At The Kingsborough Ball
By: Sophie Barnes
Releasing July 29th, 2014
Avon Romance
Lucien Marvaine never thought he was good enough for Katherine. As the younger son of an earl, he didn’t have a title or prospects. Then fate steps in and gives him a second chance, and this new Earl of Roxbury is determined to make the beautiful Kate his own . . . one touch . . . one kiss at a time.
Katherine never thought of herself as a temptress, certainly not with Lucien. Why, she’s known him almost all her life! Yet as she waltzes in Lucien’s arms at the Kingsborough Ball, she can’t help but be drawn to him. Has he always been this hard and masculine? And where did those dimples come from? Kate is not looking for a husband . . . but how can she not surrender to Lucien’s charms when love is at stake?
Excerpt:
Katherine halted her progress and turned to face the dowager. It was a hard truth to face - the aristocratic obligation to procreate, no matter the cost. Making a brilliant match was always of greater importance than whether or not the parties involved were capable of getting along with each other. It was absurd! Katherine sighed. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl into bed. This conversation had made her feel dismal. “It just seems rather rushed,” she confessed, “and so unlike Lucien who’s always given a great deal of thought to even the most trivial of things.” “Well, war can have a life-altering effect on a man. With everything he’s lost, I do believe the only thing on Lucien’s mind right now is building a future so he can leave the past behind him.” “Yes of course,” Katherine said as her eyes darted toward the terrace doors. She wasn’t ignorant of the effect war could have on any person. Lucien had changed, and she was suddenly alarmingly aware of just how much. The innocent playfulness of his features had been worn away and replaced by hard lines – a silent account of all the horrors he’d seen – not to mention that there was something harsher about the way he spoke. Yes, he could shove it all aside and pretend that he was still the same carefree person when circumstance required it, but one would be a fool to ignore the pain and anger that surely gripped his soul. But for him to throw himself away on a woman he’d only just met, just because he believed she’d make a suitable countess…It wasn’t jealousy that washed over her. No, that would be ridiculous. She was just concerned for him and the choice she feared he might make. An urgent need to see him, to speak with him and advise him assailed her. “If you’ll please excuse me,” she managed to say to Lady Roxberry, “I don’t feel quite myself. I believe I’m in need of some fresh air.”
Author Info:
Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
Author Links:
The complete Kingsborough Ball collection (autographed), a black masquerade mask, a Croft & Barrow jewelry set, a grey silk shawl, bookmarks and magnets
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting today!
ReplyDelete