Elizabeth Keysian's Blog, page 4

An exclusive sneak peek at a rip-roaring romance!

A GAME OF HAZARD, my story in the outstanding THE WEDDING WAGER anthology, is all polished and primed and I feel brave enough to share a couple of extracts with readers!

In the meantime, you can pre-order the whole collection at a discount price of $0.99 right HERE on AMAZON, NOOK, and iBooks. Authors include Collette Cameron, Chasity Bowlin, Emily Royal, Sydney J Baily, Rachel Ann Smith, Tabetha Waite, and Elizabeth Ellen Carter.

Let us begin with The Prologue (puts on Frankie Howerd voice here… and reveals ones age).

Prologue

“I doubt there are many confirmed bachelors in Bath at this time of year.” Lady Octavia Sewell’s mouth thinned in a mirthless smile.

Her cousin, Lady Pandora Osbourne, turned away from the window. “Enough for me to make good my side of the wager, I can assure you.” In truth, she’d just spotted a determinedly-single gentleman she knew giving alms to a disabled beggar by Pulteney Bridge.

“But you have nowhere near the size of hunting ground you might have in London. Are you not nervous that you may fail to make good your boast of being the best matchmaker in the country? It’s September already, and the Bath season has yet to begin.”

“I’m not in the least bit nervous.” Pansy tucked a wayward silver curl beneath her lace-edged cap. “Who says I can’t make more than one match in a month? There’s plenty of time for me to win ownership of Grandmother’s diamond tiara. Why—I already have an idea for my next project.”

A rustle of silk and the heady scent of otto of roses proclaimed Octavia’s arrival at the window. “Your target is outside? Which one is he? He must be totally against wedlock, you understand, so if you’re thinking about marrying off that military officer talking to the veteran, you’re doomed from the start. He’s far too handsome to escape the parson’s mousetrap for long. You can’t choose him.”

Pansy smiled to herself. What her cousin did not know—because she was too lazy to do the research—was that the officer had not two pennies to rub together. He was therefore the perfect mark for her next scheme.

“That gentleman is Captain Giles Harewood. I happen to know that he can’t afford a wife because he’s supporting a brood of sisters. Despite his height, good looks, and measured charm, he can never marry well, so he has decided not to marry at all. Ask anyone who’s anyone in Bath—they’ll tell you.”

What the man needed to tempt him into wedlock was an heiress, but he had not a cat’s chance in hell of winning one. Unless she, the best matchmaker in England, stepped in to assist him…

“He has a kind heart, as well as his exceptional good looks, to recommend him.”

Lady Octavia snorted. “Neither of which will put food on the table, Pansy. I don’t know any mother prepared to let her daughter marry into poverty, no matter how unmarriageable the girl might be. If yon fellow really does have pockets to let, I fear he’s beyond even your skills.”

“Which makes the challenge of finding him a match even more enticing.”

Octavia abruptly turned away from the window and glared at Pansy, then broke into her tinkling laugh. “You’re serious, aren’t you, my dear? Well, I shall await developments with interest. But don’t forget the terms of our wager. Whoever you find to match with the good captain must be off the marriage market, on the shelf, a confirmed spinster—”

“Yes, yes. I haven’t forgotten the terms of our agreement. But I’ll need time to settle on a suitable young female now that I’ve picked my mark.”

“You must also hope that the captain will be staying in Bath. A military man might be called away at any moment.”

Pansy nodded solemnly, hoping the gleam in her eye was hidden from her cousin. Because she knew something Octavia did not, and that was that the impecunious Captain Giles Harewood planned to remain for some time in Bath in hopes of bringing in a prize that would make his fortune. He was after the leader of a massive smuggling network, believed to stretch from the Dorset coast up into Wiltshire, Hampshire, and even as far as Gloucestershire. The reward money had been increasing in direct relation to the annoyance of the customs officials, constantly deprived of their rightful revenue.

Sadly, the captain would find little assistance in Bath, since most of the wealthy residents bought their tea, fine lace, tobacco, and brandy as contraband. At least—their housekeepers and stewards did. The ton wouldn’t sully their hands by dealing directly with such low-life.

But if Pansy were to drop hints, she might encourage him to stay long enough to put her matchmaking plan into action. Lady Octavia needn’t know what methods she employed—she’d never agreed when they’d made the wager that she would play fair.

Pansy reached for the quizzing glass that hung around her neck and gazed at the two men across the street. “Remind me, cousin, of what you consider to be ineligible? In a young woman, I mean.”

“She must be too short or too tall, too fat or too thin, preferably poor as a church mouse, with a bad complexion, a lisp, a squint, bad breath, or red hair and freckles, for good measure.”

Pansy groaned inwardly at Lady Octavia’s shallow assessment of womanhood. “Not every man cares about a lady’s looks. Or the size of her purse.”

“Ha! I defy you to find any that don’t. I can’t imagine a single fellow at the Assembly Rooms next week who won’t be tempted by either beauty or a fortune. Unless he’s a fool.”

Pansy continued to stare out the window. The captain had been joined by another scarlet-clad officer, and both had moved away from the beggar, their heads close like fellow conspirators. She must engineer a meeting with Harewood very soon and take his measure so that she knew how to proceed.

There was a flurry of movement beyond the glass, and she pulled back from the window with a gasp.

“What is it?” Octavia hurried to her side.

“Only that the one-legged beggar by the bridge is a fake—a trickster of the worst kind. He has just unfolded his ‘missing’ leg, pocketed his capful of coins and dashed off toward Sydney Gardens. Our heroic warrior has wasted alms on the undeserving.”

“Ah. So, Giles Harewood has been made a fool of. I told you that the possession of a generous heart was a failing. You’ll have your work cut out for you, cousin. I’m going to celebrate the fact with a glass of sherry—if you have no objection.”

“Help yourself.” The sherry was good, her supplier reliable. Pansy wished she could say the same for the brandy—weak as a virgin’s water. She must tell her butler to have words with the wall-eyed ruffian who sold them the liquor. The man always delivered after dark, and she had no illusions about the source of her brandy. Nor did she believe that the correct duties had been paid. But since everyone got their luxuries this way, she felt no guilt.

Maybe Captain Giles Harewood would be less of a problem than she’d supposed. If he could be hoodwinked by a beggar, she would surely be able to manipulate him into marrying whomsoever she chose.

Grandmother’s tiara would be hers by Christmas.

I’ll be posting Chapter One shortly.

An original, absorbing Regency romantic adventure for just $0.99

Finally, a Regency love story that sweeps you out of the ballroom and onto the open road, in the company of rogues, wreckers and a wicked hero who needs to mend his ways. A POTION FOR PASSION is the perfect conclusion to the Wanton in Wessex series.

When naïve Miss Flora Hartington crosses paths with a traveling apothecary, she seizes her chance to escape the shackles of propriety. It doesn’t hurt that he’s incredibly attractive, and kind in his own way. But it’s a temporary solution to her very big problem––namely, her controlling family.

Kidnapped by traveling folk as a child, Lawrence Campion yearns to be a real doctor, which means earning passage to America. The last thing he needs is to be saddled with the irksome, feisty Flora. However, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, and then be off to fulfil his dreams. But Lawrence has a past that is quickly catching up with him. And he carries a secret that could destroy both their plans.

Grab your copy from Amazon.

Also discounted on nook, ibooks and Kobo.

Enjoy romances with a bit of mystery and adventure? Especially if they’re discounted bestsellers?

The Regency romantic adventure, A PERILOUS PASSION is the one for you. Discounted to $0.99 for just a couple more days. Here’s the story-

Miss Charlotte Allston is unwittingly ensnared in a sinister web of traitors and spies when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome stranger on the beach. Fiercely determined to redeem his honour after a humiliating military defeat, the Earl of Beckport is living incognito, hunting a band of smugglers at the centre of a French plot to invade England.

The enigmatic Miss Allston instantly becomes a person of interest to the earl…and not just in the smuggling case. Passion flares swift and hot between the two. But when her attempts to help with his secret mission only endanger it, he must question where her loyalty truly lies.

Stunned by the sudden revelation that the woman he is falling for is the daughter of a notorious smuggler, Beckport feels duty-bound to report her. But then Charlotte is captured by the very traitor he’s after, forcing the earl to decide between redemption…and love.

You can get your copy from ibooks, nook and Kobo, or if you prefer Amazon, here’s the LINK.

Do you like your romances sweet, strong…and just $0.99?

Then grab yourself a copy of Regency romance VANQUISHING THE VISCOUNT, discounted for just two more days. Here’s the story-

Emma Hibbert will never again trust a good-looking man. They offer nothing but heartbreak and humiliation. But her conscience won’t let her abandon a sinfully handsome stranger needing help—even if he ignites an unwelcome passion in her. She soon realizes she should have left him in the mud where she found him, for he has the power to ruin everything…

Viscount Tidworth is anything but grateful for being rescued after a tumble from his horse. His pretty saviour may be well-meaning, but forcing him to delay his journey completely wrecks his engagement plans. And Tidworth cannot let that stand. But when he discovers Emma’s true identity, he must choose between his desire for revenge…and his baffling attraction to her.

Get your copy HERE.

Also available on Kobo, ibooks and nook.

Fancy a Regency bestseller for just $0.99?

UNMASKING THE EARL IS ON OFFER for just 2 more days. Here’s the story-

Devastated by the disappearance of his sister, the Earl of Stranraer has gone to extraordinary lengths to find the notorious rake responsible, and enters his household incognito to wreak his vengeance. But his enemy has an unexpected protector–the innocent but headstrong Miss Cassandra Blythe.

Cassie is determined to learn the art of seduction. But she is blindsided by her body’s thrilling response to the wrong man–a mysterious servant who shows up at the most inauspicious moments to spoil her lessons in love with warnings of her imminent ruin. When she learns the handsome servant’s identity and the reason for his deception, she resolves to help Stranraer, but only if he abandons his vow to destroy his enemy.

The earl is sorely tempted to give the meddlesome beauty a lesson in seduction she’ll never forget. But she turns the tables, and he gets his own lesson in forgiveness…and love.

Get your copy HERE.

Also available on ibooks, nook and Kobo.

Flash sale!

DISCOUNTED! All 5 Regency romances in my WESSEX series are now just $0.99 each for the next few days.
“The author brings the characters alive with her beautiful yet unique style.”
“…great historical fiction.”

Fancy some standalone Regency romps?
Get them here.

Especially if you like #secondchanceromance #enemiestolovers #adventure #smugglers #spies #dukes #mistakenidentity #gypsies #rogues #swashbuckling !!!

Everybody loves a bargain, right? So, how about FIVE of them?!?

If you haven’t read any early Elizabeth Keysian books, here’s your chance! Right NOW, you can get all 5 books in the Wessex series for just $0.99 each.
Choose the book you want, from the seller you want, via my Entangled author page.
Just click where it says “BUY TODAY FROM” and the drop-down menu gives you all the options, including KOBO, NOOK, Apple and Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca and Amazon.au.

Learn More

Each book can be read as a standalone, although A POTION FOR PASSION features two characters readers met initially in A PERILOUS PASSION. The hero and heroine in POTION are polar opposites and sparks fly when their paths cross again. Read it and see what happens!

If you haven’t done so already, why not treat yourself to international bestseller, DISTRACTING THE DUKE?

Determined to avoid the strife-filled marriage of his parents, Marcus, the Duke of Ulvercombe, wants an amenable, biddable wife, and has set his cap for a certain pretty miss. Unfortunately, her vastly opinionated, frustrating, and lamentably beautiful guardian, Lady Clara Tinniswood, keeps distracting him, tempting him to consider a far more tempestuous—and passionate—union.
Recently widowed Lady Clara Tinniswood wants only to organize a quiet new life for herself, beyond the control of any man. But one shockingly unguarded moment while confronted by Marcus’s gloriously naked body catapults her headlong into a forbidden passion and threatens to undermine all her well-laid plans.
Even if Marcus abandons his sweet ideal and surrenders to his growing desire for Clara, there’s one unalterable issue which could destroy their hopes forever…

You can get the book HERE- http://mybook.to/DtD

A free Tudor romantic suspense, and some of my secrets revealed!

This week I am taking over the Dragonblade Publishing Book Club. Let’s imagine it’s my birthday party and everyone who comes gets to take a gift home. Your gift is an ebook, LORD OF DECEPTION. You can download it FREE from my Amazon page or get it direct from Amazon in your part of the world by clicking HERE.

If you have time to read it and chat to me about it by the time we get to the live session on Saturday, February 12th, that would be awesome. But if you can’t manage that, fear not! We are going to have a lot of fun along the way.

If you’re not a member yet, feel free to sign up. There’s a great new author in the Book Club every week, and loads of games to play and prizes to win.

Ebooks of LORD OF DECEPTION will be free until Friday 11th February, 2022 only.

A Very Modern GIVEAWAY!

Here’s some good news for people who love reading apps! My bestselling Regency romance, DISTRACTING THE DUKE, is now available on the KISS app. How trendy is that? Sorry- I’m quite old now, so everything seems trendy to me…

If you already have the KISS app, you can check out the book HERE.

Here’s a little bit more about KISS:

KISS is a new and exciting way to experience Romance stories of all genres. Enjoy serialized quality content from NYT and USA Today bestselling authors, available right from your phone. KISS has hundreds of titles and authors to choose from, including new and exclusive content from some of your favourite voices! Best of all, you can choose just how much to read with our pay-as-you-go format!

Where can I download it?

IOS

 Android

To celebrate our new venture, the lovely people at KISS have gifted me some coins to give away. These will enable you to read more on the app. There will be 4 lucky winners, and all you have to do is share the following Tweet to be in with a chance of winning. https://twitter.com/EKeysian/status/1485214512215175175?s=20

The contest is open until February 20th 2022. I’ll keep a list of all the re-tweeters and then pull out my 4 winners, who’ll get 20 lovely KISS coins each.

A sneak peek at some new covers

I’m thrilled to announce that I am giving my MARRY IN HASTE series a makeover. Here’s the first of the new covers, created by the incomparable Madelene Martin via TheBookCoverDesigner. I love the gothic feel of this cover- and it reminds me of when my heroine’s candle blows out while she’s traversing the passageway at night. What is she up to? You’ll need to read the book to find out.

Woman in historical gown with candle and dark forest behind

Never get caught in a trap of your own making.

Miss Athene Hartville must marry quickly, before her inheritance runs out. When her flirtatious chaperone secures an invitation to spend the week with an eccentric duke and his guests, Athene’s hopes of finding a rich husband soar. Until, that is, her childhood nemesis Viscount Rushbourne arrives. He threatens to trample her ambitions into the dust. Struggling to manage his ailing father, a maverick younger brother, and an unwieldy earldom, Rushbourne’s reunion with the fiery Athene is a welcome distraction. Then he uncovers a conspiracy against him that could lead to his total ruin. His only hope is to win Athene’s heart…but can he pay the price and accept her bitter revenge?

This heart-stopping Regency romance is still only $0.99. You can get a copy here- http://mybook.to/lovetohateyou

There are three more covers to come- I can’t wait to publish them!