Sally Britton's Blog, page 4

Sneak Peek: Silver Dollar Duke

From Chapter One January 1895
Bristol, England 
One never expected to find the son of a marquess at a pub of questionable reputation, which explained the exact reason Evan A. Rounsevell occupied a stool at the Llandoger Trow. Evan had no wish to be found.

Especially with his knowledge that the marquess—his father— had arrived in London with the express purpose of forcing Evan to take up family responsibilities. 

Without raising his eyes from the amber liquid in his glass, Evan put more coins on the slick and greasy counter to pay for his drink. 

A shine of one particular silver coin caught his eye. Evan snatched the coin up again, his heart thudding against his chest, just before the barkeep scooped the rest of the money into his apron pocket.

With a single careless action, he’d almost parted with his most prized possession. He clutched the coin tightly in his palm, feeling its edge press into his skin. Slowly he opened his hand and studied the glimmering silver. The head of Lady Liberty faced upward, the year 1879 stamped just below her. 

What a remarkable year that had been.

Although he hadn’t been as tall then as he was at present, Evan had the same features in place. Angular chin, sharp nose, dark hair, and copper-green eyes. He’d been a strapping youth, well-practiced in every art an English nobleman’s son ought to master. Which was why he had pleaded to go to the performance the Americans had put on for Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, the moment he’d heard of it. Evan could shoot as well and any Englishman—but he’d heard the Americans did it better.

Evan turned the coin over to the side bearing the eagle, its wings widespread, talons clutching arrows and olive branches alike. Americans made strong, bold statements with everything, even their coinage. He smiled to himself as he remembered the day he had received the coin, eight years previous, from a man wearing more leather than one found at a tanner’s booth.

The man who had wrestled Indians, fought in a war, rode wild horses, and could shoot a gun and throw hatchets with equal skill. A man who challenged everything Evan knew about the world simply by existing.

A hand landed upon Evan’s shoulder, startling him into clutching the coin tightly lest he drop it. He looked up, ready to give a set-down to whoever dared disturb him, when he met the shrewd eyes of his elder brother. 

William D. Rounsevell, heir to their father’s title as Marquess of Whittenbury, smirked down at him before perching on the stool beside Evan. “Thought I’d find you here. You always have preferred the more interesting pubs.” His eyes lingered on the dusty glasses on the shelves, his nose wrinkled with distaste.

“Perhaps.” Evan hastily tucked away the coin, having no wish to give his brother reason to mock him. The family thought Evan’s interest in the American West no more than a sign of eccentricity, and a shameful one, at that. 

Of course, the marquess would send William after him. William was the least annoying member of the family, which consisted of his father, an uncle and aunt, his brother, and a handful of first cousins.

Although William was not a bad sort, he tended to share their father’s views on Evan’s behavior. So it was no surprise he immediately took up their father’s cause. “You need to come home, Evan. Father has a particular interest in speaking with you about your responsibility for the Shropshire estate. You know he wishes you to show some interest in family matters, but if you continue to neglect it—”

“I know.” Evan rubbed at his forehead before taking hold of the drink in front of him. “But I have no wish to settle on that land and look after sheep until the end of my days.”

“Father thinks if you marry you will settle.” William folded his arms, eyeing the barkeep suspiciously when the man came forward to offer William a drink. “Have you a brandy worth more than a few pennies?” he asked loftily. 

The barkeep bowed and went in search of a bottle and glass. 

Evan encircled his glass in his hands but did no more than stare into it. If only one could divine the future in the bottom of a cup. 

“I have no intention of marrying. What is the point to a union for me? Even if I tend to the Shropshire estate, it goes to your heirs, not mine. Why spend my life toiling on another man’s property like a blasted tenant farmer?” He snorted into his cup before taking one last sip of the drink. He much preferred a strong cup of tea but trying to get that sort of drink at a pub as rough around the edges as the one in which they sat would only get him laughed out of the building. 

William accepted a glass of his own and turned a bored sort of smile onto Evan. “It is the way things are. If you marry well, your wife’s funds will see to any children you may have. It is not as though I will turn them out into the cold the moment you die.”
“But if you go first, your son might.” Evan tapped his fingers on the smooth wood, worn down from years of patrons sitting in his exact spot. “Or if I irritate you. Or if I die, what will happen to a widow and children too young to have chosen their paths? The situation is intolerable, William.”

“Second sons have braved such circumstances for centuries.” William eyed his drink dubiously before taking a small sip. He winced and put it back onto the counter, pushing it away from himself with enough force to make the liquid slosh over the brim. 

“Not in America,” Evan muttered, his eyes on the swirls in the woodgrain. 

A deep laugh made him jump in his seat, his gaze coming up to see his brother’s head thrown back as he roared. Others in the pub turned to look, some appearing annoyed that the quiet, smoky atmosphere had been disturbed. 

Finally, with a last guffaw, William reached out to clap Evan on the arm. “Your sense of humor does you credit, Evan. America.” William snorted and picked up his glass, but he must have remembered he held the liquid inside in contempt, for he lowered it again. “Land of the self-made man. More like land of illiterate, unwashed, uncultured upstarts.”

Saying nothing was safer than arguing. And less likely to get him laughed at again.

“Come home. Father wishes to speak to you.” William scattered coins upon the bar without regard to denomination then stood. “It is time to accept your responsibilities, little brother, and to stop living in a fantasy of cowboys and outlaws. You are a man of ancient and noble blood. Our family line comes first.” Then he saluted with two fingers and strode leisurely out of the pub.

Blood always came first. The family honor held more value for the marquess than the wealth of his estates combined.

Lord Whittenbury, their father, would not rest until Evan came to him, bowing and scraping, accepting his meager inheritance and responsibility for one of the family’s lesser estates. Evan’s only hope to escape managing his father’s Shropshire estate was to take up the practice of law, which he had no interest in, or marry an heiress, which he desired to do even less. 

The silver dollar in his pocket reminded him of yet another option. The so-called fantasy his brother mocked. The American West, where fortunes were won or lost in a night, where a man could work to accomplish what he wished, and where expectations and futures were self-made. 

Without familial support, he couldn’t afford a ticket to cross the Atlantic. Everything he had belonged to his father. Everything—no. Not everything.

Evan pulled out his gold pocket-watch and examined it. Worth a small fortune. A gift from an uncle. The stickpin in his cravat, his cuff-links, all real jewels. All his to do with as he pleased. 

The idea that had been no more than the seed of a dream his whole life sprouted and grew like climbing vines upon his mind. 

A slow smile stretched across Evan’s face as he took out the silver dollar, a gift to him from none other than Buffalo Bill himself. 

An electric thrill ran up his spine, and a slow grin spread across his face.

Despite the faint light in the pub, Lady Liberty seemed to wink at him.

It wouldn’t be forever. But it would be something that was his and his alone. Not his father’s, not a responsibility, but a dream the likes of which few could ever attain. An escape from his title, his duty to his family, and the chance for a real adventure.

He left the pub, his pulse thrumming with the cadence of a galloping horse, and he didn’t look back. Order Now on Amazon

Words to Define a Year: 2021

My beautiful, thoughtful, wonderful author friend Arlem Hawks posted on her Instagram account her word of the year. She's done this several years in a row, and after the disaster that was 2020, I've decided I want to join this tradition. 

But I'm terrible at following rules and guidelines, so I chose two words. (I'm also indecisive.) The two words I've chosen are HOPE and LIGHT. I thought about it for a while. They're simple words, and they've been part of my life for a long time, so purposefully embracing them for this coming year felt like the right thing. 

I immediately set on two quotes for my words, too. 

Light, of course, reminded me of Victor Hugo's quote which I've put above, with a photograph of two of my children playing in the light and water of the Atlantic Ocean. 

My other chosen word reminded me of the Emily Dickinson poem: 

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - (314)BY EMILY DICKINSON
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

What would your words be?

2021 Sweet Romance Release Dates

There's a lot coming up
from me in 2021...
​If I can make it out of 2020 in one piece. I'm not even kidding. I've already had to push back one release date (see above image), but I have MANY wonderful books planned. Some of which I haven't told anyone about yet. But...you'll get the scoop here. ;-)  I had all these glorious plans for 2020. I think a lot of us did. Now that we're through the thick of it, with vaccines for the virus-that-shall-not-be-named on the way, things are looking up. 

What do you have to look forward to from me? Here's a list. With pics. 
A Companion for the Count:
Clairvoir Castle Romances Book Two

The first book, Mr. Gardiner and the Governess, released at the end of November. It's had fantastic reviews, which makes me ecstatic! And this second book will be out (cross your fingers) in February. 

This book will follow Emma Arlen, the companion to the duke's daughter, who we met briefly in Book One. She's going to fall madly in love with an Italian count. Can't wait? Pre-order Here! Sir Andrew and the Authoress:
​Clairvoir Castle Romances Book Three

This one isn't even up for pre-order yet - but I have the cover, and the idea, and you're going to love it. This novel-length romance will be all about the duke's eldest daughter, Lady Josephine, and the very irritating friend of her brother, Sir Andrew. 

But wait, you say. Lady Josephine isn't an authoress! Except that she is. She's just been keeping it a secret. Very successfully. Until Sir Andrew, a baronet, finds out!
Silver Dollar Duke
Hearts of Arizona Book One

Yup. This is the one that I had to push back from a January 30th release to March 1st. But it's coming. And it's going to be GLORIOUS. You're going to love it. I promise. I'm delaying the release to make certain of that. 

In this story, the son of an English nobleman journeys to Arizona to play cowboy - much to the annoyance of the rancher's daughter who has to keep him in line while he's having his fun! Available for pre-order if you CLICK HERE.
Copper for the Countess
Hearts of Arizona Book 2

I'm loving this book. We're going to have ourselves a marriage of convenience between a widowed countess and an honorable cowboy. She doesn't belong on a ranch, he knows nothing about raising a family, but when they rely on each other there is a hope for happiness - and true love. Tentative release date is October 2021 - maybe sooner, if I can get my keyboard in gear. You can read more about this story and/or pre-order HERE on Amazon. And the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT that you've all been waiting for.... The Return to Inglewood Series will be published, at last!

I've been promising it for a bit. But I have covers. I have plots. I have plans. 

This is one of the glorious covers - but not the first book. I hope to have it up for pre-order very soon. 

Are you ready to go back to Inglewood and see your favorite characters? Are you excited to see the children all grown up and making mistakes - uh, I mean, MATCHES - just like their parents before them?

Well. I'm ready, too. Pre-orders will be up soon!
Which releases are you looking forward to the most? Tell me! I'd love to hear!

It's that time of year...

...time to enjoy a little something spooky. My family was never big into Halloween growing up. I mean, we liked the free candy, but my mother wasn't fond of the holiday overall, so it wasn't a BIG DEAL. But despite that, I've always loved stories with a little bit of spookiness to them. Nothing horrid, or horribly scary - just a taste of the other-worldly. 

Imagine my displeasure, then, when I discovered just how FEW historical romances fit that bill. I had to really go looking for historical romances with a touch of Fae/Magic/Ghosts. And I determined that if I was looking for such stories, especially as Autumn arrives with chilly nights and hot chocolate evenings, others must be looking for them, too.

So here is my list of THIRTEEN (pretty amazing how I got to that auspicious number, right?) CLEAN historical romance novels with a little taste of SPOOKINESS. 

​(Affiliate links have been used in this post.)
A Haunting at Havenwood
by Sally Britton

Yes, I'm going to mention my book. I had so much fun writing this book, with a chilly setting near the woods, in the midst of fall. 

If you love a good ghost story, without any of the creepy components, this book will fit the bill. The ghosts are the bickering ancestors of the hero, who is himself an author and most reluctant to be disturbed, and the heroine...? Well, she has some changing to do.

Nothing will keep Louisa from searching for an ancient fortune. Except perhaps a phantom who turns out to be a most eligible bachelor. 
Order Now An Unlikely Match
by Sarah M. Eden

I have loved every book Sarah has written, and this one is no exception. In this ghost story, a young heir finds that he's inherited more than an estate - he's inherited a lovely ghost. But why does she haunt the castle when she seems like such a pleasant person? (This has a happily ever after, I promise.)

"...A deep and abiding affection grows between the two, tempered by the unbreakable barrier that separates them. They cannot possibly hope for a happily ever after. There can be no future between a man yet living and a woman long dead. But how can Nickolas possibly give Gwen up? And how can Gwen face an eternity without Nickolas?"
Order Now The Masked Baron
by Anneka R. Walker

I love Anneka, and I love this book almost as much. It's such a fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast, with a touch of magic realism in this Regency romance. 

You'll love this story if you love a secretive hero and a heroine determined to unravel a mystery. There is a Dark Rider and Black Forest. What more could you want?
Order Now Half a Soul
by Olivia Atwater

I only just discovered this book, which has taken off in popularity for those who love Regency and the world of Fae and magic. 

The world of Fae is reaching out to London, and a woman with only half a soul (the other half stolen by a black-hearted fae lord) might be the only one capable of helping the very grumpy Lord Sorcier solve the mystery. 

​This is a fantasy novel, not frightening, but suspenseful and fun. Order Now Beauty and the Clockwork Beast
​by Nancy Campbell Allen

I really enjoyed this steampunk retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Steampunk, for those uninitiated, is generally set in the Victorian era and combines elements of strange inventions, magic, and suspense. 

This is a truly marvelous, slightly suspenseful, retelling of my favorite fairy tale. It's perfect for late night reading when the moon is full. 
Order Now All Hallows' Eve Collection
A Timeless Romance Anthology
With novellas written by Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, Lisa Mangum, Jordan McCollum, and Elana Johnson. 

You will NOT find a better collection of somewhat-spooky, but entirely sweet, and squeaky clean romances. Reading this collection is like taking the entire bowl of Halloween Candy and finding it full of the GOOD stuff. 

You're going to love these stories. 
Order Now Eleanor and the Iron King
by Julie Daines

I love that this is a ghost story AND an arranged-marriage story. Set in the middle-ages, with a Welsh King and his reluctant bride. 

"Clinging desperately to her pride, Eleanor finds herself trapped in a web of murder and deceit. And as the lines between good and evil become blurred, Eleanor must decide for herself who is to be trusted—and loved."
Order Now Bessie Bell and the Goblin King
by Charlotte E. English

As a devoted fan of The Labyrinth film, every mention of a Goblin King catches my interest. 

While this is part of a series, it can be read on its own quite well. The world of this book is a mix of Regency and Fae, featuring house parties and balls as well as changelings and elves. 

The heroine is a maid who finds herself without position and in the midst of a dark forest. Who should she meet but the King of Goblins himself?

(Clean, not scary.) Order Now The Phantom Lover
by Elizabeth Mansfield

This book is a bit older, but it's a perfectly clean and wholesome romance. Elizabeth Mansfield is one of my favorite Regency authors, and I owe a lot of my interest in the genre to her books. 

Read the summary below!
After scandalizing London with her improper behavior and jilting two suitors, Nell Belden is about to do it again. This time she rejects the very wealthy, utterly insufferable nobleman her financially strapped guardians have been pressuring her to marry. Banished to their isolated Cornwall estate, Nell is awakened one night by an unusual apparition.
 
But her midnight visitor is no phantom. He is Captain Henry Thorne, sixth Earl of Thornbury. The new Lord of Thorndene has returned to his crumbling family seat to live in isolation, far from the horrors of war. Nell is intrigued by this wounded soldier who has no desire to take his rightful place in society. As the weeks pass and fascination flames into dangerous desire, Nell realizes she must leave—or risk losing her heart to the one man who can never belong to her. Order Now Power and Prestige
by Sarah L. McConkie

This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice ...but with Dragons. I mean, Darcy is already pretty amazing, so giving him a dragon can only make matters more interesting!

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a mage in possession of a vast fortune and refined magical abilities must be in want of a wife.

Yet High Mage Darkwood of Pemberley has no intention of marriage upon his arrival at Netherfield, especially not to the lowly Miss Cassia Retton. Accustomed to always getting his way, frustration reigns when his magical power against Cassia has no effect.
Read Now The Lady and the Highwayman
by Sarah M. Eden

Yes, it's another book by Sarah. This one is so much fun. It's suspenseful, with two authors of Penny Dreadful novels dancing about each other, their stories are published right inside this book - both of which are spooky - while the authors themselves try to unravel other mysteries in the real world. 

You really cannot go wrong with this book, which features romance, mystery, and good deeds. 
Read Now The Secret of Pembrooke Park
by Julie Klassen

​It's been a few years since I've read this one, but I well remember the creepy-factor of the (possibly) haunted house, as well as the twists and turns in the story... Here's part of the summary: 

​Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play...

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure. Read More Midsummer Night
A Timeless Romance Anthology
With novellas written by Charlie N. Holmberg (Paper Magician, anyone?), Julie Wright, Annette Lyon, Jane Redd, Amber Argyle, and Luisa Perkins

This one is cheating just a bit, to be on this list, as it's not strictly historical. But there is ONE time-traveling tale, and all these stories have something historical-ish about them. What better way to spend an autumn evening than curling up and reading tales of magic, mystery, and love? 

​I highly recommend this collection!
Get the Collection What about you? Can you think of any other historical romances you would add to this Halloween list?

The Readers Asked...

So I wrote a bonus scene. That's right. After releasing my book to my review team, I was hit with several requests for MORE. Several people thought the book ended too soon. What about Ras and Louisa's wedding? Did Ras ever tell Louisa about the ghosts? Did she ever meet them?

I wrote a scene TODAY to answer those questions. Rather than include it in the book, though, I've made it a bonus scene people only get if they REALLY want it. 

To get the scene, you can sign up for my newsletter HERE. 

Or you can join my Facebook Group, HERE. If you join the Facebook group, check out the WELCOME post in announcements. The link to read the bonus chapter is there.

Thank you, readers, for letting me know you really wanted this. :-) 
Purchase your copy of the full novel on Amazon.com. Purchase Here

Semi-Annual Paperback Sale!

[image error] Twice a year I put my paperbacks on sale in the US and Canada (those are the only markets where it's easy to figure out what constitutes a good sale price). THIS week is the first time in 2020 there will be a sale. Next time, it will be just before Christmas. That means if you just can't wait to get your hands on some Sally Britton paperbacks, and you're counting your pennies, NOW is the time!

Anyone who purchases copies this week may forward their receipt to my assistant, and we will mail you signed book plates! 

Find the Paperback Sale HERE. Full price and sale price listed. Email my assistant HERE.

House-Hunting in a Pandemic

[image error] As many of you know, all my plans to visit the UK are on hold. Most likely until 2022. Given that we gave away almost everything we owned, and moved in with family in anticipation of only spending a month in that situation before visiting Europe, we now find ourselves without a permanent home and almost no personal belongings.

Yet we are grateful for our health, our safety, and our blessings. We're a strong family, and even though the world is in crisis, we need to move forward with our dreams. So we've taken all that we saved for our grand trip abroad and put it somewhere else - into the search for a house.

You might wonder what it's like to house hunt in the midst of the apocalypse (tongue-in-cheek use of the term, I assure you).

First, we had to move out of the house we were sharing with relatives. With four adults working from home, and four children needing to do school work, and several health concerns in the family, it wasn't safe or practical for all of us to stay in the same house.

So for the past three months, we've been moving from one temporary place to another - using AirBnB credits received after cancelling the UK trip. We've moved every month since February.

While moving about, we've gone only twice to physical house showings. Both times wearing masks and not shaking hands with the people showing us the house, as well as standing across the room from agents.

We've also toured homes virtually, with an agent going through the house turning his camera phone to face out while my husband and I watched on a laptop.

We've done everything over the phone, signed every document virtually, and I still haven't physically stood in the house we found. But I'm SO thrilled to share that we have found a house!
​
If all goes well, in a month's time, I'll own my first home.

One dream has made way for another. I hope everyone who reads this can find ways to make your dreams come true. There is strife all around us, but I hope you are able to find happiness and the strength you need to move forward!

Sally Reads: Reforming Lord Neil, Chapter One

Sweet Regency Romance Fans: First Chapter Friday
Every week, a Regency author will read a chapter of one of their books. This was my week. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of Reforming Lord Neil.Get Your Copy Here

Announcement: Hearts of Arizona, Book 1

An American Victorian Romance: What Does That Mean? I've heard this question a few times already. So let me explain. This is a historic western romance, set in 1895 Arizona. But there are scenes which take place in England (during the Victorian era) and British characters. It's also very possible that later books in the series (if we extend beyond the initial three books planned) will have American characters in England.  Where does the title come from? I have done a lot of research for this book, including research into Cowboy Slang and Nicknames. It's a thing. Have you ever watched a Western movie or read a book where a character is only referred to as "Slim," "Curly," "Tex," and the like? That was a real thing. And there were many reasons for nicknames. Some of these reasons included things such as there being more than one person with the same first/surname. So you'd have Slim Bill and Red Bill. Sometimes, it made things easier on the trail. If you've got a bunch of cattle between you and Mr. Theodore Smith, it might be easier to shout "Hey, Curly!" than the name.

Cowboys didn't always stay in one place, either. Why bother to learn a man's name if you were only going to ride with him through one cattle drive? (This to me proves that remembering people's names has been an age-old issue.)

There was also a sort-of code in the West. When you came out West, you left who you were behind you. Many a man left his name, too. Why continue being Joseph McCully if you could retitle yourself something like "Mac" or "Scotty?" What if you're wanted back in the East for petty thievery or defaulting on a debt? People might come searching for David Austen but they'll never connect "Red" Drake to that unfortunate soul.

All this to say, "Duke" is a nickname in this case. Not a title. 
What's this story and the series about? Thank you for asking! You can read more about the first story by CLICKING HERE.

You can also pre-order this title by CLICKING HERE or below. 

Announcement: Hearts of Arizona: Book 1

An American Victorian Romance: What Does That Mean? I've heard this question a few times already. So let me explain. This is a historic western romance, set in 1895 Arizona. But there are scenes which take place in England (during the Victorian era) and British characters. It's also very possible that later books in the series (if we extend beyond the initial three books planned) will have American characters in England.  Where does the title come from? I have done a lot of research for this book, including research into Cowboy Slang and Nicknames. It's a thing. Have you ever watched a Western movie or read a book where a character is only referred to as "Slim," "Curly," "Tex," and the like? That was a real thing. And there were many reasons for nicknames. Some of these reasons included things such as there being more than one person with the same first/surname. So you'd have Slim Bill and Red Bill. Sometimes, it made things easier on the trail. If you've got a bunch of cattle between you and Mr. Theodore Smith, it might be easier to shout "Hey, Curly!" than the name.

Cowboys didn't always stay in one place, either. Why bother to learn a man's name if you were only going to ride with him through one cattle drive? (This to me proves that remembering people's names has been an age-old issue.)

There was also a sort-of code in the West. When you came out West, you left who you were behind you. Many a man left his name, too. Why continue being Joseph McCully if you could retitle yourself something like "Mac" or "Scotty?" What if you're wanted back in the East for petty thievery or defaulting on a debt? People might come searching for David Austen but they'll never connect "Red" Drake to that unfortunate soul.

All this to say, "Duke" is a nickname in this case. Not a title. 
What's this story and the series about? Thank you for asking! You can read more about the first story by CLICKING HERE.

You can also pre-order this title by CLICKING HERE or below.