Scavenger Hunt with Candis Terry

Scavenger Hunt:

How this works:

Each host will have a different letter placed within their post.
You will have to visit EACH tour stop to find the letters. (Link is in the picture above)
Then you can enter ONE WORD EACH DAY into the Rafflecopter for more entries!!

Playing naughty or nice . . .

Fiona Wilder knows all about falling in lust. Love? That's another story. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, the single mom and cupcake shop owner is focused on walking the straight and narrow. But trouble has a way of finding her. And this time it comes in the form of a smoking hot firefighter who knows all the delicious ways to ignite her bad-girl fuse.

Can lead to heartbreak . . .

Firefighter Mike Halsey learned long ago that playing with fire just gets you burned. He's put his demons behind him, and if there's one line he won't cross, it's getting involved with his best friend's ex. But when fate throws him in the path of the beautiful, strong, and off-limits Fiona, will he be able to fight their attraction? Or will he willingly go down in flames?

Or a sweet surprise!

Lightning never strikes twice.

Bullpucky.

On a stormy, sleet-driven afternoon, Fiona Wilder sat pinned between the steering wheel and the driver’s seat of her once-pretty-cool little Ford Focus.

If anything had to happen to her more than once, she’d prefer something fabulous like winning the lottery, trips to Hawaii, or even free groceries at the Touch and Go Market. At the very least, she’d appreciate a double-dip victory from the Bubble Buster Car Wash.

But nooooooo.

Thanks to someone else’s road rage, she got to be the unlucky recipient of a car accident on San Antonio’s busiest highway.

For the second time.

From the moment she’d merged from the on-ramp, she’d watched the van and pickup truck play a dangerous, aggressive game. She’d even changed lanes to get out of their way. Instead, she’d lucked out. Judging by the van attached to the hood of her car and the SUV tucked into her rear bumper, she’d become the cheese in a three-car collision road-rage sandwich.

Last time she’d escaped with minor bruises. This time, the pain charging through her head and left leg signaled the fate factor had flipped her a fully extended middle finger.

Though her current situation had her packed in like a sardine, she thanked God Izzy hadn’t been in the car. Nothing in the world meant more to her than her little girl. And that little girl would start to worry when her mommy didn’t show up on time.

Fiona sighed. With her car currently jam-packed between two heavyweights, the likelihood of going anywhere for a while seemed slim.

A wave of dizziness spun her head while she blindly reached for her purse to grab her cell phone. When her searching fingers came up empty she realized the impact must have flung her bag to the floor. Anxiety twisted through her stomach. Someone else could dial 911; she needed to get a call to her babysitter.

Through the sleeting mist, she heard the oh-too-familiar wail of emergency vehicles and tried to remember if Jackson was on duty. Ironically, her first accident was what had brought them together. He’d been the hunky fireman to rescue her. And she’d found love.

Sort of.

Now, as the sirens grew closer and louder, and the familiar flash of red lights cut through the storm-filled sky, Fiona tried to take a deep breath to stifle the pain. Just more of her good fortune that her lungs weren’t willing to cooperate without making it feel like her chest was caving in. She shoved panic aside and settled for the quick shallow breathing pattern she’d used giving birth to Izzy. In the meantime she waited for San Antonio’s finest to show up and pry her out.
“Ma’am?” A big fist rapped on the driver side window. “Are you okay?”

With another hee-hee-who, Fiona lifted her groggy gaze up past the big khaki coat with yellow and reflective stripes, to the handsome face and intense dark eyes staring back at her from behind the rain-streaked glass.

Her heart played a quick game of hopscotch.

Apparently, even pressed in the car like a ravioli, she could appreciate a handsome face.

A wicked bolt of lightning struck not far beyond the massive fire engine. From beneath the yellow helmet, the most perfect masculine mouth she’d ever seen lifted in a reassuring smile, even as the slash of brows over those dark eyes pulled together. The fireman said something she couldn’t hear over the drumming of rain, the shriek of sirens, and the ringing in her ears.

Squinting, she tried to identify him, but the aftermath of the collision had other ideas and sent another wave of vertigo tilting through her head. This time, everything went black.

Candis Terry was born and raised near the sunny beaches of Southern California and now makes her home on an Idaho farm. She's experienced life in such diverse ways as working in a Hollywood recording studio to scooping up road apples left by her daughter's rodeo queening horse to working as a graphic designer. Only one thing has remained constant: Candis' passion for writing stories about relationships, the push and pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily ever after. Though her stories are set in small towns, Candis' wish is to give each of her characters a great big memorable love story rich with quirky characters, tons of fun, and a happy ending

Find Candis @

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Rafflecopter Giveaway (Grand Prize Giveaway for Complete Sweet, Texas Series in Print (Or ebook format of choice), a $25.00 Amazon eGift Card and a Custom “Fiona Inspired” Origami Owl Living Locket or Charm Bracelet (Winners choice)

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Spotlight & #Giveaway: Interview with Karen Ranney

"New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney's first novel in a brand-new series spins the intriguing story of a beautiful widow and a devilishly handsome shipbuilder..." 

In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams starts The MacIain Trilogy, a historical romance series published by Avon. Join us for a fun interview with Karen, read an excerpt for In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams and sign up for a chance to win $50! 

Follow the rest of the tour here.

 

Seven years have passed since Glynis MacIain made the foolish mistake of declaring her love to Lennox Cameron, only to have him stare at her dumbfounded. Heartbroken, she accepted the proposal of a diplomat and moved to America, where she played the role of a dutiful wife among Washington's elite. Now a widow, Glynis is back in Scotland. Though Lennox can still unravel her with just one glance, Glynis is no longer the naïve girl Lennox knew and vows to resist him.

With the American Civil War raging, shipbuilder Lennox Cameron must complete a sleek new blockade runner for the Confederate Navy. He cannot afford any distractions, especially the one woman he's always loved. Glynis's cool demeanor tempts him to prove to her what a terrible mistake she made seven years ago.

As the war casts its long shadow across the ocean, will a secret from Glynis's past destroy any chance for a future between the two star-crossed lovers?

“You’ve come home,” Lennox said.

Glynis wanted to pull away but stood still. Precipitous gestures could be misunderstood. Better to allow him to hold her hand than cause a scene, especially when whispers swirled around them.

“It’s the MacIain girl, home after all these years.”

“Wasn’t there some scandal about her?”

“Is this the first time she’s been seen in public?”

Were people recalling those times she followed after Lennox as a child? At five years old she marked him as hers. As a young woman she was prepared to tell him she adored him.

Foolish Glynis.

He must not affect her. She wouldn’t allow it. She was no longer nineteen and desperately in love.

“Why didn’t you come home sooner?” he asked now, still holding her hand.

Instead of answering, she only smiled. The diplomatic ranks did not value honesty and so she became adroit at sidestepping it.

He still smelled of wood and the ocean. Whenever anyone said the word “ship” or she tasted a brine filled breeze, he would appear in her memory with a twinkle in his eye.

The hint of beard showing on this important occasion wasn’t due to any sloth on his part. He had to shave more than once a day to eliminate a shadow appearing on his cheeks and chin.

“I think God wants me to have facial hair,” he said to her. “But God and I are going to disagree.”

He was a foot taller than she was, dressed in black evening wear accentuating his shoulders and height. All his life he’d worked hard and it showed in the breadth of his chest and muscled legs. Something about him, though, hinted at power and always had. In a crowded room people sought him out the way they looked to leaders and confident men.

Lennox Cameron resembled a prince and a devastating Highlander and he’d been the hero of most of her childish dreams.

No longer, however. Too much had happened in the intervening years.

Author Interview:

1. Describe Glynis in three words/phrases.

Survivor, Terrified, Lovesick

2. Describe Lennox in three words/phrases.

Constant, Loyal, Sexy


3. Name 3 fun facts that readers won’t readily know about In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams?

1. I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve seen the Clydesdale horses in Budweiser commercials all my life. I didn’t know they originated near the Clyde River in Scotland. They were used to haul timber and supplies to the shipyards.  Those commercials are the best though aren't they!? I didn't know that myself! Learn some new everyday!

2. Women were employed in large numbers in the textile industry. One mill, for example, employed over seventeen hundred people. Sixteen hundred of them were women. They made 350,000 yards of plain fabric a week or 17,000,000 yards a year.

3. Being sent to the British Legation in America wasn’t considered that good of  a promotion. British representation in the world: 

· Three British embassies (Paris, Vienna, Constantinople)
· Legations in order of importance: 
Spain
Russia
United States
Greece
Denmark
Bavaria
· General consulates for all other countries

Although there was no British ambassador or embassy, the British Legation was the largest and considered the most important diplomatic mission in Washington. 


4. Do you have a favorite quote from the book to share?

"If regrets were ships, she’d have enough to fill the Clyde". Don't we all have regrets? I can relate to that!


5 I've always loved the setting of the Civil War. What made you combined the Highlands with it?

Until I started researching Scotland’s role in the Civil War, I wasn’t aware of the close relationship. Clyde shipbuilders constructed iron hulled ships for the Confederate Navy. The Glasgow textile mills were so dependent on cotton from the southern states that they almost went under during the war. Both Union and Confederate operatives worked in Scotland to push their agenda. 

Although Queen Victoria had issued a declaration of neutrality, there were Scots aligned for the south and those for the north. In a great many ways, the war stretched across the ocean and made a significant impact in Scotland.  
I have Scottish ancestors myself. It's always interesting to learn more about Scotland. I believe the Scot's commiserated with the Civil War because the wanted their own Independence from England. Sad that they've still yet to accomplish it!

6. What is on YOUR Nightstand at this moment?

My IPad. I’ve been reading almost nothing but research books lately. Sounds like time to relax with a good FUN book :)

7. When you were little, what was your favorite book? Favorite Superhero?

Even as a little girl I was a prodigious reader. I loved every book I read. Reading was magical to me. I do remember two books, however, a huge book of beautifully illustrated fairy tales, and a German translation of very pithy – message laden – stories.  Fairy tales are the best!

I never had a favorite superhero, but I’ve always liked Mighty Mouse. (Or Danger Mouse.) 

8. Are you a morning or a night person?

When I worked in the corporate world, I woke up every morning at 2:00 AM to write for four hours before I had to get ready for work at 6:00. That schedule has permanently messed up my circadian rhythms, I think. Now that I’m a full time writer, I still wake up at 2:00, even thought I tell myself I can sleep later.  Whew with that schedule it's safe to assume an early bedtime right? lol

9. Favorite food?

Blueberries and yogurt. 

10. Favorite Artist/Song?

Too many to list. I love songs I can sing to, though. I sing along too all songs... not well lol but who cares?

11. Favorite Man Candy?

Now here’s where I get weird. I picture heroes in my mind. I don’t want to see a picture of them. It might mess with the mind picture. That's a unique approach! 

12. New Year’s Resolutions? Do you believe in them? Do you have any?

I no longer do New Year’s Resolutions. I believe you can fix stuff any day of the year. All you have to do is one small step each day.  

13. I see you like to combine politics with your romance. How difficult is it to write historical political plots?

I’m fascinated by men of principle. Plus, it was a gentlemen only club, so it’s interesting to see how women were treated by any political body. 

Some confrontations, for example, alluded to in The Witch of Clan Sinclair happened between women who wanted to protest unjust laws and the men of the Edinburgh Council. 

In the Virgin of Clan Sinclair, the hero was campaigning for a position as only one of a few Scottish peers allowed into Parliament. Another instance of history giving me a conflict that he had to solve. 

Sometimes, society doesn’t make changes until they happen politically first. Sometimes, it’s the reverse. Scotland, however, has always been a little fairer in its treatment of women. 


14. You write historical, contemporary and paranormal genres. What is your favorite genre and why?

They all speak to different parts of me. I have a voice for each. 

The historical romances pull on deep emotions and appreciation for the majesty of Scotland. While working within the constraints of history, I can portray people who love with their whole hearts and who challenge life itself for a happy ending. 

The paranormal allows my imagination to be free, wild, and unfettered. The characters can do anything or be anything, limited only by my imagination. 

The contemporary books probably reveal my confusion about the chaos of modern life, feature people who are in the midst of a life crisis, and solve a mystery. 

I love this answer! It's exactly how I feel about reading so many different genres's. They all call to a different part of my imagination!

Karen Ranney began writing when she was five. Her first published work was The Maple Leaf, read over the school intercom when she was in the first grade. In addition to wanting to be a violinist (her parents had a special violin crafted for her when she was seven), she wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, and, most of all, a writer. Though the violin was discarded early, she still admits to a fascination with the law, and she volunteers as a teacher whenever needed. Writing, however, has remained the overwhelming love of her life.

Find Karen@

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Review: Best Man for Hire

Publisher:Entangled
Publication date: Dec 8th 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: NetGalley

So perfect he's almost too good to be true…

Anna Keebler makes a living being unconventional. A wedding planner who specializes in more…unusual ceremonies, Anna's client list includes everything from nudists to paintballers to Little Red Riding Hood enthusiasts. So when her photographer up and quits during a wedding blitz in Hawaii, Anna makes an unconventional decision. She hires a hot Marine to be her new photographer.

Little does she know, Grant Patton is the best man in one of her weddings. He's so perfect he's practically a Boy Scout—if Boy Scouts were big, ripped Marines with gorgeous gray eyes, and good at, oh, everything. Especially sex. In fact, his only flaw seems to be that he hates marriage as much as she does. But Anna suspects the sexy Boy Scout routine is a cover, and if he wants this thing between them to be about more than sex, Grant must reveal the dark past he's fought so hard to hide…

My Review:

How can you go wrong!?? A sexy Marine and an unconventional wedding planner, by unconventional I mean a paintball wedding or a nudist wedding?! Tawna Fenske has one hilarious sense of humor! I laughed throughout the whole book! I jumped into this series on the 3rd installment of her Front and Center series and Tawna swiftly moved to my auto-buy list! The mischief's that Anna and Grant got into were over the top funny! Anna is one strong woman who doesn’t believe in holding her punches! Grants’ boy next door, Boy Scout tendencies stick in her craw!

“Say it, Grant. Come on. It does you no good to be the perfect, polite Boy Scout all the time. Tell me what you want me to do.”

“Suck my cock, please.”

He had to say PLEASE!! So cute!!!
Tawna brings out the emotional aspect when delving into why Grant is always aiming to please. A mistake he felt he made when he was younger and the consequences has led to an estrangement from his twin brother, Schwartz, the Lone Ranger of the family. (We get his story next! Yay!)

From what I can tell the other couples from the previous books make cameos in this story and still sizzle right off the page! This can be read by itself, but as I’m usually a stickler about reading from book 1, I’ll suggest to start from the beginning with Marine for Hire and Fiancée for Hire respectively. Tawna really knows how to mix just the right amount of passion and humor!

Tawna Fenske traveled a career path that took her from newspaper reporter to English teacher in Venezuela to marketing geek to PR manager for her city's tourism bureau. An avid globetrotter and social media fiend, Tawna is the author of the popular blog, Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing, and a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her fiance in Bend, Oregon, where she'll invent any excuse to hike, bike, snowshoe, float the river, or sip wine on her back deck. She's published several romantic comedies with Sourcebooks, including Making Waves, which was nominated for contemporary romance of the year by RT Book Reviews. She also writes interactive fiction capers for Coliloquy and the steamy, heartwarming Front and Center series for Entangled Publishing. Tawna's quirky brand of comedy and romance has won praises from Kirkus Reviews, which noted, "Up-and-coming romance author Fenske sets up impeccable internal and external conflict and sizzling sexual tension for a poignant love story between two engaging characters, then infuses it with witty dialogue and lively humor. An appealing blend of lighthearted fun and emotional tenderness."

Find Tawna@

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Win a Sweet Surprise Cupcake Prize Pack!

Includes:

1. The first 3 books in the Sweet,Texas series
2. 2 packs of gourmet Sprinkles cupcake mix
3. a 12 pack of beautiful vintage flower-printed cupkcake tin liners
4. A (cup)cake stand 
5. and a baking charm necklace

Review: Teardrop Lane EternitySprings #9 by Emily March

Title: How to Beguile a Duke
Author: Ally Broadfield
Publisher:Entangled
Publication date: Dec 8th 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: NetGalley

The spirited Catherine Malboeuf has just arrived in England to reclaim her ancestral home, Walsley Manor, and a valuable missing heirloom. Nicholas Adair, the attractive and frustratingly inflexible Duke of Boulstridge, however, is quite unwilling to sell the estate back to Catherine. Unless, of course, she accepts a small wager...
Nick will sell Walsley Manor if—and only if—Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.
Of course, Nick is certain he'll win. After all, no proper gentleman would ever marry a woman who conceals a cutlass in her skirts. Yet something about Catherine's unconventional disposition seems to ignite a need deep inside him. A need that won't just cost him the wager, but the very heart he swore to never give away...

My Review:

If you haven't read Emily March's contemporary, small town series, Eternity Springs, you are missing out! I found her contemporary books a couple of years ago, I've read plenty of her historicals' as Geralyn Dawson. I binge read her first four Eternity Springs books and haven’t missed a new installment yet! Teardrop Lane, the 9th novel in the series, is heart-wrenching, superbly satisfying read!

A little backstory on Eternity Springs. It’s small town in the Colorado Rockies that was slowly dying until Celeste Blessing came to town. It’s never stated but always hinted that she’s an angel. She builds Angel’s Rest a type of recovery spa and the town starts to rebuild itself. Always at the heart of these stories are characters that are overcoming something in their life, whether it be a horrific tragedy, a broken heart or simply finding one’s purpose in life. As they succeed on moving forward with their lives, they earn their “wings” a prettily designed silver pin that Celeste hands out.


We've met both Rose and Cicero in previous books and I was definitely on the fence with how they were going to work out. Rose is the town doctor and has a tragedy in her past that she still isn’t over. She’s anxious for family of her own, but sees no hope in sight. She immediately wants to have a fling with Cicero. 

When Cicero moves to Eternity Springs he brings along with him four very rambunctious kids. His “sister”, a woman he met in one of the various foster homes in which he’d lived, passed away from cancer and he’s determined to financially support them. The guardianship went to a couple, one to which the youngest is related. When they decide they changed their mind, he steps up and takes them in. *Swoon*  Who doesn't love a single, Casanova style man who becomes a single dad?

Hunt and Rose plan to have a fling but when Hunt gets the kids everything changes. The kids are top priority and they always put them first. The romance between them is fraught with pitfalls as they both have secrets and past mistakes to overcome. It’s wonderful to read how they overcome and watch their love come alive.

What I really liked about this book is we see how the Eternity Springs community come together and help Hunt with the children. Eternity Springs is a loving, helpful community that I would LOVE to live in!

Ally has worked as a horse trainer, director of marketing and development, freelance proofreader, and a children's librarian, among other things. None of them were as awesome as writing romance novels (though the librarian gig came closest). She lives in Texas and is convinced her house is shrinking, possibly because she shares it with three kids, five dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and assorted reptiles. Oh, and her husband.
Ally likes to curse in Russian because very few people know what she's saying, and spends most of what would be her spare time letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She has many stories in her head looking for an opportunity to escape onto paper. She writes historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia.

Find Ally@

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Win a Sweet Surprise Cupcake Prize Pack!

Includes:

1. The first 3 books in the Sweet,Texas series
2. 2 packs of gourmet Sprinkles cupcake mix
3. a 12 pack of beautiful vintage flower-printed cupkcake tin liners
4. A (cup)cake stand 
5. and a baking charm necklace

Release Day BLast for Fat Louise by Jamie Begley

Follow the rest of the tour here!

She needed a hero; instead, she got Cade.

Cade was no hero. He was a nomad, a wanderer with no ties and he liked it that way. Hired out to save Fat Louise and her spoiled sister from a cartel run Mexican city was a risk he was willing to take, for the right price. With a certain gray eyed woman on his mind, he sets out to find her, fuck her and forget her. No harm, no foul. But it's all easier said than done when it comes to this plain Jane.

He expected a biker bitch who knew the rules; instead, he got Fat Louise.

Fat Louise wasn’t about to put her crew in danger. She had to learn to handle problems on her own, even if they included a six-foot biker she was forced to rely on, if she was going to rescue her sister. She never expected to see Cade again after she'd left Mexico, but all it takes is one night with him to prove that even a bitch’s heart can be broken.

She saw Teresa sitting at a table with Cade. He was wearing a black T-shirt, and his wet hair made it look as if he had just taken a shower. Every so often, Teresa would get up to refill his drink or get him food. Jane tried not to watch them as she worked; however, Cade was hard not to notice. She wanted to smack herself for staring at them.
Bringing herself back to earth, she started focusing on Jorge. He seemed tired today, moving slowly behind the bar as he helped wait on customers.
Seeing his keys were on the shelf next to the glasses, she took several glasses and placed them carefully on the shelf. She glanced around quickly to make sure no one was paying attention to her, and then she slid the keys into her pocket.
“Jorge, I’m not feeling well. I need to go to the restroom.” Jane told him as he moved from one customer to the next.
He studied her face for a second before nodding. “Hurry the fuck up. We’re busy.”
Jane guessed fear of getting caught taking his keys had made her face pale, adding credibility to her claim.
“I’ll try.” Jane tried to give a make-believe sick look before disappearing around the corner where his office was. The bathroom was directly in front of it, and the room that Cade was renting was next to it.
Jane hurriedly slipped the key in the door after checking to make sure no one else was near. Slipping inside, she closed and locked the door in relief. She stared around the office in dismay. It was filled with papers and boxes. She would never be able to find anything in here before Jorge noticed she had been gone for too long.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she began her search, making sure to place things back exactly as they were so Jorge wouldn’t know she had searched his things. Time flew and Jane was about to give up when she noticed a ledger lying on top of a box that was closest to his desk. Opening it, she saw several names with money amounts and addresses.
Jane ran her finger down the column, almost shouting when she saw the last name Silva. Jane memorized the address then closed the ledger.
Barely opening the door, she peeked outside, and seeing no one, she slipped back out into the hallway. She was about to close the door when she found herself jerked away as a hand reached out and snapped the door closed.
Jane stared up into Cade’s face as she was backed against the now closed door with Cade plastered against her.
“What?” Before she could say anything else, his mouth slammed down on hers. 

"I was born in a small town in Kentucky. My family began poor, but worked their way to owning a restaurant. My mother was one of the best cooks I have ever known, and she instilled in all her children the value of hard work, and education.
Taking after my mother, I've always love to cook, and became pretty good if I do say so myself. I love to experiment and my unfortunate family has suffered through many. They now have learned to steer clear of those dishes. I absolutely love the holidays and my family puts up with my zany decorations.
For now, my days are spent writing, writing, and writing. I have two children who both graduated this year from college. My daughter does my book covers, and my son just tries not to blush when someone asks him about my books.
Currently I am writing five series of books- The Last Riders, The VIP Room, Predators MC, Biker Bitches, and The Dark Souls.
All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.”

                                          Find Jamie @ 

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Spotlight & Giveaway: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

Releasing Tuesday, January 27th!

I'm excited to bring you a little excerpt from Julia Quinn's final novel in the Smythe-Smith Quartet! Read on to see how Richard is so nervous he continuously sticks his foot in his mouth! Its quite enduring! Follow the tour here to find the first two chapters! Be sure to join the giveaway to win a print bundle of the whole quartet! 

Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. He knows he can’t be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family’s infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She’s the type of girl you don’t notice until the second-or third-look, but there’s something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she’s the one.

Iris Smythe-Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can’t quite believe it’s all true. And when his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can’t help thinking that he’s hiding something...even as her heart tells her to say yes.

“She sent me in her stead,” Winston went on. “She said it would not do for our family to be unrepresented this year.” He glanced over at Richard. “She was most firm about it.”
“Please do offer her my gratitude,” Miss Smythe-Smith said. “If you’ll excuse me, though, I must—”
“May I ask you a question?” Richard interrupted.
She froze, having already begun to twist toward the door. She looked at him with some surprise. So did Winston.
“Of course you may,” she murmured, her eyes not nearly as placid as her tone. She was a gently bred young lady and he a baronet. She could offer no other response, and they both knew it.
“How long have you played the cello?” he blurted out. It was the first question that came to mind, and it was only after it had left his lips that he realized it was rather rude. She knew the quartet was terrible, and she knew that he must feel the same way. To inquire about her training was nothing but cruel. But he’d been under pressure. He couldn’t let her leave. Not without some conversation, at least.
“I—” She stammered for a moment, and Richard felt himself floundering inside. He hadn’t meant to—Oh, bloody hell.
“It was a lovely performance,” Winston said, looking as if he’d like to kick him.
Richard spoke quickly, eager to rehabilitate himself in her eyes. “What I meant was that you seemed somewhat more proficient than your cousins.”
She blinked several times. Bloody hell, now he’d gone and insulted her cousins, but he supposed better them than her.
He plowed on. “I was seated near to your side of the room, and occasionally I could hear the cello apart from the other instruments.”
“I see,” she said slowly, and perhaps somewhat warily. She did not know what to make of his interest, that much was clear.
“You’re quite skilled,” he said.
Winston looked at him in disbelief. Richard could well imagine why. It hadn’t been easy to discern the notes of the cello through the din, and to the untrained ear, Iris must have seemed just as dreadful as the rest. For Richard to say otherwise must seem the worst sort of false flattery.

JULIA QUINN started writing her first book one month after finishing college and has been tapping away at her keyboard ever since. The New York Times bestselling author of twenty-four novels for Avon Books, she is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and is one of only fifteen authors ever to be inducted in the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.

                                 

  Find Julia @ 

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