Welcome to
Medieval Monday! During the next several months, I will be featuring different
Medieval authors and their stories. Each month there will be a specific theme.
This month’s theme is, “First Encounter with the Hero and Heroine.”
Medieval Monday! During the next several months, I will be featuring different
Medieval authors and their stories. Each month there will be a specific theme.
This month’s theme is, “First Encounter with the Hero and Heroine.”
Barbara
Bettis is here today with an excerpt from her book, Silverhawk.
Bettis is here today with an excerpt from her book, Silverhawk.
Blurb:
He’s
everything a proper lady should never want; she’s everything a bastard
mercenary can never have.
everything a proper lady should never want; she’s everything a bastard
mercenary can never have.
Sir Giles
has come to England to kill his father, who seduced and betrayed his mother.
First, however, he’ll seek sweet revenge—kidnap the old lord’s new betrothed.
But when Giles uncovers a plot against King Richard, he faces a dilemma: take
the lady or track the traitors. What’s a good mercenary to do? Both, of course.
has come to England to kill his father, who seduced and betrayed his mother.
First, however, he’ll seek sweet revenge—kidnap the old lord’s new betrothed.
But when Giles uncovers a plot against King Richard, he faces a dilemma: take
the lady or track the traitors. What’s a good mercenary to do? Both, of course.
Lady
Emelin has had enough. Abandoned in a convent by her brother, she finally has a
chance for home and family. Yet now she’s been abducted. Her kidnapper may be
the image of her dream knight, but she won’t allow him to spoil this betrothal.
Her only solution: escape. Rescuing the intrepid lady—while hunting traitors—is
a challenge Giles couldn’t anticipate. But the greatest challenge to
Giles and Emelin is the fire blazing between them. For he’s everything a proper
lady should never want, and she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never
have.
Emelin has had enough. Abandoned in a convent by her brother, she finally has a
chance for home and family. Yet now she’s been abducted. Her kidnapper may be
the image of her dream knight, but she won’t allow him to spoil this betrothal.
Her only solution: escape. Rescuing the intrepid lady—while hunting traitors—is
a challenge Giles couldn’t anticipate. But the greatest challenge to
Giles and Emelin is the fire blazing between them. For he’s everything a proper
lady should never want, and she’s everything a bastard mercenary can never
have.
Excerpt:
(Sir Giles
has been rescued from outlaws by Lady Emelin’s escort of soldiers and she’s
insisted that she take the unconscious knight to her betrothed’s castle for
treatment.)
has been rescued from outlaws by Lady Emelin’s escort of soldiers and she’s
insisted that she take the unconscious knight to her betrothed’s castle for
treatment.)
Swollen
eyelids, a puffy cheek, and bloody scrapes couldn’t hide the knight’s handsome
features. Waves of midnight hair fell across his wide forehead to brush one
side of his square, stubble-darkened jaw. Grit clustered on the high bridge of
his nose. What shame such a strong, rugged man should be cut down. Her pulse
fluttered, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Ashamed of such reaction, she
squeezed shut her eyes.
eyelids, a puffy cheek, and bloody scrapes couldn’t hide the knight’s handsome
features. Waves of midnight hair fell across his wide forehead to brush one
side of his square, stubble-darkened jaw. Grit clustered on the high bridge of
his nose. What shame such a strong, rugged man should be cut down. Her pulse
fluttered, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Ashamed of such reaction, she
squeezed shut her eyes.
Would
Stephen have been so handsome, had he lived through the crusade? She hardly
recalled what her youthful first betrothed looked like when he left, a hopeful
squire at nineteen, to follow his foster father on King Richard’s journey. If
only he’d returned from Outremer, she’d be wed now, with the family she craved.
Stephen have been so handsome, had he lived through the crusade? She hardly
recalled what her youthful first betrothed looked like when he left, a hopeful
squire at nineteen, to follow his foster father on King Richard’s journey. If
only he’d returned from Outremer, she’d be wed now, with the family she craved.
She
sighed, reached for her patient’s cheek—and found herself staring into the
palest gray eyes she had ever seen. His mouth moved, and she leaned forward.
sighed, reached for her patient’s cheek—and found herself staring into the
palest gray eyes she had ever seen. His mouth moved, and she leaned forward.
“What is
it?” she murmured.
it?” she murmured.
“Before…I…die…”
came the hoarse whisper.
came the hoarse whisper.
“Yes? What
would you like before you die?” If it were in her power, she would provide the
poor man with his wish. Drink? Food?
would you like before you die?” If it were in her power, she would provide the
poor man with his wish. Drink? Food?
A strong
hand gripped the back of her head, pulled her forward. That close, she saw his
eyes weren’t flat gray, but clear, layered like a winter pond winking with ice.
They were silver.
hand gripped the back of her head, pulled her forward. That close, she saw his
eyes weren’t flat gray, but clear, layered like a winter pond winking with ice.
They were silver.
“To…kiss…a
nun,” came the outrageous reply before his lips met hers.
nun,” came the outrageous reply before his lips met hers.
The brush
of his warm mouth robbed her breath for an instant. Then she snapped back with
a gasp. And, with in-born reflex, slapped him. His head jerked, his eyes
closed, and he lay motionless.
of his warm mouth robbed her breath for an instant. Then she snapped back with
a gasp. And, with in-born reflex, slapped him. His head jerked, his eyes
closed, and he lay motionless.
“Oh, Sweet
Mary,” Emelin whispered, “I’ve killed him.” Leaning close, she saw his narrow,
beautifully molded lips relax. His mouth curved at the corner.
Mary,” Emelin whispered, “I’ve killed him.” Leaning close, she saw his narrow,
beautifully molded lips relax. His mouth curved at the corner.
At least
he died with a smile on his face.
he died with a smile on his face.
Buy
Link:
Link:
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1WTz3KJ
http://amzn.to/1WTz3KJ
Thanks for hosting me today, Ruth. What a lovely blog! I love visiting.
It was my pleasure, Barbara!