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August 21st News and Giveaway from Jacki Delecki
treat yourself to positivity
Chris Hemsworth offers an encouraging message that will take your day from ho-hum to oh-yum! Click here to listen to his Aussie-infused pep talk!
PREORDER THE NEXT IMPOSSIBLE MISSION BOOK
She’s a nerd turned ninja…
Working as a top-secret biochemist, Danni Knorr was kidnapped and almost killed by terrorists who wanted her research. After narrowly escaping with her life, she vowed never to be a victim again. To confront her fears, Danni becomes the kind of woman no one dare mess with, learning martial arts and firearms. She’s traded in her lab coat for a holster, working as a kickass personal bodyguard for a famous rock star. But she’s in way over her head when she stumbles onto drug cartel business—business that could get her killed.
He’s a bad boy hiding a broken heart…
Lars Jenkins is the Spec. Ops Marine rescued Danni when she was kidnapped. In the months that have passed since then, he can’t get her out of his head. While she’s hot as hell, she is trouble with a capital T. The woman attracts danger like a magnet—a sexy magnet, which is why Lars stays away from her. He was hurt once and won’t allow it to happen again. But when a friend calls in a favor, Lars finds himself helping Danni once more and the chemistry between them is more explosive than ever.
Stuck together again, the two decide maybe mixing pleasure with business isn’t the worst thing that could happen. The worst thing would be getting killed by the drug cartel hunting them.
Releasing October 2020
Amazon ~ Coming Soon
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Click here to read a short teaser from the book.
Escape into a Book
Regency Anthology
The honor of your presence is requested by The Earl and Countess of Stapleton at their house party to celebrate TWELFTH NIGHT. Festivities include: a titillating masked ball, ice skating, a romp in the local village, a naughty treasure hunt, midnight kisses in the garden and the Twelfth Night Ball where holiday magic brings about seven perfect matches.
A Twelfth Night Wager by Christina Alexandra
Ruination of a Rogue by Clair Brett
It Was Only a Kiss by Sofie Darling
Christmas Chase by A.S. Fenichel
Twelve Nights of Ruin by Carrie Lomax
What If I Still Love You by Erica Taylor
Three Kisses Before Christmas by Tanya Wilde
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99¢ Regency Romance
Ruined and abandoned by her betrothed, Lady Juliet has no choice but to take the stagecoach home to her family in Yorkshire. Fortunately, she is protected on the journey by a handsome and amusing self-styled “wastrel”. Daniel Stewart – together with his enormous, unruly mongrel dog – is reluctantly answering a summons to his grandfather’s deathbed. But instead of the prodigal’s traditional fatted calf, he is presented with the miserly baron’s temper and a parcel of resentful relatives. Juliet faces recrimination and isolation in her own home.
It isn’t surprising that Dan and Juliet seek solace in secret meetings to cheer each other up. Neither expects to fall in love.
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99¢ Regency Romance
Miss Tabitha Chesworth is walking down the aisle for the third time, but never as the bride. Frustrated with being passed over, there’s nothing that a well-born lady can do about it. But at four and twenty, she’s starting to worry that this is her lot in life – until a fiery encounter with the Duke of Axwick.
Richard St Maur, sixteenth in his line, has sworn an oath never to marry. He’s seen the damage of the male Axwick line, and he won’t bring another gambler or drunkard into the world. Of course, that doesn’t mean he can’t have a little fun and there’s no one he’d like to play with more than Miss Tabitha Chesworth. He’s determined to have her. She’s determined to hold out until a ring is on her finger. Sparks fly as this repeat bridesmaid takes on one of the most determined men of the ton.
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AUGUST GIVEAWAY ~ WIN A $25 GIFT CARD
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Congratulations to Donna Durnell, the winner of July’s giveaway!
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Dangerous High ~ Excerpt from 'Mission: Impossible to Protect'
Hugging the backstage wall, Danni Knorr crept in the shadows, her SIG tucked into her skirt and her flashlight in her hand. The only light in the wings came from the red exit sign. The band’s frenetic sound matched her heartbeat as it raced to its own crazy-ass rhythm. Espionage beat the hell of spending the day in a biochemistry/physics lab. Undercover as rock star Alex Hardy’s bodyguard, she had discovered a new high. Like drinking expensive French champagne, she got off on danger.
This was a new thing. Before she’d been kidnapped, Danni had never thought about her body more than keeping in shape and healthy. Had never thought of holding a gun, let alone buying one and practicing with targets weekly. Had never realized just how many threats were out there and how little she’d been able to do to save herself.
Honing her body into a fighting machine with Krav Maga had been the first step of taking charge after she had been kidnapped. Then she’d taken classes on tactical awareness. She’d read up on the FBI and various police trainings. She’d even thought about joining the Jenkins Security agency, but Nick Jenkins had turned her down because of her lack of experience. At least he’d been honest with her.
The final step in her “recovery” was ownership of her pleasure. Sex with the famous super stud Alex Hardy was to be the ultimate statement of her proclaimed freedom. She hadn’t yet made up her mind whether to seduce him.
Right now, acting only as his bodyguard suited her perfectly. Guarding the musician after discovering that he was being stalked had been serendipitous. Ever since Jax—the Jerk—her fiancé had left her at the altar for a young woman with more sexual enthusiasm and experience than she had—or so he’d been happy to tell her—Danni had been unable to bite the bullet. There was only one man who’d tempted her to open up and be vulnerable as well as passionate, and sadly, it wasn’t Alex, no matter how much she tried to persuade herself to give him a chance.
Preorder your copy of Mission: Impossible to Protect today!
Regency Wear With Less Effort
August 14th News and Giveaways from Jacki Delecki
A new regency romance to enjoy
When Miss Ella Evans, bluestocking and Gothic fiction writer, is asked to accompany one of the Crown’s undercover agents to a May Day celebration in pursuit of a of a band of French smugglers, she cannot refuse even though it means confronting the man who stole her innocence with the empty promise of matrimony three years ago.
Lord Sebastian Grosvenor pledged his fealty to the Crown, but that loyalty is tested when Lord Rathbourne, Head of English Intelligence, demands he pose as the besotted beau to a bookish spinster to root out a dangerous foreign spy. When Ella’s clever machinations prove invaluable to their mission, Sebastian finds himself torn between protecting her honor and identifying the smuggling ringleader.
Danger and passion collide when Ella uncovers the spy’s identity and is kidnapped. Can Sebastian rescue the young woman who’s stolen his heart without sacrificing his duty to the Crown?
A May Day Code for Love first appeared in the anthology A May Day to Remember.
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CLICK HERE to read CHAPTER ONE!
ARE YOU THIS MONTH’S WINNER?
I randomly selected one of my newsletter subscribers to win a $10 gift card giveaway.
Help me congratulate Joyce Ingham.
Joyce, contact me at Jacki@JackiDelecki.com to claim your gift card!
AUGUST GIVEAWAY ~ WIN A $25 GIFT CARD
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BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY
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Read Chapter One of 'A May Day Code for Love'
The Honorable Miss Ella Evans tightened her grip on the carriage seat as the driver sped around the corner. Her companion, Lady Gwyneth Ashworth, laughed after the sudden lurch. “I can’t believe that my brother sent his driver to summon you. This must be urgent by the way Jenkins is driving.”
Unlike Gwyneth, Ella wasn’t amused by the manner in which she had been rushed out of her final May Day gown fitting and was now hurtling through the streets of Mayfair. She had been summoned by Lord Cordelier Rathbourne.
Lord Rathbourne, Gwyneth’s older brother, was reputed to be the most powerful man in England, next to the king, and rumor was that the king relied heavily on Lord Rathbourne’s counsel. What possible reason could he want with her?
A distinguished gentleman named Barter, with graying at his temple and a slight limp in his gait, had arrived unexpectedly at the modiste shop. He was polite but insistent that Lord Rathbourne demanded Ella’s immediate presence at his Mayfair residence. Within minutes, she and Gwyneth were whisked into the carriage. And despite Gwyneth’s prodding, the man who now sat with the Jenkins on the top of the carriage divulged nothing about the reason behind her summons.
“But why in heaven’s sake would Lord Rathbourne want to see me urgently? I only know him because of my acquaintance with you. And how did he know that I was at my fitting for my May Day gowns?”
“This must have to do with Ash. I told him this morning that I was meeting you for your final fitting for the May Day Ball in Southend-on-Sea. He was headed to a meeting with my brother. Nothing else makes sense.”
Ella and Gwyneth had debuted together. Gwyneth, a gorgeous and outrageous woman, had befriended Ella. Without Gwyneth’s friendship, Ella, the daughter of a country baron who preferred his horses and hounds, with no desire for lofty social connections, would have remained a wallflower.
Gwyneth was a whirling dervish of energy, and once one came under her care, she remained a steadfast and loyal friend. As soon as the women realized that neither were interested in making a match, they became allies and friends. They both were in love with their childhood neighbors and no other man interested them.
Without Gwyneth, Ella’s two seasons would have been a depressing affair. Once the gentlemen realized that Gwyneth and Ella weren’t interested in playing coy games or trying to marry any of them, they accepted the women into their inner circle as friends.
Gwyneth went on to capture the love of her childhood hero, the older and dashing Lord Ashworth. Unlike Ella, whose childhood love, Viscount Malden, hadn’t been as loyal or steadfast.
“Your brother works for the Crown. What possible reason could he have for wanting a meeting with me? My father barely leaves Watford. And I know nothing of the government workings. I spend my days writing. I barely venture into society.”
“Cord never solicits people for random reasons. He wants something from you. And it must have to do with your travel to Southend-on-Sea. It’s the only thing that is reasonable. If I weren’t enceinte”—Gwyneth patted her rounded abdomen, barely noticeable through her tangerine moiré pelisse on her tall, lean frame—“I’d join you.”
“You can’t make the journey in your condition. Although not a great distance, the roads to Southend-on-Sea are rough through the countryside.” Ella suppressed her envious feelings for her dear friend’s happy marriage and her upcoming child.
“Ash is acting medieval. He was upset by the idea of me accompanying you to this morning’s fitting. As if I’d endanger this little one.” Gwyneth’s long fingers encircled the curve of her belly. “But I had to make sure that you will be the most beautiful woman at the ball and that Algy will regret his stupidity in not pursuing you and marrying that codfish instead.”
“Lady Ethel is very sweet.” Ella had resigned herself to the idea that when the time came, Algy would marry a young debutante. Lady Ethel was the niece of a duke and her mother was a cousin removed to the king.
Gwyneth snorted. “She’s not sweet. She’s calculating, but you’re too nice to see what the woman is like underneath all those red curls. According to my Aunt Euphemia, who has the dit on everyone and everything, Lady Ethel placed herself in a compromising position to force your Algy to marry her. The delay in announcing the engagement may mean that Algy is negotiating with her father for a sum of money instead. I know that Lord Wolfson’s estate is failing.”
Ella couldn’t stop her heart whizzing at the idea that Algy might not marry. She also couldn’t prevent her disgust with herself that she still cared. For three years, she had hoped and pined while Algy went on his merry way, gambling and carousing.
“Your Aunt Euphemia is the best at ferreting out information. I’m glad that she was always on our side.”
During their two seasons, Aunt Euphemia had squashed any rumors when Ella and Gwyneth skated a bit too close to impropriety. Of course, Gwyneth was from one of the oldest and most respected families of the realm. She was allowed a certain amount of leeway.
Gwyneth’s chocolate brown eyes gleamed with appreciation.
“You would know if you ever left your townhouse. I’m glad that you’re attending the celebration. It is time to put your past behind you.”
“I hadn’t planned to attend. I’ve avoided the earl’s May Day celebration for the last few years.” She’d rather be anywhere than reliving the memories of the night she had lain in Algy’s arms, convinced they would marry. “My father has summoned me since my absence would be considered a slight to the earl. With a grand ball, everyone assumes that Algy’s engagement will be announced.”
“You will outshine every lady, including Lady Ethel. I wish I could see your Algy’s face when you make your entrance in your magnificent gown. Amelia outdid herself.”
“Amelia was so kind to take time away from her painting to design my dress. I’ll never be able to repay her.” Amelia had chosen a dusky pink silk fabric that celebrated spring and seemed to bring out the turquoise in Ella’s blue eyes. The low cut of the dress was a bit daring. With the encouragement of Gwyneth and Amelia, Ella decided to push the limits of propriety. Since she was considered a spinster, why not become a dashing spinster? And though her friends never said, she was sure they understood her need to make Algy regret his choice.
“Just make Algy green with envy.”
“He’s not my Algy. Never was. Only in my most naïve young girl’s dreams.”
Gwyneth patted Ella’s hand. “I know it will be difficult to have all the memories stirred up, but revenge is sweet.”
Ella didn’t want to discuss Algy any longer. She had wasted too much time on the insufferable man already. “What business could your brother have in Southend-on-Sea? Except for the Earl of Essex’s summer estate, there is little there of interest but beach-strolling and fishing.”
“We shall soon find out. But you’d better prepare yourself for my brother and my husband. They are both overpowering men who aren’t used to having anyone say ‘no’ to them. My sister-in-law has helped soften my imperious brother, and I was making headway with Ash until my pregnancy, but now he is back to his bossy, overbearing ways. They will try to bend you to their will. Remember, you always have a choice. And I’ll stand by you.”
Chills went up her spine. “You’re hinting at something. What can they ask me to do? You seem to have some sense of this. Please explain.”
“Southend-on-Sea is on the southeast coast across from France. We are at war with France. My brother works for the war effort. I expect that whatever he plans to ask will involve fighting the French.”
“Fighting the French?” Ella choked. Even for Gwyneth, this was a jump of imagination.
“That is what we’re about to find out.” Gwyneth chuckled. “This is the most excitement I’ve had in months. The pregnancy has made me so tired and out of sorts that I’ve been napping endlessly. But the idea of you embarking on adventure is very good for my spirits, even if I can’t accompany you.”
Her unabashed friend had no fears. Ella could imagine Gwyneth brandishing a sword to fight off the French invaders. Ella liked writing heroines who battled danger but wasn’t sure if she was up for the task in real life. But she would never shirk her responsibility to her country. She would do what she could to the best of her abilities to keep the land safe and free against the French. But what could she possibly offer to battle their enemies?
Get your copy of A May Day Code for Love to keep reading.
