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First Kiss Friday with guest Elizabeth Ellen Carter

24 Friday Nov 2017

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Today on First Kiss Friday I’d like to welcome back Elizabeth Ellen Carter who will be sharing an excerpt from Revenge of the Corsairs. Happy reading and enjoy!

Excerpt:

And suddenly they were just a hand’s span apart. He watched Laura take one of his hands in hers. Why had he never noticed the difference between a man’s hands and a woman’s? His fingers were long and tapered – one of things which made playing guitar easy for him, but Laura’s were more slender still. Then there was the color. His were tanned golden with the sun, but hers were like blush marble.

He remained mesmerized as she placed his hand on her belly, gently pressing until his hands spread over where the baby lay. He felt a movement and let out a gasp when what felt what appeared to be a tiny foot pressed into the palm of his hand.

There was a sentimental side of him – one he suspected he inherited from his own father – that wanted cry out at the miracle he’d been permitted to experience that moment. But instead, he swallowed and looked into Laura’s eyes. Their forget-me-not blue warmed him from within.

“He has been restless all evening. No matter what I do, I can’t get comfortable, but he settled as soon as he heard your voice. Say something, Elias.”

“I love you, Laura.”

He saw her eyes widen at the words then his mouth descended to hers. He thought the kiss would be brief, a light caress, but, as soon as his lips touched hers and felt their soft texture, it deepened. He felt Laura’s mouth open under his. Instinct born from years of longing guided where his experience lacked.

Their first kiss was everything he imagined it to be. The tentative touch of her tongue on his sent a jolt through him. He mirrored her action and was rewarded by a sigh that redoubled his own pleasure.

Eventually, it was he who stopped. He stroked one of Laura’s flushed cheeks; they were, indeed, as hot as their color indicated. But it was the look of surprise on her face that warmed him. No fear, no regret – perhaps no love yet, but he was a patient man.

Blurb

Rescued after two years a concubine in an Ottoman harem, former debutante Laura Cappleman faces a difficult journey back to normal life. As she travels to Palermo aboard Kit Hardacre’s ship, the Calliope, she is deeply traumatised – and pregnant to her kidnapper.

Laura rejects the emotional support of her long-time admirer, Calliope First Officer Elias Nash, and her cousin, Sophia, Kit’s wife. She withdraws into herself and her art. Finally, after giving birth, she decides to return to London, hoping to erase the torment of harem life from her mind.

Powerful Emir Selim Omar died on the day of Laura’s rescue, but his wickedness lives on in his third wife, Rabia, in whose household Laura was held. The ruthless widow may yet hold onto the favour and power she wielded as mother to Omar’s only male heir. However, as opportunists pick the Emir’s empire apart, the child is killed.

When Rabia learns Laura has given birth to a boy, the solution is obvious–the concubine is stolen property and so is the child sired by her late husband. She will take the boy and kill anyone in the way.

As Rabia’s assassins close in, Elias – both embraced and rejected by the damaged woman he loves, uncertain she will ever return, and alone in Palermo with a child to whom he has given his name – must take the battle to the enemy. Otherwise, there may be nothing for Laura to come home to.

Buy Links

Unfortunately I don’t have a release date or buy links for Revenge of the Corsairs just yet – soon! I promise! – but you can find out more about the origins of Laura and Elias’ story in Captive of the Corsairs – exclusively on Amazon $0.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0721NSPJ6

Biography

Elizabeth Ellen Carter is an award-winning historical romance writer who pens richly detailed historical romantic adventures. A former newspaper journalist, Carter ran an award-winning PR agency for 12 years. The author lives in Australia with her husband and two cats.

 Social Media

Web: http://eecarter.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethEllenCarter 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EECarterAuthor 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/eecarterauthor/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_ellen_carter/ 
YouTube Trailers: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elizabeth+ellen+carter 
Newsletter: http://eecarter.com/index.php/homepage/book-club/

 

 

First Kiss Friday with Judith Sterling

22 Friday Sep 2017

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Today on First Kiss Friday I have author Judith Sterling and her first kiss scene from her novel Flight of the Raven. We hope you enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading and enjoy!

Excerpt:

William stood before the cold hearth with his back to the door.  His commanding presence diminished the sweeping arch of the vacant fireplace.

“Leave us,” he ordered without turning.  “Shut the door behind you.”

The heavy, oak door slammed shut.  The stone walls reverberated from the force of it.

Emma studied the sheen of his straight, black hair, the proud set of his shoulders, and the wide, leather belt which cinched his ebony tunic at the waist.  An eternity might’ve passed while she waited for him to acknowledge her presence.  When at last he turned, his dark eyes blazed.

Her stomach lurched.  “Y-you wished to see me?”

He glowered at her in silence.  A chill of foreboding ran through her, but she stood her ground.

A full minute later, he still hadn’t spoken.  Her patience waned.  If he expected her to read his mind, he could think again.

She cleared her throat.  “You obviously need time to collect your thoughts, so I’ll leave you to them.”

“You will stay right here,” he ruled in slow, measured words.  His scorching gaze belied his smooth tone of voice.  “I sent for you to discuss your betrayal.”

She swore under her breath.  Someone must’ve divulged her plan to stay celibate.  If only she’d told him sooner.

“I can explain,” she said.

“Save your breath.  There’s only one explanation.”

“You said ‘discuss.’  A discussion requires two opinions.”

“An opinion laced with lies doesn’t count.”

“But if you—”

“Silence!”

His shout echoed off the prison walls.  Her stomach churned, but she clamped her lips shut.

“Now,” he said, lower in pitch, “listen and learn.  A traitor can challenge the king’s reach, but only a fool underestimates mine.  My men know this.  Legions of Saracens—alive and dead—know it.  Wulfstan will know it too.”

“What has Wulfstan to do with this?”

William grunted.  “You play innocence well.”

“Truly, I know not whereof you speak!”

“I speak of your escape…tonight…with Wulfstan.”

“What?”

“My squire was in the mews while you were plotting your little scheme.”

“Holy Mother!”  Frantically, her mind snatched up the pieces of what was said and where.  “’Twas Gertrude’s idea.”

“A welcome one, reportedly.”

“I considered it, but—”

“So you confess.”

“No!  Your spy heard but part of the conversation.  In the end, I chose you.”

He snorted.  “Right.  And I sell genuine relics of the saints.”

She glared at him.  With quick, deliberate steps, she closed the space between them.  “Then I’ll fetch my purse, for I speak the truth.”

“I am no fool.”

No, she thought, but you’re a veritable god of arrogance.

A lord of intimidation, too.  Why else would he summon her to the prison tower?  With dispatch, her desire to explain the curse, and its implications to their wedding night, died.

For an instant so brief she might’ve imagined it, his expression changed.  He looked almost…wounded.

“Does the thought of marrying me so disgust you?” he asked.

His dark, infinite eyes became her world.  “Not at all.”

Large, warm hands clasped her upper arms.  “Is Wulfstan your lover?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

“Tyrant.”

His mouth claimed hers.  She wrenched her head to the side, tried to break away.  His grip tightened.  His lips demanded more.

Emma thought fast.  She couldn’t match his physical strength.  But maybe, if she didn’t resist, didn’t react in any way, he’d release her.

She willed herself to relax.  Almost at once, his lips slackened.  They became softer, gentler.  Intrigued, she relaxed further.

His lips brushed hers and left a tingling warmth in their wake.  She liked the sensation, but the longer he fed it, the more she wanted the full pressure of his mouth.  A low sound of protest vibrated deep in her throat.

William moaned, and his hot tongue nudged her closed lips.  A curious action.  Not unpleasant, though, so she opened her mouth.  His tongue slipped inside and began a slow, thorough exploration.  In response, she flicked her tongue against his.

He groaned.  The sound was raw, exciting.  His hands burned a path from her arms down to her hips.  His tongue darted deeper, faster.  Her mouth tingled.  Heat tantalized her belly.  Never had she felt so alive.

Blurb:

How eager would the bridegroom be if he knew he could never bed the bride?

Lady Emma of Ravenwood Keep is prepared to give Sir William l’Orage land, wealth, and her hand in marriage.  But her virginity?  Not unless he loves her.  The curse that claimed her mother is clear:  unless a Ravenwood heir is conceived in love, the mother will die in childbirth.  Emma is determined to dodge the curse.  Then William arrives, brandishing raw sensuality which dares her to explore her own.

William the Storm isn’t a man to be gainsaid.  He’ll give her protection, loyalty, and as much tenderness as he can muster.  But malignant memories quell the mere thought of love.  To him, the curse is codswallop.  He plans a seduction to breach Emma’s fears and raze her objections.  What follows is a test of wills and an affirmation of the power of love.

Buy Links:

Buy at The Wild Rose Press

Buy at Amazon

Buy at Barnes and Noble


Author Bio:

Judith Sterling’s love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Flight of the Raven and Soul of the Wolf are part of her medieval romance series, The Novels of Ravenwood. The Cauldron Stirred is the first book in her young adult paranormal series, Guardians of Erin.  Written under Judith Marshall, her nonfiction books—My Conversations with Angels and Past Lives, Present Stories—have been translated into multiple languages. She has an MA in linguistics and a BA in history, with a minor in British Studies. Born in that sauna called Florida, she craved cooler climes, and once the travel bug bit, she lived in England, Scotland, Sweden, Wisconsin, Virginia, and on the island of Nantucket. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her husband and their identical twin sons.

Social Media:

Website – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/judithsterlingfiction/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16291161.Judith_Sterling

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MT3KB7L

The Wild Rose Press – https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/2212_judith-sterling

 

Medieval Monday with Bambi Lynn and a Giveaway!

28 Monday Aug 2017

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It’s the fourth week in our Medieval Monday First Encounter snippets and giveaway. Please welcome my guest, Bambi Lynn, and her snippet from her novel The Viking ~ Bron. Don’t forget to leave a comment for Ruth to be in the running for our giveaway. Winner’s will be announced after the conclusion of week 14. Happy reading and enjoy!

Snippet:

Dark hair framed a face that was swollen and tear-streaked. Even in the gloaming, he could see the redness of her cheeks. She was a pretty little thing. Skin as smooth as the waters of a still pond, lips full and lush, a mouth made for kissing and—other things. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of him, and she sucked in a gasp. Her bottom lip trembled.

Her reaction did not surprise him. Women had reacted similarly his whole life.

Blurb

After escaping the brutal tyrant who holds her under his boot, Leda’s newfound hope is shattered to discover her safe-haven to be nothing more than a den of brutal Norsemen, intent on conquering all of Francia and claiming its riches for their own. When she is offered as a bed slave to the fiercest Viking of them all, she despairs to realize freedom comes at a price.

Brondulf Adilson has struck terror into his enemies for as long as he can remember, to include the women who share his bed. Shunned for his frightful appearance, he doesn’t expect compliance from his new thrall and is resigned to forcing her to his will.

But the beauty he finds himself saddle with turns out to be anything but meek and compliant.

Buy Link        Amazon  

Follow along next week at Elisabeth Hobbes’s blog. Be sure to comment for a chance to win an e-copy of Bron.

You can find my snippet on For All of Ever: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Book One) for this week on Bambi’s blog here.

First Kiss Friday with guest Nhys Glover

25 Friday Aug 2017

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I always love a good time travel novel. On today’s First Kiss Friday, I’d like to introduce you to Nhys Glover and an excerpt from The Titan Drowns. Happy reading and enjoy!

Excerpt:

Pia didn’t see any crew as she made her way out the companionway onto the Well Deck and then took the short flight of steps to the Poop Deck. It was cold up there at this hour. She shivered, tightened her scarf around her head and neck, scurried into the shelter Marco had told her about, and crouched down to keep hidden.

What would happen to her if she was found on deck after curfew? She didn’t know. But she didn’t want to find out.

After what felt like hours, she heard footsteps approaching. She held her breath and hoped it was not a crew member discovering her hiding place. Luckily, when she looked up she saw it was Marco, his white grin lighting up the night. He dropped down to her side and sandwiched in beside her so that if anyone passed it would look as if he was there alone. He wrapped the blanket he was carrying around their shoulders and snuggled in.

It felt so different to be close to a warm, hard-bodied man. Except for the children, she couldn’t remember a time in the hundreds of years of her life since the LGP that she’d been this close to another human being. She could smell his male scent, subtle but intoxicating. She had to fight the urge to sniff deeper and draw his scent into her lungs.

‘I did not think you would come,’ he said softly. ‘I am late. The last patron left right on eleven and we had to clear the table.’

‘I did not know what the time was. I have no watch.’

‘Why did you come?’ His voice seemed tentative. All his usual charm and confidence were missing.

‘You asked me to. And you helped us. We are grateful.’

‘You did not need to come out of gratitude. I said I would understand.’

‘I… wanted to come.’ She suddenly knew the truth of her words as she said them. She did want to come and spend time with him, even though they had no future, even though he was too handsome by far to be interested in someone like her. He’d asked her to come and she’d wanted to come…

‘Tell me the happiest memory you have,’ Marco said into the silence that had fallen between them.

‘Rolling down a grassy hillside with my brother on a hot summer’s day,’ she answered immediately. ‘It was so hot we had gone swimming in the river, and it was icy because it carried the thaw from the Fiordlands. I think we fell and rolled at first by accident. Then we enjoyed it so much we kept going up to the top of the hill and rolling down it again. I was black and blue afterwards and my mother was furious with us. But it was such fun. If you try to say something when you are rolling like that it comes out all wobbly like this.’ She made her voice vibrate and wobble until Marco laughed.

‘I remember riding on my papa’s shoulders through a marketplace feeling like the king of the world,’ Marco said, after he stopped laughing. ‘My papa was a big man, tall like me, and so he was head and shoulders higher than most people. With me on his shoulders, I could almost touch the sky.’

For a moment, they sat enjoying their memories. ‘I remember the first child I helped. She was lost in the forest and my partner and I were looking for her. We thought we would reach her before she got too deeply into the forest but we were delayed. When we found her, she was so happy she threw herself into my arms and I swung her around and around until we were both dizzy. Then we brought her to… safety. Now she is much loved and very happy.’

‘Your partner?’

‘We work in teams, for safety. Not usually the same person every time. That time it was my first rescue and I was with Ca… Hilda. You know Hilda. She is the pretty blonde with the very tall husband.’

‘Ah yes, as distinct from the very pretty red head with the English husband.’

‘Right. That’s Jane.’

‘You say that like Hilda and Jane are a different species from you. Or they belong to a club that excludes you.’

‘They are very pretty; beautiful, in fact. It is an exclusive club.’

‘You are pretty, too, my sweet mouse. Do not discount yourself so readily.’

‘I am pretty enough, but nothing special. Not very pretty like Jane or Hilda or even Eil… Mary.’

Marco shifted around to the side so he could look her in the eye. His gentle fingers lifted her chin so she could do nothing but meet his incisive gaze. ‘What you look like makes no difference. I should know that better than most. Your beauty shines out through your eyes and it makes you lovelier to me than either Hilda or Jane. ‘

‘I’m nothing special,’ she said softly.

‘You are to me. I can have almost any woman I want. But I want you, sweet mouse. Does that not make you special?’

‘You have tickets on yourself, as Jane would say, Mr Cat,’ she said indignantly, trying to pull away.

‘That saying means I am arrogant? Maybe, but I just speak the truth. It is not a sign of specialness that I can have any woman. I did nothing to get this face or body. I inherited… that is the word, is it not, inherited? I did not earn them. It is nothing to be good looking. It is more important to be sweet and kind and genuine.’

‘Nice,’ she said with a shudder.

‘Sí, nice. There is nothing wrong with nice. I am not nice and I wish I were.’

‘I think you are nice,’ she offered shyly.

‘With you, maybe I am. With you, I want to be nice. Can I kiss you, sweet Petra? Would that make me not nice?’

She drew back a little at the shock of the request. She wasn’t sure if this was part of the game he was playing or something else. But in this moment she didn’t care. More than anything she wanted to be kissed by this handsome Italian.

Something in her face must have given him the answer he was looking for because he moved slowly toward her, lifting her chin up just a little more so he could align his mouth with hers. Then he was kissing her deeply, and the thrill of it thrummed through her system like the vibration of a guitar-string being plucked. Her whole body vibrated and sang out its joy.

She pulled away with a start, terrified by what she was feeling. Terrified by what this man was starting to mean to her.

‘Too much?’ he asked shakily. She was pleased to note that he too was moved by what had happened between them.

‘Yes. Too much, too soon. I can’t… not with you… you cannot know… I… I am sorry; I have to go.’

She tried to climb to her feet, but his hand tightened on her arm and held her in place. ‘I am sorry; I will not do it again. Please stay. Do not leave me yet.’ His voice pleaded with her as her heart pleaded with her. And uneasily she gave in and relaxed back into her place. But now she kept as much space between them as she could.

‘Was that so bad?’ he asked, his obvious concern in every word.

‘Not bad. But I cannot.’

‘Do you belong to another?’

‘No, no of course not. It is not that. You… you and I will go our separate ways in a few days. We will never see each other again. I cannot start something now… when it will end so soon.’

‘But it does not have to end. I will stay in New York. I will court you formally. Then we will marry and I will take you to see the Wild West.’

Her shock was extreme. It tore all thoughts from her mind. All that remained were his intentions. He wanted to court her. He wanted to marry her. How cruel was such an idea when she knew his fate?

‘I cannot! Do not think such things. This is madness; I must go.’ This time he didn’t try to stop her when she climbed to her feet.

Then she was running across the cold deck, away from the first man she had ever wanted, away from the intensity of feeling she had lost the ability to withstand.

 BLURB:

Shy and insecure Pia Rogaland wants nothing more than to save the children. For feisty Elish Cork, it’s the promise of adventure that drives her to commit. And Karl Ontario? He’s a lab geek who never dreamed of stepping outside his medical facility, until the mission to save doomed children on the ill-fated Titanic is proposed and Fate compels him to step up.

While each joins the team for a different reason, they all face the same challenges: How do they identify suitable targets for retrieval to their endangered Utopian world? Once identified, how do they avoid being labelled insane when they attempt to convince those targets that the “unsinkable” Titanic is about to sink and their only hope of survival is to time travel to the future? And if that isn’t enough, how do they each then deal with finding and possibly losing the love of a lifetime in a few, fateful days? For sweet Pia, who falls in love with a man she’s not allowed to save, this last challenge might prove her undoing.

As the clock ticks down to disaster, will any of the ill-fated victims of the Ship of Dreams live long enough to be part of the salvation of the human race, or will more lives be forfeited trying to carry out this audacious mission?

 AUTHOR BIO:

After a lifetime of teaching others to appreciate the written word, Aussie author Nhys Glover finally decided to make the most of the Indie Book Revolution to get her own written word out to the world. Now, as an Amazon Best Selling Historical Romance author with over 100,000 of her ebooks downloaded internationally, and as a winner of the 2013 SFR Galaxy Award for ‘The Titan Drowns’, Nhys finds her words, too, are being appreciated. These days she makes her home in beautiful Durham County, England, where she “lives the dream” by spending most of her waking hours (and some of her sleeping one, too) writing the kind of novels she loves to read. The ones that are a little bit steamy, a little bit different, and wholly romantic.

LINKS:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0097C40NA

https://www.facebook.com/nhysgloverauthor

https://www.nhysglover.com

 

First Kiss Friday with guest Jennae Vale

11 Friday Aug 2017

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Welcome to another First Kiss Friday. It’s my pleasure to welcome back my friend, Jennae Vale and her excerpt from, A Long Forgotten Time – Book Seven of The Thistle & Hive Series. Her covers are just stunning, aren’t they? We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Jennae’s world. Happy reading!

Excerpt:

Brenna awoke with a start.  There was a man in her bed and she was touching him!

“Is everything alright?  Did you have a bad dream?” Zeke asked, concern evident in his voice.

“I’m fine.  I’m just not used to sharing me bed.  I forgot ye were here.”  She rolled away from him and sat up.  “Is this what it’s like to be married?”

“I wouldn’t know, but I imagine it’s a lot more than just sleeping with someone.”

“Aye.  Ye’re right.”  The thoughts and feelings she was having were very conflicted.  Although she enjoyed the feel of Zeke’s chest beneath her cheek and it had caused her to experience an odd sensation in her belly, she was embarrassed to have found herself in such a vulnerable position.  She didn’t want Zeke to think she needed him for anything more than her escape from Castle Treun.  “We should rise.  We can begin our journey to Breaghacraig as soon as we’re ready.”

“What’s your hurry?” Zeke teased.  “Are you afraid they’ll make us stay?”  A crooked grin lit his face, flustering her and causing her belly to do flip flops.

“Nae.  Of course not.  Greer will be saddling our horses and packing our bags for us.”

“She really doesn’t like you, does she?”

“Nae.  This castle has always been mine to manage.  ’Tis me… ’Twas me home.”  She hated the fact that she was being driven out of the only home she’d ever known, but she had a new life awaiting her and it was time to say goodbye to this one.   “Greer wants to be in charge and having me here has been a threat to her.”

“You could say the same.”

“What do ye mean?”

“I think you were threatened by her presence as well.”

Brenna could feel the anger welling up within her.  “How would ye know that?  Ye’ve only been here a few days.  Ye should nae judge,” she yelled.

“Okay.  Okay.  Calm down.  I wasn’t trying to insult you.  It’s just that… Look, I know she’s been pretty awful to you, but I also think you felt as if you’d been replaced and had no value because of it.”

Brenna didn’t speak.  He was right, but she wasn’t about to let him know that.  She began to get out of the bed, but Zeke grabbed her hand and held her there, rubbing his thumb across it, soothing her, but also stirring something else within her.  She gazed at their hands, and felt a warmth that confused her.  As Zeke continued to hold her hand, she looked into his eyes and saw sincerity.  He really was trying to help her, but why?  No one in her life had ever done anything like this for her and it only muddled things all the more in her head.

“I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to hurt you.”  He looked at her with a funny, sad expression.  “Our first fight as a married couple,” he chuckled.

“Aye.  I dinnae believe it will be the last.”

“Brenna, I’ll try not to say things that upset you, but I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me when I do instead of being angry with me.”

“Why?  We’ll only be together for a few more days and then ye can be on yer way.” She wanted to be angry with him.  It would make their time together easier on her.  She couldn’t allow herself to have thoughts and feelings about this man that would only hurt her when they parted ways.

“Those few days can be one of two things… heaven or hell.  Your choice.”

“Me choice?  What do ye mean by that?”

“I mean.  You can choose to get along with me or not.  I’ve already decided to be more careful with my words, but I’m not perfect.”

He was giving her a choice.  She wasn’t used to making decisions for herself.  “Alright.  I prefer heaven.”

“Good.”

He released her hand and she felt regret that he had.  Zeke had touched her with his words and his respect for her.  It was best to get out of bed and put some space between them.  She had to remember this was only temporary.  The best thing she could do right now was ignore the man in her bed.  The man who made her feel things she did not want to feel.  There was no time to think about that now, though.  She had to get her things together so they could be on their way.  Zeke stayed in bed and watched her as she gathered the few belongings she wished to take along with her.  She paused momentarily as she picked up the doll her aunt had made her.  She thought about leaving it behind, but found that she couldn’t.  It meant too much to her.  It was the only good memory she’d be taking along and so she quickly stuffed it into her bag.  When she was done she turned to look at him.  He is verra handsome.  And unlike her Da, he didn’t seem to yell about everything.  She would do her best to be pleasant around him.

“I’m ready to go, but ye are still abed.  It seems I’ve married a lazy man,” she teased.  Do ye nae need to pack yer belongings?”

“The few belongings I have are ready to go.  Watching you buzzing from one end of the room to the other has exhausted me.  I think I need to sleep more.”  He lay down and put a pillow over his head.

Brenna picked up the other pillow and slammed him with it.  He didn’t move.  She tried again and this time he threw the pillow off his head and grabbing her wrestled her down to the bed.  She wriggled and squirmed beneath him as she became aware that something hard and long was poking her in the belly.  Both arms were accounted for and it didn’t feel like a leg.  She froze in place, gazing up into a chiseled face and soft blue eyes.  Those eyes were gazing down into hers with the same intensity she was feeling.  Without thinking, Brenna pulled his head down to hers and kissed him right on the lips.  She had only an instant to regret it before he kissed her back and kissed her again and again.  Kisses so sweet she never wanted them to stop.

Buy Link: Amazon

Bio:

Jennae Vale is a bestselling author of romance with a touch of magic.  As a history buff from an early age, Jennae often found herself day-dreaming in history class – wondering what it would be like to live in the places and time periods she was learning about.  Writing time travel romance has given her an opportunity to take those daydreams and turn them into stories to share with readers everywhere.

Originally from the Boston area, Jennae now lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where some of her characters also reside.  When Jennae isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, and daydreaming, of course.

Social Media:

www.jennaevaleauthor.com
www.twitter.com/jealil
www.facebook.com/jennaevaleauthor

Medieval Monday with guest Cathy MacRae

07 Monday Aug 2017

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Welcome to a new theme for Medieval Monday. For the next 14 weeks we’ll be doing snippets of our books about our hero and heroines first encounters. If you comment on any of the author’s threads, you will be in the running for a giveaway of all the ebook’s in this rounds theme.

With that being said, I’d like to welcome Cathy & DD MacRae and an excerpt from their novel, The Highlander’s Viking Bride. Be sure to comment for your chance to win.

Excerpt: The Sinclair’s voice boomed from the high table.

“Allow me to express my sympathies on the loss of yer father. I dinnae know him, but all said he was a good man. This feud has been costly for both clans. I welcome the offer to end hostilities between our people. No one here can remember why we are at odds.”

“’Tis the same for us,” Calder replied.

“Then let us toast to new beginnings,” Sinclair offered as he raised his quaich high. Around the tables, the others followed their laird’s example. So far, their welcome was more than Calder could have hoped for. A prickling sensation down his spine cautioned him something was afoot.

Blurb:

Calder MacGerry, laird of an impoverished clan, has resolved to end the bitter feud between the MacGerrys and Sinclairs. He jumps at Laird Sinclair’s offer of marriage to his only daughter, Katja, to seal the agreement between their clans—only to get more than he bargained for.

Katja’s chance to escape her father’s harsh treatment appears to be too good to be true. But becoming Lady of a clan that despises her because she’s a Sinclair, doesn’t make her life any easier. When the attacks turn deadly, she fights her way out, making a dangerous passage to the Shetland Isles for refuge with her Viking family.

Calder and Katja’s marriage, built on mistrust, rushes quickly into disaster. As Calder seeks to repair the damage, Katja discovers not another enemy, but a husband who pledges a new beginning.

Buy links:

Amazon  |  B&N  | Kobo

You can find Cathy’s next snippet next Monday on Barbara Bettis’ blog here.

You can find my post this week from For All of Ever: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Book One) on Cathy’s blog here.

Thanks to all those who leave a comment and good luck for the giveaway!

It’s First Kiss Friday with If My Heart Could See You

09 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by in First Kiss Friday

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A kiss is never something that is simple. It’s an intimate connection between two people that unites two souls from the very first touch of their lips. With the right person, it can turn your whole world inside out and upside down.

As a writer, the emotion leading up to that very first time is just as important as the kiss itself. In the weeks to come, I will offer you an excerpt on each of my novels when my hero and heroine’s world changes for the rest of their lives. I’ll also have guests to keep you entertained as well!

So let’s start at the very beginning of my medieval and time travel series with If My Heart Could See You. Amiria is ill and running a fever. She even thinks that she is wed to Dristan while he watches over her with worry. Enjoy!

He went to the bed and gazed down upon his beautiful lady. He could think of her as nothing else for she would in truth become his wife once she was well again. ’Twas whilst he stared at her that he began to notice the slight beginnings of a smile playing upon her lips, and he pondered what she dreamed of. She began to stir most alluringly and whispered his name as provocatively and sweetly as any lover could.

He pulled the coverings from Amiria and lifted her into his arms. She molded her body closer to his own and his heart began to beat a little faster. Dristan was caught off guard, feeling her silky limbs wrapping themselves around his neck. The warmth of her lips began to nuzzle his neck and she gave a sigh of contentment as his arms held her tighter.

“You came for me… I knew you would,” she purred into his ear in a soft confident whisper.

“Aye, so it appears,” he said as a tingle went through him with the feel of her breath in his ear. Carrying her to the tub placed by the fire, he slowly swung his legs over its rim to feel the water at his knees. “Brace yourself, Amiria.” She held him tighter as he began to sink down into their bath. Water sloshed over the sides onto the floor the lower he brought them.

“’Tis too cold,” she said groggily with a shiver, trying to get closer to the very heart of him.

“’Tis for the best, my lady, and will make you well again.”

“I do not like it,” she said with a pout and proceeded to turn in his arms.

Afore Dristan could cease her motion, Amiria lifted slightly away from him, moving both legs to either side of his own, and promptly sat down upon his upper thighs with a wiggle of her bare bottom. This certainly was not what he had intended whilst he watched in fascination her fixed glassy eyes take in his face. Her tongue moistened her lips. Smiling, she stole a quick fleeting kiss.

“Warm me,” she demanded, molding herself to his chest and lowering her lips to receive another of his kisses as if she had done so a dozen times afore.

A part of him sprang to life against his better judgment and yet he could not for the life of him cease the intoxicating kiss she gave him. He breathed life into her as their tongues intertwined in a dance known to lovers for centuries. For just a moment longer would he indulge in what she offered, for he knew she would not remember what she did once she was herself again.

He cupped her head, bringing her closer and deepened their kiss. His fingers tangled themselves in the length of her hair ’til he could stand no more. His hands lowered themselves down her back in a gentle caress. She sighed in pleasure and Dristan heard the throaty moan that escaped her. He would have smiled through their kiss if ’twere possible for he had the notion he had awakened a temptress that would forever belong only to him.

She pulled away from his lips with a shake of her glorious red mane and gave a satisfying laugh. Her eyes widened in bewilderment from the hardness of him against her naked flesh. “I have roused my dragon, I see,” she smirked knowingly.

“That you have my dear, but you must yield the day for I would not have you hate me come the morrow. I am, after all, just a man with a man’s desires.”

“You want me then as I want you?” she inquired shyly with a blush to her face.

Dristan gave a brief laugh and caressed her cheek as she leaned into the palm of his hand. “Aye, my lady, more than I should but we cannot continue this.”

“Who are you to say we cannot?”

“I am your liege lord, Amiria. When we come together I would have you more yourself that you remember our first time together as husband and wife.”

Her brows puckered into a frown as she pondered his words. “Are we not wed?” she whispered in puzzlement. Afore he could answer, she continued onward with a brazen look upon her features. “It matters not,” she declared possessively, “for you belong to me!”

Dristan watched his lady as she for the first time hesitantly reach out and began running her fingers over his wet furred chest. Making small circles, she watched him through lowered lids and he shivered at her touch. He sat back amused at her expression since he could tell she was enjoying the feel of his skin beneath her fingertips. Her hushed words confirmed his suspicions.

“I somehow thought a dragon such as you would be smooth to the touch and not covered with so much hair. I believe I like it better this way…” she declared, with a promise reaching her eyes.

Dristan took hold of her hand as she began to reach lower and tenderly placed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. She sighed again at his touch. “Nay, my lady, do not test my resolve further, I beg you. One of us must remember not to let this insanity overtake us, so behave, you vixen!” he said with a chuckle although he had to admit he enjoyed this playful side to Amiria. “Now sit back down that I may bathe you to bring down your fever,” he ordered.

“I am not a child to be treated so.”

“Then do not behave as one so I can do my best to heal your illness.”

She ignored his words and rose, slightly kneeling with him between her legs. She took her hands and smoothed his tresses back from his face in a gentle caress. He gave a sharp intake of breath as she began to touch him at her leisure. ’Twas apparent she approved of feeling a power that she could affect him so.

“You are mine,” she declared knowingly, “and mine alone.”

Dristan stared back at the seriousness in her eyes. “Aye, as you are and will be mine.”

“Then take me now, Sir Dragon.”

“Not today and not like this Amiria.”

“Please Dristan… I want you and only you.”

“You know not what you say, mon amour,” he said, trying to calm his racing heart. God help him but his need to be inside her was beyond anything he had ever felt afore.

If Dristan had known her better, he would have realized from the stubborn tilt of her chin that Amiria would not have him gainsay her as she was wont to have her way. She leaned forward ’til her breasts caressed his chest. Enjoying the sensation it created, she captured his lips again in another searing kiss even whilst she began to lower her body to meet his own.

If My Heart Could See You is available as an audiobook, FREE eBook and paperback at these online retailers:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | iBooks  |  Kobo

Amazon AU  |  Amazon CA  | Amazon UK

My First Highland Game Experience

03 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by in 2013

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There was a certain amount of high anticipation on my part, along with my mother and daughter, as we attended our first Highland Games in Pleasanton, CA on Saturday. Upon first reflection, one would think…men in kilts…enough said. But nothing really prepared me for the whole experience that attending such an event would entail.

From the moment we arrived at the back gate and entered what at the time I didn’t know was the Living History area we were able to watch men in armor hacking away at each other with their swords. I can only imagine how hot they must have been given that the heat of the day at 10:30 in the morning was already reaching an unbearable 77 degrees!

Feeling a little overwhelmed with the area we were walking around, we stopped to watch two guardsmen (father and son) as they gave a demonstration of fighting with a rapier. I was so enthralled to actually be witnessing these men wield a weapon that it didn’t even occur to me to get out my darn camera. This was the beginning of what would be a day of research for me!

Meeting up with others from my local Romance Writers of America chapter, we walked around some of the areas including the grandstands and even watched a dog herding sheep for a while. Caber tossing…good grief…a Scottish tradition of tossing a log close to 19 feet long and weighing maybe 175 pounds end over end is no small feat and yet you can’t help but feel the elation of the crowd when it’s done right!

Deciding to branch off, we went back and forth to various areas until we found some shopping. My daughter had to buy some MacLaren shortbread that I swear tasted like this side of heaven. It’s hard to say if it may have tasted that good because one of my families in my stories just happened to be from clan MacLaren or because well…it just tasted so darn good. If you were in search of anything Scottish, you could find it there and we enjoyed browsing through all the vendor stalls.

Somehow our feet wandered back to the Living History area and personally I could have just stayed there all day. If you have never experienced a re-enactment guild then I highly recommend you see one at least once in your lifetime. These people  were deep into their characters…and I mean deep! There were all walks of life from nobility, to guardsmen to Mary Queen of Scots, to serfs, to Vikings. Yes, it was all there before me like a little piece of paradise satisfying what my soul had been craving and it had just landed in my lap like a prize for the taking. All I had to do is reach out and grab it!

There is something to be said to be walking by a gentleman who gives you a courtly bow and calls you my lady. Yes, people, my heart was truly in heaven and I felt completely in my element. Everywhere I looked was a constant reminder of my own inner thoughts over the years of saying I was born in the wrong century. My books began calling to me even while I watched another demonstration from the St. Andrew’s guardsmen performing tactical maneuvers as its Captain moved his troop in various scenarios for our viewing pleasure. Hearing Gaelic for the first time kind of sends a thrill through you and I could only wonder if the man’s voice was hoarse after calling out his orders to his men after the day was over.

We also were able to witness a knighting and I honestly did not expect to see such a ceremony and all the steps that went along with it. I learned from my critique partner after she talked to one of the guards that the knighting wasn’t just for show. The man had earned the honor through his deeds to become a knight of St. Andrews. If anyone ever thought these people didn’t take these things seriously as they go about with their re-enactment, they would have learned differently that day.

No Highland Games would be complete without watching various bands and we did that too. One in particular was called Celtica that we sat and enjoyed: bagpipes and Rock and Roll – what a fantastic combination – who knew? They were so good my daughter is now the owner of both their cd’s.

Towards the end of the day, feeling completely wilted from the heat, we had one last chance to watch two young guards of St. Andrews practicing again. My camera clicked away even as I thought to myself: COVER ART! One, tall with long hair past his shoulders, reminded me completely of my character Aiden in my first manuscript If My Heart Could See You. I’m thinking his story may just have to be next. Watching the other gave me the impression of the son I named James to my characters Riorden and Katherine. They’re from my time travel For All of Ever. I already have visions of him in my head all grown up hopping through time as he goes to visit his mother’s modern friends and coming back to the 12th century with his booty: an arm load of Twinkies and Ho Ho’s for his two younger sisters. The mischievous young imp! Katherine will NOT be pleased…

Getting back to my mother’s that night, I sat down to enjoy a nice cold beer after being out in the scorching hot sun all day long and contemplated the day with a smile. I began to realize, as I finally had a chance to look over the program, just how much we still missed. We never got anywhere near some of the exhibits and more shopping opportunities. There was just so much to do and only so much time. *big sigh*

Men in kilts…yes my eyes were indeed happy today while I enjoyed watching those who partook and celebrated their Scottish heritage both young and old alike. Seemed like everyone was of Scottish descent while attending the festivities as even I claimed the right by marriage. Opening my laptop, the keys began to click and clack as I finally was able to get past the writer’s block I had been suffering from for the past couple of months on my latest work in progress. The Highland Games gave me that little extra push I needed to get me back into my story and was just what I needed.

I think my daughter and I may have left a little piece of our hearts back there in Pleasanton with those games. The only thing I could offer her the next day was an arts and wine festival. It wasn’t nearly as fun as the day before as we continued to think of handsome men in period costuming. I believe we’re going to be ruined for awhile but just think of the story lines we’ll be writing about in the months to come!

Next year…we go both days. Trust me when I tell you, one day just isn’t enough!