Leenie Brown

Music Monday: Niall Horan – Finally Free (Home Free Cover)

PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY HOME FREE ON OCTOBER 19, 2018.

By the end of the excerpt below, Richard is feeling as upbeat and free as today’s song choice — and it is all thanks to the lady standing with him. This is a proposal scene, and as you can see from the header below, it happens in chapter 5. That seems a bit soon, now doesn’t it? Let’s just say that by the scene right after this (as in the second half of this chapter) that happy, upbeat, free feeling is about to get burst in a most distressing fashion. But for now, let’s just focus on the happy, ok?

His Inconvenient Choice, Chapter 5

Sometime later that day, after the sun was gone and the darkness of night had fallen, Richard stood before the Gardiners’ home, waiting to be allowed entry. He did not wait long, for the door was opened nearly before the sound of his knock had faded. Giving his name along with his hat and coat to the servant, he again waited, this time in the hall, to be introduced. He took note of his surroundings with an eager eye. This was the home of a well-to-do merchant, and as such, it was the sort of living arrangements he might hope to one day have for himself.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam, a pleasure to see you, sir. A pleasure.” Mr. Gardiner greeted him with a firm handshake and motioned for him to have a seat. “Dinner will be served shortly. Might I offer you a drink while you wait? A bit of wine perhaps?”

“My husband prides himself on his wine selections, Colonel,” said Mrs. Gardiner with a laugh. “It would do you well to enjoy it.”

“Then I shall,” said Richard, taking a seat near Kitty, who smiled and gave a brief greeting.

“My wife and niece tell me that you are thinking of stepping down from the first circles of society to join my realm.” Mr. Gardiner handed Richard a glass of wine. “I shall refill it for your supper. No need to sip like a lady, so to speak,” he said with a wink.

The Saturday Broadsheet for February 1, 2020

^^That’s not the most creative title, is it? 🙂 I was running low on creativity when it came time to create this blog post. The clock just rolled past midnight here — which means it is now Saturday in Nova Scotia as I write this. I’m pretty sure that has a lot to do with why my creativity is running low.

Writing News

This week, with the help of a friend, I managed to add another chapter to both His Irreplaceable Belle and Marrying Elizabeth book 5. These chapters were not easy ones for me to write — not because the content of them was challenging but because I felt stuck, which, I think, happens at least once with every story. There were a few questions I needed to answer before moving on. This is where my very patient friend, Zoe Burton, helped me by being a sounding board when I needed to talk through some details. She also helped me come up with a possible title out of a long list of options for Marrying Elizabeth book 5.

No, I have not yet started that third writing project. Maybe I’ll get some planning done this coming week? Maybe. 🙂

Publishing News

There’s nothing new here. Just a reminder that Her Secret Beau is now available in the Kindle store for purchase or to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription if you have one of those.

Book Promotions

*Listen to Your Heart* (ebook edition) will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020.
This sale is across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced.

Listen to Your Heart on Sale until February 15, 2020

Below is information about an ebook that I have on sale from now until February 15, 2020. Click the image below or one of the other links in this post to see all the stores were Listen to Your Heart can be purchased.

*Listen to Your Heart* will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020.
This sale is across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced.

~*~*~

About the Book:

Anne de Bourgh has never had a coming-out. She has never had a season. In fact, she has never had a suitor. But, according to her mother, she has always had a future husband. Although Anne desires to marry, she does not wish to marry her mother’s choice, and he does not wish to marry her.

With no other options and the prime of her youth slipping away, Anne’s view of her future is bleak. However, when she finds some papers hidden in her father’s study, that view, in the light of his wishes, changes. Her declaration to follow her heart and choose her own future causes discord and forces secrets to be revealed.

Get your copy of Listen to Your Heart here.

And a Short Excerpt from Listen to Your Heart:

“Oh, thank heavens, you are here.” Anne stopped pacing as Richard entered her sitting room. “I was certain that Mother was going to get here before you. Whatever took you so long? Did Darcy not tell you I needed you? Did you not remember that you were to leave Darcy alone with Miss Bennet?”

Richard slowly poured himself a drink and sauntered to the window before replying. “I came as quickly as I was able. I needed to ensure our taciturn cousin and the lovely Miss Bennet had a topic for conversation.”

Anne groaned. “I would ask what the topic is, but I fear I do not have time to calm myself before my mother appears.”

“I do not know why you do not place more faith in my tactics. I am a trained colonel in His Majesty’s army. I have led many campaigns.”

Anne sighed. “And did all your men return ─ unharmed?”

“Of course not!” Richard scoffed as he took a seat. “The goal is to limit casualties, but it is nigh unto impossible to come away completely unscathed.” He stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. “My numbers for casualties were always low ─ well within acceptable limits.”

“And what is the acceptable limit for the battle which might be playing out in my garden?”

Dandies of 1831 (Journal des Dames et des Modes)

Newest Paris dandy’s fashion, 1831. Redingote closed with brandebourgs, top hat. Woollen tailcoat, satin waistcoat with flowery borders, cashmere trousers (and a bicorne). Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1831, Glatisant [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons

These dandies could be going to their club, could they not be? Lorcan and Alfred are spending some time at a club and meeting up with a friend in this chapter.

~*~*~

“You have not come to see me.” A none-to-pleased Lord Westonbury took the seat across from him.

“How did you know I was in town?” Lorcan had not told anyone that he was returning – mainly because he had not wished for Kitty to know, but also because he was in no hurry to see his blissfully married friend and hear the lecture that he knew he would receive.

“How indeed? I did not even know you had left town until you had been gone a week.” His friend’s left eyebrow cocked. “And the mail service must be especially poor at present for I received no letter.”

[from Marrying Elizabeth book 5]

~*~*~

Marrying Elizabeth, books 1-4

MAILING LIST PATREON

Music Monday: This I Promise You (Ronan Keating)

Published to YouTube by ronankeatingofficial

Today’s song choice is being paired with an excerpt from Her Heart’s Choice where Anne finally realizes what Alex has been promising her all along, and she can see her forever right there in front of her. However, will it be a realization which is just a little too late?

Her Heart’s Choice, Chapter 9 Excerpt

Mary stood between Rycroft and Kitty, waiting to welcome her new cousin and friend. “I am so happy to see you, Anne. I have wished for a visit from you, but Lady Sophia tells me you have been very busy with interviews.”

“I have,” Anne leaned close to Mary, “but it has not been enjoyable. They are all rather dull. I would much rather spend time with you and your sisters.”

Mary smiled and pulled Anne into an embrace. “Tomorrow, you must join us at the museum.”

“I would like that.” Anne felt a sigh of relief pass through her that she would not be subjected to yet another round of dull interviews.

Kitty took Anne’s hand. “You have not yet met our sister Lydia. I can assure you that our visit will be anything but dull with her along.”

Mary chuckled. “She has improved in the last month, but she is still Lydia.” A rather loud giggle was heard from the drawing room. “That is she. Lydia is rarely quiet. Come.” She wrapped her arm around Anne’s, ignoring the look of displeasure from her husband at being displaced by his cousin. “I will introduce you. Everyone else is here, so we are just beginning with some wine in the drawing room while we wait for our meal to be ready.”

“Georgiana was allowed to come,” said Kitty, “since we did not wish the men to outnumber the ladies.”

“Samuel invited some friends.” There was a hint of concern in Mary’s voice. “There was one he did not wish to invite, but things have changed, and it really could not be helped.”

Anne stopped walking. They were just outside the door to the drawing room, and she could clearly hear Alex’s voice. “And who might these guests be?” she asked, turning toward Rycroft.