When Lady Rebecca, daughter of the Earl of Airmont, faked maddness to avoid an
undesirable marriage, she never thought she'd wind up secluded from society
instead. Now with the Kingsborough Ball on the horizon, she's determined to
sneak out and meet the man of her dreams. There's just one catch: not getting
caught.
After losing the last of his monthly allowance in a game of cards Daniel
Neville, rogue, reprobate and heir to the Marquisate of Wolvington, receives an
ultimatum from his uncle: marry or get cut off without a penny. Faced with
limited prospects due to his reputation, Neville can't help but notice the
beautiful young woman at the ball. He's never seen her before and, better yet,
she's never met him either. This could just be a match made in heaven.
When Rebecca is unexpectedly shot at the ball and her cover is blown, the two
are bound by the last thing either expected to find: a passion so binding that
they will risk everything for the chance to be together.
About the Author:
Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to
wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries,
on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and
Romanian. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor's
degree from Parson's School of design, but most impressive of all - she's been
married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three
different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion - writing. When
she's not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time
with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and,
of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.
You find Sophie on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @BarnesSophie. Visit
her website atwww.sophiebarnes.com.
Daniel Neville, heir to the Marquisate of Wolvington, removed
himself to a corner of the Kingsborough ballroom—as good a place as any
for a man who'd been labeled an outcast by Society.
Overhead, candles held by three large chandeliers spread their glow
across the room, the jewels worn by countless women winking in response to the
light. This was true opulence, and nobody did it better than the Kingsboroughs.
Why, there was even a glass slipper sculpted from ice and a pumpkin carriage
sitting outside on the lawn—a touch of fairy-tale splendor indicative of
the theme that the dowager duchess had selected for her masquerade.
And what a masquerade. Never in his life had Daniel born witness to
so many feathers. They were everywhere—attached to gowns, on the edges of
masks, and sprouting from women's hair.
The ball gowns were marvelous too. These were not the boring dresses
generally on display at Almack's. Certainly, one could still tell the debutantes
apart, due to their tepid choice in color, but they all had a bit of something
extra, like crystal beads that sparkled when they moved.
It was refreshing to see, and yet as he stood there, watching the
spectacle unfold, Daniel felt nothing but bland disinterest. It was only one
hour since he'd arrived, but it felt more like four. God help him, but he'd
never been so bored in his life. Perhaps he should have remained in London after
all. At least there he had his friends to keep him company and could avoid the
constant reminder of how unwelcome he was among the finer set. His aunt and
uncle were in attendance of course, but as soon as they'd entered the ballroom,
they'd been approached by Lady Deerford. Daniel had hastily slipped away in
order to avoid the countess who had a renowned tendency to talk the ear off
anyone willing to listen. In hindsight, he was beginning to think that nodding
his head in response to whatever she had to say, would be preferable to this
self-imposed solitude. Recalling the glass of champagne in his hand, he took
another sip of his drink and decided to request a brandy from one of the footmen
at the first available opportunity. Stronger stuff would be required if he was
to get through the rest of this evening. He watched as a group of ladies
approach on their tour of the periphery. There were three of them, one being the
Countess of Frompton. If Daniel wasn't mistaken, the two young ladies in her
company were her granddaughters—typical debutantes dressed in gowns so
pale it was hard to discern where the fabric ended and their skin began. It
would do them both a great deal of good to get married, if for no other reason
than to be able to add a touch of color to their attire.
As they came nearer, Lady Frompton glanced in Daniel's direction.
Their eyes met briefly, then her ladyship quickly drew her granddaughters closer
to her, circumventing Daniel in a wide arc that would have been insulting had it
not been so expected. They weren't the first to avoid him that evening. Indeed,
the three youngest Rockly sisters had beaten a hasty retreat a short while
earlier when they'd realized who they were heading toward on their own tour of
the ballroom. Daniel wasn't surprised, for his reputation was so tarnished that
he could probably ruin a lady by merely glancing in her direction. Why he'd
bothered to attend the ball at all, when the chance of enjoying himself had been
as distant a prospect as traipsing through the African jungle, was beyond
him.
Well, not entirely.
He needed to find himself a wife, or so his uncle had informed him
last week when he'd discovered that Daniel had hosted a most outrageous party at
his bachelor lodgings - an event that had been sponsored indirectly by his uncle
via Daniel's monthly allowance, where vingt-et-un had been played until most of
the courtesans and gentlemen present had been divested of their clothing. What
made the incident worse, was that Daniel had been so deep in his cups that
night, he'd offered the diamond earrings that his father had once bestowed upon
his mother, to his mistress. They had been a treasured family heirloom, but
would now grace the lobes of Solange. "You're a bloody curse on this family!"
Daniel's uncle, the Marquess of Wolvington, had said as soon as Daniel had
entered his study the following day. The marquess had then delivered a long list
of reasons as to why he'd thought this to be the case. "It's time you grew up,
learned a thing or two about responsibility or you'll end up running your
inheritance into the ground after I'm gone. Heaven help me, I'd love nothing
better than to disinherit you and allow Ralph to take up the reins,
but—"
"My nephew?" Daniel had said, unable to help himself in light of the
fact that his uncle would rather entrust his entire fortune to an
infant.
"I doubt he'll do any worse than you." Daniel had winced, but had
done his best to hide all signs of emotion as his uncle continued. "Your
sister's a levelheaded woman, her husband too. I'm sure the two of them would be
prepared to act wisely on Ralph's behalf, but since the law prevents such an
outcome, I rather think it's beside the point.
"That said, your aunt and I have come to a mutual
agreement—one which we hope will encourage you to get that head of yours
on straight. You will cease your gaming immediately, or we will cut you off
financially, which, to clarify, will mean that you will have to work for a
living unless you wish to starve. Additionally, you will stop associating with
loose women, engaging in haphazard carriage chases, or anything else that's
likely to embarrass the name your father left you. And finally, you will get
yourself engaged within a month and married by the end of the Season."
Daniel had stared back at his uncle in horror. The older gentleman,
however, had looked alarmingly smug and satisfied with his new plan. Daniel had
turned to his aunt, whose presence had only served to increase Daniel's
humiliation tenfold. Although she was not his blood-relative, she had always
been kind toward Daniel, had treated him like the son she'd never been blessed
with, and had often stood up for him against his uncle who'd been more stern and
restrictive. "He cannot be serious," he'd said, hoping to incur a bit of
sympathy from her.
She'd glanced up at him, eyes crinkling at the corners as she'd
offered him a sad little smile. "I'm afraid so, love, and I have to say that I
am in full agreement. You cannot continue down this path, Daniel—it will
be detrimental if you do. Please try to understand that we're only looking out
for your best interests, as well as those of the family at large." Her eyes had
been filled with disappointment.
Of course he'd understood, but he'd still been furious with both of
them.
A wife—ha! Raising his glass to his lips, Daniel took another
sip. As if finding one here was likely to happen when no self-respecting parent
or guardian would allow their daughters and wards within a ten-foot radius of
him.
No, Daniel was there because it had been Kingsborough who'd issued
the invitation. They'd moved in the same circles once, and Daniel had always
enjoyed the duke's company immensely. Things were different now though. The duke
had reformed, abandoning his rakehell ways in favor of supporting his family.
There was much to be admired in the strength of character Kingsborough had
shown, and Daniel had wanted to offer his friend some respect for everything
he'd been through—the difficulty he must have endured in dealing with his
father's demise. But with so many people in attendance, Kingsborough had only
been able to speak with him briefly, as there were many others who craved his
attention.
Daniel fleetingly considered asking one of the widows to dance, but
he decided against it. No sense in wasting time on fruitless pursuits, since
none of them had any inclination to remarry. They'd gained their independence
and had every intention of holding on to it. The only thing he could hope for
was to enjoy the comfort of their beds later, but that would hardly hasten his
progress to the altar, nor would it improve his aunt and uncle's opinion of him
if they happened to find out. Knowing them, they'd probably decide he'd gone too
far in thwarting their wishes and cut him off before the month was up—an
unwelcome prospect, to say the least.
Across the floor, he finally spotted someone who would appreciate
his presence. He and Casper Goodard often gambled together, and Daniel decided
to go and greet him. With wife hunting being a futile endeavor here, sharing a
bit of friendly banter over a game of cards would be a welcome
distraction.
Squaring his shoulders, Daniel started to head in Goodard's
direction when a flutter of red met the corner of his eye. Glancing toward it,
he took a sharp breath . . . and froze.
Who on earth is that?
Next to the terrace doors, partially concealed by a pillar and an
oversized arrangement of daffodils, stood a woman unlike any he'd ever seen
before. Her hair was black, and from the looks of it, exceptionally long, for it
wasn't cut in the style that was fashionable but piled high on her head in an
intricate coif. And her skin...it was not the milky white tone that made most
English women appear a touch too pale for his liking. On the contrary, it looked
bronzed - as if she'd been basking in the afternoon sun. It took a moment for
Daniel to come to his senses and realize that he was not only staring openly at
her but gaping as well. Quickly snapping his mouth shut, he cursed himself for
being such a fool—it was just hair, after all.
And yet he suddenly had the most bizarre and uncontrollable urge to
unpin it and run his fingers through it. Of course, it didn't hurt that the
woman promised to be a tantalizing beauty if the fullness of her lips was
anything to go by. Unfortunately, the upper half of her face was concealed by a
mask, but if he could only get close enough, he ought to at least be able to see
the color of her eyes.
He began going over all the ladies he'd ever been introduced to,
attempting to recall someone who shared her attributes, but it was to no avail.
Clearly, he'd never encountered this woman before, and he found the mystery most
intriguing.
Moving closer, he watched as she tilted her chin in profile, her
jawline fine and delicate beneath her high cheekbones. A lock of hair falling
softly against the sweep of her neckline had come to rest against the bare skin
of her right shoulder, and the unexpected urge he felt to brush it aside and
place a kiss there in its stead was startling. Daniel hesitated briefly. Women
didn't affect him, and whatever was said to the contrary was untrue, for the
charm and soulful eyes he chose to display were no more than tools he applied in
his endless pursuit of pleasure. He was methodical in his seduction. If he
placed a kiss against a lady's shoulder, it would be for a reason, not because
he couldn't stop himself. The fact that he'd felt a helpless need to do so now,
however brief it had been, disturbed him.
Whoever she was, she couldn't possibly be an innocent, dressed as
she was in scarlet silk. He wondered if she might be somebody's mistress, or if
not, then perhaps a widow he hadn't yet met—one who might be willing to
remarry? As unlikely as that was, he could always hope.
Knowing that the only way to find out would be to talk to her, he
decided to do the unthinkable—ignore etiquette and address her without
being formally introduced. After all, it wasn't as if his reputation was likely
to suffer further damage at this point, and considering her gown, he thought it
unlikely that hers would either. Dressed in such a bold color, the lady could
hardly be a saint.
One thing was for certain however—he needed a wife, and he
needed one fast. If her reputation did suffer a little from his talking to her,
then so be it. Perhaps he'd marry her and tell all the gossipmongers to go hang.
The corner of his mouth lifted at the very idea of it. What a satisfying outcome
that would be. Hands clasped behind his back, he stepped up beside her and
quietly whispered, "Would you care to dance?"
#
Rebecca flinched, startled out of her reverie by a deep, masculine
voice brushing across her skin. Turning her head, she caught her breath, her
body responding instinctively as it flooded with heat from the top of her head
all the way down to the tips of her toes. The man who stood beside her was
nothing short of magnificent—imposing even, with his black satin mask that
matched his all-black evening attire.
His jawline was square and angular, his nose perfectly straight, and
the brown eyes that stared down at her from behind the slits of his mask sent a
shiver racing down her spine—there was more intensity and determination
there than Rebecca had ever seen before in her life. He wanted something from
her, no doubt about that, and as nervous as that made her, it also spoke to her
adventurous streak and filled her with excitement. "Good evening," she said
quietly, returning his salutation with a smile.
He studied her for a moment, and then he smiled as well, the corners
of his mouth dimpling as he did so. Oh, he was a charmer this one. "I hope you
will forgive me, considering we haven't been formally introduced, but I saw you
standing here from across the way and found myself quite unable to place you.
Naturally, I had no choice but to make your acquaintance. I am Mr. Neville at
your service, and you are . . . ?"
Rebecca knew her mouth was scrunching together in an attempt to keep
a straight face. Oh, how she'd love to tell him exactly who she was. The
knowledge would undoubtedly shock him, but unfortunately the risk of discovery
was far too great for her to divulge her true identity.
Rebecca gazed up at the gentleman before her. "This is a masquerade,
Mr. Neville, is it not?" she asked, deciding to keep his company a little while
longer. How pleasant it was to be in the presence of a young and handsome
gentleman for a change, rather than suffer the attentions of men who coughed,
croaked and hobbled their way through what remained of their lives, as was the
case with the suitors her aunt and uncle kept pressing upon her.
"It is," Mr. Neville said, dragging out the last word with a touch
of wariness.
"Then part of the amusement comes from the mystery of not always
knowing the identity of the person with whom you're speaking. Wouldn't you
agree?"
She watched as Mr. Neville's eyes brightened and his smile turned to
one of mischief. "Tell me honestly," he said, ignoring her question, "are you
married?"
"Certainly not," she said, attempting to sound as affronted as
possible, which in turn made him laugh. Surrendering, she allowed the smile that
threatened to take control of her lips. "If I were, I would have ignored you
completely and rudely walked away."
"Is that so?"
"Quite."
"Well, then I suppose I should inquire if you have any brothers that
I ought to live in fear of."
She grinned this time and shook her head with amusement. "You are
incorrigible."
"I've been called much worse, I assure you."
"I do not doubt it for a second." And it was the truth, though she
had no intention of sharing any of the adjectives that were presently coursing
through her own mind, like magnificent anddelicious. Her cheeks
grew instantly hot and she cringed inwardly, praying he wouldn't notice her
blush. Heaven forbid if either word ever crossed her lips—the
embarrassment of it would likely be impossible to survive, particularly since
her mind had now decided to turn those two words into one singular descriptive,
namely magnificently delicious. Her cheeks grew hotter still, though she
hadn't thought such a thing possible.
"Would you care for some air? You're looking a bit
flushed."
Oh dear.
She'd rather hoped he wouldn't have been able to tell. Looking over
her shoulder, she considered the escape the French doors offered. She wouldn't
mind the cooler outdoors right now, not only to cure her overheated reaction to
Mr. Neville but also to avoid for just a little while longer the task she'd set
herself. Looking the way she did, how on earth was she to make a good impression
on any of the young gentlemen present? She wasn't sure, though she knew she'd
have to figure it out before the evening ended and she lost her chance
altogether.
Her eyes met Mr. Neville's, and the promise of trouble in them only
compounded her instinct to dismiss him as a possible candidate. But instinct
could be wrong, couldn't it? So far, he was the only person she'd spoken to, the
only man who'd asked her to dance. Granted, hiding behind a pillar probably
hadn't helped her much in that regard. Still, despite her better judgment, she
couldn't help but acknowledge that when Mr. Neville looked at her in that
particular way, she lost all interest in the other gentlemen present. Perhaps
she ought to consider him after all.
"It's very kind of you to offer," she said as she looked him
squarely in the eye, "but I must consider my reputation. Why, you look precisely
like the sort of man who'd happily kiss me in some secluded corner without a
second thought for the consequences."
Mr. Neville's mouth quite literally dropped open. She knew her words
were bold and inappropriate and that she probably ought to have been mortified
by what she'd just said. But she wasn't. Mr. Neville's reaction was entirely too
satisfying to allow for any measure of regret. Folding her hands neatly in front
of her, she stared back at him instead, challenging him to respond while doing
her best to maintain a serious demeanor.
"I . . . er . . . assure you that I would do no such thing," he
blustered, glancing sideways as if to assure himself that nobody else had heard
what she'd just said.
It was all too much, and Rebecca quickly covered her mouth with one
hand in a hopeless attempt to contain the laughter that bubbled forth. "My
apologies, but I was merely having a bit of sport at your expense. I hope you'll
forgive me—and my rather peculiar sense of humor."
He leaned closer to her then—so close in fact that she could
smell him, the rich scent of sandalwood enveloping her senses until she found
herself leaning toward him. She stopped herself and pulled back.
"Of course . . . Nuit." His eyes twinkled. "I must call you
something, and considering the color of your hair, I cannot help but be reminded
of the night sky. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," she said, attempting a nonchalant sound to her voice,
though her heart had picked up its pace as he'd said it, the endearment feeling
like a gentle caress of her soul.
Who was this man? Could she really have been so fortunate to have
stumbled upon the man of her dreams? A man who might potentially agree to marry
her once she confessed to him the true nature of her situation? She dismissed
the hope, for it was far too naïve and unrealistic. Besides, Mr. Neville's suave
demeanor screamed rake and scoundrel rather than incurable romantic, which was
what she would need. In fact, he was probably precisely the sort of man she
should try to avoid, although . . . she made an attempt to look beyond the
debonair smile and the lure of his eyes. Could he be genuine? Surely, if he
really was a rake, he wouldn't have been so shocked by her suggestion that he
might try to compromise her. Would he? She wasn't sure and decided to give him
the benefit of the doubt instead.
The edge of her lips curled upward into a smile. "How about a
refreshment," she suggested. "A glass of champagne, perhaps? And then I believe
I'd like to take you up on that offer to dance."
"Yes, of course," Mr. Neville said as he glanced sideways,
undoubtedly trying to locate the nearest footman. There was none close by at
present. "If you will please wait here, I'll be right back."
Rebecca followed him with her eyes as he walked away, his confident
stride reflecting his purpose. She was not unaware of the looks of reproach he
received from those he passed, and she couldn't help but wonder if her instincts
about him had been correct after all. Was she wasting her time on a scoundrel?
She hoped not, for she'd quite enjoyed their conversation. It had been
comfortable and unpretentious, spiced with a sense of humor.
As he vanished from sight, she gave her attention to the rest of the
guests. One gentleman, she noticed, was making his way toward a cluster of young
ladies with quick determination. She watched him, wondering which of the women
had caught his interest. But right before he reached them, another gentleman cut
in front of him and offered his hand to one of them—a lovely brunette
dressed in a dusty pink gown. Placing her hand upon his arm, the pair walked off
without as much as acknowledging the presence of the first gentleman. Rebecca
wondered if they'd even seen him. Perhaps not, she decided, except that the
second gentleman suddenly looked back, grinning with victory at the first
gentleman.
What cheek!
She was just about to turn her attention elsewhere when a man's
voice said, "I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of making your
acquaintance."
Turning her head, she was forced to look up until her eyes settled
upon a handsome face, but where there was something playful about Mr. Neville's
features, this man looked almost menacing—as though he was not the sort
who was used to having his wishes denied. "I really wouldn't know," Rebecca told
him, feigning boredom as she did her best to still her quaking nerves. Whoever
he was, he was huge—the sort of man who could easily fling her over his
shoulder and carry her off without anyone being able to stop him. "Perhaps if
you told me your name . . ."
He smirked. "Lord Starkly at your service. And you are?"
She offered him a tight smile in return. She was not about to play
the same coy game with this man as she'd done with Mr. Neville. That would only
lead to trouble. But she could hardly give her real name either, so she said,
"Lady Nuit."
Lord Starkly frowned. "I don't believe I—"
"This is a masquerade, my lord, is it not?" She heard the impatience
in her voice but didn't bother to change it. "Let's just say that I'd rather not
give away my real name for personal reasons."
"Yes, of course," Lord Starkly said, his features relaxing a little.
The predatory glimmer returned to his eyes. "I understand completely why a woman
such as yourself would prefer to remain incognito, though I—"
"A woman such as myself?" Rebecca asked, unable to keep the blunt
tone of indignation from seeping into her voice. She shouldn't have been
shocked, considering her gown, but she didn't seem to be able to stop
herself.
"Come now, Lady Nuit. There's no need for you to keep up your
charade for my benefit. I mean, what other reason would a woman possibly have
for engaging in conversation with Mr. Neville unless she was already a fallen
angel? Not to mention that your attire is rather indicative of your . . . ah . .
. experience in certain areas." He paused, leaned closer and lowered his voice
to a whisper. "I trust that you are his mistress or perhaps hoping to become so,
which is why I decided to hurry over here and proposition you myself."
Rebecca could only stare at him, agog. Who was he to so blatantly
insult a woman as if she was nothing more than bothersome dirt tainting his
boots? She so desperately wanted to hit him that she could barely contain her
enthusiasm to do so, her fingers already curling into a tight fist at her side.
And what was it he'd said about Mr. Neville? That keeping his company was what
had led him to believe that she was a doxy in the first place? Disappointment
washed over her. She should have known. Mr. Neville had only his own interests
in mind as far as she went, and they would not include marriage. He might have
more charm than Lord Starkly, but when it came to it, they were cut from the
same cloth—libertines through and through. Neither man would do. Rebecca
needed the permanence and security of marriage, not to a relic, but to a man of
her own choosing if she was to escape the future her aunt and uncle had in mind
for her, and for that, she would have to look elsewhere. Deciding she'd had
enough of Lord Starkly's presence and hoping to be gone before Mr. Neville
returned, she resolved to walk away and find someone else entirely.
With a swift "If you'll please excuse me," she spun on her heel,
only to barrel straight into Mr. Neville, who'd just come up behind her with two
champagne flutes in hand, the bubbly liquid spilling onto both of them in the
process.
Looks great! Can't wait to read it! (Abby Thorne 11:48pm December 29, 2013)
I just love the excerpt, can't wait to get my hands on the book to find out what happens to Rebecca and Daniel! (Anita H 3:02am December 31, 2013)
Sounds like another fabulous read from Sophie! And who doesn't love a good masquerade? :-) (Ada H. 3:28am December 31, 2013)
Sounds wonderful and love the cover!!! (Bonnie Capuano 7:33am December 31, 2013)
The Scandal sounds like a ver interesting book. Keeping my fingers crossed on this one! (Melanie Backus 8:59am December 31, 2013)
Oh how fun...I love when the proper are being un- proper...lol it's just so much fun seeing how much trouble they get themselves into...it makes for a great book!!! I can hardly wait to read what happens next..I mean Wholly Boogers after the excerpt...urgh!!!!! it's like given me a nibble of chocolate and saying "oh sorry, no more until later" (Billie Gaskill 10:29am December 31, 2013)
I'd have to say that I just felt as if I were a fly on the wall!! You have a way with words, and are so descriptive with your dialogue, that I was left wanting more!! I'm really looking forward to reading your book, and to finding out the entire story, and to find out how it unfolds!! Whomever did your cover, did a wonderful job, too!! It's beautifully done!! Have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!! (Peggy Roberson 10:30am December 31, 2013)
Sounds like a great read. I'm looking forward to reading it. (Marlene Breakfield 10:47am December 31, 2013)
Love the excerpt. Have this on my TBR list. (Janet Saunders 11:22am December 31, 2013)
This sounds like a good read. Thanks for the sweeps.
Happy New Year! (Anna Speed 11:35am December 31, 2013)
So exciting that it is releasing today. Cant wait to read the whole book! (Denise Austin 12:11pm December 31, 2013)
Thanks for the excerpt & giveaway. (Kim C 1:39pm December 31, 2013)
Congrats on your new release! I love the cover and I can't wait to read your book. It sounds really good. (Gail Hurt 2:00pm December 31, 2013)
I loved the excerpt and can't wait to read the rest of The Scandal! Happy New Year! (Lisa White 2:38pm December 31, 2013)
I loved this excerpt and can't wait to read the book! (Janie McGaugh 2:59pm December 31, 2013)
Oh this sounds like my kind of read... beautiful cover!!! (Colleen Conklin 3:41pm December 31, 2013)
Gotta love a woman in red... (Callie Stuck 4:13pm December 31, 2013)
Wow, Congrats on your new book: THE SCANDAL IN KISSING AN HEIR. I love the book cover too! Your new book sounds like an exciting and fascinating book to win and read this New Year in 2014. Happy New Year to You and everyone! Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE (Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 4:44pm December 31, 2013)
Congrats!!! Sounds great! Happy New Year! (Vicki Hancock 4:54pm December 31, 2013)
I enjoyed the excerpt, thank you. (Rita Wray 5:08pm December 31, 2013)
I'm excited about the book because I love historical romances. (Theresa Norris 5:16pm December 31, 2013)
These two characters sound like they are made for each other---I do want to read. (Sue Farrell 5:30pm December 31, 2013)
SOUNDS FABULOUS LOVE TO WIN IT!!!!!!!!!! (Shelly Caggiano 5:35pm December 31, 2013)
Loved your excerpt. It sounds like a fabulous read. Happy New Year! (Sharon Extine 6:18pm December 31, 2013)
What a wonderful sounding read! (G. Bisbjerg 6:22pm December 31, 2013)
I loved the excerpt and now can't wait to read the book! (Marcy Shuler 6:35pm December 31, 2013)
love the cover; love the genre!!!! (Barbara Studer 6:50pm December 31, 2013)
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the opportunity! (Marcia Berbeza 6:51pm December 31, 2013)
Hi Sophie! I fell in love with your stories as soon as I read How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back before you even started reading books in a series. I hope everyone has had a chance to read it and also your story in Five Golden Rings and your Summberby's series as well but I must admit ever since I read the first book in your At the Kinsboraugh Ball, The Trouble With Being A Duke, I've been waiting for The Scandal of Being An Earl to be released! Yeah! It's finally available today (but of course I had to work so it will be days before I can get to a bookstore!
What I need Sophie is for you to give me a call when The Danger in Tempting A Duke comes out next year or at least to let me know now when it will be released so I can write it on my calendar!
Best Wishes on a Happy New Year! Happy Reading to All and to All a Good Night! (Jeanne Miro 6:54pm December 31, 2013)
I am so intrigued! great excerpt, can't wait to read more about these two as they learn one another's secrets. Thanks! (Beth Fuller 7:33pm December 31, 2013)
Sounds really good! Can't wait to read it!!! (Chrystina Williams 8:14pm December 31, 2013)
That excerpt left me wanting more! Best wishes for continued success and happy new year! (Christine LaRue 8:19pm December 31, 2013)
I have to read this one. Very nice cover. Happy New Year to all! (Barbara Wells 8:25pm December 31, 2013)
Love the cover and love the excerpt of Chapter 1. I would love to read this book.
Have a Happy New Year. (Kai Wong 10:04pm December 31, 2013)
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win! Happy New Year! (Natasha Donohoo 10:55pm December 31, 2013)
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win your book. (Linda Hall 11:28pm December 31, 2013)
this sounds really good i would love to read this thanks for the chance (Denise Smith 11:43pm December 31, 2013)
Hi, Sophie! I loved your excerpt!
Happy New Year! (Cathy Phillips 12:53pm January 1, 2014)
Sounds like a wonderful story! What a fun way to begin the New Year! (Laurel Chevlen 1:14am January 1, 2014)
Congrats on the new release! I loved your first book and look forward to reading more! (MaryAnne Banks 12:49pm January 1, 2014)
looks like a great read. (Amy Kincade 1:01pm January 1, 2014)
I can't wait to read your book. (Jane Thompson 7:22pm January 1, 2014)
Your book sounds like a great read. Would love to win it. (Carol Woodruff 10:53am January 2, 2014)
Thanks for the great excerpt - the book sounds great and I will definitely be reading it! (Diane Reinheimer 1:39pm January 2, 2014)
A great read thank you. (Mary Preston 9:17pm January 2, 2014)
Love, Love, Love the excerpt!! I have to get this book! (Glenda Martillotti 9:29pm January 2, 2014)