Lynelle Clark's Blog, page 25

Touched to the soul by Elsa Winckler. #romance #BookBlitz

Touched to the Soul by Elsa Winckler Series: Touched, #2Genre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: August 6, 2015


A passion that runs soul deep... 

Zoe Sutherland can't stand the pushy, arrogant architect Dale Cavallo. He was just too damn sure of himself, too handsome, too…everything. Maneuvered into working as the interior decorator on his latest project, a glamorous new hotel, Zoe can't keep her mind on the job. And worse, the strange man won't give her access to the hotel's floor plans. How is she supposed to finish the design when she doesn't have the plans? And when the obnoxious man distracts her with every smoldering look, every touch...

Dale has one goal: get rid of the pesky interior designer. Since he's been forced into close proximity with the beautiful Zoe, everything's gone downhill. And to make matters worse, she's only out to further her own career—and he's not about to give her the hotel's plans so she can steal his ideas. He needs to get her out of his system, and sleeping with her seems like the best way to do that. When it comes to women, he's found the best way to handle them is to love 'em and leave 'em. But something strange is happening...because after a night of loving Zoe, he's finding it harder than ever to leave…



Desperately she tried to get her sluggish brain cells to work, tried to rationalize what she was feeling. If she thought about it, her reaction was normal. She was young and unattached; he was a sought-after, rich tycoon—what girl wouldn’t swoon a little bit? And anyway, this was probably the way he always danced with any woman. She’d read enough about him to know he seldom had the same girl on his arm. So she knew this was just for tonight.

Slowly she became aware that the music was farther away, that they’d moved on to the wide terrace overlooking the sea. He steered her farther away around a pillar. And for the first time, she looked up at him.

His eyes were dark with an expression she’d never seen before. What was it? Desire? But that was impossible; it had been obvious from the start that he could hardly stand the sight of her. Surely he wasn’t interested in her in that way, was he?

“Zoe, this is exactly the reason why I’ve stayed away from you, why I haven’t danced with you tonight. This is so not what I want, but I can’t seem to help myself around you…”

Before she could ask what he was talking about, he kissed her.

His lips were warm and demanding, and with a sigh she surrendered. It never even occurred to her to deny him this. To deny herself this pleasure. Because that’s what it was. Pure, unadulterated pleasure.

With a shaky exhale, she pulled him closer and thrust her fingers into his hair. He groaned while his hands restlessly explored her body. Don’t stop, please don’t stop, a voice begged inside her head. For a split second she worried that she’d said the words out loud, but quickly remembered her mouth was otherwise engaged. As far as she was concerned, it could stay that way forever.





Inspired by the writing of Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James, and the Brontë sisters, Elsa Winckler likes her heroines beautiful, feisty, independent and headstrong. She married her college boyfriend who, after 40 years, still makes her weak in the knees. They have 3 interesting children, 3 beautiful grandsons and live in the picturesque little seaside village of Betty's Bay, South Africa.




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Fix your makeup by S.J.Sawyer.

Title:  Fix Your Makeup (Like A Lady: Part Three) Author: S. J. Sawyer Book Tour: August 28, August 31, & September 1, 2015 Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance Hosted by: S.B.B. Promotions
It’s a summer fling; just keep telling yourself that and you’ll be alright. This thing with Mason Pierce, it’s just a fling, something fun to pass the time. He’s a rebound from the disastrous breakup, a band-aid, a patch over a wound that will help the hurt heal, right? ~RedIf someone had told me two months ago that I’d be spending the summer with Red Summers in my arms, I’d have called them crazy, but here I am and here she is. Life is just about as perfect as it can be. Except, it feels like she’s pulling away instead of drawing closer. Everyday, it seems that Red is putting more and more distance between us, and I don’t understand why. ~Mason“I’ve loved you since you were ten years old. Hell, I may have loved you before that, but I don’t remember. I’ve only ever wanted you, Red. I’m never going to want anyone else,” I vow. “Just you.”
   

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR REVIEW HEREOR DELETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE NOT REVIEWING.
  Catch up on the Like A Lady Series! Part One: Big Girl Panties ~ NOW FREE ~    Mom always tells me that when life gives you lemons you squeeze the heck out of them and hope for some lemonade, but after catching that no-good lying, jerk of a bastard cheating on me seconds before we were supposed to be married, I do what any self-respecting Southern girl would do: throw a punch and hide under my blankie. Now, Mary Lou thinks I need a night of fun and adventure. I agree to go out, planning to get her off my back, but when I find myself in Mason Pierce’s arms, I’m thanking my lucky stars, and my best friend. ~Red***Freemont, Oklahoma, is the last place on the whole damned planet that I want to spend my summer and working on my parents’ ranch is the last thing I want to do, but damned if that’s not what I’m doing. Monroe and I need a night away from this place, a night to blow off steam. A party at the lake sounds like a mighty fine idea, and after catching a glimpse of Red Summers in the firelight, I’m quickly changing my tune. ~Mason
Part Two: Hide Your Crazy 

I'm a twenty-something Okie girl who is mom to three, four if you count my husband. I'm a full time author/photographer, and I love to make teaser graphics to avoid actually working! I graduated from SOSU (a smaller, four-year university that is close to home) with a Bachelor's degree in English Lit and a minor in Sociology. I'm an avid reader, obviously, and a life-long writer. I love happily ever afters above all else (though, the struggle to get there is the best part!) Currently, I have two published series: Sealed and Like A Lady. Check out the first part to either series for free!       ~ Hosted By ~

The hut in the woods by VLZ. #suspense #mystery

 BOOK INFORMATIONTITLE – The Hut in the Woods AUTHOR – VLZ GENRE – Mystery/Suspense PUBLICATION DATE – 07/13/15 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 10hrs 46min PUBLISHER – vlzbooks  BOOK SYNOPSISCarly Ruth Laden moved away from the small town she was born and raised in, and headed for the city of Carmingden. At the tender age of 22 years, Carly met her husband, Dorian Shiffer, a man every woman wanted for their very own. Dorian carried a secret which Carly unearthed and that secret shocked not only Carly, but her family as well. Strange events began to surround the Laden family. Unanswered questions along with the disappearance of Carly Ruth Laden Shiffer set in motion a series of events that would forever haunt the townsfolk of Burl and Helmsdale. Versions of the truth were what gathered together the townspeople of both these small towns. Everyone had their own opinions as to what happened to Carly and her brother, Decker Laden, and to Dorian Shiffer. Carly felt her seemingly perfect marriage was crumbling because her husband was having an affair. When she discovers Dorian was in fact having an affair, the truth of her husband’s apparent change is a shock Carly was not prepared for. Things turned from bad to worse when Carly decides to confront Dorian. Carly disappears. Her parents, Barbara and Drew, and her brother, are left to endure the agonizing and horrifying events about to take place. Events that no one ever thought possible. Carly’s past nightmares come back to haunt her, to take revenge. The Laden family becomes swept inside a tornado of changing degrees, where their lives are turned inside out, and where hope becomes a lost treasure buried somewhere unknown, somewhere deep and dark. No one is aware of the evil lurking in the woods along Laden Lane. Carly informs the sheriff of Burl of a mysterious truck parked just near Laden Lane. No one pays much mind to Carly’s suspicions. Everyone believes Carly has a crazy head. Since childhood, Carly has had an over-active imagination. Carly Ruth Laden Shiffer had become the boy who cried wolf.  BUY & TBR LINKS AMAZON AUDIO VERSION US AMAZON KINDLE US AMAZON AUDIO VERSION UK AMAZON PAPERBACK GOODREADS  AUTHOR BIOVLZ is an Auburn, New York born author currently living in Savannah NY. Due to hard work and perseverance, VLZ believes writing is her way to reach readers so that they can escape for a while from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where they can enter her imagination. When VLZ is not writing, she enjoys the theater and the arts and loves to dance. The author thanks her mother who believed in all she strived to achieve. Born and raised in a small town, being one of ten children, the youngest of ten, the baby, VLZ’s daddy died when she was but five months old, and so she never got to know her daddy. Her mama raised ten children all on her own. Dirt poor in the 50’s was a hard time, but times were much different then. VLZ persevered through many tribulations. Tuberculosis at age six. Polio at age nine. The loss of her mother due to pancreatic cancer was a very hard time. Now retired and doing what she loves most, writing for you so you the reader can have a moment to yourself and a moment with her as well, VLZ looks forward to hearing your praises as well as any complaints. So look for this inspiring writer and welcome her into your home and your imagination.AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE WEBSITE / BLOG FACEBOOK TWITTER GOOGLE+ PINTEREST LINKEDINThis Blitz Has Been Organized By

Book review: Kolea by Russell Cahill.

KoleaBy Russell CahillGenre: Historical Fiction
Book's Description:  
The illegitimate child of Maui’s King is spirited away and raised in seclusion by a mysterious Hula Dancer and a blind warrior. Follow the child, Kolea, to Molokai where he is trained by the warrior and pursued by an evil half-brother. A daring escape in a voyaging canoe leads north and the adventure continues as the Hawai’ian men and women warriors meet natives of the North American Coast. The voyagers join a community of Tlingit Indians and Kolea grows in wisdom and courage. Thoughts and yearning draw the voyagers south and point their hearts and the bows of their canoe toward home. 
http://russellcahill.com/



Author Bio: 

Russell Cahill, a retired park ranger, lives in a forest adjacent to a salmon stream near Olympia Washington. He is of Native Hawaiian ancestry and writes about the people of Hawaii and Western North America. Russell was born in San Francisco prior to World War Two and says he is old enough to have played American Football while wearing a leather helmet. He is married to Narda Pierce and is the father of three children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mr. Cahill is a graduate of San Jose State College, (now University) with a degree in Biology. He has served in Yosemite, Glacier Bay, Katmai and Haleakala National Parks and has been the Director of the Alaska and California State Park Systems and the Deputy Director of Washington’s State Parks.
During the 1970s Russell with his late wife Susie took their children to a remote place in Alaska and built a cabin using only hand tools. He spends part of each summer at the cabin in Gustavus, Alaska. He and his wife Narda have kayaked in Alaska, Mainland United States and Western Australia. Since his retirement he has served as a member of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, State Parks Commission, and as a Community Services volunteer. Russell and his wife have travelled extensively based on the theory, “retire early and often.” The two of them once walked from Idaho to Seattle just for the heck of it. He claims his most interesting job was as a bouncer at a go-go club during college years.
Book Review
I received the book from the author for an honest review.As I have never read any book on the Hawaiin beliefs and experiences, I  found the book difficult at times.  But the book made for interesting reading.The author painted a vivid picture and I was pulled along through all the adventures with Kolea and his crew.Something that stuck in my mind is when Koi said to Kolea 'You have to look your enemy in the eye'.  A valuable lesson learned!I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.Kind regards,
Leonie

Men under Fire by Jacki Delecki. Book 3 in the Grayce Walters series.

Men Under Fire by  Jacki Delecki Series: Grayce Walters, #3Genre: Romantic SuspenseRelease Date: May 25, 2015


Hollie Thomas, the feisty, tattooed office assistant to Grayce Walters, has come a long way from living on the streets. Along with finding a job she loves, she’s found friends and safety. When her new life unravels, she faces dangers that dwarf her troubled past. Fighting to survive, she discovers that sometimes what you need the most might be found in the one person you failed to see coming.

Returning home from the war and struggling to find his way, Sergeant Nick Welby, and his bomb-sniffing golden lab, use their skill set in the last place he’d ever imagined—Seattle’s Waterfront. To protect the one woman who matters, Nick and his trusty canine partner will risk everything to rescue her and Seattle from disaster.

Embroiled in Grayce Walters’ most perilous case—a terrorist plot with the threat of deadly explosives—can Nick and Hollie work together to save themselves and each other before it’s too late?









Jacki Delecki is a Best-Selling, Romantic Suspense writer. Delecki’s Grayce Walters Series , which chronicles the adventures of a Seattle animal acupuncturist, was an editor’s selection by USA Today. Delecki’s Romantic Regency The Code Breaker Series hit number one on Amazon. Both acclaimed series are available for purchase at http://www.JackiDelecki.com.

To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about giveaways join her newsletter found on her website. Follow her on FB—Jacki Delecki; Twitter @jackidelecki.

Cover Reveal: The misfit Brides by Jamie Farrell. Welcome To Bliss, the Bridal Capitol of the Midwest!

The Misfit Brides Series by Jamie Farrell Genre: Contemporary Romance


Blissed(previously published as The Husband Games)
Book 1: The Misfit Brides SeriesRelease Date: August 7, 2014
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Welcome To Bliss, the Bridal Capitol of the Midwest!

Natalie Castellano practically has it all—beauty, brains, and a stellar reputation. Because childbearing hips and exhaustion lines are totally sexy. And knowing when to let go of her family’s failing bridal boutique is smart…right? Plus, who doesn’t want to be that divorced mother in Bliss?

With all she has going for her, it would be selfish to secretly wish for love too. Who needs it? Definitely not Nat. But perhaps she does need to take her wedding dress-obsessed little boy somewhere else for a fresh start.

CJ Blue is on top of the world. At least, he was last week when he stood on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, he’s in an empty confessional, hiding from the hullabaloo of a family wedding. Aka the depths of hell.

His meddling relatives want to poke at the deep psychological wounds he supposedly bears from being a twenty-something widower. But he doesn’t want to talk, he doesn’t want to be fussed over, and he certainly doesn’t want another chance to fail at love. He just wants to get through this wedding and back to his adventurous life.

But when a dark-haired, wounded-eye beauty invades his sanctuary and whispers a secret he was never supposed to know, he gets swept up in her life. Is he brave enough to tackle the adventure of life in Bliss, or will he walk away from the only woman in the world who could offer him love, forgiveness, and a second chance?


MatchedBook 2: The Misfit Brides Series
Release Date: October 20, 2015
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Welcome Back to Bliss, The Land of Happily Ever Afters!

Lindsey Castellano couldn’t ask for more. She’s the most successful divorce lawyer ever raised in Bliss. (Never mind that she’s the only one.) She’s her nephew’s favorite aunt. (For the moment, anyway.) And thanks to a little gift (or curse) from the universe, she’s an expert at avoiding love, commitment, and inevitable heartbreak. Or so she thought until the night of her sister’s wedding.

Will Truitt might’ve grown up living a country song—his momma died, his daddy went to prison, and his dog ran away—but as an adult, he’s been blessed by the country rock gods. Being Billy Brenton on stage isn’t an honor he takes lightly. He likes to give back what fame has given him, which is how he finds himself happily crashing a wedding in this quirky little bridal-obsessed town. The one thing he isn’t counting on, though, is colliding with the only girl he ever let himself love.

It’s been fifteen years since Lindsey shattered his heart. Then, she’d been a sorority girl on her way to the top, and he’d been a lowly janitor with a little bit of a dream. Now he’s on top of the world, and she’s the last person he should need or want.

But she’s the only person who has ever inspired his music. And he’s the only man she’s never been able to forget. Have the years made them wiser, stronger, and better able to love, or this time, will they simply crash and burn harder?


SmittenedBook 3: The Misfit Brides Series
Release Date: March 1, 2015
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A Bad Boy, a Good Girl, and Ice Cream Collide in the Best Little Wedding Town in America!

Dahlia Mallard has finally found her destiny—running an ice cream shop in the happiest bridal town in the Midwest. Problem is, her heart is bigger than her bank account, and she needs a serious influx of cash to get through the winter. Her last-ditch effort? Getting country music superstar Billy Brenton to commit to attending her risqué flavor-tasting event to boost ticket sales. But the closest she can get to Billy is his drummer, the womanizing Mikey Diamond.

Mikey loves the ladies, and he makes no secret of it. But he’s not such a fan of this town devoted to weddings, love, and marriage. And he’s even less of a fan of people using him to get to Billy. When circumstances land Mikey in Dahlia’s house, though, all his caution—and all his interest in any other single ladies—flies out the window. Dahlia’s quirky and funny and, unlike all the other women he’s ever known, she doesn’t tolerate any of his baloney. But when Mikey discovers that Dahlia, too, is using him to get close to Billy, will he take the chance to be her hero instead, or will he revert to his manwhore ways?


MATCHED (Misfit Brides #2) Playlist

Jamie Farrell writes fun contemporary romances with quirky characters and lots of heart. She believes love, laughter, and bacon are the most powerful forces in the universe. Her debut novel, Southern Fried Blues, was a finalist for the 2013 National Readers' Choice Awards and the 2014 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards.

A native Midwesterner, Jamie has lived in the South the majority of her adult life. When she's not writing, she and her military hero husband are busy raising three hilariously unpredictable children.



Join Jamie's Feisty Belles!  The Feisty Belles is a fan group with open membership. Members get exclusive content and other fun stuff. :-)https://www.facebook.com/groups/FeistyBelles/

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Finding Charity by Jody Pardo. The cover reveal of this contemporary romance.

It's finally time to unwrap Finding Charity!

Finding CharityA Novella by Jody Pardo


Cover Photography and Design by Shelton Cole of SC PhotoCover Models: Jami Watts aka Jurnee Lane and William Scott
Cover Reveal: August 27, 2015Release Date: September 15, 2015




Mark Lyon was a beast in the boardroom. Building websites and branding corporations for success was his specialty, and he was good at it. Mark worked hard to earn his place at the top of his field. He let nothing stand in his way, not even Christmas.
Charity Clarke captured Mark's attention with her dirty mouth at first meeting, but her giving spirit stole his heart without notice. When she goes missing, will finding Charity be the gift with enough love and hope to save them both?




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Jody was born and raised in New York City and is an only child of an English professor. After 9/11/2001 and a line of duty injury, she left her role as an EMT with FDNY-EMS for a quieter life. She pursued Bachelor's degrees at Arizona State University in Molecular Biosciences and English. Her love of books and introduction to the Indie book world led to many wonderful friendships, and the drive to write and publish was ignited. Jody loves to travel and meet new people and has lived in four states and has visited 48 out of 50 US states.
Jody is a single mom to her daughter Ariel Elizabeth and her cat, Bullet.


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Forever: A Lobster Kind of Love**On Sale Just 99c**Amazon USAmazon UKAmazon CAAmazon AU

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Special Agent Maximillian by Mimi Barbour. Undercover FBI #3 Series.

Special Agent Maximilian by Mimi Barbour Series: Undercover FBI, #3Genre: Romantic SuspenseRelease Date: August 25, 2015


Identical twins but different men – she loves both!

In this electrifying romantic suspense set in the steamy streets of New Orleans, Lieutenant Commander Nik Baudin, accidently meets up with an identical twin he never knew existed. When his brother Max goes missing, Nik assumes his identity as Special Agent Maximilian. This gives him access to FBI files making it easier to arrest the gangsters who attacked his brother and to stop their trafficking of underage girls. Being that Nik has specialized commando training, he’s the perfect man for the job - that’s if his PTSD doesn’t kick in and leave him cowering in a corner.

Special Agent Maya Barnes can’t believe it when she spots her partner, Max Foster, wandering along the French market without a care in the world. Since he’d been beaten and had gone missing weeks earlier, they all believed him dead. There’s only one problem… though this man might look exactly like the missing agent, she knows differently. In all the years they’ve worked together, she’s never wanted to have mind-blowing sex with her partner before.










Mimi Barbour is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who's sold over 500,000 copies of her books world-wide. Her five romance series: The Vicarage Bench/ time travel at it's best, Angels with Attitudes / angels love romance, Vegas / fast-paced plotting, Elvis / make a song a book and her newest, Undercover FBI / with sizzling conflicts and lots of humor.

Mimi's been heard to say: "I'm an author who loves to read uplifting stories about romance. Add in some time travel, or maybe an angel, or even a little romantic suspense and it makes the story more fascinating because of the incredible possibilities."




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The shore by S.E.Brown.

The Shore by S.E. Brown Series: The Shore, #1Genre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: March 31, 2015


Ryan is a sweet, independent woman who has been betrayed more times than any woman should. All she wants is a week of rest, relaxation and beach time at the shore...but life isn’t ever that easy, is it? A desire to stick her toes in the ocean leads her to a sandy situation she’ll need some help getting out of, and little does she know that sand will change her life forever.

Cody is a down-to-earth, all-around good guy who, for good reason, has been out of the dating scene for quite a while. While stopping to help a stranded woman on the side of the road, he starts feeling things his broken heart hasn’t felt in years. Will his chivalry lead him to the healing touch he so badly needs?

Their story is a roller coaster of emotion with broken hearts, lost loves, and friends long forgotten. In the end, will Ryan finally let go of her past and trust again? Will Cody open his injured heart once more to love?



     “You’re awfully quiet,” Cody said, squeezing Ryan’s hand and breaking her train of thought.
     “You, too,” she answered.
     Cody stopped and turned to face Ryan. He sank slightly in the sand as the waves brushed over his feet.
     “I’ve been thinking about today. How much fun we had. How everyone seems to really like you.” He stopped for a moment, his eyes moving to her lips. “How I’ve wanted to kiss you. All. Damn. Day.”
     Ryan felt the heat in her cheeks and her heart began to race. “Oh yeh?”
     “Yeh,” Cody said quietly, slowly raising his hand and caressing his thumb over her cheek, each stroke getting closer and closer to her lips. He slowly ran his tongue over his bottom lip.
     Ryan loved the color of his eyes, and the way they were looking at her, it was like he would do anything to kiss her.
     “Whatcha waiting for?”
     Cody grinned just the slightest bit as he raised his other hand, placing it on her other cheek and brushed his lips lightly against hers. When he pulled back and looked at Ryan, she was smiling, but he saw a want in her eyes, too. He slowly lowered his mouth to hers again and started with a light kiss that quickly deepened.
     Ryan lifted her arms and circled them around Cody’s neck.
     “God, he tastes wonderful, like chocolate and marshmallows,” she thought.
     His tongue started to tease her bottom lip and she opened her mouth to him. Gently, their tongues played. Cody ran a hand down her back to her waist and pulled her closer. He wanted to feel her body against his. Her lips were so soft and the way she felt… His cock began to stir and he knew he needed to stop.
     Cody began to pull back, adding a couple of soft pecks on Ryan’s lips as he ended the kiss. He looked into her eyes.
     “Hi,” he said quietly.


Will follow!





S.E. Brown is a left-handed, dog-loving, Apple-touting girl that believes in true love. Raised in Northwest Wisconsin, the land of beer and brats and cheese, she’s lived in Metro Detroit for nearly 20 years and has her own furry baby, Siany.




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Release Blitz: The Duke's Obsession by Sandra Owens #Historical #Regency #Romance

The Duke's Obsession by Sandra Owens Genre: Historical Romance - RegencyRelease Date: August 19, 2015


Christian Fallon, the Duke of Aubrey, has never forgotten the woman he fell in love with six years earlier. Forced by his father to marry another, he endured a miserable marriage. Now a widower, he arrives in London with the intention of vanquishing his enemy, a man who is set on destroying Christian’s family. When he finds that his enemy is courting the woman Christian tried for years to forget, he conceives of a plan to take everything away from the man, including Katherine, the widowed Duchess of Westervly.

Katherine has intentionally caught the eye of the Viscount of DeWynter, a man she can barely tolerate, but her stepmother is missing, and clues lead to the viscount as having a hand in her disappearance. When Christian appears on the scene, she is torn between the two men; Christian, who has held her heart all these years, and DeWynter, whom she believes can lead her to her stepmother.



As Christian turned to leave, he bumped into a woman.

“My pardon,” he said, then stilled. Katherine.

“Your…Your Grace.” She placed her hand over her heart, and her cheeks paled.

Percy stood behind Katherine, the same maid she’d had when he was courting her. At the time Percy had been a coconspirator in helping them find time alone. From the glare the impertinent maid gave him, it didn’t seem to deter her that he was now a duke. She’d probably like to stick a blade in his heart, and he couldn’t deny it would be deserved.

“Katherine, a pleasure to see you. It has been a long time.” Six years, eight months, and one week to be exact. When he had ended their courtship, she had married the Duke of Westervly almost immediately, and the two had left London for Westervly’s family seat. That she’d married so quickly had been a hard blow to his heart, even though he had lost his right to think anything where she was concerned. That her new husband had been elderly hadn’t mattered. All he knew was that she was truly lost to him.

“Please, I would prefer Your Grace or Duchess.”

Had he detected a tremor in her voice? “Of course, Duchess. Again, my pardon.” Her gaze stayed just below his chin, and he wanted her to look up, wanted to see into those beautiful green eyes to learn if there was any regard for him. Stupid that. He had broken her heart, over six years had elapsed, and the word was that she was as good as betrothed to DeWynter. There would be nothing in her eyes for him. She didn’t even want to hear her name from his lips.

She tilted her head, her gaze on the package he held. “It appears you are in a mood to read.”

Because he expected to be dismissed, it took a moment to realize she’d given him the opportunity to spend a few minutes with her. He lifted the paper-wrapped books. “These are for Mother.” He didn’t include mention of Theresa, as he didn’t want to answer any questions concerning his sister.

“Oh, is she in Town?”

Ignoring the glare Percy was still sending his way, he put his hand on Katherine’s elbow and steered her to a spot away from the door, regretting that he wore gloves, that he wasn’t touching her skin to skin. “She doesn’t come to London. Ever. Believe me, I’ve tried to get her to leave Rosemont, if only for a few days.”

Words were spilling from his mouth that were of no concern to her, but he couldn’t seem to stop them. If he didn’t speak, she would leave. Finally she looked up at him, and he had to force his lungs to keep breathing in air. How had he forgotten that her eyes reminded him of the leaves of a forest tree after a rain? Dark green and luminous.

“I’m sorry. I had hoped to hear that she…”

When she trailed off, he finished her sentence. “That she was happier after His Grace died, doing the world a favor?” Pink stained her cheeks, confirming he had guessed right. “Don’t be embarrassed, Duchess. I had hoped for the very same thing.”

He was relieved she hadn’t offered condolences on behalf of his bastard of a father. Also he hated having to address her as Duchess or Your Grace. She would always be Katherine to him. “As we are speaking of being sorry, my sympathy for the loss of your husband.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. I miss him terribly.”

At the tears pooling in her eyes, Christian wanted to break something. He shouldn’t want to believe her marriage had been one of convenience, but she had obviously loved Westervly. Until he had seen Katherine again at last night’s ball, he’d convinced himself that she was simply a fond memory. How different would his life have been if he had married her? Would they still be happy, still be in love?

She glanced at Percy, then returned her gaze to him and touched her fingers to his. “I hope you are happy, Christian. I truly do.” Without giving him a chance to respond, she walked out the door without looking back. Percy did, however, giving him one last glare.

He couldn’t move, could only stare at the fingers of his glove where it seemed warmth lingered from her touch. She had called him Christian. He had heard her speak his name in his dreams, but to hear it from the living, breathing her made him want to weep for what he had lost.





A best selling, award-winning author, Sandra Owens lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Her family and friends often question her sanity, but have ceased being surprised by what she might get up to next. She’s jumped out of a plane, flown in an aerobatic plane while the pilot performed thrilling stunts, has flown Air Combat (two fighter planes dogfighting, pretending to shoot at each other with laser guns), and rode a Harley motorcycle for years. She regrets nothing.

Sandra is a 2013 Golden Heart® Finalist for her contemporary romance, CRAZY FOR HER. In addition to her contemporary romantic suspense novels, she writes Regency stories.