#TellTaleTuesday #Epidemic

 

Title: Epidemic

         The Elifer Chronicles Book One

Author: Julie Boglisch

Genre: Mystery and Detective

Book Heat Level: 1

 

Buy at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play

 

Read first chapter

 

TAGLINE

 

Maxwell and Karina, twins, flee from their hometown in search of answers to why they are being hunted and what’s going on outside their home.

 

 

BLURB: Epidemic

 

It has been forty years since America closed its borders and separated from the world following the Vietnam War. In the ensuing years, the country has developed in incredible ways, or at least, that is what Maxwell and Karina, a set of twins from a community deep in the forests of New England, have been told all their lives. In a town surrounded by larger than life trees and crags, they didn’t have a reason to believe otherwise. 

 

That belief is put to the test when they find their house ransacked, their mother missing, and their only chance to live is outside of the barriers they’ve grown used to. Barriers… that they never realized existed.

 

EXCERPT: Epidemic

 

They turned the corner and Maxwell almost stumbled to a stop. It was mass chaos. Down the dilapidated street were a group of men and women. They seemed to be fighting. Blades flashed as gunshots cracked. Farther down the street, a building was on fire as people whooped and hollered, throwing things into the flames. Houses burned as smoke curled into the sky. Pedestrians, if that was what they were, wielded torches, wood implements, chairs, whatever they could get their grasp on.

A riot, Maxwell realized with a sense of downright horror. They ran right into a riot, by running from the police. There was a whoosh of air before Karina suddenly cried out. Maxwell regarded his sister quickly as Lex pulled them sharply down the road. Maxwell let him lead as he saw Karina stumble before she regained her footing. A grimace sat on her face as something dripped down her arm. Something Maxwell couldn’t quite identify as she held her arm close to her chest.

“Kari? Are you all right?”

“Peachy,” was her curt response.

Maxwell hesitated before he nodded and looked ahead. Lex let out a noise of something like relief. “Come on,” he said sharply, yet soft enough to stay under the screams of the rioters.

Wood littered the ground in smoldering heaps as people huddled in the shadows, scared of the mayhem. A little before the main focal point of the chaos was an alley which Lex seemed to be heading toward.

“Riot. The owner must have done something to anger someone,” Lex whispered quickly as he eyed the alley and group, affirming Maxwell’s suspicion, but doing nothing to assuage it. “That’s probably what the police you saw earlier were here for… damn.”

Something didn’t sit right with him. Was this normal? Were riots and such something that occurred normally? Was it because of the epidemic? Many people in the crowd looked incredibly sick.

Lex didn’t stop, even as the chaos grew. People ran into them, trying to run from the source, while others, who were too drowned in the mob mentality, continued destruction along the street. Sirens blared and cries echoed up and down the road.

Something cracked, the noise louder than Maxwell thought possible. A gunshot? Maxwell felt Lex stumble. His eyes snapped toward Lex as he maneuvered them into the shadow of the alley before letting go. Karina fumbled and used her now-free hand to grab her arm. Pain adorned her face as Maxwell realized with a hint of shock that it was blood slipping steadily down her arm and staining her shirt.

He heard a groan, followed by movement. He looked toward Lex. One arm wrapped tightly around his stomach as he gestured them forward. “We’re not safe,” was all he said, the voice cracking slightly at the end. “We have to move.” He pulled one hand away from the wall and moved unsteadily down the street.

Maxwell’s head swiveled back and forth in heightened worry, looking from his sister and Lex to behind them, even as they continued down the alley. He could hear screams and he could see some people run by the entrance. The shadows become lengthier as night drew closer. He hated this time of year sometimes. Days were incredibly short and this wasn’t an exception. He happened to look ahead in time to see as Lex started to pitch forward. He quickly grabbed Lex around his waist, stopping him from slamming face first into the ground. He clenched his teeth at the almost dead weight as Karina moved next to him, trying to help.

What am I going to do?Maxwell thought. They’re both injured.

They took another alley, seemingly parallel with the main road. He gazed back. It seemed that there was no one following, yet he could still see the smoke from the fire, and hear cries, screams. Now, on top of all that, sirens blared through the air, discordant and screeching.

He shook his head and shifted. He draped one of Lex’s arms over his shoulder as he put a hand around his waist, feeling the warm liquid slip past his fingers. Karina led the way even as her grip seemed to tighten more and more on the wound to her upper arm till her knuckles were white. They moved down the alley as quickly as they could, reaching another back alley. Maxwell gritted his teeth as Lex’s weight seemed to get heavier and heavier. His breathing was shallow.

“Damn, the doctor, we’re so close,” Lex managed to whisper in pain, his free hand still holding his stomach.

Maxwell looked at Lex, then heard hollers. His head twisted back, seeing shadows play on the wall behind them from the alley. Figures seemed to be moving toward them and whether they were hostile or not, he didn’t want to find out.

Maxwell’s eyes flitted around the darkened road before he spotted a dilapidated entranceway. He gazed back and darted toward it. He pushed viciously against the door, which slammed open to allow him to stumble in. Dust billowed up as hinges screeched from lack of use. Maxwell coughed as he slid past the door, hoping that it wasn’t actually someone’s home he was barging into. He did not need that on his conscience.

The room seemed more like a storage place. It was dusty and dark with the vague hint of a stairwell next to one side. Barrels and boxes were thrown haphazardly around the room, giving it a dingy quality. Maxwell slid farther into the room as he pulled on Lex’s limp frame. Maxwell curved around one of the boxes and slid to the floor with a sigh, pulling Lex down with him.

“Not good, there’s a trail,” Karina said. 

Maxwell looked at her. “I’ll lead them away. If they’re police, they might come for us, and there’s no way to defend ourselves in here.” Maxwell looked at his sister and noted her tense posture even as her arms dropped to her sides.

She’s not,Maxwell thought as his eyes widened. He opened his mouth to shout, only to feel a shaky hand cover his lips.

“She’s distracting…” Lex said. 

Maxwell wanted to yell to her to stop, feeling anxiety as Karina looked at him. Yet, no words came out as she moved around the boxes and bolted out the door. The door swung closed as footsteps resounded outside.

“Someone’s there. They’re getting away,” a bellow came from outside as more pounding footsteps ran by, and metal clattered as sirens blared.

Maxwell stayed silent. His eyes were frozen on the closed door as the hand continued to sit over his lips. He could feel wetness slip down his chin as the hand fell away. Maxwell froze as he put a hand on his chin and wiped. He stared in horror as the liquid sat on his fingers, staining them a crimson red as some slid down pale skin.

He slowly followed the trail before his eyes slid to Lex.

 

Website URL: www.julieboglisch.com

 

Blog URL:www.julieboglisch.com/blog

 

Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/JulieBoglischStories/

 

Twitter handle: 

https://twitter.com/jboglisch

 

Triberr: N/A

 

 

KEYWORDS

 

epidemic, twins, alternate reality, isolationism, kidnapping

 

 

LINKS

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BNN94NV

 

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/epidemic-julie-boglisch/1137212923?ean=2940162753278

 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/epidemic/id1520095875?mt=11&app=itunes

 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/epidemic-21

 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Julie_Boglisch_Epidemic?id=ZKTsDwAAQBAJ

 

#MysteryMonday #Ella'sPleasure

 

Title: Ella’s Pleasure

Twelve Dancing Princesses Book Seven

 

Author: Christine Young

Genre: Historical Romance

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

 

Buy at: Amazon,

Read First Chapter

 

 

TAGLINE: Ella's Pleasure

 

Ella Hepburn discovers passion and desire can overcome everything she's been taught to resist.

 

BLURB: Ella's Pleasure

 

A WHISPER OF PLEASURE

 

Ella Hepburn Is an auburn haired debutant from the harsh Scottish coastline—a wild innocent to be seduced and tamed. A spirited beauty, she captivated Drake Montgomerie's jaded heart—while succumbing to the smoldering desire she felt for her unyielding suitor.

 

A WHISPER OF DANGER

 

In Drake Montgomerie's glittering world of money and privilege, young Ella discovered passion and desire could overcome everything she'd been taught to resist—entangling Drake, the heir apparent, in a lethal coil of aristocratic family intrigue. But grave peril would only nurse the sparks of a love that knew no limits and a magnificent ecstasy that would not be denied.

 

 

 

EXCERPT: Ella's Pleasure

 

 

“Come, let’s take this path.” He settled one hand on the small of her back, directing her to the left. “I want to show you something.”

She gazed at him with wide eyes. “What? It’s getting late, I’m sure The Duchess will be looking for us.”

“Trust me, she won’t have to search for you. Between my men and Scarlett, they know exactly where we are. I mean to elude them for a few minutes of privacy.” He bent close to her and whispered. “I want to kiss you and there are just too many folks here.”

“Kiss me? I like your kisses.”

“I’m glad.” Lord, but he didn’t know what he’d do if she’d told him the opposite. “This way.” They were strolling deeper into the gardens where fewer people walked. Privacy was what he wanted; this was exactly where he meant to steal a real kiss from Ella Hepburn.

“What are those noises?” she stopped and looked at him, searching for the source of the sounds.

He ran one finger between his collar and neck attempting to figure out what to tell her. “They are people enjoying pleasure.”

The expression on her face outlined by the gaslights amazed him. “Is it what I’m thinking?”

“I don’t know. What do you believe you hear?” He laughed inside at the joy he felt about this inquisitive lady.

“Well, I don’t think they are just kissing.” Even in the half-light he watched the blush rise on her cheeks as she covered her mouth as if she understood what was going on all around her.

“Remember our conversation about love making?”

She nodded her eyes huge with wonder. “In public?”

“My darling girl, can you see them?”

“No, but I now know what they are doing.”

“Hush,” he said, guiding her to a spot just beneath a light. “I’m going to kiss you until your Auntie finds us and stops me from having my wicked way with you in those bushes.”

He turned Ella and looking into her eyes, his mouth descended to meet hers. His hands at the small of her back pulled her close. With a surprised gasp she delighted him by opening her mouth. His tongue invaded with a primal urgency, creating a mercuric heat within. Tasting her sweetness and the honeyed depth of her mouth, his groan emanated from deep within.

Ella responded by wrapping her hands around his neck and running her fingers through his hair. Slipping her tongue inside his mouth, she met him with courage and passion. Her tiny feminine cry of surrender gave him confidence she enjoyed him. His hands slipped lower to cover her derriere and pull her tight against his pulsing cock, wondering if she understood the intense desire emanating from him.

He accepted all of her; teeth, tongue, lips, pressed together in an age-old rhythm. Taking her inside himself was heaven on earth. For a moment he pulled away, needing to see her eyes. Her face, flushed with pleasure, enticed him and his mouth found hers once more. Never wanting this to end, his kiss became urgent, and she responded with so much passion he wanted to bury himself deep inside her warmth. For today and this moment the kiss would have to be enough.

A sudden sharp pain shot across his back. “Stop this, Drake Montgomerie.” Another whack hit him in the buttocks and another. “Stop. Unhand Miss Ella before I let my sword slip from its hiding place.”

 

 

KEYWORDS

 

Historical, Romance, Regency, England

 

SOCIAL LIINKS

 

http://christineyoungromancewriter.com/

http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Christine-Young-350132315013316/

https://twitter.com/achristay

https://www.pinterest.com/chrisy/

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZQGXL4

 

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ellas-pleasure-christine-young/1129342608?ean=2940161618820

 

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=RTMEEAAAQBAJ&rdid=book-RTMEEAAAQBAJ&rdot=1&source=gbs_vpt_read&pcampaignid=books_booksearch_viewport

 

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ella-s-pleasure

 

Apple:  https://tools.applemediaservices.com/book/1536813932?country=us

#RomanceSunday #HerHeart'sLiege

 

Title: Her Heart's Liege

Author: Olivia Fields

 

Genre: Historical Romance

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

Buy at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

 

TAGLINE

 

A tomboy captain must guard a roguish prince during wartime. Can they save their country from invasion while learning to lead--and falling in love?

 

BLURB: Her Heart's Liege

 

Tomboy Alex Bonham has fought her male peers tooth and nail to prove herself worthy to become captain of the king’s guard. When her country is invaded by Danes, she is ordered to take the king’s younger son, a charming but irresponsible rake, away from the front lines for safekeeping. 

 

Alex walks a difficult line, trying to balance her growing attraction to Prince Holden with her dedication to duty and her responsibility to keep him safe from robbers, Danes...and even himself. But when they are drawn into the struggle to defend East Anglia from occupation, both the prince and his captain must grow. Can spoiled Prince Holden evolve into a good man who could lead the kingdom--one Alex can trust with her heart? 

 

EXCERPT: Her Heart's Liege

 

She and the prince were easier with one another after their day in town. They continued their sparring matches at regular intervals, varying tandem sword training with hand to hand. The craft of unarmed combat continued to prove frustrating for the prince, especially when defending against her attacks.

“Impossible,” Holden lamented one afternoon as she put him on his face in the dirt for the umpteenth time, effortlessly seating herself atop his back. “You can’t have done that. Again.”

“I’m not using strength.” She wound up his arm a bit more to demonstrate. “This is leverage.”

“I concede.” He went limp, and she sat on him for a moment longer, liking their position rather more than she strictly should. She made herself move before the moment stretched too long, heaving off him, and offered him a hand up.

He reached for her, and gave her no warning whatsoever before yanking hard. Off-balance, she toppled helplessly onto him. He rolled her under his body, pinning her arms with his hands, his waist sinking between her thighs.

“There,” he said with satisfaction. “Escape this.”

She clenched her fists in exasperation, trying breathlessly to ignore the sensation of his body weighing down on her, pushing her thighs apart and pressing against the center of her. “I haven’t showed you everything I know. Not yet.”

She bucked her hips up sharply and kicked her heels against the ground, unseating him. They rolled, trading advantage back and forth. He couldn’t pin her, but neither could she escape without hurting him. They thrashed about wildly, kicking up dust, dirt, and bracken as they struggled. He clutched her tightly against his chest. He was laughing, and she realized she was too. They abruptly fetched up against one of the log segments surrounding the fire ring, and she found herself lying on top of him, her face a few inches from his.

They froze there, and their laughter faded. He did not try to dislodge her again. His eyes grew warm and deep. He was still smiling, his lips parted slightly. She lost herself in his gaze, wavering on the verge of sinking down to taste his mouth.

She felt his hands settling slowly on her waist, anticipating her kiss. He was smeared with dirt. Bits of dried fern stuck to the sweat on his face and body, tangled in his untidy hair. He looked so good he almost seemed edible. Hypnotized, she was tempted to bend her head and lick a droplet of perspiration right off his cheek.

Carl was watching them, she knew.

“You’re a mess,” she observed, hearing the breathlessness in her voice. “Get up and wash that dirt off. Carl almost has the supper ready.”

The spell was broken.

She climbed off him, briskly dusting all the twigs and bracken off her clothes, using her fingers to pluck what she could out of her hair. It was so bad she’d have to get out her comb and re-weave her braid.

The prince went to splash in the pond, and she disciplined herself not to watch. Carl looked up as she went to the wagon for her comb and returned to the fire.

“One of these days he’ll weary of you rubbing his nose in the dirt and give you a right good thrashing,” he said amiably.

“On the day he can, I’ll be proud of him.” She slouched by the fire and began to unravel her braid, all but exhausted. She rubbed her neck, which was covered with grit and dust. That was too damned close for comfort. She’d have to see to it there was no more light horseplay of that sort. 

“Ohhh, will you look at him,” Carl muttered, gazing past her toward the pond, and Alex barely managed to stop herself before she obeyed.

“Look at what?”

“The results of your handiwork.” 

She snorted. The prince’s idea of modesty still left much to be desired. “Flaunting himself again, is he?” She began combing at the bottom of her hair, slowly working her way up as the tangles came out.

“You might say that.” Carl turned the spit where a pheasant the prince had managed to shoot was roasting, dripping juices on the fire and producing a mouthwatering smell. “He would be if anyone were looking, at any rate.”

“Well, I’m not.” She didn’t bother to keep the tartness from her voice. “I wonder why you are.”

“Purely to keep you informed, of course.” Carl chuckled. “It’s the least I can do.”

“Let me guess. He has two arms, two legs, and a cock he’s rather more than reasonably proud of. Just like any man.” She re-wove the braid briskly and tied it with a bit of leather.

“He’s sprouted a good bit more muscle than he had in Norwich. I’d have thought you’d appreciate a chance to enjoy examining your handiwork.” Carl wasn’t at all perturbed by her frank speech. “I believe he’s grown a bit more courtesy, as well.”

“If he had an ounce of politeness, he wouldn’t strip naked and wash in the presence of a lady.” She thought of making a mint infusion, then reached for their jug of ale instead and poured herself a mug. 

“Well, mayhap if you want to be treated more like a lady, you could act more like one.” Carl glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, calculating how angry he was making her. “Instead of like a sergeant at the drill.”

“I act like what I am,” she muttered.

#Sci/FiFantasySaturday #HighlandMiracle

 

Title: Highland Miracle

Author: Christine Young

Email: achristay@aol.com

 

Genre: Romance/Fantasy/Paranormal/Historical

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 2

 

Buy at Amazon:  

 

BLURB: Highland Miracle

 

HURTLED THROUGH TIME, Sean Michael Sterling, landed in the midst of a May Day celebration he didn’t understand, assuming the role of Laird Sterling. 

ILLIGITAMATE CHILD OF NOBILITY, Reagan Douglas searches for a way out of her half brother’s house.

 

EXCERPT: Highland Miracle

 

"Look, Tia," Reagan said as she pointed toward a nearby hill.  

"What is it?" 

"A handsome stranger," Reagan giggled, instantly transfixed by the man. "Coming to dance around the May Pole?" Reagan looked a little more closely. "Oh, it's the Laird of Sterling Castle. Why is he on foot?"

"You are not thinking what I think," Tia said. "You dinnae know who he is. He looks like the laird but then he doesn't."

"How do I look?" Regan asked, ignoring Tia and smoothing her skirts then hoping she looked beautiful enough to snare this man. She wanted to sweep the laird off his feet. This might be her one and only chance.

She heard the celebration in the background and watched as all eyes rose to meet the Laird's. Her brother William's eyes were startled then guarded and thoughtful. Tia's were intrigued. Some of the others gazes were wary and distrustful. They were a superstitious lot here in the Highlands. But even as she watched the people around her, she could not fully keep her attention from the Laird who had never attended this celebration before. 

She felt a curious draw as she met his piercing gaze. She had only once before seen the man. He was an illusive creature, usually keeping inside the walls of his castle. Rumor had it the castle was haunted and the ghost was a woman who kept him from finding true love or happiness.

"Who do you think he is and where did he come from?" Tia asked peering intently at the man. "I really don't think it's the Laird. No one has spoken to the man in years. He is so withdrawn. A few months ago people were saying he had died."

The man possessed a calm air as if he knew and recognized all the people in front of him. His dark gaze was mysterious, and when he stopped walking, he stood as still as a rock, striking and in clothes she had never seen anyone wear before. She had thought then, though, it would not have mattered what he wore.

Reagan could not draw her eyes from his and felt her flesh grow warm. The way he stared at her was unnerving. Her heart thundered beneath her chest. It seemed as if she knew this man from some long ago time.

But that wasn't possible.

It was May Day. The very air was filled with such excitement, and now this man was here as if sent for her and her alone. In the meadow maids and youths already danced around the Maypole. A man with a bear had the animal dancing circles upon his hind feet, and a marionette show was in progress. A flutist played in honor of King James, a group of Highlanders played the bagpipes. Noise and confusion flourished. The day was bright, clear blue, and so very beautiful. 

She saw a strange gold dusting swirling and dancing in the air around her. Instantly, she felt compelled toward the stranger. For a moment she thought someone spoke to her, encouraging her onward.

Reagan was grateful she'd taken so much time with her clothes. Her hose were white silk, and her little leather slippers were blue decorated with glass stones. Next to her flesh she wore a soft silk shift and over it a binding corset and three different petticoats. The dress was blue brocade, with stomachers in velvet, low-cut bodices, and half sleeves with scores of blue lace. Her facemask was covered with feathers and plumes. Her golden hair was done in ringlets, tied through with blue satin ribbons.  When she'd looked at herself in the mirror, she had been quite pleased with the results. 

So lost in thought, she had lost track of the man. 

Until he stood next to her.

"A...hi," he said. "I'm Sean Michael Sterling." He stared at her with dark dangerous brown eyes as he crossed his arms on his chest.

#Friday'sFeaturedTitle #Christel'sSunrise

 

Title: Christel's Sunrise

Author: Christine Young

Email: achristay@aol.com

Genre: Historical Romance/Paranormal

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

 

Buy at: Amazon; 

 

BLURB: Christel's Sunrise

 

He Made Her An Offer...

 

Life has thrown Christel McClellan some experiences that could have devastated a less determined woman. Beautiful, self-assured and fiercely independent, she is trying to forget the loss of her stillborn child. But is the child alive?

 

She Couldn’t Deny...

 

Life is carefree for Ryder MacLaren who loves to see what is on the other side of the sunrise. Laird of Clan MacLaren, he is wealthy, handsome and happily unencumbered...until stunning Christel McClellan enters his life. When he hears her story, he believes the child she thought dead has been sold to a wealthy buyer.

 

REVIEW: Christel's Sunrise

 

Highland Sunrise by Christine Young
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (174 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Dandelion

 

I loved the rapport between the two main characters. Although at times they both struggled to find the right words to explain their feelings for each other, somehow they managed. They both loved the other and so over time it became easier. Both were also very independent and that caused a little friction between them. However, Ryder would typically just shake his head and go with the flow. There were a huge number of sex scenes, and I think this story would have stood alone quite well without so many (there were times they did nothing to forward the plot, but seemed added just to have a sex scene), but they didn’t detract from the plot either.

 

There were so many other fascinating and fun characters in the story: her sister, her cousins, their husbands, her aunt, the Duchess. Reading about all the things they attempted and succeeded in doing was really fun. They were not the typical regency “tonnish” people of the days. This made this story much more fun.

 

And of course, although there was a lot of fighting, terror, murder and mayhem, the story has a very satisfying ending.

 

 

EXCERPT: Christel's Sunrise

 

But Christel pushed away from him and pointing, "There, do you see her. She is sitting on the wall."

Ryder strained to see the apparition Christel pointed toward but he saw nothing. "No, but I think I hear her."

"Yes, she is crying, not weeping as usual. Do you know anything about her story?" Christel turned to him, hope shining in her soft blue eyes.

"I've heard her lover died. But that was a long time ago."

"How?"

Ryder pulled her back into his embrace, not ever wanting her to leave. He would hold fast to her for as long as she would allow him. "At war... I don't recall which one. The clans seem to have always been at war with someone, especially the English."

He felt the nod of her head against his chest. "Does anyone know the legend? I would seek them out."

Her breathing was slow and she seemed relaxed. But Ryder feared for her. If she started asking questions, would this ghost come to harm her? He didn't know anything about apparitions. But he also knew he would have to give her a chance to discover the truth. "Only if you let me go with you. I would be honored. There is a woman, older than time. She wanders the castle grounds. Most see her in the late evening and early morning."

"Old as time, no older?"

A shimmering silver light hung over the castle and floated above the turrets. Ryder pointed toward the light. "Is that her?"

"She's a bit reclusive." Christel turned in Ryder's arms. "Yes, that's her."

"One might say that about her." His hands rested at the small of Christel's back. He wanted to kiss her but didn't want to frighten her again. Maybe a lazy gentle kiss would be accepted. The thought made him grin.

He traced her neck with the tip of his finger, hoping she would find his attentions acceptable then bent close to her. "I want to kiss you. Will you let me?" She shivered in his arms but turned her face up to him.

"Yes." She breathed softly. Her words gentle yet hesitant.

Her reticence bothered him. What had happened in her past? His thoughts shot to Lord Rathen and her hasty departure from London. Every part of him tightened with disgust. He would discover the truth and make the despicable rake pay for any injustice committed against Christel.

Watching her eyes for signs of fear, Ryder lowered his mouth to hers. He touched her gently, molded his lips against her, thrilled to hear the sigh of pleasure emanate from her. He ran one hand up her back, pulling her closer, reveling in the feel of her softness against his hard planes. Her breasts pushed against him. The need to feel every inch of her pulsed through him but he didn't dare.

He moved back and once again looking into her eyes. She lowered her lashes then returned his gaze.

"Don't think, little one, just feel and know that I would never hurt you. I want more but I won't rush you."

She touched his cheek with one slender fingertip. "Kiss me again."

 

 

 

 

 

 

#Tavia'sDeception #HistoricalRomance

 

Title: Tavia’s Deception

Author: Christine Young

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Book Heat Level: 4

Buy at:  Barnes & Noble  Smash words

Amazon

 

Read first chapter

 

TAGLINE

 

Tavia Hepburn resolves to see the world, but she never bargains on finding passion and love to a red haired sea captain.

 

BLURB: Tavia's Deception

 

WHISPERS OF DECEPTION

 

When her father decides to send her to London for her season, Tavia Hepburn resolves to see the world instead. The raven haired beauty decides to disguise herself as a lad and find employment on a ship bound for Barcelona as a cabin boy. But she never bargains on finding passion and love to a red haired sea captain who rescues her from certain death. 

 

 

WHISPERS OF MURDER

 

For James Macmurra, the world is black and white until he meets a young debutante, who turns his world upside down. He’s unable to deny Tavia’s intoxicating effect on him. In a match tense with obstacles, unwillingness to divulge secrets, and unforeseen peril, irresistible desire and passion grows into undeniable love. James would risk his life to shelter and protect the innocent debutante who seduces him with her sweet love.

 

 

EXCERPT: Tavia's Deception

 

The knock on the door didn’t surprise him. “Come in.”

            “Tommy here.”

            The sight of the cabin boy shook him to the core, and he knew he had to school his features as well as his surprise. It was important that he think this out before he revealed what he knew. 

            “Tommy. Tommy no name. Why is that?” He watched her stop midstride when she entered before she had the look of a cornered animal. “Nice name.” He drummed his fingers on the desk, trying to remember everything Seamus had told him about the new help and the subtle smirk in the man’s eyes. The first mate had meant to see how he handled this and was most likely laughing right now. Seamus was probably at the door listening.

            “Yes,” she folded her hands in front of her.

            “Heard you climbed the masts and handled the rigging quite well. Heard you were as nimble as a monkey.” His glance riveted on her hands, which were bleeding. He clenched his fists, his anger simmering. He knew he had to discipline his emotions, but in this case it was damn hard.

            “Yes, sir,” she looked down. It didn’t seem she wanted to meet his gaze.

            “Your feet must be really interesting. You can’t take your gaze off them. Look at me when I address you.” He didn’t know what to do. If he let her know that he knew who she was... Damn, but he didn’t have an empty cabin, and the only place he could keep her was in his cabin, with him.

            She wouldn’t be protected sleeping with the crew nor would she remain safe sleeping with him for the duration of their trip. The crew would figure out he was a she before she could blink, and they would want certain favors he wouldn’t allow with any cabin boy, let alone Tavia.

            He was caught in the middle of an untenable position. The vows he’d made with The Duchess had just been undone but not by him. He would not return her to London pregnant with his child. He wouldn’t. Or they would be married but not until they reached a port. Unless they made an unscheduled stop, that was months away.

            “Yes sir,” she said, looking up and biting her lip.

Her britches as well as her shirt were loose fitting, but he didn’t doubt for a moment if she bent over the perfect roundness of her derrière would give her away.

            “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked for lack of a better question and trying for time to figure out his next move.

            “Yes, sir.”

            “Do you know what your duties are?”

            “Yes, sir.”

            “What are they?” he asked, wondering what exactly she would come up with.

            “I’m supposed to wait on you and the other officers, and I’m supposed to take messages to various people and become familiar with the sails, lines and ropes and the use of all of these in all types of weather.” It seemed she’d memorized her words.

            “Good, very good, rest assured your only duty is to wait on me. You’ll attend to all my needs and you won’t leave the cabin unless I’m with you. Whatever happens I don’t want you climbing the masts. Seamus,” he yelled.

            “Captain?”

            “Hammock. In here. Now.”

            “Yes, sir,” the man said with a chuckle that told James his first mate knew the cabin boy was a girl, but what he didn’t know was that she was Tavia Hepburn, the debutant he’d been seeing, the one he intended to court.

James stared at her, hoping she’d apologize or tell him how sorry she was.       “Nothing to say?”

            She moistened her lips and his gut turned upside down. “What will your crew say?”

            “They won’t say anything. I’m the captain and they obey my orders as will you.” What possible motive could she have for keeping up this ruse? She had to realize he saw through her disguise.

            “Yes, sir.”

It didn’t matter whether or not she came forward, she was going back the minute they reached a port and he found a reputable captain. Then, perhaps she didn’t know he recognized her. If that were the case, she’d never say anything.

            “I don’t want to be seen as someone who shirks their duties, Sir,” she said, finally meeting his gaze. “I like climbing the masts. It’s fun. Been doing it practically my entire life, well trees, that is.”

            Tempted to relax a bit and let her get a taste of the work she’d face if he allowed it, he struggled with his next words. “You cannot go up the masts. That is not a cabin boy’s duties on my vessels,” he lied.

            “I misunderstood then? I apologize.”

            “You did.”

            “Captain? It’s Seamus. Got the hammock.” The first mate pushed the door open. “Where do you want it?”

            James pointed to the side of the cabin just over the bed. If she fell out, at least she wouldn’t land on the hard floor. But in my arms.

 

 

 

 

http://christineyoungromancewriter.com

 

http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com

 

https://twitter.com/achristay

 

https://www.facebook.com/Christine-Young-350132315013316/

 

https://www.pinterest.com/chrisy/

 

https://www.instagram.com/achristay/