Regency: The Temptation of Lady Serena @ellaquinnauthor #RLFblog

Temptation of Lady Serena

Ella Quinn, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Let's talk about your book, The Temptation of Lady Serena.

Genre: Regency

Publisher: Kensington

Cover artist: Kensington

Length: 105,800 Words

Heat rating: Sensual

Blurb:

Ella Quinn's bachelors in The Marriage Game series are charming and cunning when it comes to the ways of love—until the right woman captures their unsuspecting hearts…

Custom-made gowns…nights at the theater…and a host of eligible bachelors. Accustomed to living a quiet life in the Scottish Borderlands, Lady Serena Weir has never had any of these luxuries. But when Serena's brother demands she finally have a Season in London, she's thrust into a glamorous world she's only dreamed of…

Robert, Viscount Beaumont remembers all too well what it feels like to be in love. That is why he must keep his distance from Serena. He's only felt his pulse stir the way it does now when he made the mistake of loving the wrong woman once before. Yet the more he strives to resist his feelings, the nearer he is to falling under Serena's seductive spell…

"Supported by a wonderful cast of characters, Quinn's thoughtfully drawn lovers teach each other the value of love in this delicious Regency treat." ~ New York Times Bestselling author Eileen Dreyer

Buy links:

Kensington: http://bit.ly/1b6z328

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ckTNY3

Amazon Canada: http://amzn.to/13OW4Fn

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/198ENaV

What are your main characters' names, ages, and occupations?

Lady Serena Weir is age 26, and making her first come out. She is the daughter of the deceased Earl of Vere and sister of the current earl.

Robert, Viscount Beaumont, is 30 years old. He is a major landowner and rake.

Excerpt:

Phoebe greeted Lord and Lady Rutherford as they were announced.

Anna kissed her cheek. "You look as if you have some plan afoot. What's this about?"

Phoebe told her about Serena and her debut. "I've invited Serena to accompany us to the theater. Robert Beaumont will also be coming."

Rutherford raised a brow. "How did you manage to convince Beaumont to be introduced to her? Hardly his type of lady."

"Well," Phoebe said, a little guiltily, "Robert doesn't exactly know he'll be meeting her, and she doesn't know she will be meeting him."

Rutherford's expression became severe. "You're playing a deep game using Beaumont."

"The very reason I have not told Serena. I would not for the world see her hurt. They will either be attracted to each other or they will not. We shall see."

Anna perched on a chair. "Phoebe, I like Robert very well as a friend, but his reputation, my dear. He reminds one of a butterfly taking a taste of each flower before moving on."

Rutherford held a decanter of brandy suspended over a glass. "And how would you know?"

Waving her hand, Anna replied. "Gentlemen are not the only ones to know about certain reputations. I also know he is a favorite with many of the ton's matrons."

Her husband scowled. "Matrons whose husbands don't know enough to keep them busy at home."

Marcus handed Anna a glass of sherry. "Anna, if Serena were a widow, I'd join in your concern. But Robert's conquests don't run to gently bred, unmarried females."

Anna looked unconvinced. "I hope you're correct."

Serena was announced and Phoebe moved to greet her and introduced Anna and Rutherford.

Marcus asked, "Serena, would you like a glass of sherry? It's quite good. Or would you prefer a glass of wine?"

"A sherry, please."

The ladies drew Serena into conversation about the upcoming Season. Marcus and Rutherford spoke in low voices several feet away.

"Phoebe is to be congratulated on her protégée," Rutherford said. "She's a beautiful girl. What's her portion?"

"Substantial."

Rutherford glanced at Serena. "Yes, I'm quite impressed. You'll not have any problems marrying her off. If Beaumont doesn't take the bait, someone else will."

When the butler announced Robert, he stepped into the room and languidly surveyed the company. He smiled at the Rutherfords, but his attention was arrested by the lady he'd seen walking and on horseback. He had trouble catching his breath and even greater difficulty maintaining his countenance. He cast an experienced eye over her.

The lady wasn't a young miss. Perhaps she was a widow. She was far lovelier than he'd thought she'd be. Her hair was dressed high, curls dropped and bounced around her shoulders from the loose top knot. One curl caressed her breast. He itched to twist that curl around his finger. Her rosy lips tilted up at the corners. What would it be like to kiss those lips? He intended to find out.

Phoebe took his arm and led him to the woman. "Lady Serena, may I present Robert, Viscount Beaumont."

Lady Serena? Perhaps she'd been married to an untitled gentleman. He brought his attention back to Phoebe.

"Robert, Lady Serena is my cousin. Her brother is the Earl of Vere. This is Lady Serena's first time in the metropolis. We're introducing her to our particular friends as well as all the entertainments London has to offer."

Brother? Not married or a widow and Phoebe's cousin. Of all the bad luck, this was the worst. She was unavailable, and his senses refused to believe it.

Beaumont bowed over Serena's hand and held it. "I am enchanted, Lady Serena. I believe I saw you riding in the Park this morning. On a large roan?"

Serena curtseyed. The movement so graceful it was like a dance. "It is my pleasure to meet you, my lord. You are referring to Shamir. Did I not see you riding in Yorkshire? You have a large black gelding, I believe."

"Yes. His name is Démon." Robert could scarcely tear his eyes away from her. If he'd had a dream, she was the embodiment of it. Her eyes were an unusual shade of amber fringed by lashes a little darker than her hair.

He frowned slightly, it finally dawned on him what she'd said. "How did you know he was a gelding?"

Robert fought to keep his gaze from dropping to her lips. He wondered how she'd taste and shook himself. He was unlikely to ever find out.

Serena smiled. "I know a great deal about horses, my lord. A gelding is hard to miss."

Robert's frown lightened to a humorous smile. "No, not if you know what you're looking at." Belatedly, he remembered he'd taken her hand, and brought it to his lips, grazing them across her knuckles.

She blinked slowly. "No, not then."

Serena had focused on Lord Beaumont the moment he'd entered. He was tall. She only came to the middle of his broad chest. On horseback, he'd reminded her of Ares, the Greek god of war. But that was an illusion. His manner was too refined and his dress too fashionable to hide the soul of a warrior. He bowed so elegantly. A provocative smile played on his well-molded lips, and his voice was deep and silky when he greeted her. Her chest tightened as his eyes, the color of bright moss, caressed her. Her heart skipped as she fought to regain control of her traitorous senses.

She'd been inured in the country for much too long. Even through their gloves, his fingers heated hers, and when his lips touched them, she'd had to remember to breathe. Was this how she would react to every gentleman she met? Or only him?

Interview

Tell us about your story's world. What is it like in this period or place?

The story is a Regency. It begins during the main Season in London, from there we move to Paris, then Yorkshire, England. 1816 is known as the year without summer.

What inspired you to write this book?

This is the 3d book in my series The Marriage Game, however it was the second one I wrote. Robert kept badgering me until I had his story down. As anyone who has read the book can tell you, he is a very difficult man.

Which character in your current book do you think readers will like the most? Why?

Well I hope they like Serena and Robert. They've both had difficult but different experiences they've had to overcome. Robert is used to getting what he wants, but Serena won't be bullied. Getting to their HEA was, at times, a struggle. One of my favorite secondary characters is the Dowager Lady Beaumont, Robert's grandmother.

Why do you write?

Because I love it. It's the best job I've ever had.

Who has helped you the most in your career as an author?

That's a hard question. My mother-in-law has been my biggest cheerleader, but for actual help, it is other authors. My critique groups played a big part. I had a great mentor in Delilah Marvelle, and my agent's assistant, Claire Cavanaugh, who taught me how to edit and polish my books.

When you're not writing, what would we find you doing?

Social media, supporting other authors on Facebook and Twitter. I blog three times a week. Almost every morning I walk the beach and on the weekends I paddleboard.

Are you a plotter, or do you prefer to make it up on the spur of the moment?

It's more spur of the moment, but I will plot a scene in my head.

Any advice for new authors?

Learn about the business, and know that this is a huge business. Join a supportive critique group, and professional organizations, such as RWA and its chapters. Develop your voice. Don't give up.

What other jobs have you held besides writing?

Boat cleaner, sales clerk, musician, soldier, college professor and lawyer.

What are you currently reading for fun?

I'm reading Jo Beverly's Malloren Series, but I've got new releases from Grace Burrowes, Shana Galen and several others on my Kindle waiting for me.

If you could time travel what era would be your first stop?

LOL, Regency England.

Do you believe in luck?

I do believe in luck. I also believe in hard work.

What kind of music do you listen to while driving? Same question for Writing

I don't. I listen to NPR. I have to have silence when I write.

Do you play any musical instruments?

I play piano, but not as well as I used to.

Please complete the sentence

I love pizza with Gorgonzola cheese.

I'm always ready for snuggling with my husband.

When I'm alone, I write and read.

Previous Books

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

Books Coming Soon

The first book in the Marriage Game, The Seduction of Lady Phoebe release on September 19, 2013

Find Me Here

Website: http://www.ellaquinnauthor.com

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