Story Excerpt – Page 6

Listen to Your Heart on Sale until February 15, 2020

Below is information about an ebook that I have on sale from now until February 15, 2020. Click the image below or one of the other links in this post to see all the stores were Listen to Your Heart can be purchased.

*Listen to Your Heart* will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020.
This sale is across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced.

~*~*~

About the Book:

Anne de Bourgh has never had a coming-out. She has never had a season. In fact, she has never had a suitor. But, according to her mother, she has always had a future husband. Although Anne desires to marry, she does not wish to marry her mother’s choice, and he does not wish to marry her.

With no other options and the prime of her youth slipping away, Anne’s view of her future is bleak. However, when she finds some papers hidden in her father’s study, that view, in the light of his wishes, changes. Her declaration to follow her heart and choose her own future causes discord and forces secrets to be revealed.

Get your copy of Listen to Your Heart here.

And a Short Excerpt from Listen to Your Heart:

“Oh, thank heavens, you are here.” Anne stopped pacing as Richard entered her sitting room. “I was certain that Mother was going to get here before you. Whatever took you so long? Did Darcy not tell you I needed you? Did you not remember that you were to leave Darcy alone with Miss Bennet?”

Richard slowly poured himself a drink and sauntered to the window before replying. “I came as quickly as I was able. I needed to ensure our taciturn cousin and the lovely Miss Bennet had a topic for conversation.”

Anne groaned. “I would ask what the topic is, but I fear I do not have time to calm myself before my mother appears.”

“I do not know why you do not place more faith in my tactics. I am a trained colonel in His Majesty’s army. I have led many campaigns.”

Anne sighed. “And did all your men return ─ unharmed?”

“Of course not!” Richard scoffed as he took a seat. “The goal is to limit casualties, but it is nigh unto impossible to come away completely unscathed.” He stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. “My numbers for casualties were always low ─ well within acceptable limits.”

“And what is the acceptable limit for the battle which might be playing out in my garden?”

Music Monday: This I Promise You (Ronan Keating)

Published to YouTube by ronankeatingofficial

Today’s song choice is being paired with an excerpt from Her Heart’s Choice where Anne finally realizes what Alex has been promising her all along, and she can see her forever right there in front of her. However, will it be a realization which is just a little too late?

Her Heart’s Choice, Chapter 9 Excerpt

Mary stood between Rycroft and Kitty, waiting to welcome her new cousin and friend. “I am so happy to see you, Anne. I have wished for a visit from you, but Lady Sophia tells me you have been very busy with interviews.”

“I have,” Anne leaned close to Mary, “but it has not been enjoyable. They are all rather dull. I would much rather spend time with you and your sisters.”

Mary smiled and pulled Anne into an embrace. “Tomorrow, you must join us at the museum.”

“I would like that.” Anne felt a sigh of relief pass through her that she would not be subjected to yet another round of dull interviews.

Kitty took Anne’s hand. “You have not yet met our sister Lydia. I can assure you that our visit will be anything but dull with her along.”

Mary chuckled. “She has improved in the last month, but she is still Lydia.” A rather loud giggle was heard from the drawing room. “That is she. Lydia is rarely quiet. Come.” She wrapped her arm around Anne’s, ignoring the look of displeasure from her husband at being displaced by his cousin. “I will introduce you. Everyone else is here, so we are just beginning with some wine in the drawing room while we wait for our meal to be ready.”

“Georgiana was allowed to come,” said Kitty, “since we did not wish the men to outnumber the ladies.”

“Samuel invited some friends.” There was a hint of concern in Mary’s voice. “There was one he did not wish to invite, but things have changed, and it really could not be helped.”

Anne stopped walking. They were just outside the door to the drawing room, and she could clearly hear Alex’s voice. “And who might these guests be?” she asked, turning toward Rycroft.

Music Monday: Emma & Knightley – Obvious (Westlife)

Published to YouTube The Alena31 on February 13, 2011.

I was listening to this song last week — watching this video, actually — and it brought to mind Jack and Georgiana’s story. I think you’ll recognize why this story came to mind when you read the chapter I am sharing below. 🙂

Enticing Miss Darcy, Chapter 3

“I am expected?” Jack asked with a surreptitious glance toward Georgiana.

“Not so much expected as hoped for,” Lady Margaret said with a smile. “Now, come sit here, my boy.” She motioned to a chair that was between her and her granddaughter.

“We are always pleased to have you call, Mr. Ralston,” Elizabeth said as she rose to pour the tea.

Jack did not miss the relieved look that passed between Georgiana and Mrs. Darcy. Perhaps not everyone was hoping to see him as much as Lady Margaret implied.

“I am always delighted to be accepted into your drawing room,” he replied. “It is the expected thing for a gentleman to call upon a lady after a soiree, is it not? They have not changed the rules of propriety and politeness on me since last season, have they?”

Lady Margaret chuckled. “They have not.”

“It is lovely of you to have called,” Georgiana added. “Did you enjoy the ball last evening?”

Jack inclined his head indicating that he had enjoyed himself. Calls, even when made at the home of someone whom you knew, were not particularly enjoyable. The conversation was always so stilted – for propriety’s sake and all that nonsense.

“It was a very enjoyable evening, although I did leave with emptier pockets than when I arrived.” His lips quirked up into a half-smirk. “Not that I minded so much. I had every intention of leaving my money with Mrs. Pratt.”

“Did you let her win?”

Music Monday: The Last Post – Violin

Today is Remembrance Day here in Canada. It is a day when we remember both the end of World War I and all soldiers who have given their lives to ensure our continued freedom. In honor of the day, I would like to start with a moment of remembrance before getting to the normal Monday post items. Below is a beautiful violin version of “The Last Post”, which will be played at many, many cenotaphs today. There will also be readings of the poem “In Flander’s Fields.” If you wish to listen to this poem, there is a reading of it by Leonard Cohen at this link.

Published to YouTube by Rachel Bostock on April 27, 2016.

I am truly grateful for the sacrifice made by so many.

~*~*~

Now, for my writing news:

This week on the blog, I will not have the normal Tuesday and Thursday stories for you as those concluded last week. I will be taking down both Persuading Miss Mary and Her Secret Beau soon, as I am working on getting them both ready for publication. I did not get a lot done on either of these this week as I spent the week being sick. Continue reading Music Monday: The Last Post – Violin

Music Monday: Arwen’s Vigil, Original Tune (The Piano Guys)

…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.

Now, for my writing news, which isn’t all that much this week. That does not mean I did not write A LOT this past week. I did. It just all happened to be for the same story. Continue reading Music Monday: Arwen’s Vigil, Original Tune (The Piano Guys)