Christmas Delights
by Heather Hiestand
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Heather will be awarding a $25 AMAZON or BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour
CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS Blurb:
The sweetest gift is the hardest to unwrap. . .
Lady Victoria Allen-Hill never dreamed she’d be a widow at twenty-one--let alone a virgin. Her father insists that she attend a matchmaking house party in the snow-covered seaside town of Pevensey in hopes she’ll find a suitable husband. But for Victoria, it’s an opportunity to indulge in a passionate affair--and the handsome inventor she meets at the Christmas Eve masquerade ball may be just the man for the job. . .
Lewis Noble is the cousin of London’s famed Redcake sisters, so it almost stands to reason that he’s just as irresistible as one of their sugar-iced pastries. Lewis catches the eye of every woman at the party—but Victoria is the only one who catches his. He won’t be tied down in her father’s business, but watching other men court her amid a flurry of engagements ignites a jealousy he’s never felt before. A dose of honesty may be just the thing to mend their broken hearts—for many holidays to come. . .
"Before I realized it, the unusually strong and well-developed characters of The Kidnapped Bride had sneaked up on me and captured my full attention. This is one of the best shorter books I have ever read." --Delle Jacobs, author of Lady Wicked
"A delightful, sexy glimpse into Victorian life and loving with two wonderfully non-traditional lovers." --Jessa Slade, author of Dark Prince's Desire on His Wicked Smile
CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS Excerpt:
Victoria followed in a daze as Lewis made the introductions.
“There,” Lewis said with obvious satisfaction. “No need for you to interact with any other gentlemen.”
“It might be said that you introduced me to the most eligible bachelor in the room,” she said.
“Oh, Nicholas?” Lewis said with careless satisfaction. “He has yet to discover the pleasures of the fairer sex. His brain is too full of maritime vessels.”
“Then you were not displeased by my boldness?” Her voice caught on the last word. She still felt a little shy around this intensely masculine creature, though she was increasingly sure that she would, in the end, become his bedmate. Her body positively quivered with sensual awareness.
They were interrupted by a hand on Lewis’s shoulder. “Noble. I hope you aren’t trying to hide a pretty lady from the rest of us.”
“Trying,” Lewis said to Ernest Dickondell, who had a cheery grin on an unshaven face.
“I have thwarted you. Introduce us. We’re at a private ball. The rules can be relaxed.”
“They have to be relaxed very far to introduce such a reprobate.” Lewis sighed dramatically. “But if I must. Lady Allen-Hill, may I present Ernest Dickondell, feared pirate of the seven seas?”
Victoria stared doubtfully at the child’s cutlass tucked into a sash around the man’s broad waist. He wore clothing not so different from Lewis’s, but in purest black. A tricorn hat of ancient lineage was pushed back on his head. “No eye patch?”
“Couldn’t find one,” Ernest admitted. “Rather spoils the effect, I admit. May I have a dance?”
“Card’s full.” Lewis’s grin bared his teeth. “Sorry, Captain.”
“What are you then, Lewis? Seaman Noble?”
“Major General Lewis Noble of Her Majesty’s Marine Forces,” Lewis said, deadpan. “I shall pursue you to the ends of the earth, you scurvy dog. And win the girl besides.”
CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS buy links:
BUY LINKS:
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| Heather Hiestand, Author |
Heather Hiestand was born in Illinois, but her family migrated west before she started school. Since then she has claimed Washington State as home, except for a few years in California. She wrote her first story at age seven and went on to major in creative writing at the University of Washington. Her first published fiction was a mystery short story, but since then it has been all about the many flavors of romance. Heather’s first published romance short story was set in the Victorian period, and she continues to return, fascinated by the rapid changes of the nineteenth century. The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. With her husband and son, she makes her home in a small town and supposedly works out of her tiny office, though she mostly writes in her easy chair in the living room.
For more information, visit Heather’s website at www.heatherhiestand.com. Heather loves to hear from readers! Her email is heather@heatherhiestand.com.
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7 comments:
Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for having me visit today!
Great excerpt, thank you.
What I liked best about this post today is that I was introduced for the first time to Heather's stories! I've not ever read steampunk...but it sounds like there's adventure, romance, and historical background...so, I'm all in for trying Heather's stories! Thanks for the post. jdh2690@gmail.com
Thanks it sounds like a fun read and I like that you mentioned it was short as those are great books for sick days or when you are on a trip
A great excerpt.
Heather is an awesome author!
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