Get Ready for the Holidays with Christmas Kisses #anthology @AlinaKField @AHAgrp #ReadaRegency

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Linda / Lyndi

My good friend, author Alina K. Field is one of the authors in this fabulous, upcoming holiday anthology.

CHRISTMAS KISSES

A Regency Holiday Romance Anthology (10 Authors)

Published: October 12, 2021

Authors (10) : Cheryl Bolen, Samantha Grace, Lana Williams, Collette Cameron, Sasha Cottman, Barbara Monajem, Suzanna Medeiros, Alina K. Field, Alanna Lucas, Heather Boyd.

Heat up the holiday with ten dreamy regency rogues! Winter is a time of magic, promise, and unexpected romance. Anything could happen…and it all begins with Christmas Kisses.

The Wallflower’s Christmas Wish (Brides of Bath) by Cheryl Bolen: While painting the portrait of Sir Elvin Steffington, Bath’s most eligible bachelor, the exceedingly plain spinster Diana Furness develops a strong friendship with her subject. Could this be more than friendship? Could he ever be attracted to one as inconsequential as she?

A Kiss From a Captain (An Everly Manor Happily Ever After) by Samantha Grace: Captain Gabriel Brazier defied doctors’ predictions and learned to walk again after losing his leg in war. But the damning voice whispering no woman will find him desirable again is hard to ignore, especially when he arrives at Everly Manor to compete for the charming Lady Laurel’s heart.

A Rogue’s Christmas Kiss (The Rogue Chronicles) by Lana Williams: Mary is shaken by a letter requesting she return home for Christmas. But her world is truly upended when she reunites with a former love for the long journey. Arthur has no desire to rekindle their relationship after Mary broke his heart, but a snowstorm and some passionate kisses just might reignite their love.

’Twas the Rogue Before Christmas (The Honorable Rogues®) by Collette Cameron: Eager to leave England, American, Jason Steele can’t forget the beautiful noblewoman he saved from a foiled robbery. Determined to behave properly, Lenora Audsley can’t stop thinking about the rogue who rescued her. Can the magic of the holiday season unite these lovers who are forbidden to see each other?

Bound to the Belgian Count (London Lords) by Sasha Cottman: Abandoned bride, Lily is determined to seek an annulment. But when her absent husband Count Maximilian de Viron suddenly appears in court, the judge decides on a unique compromise. Between now and Christmas Eve, the couple must live together, share meals, and talk.

Embracing the Scandal by Barbara Monajem: Harriet is banished for her naughty behavior, and when Jonathan asks for her hand, he is told she is dead. When they meet again, can they overcome the lies and sins of the past to fall in love once again?

A Viscount for Christmas by Suzanna Medeiros: Viscount Thornton returns home for his mother’s annual Christmas party to find a beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. Neither he nor Celia are happy when her mother demands they wed. Can they escape marriage or will they both get the Christmas gift they didn’t know they wanted?

The Impetuous Heiress (The Upstart Christmas Brides) by Alina K. Field: Before dashing Lord Loughton can make amends with his neglected fiancée, the lady’s meddling cousin delivers her to his doorstep. He soon realizes more is amiss than his carelessness. Can he uncover her secrets and win her back before he loses her altogether?

A Duchess for Christmas (Forgotten Heiress) by Alanna Lucas: Grace Banks is looking forward to her first Christmas at the Home for Desolate Ladies, but Edward, Duke of Tavistock, is set upon ruining it, and the secrets keeping them apart leave little hope for reconciliation. Can the spirit of Christmas heal two wounded hearts?

Let it Snow by Heather Boyd: When the worst scoundrel in her acquaintance rescues Yvette from a winter storm, she fears a holiday spent dodging his attempts at seduction. But more than one yuletide surprise awaits as she discovers Luc is a man of surprising patience, and passion for just one woman…Yvette herself.

Preorder price for Christmas Kisses is only 99 cents! Available at:

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MTT1PG8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08MTT1PG8

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08MTT1PG8

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08MTT1PG8

Apple Books
https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-kisses/id1538877649

https://books.apple.com/gb/book/christmas-kisses/id1538877649

https://books.apple.com/ca/book/christmas-kisses/id1538877649

https://books.apple.com/au/book/christmas-kisses/id1538877649

Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-kisses-cheryl-bolen/1138033752?ean=2940162733775

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-kisses-13

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/christmas-kisses-13

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/christmas-kisses-13

https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/christmas-kisses-13

Google

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=l083EAAAQBAJ

Add to your wish list at BookBub or Goodreads.

Alina’s contribution is The Impetuous Heiress, a novella in her Upstart Christmas Brides series.

Blurb:

Before dashing Lord Loughton can make amends with his neglected fiancée, the lady’s meddling cousin delivers her to his doorstep. He soon realizes more is amiss than his carelessness. Can he uncover her secrets and win her back before he loses her altogether?

Excerpt:

As the breakfast room emptied of children and servants, Fitz contemplated Mel. How beautiful she was, with her gleaming dark eyes and hair, her proud chin and lush mouth. Her father had claimed Spanish nobility somewhere in his bloodline. Her mother’s side was thoroughly English. Though Mel had said little about her mother, she’d been close to her father, a proud soldier, a steady and honorable man who, in one impetuous moment of passion, had eloped with a banker’s flighty daughter.

Mel was spirited but not flighty. At Lady Clitheroe’s he’d noticed her holding back, her eyes lit with amusement as other young ladies hounded him. Over several days, he’d watched her tease the wallflowers out of their nerves and engage the younger men in cards and games, always with the playfulness of an older sibling. Besides being beautiful, she was comfortable and kind.

A sense of what he had to lose swept through him. Too absorbed in his own troubles, he’d taken her promise to marry him for granted. He’d taken her for granted. He’d hurt her.

Had he done that to Alice?

He shook off the thought. With Alice, there’d been fault on both sides.

“Lord Loughton, you ought to go to that party with your family and your wards.”

She lifted his fingers away from her cheek, but he held on to her hand. “The parish children’s party is always a merry time, but I wouldn’t miss the chance to talk things over with you.”

“What is there to say? You are set free. I will leave.”

“And go where?”

“That is not your concern.”

“You and Hermione setting out on the road in this weather, just the two of you?” It most certainly was his concern. “I would worry. And go where, Mel?”

She squeezed her eyes tight, and her lips trembled. The threat of tears gave him hope.

“Oh, very well. Papa left me a cottage and a small holding.”

“Where?”

“In the north.”

“North of here? The roads are dreadful in Yorkshire, my brother George said.” And she’d set out on this journey in the middle of winter instead of sensibly waiting until spring. Why?

There must be a good reason. Mother had hinted that Lady Hermione was pockets to let. Mel’s small income from her father’s bequest would suffice if she owned the cottage outright, if it wasn’t falling down about her and in need of expensive repairs. Her grandfather had promised to leave a small bequest. Though he’d been ill recently, Sawley, as far as he knew, was still alive.

“Nevertheless, I will journey on,” she said. “I’m not afraid of the weather.”

Their intertwined hands drew her attention, and she chewed on her lip, blinking prodigiously. A tear slid down her cheek.

“Oh, Mel.”

With a quiet curse, she straightened her shoulders. “I don’t know why I’m such a watering-pot lately. You have always been too kind to me. When we’re together, that is. Let us leave it at that and go our separate ways.” She shivered and turned to the fire.

Stubborn woman. He wouldn’t give up so easily. Or at all. “Come with me to the study and let me tell you about the weeks since we’ve been apart. There’s a good fire there. I can even show you the estate books and you might have some advice for me.”

Her lips firmed, making him want to soften them with his own. When she stood and took the arm he offered, hope stirred in him. He’d win her back. He’d change her mind about leaving. He could ride to the bishop for a license and be married before his brother George tied the knot with Sophie. Or… Mother had reminded him that the banns had already been called. There was no need whatsoever to wait.

Author Alina K Field Author Bio and links:

Award winning and USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature but prefers the much happier world of romance fiction. Though her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California, where she shares a midcentury home with her husband and a spunky, blond rescued terrier. She is the author of several Regency romances, including the 2014 Book Buyer’s Best winner, Rosalyn’s Ring. Though hard at work on her next series of romantic adventures, she loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Alina online at:

Website: https://alinakfield.com/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alina-K.-Field/e/B00DZHWOKY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield
MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/alinakfield
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlinaKField
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alina-k-field
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinak.field/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173518.Alina_K_Field
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alinakf/
Bingebooks: https://bingebooks.com/author/alina-k-field
Newsletter signup: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z6q6e3

Other books in the The Upstart Christmas Brides Series:

The Duke She Despised
Convincing the Countess

Lily and the Gambler #SundaySnippet #99 cents #giveaway

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Linda / Lyndi

In this snippet from my western romance, Lily and the Gambler, Lily and King converse on a train.

His head jerked and he suddenly awoke, blinking his eyes. When he saw her looking at him, he grinned sheepishly. “Guess I’m not very good company today.”

“Did you get any sleep last night?”

“No, but I never sleep on boats.”

“What did you do all night?”

The look he gave her was faintly defiant. “I sat in on a poker game.”

Once again she fought disappointment. “Do you gamble often?”

“No, not often.”

Relief flooded through her. Nigel had been at the tables almost every evening. “Did you win?” she asked, keeping her tone light.

“No,” he said with a scowl, as if it were her fault.

She smiled. Serves him right. “I suppose every gambler has a losing streak now and again.”

He straightened in his seat. “I lost because I couldn’t keep my mind on the game. Poker is a game of skill, not luck.”

“I thought all gamblers believed in luck.”

“Oh, I believe in Lady Luck. She saved my life once.” He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out a deck of cards with a jagged hole in the middle.

“What happened?”

He handed her the cards. “That’s my lucky deck. It stopped a Rebel bullet during the war.”

The cards were tattered, obviously well used. Lily thought about Nigel. He hadn’t had a lucky deck the day of his duel. She passed the deck back to him. “You are a fortunate man.”

He grinned, his green-gold eyes crinkling at the corners, and pocketed the cards. “Lady Luck has been good to me, but like all ladies, she can be fickle. So I don’t like to depend on her. When I sit down at the poker table, I decide on the size of my stake. If I lose it, I fold.”

Lily studied him intently. For a man who gambled, he seemed to possess an unusual amount of common sense. If only Nigel had used as much sense. “It’s too bad everyone doesn’t think the way you do.”

He looked pleased by her words. “The way I figure it, a fool and his money are soon parted.”

Lily ground her teeth together. If only it were so. “No, Mr. Callaway, a fool and his family’s money are soon parted.” She thought of the three engagement rings, not to mention other valuables she’d taken to the pawnshops when Nigel was on a losing streak, most of them never seen again.

Callaway cocked an eyebrow. “What happened to your husband, Mrs. Albright?”

Lily bit her lip. She had revealed too much, but she hadn’t confided in anyone since leaving England, and her memories were eating away at her. It might help to talk about it, and she had a feeling King would understand.

“Nigel was on a winning streak. Another gentleman accused him of cheating. He was offended, of course. When the other man refused to apologize, Nigel challenged him to a duel. He was mortally wounded and died in my arms.” She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back the tears welling in her eyes. She refused to cry for him anymore.

“How awful for you.” His voice sounded gruffer than usual. “No wonder you feel the way you do about gambling.”

She fumbled in her bag for her handkerchief, but he was faster. She took the linen handkerchief he offered and dabbed at her eyes. It smelled of starch and tobacco and man. Comforting scents. How many times had she snuffled into Nigel’s handkerchief?

When Callaway placed an arm around her shoulders, Lily was tempted—oh, how she was tempted—to lay her head on his shoulder and give vent to a good cry. Then she remembered it wasn’t proper to weep on a man’s shoulder in public, so she wiped her eyes, straightened her back and stared out the window.

You’re a respectable widow now. Behave like one. And no more breaking into tears in public, though she knew her vow was easier said than done. Sadness had a way of sneaking up on her at inconvenient times like this. But holding in her emotions was becoming a strain. She wanted the freedom to sob, to laugh out loud, to sing and dance again.

Maybe even to give her heart to another man.

The realization almost made her gasp. Her emotions must be thawing out in the California sunshine. What else could have brought that on? Or was it the presence of the man sitting next to her?

No. She was promised to another, and she would not succumb to Callaway just because he was charming and attentive. Had she learned nothing in the last five years?

She looked at his handsome face and felt an unwelcome thrill go through her. Apparently not.

Blurb:

A mail order bride sets out for a new life only to be tempted by a charming gambler. Can he convince her to pass up a sober businessman for a foot-loose card sharp?

After the death of her lover, Lily Penhallow has learned the cost of flaunting convention. Reinventing herself as a widow, she travels to California as the mail order bride of a prosperous mine owner. But on the riverboat from San Francisco, she meets an irresistible gambler. Against her better judgment, she finds herself drawn to the handsome charmer.

King Callaway believes that since life is a gamble, there’s no point in planning for the future. After meeting Lily, he knows he has found his Queen of Hearts. But she’s engaged to his uncle, a man King respects.

Lily finds herself torn between two men and two ways of life. Will she choose respectability or love?

Lily and the Gambler is a Second Chance at Love western historical romance.

If you like mail order brides, charming scoundrels and sensual romance, why not take a chance on Lily and the Gambler while it’s on sale?

Available at Amazon Kindle, Kobo and Smashwords.

And don’t forget to check out N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Binge-Worthy Book Festival. 41 books featured plus a chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card!

Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below, and Happy Reading.

Linda

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