Monday, May 6, 2013

Oh My! @Jenna_Jaxon Shares Her #HistoricalRomance #Betrothal

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Welcome to the very first Oh My! Monday here at Through Stephanie's Eyes. I'm thrilled to welcome today author Jenna Jaxon and her historical romance Betrothal (Time Enough to Love). If you love stories with knights, nobleman, lords and ladies this one is for you. Here's the blurb


Lady Alyse de Courcy has fallen in love with Lord Braeton, a nobleman in King Edward III’s court and a man to whom she has barely spoken. Fate, however, has decreed her betrothal to his best friend, Sir Geoffrey Longford—a handsome and imposing knight, yet hardly the man she wants to wed.

When Sir Geoffrey is bound in betrothal by his father, he could not have expected the beautiful stranger to win his heart the moment they meet. Nevertheless, the fascinating Lady Alyse has done exactly that, and his feelings for her only grow as he learns more of her gentle yet spirited nature. But Alyse’s infatuation with his friend casts doubt on whether she can ever return his regard and their wedding day is fast approaching… 

Will he have time enough to win her love?

Ohhhh! A medieval triangle unfolding right in front of our eyes. I'm already hooked, but I can see that some of you may take a little more convincing. Jenna was kind enough to send along an excerpt to entice you just a bit more. Take a look.


“What do you require of me, Majesty?” Her mouth so dry she could taste sand, Alyse fought to speak in a normal tone. With a sigh of relief, she dropped into a deep curtsy, hiding her face in the folds of her skirt. If only she could remain bowed thus before His Majesty for the remainder of the evening.

King Edward laughed. “Obedience, Lady Alyse, as I require of all my subjects. As your father requires of his daughter.”

Her heart thumped wildly in her breast. That could mean but one thing.

“Rise, my lady.”

She did so on unsteady feet. “I am ready, as always, Your Majesty, to obey my father as I would you.”

Holy Mary, let it be Lord Braeton.

King Edward lifted an eyebrow toward Alyse. “A very pretty answer, my lady. And are you ready to accept your father’s decree for your betrothal? His messenger has today reached me with the contract, as I am to stand in his stead in this matter.”

Alyse took a deep breath and hoped her voice did not tremble. “Yea, Majesty, I will obey my father.”

King Edward nodded and leaned over to whisper something to Queen Phillipa, who sat beside him, heavy with their twelfth child.

Mere seconds before she learned her fate. She could scarce affect an indifferent pose before the court when inside every inch of her quivered with anticipation of the name. His name, pray God, on the king’s lips.

Thomas.

In her mind, she heard the word.

The king straightened, glanced at her then at the man by her side.

“What say you then, Sir Geoffrey? Does the lady not speak fair? I vow she will make you a proper wife and a dutiful one as well.”

Alyse turned, until that moment unaware that Geoffrey Longford stood beside her. Chills coursed down her body as the king’s words echoed in her mind. The sensation of falling backward assailed her, as though she rushed away from the tall man at her side even as his figure loomed larger and larger in her sight.
Not Lord Braeton.

Her numbed brain repeated the phrase, trying to comprehend that instead he would be her husband. Geoffrey Longford.

God have mercy on me, for by the look of him, this man will not.

Fearful, she cringed as her gaze climbed higher, over his chest, over his chin, finally resting on the dark blue eyes turned toward her.

Geoffrey returned her appraisal, his gaze sweeping her figure as a smile crept over his face. “Your Majesty.” He spoke to the king but his attention remained fixed on Alyse. “When my father told me of the betrothal contract before I left his home, I resolved to play the dutiful son. Now, however, I find I do not wish to act that role after all.” His eyes held hers as he paused.
Dear God, does he mean to renounce me here before the entire court?

Alyse stared at the man beside her, willing herself to remain upright, despite the waves of ice and fire alternating through her body.

“Now I find I would rather play the ardent lover.”

An amused murmur ran through the Hall at his words. Sir Geoffrey grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor and something more. Despite the uneven light, Alyse saw an unfathomable promise in their dark depths. She took a shaky breath and looked away. 



If you're not done for with that excerpt, then honey, you just haven't got a clue what a gem this novel by Jenna Jaxon truly is. I'm heading out to get my own copy now. Here are the links if you want to join me.




About the Author

Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance.  Her historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do, the first in a series of five interconnecting novels, was released in July 2012. Her contemporary works include Hog Wild, Almost Perfect, and 7 Days of Seduction.  She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as a member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her medieval romance, Time Enough to Love, is being published this summer as a series of three novellas.  The first book, Betrothal, released on April 19th.

Jenna has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager.  A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise.  She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets.  When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director.  She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage. 

She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.

Connect with Jenna





26 comments:

  1. Love Jenna's books and this one sounds awesome!! Can't wait to read it!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jennifer! Hope you enjoy it!

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  2. Can't wait to dive into this book, the characters are just yummy! Good luck with the book, jenna

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    1. Thank you, Kristina! I appreciate your coming by to support me today. :)

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    1. You should be the princess in my book, Daryl! Thank you so much! :)

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  4. This is a wonderful book. I tweeted and FBd.

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    1. Awww, thank you so much, Ella! I do appreciate it so much. :)

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    1. Thanks, D'Ann! It's one of my favorite scenes. :) So glad you like it.

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  6. I have read other of Jenna's books and this one promises to be just as good.

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    1. Thank you for that lovely endorsement, Karen. I'm so glad you've enjoyed my books so far. I hope that track record continues with Betrothal!

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  7. loved the excerpt tweeted and fb good luck with it

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    1. Thank you, Julie! I appreciate your support so much.

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    1. Geoffrey can be Mr. Suave when he wants to impress. LOL And he's turning on the charm in this snippet. :) Thanks for coming by, Nikki!

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    1. Oooh, can't wait for you to either, Sheri! Hope you enjoy it! :) Thanks for stopping by today.

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    1. Thank you, Patricia! Your support always means a lot to me. Thanks for it and the tweet!

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  11. I never get tired of reading that excerpt or looking at that cover. Can't wait to read it.

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    1. Awww, thank you, Liza! How terribly sweet of you! I hope you enjoy it when you do. :)

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  12. I'm almost finished reading this book, and may I say, it is FANfreakingtastic!

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    1. Oooh, Brenda, I'm so excited! So glad you're liking it so far! You must let me know when you're finished! Thanks so much for that great endorsement!

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  13. Jenna,
    Thank you so much for being my guest today. You've made my very first Oh My! Monday feature extra special! Please come again very soon!

    Stephanie

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  14. Stephanie, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today! I've loved being here and hanging out. Have a great week!

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