Blurb:
Known
as The Marble Duke amongst the Ton,
Garret Weston, the Duke of Kendal sets himself apart from his peers. Nothing
will hinder his guilt-driven attempt to become a perfect duke. Nothing that is, save the alluring and
imaginative betrothed he’d thought dead. His intended believes-of all things-that she is a Vicar’s
daughter. The “perfect” duke needs a “perfect” duchess, but how was he to
discern her suitability? Employing her as a governess to his niece seemed like
an ideal solution. But whose “suitability” is being tested? His betrothed
refuses to see he is beyond redemption. And most grievous of all, she stirs his
blood, making him forget what’s important.
Cara
believes fairy tales really can come true, until she meets the unrelenting and
arrogant Duke of Kendal. He looks like a Prince, but acts like a Beast. Why
must he challenge her at every turn? Her greatest peril is her attraction to
the vulnerable, seductive man behind the title. A match between them would be
impossible. But can she show him, without losing her heart, that “perfect” is
in the eye of the beholder?
Excerpt:
Garret’s
voice stopped Cara before she reached the door. “What of the cut on my chest?”
She
turned back, fighting to sound normal. “It didn’t look that bad.”
He
picked up the cloth, soaped it, then stalked toward her. Everything about him
belied fluid grace as he handed her the fabric, a challenge in his gaze.
With
as much indifference as she could muster, she dabbed at the cut on his chest.
“Harder,”
he breathed, his dark velvet voice sending shivers down her spine. “You’ll not
hurt me.”
She
cleansed the cut, admiring the feel of the hard muscle beneath the cloth. Her
fingertips extended beyond the material to caress his moisture-slicked skin.
She stepped closer, until his chest was the only thing in her vision.
The
rag dropped between them. Of their own volition her fingers spread, pressing
her hands flat against the hard contours of his body. She began an exploration,
noting the fine dusting of curling golden hair that tickled her palms as she
moved them upward.
The
smell of the ointment clung to him, but it couldn’t block his alluring scent, a
mixture of brandy, wood, and spiciness. She inhaled deeply, savoring the heady
combination as she ran one fingertip around his nipple, marveling at the
pebbling on the outside edge.
Part
of her brain acknowledged she shouldn’t be doing this, but she couldn’t seem to
stop.
Author information:
“Once Upon a Time” are four of Dawn’s
favorite words. Her love of story became a love of romance when she read
Georgette Heyer’s, Devil’s Cub. It
inspired her to write stories with strong characters that discover love is
never easy, but always worthwhile. Dawn’s written several award-winning novels
set in Georgian England – an era filled with rules and intrigue. Her characters
often defy “Society” as they pursue love, run away, pursue, run away – well,
you get the idea.
Then
again, she might write romance in order to do the research. What other
profession encourages you to sit in the audience at Harlequin’s Male Model
search, and take notes, or just sigh?
Dawn
lives in a Victorian home in Upstate New York with her husband and very
independent cats. When she’s not writing, she’s singing, gardening, learning to
play the harp or wood carving. If you’d like to learn more about Dawn and her
novels, go to her website at www.dawn-ireland.com
Links:
The Perfect Duke
ASIN: B00BT0NGOC
4 comments:
Hi Lisa,
It's great to be here this morning! Thanks for having me stop by. I'll look in from time to time in case readers have questions or comments.
Dawn
Sounds like a compelling story. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to win. I love these blog hops since I meet so many new-to-me authors.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
Book sounds interesting
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
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