Her Lustful Desires
by J R Salisbury
GENRE: Historical Romance (Victorian)
BLURB:
A
daring widow. A determined duke. A story too wicked for the eyes of
the ton…
Lady Georgiana, dowager duchess of Ashwood, emerges
from a year of official mourning with her next steps firmly in mind.
She will retreat to her beloved country estate, play merry matchmaker
to her dearest friends, and write daring romance novels under a male
pseudonym. Far from the prying eyes of the ton—and her late
husband’s odious cousin.
But when her publisher wants to
meet “Geoff Parker” in person, she gratefully accepts the help of
Jeremy Graystone, childhood friend and heir to a dukedom. A man whose
bronze, muscular good looks could tempt her to forget to keep him at
arm’s length.
Years ago, Jeremy had to watch Georgiana’s
family marry her off to another. Now the timing is finally right. But
with Georgiana determined to relish her newfound freedom, he will be
patient and plan for the day he will have her in his bed, his hands
tangled in her spun-gold hair, her lapis blue eyes only for him.
And
do whatever is necessary to keep her late husband’s greedy cousin
from destroying her happiness…
Purchase Her Lustful Desires on Amazon
Excerpt:
Martin pushed his way into the solicitor’s office, acting as though he were the most important man in all of England.
She’d never met him before, but he was everything Ashwood had described him to be. An unattractive short man who bordered on obesity, sweated profusely, and had a head of thinning dark blond hair and cutting brown eyes.
He barely acknowledged her as he sat in the chair beside hers.
“What’s she doing here?” he demanded.
“She is your cousin’s widow. This concerns her as well,” Pickford replied, looking him in the eyes.
“She’s just that—a widow. All she’ll need is some source of income until she can find another man to dupe and a place to live. There must be somewhere we can put her.”
Georgiana’s back bristled. Time to put this man in his place. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I’m sitting right here. I’m not a book on a shelf you take out to dust off from time to time. I’m a living, breathing human.”
“Yes, yes. Now, can we get on with this? My bags and such should arrive at the house, along with my valet, as we speak. There’s much to do.”
“And where would you have me stay, my lord?” She knew her misuse of his new title would irritate him, and that was what she intended, wanting to see him blow up like a puffer fish, insulted. Which was precisely what happened next.
“I’m sorry, but I’m now the duke and therefore referred to as Your Grace.”
“And I am the dowager duchess and am referred to as Your Grace as well,” she replied smugly.
“Your living arrangements are none of my concern. As I said, I’ll be happy to find a cottage or small house on one of the estates. Until one is found, I suggest you go to a hotel. There is no longer a place for you at Ashwood House.”
“You’d throw a dowager duchess out onto the street?” Georgiana said in mock horror. Martin was a miserable man, and she would be sure everyone among the ton knew it. All she had to do was say the word, and invitations would be few.
Pickford interrupted their bickering. “Can we begin, Your Graces?”
“Of course,” Georgiana said with a polite smile.
Martin nodded and grunted. “Oh, very well, though I strongly protest to this woman being present.”
“Duly noted, Your Grace.”
The next hour was painful. Martin challenged every point of Ashwood’s will where Georgiana was included, but Pickford persevered and finally finished. She rose, ready to take her leave.
“Would you be so kind as to send a copy of all this to my solicitor, please?” she asked. She and Pickford had already gone over it. Because of Martin’s attitude, she had decided long before meeting the new duke to have her affairs handled by the prestigious firm of Kingsley and Kingsley.
Pickford nodded as he rose. “I will make sure a copy is forwarded to Kingsley and Kingsley. I’m sorry to lose your business, Your Grace, but I understand. I look forward to perhaps doing business with you again in the future.”
Nothing had been lost on Martin, and though he didn’t utter a word, his eyes never left her.
“I assume the carriage you use belongs to me now,” he challenged. “Have it sent back to Ashwood House as soon as you’re finished. You’ll have to purchase your own or hire one.” He snorted, thinking himself funny. Such a vulgar sound.
“No, Your Grace, I purchased the carriage and four you saw. If there’s nothing else, I bid you both good day.”
Interview with J R Salisbury
How
did you become involved with the subject or theme of your
book?
There are a lot of historical romance books about groups of women who have grown up together or become friends along the way. Some live together as a group until they marry - they would be considered on the shelf - so a bit older than the debutants of the season's balls. LOL.
I already had a series of a Scottish family - each of the books about one sibling. I wanted to get away from the sibling trope and do something different. I began playing around with a concept and tried different things.
Finally, I ended up with a group of women who were friends, all who had been married before - all having lost their husbands to an accident, sickness or something darker.
It's second chance romance, though the couples that end up together have not necessarily been a couple before. The one exception is in this particular book because the heroine's father married her off and he subsequentially married someone else.
The men (Heroes) are also a group of friends - friends from school, etc. All looking for a second chance at love.
The sixth and perhaps final book will be a standout because it will feature the last man standing from the men's group and how he finds his second chance of love.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
I've
always been a creative individual. Writing is just a facet of that
creativity...
My
careers in public relations in and around the entertainment industry,
photography, editing, artist management, modeling and special event
planning all elevated my passion for writing, not to mention gave me
a treasure trove for story lines.
I
write women's fiction; contemporary romance (as Jamie Salisbury) and
historical romance (as JR Salisbury) which is ever evolving. I am
fortunate enough that writing (and marketing of said product(s)) is
my full-time job, although I always have one or two other projects
going at the same time.
Some
of my other interests include photography, equestrianism, reading,
and of course, travel.
I
sincerely hope my writing will entertain, enlighten, and inspire
others to pick up the pen and pursue their own dreams. I love to be
contacted by readers, writers, and history buffs. You may contact me
by email at: www.jamiesalisbury.com
4 comments:
I love to read Historical Romance books. This is on my "must-read" list to read. Thank you for the giveaway and Good Luck with your book.
I really like the excerpt and the cover.
Sounds like a good story.
This book sounds very intriguing. The cover is gorgeous!
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