For this week's Sweet Saturday Sample I'm continuing from where I left off on Tuesday.
Lord Alastair Vidal hs arrived in Spain, only to discover Honor has left the village he was told about and no one knows where she is.
Thanks to everyone who visits, and as this is a first draft of my current WIP any comments will be appreciated.
Taking his time to stroll further round the collection of buildings Vidal made his way back to where Juan watched him. “Did they tell you where Phillipe has gone?”
“You have to understand,” Juan began, “ with the turmoil in our country, and Joseph Bonaparte on our throne, there are those who support him and his brother, while others, like us—“ he indicated the men he’d spoken with who were still watching them, “—who fight to restore our own monarch, communication is difficult. Trust is broken. Links are gone. We trust our own and pray we do not fall into the enemy’s trap when we connected with others who claim to support our fight. Phillipe told them little and they are offended with his lack of trust, even though they understand he acted for their protection. Few of them believed Phillipe’s assertion the newcomer was even his cousin so although they don’t know they think he has gone to warn them how close the enemy is getting.”
“If he can’t trust your own team of agents, do you suppose Phillipe will try to take the woman across Spain himself?”
Juan shook his head. “To do so would risk his own neck, not that that would stop him, but if he was uncovered it would bring retribution to his family and the rest of this community. They are afraid.”
30 June 2012
26 June 2012
Tuesday's Tales ~ Red
'Red' is this week's Tuesday's Tales prompt, and so I have skipped to a short excerpt in chapter three of Vidal's Honor, my current Regency WIP.
As this is still in first draft any comments and suggestions will be apprecaited.
[It is in Viscount Lord Alastair Vidal's pov]
“You have information for me?” The ease with which the man had caught his attention bothered Vidal. Had this man done the same when the French soldiers arrived?”
“You seek the strange woman?”
The lip of the man’s cap shielded his face from scrutiny.
“You mean Phillipe’s cousin?”
“She’s no cousin of Phillipe’s.” A snort accompanied the shuffle of feet. “I don’t know who she is, but she’s not Spanish.
“And did you tell the French soldiers what you are telling me?” For the life of him Vidal failed to mask his contempt.
“Of course not! I wouldn’t do that.” Indignation won over caution and the man stepped in front of Vidal, his face red with fury.
“Then why tell me?”
“You are English. I heard the woman talking with Sancia, Phillipe’s wife, one day when I was passing her hut. The door was open, you see, and she did not speak like a true Spaniard.”
“Go on.” Vidal waited for his informer to continue. “She left before nightfall.”
The significance of this information did not escape Vidal. “How long ago?”
“Two nights ago. The French came the next day, and the following day Phillipe left.”
“You say you heard her talking,” Vidal said. “Did you ever see her?”
“As she left the village. She wasn’t alone. The men with her were not from this village, but Phillipe knew them.”
“Describe her.”
“She wore britches, waistcoat and boots.” He paused, his eyes unfocused in thought. “A cap,” he said. “She wore a cap, but it did not hide her hair well. She had golden hair. The colour of the sun just before sunset. No one round here has hair that colour.” With a nod the man looked at Vidal, his focus back on the present and not on the events of the last few days.
As this is still in first draft any comments and suggestions will be apprecaited.
[It is in Viscount Lord Alastair Vidal's pov]
“You have information for me?” The ease with which the man had caught his attention bothered Vidal. Had this man done the same when the French soldiers arrived?”
“You seek the strange woman?”
The lip of the man’s cap shielded his face from scrutiny.
“You mean Phillipe’s cousin?”
“She’s no cousin of Phillipe’s.” A snort accompanied the shuffle of feet. “I don’t know who she is, but she’s not Spanish.
“And did you tell the French soldiers what you are telling me?” For the life of him Vidal failed to mask his contempt.
“Of course not! I wouldn’t do that.” Indignation won over caution and the man stepped in front of Vidal, his face red with fury.
“Then why tell me?”
“You are English. I heard the woman talking with Sancia, Phillipe’s wife, one day when I was passing her hut. The door was open, you see, and she did not speak like a true Spaniard.”
“Go on.” Vidal waited for his informer to continue. “She left before nightfall.”
The significance of this information did not escape Vidal. “How long ago?”
“Two nights ago. The French came the next day, and the following day Phillipe left.”
“You say you heard her talking,” Vidal said. “Did you ever see her?”
“As she left the village. She wasn’t alone. The men with her were not from this village, but Phillipe knew them.”
“Describe her.”
“She wore britches, waistcoat and boots.” He paused, his eyes unfocused in thought. “A cap,” he said. “She wore a cap, but it did not hide her hair well. She had golden hair. The colour of the sun just before sunset. No one round here has hair that colour.” With a nod the man looked at Vidal, his focus back on the present and not on the events of the last few days.
25 June 2012
The Gasquet Princes virtual book tour
Today is the first day of my GoddessFish virtual book tour
for
- From Now Until Forever & His Chosen Bride -
the first two books in my four book Gasquet Princes series
published by Astrea Press.
June 25: A Case of Reading Insomnia
June 26: Books Are Magic
June 27: Books Read 'N' Makeup Done
June 27: Reviewing Shelf
June 28: Books Reviewed by Bunny
June 29: Sexy Adventures, Passionate Tales
June 29: REVIEW ONLY - Reviewing Shelf
July 2: Novel Moments
July 3: Kacey's Konnections
July 4: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
July 5: It's Raining Books
July 5: REVIEW ONLY - Reviews by Molly
July 6: Reader Girls
July 6: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
so please come on by these blogs and say 'hello' . :-)
June 26: Books Are Magic
June 27: Books Read 'N' Makeup Done
June 27: Reviewing Shelf
June 28: Books Reviewed by Bunny
June 29: Sexy Adventures, Passionate Tales
June 29: REVIEW ONLY - Reviewing Shelf
July 2: Novel Moments
July 3: Kacey's Konnections
July 4: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
July 5: It's Raining Books
July 5: REVIEW ONLY - Reviews by Molly
July 6: Reader Girls
July 6: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
so please come on by these blogs and say 'hello' . :-)
24 June 2012
Six Sentence Sunday
Today's six sentences follows on from yesterday's sample from my current WIP, which now has a name! Vidal's Honor.
Thanks for your visits and support, they're all appreciated :-)
“Those men ambushed your husband in the open. To do that they had to assume they were invincible. That means they not only knew he was more than a scout for Lord Wellington, but they knew his orders for that day, which means Napoleon had an agent in the camp, someone close to your commander in chief.
“When Wellington routed Marmont at Arapiles those men probably slipped away without detection during the various conflicts or even when Wellington chased Marmont’s retreating troops hoping their disappearance will become just another statistic of any battle casualties.”
Spies? And counter spies and agents?
And her wonderful Dev, the man who loved her so tenderly, protected her so strongly, and danced with her in the moonlight only hours after their wedding had been a spy?
Thanks for your visits and support, they're all appreciated :-)
“Those men ambushed your husband in the open. To do that they had to assume they were invincible. That means they not only knew he was more than a scout for Lord Wellington, but they knew his orders for that day, which means Napoleon had an agent in the camp, someone close to your commander in chief.
“When Wellington routed Marmont at Arapiles those men probably slipped away without detection during the various conflicts or even when Wellington chased Marmont’s retreating troops hoping their disappearance will become just another statistic of any battle casualties.”
Spies? And counter spies and agents?
And her wonderful Dev, the man who loved her so tenderly, protected her so strongly, and danced with her in the moonlight only hours after their wedding had been a spy?
Click on Six Sentence Sunday to find an abundance of authors
22 June 2012
Sweet Saturday Samples
Last week I shared a sample from my untitled WIP. During the week I 'got' the title and so, this week I'm sharing a little bit more from what is now called Vidal's Honor. In this week's sample, I have moved on several weeks in the story.
Thanks to everyone who visits, and I'd love to hear from you as this is a WIP with little editing so far.
“It is as I believed; there was French agent in your Admiralty, for only a traitor could pass on your husband’s identity. Now I am told the French are searching for you.”
“I thought we knew that?”
“It was a believable assumption given the circumstances,” Phillipe struggled to find the right words in English. “We assumed, but we did not ‘know’. Now we know.”
“How?”
“It is of no importance to you. All you need to know is that because your husband’s identity is known to the French you must leave.”
“Dev’s identity? Why would giving his name to the enemy make a difference?”
“Not his given name, Mrs. Beaumont,” Phillipe said. “Your husband provided your Admiralty and War department with vital information about movements and activities of the French armies. Information they could pass on to other divisions. He set up a network of underground units, men, rebels who objected to Napoleon installing his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne. No man survives long that kind of work using his own name.”
She wanted to dismiss Phillipe’s revelations as nonsense. Unbelievable nonsense, but if it had been, her husband would still be alive. “Are you trying to tell me Dev was some sort of spy? An agent?”
Thanks to everyone who visits, and I'd love to hear from you as this is a WIP with little editing so far.
“It is as I believed; there was French agent in your Admiralty, for only a traitor could pass on your husband’s identity. Now I am told the French are searching for you.”
“I thought we knew that?”
“It was a believable assumption given the circumstances,” Phillipe struggled to find the right words in English. “We assumed, but we did not ‘know’. Now we know.”
“How?”
“It is of no importance to you. All you need to know is that because your husband’s identity is known to the French you must leave.”
“Dev’s identity? Why would giving his name to the enemy make a difference?”
“Not his given name, Mrs. Beaumont,” Phillipe said. “Your husband provided your Admiralty and War department with vital information about movements and activities of the French armies. Information they could pass on to other divisions. He set up a network of underground units, men, rebels who objected to Napoleon installing his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne. No man survives long that kind of work using his own name.”
She wanted to dismiss Phillipe’s revelations as nonsense. Unbelievable nonsense, but if it had been, her husband would still be alive. “Are you trying to tell me Dev was some sort of spy? An agent?”
Go to Sweet Saturday Samples to read more wonderful samples
20 June 2012
7-7-7
Today I am heading for the 7th line of the 7th page of my current manuscript and offering you the next 7 lines.
They come from my current WIP/Regency Romance called Vidal's Honor.
“My dear,” he’d said the previous night as they lay together. “This one is the last and then we’ll be on our way home. Do you look forward to seeing your friends again?”
In truth, Honor didn’t know. So much had happened since she’d arrived in Spain as Dev’s bride. Sights no gently bred woman should see, experiences even the hardened ‘baggages,’ as the troops called the women who followed the drum, declared, and difficult for any of them to come to terms with.
They come from my current WIP/Regency Romance called Vidal's Honor.
“My dear,” he’d said the previous night as they lay together. “This one is the last and then we’ll be on our way home. Do you look forward to seeing your friends again?”
In truth, Honor didn’t know. So much had happened since she’d arrived in Spain as Dev’s bride. Sights no gently bred woman should see, experiences even the hardened ‘baggages,’ as the troops called the women who followed the drum, declared, and difficult for any of them to come to terms with.
19 June 2012
Tuesday's Tales - City
Another Tuesday, which means it's time for Tuesday Tales again. This week's prompt is 'City'. We can name a city or simply set our snippet in a city So, tongue in cheek, and offering a piece from my current untitled Regency WIP I am using a battle scene from Salamanca July23rd 1812 as my 'city'.
Salamanca – July 22nd 1812
...Why hadn’t he insisted Honor join the other women when Wellington sent them and the baggage far to the rear of the lines? Marmont was already moving his men in an attempt to outflank them. It wouldn’t work of course, couldn’t work; simply because in doing so he’d overextend his men, leaving them open to attack from Wellington’s different divisions. No way would their commander sit back and watch that happen without going into action. And Honor would be right there in the middle of it all without his presence or protection.
Knowing his wife would be on the watch for him, Dev slipped through the back of the tent and sought out his friend, Phillipe. They’d been together through many conflicts, long before he’d married Honor, and now he needed Phillipe’s word to see his wife safely away from Salamanca today.
Now.
For Dev had a premonition. One he hadn’t shared with his wife during the previous night.
Instead, he’d diverted her with, among other things, plans for their imminent return to England. This morning he’d written to his truest friend, Lord Vidal, asking him to watch out for and protect Honor when she reached home shores.
In the mean time he needed to know Honor would not become one of today’s battle victims, for to do his job properly he was charged with the task of discovering the intended movements of the enemy positions. They already knew numbers in the French divisions equalled, if not surpassed those of their own combined divisions. It was Marmont’s intentions that Wellington wanted clarification on.
Phillipe, in his position as Dev’s batman, and a local man, often passed information Dev gave him back to his team of guerrillas. Now, regardless of the outcome of his mission today, Dev needed the man to use his connections to keep Honor safe and spirit her away. He had to somehow arrange to send her on her way back home to London. Not an easy journey under any circumstances and with the combination of Napoleon and Joseph Boneparts’ armies plus rogue or deserting soldiers filling the roads or trying to escape across hill tracks it would be fraught with even more danger.
You'll find many more wonderful free Tuesday's Tales Here
17 June 2012
Six Sentence Sunday
My six this week come from my Regency WIP.
Mist, rising from the Thames swirled round their feet, while a brisk, dank wind blew any remaining alcoholic from their brains. The call of a distant night watchman informed anyone who cared to listen, that the early morning had advanced two hours beyond midnight. Vidal drew out his watch and confirmed the time as they walked in silence for several minutes.
“What ails you?” Vidal didn’t waste time in skirting round the situation. Dundas would not have invited his company at this time of night for simple pleasure.
Read more Six Sentence Sunday offerings
Mist, rising from the Thames swirled round their feet, while a brisk, dank wind blew any remaining alcoholic from their brains. The call of a distant night watchman informed anyone who cared to listen, that the early morning had advanced two hours beyond midnight. Vidal drew out his watch and confirmed the time as they walked in silence for several minutes.
“What ails you?” Vidal didn’t waste time in skirting round the situation. Dundas would not have invited his company at this time of night for simple pleasure.
Read more Six Sentence Sunday offerings
16 June 2012
Sweet Saturday Samples
Welcome to another Sweet Saturday Samples. I blink and eye and another week's gone by! Today I am offering a short sample from the start of my Untitled Regency WIP
London June 1812
“There’s been another breech of security.” Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville, and First Lord of the Admiralty, laid one hand on his companion’s arm and hefted a weary sigh. “Take a walk with me,” he said, with a shrewd hard look at the man beside him. “I’d appreciate your company, and this is not the place for such a discussion. I live not far beyond your own place, I believe?”
Lord Alastair Vidal paused in the act of fobbing his snuff box and studied his friend. The smell of fine wine, whiskey and cigar smoke blended into a rich aroma that was as much a part of Whites, as the card games, the background chatter and outbreaks of lewd laughter from the younger members of the club.
With an indolent twist of the wrist he returned the elegantly lacquered box, unopened, to his pocket and nodded agreement.
Together they strolled across the room stopping to take their leave of several mutual friends. A man’s club was no place for private conversation.
Head over to Sweet Saturday Samples to read some more awesome samples.
London June 1812
“There’s been another breech of security.” Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville, and First Lord of the Admiralty, laid one hand on his companion’s arm and hefted a weary sigh. “Take a walk with me,” he said, with a shrewd hard look at the man beside him. “I’d appreciate your company, and this is not the place for such a discussion. I live not far beyond your own place, I believe?”
Lord Alastair Vidal paused in the act of fobbing his snuff box and studied his friend. The smell of fine wine, whiskey and cigar smoke blended into a rich aroma that was as much a part of Whites, as the card games, the background chatter and outbreaks of lewd laughter from the younger members of the club.
With an indolent twist of the wrist he returned the elegantly lacquered box, unopened, to his pocket and nodded agreement.
Together they strolled across the room stopping to take their leave of several mutual friends. A man’s club was no place for private conversation.
Head over to Sweet Saturday Samples to read some more awesome samples.
3 June 2012
Six Sentence Sunday
“And there’s his first error.” Sacha breathed in a sigh of relief when the doorbell peeled. Instinct could be twisted, but the stranger’s first mistake validated his instinctive belief in the switch. Now they had to find out the true identity of the new arrival and who was pulling these new and alarming strings.
He’d suspect Charles deBonet if the man hadn’t died when Liam and Paxman rescued Melanie…
Then who?
You'll find lots more amazing SSS authors HERE
2 June 2012
Sweet Saturday Sample
Today's sample is a short snippet from From Now Until Forever, the first book in my Gasquet Princes Series. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for your support.
“I’m not done with you,” he ground out. “Not by a long shot. I may have to leave you now, but I’ll be back. So don’t think you can hide from me.”
His words lashed into her more thoroughly than a cat-o-nine-tails. His grip lowered to encircle her throat.
“I may never forgive you for what you’ve done, but you’re mine, and I always keep what’s mine.
Her world turned cold. “I know you find it hard to believe me. I understand, but ask you to remember, I’ll always love you. Always.”
His fingers tightened round her neck before he pushed her back against the pillows.
“I never thought I’d love anyone the way I love you.” Disgust, not love, propelled his words in her direction. “And it sickens me to my soul.”
From Now Until forever is available at http://www.amazon.com/From-Now-Until-Forever-ebook/dp/B006GYAV44/ref=la_B0042QD6S6_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1338594263&sr=1-6
“I’m not done with you,” he ground out. “Not by a long shot. I may have to leave you now, but I’ll be back. So don’t think you can hide from me.”
His words lashed into her more thoroughly than a cat-o-nine-tails. His grip lowered to encircle her throat.
“I may never forgive you for what you’ve done, but you’re mine, and I always keep what’s mine.
Her world turned cold. “I know you find it hard to believe me. I understand, but ask you to remember, I’ll always love you. Always.”
His fingers tightened round her neck before he pushed her back against the pillows.
“I never thought I’d love anyone the way I love you.” Disgust, not love, propelled his words in her direction. “And it sickens me to my soul.”
From Now Until forever is available at http://www.amazon.com/From-Now-Until-Forever-ebook/dp/B006GYAV44/ref=la_B0042QD6S6_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1338594263&sr=1-6
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1 June 2012
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