Glad
the holidays are over? Now you can relax and read another Medieval Romance! This
is the same Medieval Monday that features some of the best romance out there
but now it’s with a twist. Each week a different author will be featured here
with a “themed excerpt.” This month, all the excerpts will be about a
celebration for the holidays. Today’s guest is Kim Iverson Headlee. You’re
going to love this excerpt. Enjoy!
the holidays are over? Now you can relax and read another Medieval Romance! This
is the same Medieval Monday that features some of the best romance out there
but now it’s with a twist. Each week a different author will be featured here
with a “themed excerpt.” This month, all the excerpts will be about a
celebration for the holidays. Today’s guest is Kim Iverson Headlee. You’re
going to love this excerpt. Enjoy!
Back Cover Copy
Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre has been granted what
every man wants: a rich English estate in exchange for his valiant service at
the Battle of Hastings. To claim this reward, the Norman knight must wed the
estate’s Saxon heiress. Most men would leap at such an opportunity, but for
Alain, who broke his vow to his dying mother by failing to protect his youngest
brother in battle, it means facing more easily broken vows. But when rumors of
rampant thievery, dangerous beasts, and sorcery plaguing a neighboring estate
reach his ears, nothing will make him shirk duty to king and country when
people’s lives stand at risk. He assumes the guise of a squire to scout the
land, its problems, and its lady.
every man wants: a rich English estate in exchange for his valiant service at
the Battle of Hastings. To claim this reward, the Norman knight must wed the
estate’s Saxon heiress. Most men would leap at such an opportunity, but for
Alain, who broke his vow to his dying mother by failing to protect his youngest
brother in battle, it means facing more easily broken vows. But when rumors of
rampant thievery, dangerous beasts, and sorcery plaguing a neighboring estate
reach his ears, nothing will make him shirk duty to king and country when
people’s lives stand at risk. He assumes the guise of a squire to scout the
land, its problems, and its lady.
Lady Kendra of Edgarburh has been granted what no woman
wants: a forced marriage to an enemy who may be kith or kin to the man who
murdered her beloved brother. Compounding her anguish is her failure to awaken
the miraculous healing gift bequeathed by their late mother in time to save his
life. Although with his dying breath, he made her promise to seek happiness
above all, Kendra vows that she shall find neither comfort nor love in the arms
of a Norman…unless it snows in July.
wants: a forced marriage to an enemy who may be kith or kin to the man who
murdered her beloved brother. Compounding her anguish is her failure to awaken
the miraculous healing gift bequeathed by their late mother in time to save his
life. Although with his dying breath, he made her promise to seek happiness
above all, Kendra vows that she shall find neither comfort nor love in the arms
of a Norman…unless it snows in July.
Alain is smitten by Lady Kendra from the first moment of
their meeting; Kendra feels the forbidden allure of the handsome and courtly
Norman “squire.” But a growing evil
overshadows everyone, invoking dark forces and ensnaring Kendra in a plot to
overthrow the king Alain is oath-bound to serve. Kendra and Alain face a battle
unlike any other as their honor, their love, their lives, and even their very
souls lie in the balance.
their meeting; Kendra feels the forbidden allure of the handsome and courtly
Norman “squire.” But a growing evil
overshadows everyone, invoking dark forces and ensnaring Kendra in a plot to
overthrow the king Alain is oath-bound to serve. Kendra and Alain face a battle
unlike any other as their honor, their love, their lives, and even their very
souls lie in the balance.
BOOK TRAILER: http://youtu.be/vFsaD1jCLLU
BUY & TBR LINKS
Worldwide
Amazon Kindle link – http://getBook.at/Snow_in_July_by_KIH_Kindle
Amazon Kindle link – http://getBook.at/Snow_in_July_by_KIH_Kindle
Worldwide
Amazon Paperback link –http://myBook.to/Snow_in_July_by_KIH_paperback
Amazon Paperback link –http://myBook.to/Snow_in_July_by_KIH_paperback
BARNES
& NOBLE NOOK – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-in-july-kim-headlee/1119853202?ean=2940149693818&itm=1&usri=2940149693818
& NOBLE NOOK – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-in-july-kim-headlee/1119853202?ean=2940149693818&itm=1&usri=2940149693818
BARNES
& NOBLES PAPERBACK – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-in-july-kim-headlee/1119853202?ean=9780990505501
& NOBLES PAPERBACK – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-in-july-kim-headlee/1119853202?ean=9780990505501
SMASHWORDS
– https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/450831
– https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/450831
Excerpt:
The pewter goblet hit the trencher with an
ungodly clatter. Bloodred wine seeped across the white table linens, reminding
Kendra of what Del’s blood must have done the night he was ambushed.
ungodly clatter. Bloodred wine seeped across the white table linens, reminding
Kendra of what Del’s blood must have done the night he was ambushed.
As a servant rushed to right her goblet and
blot the stain, she leaned against her carved, tall-backed chair on the dais of
Edgarburh’s feast hall, certain she had imagined the voice that had startled
her.
blot the stain, she leaned against her carved, tall-backed chair on the dais of
Edgarburh’s feast hall, certain she had imagined the voice that had startled
her.
She wished Del’s condition could be righted
as easily.
as easily.
Her seat gave her the best view of the
Cristes-mæsse festivities, which at present consisted of a muzzled, scruffy
bear being goaded through its awkward paces by an equally scruffy man to the
raucous amusement of the crowd.
Cristes-mæsse festivities, which at present consisted of a muzzled, scruffy
bear being goaded through its awkward paces by an equally scruffy man to the
raucous amusement of the crowd.
Kendra couldn’t share in the laughter.
With the tip of her dagger, she chased slices
of stewed apples around her trencher, racking her brains for something—anything—she
hadn’t yet tried to help her brother, either to heal his wound or cure the
fever and cough invading his lungs.
of stewed apples around her trencher, racking her brains for something—anything—she
hadn’t yet tried to help her brother, either to heal his wound or cure the
fever and cough invading his lungs.
Invasion. She gave a soft snort. Not three
months earlier, Del had risked his life in the service of King Harold against
the invading William of Normandy. Del had been one of the lucky few to survive
the battle, only to be cut down on their father’s lands by one of William the
Bastard’s knights. The enormity of the outrage still blazed within her heart.
months earlier, Del had risked his life in the service of King Harold against
the invading William of Normandy. Del had been one of the lucky few to survive
the battle, only to be cut down on their father’s lands by one of William the
Bastard’s knights. The enormity of the outrage still blazed within her heart.
Even greater kindled her wrath over the
decree accompanying the coronation announcement: she must wed one of these
ruthless Norman warriors.
decree accompanying the coronation announcement: she must wed one of these
ruthless Norman warriors.
This very day, her father was paying court
upon the new king, offering his—though not his daughter’s—acquiescence to the
betrothal in hopes of currying favor enough to present his complaint about
Del’s attacker. He possessed the knight’s shield, though the coward had eluded
capture. Waldron kept the shield locked in his quarters, for he couldn’t risk
losing his one tangible link to the Norman swine.
upon the new king, offering his—though not his daughter’s—acquiescence to the
betrothal in hopes of currying favor enough to present his complaint about
Del’s attacker. He possessed the knight’s shield, though the coward had eluded
capture. Waldron kept the shield locked in his quarters, for he couldn’t risk
losing his one tangible link to the Norman swine.
Kendra’s heart had screamed the truth,
although her father had refused to hear it: Sir Delwin Waldronson had fought
for King Harold, his attacker was one of William the Bastard’s retainers, and
justice would be denied.
although her father had refused to hear it: Sir Delwin Waldronson had fought
for King Harold, his attacker was one of William the Bastard’s retainers, and
justice would be denied.
***
Note: Cristes-mæsse is the ancient Saxon word
for Christmas.
for Christmas.
Thank you, Ruth, for hosting Snow in July on your blog, and Happy New Year! 🙂
Hi Kim –
It's my pleasure! The New Year is starting off strong (and cold here in New Jersey today). Only great things for us all this year!