Friday, March 25, 2016

Special excerpt from Victorian historical novel Trifling Favors by Heather Hiestand

We’re wrapping up the week with a special excerpt from the Victorian historical romance novel, Trifling Favors, by Heather Hiestand.

During her virtual book tour, Heather will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

A little bit about Trifling Favors:
The sweetest treat is a kiss…

Greggory Redcake's plate is full. Widowed young and left with two small children, the manager of the Kensington location of the illustrious tea shop is besieged on all sides between the bakery and family matters. If only his remarkably efficient shop assistant, Betsy Popham, could manage his home life, too! But Greggory can't linger on thoughts of Betsy's fetching smile when a dead body is discovered in the bakery…

Betsy has no time for romance, not even with the delectable Mr. Redcake, whose kisses are all too unforgettable. Haunted by a specter from her family's past, Betsy is terrified that the man blackmailing her has turned to deadly violence. Yet the only way to save her position--and possibly her life--is to accept Greggory's help as their delicious attraction sweetens into the tantalizing promise of true love…


Excerpt from Trifling Favors:
“It’s light so long at this time of year that it’s easy to lose track of time.”

“We’d best be going. I don’t want anyone to think I’ve been compromising your virtue.”

She felt her body tighten at his suggestive words, in an almost sexual response. How inappropriate. She blinked, wondering why, for the second time, Mr. Redcake had gone to thoughts of intercourse in her presence. He must need companionship, even though he obviously was still mourning his dead wife. And she wasn’t wearing her apron, but a fitted purple blouse and gray skirt. At least her stays hid the evidence of her plumped nipples. She rubbed her palms together, feeling their dampness.

“We may be the only people here,” she said. “Doesn’t your secretary come in to say good night?”

“When he remembers. Oscar is an absentminded lad. Reminds me of myself ten years ago.”

“I should be going home, then. Dinner for my father.”

“Might be some soup left downstairs,” Mr. Redcake suggested.

Something about those words made her glance at his mouth. Thoughts of spoon-feeding him luscious, creamy soup came unbidden to mind. The thought made her think of that full mouth on parts of her anatomy that hadn’t been touched in four years.

“Soup?” he prompted, an adorable look of confusion on his handsome face.

She forced herself from her reverie. “I could hardly carry a crock of hot soup on the omnibus.” She forced a laugh.

“Mmm, I suppose you are right. It wouldn’t do to slosh it on the other passengers. I’ll escort you downstairs.”

“Thank you.” She struggled to her feet. Her body didn’t seem quite prepared to hold herself up. All this talk of husbands was reminding her of the physical benefits of marriage. She didn’t want to leave her father, but she also wouldn’t mind having a lover again.


A little bit about the author:
Heather Hiestand was born in Illinois, but her family migrated west before she started school. Since then she has claimed Washington State as home, except for a few years in California. She wrote her first story at age seven and went on to major in creative writing at the University of Washington. Her first published fiction was a mystery short story, but since then it has been all about the many flavors of romance. Heather’s first published romance short story was set in the Victorian period, and she continues to return, fascinated by the rapid changes of the nineteenth century. The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. With her husband and son, she makes her home in a small town and supposedly works out of her tiny office, though she mostly writes in her easy chair in the living room.

For more information, visit Heather’s website at www.heatherhiestand.com. Heather loves to hear from readers! Her email is heather@heatherhiestand.com.

Links:

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7 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great read.

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  2. Just the cover of this book makes me want to read it, it's beautiful!

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  3. Another great excerpt! Thanks! I love how the tension is building between these two!

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  4. How do you feel about ebooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?

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  5. The book sounds very intriguing, thank you for the reveal!

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