As part of our celebration of the new collection, the Bluestocking Belles are offering last year’s collection for only 99c for a short time only. Buy links here: https://books2read.com/u/bMwL17
The 99c presale price on Under the Harvest Moon will also go up to $5.99 after publication. Buy links here: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Her Grace of Haverford watched her guest enter the room. What a stunning young lady.
England’s newest duchess was dressed in a peach-colored gown of the first stare. It fit her to perfection. She carried a reticule that matched the pattern of the dress, and wore short gloves in a slightly paler shade. Discreet diamonds sparkled at her ears and a delicate pearl and diamond pendant lay on her chest suspended by a chain of what looked to be white gold.
However, Eleanor was used to such displays. What caught her attention was the woman’s eyes. Dark, nearly ebon eyes possessed of a penetrating depth that could have frightened, had the expression they held not been so openly curious. She had raven wing hair, a cream and honey complexion, and deep rose-hued lips. A delicate slope of nose sat between two symmetrical and classically high cheeks. Her slim figure moved with a thoughtless grace that the most practiced diamond of the season would never be able to match. Stunning yes, but all paled beneath that depthless stare.
Eleanor knew next to nothing about the wife Margris had chosen, but she needed only to see the woman to know she was formidable.
“Welcome to Haverford House, Your Grace.”
An impish smile formed, lighting up those eyes. “I am not certain I will ever become accustomed to having a title, Your Grace.”
“I suspect you will do very well with it.” Smiling back, she gestured to a chair that faced her own. “Please sit. And please address me as Aunt Eleanor, as your husband and many of my younger friends do.”
“Thank you, Aunt Eleanor.” A very slight quaver in the lady’s voice revealed that she suffered some uneasiness. Possibly she’d been told the Duchess of Haverford was a powerful woman who could make or break a young woman’s hopes and dreams with a single word. “My full name is Celestine, but my intimates call me Celie. Of course, you may be more comfortable calling me niece.” The new Duchess of Margris settled herself. “I am very pleased to meet you.”
“As I am pleased to meet you. It is fortunate that we could both be available this afternoon. I understand from my son that between shopping and your husband you are being kept quite busy. How do you take your tea?”
“Just lemon, if you please.”
Eleanor filled a cup and handed it over.
Celie added two small biscuits to the edge of the saucer and placed the beverage and all on a tiny pie crust table beside her chair.
“Caleb—my husband—is occupied nearly all of every day with business at the home office. He says that even though Britain is now officially at peace with the United States there is much work to be done to ensure the treaty of Ghent remains strong.”
“Aldridge, too, is very occupied with what is happening in Europe. Too many lives have been lost or changed forever, and not usually for the better. We must pray that the next encounter with Napoleon will settle matters for once and for all.” Her Grace paused to sip her tea. “Do I understand correctly,” Eleanor continued. “That while you lived in New Orleans, you helped enslaved people escape to freedom.”
“I was one of many.”
“But you are here and others are not. You must have been in danger much of the time.”
Celie looked down at her tea. “Helping the enslaved to escape is against the law in New Orleans. Had I been caught; I could have been enslaved myself.”
“Oh heavens. Would that happen to anyone who helped escapees, or just…” Her Grace of Haverford let her words trail off. She blushed. “I’m sorry, I don’t usually make such gaffs.”
Celie laughed. “Yes, I have one quarter negro blood in my veins. However, I do not trade on it. I prefer to make my way by my merits. Just as I prefer people who ask questions instead of leaping to unwarranted conclusions.”
Eleanor accepted the reassurance that Her Grace of Magris had taken no offense. “You are wise for one so young.”
“Wisdom is not exclusive to the elderly” the younger woman chided gently. “It is the purview of any who learn from experience. I was fortunate to have not only my own experiences to learn from but also those of my mother.”
“Tell me about her.”
Celie seemed eager to do so. “She is what is known as a ‘free woman of color.’ Meaning she is not enslaved. She possesses documents that prevent her ever being enslaved. However, that did not make her life easy, just easier than most people of color. She was born and raised in St. Domingue where she met my father. Because laws and custom forbid the marriage of white and colored, she became his ménagère, and moved to New Orleans where he had his sugar plantation.”
“Ménagère? That is a contractual relationship between a man and woman much like a marriage but there is no marriage involved.”
“You are very well informed, Your Grace.”
“I’ve had cause to study marriage law and contracts and ran across the term in my research.”
Celie raised an enquiring brow, but Eleanor’s marriage and the other problems her family suffered because of that institution were not for discussion, even with women she’d known for years. Time for a change of subject. “Being Duchess of Haverford affords me a number of advantages few women possess.” One must always focus on the positives. “One of the advantages is the ability to support a number of charities. Last February, when the Thames froze over, the merchants of London held a Frost Fair on the frozen river. My friends and I took advantage of the opportunity to host a ball with the intent of raising funds to help returning soldiers and their families also the families of our deceased heroes.”
“I would love to help if there are charitable organizations that assist the men returning from war.” Celie spoke with an enthusiasm Eleanor could not doubt.
Eleanor smiled, and set her tea aside. “In that case. Let me tell you about the Ladies’ Society For The Care of the Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans.”
Celie’s response to the ridiculous name was diplomatic. “That’s a very long name.”
“And we do some very difficult work. At last year’s ball and other events during the year, we raised several tens of thousands of pounds and have put it to very good use. However, treating the wounded in body and spirit, helping to support families, to house, feed, clothe and school orphans is a tremendous undertaking. We’ve almost exhausted the funds we raised last year.”
“We are, if I understand correctly, in the height of the London season,” Celie observed. “I’m sure I could persuade Caleb to allow me to hold a charitable ball or reception for your organization.”
“That is very kind of you my dear, but what if I, and the other committee members hold a reception to welcome you into the ton,” Eleanor suggested. “We could have a number of English artists create paintings and sculptures for auction during the reception.”
“I like that idea, Aunt Eleanor, “but only if we hold the reception for a large number of returning veterans. They deserve public recognition for the great work they’ve done. You could still introduce me to the ton, but I would not like to be the center of attention when those men need it so much more that I.”
“Your modesty does you credit. Since you are agreeable, let me ring for my secretary and we can start planning immediately. The Ladies Society will meet next week. I’d like you to attend the meeting so I may introduce you. Then you and I can present our plans and seek the aid of the other members of the Society.”
“That is an excellent idea. May I use one of your footmen to send a note round to my husband at the home office explaining that I am delayed. We had dinner plans that may need to change.”
“Certainly. I’ll instruct my secretary to bring pen and paper for you. Now here is what I think we should do first….”
Celie is the heroine of the third book in my Duchess series, here’s a little more information about the book.
New Orleans Creole, Miss Celestine St. Cyr-Duval refuses to live under the thumb of some man chosen by her parents. Celie will do everything to keep freedom of choice for herself and others. But fate interferes in the form of a duke disguised as British businessman, Caleb Elmond. A relationship with Caleb would find approval with her mother, but both Celie and Caleb have secrets that put them on opposite sides of a great conflict and could destroy them both.
With the Battle of New Orleans looming, can these two strangers from warring countries compromise and protect each other, or will fear and betrayal end both their lives?
The Creole Duchess, Duchess Series Book Three is expected to launch in late 2023. The pre-order price of $0.99 for this long-awaited conclusion to the Duchess Series ends on release day.
Available for Pre-order at .99 cents until October 30, launch day. Amazon Other Retailers.
About Rue Allyn: Author of historical and contemporary romances, Rue Allyn fell in love with happily ever after the day she heard her first story. (She claims she was a precocious little brat who read at the age of two but could hear much earlier than that.) She studied literature for far too many years before discovering that writing stories was much more fun than writing about them. One of her greatest pleasures as an author is being able to read the story before anyone else. Rue is happily married to her sweetheart of many, many years. Insatiably curious, an avid reader and traveler, she loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. You can contact her at Rue@RueAllyn.com. She can’t wait to hear from you.
Find Rue OnLine: WEBSITE FB AMAZON GOODREADS BOOKBUB
We’re celebrating the first reviews as they begin to arrive. I think we have another winner, here, people. If you haven’t preordered, go for it now. The preorder price won’t last long after publication.
For preorder links, see Books2Read. https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Lady Faith Afton surveyed the large pile of open bags and boxes. Containers of all sorts with their contents strewn about the comfortable sitting room of the suite she’d occupied at Haverford House for the past two weeks.
“I don’t know how I will get all of this back to Reabridge.”
“I’m certain we have a spare carriage or two you may borrow,” the duchess said.
“I also don’t know how I can ever thank you for inviting me to stay while I shopped for my trousseau. Your advice on styles and colors has been invaluable.”
“ Nonsense Faith, my dear. We’ve been friends since we were in the schoolroom. I would have been greatly offended had you come to London on this blessed errand and not sought me out. Besides, we always had great fun shopping together when you lived in London.”
Faith smiled. “Those are very precious memories. It is good to see you Eleanor. You’ve always had such a steadying influence on me.”
“You’ve a steady enough hand yourself with that young niece of yours, if I understand correctly what you have told me of her.”
Faith sipped the last of her tea and set the cup aside.
“Oh, Charité is the best of nieces and quite practical. She would have come with me, but she and her husband Thom, my Isaac’s son, are working tirelessly to set up the day school they are founding for the local children.”
“They won’t be taking in boarders?” Eleanor asked.
“Not for the first year or two. Thom wants to establish a local reputation before branching out to teach other students.”
“Very wise. How are they financing the school?”
“Thom, who reached the rank of Captain under Wellington is very organized and thorough. Before making any definite plans or commitments, he spoke with the leading families in Reabridge and gained their support. The Duke of San Sebastian purchased and donated the land and buildings where the school will be located. Other prominent men of the area are contributing time, labour and funds. All was so well in order that we expect the school to open within a year.”
Eleanor nodded, thoughtfully. “That is a massive undertaking.”
“You would know, Eleanor,” Faith said, “You’ve sponsored educational projects throughout the country.”
“Especially for young women.”
“My niece will be working with Thom at the school so there will be education and training for all. Not just the boys.”
“Quite foresighted of the Captain,” Eleanor said, approvingly.
Faith’s eyes gleamed. “I doubt very much Charité would allow him to have it any other way. She is a force of nature, my niece.”
“Excellent.” The Duchess of Haverford put down her tea. “May I refill your cup, Faith?”
“No, I might burst if I try to consume more.” She bowed her head and looked at her hands, twisting the ring her fiancé had given her as a symbol of their love and pending marriage.
“Very well.” Eleanor sat back and waited. Something had been troubling Faith from the moment she arrived. However, she’d taken none of the many opportunities to unburden herself that Eleanor had created. Sometimes one simply had to wait.
“I have a confession to make, my friend.”
Eleanor sat forward, placing a hand on Faith’s arm. “Tell me.”
“It’s silly, really.”
Eleanor smiled and shook her head. “I doubt that.”
“At my age, I should not be nervous about my wedding night,” Faith insisted.
“Some nerves before marriage are normal, Faith.”
“But I am far from a blushing innocent. Heavens, I’ve been married before. Although, Afton, God rest him, was not the most tender of lovers. He did his duty. I regret to this day I was unable to conceive.” Faith sighed.
“You must not blame yourself.”
“I don’t.” She shook her head. “Not really. I know that both man and woman are needed to produce a babe, and the fault could lie with either or neither. I accept that God did not mean for me to be a mother. Yet, I can still regret that I was not.”
“Very well,” Eleanor agreed, “but surely this is not why you are suffering nerves about your coming nuptials.”
“No. Neither Isaac nor I expect or wish for the blessings received by Abraham in his old age.”
“Then why the nerves.”
“It’s just that…well…I’m old. I’m not the lovely young thing I was when Afton courted and married me.”
Eleanor restrained a laugh. “Do you imagine that Dr. Owen wishes you were other than you are. That you were young and sylph-like.”
“No, no. Isaac is the kindest and most loving of men.”
“Is he not older than you?”
“By a year or two.”
“And is he an Adonis?” Eleanor persisted.
“Nooo. I wouldn’t say that,” Faith acknowledged. “Although he is a very distinguished figure of a man.”
“Do you like his kisses.”
Faith blushed. “I’d not wed him if I didn’t.”
“Worry not, my friend. Your nerves will cease the morning after your wedding night.”
Lady Afton covered her face with her hands. When she dropped them, she was smiling. You are right. I’m dithering over nothing.”
There was a twinkle in Eleanor’s eyes “Most likely. But it is an exciting time, nonetheless. I suggest you enjoy it.”
“I promise to do so.”
“Now let us ring for the maids and begin packing. You have much to do before departing tomorrow morning.”
This conversation between the Duchess of Haverford and Lady Faith Afton, mentions Captain Thom Owen and Mrs.Charité Owen nee du Pessac. Thom and charite are hero and heroine of my novella, A Harvest Blessing one of the stories in the Bluestocking Belles with Friends collection Under the Harvest Moon.
About A Harvest Blessing:ter Waterloo, Captain Thom Owen is uncertain what to do with himself. Then fate casts Charité du Pessac and her aunt in his path. No gentleman would abandon a damsel as brave and kind as Miss du Pessac, but how can he help her? With no clear solution in mind, Thom escorts the ladies home to his father.
Charité ‘s aunt believes her niece and the captain are engaged, and Charité fears the captain’s father will not welcome them. She is French after all, and while the captain might not object to her nationality, others—like his father—might disapprove of a marriage between former enemies.
A Bluestocking Belles with Friends Collection
By Caroline Warfield, Jude Knight, Sherry Ewing, Cerise DeLand, Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Collette Cameron, Mary Lancaster, Alina K. Field, and Rue Allyn
As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Author of historical and contemporary romances, Rue Allyn fell in love with happily ever after the day she heard her first story. (She claims she was a precocious little brat who read at the age of two but she could hear much earlier than that.) She studied literature for far too many years before discovering that writing stories was much more fun than writing about them. One of her greatest pleasures as an author is being able to share her stories with so many other readers. Rue is happily married to her sweetheart of many, many years.
Insatiably curious, and avid reader and traveler, she loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. You may contact her at Rue@RueAllyn.com. She can’t wait to hear from you.
Sometimes you need to listen when your heart begins to sing…
Aiden of Clan MacLaren, a warrior seeking purpose, finds himself in the service of King Henry II. Tasked with a mission that will shape his destiny, he never expects to cross paths with Lady Iona Ferguson, a woman burdened by her duties as the widow of a powerful clan chieftain. A chieftain who died when Aiden takes over her husband’s castle.
As Aiden takes charge of Iona’s home and seeks justice for her late husband, their lives become intertwined in ways neither could have predicted.
Will their love conquer the boundaries of clan, country, and duty? Or will their differences tear them apart forever?
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bxNdWd
She turned her face upward and gave him an enchanting smile and his own face brightened that she did not protest being brought close to his side. They began to walk the battlements until they reached the part of the wall facing most of the moon lit ocean. He nodded his head toward the guards who were nearby. They took the hint and disappeared further along the walkway, leaving him and Iona in privacy.
He took Iona’s hand and brought it to his lips. “I am glad you wished to join me here this eve, Iona,” Aiden stated honestly and with an open heart. “You give me hope for a future together.”
She turned her face upward again to stare at him with those wonderous blue eyes. A man could get lost in such a look. “I am still uncertain if this will work out between us, Aiden,” she whispered.
“Do you fear me?” he asked hoping that this was not the cause of her apprehension.
“Nay, I do not, nor do I fear any man,” she replied, jutting out her chin, “even when ye tied me tae that chair.”
“’Twas a necessity, I assure you, and now highly regretted on my part. Can you forgive me?” Her bravery was to be applauded and was most likely the reason he was drawn to her. A woman who could stand up to him and share her thoughts was appealing to Aiden. He would never be able to stand a wife who cowered down to him for the rest of their lives.
In 2014, I saw my first self-published work, If My Heart Could See You, hit Amazon’s bestseller list at #3 for the eBook three days after the paperback released. I was stunned and have been humbly grateful to my readers who have made all my books hit those wonderful charts. And so it began…
When I’m not writing, I love to read historical and time travel novels (naturally) and am a huge NASCAR fan. As a matter-of-fact, I do some of my best writing listening to the hum of the engines in the background! I love to camp, although I haven’t had the time since I’ve moved back to the city. I also enjoy hiking, the beach, and checking out our National Parks when the opportunity presents itself.
How inspiration works is a true mystery. Nonetheless I am grateful that it does work. When I began to draft my novella A Harvest Blessing, I knew that my hero, a vicar’s son returning home after Waterloo, would be walking up the path to knock on the front door of the vicarage, his childhood home.
But I’d never been to a vicarage, nor met a vicar for that matter. Thus, my first research efforts for this story were not about Waterloo, or British soldiers, or even French emigres. My heroine is one of those. No, my first research was about this building, the pathway leading to it, and the front door. I could see the entire event in my mind’s eye, but I could not have described the materials from which the house was constructed. For that I needed a picture or two and perhaps a description of a vicarage as it might have looked in 1815. I must have spent an hour searching for period accurate images of vicar’s homes. I found several, but the one that struck me as most like the home of Thom Owen and his father is pictured on the right.
I was doubly blessed when I found this image because it came with a description. The description references a ‘refacing’ circa 1872 but also refers to a number of the building’s features that existed prior to that time.
“House, early C18, altered early C19 and extended at front and largely refaced, probably by John Douglas 1872. Stone-dressed brick; tiled roofs. 2 storeys plus attic. Jacobean. Cross-gable right; octagonal entrance turret with spire (coved plaster eaves); recessed, lower,service wing left with cross-gable at end. Mullioned windows of stone and brick; leaded glazing; oak door in stone surround, mid C20 to wall behind turret; panelled brickwork; plastered gables with brick diapering. A well-composed vernacular revival reworking of an older house; the expression and materials strongly suggest John Douglas as architect.
Interior. Amongst many later C19 features of good quality, with some C20 modifications which fully maintain the character, an early C18 oak-panelled room and the open-well oak stair with 3 turned balusters per step and oak dado panelling are major items.” [Same Source as Photo]
Below is the text of the scene in which Captain Owen finally comes home.
Captain Thomas Paul Owen recommended the ladies remain in the carriage and approached the vicarage door. Memories threatened to swamp him.
His mother holding his hand as they followed Papa to church. Then, a year later, following his father alone.
The years of silent meals and disciplined study. Thank heaven he loved to read. His mother may have died, but his father did his duty by his son. Successful study was praised. Failure received frowns and a warning to try harder.
As he’d grown older, he’d tried to discuss topics his father categorically said were wrong. Those attempts had met with many a supperless night. Until the final disagreement that had sent him from home.
Thom raised his hand to the knocker. His heart raced, and his empty stomach knotted. He clutched the iron ring in the lion’s mouth, waiting for the familiar and fearsome dizziness to pass.
His father’s last words to him rang in his ears. “Don’t do this, son. God forbids killing for good reason. War and taking others’ lives can break a man’s soul.”
He’d turned his back on his father and had gone off to fight Boney along with his childhood friends. Too many of them had died. Those few who survived returned home broken in body or spirit or both.
Thom was one of those. War had broken him—part of him, but he could never confess such to his father. The right reverend, Doctor Joshua Issac Owen, Vicar of Reabridge saw everything through the lens of unshakeable faith. It would give him no pleasure to say ‘I told you so.’ Nonetheless he would say it, and Thom had no wish to hear it. His soul might be held together by a thread, but he had some pride.
Finally steady, he rapped the iron ring on the wood three times. More than once in the journey from England’s southeast coast, he’d told himself this was a bad idea. But he had exhausted all options. Others depended on him now. He must swallow his fears and his remaining shreds of pride to seek help for them.
About A Harvest Blessing: After Waterloo, Captain Thom Owen is uncertain what to do with himself. Then fate casts Charité du Pessac and her aunt in his path. No gentleman would abandon a damsel as brave and kind as Miss du Pessac, but how can he help her? With no clear solution in mind, Thom escorts the ladies home to his father.
Charité ‘s aunt believes her niece and the captain are engaged, and Charité fears the captain’s father will not welcome them. She is French after all, and while the captain might not object to her nationality, others—like his father—might disapprove of a marriage between former enemies.
By Caroline Warfield, Jude Knight, Sherry Ewing, Cerise DeLand, Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Collette Cameron, Mary Lancaster, Alina K. Field, and Rue Allyn
As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
***
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Author of historical and contemporary romances, Rue Allyn fell in love with happily ever after the day she heard her first story. (She claims she was a precocious little brat who read at the age of two but could hear much earlier than that.) She studied literature for far too many years before discovering that writing stories was much more fun than writing about them. One of her greatest pleasures as an author is being able to read the story before anyone else. Rue is happily married to her sweetheart of many, many years. Insatiably curious, an avid reader and traveler, she loves to hear from readers about their favorite books and real-life adventures. Crazy Cat stories are especially welcome. You can contact her at Rue@RueAllyn.com. She can’t wait to hear from you.
In researching British harvest festivals for Under the Harvest Moon, we came across the tradition of weaving corn dollies.
Corn, for American readers, refers to cereal grains such as wheat or barley, and though spirits are involved, the dolly is not a human-shaped creation like a voodoo doll!
When the harvest was almost finished, the last of the sheaves were taken and made into a corn dolly. Corn dollies are created by weaving stalks of grain, often into hollow spirals, a place where the Corn Spirit, perhaps the goddess Ceres, could stay during the winter months.
When ploughing started, a farmer would place the dolly hosting the Corn Spirit into the first furrow to be ploughed back into the earth to ensure a good growing season.
In the fictional Cheshire town of Reabridge, the harvest festival includes a corn doll contest. I can only imagine the beautiful woven designs that adorned the town’s homes and hearths!
Link to a video about making traditional corn dolls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYpcfzd4ov0
Also, Wikipedia has a good article on the subject: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_dolly
By Caroline Warfield, Jude Knight, Sherry Ewing, Cerise DeLand, Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Collette Cameron, Mary Lancaster, Alina K. Field, and Rue Allyn
As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.
But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.
With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.
Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/UnderHarvestMoon
Orphaned by the French Revolution and rescued by a British family, Fleur Hardouin was a solemn and often sullen child. She didn’t—or wouldn’t—speak, until the jolly young Gareth Ardleigh crossed her path one summer and saved her from bullies.
Fifteen years later, Fleur’s life takes another twist when she and the beloved lady she serves lose their home and return to the town of Reabridge. Determined to rescue them both through an advantageous marriage, Fleur tries to brush off the attention she receives from Captain Gareth Ardleigh, who’s home from the wars and as handsome as ever. Her heart longs for him, but her head knows he can’t provide the security she needs.
Gareth’s excuse for visiting Reabridge is to deliver the personal effects of his best friend who perished at Quatre Bras. But his real purpose is finding the little French girl he met years ago, for marriage—not to him, but to the Frenchman who helped save his life. Little does Fleur know that she’s heir to a wealthy French vintner who’s demanded Gareth’s help finding Fleur as repayment of his rescue from Napoleon’s army.
Astonished to find that Fleur has grown into a beautiful—and still intriguing—young woman, it soon becomes clear he must choose between honoring a promise or trying to win the hand of the woman he loves.
USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature but prefers the happier world of romance fiction. Her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., but after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California where she shares a midcentury home with a golden-eyed terrier and a feisty chihuahua and only occasionally misses snow.
Website: https://alinakfield.com/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alina-K.-Field/e/B00DZHWOKY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlinaKField
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alina-k-field
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173518.Alina_K_Field
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alinakf/
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Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides
Time can heal most wounds. Only love can heal what remains…
A wounded veteran with no future…
There was a time when Cortland Marlow-Westbrook wanted little more than to marry the Scottish lass who stole his heart and build a life with her. But that was before the war left its mark on his body and soul. Now, scarred and disabled, all he wants is to be left alone. Unfortunately, fate—and the only woman he ever loved—have another plan in mind…
An heiress who mourns the past…
Avery Levingtone was heartbroken when Cortland went off to war and never responded to a single letter she sent. But now he’s back, and she refuses to waste the second chance they’ve been given. She’ll do whatever it takes to win back her wounded warrior’s heart and prove they were meant to be together—or she’ll remain a spinster forever. On this there can be no compromise…
Can Cortland overcome the pain of his past and embrace a loving future with Avery? Or will he deny his happily ever after…and hers?
***
Want to help the Belles spread the word about our wonderful new book? And to have a chance at these great prizes? Enter our rafflecopter!
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b4ecd9341/?
All you have to do is tweet about us, and share some of the memes you’ll find here: https://bluestockingbelles.net/weeklygiveaway/ on any social media. In Rafflecopter, paste in your tweet and mark the share as done.
This week’s meme highlight’s Caroline Warfield’s story, and there’s 24 hours left to share as hard as you can.
