The Most Eligible Lord in London ~ New Regency Romance by Ella Quinn

Last week my good friend Ella Quinn released The Most Eligible Lord in London, the first book in a new series of Regency romances called The Lords on London!

Handsome, rakish, incorrigibly flirtatious—Fredrick, Lord Littleton, is notorious. Lady Adeline Wivenly is resolved to keep him at arm’s length during her first Season—until she overhears another woman’s plot to trick him into marriage. Even a rogue is undeserving of such deception, and Adeline feels obliged to warn him—only to find herself perilously attracted . . .

In the past, Littleton’s charm nearly got him leg-shackled to the wrong woman. Now he’s positive he’s found the right one, for Adeline is everything he wants and needs in a wife. Her sense of justice is so strong she agrees to help him despite her mistrust. But can the ton’s most elusive lord convince the lady he is finally serious about marriage—as long as she will be his bride?

To celebrate Ella’s release, I’m giving away an  e-copy of The Most Eligible Lord in London, to one person who comments on this post this week telling me what’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for you.

The drawing will be made on Friday evening, with the winner to be announced on this blog on Saturday.

Good luck, everyone!

Of course if you’d rather not wait, you can grab your copy now by clicking any of these links: Amazon, B & N, Apple, Google, and Kobo.

 

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 4/05/20 Heart of Desire ~ The Most Scandalous of Dances

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

So sorry I couldn’t join you last week but I was in the process of fetching my daughter home from Jackson, Mississippi–a four day trip that wore me slam out! But I’ve recovered and ready for snippets this week. 🙂

Because I didn’t  get to share my final snippet from Betrothal last week, I’ve put it here for you to enjoy before going on to this week’s new offering:

Betrothal:

Strangely soft, yet very sweet, his touch sent a searing bolt straight to her stomach, setting it afire. After moments that seemed an eternity, his mouth slackened on hers as though he would release her. Then he flicked the tip of his tongue across the hard-pressed seam of her mouth, testing for another invitation.

With a gasp she jumped back, drawing a chuckle from Geoffrey, who had the grace to glance around to make sure they had not been observed. “Be not discomfited, sweet. We are safe in our conversation.”

“’Twas not in our conversation that I feared harm, my lord.” Lord, ’twas difficult to sound outraged when she could still feel his lips on hers.

Today I’m switching gears and sharing snippets from Heart of Desire, Book 2 of my Handful of Hearts Regency novella series.

 

BLURB:  

Follow your heart to find your desire

Miss Katherine Locke is irked to start her third Season dancing with the disagreeable Lord Haversham, her brother’s friend and her own arch enemy. After three years out, however, she’s finally interested in the dashing Lord Finley—only to find out her cousin has set her cap for him too. To make the man jealous, Kate feigns interest in Lord Haversham, only to be shocked to find the handsome lord apparently falling for her. With time running out, should she accept his suit and risk falling in love despite herself?

Marcus, Lord Haversham, is in a tight pinch. His estates are failing and, worse, he’s just lost three thousand pounds to his best friend, Lord Ainsley. Ainsley’s solution: have Marcus marry his shrewish sister, and he’ll cancel his gambling debt plus give him ten thousand more pounds for her dowry. With nowhere to turn, Marcus agrees, praying he can keep word of the wager from Miss Locke long enough to charm her into marrying him. But can he avoid falling in love himself?

 

Some portions of this snippet may be changed from the book’s regular format to allow for WWW’s 10 line requirement.

SNIPPET:

Packed to the gills, Lady Hamilton’s ballroom glittered with candlelight, fine silks and satins, and every type of precious jewel known to the world. The music had a lively air, the first dance being a waltz, and Miss Katherine Locke would’ve thought herself fortunate to be out again in Society after a long, cold, dull winter in Somerset save that her partner, Lord Haversham, was the rudest man in London. Well, his lordship was about to discover that Kate Locke was not one to suffer fools lightly.

“So you refuse to allow your sister to waltz, yet you are quite willing to stand up with me and dance this, according to you, most scandalous of dances.” Kate smiled into the odious wretch’s face before saying, “My lord, I should say that smacks of hypocrisy.”

“Indeed,” Lord Haversham turned them skillfully at the end of the floor, “I would say it showed a want of character in your brother for allowing you to dance it with me. The waltz should be danced by married couples and no one else.” He pulled her close against him, so their bodies almost touched.

She gasped at her proximity to the rogue–how dare he make a spectacle of them on this crowded dance floor?

“You see?” he whispered, peering into her face, his gaze intent upon her mouth.

Look below for a chance to win an e-copy of Heart of Desire or it

 is available for .99 on Amazon.

In fact, the whole Handful of Hearts series is on sale this month for .99 each!

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

My newest giveaway for those who need something new to read, is a copy of Heart of Desire on this Rafflecopter giveaway site. Simply click here and follow the instructions to enter to win an e-copy of Heart of Desire. The giveaway runs thru next Saturday night. I’ll announce the winner on this blog on Monday, April 13 and set up the next giveaway. Happy Reading!

Handful of Hearts series by Jenna Jaxon

Click on the covers to purchase for .99 via Amazon.

 

 

 

 

 

Heart of Desire Giveaway

Although I’d hoped this could have begun last week, circumstances beyond my control have postponed the next giveaway until now. But now the game is on!

 A New Giveaway for a copy of Heart of Desire

This is Book 2 in my Handful of Hearts series that I’m spotlighting in April (all of these novellas are on sale for .99!)

BLURB:

Follow your heart to find your desire

Miss Katherine Locke is irked to start her third Season dancing with the disagreeable Lord Haversham, her brother’s friend and her own arch enemy. After three years out, however, she’s finally interested in the dashing Lord Finley—only to find out her cousin has set her cap for him too. To make the man jealous, Kate feigns interest in Lord Haversham, only to be shocked to find the handsome lord apparently falling for her. With time running out, should she accept his suit and risk falling in love despite herself?

Marcus, Lord Haversham, is in a tight pinch. His estates are failing and, worse, he’s just lost three thousand pounds to his best friend, Lord Ainsley. Ainsley’s solution: have Marcus marry his shrewish sister, and he’ll cancel his gambling debt plus give him ten thousand more pounds for her dowry. With nowhere to turn, Marcus agrees, praying he can keep word of the wager from Miss Locke long enough to charm her into marrying him. But can he avoid falling in love himself?

EXCERPT:

London, May 5, 1820

Packed to the gills, Lady Hamilton’s ballroom glittered with candlelight, fine silks and satins, and every type of precious jewel known to the world. The music had a lively air, the first dance being a waltz, and Miss Katherine Locke would’ve thought herself fortunate to be out again in Society after a long, cold, dull winter in Somerset save that her partner, Lord Haversham, was the rudest man in London. Well, his lordship was about to discover that Kate Locke was not one to suffer fools lightly.

“So you refuse to allow your sister to waltz, yet you are quite willing to stand up with me and dance this, according to you, most scandalous of dances.” Kate smiled into the odious wretch’s face. “My lord, I should say that smacks of hypocrisy.”

“Indeed.” Lord Haversham turned them skillfully at the end of the floor. “I would say it showed a want of character in your brother for allowing you to dance it with me. The waltz should be danced by married couples and no one else.” He pulled her close against him, so their bodies almost touched.

She gasped at her proximity to the rogue. How dare he make a spectacle of them on this crowded dance floor?

“You see?” he whispered, peering into her face, his gaze intent upon her mouth.

All she could see were his dark eyes, as the crisp scent of his sandalwood cologne filled her nose.

“Ainsley should be horsewhipped for allowing it.”

“I’ll see to it he horsewhips you if you don’t let me go.” Kate gave a hopping step and smashed her foot down on top of his.

Lord Haversham lurched forward, actually falling onto her.

For the briefest moment, they stood pressed together in a warm embrace that made Kate tingle all over. Then outrage swept through her, and she pushed him away. “How dare you,” she seethed, trying to pull away from him.

“That was your fault, and you know it. And if you make a scene that results in me having to marry you, I swear I will lock you in the tower at my grandfather’s castle and throw away the key.” Lord Haversham righted himself and smiled at her with clenched teeth.

“Of all the students at Oxford, my brother had to befriend you?”

“He had you for a sister—his luck was due for a change.”

“Well, I wish mine would change, Haversham. If I have to endure you for five more minutes, I will fall down in a dead faint just to get away from you.” Kate wanted to scream in frustration at her brother’s best friend, but the man was right. Any scandalous behavior could end with her compromised and married to Haversham before the month was out. The Season had just begun. She refused to let it end in a single night with the man who’d been the bane of her life for years.

So to enter the giveaway, click here

and enter as many times and as many days as you wish! The winner will be announced next Saturday when the next giveaway, an e-copy of  Heart of Delight, will begin.

Everyone stay safe and Happy Reading!

 

Winner of the Betrothal Giveaway

Good morning, everyone!

Congratulations are in order!

(Throws confetti)

CASSANDRA DARENS

is the winner of an e-copy of Betrothal, Book 1 of Time Enough to Love.

 

 

This week I’ll begin a new giveaway for a copy of Heart of Desire,

Book 2 in my Handful of Hearts series that I’m spotlighting in April.

BLURB:

Follow your heart to find your desire

Miss Katherine Locke is irked to start her third Season dancing with the disagreeable Lord Haversham, her brother’s friend and her own arch enemy. After three years out, however, she’s finally interested in the dashing Lord Finley—only to find out her cousin has set her cap for him too. To make the man jealous, Kate feigns interest in Lord Haversham, only to be shocked to find the handsome lord apparently falling for her. With time running out, should she accept his suit and risk falling in love despite herself?

Marcus, Lord Haversham, is in a tight pinch. His estates are failing and, worse, he’s just lost three thousand pounds to his best friend, Lord Ainsley. Ainsley’s solution: have Marcus marry his shrewish sister, and he’ll cancel his gambling debt plus give him ten thousand more pounds for her dowry. With nowhere to turn, Marcus agrees, praying he can keep word of the wager from Miss Locke long enough to charm her into marrying him. But can he avoid falling in love himself?

Details will be posted here tomorrow (no April Fool’s!).

 

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 3/22/20 Betrothal ~ A Great Honor

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

Today I’m continuing with the first of my medieval romances, Betrothal, Book 1 of my Time Enough to Love series. Betrothal is currently on sale this month for .99 on Amazon, Smashwords and B & N .

 

 

BLURB:  

Lady Alyse de Courcy has fallen in love with Lord Braeton, a nobleman in King Edward III’s court and a man to whom she has barely spoken. Fate, however, has decreed her betrothal to his best friend, Sir Geoffrey Longford—a handsome and imposing knight, yet hardly the man she wants to wed.

When Sir Geoffrey is bound in betrothal by his father, he could not have expected the beautiful stranger to win his heart the moment they meet. Nevertheless, the fascinating Lady Alyse has done exactly that, and his feelings for her only grow as he learns more of her gentle yet spirited nature. But Alyse’s infatuation with his friend casts doubt on whether she can ever return his regard and their wedding day is fast approaching…

Will he have time enough to win her love?

I’m starting a goodish way into the story. Lady Alyse de Courcy has been betrothed to a knight she has never met, a hulking warrior who she must wed in a matter of weeks before they accompany the Princess Joanna on her journey to Spain. Sir Geoffrey Longford has taken a liking to his little bride; Alyse, however, is slower to give her affection. This scene takes place just after the first banns have been read (banns–public announcement of the intention to wed– had to be read three times on successive Sundays before a wedding could take place) and Alyse’s shyness has become an issue.

Last week we found out Geoggrey’s news–Alyse is to ride in a royal procession to a jousting contest. This week we see her reaction to this news.

We are in Alyse’s POV.

Some portions of this snippet may be changed from the book’s regular format to allow for WWW’s 10 line requirement.

SNIPPET:

 

Alyse’s mouth dropped open and a thrill coursed through her. “But I am only Princess Joanna’s attendant, Sir Geoffrey. Usually such honors are reserved for the queen and Princess Isabella’s ladies, or the Duchesses and Countesses in the Royal Family. Why did they choose me?”

“Because I am to be one of the knights, and I begged a boon of the king to allow you to be my lady.”

She stared at him in shock, almost unbelieving, though she knew he would not lie about such a thing. To think she owed such an honor to the man she would soon call husband, that he had asked the king himself to grant the favor, made her heart beat an unsteady march in her chest. Alyse parted her lips to thank him when he swooped forward, secured her chin in his hand and kissed her.

Look below for a chance to win an e-copy of Betrothal or it

 is available for .99 on Amazon.

 

 Book 2, Betrayal is also on sale for the month of March as well on Amazon, Smashwords, and B & N.

 

Now, Beleaguered, Book 3, is also on sale for the rest of the month of March on Amazon, Smashwords, and B & N.

 

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

And to cheer up those who need something new to read, I’m giving away a copy of Betrothal on this Rafflecopter giveaway site. Simply click here and follow the instructions to enter to win an e-copy of Betrothal. The giveaway runs thru next Saturday night. I’ll announce the winner on this blog on Sunday, March 29 and set up the next giveaway. Happy Reading!

Time Enough to Love series by Jenna Jaxon

Check them out on my Amazon Author Page!

 

 

 

 

 

In Memoriam

This week is the fifteenth anniversary of my father’s death. Elmer “Dit” Jackson left us on March 14, 2005 and I still miss him to this day.

He was a working man all his life. I remember him working with his hands all the time. He and my uncle would tinker with outboard motors and he built our house, a brick barbecue in the back yard, and my playhouse in addition to his own workshops.

He was a great fisherman. We would get up at the crack of dawn to drive two hours to board a head boat to go fishing out in the Chesapeake Bay. He and my uncle used to take a little row boat they had built down to the James River often and fish. I am sure the spot and croker he used to catch have finally replenished themselves after 15 years, but he must have but a dent in their numbers all his life.

Early on he was a hunter also. I remember helping him skin squirrels out in his workshop and remember my mother cooking a big pan of squirrel, rabbit and pork chops in gravy. However, when he changed jobs and began working at a government water station that was out in the woods, he began to feed the animals that would come up to the station. And then he stopped hunting all together.

He loved all animals, but especially cats. I grew up with cats everywhere in the back yard. Later, we had cats who lived in the house, and they were always taken care of and cherished. We only ever had three dogs when I was growing up, but we always had cats.

A more kind-hearted man never lived.

He would do anything for anybody. I remember when two hitchhikers were thumbing a ride on the Interstate highway that ran behind our house, he made sandwiches for them and tossed them and a jar of water over the back fence for them. If any of his brothers or sisters (he was one of 11 children)  or any family member for that matter, asked him to do anything, he’d drop whatever he was doing and help them. And all that fish he caught? We ate a good bit of it, but he would always give a lot of it away to friends and family.

Today, the greatest compliment you can pay me is to say I’m like my father, who was truly the best man I have ever known. He had his faults, as any person does. A more stubborn man never lived. But the good in him totally outweighed the bad. And I know I will miss him until the day I die.

Saturday, which was the anniversary of his death, I went to visit the cemetery and I made a pot of his “famous” collards.

Love you, Daddy, and still miss you. But I’m still carrying on in your memory. I always have and I always will.

My Love Affair with Ireland

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

From a young age, I have always been in love with Ireland.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

 

 

One of my first memories is my mother reading a Little Golden Book called Darby O’Gill and the Little People to me when I was very small and seeing the Walt Disney film of it.

 

 

 

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Later, I saw another Disney film, The Fighting Prince of Donegal, which appealed to my love of history and I think that cemented my love of all things Irish.

 

I have proudly worn green every St. Patrick’s Day I can remember, even though I sadly have not been able to discover any Irish ancestry.

 

 

 

My very first trip to Ireland I spent 10 days traveling around the country on trains and buses. That’s when I went to Castle Blarney and kissed the Blarney stone.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Being a huge James Joyce fan (I did my undergraduate thesis on Molly Bloom from his stunning work Ulysses), on Bloomsday, June 16th, at the age of 22, I  stood atop the Martello Tower in Sandycove, Dublin, just like Stephen Dedalus in Ulysses. Many years later, my second daughter was born on Bloomsday.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

And the reason I decided to do the dissertation for my Ph.D. on Women of the the Abbey Theatre, is that I knew I’d have to spend time in Ireland doing research for it. I spent two glorious summers in Dublin researching and soaking up the Irish countryside.

 

 

If I can make it happen, I’d like to ultimately retire to Ireland to write at least part of every year.

So I wish you Happy St. Patrick’s Day and leave you with this Irish Blessing: