K.R. Richards's Blog, page 2

Excerpt from Liam's Spell, Book 2 of The Decker Brothers Trilogy

Since Decker's Fate has been released, here's a little peek at Book 2 of The Decker Brothers Trilogy, Liam's Spell.

The Decker Brothers Trilogy is a new Contemporary Paranormal series by K. R. Richards. The series is set in Arizona and Ireland and involves an ancient family curse. The series, which includes witches, a demon and ghosts of ancient ancestors, contains magic, mystery, and romance.

Erin excused herself and walked toward the restaurant restrooms.

Liam left the others at the table, and rose to follow her. He didn’t go into the men’s room; he just waited outside for Erin. He noted the hallway made an L and that this was a relatively private spot. When Erin came out, she looked a little surprised to see him but she gave him a smile. “Hey, I want to talk to you, do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” Erin’s smile faded when she noticed his serious expression.

“Well,” Liam began then stopped. He ran a hand through his hair.

“Well?” Erin encouraged.

“The energy today, when we did that thing with the water, it was pretty intense, huh? At least it was for me. Was it for you?” “Yes.”

Erin nodded. “It was very strong,” she agreed. It had been so strong and vibrant; she was still reeling from it. They had connected in a way that hadn’t happened before, even when they had been learning and worked together as a pair. The energy today was hot, strong, and pulsed through her. It had made her feel so alive. She remembered looking into Liam’s vivid blue eyes just before they worked their magic. When they joined hands, what she had seen in his eyes had made her feel wonderful. It had also terrified her. Now there was a different kind of look in those brilliant blue eyes altogether. Desire!

“Yeah, so, I guess what I’m trying to say is, well, for me, the energy between us has always been strong. Whatever this is between us...” He noticed that wary look creep into her pale, crystalline eyes. He didn’t want her to freak out and shut down before he said what he wanted to say. He searched for words, and none came.

“So, um, oh hell!” Liam reached out and grabbed Erin by the shoulders.

She gasped when his strong, muscled arms crushed her against his broad chest. Liam had muscles upon muscles. He was big and strong and hard everywhere, but warm. Oh, God, he was so warm. When his very sensuous lips covered hers, the gentleness of his kiss surprised her. It wasn’t the kind of kiss a guy gave you when he was trying to get in your pants. Erin was quite familiar with those. This was different. This left her knees shaking and her head spinning. What exactly was this? She honestly didn’t know.

“Stop thinking, Erin. Kiss me back,” he murmured as his lips left hers for a second.

She looked up into those deep, dark pools of blue. Saw the tenderness there. Wondered. When he caressed her cheek, with that big strong hand, so very gently, so reverently, she couldn’t help it; she sighed and closed her eyes. Then his warm lips were pressed against hers again, his tongue probing. What else could she do, she kissed him back. Their kiss was…heaven, unlike anything she’d ever experienced before, passionate, but tender. Her thoughts jumbled. She was so confused, but the only thing that came to mind was to kiss him more. So she did. And this kiss was even better. It was oh, so passionate, but still he touched her with that gentleness, that reverence. Those were the only words she could think of to describe it. The energy built and intensified.

Feelings, needs, urges, and emotions tangled and swirled inside her. Desire surfaced and flamed. Liam’s lips became more demanding, and she gave him what he wanted. Demanded in return. She was drowning. She didn’t know what to do.

Oh, she didn’t want to stop, but she was scared to death. She didn’t know how to have a relationship, and had never been in a good one. As for Liam, well she just knew that was the only option for him. Relationship, just the word scared the hell out of her. The whole idea of having a relationship with Liam terrified her. She would mess it up. She always did. She wasn’t like Jade and Harper. She didn’t have good memories of dating, or her childhood.

He lifted his head and breathed, “You’re thinking again. Don’t think, baby, just feel.” He moved a bit and slanted his mouth over hers again. This kiss was deeper, his tongue probed and explored. She did feel. So Much. Too much. She returned his kiss. How could she not? It was the most amazing thing she had ever experienced. That incredible, delicious energy filled her again. There was heat, so much heat, coupled with intense energy pumping through her. There was no word for how good she felt right now. Whatever this was, it was strong. Overpowering. Mind-blowing.

He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “Yeah, that was what I felt out there. It wasn’t just the magic. It was you and me, baby.”

She looked up at him. “It was strong, yes…” she shook her head and looked away.

“Take a deep breath, Erin.” With the light touch of his finger along her cheek, he captured her attention. She turned to face him again.

She took a deep breath and looked into those deep blue eyes. A woman could drown in them.

“Take a couple more breaths, baby,” he encouraged in a gentle tone.

“Liam, I, we can’t, I-”

“We did. We are. It’s started, and it’s nowhere near finished. We have a long way to go yet.”

“Liam! I don’t know how, um, I mean I never had a good-” He placed the tip of his finger against her lips.

“Erin, I know you’re scared. Baby, we’ve talked a lot as friends. You’ve been hurt. I understand that. I’m not going to hurt you. We’ll take things very slow. I want you. I like being with you. I feel like I’ve been struck by lightning whenever I’m near you. Just now, when we kissed, it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my whole f-ing life, baby. Tell me you’ll give us a shot, please. You have to. You’re my one. I’m yours.”

She shook her head and whispered, “I’m not good at relationships. I’m afraid I’ll mess it up. I always do.”

“You won’t,” he whispered against her ear and paused to nibble on it. Next, his lips moved to the sensitive skin behind her ear. “I won’t let you,” he whispered as his lips pressed against her ear.

She sighed. It felt so good. He felt so good.

“You won’t mess it up. We’ll get through it, together,” his voice was husky. He placed a chaste kiss to those beautiful lips then looked into those fathomless, crystalline blue eyes. “Tell me you aren’t attracted to me, you truly don’t want this, and I’ll leave it alone.”

“I…” she ran a hand through her short black waves. “I can’t.” Tears formed in her eyes. “I don’t want to disappoint you. You are the last person I want to hurt. I’m not very good at this!” she persisted.

Liam tucked a strand of her wavy, black hair behind her ear. “You could never disappoint me, and you’re going to get really good at this.” He smiled at her. It was a very sexy smile. He straightened then took her long-fingered, delicately boned hand in his and led her back down the hall.

“Liam, you come from a wonderful, loving family atmosphere. I told you, my family is and always has been the most dysfunctional family in the world. I’ve made a mess out of every relationship I’ve been in. I like you, Liam. I value our friendship. I don’t want to mess that up. I can’t lose that.”

“You won’t. We’ll still be friends no matter what. You won’t make a mess out of our relationship. I told you, I won’t let you. We’re going to get this one right, together.” He bent to kiss her yet again.

The clearing of a throat had Erin jumping back away from Liam.

“Hey. What’s up?” Brody, his brother, stood there grinning from ear to ear.

“I, uh, was just heading back to the table.” Erin pointed and hurried past Brody.

“Hmm?” Brody turned his head and watched her walk away. He turned back and grinned at Liam. “Bad timing on my part, I guess?”

“Yeah. It was.” Liam wanted to reach out and wipe that grin off Brody’s face. But he didn’t. He could still smell her scent, patchouli, sandalwood, and something sweet. He loved her scent.

“Sorry, bro, but I have to take a leak and you’re in the hallway here, right in front of the men’s room, so…” Brody shrugged.

Liam said, “It’s all right. But if you should ever happen to walk up on something like that again, could you just turn around and go back the other way?”

“Sure. If I don’t have to take a leak and you’re in front of the bathroom.” Brody chuckled as he pushed open the men’s room door.

“Take a piss outside then,” Liam growled after him. He let go a big sigh as he walked down the corridor. He’d have to try to catch Erin before she went to bed tonight. He thought he might have made some progress, but be couldn’t be sure. He might have scared her enough to push her away. He’d find out. He needed to know, so he knew how to proceed. Erin was his one. It was not his intention to let her go

Excerpt: A Bachelor No More

Decker's Fate, Book 1 of the new Contemporary Paranormal series, The Decker Brothers Trilogy, will be released in early August! This is an excerpt from my WIP, A Bachelor No More, Book 1 in the Quest for the Shroud series, where the adventures of the Avalon Society memebers will continue!

“Are you quite certain we cannot make it?” Hazel asked again.
“Miss Grimm. We are in the midst of a torrential rain. The roads are nearly impassable at present and will only get worse. True, we are not far from Gryffestone, but had we continued onward, we might have well spent the rest of the night inside the carriage when the wheels became mired in the mud. We would be stuck and in a very precarious position if your attackers came upon us. This inn is our safest option,” Luc took her hand and helped her from the carriage. Actually, it was more like a quick jerk of the hand that led to the dragging of the irritating lady behind him. He quickly situated them inside the dry entry of the Badger Inn.
After requesting the largest set of rooms available, which unfortunately turned out to be only one room with a small parlour, he followed Miss Grimm up the narrow steps.
Maids scurried about before leaving them to their privacy. The food he had requested was laid out upon the table. A warm fire blazed in the hearth.
When he threw the bolt to bar the door, Miss Grimm nearly jumped from the chair she had taken near the fire.
Her grey-blue eyes grew wide with fear as she watched him. He was convinced the woman would jump at the sight of her own shadow.
He sighed heavily. “Once again, Miss Grimm, I assure you, you are safe from me. I bolted the door to protect us, to keep harm out and for absolutely no other reason.”
What was it Damien had told him? Oh, yes. She was jittery around men. There was no doubt, she was. There must be a legitimate reason men frightened her. He decided that was none of his concern. Tomorrow morning he would deliver her to the Earl of Kinross who awaited her at Gryffestone, and be done with her.
“Yes, of course,” she expelled a relieved sigh. Her eyes darted around the room. Beyond an open door, she could make out one bed in the room. “There is only one bed?” Hazel regretted that her voice came out resembling a high-pitched squeak.
“You will sleep in the bed, Miss Grimm. I’ll keep watch here, in this chair,” Luc said as he plopped down in the only comfortable chair in the room. It wasn’t large enough for his tall, muscular frame, but it would do. He shrugged. At least the woman was talking now. She had remained silent for the last hour in the carriage after he admonished her for complaining non-stop.
“Eat,” he waved toward the cold collation on the table. He continued, “And get to bed. Hopefully the rain will cease and we can get an early start to Gryffestone on the morrow, eh?” A smile turned up the corners of his mouth when he noted the whiskey on the table beside him. He poured himself an ample dose of the dark, amber liquid. Whiskey, it was the very best thing about being in Scotland.
“You are imbibing in spirits?”
Again, she gave him that wild-eyed look then those same eyes narrowed into a stony, gray glare.
“Yes. I am indeed. It is a fine whiskey. Would you care for a dram, Miss Grimm? It will warm your bones.” He seriously doubted it would do much to loosen up a disagreeable spinster like her, though.
“I wish you would not drink. Men lose their wits when they drink strong spirits,” she informed him in a derogatory tone.
Her tongue was bitter, true, but there was that haunted, fearful look in her eyes again. Yes, yes, whiskey made men lose their wits and breasts made them sin. She had lists of sins and he had heard them all since he first laid eyes on her earlier. Little wonder Miss Grimm was a spinster, and shoved as far back on the shelf as a woman could get. He smiled at his own witty jest. What Miss Grimm needed was several shots of whiskey and a good, hard…tumble. The corner of his mouth lifted.
Hazel wondered why he smiled. He seemed amused. He had already demonstrated that he could be trusted. He saved her life after all. She would not have survived the assault he spared her from this day. Why then did she fear him? Was it those black slashing brows or his unreadable green eyes. Perhaps it was the sheer size of him. The man was tall with the broadest shoulders she had ever seen. His arms and legs were muscled; in fact, the man was nothing but muscle. She didn’t understand it. She felt uneasy and on guard around him every moment.
She was still glaring at him. He grimaced. He was certainly not the man to give that woman a tumble. Although that riot of bright red hair fanned out upon a pillow might be a sight to see, he was not willing to go far enough to find out, thank you very much.
“Fine. I won’t drink,” Luc growled in irritation as he slammed the crystal glass on the table. Yes, a day of Hazel Grimm’s company was more than enough. He rose and walked to the table. He perused the cold platter that had been left for them. He picked up a hunk of bread and took a bite. It was tasty, fresh even. With one physical need completely ruled out for the evening, for he would not be going there with her, he turned to fulfilling another. The food was fresh and flavored well despite it being cold.
“You will come eat,” it was a polite command.
“I don’t think I could,” Hazel shook her head. Nervous butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Yes, that was it. He made her nervous. He watched her too closely. That was why she was uneasy in his company.
Did she frown all of the time? “Suit yourself,” he shrugged and threw a grape into the air, catching it with his open mouth. Quite amused by her snort of displeasure, he sat and entertained himself with some more tidbits upon the platter. A piece of beef, a nip of cheese. His entertaining game lasted all of five minutes, until he realized she was still staring at him wide-eyed. It unnerved him to the point he decided to do something about it.
“Miss Grimm, would you mind not staring at me? If you continue, I shall be forced to believe that you find me devilishly handsome and wish to be seduced this eve. Do you want to be seduced? Do you wish to let me have my way with you?” He pretended to begin to rise from the bench.
“Sorry, I – I,” she stammered as she hastily rose. “No! I will retire,” her voice was a desperate whisper, her cheeks flamed bright red, not far from the color of that glorious hair.
“Do not bolt the bedchamber door, Miss Grimm,” he barked. He smiled inwardly. He could be just as disagreeable to her as she had been to him the entire day.
“Why not?” She whipped around to face him.
He noted a flash of defiance in her eyes. Hmm? Interesting. He explained calmly, “If someone came in your window, I could not prevent them from taking you.”
“Oh. I see.” Another blush “I will not bolt it then.”
“Suit yourself.”
He watched as she picked up both her bags and entered the bedchamber. She closed the door. He did not hear the bolt slide.
Hazel admonished herself. When he mentioned seduction, why had she felt…pleased? She never wanted to, well, she just could not. The sins of her past could not be erased. She could not think of marriage or that. Ever.
Why after all these years did she feel disappointed? She shook her head. She was being a complete ninny. It was the first time she had ever spent so much time in the company of a man not of her relation. And he was rather handsome. That must be why she was uneasy, timid and felt quite out of place. What she felt was temptation. The kind that would lead her to sin. She would overcome it and prevail.
With a sigh of relief and a grin, Luc returned to the chair and his whiskey. He downed what remained in his glass then poured himself another. He lifted it toward the closed door and whispered, “Thank goodness there are warm, talkative, and willing women in the world who appreciate men, for Miss Hazel Grimm is certainly not one of them.” Pleased with himself, he let go a boisterous laugh.
It was too bad that Miss Grimm was such a sourpuss. Her fiery hair could indeed tempt a man. Those plump breasts, what little evidence he saw of them earlier, and when not flattened by that ridiculous binding she insisted upon wearing, could definitely fill a man’s hand. He found her gray eyes quite interesting when she wasn’t glaring or when widened with fear. He wondered for a moment, and only a moment, what desire would do to the silvery blue of her large eyes.
He sighed. Hazel Grimm was the worst kind of spinster, for she truly hated men. So he would think on her no more. It would be a complete waste of his time.

Book 1, Decker's Fate, of my new Contemporary Paranormal ...

Book 1, Decker's Fate, of my new Contemporary Paranormal series, The Decker Brothers Trilogy, will be out soon, as in, weeks! When I'm not editing or my eyes are too tired to continue, I have been working on Book 1, A Bachelor No More, from the new Quest for the Shroud series, the continuing adventures of the Avalon Society. Here is a snippet from A Bachelor No More. Those of you who have read the Lords of Avalon series might remember Lucien "Luc" Saintmaur, Baron Wyldhurst or simply, Wyldhurst. I think he may have met his match. See what you think. ;)    “Are you quite certain we cannot make it?” Hazel asked again. “Miss Grimm. We are in the midst of a torrential rain. The roads are nearly impassable at present and will only get worse. True, we are not far from Gryffestone, but had we continued onward, we might have well spent the rest of the night inside the carriage when the wheels became mired in the mud. We would be stuck and in a very precarious position if your attackers came upon us. This inn is our safest option,” Luc took her hand and helped her from the carriage. Actually, it was more like a quick jerk of the hand that led to the dragging of the irritating lady behind him. He quickly situated them inside the dry entry of the Badger Inn. After requesting the largest set of rooms available, which unfortunately turned out to be only one room with a small parlour, he followed Miss Grimm up the narrow steps. Maids scurried about before leaving them to their privacy. The food he had requested was laid out upon the table. A warm fire blazed in the hearth. When he threw the bolt to bar the door, Miss Grimm nearly jumped from the chair she had taken near the fire. Her grey-blue eyes grew wide with fear as she watched him. He was convinced the woman would jump at the sight of her own shadow.  He sighed heavily. “Once again, Miss Grimm, I assure you, you are safe from me. I bolted the door to protect us, to keep harm out and for absolutely no other reason.” What was it Damien had told him? Oh, yes. She was jittery around men. There was no doubt, she was. There must be a legitimate reason men frightened her. He decided that was none of his concern. Tomorrow morning he would deliver her to the Earl of Kinross who awaited her at Gryffestone, and be done with her. “Yes, of course,” she expelled a relieved sigh. Her eyes darted around the room. Beyond an open door, she could make out one bed in the room. “There is only one bed?” Hazel regretted that her voice came out resembling a high-pitched squeak. “You will sleep in the bed, Miss Grimm. I’ll keep watch here, in this chair,” Luc said as he plopped down in the only comfortable chair in the room. It wasn’t large enough for his tall, muscular frame, but it would do. He shrugged. At least the woman was talking now. She had remained silent for the last hour in the carriage after he admonished her for complaining non-stop. “Eat,” he waved toward the cold collation on the table. He continued, “And get to bed. Hopefully the rain will cease and we can get an early start to Gryffestone on the morrow, eh?” A smile turned up the corners of his mouth when he noted the whiskey on the table beside him. He poured himself an ample dose of the dark, amber liquid. Whiskey, it was the very best thing about being in Scotland. “You are imbibing in spirits?” Again, she gave him that wild-eyed look then those same eyes narrowed into a stony, gray glare. “Yes. I am indeed. It is a fine whiskey. Would you care for a dram, Miss Grimm? It will warm your bones.” He seriously doubted it would do much to loosen up a disagreeable spinster like her, though.    “I wish you would not drink. Men lose their wits when they drink strong spirits,” she informed him in a derogatory tone. Her tongue was bitter, true, but there was that haunted, fearful look in her eyes again. Yes, yes, whiskey made men lose their wits and breasts made them sin. She had lists of sins and he had heard them all since he first laid eyes on her earlier. Little wonder Miss Grimm was a spinster, and shoved as far back on the shelf as a woman could get. He smiled at his own witty jest. What Miss Grimm needed was several shots of whiskey and a good, hard…tumble. The corner of his mouth lifted. Hazel wondered why he smiled. He seemed amused. He had already demonstrated that he could be trusted. He saved her life after all. She would not have survived the assault he spared her from this day. Why then did she fear him? Was it those black slashing brows or his unreadable green eyes. Perhaps it was the sheer size of him. The man was tall with the broadest shoulders she had ever seen. His arms and legs were muscled; in fact, the man was nothing but muscle. She didn’t understand it. She felt uneasy and on guard around him every moment.     She was still glaring at him. He grimaced. He was certainly not the man to give that woman a tumble. Although that riot of bright red hair fanned out upon a pillow might be a sight to see, he was not willing to go far enough to find out, thank you very much. “Fine. I won’t drink,” Luc growled in irritation as he slammed the crystal glass on the table. Yes, a day of Hazel Grimm’s company was more than enough. He rose and walked to the table. He perused the cold platter that had been left for them. He picked up a hunk of bread and took a bite. It was tasty, fresh even. With one physical need completely ruled out for the evening, for he would not be going there with her, he turned to fulfilling another. The food was fresh and flavored well despite it being cold.    “You will come eat,” it was a polite command. “I don’t think I could,” Hazel shook her head. Nervous butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Yes, that was it. He made her nervous. He watched her too closely. That was why she was uneasy in his company. Did she frown all of the time? “Suit yourself,” he shrugged and threw a grape into the air, catching it with his open mouth. Quite amused by her snort of displeasure, he sat and entertained himself with some more tidbits upon the platter. A piece of beef, a nip of cheese. His entertaining game lasted all of five minutes, until he realized she was still staring at him wide-eyed. It unnerved him to the point he decided to do something about it. “Miss Grimm, would you mind not staring at me? If you continue, I shall be forced to believe that you find me devilishly handsome and wish to be seduced this eve. Do you want to be seduced? Do you wish to let me have my way with you?” He pretended to begin to rise from the bench. “Sorry, I – I,” she stammered as she hastily rose. “No! I will retire,” her voice was a desperate whisper, her cheeks flamed bright red, not far from the color of that glorious hair. “Do not bolt the bedchamber door, Miss Grimm,” he barked. He smiled inwardly. He could be just as disagreeable to her as she had been to him the entire day. “Why not?” She whipped around to face him. He noted a flash of defiance in her eyes. Hmm? Interesting. He explained calmly, “If someone came in your window, I could not prevent them from taking you.” “Oh. I see.” Another blush “I will not bolt it then.” “Suit yourself.” He watched as she picked up both her bags and entered the bedchamber. She closed the door. He did not hear the bolt slide. Hazel admonished herself. When he mentioned seduction, why had she felt…pleased? She never wanted to, well, she just could not. The sins of her past could not be erased. She could not think of marriage or that. Ever. Why after all these years did she feel disappointed? She shook her head. She was being a complete ninny. It was the first time she had ever spent so much time in the company of a man not of her relation. And he was rather handsome. That must be why she was uneasy, timid and felt quite out of place. What she felt was temptation. The kind that would lead her to sin. She would overcome it and prevail.    With a sigh of relief and a grin, Luc returned to the chair and his whiskey. He downed what remained in his glass then poured himself another. He lifted it toward the closed door and whispered, “Thank goodness there are warm, talkative, and willing women in the world who appreciate men, for Miss Hazel Grimm is certainly not one of them.” Pleased with himself, he let go a boisterous laugh. It was too bad that Miss Grimm was such a sourpuss. Her fiery hair could indeed tempt a man. Those plump breasts, what little evidence he saw of them earlier, and when not flattened by that ridiculous binding she insisted upon wearing, could definitely fill a man’s hand. He found her gray eyes quite interesting when she wasn’t glaring or when widened with fear. He wondered for a moment, and only a moment, what desire would do to the silvery blue of her large eyes. He sighed. Hazel Grimm was the worst kind of spinster, for she truly hated men. So he would think on her no more. It would be a complete waste of his time.

Excerpt from upcoming Book 1 of the Decker Brothers Trilogy

The restroom was crowded. After Jade washed her hands, she called out to Harper and told her she’d wait for her outside in the hallway.

Of course, the corridor was narrow. They always were in small bars. Liam was waiting at the end of the corridor for them. She smiled at him and began to make her way toward him when a man stepped from the men’s room and stopped directly in her path, blocking her way. The guy was tall with dark hair and scary-looking dark eyes that reflected an odd sheen in the dim light. He was definitely overdressed for a night at a neighborhood bar and grill like the Waterfront. He wore dress pants and a white collared shirt.

“So where have you been all of my life, beautiful?” he asked, his voice deep and smooth.

He had a slight foreign accent, but not enough of one for Jade to tell exactly where he was from. She wanted to roll her eyes at such a corny line.

“Excuse me, please. My boyfriend is waiting for me at the table.” She pointed in the direction of their table and moved to step around him.

He took a side step to keep her from moving forward, as he clucked his tongue. “You were meant for better things. You were meant for me,” there was a definite growl in his tone. Long fingers reached out and tried to grasp her hand.

Jade drew her hand back. She looked around the dark guy’s shoulder and saw Liam.

“Liam?” she called loudly and tried to walk by the man a second time. His fingers wrapped around her upper arm. They were ice cold.

“Why don’t we go someplace…quieter? We’ve things to discuss, you and I.”

“Liam!” Jade was certain she yelled that time as she tried to pull her arm away from the guy. No one beyond the corridor could hear because the band was loud.

“Coming!” She heard Liam call to her. A girl came out of the bathroom and squeezed by her. She and the jerk were, in truth, blocking the tiny corridor. The push put her closer to him. She stepped back quickly, still trying to tug her arm from his grasp. Where was Harper? Why hadn’t Liam come yet?

She rose up on tiptoe and looked over the jerk’s shoulder. A very drunk girl wearing a short leather skirt and a crop top had waylaid Liam. Her breasts were practically spilling out of her low-cut tee as she hung on him and kept reaching for his hands and arms as he tried to break free.

Liam looked to Jade. “Hang on, I’m coming!”

“Excuse me, I need to check on a friend,” Liam said gruffly as he tried to peel the drunk chick off his arm yet another time.

“I’ll be your friend. You can come to my place.”

“Ah, no thanks,” Liam ground out as he tried to get around her. She continued to hang on him.

“Look at me, beautiful, look into my eyes,” the dark man commanded as his ebony gaze burned into hers.

“Look buddy, I don’t want to talk to you.” Jade shivered, his energy was so bad, so wrong. She averted her gaze from his. She looked to the side feigning trying to step around him again then took a fast, huge step backward. She broke the hold he had on her arm. She cringed when he stepped closer to her, smiling confidently. He reached out with both hands to grab her again.

“Don’t touch me!” Jade did yell this time. She jerked her arms back out of his reach and slid right into someone.

“Get your damn hands off my friend! Who in the hell do you think you are?”

Jade sighed in relief. It was Harper behind her.

“Oh my God!” Claire stood up from her seat at the table suddenly. She pointed toward the corridor. “That man talking to Jade – it’s the creepy guy who came into the shop today asking about her. Liam’s trying to get to her and some drunk blonde is hanging on him and about to pull him over from the looks of it.”

“Brody, stay with the girls at the table,” Decker was up and running toward the restroom corridor.

To get to Jade, he had to get rid of the drunk girl latched onto his brother. He heard Harper speaking in a loud tone, but couldn’t hear what she said because the band had just started up an old Metallica tune.

Drunk chick managed to wrap herself around him, leaving Liam free. While he and Liam tried to get the girl’s hands off his arm, the guy harassing Jade managed to slide by them. He gave Decker a cold, triumphant smile and an arrogant nod. He breezed out of the corridor as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
Decker glared at his back while he continued prying the drunk girl’s fingers from his bicep. Damn was she an octopus with a strong grip, or what? He’d get one hand off and she would clamp back on again.

One of Marlowe’s bouncers, Nathan, arrived and helped them successfully remove the blonde from his person.

“Chloe, time for you to go home. I’ll call a cab,” Nathan announced.

“Aww, but I was making friends,” she slurred.

“No. You weren’t, Chloe,” Nathan told her in a soft, but disgusted tone as he led her gently by the arm toward the front door.

“You okay?” Decker asked Liam.

“Yeah, that chick was strong. I’m no lightweight.”

“I agree, I couldn’t get her off me either,” Decker called back to him. He was already on his way to Jade.

“What happened? Are you okay?” he asked, stopping when he reached her. His hands rubbed up and down her slender arms soothingly. Her mossy green eyes were wide. She was frowning.

“Yeah. That guy was an absolute jerk. He was rude. He was hitting on me and grabbing my hands and arms – even after I told him I wasn’t interested, that my boyfriend was waiting at the table. He kept trying to get closer. He wouldn’t let me walk around him. And he kept telling me to look at him, to look into his eyes. Then he said he was taking me somewhere quieter, that we needed to talk. What a creep! If Harper hadn’t come out when she did…”

“I did come out. I heard enough to know what the sleaze bag was up to. When I started yelling at him, Marlowe come close enough to hear, she sent Nathan over. Decker was helping Liam with the drunk lady, that’s when the jerk left.”

“Claire recognized him, Jade. That was the guy she told us about earlier, the one who came into the shop today asking for you,” Decker told her.

“What?” It was a definite shock. A very uncomfortable, creepy, even bone-chilling feeling washed over her. She was being stalked. The man had his hands on her. Wanted her to leave with him. Her legs felt a little wobbly when the realization hit her.

“Don’t worry. I’m taking you back to the table to sit with Liam and Brody then I’ll find him. I’ll show him my badge, and see if I can get some ID on him. If I do, we’ll get a restraining order against him first thing tomorrow morning, for starters. I’ll help you with everything,” Decker said as he put his arm around her waist for support and led her back toward the table. His hand rested possessively on her hip as he looked around the bar for the guy who meant his girl harm.

He seated her. “You need something?” he asked her. She looked very pale.
“No…just water.” She shook her head.

“Okay. I’ll go get it at the bar,” he told her. “Did any of you see where that guy went?” Decker asked everyone at the table before he left. He was looking around for the jerk and didn’t see him at all.

“Out the front door. He walked about three rows deep into the parking lot and got into a dark sedan, looked like maybe a BMW, and hauled ass away. I followed him when he walked out,” Connor supplied as he returned to the table. “Damn dark parking lot! The lights out there suck!”

“Did you get the plate number?”

“No. I tried. There just wasn’t enough light. Sorry, man.” Connor shook his head.

“Thanks for trying.”

“I did take a photo of the back of his car just in case. It’s dark, but you want it?” Connor said as he pressed a button and looked at his phone.

“Yeah, send it to me.” Decker gave Connor his number. In seconds, Decker was looking at it on his phone. It was a dark shot.

“Hey Liam, Brody, do you think you can blow this up, lighten it some, and maybe get the license plate number for me?” Decker passed his phone to Liam. Brody rose and came to stand behind his brother.

“There’s a really good chance we can,” Liam nodded.

“Yeah, as long as there’s no glare on the plate or it’s not too blurred when we blow it up,” Brody handed Decker’s phone back to him. “I’ll check it out as soon as we get home.”

“Good. That’s what I want to hear.”

He went to get a bottle of water for Jade at the bar. He purposely went to Marlowe. She only bartended on busy nights, but as she was the owner and was here most of the time, he asked her, “You ever see that guy before? The one who gave Jade trouble.”

“Never,” Marlowe shook her head as she filled a pitcher of beer for someone else. “I’d remember an arrogant creep like him. He was odd. He sat at the bar when he first came in. He didn’t even order a drink. I asked him if he came to see the band. He said no. He said he was looking for someone. I guess he got tired of me trying to make conversation with him because he got up and moved to stand against the back wall over there and just watched everyone.”

“If he comes in again, call me, please,” Decker laid one of his cards on the bar.

“Sure thing,” Marlowe nodded. “What do you need?”

“Two waters.” He slid a ten on the bar.

Marlowe gave him two ice-cold waters and took the ten. She turned to the cash register, intending to give him change.

“Keep the change.” He smiled at her. “And thanks for the info.”

“Thank you, Officer Decker,” she grinned at him. “I wish everyone tipped like you!”

Decker laughed.

Jade still wasn’t talking much when he returned. She was halfway listening to the other conversations at the table.

“Are you okay, Jade? Do you want me to take you home?” Decker whispered against her ear as he slid onto the booth seat beside her. He set one water bottle in front of her.

“No.” She took a deep breath and smiled up at Decker. “I don’t want to go home. I’d rather stay here with everyone. I don’t want to be alone. I want to have fun. That is what we came here to do. I am fine, it is just that I’ve never been stalked before. It’s a strange feeling.”

“I’m going to get the guy. I promise you. He won’t get near you again.” He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

“I do believe you, Decker. You look very determined.” She offered him a smile.

“I am.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I am going to stop him. You can count on that.”

The first books of both the new Decker Brothers Trilogy, a contemporary paranormal series, and the continuing adventures of the Avalon Society in an all new historical romance series will be released in mid to late 2015.

Excerpt from the upcoming Book 1 of the Decker Brothers T...

Excerpt from the upcoming Book 1 of the Decker Brothers Trilogy, a newContemporary Paranormal series by K. R. Richards     The restroom was crowded. After Jade washed her hands, she called out to Harper and told her she’d wait for her outside in the hallway.   Of course, the corridor was narrow. They always were in small bars. Liam was waiting at the end of the corridor for them. She smiled at him and began to make her way toward him when a man stepped from the men’s room and stopped directly in her path, blocking her way. The guy was tall with dark hair and scary-looking dark eyes that reflected an odd sheen in the dim light. He was definitely overdressed for a night at a neighborhood bar and grill like the Waterfront. He wore dress pants and a white collared shirt.   “So where have you been all of my life, beautiful?” he asked, his voice deep and smooth.   He had a slight foreign accent, but not enough of one for Jade to tell exactly where he was from. She wanted to roll her eyes at such a corny line.   “Excuse me, please. My boyfriend is waiting for me at the table.” She pointed in the direction of their table and moved to step around him.   He took a side step to keep her from moving forward, as he clucked his tongue. “You were meant for better things. You were meant for me,” there was a definite growl in his tone. Long fingers reached out and tried to grasp her hand.   Jade drew her hand back. She looked around the dark guy’s shoulder and saw Liam.   “Liam?” she called loudly and tried to walk by the man a second time. His fingers wrapped around her upper arm. They were ice cold.   “Why don’t we go someplace…quieter? We’ve things to discuss, you and I.”   “Liam!” Jade was certain she yelled that time as she tried to pull her arm away from the guy. No one beyond the corridor could hear because the band was loud.    “Coming!” She heard Liam call to her. A girl came out of the bathroom and squeezed by her. She and the jerk were, in truth, blocking the tiny corridor. The push put her closer to him. She stepped back quickly, still trying to tug her arm from his grasp. Where was Harper? Why hadn’t Liam come yet?   She rose up on tiptoe and looked over the jerk’s shoulder. A very drunk girl wearing a short leather skirt and a crop top had waylaid Liam. Her breasts were practically spilling out of her low-cut tee as she hung on him and kept reaching for his hands and arms as he tried to break free.   Liam looked to Jade. “Hang on, I’m coming!”   “Excuse me, I need to check on a friend,” Liam said gruffly as he tried to peel the drunk chick off his arm yet another time.   “I’ll be your friend. You can come to my place.”   “Ah, no thanks,” Liam ground out as he tried to get around her. She continued to hang on him.   “Look at me, beautiful, look into my eyes,” the dark man commanded as his ebony gaze burned into hers.   “Look buddy, I don’t want to talk to you.” Jade shivered, his energy was so bad, so wrong. She averted her gaze from his. She looked to the side feigning trying to step around him again then took a fast, huge step backward. She broke the hold he had on her arm. She cringed when he stepped closer to her, smiling confidently. He reached out with both hands to grab her again.   “Don’t touch me!” Jade did yell this time. She jerked her arms back out of his reach and slid right into someone.   “Get your damn hands off my friend! Who in the hell do you think you are?”   Jade sighed in relief. It was Harper behind her.   “Oh my God!” Claire stood up from her seat at the table suddenly. She pointed toward the corridor. “That man talking to Jade – it’s the creepy guy who came into the shop today asking about her. Liam’s trying to get to her and some drunk blonde is hanging on him and about to pull him over from the looks of it.”   “Brody, stay with the girls at the table,” Decker was up and running toward the restroom corridor.   To get to Jade, he had to get rid of the drunk girl latched onto his brother. He heard Harper speaking in a loud tone, but couldn’t hear what she said because the band had just started up an old Metallica tune.   Drunk chick managed to wrap herself around him, leaving Liam free. While he and Liam tried to get the girl’s hands off his arm, the guy harassing Jade managed to slide by them. He gave Decker a cold, triumphant smile and an arrogant nod. He breezed out of the corridor as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Decker glared at his back while he continued prying the drunk girl’s fingers from his bicep. Damn was she an octopus with a strong grip, or what? He’d get one hand off and she would clamp back on again.   One of Marlowe’s bouncers, Nathan, arrived and helped them successfully remove the blonde from his person.   “Chloe, time for you to go home. I’ll call a cab,” Nathan announced.   “Aww, but I was making friends,” she slurred.   “No. You weren’t, Chloe,” Nathan told her in a soft, but disgusted tone as he led her gently by the arm toward the front door.   “You okay?” Decker asked Liam.   “Yeah, that chick was strong. I’m no lightweight.”   “I agree, I couldn’t get her off me either,” Decker called back to him. He was already on his way to Jade.   “What happened? Are you okay?” he asked, stopping when he reached her. His hands rubbed up and down her slender arms soothingly. Her mossy green eyes were wide. She was frowning.   “Yeah. That guy was an absolute jerk. He was rude. He was hitting on me and grabbing my hands and arms – even after I told him I wasn’t interested, that my boyfriend was waiting at the table. He kept trying to get closer. He wouldn’t let me walk around him. And he kept telling me to look at him, to look into his eyes. Then he said he was taking me somewhere quieter, that we needed to talk. What a creep! If Harper hadn’t come out when she did…”   “I did come out. I heard enough to know what the sleaze bag was up to. When I started yelling at him, Marlowe come close enough to hear, she sent Nathan over. Decker was helping Liam with the drunk lady, that’s when the jerk left.”   “Claire recognized him, Jade. That was the guy she told us about earlier, the one who came into the shop today asking for you,” Decker told her.   “What?” It was a definite shock. A very uncomfortable, creepy, even bone-chilling feeling washed over her. She was being stalked. The man had his hands on her. Wanted her to leave with him. Her legs felt a little wobbly when the realization hit her.   “Don’t worry. I’m taking you back to the table to sit with Liam and Brody then I’ll find him. I’ll show him my badge, and see if I can get some ID on him. If I do, we’ll get a restraining order against him first thing tomorrow morning, for starters. I’ll help you with everything,” Decker said as he put his arm around her waist for support and led her back toward the table. His hand rested possessively on her hip as he looked around the bar for the guy who meant his girl harm.   He seated her. “You need something?” he asked her. She looked very pale.   “No…just water.” She shook her head.   “Okay. I’ll go get it at the bar,” he told her. “Did any of you see where that guy went?” Decker asked everyone at the table before he left. He was looking around for the jerk and didn’t see him at all.   “Out the front door. He walked about three rows deep into the parking lot and got into a dark sedan, looked like maybe a BMW, and hauled ass away. I followed him when he walked out,” Connor supplied as he returned to the table. “Damn dark parking lot! The lights out there suck!”   “Did you get the plates?”   “No. I tried. There just wasn’t enough light. Sorry, man.” Connor shook his head.   “Thanks for trying.”   “I did take a photo of the back of his car just in case. It’s dark, but you want it?” Connor said as he pressed a button and looked at his phone.   “Yeah, send it to me.” Decker gave Connor his number. In seconds, Decker was looking at it on his phone. It was a dark shot.   “Hey Liam, Brody, do you think you can blow this up, lighten it some, and maybe get the license plate number for me?” Decker passed his phone to Liam. Brody rose and came to stand behind his brother.   “There’s a really good chance we can,” Liam nodded.   “Yeah, as long as there’s no glare on the plate or it’s not too blurred when we blow it up,” Brody handed Decker’s phone back to him. “I’ll check it out as soon as we get home.”   “Good. That’s what I want to hear.”   He went to get a bottle of water for Jade at the bar. He purposely went to Marlowe. She only bartended on busy nights, but as she was the owner and was here most of the time, he asked her, “You ever see that guy before? The one who gave Jade trouble.”   “Never,” Marlowe shook her head as she filled a pitcher of beer for someone else. “I’d remember an arrogant creep like him. He was odd. He sat at the bar when he first came in. He didn’t even order a drink. I asked him if he came to see the band. He said no. He said he was looking for someone. I guess he got tired of me trying to make conversation with him because he got up and moved to stand against the back wall over there and just watched everyone.”   “If he comes in again, call me, please,” Decker laid one of his cards on the bar.   “Sure thing,” Marlowe nodded. “What do you need?”   “Two waters.” He slid a ten on the bar.   Marlowe gave him two ice-cold waters and took the ten. She turned to the cash register, intending to give him change.   “Keep the change.” He smiled at her. “And thanks for the info.” “Thank you, Officer Decker,” she grinned at him. “I wish everyone tipped like you!”   Decker laughed.    Jade still wasn’t talking much when he returned. She was halfway listening to the other conversations at the table.    “Are you okay, Jade? Do you want me to take you home?” Decker whispered against her ear as he slid onto the booth seat beside her. He set one water bottle in front of her.   “No.” She took a deep breath and smiled up at Decker. “I don’t want to go home. I’d rather stay here with everyone. I don’t want to be alone. I want to have fun. That is what we came here to do. I am fine, it is just that I’ve never been stalked before. It’s a strange feeling.”   “I’m going to get the guy. I promise you. He won’t get near you again.” He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.   “I do believe you, Decker. You look very determined.” She offered him a smile.   “I am.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I am going to stop him. You can count on that.”  Coming Soon: An excerpt from Book 1 of the new Avalon Society series. The first Books of Both the Decker Brothers Trilogy and the Avalon Society Chronicles will be released in mid - late 2015  

This is "Beneath the Mistletoe" a Lords of Avalon short s...

This is "Beneath the Mistletoe" a Lords of Avalon short story I posted on my Facebook page on Christmas Day! I thought I would share it on the blog also. I also posted a longer story on Christmas Day called, A Child is Born. I may post that on the blog at a later date. Currently, I am working on completing the rough draft of Book 1 of the Decker Brothers Trilogy, a new Contemporary Paranormal series, while also researching and doing some writing on Book 1 of the new adventures of the Lords of Avalon, The Avalon Society Chronicles. I hope you enjoy Beneath the Mistletoe!
Beneath the Mistletoe
© 2014 K. R. Richards

London, December 1834
“Happy Christmas to you Sylvanus!” Oliver raised his glass.
“The same to you. I trust you will retreat to your country house and spend Christmas with your family.” Sylvanus Rooke rose from his seat in Ruan Menwennick’s, office at the Department.
“Yes, and I am determined to drag Ince from the chair behind his desk and bring him along. I swear, I think he lives here most of the time.”
Behind his desk, formerly the desk of Stephen Johnstone, Lord Lyndhurst, Ruan Menwennick, the Earl of Ince, ran a hand through his hair then waved it in the air. “I’m not going anywhere, Oliver. I’ve a mountain of paperwork to get through before the week is out.” There were days he cursed being the new Head of the Department. This was one of them.
“I thought Creed was helping you with the paperwork.” Sylvanus Rooke looked to him as he shrugged into his coat.
“Humph. He was – until I gave him leave to return to Cornwall for two weeks.”
“Your mother and sister are coming to town to celebrate the New Year with you, aren’t they?” Oliver asked him.
“Yes, thank goodness. I felt quite badly that I couldn’t make it to Cornwall to spend Christmas with them. I had to meet with the King yesterday, so, there was not enough time.” He looked to Sylvanus. “You’ll let me know as soon as you find out any information on these persons Charlie was corresponding with about this blasted Shroud?”
“Of course.”
“What of you, Sylvanus? Will you be joining your family for Christmas?” Oliver asked.
“I’m afraid that’s impossible this year. Business matters keep me in London.” He retrieved his hat.
“Well, you must come to Braxton Hall tomorrow evening. It is Mama’s annual Yuletide gathering. I am dragging Ruan along. Come join us.”
“I’m afraid I cannot. Thank you for the invitation. Some other time, perhaps?” Sylvanus declined.
“You’re not dragging me to a soiree, Oliver. I have much more important things to do, such as finish this report for the King,” Ruan grumped.
“I’m sorry to inform you, but I am dragging you there. I’ll tie you up if I must. I do not want to face all of the “eligible females” Mama has invited to entice me into matrimony by myself. Besides, the King has expressed his eagerness that you should wed and quickly. He feels being a married man will give a man as young as you are more credibility as Head of the Department. It’s best you select your own wife rather than allow His Majesty to do so. That way could lay disaster. I’m certain Mama has worked hard to gather a flock of most eligible and young ladies.”
Ruan frowned at Oliver. “Don’t remind me. I haven’t time for myself of late, how can I possibly find the time for a wife? Besides… oh hell, nevermind.”
“Haven’t mended fences with Lady Anna yet, I presume?” Sylvanus grinned at him. Ruan sent him a dark look.
“How do you know everything that goes on in London, damn it? I’m beginning to think you’re a much better candidate for Head of the Department than I am.”
“I know everything that goes on in London because Marrek used to pay me for the service, and now you do. I also happen to know Lady Anna is believed to be pining away for an unknown suitor.”
“She has a suitor?” Ruan’s head snapped up. His quill dropped onto the blotter. He looked alarmed and bit angry.
“No, she does not. No one can figure out whom it is exactly that she pines for. She is still mourning her father, true, but she has no interest in making matches. ‘Tis said her grandmother and aunt are at loose ends trying to tempt her into matrimony. Word has it that she proclaims she will not marry. Yet, she behaves much like a woman with a broken heart. The Matriarchs of the Johnstone family are up in arms.”
“Oh.” Ruan sat back in his chair, relaxing somewhat.
“You, uh, never did tell me what happened between the two of you when you returned her from Cornwall to London after her father’s death,” Oliver mentioned. “I am certain of one thing, something did happen. You’re rather touchy when it comes to Lady Anna.” Oliver raised a thick, black brow at his friend.
“It’s no one’s business but mine and Lady Anna’s.” Ruan ground out.
“We’ll see about that,” Oliver chuckled and grinned.
“No, we will not. Don’t you have some drinking and carousing to do tonight, Oliver? I’m very busy here. Surely, there is one over-sexed matron somewhere in Town who needs your attentions this evening.”
Grinning, Oliver rose and took his coat from the rack near the door. “As a matter of fact, I do have some business to attend to. However, in lieu of an over-sexed matron, I was thinking more along the lines of visiting Madame Jeanette’s establishment later in the evening. The women employed by Madame are exquisite in their beauty, grace, and manners, not to mention they are highly skilled in the finer art of seduction. I daresay you might benefit from an evening spent at Jeanette’s, if for no other reason than to relieve your tension.”
“I’ve a report to get to the King by tomorrow morning. No, thank you. I have no need of anyone from Madame Jeanette’s.”
Oliver shrugged. “Very well. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at ten.”
“Goodnight, Mr. Rooke, and a Happy Christmas to you,” Ruan looked to Sylvanus.
“To you as well, Ruan. Do yourself a favor and take a day or two off,” Sylvanus offered.
Ruan shrugged. “I wish I could. Goodnight, Oliver. I will see you at nine in the morning. Nine! I’ll need you to read through this report before I deliver it to His Majesty.”
“At nine then,” Oliver nodded, put on his hat and followed Sylvanus from the room leaving Ruan quite alone.
Ruan stared at the papers before him for a moment.
“Damn it, Anna!” he whispered then pushed his problems with Anna to the back of his mind. He had work to do. He could not afford to lose precious time by thinking of one Lady Anna Johnstone.

It was three o’clock in the afternoon when Oliver returned to the Department office. He left at ten that morning, after seeing to it the reports for the King were finished and sent off. Rheese Carlyon and Deveril Pendarves followed him. Mr. Smythe, Ruan’s assistant and secretary, was already gone. Oliver sent him out the door that morning so he might travel to his family home in Kent.
Oliver paused before he knocked on Ruan’s door and looked to Dev and Rheese. “Are you prepared for this? It could get nasty.”
Dev covered his mouth to hide a chuckle. He grinned and nodded. “I think we can handle this.”
Rheese motioned for Ruan’s valet to come along behind them. The man carried two portmanteaus.
“Good afternoon!” Oliver called out as he entered Ruan’s office.
“It is afternoon, but it hasn’t been particularly good, Oliver. Why are you here? I thought you would be in Sussex, at Braxton Hall by now.” He looked up to see Oliver was already dressed in formal attire.
“I couldn’t go without you, my friend.”
“I told you, I am not leaving Town.” Oliver drew his pistol from inside his coat. “I disagree. I have come to inform you, that you are, indeed, traveling to Sussex with me as soon as you are properly dressed for the occasion.” Ruan’s eyes widened. “What the hell?” Rheese slid by Oliver, reached into Ruan’s drawer where he kept his pistol, and removed it.
“My own kinsman from Kernow has turned traitor?” Ruan complained.
Rheese grinned then shrugged. “Depends on how you look at it, cousin. You’ve been in a foul mood for weeks. Oliver has offered to take you from your office and make certain you enjoy yourself this Christmas. Your employees are hoping you return in a better mood and with a new perspective on the Department business and life. Dev and I are going to mind the office while you are away. We promise to contact you immediately with any emergency. You could be back within a mere two hours if you were needed. Reames, your loyal valet, has informed your household of the location where you can be reached if you receive an important summons. So, you are going to Braxton Hall.”
“I can’t leave London,” Ruan blurted out as he glared at each of them in turn.
“The King does not expect you to stay here at Christmas. As long as he can reach you, he will be content. I sent a note to him, advising him of your whereabouts for the next several days. He replied that you should enjoy your days off and thanks you for your hard work.” Oliver gave Ruan a wide smile.
“You forged a letter from me to the King?” Ruan leaned forward then sat back and shook his head in disbelief.
Oliver grinned. He nodded as he looked to his friend. “What was I to do, Ince? You are moping about, biting everyone’s head off. You need a break. This is in the Department’s best interest as much as it is yours.”
“I can’t leave town. Lady Anna might need me. This time of year will be hard for her. It’s the first Christmas without her father. I want to be near in case-”
“Ah, wonderful! Braxton Hall is just the place for you then. Have I ever told you that Lady Anna is my mother’s goddaughter? Her favorite goddaughter? I should also mention that Lady Anna, her grandmother, and aunt shall be guests at Braxton hall for the next four days. Mama invited them specifically because she knew this would be a difficult time for them all. I should also add that they accepted Mama’s invitation and arrived at Braxton Hall this morning. Lady Anna is a guest in my house, as we speak. You will be very near to her in the event she needs you. This proves to be the most perfect scenario for you, wouldn’t you agree?”
Ruan fidgeted. “Well, she may not be pleased to see me.”
“I wager she will be happy to see you. I know for certain you will be pleased to see her. So, get dressed. Reames, dress your Lordship.” Oliver cocked his pistol, pointed it at Ruan, and looked at him with a very pleased smile upon his face.
“You’re enjoying this too damn much,” Ruan glared at him.
“I am indeed!” Oliver threw back his head and laughed.

“I can’t believe I allowed you to force me into this,” Ruan shook his head as they were admitted into the ballroom where Lady Braxton’s Yuletide Gala was already in full swing. The room was decorated, festooned, and illuminated by the light of no less than a thousand candles. Oliver’s home had been transformed into a sparkling, winter wonderland.
“Oliver! I knew you’d come…eventually!” His mother, the Marchioness of Braxton hurried up to greet him.
“Mama, you are the loveliest woman here.” Oliver smiled down at his salt and pepper-haired mother. He bent his head and kissed her upon her offered cheek.
“Goodness, son, your compliment is overdone. At my age, the best I can hope for is looking younger than my years. Lord Ince, I am so happy you have come tonight. You are most welcome in our home.” She laid her hand upon Ruan’s arm. “Now, you must let me introduce you to some of our guests, and I’ll not take no for an answer.”
“Go on, Ruan. I’ll wait here for you,” Oliver waved him away. He laughed when Ruan turned back and fixed an icy glare upon him.
As promised, his mother led Ruan to the very group that included Lady Anna Johnstone. There was nothing Eudora Talbot liked better than making matches. The only work involved on Oliver’s part was to put a whisper in mother’s ear that Ruan needed a wife, and that he was attracted to Lady Anna. And that was all that had been required to place Ruan right next to Lady Anna within five minutes of him walking into the ballroom.
He stood back, as much of a wallflower as any of the long on-the-shelf spinsters present. He watched the laughter, the gaiety, the romantic looks exchanged by some, the love mirrored in the eyes of several of the younger couples present. There was not evidence of romance everywhere, but for some odd reason, he noticed where it was on display tonight. He looked on as an outsider. An observer. Memories of Cait instantly crept into his mind. He had not thought of her in several weeks, mayhap a month or more. So much for thinking he had finally put those all too painful memories of her behind him. From two years ago, damn it! Of course, he would think of her tonight.
It was just before Christmas when they had met the first time, two years ago. By the time New Years came that year, they were deeply in love. When he left for his next mission two weeks after that, he told her to wait, promised he would ask for her hand when he returned. He even told her he loved her. He had never spoken those words to any woman before that, nor since. Sometimes, he allowed himself to remember that magical night before he left. He spent the entirety of it in her bed…loving her. Really loving her. Even after two years, his heart still hurt thinking about the way it felt to love her. He never experienced anything like that before she came into his life, nor after she left him. It was only with Cait. He never saw Cait again. He returned to England five months later, to find that she had married some Scottish Baronet and had returned to her homeland.
She was married. There was no reason to seek her out in Scotland, no purpose in finding out why she had not waited for him and chosen to marry another. He would never understand. He would never forgive her. The most perplexing thing to him was that she had come to him a virgin. She had professed her love to him, knowing he was leaving on a mission. Four months later, she married another man. He shook his head, stepped into his study, and poured himself a brandy. Then one more for good measure. Damn, he hated Cait. She was the only woman he had ever wanted to marry and the only woman who had ever broken his heart. He looked up to the ceiling as he willed calm to come to him. He needed to forget her. He smiled when he saw the mistletoe hanging from a chandelier.

“How are you, Anna?” Ruan asked as they began the waltz. Her eyes watered. She refused to cry in front of him.
“As well as can be expected.” Anna shrugged. “Things are difficult now. Grandmother and my sisters still mourn for Papa quite deeply. Grandmama wanted the family to observe a full year of mourning; however, she also wishes to see me wed. She has moved us to half-mourning, yet insists we pay our social obligations.
“Don’t you dare marry anyone but me, Anna,” Ruan ground out an angry whisper.
“I choose not to marry at all right now, Ruan. I may never wed.” Lady Anna Johnstone sighed deeply. She was happy to see Ruan, but at the same time, it was an awkward situation.
“Before it’s said and done, you will marry me. If I have to resort to telling your grandmother what happened between us in Salisbury to make it so, I will.”
“You will not!” Anna retorted in a heated whisper.
“I promised to give you a year. And you’ll have that – unless you get yourself engaged to another, then my promise is forfeit.”
“I do not wish to marry anyone at this time. I miss Papa acutely still. I need this time to heal. I need to try and understand why…” she swallowed the lump in her throat, “I need to find a way to forgive him,” her voice faltered. Ruan saw tears forming in her big, brown eyes.
“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Ruan whispered softly against her ear. “I care about you!” A tear slid down her cheek. “I – I know you do.”
Ruan maneuvered them toward the refreshment table when the waltz ended. However, they expertly strolled by the refreshments and he pulled her down the corridor into Oliver’s private study so she might recover from her near bout of tears.
“Thank you,” she breathed and closed her eyes. She took several deep breaths, exhaling slowly with each one.
“How is your anxiety, sweetheart?” Ruan couldn’t help it; he stroked her cheek with his fingers. He already knew her skin to be as soft as silk.
“Better.” She nodded. “I sometimes go for days without an attack.”
“And the dreams?”
“Are less frequent,” Anna provided.
“Good, I’m relieved to hear it. Anna, please let me call upon you. It’s been months. Let me come to see you once a week, please. I can even meet you at a social gathering from time to time. I can’t bear not being near you.”
“We can try, I suppose. It’s just that I am so reminded of father when I am with you.”
“I know. I have his job. I spend more hours than I should in a day in his office. I was with you when he jumped… I do not want to hurt you further, but Anna, I miss you. I think about you every single day. I worry about you. If I could at least see you, I would feel better. I need to talk to you. I need to know how you fare.” He removed his handkerchief and presented it to her. He was torn. Here she was crying, no doubt because of him, but he was happy to be here, happy to be with her. He looked upward and saw it, a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the chandelier.
“Anna. I’m afraid I must kiss you.”
Her head snapped up. “I don’t think it wise after…I don’t think we should.”
“Look.” He pointed upward. “Mistletoe. Just one kiss. I promise there will be nothing more. One kiss? Please, Anna? It is almost Christmas.”
“I – I can’t Ruan.” Anna shook her head. “I don’t think I could stop at just one kiss. I – I - I’m sorry,” she began to tear up again.
“Shh, sweetheart. It’s okay. Don’t cry. I understand. I’m sorry for suggesting it.” Ruan snatched the handkerchief from her fingers and dried her tears himself. He wanted to kiss her, hold her. Damn it all, he wanted so much more. Yet, he didn’t want to hurt her. Couldn’t bear to see her cry. After she composed herself, he led her back into the ballroom. He danced one more waltz with her and took her to the refreshment table. Otherwise, he watched her from afar. Longed for her. Wished that things could be less complicated between them. He had to hope that in September, when the year he promised her was up, she would choose to marry him. She had to. What would he do if she didn’t?

He hadn’t been able to speak to Anna privately but once on Christmas Eve. Then it was only for a few minutes. It was now Christmas night. He had been seated next to her at dinner, that was a blessing. The houseguests at Braxton House numbered about fifteen, so it was impossible to find time alone with her. He was leaving after breakfast tomorrow morning. He wanted to speak to her in private before he left. He was beginning to doubt that would happen as the evening drew closer to an end. Downhearted, he had about talked himself into retiring for the night when Oliver approached him.
“You must come to the study with me, Ruan.”
“Thank you, no. I’m going to turn in. I must leave early tomorrow,” he explained.
“No, you are going to the study. I promised I wouldn’t tell, but you force me to betray a confidence. Lady Anna awaits you there,” he whispered lowly. Ruan looked up quickly. “She is?” he whispered.
Oliver nodded. “Go to her.” Ruan gave him a nod and walked purposefully out of the drawing room into the corridor. A turn onto another corridor and he found himself before the study door. He turned the knob, opened it, and there, indeed, stood Anna, resplendent in her deep red, velvet gown.
“You came,” she whispered and smiled at him.
“Of course I did.”
“I decided I was wrong to decline your request for a kiss,” she pointed to the mistletoe above them. “May we share the one kiss you asked for two nights ago?”
“Yes,” he nodded. He paused, mainly to get hold of his emotions – his passion. One kiss. It must be the kiss of a gentleman, he cautioned himself.
He took one, two, and a third step toward her. He placed his shaking fingers upon her waist. It wasn’t from fear, rather anticipation, for he had dreamed of this moment for months. He smiled, bent his head, and kissed her – tenderly, gently. He did not want to frighten her and cause her to pull back, but he allowed his emotions, his feelings for her to come through. God, how he had missed her! Her lips were soft and warm. Inviting. He breathed in her jasmine scent and it reminded him of another night many months ago. He felt her tremble then became mesmerized by her sweet return of his kiss. He kept things light so he didn’t overwhelm her. When she pulled back, she gave him a brilliant smile that revealed her dimples.
“Thank you, Ruan.”
“Thank you, Anna. May I call upon you next week?” he watched her face while he waited for an answer.
“Yes,” she smiled. “What day can I expect you?”
“Thursday is a good day for me. In the afternoon? Say, around two?”
“That is a good time for me. Thursday, then. At two.”
“I’ll be there,” Ruan reached down, took her hand in his, and brought it to his lips. “Until Thursday, my dearest Anna.”
“Until Thursday,” she whispered.
He opened the study door, cautiously checking the corridor. It was empty so he ushered her out, and led her back toward the drawing room. He let her go in ahead of him, so as not to draw attention to the fact that that they had been together.
Oliver exited the drawing room and walked toward him.
“You look as if your spirits are lifted,” he drawled.
“They are. Thank you, Oliver. For everything,” Ruan whispered.
“So, things are good? Back to normal?”
“No, but things are looking better. Much improved, in any case.”
“Well that is good news,” Oliver clapped him on the back.
“Again, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Happy Christmas, Ruan,” he said as he plucked two glasses of champagne from a passing footman’s tray. He handed one to his friend.
“Here’s hoping eighteen hundred and thirty-five is a better year for us both,” Oliver raised his glass.
Ruan clinked the crystal glass against Oliver’s. “I’ll drink to that. Happy Christmas, Oliver.”
“Now, I’ve some bad news, Ruan. I received a summons for you from the King a half hour ago. I thought it could wait until after your meeting beneath the mistletoe…so here it is,” Oliver pulled the message from his coat pocket.
“Oh,” Ruan opened the missive from the King, frowning as he read it.
“Do you have to leave tonight?”
“No. But I must leave at dawn.” Ruan shrugged.
“Well, let’s get back into the drawing room. You’ll need to say good-bye to a certain lady.” Ruan nodded. He sighed. When he walked in, he saw Anna talking to Oliver’s mother and her grandmother. He didn’t miss the smile she sent his way. He sighed with relief. Things between them had definitely improved. There was still hope. He returned her smile.
“By the way, who put mistletoe in your study?” Ruan turned to ask Oliver before he went to join Anna. He could say his farewells to her grandmother, Lady Braxton, and most importantly, to her. Oliver’s eyes twinkled with merriment. He shrugged. “I have no idea.” 

The Lords of Avalon Series is completed. Lords of Atoneme...

The Lords of Avalon Series is completed. Lords of Atonement, the final installment, was released in September. Currently, I am working on a Contemporary Paranormal Romance Series. Book 1 of The Decker Brothers Trilogy, It's in the Cards, while I am researching the next series in the continuing adventures of the Avalon Society, The Avalon Society Chronicles. I hope to release It's in the Cards by late spring of 2015, and Book 1 of the Avalon Society Chronicles in late 2015. Excerpt from Book 1 of the Decker Brothers Trilogy, It's in the Cards “Here comes Hot Cop and two equally hot men!” Harper sidled up to Jade at the counter, flashing her a broad grin. “Really?” Jade looked up. She was instantly aware of the tingles of excitement she felt when she saw him. It frightened her, but made her happy at the same time.“Oh, yes! He’s not a cop today, just filling out a pair of khaki shorts and a blue t-shirt ever so fine. The other two guys aren’t bad either, in fact, they’re pretty hot too.”Jade rolled her eyes at Harper. The copper bells tinkled as the door opened. She watched a tall, lean man with golden brown, shoulder-length hair breeze in. He wore an easy, relaxed smile. Decker, holding a cup in each hand, followed him. Trailing behind them was the tallest of the three. He was fit and well muscled. She noticed he limped, and wore jeans unlike his brothers who were dressed in shorts. His black hair was short and mussed, looking like he had just run a hand through it. They all had blue eyes, strong, angular facial features, square jaws, and they all favored one another. “Are you brothers?” Jade smiled. “Yeah. These are my brothers,” Decker said with a smile as he approached the counter. “Jade, this is Liam,” he gestured to the taller, more serious one, “and Brody. I picked up a green tea for you next door.”Jade smiled as she accepted the tea and napkin from him. Their fingers brushed as she took it from him. She felt a jolt of energy – good energy. She turned to his brothers. “Hello Liam, Brody. It’s nice to meet you.”“So, ah, my brother says you work here.” Brody gave her a lopsided grin.“And she’s one of the owners,” Decker supplied, earning a smile from Jade. “It’s an awesome place,” Brody said as he looked around. “There is some great energy in here,” Liam said as he limped toward the bookshelves. “Thanks. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far,” Jade said.“Go look around.” As Brody still stood behind him, Decker turned to give him a meaningful look. “Oh.” Brody shrugged. “Sure,” he said as he walked off smiling. “Thanks for the tea, Decker.”“You’re welcome. I made the mistake of telling Liam that I met a nice, beautiful woman yesterday. I mentioned that we met at Connor’s and that you worked here. Liam told Brody this morning when he dropped in for breakfast. If I didn’t come with them, they would have come without me. I’d rather be here so they don’t cause you, or me, too much embarrassment. So the tea is a peace offering in advance.” He flashed her that gorgeous smile. Jade blushed. “No blushing, Jade,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”“I’m not embarrassed, I’m flattered.” She was. He said she was beautiful and nice. It had been a long time since a man had complimented her that way. She realized it felt good to know a man that she was seriously attracted to thought she was beautiful. She shrugged and gave him a smile. She took a sip of her tea. She noticed Harper was talking to his brother, Brody, about the Kirlian camera that they used for their aura photos. “Would you like to sit where it’s comfortable,” Jade gestured to the sitting area as she moved around the counter. He followed her to the plush sofas and chairs near the rows of bookshelves. He chose to sit beside her, so maybe they could have something of a semi-private conversation. “You don’t have any reading appointments today? It seems quiet in here.”“It is exceptionally quiet for a Saturday. I had two appointments scheduled this morning. They cancelled,” she shrugged. “It happens sometimes.”“That’s too bad.”“No, I think it’s a good thing today. You’ve come by, and it gives us a chance to talk.”“Well, I’m sorry your clients didn’t show up, but I am glad we can hang out. You want to give me that reading we talked about yesterday?”“Sure, come on back.”Decker rose and looked to Liam, “I’m getting a reading. You guys okay to hang out for awhile?”“Yeah, sure,” Liam said with a wide grin as he made his way to the sitting area with several books. Decker saw Brody grinning like an idiot at him too. Brothers!  “Is there anything in particular you want to know, or do you just want a general reading?” Jade asked after they sat down at her table. “Just general is fine. Are you intuitive?”“Yes, I am a medium.” “Great, that’s even better.” Decker gave her an easy smile. He watched Jade shuffle her cards to clear them. She handed him the deck. Decker shuffled until they felt right then handed them back to her. He watched her cut the deck in three stacks then pick up them up. She laid the cards out in the Celtic cross pattern.He grinned when he saw the first two cards, the King of Cups, or Hearts, crossed by the Queen of Cups.Jade was a little disappointed with the feeling she got from the King and Queen of Cups. Cups didn’t always signify a romantic relationship, but in this case, she knew it did. She could feel it. They were definitely about romance. Hot Cop had a Queen of Cups somewhere. Darn it! The good ones were always taken it seemed. “It appears this is about a relationship.”“I’m not in a relationship…yet.” He shook his head. She pulled two cards to clarify. The page of cups and the two of swords. “You’re definitely thinking about it. There is someone in particular, in the picture…but you hesitate for some reason, or there is something keeping you from her.”“I am thinking of pursuing a relationship with a particular someone, but I don’t know how she feels about me. I don’t really know her that well.”Lucky girl! Whoever she was, she’d be an idiot to say no to him.Jade drew the ace of swords as he was speaking. Action. She could feel energy dance across her back and shoulders. “This card is about taking action. The feeling I’m getting, is that you should definitely let her know you’re interested.” She pulled the moon card. “Yeah, she doesn’t know you are interested in her that way.”“She doesn’t?” he asked. “Huh.” He paused after several seconds of what appeared to be deep thought. He nodded. God his eyes were beautiful. Brilliant, striking blue. “Like I said, I don’t know her well. I’m a boring, old-fashioned, monogamous relationship kind of guy. I only date when I’m interested in having a relationship with someone. I take things very slowly. I’ve learned from past-relationships not to rush in.”“I agree with you there. Rushing isn’t the best way. But maybe just let her know you like her.” Oh, she had the rottenest luck. She hadn’t been interested in a man like this since she had recovered from Austin’s death. If she were ever going to enter into a relationship again, it would definitely be with an old-fashioned, monogamous relationship kind of guy, and even better if he looked like Decker. Apparently, Decker was interested in someone else.“Just tell her I like her?” He narrowed those gorgeous eyes.Jade nodded. “Or show her.”“Like bringing her favorite beverage to her while she’s at work?” He grinned at her. He guessed it was probably a goofy grin too. Surely, she would get it this time. Jade was dumbstruck. Was he…? She didn’t know. She would play it safe. Ah, she faltered just a little there. He was still grinning at her.“Sure, I thought it was really sweet that you brought me an iced tea today.” “Good.” He studied her for several long seconds. “Okay, I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and take your advice, because like you told me, this girl may not have any idea I’m interested in her. I normally take things slower than this, but…” he held up his hands. “I’m determined to make sure she knows how I feel.”He continued to watch her intently. Jade lifted a brow. “And? What are you going to do?”“I’m going to tell her I like her. That I’m interested in her.”“Good.” Jade forced a smile. Darn it. He did have his eye on another woman. It wasn’t her.  “Yeah, I’m going to do it.” He reached across the round table and took her hand as he said, “I like you Jade Murphy. I’m interested.”She sat in stunned silence for a few seconds then smiled at him. “You’re not teasing me are you?”“No, I wouldn’t tease about something like that. I like you. I’m interested in you. Will you go out with me?” He caressed her fingers lightly with the pad of his thumb. “Yes,” she breathed a sigh of relief. “I would like to go out with you, Decker.” She squeezed his hand and smiled. “Good. We’re on the same page.” She laughed. “We are.”He reached over, gathered up the cards, and placed them in a stack. “You can’t finish the reading since it’s about you too.”“You read Tarot?”“Not as good as you can, I’m sure. My mother read cards. She taught me a long time ago. I haven’t picked up a deck in years, though.”“That’s so awesome.” Jade grinned happily. A gorgeous, sweet, old-fashioned kind of guy who understood what she did and wasn’t freaked out by it. It couldn’t get any better than this!     

Excerpt from Lords of Atonement, to be released Summer 20...

Excerpt from Lords of Atonement, to be released Summer 2014
Coming Soon!

“Sorry,” she managed to utter before making the next stitch.
“It was nothing, El.” He bent his head and whispered into her ear. “Just put your stitches in. Get it done. You’re killing me, here. I have never professed to be a saint. Your nearness… it affects me,” he said in a husky whisper. He couldn’t resist pressing a soft kiss against the shell of her ear.
“Is that all you think about?” she asked in irritation.
“With you, El, yes. Only you. When I am this close to you, and almost bloody naked, yes! I dream about it. I’ve told you before, El. You do things to me. Like no other woman ever has. I’m mad with it. Mad for you. I’m not stopping until you give in.”
She tried to be irritated by his words, yet, hearing that he dreamed about her did something to her. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t wondered what it would be like to lay with him.
He saw the heat mirrored in her gorgeous witchy blue eyes when she looked up, met his gaze.
She wanted him! Just as much as he did her. Triumph, at last.
“So, if you can’t sleep at night, El, you can come next door, to my chamber. I’ll tell you - show you - what you do to me,” he whispered again.
She averted her gaze. She couldn’t look at him any longer. She was afraid she’d see something in his eyes, something that would convince her she should go to him in the midnight hours. There could never be anything between them. She was a healer and meant to stay in Cornwall. That was that.
When next she raised her eyes to him, the heat was gone. That stubborn determination was back. She was so prickly.
When she finished applying the poultice to his side and turned to clean up in the washbasin, he asked her, “Am I free to go?”
“No. The poultice needs to stay on the wound for a bit. It will prevent infection. You should lie down.”
“How long?” “A half hour. It would work even better if it were on for an hour. I wish you would consider it.”
He nodded. “Can you help me into my shirt? I’ll go lie down in my chamber. You can remove it in an hour.”
It was Elowen’s turn to smile triumphantly. “Good. I will. I wasn’t expecting that you would do it.”
“I wouldn’t, if it wasn’t that you asked me. I’m going out on a limb and trying to prove that you mean something to me, El. That I will do as you ask, bend to you.”
He allowed her to help him into his shirt, which he left untucked. He decided he didn’t need his waistcoat or coat, so he set them on the table. He looked at the cravat in his hand and grinned. He threw it over her head and around her shoulders, pulling her close against him with two hands full of silk.
“Oomph!” Elowen exhaled as she bumped up against his hard body. Everything was hard – everything! It made her dizzy and warm to be so close, to feel his heat and the male hardness of him. He wound his arms about her, letting the cravat fall to the floor.
“I just want to give my nurse proper thanks.” To her surprise, he gave her a sweet, gentle kiss. He drew it out a little, nipped and tugged at her lips, then smiled down at her. One hand remained beneath her chin.
“Thank you, Elowen. Will you promise me you will be more careful in the future? And think before you take action?” Elowen sighed in humbled defeat, “Yes.”
“Don’t look so glum, my witch. Sometimes the most power comes to us when we give up control.” He grinned down at her. He stepped back.
“Come, I’ll walk you to the kitchen then upstairs.”
“I thought you were going to lie down?” She arched a finely etched raven brow at him.
“I will. Once I know you are safe in your chamber.” Elowen didn’t like it that he would escort her, but she consented with a nod.

She felt uncomfortable going into his bedchamber to check on his poultice, but he was a perfect gentleman. He instructed her to leave the door open while she tended him. Aside from a whispered joke or two, he hadn’t mentioned much about what lay between them. This thing. This pull. This…attraction. Yes, she had to admit, she was attracted to the man like a moth to flame.

Prologue from Book 1 of the Darkes of Penzance serie...

Prologue from Book 1 of the Darkes of Penzance series by K. R. Richards  Penzance, Cornwall 1845 Every other Thursday for the past three years Captain Jonas Darke took a phaeton from his fine gentleman’s residence, Trevena House, just outside Penzance, into the town proper to number four Regent Square. He called upon the young widow, Mrs. Loveday there. On a fine day, the couple would walk along Chapel Street, maybe even the Promenade. They might pause for an ice or stop in at the Book Sellers. Afterward, they would return to Regent Square where Captain Darke, now eight years maimed and able to walk only with the use of a cane would take tea or an early supper with the widow then take his leave and return alone to Trevena House. On a cold, bleak, winter’s day, such as this, the residents of Penzance were left to wonder what the widow and the Captain did with their afternoons. Mrs. Loveday, a widow for four years past, in her younger years was considered quite the loveliest young woman in Penzance, with dark blue eyes the color of the Cornish sea during a storm, dark brown hair and fair, unblemished skin. When she came out, she was rumored to have been called a diamond of the first water her first months in London, before her father arranged her marriage to Henry Loveday. Captain Darke, considered quite a catch in his day, was still quite handsome with dark hair, eyes, and a fit figure, excepting for his crushed leg. Though still involved with shipping and ship building as all the Darkes were, his days as a daring sea Captain and rake about London were long behind him. In truth, he was now more of a recluse.    One rarely saw Captain Darke in Penzance proper, unless it was to see him enter the offices of Darke, Darke & Co or on a Thursday with the young widow on his arm. The same could be said for the widow, Louisa Loveday, although she did visit the unfortunate women at the almshouse weekly and attended services at the church. She shopped at the market occasionally, but mostly her butler or cook performed such tasks. There were whispers that residents of Regent Square were more attentive to the goings on in the Square every other Thursday. Some even made a point to stay home on those days and tended to remain near the front windows so they might have a good view of the street and number four. None could ever say they saw anything untoward taking place in the front parlour of Mrs. Loveday’s house. Occasionally, there was a glimpse of the misfit couple sitting across the small tea table from one another. Those Regent Square residents with very sharp sight might see the widow passing the Captain a cup of tea. He was a man cut down in his prime, after all, who had no prospects of marriage after the horrible accident that left him crippled. He was no doubt lonely living in his grand and spacious gentleman’s residence outside of town. His elegant home offered lush gardens and land, but no companionship save that of his Uncle, Aunt, and cousins when they visited. Poor Louisa Loveday, widowed as practically a new bride, was married just a few years really. Loveday left her childless, with only a small, yet neat and fashionable house on Regent Square. It was rumored Mr. Loveday left very little money behind, scarcely enough to pay for a cook, butler and allow much for her to live on. There had been many whispers, even before his death, that Henry Loveday, handsome though he was, was a gamester and womanizer. So on this cold and dreary morning, Mr. and Mrs. Leake in number three Regent Square, and the Misses Symonds in number five were not paying particular attention when the Captain’s carriage, not his phaeton as was the custom, rolled into the square. However, once they realized it was the Captain indeed arriving at number four, they were instantly attentive. Other neighbors took note as well. It was exactly two hours earlier than his normal arrival time, which gave the Misses Symonds some cause for concern. True, it was a windy, drizzly day and the Captain did sometimes arrive in a carriage when the weather was foul, but it was not the Captain’s habit to call during the morning hours. The inhabitants of Regent Square thought the deviation from the normal quite odd. That he was in a carriage, not a phaeton was one thing, but it was another thing entirely that Captain Darke was indisputably early.   The suspense increased when he did not step down, but sent his footman to the door in his stead. Those who were at home on this particular Thursday morning, were now at their parlour windows, eagerly watching this extraordinary event unfold. The growing number of residents congregating at the front windows about Regent Square were left open-mouthed when she, Louisa Loveday, exited number four in a slate blue gown. More than one lady remarked that the young widow wore only dark somber colors. Even more shocking, the Captain’s footman stepped into the foyer of number four and brought a small trunk with him, placing it into the boot of Captain Darke’s carriage. What was this? What could this mean? The buzzing of excited voices could nearly be heard travelling aloft from house to house throughout the Square. As the fine carriage left the terraced houses of Regent Square behind and turned onto Abbey Street, heading toward Chapel Street, practically all of the residents had witnessed the widow and the Captain sitting side by side in the carriage, not across from one another as they usually did. The inhabitants rushed into their narrow front gardens and excitedly speculated amongst themselves what it all could mean. By the time they took their evening meals in the small but fashionable dining rooms in Regent Square, all of Penzance Societyknew that Captain Darke and Mrs. Loveday had stopped by the church and exchanged their vows. It was reported that a quarter of an hour after the ceremony concluded, Captain Darke’s carriage took them to the gloriously modern and fashionable residence, Trevena House, atop the bluff outside of town. Many remarked the next day that the conversation at every table in Penzance that evening was of Captain and Mrs. Darke.   Penzance was abuzz. There hadn’t been such excitement in the town since Melissa Emonds eloped with Jory Davis five years before; excepting of course when the Davis’s babe was born a mere seven months later. (Calendars were duly marked in the event the new Mrs. Darke should have a child soon.) The Captain and the Widow must have been in love! Perhaps all this time he was romancing her. It could be they were so lonely, they simply married for company, to ease the boredom of their dark and dreary days that stretched endlessly before them? Neither one had any other prospects really. The ladies tended to romanticize everything while the gentlemen might remark to one another in the public houses or one of the clubs in the evening that the Captain was a man, maimed leg or no, and the widow had always been, and still was, quite handsome with a fine figure. Yet, as the days passed, the ladies and even the gentlemen in Penzance wondered what really happened between Captain Jonas Darke and Mrs. Louisa Loveday. No one knew exactly what it was that brought the couple together. Wouldn’t it be just dreadful if they never knew the reason? Well, they certainly couldn’t allow that happen. Book 1 of the Darkes of Penzance series will be released late 2014.  Lords of Atonement, the final installment of the Lords of Avalon series will be released in Summer 2014!   

Excerpt from Book 1 (unnamed) of the Secrets of the Shrou...

Excerpt from Book 1 (unnamed) of the Secrets of the Shroud series, the continuing adventures of the Avalon Society. “If you would be so kind, Miss Frost and explain why you are hiding in my carriage. If you could elaborate even further, perhaps you will tell me why you are pointing a pistol at me. When we waltzed last evening before your engagement to Lord Dinbeigh was announced at Mrs. Faversham’s Annual Autumn Gala, I did not get the impression that you meant my person any, ah, harm.” He was certain their closeness during the waltz had affected her in the same manner it did him. Francis Nightshade studied the pale beauty seated across from him. Although clumsy and irritating, he had never thought her unbalanced or insane. She was dressed in a fine fitting, albeit it wrinkled, travelling gown of plum-colored velvet, her black hat sat a bit askew, her pale silvery hair was mussed and trailing down on one side. Her full lips were set in a grim line and her trembling hands held a large pistol, which she aimed at his chest. While her appearance would support claims of a crazed individual, he knew she was not a victim of lunacy. Miss Violet Frost was desperate. He could see fear reflected in the depth of her indigo eyes along with what he suspected was a glimmer of hope.     “Of course, Mr. Nightshade. I am in your carriage because I am fleeing my uncle and marriage to old Lord Dinbeigh. I had no idea that there was an engagement; certainly not that it would be announced last evening. No one consulted me. I had no idea what my uncle and Dinbeigh planned. You see, I do not wish to marry the man. Or any man, really.” “I can understand why a young and lovely woman, like you, Miss Frost, would resist marrying an old, cold-hearted codger like Dinbeigh, but it does not explain why you are in my carriage, or why you are holding me at gunpoint. You must realize I will be accused of kidnapping you. There are those who will suspect we go to Scotland to marry.” As it happened, going to Scotland to marry would be a perfect alibi as to why he was in Scotland. Hmm. It was an idea definitely worth considering. Violet Frost rolled her eyes. “Oh, dear. I hadn’t thought of that.” She let go a heavy sigh. The pistol lowered slightly, aiming at his midsection. She removed one hand from the handle and brushed a pale strand of hair from her eyes. “That does change things, and possibly for the better, for me. Once you escort me to Scotland, I will take my leave of you and disappear. I am certain my Uncle and Dinbeigh will think I did marry you. There is a chance they will not pursue me because of that. If they think I am married, there is nothing either one can do, is there? Excellent.” The dimple in her right cheek showed when she smiled. “You were not planning to force me to the altar?” Nightshade asked. He truly did not think she was. Yet, he enjoyed the irritation she so openly displayed when he asked his questions that he did so, on purpose. He scarcely remembered the last time he had enjoyed a waltz as much as he did last evening holding the prickly Miss Frost in his arms. He had been at his best, needling her at every opportunity. “Marry you?” Violet asked in surprise. “Good heavens, no!” “I was certain that was what you were about, hmm. I assure you it would take a pistol pointed at me to get me to the altar, or the anvil.” “I’ll have you know, sir, you could make a worse choice in a wife than me. I assure you, I do not wish to marry you or any man. Men only want to control a woman. After living with my father, then my uncle and just what I’ve heard of Dinbeigh, I have no wish to be controlled, by anyone, ever again. Let me explain myself more clearly, Mr. Nightshade.” She moved the large pistol to her other hand, keeping it pointed at him. She had no wish to shoot Francis Nightshade. She wanted to make certain he had no intention of throwing her out of the carriage or returning her to her uncle first. “Please, by all means, explain,” he remarked in a dry, sarcastic tone. “As I mentioned earlier, I was as surprised as everyone else about my engagement. I learned while returning home from the ball last evening that Dinbeigh paid my uncle a large sum in order to wed me. I was sold like a piece of horseflesh. I am certain you have heard, no doubt all of London knows, there is no love lost between Old Frosty and me.” “I pay no attention to gossip and idle chatter, Miss Frost. I do not see what any of this has to do with me.” That was a lie, he had to admit. He made a point to discover whatever he could about Miss Violet Frost since she literally ran into him that day three weeks ago. He didn’t know why, only that she irritated him so much, he wanted to know more. He could explain the physical attraction. The woman was stunning, with her pale skin, silvery hair and large eyes the color of the night sky. She was slender and dainty, delicately boned. If not for her delectable curves (and shrewish tongue), she would appear quite fragile. “Quit interrupting me. If you please, sir, I am trying to explain myself to you.” Violet arched a pale, irritated brow at him. “Of course, after one question. Your hand is trembling, there is truly no need to hold me at gunpoint, firstly because it is far too heavy a weapon for you and secondly, I believe you know me well enough to know I will not harm you. My question to you is this; do you even know how to shoot a pistol?” “No, I have never fired a pistol in my life. I believe it is simply a matter of pulling the trigger, sir.” She raised the heavy weapon a little higher to point at his chest again. When he saw how her hands trembled and he remembered her propensity for calamity and mishaps, he commanded, “Put the damn thing down, Violet!” “No. I never gave you permission to call me by my Christian name, Mr. Nightshade. Furthermore, I do not want you to stop the carriage and put me out. We are not far enough from London yet. I know you won’t hurt me or abuse me, but I am not convinced you won’t send me back to my uncle. I was tryingto explain. Will you please let me continue?” Nightshade nodded. “I am all ears, Miss Frost.” Her aim lowered to his midsection again as she began speaking. “After I was surprised by the announcement of my engagement to Dinbeigh last evening, I knew I had to get away quickly. I remembered you said you were leaving for Scotland this morning. I will not marry Dinbeigh, and I will not allow my uncle to force another of his cronies on me as a husband. I could not get away on my own, safely, in any case. My uncle gives me only a trifling allowance, though my father’s will instructed I receive much more. Without funds, I could not get far. I decided to come to Scotland with you. I will find a post as governess or some such thing upon my arrival. I shall repay you for every cost of this journey when I am able to do so. I never thought about forcing you into marriage, why would I? You made it perfectly clear last evening that you are not the marrying sort. I am not the marrying sort. In addition, what little I already know of your character, I have concluded that you like to be in control of every situation, and I’ve already expressed my sentiments on that particular subject.” Again, the pistol bobbed in her trembling hand. He swore he saw her finger tighten on the trigger as she tried to tighten her loosening grip on the weapon. “Give me the damn gun, Violet! I have no plans to set you from my carriage. I would not leave a lady by the side of the road unattended, nor would I leave you to your own devices. With your propensity for accidents and clumsiness, I don’t see how you could possibly make it ten miles without disaster ensuing. I do not want to see any young woman marry Dinbeigh. Therefore, I offer my assistance to escort you to your destination.” He started to smile at her then realized she was glaring at him. And frowning. An angry frown. She was so prickly. Hot one minute and looking at him like she wanted to…well he didn’t really know what she wanted when she looked at him in that dewy-eyed way. He was left to fantasize. Within seconds, she could turn angry and bitter, glaring at him as if he had two heads. Like she was doing at this precise moment. “I can change my mind and shoot you now,” she huffed. “You have no manners, Mr. Nightshade. Propensity for accidents and clumsiness. Really,” she sniffed in displeasure. “A gentleman doesn’t say such things to a lady.” “A lady doesn’t sneak into a gentleman’s carriage, when he’s traveling to Scotland.” Her displeasure at his comment brought a victorious smile to his lips. He continued, “In the three weeks that I have known you, you have run into me, tripped me, nearly knocked me over, and you very nearly took out my eye with your parasol. The fact that you are clumsy and prone to accidents can’t be denied. If you do not approve of my manners, Violet, I can take you back to London and leave you to marry Dinbeigh. It would be my preference, actually. I am known for many things, but I don’t want to add kidnapper and the debauching of an innocent to my numerous and highly acclaimed, sinful accolades.” “You are not going to debauch me. I have a pistol. Pointed at you.” The pistol end lowered from aiming at his midsection to a place that caused Nightshade further alarm. She wasn’t even paying attention to where the weapon was pointed. She continued with her tirade. “Besides, I much prefer to suffer your company for a short trip to Scotland as opposed to marriage to Dinbeigh for a lifetime.” “I could take your pistol with very little effort. I could debauch you, even persuade you that you wish to be debauched,” Nightshade posed with a devilish grin. He was trying to frighten her. When the vision of Miss Violet Frost writhing beneath him came to him, it sent heat coursing through his body. To say he was bewildered by the powerful effect this little moon-kissed, sharp-tongued beauty had on him was an understatement. He didn’t like it. At all. Violet now had both hands on the pistol. “Wait just one minute. I am pointing a pistol at you, Mr. Nightshade. I believe I am in charge here!” Violet’s dark blue eyes flashed with anger then grew wide as the carriage hit a bump and the pistol slipped and bobbled, nearly falling from her hands. “Enough!” Nightshade growled. He leaned forward and easily took the large, heavy pistol from her. He shoved it beneath his seat. “If you aren’t concerned about killing me with that blasted thing, please know you could just as easily shoot yourself. You don’t need a pistol, Violet. I’m not taking you back to London. I’m not putting you out of the carriage. I’m not letting you out of my bloody sight. When we reach Scotland, we will be married. That will solve all of our problems.” “What? It will certainly not solve my problem, Mr. Nightshade. I believe you have forgotten that I do not wish to marry. If I am forced to marry you, then that still presents a problem for me.” “Princess, you have only two choices. Marry Dinbeigh, or marry me. I will honor whichever decision you make. You are not the only one whose reputation is in danger at this moment. Did you ever consider what your actions would do to myreputation?” She blushed profusely and at least had the good grace to look remorseful. “Aha, of course, you did not. This is all about you. I have a very important job to do in Scotland, and I do not wish to bring any more attention to myself than necessary while there. I don’t think I have to remind you of my already less than stellar reputation. I would prefer to keep my name from the gossips’ tongues. Once we marry, you can send a message to your uncle and to Lord Dinbeigh that you are now Mrs. Francis Nightshade. Neither one of them shall have any reason to pursue you, nor any recourse to force you to do anything. If you are married, neither your uncle nor Dinbeigh have any say in what you do or do not do. It is the only way you can escape the fate that currently awaits you.” It would be freedom, with the exception of one thing. She would be married to Francis Nightshade. He would have a say in what she did. Although, he was a very handsome man, with quite a fine figure, Mr. Nightshade was a little surly and taciturn. And controlling. She did remember the way he looked at her last evening when they waltzed. His eyes were so dark and intense it was as if he was looking into her soul. She remembered how warm his hand felt as it rested upon her back and the rush of energy she felt when his thigh brushed hers. She shivered at the delicious memory. “Can it be a marriage in name only?” “No.” “No?” “No! The marriage must be consummated or it can be annulled.” “Oh dear, what an absolute mess this has become. I actually thought you could just escort me to Scotland and let me go on about my business.” Violet frowned. “Will this be a real marriage? I thought you were against marrying.” “I was. You are correct, Violet. I never planned to marry. Yet, I am in this predicament, thanks to you, and the only resolution that I see to benefit each of us and save both our reputations is if we marry before we reach Edinburgh. Any marriage is real and binding, even one performed in Scotland. As I said, it is of the utmost importance that as little attention as possible is drawn to me while we are in Edinburgh and wherever my journey may take us from there. I am tending to a matter of great import. We shall marry as soon as we cross the border. That will be in about four days depending on the weather.” He had decided a honeymooning couple would prove to be a great cover for the real reason he was going to Scotland. He found it suddenly too warm in the carriage. He told himself that marrying this pale, little princess would not alter his life that much. After all, it wasn’t love that brought them to the altar. He was on a mission. She was on the run. Aside from doing the gentlemanly thing, for she was in his carriage and her reputation was already ruined for that reason, this was truly a business arrangement for them. This would be a good, solid cover for him while in Scotland. True she would still be his wife after this mission was finished, and they would remain married, but other than cohabiting, and hopefully, sharing a bed on occasion, they would both be free to do as they chose in their lives. He believed the fact that theirs was not a love match meant they could get along amicably. They could make their union work to benefit them both. She would be free from the constraints of her uncle and men who would use her as a pawn, have a generous allowance, and other than performing the duties of wife and mistress of his homes, there was naught else he required from her. “Francis, I do not like that we have to wed. You shall not try to control me, will you?” “Do not call me Francis. No one calls me, Francis.” “Are we not to be wed? Doesn’t a married woman have the right to call her husband by the familiar? You insist on calling me Violet, I shall call you Francis.” “No. One. Calls. Me. Francis,” he said through gritted teeth, “not even you, Princess.” “Then what should I call you?” A devilish gleam came to his eyes. If he did not know that suggesting the words Lord and Master would send her jumping out the carriage door, he would have suggested them just to see her reaction. “You may call me Mr. Nightshade.” “Even after we have married? How pompous you are.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. He sighed. “Violet, I do not like to be called Francis. Those who I am close to call me Shade or Nightshade, it is that simple. You may call me one of those if you’d rather.” “Very well, then. You may call me Miss Frost now, and once we marry, I shall allow you to call me Mrs. Nightshade. Unless of course you change your mind about marriage and let me go free upon our arrival in Scotland.” “No, Miss Frost, in order to save both our reputations, we must marry.” Nightshade realized that marrying Violet Frost might be a trifle more complicated than he initially thought. If the fact that they were arguing over what to call one another was any indication, he was in deep trouble. He sighed heavily. He could only hope that he had not been wrong about the passion inside her. For he was now sincerely hoping that once they married, he could at least keep her quiet in the evenings by diverting her attention with more sensual pleasures. His fantasies only included a silent Violet Frost who might utter a moan of pleasure now and again when she was beneath or astride him, not an angry, glaring beauty harping on him about every little detail!  I hope you enjoyed the excerpt from unnamed Book 1, Secrets of the Shroud series. This book will be released in late 2014 or early 2015. Book 1 of the Rake of St. Nectan's will be released before this one, and after the final book of the Lords of Avalon series, Lords of Atonement. You can contact me on FB www.com/K.R.Richards.author or on the web at: http://mayitellyouastory.com or on twitter @kimmirichards.