Rudolph Ackermann. View of Piccadilly from Hyde Park Corner Turnpike. The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics, 1809. Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
He (Henry) whistled a jolly tune as he mounted his horse and made his way toward the park. A bit of fresh air, a good breakfast, and then one call. He pulled in a deep breath. His happiness was very close; he could almost feel it now. Constance had smiled at his admission of wanting to marry her. His chances were very good if he could get her brother to agree with him.
“Crawford!”
Henry turned toward the barouche that was coming toward him. “St. James,” he greeted with a tip of his hat.
The rather portly gentleman waved Henry over.
“How can I be of service, my lord?”
“You can learn to be discreet,” the man answered, scooting to the side of the carriage closest to Henry…
Can you believe we are already at the end of the year? It’s been quite the year, hasn’t it? But before we bid farewell to 2020, let me tell you what I have been up to in my writing life this past month and what is on the horizon to happen (hopefully) before the year ends or just as the calendar turns.
Story Updates
Here are a few updates on stories I have been working on and what I am planning to work on next:
Christmas in Gracechurch Street: This story was supposed to be on preorder today. It’s not – which fits for this story. It has not been where I wanted it to be the whole time I was writing it. I am a person who likes schedules and routine. This year has been one of working on flexibility, whether I wanted to work on it or not. 😀 However, all the edits should be done by the end of next week, and I have penciled in December 15 as the release day for this book.
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY KATIE DOUGLAS ON DECEMBER 6, 2011.
I thought it might be time to delve once again into my Spotify “My Kinda Country” playlist. I mean, it has been at least a month since I last shared a country song with you. Emerson Drive is a Canadian group, and I like a lot of their music. A. Lot. (I know I have shared some of their music before, and I will probably share some in the future, too. 😉 )
When I was scrolling and listening in search of a song to pair with Mary: To Protect Her Heart, it was the title of this song that first grabbed my attention because Mary needs to learn to trust Gabe. (And then, the first few lyrics of this song… perfection.)
Growing up with the admiral was not pretty and has coloured Mary’s view of men. And, to be honest, her choice of friends up until now has not helped her with that view of men. However, Gabe it the complete opposite of the admiral and her friends, which Mary has come to know and appreciate.
The chapter below is the one where Mary finally realizes that she trusts Gabe, and it contains Gabe’s promise to her at the end that he’ll never let her “take on water.” (He was a privateer so taking on water is a significant thing to him.)
One more thing before you jump into this chapter, Mary: To Protect Her Heart is free until 11:59 PM PST today, Monday, March 30, 2020. So, if you don’t have this book yet, now is the time to get it. I’ve also got the first two books in this series (Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy and Charles: To Discover His Purpose) marked down to $0.99 until today as well.
Mary: To Protect Her Heart, Chapter 8
“You look lovely,” Gabe whispered as he and Mary approached the theatre’s entrance. “All will be well.”
He had been telling her that for the past two days – ever since Henry’s invitation to join him at the theatre had arrived during one of Gabe’s daily calls on Mary. The calls were not all made during regular calling hours. Gabe’s schedule did not always afford such luxuries, but Mary was happy to see him at any time of the day. Today, she had not seen him until now, and she had missed having him sit in the chair near the hearth, telling her about his day and inquiring after hers.
“Did you get the lace you needed?” he asked as they entered the building.
“No, Margaret and I were otherwise occupied today with a bit of knitting that the cat unravelled. We will get it tomorrow.”
“I will be unable to call tomorrow. There is still a matter to argue about concerning the new letter of marque, and then I am engaged with another matter after that.” He pulled her closer to his side as they reached the top of the stairs leading to the saloon where the private boxes were. “I will miss you.”
I hope this email finds you safe and well. Below you will find information about what I got done in my writing life this week and links to two books that are on sale and two books (one that is mine and one that is a friend’s) which are free this weekend. Oh! And there is also a first look at the cover for Cherishing Kitty.
Writing News
I pushed myself to complete a long list of items this week, and as soon as I get this blog post and my weekly email written and scheduled, every item on my to-do list will be done! I’m a little excited about that, and I must admit that my brain is tired! 🙂
Here’s an update on my writing projects with a short excerpt from a couple of them.
His Irreplaceable Belle: I am up to chapter 14, and I am not sharing a clip from this as no matter what I choose, it will be a spoiler. Sorry. You’re going to have to wait to find out what happens in this chapter.
…Grace sat up. Her heart was racing. “Why? What has happened? Tell me what has happened.”
Mrs. Love wrung her hands together – which Grace noticed were not gloved. Her mother never left her house without a pair of gloves on her hands. Something was most certainly wrong…
[from Her Secret Beau, Touches of Austen book 3]
Published to YouTube by ThePianoGuys on November 12, 2013.
I’m going to leave these here just in case anyone needs one or two of them this week when reading story updates. We’ve come to that part of each story. The good news is that it’s always darkest before the dawn — so the happy ending is coming… soon… ish. 😉
That is also why I picked a song with a melancholy tone for this week. It seems to fit the feel of the stories.
I’m going to leave these here just in case anyone needs one or two of them this week when reading story updates. We’ve come to that part of each story. The good news is that it’s always darkest before the dawn — so the happy ending is coming… soon… ish. 😉