter with David Drummond, the mill owner’s son, her repressed longings for a child are reawakened and discontent floods over her. David is immediately taken with Helen, but tries, without success, to focus on his problems at the mill and the union takeover looming over his plant.

As the union fight becomes heated, racial tensions emerge and the town is polarized; violence breaks out and the situation intensifies, putting David in danger. Helen’s husband, the union representative, becomes David’s unlikely guardian, and although on opposite sides of the issue, the two men become friends. And as Helen is torn between her duty to her husband and her desire to be with David, as well as reconciling herself with her Catholic faith, events escalate until she learns some life-changing news and rushes to tell David before he leaves town, and her life…forever.

EXCERPT:

Dina gave her mouth an exaggerated twist. In fact, she never did anything that wasn’t exaggerated. She was my closest and, quite possibly, only friend in Mayfield. “Helen, you can’t give these kids everything they want. You’re their mother, not their friend.”

My head snapped around. “I’m not anyone’s mother.”

My tone caught her off-guard. She held up her hands, palms toward me. “You know what I mean. You can’t be their buddy. They’ll take advantage of you.” She relented somewhat. “Okay, then. Maybe one game. Teach her a lesson, anyway.” She leaned back in her chair and eyed me. I averted my gaze under her scrutiny. “What’s got you so bummed out?”

“Aren’t you meeting Jake for dinner? Don’t you need to go?”

“No. Spill it.”

My mouth scrunched. Keeping my emotions in check had never before been so difficult, but I’d never had reason to be so…discontent. My tone became defensive. “I am not, as you put it, ‘bummed out’. I’m merely…” I searched for an appropriate substitution.

“Depressed? Thinking about kids again?”

I stared at the pale yellow concrete block wall behind her, imagined my finger tracing down and across the lines of grout between each block. She waited patiently for me to speak. “No. Not this time.” I paused, debating. “Fine. I met a man.”

She straightened. “What do you mean, you ‘met’ a man? You have a man. His name is Harold. What kind of man? Where?”

“He was lost.”

“This is the sixties. Everyone is lost. What was he, a hippie? Was he driving a Volkswagen bus with flowers on it? I suppose he was trying to find himself.”

I clucked. “Not that kind of lost. Geographically. He pulled into my drive and asked for directions.”

“Did you tell him the commune is four hundred miles to the north?”

I rolled my eyes. “To Mayfield, nitwit,” thinking my use of her standard verbiage might ease up this onslaught of questions.

Instead, her eyes narrowed. “Harmless enough.”

“It was, until I asked him over for dinner.”

She sucked in a breath. “You didn’t!”

The office door flew open and the boys’ gym teacher stuck his head in the room. “You locking up, Deen?”

“I got it. Later, gator.”

He yanked the door shut behind him and was probably halfway across the gym before his muted ‘bye’ reached our ears.

“So you asked him over for dinner? And you didn’t think Harold would notice?”

“He’s in Connecticut, at one of the other plants.”

“Convenient. All right, lay it on me.”

I told her the entire sordid story, prudently omitting the part about wanting to kiss him.

“You want to kiss him, don’t you? Helen Hodges, I never would’ve believed it. You’re thinking about having an affair.”

Between Nowhere and Lost is available on Amazon.

Please please save the date next Wednesday when I’ll be sitting down with one of my favorite writers, Cara Bristol. No, she’s not historical romance. Head the other way–out into the future or space or perhaps another reality with kick-ass technology and gorgeous cyborgs! Hope I’ve got your mouth watering, so don’t forget next week!

Posted in Author/Character Interviews, Be My Guest, Interviews, Promotion | Tagged 1960s love story, Alexandra Christle, author interview, Be My Guest, Between Lost and Nowhere, Bridges of Madison County, Jenna Jaxon, love story, Norma Rae, vintage | 16 Comments

“A Pirate’s Life for Me” by Gina Danna

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Jenna Jaxon

Pirates. With Hollywood giving us pirates like Captain Jack Sparrow, what’s not to like? He’s adorable with a wit. But with the return of Starz’s Black Sails, pirates take a turn for the dark side of violence and blood, all for coin, which is spent immediately on drink and whores till they are broke and they start on the hunt for more treasure again.

Yet why would English sailors turn pirates and attack their own country? The English used privateers during the war against France and Spain in the 17th century by giving these men a letter of marque, allowing them to hunt Britain’s enemy without retribution and required the privateers to pay the crown a percentage on riches taken. Unfortunately, at the end, they saw that privateer had turned pirate, attacking more than enemy ships. With this monster on their hands, they shoved these men away, calling them criminals, leaving them adrift. Men like Flint, Long John Silver and the rest of the pirate stories of war against the English show the dark side, the true reality of the world of pirates. It is a violent world.

Set free of England as unfit for English society, pirates flourished during the 17th to 19th centuries. The English Royal Navy was a harsh place to work. Officers were appointed, mostly out of the nobility. Their crew was held in line with harsh, often extremely cruel laws and punishments, so recruiting was hard, so hard they had to ‘press’ men into service. It was not smooth sailing, so when pirates attacked and offered the sailors the ‘opportunity’ to ‘get on the account’, the phrase to take up piracy, many jumped at it.

The world of piracy was one of the original democracies of history. Anyone, regardless of

Circa 1715, Captain Edward Teach (1680 – 1718), better known as Blackbeard, a pirate who plundered the coasts of the West Indies, North Carolina and Virginia. His hair is woven with flaming fuses to increase his fearsome appearance. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

his or her origins or sex, could become a pirate. Pirates did not believe in racist views. Many times, they raided slave ships off the coast of Africa because 1. Those ships had a small crew with members who would join them, 2. The slaver ships were large with a large hold that pirates could readily use and 3. They’d free the slaves (most did verses selling them) and some of those Africans, too far from shore, would also join the account.

How did one become a captain as a pirate? Those who did earned the trust of the crew. A captain could be easily replaced if he didn’t bring them large treasures to take or he lost their trust. On a ship, all slept together with only the captain taking a singular cabin. All could be brought to account easily by the crew.

In This Love of Mine, our pirate captain is on the verge of losing his position because his mission is to find the man responsible for the death of his wife. Sometimes, the ships he has them raid hold little worth, making his crew unhappy and put him on the verge of losing his position.

The fear of women onboard ships is a fear that has held across all shipping lines, navy to pirate, and prevalent through centuries. Even during World War II, the Waves, who were the women naval reserves, were not on the ships because that fear was strong. Since all navy personnel are assigned to ships, these women were assigned to ships that had been sunk in the Potomac River during the American Civil War. So Eleanor’s presence on the ship sent the pirates on edge. Considering women could become pirates, even leaders, like Ann Bonny, the irony of fearing women onboard is an oddity.

Piracy had its supposed glory days during the 17th to early 18th centuries but it still exists. To get a glimpse of their world, join Eleanor, James and Trent in This Love of Mine.

Blurb:

England 1810

Kidnapped on a trip to London, Lady Eleanor Whitmore awakes in the hold of a ship with no memory of her past or of her perfect marriage to Lord James Haddington III, Earl of Windhaven. All she knows is that a fierce and stunningly handsome pirate is yelling about women being bad luck on a voyage. Adrift at sea in both body and mind, she finds herself falling in love with the pirate captain, whose flashing eyes and muscular frame leave her breathless.

Lord James resisted the shackles by marriage until he met Eleanor. Her beauty and charms captured his heart, and now that she’s disappeared, he vows he will find her or die trying. His search becomes a chase to the New World, a trip that could destroy him as Eleanor’s bonds with a pirate captain tighten. Can James provoke her memory and win her love, or will the pirate steal her heart forever…