Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Cathy MacRae

Excerpt Twelve:     Sometimes betrayal is closer than you think

Lucienne strolled to the bed and stroked her daughter’s hair. “She looks so much like me. But she has Kinnon’s hair.” Her smile set an arrow in Melisende’s heart.

Brushing aside her doubts, Melisende stepped forward. “Do not be absurd, Lucienne. Her hair is much like mine, and Raul’s is dark as well.”

Lucienne tossed her head. “You do not seem to recall Arielle was born early—or so I told Raul.”

“Lucienne, did you have relations with someone whilst we lived in Randon?” Melisende demanded. “Did you marry Raul knowing you were already enceinte?”

* * *

Follow along for the final excerpt Cathy MacRae’s Medieval Monday blog May 1!

Back Cover Copy:

Heir to a lairdship, Kinnon Macrory is driven to prove his worth by fighting the English on the battlefields of France. His dreams of heroic valor are destroyed by the realities of war—the atrocities visited by fellow soldiers on the very people he is sworn to protect. Three years in a French prison for a crime he did not commit leave Kinnon longing for the one thing of beauty in his war-torn life—a young woman of great kindness and wisdom named Melisende.

 Melisende de la Roche struggles to stay one step ahead of soldiers who would imprison her for helping an injured Scotsman wrongly accused of treason. She finds refuge in her uncle’s shop—until a chance encounter sends her fleeing into the unknown once again, haunted by the beguiling friendship with the troubled young Scotsman she is certain she will never see again.

 Determined to find the woman of his dreams, Kinnon returns to France, only to discover nothing more than a trail of clues to Melisende’s whereabouts. Their reunion will open the doors to passion, but half-truths and lies from the past could destroy the one thing they both are willing to fight for—each other.

 Buy link: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B018OHXKHK

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Laurel O'Donnell

Excerpt 11 – ANGEL’S ASSASSIN by Laurel O’Donnell

Damien caught a movement out of the corner of his eye.

Roke darted around him, toward the curtain.

What was there?  More men?  Damien cut him off in two steps, blocking his escape.  He knew instinctively there were no more of Roke’s men behind the curtain, because Roke would have called for them.

Roke backed away from Damien.

Damien could not afford to take his gaze from Roke, but he listened for Mother.  Nothing.  No sound.  Mother was as silent as the night, and as deadly as poison.  There would be no sound before Mother’s attack.  Damien quickly circled to Roke’s right, so his back was against the wall and he could see the entire room.

Roke skittered back away from Damien, farther back from the curtain.

Damien quickly surveyed the room, but Mother was nowhere to be seen.  Was he hiding?  Behind the bed?  He would never have fled without Roke.

Follow along next week by checking out Cathy MacRae's blog with excerpt #12 http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

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Damien is an assassin, a man with no home and a tortured past. Sold into slavery as a young boy, he is trained to kill with cold calculation, without remorse. As a reward for his ruthless success, he is given a chance to earn his freedom from his cruel master. One last mission. One final person to slay…

Lady Aurora of Acquitaine is the epitome of purity and goodness, beloved by all her people. She lives her life trying to atone for her mother’s cruelty by being a fair and just ruler. Secretly she fears that one day her mother’s murderer will return for her.

When Damien enters Aurora’s life, tempting her with promises of dark passion and forbidden lust, he threatens to tear her peaceful world apart with shadowy secrets of his own.

Can Aurora’s light heal Damien’s dark spirit or will his evil consume her? The eternal battle of good versus evil, love versus hate, dark versus light, all come to a shattering climax in this historical romance set in medieval England.

Buy Links:  AMAZON

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Barbara Bettis

Excerpt  10 — THE LADY OF THE FOREST by Barbara Bettis

If the support of the soldiers in the hall had, indeed, changed, Sir Mortimer stood no chance of winning free. But Henry had seen a cornered wolf fight. He’d be brought down, but not before a last attack.

Henry forced himself to calm. If provoked, Mortimer could lunge any of three directions with fatal results to bystanders, all before Henry could reach him.

In a soothing tone he said, “Lay down your sword, Sir Mortimer. Look. The priest has moved.”

He had no idea if the priest lived, but Henry edged forward when Mortimer squinted at the body. “No one has died this day. You were mistaken about Lady Katherine, but what man could fault you for pursuing the king’s order? Come with me to the authorities, explain the misunderstanding. I know Richard. He can be lenient.”

Mortimer, sword wavering, gazed around at the bystanders. Slowly his hand began to lower, and a cautious relief found Henry.

Then Mortimer’s sight lit on Kate, and he snarled. “It’s your fault, you stupid wench.”

He lunged to his left, snagging her skirt with his hand, jerking her toward him. “You’ve been nothing but trouble from the day I arrived. If only you’d been dead in fact, no one could have usurped me.”

 Mortimer laid his sword against the side of her neck, and a chasm opened in Henry’s chest. Dear God. 

Follow the action next week by visiting Cathy MacRae’s blog: http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Back Cover Copy

He must pursue his enemy; she must protect her people. Can their love survive the duties that drive them apart?

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn't an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate's past catches her.

When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

Buy links:   AMAZON        TWRP

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Mary Morgan

Excerpt Nine - DRAGON'S KNIGHT SHIELD by Mary Morgan

Honor. The very word seeped into his being, and Angus realized he would risk everything to defend Deirdre. Give his life for his woman. He did not save Meggie. But he could save another. He would not let Deirdre’s life perish. A flash of light glinted from the torches and glancing to his left, he saw his shield within his grasp.

Only one choice was left to Angus and it stared back at him from the ground. “Do ye not want to possess the shield, Lachlan? ’Tis yours to command.”

Follow along next week by checking out Cathy MacRae's blog with my excerpt #10 http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n- bobs-author- blog

Back Cover Copy:

Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him.

Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight.

Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?

Buy Links:

Amazon    Barnes Noble    Kobo    Apple iBooks

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Ashley York

Excerpt Eight - The Gentle Knight

Peter straightened. Perhaps Mort could locate the owner of the inn and get some food for her. He dare not leave her alone. "Mort?"

An older man entered from the corner door. He had a thick cloth wrapped around his middle and a large pitcher in each hand. The innkeeper. Mort followed behind.

"Here, my lord," Mort said.

"Andrew, grab the mugs from yonder wall." Peter sat beside Brighit.

Follow along with excerpt #9 next week on Rue Allyn's blog

https://authortravels.com/

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BLURB: Brighit MacNaughton is an obedient daughter following her father's death bed decree that she take her vows and become the virginal bride of Christ. The hired men seeing her to the Priory at Tanshelf are more interested in the building resentment against the English king than her safety. But when the handsome Norman knight offers his protection against the lecherous mercenaries, he sparks her passion with his gentle touch and smoldering looks of desire, reminding her of dreams best forgotten. Can one night with him quench the intense need in her or will it cause the fire to burn out of control?

Peter of Normandy is a trusted knight of King William, sent north to subdue the unrest and rumblings of revolt at York. Giving aid to an Irish princess more noble than many knights, he is quickly overcome with the need to possess her. With a body meant for a man's pleasure and an unrelenting stubbornness to follow her father's wishes, he struggles against giving her what she wants if it can only be for one night. Will one night of passion prove to be enough or will it unleash an insatiable need that makes him never want to let her go?

Buy Links   Amazon    

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Elisabeth Hobbes

Excerpt 7- The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge

Constance glanced at the men swinging from the ropes and their father waiting in chains. Brunwulf stood, shoulders tense and expression stricken. Robert left the dais and walked to where the boy knelt in the mud. When he reached Aelric he leaned over, putting his face close to the boy’s.

‘And how do you propose to do that, Aelric, son of Brunwulf?’ Robert asked. His voice had taken on the cold, mocking tone that Constance had come to dread.

Aelric’s blue eyes bored into Robert, staring down the man twenty years his senior.

‘By killing you.’

Robert was silent. The crowd hushed in frozen expectation. Constance gripped Jeanne’s hand, waiting for Robert’s response. For him to strike the boy or run him through. Instead he did something unexpected, yet far crueller.

He laughed.

Aelric’s face reddened.

Robert waved a dismissive hand and turned away.

‘Hang him with his father.’

Is this the end for Aelric? Discover his fate next Monday on 

Cathy MacRae’s blog

http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

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At the mercy of her enemy!

Abducted by Saxon outlaws, Constance Arnaud comes face to face with Aelric, a Saxon boy she once loved. He’s now her enemy, but Constance must reach out to this rebel and persuade him to save her life as she once saved his…

Aelric is determined to seek vengeance on the Normans who destroyed his family. Believing Constance deserted him, he can never trust her again. Yet, as they are thrown together and their longing for each other reignites, will Aelric discover that love is stronger than revenge?

Buy links         US http://bit.ly/SaxonOutlaw

UK http://bit.ly/OutlawSaxon

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Jenna Jaxon

Excerpt #6- Beleaguered by Jenna Jaxon

“Your marriage to Seigneur Braeton was not valid.”

“Not valid?” Her face flushed red, and she trembled. “How was it not valid? Our vows were spoken before the cathedral in London. Princess Joanna herself was a witness to it. And it was solemnized within the church immediately afterward by the Bishop of London. We were married in the sight of God and in the sight of man.”

“I did not give consent to the marriage, which was my right. Seigneur Braeton’s offer reached me in early August, but I rejected it.”

Next week I’m at Cathy MacRae’s blog. http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Blurb:

When death holds sway in the world, can even the greatest love survive?

Finally in France, Alyse and Thomas’s passion for one another continues to smolder hot and deep—until one fateful encounter changes everything.

During a formal banquet, Alyse must share an intimate dance her first love. His searing touch proves Alyse’s desire for him is as strong as when they first met. Tormented by this revelation, Alyse is bitterly torn between the love of her life and her love for her husband.

Into this agonizing situation, the disaster of the Black Death rears its head. Alyse, Thomas and Geoffrey must try to save the princess from the ravening disease but at a dire cost to themselves. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both of the men she loves. But which love will survive?

Amazon Buy Link for Beleaguered: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR5WDKC

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Sherry Ewing

Excerpt #5 – A Knight to Call My Own by Sherry Ewing

The reins were within inches of her fingertips. Should she dare to make yet another effort to gain her freedom? Her eyes traveled to Calum’s retreating backside, but something inside her screamed out not to test his tolerance any further this day.

Almost as if he sensed where her stray thoughts had led her, Calum called out to one of his men. “Lachlan!”

“What?” the clansmen bellowed, causing conversations amongst the men to become muted.

Calum halted his progress to peer at the man. “Is that anyway to speak to your laird?”

“You were my brother afore you became head of the clan,” Lachlan sneered.

“But I am still your laird. Ensure the lady does not get any more ideas of escaping in her pretty little head.”

“I am not your lackey.”

Calum peered at him. “Aye... you are,” he gloated.

Buy Links:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |   iBooks  |  Kobo

Follow along next week by checking out Cathy MacRae’s blog with excerpt #6 at http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Back Cover Copy:

When your heart is broken, is love still worth the risk?

Lynet of clan MacLaren knows how it feels to love someone and not have that love returned. After waiting for six long years, she has given up hope of Ian’s return. Her brother-in-law, the Devil’s Dragon of Berwyck, is tired of waiting for her to choose a husband and has decided a competition for the right to wed Lynet is just the thing his willful charge needs to force her hand.

Ian MacGillivray has returned to Berwyck Castle in search of a bride and who better than the young girl who cared for him all those years ago. But Lynet is anything but an easy conquest and he will need more than charm to win her hand in marriage.

From the English borders to the Highlands of Scotland, the chase is on for who will claim the fair Lynet. The price paid will indeed be high to ensure her safety and even higher to win her love.

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Rue Allyn

Here is the next snippet in our Medieval Monday Blog Hop. My guest today is Rue Allyn. 

Excerpt Four – Knight Errant by Rue Allyn

“What do you want, Senor Caprizzi?”

“Food, dona. I have brought you food.”

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she had not broken her fast this day. How much could it hurt to let the host hand her some food? A great deal if anyone else was with him. She had to get rid of him.

“I cannot come to the door right now. Put the food on the floor nearby. I will get it later.”

“I will wait for you, dona.”

“No need. ’Twill be some time before I can come to the door. I insist you go about your business.” She waited.

“As you wish,” the landlord mumbled.

A moment or two later the sound of his footsteps trailed away down the hall.

Follow along next week by checking out Cathy MacRae’s blog for excerpt # 5 http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Back Cover Copy

If Sir Robert Clarwyn can't find a way to compel Lady Juliana Verault to return to England, he'll lose any chance of regaining his family lands and redeeming his heritage. Yet Juliana must complete her mission to improve her gender's future in the church. With danger and intrigue mounting, Robert and Juliana must rely on each other and risk everything … including their hearts.

Buy Links  Amazon   B & N   iTunes   Crimson Romance

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Lane McFarland

Excerpt Three
LINDSEY by Lane McFarland

 She could do this.

As a messenger who routinely delivered missives behind enemy lines for the rebellion, she should be used to danger, but she rarely found herself in such an unsavory position. Aye, she could outrun and outmaneuver any man on horseback, but this assignment was different. Hamish, a rebel leader, had given explicit orders to convey a message to the Scots’ commander and leave, but she had not counted upon learning of Logan’s capture.

Her friend needed her.

Swallowing hard, she continued her plunge into purgatory. Upon reaching the bottom step, she hunched her shoulders and shuffled toward the menacing group. Grit crunched beneath her feet and stagnant water soaked the hem of her overly large gown. More tormented howls reverberated through the thick dungeon walls. Her body quaked as she fought to retain composure and pretend the wails did not affect her.

Follow along next week on Cathy MacRae’s blog with excerpt #4   http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog

Back Cover Copy:

The Daughters of Alastair MacDougall Series

Set in late thirteenth century Scotland, this series tells the stories of Laird Alastair MacDougall’s four independent and oftentimes, headstrong daughters coming of age in a country fraught with war and feuds amongst rival clans. Follow his daughters as their lives become intertwined with four fierce, rebel highland warriors bent on eradicating the English soldiers from their homeland.

Lindsey

Who said life was fair? Certainly not Lindsey MacDougall. She rebels at a world dominated by men. Dressed in lad’s clothing, she manages her father’s stables, caring for, breeding and selling horses. Unwavering on performing her duty to the rebellion, Lindsey throws caution to the wind and secretly delivers missives behind enemy lines to the Scottish warriors.

Logan Ross uses his happy-go-lucky smile to warm the hearts of many willing lasses, but it also masks his pain—the pain of his birth. As a bastard son, he is unacceptable for any Laird’s daughter, including the spirited Lindsey MacDougall. However, she haunts his dreams. Determined to prove his worth, he throws himself into the middle of the rebellion, leading men into mortal danger.

After helping Logan escape from a brutal English dungeon, Lindsey fights her traitorous attraction to the virile highland warrior, vowing never to lose her heart to any man.  

But Links: AMAZON