Marooned with a Pirate #MFRWHooks #MFRWAuthor #PNR

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I’ll be featuring my paranormal stories and novellas at the blog for Halloween month. Today, my historical, paranormal romantic short story, Marooned, featuring a wayward witch and a sexy pirate.

Marooned graphic

“Must you tell the entire crew?”

He stopped pacing to look at her. “Do you have any idea of the position you’ve placed me in? The ship’s articles prohibit bringing a woman on board.”

“You did not bring me on board,” she argued. “I was already here.”

“A technicality. Besides, the articles also prohibit keeping secrets from the other members of the crew, subject to punishment by marooning.”

Heather flinched. Marooning meant a slow death from hunger and thirst on a deserted island. “Then you have no choice, do you? You have to tell them.”

He rubbed a hand over his eyes. “You appear to be a lady of means. Is there anyone who’d pay ransom for you?”

“No. My father died a few months ago. I own our sugar plantation now, but there are no other assets, at least none you have not already stolen by taking this ship. My father lost everything at the gaming tables.”

“So that is why you were traveling with your uncle.”

“Another lie,” Heather admitted. “The man who died was my husband, Roger Parnell.”

Adam stared at her. “Your husband. Then who was the blond woman?”

“Kitty Foxton, his mistress,” Heather said flatly. “She was supposed to be acting as my maid, but it was she who shared his bed.”

Adam shook his head. “Not many ladies would put up with that.”

“Better her than me. I despised him.”

Adam’s brows quirked. “Then why did you marry him?”

“I had no choice. He’s the one who ruined my father by cheating at cards. Da was so downcast, he shot himself. I was left with nothing. Nothing. Then the blackguard who destroyed my life offered to marry me. Last night, I learned that he and Kitty planned to kill me once he’d established himself as master of the plantation. Your Mr. Gower did me a favor by killing them.”

Adam stood, walked around the desk and reached for her hands. “What an extraordinary tale.”

She laughed, a little hysterically. “It is, is it not? And now even more so since I have been captured by pirates.”

“Most well-bred ladies would have fainted by now. I applaud your courage and resourcefulness.”

Heather stood to face him, her hand still in his. “I am made of sterner stuff than most ladies.”

“I see that. There is, perhaps, one solution to this dilemma. I could claim you as my share-and-a-half from the Sea Rover.” He let go of her hands and pulled her to him, one arm around her waist. His other hand grabbed hold of her hair and tugged her head back. She looked up into his face and saw that his eyes were green flecked with gold. They glittered with desire.

Blurb:

Marooned coverHeather Parnell is traveling from England to her home in Jamaica with her new husband, Roger, a man she detests. She performs a banishing spell with unintended consequences. When their ship is attacked by pirates, Roger is killed. Heather, disguised as a boy, joins the pirate crew.

Pirate captain Adam Langworth suspects there is something odd about the new lad. When he discovers she is a woman, she begs him to keep her secret, a violation of the ships’ articles. When her identity is discovered, Adam and Heather find themselves marooned on a deserted island with nothing to do for the rest of their lives but make love.

Disclaimer: This is a 12,000 word steamy romantic short story, not a full-length novel. Previously published by Amber Quill Press. Contains a sexy pirate, a naughty witch, cussing and fornicating. They are pirates, after all.

Only 99 cents at: Amazon US, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, and Amazon UK; and Smashwords.

As always, click on the Linky List below for more fabulous #MFRWHooks!

Lyndi Lamont

Witch or Pirate: Why Not Both? #Marooned Steamy #PNR #halloweenreads

What’s Halloween without witches and pirates? Well, witches for sure, but in my household and neighborhood, Halloween means pirates, too. Check out this local house, all decorated as a spooky pirate scene. It’s really awesome lit up at night with fog machine and piratical music.

Pirate House

When I was a kid, one of my favorite costumes was a witch. I’m still fascinated by witchcraft, and would like to know more about it. I’ve also spent a Halloween or two dressed as a pirate wench.

I first combined witches and pirates when I wrote a steamy paranormal novella called Marooned. In doing my research, I came across the notion of banishing spells, and knew I’d found the catalyst for the story. I had a lot of fun writing the rhyming spells. However, banishing spells are not a good idea, as Heather learns to her peril.

Marooned-steamy PNR

Marooned coverMarooned
by Lyndi Lamont
Steamy Pirate Romance

Blurb:

Heather Parnell is traveling from England to her home in Jamaica with her new husband, Roger, a man she detests. She performs a banishing spell with unintended consequences. When their ship is attacked by pirates, Roger is killed. Heather, disguised as a boy, joins the pirate crew.

Pirate captain Adam Langworth suspects there is something odd about the new lad. When he discovers she is a woman, she begs him to keep her secret, a violation of the ships’ articles. When her identity is discovered, Adam and Heather find themselves marooned on a deserted island with nothing to do for the rest of their lives but make love.

In this excerpt, Heather makes the fateful decision to banish Roger and his mistress Kitty from her life when she learns they intend to kill her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She moved to the bow of the ship, where she could be alone. The wind was strong, blowing the hood of her cape back. The crescent moon shone above, sending a faint illumination on the white caps below her and the sails above. She lifted her head, enjoying the feel of the wind on her face, in her hair. She was never happier than when she was outside, surrounded by the elements. Away from the petty squabbles and schemes of people…

She stood still for several moments, basking in the moonlight, the sound of the waves as they slapped against the hull, and the force of the wind. She was heading home to her beloved Jamaica. This should be a joyous occasion, and would have been had she found the right man. She pushed away her regrets and as she paused, soaking in the loving energy of the goddess, her spirits lifted and hope filled her heart.

What she was about to do was not without its risks. Her mother had cautioned her to be careful what she asked for. A negative spell could go badly awry.

But what did she have to lose except her life? And life was uncertain, at best.

Decision made, Heather pulled the paper with the names of her tormentors from the pocket of her cape as she formed the incantation in her mind. When she was certain, she held up the paper, focused on the evil being planned, and whispered,

——

“Foul murder intended for me.
Seek the pair who plan this deed.
Banish them first, by magic’s decree!
Send them from me.
So mote it be!”

——

She repeated the words, her voice growing stronger with each recitation. When the power within her peaked, she tore the paper into shreds and let the wind tear it from her fingers. “Send them from me. So mote it be!”

Drained of all emotion, she clutched the rail and stared out to sea. Her spell had been cast.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do not try this at home. Seriously.

Heather has no idea what forces she has unleashed with her spell.

If you want to find out, Marooned is available at: Amazon US, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, and Amazon UK.

What costume will you be wearing on Halloween? I’m debating between Hogwarts professor with pointy witch hat and wand or pirate wench.

Linda / Lyndi