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The Sound of Regency Romantic Suspense

As the end of May approaches, I am also approaching the final pages of my upcoming release, A Cantata of Love. While working on this Regency romantic suspense — book 4 in The Code Breakers series — I’ve been immersing myself in the sounds of early 19th century England.

Music is an important element in A Cantata of Love. I use it to reflect the ambiance of that time period, character development and as a secret code. Modern society offers such a wide range of entertainment and recreational options that we often forget how limited choices once were. Music was one of the primary forms of entertainment in Regency England. Think ballroom dancing, pianoforte recitals in the salon and operatic performances. Young women of the aristocracy were often encouraged to refine their singing talent or learn to play a musical instrument.

In A Cantata of Love, Lord Kendal must thwart the efforts of French spies who are attempting to communicate secretly through music. Could it be the street cleaner whistling a tune while he works? Maybe it’s the opera singer center stage at Drury Lane performing Geminiano Giacomell’s aria Sposa, non mi conosci.

Click here to listen to Sposa, non mi conosci on Youtube.

Napoleonic France is no place for an Englishman, especially Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal, who is on a clandestine assignment for the Crown. Already injured and facing imminent discovery by Napoleon and Fouche’s men, Michael finds his escape made even more perilous when he is charged with the safety of a young boy who must be spirited out of Paris. 

Desperate to escape the terrible fate that awaits her if she remains in France, Lady Gabrielle De Valmont must disguise herself as a boy and rely on the cunning of a virtual stranger—an Englishman, no less—to smuggle her out of the country. When the Earl’s injury becomes severely infected, rendering him gravely ill, Gabrielle realizes it is now up to her to save them both.

Look for more heart-pounding adventure, international intrigue, and sizzling romance with the release of Book Four in The Code Breaker Series, A Cantata of Love coming June 14, 2016. Available for pre-order on iBooks.

A Sneak Peek at A Cantata of Love

Here’s a sample of the heart-pounding adventure, international intrigue and sizzling romance coming June 14, 2016, with the release of A Cantata of Love, book 4 in The Code Breakers series.

1803 ~ In the seaside town of Berck, France

Gabrielle De Valmont brushed back Lord Kendall’s blond curls and applied the wet cloth to his burning brow. His long golden curls and eyelashes accentuated his bright red cheekbones. In their days of hard travel from Paris, the Earl’s gunshot wound had festered into a nasty infection.

At this moment, he rested. For days, when the fever spiked, he thrashed about, calling out about sending a code book to a woman named “Henrietta.”

Desperate to soothe him, Gabrielle discovered that he would calm with the French songs of her childhood.

She was exhausted from the strain of caring for the Earl and from the constant fear that they might be captured and forced to return to Paris.

They couldn’t hide much longer without being discovered by Napoleon’s or Fouche’s henchmen. When the Earl’s condition had worsened to the point he could no longer travel, Gabrielle had brought them to her former nanny’s tiny village of Berck, south of Calais. They made their arrival into the village under cover of darkness to avoid alerting the citizens.

For eight long days and nights, she had cared for the feverish Earl. Their presence in the tiny town couldn’t be kept secret much longer. They must leave Berck and France soon.

But how could they flee with the French soldiers on high alert, inspecting every boat crossing the English Channel?

Monsieur Denby, Lord Kendall’s valet, had assured her that he had a plan to divert their attention.

Exhausted and despondent, she beseeched the Blessed Virgin for their safe escape and the Earl’s recovery.

She also prayed that the Earl would forgive her and Mother Therese for their deception. She had to have believe that Lord Kendall would never abandon her to her terrible fate.

***

Pre-order A Cantata of Love exclusively from iBooks to be the first to read my new release.

A CANTATA OF LOVE

Napoleonic France is no place for an Englishman, especially Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal, who is on a clandestine assignment for the Crown. Already injured and facing imminent discovery by Napoleon and Fouche’s men, Michael finds his escape made even more perilous when he is charged with the safety of a young boy who must be spirited out of Paris.

Desperate to escape the terrible fate that awaits her if she remains in France, Lady Gabrielle De Valmont must disguise herself as a boy and rely on the cunning of a virtual stranger—an Englishman, no less—to smuggle her out of the country. When the Earl’s injury becomes severely infected, rendering him gravely ill, Gabrielle realizes it is now up to her to save them both.

You can enjoy the rest of The Code Breakers series on audio, narrated by Pearl Hewitt. Click the cover to listen to an audio sample. Available at Audible.com, iTunes and Amazon.

Celebrating Inspirational Women

My reader giveaway this month, a luxurious Caudalie Favorites Collection, was inspired by May holidays ~ Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and my birthday. To participate, I invited readers to nominate a special woman in their lives. I was so touched and inspired by these nominations that I felt each woman deserved acknowledgement. Although there were only two giveaway winners, the people touched by these incredible women are winners every day!

Regan W. and Carol C. nominated for their special friendships. (Nominated by Juanita D.)

Mom, for all she does. (Nominated by L.L.)

My nominee is Christina M. She is a historical romance author and a mother who works also. She is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet and a super duper auntie. (Nominated by Debbie H.)

I nominate my friend, Alice R. While I was off building my career she was raising children and grandchildren. I am so envious. Her  house is always full of love and laughter. So much love. (Nominated by Connie R.)

I would like to nominate Joy I., my best friend and sister. (Nominated by Jackie W.)

I would nominate Robin A. She was my AVID teacher all 4 years in high school. We still keep in touch. She has a huge heart that isn’t afraid to tell you like it is. She would encourage you to reach for the stars, hold you when you were feeling down, but would knock you down a peg when your head got to big. She always stood up for us and did whatever she could that was in her power to help us get a leg up but also teach us how to find a way to do it on our own. I didn’t have my mother around to help me with some of those things so she helped fill a part of that void, and I will always be grateful to her for that. (Nominated by Martina A.)

My elderly Mother has been an influence in my life in ways I could never have imagined.  She  is always there to lend a helping hand even though her age doesn’t permit her to be physically active. I owe her for most everything and would like to reward her for it.  Her name is Dorothy. (Nominated by Joy I.)

I would love to nominate my oldest sister Debbie. She was my rock when my daughter got ill and passed and she still is keeping me on an even keel. She is always helping others and doing things for her children and grandchildren. I know my niece  (her daughter) doesn’t truly appreciate her yet. I think that she just takes it for granted that mom will be there to help. I think that as my niece gets older she will look back and realize she should have shown her mom more appreciation for all the things she does.  I let her know all the time how special she is and how much she has done and still tries to do for me. She is truly and exceptional woman working a full time job, helping me through my hard times while her children were still teenagers and now always helping her daughter and doing things for all 3 of her grandchildren. (Nominated by Darlene H.)

My mom, Emily, because she is always doing for others and often neglects herself. (Nominated by Lori H.)

I would like to nominate my beautiful friend, Donna F. I met Donna many, many years ago, when our eldest sons were at school together. We were both pregnant, both having girls, our daughters are still very close to this day, and we lived a short distance apart. When we met my husband was in the RAAF and would spend months at a time away from home, leaving me with two young children and one on the way. I don’t drive, never have, so Donna took it upon herself to make me feel welcome in a new town. She would invite me for coffee/tea, take me shopping and so on… she kept a good eye on me to make sure I was always okay. Through the years she has been a solid rock when times have been rough. Always there with the offer of help and kind and supportive words, no matter what was going on in her own life. I could write pages and pages of all the things she has done for me, but this competition will, no doubt, keep you very busy reading about everyone’s special someone so I will keep it brief. Donna is a beautiful, kind and giving person who deserves to have something lovely happen to her, just because. She is always there for others and gives generously and selflessly. I love her very much and see her as more as a sister than a friend. (Nominated by Leah H.)

I would like to submit my mom, Nanda S. Many people say that they have the best mom in the world, but I can honestly say that after everything she has sacrificed for me and my two younger siblings, she is the best mom out there! My mom came to the United States from India in 1982. Just like anyone else who comes to this country, my mom came in pursuit of the American Dream. She immigrated to the United States because of her dreams of being a successful accountant and becoming a somebody after living her childhood in poverty. However, since she had me in 1986, my younger sister in 1990, and then my younger brother in 1994, she really had to put her dreams on hold and worry about raising us since my dad was the primary breadwinner in our home. In other words, my mom truly made her dreams a second priority and her children’s dreams a first priority.  (Nominated by Sonal S.)

I would nominate my Mom! She has been my rock and my best-friend all my life. We’ve been through some tough times. My Mom has always stayed strong and positive and has help me to keep moving forward and not to give up! (Nominated by Jane N.)

My sister Beverly K., is my best friend, my care giver (I have multiple sclerosis), my kick in the butt when I need it, and so much more. She is the BEST. (Nominated by Debra L.)

My sister is a marvel. Always the first to help out if needed. (Nominated by Mary P.)

A Code of Love named SELF-e Selection

Now you can find A Code of Love in Seattle libraries!

There are times when being a self-published author can be challenging. One of those challenges is gaining access to platforms automatically (or so it seems) available to traditionally published authors.

If you aren’t savvy as to publishing terminology like self-pubbed vs. trad-pubbed, let me help. Traditionally published authors are those whose books are delivered to the marketplace via a publisher, such as Harlequin or HarperCollins. Self-published authors, also called indie (independently) published authors, coordinate all aspects of book production (cover design, writing, editing, distribution) themselves.

Access to platforms like libraries and retailers is much easier for traditionally published authors as publishers have already negotiated these partnerships. With the increase in self-published books, platform gatekeepers (like librarians and store managers) are starting to recognize the need for some kind of entry point for indie authors.

SELF-e is one such program. Founded by BiblioBoard and administered by Library Journal, SELF-e provides an opportunity for self-published authors to introduce local libraries to their books. Books must be submitted for consideration and are evaluated for quality and professionalism.

A Code of Love, book 1 in the Code Breakers series, was recently named a SELF-e Selection. I’m proud of this endorsement, but more importantly, I’m grateful for the chance to share my book with local Seattle librarians and readers.

Connecting with libraries is an important means of discoverability for all authors, but especially self-pubbed authors. According to Library Journal, “Over 50 percent of all library users go on to purchase ebooks by an author they were introduced to in the library.”

The next time you visit your library, ask about the SELF-e program. You might discover a new favorite!

ONE DAY ONLY! Marriage Under Fire is 99 cents.

Thursday, April 21, get Marriage Under Fire, Book 4 in the Grayce Walters series, for just 99 cents!

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