I’m all over the place this month, but this week I’m back to Only A Mistress Will Do because it’s on sale for .99! If you want it at that bargain price, here’s the Amazon link!
In this snippet, I’ve moved to a scene between Tristan and the woman he is betrothed to. It’s an arranged marriage so Tris can gain a valuable piece of property. He and Dora have met only a couple of times and danced perhaps twice. So Tris tries to reassure his young bride-to-be.
(Creative punctuation used to conform to the WWW rules. The published text may be slightly different.)
“I’m certain this is sudden, my dear, yet I hope we may be better acquainted before the wedding in three weeks.”
“Three weeks!” she said swaying, and Tris grasped her arm, taking the opportunity to draw her closer.
“Soon, yes, however,” he gathered her hands into his, “we will spend much of the time in conversation, getting to know one another. Would you like that, Dora?”
She jerked her head up at the familiar use of her name, then hesitated, her mouth open. “Yes, I would like that, Lord Trevor.”
“You may call me Tristan or Tris when we are private. In public, of course, simply Trevor will do.” He kissed her hands and she shivered. They would need to further their acquaintance a bit more rapidly. “Have you never been kissed before, Dora?”
BLURB:
The man of her dreams…belongs to another woman.
Destitute and without friends, Violet Carlton is forced to seek employment at the House of Pleasure in London. She steels herself for her first customer and is shocked when the man rescues her instead of ravishing her. A grateful Violet cannot help but admire the handsome Viscount Trevor. But she must curb her desire for the dashing nobleman she can never have because he is already betrothed to another . . .
Tristan had gone to the House of Pleasure for a last bit of fun before he became a faithful married man. But when he recognizes the woman in his bed, he becomes determined to save her instead. Now, his heart wars with his head as he falls for the vulnerable courtesan. Unable to break his betrothal without a scandal, Tris resolves to find Violet proper employment or a husband of her own. Still, his arms ache for Violet, urging him to abandon propriety and sacrifice everything to be with the woman he loves. . . .
Only A Mistress Will Do is on sale for .99 on
Amazon and B & N
Books in the House of Pleasure series:
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.
I know it as commonplace to barter a daughter for a piece of land. But how awful to think a man would only want you for what you bring to the marriage. How far we’ve come.
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I don’t blame her for being shocked- she sounds inexpxerienced too. Snagged a copy!
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She’s been very sheltered and she’s just 18, but she has a surprising streak of determination as you’ll see. Hope you enjoy it, Christina!
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Sometimes short courtships are for the better, as my rebbetzin (rabbi’s wife) has said a number of times. It gives the couple a chance to know one another in really important ways right away, instead of getting to know one another too well too soon. Of course, traditional Orthodox courtships don’t involve kissing lessons!
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Sometimes less time is better and learn as you go through the marriage. I know it sometimes resulted in bad marriages where one or both the parties had affairs, but hey, that happens today when people are definitely going into it with their eyes open.
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She might be in for a crash course, it seems.
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Indeed. Tris is in the mood to teach her about kissing. Lucky girl, though she doesn’t know it. LOL
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Great title and lovely cover. Stunning. Thanks for sharing. ~Keta~
@ketadiablo
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Thank you, Keta! I love the vivid blue of that gown!
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Quite the situation! I always enjoy your Regency stories, so well done. Terrific snippet – I feel sorry for booth of them actually!
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Thank you so much, Veronica! It is sad that there isn’t more affection between them. But they are miles apart in experience and it shows.
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I’d sway too if someone suddenly told me that I was getting married in three weeks! Nice snippet!
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That is a very short period of time to get to know someone. But love and affection was usually not a factor in the decision to marry. Tris, however, hopes to make it part of his.
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I’ve read this book – as with all of Jenna’s works, it does not disappoint.
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Thank you, Alex! I try very hard to please my readers. 🙂
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What a fabulous line – “Have you never been kissed before, Dora?” – so simple yet it makes you smile.
Tweeted.
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Thank you, Daryl! 🙂 Can you tell she’s got some education coming?
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Three weeks is such a short period of time. Looking forward to reading this one! 🙂
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It is short, however, Tris had previously mentioned that this betrothal has been expected for years, so Dora knew about it, but she hasn’t been “out” and he’s been busy with his mistresses. Arranged marriages as so much fun in romance novels, but I can’t imagine having to be part of one. Although there is a reality show out now that tries to show the same thing.
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This is such a great story! Thoroughly enjoyed this book, Jenna!
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Thank you so much, Teresa! I’m working hard on the next in the series, Only Seduction Will Do!
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I ordered this one — looking forward to reading it.
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Thank you so much, Ed! I hope you enjoy it!
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