Springtime is here

Hello friends,

Here we are - great weather, flowers and happiness! I like spring but not like I enjoy fall.

So, what's new?

I've got two anthologies in the works in addition to my regular works (sigh). Both of these are Christmas anthologies and will likely be available October/November. Don't have the specific release day yet, but I'll post as soon as I know.

I have a lot of details on my first story since I'm only about five-thousand words from finishing. I'm calling this an enemies to lover's story, even though the real enemies are Henrietta's now deceased husband and the duke of Crossmere. Crossmere and Henreitta have a lot in common, but their entire 'romance' is distorted by Cross's hatred and the awful weather in the winter of 1816. Can the two find love under the mistletoe? Hope you'll enjoy Six Mistletoe Scandals that I'll be sharing with five other authors. 

My other story is still in development so I can't give you much detail. This will be a novella, probably around 20,000 words, so I'll have a lot of 'action' packed into a short story!

Here's the cover for one of the releases.

Wicked Affairs

Wicked Affairs.

Marriages to die for.

Or cheat, steal and lie for.

 

Wicked Siren FREE

 The other day I was bemoaning the fact my very first book had been selling a little better than usual, and thinking, oh, no, not my FIRST book! I've written so many better books! So, in order to help you decide which book to read, I'm offering Wicked Siren, Book Six in the Wicked Affairs series, for FREE. This series of books are standalone but with reoccurring characters, so you'll get to know all of them as they pop in and out of ballrooms and parks.

Not only is this one of my favorite books in this series, it is a reader favorite too! Viviana Love is full of passion and vitality, attracting men of all stripes, but it is staid Baron Alex Preston who becomes her anchor. See the BLURB below.

Let me know what you think - AND IF YOU READ, please leave a review. I need them. :)

I don't know if it is free at all retail sites yet but it will be soon.

An unconventional woman. An inconvenient marriage. An unconditional love.

Famed diva Viviana Love will do what it takes to survive in London. Seduce titled men. Give up her child in order that he might have a better life. Hide her past so that she might have a future.

And when she makes the mistake of a lifetime a second time, she does the unthinkable and agrees to marry Baron Alexander Preston—the staid and proper country gentleman who believes life in the country is all a man needs.

Alex is confounded by the wild creature he is to escort to London. Miss Love is an indiscreet harridan who believes she can seduce him. And she succeeds royally. When she presents him with the opportunity for his heir, he does what no sane man would. He marries Viviana and finds his life turned upside down.

Alex has never felt more alive. Their nights are filled with passion, their days with conflict. When Viviana realizes she might lose her proper gentleman, the truth is the only thing that can save her.

Snippet from PEAK

Here's a peek at my work-in-progress, Peak. It'll be heading to my editor soon. It's a contemporary romance with lots of hotness and a swoon-worthy French supermodel, Paul Charbonneau.

"Once they arrived at the Strand, she and Candice exited the car to the snaps of cameras and the guards who ushered and blocked. The crowds were already growing, huddled outside the barriers in little fan groups. She was noticed and there were several who yelled, “Hey, Claire!”


Candice was a good sport and huddled to the side, waiting while Claire modeled for several pictures. Sometimes, she thought she looked like a goof with the supermodel poses, but she’d never been embarrassed when the pictures hit the local mags and papers. It didn’t hurt that she was toned from her bares arms to her long legs. She did a couple of the ingénue over-the-shoulder looks so everyone got to see her exposed back.


Just as quickly as she’d gotten attention, it was taken away.

There were screams from the crowd, young girls in love with a male supermodel. Chants of “Paul. Paul. Paul.” started. Then an “I love you, Paul,” rang out. She understood exactly why the Charbonneau’s inspired such fierce fangirling. 


Claire could only see a hand waving above the crowds about him.

“Let’s find the loo, Candi.” They presented their tickets and entered the building.

“You look fine.”

“I need to look great.”

“Go on then. I’ll find where we are supposed to sit. And where the shopping rooms are.”

Claire gripped her clutch and strolled down the hallway, seeing a few faces she knew. By name only. Others experienced the same sensation when looking at her. A few people just smiled and said, “Hi, Claire.” One held out a program and asked for her autograph.

One of the strangest sensations of quasi-fame was peoples’ reaction to her. She climbed mountains for a living, how did that qualify her to give an opinion on the Royals, Cadbury Eggs or Outlander? After all, Cadbury Eggs were not in her diet and never had been. Did that make her a bad Brit? And she wasn’t into addictions, which is why she rarely binged anything, even if it meant watching a hot redhead with a sexy Scottish burr. Politics? Windsor intrigue? It was hard to resist the Daily Mail headlines, but who in their right mind would want their life?

Claire stood in front of the bathroom mirror again—in one day, had she ever looked at herself so many times? Suitable was the only word that came to mind, and probably accurate, considering the most beautiful people in the world were gathering for the show.

She left the room, head down and digging in her clutch, when she ran into a well-dressed man.

“Oh!” she said, looking up at him. “David?” she said, the smile on her face genuine, the churn in her stomach frightening and the urge “to jump his bones” very real. Magnetism was such an undefinable thing, but the pull of attraction surged through every fiber and hair of her body. His eyes sparkled as their gazes locked.

Good God, was there anyone in the world better looking?

His hand gripped lightly on her upper arm. Had he saved her from a fall? A head-over-heels fall?

“No. Paul.”

“Paul Charbonneau?”

“Oui,” he said in French. Probably a reflex. And probably laughing at her since he was so unmistakable.

“I’m Claire Allen. The climber.”

Was there a more perfect head of jet black, wavy hair? She was susceptible to his intrinsic allure and thought she might be leaning toward him. 

He smiled. She turned to liquid. “I know who you are,” he said."

A new scene from Book 7 in the Wicked Affairs series

A little wicked scene from Book 7 of my next Wicked Affairs book - unnamed at this point! And a little throwback, too. Tell me what you think.

They say bad things happened in threes and London was rife with talk of the newest bad things to have happened.

The most tragic, of course, had been the shocking death of Louis Ederline, the old and perverted marquess, who owned more primitive erotic art than ought to have ever been made in the first place. He left behind an innocent young wife some speculated had never been deflowered by her ancient husband or at least deflowered in the traditional sense.

The second bad thing had befallen the favorite horse, Maid of Cadiz, in a race at Newmarket. Not only had the thoroughbred lost, she had lost spectacularly. And to an upstart at that. The winning horse was owned by the Earl of Archer, Charles Standifer, running a horse he had owned less than six months and with eighteen to one odds. His wife, Alizabet, had thrown herself into her husband’s arms after, to the shock of all.

The third bad thing was bound to happen sooner or later. Lady Lindley bore her bad luck stoically. Her long-time lover, Trenton James, the current Earl of Dahlingford, had ended their one-year arrangement amid rampant speculation and accusations. For over a week, the Tattler had been full of on dits regarding lying, cheating and certain other insinuations one could hardly countenance. Though if it was to be believed, Dahlingford was the man to do it.

Unless one lived in London during the Season. Then anything was possible.

Rather than believe her grand fete would be ruined by death, debt and debaucheries, the Duchess of Pelham thought it might be a rather spectacular evening.

She saw her husband Randall VanLandingham across the room and shot him her best smile. As he always did, he smiled back, one brow cocked and one hand braced against his hip. Other things happened in threes also.

As she made her way across the ballroom, trying to get to her husband, she congratulated herself. This was her first crush at the renovated Grosvenor Square mansion. Wall-to-wall aristocrats, titillating scandal and the best of everything.

“You look happy,” Randall said, sliding his hand about her waist and ignoring the friends beside him.

She stood to her toes and whispered, “Do you remember that naughty suggestion you had some months ago about a third person with whom to share our bed?”

“Yes?” His brow hitched a bit higher.

“I’ve found the perfect person for us.”

“Does this willing woman have a name?” He was cautious with his question.

“Jet black, wavy hair. Startlingly blue eyes. Sound familiar?”

“If she is in this room, I see three or four possibilities.”

“He is.”

“He!” Randall’s forehead creased.

“Trenton James. I think he would be perfect. Don’t you agree?”

“My darling wife, I will need to be as dead as Ederline before I allow that to happen.”

She leaned against him, pressing her breast to his arm. “Oh, are you sure? He could tempt the most virtuous woman to sin. Why not me?”

Randall laughed. “Because you have me. And I am enough man to overcome any of my wife’s wicked temptations.”

The holidays are upon us.

Merry Christmas!

Only ten days until Christmas! How does this happen? Every year, I ask the same question. Do you?

I wish a very happy Christmas and prosperous 2018 for all of my readers and friends. For those of you who have purchased my books and left reviews - THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Those reviews are the thing that keep my books selling, which keeps me writing.

Downside this year... I didn't get Book Seven in the Wicked Affairs finished. I am well into the story but my day job has kept me very busy. Only so many words come out while sitting in airport waiting areas and uncomfortable hotel rooms. But there will be a release date during 2018!

Upside... LOTS of stories in the works. It's happened this way many times. I'll be working on five stories, one captures all my attention, then all of the sudden the others are at 60,000 word count and only take a couple of weeks to finish up. I'm hoping 2018 will be like that. SEVERAL RELEASES.

Stories that are nearing publication are listed on my COMING SOON page. Which of them sounds most interesting to you? Anything you are particularly looking forward too or wish I would get finished, like YESTERDAY? :)

I'm most excited about a new Paranormal series I've started. The words are flowing and the primary protagonist is bigger than life. My heroine? She knows her responsibility even if it means losing her family - all because of a man she doesn't really know and who doesn't want her to interfere in his life. He may not accept it, but she is all he has.

Again, all the best over the holidays! E.

Another Lover new cover/Birds of Paradise

I may not be getting new work published but I am catching up on getting all of my "rights reversion" books re-published.

So, Another Lover. One of my favorite books. This is one of the only books where I knew the ending lines before I ever started writing the novella. But even though I'm a punster, I don't let my characters meander.

The series, Birds of Paradise, is all about women in unique circumstances in which they take lovers. The stories are also tied, in a way.

Another Lover is about Isabelle St. Hillaire, the Westminster Whore, and the final book will be about her brother, Christian St. Hillaire, captain of a sea-going vessel owned by Isabelle's new husband. This final book is started but not yet titled.

Book two, one of my bestselling books, is The Darkness in the Marquess of Dane. Dane was the dark character in book one who wanted to purchase Isabelle's favors. In DMD, we find out why he is such a troubled, dark soul. His lover, Christine Turnbow, needs money and she sells herself to Dane to save her family. Only she saves Dane's soul instead.

Christine's brother, the earl of Compton, Mark Turnbow, is featured in book three, currently titled a Mistress to Remember. He takes a lover after his wife dies with no thought to marriage. I'm on the last chapter of this book and will have a blurb out on this shortly.

Two families, four love stories. All of the books are very sexual, so I've warned you.

About the Another Lover covers: The lovely Dar Albert did both of these. I loved the first one, but man, oh man, did Dar outdo herself on the second one. Tell me which one you like better.

Here's the new one. Just fabulous, I think

And the original...

Another Lover will be re-published this week! Hope you'll pickup your digital copy and fine retailers near you...

Release Day: The Frenchman's Widow

It's the new year and I forgot to make a list of resolutions. So let me make one now: I resolve to continue writing novels.

And... Here is the next one.

The Frenchman's Widow is book three in the Imogene Farrell series. I love this girl. She's a true changeling, masquerading as a boy and trying to stay alive in Victorian London. When her brothers are on the run from the law, she hides with Mary Fitzpatrick, an old friend of her deceased mother.

There, Imogene learns some of the ways of lady and what she doesn't know, she can mimic. Her old foes are still looking for her and when she is at her most desperate, Jack Davenport, sweeps into her life to rescue her. In exchange, she agrees to be his mistress.

It is no hardship for Imogene. She has loved him for the first moment they met.

But when Jack marries, he and Imogene separate. Imogene can't be the other woman in Jack's life and she can't trust the man Jack calls his friend - Geoffrey Shiffington. Without her brothers, Imogene isn't safe in London so escapes to Paris where fortune is more kind.

The Frenchman's Widow picks up five years later, when Imogene returns to London to attend her brother Charlie's graduation from King's College seminary. Unbeknown to her, Jack has helped Charlie with his education and his acceptance at King's. Jack also provided a suitable job for Danny at one his farms in Deal.

Jack really has been a god-send to the Farrells. Only Jack is still married. Time hasn't dulled Imogene's feelings for him. Accepting that Jack will never be hers, she sets about building a life for herself, her family and the tide of children who find their way to Imogene's door.

I should mention Dar Albert - she designed these series covers for me. And I JUST LOVE THIS ONE. It is so Imogene - showing her determination.

I hope you enjoy this novel. The final book, Lady Prescott's Confidential Matter, will be out next month, which you can pre-order now.

A Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to celebrate the holidays I am giving away ebooks! What you sayz? Yep, all of the ebooks I have released are eligible (and are still "in print" and not including anthologies). 



Is there a book missing from your collection? Or are you just starting out and not sure what to read?









Here's all you gotta do: 

1) On the front page of my blog sign up for Eliza by Email
2) In the comments of this thread, tell me which ebook you want - don't forget your email address and how you want the book delivered (Nook, Kindle, etc.) The first person to tag/claim one of my ebook wins it. If someone beats you to the book you wanted, post a second choice in another comment. We'll do this until one of each book has been claimed or until December 31st. Oh, and one win per person.

Remember: First person to claim a book by its title, wins it!

I'm limiting this to Kindle, Nook and Ellora's Cave, since I have accounts with each of them.

All A Mistress Wants

Last November, I participated in an anthology titled Wanton Christmas Wishes with a story titled All A Mistress Wants. Well it is finally available on its own. And check out this beautiful cover by Dar Albert from Wicked Smart Designs.


Eloisa Larkin wishes for the one thing she can’t have—the love of the powerful Duke of Sterling. Being his mistress provides many luxuries but being hopelessly devoted to a man who loves another as left her feeling alone and the last thing she wants is to spend Christmastide with him and his family.

In book two, you’ll meet Joshua Forrester and the mysterious woman who’s being immortalized on a scandalous painting. Coming soon!

Releases Galore

I would admit to being a slacker if that were the case. Yes, I know I haven't posted in awhile but I have been super busy with the EDJ. But I'm home now and have a lot to report.


The first in a new series is ready for release. It's being formatted as I type! I had this idea ages ago, probably when I first started writing. The series? The Curse of the Weatherby Ball. As you can guess from the title, bad things be happening! 

Each story will be about an event that happens at this ball at the unintended, outrageous consequences.

In An Occasion To Sin, a very good woman does a very bad thing. Victoria Sloane makes a bad decision at the Weatherby Ball and must endure the fallout for months to come.

Here's the blurb:

On the night of the Weatherby Ball, a bad decision results in a passionate, anonymous encounter for Victoria Sloane. The ball has a reputation for being cursed. Had she stumbled into the trap? Within days, her secret rendezvous is exposed, her husband is dead and she is carrying the child of an unknown suitor.

Joseph Smythe-Wellesley is left to clean up the messy affairs of the Earl of Doncaster. He has put the night of strange, illicit passion behind him. He would never see the lovely creature again—whoever she was. The earl’s wife is difficult to understand and she is determined to protect the heritage of her unborn child. A child she claims is the next earl. Joseph has his doubts. He is also attracted to the strong willed and strangely vulnerable Victoria.

Some might say the death of her husband was a blessing not a curse, but that event is the least of her problems especially once she realizes she shares a secret with the honorable and determined solicitor.

Coming in January, I'll have another release titled The Trouble With Scots. This is the third in the Body of Knowledge series. I depart from the traditional historical by inserting some proto-science: time travel, mind reading, voodoo. You get the idea.

Well, Lord Dunbar has visions of the future and for the last ten years she has appeared to him in various visions - the woman who is to be his wife, the woman with no name. Oh, I love this story.

Don't forget Wanton Christmas Wishes is still on sale for .99 cents. Readers seem to be enjoying this anthology, chock full of hot and sexy.

Wanton Christmas Wishes Sneak Peek: A Christmas Wish by Jess Michaels

It's almost Christmas time again and what better way to celebrate than with an anthology of Christmas wishes - the hot and naughty kind. Join me and several of today's hottest erotic historical romance writers. Today's tease is by author Jess Michaels.

She turned her face and stared out as the drive wound through dense, beautiful woods for a few moments. She couldn’t help but think of the last time she’d seen Stephen. It had been the day after her wedding…and her wedding night. She had still been basking in the glow of having the man she loved introduce her body to such pleasures and then…

Then she had found out the terrible truth about him. 

“My lady!”

Amelia jolted at Helen’s sharp tone and found her servant was now holding out a crisp handkerchief. She blushed as she realized that a tear had escaped her eye and was winding its way down her cheek.

“At least I’m doing this in the safety of my carriage,” she muttered as she swiped the errant tear away. “I certainly don’t want to weep in front of his servants so they can report it to him when he arrives next week.”

Helen nodded. “You’re strong, my lady. You’ll manage.”

“I will,” Amelia agreed. “I must. For the sake of our families and the upcoming holiday. I certainly won’t let Lord Blackgrove see that his lack of affection causes me any pain. Luckily I have seven days to make certain I hide the bitter truth.”

Helen had stopped looking at her and was now staring out the carriage window. Her face was suddenly pale and her eyes wide.

“My lady,” she began, then trailed off.
 
Amelia wrinkled her brow at the servant’s obvious dismay. “What is it?”

“It—it’s…” Helen pointed out the window as the carriage stopped. “It’s him!”

A Christmas Wish is available as part of the Wanton Christmas Wishes anthology, releasing on November 18th and most retailers.

And thanks to our fans, we're already at #14 in Victorian! Woot!

 

A Rafflecopter Giveaway - WIN a Kindle Fire HD

Wanton Christmas Wishes is coming soon!

Join us for a month long party including a great giveaway - a Kindle Fire HD!




Here's the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wanton Wishes...Just In Time For Christmas

WANTON CHRISTMAS WISHES - Available soon!

Christmas is always an exciting time but this year will be just a bit more special with the release of the Wanton Christmas Wishes anthology - six erotic romances to get you through the holidays. I’ll let you know when we have it up for pre-order at Amazon – the actual release date is November 18^th. Mark your calendars and be watching for some great promos along the way.

I wanted to tell you about the authors participating: All of them dedicated to erotica historical romance. Yes, Christmas will be hot this year.

Kate Pearce

Kate was born into a large family of girls in England, and spent much of her childhood living very happily in a dream world. Despite being told that she really needed to ‘get with the program’, she graduated from the University College of Wales with an honors degree in history.

After graduation, real life did intervene and she ended up working in finance which was not the greatest career choice for a would-be writer!

A move to the USA finally allowed her to fulfill her dreams and sit down and write that novel. Along with being a voracious reader, Kate loves trail riding with her family, ‘western style’ in the regional parks of Northern California

Kate writes in several different romance sub-genres under different names. She is a member of RWA and is published by Kensington Aphrodisia, Ellora’s Cave and Virgin Black Lace/Cheek.

Jess Michaels

Jess began writing full-time in 1999 after being encouraged by her husband to follow her dream. In 2003, she sold her first novella to Red Sage Press, an erotic historical romance about an Egyptian tomb and a very sexy curse. Since then she has published (or has contracted to publish) nearly 50 novels and novellas under three different pen names with several major publishers, small presses and via self-publishing. Her erotic historical romances have been national bestsellers and won awards from booksellers and readers.

She and her awesome husband live in Tucson where she enjoys playing video games, exploring the beautiful desert, spending time with her nephews, reading and spending petting her two old lady cats.

Monica Burns

A bestselling author of spicy historical and paranormal romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. Her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me. She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart. From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.

Writing romance is a therapeutic process as it allows Monica to explore the themes of hope, trust and love in her work. She believes romance books empower women to believe in themselves and that their only limitations are the ones they set for themselves.

Monica is a two-time RT Reviewers Choice Award nominee, the 2011 PRISM’s Best of the Best winner, two-time EPPIE nominee, a 2009 EPPIE for Best Erotic Historical Romance. She is a 2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence finalist as well as a 2005 RWA Golden Heart finalist. She has consistently earned top reviews from RT BOOKreviews and other reviewers.

Monica holds a bachelors of science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Mass Communications.

Madelynne Ellis

Madelynne Ellis is a multi-published British author of erotic romance. Her novels and short stories have been published by a variety of houses both in the UK and US, and have been translated into German, Spanish and Norwegian. She is best known for her Regency set novels for pioneering British erotica publisher Black Lace, but also enjoys writing contemporary and paranormal settings. Her aim is to deliver scorching, character-driven stories that enchant, torment and don’t shy from darker aspects of life.

Madelynne lives in the UK with her partner of 20 years, their two adorable children and a chocoholic rabbit. When not writing she enjoys live role-playing, solving puzzles and hanging out online.

Samantha Kane

Reviewers have called Samantha Kane “an absolute marvel to read,” and “one of historical romance’s most erotic and sensuous authors.” Her books have been called “sinful,” “sensuous,” and “sizzling.” She is published in several romance genres including historical, contemporary and science fiction. Her erotic Regency-set historical romances have won awards, including Best Historical from RWA's erotic romance chapter Passionate Ink, and the Historical CAPA (best book) award from The Romance Studio.  

Samantha Kane has a master's degree in American History, and taught high school social studies for ten years before becoming a full time writer. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children.

Release Day! The Day After, Mad Duchesses, Book Four

Today is the release for Mad Duchesses, Book Four, titled The Day After.

The woman he loves. His best friend's wife.

What happens the day after his best friend's death?

Dashiel Hamilton has loved Laura since the day he met her, only she choose Wallace, his best friend. Instead of jeopardizing his friendship, instead of making a mistake, he departs to India.

When Wallace is hurt in a riding accident, Dashiel returns to his best friend's aide.

The day after his death, Laura seeks comfort in Dashiel's arms but determines she has made a horrible mistake and betrayed her love for Wallace.

The Day After...

Available now from Ellora's Cave and Amazon, and soon at other fine retailers.

http://www.amazon.com/Day-After-Mad-Duchesses-ebook/dp/B00N1WUI7Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409138912&sr=1-1&keywords=eliza+lloyd+the+day+after

www.elllorascave.com

Release Day: The Day After

My favorite day as a writer is always release day. This one coming up is extra special since it will be the release of the final novella in the Mad Duchesses' series.

The Day After is all about unrequited love, that of our hero Dashiel Hamilton. He has loved Laura since they first met but there was another suitor who won her heart and her hand - his best friend, the Duke of Mabry. He's loved her from afar because he would never do anything to jeopardize his lifelong friendship with Mabry.

Until the day after...

Mabry finally succumbs to the wounds of a riding accident and Laura is devastated. She turns to Dashiel for comfort but they get much more than they bargained for. The day after Mabry's death, Dashiel's greatest wish comes true but Laura is horrified she has betrayed Mabry.

Find out what happens the day after...



And did you know this about the Mad Duchesses' series...

In Book One, One Last Night, the famed Abbess Madame Alice Dupuis (from the Wicked Affairs' series) helps Lucinda fulfill her lustful dreams and that John Allen (our well-endowed hero) was once a gigolo at the brothel.

Or this?

In Book Three, the Honorable Ferdinand Ford, Ferddie to his friends, is the competitive sportsman who enjoys horses and boxing along with other sorts of manly pursuits and is the hero of Age of Innocence. He appears in Wicked Temptation, where he played billiards with the Duke of Pelham. And in Wicked Secrets where he was riding with Charles Standifer, the Earl of Archer.

Welcome Natasha Blackthorne

Please welcome Natasha Blackthorne to the site today.

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to my book blitz for the .99 sale on A Measured Risk, Regency Risks Book One.

I am giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the end of this post.

On Sale .99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

June 20-22, 2014

A MEASURED RISK

By Natasha Blackthorne

Book one in the Regency Risks Series

He is her most dangerous temptation, the only man she has ever trusted and now he is demanding her submission. Dare she take the risk?

Emotionally scarred in the horrific accident that took her husband’s life, Lady Cranfield is imprisoned by her lingering terror of horses and carriages. She longs to be closer to the fascinating Earl of Ruel, as she senses intuitively that he might be able to teach her how to overcome the terrors that hold her in bondage.

And now she’s willing to risk almost anything—her reputation, even her virtue—to find out.

But what Lord Ruel proposes startles her.

When the shy, studious and socially awkward young widow approaches him, Lord Ruel instantly senses she will be the sweetest, most submissive experience of his life—but first he must gain her complete trust. Lord Ruel makes Lady Cranfield a non-negotiable offer: 

His help in return for her submission and obedience.

But Lady Cranfield grew up neglected by her ducal parents, raised by servants and then later ignored by her handsome, charming husband. She’s learnt to protect her heart at all costs and she trusts no one but herself.

How can the jaded Earl of Ruel break through Lady Cranfield’s self-defences and show her how to love when he himself has spent his life avoiding that tender trap?

Erotica Romance ~ Light BDSM ~ Rubenesque / BBW ~ Regency Historical ~ Shy Heroine ~ Novel Length 86,000 Words . Contains graphic erotic descriptions and frank sexual language. As a work of historical romance fiction, A Measured Risk is not intended to be an accurate portrayal of modern BDSM lifestyles.

Excerpt from A Measured Risk
©Copyright Natasha Blackthorne 2012, 2013
For Adults 18+ Only

She backed all the way into the bookcase.

“Why did you run away?” His deep voice settled in her belly, rich and warm, like crème brûlée on a cold winter’s night.

“Because I wanted you to follow.” She tried to sound sophisticated and seductive, but her voice choked off on the last word.

Ruel placed his hand on the shelf above her head and blocked her path to the door. His tall, solidly muscled body leaned over her, surrounding her with the sumptuous, sinful scents of tobacco, Scotch whisky and something masculine and undeniably dangerous. A slow, sensual smile stretched his hard mouth.

He appeared different. Softer. More approachable.

At the change, her insides seemed to flip over.

“Well, sweeting, getting us off alone was a very inspired idea.” He touched one of her fallen ringlets. “I am bored to distraction with endless talk of hunting and fencing.”

As he slowly wrapped the curl around two fingers, he brushed her collarbone. Fiery sparks tingled down her spine, so intense that she shivered and her nipples beaded, pressing against her stays. By some instinct she hadn’t even known she possessed, she arched her back, presenting herself for his assessment.

His eyes shone so vividly blue against his bronzed face that they resembled cornflowers. She swallowed tightly and wished for a long drink of claret. This more personal side of him suddenly seemed far more hazardous than his usually fierce exterior.

Well, no matter. There was nothing to fear. She would allow only as much contact as need be to get to know him a little. Since being torn from her lonely yet secure life in Ireland and thrust into Society at age sixteen, she’d spent her time allowing people only as near as was comfortable. She was an expert at emotional evasion.

It should be easy to regain her control.

But now, as rays of the late-afternoon sun played over his pale hair, turning it the colour of winter wheat, all her carefully rehearsed words flew from her mind.

Say something—anything—else he will think you’re a bird-wit.

An intimate smile, one that invited her to play, tugged at his mouth.

“In a situation like this, alone with a gentleman, it’s perfectly normal for a lady to feel some apprehension.” His hushed voice, barely audible above the piano and boisterous singing from down the corridor, accentuated their isolation. His gaze became so piercing that she had to lower her eyes.

He brushed his fingertips over her cheek. “She will invariably ask herself if he will try to kiss her.”

She jerked her eyes back to his face. God, he couldn’t mean to—not yet, surely… Peculiar, heated chills swept over her. She tried to take a step back, but found her arse flush against the bookshelf.

He leaned closer; so close that his Scotch-scented breath tickled her face. “And just in case you are wondering, Lady Cranfield—the answer is most assuredly yes.”

She should demand that he put his arm down so she could pass by and leave. She really should. But she couldn’t stop looking at his hard mouth and wondering what it would feel like upon hers. He was so close to her that his breath blew on her lips. If she moved but a fraction, she’d be kissing him.

Kissing him.

Dear God. Her breaths began to come very fast and short. Her throat went tight with a suppressed moan.

His eyes burnt as brightly as aquamarines. He looked so fierce. If he kissed her, if he dared… Oh God, it would be so harsh. That cruel-looking mouth could express itself no other way.

Excitement rushed through her, sending tingles to every point of her body, even her toes.
But no, he wouldn’t. Not yet.

He kept leaning closer. He didn’t close his eyes. Instead, he seemed to focus all the harder upon her.

Her heart pounding, unable to move away, she braced herself for his assault.

His lips brushed hers, barely. A gossamer caress.

He lifted his head.

It was done.

Ended.

And it hadn’t even begun.

He held her chin, appearing so cool, so unaffected. His kiss had seemed to sear her. An urge to put her fingers to her lips arose in her. She resisted it, for it would give away too much of how she was affected.

Never show your feelings.

He traced his thumb along her lower lip, slowly, deliberately, as he studied her with eyes that now glittered with something powerful and predatory. Heat pooled in her pelvis, low and spreading even lower.

She went weak all over, as if she’d lain in a sunny window seat for too long. Her knees almost buckled. She forced them to lock. To be strong.

It should not have affected her so profoundly. It had been just a peck—not a true kiss at all. William had poured out all of his skill upon her and hadn’t garnered even a tenth of the reaction in her that this man’s peck had.

Ruel traced her jaw line with his fingertips. Unthinkingly, she leaned in to his touch.
“Of course, once he has kissed her, then it’s his turn to wonder…” His voice sounded unnaturally loud in her ears. “How will she respond? Will she withdraw, or can he ignite some hidden fire?”

She sensed that he was toying with her. She didn’t understand flirtation—why had she imagined she could carry off this ruse? Was he making advances in order to have a laugh with Francesca and her simpering friends later? Hurt blossomed in her chest. She resented him for that. She ought to feel indignant, superior, uncaring—anything but hurt.
“Please don’t make sport of me.”

She cringed. Was that quavering, pleading voice really hers?

An infinitesimal pause. “Now, why on earth would I do such a thing?” His voice was as smooth as velvet.

“To please your vanity,” she replied, trying to regain her wits.

“Here.” He placed her hand to his chest. The contours of his muscles were hard, powerfully developed. Even more so than she’d expected. His body heat radiated through the satin and, beneath her hand, his heart’s beat was rapid and strong.

“Is that vanity?” He put a finger under her chin, giving her no choice but to face him. “Is it?” He gentled his grip.

The warmth in his voice settled over her like luscious hot chocolate. Melting her insides to quivering burgoo, rendering her speechless, unable to move.

“My dear, lovely Lady Cranfield, I am going kiss you again.”

About Natasha Blackthorne:

Escape into the past with intensely erotic, emotionally driven love stories. Natasha Blackthorne writes character-focused historical erotica romance featuring strong internal conflicts. Her stories are most frequently about the intimate journey of the characters as they learn to open their hearts to love.

Her heroines are not perfect ladies. They are wildflowers and wallflowers who enjoy flirting with the forbidden. Whether they are bold or shy, her heroines’ strong desires and deep emotions drive the plot and drive their heroes to the point of no return.

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