July 2014
On Sale: July 1, 2014
Featuring: Andrew Clifton; Katie Moore
320 pages ISBN: 1402286058 EAN: 9781402286056 Kindle: B00J8QDJ8C Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
Reading, cooking, home renovation, writing, gardening and dancing…I have a few
hobbies. And, these only top the list of my interests. I’m not saying I have
time to indulge in these things every day, I have a 6 year-old at home, after
all. But, when I have spare minutes in my day [insert laughter here] I like to
grab a book or try a fun new recipe. I stroll through the local nursery in
search of something pretty, yet hard to kill, for my yard. I dream up a plot
for a book or a plan for my house. And, in between all of this, I dance.
My desire to stay busy is something I have in common with the heroine of my
latest release in the Tricks of the Ton series. Only, Katie Moore
takes her hobbies to a new level…
“She shrugged and opened the door, attempting nonchalance while her heart
pounded in her ears. No one ever came to her cottage, and when she did have a
visitor, it was only a servant sent down from the house. She couldn’t remember
ever having someone come to call on her here, much less dine with her. “What
will we be having tonight?”
He ducked his blond head under the doorway and moved past her into the
cottage. “I’m not sure, but I could smell it on the entire walk here. We’d best
eat it or I’ll start chewing on my own arm.”
“I would almost like to see that.” She closed the door behind him and stood
with jangling nerves while he assessed her living quarters.
She was all too aware of her possessions piled high in the corners and the
bed sitting in plain view. “My cottage isn’t large, but it is home,” she
squeaked out as she took a step away from the door.
“It’s…” He paused to investigate a painting she’d worked on last week. It was
supposed to be the moors in the morning, but it looked more like leftover soup.
“Lovely,” he finally muttered. Walking to the table, he set the basket of food
on the wooden surface before strolling around the open room, making the
comfortable space feel small and intimate.
She began to perspire. “You can move my watercolors out of the way if you
need to do so. There’s room for them on that pile of books over there.” He was a
tall, broad-shouldered man. She’d known this before, but now he seemed even
larger. Perhaps it was because she’d only seen him outdoors. All she knew was
that he seemed to take up all the extra space in the room, leaving none for her.
She wrapped her arms around her waist, trying to shrink smaller, but to no
avail.
“You certainly have things decorated to suit you.” He picked up the violin
she’d cast aside yesterday and set it back down to investigate the drying herbs
hanging from the rafters near the fire. Turning, he moved past her bed. His
eyes rolled over the patchwork quilt made of every color imaginable as his
fingers trailed over the wooden frame, far too nice for the little cottage.
It had been the one piece of her life she’d brought with her when she moved
out of the house. She’d wanted an escape, a small piece of life that was her
own, but her feather mattress was one indulgence she couldn’t leave behind. Now
her cheeks were heated, thanks to Amberstall’s proximity to it. When her mother
abandoned her, plenty of lessons in ladylike behavior had been left untaught,
but she was certain that “Don’t invite a gentleman you met only a few days ago
into your bedchamber” would have been fairly high on that list.”
Katie also plays the bagpipes and has a pet squirrel. In fact, she has so many
hobbies they wouldn’t fit within one excerpt of HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS
OR LESS. But, you get the idea. *grins* Katie Moore is a busy lady and her
life is about to become a bit more complicated thanks to Lord Amberstall’s
arrival on her estate. I hope you enjoy this third book in the Tricks of
the Ton series. Thank you for hosting me today here on Fresh Fiction.
I love to knit and crochet items for other people. I also read, do crossword puzzles, love to cook, and am always dabbling in new crafts, as well as others I haven't done in a while. I also teach a knitting class one day a week. It's hard for me to put a finger on just one hobby, when I have interests that are all over the map, but I suppose my needlework would have to be at the top of the list. Your posting made me smile, and I can totally relate to it. I also enjoyed your excerpt, and can't wait to read the rest of the book!! (Peggy Roberson 7:44am July 16, 2014)
When I was younger I always had to be doing something! However after becoming disabled the only thing I can do is read! I used to run all the time. Could not sit still. Well I hate that I can't do the things I did but have gone back to.one of my first loves, reading, and wonder how I ever pushed it back when I was not disabled. Anyway good luck with the book and the 6 year old. They are fun but grow up way too fast. My "baby" (youngest) turned 21 this month!!! Yikes!!! (Vicki Hancock 9:42am July 16, 2014)
I'm especially impressed with Kate's ability to play the bagpipes! These days, reading is my favorite hobby. When I get inspired, it's genealogy. (Janie McGaugh 10:15am July 16, 2014)
Golfing in the summer---reading in the winter (Sue Farrell 10:51am July 16, 2014)
Well, reading is number one on the list since I can manage to read a little whenever I have a few minutes. I enjoy gardening - but I also need very hardy plants, spending time with my family, and hiking. I'm looking forward to reading How To Lose A Lord. :-) (Glenda Martillotti 11:08am July 16, 2014)
Y'all have some neat hobbies!
Peggy, I've always wanted to learn to crochet. I tried knitting a few years ago, but after 8" of a lumpy scarf I gave up. LOL I need to come take your class!
Vicki, they grow up way too fast! *sobs* I look at my little boy every day and wonder when he got so big.
Janie, I'm impressed with that too. LOL I don't think I would be very talented at the bagpipes. Genealogy is a cool hobby! I know a good bit about my ancestry, but I would love to know more.
Sue, that sounds like fun! Can I come along and drive the golf cart? ;)
Glenda, the hardest part of gardening is keeping everything alive, isn't it? It's a daily challenge at my house. ;)
Thank you for chatting with me, and I hope you enjoy HOW TO LOSE A LORD IN 10 DAYS OR LESS! :) (Elizabeth Michels 1:46pm July 16, 2014)
paper crafting, reading (Denise Holcomb 6:21pm July 16, 2014)
I used to knit and do needlepoint plus reading, but since becoming disabled, I'm left with reading which I love. (Carol Woodruff 7:28pm July 16, 2014)
I love to read (of course), cook, crochet, fish and garden (vegetable). Right now the gardening is seriously cutting into my reading time. But, I will have plenty of delicious vegetables come January and February. (Debbie Kelly 7:41pm July 16, 2014)
knitting! and reading - I have a lot of medical appointments, and it's always nice to have something to use up the time in the waiting room, even better when you can actually see progress being made, stitch by stitch, row by row,or line by line, page by page. (Beth Fuller 8:14pm July 16, 2014)
Escaping into a good book is the best hobby I can think of, ladies.
Beth, I've been thankful for a book to keep me company in many waiting rooms.
Debbie, can I come over to your house for some veggies? I think you can really taste the difference between store bought and garden veggies. My garden is all flowers this year, but I'm hoping to add a vegetable garden next spring. Everything takes time when living in a new house. ;)
Carol, I'm glad you're still able to lose yourself in a good book. My mom was disabled but lost her eyesight as well--it was devastating. But, it made me thankful for every day of life and every line of a book. Enjoy! :)
Denise, I'm curious about your paper crafting. I keep saying I'm going to take up scrapbooking, but then I never do...
Thanks for your comments! :) (Elizabeth Michels 11:14pm July 16, 2014)