Adventurer Martin Blackstone escapes the stuffy rituals of England
to seek his destiny in America. He leaves Alaina Craymore behind, believing she
is better off without him. Suffering under the scandalous circumstances
surrounding her father’s death, only Alaina’s love for Martin and the memory of
their one stolen kiss have kept Alaina steady. But she hasn’t heard from Martin
in far too long and cannot wait forever in the hopes that he will return from
America. Just as Alaina begins to recover, one of her father’s associates
emerges from the shadows with a choice—she must pose as his fiancée in America
or he’ll send her brother to prison on charges of forgery. Willing to endure
ruin and an uncertain future, Alaina agrees—she can do no less for the brother
who’s spent his entire life protecting her. Only the man who spurned her can
save her from the black mailing scoundrel and a ruined reputation.
Martin hasn’t forgotten Alaina or the kiss they shared. When word of her
sacrifice reaches him, he’ll move heaven and earth to find her and make her
his, no matter the cost.
Will the strong-minded, independent Alaina chose ruin over the fear that a
marriage proposal has been offered out of duty rather than love?
A Kiss of Promise
continues the story of the Blackstone brothers, introduced in Regal Reward. It will be released on
April 3rd, 2014 by Ellora’s Cave Publishing under their Blush
imprint and is presently available for pre-order on Amazon.
Excerpt:
It was much too late to hope for his love.
She had compromised her decency beyond redemption. What a mess she’d made of
her life. She still had nightmares of
the night her father died, of the gun slipping from her fingers. The dreams had
lessened during the year spent with Aunt Cornelia. She had gained some hope for
her future, but now she lived in a stranger’s home under the guise of being a
widow and strolled the streets in a gaudy pink gown. Martin would certainly shun her. Better not
to think of him.
When they reached the gates set up where
the auction was being held, Harrington drew her to a quieter spot but near
enough to watch the goings on.
“Remain
here, Alaina. I must have words with one of the sellers before the carriages go
up for auction. He waved a hand toward a bench that had one remaining seat
available. Do not move from this
place. You know what is at stake if I
can’t find you when I return.”
Alaina’s
mouth thinned but she nodded her acquiescence. When Harrington strode off, she
signaled for Maria to take the empty seat. The woman was older and Alaina
preferred to stand and observe the crowd.
As the minutes went by the crowd grew. She glanced toward her chaperone,
though she had to rise up on her tiptoes to have the bench in view. She was
surprised to see Maria in an animated conversation with another woman. Their
hand gestures suggested their own excitement over the venue. How she wished that she could find a friend
in this mob of foreigners.
That was
her last thought before clutching her throat. Martin. He was there in the
crowd, standing taller than those about him.
Her eyes grew wide as she watched him saunter casually toward where she
stood. He hadn’t seen her. She watched his agile gait, his expression, one of
expectation, even determination as he strode closer. She opened her mouth but
clamped it shut again. She clenched her fingers into the folds of her skirt—she
didn’t know what to do. Should she run to him, plead for his help, or hide?
Instead of doing either, she stood paralyzed. She couldn’t believe that it was
truly him. He drew closer and his eyes darted in her direction. He stopped when
he saw her, nearly causing a man behind him to stumble back into the crowd.
She saw
the disbelief in his features as he pushed his way through the throng, his eyes
never leaving hers. She didn’t move,
every ounce of her being wanting to run to him, while a warning within her kept
urging her to flee.
“Alaina?
By God, it’s really you.” He rushed to her side, breathless, grasping her upper
arms. “What are you doing here?” He scanned her surroundings. “Who are you
with? I can’t believe you’re here.”
She
stared up at him, the sensation of his strong hands on her arms,
rapturous. She didn’t want the warmth
that encompassed her to end. She dared to lift her fingers and grasp his
forearms, feeling the heat of his body beneath his shirt sleeves. Her lips
trembled. She had to get hold of herself, say something.
“Martin,”
she finally breathed. “I-I, I never expected to see you. Richard…” she swallowed as the story she must
tell him, formed in her mind. “I have come with my brother. He is here to
handle some business affairs. He is in
there.” She pointed past the gates, in the direction where Philip had
disappeared. “He wanted to look at the items at auction. He preferred I wait here.” She was amazed
that she could utter even a sound or put a sentence together. She’d believed
she could fall no further, yet she’d become worse than disgraced, she’d become
a shameful liar. Would he believe her? She continued, the words invented as she
uttered them. “My maid came along and is over there, on the bench.” She waved a
hand, thankful the bench was now fully hidden by the crowd moving forward.
“Alaina,
I have thought of you often. And to see you here, I’m speechless. Are you…how was your voyage? How long have
you been in Boston?”
She
realized that he was as tongue-tied as she and just as shocked at their
meeting. Somehow, she needed for him to leave her. Her prayer had been answered
only for her to realize how futile it was. As soon as she’d spoken her
brother’s name, only seconds before, she had regained her senses and her
purpose. She could not involve Martin, not now.
Phillip would return at any minute. She feared his reaction if she saw
them talking. She had to complete her mission alone and deny her dreams.
A Blush® historical romance from Ellora’s Cave
Biography
Elaine is a veteran
high school English teacher and teaches public speaking part time at a local
community college. She holds a BS in English
Education from the University of CT and an MS in Educational Leadership from
Central CT State University. Her
published works include novels, poetry, non-fiction publications, and book
reviews. Her first novel, Regal Reward, a Regency Historical published
in 2007, and available in ebook and print was a finalist in the NJRW Golden
Leaf contest. Her second Regency, A Convenient Pretense, is available
as an ebook. Her newest novel, A Kiss of Promise will be released
April 3rd, 2014, and is presently available for pre-order on Amazon and at
Ellora’s Cave Publishing. Her affiliations consist of Romance Writers of
America, CT Romance Writers, and Charter Oak Romance Writers. Visit her
website at www.elaineviolette.com
Buy links:
A Kiss of Promise available at Ellora’s
Cave
On
Amazon
On her
website
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