Monday, February 18, 2013

Book Tour: Lady In Deed by Ann Montclair Giveaway



Lady in Deed

by Ann Montclair 

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BLURB:

Piety or passion… What’s a lady to do?

Lady Mary Rutherford believed she would live her entire life as a nun. But  when King Henry VIII’s reformist movement makes practicing religion a  dangerous proposition, Mary is forced to begin a new life with a family  she doesn't know. Worse, she must become lady of the manor, a role for which she feels sorely unprepared.

After a decade of service to his king, Lord Trenton Stanley returns home  to find his estate in ruins, his fortune depleted, and his doddering  father drooling over Mary—a woman Trent fears has been installed to  replace his mother. Trent strives to rebuild his life, but his desire for Mary becomes a serious distraction he can’t seem to ignore.

Though Mary is anxious to prove she’s a worthy lady, she’s tempted by the rakish Trent into deeds most unladylike… 
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EXCERPT:

“I have stopped, you see,” he said, lifting his hands above his head in mock surrender. “I mean you no harm, my dear, nor do I intend to rush our exploits, but you are quite the beauty. You have amazing lips and your breasts — ”

She gasped. “I am outraged, my lord. Why do you speak to me roughly? I am not the type of woman who welcomes bawdiness. I’ve never heard such words or felt such…terror!”

“Terror?” He laughed. “You kiss well when frightened.” He arched a brow.

“Seems to me, you wanted me under your petticoats. I apologize for my roughness, dearie, but you brought it out in me. It’s been a long time since a morsel like you presented itself to be sampled. And you do taste good. The finest mead honeys your breath. That tells me you demand a high price for your
comely charms. Go ahead. Tell me what you want, besides my money and my cock, of course.”

At that, the woman smacked his face with unexpected strength. The blow sent Trent back into the seat from which he leaned. If she wanted to play her wanton games with fire, he was the man for the challenge.

Trent leaped upon her and pinned her to the seat. The woman struggled to sit up and shaped her petite hands into claws. “Unhand me. I am your ward not your whore!”

He recoiled, and she scurried across the seat and laid a quavering hand to her throat. He pointed his finger at her. “You? My ward? Impossible, woman. I have nonesuch.”

Tears swam into her eyes, and Trent’s heart skipped. My God, she is utterly enchanting. The glaze of passion that turned her blue eyes almost lavender lifted. She swiped at her eyes and affected a stonier expression.

“No apology?” she asked. “No words of welcome? No lord are you.”

Now it was her turn to point, and she poked little jabs as if he were an insect she meant to squash with her finger. “You are a cur. A beast that should be tied in a field. You could not be the honourable lord my parents named benefactor before they passed into heaven. Sweet Jesu’, you are Lord Stanley?”

He nodded with a snap of his head.

Trenton was surprised at how her accusations stung his heart like poisoned arrows. He wanted to reach out and touch her soft yellow hair, move it from her proud shoulders, and hold her closely. Her outrage evoked a strange tenderness in Trent, but also bitterness. Who was this chit, and why did she act like
he’d done her harm? They rode in his coach with his driver, and she was, what, a guest, a ward? An unwelcome one if she kept glaring with those icy eyes. Trent couldn’t help it. He actually found her unbelievably attractive, even if her gaze promised no reward.

“And you are my ward? How so? Do tell, my ‘lady.’” He exaggerated the last to reinforce he doubted her assertion. His lifted brow named her a liar.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Ann Montclair writes contemporary and historical fiction and is an English professor at a small, rural community college. She was born in Los Angeles, California, where her parents and grown daughter now reside. Ann currently lives in the Finger Lakes region of New York with her husband, son, and a pile of dogs and cats. She enjoys listening to live music, hiking, cycling, cooking, and gardening. She hates dieting but spends a lot of time ruminating on the topic. Her biggest wish is that each of her readers will be inspired to believe in and find their own happily-ever-after, no matter their fears and insecurities. Her motto is Love triumphs! Ann has three published contemporary romance novels: The Billionaire’s Bauble (Soul Mate Publishing 2011), One Wet Summer (Musa Publishing 2012), and Good Things Come in Tall Packages (Musa Publishing 2012). Lady in Deed (Musa Publishing 2012) is her first historical romance. Lady is the Law, another Tudor historical romance, is forthcoming 2013.

Contacts and Buy Links:






Good Things Come in Tall Packages




One Wet Summer




The Billionaire’s Bauble




GIVEAWAY:

Ann will be awarding a $30.00 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

19 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting me on your lovely blog.

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  2. Interesting excerpt, are you planing to write a sequel?

    shadowrunner1987 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. No sequel, though my next title will be another Tudor romance. Thanks for asking.

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  3. Great excerpt, thank you.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. The excerpt makes me want to throttle him, hopefully he makes up for his folly soon

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. He's a ways from heroic behavior at this point in the story, and I think Trent's transformation is the most dynamic of all the characters in the book.

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  5. Excellent excerpt, now I'm curious how the story will develop.

    lyra.lucky7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Really am enjoying your tour. I loved this excerpt.

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  7. Whom of your characters would you like to meet?

    galaschick78(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. From this book, I'd say Mary. She's a strong but innocent woman, and she possesses a spirituality I admire. Thanks for your question.

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  8. Sounds like a great book!


    lennascloud AT gmail DOT com

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  9. What is it about nuns...or almost nuns? Maybe I'm just fascinated...having gone to Catholic school and all and been taught by Sisters of Charity. I'm sure that their chaste natures make it particularly appealing to see them swept away by passion. Delicious!
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  10. Thanks for the chance to win!

    andralynn7 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete