Bits 'n Bobs Author Blog
Today, on Medieval Monday, I have The Heart of the Phoenix by Barbara Bettis. The story of two young people who meet again after years apart, the book opens in the winter of 1197... Excerpt: Evie could tell Stephen was angry now by the way he glowered and roared in that whispery sort of way no one else could hear, but left her with no doubt of his displeasure. “Your betrothed.” He bent and scooped her off the floor. “What? What about him?” “That’s the identity of the illustrious lord who’s sharing passage with us.” “You’re drunk. And put me down. I’m perfectly capable of getting up on my own.” “Be quiet. You have blood on your leg.” “Of course I do. I tripped and fell trying to answer your pounding when you could easily have opened—” His words finally penetrated her throbbing head. “I’m bleeding?” Oh, blast. The contents of her—empty—stomach churned. She attended the villagers’ hurts, bound the cuts and scrapes of servants and their children. The sight of their blood bothered her not a whit. But her own? Black spots danced at the corners of her vision, becoming larger and larger until she heard Stephen’s voice. “Evie, Evie. What the hell?” His voice echoed so far away. If she didn’t know better, she’d vow he sounded alarmed. Perhaps she’d close her eyes for a moment. As the ringing in her ears crescendoed, she recalled his words. Betrothed. Her betrothed was on board? Dear Lord, just let me die. * * * Blurb: Some call him a ruthless mercenary; she calls him the knight of her heart. Memories Lady Evelynn’s childhood hero is home—bitter, hard, tempting as sin. And haunted by secrets. A now-grown Evie offers friendship, but Sir Stephen's cruel rejection crushes her, and she resolves to forget him. Yet when an unexpected war throws them together, she finds love isn’t so easy to dismiss. If only the king hadn’t betrothed her to another. Can be cruel Sir Stephen lives a double life while he seeks the treacherous outlaws who murdered his friends. Driven by revenge, he thinks his heart is closed to love. His childhood shadow, Lady Evie, unexpectedly challenges that belief. He rebuffs her, but he can’t forget her, although he knows she’s to wed the king’s favorite. And deadly When his drive for vengeance leads to Evie’s kidnapping, Stephen must choose between retribution and the love he’s denied too long. Surely King John will see reason. Convict the murderers; convince the king. Simple. Until a startling revelation threatens everything. 1/8/2015 0 Comments Thursday TeaserMy next book, book 4 in The Highlander's Bride Series, is due out in March of this year. The Highlander's Outlaw Bride is the story of Connor MacLaurey (you can find the first part of his story in The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride) and Brianna Douglas. Thrust into the role of laird at his father's unexpected death, Conn returns home from a trip abroad to find his cousin has usurped his title, and his betrothed--a young woman he barely knows and certainly did not agree to marry--is hunted by the sheriff, accused of stealing cattle. His immediate plan is to petition the king for clemency for the stupid chit, break the betrothal, and get his castle back from his treacherous cousin. Marriage is definitely not in his plans. Brianna Douglas has no use for men. Widowed young, daily berated for failing to give her husband a child, and sent home in subsequent disgrace, she has devoted her life to holding her family's land for her young brother as her father drinks away his sorrow at her mother's death. Raiders have hit her clan hard, and to save them, she is forced into a betrothal with Laird MacLaurey's son for protection. It will take a king's edict and sacrifice from each to remind them what love means. But can they accept their losses and learn from their mistakes before Brianna marries another? 1/5/2015 6 Comments Medieval MondayThe holidays are past and it is time for another round of Medieval Monday, 2015. For the next 12 weeks, stop by the blog for the profile of another Medieval Romance author and book. This week, we begin with our own books on our own blogs, so here is a look at The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride. What happens when the sixteen-year-old daughter of the laird, destined to dutifully marry to benefit the clan, falls in love with the wrong lad? In Medieval times, punishments ranged from forced marriage to the man chosen by the laird, to imprisonment, life in a nunnery, or even death. Gilda does not set out to defy her parents, but when she falls in love with the son of the laird of a neighboring clan that has been at war with hers for years, things are bound to go wrong. Book cover blurb: Returning home after a ten-year absence, Ryan Macraig falls for a fiery, red-haired lass from the wrong end of the firth. He can’t ignore his need to see her again, even knowing she must be a hated Macrory. Gilda Macrory trespasses Macraig land, but haunting memories of the young man she once met there draw her to the forbidden place. Learning he is Laird Macraig’s son threatens her dreams, for her father would never agree to a marriage between his daughter and their enemy’s son. With pirates raiding the coast, bad blood between the Macraig and Macrory clans could cost Ryan and Gilda their love—and their lives Excerpt: “Are ye sure . . .” A quick stride took him back to her side. Gilda jerked the knot at her waist and the skirt fell free, but not before Ryan got a glimpse of slender ankles. She settled an arch look on him and it was all he could do to keep from laughing at the regal air she portrayed. “I am fine. I am also certain I will not meet ye here again?” Though couched as a question, her tone indicated she’d rather see anyone other than him the next time she ventured out to pick berries. Ryan shrugged. “I think the berries are about finished for the year. Mayhap the Macraig cook will send a lad out to pick the rest. We like sweets like jams and pastries at Ard Castle, too, ye know.” “Goodness knows the men at Ard Castle need sweetening,” Gilda shot back, her cheeks pinking as she clearly regretted her quick retort. “A kiss from a pretty lass would help sweeten this Macraig’s disposition.” Ryan marveled at the swirling colors changing Gilda’s eyes from silver to stormy gray. Though a well-trained young warrior, Ryan was not quick enough to dodge the palm of Gilda’s hand as it made stinging contact with his cheek. He rubbed his jaw ruefully. He should have remembered though the lass had fascinating gray eyes, she also possessed fiery red hair and a temper to match. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Gilda had already spun, her back ramrod straight as she marched away, the handle of her basket gripped tight in one hand. The other hand clenched and opened, possibly to relieve the answering sting he felt on his cheek, perhaps echoing a desire to encircle his neck. Ryan grinned. He would have regretted the apology, anyway. * * * Amazon buy link: http://www.amzn.com/B00P89UHME |
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