Guest Author Marie Lavender (and much, much more)!

Hi all:

It’s Friday and today it’s the turn of a fascinating writer, Marie Lavender. I’ve met her though one oft he groups of writers I frequent and I’ve had the pleasure of being a guest in the blog where she shares the experiences, in and outs and advice writers give other writers or people thinking about writing. Marie is currently working on the third book of her series ‘Heiress in Love‘  ‘Upon Your Love’ and to get everybody ready, we thought you’d enjoy getting to know her and her books a bit more.  And she’s also bringing as a taste of what her new book will be like…

I leave you in the very good hands of Marie:

Marie Lavender

I wanted to introduce you to the Heiresses in Love Series today.  This will be a trilogy, but only two books are available right now.  The third book in the series, Upon Your Love, should be out sometime next year.  All of them are set in the Victorian era and they have quite a bit of suspense.  Our journey starts with Upon Your Return, a book about a girl who has always dreamed of having adventures and finding love.  Fara Bellamont becomes utterly captivated by a man who rescues her one night.  Upon Your Honor, the sequel, continues the story in the form of two new characters. Chloe Waverly stows away on a ship in order to escape her circumstances.  A stranger offers to help her, but neither is prepared for the danger closing in on them both.  Learn more about both books below…

Marie Lavender’s ‘Upon Your Return’

Blurb for Upon Your Return

Fara Bellamont has been back in society for a year after leaving Cluny Abbey, where her uncle sent her long ago. When he chooses a suitor for her for marriage, she fears that she will be forced to marry a stranger and live a miserable life. But, Fara finds herself thrust into an adventure of a lifetime when unforeseen circumstances cause her to place her trust in a strange man for protection. His intervention not only saves her, but puts her in an even more compromising position. Grant Hill, a trading captain, is enchanted by the young heiress not only because of her beauty, but because she is hardly conventional. Underneath her ladylike exterior lies a tigress. Grant cannot help but offer his protection as she is in need and he is far from immune from her charms. Fara just never bargained on the passion that she feels for Grant Hill. As events unfold, she must decide whether her desires and the dictates of her heart should trump the rules of society…

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/f5P0-OAswm0

Excerpt for Upon Your Return

Fara fought the darkness to the coming light. It was so easy to stay in the dark. It was comforting like a warm blanket. But, the light held such possibilities. She knew she must rouse, as if something significant lay there in wakefulness. She stirred and felt a pair of arms holding her. Then she heard a heartbeat beneath a rough fabric, felt a coarse texture of chest hair. It was so secure within that embrace.

When she finally realized it was a man who held her, she gasped and tried to retreat from the cord of muscles. She glanced up to be temporarily blinded by the lamplight to her left.

“Don’t move,” said a soft but deep voice.

He spoke with the assurance of authority, and she could tell he was used to ordering people around. Well, he wouldn’t order her. She lifted her heavy head and whimpered as a stab of agony sliced through her skull. Fara squeezed her eyes shut tight. It was so much easier to be left in the dark for it was as if her head was being cut with so many knives.

“I will have you more comfortable in a moment. Please do not move.”

How could she possibly move with all this pain and that large man rendering her limbs useless?

Suddenly, she felt a light cushion beneath her. The glare from the lantern came into her vision again when she opened her eyes and was then replaced by the outline of a man towering above her. She gasped and crawled away from him, but his hold on her waist hauled her back. Her head hurt so as he studied her face.

“Madame, the pain will be less if you stay still. I promise I did not bring you here to harm you in any way.”

She gradually settled back on the pillows and looked at her keeper. He was an attractive man, if one liked the rough, indignant kind. Dark layers of soft waves covered his head and ended at the nape of his neck. He was large, but slim in the right places…it spoke of years of hard physical labor.

His eyes captivated her as she studied him in such proximity. The shade of his eyes…a charcoal color; they were the most intense and unreadable eyes she’d ever seen. It was an odd, yet strikingly beautiful color for a man.

Oh, you silly girl, she thought. Really…how ridiculous for her to be wooed by only a pair of eyes.  “May I ask you a question?”

“I insist you do, if you are not too unwell.” He gestured to her jaw.

Fara nodded, acknowledging the wound provided by the man named Bernard. She imagined what he referred to must indeed be a hideous sight. She looked around the room. It appeared to be a cabin of sorts. “Monsieur…how did I get here? Are we on a yacht?”

“A ship. My ship, La Voyageur,” he announced firmly with a lifted brow.

She faltered at the damning tone in his voice. It gave the impression that he was accustomed to some ridicule, but she could not fathom the reason for it. “You are a captain?”

“Oui, Madame.”

“Mademoiselle.” She blushed.

“Ah. I knew you were too young to be saddled to one man, but thought it safer to say you were.”

“Monsieur…how long will I be here?”

He pointed to her throbbing jaw. “As soon as that is healed nicely, I will escort you to your home.”

Why, that could be days! Did he really mean to let her go, or was his intention to ask for a ransom? He had rescued her, but what if his motives were for reasons other than valor? “My uncle…he will be concerned for me. I insist you take me home now.” She realized her voice was too soft to sound commanding.

He shook his head. “I will have a message sent to him. What is his name?”

She sighed. “Michel de Bellamont.” She began to protest, “Monsieur, surely you do not intend to keep me here? That would not be right.”

Purchase Links

Universal Amazon link:  http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00I0D9LQ8

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I0D9LQ8
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Return-Marie-Lavender/dp/1484978099/

CreateSpace:  https://www.createspace.com/4284739
Solstice Publishing:  http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-return/

 

Marie Lavender’s ‘Upon Your Honor’

Blurb for Upon Your Honor

Deception is a dangerous path…

New York City, August, 1891 – Orphaned after the death of her father, Chloe Waverly stows away on La Voyageur to escape the clutches of her cruel fiancé, Lamonte Beckett. Gabriel Hill, a strange and compelling gentleman, comes upon Chloe and promises to protect her without knowing the true circumstances of why she is running away. During their journey, Gabriel doesn’t bargain on being distracted by her fair beauty or succumbing to her many charms. As their attraction to each other grows, so does the danger and Gabriel suspects things are not as they should be.

Both are determined to get to New Orleans, where she can start a new life. But, once they reach their destination, events spin out of their control and Chloe is captured by the fiancé she escaped. Gabriel is left wondering if he can overlook her betrayal. Soon he finds himself in a race against time, to reach her before Beckett can exact revenge.

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/dLOteuscV04

Excerpt for Upon Your Honor

When her vision cleared and she could focus, she saw that she was in a bed, a truly comfortable one. The room was a cabin, filled with books and maritime instruments, a large red chair near the fireplace, and a small chaise close by. A tall man with broad shoulders stood facing the fireplace, holding a glass.

Something had happened. They had found her. With that knowledge, Chloe became aware of her state of dishabille as well as the loose hair that fell past her shoulders. They knew she was a woman. What would they do to her now? A moan of distress escaped her lips as she tried to sit up, failing due to a bout of dizziness. She had wanted to appear composed, but she was more like an invalid.

At the sound, the man turned and stepped towards her with purpose. He set his glass on a nearby table, pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and sat down. “Perhaps it would be better if you lie still for now. You will have pain for a while. Until it goes away, I suggest you try to rest.”

His dark red hair was familiar. And now that he was closer, she saw that his eyes were a unique shade of gray. Once she realized it was the same man from before, she managed a nod. Her tongue felt leaden, thick in her mouth. How could one man render her speechless? Clearing her throat, she found her voice at last. “I feel a little silly lying here though, when there is an inquisition to attend.”

“Oh?” He nodded. “Yes, I suppose there is a lot to answer for. But, rest assured, I am at the moment the only one here that is aware of your presence, though others will know very soon. If you have an escape plan, you’d better hatch it.”

His warning sent a shiver over her. “You foresee a lot of trouble then.”

“In your position, you should expect it.”

“I do. I am prepared.”

“You are?” He smiled a little. “Even though you convinced me you were a sailor at first, I now know to expect anything from you. However, you don’t strike me as the kind of woman who has approached many of these situations.”

Chloe licked her lips before replying, “You don’t really know what I will do in order to survive.”

“I suppose I don’t know much of your character. But, you hid away in the storage room for some reason. Are you running from the law?”

She was suddenly aware that he had an accent. French perhaps? She shook her head. “Not yet. No.”

He nodded. “Are you willing to take it to that level?”

“I would like to avoid that if possible.”

“There must be a story, then, if you are willing to do nearly anything to survive. What will you divulge to me if I am your only hope? What will you do to save yourself?”

Indeed, what could she do? The minor insinuations he was making disturbed her, but did not shock her. She was aware that some men were not entirely honorable, including Lamonte. “First, I would need to know whether I was in any danger in your hands.” She swallowed hard. “And then, if that turned out well, we would see…”

“Mademoiselle, you honor me.” He paused. “I assume you are not married?”

She shook her head in negation and licked her dry lips. “If my honor is at stake, then I would expect some cordiality.”

He cocked his head. “Would a stowaway have honor?”

Chloe’s jaw tightened. “Every man or woman has a right to some dignity in the face of extreme circumstances.”

“Extreme? I would say you’re fairly coddled right now. If I had any less respect for your dignity, you would be in a prison. Or worse.”

He was right. He had been kind to her, thus far. “This is true. I am sorry, sir, if I have offended you in any way. But, to find myself in such a state begs many questions…questions others might have.”

“Such as?”

“What liberties have you already taken?”

His eyes narrowed. “None other than a physician would do in the same situation.”

Her lips firmed. “Am I to assume that your actions were only for the sake of medicine, that what you did was platonic?”

The man frowned. “I never took any liberties that weren’t necessary. You were unconscious. I had to act. Will you apologize for jumping to such conclusions?”

Chloe shook her head. “Surely you cannot fault me for thinking it.”

“No, I suppose I cannot. But, I assure you, you have my character entirely wrong.”

She burrowed deeper under the covers. “Then I’m very sorry for assuming the worst.”

He grunted. “You are quite fortunate, you know.”

She frowned. “Am I?”

“Were I any other man, some aspersions might be cast on your character. You were dressed as a boy, nearly passed as one. But, you are not. Some men might think you are a lady of the night, here to rob us.”

Her eyes widened. “I assure you I am not!”

“Then only a lady?”

Chloe didn’t answer. The less the man knew, the better. But, she did not want him to think she was free with her favors either.

 

Purchase Links

Universal Amazon link:  http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00JTKTODG

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JTKTODG

http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender/dp/1625260423/​

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-honor-marie-lavender/1119268362

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/430789

CreateSpace:  https://www.createspace.com/4762748
Solstice Publishing:  http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-honor/

 

Initial Blurb for Upon Your Love

coming in 2015…

Adrienne Bellamont Hill was born of a spirited redhead and a strong sea captain.  She was raised hearing stories of how her parents met and all of the adventures they had.  She knows she isn’t a tame sort of woman and she will bow to no man.

 

When Christian du Plessis comes into her life in the guise of helping their mutual friends, she isn’t prepared for the passion she feels for the man.  Christian, however, arouses much more than desire from her.  But, she lost her heart to one man before and she cannot allow it to happen again.  And yet, the desire he incites in her is so tempting, a part of her wants to submit to him. It is up to her to maintain the family tradition of holding out for love.

 

All of her firm beliefs are called into question when a dangerous menace threatens the well-being of her friends and thereby Christian, who jumps in to protect them.  But, Adrienne is not one to stand by and let things happen.  She is a fierce, capable woman in a time when women know their place.

 

She will do all she can to stop this man who threatens her friends and her newfound love.  But, Christian has his own ideas about Adrienne’s actions.  He will protect her at any cost.  That cost is too high for her to handle.  Can these two strong-willed people combat the danger together or will they be separated by the death that is certain to come for them?

 

Author Marie Lavender

Author Bio

Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 18 other books. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years.

Marie has published nineteen books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Magick & Moonlight, a paranormal romance, in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.webs.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor

Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted;Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace

Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life

Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things

 

Author Links
http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://www.facebook.com/UponYourReturn
https://www.facebook.com/UponYourHonor
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/104926404745289477307/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/

 

Thanks so much to Marie for visiting us and sharing her books (come back any time) with us, thanks to you for reading, and if you’ve enjoyed it, like, share, comment and of course, CLICK!

Escaping Psychiatry (audiobook) by Olga Núñez Miret. Narrated by Alan Cooke

I just wanted to let you know (sorry Marie) that my book Escaping Psychiatry is now available in audio, narrated by the amazing actor/writer and Emmy Award Winner Alan Cooke (a.k.a. Wild Irish Poet).

And if you’ve never used Audible you could have it for free! so go and have a listen!

http://bit.ly/TBE1Af