Jan 31, 2017 | Barbara Devlin, Blog, January 2017
The Duke Wears Nada by USA Today Bestselling Author Barbara Devlin is the ninth book in the Brethren of the Coast series and is an epic love story. This installment brings together Damian Seymour and Lucy Teversham, two people who are destined to be together if they can overcome Lucy’s past.
How will Damian respond when the woman he loves is haunted by her fears? Will he put his honor first? Can they accept whatever discoveries are made?
Each book is layered with characters from previous books, a treat for any devoted reader. It’s time to set sail and discover why I fell in love with Barbara Devlin and her sexy knights and pirates.
If you are looking for a story that is emotionally satisfying and leaves you wanting more, download this now. Beloved fans, if you have devoured each and everyone, this one is a gem. I prefer to read them in order, but there is not right or wrong way as each can be read as a standalone. Sit back, download a few and let me know who your favorite sexy knight is. There are just so many to choose from! For me, I’m always ready to dive into a romance where our beloved heroine wears glasses. This was no exception!
This two peppers spicy latte hot 
delight has just enough sizzle to make you tingle. Oh, and yes, it’s for mature readers 18+.
I received an ARC for a fair and honest review and happily purchased my copy.
Excerpt:
A dull painting of some long dead ancestor served as a functional balm to the disconcerting thoughts that swirled in Damian’s brain, as well as the ache below his belly button, as he joined Blake in the study, for a brandy and men’s talk. At least, in the masculine domain marked by leather wall inserts, a Harrison chronometer, and the tinge of cigar smoke, Damian did not need to worry about an interrogation on such scintillating topics as courtship and marriage.
“It is remarkably pleasing to see you, brother, as it has been since the end of January, when last we gathered at Elliott House.” Blake handed Damian a drink and eased to a leather high-back chair. “So, how long have you been in love with Lucy?”
“I am not in love with her.” Damian tugged on his cravat. “She is possessed of keen intelligence.”
“Indeed, she is.”
“And she is a devil of a fisherman.”
“Indeed, she is.”
“She is blessed with sharp wit.”
“Again, you are correct. Yet, none of that fits your usual requirements.” Blake smirked. “So tell me, just the same, when she captured your special attention.”
“I beg your pardon?” For all of two seconds, Damian panicked. Just as quick, he tamped his anxiety, studied the polished toes of his Hessians, and composed himself. “Will you be serious?”
“At four and thirty, I am set in my ways, thus my query should not surprise you.” Blake snickered. “And you have it bad, my friend, thus it is my turn to gloat, and gloat I shall.”
“I submit you have spent too much time in your wife’s company, because you sound like a matchmaking mama.” Perhaps Damian should have remained at Penhurst. “And if memory serves, I supported you in your conquest to win Lenore.”
“Not without the customary ribbing that often accompanies the shark infested waters known as courtship, when I thought you might forgo such childish nonsense.” Blake assessed his fingernails and narrowed his stare. “Thus I believe it only fair to return the favor. And did I not warn you about the younger Miss Teversham, in Portsea?”
“You did.” And Blake’s powers of foresight still irked Damian. “But I had hoped you might rise above childish sport.”
“A-ha.” The leader of the Brethren slapped his thighs. “I am correct in my assertion, and do not try to deny it. Wait until I tell Lenore, as she made me swear to keelhaul you, if you ruined Lucy.”
“There is nothing to deny, because there is nothing between us.” Why could Damian not confide in Blake? What kept Damian silent, when he had shared every single conquest with a man who could not be more a sibling were they bound by blood? “And you would side with Lenore over me?”
“When you are married, you will understand that the bond between a husband and a wife supersedes all else, and you never want to anger your bride, or you could end up sleeping on the daybed in your study.” Then Blake coughed. “Not that I know what that is like, but I submit I could never strike you, so you need not worry. Now, tell me why you frown.”
“Am I that obvious?” When Blake rolled his eyes, Damian groaned. As the mantel clock ticked in a steady rhythm, he reflected on Lucy’s peculiar behavior. “Has Lenore mentioned anything that might be troubling her sister?”
“No.” Blake shifted and leaned against the armrest. “Why do you ask?”
“Because there is something distant in her manner, something new and bothersome, but she will not confide in me.” Or was it a recent development? Given Lucy’s changed demeanor after her kidnapping, she possessed a forlorn undercurrent that drew him to her, as he ached to rescue her from her desolation and despair and restore her ebullient smile, much absent of late. “When we first met, Lucy boasted a seemingly endless supply of energy mixed with joy. However, upon her return from her captivity, she struck me as more mature, yet I am convinced there is more to it.”
“And that is when you commenced the chase.” Propped on an elbow, Blake rested his chin in his hand. “How far have you progressed beyond illicit kisses, that I might smooth my wife’s ruffled feathers?”
“What makes you think I have kissed Lucy?” In mock affront, Damian sniffed and tugged on the lace edge of his sleeve. “As we are just friends.”
“Brother, do I look like I was born yesterday?” Blake arched a brow, and Damian realized his goose was cooked. “When you arrived, with my sister-in-law firmly planted in your lap, she bore telltale swollen lips, a blush in her cheeks, and she could not meet my gaze, evidencing a well-ravished woman. So, shall we dispense with the charade?”
“You exaggerate.” Yet, Damian yearned to savor Lucy’s mouth, as she gave vent to her sweet little moans of pleasure, which she did several times, as they navigated the graveled drive to the main entrance. “It was naught but a simple, welcoming exchange between acquaintances.”
“Is that really your story?” Blake choked on his brandy. “Because I have acquaintances too numerous to count, and we do not exchange welcomes like that.”
“You are too witty, brother.” In the future, Damian would exercise more restraint. Then again, given his love of logic, he doubted his ability to resist Lucy. “But I would argue you are more sensitive to her condition, in light of your familial connections, and you weave unsustainable inferences from whole cloth.”
“You honestly think you are fooling me.” It was a statement, not a question. Blinking, Blake sputtered. “Do you not realize your refusal to share the details only confirms my suspicions?”
“Because you did the same thing with Lenore.” The fog cleared, and Damian discovered, too late, that his conclusion confirmed Blake’s suppositions. “Then again, I am nothing if not discreet.”
“Oh, I see.” Why did Blake’s smile raise the hair on the back of Damian’s neck? “It was prudence that led you to weigh anchor in Lady Wilhelmina’s harbor, in my box at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. Or the time you sailed Lady Amelia’s middle passage, on the desk in my study at Elliott House, during Mama’s birthday celebration. Then there was the afternoon I found you naked as the day you were born, with Lady Julia, atop the table in my quarters aboard the Tristan. And then—”
“That is quite enough, and I get your meaning.” Frustrated, Damian pushed from the chair and paced before the hearth, a habit he loathed and often eschewed, as it indicated a lack of control, but he had to do something, else he might run amok. Still, he was unprepared to dissect his feelings for Lucy. “Let me assure you that I care naught for Miss Lucilla, as she is a bespectacled, unpolished termagant destined to become the next Lady Hester Stanhope. Indeed, Lucy possesses naught to recommend her, other than her substantial dowry, of which I have no need, and her newfound familial connections, which I already share.”
Author Info:
Bestselling author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, Barbara hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love of writing.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, where she developed a love of all things British, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. And then one uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
Get your copy here:
I’ve attached a list of all the books linked to my previously posted reviews Barbara’s books.
Just click on the title of the book below so that you can see for yourself why so many readers can’t get enough from this talented and best-selling author!
Loving Lt. Douglas
Enter The Brethren (The Brethren Book 1)
My Lady, The Spy (The Brethren Book 2)
The Most Unlikely Lady (The Brethren Book 3)
One Knight Stand (The Brethren Book 4)
Coffee With Barbara Devlin
Captain of her Heart (The Brethren Book 5)
The Lucky One (The Brethren Book 6)
Love With An Improper Stranger (The Brethren Book 7)
To Catch A Fallen Spy (The Brethren Book 8)
Arucard (Brethren Origins Book 1)
Demetrius (Brethren Origins Book 2)
Dec 27, 2016 | Barbara Devlin, Blog
The charming Dionysia de Beaumais conceals more than her face behind a scarf. Despite her pleas for mercy, she is betrothed to a man with whom she shared pleasant conversation at court, and she dreads the inevitable disclosure of a painful past and her most intimate secret. But the giant knight is not what he appears, and he
wins her heart. When an old enemy resurfaces, threatening her newfound happiness, Dionysia risks everything to save Aristide.
Reconciled to an arranged marriage, Nautionnier Knight Aristide de Laurentiis takes matters into his own hands and expresses interest in a mysterious but modest lady blessed with sharp intellect and wit, and His Majesty obliges the one-time Templar. When Aristide discovers the cruel truth his gentle wife hides behind her veil, his insatiable lust for revenge threatens to destroy them. Can love conquer evil and heal old wounds?
Excerpt:
Marriage manifested a lethal trap for the unsuspecting soul. Forever bound to a woman, when the Templar Code demanded chastity, an honorable Nautionnier Knight dangled on the precipice of damnation until he passed into the not-so-glorious hereafter, given his disobedience of the tenets that defined his existence. It was for that reason Aristide de Laurentiis studied his brother with inexpressible sympathy, on Arucard’s wedding day, and focused his attention on something important.
His empty belly.
In the massive great hall at Westminster Palace, beneath the most opulent hammerbeam roof Aristide had ever seen, he lingered near the food table, perused the vast array of tempting items, and filled his plate with savory selections, including an impressive helping of lampreys with hot sauce. At one corner of the sweetmeats collection, he snared a puffed pastry in the shape of a lion.
“I believe that is intended as a decoration, great knight.” A soft, melodic voice offered wise counsel, amid the elegantly garbed nobles, and he quickly restored the item to its place and searched for the benevolent soul. In a dark corner, he narrowed his stare and spied a veiled creature. “Hello.”
“My lady.” In deference, he dipped his chin. “Thank you, for sparing me a measure of embarrassment, and I am in your debt. It has been a long time since I mingled with such estimable company.” Then he snickered. “Wherefore do you shelter alone in darkness, when the other ladies vie for husbands?”
“Because I am a woman, it must follow that I am in want of a spouse?” She snorted. “By your logic, I have chosen the most opportune position, near the food, if your portions offer an indication of your inclinations. Or am I to conclude that brawn does not equate brains, my lord, and you are a wasteful sort?” A hint of amusement colored her tone, thus he took no offense. “As you evidence plenty of the former but little of the latter, in our brief discussion.”
“Indeed?” When he rounded the display, she shrank further into the shadows. “You should be careful how you speak, as thither are those who might take insult to your assertions and seek retribution, in the form of a sound beating of your bottom.”
“Would you visit violence upon a woman half your size?” A subtle tremor in her reply indicated he frightened her. “I apologize, as I meant no affront, my lord. But you seemed so enamored of the fare that I could not resist teasing you. Pray, forgive me.”
“Come hither, into the light.” Intrigued by the fascinating creature, Aristide grasped her wrist and pulled her into the soft glow of a wall sconce. “What is your name?”
“I am Lady Dionysia, daughter of Lord Goncourt.”
Author Info:
Bestselling author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, Barbara hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love of writing.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, where she developed a love of all things British, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. And then one uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
Nov 22, 2016 | Barbara Devlin, Blog, Kathryn Le Veque, November 2016
** Sorry for the delay…Congratulations to the following winners
You have 24 hours to comment on this post ! **
Barbara Devlin Giveaway:
Ninfa you won an e-book of the Under the Kissing Bough Collection
Kathryn LeVeque Giveaway:
Sallycootie you won A swag bag full of her swag, including a signed novel.
15 brand-new novellas. 15 best-selling romance authors. A holiday-themed collection like no other.
What happens under the kissing bough doesn’t necessarily stay beneath the kissing bough…
According to lore, the origins of which date to the late 12th century, no lady should refuse a kiss beneath the mistletoe, else she will not marry in the next year. In exchange for the kiss, a berry is removed from the sprig until all of the berries are gone and no more kisses can be stolen. Some also believe that a sprig of mistletoe collected from a local church and placed beneath a maiden’s pillow will inspire dreams of her future husband.
What happens when fifteen daring heroines pin their hopes on mistletoe, a little luck, and a kiss in this multi-genre, limited edition holiday collection from 15 bestselling authors? Pure holiday magic!
The Whole Latte:
There is nothing better than a holiday anthology to kick off a festive season full giving, treats and LOTS of romance! This collection will cross off all three in one clean swoop and at a bargain price of ninety-nine cents, it’s worth every penny. Do NOT miss out on must read romance!
Happy Book Birthday Under the Kissing Bough, now dear readers you can catch up with characters and authors you know and love, or discover for the first time.
Again, the line-up has many of my favorites and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Some of these have a little more spice than others and balance the collection perfectly.
Be sure to check out the great giveaways and comment for a chance to win.
Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!
Official Blurb:
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
A once great love
Sold into marriage at sixteen, widowed at nineteen, and mired in a scandal of her own making at twenty-two, Lady Moreton has fallen on hard times. Alone, shunned by society, and on the verge of homelessness, she desperately searches for salvation. When Almira receives an intriguing invitation to join one of England’s most respected families for Christmas, she clings to hope, to the possibility of rescue, and packs her best gowns.
Two broken hearts
Heir to a tarnished title, Lord Nicholas Sheldon seeks to right the wrongs of his past, after his father is found floating in the Thames, and his younger brother faces trial for kidnapping a high-ranking member of the peerage. In exchange for evidence in support of the Crown’s charges, Nicholas wants only one thing: the beautiful woman who stole his heart, so long ago. Pinning his hopes on a kiss beneath the kissing bough, he enlists the aid of his onetime enemies, journeys to Portsea Island, and risks everything for a chance at happiness.
The Whole Latte:
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me by Barbara Devlin has brought together two characters that I absolutely love and given them a chance of at a happy-ever-after.
Lady Almira suffered at the hands of her father so when the truth is revealed surrounding her past, it threatens to leave a path of destruction. Lord Nicholas Sheldon suffered unthinkable pain and with all that he has left, he deserves to be loved.
It will take strength and trust to push through this journey, will they have the strength to trust in love? This emotionally charged tale will leave you counting down the days till the next Brethren book is released. Pirates, Knights, and more – the world Barbara Devlin has created is one that I hope continues forever!
This spicy latte read is four peppers hot for full on, no holds barred sensuality and situations. It’s for mature readers 18+.
ICYMI: Coffee With Barbara Devlin
Bio:
Bestselling, Amazon All-Star author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller, but it was a weeklong vacation to Bethany Beach, DE that forever changed her life. The little house her parents rented had a collection of books by Kathleen Woodiwiss, which exposed Barbara to the world of romance, and Shanna remains a personal favorite. Barbara writes heartfelt historical romances that feature flawed heroes who may know how to seduce a woman but know nothing of marriage. And she prefers feisty but smart heroines who sometimes save the hero, before they find their happily ever after. Barbara earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
I’m so grateful to Rae for having me here today. This collection is a very special one to me because it was the brainchild of Barbara Devlin about a year ago. She very much wanted to do a holiday collection and I had never done one before, so when she proposed the kissing bough theme, I was on board right away. I’ve worked with many of the ladies in the collection already and consider them dear friends, and Barbara pulled together several more to make it a really diverse and talented group.
My story is based on a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, “A Dream within A Dream”. I’m a huge fan of Poe’s and often times when I do short novellas, I’ll based the novella on one of his poems. Kind of weave his themes into my storyline, as it were, and this novella was no different. Since the whole kissing bough-theme has to do with dreaming, it really was perfect. A lonely knight, a woman who vows not to marry, and I had the beginnings of a fabulous story. I had great fun writing it.
It’s really been a pleasure doing this collection with all of these talented authors and we have great hopes that the readers will love each and every story.
Official Blurb: Upon A Midnight Dream
A weary knight returning from King Richard’s crusade, Sir Rennington of Ashbourne comes back to England only to realize he is essentially homeless. His father has died and his elder brother has inherited everything. Unwanted, and nearly destitute, Ren finds his way to Derby Cathedral on a snowy December night to sleep and figure out what he is going to do with his life. As he dozes beneath the boughs of mistletoe, hung for the Christmastide season, he hears the chatter of two women as they plot against their eldest sister. A woman, they say, who lost her betrothed on Richard’s crusade and who has vowed never to wed.
Unfortunately, their wealthy father has declared that the eldest daughter, his heiress, must marry before the younger daughters can entertain suits of their own, so the two sisters hatch a scheme to force their sister to dream of the man she is to marry. They pluck berries from the Christmas boughs hung around the cathedral with the sole purpose of sneaking them beneath their eldest sister’s pillow so she will dream of her love.
As Ren hears the plot, he hatches one of his own… he will go to the eldest sister and coerce the woman into marrying him. No longer will he be homeless; he will marry a woman of wealth and assume her money. It seems like an excellent scheme but the moment he arrives at Thulston Manor, he realizes he may have gotten himself into a situation that will come back to haunt him. The heiress is not at all as he expected. And so begins the unconventional romance of Sir Rennington of Ashbourne and Lady Holly St. Maur.
The Whole Latte:
A Knight in need of luck and a woman who must marry or face a life of solitude. They each have a purpose and will stop at nothing to find happiness.
There is nothing sexier than a knight who realizes the power in dreams. Kathryn’s attention to the smallest details make even the most simple scene poetic. Our heroine has much to learn and hopefully she will find love through the mistletoe.I loved Kathryn’s story and found this tale a welcomed and refreshing addition to this must read anthology.
Be sure to dive into Kathryn’s backlist once you are finished.
ICYMI: Coffee With Kathryn Le Veque
Bio:
KATHRYN LE VEQUE is a USA TODAY Bestselling author, an Amazon All-Star author, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance and Historical Fiction. She has been featured in the NEW YORK TIMES and on USA TODAY’s HEA blog. In March 2015, Kathryn was the featured cover story for the March issue of InD’Tale Magazine, the premier Indie author magazine.
Kathryn’s Medieval Romance novels have been called ‘detailed’, ‘highly romantic’, and ‘character-rich’. She crafts great adventures of love, battles, passion, and romance in the High Middle Ages. On October 29, 2015, Amazon launched Kathryn’s Kindle Worlds Fan Fiction site WORLD OF DE WOLFE PACK. Please visit Kindle Worlds for Kathryn Le Veque’s World of de Wolfe Pack and find many action-packed adventures written by some of the top authors in their genre using Kathryn’s characters from the de Wolfe Pack series. As Kindle World’s FIRST Historical Romance fan fiction world, Kathryn Le Veque’s World of de Wolfe Pack will contain all of the great story-telling you have come to expect.
Barbara Devlin Giveaway:
FIVE e-books of the Under the Kissing Bough Collection
Kathryn LeVeque Giveaway:
A swag bag full of her swag, including a signed novel.
For a chance to win one of these AMAZING prizes please comment and respond to the following questions on this blog post:
Tell us the best gift you ever received? Do you have any gift traditions?
Contest runs from 11/22/16 thru 11/23/16 6:00 PM
Winners from today’s giveaways will be announced on a new blog post on 11/23/16 sometime after 6:00 PM.
Winner MUST comment on this post within 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be randomly selected.
Be sure to follow me the blog (link on homepage), Facebook Page (Books I Love A Latte Page) and Twitter @RaeLatte.
ICYMI: Under the Kissing Bough Blitz Day 4
ICYMI: Under the Kissing Bough Blitz Day 3
ICYMI: Under the Kissing Bough Blitz Day 2
ICYMI: Under the Kissing Bough Blitz Day 1
Get your Copy here:
Under The Kissing Bough: 15 Romantic Holiday Novellas
Just $0.99 – the perfect gift for yourself and those who love to read romance!
Oct 18, 2016 | 2016, Barbara Devlin, Donna MacMeans, Ellen Dugan, Haven Harbor, Jeanne Adams, October 2016
** While this anthology is based on characters and a town that were in The Witches Walk by Jeanne Adams this anthology reads as a standalone Halloween collection. Some stories are spicier than others and are noted in my review of each novella with a pepper rating. The rating is strictly for spice factor only. **
Welcome to Haven Harbor is an anthology that features four novellas from Jeanne Adams, Barbara Devlin, Ellen Dugan and Donna MacMeans. It’s time to return to Haven Harbor, Massachusetts, or visit for the first time, and discover what mischief awaits.
In A Halloween Promise by Jeanne Adams fans of Witches Walk will be treated to a story that involves two of her characters from The Witches Walk. Adele, the town Veterinarian and Dan, the Librarian are thrown together in a most unexpected way, an abandoned dog. Will Dan be able to help her solve the mystery surrounding the puppy’s sudden appearance?
A story of odd events and unexplained happenings add fuel to Adele’s crush on Dan. With all the chaos and mystery will they have time to explore their attraction?
In a town of witches, secrets don’t stay hidden for long and things aren’t always as they appear to be. This novella is laced with suspense as Jeanne brings a slightly darker side to Haven Harbor. I wonder whose story will be next and how long we’ll have to wait.
Once again her story is a two peppers spicy latte hot delight has just enough sizzle to make you tingle and a lot of action! Oh, and yes, it’s for mature readers 18+.
Author Info:
Although Jeanne Adams likes calling North Carolina home, she lives in DC, where The Tentacle Affaire is set, and often jogs on the C&O towpath with her dogs. Her favorite holiday is Halloween. She starts planning the annual yard decor on November 1. Alas, in this case however, the “Adams Family” – one husband, two sons and three dogs – is all bark and no bite.
On another spooky note, Jeanne used to work in the funeral and cemetery business, and knows a thing or two about getting rid of the body….bwhahahah! (She even teaches classes about it to other writers!)
Jeanne has written suspense novels for Kensington/Zebra Publishing since 2007. THE TENTACLE AFFAIRE, her first urban fantasy/romance, was released in Nov, 2014, along with two new Romantic Suspense Novellas, DEADLY DELIVERY and BEHIND ENEMY LINES. A short story, featured in TINY TREATS #2, St. Patrick’s Day, heralds a new series which will start next year.
She loves hearing from readers, so find her at https://www.JeanneAdams.com or on twitter @JeanneAdams or on Facebook at https://www.Facebook.com/JeanneAdamsAuthor
Magick, Straight Up by Barbara Devlin is a must read tale. If you are fans of Barbara you won’t be disappointed with her first published contemporary piece that is included in this Anthology.
If you are looking for a doctor this Halloween, head to Haven Harbor Regional Medical Center ER. Check in with Dr. Rafe Owen. This sexy new doc now calls Haven Harbor home and when he ventures out to meet the fine folk of Haven Harbor he encounters the owner of The Old Haven Mill Tavern, Mary-George McBride. Rafe’s world will never be the same and neither will yours ;).
Rafe is intent on getting to know George, will she open up and give him a chance? George has the ability to discover what he desires, will she use it? Trust is a very fragile thing and for this outsider he just might lose the one thing he wants if George hesitates to reveal her secret before it’s too late?
Take a spin, enjoy a walk around town and then hop over for a bite at the Tavern. George might have your order ready before you walk through the door, don’t let it spook you. With fun and sexy characters you’ll be asking her for more from these two before long!
This spicy latte read is four peppers hot for full on, no holds barred sensuality and situations. It’s for mature readers 18+.
Author Info:
Bestselling author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, Barbara hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love of writing.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, where she developed a love of all things British, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. And then one uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
Gypsy At Heart by Ellen Dugan takes us to Fogg funeral home where we meet the beautiful Gypsy Nilah Stefanik. After many years, Nilah has accepted her lack of gifts and still loves her family despite her situation and wonders if she will ever be gifted.
When life doesn’t go according to plan for Nilah she accepts a job at a Funeral Home. For many it might seem odd but Nilah has befriended the gardener. A sweet old man, he insists that she meet his grandson. Will she finally agree?
It will take one random event for Nilah to discover she does have the gifts her family has, it’s just a bit different and it will throw her world into a crazy adventure. I am now hooked on Ellen’s stories and no, I won’t give any spoilers. All I can say is that you need to just read!
Ellen’s ability to draw the reader in and tell a story full of magick, romance and acceptance of one’s self makes her addition to this collection a home-run!
I hope there is more planned for Nilah, I love her story and didn’t want it to end! Well done Ellen and thank you for such a magickal story!
Author Info:
Ellen Dugan, is the award winning author known as the “Garden Witch”. A psychic-clairvoyant, she has been a practicing Witch for over thirty years. She is a Master Gardener, and teaches classes on writing, Witchery, psychic development, and Magick. She is the author of the 17 non fiction books published by Llewellyn Worldwide.
Ellen branched out into paranormal fiction in 2015 with her popular “Legacy Of Magick” series.
When she’s not keeping up with her family, Ellen likes to unwind by working in her perennial gardens at home with her husband. Ellen wholeheartedly encourages folks to personalize their Spell-craft. To go outside and connect with the spiritual side of nature. To get their hands dirty and discover the wonder and magick of natural world that surrounds them.
Visit her author’s website at www.ellendugan.com
Visit her blog called, “Blog of Witchery” at ellendugan.blogspot.com/
You can also find Ellen on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.
Blame the Moonlight by Donna MacMeans takes us on a movie adventure to Haven Harbor. When Chelsea Davenport suggests the production team look into filming in Massachusetts she is confronted with her past.
Chelsea Davenport, a cosmetic queen has been chasing the moon as long as she can remember. Bradon Parker is her former childhood crush and an Investigative Reporter who uncovers more than just tabloid fodder. If Chelsea’s not careful Bradon just might discover the reason she left the east coast all those years ago?
A woman with a curse, clothing drifting in the night and a town of witches will leave Chelsea questioning if she can escape her past once and for all. Will Brandon be able to pursue his career without harming the one thing he desires the most?
Don’t miss this moonlight tale of two lovers and the adventure they begin. This two peppers spicy latte hot delight has just enough sizzle to make you tingle and a lot of action! Oh, and yes, it’s for mature readers 18+.
Author Info:
Award winning author Donna MacMeans made a wrong turn many years ago when she majored in Accounting at Ohio State University. What was she thinking? Balancing books just can’t compete with crafting plots and inventing memorable characters. She finally broke free from her life as a CPA to write witty and seductive Victorian historicals for Berkley Publishing in what can only be described as her dream job.
Her books have won numerous awards including the prestigious Golden Heart from Romance Writers of America, and the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Historical Love & Laughter, as well as recognition in many regional contests. Her books consistently receive high praise and glowing reviews.
Donna is also the recipient of the 2013 RWA Service Award, the 2014 RWA Pro Mentor award and currently serves as RWA Treasurer.
An avid reader, she uses the analytical skills learned as an accountant to analyze novels in an effort to constantly improve her own craft – and then teaches those skills in workshops around the country.
A member of the popular Romance Bandits blog group, she is always approachable. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband of forty+ years. Please contact her at www.DonnaMacMeans.com
Each story brings its own charm, powers and romance. Are you a believer? Read these novellas and discover for yourself how Haven Harbor is just like your hometown, well…sort of.
Can these Haven Harbor residents open up and confess their secrets without scaring the newly arrived away? Get your copy now and find out for yourself!
Welcome to Haven Harbor: A Haven Harbor Anthology
$0.99
Jul 19, 2016 | Barbara Devlin, Blog, July 2016
****** Congratulations to the winner of the Day 10 Giveaway ******
***** Exclusive Giveaway *****
***** GIVEAWAY CLOSED ****
Prize no longer valid
Cosmicread you have won the BARBARA DEVLIN PRIZE :
ONE Amazon Kindle Fire 7″
a Kindle copy of To Catch a Fallen Spy AND The Black Morass
for one lucky winner in the US/Canada.
**International winner will receive a GC from Amazon.com **
Cosmicread you have 24 hours to e-mail booksilovealatte@gmail.com or a new name will be drawn.
As the Winter Extravaganza comes to a close with this last post I want to thank all the authors who made the past NINE days so much fun and who were generous with their time and contributions. Thank you Kimberly Kincaid, Sandra Lake, Stefanie London, MK Meredith, Entangled Publishing, Allison Butler, Hildie McQueen, Nancy Northcott, Jeanne Adams, Samantha Chase, Suzanne Ferrell, Dianna Love, Anna Campbell, Tessa McFionn, Naima Simone, Robin Covington, Elizabeth Heiter, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lauren Blakely and Barbara Devlin.
Thank you ladies and thank you readers.
Don’t forget to comment on the posts from Day 7, 8 and today. ALL winners will be posted by 7/22/16.
The Black Morass, the first book in the Pirates of the Coast series by Barbara Devlin focuses on Pirate Jean Marc Cavalier who appeared a character that appeared in To Catch a Fallen Spy (Brethren of the Coast Book 8). This somewhat dubious hero deserved his own book and Barbara delivered a must-read book for fans and introduces us to a sexy pirate who is naughty, daring and seeking redemption for a crime he didn’t commit. Unfortunately the path to clearing his name is not as short one and will require a few compromises if he’s to survive the terms.
Lady Madelen Davies has no idea what Jean Marc is capable of whe she is resuced from her sinking ship by the pirate and his crew. Will he live up to his reputation or surprise her with the first of many reformed acts? Will he do the right thing or will his eccentric and spicy appetites become his downfall? Dear readers this pirate will pursue Madelene and push boundaries that have not been broached in the other Brethren books.
All our heroine wants is to return home to her family. It seems a simple request and our hero obliges – with quite a few catches along theway. However, Lady Madelene also makes some bold decisions of her own. Their journey is one that will push and pull them both. They will discover who they can trust, what their dreams are and that sometimes, family is the one you make of your own free will.
Can the tough man who once cared only for himself discover that his heart isn’t broken after all? In fact it beats strong, and maybe he’s finally found a woman who can satisfy his cravings and stand up to him despite the unknown fear of walking the plank?
There is balance in the tender and merciless way Barbara has crafted this new world. If you think the Brethren are spicy than just wait till you set sail with her pirates!
This book is a four pepper read for full on 
no holds barred and “go for it” sensuality & situations. For mature readers 18+.
I look forward to reading the next installment in the Pirates of the Coast series and can’t wait to discover what adventure awaits for our next pirate as he seeks his redemption.
Time to take a peak at The Black Morass….with an excerpt.
(Excerpt edited for content to maintain blog PG-13 rating)
Atlantic Ocean
March, 1816
Virtue was a highly overrated characteristic in his estimation. In truth, he ranked it in the miserable depths of humanity comprised of respectability and righteousness. For the strong and fearless, the glorified traits of honor and integrity functioned as an impenetrable barrier to the excitement of the worldly existence filled with violence and debauchery in which he once reveled on a daily basis. In exchange for societal approval, grown men surrendered their dignity, and their whore’s pipe, he would argue, to abide by a set of rules in which most had no say, and for what? High principles? Prestige? Indeed, such noble qualities sucked dry the marrow of life, leaving naught but the simple pleasures to enjoy, as the Black Morass rode the waves.
Sunshine glittered on the ocean, as a sea of precious diamonds, and a cool breeze sifted through his long black hair, as Jean Marc Cavalier directed the helmsman. Restless and yearning for stimulation, something to feed the hunger that gnawed at his harrowed soul, he approached with caution what appeared to be a burning schooner that he might offer aid, in accord with the pact he signed in a moment of weakness or perhaps insanity.
“No movement on deck, Cap’n.” Tyne, the bosun, lowered his spyglass. “Should we continue our advance?”
“We will maintain course and heading, just to be sure there are no survivors in need of rescue.” For some strange suspicion he could not quite shake, Jean Marc surmised all was not as it seemed, given the nearest vessel disappeared below the horizon before he could inquire after the circumstances of the misadventure. For a seaman, naught struck fear in the heart more than fire aboard ship, which could send an entire crew to Davy Jones’s locker. And he had given his word to perform meritorious deeds for a full year, in trade for an unconditional pardon. At the end of twelve months, Jean Marc and his men would be free of past crimes, beholden to none.
But at what price had he bartered his autonomy?
It was for that reason Jean Marc refused to sail past the doomed lady. And then he spied activity at the stern rail, on the quarterdeck.
“Come about.”
“What is it?” Peering over his shoulder, Tyne narrowed his stare. “Is that a white flag?”
As they drew closer, Jean Marc smiled, and a familiar itch in his palms had him flexing his fingers. The lure of conquest burned bright in his loins, and he struggled with a craving for fresh meat, if only to reassert authority over his life. “It is a woman.” He laughed. “And she waves her undergarments.”
Perhaps fate smiled upon him, as the chit might be just the balm to ease his unrest and allow him to regain a measure of control.
Obligated to the Crown, and no longer the master of his destiny, he thirsted for the power of ultimate domination, and nothing compared to the supremacy inherent in seduction.
“Bloody hell, she is a tasty bit o’ fluff.” Tyne licked his lips. “And a bottle of Jamaican rum says she is unspoiled, too.”
“I believe you are correct in your assertion, mon ami.” That tempered Jean Marc’s ever-growing arousal, as he never claimed virgin’s blood, because he preferred experienced whores who knew what he wanted and gave it to him, without complaint or inconvenient emotional attachments. Then he got a good look at the boon, in question, as the Morass glided to a halt, and full-blown lust threatened to consume him. Maybe it was time to sample the tender flesh of an innocent. “Ahoy, dear lady. Jean Marc Cavalier, most definitely at your service.”
“Kind sir, I would be grateful for passage to Port Royal.” Behind her, the masts collapsed, and she shrieked. How he ached to make her squeal with enthusiasm, as he would wager she could scream much louder with the right inducement. “As you can see, my current accommodation is about to sink, and I am in dire need of new transportation.”
“Lower the plank.” He signaled the crew. “As I am certain we can strike a mutually beneficial bargain.” With a lush figure made for sin, and of that he could envision committing many with her, and alabaster skin he fully intended to explore in more intense inspection, once he got her alone, she presented a delightful distraction. “How is it your ship fell into such misfortune, and where is the crew?”
“They are dead.” Tears pooled in her vivid blue eyes, and she emitted a soft sob, but he cared not for her sad tale. “We were attacked by pirates, and I hid in the captain’s cabin, in a small compartment beneath a concealed floor panel, which he revealed he previously used for smuggling, thus I was spared.”
“Come here, mon chou.” As the bow dipped below the surface of the water, he slipped an arm about her hips and whisked her aboard the Morass.
“Oh, do collect my bundles, as they hold irreplaceable personal items, including some of my mother’s keepsakes.” She pointed to two pillowcases, knotted at the opening. “Please, sir. I cannot lose them, and I shall ensure you are handsomely compensated, when I reach my destination, as I hail from a family of means.”
“Is that so? Then your every wish is my command.” And she would compensate him, all right, but not in the coin she proposed, as he had something else in mind for the delectable brown-haired wench. In seconds, Jean Marc jumped to the now high-pitched stern, grabbed the belongings, glanced into the waist of the doomed vessel, and discovered the remains of a massacre, which made no sense. At the very least, the sailors could have been sold into slavery, so why would anyone surrender such valuable cargo? A large crack in the boards indicated the ship yielded its last breath to the force of the ocean, and he took a running leap to safety. When he gained his footing, the woman flung herself at him and wept. “Now, now, none of that, mon chou.”
Guileless and genteel, his unwitting prize had no idea of the scheme he would enact to reclaim a portion of his pride, as the King stipulated naught in regard to conquest of the fair sex. Indeed, she possessed no means of defense against his provocative persuasion, and he would employ everything at his disposal to well and thoroughly invade every inch of her. Before he landed the little angel on Jamaica’s shore, he would instruct her in the art of pleasure, such that she would perform, at will, what even some professionals considered obscene, and render her quim raw. And then he would leave her, unharmed but a bit worn about the edges, without so much as a backward glance, as was his way.
“I thought I was going to die, and you saved me when all seemed lost.” Well, he was not so sure he saved her, inasmuch as he delivered her from one precarious position to another, though she knew it not. Whimpering, she hugged him tight, and he savored her soft and feminine curves. “How can I ever thank you?”
**Edited for content and approved by Author **
“You may start by telling me your name.”
** Edited for content and approved by Author **
“Lady Madalene Davies, sir. (**Edited for blog and approved by Author**) Is this a passenger-for-hire ship or a privateer in His Majesty’s Navy?”
“Not usually, and I am no longer a pirate.” He advanced, as her chin quivered, and desire surged in his veins. “Thus I am willing to negotiate terms, if you are amenable.” With a shrug, he trailed a finger along the gentle curve of her jaw. “Else I can return you to the sea.”
“I beg your pardon?” Lady Madalene blinked. “You are no longer a pirate?” She made another perfunctory study of his men and gulped.
“Am I in danger? Did you kill the Trident crew, and am I to suffer the same fate?”
“Mon chou, you insult me, as I would have taken them captive were that my work. And never would I waste something so lovely.” Swift and sure, he caught her in his arms, and she screamed, just as he claimed a lengthy kiss, to ribald hoots and hollers. When she wrenched free, pounded his chest with her fists, and prepared to protest, he nodded and thrust her into Tyne and Randall’s waiting escort. “Take her to my cabin.”
#
Freedom often commanded a steep price, in many instances exacted against the will of the innocent soul caught in its implacable lure, and Lady Madalene Davies pondered the cost her liberator, a self-proclaimed, one-time pirate blackguard who seemed much invested in his former trade, given his bawdy behavior and iniquitous demeanor, might demand in exchange for safe passage to Port Royal. But could she endure the consequences of such a bargain, as she foundered somewhere between the devil and the deep blue sea?
Out of place in her new cabin, which contrasted with her modest chamber aboard the Trident, she doffed her cloak and bonnet. A plush, red velvet counterpane covered the largest bunk she had ever seen, given Captain Hammond used a hammock, and the mattress hosted a mountain of matching pillows.
** Edited for content and approved by Author**
Behind the thick oak panel stood a surly looking character she dared not challenge, and the small side chamber held naught but clothing. A locker marked with unique carvings revealed additional personal items, so she gave her attention to the hand-tooled desk, to search for some indication of the character of her erstwhile savior.
In the top drawer, she discovered a logbook, a set of maps and charts, and a deck of cards with the usual suits on one side and shocking images of ladies sans garments on the other, and she dropped the offensive items. Then her gaze lit upon a rolled parchment secured with an elegant ribbon. With a cursory check to ensure privacy, she untied the swath of silk, smoothed the paper, and examined what she realized was an official document, distinguished by its heading, Letter of Marque and Reprisal.
“Upon my word.” Madalene gasped. “Jean Marc Cavalier was a pirate.”
Before she could read the entire contents of the pact, a telltale voice brought her up short. Lightning quick, she restored the parchment to its secure space, glanced left and then right, and hugged herself. Adopting a relaxed stance, she peered beyond the window at the floating debris—all that remained of her ship, and considered her options, and of that there were few. It seemed she had traded one perilous predicament for another, and she knew not if she would survive to be reunited with her father, as her life depended upon a questionable creature Aunt Eileen would have no doubt described as a man with loose morals.
“You daydream, mon chou.” Her not so chivalrous rescuer slammed shut the door, and she jumped. With a cocksure swagger, her less than noble knight strolled to the impressive desk, drew a bottle and two glasses from a drawer, and then pulled a chair from a small dining table. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you.” Stiffening her spine, she perched on the edge and settled her clasped hands in her lap to conceal her trembling, as she studied her opponent.
Unlike the sailors, the captain wore a white linen shirt, buckskin breeches, and a polished pair of Hessians. Chiseled lines comprised his classical profile but did little to dispel his menacing guise. A long, jagged scar traced from his left ear and across his clean-shaven cheek, disappearing under a black patch adorned with a large ruby, which concealed his eye, and a leather strip tamed his long ebony locks. Although he might have been handsome at one time, he struck her as a dangerous adversary, and she would zealously guard her virtue in his company.
Madalene cleared her throat. “Good sir, I—”
“First, let me correct you, mon chou, as I would have us understand each other.” A sly smile played on his lips, as he leaned forward, and a tremor of dread traipsed her flesh. “I am no sir, and neither am I good. From this moment forth, you will address me as Jean Marc, as it is what I prefer, or I will give you to the sea.”
“But that is not proper decorum for a lady of character, sir.” Something in his expression, not to mention his threat, gave her a shiver, especially when he laughed. “And while I asked for transport to Port Royal, I would amend my request and have you put me ashore at the nearest dock.”
“No, and I have no use for proper decorum.” He shook his head, and her confidence plummeted to new depths. “You will tell me your history, and then we will negotiate compensation for my assistance.”
“I do not have much money, sir—Jean Marc.” When he arched a brow, Madalene gulped. “What I mean is I hold a trifle with which to pay my fare, but my father will reimburse you for any related expenses or a ransom, should you hold me prisoner.”
“You sell yourself short, as you are a handsome wench, but I will clap you in irons, if it will make you feel better.” Everything in his manner conveyed equal parts of power and peril, and she dared not protest, so she held her tongue. Tapping his chin, he narrowed his stare. “Everyone aboard this ship fills a need, and I wonder how you might serve me.”
“What would you have of me?” Bereft of viable alternatives, she composed a list of skills, the sum of which she could provide to the captain’s benefit. “I can cook a few dishes, and I can sew, but I am unaccustomed to manual labor. However, I am willing to learn, if you have the patience to teach me.”
“Oh, I am more than willing to teach you what I require, and I hope, for your sake, you possess a strong constitution.” His chuckle only increased her trepidation, as she had an inkling their intentions conflicted. “So you live well, Lady Madalene?” Reclining, Jean Marc gazed at her with unveiled interest and folded his arms, and she realized, too late, she made a grievous mistake. “Tell me of your wealthy father.”
“In truth, I know little of him, as he departed Boston when I was but a child of four, and I have not seen him since.” Never had her sire written a letter inquiring after her health, and her mother indicated he cared not for his daughter, but Madalene clung to faith, as she yearned for a relationship with her father. “When I was ten, my mother died of a nasty fever, and my grandfather became my guardian, but the task fell upon Aunt Eileen after he passed.”
“And I presume Aunt Eileen is gone?” His eyes, so blue, reminded her of the crystal waters off Boston Harbor, and she would do well to avoid his captivating gaze, as it mesmerized her. “Have you no siblings?”
“No, I am an only child. And I lost my aunt in January, to an unknown malady.” She bowed her head, as a tear coursed her cheek. “I was very close to my aunt, as she was all I had in the world, which is why I was so glad to receive my father’s missive, asking me to journey to Port Royal.”
“Why does he live in Jamaica, when he is an English lord?” The ex-buccaneer tapped his fingers to the tabletop. “Is he a wanted man?”
“Not that I know, but he is a stranger to me, in a sense.” And that bothered her more than she was willing to admit to herself or anyone else, as she knew not what awaited her in the equally foreign place. “I suspect his request that I join him has something to do with Aunt Eileen’s will. Given my mother preceded my grandfather in death, he left his vast estate, which includes a sugar plantation just outside Port Royal, to be divided between his surviving daughter and myself. As Eileen never married, there are no other beneficiaries.”
“Am I to understand that, in light of your aunt’s demise, you are the sole heir to the family fortune?” With an expression of surprise, Jean Marc stretched upright. “Indeed, you are the owner, according to American law.”
“So it seems, per an attorney and a probate judge in the Boston courts.” She nodded. “Now will you help me?”
“Were you traveling alone, and what precisely happened aboard the Trident?” The menacing captain rubbed his chin and shifted his weight. “Did the attackers take anything or anyone? Did you see them? If so, can you provide a description, as I am curious as to their identities?”
“My governess, Miss Wimple, accompanied me, but she was killed.” In a flood of unpleasant memories, Madalene revisited the screams of horror, and she shuddered and wrenched to the present. “I heard plenty, and it was terrible, but I saw nothing, and for that I am grateful. Captain Hammond bade me hide before the pirates overtook our ship. Once silence fell on the vessel, I emerged from my makeshift shelter and found everyone murdered and the boat in flames. Had you not come along when you did, I would have drowned, as I cannot swim, which I already told you, so I thank you for sparing me that fate.”
“Believe me, it is my pleasure, mon chou.” For a while, he simply studied her, and she fidgeted with nervous anxiety. “You had a governess.” It was a statement, not a question. “How old are you?”
“Eight and ten,” she murmured, as she toyed with the lace trim of her sleeve.
“Why are you not married?” When she shrugged, Jean Marc sighed. “Given your beauty and your inheritance, I gather you are popular in Boston.”
“While I appreciate the compliment, I am not interested in such flattery.” To her regret, she met his azure stare, which she suspected gleaned too much for her liking, and she swallowed hard, as he appeared on the verge of devouring her. “And I have no beau, given my father never negotiated a match.”
“You would leave such things for your father to arrange?” He snickered. “The English treat the most important commitment a man and a woman can make as a financial agreement.”
“If you intended to insult me, I take no offense, as I am an American.” Madalene sniffed. “And my private affairs are no business of yours, sir.”
“In that you are correct, and I told you that I prefer you address me as Jean Marc.” He licked his lips, which she tried but failed to ignore. “Since you do not strike me as stupid, I can only presume you deliberately bait me, which is never wise, because I may take more than you are willing to give. Perhaps I should throw you and your private affairs into the sea.” He snapped his fingers. “Then again, you cannot swim, so I encourage you to consider your words with caution, in the future, else you may not enjoy the consequences.”
“I apologize.” Never had she met anyone like Jean Marc Cavalier, and she wondered if the ocean might prove less dangerous. Still, if she hoped to reunite and reconcile with her father, she had to keep the irascible captain happy. Given her grandfather’s cantankerous nature, she knew how to placate a temperamental man, as they shared much in common with spoiled children, so she had but to appease Jean Marc until they reached Port Royal. “To my shame, I spoke in haste, and I humbly ask that you forgive my inadvertent slight.”
“You choke on those words.” With a snort, he slapped his thigh. “Ah, but this crossing proves far more interesting with each passing minute.”
“But I am sincere, Jean Marc. I do so covet compromise and will do my best to perform to your satisfaction, in whatever you command of me.” Fearing a watery grave, she accepted the lone option at her disposal. She would defend her chastity, maintain what she could of her dignity, sacrifice her pride, pray no one ever discovered her ill-fated trip to Jamaica, and persist. With that, she resolved to indulge her unpredictable host beyond the usual social dictates. “Given you wish me to serve you, where should I begin?”
“You may pour me a drink.” In that moment, he lowered his chin, scooted the bottle in her direction, and cast a half-grin, which she viewed as an olive branch, of sorts, until he whispered, “For now.”
Get your own copy here:
The Black Morass (Pirates of the Coast Book 1)
$2.99
I’ve attached a list of all the books linked to my previously posted reviews Barbara’s books.
Just click on the title of the book below so that you can see for yourself why so many readers can’t get enough from this talented and best-selling author!
Loving Lt. Douglas
Enter The Brethren (The Brethren Book 1)
My Lady, The Spy (The Brethren Book 2)
The Most Unlikely Lady (The Brethren Book 3)
One Knight Stand (The Brethren Book 4)
Coffee With Barbara Devlin
Captain of her Heart (The Brethren Book 5)
The Lucky One (The Brethren Book 6)
Love With An Improper Stranger (The Brethren Book 7)
Arucard (Brethren Origins Book 1)
Demetrius (Brethren Origins Book 2)
Missing a book in her amazing collection? Take advantage of an amazing boxed set…
Brethren of the Coast: Volume II
For $3.99 you can get One Knight Stand, Captain of her Heart and The Lucky One.
Purchase single volumes here:
Loving Lieutenant Douglas: A Brethren of the Coast Novella **FREE**
Enter The Brethren (Brethren of the Coast Book 1)
$0.99
My Lady, The Spy (Brethren of the Coast Book 2)
$2.99
The Most Unlikely Lady (Brethren of the Coast Book 3)
$2.99
To Catch A Fallen Spy (Brethren of the Coast Book 8)
$2.99
The Black Morass (Pirates of the Coast Book 1)
$2.99
Arucard (Brethren Origins Book 1)
$3.99
Demetrius (Brethren Origins Book 2)
$0.99
That’s ELEVEN books for less than $22.00! Click the links above and start reading today!
***** Exclusive Giveaway *****
Barbara Devlin has generously donated the following for ONE lucky reader:
ONE Amazon Kindle Fire 7″
a Kindle copy of To Catch a Fallen Spy AND The Black Morass
for one lucky winner in the US/Canada.
**International winner will receive a GC from Amazon.com **
For a chance to win tell us ..
Do you have any movie traditions the night before or during the holiday season?
Contest runs from 7/19/16 12:01AM thru 7/21/16 11:59 PM
** all entries from the Blitz earlier this month will be added to these comments for a chance to win **
Winner will be announced on this blog post on 7/21/16.
Winner MUST comment on this post within 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be randomly selected.
Be sure to follow me the blog (link on homepage), Facebook Page (Books I Love A Latte Page) and Twitter @RaeLatte so you don’t miss that announcement post!
Be sure to swing by Barbara Devlin’s webpage and follow her on twitter (@barbara_devlin) to stay up to date on the world of Knights, Pirates and other fabulous news!
ICYMI: Blitz Day 1
Blitz Day 2
Author Info:
Bestselling author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, Barbara hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love of writing.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, where she developed a love of all things British, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. And then one uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
Jul 7, 2016 | Barbara Devlin, Blog, July 2016
Due to circumstances beyond my control as well as technical difficulties the contest for the Kindle bundle for the Barbara Devlin Blitz has been temporarily suspended. Dear readers, all is not lost.
All those who entered via comments on July 3rd and 4th will be added along with entries from the upcoming re-scheduled third day post for the blitz.
I will be posting my intended Day 3 of the blitz during my Winter Extravaganza July 10-19, 2016. A winner will be randomly selected from the previous entries and the re-scheduled Day 3 post.
Further details will be provided on Saturday July 9th for the Winter Extravaganza.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
delight has just enough sizzle to make you tingle. Oh, and yes, it’s for mature readers 18+.
$0.99
