Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 6/19/16 Heart of Desire: “I Will Lock You in the Tower!”

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Happy Father’s Day to everyone!

This month Heart of Desire is “Book of the Month,” Book 2 in my Regency series Handful of Hearts, so here’s another snippet of this sweet Regency.

This snippet continues from the very beginning of Heart of Desire. The time is the beginning of the Season in London, May 5, 1820. Miss Katherine Locke is waltzing with Lord Haversham at Lady Hamilton’s ball. Lord Haversham is demonstrating the scandalous nature of the waltz. Hope you enjoy!

Then outrage swept through her and she pushed him away. “How dare you,” she hissed, trying to pull away from him.

“That was your fault and you know it. And if you make a scene that results in me having to marry you, I swear I will lock you in the tower at my grandfather’s castle and throw away the key,” Lord Haversham said as he righted himself and smiled at her with clenched teeth.

“Of all the students at Oxford, my brother had to befriend you?”

“He had you for a sister so his luck was due for a change.”

“Well, I wish mine would change, Haversham, because if I have to endure you for five more minutes I will fall down in a dead faint just to get away from you.” Kate wanted to scream in frustration at her brother’s best friend, but the man was right. Any scandalous behavior could end with her compromised and married to Haversham before the month was out. The Season had just begun and she refused to let it end in a single night with the man who had been the bane of her life for years.

Blurb:

Follow your heart to find your desire

Miss Katherine Locke is irked to start her 3^rd season dancing with the disagreeable Lord Haversham, her brother’s friend and her own arch enemy. After three years out, however, she’s finally interested in the dashing Lord Finley—only to find out her cousin has set her cap for him too. To make the man jealous, Kate feigns interest in Lord Haversham, only to be shocked to find herself falling for the handsome lord against her will.

Marcus, Lord Haversham, is in a tight pinch. His estates are failing and worse, he’s just lost 5,000 pounds to his best friend, Lord Ainsley. Ainsley’s solution: have Marcus marry his shrewish sister and he’ll cancel his gambling debt plus give him 10, 000 more for her dowry. With nowhere to turn, Marcus agrees, praying he can keep word of the wager from Kate until he can woo her and charm her into marrying him.

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

Heart of Desire should go on pre-sale by next week! Yay!

The prequel, A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe,

is available at Amazon currently on sale for $.99.

Posted in A Handful of Hearts, Heart of Desire, Historical Romance, On Regency Romance, On Weekend Writing Warriors, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged A Handful of Hearts series, Heart of Desire, Jenna Jaxon, sweet Regency romance, Weekend Writing Warriors | 17 Comments

Medieval Monday: “Keep Your Mouth Shut!”~ Silverhawk by Barbara Bettis

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Conflict/Confrontation

is our theme for this round of Medieval Monday!

Please welcome this week’s guest Barbara Bettis with her romance

Silverhawk

Excerpt:

Here is Lady Emelin’s first meeting with her brother since he confined her to a convent five years earlier. Now he’s betrothed her to someone without her knowledge.

Ortha had just finished braiding Emelin’s hair when the door burst open. Sir Garley strode in, his bulk filling the space. He jerked his head, and Ortha slipped into the passageway. Emelin shot to her feet, chin raised. The long forgotten fear nibbled at her heart, but she refused to show it.

He loomed closer, looked over the borrowed gown she wore, and picked up a braid. Lips curled in a snarl, he gave it a hard yank before he dropped it. “Too bad we can’t do something about that color.”

Blood-shot eyes narrowed. He grabbed her chin between his forefinger and thumb and forced up her head. She tried to pull away from the stench of his breath, but he pinched harder. “Don’t do anything else to spoil this arrangement.” His voice grated like rusty steel. “I need the payment Langley made for you. I will not return it.”

Garley gave her head a final shake. “Do not interfere in my plans,” he repeated.

Emelin jerked back. Rebellion overpowered the hurt, and she spoke without thought. Again. “Or what? You’ll immure me in a convent? I believe we’ve done that already.”

Garley’s slap caught the side of the face, sent her staggering onto the bed. “Keep your mouth shut.” His voice held no trace of emotion as he strode to the door. “At least until after the wedding. Then you’re his problem. Just remember, there’ll never be a place for you at Compton. Give the old man a son, and you’ll want for nothing. Fight him and you may find yourself back at the convent—if you’re lucky.”

Blurb:

He’s everything a proper lady should never want; she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never have.

Sir Giles has come to England to kill his father, who seduced and betrayed his mother. First, however, he’ll seek sweet revenge—kidnap the old lord’s new betrothed. But when Giles uncovers a plot against King Richard, he faces a dilemma: take the lady or track the traitors. What’s a good mercenary to do? Both, of course.

Lady Emelin has had enough. Abandoned in a convent by her brother, she finally has a chance for home and family. Yet now she’s been abducted. Her kidnapper may be the image of her dream knight, but she won’t allow him to spoil this betrothal. Her only solution: escape

Rescuing the intrepid lady—while hunting traitors—is a challenge Giles couldn’t anticipate. But the greatest challenge to Giles and Emelin is the fire blazing between them.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged Barbara Bettis, Conflict/Battle scene, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Silverhawk | 2 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 6/12/16 Heart of Desire: A Spectacle on the Dance Floor

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

This month Heart of Desire is “Book of the Month,” Book 2 in my Regency series Handful of Hearts, so here’s the first snippet of this sweet Regency.

This snippet is from the very beginning of Heart of Desire. The time is the beginning of the Season in London, May 5, 1820. Miss Katherine Locke is waltzing with Lord Haversham at Lady Hamilton’s ball. Lord Haversham is demonstrating the scandalous nature of the waltz. Hope you enjoy!

She gasped at her close proximity to the rogue. How dare he make a spectacle of them on this crowded dance floor?

“You see?” he whispered, peering into her face, his gaze intent upon her mouth.

All she could see were his crystal blue eyes, as the crisp scent of his sandalwood cologne filled her nose.

“Ainsley should be horsewhipped for allowing it.”

“I’ll see to it he horsewhips you if you don’t let me go.” Kate gave a hopping step and smashed her foot down on top of his.

Lord Haversham lurched forward, actually falling onto her.

For the briefest moment they stood pressed together in a warm embrace that made Kate tingle all over.

Blurb:

Follow your heart to find your desire

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

The prequel to Heart of Desire, A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe is available at Amazon currently on sale for $.99.

Cover Spot: The Reluctant Heart by Beppie Harrison

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Sorry I’m a day late, but life does that to you sometimes. Anyway, this week’s featured cover is from another of my good friends from Romancing Yesteryear, author Beppie Harrison, who released her latest Irish romance, The Reluctant Heart, second book in the Hearts Everlasting series.

BLURB:

Emmeline Hawthorne flees from a third London Season to escape the insincerity and pointless display of wealth that so irritated her during her first two years. Her widowed mother had threatened her with the prospect of becoming her brother’s unpaid nanny if she didn’t find herself a husband, so Emmeline chooses to go to Ireland, where her brother is aiding their uncle, whose title he will inherit, in the management of the family estate. Unfortunately, one of the first people Emmeline meets is the Viscount Sheffield, an Englishman who seems to personify all of the most exasperating characteristics that she found unendurable during her London seasons. But the viscount is determined to find an Irish estate for himself and to learn to manage it. Against her inclinations, Emmeline becomes involved in his search and his first faltering steps as an English aristocrat learning to manage Irish workmen in an Irish setting. Will he, mistakes and all, become more of the responsible man Emmeline never thought she encountered during her Seasons in London, someone she could fall in love with?

Buy Links:

The Reluctant Heart is now available on Amazon.

Posted in Cover Spot, Historical Romance, Promotion | Tagged Beppie Harrison, cover art, Hearts Everlasting series, historical romance, Irish romance, The Reluctant Heart | 4 Comments

Do Bears Live in Iowa? An Expose from Liza O’Connor’s White Oaks – Mafia Series

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

To celebrate the arrival of book two of the White Oaks – Mafia series

Book One

A Fortune to Die For

is 99 cents from June 1-7.

LIZA FACT CHECKS:

ARE THERE BEARS IN IOWA?

You can go to the Department of Natural Resources and verify that bears do not exist in Iowa, never mind all the YouTube pics of bears in Iowa. When pushed, they’ll admit that perhaps one or two are wandering beyond state lines into Iowa, but soon they’ll wander back out. However, they insist there are NO female bears in Iowa. Which is odd since there is a pic of a female with two cubs in Iowa.

So why won’t Iowa admit they have bears? Here’s a possibility: If a state does not acknowledge having a species, then they have no reason to write laws protecting that species. Which means, there are NO laws against shooting a bear in Iowa, since officially no bears exist.

And who might be shooting these non-existent bears? In plain old words, anyone. In a State Park, only people with gun permits are legally allowed to carry loaded handguns inside the park. (That requires you to be 21 or older, take a shooting class, and fill out your permit paperwork.) However, you aren’t supposed to actually fire the gun in a State Park. However, given the rangers recently began to carry assault rifles, I’m thinking the ‘no firing’ rule was being ignored.

Book 1: A Fortune to Die For

99 Cents June 1-7

Contemporary Suspense/Romance

Blurb

Megan Clarke had a good life until she wins the Mega Times Lottery and discovers the prize comes with a curse. Worse than the many money-hungry suitors, a serial killer has her in his sight. She changes her name and moves to Iowa with plans to buy their last major forest of white oaks and turn it into a State Park.

Unfortunately, the Lottery Curse doesn’t stop at state lines and someone there wants her dead, as well. Good thing a disturbingly handsome law officer is just as determined to keep her alive.

Excerpt for A Fortune to Die For

Megan realized it was going to be a while before Steve would refocus on the package. “Can I get you something to drink? Green Tea with lemon grass?” He looked health conscious. Actually, he looked like a movie star with a crew cut.

He glanced up. “Sounds good.” He then glanced around. “Any place I can sit and read these?”

“Seriously? There’s got to be over two hundred letters in there.”

“I know. Which is why I’d prefer to do this sitting down.”

“Okay, but if this package blows up on a timer, I’m going to be grumpy when I reach the afterlife.”

He chuckled at her warning, set down the letter he was reading, and picked up the package. “If I open this in the next room, will you be safe from blasts?”

“The room is steel-lined, so I think so. But wouldn’t you rather have some sort of robot handle the matter?”

His adorable grin returned. “Oddly, we don’t have one of those.”

“I could buy you one… You could just take the package somewhere safe and leave it unopened until the robot arrives. I have no problem donating the money to get you guys a bomb robot, given this probably won’t be the last time I need one.”

He studied her a long moment before replying. “You know how I got to be a detective so early in life?”

She almost replied that good-looking people lived a charmed life and received promotions more often than less attractive people, but realized he wouldn’t appreciate her observation. So she behaved and answered, “No.”

“I’ve very good instincts. For example, before you replied, you were thinking something…something I wouldn’t like, so you wisely kept it to yourself.”

Her face burned. Busted! “And your instincts tell you the package is safe?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then take it in the other room and open it.”

Despite his confidence in his instincts, Megan remained on pins and needles for the excruciatingly long half-hour that crawled by as she waited for Detective Williams to return.

Or blow up.

Unexpected Love

Contemporary Suspense/Sweet Romance

June 1 Release

Blurb

Tess Campbell is a mafia princess who wants nothing to do with her dangerous family. She’d rather spend her life making Grams’s forest the best state park in Iowa.

Alistair Castile, aka Steel, is a British prince, his archeological career in ruins due to his promiscuous nature. He’s hired on as forest manager of Tess’s woods and quickly falls in love with the charming young woman, so different from the socialites of his world.

Only there are several serious barriers between them: Steel’s career cannot withstand another scandal and Tess’s father will kill anyone who gets in the way of his daughter marrying a Chicago mobster.

Excerpt for Unexpected Love

“Well, since Grumpy didn’t run off and the trap is not yet ruined, your arrival at this car endangered us all when you chose to jump inside. I warned you the bear was still here, but you refused to listen.”

He kicked the back of the seat. Grams turned to face him. “You listen here, young man. You have made some serious errors of judgment today, but it’s not too late to still turn this mission into a success. And if you do, I will not call your superiors and let them know what happened today.”

John huffed but made no more demands.

“Now,” Grams continued. “Does Steve know how to operate the back door so that he can close it before Grumpy escapes?”

“Yes, but the bear won’t go near the truck now.”

“Of course, he will. Damn thing hasn’t had a female in three long years. If you had stayed in your truck and driven off, he’d have probably followed you back to Minnesota on foot.”

Grumpy returned to the back of the truck and sniffed about. Then he viciously swiped the plank with his paw, knocking it into the woods.

“That does it. I’m having Steve close up and drive off.”

“Without you?” Tess challenged. “Because I’m not driving down this road at this hour.”

“That’s kidnapping!”

Grams chuckled. “We didn’t kidnap you. You jumped in my Rover to avoid being eaten. Now stop being such a baby. Grumpy can climb into the back of the truck.”

To prove her right, Grumpy hopped into the back with ease.

John spoke into the com unit. “Steve, lower the back.”

Tess thought he’d made the call too soon, but evidently the scent of a female made Grumpy lose all sense of preservation.

Once the door closed, Steve’s shaky voice came over the unit. “John, the bear has broken apart the female’s cage and he’s fighting with her.”

“I’ll be right there,” John stated and hurried from the Rover, failing to close the back door. Tess cursed him and pulled it shut. She was about to pull away when a young boy came around the truck, ran to the Rover, and jumped in. “Can I stay here until it’s over?”

He was such a cute and presently terrified kid that Tess nodded.

To be honest, the truck did look in danger of going over.

“I thought you guys had tranq guns.”

“John does, but I didn’t want to risk my life on him hitting the right bear before the truck tumbles.”

“Smart boy,” Grams said. “How long has John been working at the sanctuary?”

About the Author

Liza O’Connor lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT

LIZA O’CONNOR

Investigate these sites:

Liza’s Blog and Website Facebook Twitter

Posted in Book Spotlights, Guest Posts, Promotion | Tagged .99 book sale, A Fortune to Die For, Bears in Iowa?, Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Liza O'Connor, Unexpected Love, White Oak Mafia series | 5 Comments

Medieval Monday: “Strike for the Kill” ~ Dragon Knight’s Shield by Mary Morgan

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

Conflict/Confrontation

is our theme for this round of Medieval Monday!

Please welcome this week’s guest Mary Morgan with her romance

Dragon Knight’s Shield

Excerpt:

“Never have I seen a woman command men as she does,” commented Robert coming alongside him.

Angus kept silent. He knew his friend had set his sight on the woman as well. He had flirted with her outright at the table last evening, stirring the outrage of Hugh. The man dared to tempt fate to the edge of his life, and Angus wanted to slice out Robert’s tongue with a blade.

Rubbing his hands together to ward off the chill, Robert removed his cloak. “I believe ’tis my turn at a lesson or two.”

Without thought, Angus blocked his progress with an outstretched hand. “Nae. My turn.”

The man raised an eyebrow in amused contempt and took a step back.

As Angus stepped into the clearing, he saw Deirdre’s eyes go wide in surprise. As he gave the others a passing glance, they understood his meaning and retreated to the trees. Removing his cloak, he faced her.

“There is nothing I can teach you, Angus. I’ve seen you fight.” She rubbed her hands down the sides of her gown, and he took this as a nervous gesture.

His steps slowed as he circled her, making her turn as he did. “Ye show the others. Why not me?”

“Because there are some techniques…umm ways…to improve…and they asked, since they believe me…”

“Ye are rambling. Not good for a hunter.”

“I’m not playing this game, MacKay,” she hissed.

“This is no game we play, Flanagan. There is a real danger that cannae be fought with strength alone.”

“Then you’re the fool if you don’t think I understand. The Fianna have told me about the magic of this evil druid. But what they haven’t told me is why he wants to claim the relics of the Dragon Knights.”

Angus clenched his fists. They had no right discussing his past with her.

“Does that upset you?”

He continued his spiral movement around her. “Why would it?”

“Because it shows in your eyes. They go from light brown to blazing amber.”

His smile became predatory. “Ye are a keen witness.”

“Tell me about your relic, Angus?”

Chuckling softly, he kept silent. Her gown twisted as her steps faltered, and he realized she had not mastered moving in the clothing.

She stomped her foot in anger. “Stop moving!”

In one swift move, he had her hands behind her back with his face mere inches from the lips he wanted. “Ye have now become my prey.” He could feel the rise and fall of her breasts with every breath she took, and he fought to control his body. By the gods how he wanted her. She smelled of the woods, wild and untamed.

She blinked and he found desire staring back at him. Twisting her head away from his, she spat out, “Let me go.”

If the others were not around, Angus feared he would have claimed her right there in the snow. He shook his head of the blinding lust and released her. “Ye are correct, Deirdre. There is naught ye can teach me.” Turning slowly, he started to walk away when he felt the blade at his back.

“The first lesson, Angus, in any battle is never to turn your back on the enemy. You have forgotten the basics in defense.”

He held his arms out wide. “Then strike for the kill, Deirdre and pray ye have the strength to aim true.”

She punched him hard in his lower back, causing him to stumble a few feet. “Trust me, I have the strength.” Her words sent a chill down his spine, and the beast became unleashed.

As Angus whirled around, he reached for the arm that held the blade. Her gown twisted and she slipped, bringing them both to the ground. Wasting no time being so close to her heated body, he stood. Shoving a hand through his hair, he then pointed to her bunched up gown. “And the first lesson ye should master is to fight in your clothes. They will be your undoing.” Hissing out several curses, he stormed off to the trees, whistling for Artair.

As he passed one of the pines, a blade flew past his head and landed with a loud thump into the wood. The fire danced off his fingertips, but he made no move to turn around. “Ye missed.”

Blurb:

Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and he takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him. Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight. Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Knights-Shield-Order-Book-ebook/dp/B018MESJ12/

Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dragon-knights-shield/id1067612279/

Barnes&Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragon-knights-shield-mary-morgan/1123094798

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/dragon-knight-s-shield

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6584

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Mondays, Medieval Romance, Promotion | Tagged Conflict/Battle scene, Dragon Knight's Shield, Mary Morgan, Medieval Monday | 1 Comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 6/05/16 Heart of Desire: A Scandalous Waltz

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

This month Heart of Desire is “Book of the Month,” Book 2 in my Regency series Handful of Hearts, so here’s the first snippet of this sweet Regency.

This snippet is from the very beginning of Heart of Desire. The time is the beginning of the Season in London, May 5, 1820. Hope you enjoy!

Packed to the gills, Lady Hamilton’s ballroom glittered with candlelight, fine silks and satins, and every type of precious jewel known to the world. The music had a lively air and Miss Katherine Locke would have thought herself fortunate to be out again in Society after a long, cold, dull winter in Somerset save that her partner, Lord Haversham, was the rudest man in London. Well, his lordship was about to discover that Kate Locke did not suffer fools lightly.

“So you refuse to allow your sister to waltz, yet you are quite willing to stand up with me and dance this, according to you, most scandalous of dances, my lord.” Kate smiled into the odious wretch’s face. “I should say that smacks of hypocrisy.”

“Indeed,” Lord Haversham said as he turned them skillfully at the end of the floor. “I would say it shows a want of character in your brother for allowing you to dance it with me. The waltz should be danced by married couples and no one else.” He pulled her close against him, so their bodies almost touched.

Blurb:

Follow your heart to find your desire

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

The prequel to Heart of Desire, A Kiss Beneath the Mistletoe is available at Amazon currently on sale for $.99.

My Sexy Saturday ~ My Sexy Secret from Only Marriage Will Do

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

I’m trying a new blog hop this week, My Sexy Saturday. I can post 7 paragraphs, 7 sentences, or 7 words from a WIP or a published work so I thought this might be a lot of fun!

The theme this week is My Sexy Secret, so I thought I’d start with a snippet from my Georgian historical romance Only Marriage Will Do.

Captain Amiable Dawson barged past the stunned maid 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.

The young man, foppishly dressed in a robin’s egg blue satin coat dripping too many layers of frothy lace at throat and wrists looked at Amiable, a snarl on his lips.

Taking advantage of the distraction, the woman wrenched her arm from the man’s grip. “Praise God. Here he is.” She staggered as she righted herself. “Now you will have to believe me, Philippe.”

The fop scrambled back off the sofa and groped for a black lacquer walking stick that lay on the floor. Lips pressed together, he glowered at the woman. “That remains to be seen, ma chere. In any case, I have shown you the papers. They speak for themselves.”

The woman ran from behind the sofa to Amiable’s side, grazed a kiss over his cheek and whispered, “For God’s sake, help me. I am alone here and he is trying to take me away. Please, agree with whatever I say.”

Smiling into her pleading face, he grasped her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze to signal his acquiescence. “Whatever is the matter, my dear?” Hell if he knew. But he could play his part, even with little information. Let the lady lead and he’d follow as well as he could.

The woman smiled then took a deep breath. “My dear, may I present Viscount St. Cyr?” She nodded toward the fop. “Philippe, this is my husband, the Earl of Manning.”

I hope you enjoyed Juliet’s “sexy secret.” For more fabulous My Sexy Saturday snippets click here. And have a great Saturday!

Posted in Blog Hops, My Sexy Saturday, Only Marriage Will Do | Tagged Jenna Jaxon, My Sexy Saturday, Only Marriage Will Do, sexy snippet | 1 Comment

Book of the Month: Heart of Desire

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

My Book of the Month for June is the soon to be released

Heart of Desire,

the second book to my Regency series A Handful of Hearts.

BLURB:

Follow your heart to find your desire

EXCERPT:

London, May 5, 1820

Packed to the gills, Lady Hamilton’s ballroom glittered with candlelight, fine silks and satins, and type of precious jewel known to the world. The music had a lively air, the first dance being a waltz, and Miss Katherine Locke would have thought herself fortunate to be out again in Society after a long, cold, dull winter in Somerset save that her partner, Lord Haversham, was the rudest man in London. Well, his lordship was about to discover that Kate Locke was not one to suffer fools lightly.

“Indeed.” Lord Haversham turned them skillfully at the end of the floor. “I would say it shows a want of character in your brother for allowing you to dance it with me. The waltz should be danced by married couples and no one else.” He pulled her close against him, so their bodies almost touched.

She gasped at her close proximity to the rogue. How dare he make a spectacle of them on this crowded dance floor?

“You see?” he whispered, peering into her face, his gaze intent upon her mouth.

All she could see were his crystal blue eyes, as the crisp scent of his sandalwood cologne filled her nose.

“Ainsley should be horsewhipped for allowing it.”

“I’ll see to it he horsewhips you if you don’t let me go.” Kate gave a hopping step and smashed her foot down on top of his.

Lord Haversham lurched forward, actually falling onto her.

For the briefest moment they stood pressed together in a warm embrace that made Kate tingle all over. Then outrage swept through her and she pushed him away. “How dare you,” she hissed, trying to pull away from him.

“That was your fault and you know it. And if you make a scene that results in me having to marry you, I swear I will lock you in the tower at my grandfather’s castle and throw away the key.” Lord Haversham righted himself and smiled at her with clenched teeth.

“Of all the students at Oxford, my brother had to befriend you?”

“He had you for a sister, his luck was due for a change.”

“Well, I wish mine would change, Haversham. If I have to endure you for five more minutes I will fall down in a dead faint just to get away from you.” Kate wanted to scream in frustration at her brother’s best friend, but the man was right. Any scandalous behavior could end with her compromised and married to Haversham before the month was out. The Season had just begun. She refused to let it end in a single night with the man who had been the bane of her life for years.

Book 1, and the prequel to the series,

A Kiss Beneath The Mistletoe,

is currently available at Amazon for just .99!

Happy Reading in June!

Posted in A Handful of Hearts, Book of the Month, Heart of Desire, Historical Romance, On Regency Romance, Promotion, Regency Romance | Tagged A Handful of Hearts series, Book of the Month, Heart of Desire, historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Regency romance | Leave a comment

Cover Spot: Summer House Party by Donna Hatch, Regina Scott, and Sarah M. Eden

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Jenna Jaxon

From the publisher of the #1 Amazon bestselling A Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean Romance.

Join three bestselling Regency Romance authors, Regina Scott, Donna Hatch, and Sarah M. Eden, for three new novellas in SUMMER HOUSE PARTY.

A ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE by Regina Scott: Kitty Chapworth is nearly a spinster, and an orphan living on the charity of her uncle, with nothing to recommend her for the marriage mart. Her primary purpose is relegated to acting chaperone for her cousins until she can see them successfully married. Kitty remains focused on her duty even though she knows her future is bleak. When Quentin Adair returns from a long ten years working in Jamaica and proposes a wild charade to Kitty, she agrees, although the plan might reawaken her old feelings for Quentin. Can a reformed rake convince the perfect chaperone to overlook propriety for love?

A PERFECT MATCH by Donna Hatch: Genevieve attends a summer house party hosted by her best friend who can’t wait to introduce her to a gentleman she wants to marry, Christian Amesbury. After meeting him, Genevieve determines Christian is perfect . . . for her. Torn between loyalty to her best friend and the yearnings of her heart, Genevieve must first escape the attention of a powerful lord who’s obsessed with her and who tries to rob her of any hope for a happily ever after.

THE PAUPERS’ HOUSE PARTY by Sarah M. Eden: It’s a rare event that Edward Downy and his brother are invited to a house party by a member of the ton. But when they arrive, Edward quickly realizes this house party is different than any other. All invited guests are quite destitute, fallen members of Society barely hanging onto their homes. The hosts of the house party, the Warricks, then make a stunning announcement—they intend to gift all their properties to one fortunate guest. As the guests race to impress the Warricks, Edward finds a fast friend in Agatha Holmwood, who shares his same aversion to the horrible expectations. But their growing fondness for each other only makes the game more painful.

Summer House Party is on pre-order at Amazon.