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First Kiss Friday with Asher and Patience!

Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog! It’s always a great week when any author releases a new book baby into the world. Today I’d like to share the first kiss scene between Asher and Patience from Only a Lyon Will Do: Lyon’s Den Connected World. In this scene Asher sneaks into the Lyon’s Den garden where he knows Patience is waiting. At this point in the story, they don’t know each other’s names and they go by Hades and Persephone. I hope you enjoy this first kiss scene from my latest release! Enjoy.

Excerpt:

Asher shook his head as he let Pitt’s words go. Once again his eyes turned toward the garden, which Val had exited, looking no happier than when he entered. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a bouncer standing at the entrance and Asher took the opportunity to make his way across the gambling floor to slip inside. Luck was finally on his side tonight.

He slowly strode through the doorway. The garden looked almost barren, though that was inevitable, given the season. It would still be several months until this area would be back into what he would expect a garden to look like. He was, however, surprised to see a hearth set into the far wall. It was currently ablaze to provide whatever heat could be found to warm those

who might decide to brave the cooler weather.

His Persephone stood there. She was holding her hands out toward the fire but Asher still noticed her shivering from the cold. With the tinkling sounds of water flowing from the fountain, she didn’t hear his approach. He pulled his jacket from his shoulders and placed the garment around her. A gasp left her as she quickly turned to meet his gaze.

“Hades,” she exclaimed in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Good evening, Persephone,” he whispered. He pulled the edges of his jacket closer to provide what limited warmth it would offer. “I saw you enter a while ago and thought I might take advantage of the situation to speak with you again.” Was that disappointment that briefly flashed across her features?

“Good evening, my lord,” she answered. “I thought perhaps… never mind.”

“What did you think, my dear?” he asked in a husky whisper. He reached out with his thumb and forefinger and gently took hold of her chin, tipping her face upward so he could stare into those striking hazel eyes. The green of her eyes was only on the edges with a golden-brown center.

“It doesn’t matter,” she finally answered in a breathy tone.

“I beg to differ. Tell me,” he urged stepping closer. Her mouth was so tempting and he couldn’t resist running his thumb over her lower lip. She gave a sigh that went straight to his heart among other places.

“You’re here now. Nothing else matters,” she murmured instead of telling him her thoughts. She raised those hopeful looking eyes to him and he swore a little piece of the ice surrounding his heart cracked.

He knew he shouldn’t. She was a lady and not some woman of loose morals like those upstairs. But he couldn’t stop himself when he leaned down to brush his lips gently over hers. A startled soft gasp escaped her as their breath mingled together. His heart hammered inside his chest and he began to rethink the wisdom of tasting her lips. But then she stepped closer and wound her arms up and around his neck. He suddenly became lost in the feel of this woman’s body pressed intimately against his own.

His arms went around her as he deepened their kiss and when she opened her mouth, they were able to begin a dance with their tongues that sent sensations coursing through his body more powerfully than he’d ever felt from a mere kiss. Asher came to the harsh realization that he may just have met his match in this lady. The soft moan that came from deep within her made Asher break off their kiss as reality sunk in. Anyone could walk by and her reputation would be in ruins.

When she opened her hazel eyes, he had to blink for he swore he saw the promise of a future staring right back at him if he only allowed himself to believe in it. He shouldn’t have kissed her and the words of the prostitute who lived upstairs filled his head. Kissing was too personal, he realized too late, now that the damage was done.

“My apologies, Persephone. I shouldn’t have kissed you,” Asher said noticing the brief hint of hurt that flashed across her face.

A slight smile crept up at one corner of that luscious mouth. “No need to apologize since I was more than willing. Besides… I would expect nothing less from Hades to steal a kiss from a lady.”

A chuckle left him. “You know me too well.”

A light laugh left her. “Hardly, my lord. I think there is much to learn about you and that you are hiding behind this façade of a devil-may-care man.”

That thought was sobering, reminding him of the responsibilities that awaited him in the coming days especially with his brother.

“I don’t consider myself as a reckless person,” he said as he carefully watched her.

“And I am not usually careless with my reputation despite what just happened between us,” she replied patting her hair into place, not that she looked at all disheveled.

Can a chance encounter turn desire into love?

Asher Tyler, Earl of Rowley, has guarded his life as a carefree bachelor by avoiding romantic entanglements and the debutantes of each Season. When his world is turned upside down by a mysterious woman who saves him from a fall, Asher wishes to know her better but she refuses to reveal her identity. Asher cannot forget the woman at the Lyon’s Den and remembers every delectable detail about her.

Mrs. Patience Moore, a widow with a complicated past and ties to the Wicked Widow’s Club, was disowned by her merchant father when she married without his consent. Now a widow, she lives with her friend, Cassandra, who pays the matchmaking fees of the infamous Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the Widow of Whitehall, to find a husband for Patience.

But Patience doesn’t want an arranged marriage. She wants to fall in love but not with the man who stumbled into her one night at the Lyon’s Den who appears only interested in one thing. She knows his type. She should stay far away from him. Her heart tells her differently.

Mrs. Dove Lyon’s matchmaking brings Asher and Patience together, but the road is complicated. Asher insists he isn’t interested in marriage, his brother is vying for Patience’s affection, and an enemy from Asher’s past is seeking revenge.

Only time will tell if love will win over a woman who is afraid to trust and a man who refuses to see that the perfect woman is right before his eyes.

Purchase a copy at the links below or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Releases

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Published on September 27, 2024 00:00

Happy release day for Only A Lyon Will Do!

Any day an author can release a new book into the world is a very happy day and today is no exception. Let me introduce you to my third story writing in the Lyon’s Den Connect World, Only A Lyon Will Do. This book marks my 29th published book with two more waiting in the wings to go live! That’s quite the accomplishment considering I still hold down a day job.

I appreciate everyone’s support who has picked up a copy of my latest story. I hope you enjoy Asher and Patience’s journey to finding love!

Can a chance encounter turn desire into love?

Asher Tyler, Earl of Rowley, has guarded his life as a carefree bachelor by avoiding romantic entanglements and the debutantes of each Season. When his world is turned upside down by a mysterious woman who saves him from a fall, Asher wishes to know her better but she refuses to reveal her identity. Asher cannot forget the woman at the Lyon’s Den and remembers every delectable detail about her.

Mrs. Patience Moore, a widow with a complicated past and ties to the Wicked Widow’s Club, was disowned by her merchant father when she married without his consent. Now a widow, she lives with her friend, Cassandra, who pays the matchmaking fees of the infamous Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the Widow of Whitehall, to find a husband for Patience.

But Patience doesn’t want an arranged marriage. She wants to fall in love but not with the man who stumbled into her one night at the Lyon’s Den who appears only interested in one thing. She knows his type. She should stay far away from him. Her heart tells her differently.

Mrs. Dove Lyon’s matchmaking brings Asher and Patience together, but the road is complicated. Asher insists he isn’t interested in marriage, his brother is vying for Patience’s affection, and an enemy from Asher’s past is seeking revenge.

Only time will tell if love will win over a woman who is afraid to trust and a man who refuses to see that the perfect woman is right before his eyes.

Purchase a copy at the links below or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Buy Links:

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Published on September 25, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday with Jude Knight

Welcome to my First Kiss Friday Blog. It’s always a good day when my friend Jude Knight has a new book baby out into the world! We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene from Hold Me Fast . Happy reading, my lovelies!

This excerpt is from Hold Me Fast, published this week and still only 99c. Tamsyn has just told Jowan that she wants to be his friend.

***

Her smile faded. “Jowan, why are you upset? Do you not wish to be my friend?”

Exasperated all over again, he snapped back, “I wish to be your husband and your lover.”

Tamsyn gaped at him. “You do? Still?”

He couldn’t believe she said that. “What did you think I was about? I’ve been courting you for months!”

“But you have never even tried to kiss me,” she replied.

It was the mystified tone that shredded the last of his self-control. If it was a kiss she wanted, then a kiss is what she would have. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to him, but all his indignation eased as his lips touched hers, and he gentled the kiss, his lips firm but tender.

She opened beneath him, her tongue darting out to taste him, and his hands left her shoulders and pulled her closer. Her arms went around his waist and she plastered her body to his, and an endless moment passed as their tongues explored one another and so did their hands.

It wasn’t until he felt her hands pulling his shirt from his trousers that he remembered they were standing on a lookout above the village, where anyone could see them. Reluctantly, his lips attempting to cling, he pulled back.

“The village,” he panted.

“Oh! I forgot.” Tamsyn cast a glance in that direction, and Jowan’s ego celebrated the fact that his kiss had made her unaware of their surroundings.

“I was waiting to be invited,” he told her.

“I beg your pardon?”

“The kiss. You said I never even tried to kiss you, but I was waiting to be invited. Tamsyn, you couldn’t control what has happened to you over the years, and you didn’t need another male forcing their desires on you. If that gave you the impression I had stopped wanting you to be my wife, then I am sorry. But I am not sorry you were upset I didn’t kiss you.” Jowan was, in fact, decidedly smug about that last fact, and about how enthusiastically she had responded when he did kiss her.

Hold Me Fast

Childhood sweethearts Tamsyn Roskilly and Jowan Trethewey are ripped apart when her mother and his father conspire to sell Tamsyn to a music-loving earl. He promises to make her a famous singer, and to keep her from Jowan.

Hold Me Fast starts seven years later, when Tamsyn has become Tammie Lind, a sensational singing success. Jowan, now baronet in his father’s place, hears she has returned to England after a lengthy and successful tour of Europe and beyond. He travels to London to speak to her, but the earl continues to stand in their way.

However, Jowan discovers that Tamsyn has become addicted to drugs and alcohol, supplied by the earl who has seduced, debased, and abused her. Their childhood romance may be over, but now he owes her a rescue.

As he and his friends nurse her through withdrawal and help her make a new life in their home village, Jowan and Tamsyn fall in love all over again. But Tamsyn does not believe she is worthy of love, or that Jowan can truly overlook her past. And the wicked earl is determined to take her back.

It will take the help of their friends and their entire community for Jowan and Tamsyn to finally prevail.

A Twist Upon a Regency Tale
Lady Beast’s Bridegroom
One Perfect Dance
Snowy and the Seven Doves
Perchance to Dream
Weave Me a Rope
The Sincerest Flattery
Inviting the Wild
Hold Me Fast
The Trials of Benedict

Buy link or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Fast-Twist-Upon-Regency-ebook/dp/B0DBXN9GYJ/

Meet Jude

Jude always wanted to be a novelist. She started in her teens, but life kept getting in the way. Years passed, and with them dozens of unfinished manuscripts. The fear grew. What if she tried, failed, and lost the dream forever? The years since 2014 have brought 17 novels, 16 novella, 6 volumes of short stories, a number of awards, and hundreds of positive reviews. The dream is alive.

Website and blog: http://judeknightauthor.com/

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Published on September 20, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday with Ruth A. Casie.

Welcome back to my First Kiss Friday blog. I’m so happy you’ve stopped by. My guest this week is my friend Ruth A. Casie who has an excerpt from her story The Ghost of Whispering Hollo that’s appearing in the Hearts Through History anthology, The Spirit of Love. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Happy reading, my lovelies!

The Story – The Ghost of Whispering Hollow

In the haunted hollows, love dances with destiny.

Amidst the moon-dappled oaks of Blanefield Manor, where ancient secrets whisper through time, James returns from war—a soldier scarred by battle and longing. Elizabeth, his childhood friend, has been his solace through ink-stained letters. But as they unravel a family curse impacting both their lives, they face a haunting love, and Whispering Hollows reveals its true magic. In a dance of shadows and moonlight, their hearts reignite—a love that defies both time and spectral secrets.

The Set Up

Nestled at the western end of Loch Morlich, deep in the Scottish countryside, lies the picturesque village of Glenmore. This quiet community is home to Whispering Hollow, a haunted pumpkin patch, and Blanefield Manor, the grand residence of Edward, Duke of Blanefield, and his family.

For two decades, Glenmore has harbored a dark secret, one that remains unsolved. But on this day, October 31, 1786, destiny may finally reveal its hand.

Nancy, the duke’s youngest daughter, carved a pumpkin instead of the traditional turnip for the annual contest and bonfire near the haunted patch. Sadly, her creation met an untimely end on the Manor’s foyer floor.

Meanwhile, her older sister Elizabeth eagerly awaits the return of her beloved James, who has been away in service for six long years. Despite the distance, their love has endured through countless letters. James is expected to return the following day.

Determined to find Nancy another pumpkin, Elizabeth ventures into the haunted patch, only to lose her way. When she falls and cries out, it is James who comes to her rescue, having arrived a day earlier than expected.

The Excerpt

“My foot’s tangled,” she stammered.

James released her hand as he crouched next to her and worked to free her foot.

Her words hung in the air. Elizabeth’s gaze traced the familiar contours of James’s face—the boy she’d known, the man she’d imagined through ink-stained letters. Six years of longing, of written secrets and endless waiting. Now, he knelt before her, an arm’s length away. The sudden sight of him sent a rushing warmth through her veins.

“You’re here…” Her heart beat quickly as a tide of relief washed over her.

“Yes, I am here. You haven’t changed a bit.”

She gazed at his profile and noticed his determination softened by a hint of familiar mischief. He wore his neatly groomed, dark hair longer than usual. She found it becoming. Her breath caught when she glanced at his lips. Elizabeth wanted to—

“Still getting into trouble and needing to be rescued.” He cut the vines that held her foot captive. Still kneeling, he tilted his head toward her. “Seriously, what are you doing in the grove?”

“Nancy carved a pumpkin for this evening’s celebration. Somehow, it slid from her hands and smashed to pieces on the floor.”

“So you came here to gather a pumpkin for her. She must be twelve years old by now.” James pulled the last of the vines from her foot. He stood holding out his hand. “Can you walk?”

She gave him her hand. Elizabeth stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him.

“You’re home,” she whispered into his chest.

“It’s best we leave this place and give your sister her prize.”

“I don’t want to let you go.” She nuzzled closer.

He kissed her forehead and then, with the crook of his finger, lifted her chin. “Me neither, but we can’t stay here.”

She pulled away. “I’m to meet the family at the gate.” Elizabeth looked around and then at him. “I tried to find my way out, but with the dense mist, I couldn’t. I only went around in circles.”

James gave her his most dashing smile, the one that curled her toes.

Amidst the cool forest evening, Elizabeth and James stood—two people filled with longing but afraid to take what they wanted. His touch, tentative yet sure, traced the curve of her jaw. And her heart raced. She didn’t need to see his smile for her toes to curl. Their lips met, and a whispered promise was made.

Time ceased to matter as the years apart dissolved. They were no longer the hesitant correspondents of ink-stained letters. James’s arms encircled her, pulling her closer, and she melted into their warmth. He kissed her again, deeply, passionately, and she thought she would burn up. As they pulled away, breathless and smiling, Elizabeth knew this kiss had decided their fate.

Buy Link: Amazon

About the Author:

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Within the pages, you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat’ suspense, mind-boggling drama, and heart-melting emotions featuring strong women and the men who deserve them. She currently has four historical series: The Druid Knight, The Stelton Legacy, and The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea, and she participates in The Connected World of The Pirates of Britannia as well as The Lyon’s Den Connected World.

Ruth lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms, and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at a major international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join her heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after. Ruth hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!

Social Media Links:

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Published on September 13, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday with Brenna Ash & a Giveaway!

Thanks for stopping by my First Kiss Friday blog. I’m so happy to have you here. Today’s guest is Brenna Ash who has an excerpt from Rogue you Like A Hurricane. She’s also offering a giveaway, so be sure to read all about it at the end of this post. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene, my lovelies. Happy reading and good luck on the giveaway!

Excerpt:

The halls were quiet as Clarissa made her way to room. Millwool really was a beautiful castle. The wood-paneled walls of the corridor gave it a warm feeling. The high ceilings were lit with chandeliers holding dozens of candles. Above each chandelier, the plaster was molded into a wreath of flowers, allowing the light to play off the uneven surface.

The floors were dark wood that matched the walls, and a red carpet runner kept the noise of footsteps to a minimum. Which probably was why she didn’t hear Alexander until he called to her from a short distance away.

“Clarissa,” he called again. “Can we talk?”

“I really dinna have anything to say to ye, Alexander.”

Confusion marred his handsome features. “Please, allow me to apologize.”

She laughed, the sound echoing in the space.

He ignored her laugh and continued. “I shouldna have left so abruptly after the dance. I put ye in an awkward position and that was never my intent.”

She tilted her head to the side as she listened to him. That. That was what he was apologizing for?

“I didna think about how that would look to others. ’Twas verra selfish of me.”

She spun on him. “Is this really what ye are apologizing for?”

His brows furrowed. “Is that no’ what ye are upset about? Rightfully so, might I add,” he said quickly.

She threw her hands up in the air and started walking. “Ye are insufferable. Almost as bad as my brother.”

“That is no’ how ye were acting yesterday.”

She stopped and turned back to him. He was close on her heels, and she did the only thing that came to mind. She put her hands on his broad chest and gave him a shove, knowing she was stepping out of line. “That was afore I found out I was just a pawn in some stupid game ye were playing.”

“What are ye talking about?” He asked, eyes dark.

She laughed. “I heard ye. The conversation ye had in the gardens.” She watched as what she said sunk in.

“I am sorry ye had to hear that. He had no right to propose such a thing. I can see why that would upset ye. But what I dinna understand is why ye are taking your anger out on me?”

She shook her head in disbelief. “Ye canna be serious. Why wouldna I be upset? To be used in that way. I’m supposed to be happy about that?”

Alexander pushed his hands through his dark hair, stress evident on his face.

“I think there has been a misunderstanding.” He looked around, for what, she didn’t know. “Let’s talk in my study.”

“I’ve no interest in such a discussion. “It was quite clear that ye are willing to barter me to regain possession of your flock.”

He smirked. Which only caused her temper to rise. She could feel her face heating up.

“I find naught comical about this.”

“Well, ye would if ye actually kenned what was actually going on instead of jumping to conclusions.”

This time it was her turn to be confused. “I ken just fine. I heard him make the offer. One night and ye will get your sheep back. No money needed.”

“Aye, the louse did make that offer.”

“See?”

“See what? I didna accept it. I told him to go to hell.” Alexander looked flustered. “Jesus, Clarissa. What kind of man do ye think I am that I would agree to such a thing?”

Was it true? She hadn’t stayed long enough to hear what Alexander had said afterward. He’d agreed after the proposal was put forth. There was no denying that.

“Ye agreed after he stated what he wanted. Ye said, ‘aye, right’.”

“Aye, I did.” He tugged at the cravat around his neck, loosening the knot. “Because I couldna believe what I had heard. Once it sunk in, and I told him I would ne’er agree to such a disgusting deal, I came in to find ye and was told ye’d left upset.”

Oh dear, had she really gotten everything so misconstrued?

“Wouldna ye be upset if ye’d just overheard such a proposal?

“Aye, but why were ye out there in the first place? Were ye alone?”

It was her turn to be flustered. “Dinna put this back on me. I did naught wrong. I was tired of everyone looking at me like I’d grown two heads after ye left like ye couldna get away from me fast enough. I needed some fresh air.”

“I,” Alexander paused. “I am sorry ye had to hear such a vile offer. I hope ye ken I would ne’er, I repeat, ne’er treat ye like property be bartered.”

He reached for her hand, and after a moment’s pause, she slipped her hand in his.

Tugging her closer, she was flush to his chest, his warmth enveloping her. “Ye are much too precious to me. I would ne’er do anything to harm ye in any way. To dishonor ye.”

With each declaration he dropped his head a little bit, until their mouths were just a breadth apart.

Her breath hitched. Was he going to kiss her? She wanted him to.

Eyes closed, she waited for what seemed like an eternity, before warm lips touched hers. The most erotic sensation swept over her, and she leaned into the kiss. His tongue sought entry into her mouth, and she parted her lips, allowing it.

She reached up, circling her arms around his neck, her fingers teasing the curls at his nape.

He pulled her closer and she arched her body into his. The feeling foreign but welcoming. She didn’t want it to end. When their tongues entwined and danced wickedly together, a soft moan escaped from her lips.

She needed to take a breath, but she didn’t want to break the contact. Didn’t want the sensation to stop. Her belly was on fire. Her core heating. She wanted more. Even though it was wrong , she didn’t care.

Pushing her against the wall, he leaned his body against hers, breaking the kiss, but trailing his lips down her neck. She gasped for air. Goose pimples broke out on her skin. It was so hot in the hallway.

And then she remembered where they were. In the hallway. For all to see. What if Nicholas came up? He would kill them both.

It took all her strength to push Alexander away. As soon as his lips left her skin. As soon as his body no longer covered hers, she was cold. She wanted the warmth he provided. Craved it. But it wasn’t proper. They couldn’t be found in such a compromising position. Especially after Nicholas had forbidden them from doing so.

“We must stop,” she whispered. Her lips felt swollen from Alexander’s kisses, and she touched her fingers to them.

Alexander looked like he’d been burned. His gaze snapped to the end of the corridor where the stairs were. “I find the need to apologize to ye again, lass.” He gave her a wicked grin. “But I would be a liar if I said I dinna want to kiss ye again.”

She blushed. Hard. She wanted to kiss him again, but she didn’t say that.

“Ye should go back to your guests.”

“Ye are my guest,” he said quietly.

“Aye, but I had already left the group. What excuse did ye give for leaving? Dinna ye think my brother will get suspicious for ye being gone so long?”

Alexander sighed. “Ye make an excellent point.” He grasped her hand and brought it to his mouth, his lips lingering on her soft skin. “But I would much rather stay here.”

“Ye canna. Besides, apparently, Gwen made plans for she and I today that I must get ready for.”

He nodded. “For that, I will let ye be to do whatever it is ye need to do.”

She turned and started walking away, her legs so unsteady that she was certain she wasn’t walking in a straight line.

“Clarissa,” Alexander called from behind her.

She paused and looked over her shoulder at him.

“Dinna forget. I would ne’er agree to such an arrangement. E’en if I didna have feelings for ye, I still wouldna agree. Ye deserve the world, no’ to be treated as property.”With that said, Alexander turned on his heel and headed back down the hall toward the stairs that would lead him to where everyone else was.

Rogue You Like A Hurricane
By Brenna Ash

With the stakes so high, do they dare risk it all?

Alexander Campbell, Duke of Argyll, faced a challenging transition back to civilian life that proved to be far more difficult than he had anticipated. Devastated by the decimation of his estate’s finances and the loss of his prized sheep due to his reckless brother’s gambling debts, he now struggles to restore order and stability. Amidst this chaos, the presence of his best friend’s sister, who had now blossomed into a breathtaking beauty while he was away at war, threatens to derail his focus and determination to rectify the situation.

Miss Clarissa Gordon is completely devoted to delving into her vast library of books, a passion that far surpasses any interest in the gentlemen who have been vying for her attention. Their pompous and dull demeanor pales in comparison to the captivating Alexander, particularly after his recent return. With his dashing charm, he effortlessly stirs up feelings she had long kept concealed, making them impossible to deny.

In a high-stakes dilemma, Alexander’s ability to provide Clarissa with a secure future is in jeopardy. Achieving her brother’s approval seems like an insurmountable challenge. Despite Clarissa’s disregard for wealth and status, her brother insists on these qualities in her future spouse. Alexander faces a critical decision between safeguarding his own livelihood or a life with Clarissa. As the tension escalates, Clarissa takes matters into her own hands.

Can they work together to secure Argyll estate and convince her brother of their shared affections? Or will his stubbornness thwart their chance at a blissful future together before it even starts?

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

Rogues of Redemption
Book 1 – Sweet Rogue O’ Mine
Book 2 – Rogue You Like a Hurricane
Book 3 – No Rogue Like You

Buy Links or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited:

Amazon:

Ebook/Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D63Y7RSL

Print: https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-You-Like-Hurricane-Historical/dp/B0D7HGMYJF

About the Author:

Award-winning author Brenna Ash is addicted to coffee, chocolate, and all things Scotland and BTS. She’s a firm believer that one can never have too much purple or glitter. She loves rom-cons and always cries at the HEAs.

When she’s not busy writing about sexy, Scottish Highlanders, Medieval Pirates, Regency Rogues, she spends her time reading with her favorite music playing in the background, binge-watching Outlander and Bridgerton, park-hopping with her besties, spoiling her cats, Lilly and Mochi, or watching BTS content online. Brenna lives with her husband on the Space Coast in sunny Florida.

Website: www.brennaash.com

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How about a Giveaway?

To be in the running for a print copy of Rogue You Like A Hurricane, tell us what you like about the Fall/Spooky Season? Brenna will leave this giveaway open through the weekend before she generates a random comment as a winner. Good luck!

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Published on September 06, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday with E.L. Johnson

Thank you for joining me for another First Kiss Friday. My guest today is fellow Dragonblade Publishing author E.L. Johnson who has an excerpt from her Lyon’s Den Connected World story, In Service to a Lyon. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene! Happy reading, my lovelies.

Excerpt:

Her smile fell. “Forgive me. I do not much feel like dancing.”

“Then let us go somewhere else, where you can be at peace with your thoughts.”

He held out his hand. She took it, and he led her from the dance floor, across the room,

and outside into the garden. The courtyard was lit with small torches that outlined a stony

pebbled path. There was a humble growing tree, bushes, flowers, and a genteel-looking pond, with a stone bench.

Marie sat down on the bench and let out a breath.

“Miss Cadeaux, what is wrong?” he asked. “You are not still concerned about Miss

Campbell.”

“No. It is not that.”

“Then what? Tell me,” he said.

She looked at him. “How can you want me? I do not understand. I am naught but a

servant. You are a soldier, you are handsome, you should be talking with ladies of your own station, not spending your time with me.”

“You think you are unworthy?” he asked.

She did not answer and instead rested her hands on her knees, looking at the ground. The

air was chilly, and he sat next to her. She felt drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

She breathed in as he took her hands in his. “I stopped caring about that five minutes after

meeting you. I was a fool to think a person’s nationality mattered. It is a part of you, but there is so much more. I do not care where you are from. Only that you are here, now. With me.”

“Truly?” she asked.

He slowly faced her, and gently, barely touching, tipped her chin upward. Her eyes

drifted up to meet his, and he caught a glimpse of her pale chest, almost ghostly in the

moonlight, that excited him.

“You want to know why I wish to court you?” He asked.

She nodded, the movement fractionally small.

“Because you have a good heart. You show kindness to a soldier who cannot bear the

loud drums, when most women find the sight of me unbearable.” He leaned in close. “But

mostly…”

“Yes?” she asked, her gaze darting to his lips.

“Because you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. And I have wanted to kiss

you since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Her heart rose in her chest. Her eyes closed of their own accord as he bent his head and

pressed his lips to hers.

The touch of his lips were gentle and light, barely tracing hers. She might have been

kissed by a butterfly, or flirted with a feather. His touch was soft and warm, and she leaned into the kiss, her heart beating wildly.

She had never been kissed before. She did not how to do it properly and it was all

happening so fast. One second he was gracing her lips with the barest touch, the next, she found herself pressed against him, her hands firmly touching his chest.

Their bodies were molded together, closer than propriety, closer than Marie might embrace a pillow at night. Their lips were locked, pressing firmly against each other, teasing and tasting one another. His hands had magically found their way around her waist, with his right hand on the small of her back, pulling her closer to him.

“Marie! Get away from him!” Uncle Baptiste’s voice rang out.

In Service to a Lyon
By E.L. Johnson

A lowly servant who may be French nobility. A scarred English lieutenant who hates all French. Can these two find love in the Lyon’s Den?

Marie Cadough is a French servant who’s learned to hide who she is. Sent to England as a child to flee the French Revolution, she and her uncle escaped suspicion by working as servants in a London household. But when she is dismissed at the hands of an unreasonable mistress, her uncle finds them new positions in the household of Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the Black Widow of Whitehall.

Lieutenant Samuel Gage is scarred by war. Having lost his closest friend to a duel and seen hearts broken by heartless Frenchwomen, he has developed an irrational dislike of all things French. But when he suffers painful memories from loud music at the Lyon’s Den, a kind servant takes pity on him. He never expected her to be French.

Marie wants to do well at her new employer’s, so when Mrs. Dove-Lyon asks her to pose as a lady and act as a French-speaking companion to a visiting Frenchwoman, Marie agrees. She never expected to fall for an Englishman in the process.

But not all is well. The other servants are jealous of Marie’s rise to success, and Marie’s new friends are keen to discover her origins. A mutual attraction begins to simmer between Samuel and Marie, but their different backgrounds and the stiff social hierarchy of Regency London pose formidable barriers to their blossoming love.

He is the third son of a baronet—she is a maidservant in a gambling den. Their worlds could not be more different. But as their desire increases, so does the danger, for scheming servants and Marie’s old employers may ruin all their hopes and dreams for the future.

Will Marie and Samuel find love or remain worlds apart?

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Service-Lyon-Lyons-Connected-World-ebook/dp/B0D971DK45?ref_=ast_author_mpb

About the Author:

E.L. Johnson writes historical mysteries for Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 ebook publisher of Historical Romance on Amazon. A Boston native, she gave up clam chowder and lobster rolls for tea and scones when she moved across the pond to London, where she studied medieval magic at UCL and medieval remedies at Birkbeck College. Now based in Hertfordshire, she is a member of the Hertford Writers’ Circle and the founder of the London Seasonal Book Club.

Social media links:

Twitter: @ELJohnson888

Insta: eljohnson_writes

Facebook page: @theELJohnson

Tiktok: @alecto99

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18090432.E_L_Johnson

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/e-l-johnson

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Published on August 30, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday & a New Release from Sherry Ewing!

Not only is it First Kiss Friday but it’s also release day! That’s double the good news, my lovelies! Today I have an excerpt from my brand-new release Knight of Havoc: The Knights of the Anarchy (Book Three). I hope you enjoy this first kiss scene between my characters!

Excerpt:

When the lady came to stand next to him after dismissing her captain, Reynard was not sure if he was surprised or mayhap a bit mystified. He was about to ask how he might be of service when she spoke her thoughts.

“Will you walk with me, Sir Reynard?” she asked in a breathy whisper. She placed her hand in the crook of his elbow giving him no chance to decline.

“Where would you have me escort you, my lady?” he asked as curiosity got the better of him.

“Perchance a quick walk outside in the garden before retiring for the eve?” she suggested. “I understand the night is not too cool so we may enjoy a short stroll.”

He nodded his acceptance of her idea and led her out the keep door. A short while later, they were strolling in the moonlit garden area. The path was neat and pleasant enough, although the flowers had all but died for the season.

“Is there a reason you asked me to accompany you instead of your captain?” he asked breaking the silence that stretched between them.

“My conversation with Hawke earlier had me thinking I was mayhap too harsh in my assessment of you.” Her fingertips traced his arm, and he was certain she was not aware that she was causing his skin to tingle from her touch.

He cleared his throat, taking a moment to get his thoughts in order. “I thought your plan was to hate me,” he responded with a slight chuckle. They came to a stone bench, and she went to take a seat, motioning toward him to do the same. This brought him far closer to the woman than he would have wished. Aye… she was weaving some sort of spell around him, and he was unaware how to get out of this situation without losing his head.

“As I said… mayhap I was overreacting just a bit.” The smile she gave him was that of an innocent, and he was certain that if he could see her in the light of day, a rosy blush would be rushing across her cheeks.

“In the end, you came to see reason on how dire your situation was, so how you think of me hardly matters,” he said quickly. She reached over to take his hand causing his eyes to widen at the contact.

“Mayhap we can start anew?” she asked. Those blue eyes held such promise… but Reynard could in no way give her hope that they had a future together.

“Elysande—”

“—and perchance you will forgive me for this…”

He was completely unprepared when she quickly leaned forward to place her lips upon his own. ’Twas a chaste kiss and showed Reynard how inexperienced this young lady truly was. He should have stood and escorted her back into the keep and up to her bedchamber. He should have told her they had no future together. But as a part of him rose to prove to Reynard just how attractive he honestly found the lady, he could not help himself from leaning forward to kiss her once again.

***

Elysande must have lost her mind when she started this mild flirtation with Reynard. She had watched him intently during the evening meal and saw for herself the subtle looks of appreciation he gave her when he did not think she would see. Perchance she was imagining the whole exchange but a part of her soul that craved the adventure she’d never had the luxury to indulge in called to her to explore what might happen with this handsome knight. Aye… she could not deny the attraction she felt for the man, no matter how she vowed to hate him.

Mayhap she should blame the wine she had drunk this eve. She had only wanted to apologize to this man for her earlier behavior. But between the moonlight and watching him this eve, ’twas as though some force had pushed her forward to press her lips to Reynard’s. She was almost embarrassed of the childish peck on his mouth that proved she had no knowledge of how this kissing business was supposed to occur between a man and a woman. But how quickly the situation changed once Reynard leaned forward and slid his lips along her own.

His tongue followed along the seam of her mouth causing her to gasp whilst heat rushed throughout her body. But apparently this was the response he wanted for his tongue slipped forward and began to tangle with her own. A moan escaped her from the deepest depths of her soul. Her arms wound their way over his broad shoulders and her fingers began twining themselves in his dark brown hair. She was lost… or mayhap she was found, and she surrendered herself to the sensations this man was sharing with her. Aye, he was teaching her what he liked when he deepened their kiss and she completely forgot everything else but Reynard. From the low moan that rumbled in his chest, Elysande was thrilled to note that Reynard was also enjoying this moment they took for themselves.

Knight of Havoc: The Knights of the Anarchy (Book Three)
By Sherry Ewing

One lone knight. One strongminded maiden. When duty wars with love at first sight, which will win?

Long ago, Reynard Norwood loved deeply, but the lady died, and he vowed never to love again. On a mission for the Empress Matilda, he finds a lady worthy of love. She is barely surviving. How can he leave her? But how can he break his vow to the dead? Torn between loyalty to a ghost and following his heart, he must still make certain that the living lady is safe and secure.

The life of Lady Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore has been in turmoil since King Stephen and his men laid siege to her home. With few resources, she must care for an ailing grandfather and meet her responsibilities to those loyal to the household. Her options for survival are running out. One of Empress Matilda’s knights arrives at her weakest moment. He’s determined she must leave with him, but she’s just as determined to stay.

Nothing about their relationship is simple, least of all the attraction each has for the other. As havoc and conflicting demands surround them, is love even possible?

Buy Links or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited:

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Published on August 23, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday with Ruth A. Casie

Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. Today’s guest is Ruth A. Casie who has an excerpt from My Heart’s Song appearing in the Dragonblade Publishing Anthology, A Wraith at Midnight. Happy reading and enjoy, my lovelies!

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The Story – My Heart’s Song:

In 1850, tucked away in the heart of Northumberland, Edith Cavendish’s life is upended by the inheritance of a manor shrouded in mystery and whispers of a bygone era. The sprawling estate, with its rolling hills and ancient woodlands, harbors secrets that echo through the manor’s corridors, watched over by the ghost of Lord Alistair, its last lord. His ghostly warnings speak of an enduring curse, a narrative of love forsaken and a legacy shrouded in darkness.

Lord James Ellington, heir to the Duke of Northumberland, shares Edith’s passion for unraveling the past. Together, they discover a music box whose haunting melodies are intertwined with the manor’s troubled history, revealing their intertwined fates. Their journey through the archives uncovers letters and relics that draw them closer to the truth and to each other.

Yet, as the curse’s grip tightens, a near-fatal accident threatens their future, and a heated argument pushes them to the edge of despair. In their darkest hour, a hidden letter from the past holds the key to their salvation. Will Edith and James’s love prove strong enough to break the silence of centuries and herald a new beginning?

The Set Up:

After a day of unraveling the mysteries of Cavendish Hall, Edythe and James found themselves in the quiet of the ballroom, surrounded by the history they were beginning to piece together. The music box, a mysterious heirloom, had unexpectedly begun to play a haunting melody, stirring emotions and memories that connected them to the manor’s past. Its notes weaving a tale of love and loss that deeply affected both of them.

As the song filled the room, they were drawn together, compelled by a bond that had grown stronger with each passing day. It was in this moment, surrounded by the echoes of the past and the promise of the future, that they embraced in a moment that felt like destiny…

The Excerpt:

As the final notes of the song played, they stopped, reluctant to break their connection. In the quiet aftermath of the dance, Edythe stood in James’s arms, their breaths mingling in the charged air. The music had faded, but a different kind of song was beginning, a song of heartbeats and soft sighs.

His gaze dropped to Edythe’s lips, and he saw the question in her eyes, the silent invitation. He leaned in, his intent clear, and she met him halfway. Their lips touched, tentatively at first, a soft brush that offered more.

The kiss deepened into a slow and deliberate exploration, a gentle and profound discovery that kindled a tender warmth in their hearts. Edythe’s hands rested on his shoulders, a soft anchor in the whirl of emotions. James’s arms wrapped around her waist with a protective assurance, drawing her near. She surrendered to his embrace, the kiss, the moment that held all the promise of what was yet to come.

It was a pledge made without words, a vow that needed no witnesses, not even the watchful eyes of Alistair’s ghost. As they parted, breathless, they understood this was indeed a turning point.

James gazed into Edythe’s eyes, a depth of emotion reflected in his own. “Edythe.” His voice was steady and sure. “There is something I must tell you. I’ve spoken from my heart to Lord Alistair, but it’s you who needs to hear my words. I wish to court you with the hope you will grant me the honor of becoming my wife.”

The air between them thrummed with emotion. “James,” her voice, a soft echo of his resolve, touched with a smile, “I dared not hope nor admit—”

He put one finger against her lips and begged her for an answer without saying a word.

Gently, she kissed his finger. “Yes. With all my heart, I welcome your courtship.”

In the wake of her whispered consent, the space between them became charged with a new passion. James drew her close, his hands framing her face with a tenderness that spoke volumes.

Their lips met in a kiss that contained all their unspoken words. A tender and profound connection sealed their promise. It was gentle at first, a question and answer all in one. Then, as if carried by the momentum of their spoken promise, it deepened and grew more insistent.

Edythe’s hands rose to weave into his hair, pulling him closer as if they could become one. James’s embrace wrapped her in a blanket of warmth and certainty. Time stood still for them, the world outside fading away until there was nothing but the two of them and the music of their shared heartbeat.

When they finally parted, it was with the slow reluctance of two people who had found their home in each other’s arms. Their foreheads rested together, breaths mingling, a silent vow hanging in the air around them—a vow of a future written in the stars and now sealed with the sweetest of kisses.

In the quiet aftermath, the room held its breath. It was a sacred pause, a moment suspended in time where the past and future converged. Edythe’s eyes then drifted to the corner of the room where the delicate music box rested.

The music box, an exquisite heirloom of the Cavendish family, sat on a pedestal, its intricate carvings catching the light. Edythe approached it. Her fingers traced the patterns as if guided by an unseen force. She paused at a particularly ornate carving slightly more worn than the others, a rose, its petals just beginning to unfurl.

A gentle pressure from her fingertips caused a subtle click, and the rose carving shifted, revealing a small odd-shaped inset hidden beneath.

A Wraith at Midnight: A Historical Romance Anthology
By Ruth A. Casie and other various authors
Preorder now for only 99 cents
Release Date: October 26, 2024

A derelict old castle? A spectral lady wandering the forests? These tales will give you a chill, a thrill, and have you reading them over and over. From the moors of Devon to the ballrooms of Regency London, and far north into the Scottish Highlands, these stories will bring you wistful dreams of legendary and haunting romance. You’ve never before experience a collection like this by some of the very best authors in Historical Romance.

Preorder for $0.99 or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Buy Link: Amazon

About the Author:

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Within the pages, you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat’ suspense, mind-boggling drama, and heart-melting emotions featuring strong women and the men who deserve them. She currently has four historical series: The Druid Knight, The Stelton Legacy, and The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea, and she participates in The Connected World of The Pirates of Britannia as well as The Lyon’s Den Connected World.

Ruth lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms, and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at a major international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join her heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after. Ruth hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!

Social Media Links:

Website: https://ruthacasie.com/

Ruth’s Newsletter Signup: http://ruthacasie.com/contact.html#newsletter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthacasie/

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/RuthACasie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RuthACasie

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ruth-a-casie

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/ruthacasie

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792909.Ruth_A_Casie

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ruth-A-Casie

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ruthacasie

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ruthacasie

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Published on August 16, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday with C.H. Admirand & a Giveaway!

Welcome to another week on my First Kiss Friday blog. It’s always a pleasure when I can highlight the work of my friend C.H. Admirand. Today, she has an excerpt from Liberating the Lady of Loughmoe. Please see CH’s comment below and write your own comment to be in the running for her giveaway!

We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Happy reading and enjoy, my lovelies!

Excerpt:

With a nod, Garrick took hold of Jillian’s small hand. Dunstan strode forward and cleared his throat to speak.

“My brother brings to this marriage, Merewood Keep and the lands immediately surrounding it as far north as the stream, west to the edge of the third fallow field, thence east to the edge of the forest, and south to the rock wall.”

When he paused, Jillian looked nervously about. Garrick could sense her unease. He brushed a wavy lock off her brow and smiled down at her. Jillian’s response warmed him tenfold. Her smile was so brilliant he missed half of what his brother continued to list.

“…eighty knights, fifty men-at-arms. Three mares, one stallion, three cows, one bull…”

He lost his train of thought again as his lady tightened her grip on his hand. Whatever else Dunstan had said went right over his head. He glanced over his shoulder to where the cleric’s hand practically flew across the piece of parchment in his haste to record what little he had to offer.

MacInness stepped forward and cleared his throat. “The lass, my Lady Jillian, brings her beauty, strength, spirit, and seeds of the next generation to grace this mon’s home. May he come to ken the true gift he is gettin’ this day.”

His voice seemed to catch before he could continue. “With it a bolt of finely woven blue cloth, a set of twelve carved wooden trenchers, three ewes, and one ram.” Throughout his recitation, his eyes never left Owen’s face.

Jillian’s gasp of surprise was audible. She looked first to Winslow, who was smiling broadly, then to Garrick, whose gaze was fixed on his vassal with a look that silently questioned. But MacInness had turned to stare at Owen, who looked as if he had swallowed salted fish that had not been properly soaked to remove all of the preservative.

She started to speak, but Garrick silenced her with the pressure of his hand, as if not quite understanding how or why it happened, she had come to the marriage with a dowry. Her expression brightened and her eyes filled up. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at MacInness.

But MacInness was not finished.

“I canna tell ye exactly, but when the king reinstates Loughmoe Keep to its rightful inheritor, Lady Jillian will be bringin’ with her that fertile holding and all lands there and aboot it.” His hand to his heart, he spoke reverently. “Lastly, I give my word of honor to protect the lass with my life.”

Turning to look behind him, he nodded to his men who, one after another, repeated their pledge to honor and protect the new lady of the keep.

Bewildered, Lady Jillian dared a furtive glance at her former guardians who stood red-faced, but silent. Garrick wondered if her reaction was due to the pronouncement that Winslow and his Irish Contingent were pledged to Merewood Keep, or was it the part about her family home?

He was nudged. With the exchange of lands and goods having been duly recorded, it was time for him to pledge himself to Jillian.

“I vow to protect that which is mine from this day until I breathe my last, and so say it before these witnesses in the eyes of God.” His gaze held hers while he silently asked, Can you love me, lass?

Jillian’s lips slightly parted, her gaze transfixed on his face. Was she thinking of the repercussions just now? Did she realize what he was offering her? Then she blinked, twice.

“I, too, vow to protect that which is mine.” She smiled at him, sealing her promise. “I willingly agree to bring forth any babes the Lord blesses us with and to love them with all my heart.” He searched her eyes. Deep in her soul, her silent plea surfaced: Please, let me love you.

Garrick breathed a sigh of relief, “’Tis done.” He touched the tip of his forefinger to her chin lifting her sweet lips. He touched them gently at first.

She was here. She was real.

The kiss became more demanding as his passion flared high, burning brightly. His bride melted against him, her curves filling the hollows of his body.

Breaking away before his will left him completely, Garrick smiled down at Jillian. Her eyes were glazed over, and she seemed incapable of speech. It was a boost to his male pride that his kisses had such an effect on her. Aye, she’d warm his bed and bear his children. His seed would take hold this night, that he vowed. Mayhap she is the one.

“Lord Owen,” a voice shouted above the cheers of the guests.

“Aye,” he answered.

His manservant rushed over to him, explaining, “A messenger has arrived from the king.”

The room fell silent. Expectancy filled Garrick’s chest. That the king would reinstate Jillian’s land on this day was great luck. There was no doubt in his mind that she would be more than willing in his bed once he held Loughmoe within his grasp.

He turned, his lips broadening into a smile and saw Owen’s pale face flush crimson. The man visibly struggled for composure; his anger was a living, breathing omen.

“The king did what?” Owen thundered. “’Tis not possible, I specifically requested that I be named—” Owen stopped, whipping around to meet Garrick’s gaze, “I must speak with you privately.”

He placed a swift kiss to his bride’s brow and said, “Follow me.”

The silence that followed the men out of the hall was broken by muffled crashes of wood splintering. “Nay, Merewood, you do not understand!” Another crash, this time it sounded like metal smashing against stone. “I have no control over our king’s mind.”

MacInness and his men ran to avert further destruction, pushing the heavy door wide open.

Garrick had one hand wrapped around Owen’s throat, pinning him to the wall. “You said ’twould be mine. I say you lied.”

“I never actually said that it would be.”

His fingers tightened, “I should kill you for that.”

Garrick’s plans for a well-mapped future evaporated. A shaft of pain lanced straight through the middle of him. He had been joined in wedlock to a woman who could bring him nothing—his people would starve!

She knew. Jillian must have known of the king’s decision. ’Twould explain her eagerness to wed him. It had nothing to do with regaining her home. She knew it was not possible. God’s blood, had she used him as her escape from an intolerable life of servitude? His head began to pound; there would be no coin, no livestock, no land. His heart whispered to him that he had not been betrayed, it whispered of love, passion, and healing.

His vision blurred until he saw only deception. Denying the voice, he squeezed harder. His fingers ached with the effort. A sudden sharp pain at the back of his skull released his grip on the neck he sought to break.

The haze cleared. “Dear God, will I ever be forgiven?” Garrick was surprised to find himself surrounded with his arms restrained behind his back.

“Forgiven for what?” MacInness asked, giving a nod signaling his men to release Garrick.

His head throbbed like it had been cleaved in twain, while his heart ached for all that it had hoped to possess. The promised love lying just within reach, dangling in front of his face, had been snatched away. God forgive him, he had no choice but to honor his first vow, for the good of his family and his people.

He had to set aside his bride.

Bone deep sorrow was followed by intense pain as the emotions crashed through to his breastbone. He had no choice. Denying his thoughts, refusing to acknowledge the unfamiliar feeling that grew insidiously there, he steeled himself to speak.

“King William has just granted Loughmoe Keep to Henri du Guerre.”

Not waiting for the news to take hold, he went in search of his bride. Jillian stood waiting beside his mother, the wringing of his bride’s hands her only outward sign of emotion.

Bile rushed up his throat as Garrick faced her. Never before had he broken his word. His honor was all to him. That he had to do so now nearly drove the breath from his chest and life from his heart. But his vow to love and honor her came second only to the vow he had pledged three years past; when his own life’s blood mingled with that of those that had fallen protecting his keep.

Clenching his jaw, he bitterly blamed the woman standing before him for her part in his betrayal. He swallowed the bitter taste of it and lashed out at her, “You knew of the king’s decision to award your land to du Guerre. I never would have had the chance to fight for that which was already lost. Would I? You lured me to Sedgeworth with the promise of aiding my brother. That’s when you sank your hooks in deep, speaking of legacies lost, a story so like my own that I could not refuse.”

Her eyes grew round with what, fear? He steeled himself not to care. Unmercifully he continued, “You deceived me and you cared not that you secured my help with false promises. Deny if you are able that you knew nothing of this,” he challenged.

He waited for Jillian to answer the charges he angrily hurled at her, knowing in his heart, he was not yet capable of listening.

She stood silent; chin held high, back straight.

A marriage arranged for freedom…
Saxon beauty Lady Jillian and her mother lost everything when her father fell at Hastings beneath a Norman blade. Forced into a life of servitude, she accepts her life until her mother dies. Without the worry of protecting her mother, she looks for a way to change her circumstances and no longer live as a slave to the lady of the keep. When renowned warrior Garrick of Merewood’s brother is imprisoned at the keep, Jillian hatches a bold plan to offer marriage in exchange for helping to free his brother. Marriage to him will set her free while his strength and prowess will help her reclaim her birthright—Loughmoe Keep. She never expects to fall in love.

A dowry not of gold, but honor…
Garrick needs no help freeing his brother, and he refuses the bold beauty’s plan. But treachery abounds, and to save his brother’s life, he must swallow his pride and seek Jillian’s assistance. After they wed he learns that Loughmoe Keep is no longer hers. Rumors of her duplicity threaten to tear them apart, while sinister forces are at work threatening to destroy them. Jillian and Garrick’s mother are captured, and a ransom is demanded.

Garrick of Merewood’s people need the coin to survive another winter; he cannot pay the ransom. He must devise a plan to rout the baron responsible for the kidnapping and ransom. He needs to rescue them to free his mother and the woman he fell in love with, before the greedy baron steals Loughmoe and Merewood Keep.

In this novel enjoy Medieval Romance, Hardheaded Heroes, Feisty Heroines, Marriage of Convenience, Second Chances, and Norman vs Saxon.

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

The Ladies of the Keep
Book 1 – Liberating the Lady of Loughmoe
Book 2 – Bargaining with the Lady of Merewood
Book 3 – Rescuing the Lady of Sedgeworth

NOTE: This story was previously published under the title The Lord of Merewood Keep. It now has newly added content for you to enjoy.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Liberating-Lady-Loughmoe-Medieval-Historical-ebook/dp/B0D71S9KC1

About the Author:

In case we have not met yet, here is a little bit about me:

I write Historical & Contemporary Romance featuring: Hardheaded Heroes & Feisty Heroines.

I fell in love at first sight at seventeen, with the man who will hold my heart forever. DJ and I were married for 41 wonderful years until my darling lost his battle with cancer. We have three grown children—one son-in-law, two grandsons, two rescue dogs, and two rescue grand-cats and one grand-dog.

My Hardheaded Heroes and Feisty Heroines rarely listen to me. In fact, I think they enjoy messing with my plans for them. BUT if there is one thing I’ve learned in dealing with my characters for the past 29 years, it is to listen to them! My heroes always have a few of DJ’s best qualities: his honesty, his integrity, his compassion for those in need, and his killer broad shoulders.

I have always used family names in my books and love adding bits and pieces of my ancestors and ancestry in them, too. I write about the things I love most: My Family, my Irish and English Ancestry, Baking and Gardening.

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C.H.’s Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.chadmirand.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.-H.-Admirand/author/B001JPBUMC
BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-h-admirand
Facebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/CHAdmirandAuthor
GoodReads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/212657.C_H_Admirand
Dragonblade Publishing:
https://www.dragonbladepublishing.com/team/c-h-admirand/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/c.h.admirand/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AdmirandH
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRSXBeqEY52VV3mHdtg5fXw

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Published on August 02, 2024 00:00

First Kiss Friday with C.H. Admirand

Welcome to another week on my First Kiss Friday blog. It’s always a pleasure when I can highlight the work of my friend C.H. Admirand. Today, she has an excerpt from Liberating the Lady of Loughmoe . We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Happy reading and enjoy, my lovelies!