New Release (Historical Novel)

This is Book 2 in the Royal Series - now out on release.

This particular novel is dedicated to Lord George Scott O.B.E, a descendant of Lucy Walter & James Scott Duke of Monmouth. Needless to say much new evidence of Lucy Walter's fidelity (not infidelity) and her loyalty to Charles II has come to light. In this novel, in part I redeem her honour through the eyes of others. But once the Royal Series (4 books) is complete I shall set out to pen a new account of Lucy Walter's life as Mistress or Wife?

A steamy romance set against the backdrop of Charles Stuart’s attempt to wrest England from Oliver Cromwell’s clutches (1651), and that of the royal court in exile.

Once renowned as the Toast of Clifton, Elizabeth Mountjoy strives to shake off rumours she was ever mistress to Charles II, for she’s madly in love with Captain Thomas Thornton: a Parliamentarian Captain of Horse. Unfortunately, past betrayal haunts Thomas, and when the chance to right a wrong comes his way he once again fights for the King. But to lose his estate lands is a high price to pay for heroism in defeat. Worse, the love of his life suffers the wrath of one of Cromwell’s officers, and Thomas is finally forced to decide who must come first whilst in exile, wife or King? He’s not alone in facing a dilemma, for the King too is forced to put his country first before his heart as court intrigues in exile take precedence.

Amazon .co.uk

Amazon .com

Book 1 is also out on Kindle and, as a Paperback.

A 17th century story of Undying Love and Scandalous Seduction, and all set against the backdrop of the English Civil War in which swashbuckling Cavaliers and Musketeers abound.

To live a privileged existence is one thing, but to dare to assist a much loved and wounded enemy soldier is to tempt fate of a ruinous downfall. Her blooded gown when discovered brings the wrath of Anna Lady Maitcliffe's guardian and betrothed upon her head, the punishment unimagined.

Torn between penniless flight or succumb to the inevitable, fate steps forth to cause pain and heartache Anna never thought to experience. For war has finally come to Axebury Hall Estate. In the wake of tragedy and death she ponders how it is possible when the enemy is in the house to love and hate with such intensity?

Amazon .co.uk

Amazon .com

Featuring Horses in your novels...

It's a known fact some actors hate working with animals. In the main because the animals often upstage the actors and people remember the animal's antics and some times cannot even recall the actor's name. The artist Norman Thelwell encapsulates every little girl's dream of owning their very own pony. Of course in drawings he emphasises all the pitfalls alongside amusing and heartfelt moments of owning said pony. The pony he features most tend to be Shetland's, which are often the first pony a child is gifted. They're tough little critters, cute, individualistic, and basically barrels on legs. Some need a good kick-start, others only have to see a whip in their peripheral vision and they drop into second gear as fast as a sports saloon. Whatever their character they're pure fun! 

Probably the most famous horse in literature was/is Black Beauty!

The novel itself was written from the viewpoint of equines = a master stroke of genius. Beautiful and good-natured Black Beauty had it all but fate had cruel tricks in store.  

Or perhaps you recall Black Bess: Dick Turpin's famous mare. 

It's true to say her great feat from London to York was nowhere near as fast as claimed, but hell, she was a real horse: she was Black Bess.

Then of course there were those bred for war.

Whatever horse one chooses to star alongside characters in a book, they can become vital to a reader, who wishes to know their name and their colour just as they want to know the same of the hero and heroine, and believe it, a horse lover will closely follow what happens to horses throughout a book. They are characters too, and don't ever forget their presence can take the lead in many scenes: sometimes happy occasions, sometimes sad affairs especially if disaster strikes. And, often as not equines can drive a plot forward.   

Love 'em or hate 'em horses were part and parcel of life before the car!

New Book Live on Amazon!

Finally Live: this is an update on the ziggy zig zag post:

~ ~

~

Brief blurb:

Actor and Hollywood golden boy, Ricky Lindon, loved Tara Portland with all his heart and lost her through no fault of his own. On seeing her again he’s determined to do whatever it takes to get her back. But fate intervenes in a way that rocks the very foundations of his movie star lifestyle. Not only is Tara surrounded by bodyguards, the new man in her life is a force to be reckoned with, and a disastrous incident turns Ricky from one-time lover to secret stalker. But is the thrill of watching over Tara as she sleeps enough, or will compulsion to touch her be his downfall?

Amazon .co.uk 

Amazon .com 

Character Blogging!

A message from Christina Napier (character in Scandalous Whisper).

~

I have seemingly slipped through time.

Until this morning I had no concept of my existence in this other world. So what or who am I? That is something I too must come to terms with. Nevertheless, I am here, in some nether world. My very thoughts are my spoken words and now appearing before me on a rather peculiar device. But let me begin at the begin:

Awakened by a bright light this very morn the concept of book and stepping from its pages became a whole new experience for me. I am, it would seem, a character within a book and my name is Christina. I was born into a fictional world and have no recollection of existence before my 21st year, for that is where my story begins, along with that of the man I love, Robert Lord Devonish. 

Do I like this other world? Hmm.

It has many benefits, I shall grant it that: quite luxurious benefits. Though I cannot imagine why one would wish to have a metal carriage, and one that has to be driven to a strange place to be fuelled so that it functions, and then driven away again. Horses are so much more practical: fed and watered on one’s premises, and can be driven away at mere request of carriage ordered to the front door at a specified time.

The greatest benefit of this 2012 world, of which I approve most sincere, is that of a bathroom. What a delightful experience!  Oh, and there are wonderful machines for kitchen staff, not least a contraption that washes clothes, washes dishes, and another which sucks dirt from rugs. Just think of the saving in house staff numbers, if all these things could be taken back to my fictional world of England in the year 1818. But of course, they would be useless in our world. 

Another device I find most amusing is that from which I hear a voice, and likewise I can be heard, yet both speakers are miles distant. There is also what is referred to as The TV. It’s a rather fun contraption, but the device it requires to function correctly seems to malfunction with regularity. I think I shall be glad to get back to my own world, where women are feminine and men are men, for I have seen breeches everywhere and worn by men and women alike. But I thank my creator for giving me a glimpse of her world, and if not for her New Year’s resolution to publish in paperback I might be trapped inside a Kindle contraption instead of crispy new paperback book.

Blurb Scandalous Whisper:

England, September 1818, and the Hon Mrs. Napier views the Earl of Kilder as a most desirable suitor for her daughter’s hand in marriage. Forced to engage with the extremely handsome and charming earl, a darker side to his nature is revealed and Christina despises his very presence. Worse, her twin brother cavorts with the earl in unmentionable pursuits, and equally bent on seeing her married to his favoured friend. Luckily, with the return of the 11th Dragoons from France, their eldest brother’s homecoming affords Christina brief respite from the earl’s overt attentions. 

So too, the man Christina admires above all others has returned to the Netherwood Estate. A chance meeting and lingering eye contact with her heart’s desire stirs rebellion within her. Her mother impervious to an act of wilful subterfuge insists Christina will marry the earl, but Christina indulges in secret liaisons with the man of her dreams. With deception retribution must follow and a cruel price is to be paid when Robert Lord Devonish is recalled to duty, the regiment bound for India. What will become of her now there is no one to save her from the earl’s clutches? 

Wicked Voodoo Spells & Mystical Fairy Dust!

Today the lovely Janice Horton is holding a Spell blog-hop to celebrate the launch of her romantic and humorous Halloween flavoured novella.

Get it here:
How Do you Voodoo

Now would that be Wicked, Sensual or plain Lustful Voodoo?

Well, now that you're here, how about a bit of lustful voodoo that tickles my taste buds!

Meet Luv, (((ahem)) I mean . . . Well what do I mean?

Let's just say gorgeous hunk of male testosterone... ;)

Now... What spell to cast ???????????? 

A spell sprinkled with fairy dust...

Oh golden mists of sunny plains;

give all my fellow writers' gains

Of books and shining tales untold

of sales and glorious heaps of gold!

~

ode to Luv

Be still my beating heart,

for Luv is born of Allessandre,

 No less his story told

and of a Billionaire so bold

to face a lioness to win

the mother of his kin.

See left hand column for Allessandre's story.

--------------------

The Next Best Thing - Tagged for WIP challenge!

I've been tagged by the delightful   Debra Suzanne Ingram for The Next Best Thing.  

So here we go with the questionnaire:

What is the working title of your next book?

Toast of Clifton -  Book 2 in the Royal Series [4 books]

Where did the idea come from?

It's a sequel to book 1 - By Loyalty Divided - and you might not believe me if I told you, so I’ll just say “Ghost of a Horse”

What genre does your book fall under?

Historical Romance

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Richard Armitage & Kiera Knightley

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Toast of Clifton is a story of intense and passionate love in which past betrayal haunts the hero, and when the chance to right a wrong comes his way he takes it, but to lose every thing including the love of his life will be a high price to pay for heroism.

Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?

Self-published

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Five months.

What other books would you compare this story to within the same genre?

By Loyalty Divided – Francine Howarth/ Herald of Joy – Pamela Belle/ Royal Escape – Georgette Heyer

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A house I lived in and a house I knew well.

What else about your book might pique the readers interest?

That it's set within the 17^th century during the period of the English Civil War, that it features swashbuckling Cavaliers & Roundheads and royal persons of note.


Now here's the fun bit I had to tag five other authors, and here they are: please pay them a visit and see what sort of books they pen!

Cerece Rennie Murphy 

Deatri King-Bey

Stephanie N Norris

Angelica Vernon Menchan

Raynetta Manees

Penning Series Novels (Sequels)

I have always derived immense pleasure from reading series novels. In fact I love ‘em and long ago I had it in mind to pen a series of four novels. Hence the English Civil Wars, Charles II’s attempt to wrest England from Cromwell’s clutches, the Restoration of Charles II and the Monmouth Rebellion sprang to life. 

The stories as a whole have been in my head since some thirty years ago after a ghostly apparition appeared in the courtyard of our house, or not. Perhaps in truth, what I experienced on that day, albeit within the house where I lived, was mere sense of a time past, and yet, the bridle of the horse was real to the touch. Even so, life itself and other publishing commitments prevented the books from coming to fruition. But at last, they are here, or at least, the first three and a prequel are out there on Amazon.. By the way, for anyone who follows my blog posts or knows me well, they also know how the majority of my stories come about, and if you’d like to know for yourself you can find out by reading About Me. That said, the two houses in the series, in part reflect aspects of two houses, being one where I was born and the other in which I lived with my first husband. 

But, getting back to the subject matter, there’s nothing more frustrating than having read a book and wishing when the end is reached that the story had carried on. Often I’ve wanted to know what happens to the lead characters post HEA, but more than that, to learn the fate of secondary characters. And, there have been occasions when a prequel could have added to a series. Hence, I came to the conclusion there was scope for one of those little informative pre-runners to my series. And here it is. 

Anyhoo, behold the prequel Debt of Honour the forerunner to The Royal Series, and Book 1 By Loyalty Divided.

Yep, it’s set within my favourite period of history The English Civil War. The backdrop setting is Somerset - Bristol/Bath and surrounding districts. Bristol at that time was the second most important city in England and several times it changed hands between Royalists and Parliamentarians throughout the Civil Wars. Yes, two wars, not one major conflict.

In By Loyalty Divided, the main characters are:

Morton Viscount Axebury, (rebel son of William Lord Gantry) who becomes a Captain of Horse in the Army of Parliament = New Model Army.

William Lord Gantry (Royalist Commander)

Anna Lady Maitcliffe – born within the confines of the royal court until Lord Gantry became her ward.

The plot is a love triangle, which inevitably leads to tragedy.

Secondary characters:

The Lady Georgina Mrs. Darnley (Parliamentarian) - his lordship’s sister 
Catherine Thornton and her brother 
Captain Thomas Thornton (Royalists). 
Prince Charles, 
Prince Rupert, 
Lord Wittlesham.   

The second novel in The Royal Series:

Yep, I’m at present ramping up the word count of book 2 - Toast of Clifton, needless to say Toast meaning host/ess of note. This novel is also set within the West of England at the time of Charles II’s bid to regain the throne and crown of England.

Main characters:

Thomas Thornton

Elizabeth Mountjoy

Morton Lord Gantry

Anna Lady Gantry

  

Secondary Characters are Catherine Lady Wittlesham (nee Thornton), Lord Wittlesham, Charles II, Lord Wilmot and others.

Although Toast of Clifton is a story of intense and passionate love, past betrayal haunts the hero and when the chance to right a wrong comes his way he takes it, but to lose every thing including the love of his life is a high price to pay for heroism. For when the odds of being imprisoned and deported to the colonies is your lot, and your King is fleeing the enemy as well, who comes first: family or King?  

As with all sequel novels links between characters are part and parcel of plots, and of the four  in my series two more are yet to be completed: Royal Secrets 

and Love and Rebellion. As the years pass the Gantry and Thornton children begin to take centre stage along with Lord Wittlesham's daughters. Old feuds, lust of youth, desires and recklessness are set to cause mayhem and heartbreak and many tears to be shed as the young test the allegiance and loyalty of their elders in the testing times of The Monmouth Rebellion!.

All the books are available via Amazon worldwide.

 Amazon UK  Amazon US

      
   https://youtu.be/Qs3xHAIoKa0

New Historical Release!

I so love writing historical novels, and although I pen Georgian and Regency Romances my greatest love lies within the 1700s: the era of buccaneers, the English Civil War and the Restoration of Charles II to the throne of England! 

I ventured to Naples and Venice for this one and loved every minute of the Venice Carnivale: set within the Georgian period.   

Amazon. com

Amazon .co.uk

Blurb: 

A Romantic Georgian Murder Mystery: the year is 1800: Naples & Venice.

Amidst a gathering of nobility and gentry a daring jewel theft occurs. A young naval lieutenant suggests the notorious Venetian jewel thief could well be a woman, but a beautiful Russian countess scoffs at his suggestion albeit in coquettish manner. Determined to unmask the identity of the thief, at the same time intrigued by the countess, Lt Herne covertly follows Therese around Naples. But where the countess treads murders occur with frequency and she suddenly takes flight to Venice.

Ordered to the Adriatic on naval business Herne drops anchor in Venice. Tempted ashore by Carnivale a second encounter with the countess proves fatal for both. Madly in love they indulge in pleasurable pursuits but become embroiled in the mysterious death of a Russian count, and Therese feels duty bound to return to St Petersburg. Herne awaits her promised return to no avail. Three years later and back in England he discovers the countess on his doorstep, and wonders if he dare let his heart rule his head again? Equally, Therese fears a secret is best kept secret but Herne asks a potent question and she cannot lie for the truth is staring him in the face!          

US published Contemporary Novel Now On Release!

It's on release at Amazon! 

Amazon. co.uk

Amazon. com

Blurb:
In the past Tania has masqueraded as Nina at parties, and likewise Nina has pretended to be Tania. As far as Tania is concerned one more act of deception isn’t going to hurt anybody. Despite Nina’s reluctance, she’s won over by Tania’s pleading ways and travels to London on a pre-arranged date with a Polo playing playboy. Against her better judgement she becomes as smitten by Allessandre as that of his prized stallions, and one mad moment of intimacy seals an inescapable bond between them.

Aware his heart is already captured, nevertheless Allessandre has it in mind he’s been duped by identical twins. Although a man borne of honour, he has a ruthless and vengeful nature. Determined to unveil the twins and teach them a lesson they won’t forget, revenge proves bittersweet when the one he truly desires takes flight. Forced to travel half way around the globe in attempt to redeem his unforgivable behaviour he has no idea she walks with lions, nor that a lioness will challenge his desire to be the life-long protector of the one he loves.  


See excerpt here

Stuck in the Middle - A Writing Challenge

I hate letting RFW down by not posting, but because I'm really pushed for time with a heavy publishing schedule I've cheated with a snippet from a romantic thriller. It was recently released on Amazon. See right sidebar: Love Walked In.

~~~

This is a fourteen-year old boy's perspective of viewing the possibility of a new dad (step dad), plus his thoughts on his best mate's observations and something his elder sister mentioned.

From the back seat of the Porsche and albeit somewhat squashed by Leo, Dominic studied Mac’s sun-tanned reflection in the rear-view mirror. He liked the American well enough and had enjoyed romping with him, but Alexander’s speculation that Mac was a likely candidate for a stepfather had hit a raw nerve.

     Just for a brief moment Mac’s smile and conspiratorial wink reminded him their American guest probably knew more about his father than anyone else. Not that he minded his mother having a friend, a close friend for that matter. It was no business of his, and her eyes did have a kind of sparkle not seen for a long while.

     If Mac can make her smile with little effort then that’s fine, and maybe Mac being around is not as bad as granddad made out. Granddad’s hostility had seemed a little odd. And Alexander hadn’t intended to eavesdrop on the elders before luncheon, but the Colonel and grandfather were quite openly discussing the American’s sudden arrival in London and none too pleased about it. Even the game of croquet had seemed to be a tactical ploy of collusion, and an underhanded plot of sending the unwelcome American on his way: with a flea in his ear.

    Perhaps Alexander was right; that his grandfather had declared war on Mac. That the Colonel had been called upon as back-up, and Maud Baggett seconded in order to ease his mother away from the American’s grasp. He could understand their concern for his mother, for he thought her beautiful too, but he couldn’t grasp why Mac was thought of as a totally unsuitable friend for her.

    Mac and Dad were good friends, and maybe mum needed someone other than Rhian to talk to. Hell, womens’ talk is okay, but Rhian never much liked dad, and dad hadn’t much liked her either. Even Rhian would agree that any fool could have seen through granddad’s less than tactical suggestion that Maud and his mother might like to go hunt out some refreshments while a game of croquet was set up.

    He mused the way his mum had managed to snatch a few moments alone with Mac during a refreshment break, that is, before Mac fell asleep. It crossed his mind that Mac’s snooze was a well-timed tactical ruse to avoid further inquisition from the two old war dogs out for his blood.

    He smiled to himself for he had always been told he was a chip of the old Douglas block; that is, in general appearance, yet most people referred to elements of his mother’s temperament, in that he held his own council from within and passed no judgement, not in either direction to opposing forces. Like Alexander, he viewed the events of the afternoon as having unfolded in like to an utterly bizarre Edwardian drama with family intrigue afoot.  Where his mother and Mac had been for the duration of their absence stirred wild imaginings, and mention of an antique fair had drawn a few raised brows. Alexander’s theory was probably about as accurate as any posed, and maybe it was not so terrible to think that his mum and Mac might have canoodled.

    Fiona had often warned: “Someone will make mum smile again, one day”

    A bit soon, perhaps, but what the hell was it to do with anyone other than mum? And if mum is happy maybe life will become a lot less security conscious.

To see entries by other participants go here.