Second Chance Love: A Lady’s Guide to Marriage by Tabetha Waite

                 Welcome to day two of Second Chance Love

Meet the Authors Week!

My newest release can be found in the  boxed set Second Chance Loves: A Regency Romance Set, available for free on Kindle Unlimited or in e-book for .99 on Amazon here. I’ve been sharing snippets of my offering, Heart of Decadence, on this blog (Chapter 1 can be read above) and via my posts each Sunday to Weekend Writing Warriors.

So this week, I thought I’d introduce you to the other five stories that comprise Second Chance Loves. The premise of the set is women who are not in the first bloom, who have loved and lost, or in some manner needed a second chance to find love.

Below is an excerpt from A Lady’s Guide to Marriage:

God, I’ve been a fool for staying away as long as I have — for leaving in the first place.

He clenched his fist at his side as she stopped in front of him. Time melted away, and even though nearly twenty-five years of marriage had changed her features and form slightly, had dimmed the bright luster of her copper red locks into a more subdued strawberry-blond, a few wisps framing her face as they tried to escape her bonnet, he knew without a doubt, that if he had a second chance, he would choose to marry her all over again.

She was the love of his life, and it was past time that he told her exactly how he felt.

He started to open his mouth, to finally speak the words clogging his throat.

“Hello, Michael.”

Albina offered him a slight smile, inclining her head slightly, before she turned and walked into the house.

And all at once — let him know where she stood.

Swallowing down his bitter disappointment, he followed her inside.

***

“I trust your journey was pleasant.”

Albina cringed inwardly at the perfect, masculine sound of his detached voice. After five years, he might have come up with something a bit more to say. What is wrong with you! She wanted to shout at him, to ask if he even cared about her anymore, but at least she knew where she stood with him.

Now, if he had rushed to the carriage and dragged her into his arms and kissed her senseless…

But then, those were the fantasies of a young debutante, and not appropriate for a mature woman who had been married for more than two decades, who had shared everything from a bed, to children, to sorrow and happiness with this man.

At this point, Albina had to ask herself what was left.

She feared that the answer would be…nothing.

But then, that wasn’t true for her, was it? She wanted him as much as she ever had before. The instant she had set eyes on her husband it was as if they had never been apart. He was still just as handsome as ever, even if a bit of silver had colored his dark hair slightly at the temples. He still had the same chiseled lips and jawline; those eyes still the color of warm chocolate. More importantly, he still had the power to make her heart thump in her chest, even if he seemed blissfully unaware of it.

But then, she’d never encouraged his attentions lately either, so she supposed she couldn’t really blame him for something for which he wasn’t wholly to blame. They both had their faults.

Blurb:

She’s never stopped loving him. He’s never stopped loving her. But is love enough to salvage a crumbling marriage, or will it be their ultimate undoing?

Meet the Author:

Tabetha Waite is the multi-award winning author of the historical romance Ways of Love Series. Her debut novel, “Why the Earl is After the Girl,” was published in July of 2016 and won the 2017 Best Indie Book Award in Romance and the 2018 Second Place Feathered Quill Book Award in Romance. “When a Duke Pursues a Lady” was a Book Talk Radio Club finalist in romance in 2018. She is also a certified PAN member of the RWA and holds a milestone pin for 5 published romances.

When she’s not writing, Tabetha is reading as true bookworms do, or checking out any antique mall she comes across. She is a small town, Missouri girl who continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two wonderful daughters.

You can find her on most any social media site, and she encourages fans of her work to join her mailing list for updates. http://www.authortabethawaite.wix.com/romance

Remember to grab your copy now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

 

Meet Second Chance Love author Cynthia Sterling here!

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Second Chance Romance: A Letter from a Lady by Cynthia Sterling

My newest release can be found in the  boxed set Second Chance Loves: A Regency Romance Set, available for free on Kindle Unlimited or in e-book for .99 on Amazon here. I’ve been sharing snippets of my offering, Heart of Decadence, on this blog (Chapter 1 can be read above) and via my posts each Sunday to Weekend Writing Warriors.

So this week, I thought I’d introduce you to the other five stories that comprise Second Chance Loves. The premise of the set is women who are not in the first bloom, who have loved and lost, or in some manner needed a second chance to find love.

Below is an excerpt from A Letter from a Lady:

“It’s what you wanted, ain’t it, m’lord?”

Adam Kendrick, Viscount Morgan, considered the single sheet of writing paper the man known as Dirty Tom had proffered. A fine feminine hand filled the page, the words writ boldly, as though the passion in them had driven their writer to bear down on the pen. Mine own dearest husband, he read. How long the nights stretch when we are apart. How empty my arms without you to hold. I lie here beside the place where you should be, my head full of the words I should say when we are together. But when you are with me, words flee, and I turn timid. Love makes me mute, my lips silenced by your kisses.

Adam smoothed his hand over the carefully penned words. What would it be like to have a woman love you that way, so that her whole being seemed poured out onto the page of her letter? He gave Dirty Tom a sharp look. “Are you sure this is from DeLae?”

Tom squared his shoulders. “Filched it from his trunk meself, when he was in his cups. It’s got his real name on it, see?” he leaned over and stabbed a dirty finger at the address at the top, Lord Delaware.

Adam dropped his gaze to the signature at the bottom of the page. Your Clarissa, Waverley House, Sussex.

“It’s what you were after, ain’t it? Something to prove who this DeLae chap really is?” Tom cackled. “A titled gent and all. Who’d have thought it?”

Adam slid the letter into the top drawer of his desk and folded his hands in front of him in a deceptive appearance of calm. “When you were with DeLae, did you see a boy with him? A lad of eighteen, with dark hair and eyes?”

Tom nodded. “I saw the young gent, but only for a bit. He was with another of DeLae’s bunch, outside in the wagon yard whilst DeLae was inside drinkin’ his fill.”

A pulse throbbed at Adam’s temples. He took a gold sovereign from his purse and handed it to the man. “Very well. You may go.”

Tom squinted and rubbed the coin between his thumb and forefinger. “Well, now, m’lord, seems to me that letter ought to be worth a bit more, seein’ as how it was written by a lady and all. And how it contains such tender sentiments.” He moved closer, lowering his voice. “Might be the woman in question might not like knowin’ a stranger is readin’ words meant personal like.”

Adam scowled. The man made him sound like the basest sort of voyeur. With barely contained fury, he pinched a silver sixpence from the moneybag and tossed it across the desk. “Out of here, before I throw you out.”

Tom blanched at the menacing tone, and backed toward the door. When he was gone, Adam took out the letter again. The monogram at the top of the page depicted a stylized W over a wavy line. Remember, while we are apart, you carry my heart with you, he read. How had a scoundrel like Jacques DeLae, nee Jared Delaware, won such a woman?

But then, how had his brother Devon ended up with the man? Adam laid the letter aside. What would lead a young man from a good family to take up with a gang of smugglers and thieves?

Blurb:

Deserted by her husband, Lady Clarissa Delaware has opened her home as a respite for ailing gentry, but her newest lodger is a mystery man who seems far too interested in her. Will dangerous intrigue and forbidden passion unite Viscount Adam Kendrick and Lady Clarissa in a bond sure to cause scandal?

Meet the Author:

Cynthia Sterling decided to be an author when she was nine years old and read all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books. A lover of books, history, chocolate, and flowers, Cynthia is the author of a dozen award-winning historical novels.

Remember to grab your copy now from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 05/19/19 Heart of Decadence ~ “You Must Know the Story”

Welcome back to WWW.

This week I”ve decided to continue from my brand new novella, Heart of Decadence, Book 5 in my Handful of Hearts series, that released on April 23 in a boxed set called Second Chance Love: A Regency Romance Set along with works from five other fabulous Regency authors! I’ll finish out the month of May with Heart of Decadence, then go on to my next new release in June!

BLURB:  

Miss Amelia Burrowes was the scandal of the ton in her first Season, when her fiancée died and everyone assumed she was ruined. Ten years later, she’s back in London to make an arranged marriage that will hopefully allow her sisters to be received by the ton. But when Nathan, Lord Ainsley appears, the man she’d really had a tendre for all those years ago, the flame between them rekindles and Amelia must convince him that a woman with a past deserves a future.

In this snippet:  We follow on immediately from the last snippet. While at Lady Hamilton’s ball, Miss Amelia Burrowes has been found in the library by her suitor, Mr. Burke, who thinks because of her ruined reputation, he can take liberties. He has accosted her and does not want to take no for an answer. In the midst of their heated kiss, in walks a stranger. Amelia recognizes him as Nathan, Lord Ainsley, a gentleman for whom she had a tendre long ago. He too remembers her, very well.

Nathan realizes that Miss Burrowes does not wish to be in the company of Mr. Burke and takes her arm. he leas her outside for some fresh air, but then he asked a crucial question: “Are you indeed betrothed to him?” She declares she is not, although he will likely propose shortly. But she is submitting to the courtship because of her family’s wishes, because no one else will offer for her. This snippet begins with Nathan’s response.

This snippet is still in Nathan’s POV and continues on from the last post’s snippet.

The snippet  may have been slightly altered to accommodate the WWW format.

 

EXCERPT:

“Why not?”

She jerked her head back, as though he’d shocked her. “You must know the story for everyone else in the ton does.”

“Except, apparently, for me–my father wrote to me in Italy that you had become betrothed to Lord Carrington so I assumed you had married him and I didn’t find out until just now that you did not”–a piece of information still hadn’t registered–“so can you tell me why you didn’t marry him?”

“He died.”

Nathan flinched at the unfeeling tone of her voice, but of course, her grief must be long in the past. “May I extend my very belated condolences on his loss?”

“Thank you,” she said, and with a choked sigh,  hurried down the veranda steps out into the garden, to a bench where she sat, her back almost to him.

He followed, not too closely to give her time to compose herself, saying, “You must have loved him very much.”

“So all the gossips in Society say, at least.”

More next week!

Here’s the link for the  Second Chance Love boxed set.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

 

The Handful of Hearts series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 05/05/19 Heart of Decadence ~ ” I Am Submitting to It”

Welcome back to WWW.

This week I’m continuing from my brand new novella, Heart of Decadence, Book 5 in my Handful of Hearts series, that released on April 23 in a boxed set called Second Chance Love: A Regency Romance Set along with works from five other fabulous Regency authors!

BLURB:  

Miss Amelia Burrowes was the scandal of the ton in her first Season, when her fiancée died and everyone assumed she was ruined. Ten years later, she’s back in London to make an arranged marriage that will hopefully allow her sisters to be received by the ton. But when Nathan, Lord Ainsley appears, the man she’d really had a tendre for all those years ago, the flame between them rekindles and Amelia must convince him that a woman with a past deserves a future.

In this snippet:  We follow on immediately from last week’s snippet. While at Lady Hamilton’s ball, Miss Amelia Burrowes has been found in the library by her suitor, Mr. Burke, who thinks because of her ruined reputation, he can take liberties. He has accosted her and does not want to take no for an answer. In the midst of their heated kiss, in walks a stranger. Amelia recognizes him as Nathan, Lord Ainsley, a gentleman for whom she had a tendre long ago. He too remembers her, very well.

Nathan realizes that Miss Burrowes does not wish to be in the company of Mr. Burke and takes her arm. he leas her outside for some fresh air, but then he asked a crucial question: “Are you indeed betrothed to him?”

This snippet is still in Nathan’s POV and continues on from last week’s snippet.

The snippet  may have been slightly altered to accommodate the WWW format.

 

EXCERPT:

“Not exactly, no.”

The flicker of something deep within him burst back into life and he asked, “Not exactly?”

“My parents are arranging the marriage; I have only just met Mr. Burke this evening at dinner–we are supposed to take the opportunity of the ball to become better acquainted.” Even the faintness of the moonlight couldn’t disguise her distaste at the idea.

“And I interrupted his attempt to do so?” Not as bad as he’d feared, but still not behavior becoming a gentleman. “I am sorry if I have impeded his suit in any way.”

“Do not be, my lord,” her hand on his wrist startled him, both in its very presence there and in the warmth it appeared to generate within him, “as I have said, the match was brought about by my parents.” The liquid blue of her eyes flashed like quicksilver. “I am submitting to it because, as you well know, no one else has been willing to have me.”

Here’s the link for the  Second Chance Love boxed set.

Next week I’ll begin snippets from a different book and different series.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

 

The Handful of Hearts series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

 

 

Medieval Monday: First Meet! ~ Jenna Jaxon’s Time Enough to Love

 

First Meet!

 Welcome to Medieval Mondays! Our theme for this year’s first round is the hero and heroine’s first meet.

This is the final week for the First Meet theme, so I’m hosting myself for the final segment of

Time Enough to Love

 

Blurb:

When Lady Alyse de Courcy is betrothed to Sir Geoffrey Longford, she has no choice but to make the best of a bad bargain. The hulking knight is far from her ideal man, and although he does possess some wit and charm, he is no match for the sinfully sensual man she secretly admires, Thomas, Earl of Braeton, her betrothed’s best friend.

From the first, Sir Geoffrey finds himself smitten by Lady Alyse, and, despite her infatuation with his friend, vows to win her love. When Geoffrey puts his mind to wooing Alyse, he is delighted to find her succumbing to his seduction. But when cruel circumstances separate them, Geoffrey must watch helplessly as Thomas steps in to protect Alyse—and falls in love with her himself.

As the three courtiers accompany Princess Joanna to her wedding in Spain, they run headlong into the Black Plague. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both the men she loves. But which love will survive?

 

Excerpt:

 

As they continued down the long side of the Hall, Geoffrey leaned over to ask, “Why so quiet, my lady? Are you in awe of me or merely stunned by the good fortune of our betrothal?”

Outraged by the conceited fool, Alyse opened her mouth to explain exactly how unimpressed she was, both with him and her so-called good fortune, but instead met eyes of darkest sapphire flickering with merriment at her indignation.

So the oaf has wits.

Alyse fought to keep her countenance firm at that thought. Observing his infectious grin helped none at all. “Nay, my lord, I do not think I would quite call it ‘awe’ that you inspire in me.”

“Then what would you call it, Lady Alyse?”

“Wariness, my lord.”

She cut her eyes at him then returned her gaze to the front.

“You are wary of me, lady? Do I inspire suspicion in you?”

“Aye, my lord. That you do.”

Geoffrey slowed his pace. Another swift glance caught his frown. “Why? I am an honorable man, of good family. I served King Edward well in the recent wars. So well that I was given lands and raised in station to serve in Princess Joanna’s household. If the king himself places so much confidence in me, my lady, I think you must as well.”

Alyse’s mouth twitched with suppressed amusement at Sir Geoffrey’s impatient tone. One did not bait an unchained bear, unless one was prepared to run swiftly.

Please, Lord, let me be fleet of foot.

“I am sure His Majesty trusts you completely, Sir Geoffrey, for he has known you for some time, I believe?” After his curt nod, she continued. “The question, then, is why should I? I know you not, my lord, for I met you but moments ago. And in the few minutes since, you have managed to insult me, by making me think you would reject the marriage, then fixed me as the center of attention before the company by displaying me throughout the Hall when we were but six steps from my seat!” That irked her most of all, but she swallowed her anger and resumed the conversation with scathing civility. “Considering all these things, my lord, I do not see how even you can trust you!”

To her consternation Geoffrey relaxed and chuckled. “Aye, lady, when I behold you I do distrust myself.” Alyse saw again in his eyes that unknown flicker. “Yet I still believe you do me wrong, lady, to have so little faith in me. Be assured I would do naught to dishonor you. Even on short acquaintance, I vow to speak you fair in all things, as you are my betrothed and therefore as dear to me as my own life.”

“Very pretty words, my lord,” she answered then muttered under her breath, “would that they could be matched in pretty deeds!”

Geoffrey leaned closer. “What deed may I do, gentle lady, to prove myself worthy of your regard?”

Buy Links:

Time Enough to Love is available at Amazon.

 

 

Books in Jenna’s Medieval Time Enough to Love Series:

 

 

 

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 04/28/19 Heart of Decadence ~ “I Am Quite Overwhelmed”

Welcome back to WWW.

This week I’m continuing from my brand new novella, Heart of Decadence, Book 5 in my Handful of Hearts series, that released on April 23 in a boxed set called Second Chance Love: A Regency Romance Set along with works from five other fabulous Regency authors!

BLURB:  

Miss Amelia Burrowes was the scandal of the ton in her first Season, when her fiancée died and everyone assumed she was ruined. Ten years later, she’s back in London to make an arranged marriage that will hopefully allow her sisters to be received by the ton. But when Nathan, Lord Ainsley appears, the man she’d really had a tendre for all those years ago, the flame between them rekindles and Amelia must convince him that a woman with a past deserves a future.

In this snippet:  We follow on immediately from last week’s snippet. While at Lady Hamilton’s ball, Miss Amelia Burrowes has been found in the library by her suitor, Mr. Burke, who thinks because of her ruined reputation, he can take liberties. He has accosted her and does not want to take no for an answer. In the midst of their heated kiss, in walks a stranger. Amelia recognizes him as Nathan, Lord Ainsley, a gentleman for whom she had a tendre long ago. He too remembers her, very well.

Nathan realizes that Miss Burrowes does not wish to be in the company of Mr. Burke and takes her arm.

This snippet is still in Nathan’s POV and continues on from last week’s snippet.

This snippet  may have been slightly altered to accommodate the WWW format.

 

EXCERPT:

“Do you indeed wish to go to your mother?” he asked her in hushed tones.

“No, I do not,” she whispered back, “but neither do I wish to continue in Mr. Burke’s company.”

That was an easy request to manage as Nathan put on his most concerned face, brows lowered, jaw set and said, “Mr. Burke, Miss Burrowes feels a bit faint so I will take her outside for a breath of air–please find a footman and get a glass of lemonade brought to wherever Mrs. Burrowes is currently and we will meet you there.”

Before the man could make a protest, Nathan had steered his charge down the corridor toward a veranda that overlooked the rear garden. “I believe he will give us a few moments at least before returning to search for us.” He opened the French windows and the lady shot outside, breathing deeply, as though she had been holding her breath; indeed, she looked incredibly pale in the moonlight. “Miss Burrowes, are you quite well?”

She paused, then composed herself, saying “Yes, I am well, only I have not been out in Society for such a long time, I am quite overwhelmed by it all–especially by Mr. Burke’s attentions.”

“Are you indeed betrothed to him?” Something in Nathan froze, hanging on her next words as if nothing else in the world mattered.

I’ll have more next week!

Here’s the link for the  Second Chance Love boxed set.

And for the month of April, to celebrate the book’s release, I’m putting Heart of Desire, Book 2 of the series, on sale on Amazon for .99 also. Book 2 introduces us to the hero of Heart of Decadence as his sister and best friend take center stage in a Taming of the Shrew  style courtship.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

 

The Handful of Hearts series by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

 

 

 

Release Day for Second Chance Love: A Regency Romance Set

Happy Release Day!

The new set I’m a part of, Second Chance Love, releases today!

*Throws confetti in the air*

 

 

Here’s the description of these six wonderful romances:

A Second Chance…a do-over? These ladies are not the young naïve girls they once were. Now they are WOMEN who know the value of love, who have faced challenges and aren’t afraid to seek what they want.

Come along as they risk it all for a second chance at a happily ever after.

Mrs. Sartin’s Secretary by Wendy LaCapra… Mrs. Amelia Sartin helms her late husband’s company and implicitly trusts her Secretary, Matthew Bellamy. However, as she cedes company control to her heir, can Bellamy persuade Amelia he is one thing she cannot leave behind?

To Hell and Back by Annabelle Anders… Eve Mossant’s life has been quite turned over. As has the carriage she was traveling in to attend her estranged husband’s funeral. Thank heavens for Mr. Waverly, her ever dependable man of business. She wouldn’t know where she’d be without him…

A Lady’s Guide to Marriage by Tabetha Waite… She’s never stopped loving him. He’s never stopped loving her. But is love enough to salvage a crumbling marriage, or will it be their ultimate undoing?

Heart of Decadence by Jenna Jaxon… Miss Amelia Burrowes was the scandal during her first Season, when her fiancée died. Ten years later, she’s back in London to make an arranged marriage that will hopefully allow her sisters to be received by the ton. But when Nathan, Lord Ainsley arrives, the flame between them rekindles and Amelia must convince him that a woman with a past deserves a future.

A Letter From a Lady by Cynthia Sterling… Deserted by her husband, Lady Clarissa Delaware has opened her home as a respite for ailing gentry, but her newest lodger is a mystery man who seems far too interested in her. Will dangerous intrigue and forbidden passion unite Viscount Adam Kendrick and Lady Clarissa in a bond sure to cause scandal?

A Lady of Courage by Catherine Tinley… Following a scandalous elopement and a cloud of mystery over the legitimacy of her child, Elizabeth has spent years in exile, hiding away from society. Now back in London for the first time, can she find the courage to regain her place and find love?

This amazing set is available now on Amazon as an e-book for only .99 and for almost 800 pages of romance, that is a sweet deal!

If you’d like a peek at my novella, Heart of Decadence (Book 5 of the Handful of Hearts series), check out the top of my blog and you’ll find the first chapter in its entirety. Hopefully by the end of that, you’ll want more. 🙂

And because the story of Heart of Decadence is somewhat intertwined with Book 2 of the series, Heart of Desire, I’ve put that book on sale for .99 on Amazon as well for the month of April. I hope you give that one a look also.

Happy Reading!