Meet the Character Day: Chatting with Julian from Ultimate Night’s Delights By Kelli A. Wilkins!

 

www.KelliWilkins.com

This “Meet the Character Day” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each “Behind the Scenes” blog, I talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. The “Meet the Character Day” blogs are fun chats with the heroes and heroines from my romances. Warning: blogs may contain spoilers.

Hi everyone!

Today I’m sharing a fun chat with Julian, the hero from my erotic historical/fantasy romance, Ultimate Night’s Delights. Let’s get to know him better…

Q: Greetings! Please tell the readers about yourself and describe your latest adventures. 

Hello everyone! It’s nice to chat with readers who have found my sexploits with Annabelle, Sabrina, and Vincent so interesting (and tantalizing!).

As some readers may already know, Ultimate Night’s Delights is the third (and final) novella in the Naughty Nobles trilogy that began with Midsummer Night’s Delights and continued with Midwinter Night’s Delights.  

In this book, Vincent, the Marquis of Demby, has gotten himself into a bit of trouble. Someone has betrayed his confidence and told the wretched Duke of Blackwell all about the erotic balls Vincent has been hosting at the estate. (Couples do pair up everywhere at these balls—but not for dancing!)

The duke is out to destroy Vincent, and his livelihood and reputation are at stake. As Vincent’s assistant, it’s my duty to help him out of this crisis any way I can, even if it means taking on the Black Duke. I also do what I can to relieve Vincent’s stress and tension, and perform a few other interesting “favors” along the way.

Here is the summary and links to all three books:

Ultimate Night’s Delights

Julian and Annabelle are back for the final ball!

The Midsummer and Midwinter Balls changed Julian and Annabelle forever. Vincent, the Marquis of Demby, and his wife, Sabrina, introduced them to a world of erotic pleasures. Freed from their inhibitions, they now help other shy couples explore their sexual urges and hidden desires. 

But life on Vincent and Sabrina’s estate is anything but tranquil. The notorious Duke of Blackwell has discovered the secret about the naughty balls and is out to destroy the marquis. 

Vincent refuses to deny the rumors about the “anything goes” parties he hosts, and turns to his friends for assistance. Together, they devise a plan to defeat the Black Duke… and still find time for a few wicked games.

Order Ultimate Night’s Delights here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XGCCTJW 

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/bxgyPk

Need to catch up? Order Books 1 & 2 here:

Midsummer Night’s Delights (Book 1):

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6W5QHM 

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3LrJP1 
Midwinter Night’s Delights (Book 2):

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VTH1GCC

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mdKaaX

***

Q: Was Kelli always going to write a third book in the series? 

No. In fact, when she wrote the first book, she never intended to write a sequel and had no idea she was starting a trilogy. After she finished writing the second book, Midwinter Night’s Delights, she wrote a few other romances, and then started toying with ideas for a third novella that tied everything up (so to speak!). Readers and reviewers fell in love with the characters from the first two books (rightfully so) and wanted more. She was happy to round out the series with Ultimate Night’s Delights and leaves everyone in a good place.

Q: You and Annabelle have an open marriage, and some people would find that extremely unusual, even in this day and age. Can you explain how this arrangement came to be? 

Annabelle and I had an arranged marriage that didn’t start off very well. (Those of you who read Midsummer Night’s Delights understand exactly what I mean.) We were both shy and inexperienced, and unsure of everything. Vincent and Sabrina took us under their wings (or rather, into their beds) and taught us how to enjoy ourselves to the fullest. After spending a few days at Vincent’s estate, we shed all traces of our shyness and learned a lot about our secret desires. I suppose Annabelle and I are what some people call “swingers.”

I admit, I was hesitant about jumping into such an unconventional situation at first. But later, when I learned Annabelle was eager to experiment and have naughty fun, I gave in—and I don’t regret it at all.

Even though we share our affections with Vincent and his lovely wife, Sabrina, Annabelle and I have our own special connection. I love her playfulness and her excitement about life. She’s devoted and tender and yet, has an adventurous side.

Q: Since you’re being so open, let’s have a little naughty fun. Where was the wildest place you ever seduced your partner(s)?

It’s hard to choose just one place! Once, Annabelle and I were caught having relations at a dinner party. (We didn’t mind if the guests watched, but my father and the host were highly offended.) Recently, Annabelle and I were strolling through the garden and I seduced her in the gazebo. She’s not shy about frolicking outside where anyone might see. (Being on display makes her even wilder!)

I’ve also surprised Vincent with a quick seduction while he’s working at his desk or after a long day’s ride across the grounds. Last month, I seduced Sabrina while she was in her bathtub. Anything goes at Vincent’s estate, and we tend to act on our impulses whenever (and wherever) they present themselves.

Q: If your partner wants to seduce you, what’s one sure fire trick he/she can play? 

Some readers may find this confession a bit risqué, but I like to be tied up, bound naked and helpless while my lover drives me wild with tender kisses all the way down my body… Pulling hard on my restraints, anticipating the next kiss, shivering in anticipation of what’s to come next…You can imagine the rest!

Q: What was one of the most embarrassing things Kelli did to you in Ultimate Night’s Delights?

Kelli usually doesn’t embarrass us; she loves writing about our erotic adventures too much to make us uncomfortable. But I did feel like a raging fool when I had to confront the Duke of Blackwell while wearing a disguise! And I didn’t like the fact that Kelli kept certain details about Vincent’s plan a secret from me. I was nervous that the Black Duke would catch on to our plan and all would be ruined. But Kelli is a very clever writer. By now, I should know to trust her.

Q: Can you tell us about two secondary characters, Lono and Lobo, and how they tie into the story?

Certainly. Annabelle and I first met Lono and Lobo (incredibly tall and muscular twins) in Midwinter Night’s Delights. Vincent had instructed them to dole out our punishments, and they were very effective. We never knew much about them other than they were devoted to Vincent and obeyed his every request.

In Ultimate Night’s Delights, Kelli expanded Lono and Lobo’s characters and made them an essential part of the story. Readers find out about their history, how they came to work for Vincent, and even what their real names are. I can’t give away too much of the plot, but Lono and Lobo show Vincent a clever way to defeat the Black Duke by turning the tables on him. 

Q: Kelli has written a lot of romances in all genres in all heat levels. How does she switch back and forth so easily?

I’ve been curious about this myself, so I asked some of her other characters. Basically, each book comes to her in a different form. Sometimes an entire story “jumps” into her head, and she’ll know everything that happens to the characters. (That happened with A Deceptive Match, A Most Unusual Princess, Redemption from a Dark Past and Dangerous Indenture.)

Other times, she gets bits of the story and parts of the characters. Once in a while, she’ll have a character come first and then the other pieces of the book fall into place, like a puzzle. (That happened with Killer in Wolf’s Clothing, Trust with Hearts, and A Secret Match.)

Before Kelli starts a book, she says she needs to know who the characters are and what’s going to happen to them. Then she outlines the scenes and starts writing. As Kelli writes, she explores things she hadn’t considered in her outline and might add entire scenes or write scenes that are later omitted. Writing a new book is always an adventure, and she never knows where the characters or stories will take her. 

Kelli has written several other historical romances, and from what I heard, they’re pretty good, too. Lots of action, adventure, mystery, drama, and hot love scenes! I’ve learned that Kelli doesn’t write boring books. Although she writes a lot of historical romances, they take place in different time periods and different places. So, she’s not “just” writing Westerns or “only” writing about a certain century. 

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Although Ultimate Night’s Delights is the last book in the series, all of our stories stand alone as individual reads—and I encourage readers to catch up on all of our wickedly-fun adventures. I’m content with the way the trilogy is ending—and I know readers will be satisfied (in many ways!). 

Kelli has written several fantastic erotic tales in all genres, and I wish I could have a crossover with a few of her other characters. We would have a lot of fun together!

Her romances span all genres (contemporary, historical/fantasy, gay, paranormal) and range from mild to super-spicy. I encourage everyone to check out all of her books here: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins or https://www.books2read.com/ap/nkvddR/Kelli-A-Wilkins and read more about them on her site: www.KelliWilkins.com. 

   

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with readers. This was fun. If readers missed any blog in this series, they can catch up here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog

Best wishes,

Julian

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 5 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories. 

Her latest novel, In Another World, was released in early 2022. This contemporary mystery/romance is set in the world of the paranormal.

She also released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021. 

In 2021, Kelli published Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions. 

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. 

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.

When We Were Young by Dawn Goodman Blog Tour!

 

When We Were Young

Four best friends. One of them is dead. Are their secrets safe?

Uni friends Stacey, Paula, Bev and Valentina used to be inseparable until one weekend before graduation when nothing was ever the same again.

Thirty years later, reunited at Valentina's funeral, Stacey receives a letter written by her late friend asking for one last wish... that the three friends go back to where things fell apart and finally bury the hatchet.

As they revisit their old haunts of their uni days and follow a series of clues left by Valentina, their friend's death begins to look suspicious and it is up to them to find out what happened – but they all have secrets to hide.

They say good friends are hard to come by, but when there is so much at stake and someone is lurking in the shadows, how do you know who is a friend and who is a foe?

Purchase Link - smarturl.it/WhenWeWereYoungDG

EXTRACT  

Two glasses of wine turned into the entire bottle and by the time it was empty, Stacey had convinced herself that she should talk to the police after all, that something terrible had happened and she owed it to Valentina to fix it. Stacey’s guilty conscience was always at its clearest at the bottom of a bottle. She searched up the website for the local police service and went through all of their questions about whether the crime was happening now, if someone was in danger, was the perpetrator on the scene, but none of it was relevant and she didn’t actually know anything at all.

It would be easier to call them. She struggled to focus on the numbers that swam in front of her as she called the local police station. Explaining that she had information about a friend’s death, she was put on hold for quite some time. The tinny music was making her head spin, then someone else was on the phone, trying to palm her off, convincing her to report it online, then suggesting she come down to the station and report it in person. Attempting to keep her voice calm, she explained that she was ill and needed to do it over the phone. Her head was thumping again. More tinny music followed and she almost hung up.

A new voice came on the line, thin, high-pitched and sounding like it was coming from a thirteen-year-old girl. She introduced herself as PC Julia Banks and Stacey suspected she was a junior officer who had drawn the short straw. Stacey resisted the urge to ask her how old she actually was.

‘My friend died recently and I’m worried that something bad happened to her,’ Stacey said instead and felt like a child herself saying it.

‘Okay, let’s start at the beginning. Can I have your name please?’

‘Valen— Oh, sorry, Stacey Maxwell.’

‘And your friend is…?’

‘Valentina Mackenzie – at least she used to be. I assume she still is.’

There was a pause and Stacey could imagine PC Banks scribbling notes in big, round letters with a long, thin, sparkly pen with a pink pom-pom on the lid.

‘And what happened to your friend?’

‘Well, I don’t know. I found out recently that she died – I don’t know how – and I went to her funeral and everything, but I’ve been getting these letters and messages from her and she is making it sound like she was scared, that maybe someone was trying to hurt her.’

Another pause as PC Banks probably drew doodles on her notes. ‘When last did you see your friend?’

‘Thirty years ago.’

PC Banks coughed – at least Stacey hoped it was a cough and not a snort of derision. ‘Thirty, did you say? As in three zero?’

‘Yes, we haven’t spoken for a very long time,’ Stacey admitted.

‘And she sent you a letter?’ PC Banks didn’t sound like she was taking notes or doodling or anything anymore.

‘Yes, just before her funeral I got a letter asking me to make sure Paula and Bev were there and then I got another letter after the funeral. Look, the point is that she said she was scared and it sounded like someone might be threatening her.’

‘Do you have any idea who might want to harm your friend?’

There was the issue. Stacey couldn’t tell her what she really knew, who had the best motive for hurting Valentina – because he was dead already.

‘No, I… er…’

PC Banks exhaled audibly down the phone line. ‘I appreciate your posthumous concern for your friend’s welfare, but I don’t see what we can do without more information.’

Teenagers didn’t use words like posthumous. Maybe Stacey had been wrong about PC Banks. Maybe she had been wrong about lots of things. ‘But what if he hurt her?’ Her voice was small now.

‘Who? Who do you think may have hurt her?’

‘I… I… don’t know.’ Stacey wanted to scream his name. It sat on the end of her tongue like a pill, dissolving into bitterness. But he couldn’t hurt anyone else.

They had made sure of that.

 

Dawn Goodwin’s twenty-year career has spanned PR, advertising and publishing, both in London and Johannesburg. A graduate of the Curtis Brown creative writing school, she loves to write about the personalities hiding behind the masks we wear every day, whether beautiful or ugly. Now a company director, what spare time she has is spent chasing good intentions, contemplating how to get away with various crimes and misdemeanours, and immersing herself in fictitious worlds. She lives in London with her husband, two teenage daughters and British bulldogs Geoffrey and Luna.

https://www.instagram.com/dgoodwinauthor/

https://twitter.com/dgoodwinauthor?lang=en-gb

https://www.facebook.com/DGoodwinAuthor

The Legacy of Halesham Hall by Jenni Keer Book Review! @JenniKeer @IsabelleHPG

 

PAPERBACK / ISBN-13: 9781472294845

ON SALE: 15th September 2022

GENRE: Fiction & Related Items / Historical Fiction

Solve the house's puzzle. Claim the Bellingham inheritance . . . Uncover the truth behind the mysterious legacy of Halesham Hall in this page-turning dual-time novel from the author The Secrets of Hawthorn Place, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton.

A love that seems lost, may still yet be found, for real love always endures.

A love that seems lost, may still yet be found, for real love always endures.

1890. One summer evening changes everything for Sidney and Leonard Bellingham when their beloved mother disappears from the family home, Halesham Hall. Left with their bitter father, they are taught to trust no one but themselves, with brother pitted against brother to see who is worthy of inheriting the Bellingham Board Games company. But the series of twisted games they are forced to play will have far-reaching consequences.

1920. Phoebe Bellingham arrives at Halesham Hall determined to solve the puzzles that will allow her to claim back the Bellingham inheritance. But this legacy involves more than one secret, and soon Phoebe realizes that the stakes are higher than she ever could have imagined.

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon.co.uk

Jenni Keer is a history graduate who embarked on a career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique furniture restorer husband. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework but with four teenage boys in the house, it remains a mystery. Instead, she spends her time at the keyboard writing women’s fiction to combat the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere with her number one fan #Blindcat by her side. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.

 Visit her website: jennikeer.co.uk and find her on Facebook/jennikeerwriter , Twitter @JenniKeer

My Thoughts

The Legacy of Halesham Hall by Jenni Keer is a gothic-style story, reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier novels. The dark brooding man and the eager young girl.

 Phoebe Bellingham just lost her parents in a boating accident and wanting to connect with her family, takes her to Halesham Hall. She has revenge in her heart for the wrongs that were put on her father. She is determined to solve the house puzzles and claim the Bellingham inheritance. 

The story is a dual timeline, set in the Victorian era and just after WWI. Phoebe is a young woman who has been raised with love and is a happy young lady, that is until she meets the master of Halesham Hall. She gets herself ingrained into the household, against the wishes of the master. She starts working in the kitchen and other ways to help out all the while trying to solve the puzzles.

Sydney was young when his mother left the house, and Leonard was a young man still in school. The father was a master manipulated and a tyrant. He owned a company that made puzzles and his wish was for one of his sons to take over the company but in order to do that they had to solve the houses puzzles which were many. The house was built with a series of clues. The son that could solve the puzzles gets the company. The rest of the inheritance goes to the one who solves all the puzzles. 

Phoebe becomes close to the master of the house. She has come to the house but did not tell the master all of her secrets, she has the Bellingham name but not from blood. Her father married her mother when she was pregnant with Phoebe. 

I loved Phoebe, she was a young woman not of her time, strong, independent, and loving. She finds he feelings change for the young master. As time goes on, she gets ever closer to solving the puzzle and claiming her inheritance.

Can she get past her feelings for the master? Will she solve the puzzle?

I usually don't read this kind of novel but I really did enjoy this one. I loved the characters, the storyline was really not unique because of the gothic style but all in all a great story.

I give it 5 stars!

I received a copy for review purposes only.

Unstraight by John Thurlw Release Blitz and Giveaway! @ninestarpress @indigomarketingdesign #LGBTQIA+

 

Title:  Unstraight

Author: John Thurlow

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 09/13/2022

Heat Level: 2 - Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 114800

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, children, cleric/priest, coming of age, coming out, college, established couple, friends to lovers, humorous, hurt/ comfort, in the closet, over 40, psychic/medium, religion, religious extremism, reunited, soulmates, tearjerker, therapist, slow burn

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David Sterling lives the suburban life. He has been married to Carrie for fourteen years and they have two daughters. To the onlooker, life behind the Sterling’s picket fence looks perfect, and in many ways it is—save for the fact that David carries a burdensome secret…one that he has guarded well since he was a teenager.

David’s life is unravelling and he cannot carry the burden any longer. To make peace with himself and his world, it is time to tell the truth, a gamble that may lose him all that is precious. But he needs to be released from the shame, the guilt, and the fear.

In the pain and hurt of the aftermath, this deeply personal journey is driven by David’s desire to hold on to those he loves, while at the same time revealing who he really is to them and the world.

John Thurlow © 2022
All Rights Reserved

Dropping the Bomb

23 June 2013

My heart was beating in my throat. I was terrified and while time seemed to stand still, the digital clock on the opposite end of the room carried on counting the minutes. I planned to drop the bomb at around eight o’clock. It was now heading for nine and the evening was running away. Oblivious to my fear, Carrie was engrossed in the movie—unaware of how her world was about to change.

As the clock jumped from fifty-four to fifty-five, I knew I needed to seize the moment. I sat up straight—too quickly almost. Adrenaline pumping in my veins, everything seemed to go into slow motion.

“Carrie,” I sputtered—my voice quivering, “please turn down the TV, I need to talk to you.” I turned myself around and sat at the foot of the bed facing her. I looked into her startled eyes and I felt the tears welling up in my own.

“What is going on?” she asked. I took a deep breath and I began to babble.

“You know things haven’t been great between us lately?” I asked and stated at the same time. “I think you might suspect that I’ve been having an affair,” I continued, “… I’m not… I would never.” The colour ran away from Carrie’s face and her eyes were frozen. “I feel so bad, seeing that you don’t look happy,” I explained. “I know you’re hurting… and more than anything in the world, I don’t want to cause you any more pain. I’ve tried hard to fight this, but it won’t go away.” My babbling came to an abrupt halt and I took a deep breath. I knew I had rambled on for too long and what I had wanted to say hadn’t come out as I had planned. Carrie looked stunned; she didn’t say a word.

I took another deep breath—I needed to get the words out, they were strangling me from the inside. Then, somehow, they escaped hurriedly and with some trembling.

“Things are not as they should be because I’m gay.” The air in the room felt heavy and dry. I had just dropped a secret… my secret! One which I had harboured in my head for at least 30 of my 44 years. A secret I had carried, protected and nurtured—and a secret I was ashamed of.

I said the words with both a feeling of liberation and a huge sense of fear. I felt unshackled because the secret was out of the dark and it had no more power over me, but I was also afraid because it was uncaged and I was no longer its keeper. Equally, I was terrified at how Carrie would respond to the unexpected revelations. I had no idea of what awaited me on the journey that I had just begun.

A few moments of silence followed and staring directly at the confusion and pain on Carrie’s face bore no comfort.

“How long have you known this?” she asked. Anger and bewilderment were evident in her eyes. I hadn’t anticipated the question, but I knew I needed to speak the truth.

“Probably since I was teenager,” I spluttered, clenching my hands tightly together.

“Then why the fuck did you get married?” she barked. The f-word and a raised voice always meant I had crossed the line with Carrie. She didn’t use it often, but I guess I had crossed the ultimate ‘line’—there was no going back now. I also needed to be cognisant of the fact that this was an issue I had been processing and mincing in my head for the better part of my entire life. In a few moments, I had thrown it all at her… she needed time to unpack it.

I looked over my shoulder to make sure that the girls hadn’t stirred and made their way to our bedroom door. Why had I gotten married?

“I married you because I love you, Carrie.” My trembling words were calm and sincere. I hadn’t planned to launch into this detailed explanation, but it seemed appropriate and I had spent many of the fourteen years we had been married trying to make sense of the journey in my head. “When we got married, I believed I had overcome this sexuality issue,” I took a deep breath, feeling clumsy, “I honestly did.” She seemed disorientated and who could blame her. “I loved you and thought—and hoped—that those urges would be gone forever.”

“What urges?” she scowled.

I didn’t answer the question and continued.

“At the beginning, I thought they were gone, and I have fought them really hard for many years.” Carrie didn’t seem convinced by this answer and a few minutes of silence followed. The torturous still felt like a lifetime. Carrie’s anger broke the quiet:

“Why did you choose me to do this to?” she scorned. A relevant question, but there was so much else I needed to say. It was difficult not being in control as my secret took flight, but I knew I needed to let her lead the process. I had already given up the control.

“I didn’t choose you to do this to,” I replied. “This was not planned, nor premeditated—I love you and I love everything that we have created and established. I know that you don’t feel loved and cherished because it doesn’t come naturally to me. I can see that you hurt every day.” Carrie’s eyes were distant in the aftermath of the shock.

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NineStar Press | Books2Read

John Thurlow

Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Zambia and then South Africa. John now lives in Henley-on-Thames in the United Kingdom.

John started out his career first as a primary and then as a secondary school teacher. After twelve years of teaching, he moved into the education development sector where he continues to manage a variety of education programmes that support teaching and learning in underprivileged communities. He holds a PhD in Education.

John loves chocolate and travelling… sometimes he likes running and walking. He always likes telling stories, with the characters based on his own personal experiences and interactions. Human relationships are super important to him and his family is the centre of his universe.

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Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses by Eliza J. Scott Blog Tour!

 

No matter how hard you fight it, love will always find a way…

Ever since she was a little girl, dance teacher Anoushka Cartwright has dreamed of opening her own dance studio near her home on her beloved North Yorkshire Moors. And when she gets the chance to do just that she can hardly believe her luck!

Life is sweet. Or it would be if it wasn’t for her relationship with Damon which has been growing increasingly toxic, much to her family’s concern. Critical of her dreams he can’t understand why she won’t move to the city of York and live with him. He refuses to accept their relationship is floundering until the day Anoushka breaks up with him.

Popular indie/folk singer, Gabe Dublin, hails from Southern Ireland. He’s been head-over-heels in love with Anoushka ever since he first set eyes on her at a wedding two years earlier. She’s the reason he keeps returning to the area, staying with his friends, Lady Caroline Hammondely and her husband Sim, at Danskelfe Castle. Gabe and Anoushka have become good friends, but she’s always made it clear they could never be anything more, which is tearing Gabe’s heart in two. He knows he won’t be able to love anyone else the way he loves Anoushka.

Her family and friends can see how perfect they are for each other but Anoushka is adamant, after her experience with Damon, she has no room for a man in her life. She makes a pact with herself to focus all of her attention on her dance school. And she intends to keep it. The only thing is, it’s not as easy as it seems.

When an unexpected situation throws them together, Anoushka’s feelings are exposed for the world to see. The question is, will she act on them or will she stay true to her promise to herself?

Join Anoushka and Gabe – and all the other Life on the Moors Characters – for the latest heartwarming visit to the characterful village of Lytell Stangdale in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Purchase Links 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9YQ5RR8

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9YQ5RR8

Excerpt

‘He’s got it seriously bad for you, Noushka,’ said Kristy as she slipped her padded jacket off and hung it over the back of the seat vacated by Gabe. The three friends watched him make his way over to the bar where he joined Lady Caro and Sim.

Anoushka shook her head despairingly. ‘You’ve seriously got the wrong end of the stick there, Kristy,’ she said, feeling a swirl in her stomach.

‘Oh, come on, you’d have to be blind not to notice; he so does have it bad for you,’ said Brogan.

‘You two are seeing what you want to see,’ said Anoushka.

Brogan appeared to ignore her. ‘And sticking to the serious theme, his butt looks seriously hot in those jeans.’ She arched a suggestive eyebrow and flashed a mischievous look in Anoushka’s direction. ‘And I wish I could find a man who looked at me the way he looks at you.’

Anoushka sighed. ‘Right, I think we need some ground rules for tonight before you two start getting carried away with yourselves.’ She set her hands on the table, splaying her fingers and eyeing her friends intently. ‘As you’re both fully aware, I’ve only just got out of a relationship – and a difficult one, at that – so there’s absolutely no way I’m looking to dive headfirst straight into another one. In fact, as I’ve said a million times already, I’ve completely and utterly sworn off relationships; they’re more trouble than they’re worth, I don’t have the energy or the inclination for one. And, just in case you think I don’t actually mean that, let me tell you, I absolutely, totally do. Right now, I just have the overwhelming urge to have some time on my own, getting all the crap out of my head, without the distraction of having a man in my life. Actually, scrap having “some” time on my own, that’s how I see my long-term future. ’ She sat back in her chair. ‘I’m going to up my mission to find a suitable premises for my dance school and getting it set up, which I’ve got more time to do now Damon’s out of the picture. And being so focused on that will mean I won’t have any spare time to dedicate to a relationship. Which suits me just fine. My dance school is my sole priority. I know you both mean well, but I really need you to listen. No more trying to fix me up with someone – Gabe, or otherwise. Okay?’

‘Okay,’ her friends said in unison, nodding contritely before Brogan said, ‘He’s still got it bad for you though, Noushka. And for what it’s worth, I think you’re being really cruel, not even giving him a tiny little kiss. It’d make his day, and keep him going while he’s on tour.’

‘Ughh! Broge!’ Anoushka rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ‘That would so give him the wrong impression; I’m not going to lead him on. That would be cruel.’

Eliza J. Scott lives in the North Yorkshire countryside with her family. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her kindle or working in her garden, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. Her books will always have happy endings.

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Two for the Show is book 2 in the One for the Money series by @skyewarrenbooks Book Blitz and Giveaway! #skyewarren #TwofortheShow #XpressoTours @XpressoTours⁣

 

Two for the Show
Skye Warren

(One for the Money, #2)
Published by: Dangerous Press
Publication date: September 13th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pregnant. Alone. And heartbroken. The only thing Eva Morelli knows for sure is that she wants this baby. She learned how to depend only on herself a long time ago.

The father, however? He made his position on marriage and children very clear.

Finn Hughes has fought his fate for years, but it’s finally catching up to him. Duty took away his choices. How can he hope for forever? He already knows how this ends.

There’s only one thing worse than having a family.

Losing them.

“I was hooked from page one. With steam and grit, Warren captures your attention and has you begging for the next chapter. Book gold!” — USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke for Private Property

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EXCERPT:

Dark eyes skim over my face, and Eva purses her lips. There’s no current of flirtation between us now. The night I stole her from the Morelli Mansion, we were a team. It was us against the world. Now there’s an ache in my chest like my heart has been stabbed, repeatedly, with one of the dinner forks.

“I’ve been well, Finn. Thanks.”

It’s so dismissive it kills me. More than dismissive. This is polite avoidance from Eva Morelli. She’s probably still pissed at me.

That’s fair.

“Any plans for the holidays?”

Eva looks away, holding her champagne glass close to her body. There’s about an inch in the glass. She doesn’t take a sip. “I’d imagine we’ll have the usual get-togethers.”

“I’m available to help with the mince pies.” I’ll never forget working with her in the big kitchen at the Morelli Mansion. She wouldn’t stop until everything was perfect. I just wanted an excuse to be near her.

She gives a short, shallow laugh. “We’ll have that under control. I wouldn’t want you to lose any sleep over it. You should enjoy the holidays to the fullest.”

Elsewhere, she means. Not at the gala hosted by her family. Not with her.

This is more than Eva being distant. She’s being…cagey. Vague on the details. Making a point of discouraging me from coming anywhere close.

Is she dating someone else?

Jealousy rises. It’s ridiculous for me to be jealous, but I am. I saw Alex Langley among the guests. That was probably Sarah Morelli’s doing. Eva’s not interested in him.

But the fact is, someday she will be with someone. And I’ll have to watch.

I’ll have to watch her be conspiratorial with him and familiar with him and happy with him.

I’ll have to watch until I don’t.

“The champagne’s flowing freely tonight. You must have figured out a way to make sure you never run out.”

Her eyes come back to mine, and there it is. The sparkle I saw there on the night I asked her out. The heat. And yes, the happiness. It’s gone in an instant, but I saw it.

I can feel it between us. It’s like a physical pull. I want to take her hand and tug her out of the Met and into my car. Maybe if I went through the steps we took that night, found her someplace illicit and hidden to take her, we could get that feeling back.

Because it was building. It was becoming something strong and unshakable and goddamn delicious.

“Finn.” Sarah Morelli sweeps in, obvious delight on her face. “We were so sorry to hear your father wasn’t feeling well. I trust he recovered, if you’re here?”

“Yes, absolutely.” I lean down to kiss her cheek. “He insisted that I come tonight. You don’t let a woman like Sarah Morelli down, he said.”

Sarah laughs, dismissing this with a wave even as her face flushes. “Of course you’re here for Eva. Breathtaking, isn’t it? I think she’s surpassed me at hosting events.”

“She could only do that because she learned from the best.” I wink at Sarah. “One detail got overlooked, though. She hasn’t asked me to dance.”

“Eva, you must. This is the best wedding of the season. Let’s toast, and then you’ll take your fiancée to the dance floor.”

“Oh, no thank you, Mama.”

Sarah rolls her eyes, smiling. “You and your newfound sobriety. It’s all right to relax a little once the speeches are over, Eva.”

Sobriety?

Eva hasn’t taken a single sip of her champagne. Awareness whispers across the back of my neck like a woman blowing on a pair of dice.

Something else is going on here.

The music kicks up in volume. Eva hands off her champagne glass to Sarah like she’s been caught out with it. “I like this song,” she says, her tone bright and cheery and fake. “You’re right. We should dance.”

She takes my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor.

Eva Morelli is hiding something.

Whether that’s a new boyfriend, I haven’t the faintest clue. All I know is that I’m being led onto the dance floor for a reason.

I know it, but I don’t make any move to stop her. It feels too damned good to have my hand in hers. It’s a balm to put my hand on her waist and pull her close.

It feels too good.

“I know you’re doing this to distract me,” I murmur against her temple.

Eva curls her fingers through mine, finding the beat of the song. “Is it working?”

“Yes.”

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her books have sold over one million copies. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

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