Welcome again to Excerpt Thursdays. Today we have 3 (three) excerpts intended to send you to your bookstore, be it online or brick and mortar. I’m still working out the quirks for this and I’m learning as I go along. I’ve lengthened the word count of the excerpts to 500. Hopefully, between the cover, the setup (if there is one) AND the excerpt, we’ll have you hooked in no time flat. 
And to go along with this theme of giving you a sample of a writer’s work before you buy, The Season website now features FREE READS. This is another–better–way to sample an authors’ work absolutely free. Currently there are 4 novellas available for download. Stop by and give these authors a try!
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A Christmas Scandal ~ Jane Goodger
Release Date: October 6 ~ Publisher: Kensington
In this sequel to Marry Christmas, Maggie Pierce has loved Lord Edward Hollings for years, but she cannot have him because of a terrible (it really is terrible!) secret she must keep from him. She truly believes that if he knew the truth, he would leave her forever and for that reason, she’s decided to pursue an older gentleman she doesn’t love to save the family from ruin. They are at a ball and Lord Hollings has decided he can no longer allow the woman he loves to pull away from him.
It was nearing midnight when the small orchestra began playing the Emperor’s Waltz, one of Maggie’s least favorite Strauss compositions. It wasn’t because the piece wasn’t lovely, but because it began strong and lively, then turned so soulful she rarely was dried-eyed by the end. And she was to dance with Lord Hollings.
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Maggie wished she had been smart enough to disappear somewhere, for she didn’t think she’d be able to get through the Emperor’s Waltz in Lord Hollings’ arms without completely breaking down.
“Miss Pierce,” he said, coming up behind her.
She nodded, praying he couldn’t hear her heart which was pounding so painfully, and she held up her arms, carefully placing one in his firm hand, the other on his shoulder.
He held her lightly as they began to move among the other dancers. “As I recall, this is not your favorite Strauss,” he said, completely surprising her.
“I cannot believe you remember that.”
He smiled. “It seems I am cursed to remember every detail about you.” He tightened his hold just then, and she let him.
Something was different about him. He kept his eyes on hers, his gaze holding a strange, dark intensity that made a flood of heat nearly consume her. Oh, dear God.
They danced without speaking, without smiling, and a casual observer might think they were a couple who was bored, with life, with each other. But someone who was watching intensely might have seen Maggie’s parted lips, the way her breath was catching oddly in her chest, the way his arms pulled her subtly closer and closer until they were nearly fully embracing.
When the music stopped, Lord Hollings pulled her out of the ballroom and to the empty veranda. He didn’t say a word. Neither did she.
Even when he pressed her against the cold stone of the mansion, even when he brought his mouth against hers, even when he pressed his aroused body to hers, even then, they were silent. She pulled him against her, reveling in the feel of his mouth, his tongue, his hands that seemed to touch her everywhere, her breasts, her neck, between her legs. And she, my God, she touched him on his face, his neck, his chest, and fleetingly, because she simply could not help herself, his arousal.
He pulled away, breathing harshly, staring at her as if she’d bewitched him. Swallowing heavily, he finally spoke.
“He can’t have you.”
And then he pressed a finger against her lips, to stop her from speaking, and then put that same finger against his mouth. He left her there, just as another couple walked onto the veranda, giving her a silent warning to remain still and silent.
Maggie remained on the veranda until the other couple, driven back inside by the cold, left. She hadn’t realized just how frigid the air was until they were gone, then she began shaking violently, tears streaming down her face.
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Crushing Desire ~ April Dawn
Release Date: December 2009 ~ Publisher: Breathless Press
“I suppose that you were letting him touch you so intimately because you didn’t want someone inside to hear your complaint?” he asked, shaking her slightly.
“But I was–.”
His lips crashed into hers, cutting off her words. The kiss was hard, a crushing of her mouth beneath his, yet still she sighed. Her bones became water at the exquisite feel of his body against hers. She flowed against him and he moaned, his lips softening as they slid lightly over hers. He released her arms, and his hands slipped around her and roamed her back. The exquisite thrill of his embrace filled her with a longing that begged to be satisfied. His tongue slid along her lips, encouraging her to open for him, and with a whimper she did. Her fingers surged up to his neck and into his hair. The firm demands of his hands drew her into his body, fingers slipping lower on her back. She gasped into his mouth as his fingertips grazed her hip sending tremors through her body as the pleasure of his caresses overwhelmed her.
Joshua groaned, thrusting her from him unexpectedly. He breathed heavily for a moment, arms spread slightly; gaze firmly rooted to the floor. Reena’s fingers flew to her lips, touching the still moist flesh.
“Now do you see what can happen, Miss Harrison?” he asked, nostrils flared. “You need to be more careful who you retire to the gardens with.”
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The Promise ~ TJ Bennett
Release Date: May 1 ~ Publisher: Medallion Press
Set in 1525 Pavia (Italy), The Promise tells an intimate love story played out on the canvas of history. A mercenary must overcome his wounded heart and convince an unwilling widow to marry him in order to keep a promise to a dying friend. A curse on every man who loves her forces the Spanish beauty to rebuff him, but their passion for one another is stronger than the mysterious misfortune that plagues any with the courage to defy the curse. As war draws near and danger surrounds them, will they tempt fate to love one another in the face of certain death?
“Don’t be afraid.” Günter spoke in a soft voice, as though he sought to gentle a trapped but injured animal he wished to aid.
Do not be afraid?
From Alonsa’s vantage point, Günter seemed as imposing as a mountainside. She noted the sharp planes of his face, from the sensual slash of his mouth to the ruffled dark-blond hair she had tangled in her fingers just moments ago. She could not look away. She clenched her trembling hands behind her, stared at his mouth, and cursed her own weakness.
“I do not fear you,” she denied feebly. Just your kisses and your touch ….
“I have always known you belonged to me.” His gaze roamed over her face. He moved closer, until his chest brushed her breasts. “Always. Mayhap before we ever met.”
“Now who speaks as one insane?” Her voice sounded husky, as though she had just arisen from his bed after a night of ardent lovemaking.
He smiled slowly. “I want you to speak to me like that after the first time I take you,” he said in a gravelly whisper. “Low and soft, like a woman well-pleasured. Which you will be.”
Her hand moved of its own accord. The slap rang out in the quietness of the tent, her palm stinging from the force of it. Though it left a red welt across his cheek, he did not react.
He stared at her, his proud nose flaring, his green eyes narrowing to slits. He slid his hand once more around her waist and pulled her to him. She resisted the draw, pushed with her palms against his chest. He leaned into her, and she thought he would kiss her again. Instead—to her surprise—he buried his face in her hair and inhaled deeply. His hand rose and fisted there for a moment, but he released her. She almost fell backward from the sudden loss of his strong arms encircling her.
Günter’s jaw clenched. Then the corner of his mouth lifted in a provocative smile. He made a loose fist with one hand and gave her chin a light tap.
“Fight me, then. Run, if you must. Hide—if you can. But you will not escape your fate.” He pinned her with the heat of his gaze. “I am your fate,” he vowed, and turning on his heel, walked out of the tent.
For reviews, excerpts, and news, visit TJ Bennett at http://www.tjbennett.com
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*Click the covers for more.
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