Historical Romance

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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.

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!

Audiobook version of A Christmas Code now available

Audiobook fans can now enjoy A CHRISTMAS CODE, Book 2 of the Code Breakers series. Narrated by Pearl Hewitt, this title joins the other two books in the series on audio.

Enjoy an audio sample HERE.

Click on the book titles to purchase at Audible today!

If you would enjoy receiving a free download of this new audiobook release in exchange for an honest review, please contact my assistant Maria Connor at myauthorconcierge@gmail.com.

The Code Breakers Series box set special release price of $4.99

Don’t miss this limited offer to treat yourself to  CODE BREAKERS, The Series (Books 1-3) for just $4.99

Men and women from the class of privilege and rank risk their lives to defend England against the treacherous designs of Napoleon. They confront disaster, scandal, and passion as they pursue their code of honor and love.  

Book One: A CODE OF LOVE

Threatened by French spies, assassins, and calculating suitors, can Lady Henrietta Harcourt trust the infamous rake, Lord Cordelier Rathbourne, with her carefully guarded family secrets?

Book Two: A CHRISTMAS CODE

Lady Gwyneth Beaumont has long awaited the opportunity to show Viscount James Ashworth that she is no longer the impetuous child who dogged his footsteps. Now a much sought-after debutante, she is determined to prove to the hard-headed rake that she is a grown woman and a worthy participant in both the spy game and the game of love.

Book THREE: A CODE OF THE HEART

When Miss Amelia Bonnington unwittingly stumbles upon a smuggling ring in the modiste shop of her good friend, it is up to Lord Derrick Brinsley to save her. Can the disreputable rake and undercover agent prevent the French from stealing the Royal Navy’s deadly weapon and find love with the only woman capable of redeeming him?

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