The start of another week and what better way to
begin than with Medieval Monday and enjoy snippets of great romances. Each week
a different author will be featured with a “themed excerpt.” This month, all
the excerpts will be about the hero and heroine’s first kiss. Today’s guest is Barbara
Bettis. You’re going to love this excerpt. Enjoy!
begin than with Medieval Monday and enjoy snippets of great romances. Each week
a different author will be featured with a “themed excerpt.” This month, all
the excerpts will be about the hero and heroine’s first kiss. Today’s guest is Barbara
Bettis. You’re going to love this excerpt. Enjoy!
Excerpt from SILVERHAWK:
Lady Emelin tucked her heavy brown wimple beneath
her chin and watched the wounded knight.
her chin and watched the wounded knight.
Swollen eyelids, a puffy cheek, and bloody scrapes
couldn’t hide his 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.
couldn’t hide his 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?
She hardly recalled what her youthful first betrothed looked like when he
joined his foster father on King Richard’s crusade. If only he’d returned,
she’d be wed now, with the family she craved.
She hardly recalled what her youthful first betrothed looked like when he
joined his foster father on King Richard’s crusade. If only he’d returned,
she’d be wed now, with the family she craved.
She sighed, reached for a leaf on her patient’s
cheek—and found herself staring into the palest gray eyes she’d ever seen. His
mouth moved; she leaned forward.
cheek—and found herself staring into the palest gray eyes she’d ever seen. His
mouth moved; she leaned forward.
“What is it?” she murmured.
“Before…I…die,” 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?
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 gray, but layered like a
winter pond winking with ice. They were silver.
her forward. That close, she saw his eyes weren’t gray, but layered like a
winter pond winking with ice. They were silver.
“To…kiss…a nun,” came the outrageous reply
before his lips met hers.
before his lips met hers.
His warm mouth robbed her of breath for an instant.
Then she snapped back with a gasp. And, with inborn reflex, slapped him. His
head jerked, his eyes closed, and he lay motionless.
Then she snapped back with a gasp. And, with inborn 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.
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.
Back Cover Copy of SILVERHAWK:
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.
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
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.
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.
Buy
Links for SILVERHAWK:
Links for SILVERHAWK:
Barbara
Bettis:
Bettis:
What a wonderful excerpt. I loved Sir Giles and Lady Emelin in SILVERHAWK! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Lane! I miss writing about the two 🙂
Ruth, I love visiting your blog. You come up with such creative memes for us all! Thank you.
I'm in love with that excerpt!!! I love that naughty knight!
Loved this excerpt, Barbara! 🙂
Love the excerpt! I agree with Red, he is a naughty knight 😉
This is such a clever excerpt. I love her reaction to his passing out. "At least he die with a smile on his face."
That is one BRILLIANT twist. Hehe. Loved it. 😉