Sherry Ewing's Blog, page 12
October 27, 2023
First Kiss Friday with Collette Cameron
Welcome back to my First Kiss Friday blog. I’m happy to have you here with us today. My guest is the fabulous Collette Cameron who has an excerpt from her novella Moonlight Wishes and Midnight Kisses that can be found in Under the Harvest Moon: A Bluestocking Belles with Friends Collection. Happy reading and enjoy this first kiss scene!
Excerpt:
The last seemed an afterthought, but he asked with such tenderness that she couldn’t refuse.
He held up his injured hand. “You’ve seen my hand. I can use it but shall never have the same capacity as I did.” He then stuck out his leg. “My leg fares better, but my gait may always be uneven. I don’t know if I can run, dance, or do a thousand other things, but I mean to try.”
She’d never cared about his injuries other than how he’d suffered. A hand and leg did not the man make.
“Why are you telling me this?” she whispered.
Rather than answer her, he went on.
“I suffer from horrid nightmares, though they’ve abated a trifle of late. I cringe when I hear gunshots and do not know if that will ever change. Restoring Northwycke Court will take years of hard work and dedication, and even then, there is no guarantee I’ll succeed.”
“I ask you again, Cortland. Why are you telling me this? It changes nothing.”
Because none of those things mattered to her. She would have accepted Cortland blind, without legs, and poor as a pauper.
The smile he bestowed upon her would’ve melted iron.
How could a mere female withstand such seductive charm?
“I want you to know exactly what you are getting—what you are agreeing to should you consent to marry me.”
Avery had no doubt she looked and sounded like an idiot.
Her jaw fell open, and her eyes went wide as saucers. She shook her head over and over as she made inarticulate sounds.
Cortland’s face fell into devastated creases.
“I’m too late then.” He glanced over her shoulder, his eyes haunted and jaw tense. “I’d hoped… But I understand, darling. I do. I waited too long and inflicted too much angst.”
He cleared his throat, a rough rasp resonating through the tranquil garden.
Avery tried to collect her scattered wits, but the stupid things fluttered around like inebriated butterflies.
Cortland said…
He wanted to…
Agree to marry…
Good heavens.
Cortland wanted to marry her.
A small closed-lip smile framed his mouth as he skimmed a knuckle over her cheek.
“I hope you find happiness, Avery. I pray you are able to forgive me for the pain and suffering I caused you. And when you think of me, know that I love you. Have always loved you.”
He kissed her forehead with such reverence that tears sprang to her eyes, then made to turn.
Yes. Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes, her heart shouted.
Avery sprang forward and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t go. I…” She laughed. Pure, unfettered jubilation. “I was taken aback.”
Astonished. Flabbergasted. Flummoxed. Ecstatic.
And a hundred other euphoric emotions.
“Yes.” She touched his jaw.
“Yes?” Incredulity tempered with hope lit his eyes. “You will marry me. Just as I am?”
“Yes.” Avery nodded, unable to control the exuberant grin stretching from ear to ear. “Yes. The sooner, the better.”
It was Cortland’s turn to laugh. It welled out his chest and sent the birds to flight.
“She said yes!”
He picked up Avery and swung her in a wide circle, raining kisses on her face.
Breathless, giddy, and overflowing with joy, Avery clung to him.
At last, he lowered her to the ground, holding her steady but not releasing her.
“I love you, Avery. Everything about you, from your smile to your stubbornness to your blue eyes I get lost in every time I look at you.”
“I know you do.” And she did because she loved Cortland like that too. “And I love you. Now kiss me, silly man. I’ve waited quite long enough.”
“With the greatest pleasure.”As he settled his mouth over hers and Avery’s eyes slid shut, her last coherent thought before passion and bliss overtook her was, moonlight wishes do come true.
Moonlight Wishes and Midnight Kisses
By Collette Cameron
A scarred veteran with no future, Courtland Marlow-Westbrook wants to be left alone. Scottish heiress Avery Levingtone never stopped loving him and is determined to win his love again. Will these former sweethearts find happiness together, or will the wounds of the past keep them apart?
About Under the Harvest Moon boxset:
As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling romance author Collette Cameron® invites you to escape into the worlds of Scottish and Regency historicals. With a passion for witty and smart historical romance, Collette creates both entertaining and thought-provoking stories. Her roguish heroes and daring heroines are inspired by her love of historical trivia and castles, and she brings a dash of inspiration and a pinch of humor to every tale she writes.
Based in the Pacific Northwest, Collette is surrounded by the lush greenery and rainy skies that inspire her writing. She dreams of one day splitting her time between the Pacific Northwest and Scotland, and in the meantime, she indulges in her love of all things cobalt blue, dachshunds, and Cadbury chocolate. With over 55 books published and multiple writing awards to her credit, Collette is an established award-winning author of Sweet-to-Spicy Timeless Romances®.
So if you’re looking for an escape to the world of Scottish and Regency historicals, look no further than Collette Cameron. Her books perfectly combine wit and humor, leaving you both entertained and inspired. Website: http://collettecameron.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/collettecameronauthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/colletteauthor/
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/collettecameron.com/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/collette-cameron
Collette’s Chèris VIP Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CollettesCheris/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/collettecameronauthor/
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheRegencyRoseGiftGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/collettecameron
October 23, 2023
$0.99 eBook Sale!
In celebration of me attending the Historical Romance Retreat in San Diego, California this week, I’ve put nine of my eBooks on sale for $0.99. But hurry… once I return back to my regular life next week, their prices return back on November 1st.
Learn more at www.sherryewing.com/books or any of the book tabs above! You can thank me later for your next book hangover!
October 20, 2023
First Kiss Friday with Fil Reid
Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. Today my guest is a new author to me. Please help me welcome Fil Reid who has an excerpt from her novel Guinevere: The Dragon Ring. We hope you enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading, my lovelies.
(Arthur, whom Gwen married the night before but has not seen since, and his half brother have just been fighting within the city walls of Viroconium for supremacy after the death of their father. Gwen has had to hide with Arthur’s heavily pregnant younger sister, whose baby she helped deliver. Arthur, victorious, has come to claim her and take her to safety)
Excerpt:
In the street, we came upon the rest of Arthur’s force, which by now was considerable in number and filled the roadway. All of them were on foot: the warriors from Din Cadan whom I vaguely knew, Eudaf’s City Guard, recognizable by their red cloaks, and a number of other supporters from Viroconium, mainly men of Arthur’s age or younger. Some of them just boys.
When the men saw Theodoric cradling Morgawse and the baby in his arms, a great cheer went up, as though this event was the icing on the cake to their success. The baby began to cry lustily, and Theodoric’s face was a grin of pride from ear to ear.
Arthur raised the hand that was holding mine into the air. “The Lady of the Ring!” he shouted. “The Queen of Dumnonia, as the prophecy foretold!” Another great cheer went up, and before I could stop him, Arthur swung me deftly into his arms, pressing my body against his chainmail shirt, and his mouth came down on mine.
For a second, I froze with surprise. Then anger took over, and I struggled in his arms, but there was nothing I could do to escape. His mouth was hard on mine, the smell of his masculinity all about me. A treacherous hot feeling slithered through my body and my knees felt weak. Just as I’d decided it was actually very nice to be kissed like this by an undeniably attractive king, after a bloody battle, he released me. The cheer was deafening.
He didn’t seem to notice that he’d left me flustered and breathless.
“To Domus Albus!” Arthur shouted above the din.
I was swept up in the victorious march, bowled along like a piece of driftwood on the tide of men, the only woman there but for Morgawse.
After the triumph of the baby’s safe delivery – and that kiss – I was seized by an impulse to shout and wave my arms in the air in jubilation, which wasn’t at all like me. The excitement got into my very soul, exposing a long-hidden side I’d never known existed. An inner, more primitive side that the Dark Ages were bringing to life. I wasn’t the same woman who’d climbed Glastonbury Tor to scatter her father’s ashes just a week ago.
Guinevere: The Dragon RingBy Fil Reid
Welcome to Book One in Guinevere, an exciting series steeped in Arthurian legends, history, and time travel – from award-winning author Fil Reid.
Gwen goes to scatter her Arthurian scholar father’s ashes on Glastonbury Tor, and in the ruined church tower, she picks up a gold ring embossed with a dragon emblem. This snatches her back 1500 years into the dangerous world of the Dark Ages.
The Merlin tells her she’s destined to become the Guinevere – of the legends her father devoted his life to studying – and fulfill a prophecy by marrying Prince Arthur. Only with her help can he become the famous King Arthur.
If anyone is less enthused about this idea than Gwen, it’s him. Tall, handsome, and ruthless, he doesn’t truly believe any prophecy can decide his future. Son of the ailing King Uthyr Pendragon, he’s ruled the hilltop fortress of Din Cadan for his father since he was sixteen. But his jealous older brother is set to inherit both the kingdom and the High Kingship – so when news comes that Uthyr is dying in far-off Viroconium, Arthur sets off to stake his own claim.
He takes Gwen with him, putting more and more distance between her and the Tor, where she believes she can return home. But as time passes, her intention to leave wanes. While the lure of modern comforts and familiar faces is strong, the pull between her and Arthur grows ever more enticing…
And a kingdom’s future will be decided by her choice.
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MR7F2RP
About the Author:
Fil Reid has loved King Arthur and horses for as long as she can remember. She could talk about both all day long, but she keeps that under control so as not to bore her husband and family too much. She has late-diagnosed Asperger’s syndrome and thinks her obsessions are far more interesting than those of her two Aspie sons – the Titanic and bellringing. There’s such a thing as hearing enough of bells.
She’s owned horses most of her life, just not now. But if she still had horses, her books would probably never have been written as she’d have been too busy riding every day. One of her favourite things to do is to visit the places in her books so she can describe them better. A certain amount of imagination is required, as of course they’ve changed a lot in 1500 years, but she loves visualising them as they were in the past.
With her Guinevere series finished this year, she’s got some Regency romances out next year from June onwards – The Cornish Ladies series – and she’s just begun work on the books to follow them.
Fil Reid has loved King Arthur and horses for as long as she can remember. She could talk about both all day long, but she keeps that under control so as not to bore her husband and family too much. She has late-diagnosed Asperger’s syndrome and thinks her obsessions are far more interesting than those of her two Aspie sons – the Titanic and bellringing. There’s such a thing as hearing enough of bells.
She’s owned horses most of her life, just not now. But if she still had horses, her books would probably never have been written as she’d have been too busy riding every day. One of her favourite things to do is to visit the places in her books so she can describe them better. A certain amount of imagination is required, as of course they’ve changed a lot in 1500 years, but she loves visualising them as they were in the past.
With her Guinevere series finished this year, she’s got some Regency romances out next year from June onwards – The Cornish Ladies series – and she’s just begun work on the books to follow them.
https://www.facebook.com/filreidauthor/
First Kiss Friday with Fil
Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. Today my guest is a new author to me. Please help me welcome Fil Reid who has an excerpt from her novel Guinevere: The Dragon Ring. We hope you enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading, my lovelies.
(Arthur, whom Gwen married the night before but has not seen since, and his half brother have just been fighting within the city walls of Viroconium for supremacy after the death of their father. Gwen has had to hide with Arthur’s heavily pregnant younger sister, whose baby she helped deliver. Arthur, victorious, has come to claim her and take her to safety)
Excerpt:
In the street, we came upon the rest of Arthur’s force, which by now was considerable in number and filled the roadway. All of them were on foot: the warriors from Din Cadan whom I vaguely knew, Eudaf’s City Guard, recognizable by their red cloaks, and a number of other supporters from Viroconium, mainly men of Arthur’s age or younger. Some of them just boys.
When the men saw Theodoric cradling Morgawse and the baby in his arms, a great cheer went up, as though this event was the icing on the cake to their success. The baby began to cry lustily, and Theodoric’s face was a grin of pride from ear to ear.
Arthur raised the hand that was holding mine into the air. “The Lady of the Ring!” he shouted. “The Queen of Dumnonia, as the prophecy foretold!” Another great cheer went up, and before I could stop him, Arthur swung me deftly into his arms, pressing my body against his chainmail shirt, and his mouth came down on mine.
For a second, I froze with surprise. Then anger took over, and I struggled in his arms, but there was nothing I could do to escape. His mouth was hard on mine, the smell of his masculinity all about me. A treacherous hot feeling slithered through my body and my knees felt weak. Just as I’d decided it was actually very nice to be kissed like this by an undeniably attractive king, after a bloody battle, he released me. The cheer was deafening.
He didn’t seem to notice that he’d left me flustered and breathless.
“To Domus Albus!” Arthur shouted above the din.
I was swept up in the victorious march, bowled along like a piece of driftwood on the tide of men, the only woman there but for Morgawse.
After the triumph of the baby’s safe delivery – and that kiss – I was seized by an impulse to shout and wave my arms in the air in jubilation, which wasn’t at all like me. The excitement got into my very soul, exposing a long-hidden side I’d never known existed. An inner, more primitive side that the Dark Ages were bringing to life. I wasn’t the same woman who’d climbed Glastonbury Tor to scatter her father’s ashes just a week ago.
Guinevere: The Dragon RingBy Fil Reid
Welcome to Book One in Guinevere, an exciting series steeped in Arthurian legends, history, and time travel – from award-winning author Fil Reid.
Gwen goes to scatter her Arthurian scholar father’s ashes on Glastonbury Tor, and in the ruined church tower, she picks up a gold ring embossed with a dragon emblem. This snatches her back 1500 years into the dangerous world of the Dark Ages.
The Merlin tells her she’s destined to become the Guinevere – of the legends her father devoted his life to studying – and fulfill a prophecy by marrying Prince Arthur. Only with her help can he become the famous King Arthur.
If anyone is less enthused about this idea than Gwen, it’s him. Tall, handsome, and ruthless, he doesn’t truly believe any prophecy can decide his future. Son of the ailing King Uthyr Pendragon, he’s ruled the hilltop fortress of Din Cadan for his father since he was sixteen. But his jealous older brother is set to inherit both the kingdom and the High Kingship – so when news comes that Uthyr is dying in far-off Viroconium, Arthur sets off to stake his own claim.
He takes Gwen with him, putting more and more distance between her and the Tor, where she believes she can return home. But as time passes, her intention to leave wanes. While the lure of modern comforts and familiar faces is strong, the pull between her and Arthur grows ever more enticing…
And a kingdom’s future will be decided by her choice.
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MR7F2RP
About the Author:
Fil Reid has loved King Arthur and horses for as long as she can remember. She could talk about both all day long, but she keeps that under control so as not to bore her husband and family too much. She has late-diagnosed Asperger’s syndrome and thinks her obsessions are far more interesting than those of her two Aspie sons – the Titanic and bellringing. There’s such a thing as hearing enough of bells.
She’s owned horses most of her life, just not now. But if she still had horses, her books would probably never have been written as she’d have been too busy riding every day. One of her favourite things to do is to visit the places in her books so she can describe them better. A certain amount of imagination is required, as of course they’ve changed a lot in 1500 years, but she loves visualising them as they were in the past.
With her Guinevere series finished this year, she’s got some Regency romances out next year from June onwards – The Cornish Ladies series – and she’s just begun work on the books to follow them.
Fil Reid has loved King Arthur and horses for as long as she can remember. She could talk about both all day long, but she keeps that under control so as not to bore her husband and family too much. She has late-diagnosed Asperger’s syndrome and thinks her obsessions are far more interesting than those of her two Aspie sons – the Titanic and bellringing. There’s such a thing as hearing enough of bells.
She’s owned horses most of her life, just not now. But if she still had horses, her books would probably never have been written as she’d have been too busy riding every day. One of her favourite things to do is to visit the places in her books so she can describe them better. A certain amount of imagination is required, as of course they’ve changed a lot in 1500 years, but she loves visualising them as they were in the past.
With her Guinevere series finished this year, she’s got some Regency romances out next year from June onwards – The Cornish Ladies series – and she’s just begun work on the books to follow them.
https://www.facebook.com/filreidauthor/
October 13, 2023
First Kiss Friday with Rue Allyn
Thank you so much for dropping by my First Kiss Friday blog. My guest today is my dear friend Rue Allyn who has an excerpt from her upcoming novel The Creole Duchess. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Take it away, Rue!
Hi, I’m Rue Allyn romance novelist and general history buff. This first kiss from The Creole Duchess requires a bit of explanation. Our hero and heroine have watched each other from a distance for weeks. Just a few nights past, Caleb, our hero, attended dinner at the home of Celie’s, our heroine’s, parent’s home and was introduced to her. That, however, is the extent of their relationship, though the attraction is clear to each.
These two characters are fated, and both happen to be in the backwoods bayous one night. Celie is helping an enslaved person of color escape to a ship anchored by pre-arrangement in the bayou. Caleb is being guided to the same ship not to escape but to meet the ship’s captain, his half-brother who has been missing for a number of years. Caleb is determined on reconciliation with his brother.
At the moment this scene opens Celie and her friend have just been attacked by slave catchers. To defend herself, this gently raised young woman has killed her attacker. Caleb and his guide hear the screams of the women and hurry to join the fray.
Excerpt:
Blood.
She was covered in the man’s blood.
He lay at her side, the hilt of her dagger protruding from his chest.
Nausea filled her mouth, and she shifted away to empty her stomach onto the verge. I killed a man.
Celie retched again.
Strong hands grasped her shoulders, and she struggled, to no avail.
Her captor managed to lift her to her feet and close his arms about her, pinning her arms to her sides.
Nonetheless, she kicked and scratched wherever she could.
I won’t stop, ever.
Not until she heard the voice crooning in her ear.
“Shhh, be still, you’re safe now.”
She ceased resisting and lifted her head.
Although the light was too poor to determine eye color, the face she saw was familiar; square-jawed, sharp cheekbones, a thin blade of a nose, and a slim physique.
“Cal,” she breathed. Relief battled with fear.
“Yes, me.” In the dim light, his expression was serious.
Shaking wracked her body, and her empty stomach clenched.
“I… I… killed that man.”
The words scratched and clawed their way from her throat. Then she wept. Silent tears of horror and regret. Terrified sobs welled up, and she pressed her mouth to his chest to prevent the sound from escaping.
He lifted her legs, cradling her, and moved slowly toward the nearest trees. Soon he stopped walking and simply rocked her back and forth as one would a frightened child.
She didn’t care. Her body registered the rocking. Her breath slowed. Her heartbeat steadied. Still her mind would not unsee the empty eyes of the dead man nor her hands un-feel his blood soaking her clothes, or unhear the gurgling sounds of death.
“… were defending yourself. He attacked. You had no choice.”
Gradually, Cals words, dulled the memories and blunted the terror.
She sniffled, gulped, nodded, lifted her head and gazed into his worried blue eyes. “Will I ever forget?” she begged on a whisper.
He stopped his rocking and leaned back against a tree trunk. “I don’t know,” he said stroking her hair.
That was not the answer, the comfort she wanted. Celie wanted escape, absolution, forgiveness, so she kissed him, a soft, soothing brush of lips on lips.
He didn’t respond. Then he did. Pressing his mouth against hers, urging her to open.
She did, climbing his chest in an attempt to get closer.
He let her legs fall, then held her bottom and lifted.
Tongue met tongue. Chest leaned into chest. His leg thrust between hers, freeing his hands.
She lifted her head for air and cold sanity struck down passion.
He nibbled at her earlobe.
“Nooo.” She pushed against him.
He instantly and gently set her on the ground.
A solitary moonbeam found his face.
Are those tears gleaming in his eyes? Does he want more as much as I do? This is insane.
Out of sheer confusion, Celie slapped him.
The crack resounded like thunder in the nighttime silence.
“How dare you accost me, sir!” The words rang hollow in her ears, but she had to say something, explain away the madness.
He did laugh, then. A low throaty chuckle that made little noise but wreathed his face in a smile of surprising appeal.
Celie stared.
He bowed, as elegant a gesture as she’d ever seen in the five years since her first ball, and she’d had entirely too many men—elegant, awkward, gauche, sly, snide—approach her to be unable to discern an expert movement when she saw one.
The idea of so great a courtesy in the present circumstances was too absurd. She laughed in response.
“I beg your pardon, Celie. Please forgive my so hasty and discourteous assistance. I simply wished to help.” He said it all before raising his head. When at last he did, the mischievous twist of his lips caught her attention, and her laughter faded into a fascinated stare.
“You are forgiven, sir. But only if you tell me why you are here.”
About The Creole Duchess:
New Orleans Creole, Miss Celestine St. Cyr-Duval refuses to live under the thumb of some man chosen by her parents. Celie will do everything to keep freedom of choice for herself and others. But fate interferes in the form of a duke disguised as British businessman, Caleb Elmond. A relationship with Caleb would find approval with her mother, but both Celie and Caleb have secrets that put them on opposite sides of a great conflict and could destroy them both.
With the Battle of New Orleans looming, can these two strangers from warring countries compromise and protect each other, or will fear and betrayal end both their lives?
The Creole Duchess, Duchess Series Book Three is expected to launch in late 2023. The pre-order price of $0.99 for this long-awaited conclusion to the Duchess Series ends on October 30th, release day.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5MSBW3T
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/49vEL8.
About Rue Allyn:
Award winning author of historical romances, Rue Allyn fell in love with happily ever after the day she heard her first story. (She claims she was a precocious little brat who read at the age of two but could hear much earlier than that.) She studied literature for far too many years before discovering that writing stories was much more fun than writing about them. One of her greatest pleasures as an author is being able to read the story before anyone else. Rue is happily married to her sweetheart of many, many years. Insatiably curious, an avid reader and traveler, she loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. You can contact her at Rue@RueAllyn.com. She can’t wait to hear from you.
October 10, 2023
Happy Release Day ~ Under the Harvest Moon!
I’m so excited to announce the release of Under the Harvest Moon: A Bluestocking Belles Collection with Friends. Yes! We have another book baby out into the world.
The boxset collection takes us to Reabridge a small town in Cheshire where all sort of intrigue can be found from lost jewels, feuding families, and even a baby who has the whole town talking. The Belles and their guest authors just know you’re going to love our latest release!
As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
Preorder now: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Can love at first sight be reborn after heartbreak, proving a second chance is all you need?
Miss Hannah Pownall fell for a young lord years ago, only to see him leave. After no word from him in eight years, he returns to their small town, wounded and broken. Now, Hannah must reconcile her old feelings with the heartbreak he caused, knowing he plans to stay.
Captain Brandon Worthington returns to the town of Reabridge to recover from the war. He never expected to find the girl he once loved still unwed. Now, he must prove to her that he never forgot her.
Hannah and Brandon’s journey is complicated by their respective pasts, but ultimately, they must decide whether second chances are worth taking a risk. Will they be able to navigate the obstacles thrown their way to find the happily ever after they both deserve?
My contribution to the set is A Love Beyond Time: A Family of Worth (Book Three).
October 6, 2023
First Kiss Friday with Caroline Warfield
Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. My guest today is my dear friend Caroline Warfield and fellow Bluestocking Belle who has an excerpt from her novella Blessing that will be found in our upcoming release Under the Harvest Moon. Happy reading, my lovelies. Take it away, Caroline!
The Bluestocking Belles have created another wonderful collection of interconnected stories, Under the Harvest Moon. I’m delighted Sherry let me share my story, The Morning Light. In this case, however, my hero and heroine’s first kiss occurred a year before the story begins. They were on the brink of betrothal when Adam was called up to serve as a surgeon at Waterloo. Upon return, bad memories, flashbacks, and even hallucinations manifest PTSD. He has pushed Meg away, keeping her at a distance from his darkness.
Excerpt:
He came to the green and stopped. He found himself caught between the Fife and Fiddle and St. Beonna Church. He’d wasted too much of himself in one, and had turned his back on the other.
He glanced around the green, panic rising. The last time he sat on the bench he’d seen the blood and guts of the battle. Today however, preparation for the Harvest Festival filled it.
Sweet memories filled him for once. Meeting Meg over the pie judging at last year’s Harvest Festival and striking up a conversation over the Morris dancing. Discovering her deep love of history and literature. Laughing and talking all afternoon. Dancing under the harvest moon, until they found a private spot by the bridge for an innocent kiss.
“Oh Dr. Wagner, thank goodness!” A voice cut into his revery. A very young, frantic looking woman stood next to him. “My Geordy is bleeding fierce.”
The physician-surgeon in him drove out grieving. He followed her to where the family had been setting up a table to sell baked goods. A boy of about six clutched a piece of rag to his hand. The cut was neither deep nor wide but the howling of the boy had clearly terrified his mother. He doubted it needed stitching but knew from experience that mothers were rarely satisfied with soothing words.
The woman hugged her son and carried him behind Adam on the way to his surgery. When he crossed the bridge, he kept his eyes firmly to the left toward his house lest he see Meg on the arm of Clark again.
Two stitches and a bandage slightly showier than necessary took him twenty minutes. The woman’s gushing flood of gratitude almost brought him to a blush, but he accepted the pennies she offered rather than insult the woman. “I thank God you’ve returned to us safe, Dr. Wagner. The town missed you.”
He saw her out with a frown. God? Did some almighty being bring me back from hell to Reabridge? If so, he deprived me of every joy. If he exists, why did he allow that horror of Waterloo to begin with?
The urge to drink rose. It doesn’t help, Wagner, remember?
Never fear! Love always finds a way, and so it will for Meg and Adam.
About the Story
A physician, Adam Wagner is meant to save lives, not take them, but war called, and the ones he could not save haunt him. His nightmares after Waterloo won’t stop and have begun to invade the daytime until he wonders if he’s losing his mind. Images of a young girl caught in the crossfire keep him from his daughter. The horror of it keeps him from Meg Barlow. They courted and he was close to proposing before he left. Now he can only protect her by staying away.
Meg lives on the charity of her cousin, Earl Barlow, and serves the community as a midwife. She doesn’t understand how Adam could turn his back on her so thoroughly, but she isn’t about to let him get away with it.
About the Book
As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
Preorder now: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Carol Roddy – AuthorAbout the Author:
Award winning author Caroline Warfield has been many things: traveler, librarian, poet, raiser of children, bird watcher, Internet and Web services manager, conference speaker, indexer, tech writer, genealogist—even a nun. She reckons she is on at least her third act, happily working in an office surrounded by windows where she lets her characters lead her to adventures in England and the far-flung corners of the British Empire. She nudges them to explore the riskiest territory of all, the human heart, because love is worth the risk.
https://www.carolinewarfield.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WarfieldFellowTravelers
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/caroline-warfield
September 29, 2023
First Kiss Friday with Rue Allyn
Welcome back to my First Kiss Friday blog. Today’s guest is Bluestocking Belle Rue Allyn who has an excerpt from her novella A Harvest Blessing within the Belles upcoming boxset Under the Harvest Moon. Take it away, Rue!
The first real kiss exchanged between Thom Owen and Charité du Pessac occurs when he shows her the house that he hopes they will start their married lives in together. He is about to propose, but Charité doesn’t have a clue.
Excerpt: A large bed occupied the center of the room not far from a fireplace that must share a flue with the hearth in the kitchen. The bed was completely at odds with the rest of the cottage. Made of smooth, polished, wild cherry, it had four elegant posts. Deep blue velvet curtains were tied back against each scrolled post. A lacy canopy topped the posts. A dozen fluffy pillows were decorated in the same material as the creamy counterpane embroidered in blue.
“Oh my.” It was a bed made for marriage, for loving. Were it hers, she’d never leave such luxury. At the moment all she felt was dismay. Days ago, Thom had asked permission to ask Aunt Faith if he could pay his addresses to her niece. Then Sam had gone missing, and nothing more had been said. He must have changed his mind. I would too if a man I contemplated marriage with lost a child in his care. However, why show me all of this, if Thom wants to share it with some other woman?
He moved to the bed and reclined, careful to keep his shoes off the counterpane. “Come test the mattress. Please. Lay down beside me. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“I shouldn’t.” She wrinkled her brow.
“We’re alone. Who will know?” He patted the counterpane.
She wanted to touch that lovely bed, lay beside him. If only once and only at a distance. “Since you invite me.”
She smiled and advanced to the unoccupied side of the bed. There she swept her hand over the counterpane. Silk? She tested the material again. Silk! She smoothed her palm across the nearest pillow case. The texture was the same, but beneath the cloth, was a small lump.
Since the lump did not move, she burrowed her hand between the cloth and the pillow. Finding the object she withdrew it, discovering she held a ring of braided gold. She put it into her open palm then looked at the man she loved too much for words.
He reached into the pocket of his trousers. “I have a companion piece here.” He held out a similar band with smallish diamond attached by four prongs. The band had the same braided pattern.
She took the ring from his hand, studying the pair as she held them together before her. “They are lovely.” She returned the rings to him.
He looked down at the gold.
“They were my mother’s.”
Butterflies swarmed her stomach, and her breath caught in her chest. “Thom?”
He grinned at her, then removed his shoes tucking the rings into one before he set it on the floor. Then he turned and crept across the bed to kneel before her on the silk covering.
“Charité Estelle Benéntia Marmont du Pessac will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She kissed him.
He wrapped his arms around her, and she fell with him onto the bed. He stroked her hair, as he returned her kiss with matching fervor.
She held his face, unable to get enough of him, peppering kisses from forehead to chin and back to his lovely, very skilled mouth.
His lips moved beneath hers, and she thrilled to his hand on her breast. Pleasure hurtled through her like one of the Congreve rockets she’d heard of, exploding when it reached her center putting every sense on alert and every nerve begging for more.
She found the ends of his neckcloth and managed to untie it without breaking the luscious kiss.
She began to open his shirt.
He left off his caress to stop her and broke the kiss.
Looking up at him, she lowered her brow in question.
“You’ve not responded to my proposal.”
She relaxed her forehead. “I would think our current activity is answer enough.”
“I need the words, Charité. I give you my heart, my entire being with my proposal. Is it too much to ask for one simple word?”
She stared into his earnest face, and decided not to tease him more. “Yes, Thom Owen, I accept your proposal. I want to marry you, grow old with you, bear your children. I give you my love and will hold yours close for as long as I may live.”
About A Harvest Blessing: All the battles are over, or are they? When Captain Thom Owen is forced into a false engagement, he must escort his pseudo-fiancée home to meet his father. Can an English vicar’s son and a French Comte’s daughter find love despite their differences?
About Under the Harvest Moon: As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
Moonlight Wishes and Midnight Kisses by Collette Cameron
A scarred veteran with no future, Courtland Marlow-Westbrook wants to be left alone. Scottish heiress Avery Levingtone never stopped loving him and is determined to win his love again. Will these former sweethearts find happiness together, or will the wounds of the past keep them apart?
The Morning Light by Caroline Warfield
Adam Wagner is meant to save lives, not take them. He is haunted by Waterloo. The horror of it keeps him from those he loves. Meg Barlow doesn’t understand how Adam could turn his back on her so thoroughly, but she isn’t about to let him get away with it.
A Harvest Blessing by Rue Allen
All the battles are over, or are they? When Captain Thom Owen is forced into a false engagement, he must escort his pseudo-fiancée home to meet his father. Can an English vicar’s son and a French Comte’s daughter find love despite their differences?
Coming Home by Mary Lancaster
Old memories, new love
Home from Waterloo, Captain David Buckley contemplates settling down near his home town of Reabridge—only it is full of painful memories. The mysterious Lady Lorna falls literally into his arms, and he begin to understand the true meaning of love and home.
Under the Champagne Moon by Alina K Field
Fleur Hardouin’s heart longs for Captain Gareth Ardleigh, but she needs an advantageous marriage.
Gareth has promised to find Fleur—on behalf of another man.
Now he must choose between honoring a promise and trying to win the hand of the woman he loves.
A Quiet Heart by Elizabeth Ellen Carter
Widowed at Waterloo, where she also nursed the wounded, Veronica Petersham promised a dying man to bring his effects to a family in Reabridge. She falls ill just short of her goal, in the milking shed of kind and stoic Martin Bromelton.
Perhaps there is hope for the future after all and the opportunity to find love once more.
A Love Beyond Time by Sherry Ewing
Eight years ago, Hannah Pownall had her heart broken by a young lord.
Captain Brandon Worthington returns to the town of Reabridge to recover from the war and finds the girl he once loved still unwed. Can love at first sight be reborn after heartbreak, proving a second chance is all you need?
The Widow’s Harvest Hope by Cerise DeLand
The new Earl Barlow returns home from Waterloo, intending to live by his own rules. The woman he loved and lost years ago visits for the Harvest festival—and he plans to offer Vicky Wright what they both want. Can a lady who has lived by the rules throw them all away to seize her last chance for happiness?
Love In Its Season by Jude Knight
The Battle of Waterloo lost Jack Wrath the use of one arm and ended his career in the cavalry. He has no place to go and nothing to offer. Gwen Hughes has a business to run and no time for romance. Under the harvest moon, two people who believe romance has passed them finally reach their season for love.
Available for Pre-order: https://bluestockingbelles.net/belles-joint-projects/under-the-harvest-moon/
Help share the news and win: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b4ecd9346/?
About Rue Allyn: Award winning author of historical romances, Rue Allyn fell in love with happily ever after the day she heard her first story. (She claims she was a precocious little brat who read at the age of two but could hear much earlier than that.) She studied literature for far too many years before discovering that writing stories was much more fun than writing about them. One of her greatest pleasures as an author is being able to read the story before anyone else. Rue is happily married to her sweetheart of many, many years. Insatiably curious, an avid reader and traveler, she loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. You can contact her at Rue@RueAllyn.com. She can’t wait to hear from you.
September 28, 2023
Don’t you just love a sale?
Every reader just loves a sale and right now the Bluestocking Belles have two deals for you. The first… Desperate Daughters is currently on sale now for only $0.99! This was our boxset from last year about a widow who is trying to find the means to give her eligible daughters a Season in York.
And the second… Under the Harvest Moon is available for preorder for only $0.99, too! Release date for our newest book baby is October 10th and we know you will enjoy this fabulous box set in celebration of the autumn season.
Buy link for Desperate Daughters is here: https://books2read.com/u/bMwL17
Under the Harvest Moon will go up to $5.99 after publication so grab it at the reduced price soon! Buy links is here: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
September 22, 2023
First Kiss Friday with Alina K. Field
Thanks for stopping by my First Kiss Friday blog. Today’s guest is my dear friend and fellow Bluestocking Belle, Alina K. Field. Alina has an excerpt from her story Under the Champagne Moon that is novella in the upcoming release from the Belles, Under the Harvest Moon. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene!
Homeless and living on the charity of her former guardian, Fleur Hardouin’s heart longs for Captain Gareth Ardleigh, whose kindness to her as a child she’s never forgotten, but she needs an advantageous marriage.
Gareth has promised to find Fleur—on behalf of another man. Now he must choose between honoring a promise and trying to win the hand of the woman he loves.
Excerpt:
Fleur’s hand and arm and shoulder tingled where the parts of her touched the parts of him, and her breath came in short bursts. Her free hand itched to pull her bodice higher, though she’d tried that in private without success. All through dinner, she’d caught him watching her. Each time his eyes slid down her face and neck to her décolletage, heat spurted down to her nether regions. She was heady and jittery and, now that they were away from the safety of their older companions, filled with anticipation.
An answering tension radiated from him. Wherever they were going, he was going to try to kiss her, and maybe more.
She’d been kissed before by some of Quidenham’s more devious guests. She’d even deflected attempts at the maybe more from the so-called gentlemen. On occasion, she’d experienced tingles.
But never like this. She’d never experienced this…this…magnetic pull, this urge to throw off all caution—along with this indecent gown.
He opened a door and nudged her inside, still holding her hand.
A bedchamber. Too breathless to speak, she squinted until her eyes adjusted to the room’s dimness. A discarded waistcoat draped a chair, and a man’s brush and toiletries rested atop a side table. Embers smoldered in the fireplace, ready to be stirred. This was his bedchamber.
Her heart beat a frenzied tattoo. “Gareth,” she said on the first breath she managed. He was going to make love to her.
Behind her the door snicked closed, and his hot breath touched her neck.
Perhaps she would make love to him.
She must not. What of Mr. Farnham, playing cards below?
Oh, Hades, Mr. Farnham had barely looked at her bosom, and that one glance had been not a bit spine-tingling. He’d made no declaration of interest tonight, much less courtship.
Gareth’s familiar scent—shaving soap and brandy and tobacco—floated around her. She closed her eyes and savored it.
A kiss. A kiss wouldn’t ruin her.
“Gareth.” She swallowed and hugged herself. He moved away, set aside the candle, and returned.
“I’m not… Oh Fleur.” He nudged her arms open and took her hands.
A speechless Gareth was a sight to see. His dark gaze sent her insides melting, sensation curling through her. She freed a hand and traced the scar etching his square jaw, watching his eyes darken and glitter. His was a strong face, usually a jolly one, probably a hard one when he was fighting, but not with her. The boy he was, the man he’d become, were not so very different.
“Dear Gareth,” she said. Her shawl slipped from her shoulders, and she let it.
His mouth softened and he touched his thumb to her lips. “Dear Fleur.”
Her hand slid from his jaw to the back of his neck. Her heels lifted her closer. Her lips sought his and pressed against them, softly, secured in a tender embrace.
His hand skimmed her waist and settled upon her back, the other wandering lower and pulling her against him. He angled his head, deepened the kiss, and breached the barrier of her lips.
Mon dieu. A shaky moment passed wherein she tasted brandy so potent it burned through her like liquid heat. She surrendered and then gave back with all of her heart.
When his lips left hers, she muttered a protest until she felt the soft press on her neck, and groaned. The hand on her bum pulled her even tighter, the other slid under her breast, and then up, stroking her through her gown until her nipples became hard points, every gentle caress echoing in her nether parts. She was burning, burning.
The bed—let’s go to the bed.
Gareth’s mouth stilled against her breast. A growl escaped his lips. He straightened and brushed her cheek. “We mustn’t, Fleur.”
She’d spoken the words aloud.
About Under the Harvest Moon, a Bluestocking Belles Collection with Friends
By Caroline Warfield, Jude Knight, Sherry Ewing, Cerise DeLand, Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Collette Cameron, Mary Lancaster, Alina K. Field, and Rue Allyn
As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
Release day is October 10, 2023
Preorder for 99 cents: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Author Biography:
USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature but prefers the happier world of romance fiction. Her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., but after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California where she shares a midcentury home with a golden-eyed terrier and a feisty chihuahua and only occasionally misses snow.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://alinakfield.com/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alina-K.-Field/e/B00DZHWOKY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlinaKField
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alina-k-field
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173518.Alina_K_Field
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alinakf/
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