Showing posts with label Catherine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catherine. Show all posts

First Page Friday - Sue BARR

Once again it's my pleasure to share with you the first page from one of my own works: CATHERINE: Pride & Prejudice continued... Book Two. This was a fun, yet difficult book to write as I loved Lord George and writing him as a spy, but the secret which Kitty held close to her chest was a painful one and I didn't want to give too much away before the BIG reveal near the end of the book. Most readers had shadow guessed the secret, but it didn't take away from the drama surrounding the event.


Blurb

Some secrets are not meant to be shared
Catherine Bennet knows this better than anyone and the one she carries will remain hidden forever. This means she'll never marry and it never bothered her before she met Lord George. He's determined to breach the walls of defense so carefully constructed around her heart and she's just as determined to stay the course.

Some secrets cannot be shared
An agent for the Crown, Lord George Kerr, concealed his espionage activities beneath a blanket of gossip, drink and loose women. Though forced to resume a more mundane lifestyle among London's finest, he covertly seeks a traitor to England. All trails seem to converge around Miss Catherine Bennet, a reticent country miss, who unwittingly has captured his heart.

Some things are beyond your control
With the very lives of England's vast network of spies working undercover in Bonaparte's France hanging in the balance, Catherine is forced to face her worst nightmare. Her secret laid bare, can George love her enough to overcome what he learns?
The drawing room was quiet, save for the shuffling of papers and every now and then a soft, yet impatient sigh.
“Darling, as much as I love my own company, I am feeling a trifle neglected.”
Lord George Kerr shifted his attention from the documents spread out before him toward the beautiful woman seated across the room. He appreciated the way the crimson brocade couch acted as a perfect foil for her exotic features and raven hair.
“Evangeline, you know our agreement. I attend your exquisite establishment and you whisk me away to your sumptuous parlor, whereupon I gather information for King and Country.” He grinned at her sultry pout. “Now be a pet and make some noise. Otherwise your servants will gossip I am not here for a lover’s tryst and that would be disastrous for our partnership.”
“If you only knew how envious my maids are. Miss Bledsoe told me they remain convinced you are Casanova reincarnated. Imagine their surprise if they knew we only drink tea and talk.” She arose from the couch and glided behind his chair, combing long fingers through his hair. “Could I not entice you, just this once?”
He stilled her hand and brought her palm to his lips. Pressing a kiss against the soft skin, he murmured, “While I admire your tenacity, I cannot give what you ask. The only woman I will share a bed with will be my future wife.”
  Thank you so much for stopping by. Your comments are always welcome.


MORE FUN & GAMES

I'm having so much fun during this release month and wanted to share just a fun thing with regard to Kitty and Lord Kerr


JUST FOR FUN



CATHERINE is available exclusively on Amazon until Mid August. Then look for her on other fine retailers.

UPCOMING BLOG TOUR: May 28 - Jun 11

Mark your calendars - I'M ON TOUR!

Promotional tour for the launch of CATHERINE: Pride & Prejudice continued... Book Two

May 28: My Jane Austen Book Club/Launch Post & Giveaway
May 29: From Pemberley to Milton/Excerpt Post & Giveaway
May 30: Just Jane 1813/Guest Post & Giveaway
May 31: More Agreeably Engaged/Author Spotlight & Giveaway
Jun 1: So Little Time.../Excerpt Post & Giveaway
Jun 2: Liz's Reading Life/Book Review & Giveaway
Jun 4: Diary of an Eccentric/Book Review & Giveaway
Jun 5: My Vices and Weaknesses/Book Review & Giveaway
Jun 6: Savvy Verse and Wit/Guest Post & Giveaway
Jun 7: Margie's Must Reads/Book Review Post & Giveaway
Jun 8: Obsessed With Mr. Darcy/Book Review & Giveaway
Jun 9: My Love for Jane Austen/Excerpt Post & Giveaway
Jun 10: Babblings of a Bookworm/Excerpt Post & Giveaway
Jun 11: Austenesque Reviews/Guest Post & Giveaway



I'd love to see you there and don't forget to enter the giveaway. Grand Prize winner will receive their choice of an autographed print book or digital, two other entrants will win a digital copy of Catherine. Good luck!

Always with love,

FULL COVER REVEAL

Today I received my PDF for the full print cover of Catherine and I just have to share. She's so beautiful and my cover artist, Teresa Sprekelmeyer of Midnight Muse Designs is absolutely FABULOUS! If you love Regency cover art, she's your go-to designer.

Without further ado - my full cover.

I planned on releasing the print edition closer to August, but as long as I limit distribution to Amazon, I can bring the date forward. I want all versions available for my readers, and can't wait to get my hands on an actual copy as well.

Always with love

GOAL OF 50K MET & EXCEEDED

I'm thrilled. Absolutely thrilled to announce that as of this very  minute, CATHERINE is at 54,402 words... and I'm not completely finished. Whoo Hoo!

I'm still fleshing out the final chapters, adding more angst and inner thoughts, but the meat and potatoes are on the page and everything else is all fluff.

At this time, I've set the publication date as May 19.

I chose this date in remembrance of my mother, Marjorie Danielson, who passed away in 2015. Had she survived, May 19, 2018 would have been her 100th birthday. I think it's only fitting to make this an anniversary of sorts. I always wanted to write stories my mother would be proud to read, and CATHERINE definitely meets my criteria for that wish.

I look forward to you reading my book and also I want to hear what you have to say about it.

Until then;

Always with love,

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #57


Welcome everyone. We had a rough week in the Barr household. Four out of the five of us came down with the flu - HARD. In over three days I lost twelve pounds. Now I truly know where they came up with the saying, 'weak as new born kitten'. I have't been this sick since 1985. I wanted to shed a few pounds before my big class reunion next month, but NOT like this. Anyway, we are all on the mend and can get on with living a joyous life.

This week I'm going to jump ahead a bit. I love Phillip and George, but I want to get into some meatier scenes. In this scene, Kitty has finally become more mobile and is resting in the front parlor. Her mother's sister has come to visit, and gossip. Have tea, and gossip. Eat some cake, and gossip... you get the picture. I hope you enjoy.
Mama and Aunt Philips had spoken of nothing else but Lord George from the minute Aunt walked through the door. How much more could they expound upon his features, his clothing, his manners? 
“Oh sister, he had such an air about him, such a gentleman and he must have a vast fortune. He thought nothing of losing ten pounds - ten pounds - can you imagine?”
“No, indeed I could not.”
“And that’s not all, he made sure our Kitty was looked after and even gave us some of his own laudanum so she would rest easy.”
“Truly a gentleman, we don’t have many of them here, in Meryton.”
“No, we do not. Lady Lucas would like us to believe her family’s all high and mighty, but I remember them from before Sir Lucas was knighted.” Mrs. Bennet shook out her skirt in agitation. “She didn’t have Lucas Lodge back then and it’s not nearly as grand as Longbourn.”

To check out what this weekly blog hop is all about and to find other authors who participate, please click HERE.

Have a wonderful week, and remember to hug someone you love today.

Always, with love,


WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #56

It's that time again where a merry band of writers slap words down on paper, in digital form for most of us, and then share with the world a small bite of their work. Really small bite - as in only 8-10 lines.

We left off with Lord George Kerr, the second son of a Duke, dealing with a young lad about eight years of age. Here's a flashback (of sorts). "Buttons?" Phillip grinned, showing a gap between some of his teeth, which made George think he was only about eight or nine years old. At least that was how old he'd been when all he had to show for a smile was his two front teeth with nothing on either side.

And now, continuing on....
"Yes, my horse's name is Buttons, are we in accord you will look after him?"
"I dunno, I'm supposed to help me mum and there ain't no pay lookin' after yer 'orse."
What a sad state of affairs that a child had to worry about bringing money home for the family.
"What would you say if I paid you a half guinea for a job well done?"
"A half guinea?" Phillip squeaked out, his eyes wide.
"For a job well done," George stressed. "You must do a good job in order to receive the full amount."
He already knew he'd pay the boy even if the job was incomplete, but Phillip didn't need to know that."
"I can help you hunt fer gold."
Trust Phillip to remember George was 'hunting for gold'. I told you he was a bright lad. For a complete explanation of what this blog hop is all about (read that as rules of engagement) and to find links to other authors participating this week, click HERE.

Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you next week.

Always with love,

Chapter Eight ~ CATHERINE

Chapter Eight of CATHERINE: Pride & Prejudice continued... Book Two is now available on A Happy Assembly. You must be a member to gain access to the forums.

Click HERE to continue reading.

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #55


Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. It's lonely in my office with no one to talk to but the cat. I give you, Beau - he is NOT your typical cat, and yes, he sits like that ALL the time. Cracks my sister-in-law up to no end.

Last week I left off with this, At the word 'crime', the boy began to squirm again.
George tightened his grip, trying not to bruise the frail child. "Settle down, Phillip, I'm not turning you over to the magistrate."
The young lad stopped struggling.
"Seeing as you nearly caused irreparable harm to my horse, I believe I shall have you water, feed and care for him while I'm here in Cambridgeshire."
"I cain't feed yer 'orse. Ain't got no money fer that."
"I'll provide everything you require, you're job is to take care of Buttons."
"Buttons?" Phillip grinned, showing a gap between some of his teeth, which made George think he was only about eight or nine years old. At least that was how old he'd been when all he had to show for a smile was his two front teeth with nothing on either side.
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog hop of an eclectic group of writers who struggle to contain their post within the 8-10 line limit. Today I was lucky. No creative punctuation required to complete my task. Ta Da! If you'd like to check out other participants, please click HERE and follow the linky guide.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you next week and remember to hug someone you love today.

Always, with love,

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #54


We left off with Lord George and Phillip. What I hadn't shared in my previous post is that George engaged in a bit of subterfuge to entice the lad to follow him. He'd mused, loud enough for Phillip to hear, that he was searching for gold. Of course the boy followed... was caught by George... and, without further ado, I'll let their little side story unfold.

Phillip has just asked, 'Wot you gonna do wif me?'

Fair warning: Extreme creative use of punctuation in order to comply with the 10 line rule.
George paused and thought about his options. By the amount of filth encrusted on the child there was a good chance he didn't have caring parents, or at least parents who could afford to keep their children clean. He seemed slightly malnourished, given how he could feel fragile bones through the threadbare shirt.
No, the punishment had to be fitting, yet fair.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Phillip." The boy dared to glance up at him.
"That's a good strong name, one you can live up to." He glanced toward Kewick Manor. "I have a task you can do which is fitting for the crime."
At the word 'crime', the boy began to squirm again.
There you have it. What does Lord George have in mind for the little blighter? Stay tuned.
Want to meet some other authors who partake in this weekly writing challenge? Click HERE and follow the links. We are an eclectic group, I hope you enjoy their endeavors as much as I.

Always with love,

Chapter Six - CATHERINE

I belong to a lovely #JAFF community called 'A Happy Assembly'. There, I'm posting my WIP - Catherine. Chapter Six is up on the board and if you are a member, you can read at your leisure, as well as check out other wonderful authors who not only write Jane Austen Fan Fiction, but also delve into different stories with other favorites, such as North and South.


Click HERE for the link. You must be a member to gain access.