Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews: Book excerpt for "Scoundrel for Hire" by Adrienne deWolfe

Today I'm featuring an excerpt for Scoundrel for Hire (Book 1, Velvet Lies Series) by Adrienne deWolfe. It's a Western historical romance (with paranormal elements).

Adrienne has a lot of gifts she will be awarding during her tour:

a $25 Amazon Gift Card to two (2) randomly drawn commenters
a Professional Story Critique of Chapter 1 of your novel (a $125 value) to a randomly drawn commenter
an e-book copy of Texas Outlaw (Book 1, WILD TEXAS NIGHTS) to three (3) randomly drawn commenters
an e-book copy of His Wicked Dream (Book 2, VELVET LIES) to two (2) randomly drawn commenters
character worksheets to write Heroes, Villains, and Sidekicks for your novel to two (2) randomly drawn commenters

To be entered for a chance to win any of the prizes, use the form below. And to increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit any of the other tour stops and enter there, too!

Blurb:

Raphael Jones is a Kentucky-born scoundrel, who has never played by the rules. When Colorado mining heiress, Silver Nichols, hires him to stop her precious daddy from marrying a golddigger, Rafe sets out to seduce Silver and win her fortune.

But beneath Silver's cool veneer, Rafe encounters a sweet vulnerability and an aching secret that threatens to send his whole world up in smoke.

Now the wily scoundrel must choose: walk away or wager the one thing he can't afford to lose—his heart.

Excerpt:

Rafe and Silver (The Audition)

Rafe halted less than an arm's length away. Silver could actually feel his heat, smell his mountain-fresh cologne. A tendril of uneasiness coiled in her belly.

"Perhaps you would prefer an audition," he drawled.

"An a-auditiion?"

His hand reached out to catch a strand of her hair. When he tucked it behind her ear, she felt the whisper of his knuckles against her cheek.

"How might a lover satisfy you, Miss Nichols?" he murmured, his thumb skimming her jawline until it dipped lower, pressing against the hammering vein in her throat. "With words of poetry? A bouquet of roses?" His lips inched nearer. "A kiss?"

That was it. The instinct for self-preservation took over.

"I must ask you not to do that," she said, snatching his fingers from her cheek.

"But your guarantee. I couldn’t have you go on thinking me unequal to the role in which you’ve cast me."

"That you thoroughly enjoy seduction, I have no doubt," she retorted, wishing the butterflies in her stomach would alight. "Save your bag of tricks for Celestia."

He chuckled, a rich rumble of sound that vibrated into her fingertips and danced along every nerve. "As you wish. But if you should ever change your mind..." He raised the back of her hand, and the moist touch of his lips sent goose bumps scuttling to her toes. "...I am, of course, at your command."

She rather doubted that, but when he released her, she was too relieved to debate him. She ran her damp palms down her skirts in an effort to rally her composure.

"Since we are agreed, Mr. Jones, you'll find your first payment and your instructions waiting for you at Aspen's Windsor Hotel. I'll send for you there."

"So thrive my soul."

She suspected he was quoting Romeo again. Apparently the rogue had a one-track mind. For the future, when they'd have to rendezvous secretly to discuss their conspiracy, she made a mental note never again to meet him on a balcony—or worse, in the moonlight.

"And now, if it's not too much to ask, I'd like for you to leave my hotel room."

"Ah, me. The lady grows weary of my company." The corner of his mouth quirked. "Very well." Sweeping low, he performed a flawless bow. "Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast..." He straightened, his hand pressed forlornly to his heart. "Ah, would I were sleep, and peace so sweet to rest."

She blushed in spite of her strong counsel against it.

With a naughty wink, he reached for the tree limb, swung from her balcony, and plunged into the huddled shadows of the night.

Silver gulped a ragged breath.

She listened for his landing, her ears straining above the thunder of her pulse. When she heard nothing, not even his retreating footsteps, she crept closer to the railing and peered over the edge. A glint of gold caught her eye. That evidence of his slipping halo had been her first glimpse of Raphael Jones; now it was her last. The devil with the angel’s name had vanished so completely into the darkness, that she wondered if he hadn't hung a dark curtain below to make his exit more dramatic.

She gazed down at her tingling fingertips, still warm and slightly tremulous from his touch. A dreamy smile curved her lips.

Celestia Cooper didn't stand a chance against that man.

Then a more disturbing notion struck.

Did any woman?

Author bio and links:

Adrienne deWolfe is a #1 Bestselling Author and a recipient of 48 writing awards, including the Best Historical Romance of the Year. She consistently delights readers with sexy, action-packed, western-style romances, including her Wild Texas Nights series and her Velvet Lies series. In addition, she is the author of the bestselling non-fiction ebook series, The Secrets to Getting Your Romance Novel Published.

Fascinated by all things mystical, Adrienne writes a weekly blog about dragons, magic, and the paranormal at http://MagicMayhemBlog.com to help her research her upcoming YA Epic Fantasy series. She also writes a weekly blog with fiction writing tips and advice about the business of writing at http://WritingNovelsThatSell.com. She enjoys mentoring aspiring authors and offers professional story critiques and book coaching services.

Other Books in the Velvet Lies series: