Do As I Say and You Will Live: Rogue’s Hostage #99cents #MFRWHooks #MFRWAuthor

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Rogue's Hostage coverBlurb:

She wants her freedom. Her captor wants her. Can love survive a deadly war?

His hostage…

In 1758 the Pennsylvania frontier is wild, primitive and dangerous, where safety often lies at the end of a gun. Mara Dupré’s life crumbles when a French and Indian war party attacks her cabin, kills her husband, and takes her captive. Marching through the wilderness strengthens her resolve to flee, but she doesn’t count on her captor teaching her the meaning of courage and the tempting call of desire.

Her destiny…

French lieutenant Jacques Corbeau’s desire for his captive threatens what little honor he has left. But when Mara desperately offers herself to him in exchange for her freedom, he finds the strength to refuse and reclaims his lost self-respect. As the shadows of his past catch up to him, Jacques realizes that Mara, despite the odds, is the one true key to reclaiming his soul and banishing his past misdeeds forever.

Rogue's Hostage Kindle Countdown Deal July 1-8, 2021

Excerpt:

The Frenchman turned her toward him, holding her by the shoulders, and spoke in an insistent voice. “Listen to me and be sensible. You must be strong now. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

Dazed, she stared at him. “A journey? To where?”

“Fort Duquesne.”

Mara gasped. The dreaded enemy stronghold deep in the wilderness. She struggled to get free, clawing at his powerful arms.

He gripped her tighter, grimacing as he did. “Stop it! What chance do you think you have against three men? Do as I say and you will live. Refuse and…” He let the implication hang in the air between them.

Live. Yes, that was what she must do. She must bide her time and stay alive. Her brother would find her and exact revenge. But for now, she was on her own.

She straightened her spine and stared into the Frenchman’s eyes. “How do I know I can trust you, monsieur?”

He met her gaze, but a shadow darkened his eyes. “You have my word of honor.”

Bitterness filled her. “The word of a Frenchman? What is that worth?”

“For the moment, madame, your life.”

Last day for US and UK readers to grab a copy for 99 cents!

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Hope you’re enjoying your summer. This is a blog hop. Click on the linky list below for more great MFRW Book Hooks!

Linda

A Masked Ball: Lady Elinor’s Escape #MFRWHooks #MFRWAuthor #99cents

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My sweet Regency romance, Lady Elinor’s Escape, is a reverse Cinderella story. In this case, the runaway lady is the daughter of an earl, while the hero is a mere barrister. But a prince in every other way!

As always with a Cinderella story, there must be a ball scene, with Elinor dressed as, guess who> Cinderella herself! The hero is there, too, dressed as William Shakespeare. Safely masked, she cannot resist flirting with him.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Would you like to dance, mademoiselle?” Stephen asked.

She bit her lip in hesitation. “But I do not know how to waltz.”

His brows rose in surprise. “You have been tied to the hearth. However, all you need do is follow my lead. Shall we?”

Avec plaisir.” She allowed him to take her hand and lead her onto the floor. Her heart raced at the intimate feel of his hand at the small of her back. At first, he talked her through the steps, but after a few moments, she relaxed and gave herself up to the music and the pleasure of being twirled around the floor by the gentleman of her dreams.

He drew her far closer than was proper, but she didn’t resist. “Ah, mademoiselle, how am I to resist you?”

She smiled at him. “But, monsieur, you are not supposed to. For tonight, you are the handsome prince and you are required to fall in love with me.”

Woman in gold maskWhen the waltz ended, Stephen procured two more glasses of champagne. Elinor sipped it, letting the liquid cool her parched throat. Then, she let Stephen lead her downstairs and out into the moonlit garden for a breath of air. Her head was spinning, though whether from the champagne or the twirling motion of the dance, she did not know. She only knew she was behaving very badly tonight, drinking champagne, daring to dance the wicked waltz, and now this. Without the mask and costume, she would never have dared to act so. He must think her very fast, indeed.

They strolled along a path lined with rose bushes and stopped to drink in the fragrance scenting the air. The cool night air helped to clear her head, but made her shiver. Or was that caused by the warm look Stephen sent her way?

He ran a finger from her ear to her chin. “Will you remove your mask for me, Cendrillon? I long to know you better.”

Mais non, monsieur. It is forbidden.”

“Will you at least tell me your name?”

She smiled. He was her dear, inquisitive Stephen, but she had to find a way to avoid the question. She glanced around the garden and a line from Romeo and Juliet came to mind.

“My name is not important, monsieur. Was it not you who said, ‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.’”

He broke into laughter. “Hoisted by my own petard, I see. You are a clever minx.” He leaned closer to her. “Is a kiss forbidden also?”

The word non was on her lips, when she thought, why not? Had she not wanted him to kiss her at Hampstead? This might be her only opportunity to find out what it would be like to be kissed by him. “A kiss would be allowed,” she said, shocked at her own daring.

His mouth brushed hers, the mustache tickling a little. She let out a nervous giggle.

He drew back. “Do you find my kiss amusing?”

She touched his lips in apology. “No, but your mustache, it tickles me. It is not unpleasant, however.” In truth, it had been her very first kiss, but she doubted he would believe that after the way she was behaving tonight.

“Then perhaps we should try again.”

He drew her closer and she lifted her arms to his shoulders. Once more his mouth touched hers, more demanding this time. When she tentatively returned his kiss, he pulled her even closer until her breasts were crushed against his chest. Her heart pounded in rhythm with the music and her head spun as if they were still whirling around the dance floor.

Lady Elinors Escape coverA mysterious lady. An inquisitive gentleman. And a secret that could tear them apart.

Lady Elinor should be in London enjoying the season, not fearful and trapped in a country cottage with an unbalanced relative. When her aunt becomes violent, she flees straight into the path of a compassionate barrister. Desperate, she accepts his help, but will she be able to hide the truth from this inquisitive, intelligent man?

There are too many women in barrister Stephen Chaplin’s life, but he has never been able to turn his back on a woman in need. The reticent seamstress resists his every attempt to draw her out and remains a mystery he can’t solve.

Then a Bow Street Runner hired by her aunt comes asking questions. Elinor again turns to Stephen for help. But when circumstances reveal the truth about her background, will Stephen and Elinor lose their chance at happiness?

Lady Elinor’s Escape is a Cinderella-inspired traditional Regency romance. If you like noble gentlemen, independent ladies and sweet romance, this book is for you! Read now for free with Kindle Unlimited or grab a copy for 99 cents during the Kindle Countdown Deal, US and UK only.

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Elinors-Escape-Linda-McLaughlin-ebook/dp/B00CHSNEII/

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lady-Elinors-Escape-Linda-McLaughlin-ebook/dp/B00CHSNEII/

Click on the linky list below for more fabulous MFRW Book Hooks!

Linda