The Soldier’s Woman
by Kelly
Lyonns
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GENRE: Historical
Romance - Regency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
It is
1810 somewhere in the chaos of war-ravaged Napoleonic Portugal. Miss Charlotte
Everslea, dedicated member of an ancient secretive Guild and skilled paranormal
artefacts hunter, has found herself trapped behind enemy lines. Colonel
Maximillian Bladewood is used to giving orders and having them obeyed, both on
and off the battlefield. But the petite golden-haired hoyden, to whose accidental
intervention he owes his life, challenges both his authority and his sanity.
Their cross-purposed journey will reach a crossroad where one or both of them
will need to compromise.
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Excerpt
When Charlotte met Maxmillian
He was still holding her, and she wasn’t quite sure
what to do next. There was a pause as she felt him lean back a little, probably
trying to catch a glimpse of her face. It was extremely silly, but despite
everything she had already faced, she couldn’t look him in the eye, couldn’t
bear him seeing the red puffy proof of her crying.
“I wish I had a handkerchief to offer.” The deep
quiet voice above her head paused, “Sadly, mine are with my dress uniform in a
supply wagon, somewhere on the other side of this battlefield I should think.”
She was grateful for his attempt to invoke the
humour and even a little civility to their situation.
“I most sincerely apologise, Sir.” Heavens above,
her voice came out as a wavering snuffle. She could absolutely not look up.
He neither moved nor answered for some long
moments. She felt a little trill of something like panic building in her chest.
When he did speak, the words were all gentleness, despite the dust roughened
rasp.
“It is of no consequence Madam. I think that we
find ourselves in an unusual situation.” He cleared his throat before adding
quietly, “I have seen strong men break down and weep after a battle. There is
no shame in this.”
The little alarm that had been building evaporated.
She still stood inside his arms. He had made no attempt to release her, but
then neither had she made any sign that she wished it. Suddenly realising she
needed to do exactly that, she stiffened in his arms and gave the barest push with
her hands. Was it her imagination, or was there a moment of hesitation before
he let her go? With an unsettling mix of relief and regret she stepped away,
head averted to avoid his gaze. She was glad there was no witness to their
strange introduction. What an impression she was making.
“Nevertheless, I apologise for such a display.”
“Please do not berate yourself for such a social lapse. Not
here… in this Godless place.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
After
earning a living as a freelance environmental scientist, writer and editor,
Kelly Lyonns has evolved into a creative writer. She cohabitates with three
cats, two children and a husband in a house so packed with character even the
termites live next door. Burning questions about ecological sustainability and
how to tie a Regency bodice, keep her on the internet deep into the night.
She
enjoys tea, meditating, Jane Austen, solar punk, science fiction, sculpting and
science. She frequently succumbs to the need to write. She rarely succumbs to
the need to vacuum.
Connect
with Kelly at:
Website: http://kalyonnswrites.weebly.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/kellylyonns
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Kelly will be awarding a
digital copy of The Soldier's Woman to 5 randomly drawn winners via
rafflecopter during the tour
Nice to have you on my blog today.
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