Monday, July 28, 2014

Tour - Shannon's Gift

Shannon's Gift photo ShannonsGiftBanner_zps59fcba92.jpg

Title: Shannon’s Gift: A Story of Love, Loss, and Recovery
Author: Nate Bennett
Genre: Grieving, loss, love story
Publish Date: June 1, 2014
Publisher: Booklogix
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.


Shannon's Gift photo 22378016_zpse53cb3df.jpg
 ~ Book Synopsis ~


In this raw, emotional memoir, Nate Bennett shares the blog he maintained to work through his grief over the sudden loss of his wife Shannon. He is surprised and comforted to discover a vast virtual community of support. His blog posts—alternately poignant and of dry wit—eventually attracted tens of thousands of hits and a following from readers who hadn’t known the couple. This unique book gives the reader a window into the starkness of a widower’s grieving experience in real time. What comes through in virtually every post is his love for Shannon as he weaves in vignettes from their life together, chronicling their love story and his efforts to recover. And in the end, with the support of his virtual community and the strength he was able to draw from remembering Shannon’s wishes for him, he finds love again.



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Purchase Links

Amazon | Booklogix | iTunes | Barnes and Noble

What is Mitochondrial Disease?


About the Author


Nate Bennett photo nateheadshot_zpsf7f33147.jpgIn the fall of 2011, Nate lost his wife of 26 years in a shocking turn of events. She’d just had an outpatient procedure on her shoulder and the doctor sent Nate to get the car to bring her home. In the next few minutes, things went terribly wrong. Shannon collapsed, never to recover. After more than a week in a critical care unit in pursuit of a cure, Nate honored Shannon’s wishes and had her life support discontinued and she died shortly later. Nate’s book, Shannon’s Gift, is the result of the blog Nate kept during Shannon’s hospitalization and after her death. Initially, the purpose of the blog was to keep friends and family informed of Shannon’s condition. Quickly, though, the blog became Nate’s catharsis and a way to stay connected to a web of supporters.

After the sudden loss of his wife, Nate was surprised and comforted to discover a vast virtual community of support. His blog posts – alternately expressing poignancy and dry wit – eventually attracted tens of thousands of readers and a following from people around the world that didn’t even know Nate or his wife. The unique book gives the reader a window into the starkness of a widower’s grief in real time and a look at how social media has changed grieving in today’s world. In the end, with the support of his virtual community and the strength he was able to draw from remembering Shannon’s wishes for him, he finds love again.

While Nate is new to the personal memoir genre, he is co-author of two management books, "Riding Shotgun: The Role of the COO" and “Your Career Game: How Game Theory Can Help You Achieve Your Professional Goals.” Both are books published by Stanford University Press. Additionally, his research has been published in respected scholarly journals such as the Academy of Management Review, the Academy of Management Journal, Psychological Bulletin, and the Journal of Applied Psychology. He has also published in many widely read resources for managers including the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek.com and Forbes.com.

Nate Bennett is a professor of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University in the summer of 2012. From 1999 to 2012, he was on the faculty of the business school at Georgia Tech, where he most recently held the position of the Catherine W. and Edwin A. Wahlen Professor of Management. From 1999 until 2010, he served as associate dean and then as senior associate dean. Prior to Georgia Tech, he served on the faculty at Louisiana State University. While at LSU, he served at times as the management department’s Ph.D. program coordinator, department chair, MBA program director, and associate dean.

Nate holds a BA in sociology, as well as a MA in Social Research from Tulane University. He earned his Ph.D. in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He resides in Atlanta, GA.


Author’s Social Media


Website | Facebook | Twitter


 

What lessons did you soul learn from your experiences in dealing with Shannon’s illness? 

 

Shannon’s illness has become relevant only because it led to her death.  While she lived, we felt we had no choice but to ignore it.  That strategy worked for the first 20 years of our relationship.  For the last years, we learned to work around it.  So in the end - and not to parse words - I am not sure either my soul or I learned anything from dealing with Shannon’s illness.

 

Her death – that’s another matter entirely.  Though again, as I reflect on it the lessons really came not from her death but from trying to get better.

 

1.     I learned that Bob Marley was right, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”  I think that really requires no further explanation.

2.     People are capable of incredible kindness.  It’s hard to let them be kind to you because it reminds you of what happened, but you must.

3.     I was reading a novel and a character had a line to the effect that “there is no past, if there was we wouldn’t need sorrow” or something similar.  It’s a good line.  Losing Shannon will never be in the past.

4.     Never leave the house without kissing and hugging.  While the odds are in your favor, the chance you take a pass on could be the last chance you get.  I nearly took a pass on my last kiss with Shannon.  If I had, that would hurt so badly now.

5.     It would be great if there were a way for people to gain the perspective on “what matters” that losing Shannon gave me.  How much time and energy we waste fretting over people’s words and actions that just don’t matter.  Don’t ask if the pain of the loss was worth the gain of perspective.

 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Review: Her Fake Romance

Title:  Her Fake Romance
By: Donna Fasano
 
 
Blurb:
 
Mom, get a life!

Her teenage daughter's words were daunting. True, struggling single mom Julia Jones hadn't had a date in over a decade, but she could still catch a man – if she needed to! So Julia, who claimed not to want a husband, found herself entangled in a fake romance.

Ryan Shane was tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome. And he just so happened to need a no-strings date himself. Their plan was perfectly thought out. Until a conveniently staged good-night kiss turned into very inconvenient passion…
 
Rating: 4/5 Stars
 
Review:
 
Julia is a total helicopter mama, arguing with her daughter about dating and massively worried about boys in general. She would rather her teenage daughter go back to the "cute" years, putting her back in a tutu with mama adoration glistening in her eyes.

After her daughter sneaks out to date a boy, Julia hears a rough critique of her life from a 14 year old girl. She's a boring workaholic. She works nearly constantly and doesn't know how to have fun in the eyes of a high school freshman. If nothing else, this author definitely is able to portray the dramatics of a teenage girl. I felt as though the author was channeling my drama queen niece.

After the heartache from her daughter's brutally honest opinion, Julia agrees to go on a date with her business partner's cousin, who is looking for a date to deter a marriage hungry woman. Neither Julia or Ryan are looking for a relationship. In fact, they're both avoiding them. Ryan just wants to hide from an overly affectionate friend of the family while Julia merely wants to prove to her daughter that she knows how to have fun. It's a win-win for all involved!

Although their bargain is made with platonic intentions, as the couple sees more and more of one another, the feelings shift to something a lot hotter than friendship.

I've always enjoyed relationships of convenience, so this book appealed to me immediately. The characters are well developed and the relationship grows gradually, although there was some instalust. I enjoyed reading this story and how Julia was able to overcome her dark past with men in order to create a new relationship with a great man.

Note: I received a copy of this book for free from netgalley.com for honest review.
 
About the Author
 
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA FASANO is a three time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, and a Golden Heart finalist. Her books have sold nearly 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her books have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #5.

Visit her blog at www.DonnaFasano.com where you can sign up for e-mail updates and be the first to hear about new releases.

Find Donna on facebook at
www.Facebook.com/DonnaFasanoAuthor. She loves to chat with readers.

Follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DonnaFaz

What others are saying about Donna's books:

"...complex, funny, and realistic..." ~Wilmington News Journal

"Excellent!" ~Bookreview.com

"Could not help myself from reading excerpts to my husband and friends. This book is well written, the characters are real, everyday folks. It is very easy to identify with them. Donna Fasano is a talented author." ~Elizabeth M. Caldwell on Amazon

"...a fast paced riotous look at family life today. Donna Fasano is right on target!" ~Donna Zapf, SingleTitles.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Blast & Giveaway - Sinful Rewards

Sinful Rewards by Cynthia Sax
(Sinful Rewards #1)
Published by: Avon Impulse
Publication date: July 15th 2014
Genres: Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
Belinda “Bee” Carter is a good girl; at least, that’s what she tells herself. And a good girl deserves a nice guy—just like the gorgeous and moody billionaire Nicolas Rainer. He is everything she wants in a man.
Or so she thinks, until she takes a look through her telescope and sees a naked, tattooed man on the balcony across the courtyard. Hawke is mysterious, the bad boy she knows will bring only heartbreak. He has been watching her, and that makes him all the more enticing.
But when a mysterious and anonymous text message dares her to do something bad, she must decide if she is really the good girl she has always claimed to be, or if she’s willing to risk everything for her secret fantasy of being watched.
Is her mystery man the reclusive billionaire with a wild side or the darkly dangerous bad boy?
 
 
Book Links:

AUTHOR BIO:
Cynthia Sax's stories have been featured in Star Magazine and on Real Time With Bill Maher. She lives in a world where demons aren't all bad, angels aren't all good, and magic happens every single day. Although her heroes may not always say, "I love you," they will do anything for the women they love. They live passionately. They fight fiercely. They love the same women forever.

Cynthia has loved the same wonderful man forever. Her supportive hubby offers himself up to the joys and pains of research. He receives a daily briefing on what every character is doing. You can also learn what Cynthia Sax's characters are doing by visiting her website at www.CynthiaSax.com or emailing her directly at Cynthia@CynthiaSax.com.

She loves writing fated to mate romances because this is her personal experience with love. She fell in love with my dear wonderful hubby at first sight and 20 years later, they're still very much in love. This is what she wishes for her characters and  for her readers.

Author links:

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Monday, July 14, 2014

Tour & Giveaway - A Beautiful Thought

Title: A Beautiful Thought
Author: Alicia Rae
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publish Date: July 14th 2014
Cover Design: Okay Creation Sarah Hansen
 
~Synopsis~
As a physical sports therapist, Gail Bennett is accustomed to working with gorgeous athletes every day, but after falling for a few of these attractive men, she has been left heartbroken one too many times. When Gail’s hours at work are unexpectedly cut, she must find a way to continue helping her parents pay for her sister’s education. Reluctantly following her best friend’s advice, Gail takes on a roommate with the one man she has been avoiding since the first time she laid eyes on him.
Damon Johnson loves a challenge, and he is not the type of man to back down when he wants something. From the first moment he meets Gail for dinner, he feels an inexplicable pull between the two of them. In his determination to have her, he finds himself helping her in any way he can.
Can Damon break through all the barriers Gail has so carefully placed around her heart and prove that he’s different? Or will Gail’s reservations keep her from falling in love?
One thought could change everything.
Goodreads 
Purchase Links
Amazon
B&N

Book 1 will be free all week!!
Beautiful Chances
About the Author

Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and photography.

Thank you to my dear sister, Kels, who showed me a few years ago how much I truly missed reading. And to my loving husband, for not throwing away my Nook, and planting the seed of writing into my mind. I am forever grateful. Xo

Readers, words cannot thank you enough for supporting me along this incredible journey. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I do writing them. I thank each and every one of you.

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams...

Top Five Books on my TBR List
1.       Breathe With Me by Kristen Proby
2.       Searching For Someday by Jennifer Probst
3.       Elite by Rachel Van Dyken
4.       Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover
5.       The Passion of Darius by Raine Miller

 
Connect with the Author: Facebook | Twitter | BlogGoodreads
 

Giveaway
$20.00 Amazon Gift Card

 
 

Friday, July 11, 2014

Series Spotlight & Giveaway - The Love Series by Melissa Collins

Let Love Live by Melissa Collins is now available!  
**It has a special introductory price of $2.99. It will return to regular price of $3.99 on 7/13.**

Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a STANDALONE.
 

Who would you become if you lost the only person who ever mattered?

For twenty-six year old Dylan Hopkins, the answer is easy. He’s become no one. Memories of the happier times are all he has left as he finds himself meandering numbly through his now dull life. Though he cares about his work and family dearly, he’s yet to let himself find love again. Afraid of letting go of what he once had, Dylan chooses to keep his heart buried, where it belongs, having died a long time ago. 

Conner Michelson is about to change everything Dylan knows. He’s every bit the bad boy persona - tatted up, ex-MMA fighter, but after an injury leaves him unable to fight, he has to rethink his goals. Having just opened his own gym, Conner can cross his first major life accomplishment off his very short list. Next up: find a man he can settle down with and build a family. Seems simple enough - a dream most people have, but when he meets Dylan, his carefree, easy-going life is thrown into a tailspin. 

Determined to keep Dylan in his life, Conner vows to resurrect Dylan's long ago buried heart and let love live once more.


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http://amzn.to/1qSwUBZhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/let-love-live-melissa-collins/1119915969?ean=2940149703258
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/let-love-live

 Click below to read the prologue on Wattpad! 

(Click here)









Let Love In (The Love Series #1) Currently FREE!! 



What would happen if you lost everything? If the people who were
supposed to love you unconditionally were no longer there for you, how would your world change? 
 
That’s exactly what happened to Madeleine Becker when her parents died when she was ten years old. Ripped from her home and everything that she has ever loved, she is forced to start all over again. The only way for her to move on is to build walls around her heart and keep everyone at a safe distance. Her logic: she can't get hurt if she doesn't fall in love.

That theory is blown to pieces when she meets Reid Connely during
her freshman year at college. He is gorgeous and darkly mysterious. He understands Maddy's pain all too well, but sharing his pain would mean breaking down the walls he put up around his own heart. Conflicted between loving Maddy and hiding his dark past, Reid starts to reevaluate his world. Maddy's inner strength, snarky personality and breath taking beauty help Reid to make peace with his past.

Together they find out what happens when they Let Love In.

 ** AMAZON ** NOOK**
 
Let Love Stay (The Love Series #2)
If you’re lucky, you’ll fall in love – truly, madly and deeply in love.
But what happens when that honest and pure love isn’t enough to erase your fears? What happens when your past rears its ugly head and threatens your future?

Maddy and Reid had that kind of love – the all-encompassing, Earth shattering, once in a lifetime kind of love. Then life happened. Old wounds that were thought to be long healed and scabbed over are ripped opened and they are forced to face the possibility that, maybe, they are not strong enough to fight their demons and embrace the light. 

Together, they found out what love is, but now they will each need
to heal on their own before they can ever be together again. They must face their fears and beat down their pasts in order to find their way through this crazy uphill battle called love. 

They’ve let love in, but now, they need to find out how to Let Love Stay.

 ** AMAZON ** NOOK**

Let Love Heal (The Love Series #3)
**Let Love Heal can be read as part of the series or as a standalone**


Perfection. We all strive for it, but what happens when the desire to
be perfect consumes you? What happens when the need to bury your mistakes blinds you?

Melanie Crane has always been the perfect daughter, friend, student – she’s been perfect at everything, in fact. But when she lets her
insecurities, the ones that she keeps hidden from everyone, get the best of her, she falters in her pursuit of perfection. Melanie crumples under the pressure and buries her pain. Numbed by sadness and guilt, she is determined never to let anyone find out how broken she really is.

Bryan Mahoney may appear to have everything in order. He’s
charming, witty and completely swoon-worthy. In short, Bryan has life all figured out, but appearances can be deceiving. When the landscape of Bryan’s family changes in an instant, he’s left to pick up the pieces.
 
Not all bruises leave a mark. Now, weary and afraid, Melanie and
Bryan must find a way to let love heal their broken and jaded hearts.

 ** AMAZON ** NOOK**

 
Let Love Be (The Love Series #4)
***Though this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
Unlike the previous books in the series, this is NOT a New Adult &
College Romance; this is a contemporary romance featuring characters who
are more mature / not in their twenties. It is a full length novel of
about 90K words / approx. 350 pages.***  
 
What would bring you happiness in a world that was suddenly empty?
 
For Lucy Crane, the answer is simple: her daughter. When her husbandis killed in a tragic accident, Lucy loses her desire to live, but only one thing keeps her going – her unborn daughter. Focusing on being a mother helps Lucy cope with her loss, but kids grow up and they leave home, eventually. Eighteen years after losing her first and only love, Lucy is faced with the opportunity to find the happiness for which she’s always longed. Her own fears become her worst enemies as she learns how to embrace love once again.

Evan Donovan is also facing his own struggles. Forced to retire from the FDNY because of lung damage caused by 9/11, Evan moves to upstate New York where he hopes to find a little peace and quiet. Old habits die hard, and Evan’s hero complex and survivor’s guilt constantly remind him of how difficult it is to be vulnerable. But for the first time in his life, he’s tired of being alone.
 
Drawing strength from one another, Lucy and Evan discover how beautiful it is to let love be a part of their lives.

 ** AMAZON ** NOOK**




  

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream. 

Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.



 Enter to win a $50 gift card! 

Blitz - Closer


Closer
GENRE: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

RELEASING August 1

Synopsis-GIF

The terrorists want her alive. The CIA wants her dead, and Michael just wants to love her.
Emma, an ingenious female engineer, finds a protector in an unlikely source.

Michael is a warrior, a Green Beret, fresh out of the military. He suffers from PTSD and recurrent nightmares of his five tours in Afghanistan. Something in him fundamentally changes when he meets Emma.

Emma has top-secret clearance for her work on a governmental prototype to help fight the war on terror. She has spent her entire life pursuing her career and developing her brain child labeled Project Hummingbird. She lives in her intellectually driven mind...that is, until Michael begins to awaken something deep inside her: something that she didn't even know existed.

Michael needs to prove to Emma that he is not who she thinks he is. He must work to win her trust and her heart. Will he be able to persuade her to trust him? Will he be able to save her from the dangers that await her? Will he win her heart?

+18 warning – This book is intended for mature audiences.

goodreads add

About-the-author-GIF


sarah greyson

Sarah lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, two children, and four spoiled animals. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications with a concentration in Professional Writing and her Master's Degree in Education.

When she is not writing or spending time with her family, she loves reading sizzling romantic suspense novels that make her blush. She loves a glass of pinot grigio, back-yard barbecues with friends and family, and helping her kids with their homework (in that order).

Her interests span all genres: from Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger to Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to Slave by Shari Hayes to The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama XIV. Sarah's favorite genres are contemporary romantic suspense and erotic suspense; the types of novels she crafts. While the concepts are familiar and comfortable, she brings her own unique story and personality to everything she writes. She loves the feeling of crafting a spicy, action-packed novel. Writing is her passion. She wants to leave her readers breathless after experiencing the intense ride that is her novel.

Follow Sarah!


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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Review: Dream On by M. Kircher

Dream On
by M. Kircher

 
Blurb:
 
Seventeen-year-old dreamwalker, Em, might have to choose—leave her mother forever in the dreamworld or save the life of hot, rebel Gabe.

Emily Dal Monte and her mother, Lily, are special. They’re humans with a glitch in their genetic code that allows them to explore the fantastic, and often terrifying, world of their dreams for as long as they choose to remain asleep. But when Em’s father is killed in a tragic accident and her distraught mother loses herself more and more in the dreams of her crumbling mind, Em is forced to support the two of them the only way she knows how, by writing down her mother’s amazing dreams and selling them as books. Enter Gabriel Sobel, the punk newcomer at Em’s high school who realizes Em is the daughter of his favorite, reclusive author. Gabe can’t figure out why Em keeps brushing him off and makes it his mission to find out what’s really going on at the Dal Monte household. He stumbles upon their shocking family secret just as Lily takes a turn for the worse. It’s up to Em, Gabe, and one very nosy book editor to hop from one extraordinary dream to the next, to find Lily and convince her to wake up before she loses her mind…and before Em loses her first chance at love.
 
Rating:  4/5 Stars
 
Review:
 
I've always had a deep interest in dreams, be it my own dreams or the dreams of others, so I was especially excited to get my hands on this book.

One part of the story I found extremely interesting was Em's relationship with her mother. Their relationship shared many qualities with the relationship between an alcoholic/addict and their child. Em was overly responsible, even completing her mother's work just to receive the paychecks needed in order to survive. Em did not make friends in order to protect her family's secret from the general public. Em did not answer personal questions in order to prevent herself from implicating her family in any unnecessary attention, again, protecting her family's secret. So many aspects of their relationship pointed me in this direction, and honestly? Although her mother wasn't addicted to drugs or alcohol, this is the type of relationship they had. She had an unhealthy addiction to her dreams, trying to hold on to the memory of her dead husband. Honestly, I can't say that I blame her, I would quite possibly do the same thing were I to loose my husband, but poor Em got caught in the destruction of her family.

I found the fact that Gabe blackmailed Em into telling her his secret very un-hero-like, but I appreciated the fact that the author recognized this flaw of character and allowed the reader a glimpse into Em's mind to see her working out this conflict in her head. I feel that Em's a highly mature character for a 17 year old girl to be so forgiving of Gabe's aggressive behavior and still choose to trust him.

I feel my favourite part of this entire story are the dreams themselves. I found them very vivid and completely ridiculous, as my own dreams are. I loved the fact that Em was able to logically realize that she was currently in a dream, but still felt as though everything was real. I have this feeling a lot when I have nightmares.

Overall I really thought this was a fun book and I would recommend it to any paranormal reader.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

I believe that stories can change the world. I also believe that teens and young adults have eyes that are open and ears that are awake to the thrumming life hidden deep within great books. I write YA fiction because I'm in love with the truth and beauty of a skillfully woven tale and because I want generations of young people to hold tight to the vastness of their potential--indeed, the potential that lies waiting in all of us. The world is ours for the making.
No matter who you are, you have the power to do great things.
Happy reading!
-- M. Kircher

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me below:
mkircher.com
melissakircher83@gmail.com
Twitter - @MKircher83
Facebook - /mkircher83
 
 

Blast & Giveaway - The Lost Love of a Soldier

The Lost Love of a Soldier photo JaneLarkBanner_zpsb5fc1efc.jpg

Title: The Lost Love of a Soldier (Marlow Intrigues #4)

Author: Jane Lark

Genre: Historical Romance 18+ Regency Period

Publication Date: July 10, 2014

Publisher: HarperImpulse an imprint of HarperCollins

Event Organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis


The Lost Love of a Soldier photo ThelostloveofaSoldier300dbi_zpsb47e47d2.jpeg Young, naïve and innocent, Lady Ellen Pembroke falls for a young army officer. Paul has such an easy enchanting smile and his blue eyes glow, vibrancy and warmth emanating from him. She is in love. Captain Paul Harding, finds his attention captured by the beautiful young daughter of the Duke of Pembroke at a house party in the summer. Finding Ellen is like finding treasure on a battle torn field. His sanity clings to her; something beautiful to remind him that all in the world is not ugly. She’s someone to fight for and someone to survive for when he is called to arms in the battle of Waterloo…





The Lost Love of a Soldier Excerpt


“Ellen?”

Paul whispered her name into the night as he heard the rustle of frost bound leaves on the ground. His breath rose in a mist into the cold winter air. He was on the Duke of Pembroke’s land. He’d not dared encourage her to take a horse, so he’d come close enough that she might walk from the house and find him.

He waited at the end of an avenue of yews, out of sight of the house, in a place she could easily see him. His horse whickered, sensing something, or someone. “Ellen?” he whispered again.

Still no answer.

He stayed quiet. Listening. Wondering if she’d been caught as she left the house. He hoped not. If she’d been caught her father would give her no freedom. Short of leading a military assault on Pembroke’s home, he would not be able to get her out then.

The horse shook its head, rattling its bit, and snorted steamy breath into the cold air. The chill of the winter night seeped through his clothes. There would be a hard frost. He hoped she’d dressed in something warm.

He’d have to buy more clothes for her before they sailed. She would need garments to keep her warm in the sea breezes she’d face on their journey to America.

There was another sound.

“Ellen?”

“Paul?”

How did this woman manage to make his heart beat so erratically whenever he saw her? He could run into battle and not be so affected.

She looked even more beautiful in the dark. Ethereal.

A band of silver light reached through the scudding clouds and caught her face.

He let go of the horse’s bridle and instinctively moved forward. He’d never held her. In the summer there had been no moments alone, she’d been strictly chaperoned and even when she’d come to meet him she’d brought the groom and her sister. When they’d met a fortnight ago, she’d still brought a groom. For the first time they were alone. “Ellen.” He stepped forward and embraced her. In answer her arm came about his waist. It was the most precious feeling of his life. He would always remember this day. She was slender and delicate in his arms.

She slipped free, but he caught her nape and pulled her mouth to his, gently pressing his lips against hers. It was her first kiss, he knew; he could tell by the way her body stiffened when he‘d pulled her close. He let her go, a tenderness he’d never known before catching in his chest.

“Come.” He took the leather bag she carried. “Will you ride before me, or would you rather sit behind my saddle and grip my waist?”

“Would it be easier if I ride behind you?” Her voice ran with uncertainty. She was giving up everything to come with him.

“Do what feels comfortable for you, Ellen.”

She nodded, not looking into his eyes. “I would prefer to ride pillion.”

“Then you shall.” He warmed his voice, hoping to ease her discomfort.

Turning to the horse he slipped one foot in the stirrup, then pulled himself up. “Did you have any difficulty leaving the house?”

“No, the servants’ hall was quiet, and the grooms had all retired.”

He rested her bag across his thighs, then held a hand out to her. “Set your foot on mine and take my hand. I’ll pull you up.” He watched her lift the skirt of her dark habit and then the weight of her small foot pressed on his, as her gloved fingers gripped his. She was light, but the grip of her hand and the pressure of her foot made that something clasp tight in his chest, and the emotion stayed clenched as her fingers embraced his waist over his greatcoat.

He shifted in the saddle, his groin tightening too. A few more days. Just days. He had been waiting months. As he turned the horse, Ellen’s cheek pressed against his shoulder.

“Did you tell anyone you were leaving? Your sister? Or your maid?”

“No, I did not want them to have to face Papa knowing the truth. He would be able to see they’d lied, and then who knows what he might do.” Paul urged the mare into a trot as Ellen continued. “He made me spend the day on my knees reading the Commandments because I refused to marry the Duke of Argyle.”

“Today?” He wished to look back at her but he could not.

Her father had been diabolical to Paul, sneering as though he was nothing when he’d done the decent thing and offered for her. He could not imagine the way Pembroke treated the girls.

He had to get Ellen to Gretna before her father caught them, so she never had to come back and face his retribution.

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About the Author


 photo For13_Jane_Lark_Full_Res_zps518c75cf.jpg Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult Romance, and a Kindle top 25 bestselling author. She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis. When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write. Now Jane is writing a Regency series and contemporary, new adult, stories and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others' imaginations at last. You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane's favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book which drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was 'Katherine' a story crafted from reality. Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses them to create more realistic plots. 'Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it's wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.' Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life.

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Giveaway


This giveaway, includes an antique English necklace worth £150, plus signed copies of The Illicit Love of a Courtesan The Passionate Love of a Rake And The Scandalous Love of a Duke


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