'Will Shakespeare and the Ships of Solomon' by Christopher Grey Trailer Blitz!

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Title: Will Shakespeare and the Ships of Solomon
Author : Christopher Grey
Genre: Action/Adventure
Audience: Adult
Formats: Paperback and E-book
Publisher: Pacific Coast Creative Publishing, Imprint: Basilicus Press
Cover By: Pacific Coast Creative Publishing
Editor: Julia DeGraff
Pages: 260
ISBN-13: 978-0-9839641-9-3
Date Published: March 3, 2014









 

In the fall of 1947, Will Shakespeare saw the world collapse around him. Shakespeare, a secret soldier for the Knights Templar, barely escapes the slaughter of his entire knighthood at the hands of a rogue militant arm of the Vatican in a small Montreal church.

With orders to escort Templar business associate Dorothy Wilkinson back to her home in Bermuda, Will must locate and rescue the most important secret treasure in human history before it is devoured by a hurricane in the watery caves beneath her father's property.

The spiraling quest sends Will and Dorothy into uncovering dark secrets that make up the origins of the knighthood as they confront the traps and puzzles that masterfully protect the world's most coveted treasure.

Pcoastcreative – Amazon

 

Sir William Shakespeare lit a cigarette to pass the time. Even through the fog he could make out the silhouettes of the surrounding landmarks in Old Montreal. On this particular overcast day, the city was more akin to London than Paris, from which many locals declared their heritage. Will spent a great deal of time in both cities and could personally attest to the ambiance of each. No matter what the charcoal skyline of this city presented or feigned, it was no doubt as cold as London. His wool overcoat did little to help, and the gray fedora on top of his well-combed black hair only stopped the moisture from disrupting the hair treatment.

Blue eyes scanned the skyline. It was the most interesting place to look. Cowering fog oppressed the Canadian cityscape with little regard for daylight. Traffic down St. Catherine’s was all but extinct. Every twenty minutes or so a distant hum of a car would be complemented by fading headlights as they turned from Union or University, submitting to the thick moisture by employing useless headlights. It was infrequent enough that he could spend a great deal of time examining them as they passed, refracting in dismal displays of frigidity. Pontiacs ... Chevys ... gray ... beige ... black... . Nothing to cause concern.

The humidity was high enough to turn the city into a veritable swimming pool; such was not uncommon for this time of year. Only the day prior a storm passed through, throwing down sheets of incessant rain, taking away fallen leaves and other autumn debris into the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. A frigid day coming out of an even more brisk night cost many Montrealers a pleasant morning. In just a short time, snow would mark the landscape and herald a long winter ahead.

Brown bristles of deleafed deciduous trees from the largest green space in the city combed over the gentle slope of Mount Royal, which stretched, devoid of people, into the throngs of McGill University. A forest of meager but still prominent buildings decorated the campus and lowland shores on the east end of the island, humbly marking Montreal’s downtown area. Not quite in the vicinity of Old Montreal, but close enough to see the Gothic fingers of aged colonial skyscrapers and churches, lay one of the more prized structures in the well-populated Ville-Marie borough. The Christ Church Cathedral, promenading an entire city block, catapulted its own religious testament toward the already aged and humbling skyline. Buried next to McGill’s nineteenth-century manicured campus and amid one of the larger commercial districts of the borough, it was a more permanent marker on the skyline.

Beneath the skyline and at the enclave of the cathedral, Will watched for any unusual activity. Pedestrians were just as scarce as cars, if not more so. No one in their right mind would be walking down St. Catherine’s on this morning. Not unless they were a McGill student or hopelessly lost. It wasn’t St. Catherine’s, Will corrected himself. The locals called it Rue Ste-Catherine O. The French pride here took some getting used to, and even after two years he was nowhere near tolerant enough. Living in Montreal did affect his French, however, and on a good day he could very easily get around using the language. He already had a base from his years in Vietnam, but the dialect was very different. His French-Canadian accent was strange enough that most people didn’t even guess he was American, much less a Connecticut native.

The delicate lights inside Christ Church Cathedral danced from behind stained glass. It was likely quite a lot warmer in there, and as much as he’d like to go in, he couldn’t. His job was to make sure no one went inside who wasn’t authorized by the Order. With the complete lack of passersby, the job was far easier than he’d thought it would be.

The regular churchgoers and staff weren’t a problem, as Will had arranged to have the facility completely vacated three days before. The Order had high contacts within the Anglican Church, and it really only took verification of who they were to keep the facility clear. The staff closed the doors to the public, citing plumbing problems, and ensured that the congregation was well aware of the issue. That wouldn’t disrupt normal services, as everyone would be out by evening, allowing the clergy to prepare for the next day’s sermon.

It was three-thirty the last time he checked his watch, and that was recent enough that he didn’t bother to check again. Looking at his watch too many times made the time pass slower. They’d been in there for four hours—a very long time to watch nothing, although Will was accustomed to this sort of work. During the secret war of the mid-1930s, he’d spent countless hours in the dark streets of Havana watching walls rot. The jungles of Vietnam were no different. Even his work on the Allied fronts of the war kept him at watch more than once. The secret was simple: watch the horizon and focus on points only when there was movement.

Very important men were inside the church at the moment discussing things Will had no earthly idea about. The last time the commanders were all in the same room was the dawn of the war. If the threat of Nazi Germany was the one thing that brought these old men together, it horrified Will to know what had gathered them here on this day.

The 1939 meeting was a much different time, even though it was less than ten years prior. He was still a knight, but the work in 1938 put him on the path to promotion, earning him the prestigious title of turcopolier. His work in Havana with Lucky Luciano and other Mafioso leaders secured private interest in Cuba from rising communist influence. Suddenly wrenched from the secret affairs of the Latin world, Will was dropped directly into the middle of Europe while a madman marched across the landscape. Will wasn’t the only one dispatched. In fact, the crew present in Montreal that day was the very same one that had kept each other alive in the European war. If it wasn’t world war these men were meeting about, Will didn’t really want to know what it was.

The grounds were clean. He and Sam Adams had just completed a fourth sweep. There were six other sergeants patrolling the area. No one was getting through. He stayed with Sam, his prodigy, at the front. There were two men on either side of the cathedral, and two patrolling the perimeter. Will had asked for more knights--or even sergeants, but the commanders weren’t able to bring them back to Montreal soon enough. Many were still supporting the security of Berlin’s occupation, and after recent outbursts in Vietnam against the French, a dozen were placed back there.

His curiosity was piqued, but any guesses on his part would only be speculation. Knowing the meeting took place under the direst of necessities, he also knew that the Order was in great danger. Having all members of the entire leadership in one place was rarely practiced, and for good reason. A secret society needed safeguards in place to ensure the knowledge of its members was not lost. Whatever brought them all to Montreal was no concern to Will—he was a soldier. He didn’t need to know the politics behind his organization. He followed orders as he always did.

Keeping trained eyes on the distant Montreal background, he pondered the location. Out of all the world’s cities in which the Order operated, their base of operations was this somewhat small city in Canada. Knowing the full history of the Order meant it was no mystery. In fact, the city of Montreal was created on the Order’s influence as a sort of Utopian society. Fighting the impulse to use the word Utopian, he reminded himself that the city more appropriately represented the concepts described in Francis Bacon’s novel New Atlantis. Montreal was the center of a New Scotland with high liberal ideals. These concepts were still inbred in the society, it seemed. Just three years prior, there had been great national conflict when the mayor protested conscription for the war. Ottawa put the mayor in prison, and the conscription was enforced.

Will was somewhat dismissive about Canada. He didn’t particularly care for the climate and was accustomed to slightly more exciting locations. Used to being in the center of it all, adjusting to the slow-paced northern life wasn’t without its challenges. No longer concerned for his life whenever he stepped outside his house, and working a somewhat regular job with the Order training sergeants, the days of working the field were sorely missed. He’d also been stuck as a trainer for long enough that he hadn’t managed to make it to his home town, Hartford, since the war. A ping of guilt crossed his consciousness as he recalled Hartford. It had been too long.

Will had been promoted to turcopolier during the war, a fantastic honor and one awarded to only three dozen people in the entire world. He was in command of the sergeants of the Pauperes Commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici and had access to some of the most powerful secrets in human history. Part of becoming a knight in the first place, however, was erasing his old identity. He was now immersed in an ancient tradition and as such operated above any nation or society on the planet. He could no longer be a normal citizen. He took a vow of poverty and of chastity. His old life was over, and a new, secret one had begun. One in service of God and of man. The knighthood faked his death in the war and sent reports home to his mother and sister that he’d died honorably in combat in Germany. He would never contact his family again.

Those were distant and painful thoughts to have on this morning, and so he sidetracked himself by checking the position of his crew. Glancing back, he made sure Adams was still in position. Nothing had changed. As turcopolier, however, security was on his shoulders. He couldn’t allow any of the sergeants to lose focus. The commanders had tightened security for a reason. His reevaluation of the crew brought his attention to another oncoming car.

This one was different from the others. Immediately Will knew it wasn’t a civilian. The pace was too slow as it crawled forward deliberately. The driver was making no mistakes, watching for every conceivable detail. Even in fog, civilians tend to move forward with a flare of recklessness. Content to crouch behind their steering wheels and squint into the white nothingness, they think that by squinting they’ll see something before it becomes a problem. A military person, however, will simply travel more slowly, having built the fog into the mission as a component.

The car stopped precisely in front of the cathedral, close enough that Will could spot the signature maple-leaf Canadian flags attached to the hood—far too showy for his tastes. He had been expecting this car. Ottawa was personally escorting a civilian for the leadership to interview. That’s all he knew. Given the security concerns, he was appalled they’d arrived in diplomatic style. Anyone with half a brain would know something important was happening at the cathedral today. Their low profile was effectively blown.

His face darkened as he watched a man step out of the backseat in a pressed navy-blue suit and yellow tie, black overcoat, and fedora. A public servant, not a spook. Why were they being so careless?

The politician opened the back door and helped out another passenger. Will had taken the vows and he was a professional, but he did take an interest in the woman who stepped out. Short brown hair. Youthful face but with years behind her brown eyes. She was sun-kissed yet dressed like a New Yorker. He allowed himself enough leeway to lose focus for only a second. Long enough to nod and offer an obligatory smile as they approached. But long enough to feel the stab of guilt that inevitably follows temptation.

“Miss Wilkinson, for you, my friend,” the politician said.

Glancing back at Sam Adams, Will gave the unspoken order to hold his position while he escorted the guest. Adams, standing at ease, snapped into focus and put out his cigarette, now being the eyes of the operation. Shakespeare was free to greet the newcomers.

“Good afternoon, Miss Wilkinson, we appreciate your prompt arrival. You are free to go inside.”
Will kept his smile, but it was only an act. He was being polite because she was a civilian, and possibly because she was pleasant to look at, but much more important issues were on his mind. I am not a doorman.

The woman smiled and hesitantly went into the cathedral, looking back at the politician as she did so. As soon as she was out of sight, Will’s smile dissolved into severity. He broke through the politician’s milk-toast expression with an unblinking and official stare.

“You took a public vehicle. Why?”

“I thought your guest should arrive in style,” he said with a high tone in his voice, emoting a certain level of offense.

“Before you leave, remove those flags. Tell the driver to dump the car at the university.”

Now the man was openly offended.

“Wait a minute, sir! Do you have any idea who I am? You are talking to ...”

“An elected official, yes I know. You are compromising our security.”

“Just who do you think you are?” his voice was raised now.

“If you have to ask, you are not cleared to know. Leave the car at McGill’s. Find another way back.”

“This is ridiculous. I’m calling the office!”

Will looked back at Adams with another unspoken order. The sergeant immediately stepped forward and opened his coat. The sidearm was quite visible underneath.

This openly threatening gesture stunned the official into silence. Sputtering and glancing between both men with a reddened face, the Canadian did what he was told, removing the flags and crawling inside the vehicle. Will watched him go with no expression. He only hoped it would be enough. They could already be compromised.

He turned to Adams. “Walk the perimeter again. Make absolutely sure it’s clean.”

Adams nodded and went on his way.

Will reflected on this woman and how she’d arrived. There was no good reason a woman like that would be meeting with the grand master and the commanders. Slamming his mind back into focus, he finished his cigarette and took a good look around the premises. Moving down the steps of the church, he checked around the corner to see if any headlights were approaching.

It was a good thing he did because in the next moment he was forced to pull his gun.

 




Christopher Grey is an author of fiction focusing on conspiracy theories, secret societies and the occult. His special brand of storytelling dives into conspiracies and the occult from the point of view of the secret societies, attempting to dispel popular mistruths and paranoia prevalent in the mainstream.

Grey's fascination with the secret world began when he was sixteen after a chance meeting with a conspiracy theorist in a coffee shop sometime in the 1990s. The conversation with this man led Grey on a lifelong scholarly endeavor to learn about secret societies and the occult from a skeptical and secular point of view.

Over the past 15 years, he has been involved in various fraternal societies and has sought to explore the undercurrents of human civilization–to uncover the hidden histories and the forces and patterns that have designed what society has become and to demystify the hidden forces in our society that, for so long, have been vilified and misunderstood.

http://greyauthor.com

Cover Reveal! 'Summoned' by Rainy Kaye

Book Info-

Title:  Summoned

Author: Rainy Kaye

Genre: Paranormal

Audience:  18+

Formats: Kindle

Publisher: Immortal Ink Publishing

Cover By: Kris Wagner

Model: Adam Jakubowski Photographer: Marcin Rychły

Editor: Natasha Larry, Rebecca Hamilton, Arlene Nicholson

Expected Date of Publishing: Feb 24th, 2014

 

Blurb -

Twenty-three year old Dimitri has to do what he is told—literally. Controlled by a paranormal bond, he is forced to use his wits to fulfill unlimited deadly wishes made by multimillionaire Karl Walker.

Dimitri has no idea how his family line became trapped in the genie bond. He just knows resisting has never ended well. When he meets Syd—assertive, sexy, intelligent Syd—he becomes determined to make her his own. Except Karl has ensured Dimitri can't tell anyone about the bond, and Syd isn't the type to tolerate secrets.

Then Karl starts sending him away on back-to-back wishes. Unable to balance love and lies, Dimitri sets out to uncover Karl's ultimate plan and put it to an end. But doing so forces him to confront the one wish he never saw coming—the wish that will destroy him.

Book Links -

Goodreads /Summoned Series

 

About the Author:

Rainy Kaye is an aspiring overlord. In the mean time, she blogs at http://www.rainyofthedark.com and writes paranormal novels from her lair somewhere in Phoenix, Arizona.

When not plotting world domination, she enjoys getting lost around the globe, studying music so she can sing along with symphonic metal bands, and becoming distracted by Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/rainyofthedark).

She is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

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Meet the characters in Arabella Sheraton's regency romance novels

Presented by:

The Dangerous Duke

Author: Arabella Sheraton
Cover Artist: Kelly Shorten
Editor: Celina Summers
Ebook Designer: Coreen Montagna
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Audience: romance lovers
Formats: e-books (pdf for hosts)
Publisher: MUSA Publishing
Pages: 229
Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-037-1
ASIN: B005S68D6Y
Date Published: 10/10/2011

Blurb-

When the beautiful but impoverished Fenella Hawke takes up the position of Companion to the elderly Dowager Duchess of Wyndlesham, she is unprepared for the hostile attitude of the current Duke. The handsome and arrogant Devlin Deverell suspects Fenella has secrets to hide. From the moment they meet, Devlin and Fenella experience an overpowering and frightening attraction. They try to fight their growing arousal, but find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. However, when Lady Penelope Vane, Devlin’s extremely jealous mistress, discovers that Devlin’s attentions are wandering, she sets in motion a ruthless plot to discredit Fenella, with the help of her ally, the rakish Sir Marcus Solesby. Can Fenella keep her secret from the dangerous Duke? Or will Lady Vane’s diabolical plan succeed?

Book Links-

Amazon / Goodreads

Excerpt-

“Then what is the point?” Fenella was exasperated. “It is none of your business who I speak to and with whom I associate.”

“Oh, yes it is!” Devlin snapped. “I am your employer.”

“No, you are not.” Fenella’s gaze was unflinching. “Her Grace is my employer and you have no right to criticize what I do when I am not on duty. You are not the judge of my conduct.”

“Hear me, Madam,” said Devlin, a dangerous note creeping into his voice. He tightened his lips. “I am the only judge of the conduct of those who reside under my roof. Sir Marcus Solesby is a known seducer of young women.”

Memories flooded into Fenella’s mind of how Devlin’s presence played daily havoc with her. The feeling of his lips against hers plagued her constantly. Worst of all was reliving the night when he had slid his hand under her nightdress and fondled her body—without considering the consequences. Yes, she had failed to stop him until liberties were taken and his unbridled lust and her blossoming sensuality exposed. She had stopped them both in the end.

Not him. He should never have begun this dangerous game and now he had the effrontery to monitor her every move and decide with whom she should associate?

“Oh, really? And what do you call yourself then?” Fenella’s whole body shook with suppressed fury.

Her barb hit home. Devlin went white with shock and rage—shock at hearing his conduct described as that of a roué and anger that this chit of a girl whom he could not control was daring to defy him in his own home.

“I forbid you to speak to that man!”

“Forbid? Fiddlesticks!” Fenella tossed her head.

“You are the most stubborn, insubordinate and aggravating female it has been my misfortune to meet.”

“And you are the most ill-mannered, domineering, selfish brute it has been my misfortune to meet.” Fenella stamped her foot, her cheeks red with rage. A strength she did not know she possessed rose from within; strength and a fierce sense of independence. She would not be bullied by this man, not after all that had happened between them. She saw in Devlin’s expression his struggle with some kind of gigantic force, the towering emotions that consumed him.

Is it rage? she wondered, almost faltering in her decision to stand firm. Have I gone too far?

Perhaps her upbringing had failed her in the end: one certainly did not defy a member of the nobility. As Devlin opened his mouth; Fenella decided that discretion was possibly the better part of valor. She turned on her heel and flung open the library door to find an astonished Freddie standing in front of her, his hand raised.

“I was about to knock,” he stammered.

“Don’t bother." Fenella ground the word through gritted teeth. “We’re quite finished here.”

Character Bio:

Devlin Deverell is the 16th Duke of Wyndlesham. Born into the upper-crust with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, he can’t help being as arrogant as he is. He sees all he has as his natural birthright. He is tall, with a great physique, good looks, and he is a Corinthian. He can do all the manly things like riding, hunting, fencing, curricle racing, boxing, the works. He does not know what it is to lose or fail at anything. Women fling themselves at him all the time and although he avoids emotional involvement, he keeps a mistress. He has a very jaundiced view of women, thinking that their only aim in life to nab some poor sucker and marry him for his money and his title. He doesn’t actually believe in love, and even less in love at first sight. So, when Fenella Hawke arrives, he is horrified to find he is deeply attracted to her physically. He deals with any kind of emotion by instantly suppressing it. So, no wonder he is a powder keg inside, just waiting for the flame to set him off. Cold, proud, haughty, he seems to display only the worst characteristics of the upper class. And yet he is warm and caring to those he loves and trusts (not many). But there is hope for him yet as his love for Fenella grows and he learns humility, tenderness, and forgiveness.

Character Bio: 

Fenella Hawke is young, beautiful, and totally naïve about love. She knows about love from books and poetry, but has never experienced the real thing. Her father’s suicide has affected the way she thinks people view her and she decides no one can ever know about it. Living a lie under an assumed name, she works for Devlin’s aged mother. Her emotions go haywire when Devlin is around, but his cold attitude only engenders an equally cold response from her. She thinks his attraction to her is just lust and that he does not respect her. She is headstrong and proud, but truly ethical. Deceit does not come easily to her and there’s a war inside her between giving in to her feelings, and keeping Devlin at arms’ length.

Married At Midnight

Author: Arabella Sheraton
Cover Artist: Kelly Shorten
Editor: Tamara Frigoletto
Ebook Designer: Coreen Montagna
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Audience: romance lovers
Formats: e-books (pdf for hosts)
Publisher: MUSA Publishing
Pages: 206
Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-077-7
ASIN: B007L3U4HI
Date Published: 16/03/2012

Blurb-

When the Earl of Pennington discovers the inheritance from his great-uncle depends on him marrying at midnight on the eve of his thirtieth birthday, he is irate. Marriage is not part of his plan to save his impoverished estates. He crosses paths unexpectedly with the beautiful Roxanne Chesney, who is fleeing from her abusive husband. He offers her a contract: marriage for six months to help him fulfill the conditions of his great-uncle’s will, enabling him secure his inheritance. In return he will pay her a small fortune. Can Roxanne resist this offer? What about the revolting Edgar Doyle who forced her into a loveless marriage that has not been consummated? Roxanne has escaped Edgar’s clutches, but she wonders how long she will manage to evade him. The Earl’s contract has no strings attached. The offer is irresistible except for the fact that Roxanne is already married!

Book Links-

Amazon / Goodreads

Excerpt-

Edgar sat next to her, his face at a slight angle so that anyone observing them could not see his expression.

"What do you want?" she murmured though stiff lips.

Edgar snorted. “Want? I want what’s due to me, that’s what I want."

Roxanne avoided looking directly at him. She knew his hypnotic stare would wear her down again. She watched the happy throng of guests twirling around the room, laughing and enjoying themselves. A terrible sense of suffocation began to overwhelm her. Fighting to retain her self-control, Roxanne unfurled her fan and waved it in front of her face. The regular movement helped calm her and provided a flimsy shield against Edgar’s dreadful gaze.

"I have no money, if that’s what you’re looking for," she said with calm hauteur.

Another derisive snort. "D’ye expect me to believe that? What with you engaged to the wealthy young Earl of Pennington?"

"He is not wealthy."

Edgar sniggered as he leered at her in triumph. He lifted her hand and pressed his mouth on the inside of her wrist. Roxanne squirmed at the feel of those loose wet lips against her skin. She snatched her hand from his grasp.

"Not yet, me darlin’, not yet. I hear he’ll be inheriting soon, once he’s married. Something about an old uncle or aunt?"

"His great-uncle Oswald," Roxanne said, without thinking.

Edgar’s reaction made her wish she’d bitten her tongue instead.

"So you do know there’s money coming then?"

Roxanne tossed her head, affecting nonchalance. "The whole of London knows he had a wealthy old relative. His great-uncle wanted to see him married."

Edgar leaned closer. The smell of stale sweat mixed with cheap cologne wafted towards her. She wrinkled her nose. Julian always smelled so clean, so masculine.

He sat back, an angry look in his eyes.

"Don’t put on airs and graces with me. You were grateful enough to have me, weren’t you? When you thought you’d be all alone in the world. Pity you didn’t stay long enough to let me show you what you’ve been missing."

Roxanne felt as if she could explode with rage as she turned to face him. "Let me explain something to you, Mr. Doyle."

Her voice was low and hard, without a shred of fear. Her eyes blazed an intense green. Anger had burned away all her previous terrors. Edgar recoiled in his seat just a fraction. It was enough to tell Roxanne that he was taken aback by her sudden courage.

"I despise you in every possible way. I knew from the start you were not my father’s cousin. You are a fraud. You intimidated my father into thinking marriage with you would protect me in society. Then you forced me into marrying you and tried to rape me. But I won’t have it, Edgar Doyle, I won’t stand for it."

Edgar narrowed his eyes. His lips pinched in anger.

"Now you look here, my girl," he blustered.

"No, you look here," Roxanne retorted. "How dare you think you can bully me in the Duke of Silverton’s house? Who do you think you are?"

She waved a hand at the crowd of guests. "This is the cream of London society. You are nothing but a fraud, a poseur and a charlatan."

Edgar curled his lip as he grasped her wrist, squeezing hard.

"Don’t forget something, me darlin’. You and me—we’re married. So if you get hitched to your high and mighty Earl of Pennington, won’t he get a nasty shock when it comes out his new bride is already wed."

Character Bio: 

Julian Trevallon is the 12th Earl of Pennington. He is handsome, brave (served at Waterloo), well built, and a very nice person. Far from being born into extreme wealth, by the time Julian inherited his title and his estates, his father had squandered the family’s fortune on his eldest son’s debts. So, Julian has learned about life from the School of Hard Knocks and there is no ‘arrogance born of the upper crust’ in his nature and attitude. He is consumed with doing the right thing – restoring the family fortunes – even if it means doing the wrong thing – entering into a marriage of convenience with a woman he doesn’t even know just to receive his great-uncle Oswald’s estate. He is hard-working, and digs in with his tenant farmers to get the land producing well. He shuts himself off from emotional involvement and does not want children, having seen how his older brother broke their father’s heart before killing himself, and Julian’s beloved horse, by jumping a fence too high. Julian doesn’t expect to fall in love with his wife of convenience. He is a man of high principles and integrity, and has the charming knack of being able to relate to anyone, no matter their station in life. He is truly a gentleman.

 
Character Bio: 

Roxanne Chesney is a young woman of gentle birth but due to her father’s inability to handle money, she has grown up knowing how to budget and make very short ends meet. She had wonderful qualities, and loves her father very much. He wants to see her safely married before he dies and so she accepts an offer from a conman posing as a distant cousin of her father. The shock of reality bites hard when she discovers the man’s true nature: a rapist and an abuser, and a serial bigamist. A lesser woman would have just crumbled under the onslaught, but not Roxanne. She has a core of steel, and her one ambition is to get to Bath to find her only living relative, her father’s sister. Her courage enables her to fight off her husband’s advances, escape, although wounded, but she gets away. Julian’s offer, which includes a substantial financial remuneration, is tempting, and against her better judgement she agrees, even though she would be breaking the law. But her integrity prevents her from continuing the charade when her dreadful husband reappears and threatens Julian and his sister. She has incredible strength, courage, and self-sacrifice.

The Wayward Miss Wainwright

Author: Arabella Sheraton
Cover Artist: Kelly Shorten
Editor: Elaine Golden
Ebook Designer: Coreen Montagna
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Audience: romance lovers
Formats: e-books (pdf for hosts)
Publisher: MUSA Publishing
Pages: 203
Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-361-7
ASIN: B009R939AS
Date Published: 15/10/2012

Blurb-

Miss Helena Wainwright is determined to see her nieces and nephew well settled with their new guardian, the Duke of Rotherham. After six months of transition, the children are beginning to bond with their uncle, but Helena and the Duke aren’t able to get much past the barest of civilities. Now that the duke is poised to offer for the shy Miss Fanshawe, Helena is horrified to discover an awful secret about the young lady and her scheming mother. What is she going to do--keep the secret or reveal all in her own bid for the duke’s heart?

Ready to settle down and provide a stable environment for his wards, Vernon Wroxby, the Duke of Rotherham, has decided the amenable Miss Fanshawe will do, even if he dislikes her outspoken, uncouth mama. If he could just quit wondering what Miss Wainwright is doing (and with whom) he’d be able to appreciate the match a bit more. But as his wards begin to rebel against the idea of this marriage, and he starts to realize that his affections really reside with Miss Wainwright, will one determined marriage-mart mama ruin any chance he might have for true happiness?

Book Links:

Amazon / Goodreads

Excerpt-

As she made her way back to her room, there was a shadowy figure standing in the passage. Her candle cast a faint glow in the gloom, so she could not see clearly until she came closer where a man leaned against the wall. She hurried up to him. It could only be…

“Your—I mean, Cousin Vernon,” she whispered. “Is anything the matter?”

He looked dazed, as if he had just woken up, and he wore his brocade dressing gown and slippers. He pressed a hand to his forehead.

“Have you been sleepwalking?” she whispered.

He smiled a lazy, drowsy smile she had never seen before. “Oh, Helena, my love, it seems as if I have been sleepwalking.”

His words startled her. Had he said “my love?”

She took him by the elbow and tried to steer him in the direction of his room. What would people think if they knew he wandered around the place half-naked? Some might say that, as the owner of the title and the property, the Duke of Rotherham could walk around Rotherham Park, any time of day, dressed or undressed.

“Helena, I have been blind,” he said in a loud voice.

“Shhh. Yes, I’m sure you have,” she whispered, trying to speed up their pace.

“No, I mean it. I never saw you before, and once I had, I tried to forget you. But it’s impossible. You changed my life. I want you and I need you so very much, my darling.”

Helena was even more confused. Rotherham must be rambling. Possibly, he had consumed too much wine and his jumbled thoughts of Emily were rising to the surface of a brain fuddled with alcohol.

“What time is it?” he asked.

“Oh, it’s late, very late,” she whispered. “Tine for you to get back to bed.”

He stopped. “Is it too late?”

Helena placed the candlestick down on a small decorative table. “Too late for what?”

He smiled in a way that made her giddy, and he clasped her face in both hands. His robe fell open. Helena glanced down, and then quickly away, face flaming. He was naked under the robe. Where he had been?

“Is it too late for us?” He leaned closer, until their lips almost touched.

“I…I don’t know what you mean,” she said, trying to ease out of his grasp.

“I know what I mean,” he said firmly. “This is what I mean.”

Character Bio: 

Vernon Sylvester Gillespie Wroxby, Duke of Rotherham and Marquis of Selby, is a very proud man. In fact, pride is his most telling fault because he can’t see that he is doing anything wrong, and he would rather die than admit it. He is of a noble family and although he seems cold and austere on the outside, the family name and continuing the heritage is his obsession. Responsibility to his family comes first in his life. He did love once, but she fell in love with and married his younger brother. Love for his brother came first and he stepped back, hiding the pain under a shield of ice. When Helena Wainwright comes along, she awakens all sorts of feelings within him, feelings he can’t control. Ultimately, she is the making of him and he does show his tender qualities, as well as humility, something very new to him.

Character Bio: 

Helena Wainwright is the Duke’s sister-in-law. She is unaware of the pain in his life that he keeps well-hidden and only sees the arrogant, condescending exterior at first. She is independent and rightly so: her parents left her comfortably off, so she doesn’t have to look out for a man for protection. She has her own life, friends, and admirers, so she is confident. She is only staying with the Duke to help him with his nieces and nephew after the death of their parents. (The Duke’s brother and Helena’s sister). Slowly she realises her immense attraction towards him, and he towards her, but the Duke’s pride gets in the way. Helena will not beg any man to love her and she does what she thinks is right. Helena has a good heart, and a lot of love to give, but only under the right circumstances.

Miss Dashwood’s Dilemma

Author: Arabella Sheraton
Cover Artist: Kelly Shorten
Editor: Wendy Clements
Ebook Designer: Cera Smith
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance
Audience: romance lovers
Formats: e-books (pdf for hosts)
Publisher: MUSA Publishing
Pages: 138
Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-585-7
ASIN: B00HGELU66
Date Published: 20/12/2013

Blurb-

When Miss Diana Dashwood accepts an invitation to Lady Prescott’s Christmas party, things do not go quite as she imagines. Through an unexpected event, she is forced to spend the night in a woodsman’s hut with one of the guests. What a scandal! Of course, Sir Gareth Blakely must propose, and he does. Unfortunately, Miss Diana Dashwood has already been engaged to and broken off her engagement from Sir Gareth Blakely after a bitter quarrel. Is it likely she will bow to social pressure and accept his proposal, one made only to save her reputation, and if they marry, does their union stand a chance of survival? And what about the pretty heiress, Miss Jemima Plymstock, whom everyone thinks is the lady Sir Gareth had his eye upon? Headstrong and proud, Miss Diana Dashwood is caught in a dreadful dilemma.

Book Links-

Amazon / Goodreads

Excerpt-

“Oh!” Rage surged in her breast as she sat up in the chaise lounge. It was impossible to express indignation while lying supine. The effrontery, the gall of the man. She raised her voice. “So now I am stupid because I deliberately strained my ankle?”

His voice became louder as well. “I did not say that—”

“But you meant it,” Diana said through clenched teeth.

“How dare you just announce that we are engaged because of some antiquated idea of saving my virtue? I don’t need you to protect my reputation.”

His jaw dropped. “Oh, really? I suppose you are thinking along the same lines as when you abandoned me just a day before our wedding. You did not do your reputation any good then.”

“It was two days,” she retorted. “Does it matter how many days it was?”

This time his voice was quiet. “It amounts to the same thing.”

Humiliation stung her. “So now you are calling me a jilt?”

The chair scraped on the floor as he stood. “I had no need to do so. The whole of London did it for me.” Then he strode to the door.

Diana’s breath caught in her throat. Shame burned her from head to toe. “You are the most...horrible, cruel, callous, nasty, ill-mannered man I have ever had the misfortune to meet.” She pulled off the ring and clenched her fist, ready to throw it in his face. “I will not be engaged to you. I will not marry you.”

In two strides, he was by her side, and gripping her hand. His fingers tightened painfully on hers. He knelt and stared right at her with a grim, unforgiving expression. “You will remain engaged to me, Miss Dashwood, and for as long as I choose. Do not trifle with public opinion, my dear, or you will be sadly the loser. I tried to protect you and you have flung my best efforts in my face. Have you thought about my reputation? Or that of my aunt and uncle, and your mother, who would also be embarrassed by your petulant behaviour? Have you given any thought to anyone else but yourself in this fiasco?”

She drew in a trembling breath. “No,” she said in a low voice. She dropped her gaze, fuming that he was treating her like a naughty child.

“I will not force you to marry me. I am not such an ogre and I do not want to punish you for what you did. But cooperating with me in this regard will be to your benefit.” He put one hand under her chin and tilted her face upward. “Will you cooperate?” His face was so close to hers. His eyes were like the sky after rain, his mouth so firm...he bent his head closer. Diana thought she might faint. The most ridiculous feeling of dizziness overcame her.

Character Bio: 

Although Sir Gareth Blakely is deeply in love with Miss Diana Dashwood, he won’t be pushed around by her (as is her tendency). He is rich, elegant, as accomplished on the hunting field as in the ballroom, and he has a very giving and generous nature. He pays Diana’s father’s debts, and even though he could tell her, he does not – despite her breaking off their engagement on a so-called whim. He is a really gallant man, and goes out of his way to help damsels in distress, like Miss Jemima Plymstock. He is aware of all society’s rules, but will break them if he has to in order to do what is right. He has a deep sense of honour, but can sometimes be rigid.

Character Bio: 

Miss Diana Dashwood could be called a spoiled brat if she wasn’t so beautiful. She is used to getting her own way in most things. Their family’s fortunes have declined but Diana has the right sense of integrity to not blame anyone and she makes the best of it. She is intensely, fiercely proud, and breaks off her engagement to Sir Gareth when she thinks he said something slighting about her. Her pride forbids her to unbend and allow him to make amends. Her headstrong nature can get her into trouble and she has the kind of independence that also gets her into scrapes. However, she has an innately kind and generous nature and will do anything to help someone in need.

Giveaway-

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 About The Author -

Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.

Author links-

Facebook / Website / Twitter

Regency Romance Author Arabella Sheraton's Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day

Presented by:

Valentine’s Day is a special day for declaring and sharing love with that special person. For some people there’s nothing more romantic than snuggling together with romantic music or a movie that inspires; for others, it might be hot air ballooning over the sand dunes, or something really extreme. There’s something special in the way all couples celebrate their love.

My Top Ten:

1. A surprise date night (he remembered!) at a favourite restaurant with the complete candle-lit ambiance, music to swoon by, and the most memorable meal. We travel there by limousine!

2. A surprise date night with dinner cooked by my partner, with candles all through the house, red rose petals strewn everywhere and romantic music playing.

3. A weekend getaway at a safari or country lodge, out in the bush, listening to the night sounds of wildlife and being away from the city … just us!

4. My partner skywrites his message of love across the sky, telling everyone how he feels.

5. Bouquets of red roses arrive at my office, making all my colleagues green with envy.

6. My partner creates a spa at home with scented oils, soft music playing, champagne to get us relaxed and in the mood…

7. Waking up to a champagne breakfast, cooked and served by my loving partner, complete with a fabulous gift of something very special (perfume, lingerie, jewelry) and red roses.

8. A sunrise hot air balloon ride over a magnificent part of the countryside, with champagne and strawberries served on board.

9. A country picnic in a nature reserve with loads of delicious treats that one normally would not buy – and, of course, champagne.

10. Just him remembering to get a card would be nice…

Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball

(prequel novella)

Author: Arabella Sheraton

Cover Artist: Dawn Marsh

Editor: Elaine Golden

Ebook Designer: Cera Smith

Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance

Audience: romance lovers

Formats: e-books (pdf for hosts)

Publisher: MUSA Publishing

Pages: 68

Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-548-2

ASIN: B00B96QUAS

Date Published: 01/02/2013

Blurb-

Patience Cherwell is resigned to a life of spinsterhood. When her young friend comes to stay for a London season, Patience decides the eligible Lord Blackwood is the perfect match for her guest and determines to see the pair united. So why is Patience anything but happy when the pair seems to actually like each other? And, when a mysterious Valentine corsage arrives, who will Patience discover is the anonymous admirer?

Book Links-

Amazon / Goodreads

Excerpt-

Patience continued in a fierce whisper. “Rejection? I think not, your lordship. That man should rejoice in the knowledge that he is loved, truly loved with a burning passion that the lady might be too shy to reveal.”

He caught her by one hand. “Too shy to reveal? Oh, Miss Cherwell, you have given me such hope. Do you think she fears this passion might not be reciprocated? Does she fear rejection?”

“Oh, yes,” she breathed. “Just think what it means if a woman displays emotion to a man, sentiments that others might consider unseemly. They would judge her harshly.”

“But she must not care what others think,” he said in a voice that sounded strangely hoarse, as if he struggled with some repressed emotion. “If only she knew that he reciprocates her ardour with a consuming love that he would give anything to reveal. He burns inside for her touch, her approval, her consent, and for the slightest indication that he may proceed without fear.”

Patience gazed deep into his eyes. “He may proceed, my lord, without the slightest fear and secure in the knowledge that he is loved beyond all bounds of propriety, that the lady would give anything to find herself at one with him, joined to him irrevocably in life and love!”

“And what about an age difference?” he whispered. “What if the man is more than a few years older than the woman he loves? Will their love endure?”

Something squeezed her heart as his words meant the final confirmation of his adoration for young, beautiful, vivacious Lorna. Twenty years was a big gap between Lorna and Lord Blackwood. However, an age difference was not so important, not when two people loved each other. She owed it to her friend to encourage him. She had to press on, no matter if the task broke her heart.

“What is age,” she whispered back to him, “when two minds think as one, two hearts beat as one, and two bodies are joined as one. The union of mind, body, and spirit transcends age.”

Patience breathed hard as she spoke, and he continued to stare at her. He did not speak, and his face, already so dear to her, was as familiar to her as her own. Every detail of his features burned into her consciousness. She was floating, uplifted by a thrilling throbbing of blood in her veins, by an intense feeling that overwhelmed her. She leaned towards him in an alarmingly intimate fashion. A mere hair’s-breadth separated their faces. The tiniest movement from either of them would bring their lips together. She sat back and he released her hand.

“Pardon me,” he said. “I was captivated by the fervour, the strength contained in your reply.”

Patience, flustered, looked around for the charcoal she had dropped. “Oh, my apologies, your lordship. I am not sure what came over me to speak so freely about…er…matters of love. I am sure you consider me forward or impudent.”

The Lady’s Revenge

(sequel)

Author: Arabella Sheraton

Cover Artist: Dawn Marsh

Editor: Wendy Clements

Ebook Designer: Cera Smith

Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance

Audience: romance lovers

Formats: e-books (pdf for hosts)

Publisher: MUSA Publishing

Pages: 187

Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-638-0

ASIN: B00FRVCBKE

Date Published: 11/10/2013

Blurb:

Lord Charles Blackwood and Miss Patience Cherwell have continued on their path of newfound romance, following Charles’ disclosure of his love for Patience at the Valentine Ball. Indeed, all indications point to their inevitable engagement and marriage. Until Miss Letitia DeVere returns to London after a mysterious two-year absence, shocked to find her former admirer and almost fiancé, Charles, near proposing to another woman. Letitia is not a woman to give up what she wants easily, and she wants Charles back. Letitia has a dark past, full of secrets that could ruin her newfound social success. When Charles proves to be less malleable to her seduction and wiles to lure him back than she had expected, Letitia realizes she has real competition. Patience is not one to sit back and let Letitia take the man of her dreams away without a fight. Patience sees through the lies and tricks Letitia spins, but refuses to play her rival’s games, hoping her own forthrightness will not only win the day, but the hand and heart of the man she loves. But who will Charles choose?

Book Links-

Amazon / Goodreads

Excerpt-

She ran lightly to the other side, lifted the covers, and slipped into bed, winding her arms and legs around his body. Oh, his hard, muscular body felt so good; the sensation of his skin on hers made her gasp with desire. She’d forgotten how appealing, how irresistible he was. In all their passion, she had never touched his naked flesh. His prudish sense of discretion had made him impervious to the temptation of anything more than long sucking kisses and much fondling, albeit clothed.

Letitia enjoyed only seconds of the pleasure before he leaped out of the bed like a scalded cat, grabbed the poker from the fireplace, and held it out in front of him.

“In God’s name, what is this? Who are you?”

Letitia reached for the candle and lit it. His body was magnificent, like a statue of those Greek athletes she’d seen in galleries. Not an ounce of spare flesh, only rippling muscles… She had waited so long for this and just the sight of him meant it would be worth it. Her body tingled as a thrill of arousal flared.

He stared at her in total horror. She stared back, her smile fading as she realised he was not at all pleased to see her. His conservative ways had clearly come to dominate his thinking while she had been absent.

“Letitia? What on earth are you doing here? Naked? In my bed?”

She sat up, pulling the sheets around her breasts. She pouted in a provocative way. “If I’d known you’d be so displeased to see me I wouldn’t have bothered.”

“Displeased?” He laid down the poker and shrugged on his dressing gown. “I’m stupefied.” He fastened the cord of his gown securely. “You must leave at once.”

She reached out to him. “Don’t be silly, Charles, I’m here for you tonight. We can consummate our love now. We can be together. Let’s forget the nonsense about the portrait. We can make passionate love, and then we can marry. It’s what you always wanted.”

She fluttered her eyelashes as she looked up at him. “It’s what I’ve always wanted…”

His face was grim. His eyebrows drew together in a harsh line.

“I wanted it once, Letitia, but no longer. I have seen a side to you I find hideous, even shocking. I will not marry you, and this cheap ploy will get you nowhere.”

He grabbed the covers and yanked them off the bed. She laughed, and made no effort to cover her body, but he averted his eyes. “I suggest you get dressed right now, and I will take you back home where you belong.”

Giveaway-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author-

Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.

Author links-

Facebook / Website