Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Book Tour + Excerpt, Giveaway: When Glass Shatters by J.P. Grider

tour-graphic
We are super excited to feature
WHEN GLASS SHATTERS
The new novel by J.P. Grider is a great read that promises to keep you glued to your seats from cover to cover.
When Glass Shatters is available now at Amazon.com.
When Glass Shatters Cover

About When Glass Shatters

Genre: New Adult Romance, Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: October 1, 2016
Add to Goodreads
The deaths of her mother and new stepfather leave eighteen-year-old Lorraine Mattina with many challenges.
The first?
Telling her twelve-year-old siblings their worlds are about to shatter.
The second?
Asking her estranged stepbrother for help.
The deaths of his father and his father's new wife mean practically nothing to nineteen-year-old Noah Mack—until the stepsister he barely knows comes begging for help. His response? Pretty much—"Get the hell lost."
But when he can't get his new stepsister out of his mind, he goes to the extreme and gives up the NCAA Wrestling Championship title and his college education.
That's when the real problems begin.
Lorraine and Noah face many obstacles when picking up the pieces of their parents' deaths, but none as big as the secrets they keep.
When Glass Shatters is available now.
Grab your copy today!
Amazon

Excerpt

Lorraine woke up with the same thing on her mind as when she went to sleep—was Noah flirting with her? She didn’t get it. Maybe she misunderstood his comments. He probably just wanted to know if she’d slept on his sheets so he could lie on top of the comforter. Maybe the thought of sleeping on sheets she’d laid on was gross. Besides, Lorraine should have been thinking about her mother. Not Noah.

Today’s plan was to pick out a last outfit for her mother to wear. Mimi gave Norah the option to pick out Brick’s suit, but Norah declined, so when Mimi ran into Noah, she would ask him. He hadn’t resurfaced from his apartment, though, and now Mimi was already at the funeral home making arrangements for tomorrow’s service.

When Lorraine made her final decision—a mint-green silk blouse, a long, pale-grey, belted pleated skirt, and black pointed-toe suede slingback flats—she spread it out on her mother’s bed and snapped a picture of it. She didn’t know why she took the picture, but she did. Then she went downstairs to make a cup of tea. While the kettle warmed up, she pulled up the picture. This is what she’d remember her mother in forever. Was it good enough? Would her mother approve? Before she could finish her thoughts, the back door opened.

Noah nodded, then searched the kitchen. “You have coffee?” he asked, his voice deep and groggy.

“Just wake up?” It was the middle of the day already, and he was still sleeping?

“Had trouble falling asleep. Coffee?”

She pointed to the empty percolator on the counter.

“You don’t have one of those one-cup machines?”

“Nope.”

He picked up the pot and turned it in his hands while he looked at it and frowned. “Do you know how to make it?”

“Nope. I drink tea.”

He made a loud grunting sound, which Lorraine guessed was a sigh. “Is there a deli nearby or a Dunkin’ Donuts?”

“Yeah. Make a left outside the development. There’s a side road on your right that’ll take you right to the shopping center. There’s a deli and a Dunkin’.”

“Want anything?”

“No thanks.”

“Where’s Norah?”

“School. She and Carter wanted to go.”

“Why?”

I shrugged. “Too depressing here? I don’t know.”

He nodded and left. Two minutes later, Lorraine heard his bike come to a roaring start. Oh how she wished she were on the back of it right now. Better yet, she wished she could take it out on her own. She’d never felt anything like what she’d felt last night. The cold wind on her face, the smell of the pavement combined with the smell of the frozen woods, outriding her thoughts.

As Lorraine sipped her tea, the impending sorrow began to settle around her. It didn’t seem real yet—her mother dying—but she knew once it finally hit, she would be lost. She didn’t know if she’d ever come back from the devastation once it sank in. Her mother was her teacher, her confidant, her best friend—her hero. Though Lorraine was only six years old when she watched her father die on the floor in front of her, she could vividly remember her very pregnant mother taking charge of the whole scene. 

Tatum Blanchett Mattina Mack was an elementary school teacher, but she commanded respect and authority no matter who was in the room. The day Lorraine’s father died, Tatum stood tall and composed. No tears were shed by her mother that day. Even at the services, Lorraine could recall her mother comforting those who offered their condolences. 

“Oh, Gert,” Lorraine remembered her mother speaking to Lorraine’s father’s cousin. “I’m so sorry. I know how much Dominic meant to you.” 

Gertrude went on to explain how her cousin Dominic was her favorite cousin, and they were so close, and she didn’t know how she would live without him. Yeah, how she would live without him. How was Lorraine’s pregnant mother going to live without her husband? How would Lorraine live without her father? How would her new baby sibling live without him? 

Lorraine was six, but still, she’d thought these things. And she couldn’t understand why her mother didn’t say something along the lines of, “You’re worried about yourself right now?” But no, Lorraine’s mother was selfless and compassionate and thought nothing of putting someone else’s feelings before her own. 

Lorraine wasn’t like that. But, right now, she was hoping to imitate her mother’s strength and selflessness. But how could she do that if she let herself feel the imminent pain? How did her mother hide the hurt? Because even though Lorraine was six, she could see it in her mother’s eyes; her mother may have been easing the aches of her consolers, but no one was taking her mother’s suffering away. Yet, her mother smiled through it regardless. Now it was Lorraine’s turn to be the strong one—for Carter, for Norah. But could she? She was having her doubts.

The loud roar of the motorcycle once again invaded her thoughts. Noah. She didn’t know what to think of him or what part he’d play in all this. He’d most likely go back to his college life as if his sister’s life wasn’t just turned upside down. As if all their lives weren’t just shaken up like a broken snow globe, all its pieces floating aimlessly until they landed. The thing was, Lorraine thought, where would they all land?

“Hey.” Noah ambled back in and took a seat at the table. After digging into a brown deli bag, he pulled out a cup of coffee and two packages of Hostess orange cupcakes. “Want one?” he asked, holding up one of the packages.

Lorraine shrugged. She liked orange cupcakes. “Okay.”

Noah slid it across the table, tore open his package, and took a bite so big that half the cupcake was already gone.

“Hungry?”

With a full mouth and a groan, he mumbled, “Mmmm hmm,” and then chased it down with a gulp of coffee.

“So,” Lorraine started, figuring she’d better give him time to find something for his father to wear. “You think you can pick out a suit for your father to wear tomorrow?”

He put down the coffee he was about to sip again and looked at her. “What?”

“My grandmother would like you to pick out a suit. Y’know, for your dad. For the wake.” Lorraine ripped open her package of cupcakes.

“Jesus Christ. No. No, I’m not going to pick out a suit. You do it.”

“Me?” she asked, pausing as the cupcake reached her lips. “Why me?”

He gaped at her. “Why not?”

“Why not?” She put her cupcake down. “Because he’s not my father. He’s yours.”

Noah’s eyes rolled up, he shook his head, and closed his eyelids all at the same time. “I’ve seen him twice in two years. I hardly even talked to him. You want him to look nice, you do it. I’m not picking out a suit.”

Lorraine picked at the orange icing on her cupcake while she contemplated how to respond. “You know,” she said, after a few seconds, “whatever your problems were with Brick, I think you should put them aside for this weekend. This can’t be easy for your sister. I mean, Norah has become a sister to me, but Mimi, she doesn’t come visit much, so I’m sure Norah feels a little uncomfortable around her.” Lorraine paused when she saw Noah close his eyes and shake his head while he let out an exaggerated breath. “I’m serious. She needs you right now to step up and be her big brother. All I’ve seen so far is you being inconvenienced by being here. Grow up, Noah.”

“Gee, thanks, Rain. You put it all in perspective for me.” Noah slapped his forehead. “Picking out a suit will make it all better for Norah. Geez. Why didn’t I think about that?”

“Y’know, Noah. You’re an ass.”

“And you can bite it.”

Giveaway

giveaway-graphic
Join the giveaway contest from October 24 - 29, 2016!
Win a Signed Paperback of When Glass Shatters by J.P. Grider!

- - - - -

Get your copy of When Glass Shatters now!
Available at Amazon.com

About J.P. Grider

J.P. Grider is a New Adult and Young Adult author who is a sucker for a good love story - whether it's reading one or writing one. And when she's not reading or writing a fairy tale, she's living one.
Visit the Official J.P. Grider Blog:
http://www.jpgrider.com
Connect with J.P. Grider on Social Media:
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

When Glass Shatters on Tour

Get more tidbits and info on When Glass Shatters from the sites below, and get more chances to win the giveaway contest!

October 24

Book Unleashed - Promo, Excerpt
EskieMama Reads - Promo, Excerpt

October 25

Books, Dreams, Life - Promo, Review, Excerpt

October 26

Loves Great Reads - Top Ten List
Just Love Books - Excerpt

October 27

Lori's Reading Corner - Promo, Excerpt
The Avid Book Collector - Promo, Excerpt
Shelf Life - Review
Comfy Reading - Review

October 28

Reading Alley - Excerpt
Country Girl Bookaholic - Promo, Excerpt, Character Interview

October 29

Romantic Fanatic - Excerpt

In partnership with
Book Unleashed

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

New Release + Giveaway: Threesome Bonds by Sienna Matthews

Tour Graphic

Announcing a new book release!
THREESOME BONDS
by
Sienna Matthews!

Hot, sizzling and sensual romance, Threesome Bonds is the long-awaited, much-anticipated, reader-requested sequel to Sienna Matthews' Threesome series.

Grab your copy now. Available at:
Amazon

Threesome Bonds Cover

About Threesome Bonds

Series: Threesome Series, Book 3
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance, Ménage à Trois

Add to Goodreads

The long-awaited, much-anticipated, reader-requested sequel to Threesome Interlude and Threesome Play is here!

What happens after Lynne Morrison's passionate elevator interlude with hunky twins Mark and Ash Thompson? Well, they realize it isn't enough so they had to try out the bedroom and the kitchen table and the wall…er, you get the picture. When Lynne finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she faces a serious dilemma: she doesn't know who the father is! When Mark finds out, will it derail their growing relationship?

Meanwhile, her best friend Cara Wilson, aka Hot Blonde, isn't feeling so hot. In a relationship with lovers Kyle Lockwood and Max Brannigan, she comes home early one day and stumbles upon Kyle secretly proposing to Max. Her world shatters. Amidst her heartbreak, she decides to take the biggest gamble of her life, even if it means losing the thing Kyle cherishes the most…

Product Warnings

This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, male/male sexual acts, anal sex and ménage a trois (m/f/m and m/m/f).

Note

This book can be read as a standalone. Enough backstory has been provided to help new readers understand the characters' situations. However, if new readers would like to read how the characters met, the previous books, Threesome Interlude and Threesome Play, are now discounted at $0.99 for a limited time only.

Threesome Bonds is available now.
Grab your copy today!
Amazon

Other books by Sienna Matthews

Grab these equally tantalizing books in the Threesome series by Sienna Matthews. Available now with new covers!

Threesome Interlude Cover

Threesome Interlude

It's no hardship being stranded with two gorgeous guys...

Limited time offer: $0.99 special promotion price!
Buy now at Amazon.com

Threesome Play Cover

Threesome Play

When opportunity comes, grab it. Or them.

Limited time offer: $0.99 special promotion price!
Buy now at Amazon.com

Giveaway

Join the Threesome Bonds giveaway contest from Oct 25 - 28, 2016!
You could be the lucky winner of
One set of the Threesome series
by Sienna Matthews

a Rafflecopter giveaway

-----

Get your copy of Threesome Bonds today. Available at:
Amazon

About Sienna Matthews

Sienna Matthews writes deliciously erotic romance. She goes wherever the muse calls. Check out her stories which are no holds barred sinful and seductive and where anything can happen. Visit her blog at http://siennamatthews.wordpress.com/. She welcomes readers' feedback on her books. Write to her at SiennaMMatthews @ gmail.com.

Visit the Official Sienna Matthews Website:
http://siennamatthews.wordpress.com/

Connect with Sienna Matthews on Social Media:
Facebook | Twitter


In partnership with

Book Unleashed

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Before She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson

tour-graphic

Today, it gives us great pleasure to feature
BEFORE SHE BECAME A LADY
by
Wareeze Woodson!
Don't miss out on this sweet, romantic novel.

Grab your copy today at Amazon.com

before-she-became-a-lady-cover

About Before She Became a Lady

Genre: Historical Romance with Suspense

Add to Goodreads

Laurel Collingsworth, seventeen and deeply in love, expects to marry her hero and live in wedded bliss forever after. Instead, with the ink barely dry on the marriage lines, Lord Robert Laningham is called away to Spain and the war. With a heavy heart, she sends her husband off with a kiss and a prayer for his safe return.

Now alone in her new role of Lady Laningham, she faces a series of terrifying events, shadowy intruders, missing jewelry, and mysterious footfalls in the night. Added to her alarms, she must fight her hostile sister-in-law for the reigns of her husband’s establishment.

When Lord Robert Laningham returns, can she convince him danger stalks the halls of the ancient mansion? In his wounded state, will he listen or must she protect her child, her recovering husband, and her household by herself?

Available Now
Get your copy of Before She Became a Lady today.

amazon

Giveaway

Join Before She Became a Lady giveaway contest!
Contest runs until November 9, 2016.
You could be one of three lucky winners of a
$10 Gift Card

giveaway-graphic

a Rafflecopter giveaway

- - - - -

Click here to purchase your copy of Before She Became a Lady

About Wareeze Woodson

wareeze-woodson-author-pic

I am a native of Texas and still live in this great state. I write period romance tangled with suspense. I married my high school sweetheart, years and years ago. We raised four children and have eight grandchildren, and grandchildren are Grand. At the moment, all my children and my grandchildren live within seventy miles of our home, lots of visits. My husband and I still love each other after all these years the stuff romance is made of, Happy Ever After!

Visit the official Website of Wareeze Woodson:
http://www.wareezewoodson.com

Connect with Wareeze Woodson on social media:
Facebook | Twitter


In partnership with

Book Unleashed

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

New Release + Price Promotion: Picture Imperfect by Cindy Procter-King

tour-graphic

We are super excited to announce the release of
Picture Imperfect: A Sassy Suspense by Cindy Procter-King!

Special 3-Day Promotion
Picture Imperfect is available at a special price of $2.99!

(Regular Price: $4.99)
Hurry! This offer is valid until this Friday, October 21, 2016 only.
Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble

picture-imperfect-cover

About Picture Imperfect

Genre: Humorous romantic suspense, Romantic comedy mystery

Just when she thought she had her life on autofocus...

Photographer Ursula Scott is six short months from buying her boss’s studio and helping her family knock down a massive debt. She can put up with his hairball antics for that long, right?

Right?

But, oh, he makes life difficult. She can barely restrain herself when he hogs credit for her assignments, and now half-naked weirdos are responding to his ad for her first magazine photo spread. On top of that, someone is sabotaging the studio. Worse, she discovers her sexy apprentice is a former cop practicing his newbie PI skills on the case—and she’s a suspect!

Suddenly, Ursula’s dreams and hard work seem about to go up in smoke. In more ways than one.

Well, not on her watch.

When Gabe McKenzie moves home following the shooting that kyboshed his career, he doesn’t expect to get sucked into finding the culprit wreaking havoc at his uncle’s photography studio. He certainly doesn’t expect to fall for Ursula Scott, a long-legged brunette with a definite motive and a desire to play Nancy Drew. Even as he clears her, the sabotage escalates into a bizarre stalking, placing Ursula...and Gabe’s hopes for their future...in danger.

If only he can convince her to stop snooping around and let him do his job as a PI, before an unknown menace threatens not only her dreams—but her life.

Special 3 Day Promotion
Picture Imperfect is available at a special price of $2.99!

(Regular price: $4.99)
This offer is valid until this Friday, October 21, 2016 only
Hurry! Grab your copy today!

Amazon Kobo iBooks Barnes & Noble

Giveaway

Join the Picture Imperfect giveaway contest from October 19-21, 2016!
You could be one of three lucky winners of
Two copies of Borrowing Alex eBook by Cindy Procter-King,
or a $5 Amazon Gift Card

giveaway-graphic

a Rafflecopter giveaway

- - - - -

Special 3-Day Promotion
Get a copy of Picture Imperfect now at a special price of $2.99.

(Regular Price: $4.99)
Hurry! This offer is valid until this Friday, October 21, 2016 only.
Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble

About Cindy Procter-King

cindy-procter-king-pic

Cindy Procter-King writes sassy suspense, rollicking romantic comedy, and heart-tugging small-town romance. To sum it up, feel-good fiction! A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart finalist, Cindy’s mission in life is to see her surname spelled properly—with an E. That’s P-r-o-c-t-E-r. Never, under any circumstances, should you spell it with two O’s (shudder).

Cindy’s novels and short fiction are available as eBooks from retailers all over the world, as well as in trade paperback, library hardcover and large print, some foreign editions, and audiobooks.

Cindy lives in beautiful British Columbia with her family, a cat obsessed with dripping tap water, and Allie McBeagle.

-----

Visit the official Website of Cindy Procter-King:
http://www.cindyprocter-king.com/

Connect with Cindy Procter-King on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


In partnership with

Book Unleashed

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

New Release + Giveaway: Vigilante Mine by Cera Daniels

tour-graphic

We are super excited to announce the re-release of
VIGILANTE MINE by Cera Daniels!
Book One in the Relek City Series, Vigilante Mine is a fast-paced, thrilling, highly recommended read.

Get your copy today! Available at:
Amazon | iTunes | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Vigilante Mine Cover

About Vigilante Mine

Series: Relek City, Book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Superhero Romance

Add to Goodreads

Internal Affairs be damned, Detective Amanda Werner's ditching protocol to hunt the vigilante whose bullet landed her on the bench. But this is no vendetta. Evidence suggests he's the zealot offing corrupt public officials--the same zealot who's promised to set the city ablaze by week's end--and she'll risk her career and her life to save her hometown. Too bad she can't find anything stronger than Kevlar to guard her heart against her primary suspect: a masked man with a telepathic German shepherd, unstable supernatural hearing, and lips that invite a whole different brand of investigation.

All businessman Ryan McLelas, a.k.a. Klepto, wants is redemption. But even if Amanda could forgive his itchy trigger finger, Ryan still has to convince her that his alter ego's no serial killer. No small task, with syndicate-paid police officers turning up among the dead. He'd better keep his own syndicate ties close to his chest and Amanda even closer, because if Klepto is unmasked while he's hunting the real killer, their passionate affair could mark Amanda as the next dirty cop on the hit list.

Vigilante Mine is available now with a new cover!
Grab your copy today:

AmazoniTunesAll Romance eBooksBarnes & NobleKobo

Giveaway

Join the Vigilante Mine giveaway contest from Oct 7 - Nov 14, 2016!
Three attractive prizes to be won:
Two $20 Amazon Gift Cards and One $10 Amazon Gift Card!

Giveaway Graphic

a Rafflecopter giveaway

- - - - -

Buy Vigilante Mine now! Available at:
Amazon | iTunes | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About Cera Daniels

Cera Daniels PicCera Daniels writes paranormal, science fiction, and steampunk romance. Sexy superheroes. Delicious shifters. Infernal machines. Sometimes behind the same cover. Her heroes are broken and often on the wrong side of good, their worlds are crumbling, but the love her characters find in all that chaos stands on an unshakable foundation.

She hails from South Carolina with her own superhero husband, daughter, and three cats who don't think they're cats at all. Life is especially good in her world when there's Game of Thrones, Shadowrun and board games, chocolate coffee, and an overabundance of yarn on tap.

Visit the Official Cera Daniels Website:
http://www.ceradaniels.com

Connect with Cera Daniels on Social Media:
Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads


In partnership with

Book Unleashed

Monday, October 17, 2016

New Release + Price Promotion: Liberation Origins by Wendy Lynn Clark

Tour Graphic

It gives us great pleasure to announce the release of
Liberation Origins by Wendy Lynn Clark!
Indulge your craving in this super hot, thrilling, and fast-paced novel
guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seats from cover to cover!

Special Promotion
Liberation Origins is available at a special price of $0.99!

(Regular Price: $1.99)
This offer is valid until October 28, 2016 only.
Get it now at Amazon.com

liberation-origins-cover

About Liberation Origins

Series: Robotics Faction - Origins Series, Book 1
Genre: Science Fiction Romance

Add to Goodreads

An empress who must marry for duty. A race pilot who breaks all the rules. Their forbidden passion could cost everything.

Emprezia is betrothed to one of the most powerful men in the Antiata conglomerate. Marrying him will bring her one step closer to the coveted Star Chamber seat -- and power over the deadly rivals threatening her family. Despite how close she is to securing their future, she can't deny the tug of her heart for the ones she had to leave behind.

Then she meets Kaolin.

As a no-name shuttle pilot and close friend of her fiancé, he should be off limits. But the passion he evokes with his steady dark gaze and skillful hands cannot be denied. When her rivals strike, Kaolin is the one who protects her. Now she has to make a choice.

Choosing Kaolin will destroy her family. But not choosing him will destroy her very soul.

Buy Liberation Origins and read the thrilling origin story today!

Warning: Strong heat and language for mature readers only!

Special Promotion
Liberation Origins is available at a special price of $0.99.

(Regular Price: $1.99)
This offer is valid until October 28, 2016 only.
Hurry! Get your copy today.

Amazon

Giveaway

Join the Liberation Origins giveaway contest!
Contest runs until Oct 21, 2016, 5:00pm PDT
You could be one of two lucky winners of
a $10 Gift Card, or
a signed paperback of Book One of the Liberation's Kiss series by Wendy Lynn Clark

giveaway-graphic-wendy-lynn-clark

Click here to join the Giveaway Contest now!

-----

Special Promotion
Get your copy of Liberation Origins now at a special price of $0.99.

(Regular Price: $1.99)
This offer is valid until October 28, 2016 only.
Available at Amazon.com

About Wendy Lynn Clark

wendy-lynn-clark-pic

Wendy Lynn Clark is from the vibrant green Pacific Northwest. She writes contemporary and science fiction romance with sexy heroes and undefeatable heroines, as well as sweeping epic fantasy and creative nonfiction. Her words are infused with wonders from her travels—teaching in Japan for three years, earning her MA in Brighton, and studying abroad in Greece. When she’s not hiking in the Cascade mountain range, she’s writing on her couch with a steaming cup of tea and her two snuggly calico cats.

Her books are a mix of soaring imagination, blockbuster action, and thrilling romance. They are recommended for anyone who enjoys a well-told story with a happy ending guaranteed.

For up to date promotions and release dates of upcoming books, sign up for the latest news at her website: www.wendylynnclark.com

-----

Visit the official Website of Wendy Lynn Clark:
http://www.wendylynnclark.com

Visit Wendy Lynn Clark's blog:
http://www.wendylynnclark.com/blog

Connect with Wendy Lynn Clark on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Pinterest


In partnership with

Book Unleashed

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

New Release + Giveaway: Embracing the Knight by Jenn Langston

Embracing the Knight Tour Graphic

We are delighted to take part in celebrating the release day of
EMBRACING THE KNIGHT by Jenn Langston!
This witty, charming historical romance is sure to capture your heart.

Embracing the Knight is available now at:
Amazon

Embracing the Knight Cover

About Embracing the Knight

Series: Touched by Fire, Book 1
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance

Add to Goodreads

Miss Claire Ashford knows exactly what she wants out of life — to marry for love. When she finds herself alone in the woods with none other than notorious rake Ian Michael Caldwell, Viscount Knightly, her chances of a proper match are ruined. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of her reputation, but she is determined not to marry anyone out of obligation.

For years, Ian has wanted nothing more than to, one day, marry Miss Claire Ashford. When fate forces them into a compromising situation, he vows to do just that. In spite of every effort, she refuses his suit. Not one to easily give up, Ian drafts assistance from an unlikely source.

As her first season continues, Claire finds it increasingly difficult to keep her distance from Ian. His charm, and ability to stir feelings inside of her she didn’t know existed, makes it hard to remember why she refused him in the first place. With his relentless pursuit and her weakening resolve, she desperately wants to give in to him. However, after seeing he hasn’t changed his rakish ways, how can she trust him not to break her heart, again?

Read an Excerpt from Embracing the Knight

Claire stared at Ian’s backside and tried hard to keep her thoughts pure. For almost a full day now, she’d been awarded with the view, and combined with the man himself, her resolve wavered. Each hour it became increasingly difficult to remember why she disliked him.

Although their situation was miserable, Ian had kept the tone light. He made her remember all those good times they had shared as children. Back then, and most of the time, her brother had balked at having his younger sister tag along, but Ian had always been sweet. Then, he grew up.

“Ian, it’s hot. If we don’t stop soon, I will fall over.”

“As you wish. Here is as good a spot as any.”

Gratefully, she slid down, using a tree to balance her until making contact with the ground. She wanted to laugh at the change in herself. Not long ago, the idea of dirtying her skirts would have bothered her. Today, however, the cool dirt felt wonderful against her legs.

Ian followed suit across from her, bringing the bag he’d fashioned from her petticoat and laying it between them. After being deprived of food for so long, the idea of having another pear had her mouth watering.

“I don’t recall pears ever tasting so good.” She closed her eyes and sighed as she took a bite, savoring the juice on her tongue.

“I see.”

When she opened her eyes, she noticed Ian looking at her mouth strangely. He made no move to collect a pear for himself. Heat flooded her cheeks. Clearly, she had done something wrong.

“Don’t you agree?”

He grabbed a pear and turned to stare in the opposite direction. “Yes. They are delicious.”

Silence filled the space between them as they finished their fruit. She moved her aching legs, although making sure to keep them covered by her skirt. This trek was exhausting, and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

“How much longer do you suspect before we reach London?” She rubbed her aching neck thinking about how nice it would be to sleep in a bed.

“It’s hard to say. Anxious to get back to Lord Higgins?”

She snorted, uncaring how unladylike she sounded. “The only thing I could possibly miss about him is his dancing. That man sure knows the intricacies of the waltz.”

“The waltz? Surely he can’t be better than me.”

The cocky grin he shot her made her smile as she shook her head. Ian’s charm seemed to come as natural to him as breathing. Her lips tightened as the merriment wore away. She’d never seen a woman who wasn’t susceptible to him.

“Considering we’ve never danced, I’m not a good judge.”

He climbed to his feet and held out his hand, a sparkle in his eyes. “Dance with me.”

“Here? Don’t be ridiculous.”

The idea of dancing with Ian, here, in the middle of the forest did strange things to her stomach. It seemed too intimate. Considering their current circumstances, and their sleeping arrangements, they didn’t need any more intimacy between them.

Ian crossed his arms. “Afraid you can’t keep up without the music? Don’t worry. I can lead the most inept of partners.”

Refusing to be baited, she narrowed her eyes as she gently wrapped the pears back up.

“I have no desire to waste my energy on ridiculous pursuits.” She got to her feet, slinging the pears over her shoulder. “I suppose we should continue on.”

“Very well, but one day, you will dance with me.”

She huffed.

His long sigh betrayed his disappointment. He took the bag from her and began their trek. Narrowing her eyes on his back, she tried to figure him out. Considering what they were facing at the moment, she couldn’t understand his mood. Why did he work so hard to keep her entertained?

“You can stop,” she said. “After all, it isn’t necessary.”

Ian spun around to face her, confusion marring his brow. “What are you talking about?”

“Charming me,” she explained, unable to keep the exasperation out of her voice.

“Charming you?”

“Yes. It will get you nowhere, and there is no time for it.”

As if to emphasize her words, she took off, walking past him in the direction he’d been taking. The constant walking, the heat, and his positive attitude were weighing her down.

He hurried until he was beside her. “Does that mean it is working?”

“Yes. I mean no . . . it’s just irritating.”

His warm fingers on her arm stopped her, and allowed him to turn her to face him. Gone was the playfulness he usually sported. His eyes were dark, his expression serious. She sucked in her breath, unable to take his intensity.

“When did this happen? When did you start hating me?”

She swallowed repeatedly, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. Telling him the truth was impossible, for she never wanted him to know. The very thought of that day brought a flush to her cheeks. However, she couldn’t stand the pain in his eyes.

“I don’t hate you,” she replied, knowing it to be the truth. No matter how hard she had tried, she couldn’t bring her heart to truly dislike him.

His gaze dropped to her mouth, and her lips parted. Would he kiss her now? She always imagined her first kiss would be with Ian. Desperate to experience the feel of his lips on hers, she leaned forward.

The sound of a bird crowing in a nearby tree startled her enough to clear the fog from her thoughts. She snapped back from him. Taking a deep breath, she turned away, knowing he didn’t want to kiss her, specifically. She was simply the only available woman present.

“Claire.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

She felt his hands on her shoulders, but she shrugged him off. Right now, she couldn’t face him. If she did, she’d be too tempted to allow him to use her as he’d done to so many other women.

“I think we should keep moving.”

“Of course,” he agreed, regret echoing in his voice.

As he moved in front of her to lead the way, guilt swamped her. The feeling she’d made a huge mistake overwhelmed her. But, that couldn’t be true. No good would come from kissing Ian. So why couldn’t she shake the feeling? Why did depression have to settle on her shoulders?

Get your copy of Embracing the Knight today! Available at:

Amazon

Giveaway

Join the Embracing the Knight giveaway contest from Oct 12 - 14, 2016!
You could be one of two lucky winners of
His Perfect Bride (eBook) by Jenn Langston

Giveaway Graphic

Click here to join the Rafflecopter giveaway

---------------

Embracing the Knight is now available. Grab your copy today!
Amazon

About Jenn Langston

Jenn Langston PicJenn Langston is a writer and a lover of historical romances. She developed her love of reading romance novels at a very young age. What began as the simple joy of reading developed into a passion to write.

She lives in the beloved state of Texas where she was born and raised. With her husband, three beautiful children, a dog, three cats, and a ball python. She has a full house. There is never a dull moment, but always time to read and write.

Visit the official Jenn Langston website at http://www.jennlangston.com

Connect with Jenn Langston on Social Media Facebook | Twitter


In partnership with

Book Unleashed