Cover Reveal: Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young

Outmatched by Kristen Callihan and Samantha Young

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing date: November 19, 2019

Cover Designer: Hang Le

Synopsis:

What happens when a boxer finds chemistry with a geek?

Parker Brown can’t believe she needs to hire a fake boyfriend. When she landed her dream job in renewable energy, she thought she’d be entering a world at the forefront of progressive thinking. But the head boss prefers to promote employees who are “settled.” Thankfully, she’s found the perfect candidate, a fellow intellectual looking for some quick cash. What Parker gets is his protective big brother—Rhys Morgan. The tall, muscled ex-boxer with a foul mouth shows up just as her boss does, and now she’s stuck with the manipulative jerk.

Responsibility weighs heavily on Rhys. Now permanently out of the ring, he’s trying to hold together his late father’s gym and keep his younger brother, Dean, on the straight and narrow. To save Dean from himself, Rhys takes his place, ready to give this society girl a piece of his mind. Instead, he finds an opportunity. Even though they can hardly stand each other, posing as Parker’s boyfriend is a win-win deal. She gets to keep her job, and he’ll charm her star-struck boss into sponsoring his gym.

Problem is, they can barely keep their hands off each other. And what started as an easy deal isn’t so easy anymore. Because what future can a rough ex-boxer, afraid to open his heart, and a polished society geek, who has sworn off real relationships, possibly have?

They say opposites attract. These opposites are about to combust on impact.

Pre-order your copy today!

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Nook: coming soon

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About Kristen: 

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she'd rather be. She is a RITA winner and three-time nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer's Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine's Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher's Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

Connect with Kristen:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KristenCallihan/

Twitter - Kris10Callihan

Website - http://www.kristencallihan.com/

Amazon - https://amzn.to/2zrf3Lo

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/Kristen_Callihan

About Samantha:

Samantha Young is a New York Times and #1 International bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. On Dublin Street was Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in thirty countries. She has since published over thirteen romance titles including the New York Times Bestsellers Into the Deep, Hero, and her most recent contemporary romance Play On. When writing Adult Paranormal romance she writes under the pen name S. Young.

Connect with Samantha:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaYoung/

Website – http://authorsamanthayoung.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authorsamanthayoung/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AuthorSamYoung

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/samyoungauthor/

Amazon - http://amzn.to/2H47kEP

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Blog Tour: How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne

These men are dark, bold, and brave. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees...

HOW TO LOVE A DUKE IN TEN DAYS

by KERRIGAN BYRNE

Series: Devil You Know It #1

Publication Date: August 27th, 2019

Genre: historical romance

Publisher: St. Martin's 

Purchase:

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Synopsis

Famed and brilliant, Lady Alexandra Lane has always known how to look out for to herself. But nobody would ever expect that she has darkness in her past—one that she pays a blackmailer to keep buried. Now, with her family nearing bankruptcy, Alexandra strikes upon a solution: Get married to one of the empire’s most wealthy eligible bachelors. Even if he does have the reputation of a devil.

LOVE TAKES NO PRISONERS

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is seeking revenge and the first step is securing a bride. Winning a lady’s hand is not so easy, however, for a man known as the Terror of Torcliff. Then, Alexandra enters his life like a bolt of lightning. When she proposes marriage, Piers knows that, like him, trouble haunts her footsteps. But her gentleness, sharp wit, independent nature, and incredible beauty awakens every fierce desire within him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms.

Praise for How To Love a Duke in Ten Days:

"[Tantalizes] readers with the couple’s teasing and building passion." - Publishers Weekly on How To Love A Duke in Ten Days

"An un-put-down-able story that combines sensuality, tenderness . . . and memorable characters." - Kirkus starred review on How To Love A Duke in Ten Days

"In this brilliantly conceived start to her captivating new Devil You Know series, Byrne once again delivers the beautifully nuanced characters and seductive storytelling her readers have come to expect, while at the same time deftly conjuring up the spirit of Victoria Holt’s classic gothic romances," - Booklist on How To Love A Duke in Ten Days

"An amazing story of how two broken people find a way to heal each other . . . even when some scars can’t be seen. [...] A beautifully written historical romance that was impossible to put down." - Affaire de Coeur on How To Love A Duke in Ten Days

Excerpt 

Chapter One

Maynemouth, Devonshire, 1890 
Ten years later

Alexander,
Accept the invitation to Castle Redmayne. I’m in danger. I need you.

—Frank


Alexandra Lane had spent the entire train ride from Lon- don to Devonshire meticulously pondering those fourteen words for two separate reasons.

The first, she had been unable to stop fretting for Fran- cesca, who tended to give more than the appropriate amount of context. The terse, vague note Alexandra now held was more of a warning than the message contained therein.

The second, she could no longer afford a first-class, pri- vate railcar, and had, for the last several tense hours, been forced to share her vestibule face-to-face with a rough- featured, stocky man with shoulders made for labor.

Alone.

He’d attempted polite conversation at first, which she’d rebuffed with equal civility by feigning interest in her cor- respondence. By now, however, they were both painfully aware she needn’t take four stops to read two letters.

It was terribly rude, she knew. Her carpetbag remained clutched in her fist the entire time, except when her hand would wander into its depths to palm the tiny pistol she always carried. The sounds of the other passengers in ad- joining vestibules didn’t make her feel safer, per se.

But she knew they would hear her scream, and that provided some relief.

For a woman who’d spent a great deal of the last ten years in the company of men, she’d thought these painful moments would have relented by now.

Alas, she’d become a mistress of manipulating a situation so, even if she had to endure the company of men without a female companion, there would be more than one man. In the circles she tended to frequent, people behaved when in company.

It had worked thus far.

Alexandra braced herself against the slowing of the train, breathing a silent prayer of relief that they’d finally arrived. She’d been terrified that if she’d glanced up once, she’d be forced into conversation with her unwanted companion.

Rain wept against the coach window, and the shadows of the tears painted macabre little serpents on the conflicting documents in her hands. One, a wedding invitation. The other, Francesca’s alarming note.

A month past, she’d have wagered her entire inheritance against Francesca Cavendish’s being the first of the Red Rogues to capitulate to the bonds of matrimony.

A month past, she’d assumed she’d had an inheritance to wager.
​

Their little society had seemed destined to live up to the promise they’d once made as young, disenchanted girls to never marry.

Until the invitation to an engagement masquerade— given by the Duke of Redmayne—had arrived the same day of her friend’s cryptic and startling note.

The invitation had been equally as ambiguous, stating that the future duchess of Redmayne would be unveiled, as it were, at the ball. Included in Alexandra’s particular envelope was a request for her to attend as a bridesmaid.

The subsequent plea for help from Francesca—Frank— had arrived in a tiny envelope with the Red Rogue seal they’d commissioned some years prior.

Alexandra hadn’t even known Francesca had returned from her romps about the Continent. Last she’d heard, the countess had been in Morocco, doing reconnaissance of some sort. Nothing in her letters had mentioned a suitor. Not a serious one, in any case. Certainly not a duke.

Francesca had a talent for mischief and a tendency to interpret danger as mere adventure.

So, what could possibly frighten her fearless friend?

Marriage, obviously, Alexandra thought with a smirk.

A risky venture, to be sure.

From How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. Copyright © 2019 by Kerrigan Byrne and reprinted with permission from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

About the Author

     Whether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, USA Today bestseller Kerrigan Byrne uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in every book. She lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her handsome husband and three lovely teenage girls, but dreams of settling on the Pacific Coast. Her Victorian Rebels novels include The Highwayman and The Highlander.

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

REVIEW

How To Love A Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne
3.5 out of 5 stars

This is only my second book so far by Kerrigan Byrne. After reading The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo and falling in love with the author's writing, I was thrilled to be starting a new series from her. It will be centering around a group of three best friends who went to school together and called themselves the Red Rogue society. Red because each of them have their own striking shade of red hair, and Rogue because they like to push the boundaries of what's expected of females at the time. I really loved the bond between these three women right from the start. They had a loyalty and camaraderie that was very evident and natural. There wasn't any jealousy or agendas between any of them, just a pure friendship that evolved into that of something closer to family. Francesca and Cecilia were both well developed in their backstories and personality, so much so that I'm already eager to read both of their HEAs in the following stories.

Dr. Alexandra Lane is an archaeologist who's considered a spinster and bluestocking by many, but that doesn't faze her in the least. She's respected in her field, travels abroad, and is content with her place in life. She doesn't have the slightest desire to ever wed, a sentiment that has always been shared with her best friends. However, Alex has more reason than her career for her lack of interest in marriage. After a sexual assault occurred, she's convinced herself that she has moved on from the trauma. But ten years after the horrible day she has never dealt with the emotions that have welled up inside her. So they've been festering and infecting her life through flashbacks, fear and anxiety of being alone with men, and being intimate. All of this she avoids if at all possible, and she's done a pretty good job of it until her sudden trip to Castle Redmayne.

There's a bit of a mystery regarding an unknown person who keeps making "accidents" happen around the heroine. There are several possibilities as to whom it could be, but it's assumed to be tied to Alex's dark history. In order to keep her dangerous secret hidden for these past ten years, she's had to pay a hefty price. Now that funds have run out, her freedom could be slipping away as well if she can't come up with a new plan.

I was really enjoying the first interactions between Alex and Piers. They had a great chemistry together and I loved seeing her through his eyes. This highly intelligent, witty woman was brave and skittish all at the same time. She was an enigma that he couldn't stop thinking about. As for Alex, she experienced an attraction that was completely new to her. She never sought out men's attention or paid it a second thought. But with Piers she was finding herself strangely drawn in and fighting uncomfortable feelings. Piers was a good man with a lot of love to offer. He could have turned irrevocably bitter and angry over the betrayals he suffered, but when Alex walks into his life, he opens the door for new possibilities.

    Had anyone even searched? Or dared to brave the layers of her prickly intellect, her dowdy garments, and furrowed frowns to find the sensuous potential within the prim spinster? Apparently not. All that exquisite softness had gone unnoticed. Untouched. Unkissed. Until him.

The first half of the book was a solid five stars. I really thought I would end up falling head over heels for the book but everything started to unravel as they moved into marriage. Granted, these two only knew each other for two days before agreeing to tie the knot, and as the title states they fall in love by ten. This could have been fine in other circumstances, but because of the heroine's history it felt way too rushed. She chooses to keep her secrets from him for almost all of the book and the major lack of communication led to distrust and misunderstandings. Piers has reason to not trust easily so her secrecy wasn't a good combination.

    “They say time heals all wounds, don’t they?” She expelled a caustic breath, her own fork idly scraping across the plate. “And I suppose that’s true to a point. But there is no mistaking the scars…”

What didn't work for me the most was the fact that the relationship's physical side was addressed with less care than I would have liked and their emotional side underdeveloped. Her reaction to being intimate was kind of all over the place. At first having to put down rules for him in order to feel safe, then throwing the rules out in the blink of an eye, followed by her big panic attack. I wanted to see trust, communication, and honesty built between them, and I didn't see enough growth there. It didn't make sense to me how she could feel comfortable with him in a short span of time without these things.

I was super intrigued by Piers' brother Ramsay. He will be getting his full story next with Cecilia, and the potential has been laid for an exciting story. I did love the characters introduced here, the backstories were well drawn, and the pace was nice and smooth for the length. Of course Kerrigan Byrne's beautiful writing style was just as enchanting as it was the last time so no complaints there. A solid start overall despite my issues which don't seem to be a problem for others. I love reading about strong women breaking society standards in historical romance, and these three most certainly fit the bill.

    They were perfect for each other. Two restless souls that would never be still. And would no longer have to wander alone.

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Cover Reveal: Silent Music by Aisling Magic

Title: Silent Music

Author: Aisling Magic

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ New Adult

Release Date: September 30th, 2019

Brought together by passion;

Separated by destiny.

She’s his muse.

His love.

His inspiration.

And he refuses to let her go.

For nearly two years, Kai Eastwood has watched Phoenix Banks lost in a state of coma.

Singing the songs they wrote.

Remembering the moments they spent together.

Missing the kisses they shared.

Holding hope.

But how long can hope be held when, with each new day, Phoenix slips farther away?

Maybe this time

When the music fades,

And the silence invades,

Their song will begin.

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Aisling Magic is a twenty-something author who can either be found writing about people falling in love or has her nose buried in a book well past her bedtime. She enjoys chocolate, cello music, rainy nights, long drives, traveling the world, and Chris Hemsworth.

About her books: She writes romance stories with a hint of humor. Her heroines may not always be sexy, but are strong, her heroes may not always be the alpha but are dedicated and the families in her stories may not always be related by blood but are all bonded by heart. Aisling likes to pretend she’s the most badass character in her novels but in the real world, she doesn’t even go to the toilet at night without lighting up the house.

She also loves to hear from readers … You may follow her on:

      

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Review: Rage by Cora Carmack

From New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack, the second in the captivating new YA fantasy/romance Stormheart series, perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and Victoria Aveyard.

RAGE by CORA CARMACK

Series: Stormheart #2

Publication date: August 27, 2019

Published by: Tor Teen/Macmillan

Genre: young adult fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Princess or adventurer.

Duty or freedom.

Her Kingdom or the Stormhunter she loves.

If Aurora knows anything, it's that choices have consequences. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan.

In disguise as the rebel Roar, she puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion. But the Rage season is at its peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. Yet these storms are different—they churn with darkness, and attack with a will that’s desperate and violent.

This feels like more than rage.

It feels like war. 

Purchase links:

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Praise for Rage:

“A rich and unforgettable fantasy forged from the power of storms, the danger of secrets, and the magic of Cora Carmack's imagination.”—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures & author of The Lovely Reckless

“Carmack shines with this unique fantasy and alluring romance.”—# 1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Captivating and altogether unique. Roar is a force of magic and romance to be reckoned with!”—Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cora Carmack is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult Romance and YA fantasy. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages around the world. Cora lives in Austin, TX, and on any given day you might find her typing away at her computer, flying to various cities around the world, or just watching Netflix with her kitty Katniss and her dog Sherlock.

FOLLOW HER:  Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW

Rage by Cora Carmack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I couldn't have been more excited to return to Pavan after being completely swept away by the tempest otherwise known as Roar. I loved the worldbuilding centering around storms, and the royals with affinities who could defeat them. There were storm hunters and witches and a mysterious Stormlord out for revenge. Of course as the first in a trilogy we left off with a cliffhanger and many unanswered questions. Sometimes with a second in a series it tends to feel like much of it is unnecessary or page filler, but that wasn't the case at all here. I enjoyed this one just as much as the first, if not more. There were quite a bit of surprising revelations, twists, and action to keep me quickly turning the pages. Hold on tight, readers. You're in for an exhilarating ride you won't be ready to get off of.

We take off right where we left off, with Aurora coming to terms with the unexpected effects the skyfire storm left on her mentally and physically. After training with the hunters on the road and searching for an alternative to marrying into the corrupt Locke family, she's coming back to Pavan a changed princess. Once unsure and ashamed, she's now determined to make a difference for her people who are hurting.

    She had discovered so much about the world and herself. She’d faced danger and taken control of her own choices. She’d seen deserts and mountains and walked unfamiliar roads. She knew what it looked like when someone loved her. In some ways, Aurora had lived more life in her few short months with Kiran than all her previous years combined.

With storms causing complete havoc, the need for remnants to find shelter within her kingdom's walls is greater than ever. But the Lockes have been heartlessly breaking up their camps and terrorizing the victims who have lost everything. Instead of showing kindness, they're treated as a plague that needs to be removed.

Injustices have been done and covered up in order to keep the Stormlings in absolute power and everyone else vulnerable to their whims. Not only with the lack of empathy for the homeless, but there is a dark history hidden as well. The witches with affinities towards various magic have been persecuted and almost eradicated. Now they live in hiding, concealing their gifts and unable to live without fear of discovery. In the prologue, we're introduced to Cruze who was rounded up and left to die out in the forest with others of his kind. The cruelty that he and others suffered is unimaginable and it caused hatred to harbor deep within his soul. We learn much more about this character and he really plays a pivotal role in more ways than one.

One thing that I wasn't looking forward to was Aurora finally coming clean about her identity to her new group of friends. Keeping this information put all of their lives in danger, and to be honest I wasn't really down with that. She showed a major lack of trust in those who took her in when she needed them the most and in my eyes that's a betrayal that I knew wouldn't go over well. And of course the ramifications with Locke/Kiran specifically would be earth shattering.

    She had stretched him beyond what he had thought himself capable of, and now the world was brighter and bigger and more dangerous, but sweeter too, and once a life had been expanded as his had been, he did not think it could be shrunk down to what it once was.

It took him a long time to let down his guard and accept his feelings for her and in return he was about to get a barrage of pain. I felt horrible for him as he had to come to terms with the reality of how this impacted their new relationship. Aurora really did step up in this installment. Not only did she acknowledge that she was wrong, she vowed to do whatever it took to make amends and earn their trust. Understandably, there's a decent amount of angst as Kiran and Aurora navigate their future and what their roles will be in each other's lives.

I liked that we got to learn a little more about some of the storm hunters! Bait and Ransom still didn't play much of a role, but Duke, Jinx, and Sly were much more fleshed out. We got a new story arc with a romance involving Jinx, Sly has shown herself to be much more than the quiet girl with the silent feet, and Duke has a bombshell of a secret that rocks everyone back on their heels. Not only did we have these character progressions, but with Aurora and the rest of the hunters joining the rebellion we're given new and intriguing characters to fill the cast. Zephr is the mysterious leader of the underground resistance. She's powerful and ruthless, and even though she's about as soft as a porcupine, you can't help but like her. I'm excited to read more about her in the next installment.

This book may have been even more action packed than the last. The romance was nicely layered in, there wasn't a moment of boredom, and I'm more invested then ever before as we wait for the conclusion. A lot of times my interest fizzles out with a trilogy but Cora Carmack has delivered the goods with this one. She had some recent health issues and that delayed the book release considerably but let me assure you it's worth the wait. Admittedly, since it's been two years since reading the previous book my memory was murky on the details of where the plot left off, so I went ahead and skimmed through some sections of Roar to clear the cobwebs away. However, I didn't let that affect my rating because that's just me. If you're thinking of starting this series, don't hesitate! If you're a return reader, you're in for another thrilling adventure that will not disappoint.

    She was not the same girl she had been last time she stood this close to her home. She’d left powerless with nothing more than hope in her hands, and she’d come back with a storm wrapped around her heart.

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Blog Tour: How to Cross a Marquess by Jane Ashford

HOW TO CROSS A MARQUESS by JANE ASHFORD
Series: The Way to a Lord's Heart #3

Publication Date: August 27th, 2019

Genre: historical romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

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Synopsis

The Marquess of Chatton and his neighbor Fenella Fairclough have known each other all their lives. They refused to marry each other years ago when their parents demanded it, and they won't concede now―even if circumstances have brought these former enemies much closer than they ever could have anticipated...

Praise for Jane Ashford:

“Absolutely delightful...strong characters and interesting obstacles... a must read.”—Night Owl Reviews for Brave New Earl

“Wonderfully diverting…I give Last Gentleman Standing an enthusiastic recommendation.”—Fresh Fiction for Last Gentleman Standing

“Expertly crafted…another triumph of nuanced characterization and sparkling wit.”—Booklist for Nothing Like a Duke

“Vivid characters and lively plots . . . Conveyed with warmth and tenderness.”—Publishers Weekly for Lord Sebastian’s Secret

GIVEAWAY
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Excerpt 

The warmth in his expression left Fenella shaken. She’d been braced for blame. She knew how to dismiss unjust accusations, taught by those her father had been tossing at her for as long as she could remember. But not to have to. That was another matter entirely. Relief was a pale word. Her throat thickened with tears.

She looked away to hide them, blinked them back. Their horses had ambled along at their own direction while their riders talked, and she saw that they’d veered closer to Clough House. Before them lay a dip in the land that was filled with bushes. “The raspberry thicket,” said Fenella. “I used to come here and pick berries whenever I could sneak away. How Mama scolded me for spoiling my dresses! But I couldn’t resist. I love raspberries.”

“I’ll pick some for you.”

“The thorns will tear your clothes.”

“No, they won’t. You can sit in the shade over there.” He turned his horse toward a cluster of saplings at the side of the thicket, grinning over his shoulder. An antic mood seemed to have overtaken him.

The breeze carried the scent of sun-warmed raspberries. Fenella’s mouth watered. “I could pick my own,” she said.

“Please allow me.”

He spoke like a knight offering some perilous feat of chivalry. She decided to let him.

They dismounted, leaving their mounts to the rich grass on the side of the hill. Fenella settled in the shade and watched Roger plunge into the raspberry bushes. He pulled out his handkerchief and began to fill it with ripe berries. Stains spread over the linen as he added to his haul. She saw the thorns catch at his coat sleeves and riding breeches. They scratched his glossy boots as well. His valet wouldn’t appreciate that. But Roger didn’t appear to care. He moved deeper into the thicket, until only his hat was visible above the arching canes. And then that too vanished. “Are you all right?” called Fenella.

“Dashed briars snatched my hat,” he replied. “Just a… Got it.” The crown of his hat reappeared above the branches. He was near the center of the thicket, at the bottom of the dip. It was much harder to get out of that little valley than to go in, Fenella remembered. The slant of the bushes seemed to push one back down.

Roger’s face showed above the vegetation. He must be standing on tiptoe. “There you are,” he said. “I got turned around.”

He moved slowly toward her, obviously having to fight his way out. His head, and then his broad shoulders, came into view. He held one arm in front of his face to stave off the thorns.

“Hotter in there,” he said when he finally emerged. Sweat gleamed on his face. He came over to her, bowed, and set his bundle of berries beside her as if they were indeed the result of a knight’s quest. Fenella noted an angry scratch across the back of his right hand. At least it wasn’t bleeding. She took a raspberry and ate it. The fruit was warm from the sun, sweet and tart at the same time. It melted on her tongue, utterly delicious. “Berries picked here are always better than any others,” she said.

Roger sat down in the grass beside her.

“You must have some, too. You did all the work.”

He ate one. “Very good.”

“Better than that,” Fenella said. “Luscious.” She held out a berry. He bent a little forward and took it, his lips brushing her fingertips, light as a butterfly’s wing, and still it stirred her.

“Luscious,” he agreed.

The word vibrated between them, expanding out to encompass far more than berries. The air was heavy with the hum of bees and the scent of fruit under the heat of the August sun.

They were hidden from the world here, Fenella noted. Even the horses would not be easily visible, due to the dip in the land and the height of bushes. They might have stepped outside of time. Her everyday life seemed far away.

Roger took a raspberry and held it out to her. Fenella leaned forward and opened her lips. He put the berry on her tongue. She bit into it, the intense flavor filling her mouth—piquant, delicious, another dart of pleasure. She held out a berry. He followed her example, bending toward her. She set the crimson fruit in his mouth without touching him. He held her gaze as he bit down.

The sultry atmosphere went to her head—the languorous warmth, the rustle of leaves overhead, the soft grass beneath her, Roger’s lips red with berry juice. Hers must be as well, Fenella thought. The same hue, the same taste. The idea seemed to pull her forward, and the next time he held out a berry, she leaned past it and kissed him.

He did taste of raspberries. But the kiss was so much more than that. The sweet taste of the fruit slid slowly into a melting of her whole body.

Strong arms came around her and pulled her close. She put hers around his neck and let herself sink with him onto the grass. The world contracted into a kernel of dizzying sensation.

What kisses, she thought. She’d known she was drawn to Roger, but she hadn’t realized it would be like this. His touch set her vibrating with desire. She wanted to give him all he could ask, to take everything he could offer. She pressed up against him. Their kisses wove a tapestry of longing, begging to be unraveled. He murmured her name.

“It went this way,” shouted a boy’s voice from other side of the thicket.

“Into the brambles?” replied another.

“Right under, the cunning little devil.”

“I ain’t desperate keen to crawl in there.”

“It’s John and Tom,” whispered Fenella.

“Deuce take them,” replied Roger.

“Perhaps it will come out the other side,” said John. “We can go around.” Footsteps pounded along the edge of the thicket.

Roger pulled her closer as if to protect her from this intrusion. But his instinct was wrong in this case. They couldn’t be found embracing. Fenella pulled away and sat up. Her hat had fallen off. She retrieved it and set it on her head, plucking and pinning stray strands of hair into place.

“Must speak to you,” Roger whispered.

“Shh. Not now.”

“Must.” He couldn’t stay silent. He had to tell her. This was the tricky bit, where he could win her, or lose everything. If only he could make his damnable tongue form the right phrases, and in a hurried whisper, no less.

***
Excerpted from How to Cross a Marquess by Jane Ashford. © 2019 by Jane Ashford. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

BOOK 1

Brave New Earl

by Jane Ashford

An Earl mired in melancholy is no match for a determined woman...

Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.

Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She doted on Benjamin's late Countess, and can't bear it when she hears rumors that the Earl is too bereaved to care for his young son. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.

Jean's sudden eruption into the Earl's household simultaneously infuriates and invigorates him. She may be the only person who can breathe life into his neglected home―and his aching heart...

BOOK 2

A Lord Apart

by Jane Ashford

Family secrets, an unlikely alliance―and a love neither expected...

After his parents' sudden death, Daniel Frith, Viscount Whitfield, is struggling to unravel a web of chaotic family records. He is astonished to learn his father's will contains a mysterious legacy: a house left to a complete stranger. He knows nothing about the beautiful Penelope Pendleton and he's not sure he wants to...until she turns out to be a whiz at all those nasty tasks involved in estate administration...

Penelope has no idea why Rose Cottage was left to her. But it's a godsend after her brother's reckless actions disgraced her family. She had planned to stay out of Viscount Whitfield's way, not grow ever closer to him. But when they discover how entwined their families really are, Daniel and Penelope must collaborate to avoid a scandal that reaches much higher than they could have guessed...

About the Author

     Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was entranced by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight was part of what led her to study English literature and travel widely in Britain and Europe. She has lived in New York, Boston and LA. Today, she is somewhat nomadic.

Jane has written historical and contemporary romances. Her books have been published in England, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, Denmark, Russia, and Latvia, Croatia and Slovenia as well as the U.S. She has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews.

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