Author Michelle Jean Marie stopped by to share with us her new book. She is also published with Soul Mate Publishing. Take it away!
TEMPTING PASSION is an historical romance set in 1856 England. It is
the sequel to TEMPTING FATE, my first published novel. So if you’ve read the first book, you’ll
recognize some of the characters in this one. Plus be introduced to some fun
new ones! TEMPTING PASSIONS is available for pre-order now, with a release date
of September 19th.
BLURB:
A Man Shattered
Marcus Clayton, Earl of Norbourne, has it all – power, wealth, respect,
the freedom of bachelorhood, a woman’s companionship. Then in the space of
seconds, his world is shattered and a life is lost. Blaming himself for the
tragedy, Marcus Aurelius Clayton adopts the Stoic credo as his new way of life
and vows to never again allow a woman to rule his passions.
A Woman Shamed
Miss Christel Fitzwilliam lives life with passion despite her simple
life. Her father dotes on her, and her mother despises her because of it. After
Christel’s father dies, a scandal is revealed, shaming the family. Christel’s
mother blames her for the disgrace, and over the years, the scathing words wear
down her resolve, until she too, questions her convictions.
A Goal Shared
When Christel learns of her mother’s plan to trap Marcus into an
unwanted marriage with her younger sister, Christel vows to save the earl from
a fate he doesn’t deserve. Marcus appreciates her concern, but having renounced
all passion, is confident he can defeat the plan on his own. A determined and
passionate Christel convinces him otherwise, and sets out to help him.
But in trying to save the earl, will her passion be her undoing?
EXCERPT
From Chapter One:
Removing
her high-crowned hat, Miss Fitzwilliam tossed her gloves inside, wound the veil
about the brim, and placed the bundle on his desk.
Her
hair was the color of roasted chestnuts, Marcus noted. Pulled into a bun at the
nape of her neck, it matched her full brows. The front of her coiffure draped
loosely over her ears, and he discerned a shimmer of cinnamon within its waves.
‘Like Twilight’s, too, her dusky hair.’
He
forced the image from his mind. He couldn’t risk entanglement. Not after his
last fateful experience. The resulting pain had been unbearable. He hoped to
never again experience such loss. And he wouldn’t if he kept his distance. If
he kept his heart closed. “Pardon me if I’m not quite understanding you, but
could we start at the beginning?”
“Certainly.”
Miss Fitzwilliam plopped into his revolving chair, eyes widening in surprise
when it swung sideways beneath her. She gripped the arms of the chair and
planted her feet into the plush green rug. Wonder slowly dissolved into
mischief as a hoydenish gleam danced in her eyes. Giving a tentative push with
her right toe, she swung the chair back in the opposite direction.
Marcus
caught the shimmer in her eyes as she pushed the chair back around again. He
grinned. “It is an American contraption. I discovered it at the Exhibition back
in ‘51.”
Her
mouth quirked in amusement. “It is quite delightful. Papa would have loved
one.” She gave the chair another push before turning to finally meet his gaze
with shining eyes.
He
inhaled sharply. It was a moment before he could breathe again. Speak again. “I
believe you still owe me an explanation.”
“That
I do.” She swung the chair back and forth in tiny arcs as she talked. “My
mother is under the impression, erroneous or otherwise, that the reason you are
hosting this house party is because you want a wife.”
He
grimaced. “I wouldn’t say that, exactly.”
Miss
Fitzwilliam brought the chair to a standstill. “You don’t want a wife, then?”
Marcus
crossed an ankle over the opposite one, propping his front foot on the toe of
his riding boot. A wife?
More About the Author
After years of working in the Health
Information Management field, Michelle became a stay-at-home mom to raise two
adorable daughters and took advantage of her time at home to pursue a life-long
passion--writing. While attending a romance writing workshop at a
local library, Michelle was hooked. She cracked open the research books, turned
on the computer, and started cranking out historical romances. In her
early efforts, she was an RWA Golden Heart finalist and winner/finalist in many
RWA sponsored contests.
After ending one marriage, seeing her daughters through college, opening her own business, and finally happily marrying her soul mate, she opened those old computer files and did some serious editing. She signed her first publishing contract with Soul Mate Publishing more than twenty years after writing it. Perseverance does pay off! Michelle lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and their three insane pups. Their two-legged children have all moved on to their own homes and careers. By day, she runs a professional organizing business, a virtual assistant business, and a research web site. Her favorite clients are authors!
By night, she writes. She self-published
"Researching the British Historical: The Victorian Era," "101
Organizing Tips for Writers," "I'm Moving!! Now What?" and
co-authored "Nine Journeys: Stories of Women Who Found Their Own Paths to
Success."
In her spare time, she loves to read, take
walks, and keep her mind sharp with Sudoku puzzles. She also does volunteer
work for the Midwest Akita Rescue
Society.
For more information about Michelle and her endeavors, connect with her here"
For more information about Michelle and her endeavors, connect with her here"
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