Congratulations to Dorothy Wiley, author of Buckskin Angel , winner of the September 2020 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! This was a close one, with lots of entries coming in the last week, so thank you to all those who participated and voted. Vote in the new contest .

" Lord Shallow delivers an enjoyable journey of romance with a touch of intrigue. A quest for truth will carry you away to Wales with faeries, lore, and legends. A delightful read." — Books & Benches Book Description No woman could touch his heart . . . To all of London, Sebastian Traherne is a pretentious fop who prizes his tailor over his dukedom. In truth, he’s an obsessively rational fellow protecting a secret marriage. When a prickly Welsh miss arrives at his crumbling castle one gloomy night, she upends his world—and every principle he holds dear. Worse, she believes in a silly fairy tale known as True Love. Gwynna Owen might be the last true Princess of Wales, but she needs this very English duke to claim her legacy and vanquish a tyrant. When Sebastian quickly sees through her boy’s disguise, she must plead her case with only a rusty dagger—and sapphire eyes that conjure what he most wishes to avoid. AUTHOR'S NOTE: One early surprise may be a deal breaker for some romance fans. If you’re looking for classic Regency historical that fits a formula, Lord Shallow may not be your cup of tea. Yet character will out. Here you’ll find a man who is so much more than he seems and a woman who’s finding her voice after years of having it suppressed. Their struggle as they make their way to one another is this story’s truth. About Maitland's Rogues: Andrew Maitland's group of daring English rogues risk all for their country. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them... Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Google Add to Goodreads Enjoy an Excerpt from Lord Shallow Gwynna had prepared herself to face an old man who might wish to set things right in the twilight of his years. Instead, she had this aloof aristocrat. Pretentious fop or no, the Duke of Claremont was something else as well: Beautiful. As handsome a man as Gwynna had seen. Moreover, he was immense. Measuring him with her Welshwoman’s eye, which could judge at a glance whether there was meal in the larder to last the month, Gwynna decided he was nearly half a foot taller than any man she knew. Yet his eyes held a cool intelligence. He was no one’s fool. Despair swept her. She might have faced down an old man preparing to meet his Maker, but she’d never persuade this too-perceptive aristocrat—whose features had only hardened since discovering her gender—that she was a member of his family. Still, she was an Owen. He was but an Englishman. Welsh did not give way to English. “I am the daughter of Megan Glendower Owen of Anglesey,” Gwynna said. "It’s an island off North Wales. It’s there William and my mother met. They fell in love.” His gaze narrowed. “How the devil do you know that?” That was the rub. She had no proof. The duke looked down that patrician nose. “You Welsh are storytellers, are you not? Doubtless you felt compelled to put a lovely bow on something sordid—” “It was love,” Gwynna insisted. “A man with your lofty self-regard cannot possibly fathom how passion can sweep all else aside." He stiffened. "You know nothing of me." A frisson of uneasiness swept her. They were all but alone in this dreadful castle. His gaze hardened. "There’s no reason to believe a word of your tale, especially since you’ve been engaged in pretense from the first.” “I pretended to be a boy because I couldn’t travel alone as a woman.” “Those ruffians were on the verge of unmasking you.” “I would have prevailed. Owen was with me.” The duke frowned. “The only person I saw at your side was your terrified friend. Owen, whoever he may be, was nowhere —” “Owen is Prince of Wales.” He blinked. “If I recall correctly, England already has a Prince of Wales. Just the one, mind you, and his name isn’t Owen. Moreover, he would be the last person to rush to any woman’s defense.” “You refer to the Regent—English royalty,” Gwynna said. “I do not regard him. Owen was the last true Prince of Wales. I am his blood descendant.” “Ah. He would be dead, then?” She glared at him. “His spirit lives. I’ll have what I’m due by rights, Englishman. And while I am certain every woman in England finds you a catch, I have no use for puffed-up peacocks." End of Excerpt. Copyright © Eileen Putman Learn more by visiting the author's website. Lord Shallow released May 20, 2020 from Anglesey Press. Praise for the Maitland's Rogues series “This is a wonderful book by a great author who is truly talented. Her writing his lyrical and the romance weaves through the narrative seamlessly.” – Kindle Reader “The story was very well written and has a nice, smooth pace. It was consistent and had no dangling plots. The characters were well developed. I heartily recommend this books. It is definitely a 5 star read.” –Mary Gallo, on Netgalley “Guess what I love almost as much as chocolate? An exquisitely written regency romance. Lord Shallow was an amazing reading experience. It was a start it at 10 PM, wait, it's 2 AM and I'm still reading experience. Because I could not put it down until I finished.” – Kindle Reader Meet the Author Eileen Putman is the author of a dozen British historical and Regency romances. Her love of England's Regency period (1811-1820) has inspired her research trips to England, Ireland, Wales, France and other countries -- there being no substitute for stepping on the soil that Beau Brummell and his champagne-polished Hessians once trod. Visit her at eileenputman.com Twitter: twitter.com/eileen_pu Title: LORD SHALLOW (Maitland’s Rogues Book 2) Author: Eileen Putman Publisher: Anglesey Press Pages: 364 Genre: Regency Historical Romance Heat Level: 5 Hearts View our rating system

"Gwynna is on a quest, and like on all good quests, she cannot reach the end alone." A Reader's Opinion A woman in search of a truth and a man in search of what, he does not yet know. This is how the author endeared Sebastian and Gwynna to me. Lord Shallow tells the story of two people of great strength. One of them hides behind a carefully-erected façade while the other embraces heritage and hope. Sebastian and Gwynna stand beautifully as individuals who learn to respect one another, and even as a reluctant friendship unfolds, the chemistry is undeniable. Gwynna is on a quest, and like on all good quests, she cannot reach the end alone. Five others' fates will be tested during this quest, until the last thread unravels to place everyone on the path they were always meant to walk. The author transported me to Wales, a place I know little about, yet I found myself walking through castles, among ruins, and around spirits and stones alongside Gwynna as she told her fascinating tales and we wandered through history. When her heart ached, mine ached. When Sebastian's uncertainty clouded his thoughts, I longed for him to see the truth. There is another story line in this book between two others, and while I found it filled with fluttering hope, it was Sebastian and Gwynna who drew me into their hearts and let me experience their love and adventures. Sebastian and Gwynna are helped along by a man who waits in the background and acts out of . . . some may say arrogance, while others will be left questioning motives. I believe there is more to be seen from them all, and the true pleasure of the book may not be discovered without looking beneath the surface. Lord Shallow delivers an enjoyable journey of romance with a touch of intrigue. A quest for truth will carry you away to Wales with faeries, lore, and legends. This book is a delightful read that kept me awake hours past my bedtime. Note from reader: I did not read the first book in the series prior to reading this one. Lord Shallow read nicely as a stand-alone book. Lord Shallow No woman could touch his heart . . . To all of London, Sebastian Traherne is a pretentious fop who prizes his tailor over his dukedom. In truth, he’s an obsessively rational fellow protecting a secret marriage. When a prickly Welsh miss arrives at his crumbling castle one gloomy night, she upends his world—and every principle he holds dear. Worse, she believes in a silly fairy tale known as True Love. Gwynna Owen might be the last true Princess of Wales, but she needs this very English duke to claim her legacy and vanquish a tyrant. When Sebastian quickly sees through her boy’s disguise, she must plead her case with only a rusty dagger—and sapphire eyes that conjure what he most wishes to avoid. AUTHOR'S NOTE: One early surprise may be a deal breaker for some romance fans. If you’re looking for classic Regency historical that fits a formula, Lord Shallow may not be your cup of tea. Yet character will out. Here you’ll find a man who is so much more than he seems and a woman who’s finding her voice after years of having it suppressed. Their struggle as they make their way to one another is this story’s truth. About Maitland's Rogues: Andrew Maitland's group of daring English rogues risk all for their country. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them... Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Google Add to Goodreads Regency Romance | Pub: May 20, 2020 | 364pp | Anglesey Press Format Read: E-book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher via blog tour This book was on tour with Pump Up Your Book: Virtual Book Publicity Tours Content Rating: 5 Hearts* | Read by: MK *As of Aug 2020, we no longer give ratings to books, except for content. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A weak king, a rebellious baron. A kingdom on the brink of civil war, an adulterous wife and an ambitious royal favourite. A blackmailed bride and an honourable knight, torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his wife and his future king. Welcome to the world of Adam de Guirande! "In the Shadow of the Storm is an epic story. Its villains are dark and heartless and its heroes are valiant. The character development is impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The proof is in the fact that I was left wanting more at the end." — Readers' Favorite Book I: In the Shadow of the Storm Adam de Guirande owes his lord, Roger Mortimer, much more than loyalty. He owes Lord Roger for his life and all his worldly goods, he owes him for his beautiful wife – even if Kit is not quite the woman Lord Roger thinks she is. So when Lord Roger rises in rebellion against the king, Adam has no choice but to ride with him – no matter what the ultimate cost may be. England in 1321 is a confusing place. Edward II has been forced by his barons to exile his favourite, Hugh Despenser. The barons, led by the powerful Thomas of Lancaster, Roger Mortimer and Humphrey de Bohun, have reasons to believe they have finally tamed the king. But Edward is not about to take things lying down… Adam fears his lord has over-reached, but Adam has other matters to concern him, first and foremost his new wife, Katherine de Monmouth. His bride comes surrounded by rumours concerning her and Lord Roger, and he hates it when his brother snickers and whispers of used goods. Kit has the misfortune of being a perfect double of Katherine de Monmouth – which is why she finds herself coerced into wedding a man under a false name. Domestic matters become irrelevant when the king sets out to punish his rebellious barons. The Welsh Marches explode into war, and soon Lord Roger and his men are fighting for their very lives. When hope splutters and dies, when death seems inevitable, it falls to Kit to save her man – if she can. In the Shadow of the Storm is the first in Anna Belfrage’s new series, The King’s Greatest Enemy , the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife. Amazon | Audible | Kobo | GooglePlay | iTunes | Read an Excerpt "It is an historical novel that is so believably real you can almost feel that you are there watching intently as the lives, loves and fears of these characters unfold. This is what all historical fiction should be like. Superb." — Historical Novel Society Book II: Days of Sun and Glory Adam de Guirande has barely survived the aftermath of Roger Mortimer’s rebellion in 1321. When Mortimer manages to escape the Tower and flee to France, anyone who has ever served Mortimer becomes a potential traitor – at least in the eyes of King Edward II and his royal chancellor, Hugh Despenser. Adam must conduct a careful balancing act to keep himself and his family alive. Fortunately, he has two formidable allies: Queen Isabella and his wife, Kit. England late in 1323 is a place afflicted by fear. Now that the king’s greatest traitor, Roger Mortimer, has managed to evade royal justice, the king and his beloved Despenser see dissidents and rebels everywhere – among Mortimer’s former men, but also in the queen, Isabella of France. Yet again, Kit and Adam are forced to take part in a complicated game of intrigue and politics. Yet again, they risk their lives – and that of those they hold dear – as Edward II and Mortimer face off. Once again, England is plunged into war – and this time it will not end until either Despenser or Mortimer is dead. Days of Sun and Glory is the second in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy , the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife. Amazon | Matador | Read an Excerpt "Anna Belfrage is a born storyteller, and she obviously has done exceptional research, adding to the credibility of the facts within this novel. Under the Approaching Dark is commendable, highly recommended historical fiction. You’ll want to read her other works, which are just as magnificent!" — Historical Novel Society Book III: Under the Approaching Dark Adam de Guirande has cause to believe the turbulent times are behind him: Hugh Despenser is dead and Edward II is forced to abdicate in favour of his young son. It is time to look forward, to a bright new world in which the young king, guided by his council, heals his kingdom and restores its greatness. But the turmoil is far from over. England in the early months of 1327 is a country in need of stability, and many turn with hope towards the new young king, Edward III. But Edward is too young to rule, so instead it is his mother, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who do the actual governing, much to the dislike of barons such as Henry of Lancaster. When it is announced that Edward II has died in September of 1327, what has so far been a grumble grows into voluble protests against Mortimer. Yet again, the spectre of rebellion haunts the land, and things are further complicated by the reappearance of one of Adam’s personal enemies. Soon enough, he and his beloved wife Kit are fighting for their survival – even more so when Adam is given a task that puts them both in the gravest of dangers. Under the Approaching Dark is the third in Anna Belfrage’s series, The King’s Greatest Enemy, the story of a man torn apart by his loyalties to his lord, his king, and his wife. Amazon | Matador | Read an Excerpt "The book not only tells you a story, but awakens your feelings and takes you on an emotional journey as well as a literary one. I enjoy reading – I always have – but I rarely come across a book, or series of books, that bring out all the emotions and will have me laughing and smiling in places, heart in my mouth in other places and leave me with tears streaming down my face at times. The action and excitement are constant, the dangers ever-present." — Book Corner Book IV: The Cold Light of Dawn After Henry of Lancaster’s rebellion has been crushed early in 1329, a restless peace settles over England. However, the young Edward III is no longer content with being his regents’ puppet, no matter that neither Queen Isabella nor Roger Mortimer show any inclination to give up their power. Caught in between is Adam de Guirande, torn between his loyalty to the young king and that to his former lord, Roger Mortimer. Edward III is growing up fast. No longer a boy to be manipulated, he resents the power of his mother, Queen Isabella, and Mortimer. His regents show little inclination of handing over their power to him, the rightful king, and Edward suspects they never will unless he forces their hand. Adam de Guirande is first and foremost Edward’s man, and he too is of the opinion that the young king is capable of ruling on his own. But for Adam siding with his king causes heartache, as he still loves Roger Mortimer, the man who shaped him into who he is. Inevitably, Edward and his regents march towards a final confrontation. And there is nothing Adam can do but pray and hope that somehow things will work out. Unfortunately, prayers don’t always help. Amazon | Matador | Read an Excerpt Had Anna Belfrage been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga , set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. (Medieval knight was also high on Anna’s list of potential professions. Yet another disappointment…) With Jason and Helle, Anna has stepped out of her historical comfort zone and has loved doing so. Find out more about Anna by visiting her website,  www.annabelfrage.com , You can also connect with Anna on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Amazon , and  Goodreads . Genre: Medieval Historical Romance Type: Novel Content Note: R - Descriptive Sex and Violence View our rating system

"Truly a major novel"  — Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award recipient, author of Claude And Camille: A Novel Of Monet “In Into the Unbounded Night , Mitchell Kaplan offers a rich rendering of war and humanity in first century Rome — of tradition and loss, and the transformative power of healing and collective memory to find one’s way home.” – Nichole Bernier, Boston Globe Bestselling author of The Unfinished Work Of Elizabeth D Into the Unbounded Night When her village in Albion is sacked by the Roman general Vespasian, young Aislin is left without home and family. Determined to exact revenge, she travels to Rome, a sprawling city of wealth, decadence, and power. A “barbarian” in a “civilized” world, Aislin struggles to comprehend Roman ways. From a precarious hand-to-mouth existence on the streets, she becomes the mistress of a wealthy senator, but their child Faolan is born with a disability that renders him unworthy of life in the eyes of his father and other Romans. Imprisoned for her efforts to topple the Roman regime, Aislin learns of an alternate philosophy from her cellmate, the Judean known today as the Apostle St. Paul. As the capital burns in the Great Fire of 64 AD, he bequeaths to her a mission that will take her to Jerusalem. There, Yohanan, son of Zakkai, has been striving to preserve the tradition of Hillel against the Zealots who advocate for a war of independence. Responding to the Judeans’ revolt, the Romans—again under the leadership of Vespasian—besiege Jerusalem, destroying the Second Temple and with it, the brand of Judean monotheism it represents. Yohanan takes on the mission of preserving what can be preserved, and of re-inventing what must be reinvented. Throughout Into the Unbounded Night , Aislin’s, Faolan’s, Vespasian’s, and Yohanan’s lives intertwine in unexpected ways that shed light on colonization and its discontents, the relative values of dominant and tyrannized cultures, and the holiness of life itself—even the weakest of lives. Regal House Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound In the author's words . . . Q&A with Mitchell James Kaplan Give us an insight into your main character. What does she do that is so special? She survives. In the process, she has to adjust and modify some of her basic assumptions about the world. She changes as she learns more about the complexities and nuances of that world. Do you believe in the concept of a muse? What is yours like? Very much so. I don’t know where my story will take me. It has to be a journey of discovery, or where’s the fun? Do you consider your books plot-driven or character-driven? I don’t think in these terms. In my view, a good novel is an organic whole, like the world itself. The characters and the story should be equally compelling. And the writing—its musicality and connotative power—should be no less exciting. What does literary success look like to you? When I talk with a reader who experienced the novel—these same scenes, these same lives and emotions, that filtered through my mind and ultimately arrived on paper, and from there into that reader’s eyes and mind—that is success. What advice would you give to your younger self? It will not happen the way you expect. But it will happen. “Kaplan’s prose is so rich and agile I felt I was breathing the air of these ancient places, and his evocation of character is no less palpable. Fully embodied and driven by ambition, grief, the clear-eyed desire for truth, and fierce maternal love, these characters plunge, march, and stumble toward their fascinating and entangled destinies.” —Marisa de los Santos, New York Times bestselling novelist of I’ll Be Your Blue Sky and award-winning poet Enjoy an excerpt from Into the Unbounded Night The bard who has appeared at their gate, a huge man with a wild beard and untamed hair, is dressed in a yellow leine and a plum-colored outer garment. All sixty-seven villagers gather around him as he raises his hands and lowers them in a circular motion, creating an airy orb in which his characters will dwell while his words breathe life into them. “Greetings from the court of King Togodumnus,” he thunders, and the elders, together with their children and their children’s children, listen captivated as he embarks upon a long, convoluted tale of warriors wandering, curses acquired and shed like ill-fitting garments, and princesses’ hearts bursting with sadness and gratitude. He speaks of a wild man who hoards balms of healing; of a heartbroken knight who has forged a pact with the Companions, only to discover that he has been cheated; of a spinster who, after her death, contrives to burn down the castle of the prince who has spurned her. As the sun sets and a storm brews, the bard sits on a boulder, reels in the far-flung fibers of his story, and knots them into a loose net that traps his listeners’ imaginations. “Our lives are nothing but tales, my friends,” he concludes. “Interlocking yarns that form a great epic whose outer edges we can never behold. Like all good stories our lives twist and turn; you think it’s about this but then it’s about that. Trails appear to lead one way but take you somewhere else. Patterns shift under our gaze like a stick on a bush that moves and becomes an insect. “At night, look up at the heavens. Look at the constellations, the legends they relate. And consider this: another girl, another boy, a thousand days’ journey distant, is gazing up at those same stars. They are telling him and her stories, too. Not the same stories. Entirely different ones. But they are the same stars.” He waves toward the horizon. “I must warn you. You will slog through many a muddy field before you happen upon the open, green landscape that causes your heart to soar. And I shall not hide it from you: you will see much tumult. Battles will be won and lost, loved ones will die and others be born. The sun may turn black but even in that murk, if you keep your eyes open, you will discern a glimmer.” He lowers his voice. “Always keep in mind, the verities of the heart are the center, around which all revolves.” Although he has spoken these words a hundred times, he infuses them with such quiet, intimate passion that they sparkle like flecks of gold in a rushing stream. He possesses the ability to look all the children in the eyes at once. “And now I defer to you to bring this magical afternoon we have spent together to a suitable conclusion. Form a circle under that tree yonder and thank our Companions for the inscrutable wonders of this existence that the universe has bequeathed to us for no reason we can hope to learn.” The children spread out under the gnarled, weeping trunk of the great yew, their hair unfurled, their faces upturned to the sky, and chant a prayer. Rain falls crimson in the sunset. Lightning streaks their eyes. Excerpt Copyright © Mitchell James Kaplan Learn more about the book at the author's website . Meet the Author Mitchell James Kaplan graduated with honors from Yale University, where he won the Paine Memorial Prize for Best Long-Form Senior Essay submitted to the English Department. His first mentor was the author William Styron. After college, Kaplan lived in Paris, France, where he worked as a translator, then in Southern California, where he worked as a screenwriter and in film production. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with his family and two cats. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS Genre: Literary/Historical Publisher: Regal House Publishing Release Date: September 1, 2020 Type: Novel - Paperback & Ebook - 231 pages Content Note: R - Descriptive Sex and Violence View our rating system During the blog tour, we are giving away 2 copies of Into the Unbounded Night ! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on September 25th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

“Rachael Miles’ knowledge of the time period she writes about adds a depth of authenticity that enriches every page.” –Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author Book Description Lena Frost is a force to be reckoned with. A woman who has made her way in society without family or fortune, she’s about to realize her first big success as an artist . . . Until her business partner makes off with her money, leaving her with little more than her hopes—and a dead body in her studio. Now Lena is at the mercy of a strikingly handsome stranger demanding answers she dare not reveal . . . Is it her seductive eyes, or his suspicion that she’s up to no good that have Clive Somerville shadowing Lena’s every move? Either way, his secret investigation for the Home Office has him determined to uncover Lena’s hidden agenda. But the closer he gets to her, the more he longs to be her protector. Is she a victim of circumstance? Or a dark force in a conspiracy that could destroy everything Clive holds dear? Discovering the truth could have dire consequences, not only for Lena, but for his heart . . . Reckless in Red was a 2019 finalist for the Holt Medallion in Historical Fiction and a first-place winner in the 2020 National Federation of Press Women’s communications contests in the category Fiction for Adult Readers: Novels. Enjoy an Excerpt from Reckless in Red Winter 1820 “That damned swindler.” From the office door of Calder and Company, Lena Frost could see the key, left precisely in the middle of the empty desktop. Everything else was gone: Horatio’s inkwell, his penknife, his little toys, even the carved bird he’d been toying with for the last several weeks. She knew what it meant: Horatio had left. For good. But did he take the money? She snatched up the key as she rounded the desk. Perhaps he’d left it—or at least enough to pay the remaining craftsmen and open the exhibition. Perhaps : the word felt hollow. Five of the six desk drawers stuck out several inches. Horatio had left in haste. She looked through the drawers, now a jumble. Unused correspondence paper in a variety of sizes. An assortment of bills, paid—because she had paid them—to the end of the quarter. A handful of artist’s crayons, almost used up. She picked up the sanguine pencil, its tip a ruddy red against her hand, then tossed it back into the drawer. Horatio was a talented artist, but his real skill was with words, most of them lies. Nothing in the drawers was of any importance. Only the drawer where she kept the money box was still shut. If the money was gone, her only hope would be to keep it quiet until she could open the exhibition. Subscribers had paid in advance to see what everyone was calling the most important art exhibition of the year. If she didn’t open, she’d have to refund their money. If she could make it two more weeks . . . She hesitated before turning the key, torn between needing to know and dreading the knowledge. No. Whatever is here—or isn’t—I will face it, as I always have. She turned the key. The drawer opened about four inches, then stuck. Hope bloomed for a moment. Perhaps the money box was still there, wedging the drawer in place, its banknotes and coin all still neatly arranged in divided trays. She pushed the drawer in, then tugged it out. But nothing would make it open wider. She slid her hand in flat; there wasn’t room to make a fist. Then she inched her fingers forward. She felt nothing but the wooden bottom of the drawer. When she reached the halfway point, her stomach turned sour. The box was gone. But she kept reaching, needing to know the drawer was empty before she let herself sink into the despair already pooling inside her. At the very back of the drawer, almost past her reach, her fingertips felt the edge of a thick piece of paper. A banknote? Perhaps he had left her enough to open the exhibition? Or at least to pay her rent? Pressing the tips of her fingers against the paper, she dragged it forward and out. The note was folded over twice, and she hesitated a moment, afraid of what it might tell her. The paper was fine, well made, one of the sheets she used to correspond with wealthy patrons and subscribers. That in itself was strange: Horatio normally wrote on paper with a large watermark of Britannia in the middle of the page. He’d play a game with the ghost image, positioning his salutation so that Britannia would look at the name of the addressee or so that her spear would intersect with his period to make an invisible exclamation at the end of his sentences. Lena had shaken her head at his games, finding it hard to remain angry or frustrated with him. But if he’d endangered the exhibition, she might remain angry with him forever. Tightening her jaw, she unfolded the page. In the center, Horatio had lettered a single word: “RUN.” The despair in her stomach turned instantly to an unreasoning fear. Every creak, every groan of the old building sounded like a warning. Run . She pushed the drawer closed, locked it, and replaced the key in the center of the desktop. Surveying the room, she tried to imagine where Horatio might have hidden the money box. But, other than the desk, two chairs, and the old engravings stuck with pins to the walls, the room was almost empty. Everything was just as it had been for the last two years, except the money was gone, and Horatio with it. All he’d left her was the note. She held it out, examining the way Horatio’s R curved oddly beneath the bottom of the U , and the final stroke of the N trailed upward. An extra blotch of ink widened the line slightly before the tip, like the hand of a clock. She held the page up to the light. No watermark, no secret design that played with the letters. She stood, her arms wrapped around her chest, the note limp in one hand. She’d never expected him to betray her, to leave her with no way out but to run. All her energy, her passion, drained out onto the wooden floor and seeped away between the boards. The exhibition would fail. She would fail. And this time she had nowhere to . . . run. She traced the malformed letters of the note once more, then she crushed it against her palm and shoved it in her pocket. From the outer office, the hallway door creaked open. When Horatio’d said run, she had no idea he meant so soon. Suddenly afraid, she scanned the room. The inner office door was partly open. The drop from the window to the street was three stories. She had nowhere to hide, and only seconds to make a decision. Heavy footfalls approached. Though the crew and the ticket seller had left soon after she’d returned, the office door remained open to prospective subscribers until she or Horatio left for the evening. But should the intruder be dangerous, she would have no help. She looked down at her clothes, her best dress and coat worn to meet a publisher who’d agreed to sell engraved prints of the panorama. With only a moment to imagine a plan, she flung herself into a chair before the desk. Her only hope was to pretend to be someone else. A tall man, strongly built, pushed the door open. Standing in the doorway, he seemed like one of the statues from the Loggia dei Lanzi come to life. And he was beautiful. His clothes caressed his form, revealing powerful shoulders, narrow waist, and firmly muscled thighs. His black hair curled in thick waves like Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus. In Florence, she’d marveled at the sculptures of the classical gods, their muscles detailed in marble or bronze. But she’d never realized how breathtaking it would be for those ancient heroes to come to life. He examined the room slowly before he turned his attention to her. And when his eyes met hers, it was both exhilarating—and terrifying. “Are you Mr. Calder? I wanted to subscribe to the exhibition in your Rotunda.” She kept her tone breathless and a little naive. “I saw a panorama once when I was a child—the Temples of Greece—and I’ve never forgotten it, how you could stand in the middle and feel as if you had been transported to a different place and time.” She spoke quickly, letting her words jumble together in a rush of enthusiasm. “I’m looking forward to seeing your painting. I’ve read all the clues you’ve advertised for deciphering the topic. I think it must be Waterloo. What else could be painted in such a grand scale? How hard must it be to paint all those figures—the horses, the flags, our men marching valiantly into battle? It must be such a glorious scene!” “Don’t forget the carrion birds and the jackals ripping apart the bodies of the dead.” His voice was stern, but the sound of it resonated down the line of her spine. “Or the bodies broken apart by the cannon or the bayonet.” “Well, sir!” She rose, feigning offense. “If you treat a prospective subscriber so rudely, I will spend my sixpence elsewhere.” She walked briskly toward the door. When he didn’t move out of her way, she stopped just out of his reach. He was considering her carefully, examining her clothes and her figure beneath them. Under the focused attention, Lena felt exposed, like a rabbit who’d encountered a hungry hawk. Refusing to be intimidated, she examined him in turn. His eyes were a cold green, his chin firm. His cravat, tied loosely around his neck, made her wish it was tied even more loosely. Her fingers itched for her sketchbook and pencil. Oh, that he would be just another would-be subscriber! Then—perhaps—she could convince him to sit for her. She pushed the thoughts away. He might be handsome, even devastatingly so, but if he were Horatio’s enemy, he would likely be hers as well. He remained in the doorway, and his stare intensified. She felt the heat of it along her neck and cheeks. Her stomach twisted, but whether in attraction or fear, she couldn’t be certain. The silence between them grew, and Horatio’s message echoed in her ears: Run . “Will you at least be a gentleman and remove yourself from the doorway?” She pulled her shoulders back, as she did with suppliers who wished to take their fee from Horatio instead of from her. For a moment, he looked abashed, as if he hadn’t considered that his behavior was ungentlemanly. “It appears we both have business with Calder, and we are both disappointed.” He stepped away from the door- way, giving her ample room to escape. Then, as she passed, he offered her a low bow, as if she were a princess or queen. She felt his stare on her back as she walked purposefully, but not too quickly, to the outer office door. She refused to look back at him, afraid to reveal her fear—or her interest. When she reached the outer door, she allowed herself one last look at her Greek-god-come-to-life, but he had already moved into the office and out of sight. She stepped into the hall, listening. A subscriber likely wouldn’t wait too long for Horatio to return. She heard the desk drawers open and close, and papers rustle. Not a subscriber then, and her disappointment felt like a rock in the pit of her belly. She waited another minute, but when she heard him wrestling with the stuck drawer, she finally took Horatio’s advice. She ran. End of Excerpt. Copyright © Rachel Miles Learn more by visiting the author's website. Reckless in Red released October 29, 2019 from Zebra Books. Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Apple | More at Kensington Books "The suspenseful fourth in Miles’s Muses’ Salon series (after Tempting the Earl ) captivates with clever prose and an unconventional heroine. In 1820 London, painter Lena Frost drifts on the fringes of society due to her checkered past, but she hopes that her upcoming exhibition will catapult her into artistic fame. Her hopes are dashed when her business partner disappears with all of their money. Then several people, all with some connection to Lena, are murdered. Enter Clive Somerville, who is the younger brother of a duke and is a surgeon who serves among the Home Office’s investigative ranks. His inquiries into the rash of killings lead him straight to Lena’s doorstep. His fascination with Lena blurs the lines between suspicion and desire, and his urge to question her quickly transforms into a need to protect her. The only flaw in this intricately crafted historical romance is the unbelievable speed at which the connection between the protagonists develops. Readers looking for a change from Regencies will find this witty Victorian tale refreshing." - Publishers Weekly Q&A with the Author Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly? For me, being a writer requires more than feeling strongly. I must understand the craft of writing and work hard to master that craft. In fact, the idea that one needs to feel emotions strongly to be a good writer is a pretty new one. Shakespeare and his Renaissance peers, for example, demonstrated their wit (intelligence, cunning, skill) by refashioning common metaphors and ideas into something new and surprising. Shakespeare’s near contemporary John Donne even transforms a flea into a marriage bed. But around 200 years ago, at the beginning of the nineteenth-century, writers began to claim that the power of their prose was tied to the depth of their emotional experiences. I suppose we could blame it on William Wordsworth. He claims in the 1800 Preface to Lyrical Ballads, that his poetry originated from “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings … [to] emotions recollected in tranquillity.” It’s a memorable statement and frequently quoted, even today. Sadly, it encourages lots of people who might be fine writers that they must weep over the page to be successful, and that just seems to me somewhat exhausting. Who are your main characters? Tell as a little about what makes them tick. In Reckless in Red, Lena Frost is a talented painter, but she hasn’t been able to overcome the limits of her gender to garner the best commissions. She’s decided to throw her future on the tastes of the middle classes, and to that end, she’s about to open a monumental panorama in a purpose-built circular building three stories high. But then her partner steals all their money and someone tries to kill her. Then there’s the handsome Lord Clive Somerville who saves her life, but who won’t be satisfied until he learns all her secrets. Can she trust him? or should she follow her partner’s advice and run? A surgeon and teacher, Lord Clive Somerville, in his spare time, investigates murders for the Home Office. He may not be the most diplomatic of men — his family jokes that he once told a woman she was going to die over soup — but he knows that Lena is in trouble. And it’s equally clear that she isn’t telling him everything he needs to know to protect her. But if he is to catch a gang of murderers before they strike again, he has to discover what she knows, even if it means risking his heart. What are three things people may not know about you? I always used to have my students introduce themselves by playing two truths and one lie, and the class would vote on which was the lie. We did this across the semester, so some students took the time to build elaborate illusions so they could “win” by deceiving their classmates. So, I am tempted to make one of these a lie. I had just finished my first novel when a black lab puppy showed up on my porch. At the time, we lived in a neighborhood where people often dumped unwanted pets. When it became clear that she was going to be part of the family, I named her after the heroine of that book. My father died before my first book came out, so though he knew I’d signed a contract he never got to see the books in print. Each year, for his birthday, I try to do something that would please him. Last year, I started learning bird songs; this year, I dug a pond and put koi in it. My dad—a native Texan—once dug a pond in the shape of Texas. I live on the edge of a town in what I call the almost woods. We have lots of deer and other critters—so many that I’ve decided to post pictures on them on my facebook page on Tuesdays. Critter Tuesday. I’ve trained one of this year’s fawns to come to the yard for bird seed when I whistle. B&B: *If one is a lie, it's a good one!* Were there scenes you ended up cutting you wish you could've kept? Describe the decision-making process. I always write far more scenes with my villain than can appear in any of the books. Charters is such a delicious character that it’s hard to keep him in check. There’s only way to decide what goes in and what stays out: what kind of story am I writing? And that decision has more to do with genre than anything else. If too much of the book is devoted to the bad guy instead of to the lovers, then I’m not writing a romance any more, and readers will be disappointed. But I have dozens of scenes with him, his back story, his family, his fate—and none of them will likely ever appear in a book. I hope that richness of his back story, even if it doesn’t appear explicitly in the stories, gives Charters depth and texture. What is your favorite non-writing pastime? I love to garden, but I’m not terribly good at it. I really love growing herbs—and I’ve finally figured out that if I want to eat pesto more than once a season, I have to plant lots of basil. So this year, I think I have twenty plants and five varieties. This year, since I’m working from home, I’ve also experimented with flavored oils and vinegars, and even herbed butters—and that sentence makes me sound way more clever at culinary things than I actually am. I simply had a cookbook that needed to earn its space on my shelf by me using some of its recipes. I’m not so good at growing vegetables. I planted a lovely Italian zucchini (zuchetta da pergola) this year that has in the last month taken over most of a fence. But since it just started blossoming this late in the season, I’m letting the baby woodchuck eat as much as s/he wants. All of my cabbage went the way of the deer, though I did get to eat a handful of snap peas off the vine. Next year: way more peas, no cabbage. Meet the Author Rachael Miles writes ‘cozily scrumptious’ historical romances set in the British Regency. Her books have been positively reviewed by Kirkus , Publishers Weekly , and Booklist , which praised her ‘impeccably researched and beautifully crafted’ novels, comparing her works to those of Jo Beverly and Mary Jo Putney. Her novel, Reckless in Red , won first place in adult fiction: novels in the National Federation of Press Women’s writing contest. A native Texan, Miles is a former professor of book history and nineteenth-century literature. She lives in upstate New York with her indulgent husband, three rescued dogs, and all the squirrels, chipmunks, and deer who eat at her bird feeders. Visit her at rachaelmiles.com Twitter: twitter.com/rachael_miles1 Facebook: facebook.com/rachaelmilesauthor Genre: Historical Regency Romance Publisher: Kensington - Zebra Books Series: Book 4 in the Muses' Salon Series Release Date: October 29, 2019 Type: Novel Heat Level: 5 Hearts View our rating system

Don't miss Josephine Blake's newest release, The Arms of a Stranger! The Arms of a Stranger Becoming friends was chance. But falling in love is far beyond their control. The eldest in a family of seven, Hannah Cook’s position as a maid at The West Hotel is essential. When the owners offer her an opportunity to advance, the role of hostess seems like a dream come true—that is, until the hotel is robbed on her very first day on the job! Jonathon Stone has been alone since his mother died when he was a boy. The only spark of happiness in his life? His childhood best friend, Hannah. When he sets out to empty the coffers of The West Hotel, he never expects to find her there, and he never anticipated taking her hostage… Holed up together in a remote cabin, will old sparks be enough to bring Jonathon back to life? Or will the man he has become break Hannah’s heart all over again? The Arms of a Stranger is the third story in the Brides of Adoration series. Each story is clean and sweet, with zero cliff hangers and a lovely Happily Ever After that is sure to make you smile! Amazon Meet the Author Josephine Blake is a bestselling author and award-winning graphic designer. She enjoys a quiet life on a comfortable piece of property in her very own small-town in the Willamette Valley. With over 17 published books in the romance genre, Josephine works hard to make sure her stories bring a little more love into this crazy world. She and her husband spend most days chasing their little one around their farmhouse with thankful hearts. Visit her online at awordfromjosephineblake.com . Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish  and is now hosted by  That Artsy Reader Girl .  Each week they suggest a new theme for bloggers to write about. This week’s topic was a cover freebie, so we decided to jump on board to share ten fabulous covers for books, from any genre, released in 2020. The below picks are from MK McClintock . There really are too many fabulous book covers out there to only choose ten and call it good, so I went at this objectively, did a search on Amazon for books, in different genres, published or to-be-released in 2020, and selected the ones that caught, and held my attention. I have not read any of these books, though a few did sneak into my shopping cart. In no particular order . . . Chance of a Lifetim e by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets What I like : Everything. It's a beautiful cover, and I love the use of reflection and color to indicate the different time period and relationship. The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper What I like: It's different from what I normally come across, and I do like maps. The cover makes me want to know the secret, and I won't rest until I do! Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan What I like: Okay, so there were a lot of wonderful Christmas book covers for 2020, and this was one of the first I saw. It's so festive and pretty, and I want to walk through that front door to see what's inside. Of Lands High and Low by Martha Keyes What I like: I adore a good Highland romance novel, but I don't usually care for the half-dressed people on the covers, though I still sometimes buy the books. I like this one because it's different, and I like the painted look. The Woman in the Mirror by Rebecca James What I like: I actually ordered this one before conducting my search of covers. I was in the mood for some atmospheric books to read around Halloween, and this one caught my attention. The cover conveys mystery, suspense, and perhaps a touch of sadness. What do you think she is doing on the rocks? The Light at Wyndcliff by Sarah E. Ladd What I like: Everything. Ladd's publisher always does a nice job on her book covers, but I especially like this one with the beautiful sea and the walk on the cliffs. It conveys a soothing and peaceful atmosphere. The Second Sign by Ernest Dempsey What I like: I happened upon the first book, which had a really great cover, and then saw that the long series of Sean Wyatt Adventures all have great covers. The imagery on this and the others are powerful, and the use of color is nice nicely done. Mortmain Hall by Martin Edwards What I like: A part of me wants to stop her from walking to the creepy mansion, but another, more vocal part of me wants her to go inside so I can go, too. It's a cool cover, and while I don't normally read books set in the time period, I plan to give this one a try. Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano What I like: She looks happy and mischievous, and seems to want me along for whatever trouble she has brewing. I'm told there's a chivalrous man of science eager to help, too. Sign up me! Twin Flames by Rachel Henke What I like: The imagery, and I immediately thought, "Cool, a historical supernatural mystery." I looked further and it's Tudor time travel, but still. The cover speaks to my Halloween-ish mood. What books have you tried this year because the cover caught your interest? Have you read any of these? What did you think? Check out more great book cover picks by visiting a variety of blogs found at The Artsy Reader Girl .

Don't miss Kit Morgan's newest release, Hearts of the Northwest! Hearts of the Northwest “She’s run off, boys! Go get her!” Those were Colt and Wolf Remington’s father’s last words concerning their sister Liana. She took care of their father, who, newly married, had it in his head that she should take care of his new wife too. Was it any wonder she ran off? The problem was, finding her. Liana Remington’s  father decided she should become a bride. Problem was, he didn’t inform her of his plans. So rather than marry the biggest bore in Texas, she would rather become a mail-order bride and marry a stranger. After all, it was the only way to find a glimmer of happiness for herself. But could she find it with a man who had his two beautiful sisters living with him? Had she just left the frying pan and landed in the fire? Would the life she left in Texas repeat itself in the soggy Northwest? Worse, when her brothers show up, will she ever have a chance at love with the handsome Dr. Martin Kirby? Colton Remington  took his father’s request seriously. But he could also understand why Liana left. Still, running off to who-knows-where was dangerous and foolhardy. What if she was accosted, kidnapped or worse? She didn’t know the ways of the world. He did. The war had taught him more than enough. But with the help of his brother, they’d find her and if anything, bring her back to live with them. Unfortunately, when they caught up to her, Liana wasn’t the one in danger, he was! Pearl Kirby would be the death of him. Who knew a pair of soft brown eyes could be so threatening? Wolf Remington  didn’t like being dragged off to help find his sister. If she wanted to escape their father, let her. Didn’t she deserve some happiness? But Colt didn’t see it that way and, as Wolf was an expert tracker and had a sense for finding people, they soon found themselves in Oregon City, Oregon. However Liana wasn’t in as much danger as his brother thought. In fact, she looked to be getting along fine with her doctor beau. But if Colt had his way, they’d be taking her back to Texas. That is unless Wolf and the doc’s younger sister, Ruby, made it look like they were getting along just fine too. Problem was, the little spitfire irritated him to no end! How was he ever going to keep up the ruse? Get all four books in the Regional Romance Series featuring scenic historic locations, exciting drama, and sweet (yet swoony) romance! Amazon Meet the Author A consistent Top 100 lists bestseller, Kit Morgan , aka Geralyn Beauchamp, has been writing for fun all of her life. When writing as Geralyn Beauchamp, her books are epic, adventurous, romantic fantasy at its best. When writing as Kit Morgan they are whimsical, fun, inspirational sweet and clean stories that depict a strong sense of family and community. 'His Prairie Princess' is the first of the Prairie Brides books and the first in the series of a long line of stories about Clear Creek, Oregon. One of the wackiest little towns in the old west! Get to know the townsfolk in Clear Creek and come sit a spell! Visit her online at authorkitmorgan.com . Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel

"My kind of romance!" — Readers Favorite, 5 Stars Book Description Max Logan longs for the joys of home and family he missed growing up in foster care. He fills that emotional void by becoming a kick-ass Marine, and for eighteen years, led his band of brothers from one hell-hole to another. Until the one that nearly destroyed him. Sixteen months of therapy and rehab put his body back together, but some wounds can’t be seen. Some can’t be healed. Skylar Ward dreams of a life that includes someone beside her. Someone to share her life and be a father to her young daughter. But if she learned anything from her failed marriage, it was that you don’t rush into a relationship. Only Max Logan sparks her interest. But the handsome, brooding war hero remains aloof. Seven-year-old Maddie Ward overhears a neighbor tell her mom she needs a male companion and immediately decides Max will do just fine. He needs a family. They need him. She just has to figure out how to make that happen. Can a precocious child be the catalyst that heals and brings them all together, or will ashes of the past bury hope forever? "A truly special book that deserves a place of honor on anyone's bookshelf!" - InD'tale Magazine Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Add to Goodreads In the author's words . . . A Q&A with Dana Wayne Do you consider your books plot-driven or character-driven? Definitely character driven. Ideas always come to me character first. Something sparks idea for this character, and then I start the what-if’s and why’s – what if she’s this way or this happens? Why was she in that place? What if he experienced this event? The character tells me what needs to happen next versus the story dictating the action. And because I’m a pantser, meaning I don’t plot or outline, the character driven concept works for me. Sometimes a character will come to me as just a name or a even face or sometimes it’s a situation, and we’re off to the races. Occasionally, that can be problematic, like when you’re typing along and the character says or does something you literally did not see coming and you’re like, ‘oh, okay. Now what’? Or I end up typing them into a corner and have to back track until I find the thread again and can move forward. That’s what I love about what I do and how I do it – that ah-ha moment, that unexpected dialog or event that gets me so pumped my fingers fly over the keyboard for hours. Just ask my husband how it is when I’m on a roll! How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? Honestly, it was a bit scary at first. I mean, I was about to put it out there for the world to see, to criticize, to judge. But I believed in what I was doing, so, I just went for it. The results were so encouraging that when I started my second book, I finished it in record time. And the success of that one pushed me to the next and so forth. Obviously, since I write romance, I know there are people who won’t like it. But I write for the love of the craft. The fact that a lot of people do like it is just icing on the cake, and that is what keeps me moving on to the next ‘chapter one’. What is your favorite scene in Chasing Hope? I really like the interaction between Max and Maddie, Sky’s young daughter. She is so empathetic toward him, and her unconditional acceptance is a big part of his growth and healing. She’s prone to eavesdrop because she thinks that’s the only way she’ll be able to get to the truth of things. She’s extremely bright and mature for her age, but she’s still a child and the scene where she initiates a discussion about Max’s PTSD shows that. It was an emotional scene to write because it covered the child’s point of view and the adult one. There are other scenes, too, like the one where she talks about the scar on his cheek by talking about her own; the one where she asks him if he has a girlfriend, and the one where she is basically having boy troubles and asks his advice. There’s another one toward the end when Max makes a hard decision. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so will leave it at that. So, the short answer is, any scene with Max and Maddie interacting is my favorite. How do you feel about book trailers and do you use them? I love trailers and have one for all my books. They are a versatile marketing tool because you can use them anywhere. And not just for your books, either. Consider making one for yourself as an author. Everything is so web-based anymore that trailers are great way to get the word out about your work because they can be used on your website and any social media platform. What makes Chasing Hope special or unique to you? Can you give us a little history behind the story? I come from a family of military veterans and I’ve always been a strong supporter. I’ve heard and read a lot about PTSD and wanted to write something that addressed it in some way. But the more I researched, the more I knew that one, I wasn’t qualified to do that, and two, a romance novel wasn’t the place for it. So, I chose to have the hero, Max Logan, about eighteen months post-treatment for PTSD and the life-threatening injuries he sustained. With the right help and support, he has developed coping skills to deal with his day-to-day life. But he isn’t ‘cured’ and knows that; he knows he still needs help and actively seeks it when needed. Because his PTSD is a part of who he is, it is discussed a little bit, but the main focus of the story is Max, Sky and Maddie and how the come together as a family. I like to think it also inspires hope in the reader; that despite whatever the world hands you, with the right support, encouragement, and acceptance, you will rise above it. Learn more by visiting the author's website. Chasing Hope released June 15, 2019. Meet the Author Awarding winning author Dana Wayne is a sixth-generation Texan and resides in the Piney Woods with her husband, three children, and four grandchildren. She routinely speaks to book clubs, writers groups, and other organizations and is a frequent guest on numerous writing blogs. A die-hard romantic, her stories are filled with strong women, second chances, and happily ever after. "I’ve always wanted to write and knew that one day, I would. I retired in late 2013 and published my first book, a contemporary romance, in 2016. I was over the moon when the Texas Association of Authors awarded it first place, Contemporary Romance, and I never looked back. Because I am all about the romance, my stories are heartwarming, have a splash of suspense and humor, and are a little steamy. But, I believe romance is more about emotion than sex, and the journey is more important than the destination." Affiliations include Texas Association of Authors, Writers League of Texas, East Texas Writers Guild, Northeast Texas Writers Organization, and East Texas Writers Association. Visit her at danawayne.com Facebook: facebook.com/danawayne423 Twitter: twitter.com/danawayne423 Instagram: instagram.com/danawayne423 Chasing Hope by Dana Wayne Genre: Contemporary Romance Type: Novel Heat Level: 5 Language Level: 2 Violence Level: 2 Click here to learn more about content ratings.

“ Series fans and new readers alike will be charmed. ” –Publishers Weekly Book Description Lady Emmeline Hartley has overcome every obstacle life has thrown her way. A spinster, disappointed in love, Em is on the brink of a marriage of convenience, when the man who rejected her heart reappears in need of her help. It gives Em a chance to escape, put to use one of her most unusual talents--and perhaps convince him once and for all to risk his heart... Adam Montclair--one of the most successful agents at the Home Office--rubs elbows with the highest levels of society. Even so, he wasn’t to the manor born. No matter how much he desires Em, as a match he is completely unsuitable. While it pains him to be near her, it’s a punishment he richly deserves. Now on a mission to uncover a plot against the government, Adam knows Em’s uncanny ability to recall voices will be essential. Yet as the two thwart the dangers in their path, it may become impossible to deny that Em is essential to happiness itself... Book five in Miles’s The Muses’ Salon series (after Reckless in Red ) delivers heady Regency romance featuring a refreshing heroine and a tantalizing mystery. Lady Emmeline Hartley permanently injured her legs at age six in the same accident that killed her mother and sisters. Her father abandoned her to be raised by servants, and Em has spent the intervening years caring for his estate with her faithful dog, Queen Bess, at her side. Now Em is on the brink of a marriage of convenience to longtime family friend Lord Colin Somerville—but she gets cold feet and flees on her wedding day, reluctantly accepting the aid of Adam Locksley, an agent of the Home Office and Em’s former lover, to get away. Though Em is angry at Adam over a perceived betrayal, Adam is determined to keep her safe. But in a delightful twist, the Home Office requests Em’s help to catch a burgeoning threat to England, and Adam and Em are quickly embroiled in a multitude of schemes. Em’s self-discovery is a delight to behold as she matures from impish child, to solemn bride-to-be, to fully self-actualized, independent woman working hand in hand with a partner. Series fans and new readers alike will be charmed. — Publishers Weekly Enjoy an Excerpt from Brazen in Blue August 1819 The note was short. A time, a place, a handwriting she knew. But no apology. Lady Emmeline Hartley read the note again. I must see you. I wouldn’t ask, knowing how we parted. But I must say it: lives depend on it. Come to the great oak at midnight. The light of the moon will guide your way. For months she’d imagined how she would respond if Adam Locksley ever sent her such a note. After long con- sideration, she’d determined she wouldn’t see him. She would let him and his rabble-rousing friends go; she would do good in her own way. She had her own funds. She didn’t need to overturn the aristocracy to feed those on her estate or in her shire. She threw the note into the fire. But she had no choice but to meet Adam. A week ago, Lord Colin Somerville had arrived, haggard and wounded both in body and soul. He was her childhood defender, her dear and constant friend. He’d asked for shelter and for secrecy. She’d promised him both. She wouldn’t let her indiscretions alter that. If she didn’t meet Adam, he would come to the estate. He’d done it before, stood under her balcony with a hand- ful of pebbles and hit every window but her own. In the months since she’d seen him last, she’d moved her bedroom to another wing of the manor, so whatever window his pebbles struck, it couldn’t be hers. That made it more likely that Colin would hear him, and then she’d have to explain. The thought of her upstanding defender pacing off a duel with her criminal lover twisted her stomach. No, she had to meet Adam. But she didn’t have to trust him. She dressed quickly in a dark riding dress covered by her grandfather’s greatcoat, shortened to fit her height. Removing a muff pistol from her dressing table, she carefully loaded the chamber, then tucked it into an inner pocket she’d sewn for the purpose. When Em picked up her walking stick, her giant Newfoundland dog, Queen Bess, rose and joined her. Taking a deep breath, Emmeline slipped into the hall, Bess padding quietly behind. She stole down the staircase and through the door leading into the kitchen garden. No one noticed. At the garden, two paths led to the great oak. The smoother, wider, but more public, route took her toward the village, joining the forest where the bridge crossed the river. The longer, but more secluded, route led through the uneven ground of the churchyard. She chose the private cemetery path. Since the moon was bright, she walked close to the chapel walls. Inside the churchyard, she passed the graves of her oldest ancestors. While she was within the view of the house, she forced herself to move slowly, stepping from the shadow of one tree to the next. If someone looked out a window, she wanted to appear no more than a trick of the moonlight, or, for the more superstitious, a ghost uneasy in the grave or one of the faerie folk come to dance among the oaks. At the graves of her sisters, she quickened her pace. As a child, she had carried her bowl of porridge to their trim plots, believing they could know she was near them. But as she’d grown, she had set aside such fancies. Nursery rhymes and folk tales only cloud the judgment. Even so, she was grateful her sisters had been long silent: she would have hated for them to know what a fool she’d been. Stepping into the forest, Emmeline quickened her step, but not because Adam waited. She could never make her way to the great oak’s clearing without thinking of her mother and sisters, lost in a carriage accident when Emmeline was just six. Her mother, Titania—named after Shakespeare’s Queen of the Faeries—had believed the clearing was one of the few remaining places where the human and faerie worlds overlapped. On picnics, Titania would enthrall her daughters with tales of magic and enchantment, her voice a lilting honey-gold. Sometimes Titania would sing them an eerie, tuneless song she claimed the Faerie Queen had taught her. On those days, Emmeline would dance around the great oak, believing that she could see shadowy figures melt out of and back into the trees. Had Emmeline not grown up half in love with faeries, she wouldn’t have fallen so easily under Adam’s spell. When she’d first encountered him beneath the shadows of the giant oak, she would have known that, though he was playing a lyre, he was just another highwayman. Emme- line slowed, not wishing to tax her leg, as she navigated her way carefully across the raised tree roots that broke up the path. But even so, she reached the clearing long before the time he’d set. He stood much as he had the first time she’d seen him. His long dark cloak was the color of shadows, and his doublet and trousers were a rich forest green. This time, however, he had no lyre, and, without his rich baritone, the clearing was oddly silent. Even so, she wasn’t prepared for the visceral jolt of recognition when she saw him or the way she longed to feel the touch of his hands and lips. But she refused her desire. She couldn’t allow herself to trust him again. “No song tonight?” She kept her distance, keeping her hand hidden inside her cloak. “I feel little like singing.” Even in the dark, her mind saw his words as texture and color. He walked to the altar rock, gesturing for her to sit beside him as they used to do. His body appeared tense, his shoulders and neck held taut. “What troubles you?” She leaned up against the giant oak instead. “Could you find no good and true English- men, to seduce with your words?” “You’re still angry.” He stepped toward her. “No, to feel angry , I’d have to feel something for you.” She held up her walking stick menacingly, and he stopped several feet away. “But you killed my good feelings when you let those men die. All that’s left is revulsion.” “What if I told you that they weren’t dead? That they and their families are living well on their own plots of land, happy in the colonies?” He raised his hands in supplication. “I’d ask what other fairy tales you wish for me to be- lieve. I saw the notice of execution. My only disappoint- ment was that your name wasn’t on it.” She knew the words weren’t true, but she wouldn’t let him see other- wise. Her life would be better without him. “I knew this was a bad idea.” He raked his hand through his hair. “After months of silence and last week’s massacre at Manchester, did you expect me to be grateful for your summons?” “Then why did you come?” Adam held out his hand, but she ignored it. “To warn you,” she said flatly. “Of what?” He looked hopeful. “Set foot upon my lands again or in the village or any where in this county, and I will have you hung. I will testify myself.” “How can you testify without revealing your part in my crimes?” Adam’s tone sounded almost amused. “I can’t. That’s your dilemma. You promised me once that you would never allow me to be harmed by riding with you. If you stay, I will have you jailed and tried, and I cannot help but be harmed if I testify.” She spoke slowly. She would not be misunderstood. “You have a choice. You may hold your meetings. Create your reform societies. Tempt the farmers and workmen to peaceful protests like the one at Peterloo, where they will be killed or maimed. But not here.” “Em, I didn’t intend . . .” He stepped forward, but she held up the walking stick, stopping his progress. “I don’t care what your intentions were. I thought you were a good man, that you hoped to ease the sufferings of your fellow men, that you wanted rational reform. You showed me those sufferings in ways that I’d never seen before.” She willed her voice to remain even. “But you betrayed the cottagers who believed in you, and you led them straight to their deaths. And I was beside you. Their blood is on my hands as surely as it is on yours. My only redemption will be to oppose you and men like you to my last breath.” “I need your help.” He held out his palms in supplication, walking toward her. “Never. I reserve my help for the families men like you destroy. Now leave my land before I set the magistrate on you.” She let her cloak fall open and lifted her hand, directing her pistol at his heart. “Or I will kill you myself.” “Would you send me away if you knew it meant my death?” She looked deep in his eyes and cocked the trigger. “Yes.” End of Excerpt. Copyright © Rachel Miles Learn more by visiting the author's website. Brazen in Blue released August 25 from Zebra Books. Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Kensington Books Praise for the Muses’ Salon series “A feast for the imagination.” –Publishers Weekly “Rachael Miles’ knowledge of the time period she writes about adds a depth of authenticity that enriches every page.” –Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author “A delicious, original read.” –RT Book Reviews In the author's words . . . Q&A with Rachel Miles Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? I try to find a balance between the two: how far can I push the limits of the genre without taking readers out of the story? Every reader knows the conventions of the genres they read: romance readers expect an optimistic ending; mystery readers expect a resolution of the plot; thriller readers expect someone to catch the spy (or the serial killer) and save the world (or hostage). With romance, we also have dozens of tropes that readers love (and hate): friends to lovers; enemies to lovers; secret baby; second chance; soul mates, etc—and those create additional constraints and opportunities. If I adhere too closely to the patterns of the genre, I risk that readers will find my books too formulaic. But if I twist the conventions too far—or ignore them completely—I risk that readers will find the novel isn’t “enough of a” romance or mystery. Most often, I look to the history of the period, to odd moments I discover in my research, to help shape the plot and characters in original ways, while staying within the shape of the genre. It’s even better when readers say something like “I don’t usually like [insert trope here] books, but this one surprised me.” As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? It’s funny, but I’ve never been able to answer that. My mother tells me that even when I was very little, if people asked that, I would scrunch up my face and glare at them. Though I don’t remember that, I do know that from fairly early, I thought of my life as a process of “becoming,” a pilgrimage to a future self that I couldn’t see or even imagine. And I believed that all the opportunities and obstacles were ultimately directing me in some way to that unknown self. So, I resisted all efforts to force me to decide on a particular path. My college major was listed as ‘undecided’ until I was a junior (I don’t recommend that strategy. It’s better to pick something then change it—because departments don’t give funding to people who aren’t their students.) At the same time that I had—and still have—this mystical view of how life works, I also was careful to set limits to how much I could indulge my varied interests. In college, I took the degree chart and figured out how I could overlap requirements to fit in everything I found interesting without taking extra credits. I do realize how nerdy that sounds. But I’m not certain that I would have discovered how much I love research and writing if I’d come at it head on. It had to sneak up on me. Who are your main characters? Tell as a little about what makes them tick. In Brazen in Blue , Lady Emmeline Hartley has been living to other people’s expectations her whole life. She’s responsible, deliberative, and kind. But at the beginning of the book, her good heart has put her in an impossible situation. In a moment of weakness, she’s agreed to marry her childhood friend, and as the wedding approaches, she becomes more and more convinced that going through with the marriage will make both of them unhappy. But breaking the engagement will create a scandal, and running goes against her character. Adam Montclair is an honest man who has had to find ways to justify to himself that he lies for a living. A spy for the Home Office and best friend to the groom, Adam has come to the wedding to see Em married. Several years before, trying to track down a criminal, he’d enlisted Em’s help, and her intelligence, her wit, and her bravery has haunted him since. But, after he gained the information the Home Office needed, he abandoned her friendship and worse yet, he’s let her believe he is dead. But the Home Office needs her help once more, and Adam must decide whether duty to country is more important than staying true to his heart. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? I spend enough time on research that readers can trust my details to be historically accurate. I was a university professor for many years, and research is part of the job. As a result, I tend to research compulsively, and I probably research at least one thing per page. Most often I research whether a particular word existed in the year of my story. Some words surprise me at how old they are: thing for example is an Old English word — it’s even in Beowulf. Other words are unexpectedly recent. Empathy, for example, didn’t exist before Sigmund Freud in the late nineteenth-century. So I can’t have a character in a Regency empathize with another person, though they can feel sympathy for them. I love to research what a person living in the period of my book might reasonably know. In Brazen in Blue—my upcoming release—the main character sees spoken words in color, so I researched both whether that is a legitimate form of synesthesia and whether it appeared in any 19thC documents. If the plot that I’ve imagined intersects with what I already know about the early nineteenth-century, then I don’t have to research as much upfront. Other times—as with my work in progress, Wicked in White, which requires me to know about the tides on the river Thames—I have had to really dig. Hint: in 1820 the strength of the tide is tied to which of the bridges it is passing under. Do you believe in the concept of a muse? What is yours like? I love this question because I named my series the Muses’ Salon. I took the idea from a Richard Samuel’s 1778 painting Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo, originally published as the Nine Living Muses of Great Britain. It depicts nine contemporary women writers and artists representing all fields of intellectual endeavor: scholars, playwrights, novelists, poets, painters, historians, singers, etc. (You can see the painting online at the National Portrait Gallery— npg.org.uk ). And I thought what if I created such a community of women in my books, a group of women who support and help each other, drawing on their special talents and skills. And each of them has different gifts: Ophelia Mason, for example, is a chemist; Lady Sophia Wilmot is a botanical illustrator and author; Lady Judith Somerville has both a very discriminating nose and a keen financial mind; Lady Lucy Fairborne is a Waterloo nurse, and so on. And it’s been great fun creating plots that highlight their various abilities. As for my muse…she is really quite lazy. She curls up in a chair in my office and reads a book (usually not one of mine). She refuses to whisper anything at all in my ear. Instead, she tells me to sit down and write and that eventually I’ll work it out. In fact, she reminds me of a dear piano teacher I once had…you knew you’d played something wrong if she woke up. Books & Benches: Delightful interview! :) Meet the Author Rachael Miles writes ‘cozily scrumptious’ historical romances set in the British Regency. Her books have been positively reviewed by Kirkus , Publishers Weekly , and Booklist , which praised her ‘impeccably researched and beautifully crafted’ novels, comparing her works to those of Jo Beverly and Mary Jo Putney. Her novel, Reckless in Red , won first place in adult fiction: novels in the National Federation of Press Women’s writing contest. A native Texan, Miles is a former professor of book history and nineteenth-century literature. She lives in upstate New York with her indulgent husband, three rescued dogs, and all the squirrels, chipmunks, and deer who eat at her bird feeders. Visit her at rachaelmiles.com Twitter: twitter.com/rachael_miles1 Facebook: facebook.com/rachaelmilesauthor Genre: Historical Regency Romance Publisher: Kensington - Zebra Books Series: Book 5 in the Muses' Salon Series Release Date: August 25, 2020 Type: Novel Heat Level: 5 Hearts View our rating system

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