LETTERS TAKE THE LADY
Anna Valleria
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GENRE: Historical Romance
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BLURB:
Antigone
Sprague, the spirited daughter of a gentleman scholar, has no patience for
arrogant lords. So when she meets the reserved and bitingly clever Lord Michael
Northram, she’s immediately put off by his condescending manner. She has no
idea that he is utterly captivated.
Tongue-tied and
overwhelmed by a passion he doesn’t understand, Michael can only confess his
feelings in secret poems never meant to see the light of day. But when Antigone
begins receiving those very poems from a charming and ambitious suitor, she
believes she’s found the man who understands her soul. Believing he has lost
her forever, a heartbroken Michael accepts a diplomatic mission to America,
unaware that the woman he loves has actually fallen for his words.
Years later, his return
to England ignites a shocking reunion and an undeniable spark. But their second
chance is built on a foundation of lies. When the truth of the letters emerges,
it exposes a scheme of shocking deception, and her spurned suitor reveals a
desperate and dangerous side, threatening her very freedom. To win her trust,
Michael must finally bridge the gap between the poet on the page and the man by
her side, proving he is the hero she’s always deserved.
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT
Without a moment’s pause, his arms came around her,
strong and warm, keeping her locked there in the present. It felt wonderful and
safe and exciting all at once. She wished she could stay like that, nestled in
his embrace, never afraid she would be pulled away again. She laid her head
against his shoulder, and he stroked her hair, which she realized had partly
come down that afternoon. She took a deep breath, inhaling the intoxicating
scent of bergamot, both earthy and crisp, and slowly, reluctantly pulled away
from him.
“Thank you.” She meant it. She did not know what she
felt for Michael, nor he for her, but it was not the same as it had been
before, with him always nettling her. Something had shifted since he had come
back.
“Where did you go just then?” He was looking at her
again, and she saw kindness, not judgment in his eyes.
How to explain when she had never told a soul about
her episodes? She usually concealed them so well, but she had been so exhausted
from the day that she had been unable to hide it. “Sometimes— sometimes I feel
like I am being pulled away,” she began, unable to meet his gaze. “When I am
overwhelmed or surrounded by people. It makes me feel … it makes me question my
reality, question my senses.”
That was an understatement, but she did not know how
to make him understand. She dared to glance up at him; while she had expected
judgment or confirmation that she was an air-headed miss, he kept watching her
with a softness in his eyes.
“I think my brother, in spite of his ease with
everyone, which I’m sure you are aware of, might experience something similar,”
he said softly. “Sometimes, after he has been in a large crowd or had to be
very social, he goes very quiet and does not respond for some time until he
feels himself again. I had not noticed or thought about this behavior until I
returned, but lately I have been trying to make sense of it.” He brushed a
strand of her hair behind her ear as if it were the most natural thing in the
world. “My brother is a wonderful man. It is nothing to be ashamed of.”
She looked away as a warmth flowed through her, a
lightness she hadn’t expected, when she felt compelled to ask a question.
“Michael, may I ask you something else?”
“Always.” His response was immediate and his voice a
deep rasp, moving and settling something in the depths of her chest.
“If I were to break my engagement, would you stand
by me? Would you support me?”
His eyes had that unreadable quality behind his
spectacles again, and she stood in wait of judgment, but he just repeated the
same word.
“Always.”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Anna Valleria writes historical romance that is
sweet with steam. Her stories have been praised for their rich, realistic tone
and aching romanticism, reminiscent of classic romance novels. She crafts
deeply layered characters, like the honorable heroes and resilient heroines in
her Victorian Historical Rogues Fall First series, that will remind you why you
fell in love with romance in the first place. Anna was also a runner-up in
Dragonblade Publishing's 2024 "Write Track" Writing Contest, soon to
be seen in the Tales of Timeless Love Vol. 4.
A lifelong
lover of coffee and writing in cafes, she finds inspiration in the historic
city that she lives in.
Visit her website to sign up for her newsletter for
exclusive updates and sneak peeks.
Website: http://www.annavalleriabooks.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551108426840
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/annavalleriabooks/
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FP4CMQ1F/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon
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GIVEAWAY
Anna Valleria will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
I’m Anna Valleria, and I’m thrilled to be stopping by today! Thank you so much for hosting this excerpt tour. The conflict in Letters Take the Lady involves a desperate and dangerous rival who threatens the heroine's very freedom.
ReplyDeleteIn any book, no matter the genre, do you prefer a story where the main characters face a clear, external threat (like a villain or a scheme) or where the major conflict is an internal struggle (like a secret or a moral dilemma)? Or both?
Hi Anna: Glad to have you stop by! In answer to your question, I like both.
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