This
LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET contains seven sensual, full-length novels.
A
promising young apothecary picks up the pieces of her life, only to collide
with the ruthless thief-taker who once shattered her dreams and her heart.
He
rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman…
A
heart's destiny cannot be denied when a daring Union spy abducts a beautiful
runaway bride he suspects of being a traitor.
A
warrior on a mission is tempted by an alluring lass, and though she's been
forbidden she'll break every rule for the pleasure of his
intoxicating
kiss.
To
heal a warrior’s heart takes patience. But to resist a warrior’s
heart
takes fortitude.
Blackmailing
her way onto a ship of gunrunners bound for the Caribbean, Samantha Etheridge
proves to be more than a mere opportunistic reporter to Captain Sean
Nolan--perhaps even a first mate.
Proving
his worth to the woman he loves might cost them both their lives.
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Excerpt:
SECRETS, SPIES & SWEET LITTLE LIES - Tara Kingston
In
this scene from Secrets, Spies &
Sweet Little Lies, the heroine binds her captor’s wound—an injury he
sustained during her abduction. Driven by compassion as well as the realization
that the woods surrounding his forest hideaway present dangers she’s never
encountered in the city, she tends Cole’s wound, only to experience an
unexpected touch of tenderness at the hands of a man she regards as an enemy.
“Now, please remove your
shirt.”
“I understand,” he said, the
humor ebbing from his tone as he unfastened the closures on the four-button
placket. He pulled the garment over his head, then draped it on the back of a
chair.
Her mouth went dry.
From his powerful shoulders
to the flat planes of his abdomen, her captor was all lean muscle and bronzed
skin. Copper-tinged brown hair dusted his broad chest, tapering to a line that
disappeared beneath his trousers. A scar the size of a dollar coin marked the
flesh directly beneath his collarbone. A bullet wound, most likely. But he’d
survived. He was a fighter.
Gingerly pressing her fingers
to his skin, she examined the wound. He tensed beneath her touch. Invisible
claws dug into her belly, piercing deeper as he sucked in a ragged breath.
Blood flowed from an uneven
gash in his upper arm, staining his skin from shoulder to elbow. The bullet had
not become embedded. The punishing claws eased their grip on her insides.
He seemed to read her
expression. “I got lucky this time. I told you it was a flesh wound. I know
what it feels like when a slug enters you.”
The image of a bullet tearing
into his body startled her with sickening intensity. She pushed the thought far
to the back of her mind and glanced around the cabin. “I need a knife.”
A glint of humor returned to
Cole’s eyes. “Going to finish the job?”
“I need to fashion a bandage.
The cloth you used on your arm isn’t at all suitable.”
“I’d planned to gag you with
that rag if you started to scream.” His brows lifted. “Still intend to act as
my nurse?”
The revelation doused any
sympathy. Still, she couldn’t have his strength depleted. If a bear happened
by, she might need Cole to defend her, at least until she could retrieve her
gun.
“Unfortunately, that changes
nothing.” She extended her hand, palm up. “A knife, please. Surely you have one
on your person.”
“What self-respecting
desperado would be caught without one?” He pulled a folding knife from his pocket.
Flashing a scowl, she took
the knife in hand and got to work. Wasting no time on modesty, she hiked her
outer skirt to expose her corded petticoat.
His hooded eyes watched with
masculine interest. “This almost makes it worth getting shot.”
Ignoring him, she sliced the
bottom of her petticoat into strips, then poured water into a basin and
saturated a few pieces of fabric. “The wound needs to be cleaned. Where is your
soap?”
He nodded toward a canvas bag
he’d dropped at the entrance of the cabin. She rummaged in the bag until she
found a cake of lye soap, then cleaned and dried the gash.
Emma tore another strip from
her petticoat. “Extend your arm.” she said. With any luck, he wouldn’t notice
her hands’ slight trembling.
He complied with her
instruction, stretching his arm out and holding it steady while she wrapped the
wound.
His skin was slightly rough
beneath her fingertips while the densely packed muscle was warm and taut with
restrained power. She’d never looked at a man before, not like this, and now
she stood so close, touching him as her pulse thundered in her ears. Her
behavior was scandalous, but she had no choice. His wound had to be tended, and
necessity dictated she sacrifice at least a bit of her modesty.
“Finished.”
Strangely quiet, he pulled on
his shirt. Had her unladylike behavior taken him aback? Her aunt was right.
Even a desperado would find her actions shocking.
But when he looked at her, he
regarded her with a look of respect. For the briefest of moments, it was easy
to forget he was a man she should fear.
“You’re a surprising woman. I
hadn’t expected such…resourcefulness.”
Steadying her hands, Emma
smoothed her skirt back into place. Now that she’d finished the task, the
intimacy of their contact flooded over her. His skin felt so warm, and he
smelled clean and healthy and…male. Her thoughts wandered to the crisp dark
curls on his chest. Would the texture match the slight coarseness of the hair
sprinkled over his forearms?
He took her hand, silently
examining her fingers. “It’s my turn,” he said after a long moment.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re bleeding. You must
have cut yourself when you attacked your petticoat.”
Emma blinked. Crimson
surrounded the tip of her index finger. She hadn’t even felt the knife slice
into her.
He released her and went to
the wash basin. After replacing its contents with fresh water from the pitcher,
he moistened a few strips of fabric she’d cut from her petticoat and came back
to where she stood.
His forehead furrowed as he
cupped his hand around hers. Awareness of his touch rippled through her. No
trace of brutality there. Only gentleness. She had no words to describe it. If
he had been any other man, she would have thought his actions tender, but the
notion was ridiculous. The man was her captor, not her lover.
She jerked away. He frowned.
Did he think he’d hurt her? But then, he took her hand again. Brushing his
thumb over her palm in a circular motion, he moved slowly, deliberately.
“Relax, Miss Davenport. Let
me take care of you.”
Book Blurb:
Love Across the Ages...Seven best-selling and award-winning authors bring readers historical romantic adventures set in Medieval Scotland, Regency England, Civil War America, the Wild West, and Gilded Age America. We’re Heating It Up one hero at a time with Scottish Highlanders, Regency Rakes, Civil War Spies, Mountain Men & Sexy Smugglers.
Author
Extras:
1. What do you
love about the era(s) in which you write?
I am drawn to the Victorian era, an exciting time of
great social, technological and scientific progress. Women were tearing down
boundaries and restrictions on their education and lifestyles, while advances
in industry and professions enabled men to establish themselves in society despite
their status at birth. The Victorian era was a time of great change and passion,
and I love the possibilities for bringing together a powerful man and a strong
woman who can stand toe-to-toe with him, discovering the love that will enrich
their lives and make them both even stronger as individuals.
During the Victorian era, the Civil War years were a
time of great upheaval and turmoil in America. I love writing books set against
the backdrop of the Civil War because there was so much intrigue and passion
during this conflict. Petticoat spies used seduction as a weapon, and espionage
and technology innovations were crucial to both sides. The potential for
conflict and passion between heroes and heroines is so rich in stories set
during the Civil War, it’s one of my favorite eras for historical romance.
2. What one
thing can readers expect from your books?
My readers can count on a love story that takes the
hero and heroine on a sensuous and romantic adventure of the heart—danger,
intrigue, and a pinch of humor blend in a passionate romance.
Author Bio:
Award-winning
author Tara Kingston writes romance laced with intrigue, danger, and adventures
of the heart. A Southern Navy brat transplanted to a quaint Pennsylvania town,
she lives her own love story with her real-life hero in a cozy Victorian. The
mother of two sons, Tara’s a former librarian whose love of books is evident in
her popping-at-the-seams bookcases and collection of unusual bookmarks. It goes
without saying that Tara’s husband is thankful for the invention of digital books,
thereby eliminating the need for yet another bookcase.
When she’s not writing, reading, or burning
dinner, Tara enjoys cycling, hiking, and cheering on her favorite football
team. Learn more about Tara at www.tarakingston.com.
Connect:
Author’s
Website: www.tarakingston.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTaraKingston
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaraKingston115
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Tara_Kingston
Giveaway
Info:
$100
gift card to any online bookstore of the winner’s choice. International.
Good morning! Thanks for hosting us today. I'm really happy to be here today as part of the Heating It Up! One Hero at a Time collaboration. I had such a great time working with these wonderful authors. I'll pop in throughout the day. Let me know if you have any comments or questions. Don't forget to enter to rafflecopter giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSecrets, Spies & Sweet Little Lies. Quite a catchy title for Tara's book in this anthology. I like it! I also loved the exertpt! In fact, I can't wait to read the whole story. Thank goodness I picked up a copy of this anthology on Amazon today...for little ol' me. :-) Thanks for the post. jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDelete