I have a special excerpt from A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch today!
Title: A Perfect Secret
Author: Donna
Hatch
Release date: November,
2013
Genre: Historical
Romance
Tour: Irresistible
Reads Book Tours
Book Description:
Desperate to protect her father from trial and death, Genevieve breaks
off her engagement with Christian Amesbury and marries a blackmailer. After a
year of marriage, she flees her husband's violent domination only to have fate
bring her back to Christian. Just when she thinks she's started a new life of
safety and solitude, her husband tracks her down, stalks her, and threatens
everyone she loves.
Still brokenhearted over Genevieve's betrayal a year ago, Christian can't believe she's come back into his life--and worse, that she's done it on the anniversary of his brother's death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can't leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married.
When her husband torments Genevieve and puts his family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves...anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart.
Still brokenhearted over Genevieve's betrayal a year ago, Christian can't believe she's come back into his life--and worse, that she's done it on the anniversary of his brother's death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can't leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married.
When her husband torments Genevieve and puts his family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves...anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart.
About the Author:
I've had a
passion for writing since the age of 8 when I wrote her first short story.
During my sophomore year in high school, I wrote her first full-length novel, a
science fiction romance. I wrote my second novel during my senior year, a fantasy
romance. Needless to say, English and Creative Writing were always my favorite
subjects. Yes, I'm a total grammar geek! In between caring for six children, (7
counting my husband) I manage to carve out time to indulge in my writing
obsession, with varying degrees of success, although I write most often late at
night instead of sleeping. And yes, all of my heroes are patterned after my
husband of 21 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever
after.
Official
Website: http://donnahatch.com/
Book Excerpt
Excerpt from A Perfect Secret by Donna
Hatch ©Donna Hatch
Genevieve
drew herself up and leveled an icy stare at the intruder. “Lord Wickburgh, I
believe my father has made it clear that your business here is unwelcome.”
The
stranger’s face relaxed into an icy smile. “Ah, Miss Marshall. Such a pleasure
to see you again.” His gaze moved slowly down her body in a clear message.
Genevieve’s skin crawled but she glared at him. He would not intimidate her.
Christian’s love had made her bold.
Papa
flicked a brief glance at Genevieve, his chocolate brown eyes which mirrored
her own filled with agony. He quickly donned his propriety. “This is none of
your concern, Jenny.”
“Of
course it’s her concern.” Wickburgh began swinging his walking stick, narrowly
missing a flower-filled vase atop a Chippendale side table. “You see my dear,
your father was about to find the means by which to settle a debt with me.”
Genevieve
narrowed her gaze. “I doubt very much my father owes you a gambling debt since
he seldom gambles.”
“Oh, but
he did, a wager of the worst kind—with fate.”
Papa said
more forcefully, “Genevieve, leave us.”
Genevieve
offered an apologetic smile to her father and cast an open glare at Wickburgh.
“I assume you have vowels to prove this gambling debt?”
“I do,
indeed—a letter that my brother dictated on his deathbed. It only just
arrived.” He withdrew a folded paper and waved it in front of them. “I must
warn you however; it is much more damming than a mere gambling debt. This
letter is very revealing about the part your father played in a mutiny.”
Any other
time, she would have been frightened of this stern man who watched her too
closely, too hotly, but at the moment, her righteous anger overpowered her
fear. Her face flushed in indignation at his horrible lies. “Impossible. Papa
would never take part in a mutiny. He served king and country faithfully for
many years.”
She
folded her arms, wishing she were taller and better able to look Papa’s accuser
in the eye to prove he didn’t frighten her. Really, it was difficult to be
impressive when one was barely five feet tall. But she made up for it with what
she hoped would be a fearsome glare.
With a
measured smile, Wickburgh handed her the letter. “Read it for yourself. Quite a
diverting tale.”
She
snatched the document from his hands and read, the blood draining out of her
face. The letter did, indeed, narrate a convincing and condemning story about
her father and his crew mutinying when he’d served as second lieutenant. Surely
this mutiny story was a lie.
She waved
the letter in front of the viscount. “I don’t believe this. It can’t be true.”
Wickburgh
gestured to her father. “Ask him.”
“That
won’t be necessary. My father is a good man.”
Wickburgh
merely watched her with that hungry, possessive stare of his. Genevieve rubbed
sweaty palms down her skirts. She glanced at Papa who had sunk into a chair
with his head in his hands, his shoulders slumped as if utterly defeated. For
the first time, doubt crept in. A knot twisted in her stomach.
“Papa?”
Her father
lowered his hands, staring at the floor. “It’s true
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Thank you for hosting my book on your blog and helping me get the word out :-)
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the excerpt!
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