History Turns Me On

I’ve always loved history.

The only time I ever got caught reading under the desk in school (something I did a lot!) was in the Fifth Grade. I was reading one of my father’s Ian Fleming novels. (I mean, seriously, doesn’t everyone love James Bond?) The teacher was so annoyed that I was reading “trash” (James Bond? Trash? Never!) he handed me a copy of “I Claudius” and told me to write a book report on it. The joke was on him. “I Claudius” is history and I adore history so I loved reading the book. It was more like a reward than a punishment to me.

So it was inevitable that sooner or later I’d write a story set in the past. I have written several Regency-set romances. (I love Georgette Heyer, too. She got me addicted to Regency romances). But one day I sat down to write a medieval romance.

It grew and grew and ended up as a four-book series. It’s set in medieval Europe, but in no particular place or year, and follows the story of a woman whose father and brothers are killed in battle, leaving her in control of the family castle and lands, and all the people dependent on them.

Although women in that time period effectively managed houses, lands, castles, people and more, legally their rights were very limited, so Elinor comes up with a totally-off-the-wall plan to provide for and protect her people and property.

“Elinor’s Stronghold” Book 1: “Pillaging Elinor’s Castle”
“Elinor’s Stronghold” Book 2: “Defending Rhyannon’s Inheritance”
“Elinor’s Stronghold” Book 3: “Restoring Garnet’s Heart”
“Elinor’s Stronghold” Book 4: “Bringing Claire Home”

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Elinor%27s+Stronghold+Berengaria
Available in digital and in print.

Berengaria Brown
Blog: http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berengaria.brown#!/berengaria.brown?v=info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/BerengariaBrown

An excerpt from “Sappho’s Sisters” by Berengaria Brown. Part of the “Naughty Spice: 17 Lusty Love Stories” boxed set

If you haven’t tried Lesbian romance before see what Lizabeth Tucker said about “Sappho’s Sisters”: “Lesbian stories are not usually on my TBR list. If they were all this well-written, I might reconsider that. Four stars” ~ Lizabeth Tucker

Blurb: “Sappho’s Sisters”.
Lady Eustacia Lumley is the only child of the Earl of Wentworth. It’s her duty to marry well and ensure the succession.
Margaret Durrell is the fourth daughter of a gently born, but near penniless Vicar. She has no option but to marry a man who can provide for her and possibly for some of her sisters as well.
They fall deeply in love, but is there any hope for them? Or will they both have to conform to the rigid rules of Regency society?

Excerpt: “Sappho’s Sisters”.
That evening, the women settled into a comfortable sofa in front of the fire in the yellow sitting room at Green Meadows with their embroidery.
“It’s good to be home again,” said Eustacia. “I like the hustle and bustle of Town, and shopping and parties are always fun, but I prefer to come home and sleep in my own bed.”
“Thank you once again for inviting me to stay with you for three months. Poor Papa is at his wits’ end wondering what to do about us all. Now that I’ve turned eighteen, he’s suddenly realized that Anne is very nearly twenty-two and time is running out to find her a good husband.”
“Four children in four years. Ugh. That’s one aspect of marriage I have never accepted—a baby every year.”
“No. I find that concept unappealing too. In fact, I find most men unappealing—selfish, arrogant, and quite often, silly. So many of the notables I danced with at Almack’s could not think past their clothes and their horses. They all either owned, or would inherit, property. Shouldn’t they be thinking about their lands and the needs of their tenants? Papa is always concerned about the lives of his parishioners.”
“Maybe they thought they shouldn’t talk about such things with a young woman.”
“Possibly.” Margaret did not sound convinced.
“Do you not want a husband and children of your own?”
“What I want is irrelevant. Papa can’t keep supporting us all, and what else is there for a woman who’s noble-born but impoverished? I’ve thought seriously about becoming a teacher or governess, but families wanting a governess usually also have sons, so they won’t hire a young woman like me. I could be a companion to an old lady. I can sing, and draw, and sew, as well as speak passable French. But I suspect agreeable old ladies wanting a companion are few and far between, and I’m much more likely to end up with a most disagreeable old lady.”
They both laughed, and then turned the conversation to happier topics.
Much later that evening, Eustacia noticed Margaret screwing up her eyes and frowning. “What’s wrong, Margaret?”
“I have the headache. I seem to get it more and more often these evenings. I don’t understand why. The light here is good for sewing, much better than at home. Good wax candles are so much more expensive than tallow,” she said and sighed.
“It’s almost time to go up to our chambers anyway. Would you like me to come and massage your head? My nurse used to massage mine and it really helps.”
“Yes, thank you. That would be nice.”
They put away their embroidery and walked companionably up the stairs together. Eustacia’s maid was waiting for her and soon Eustacia was in her night rail and robe, her hair brushed out. She dismissed the maid before walking down the hall to Margaret’s room. Margaret, who had no maid, was just tying her robe.
“Sit at your dressing table and let me undo your hair,” Eustacia said.
Slowly, she pulled out the pins and untwisted the braid. Margaret’s long, shiny brown hair rippled across her shoulders and down her back. Eustacia picked up Margaret’s hairbrush and drew it through the thick, wavy hair, pulling carefully and steadily from root to end in smooth sweeps.
“That does feel good. I can remember when my nanny used to brush my hair. I always enjoyed it.”
“I want you to enjoy this, too,” Eustacia whispered, letting her hot breath tickle Margaret’s left ear as she kept up the smooth strokes with the hairbrush. From front to back, from root to tip, Eustacia drew the brush through the hair in firm but gently soothing sweeps.
Margaret’s eyes closed and her shoulders relaxed some of their tension.
Eustacia noticed this, nodded to herself, and put down the brush, replacing it with her fingers as she pressed against Margaret’s scalp and began her massaging. First she rubbed in deep circles, beginning at the left ear and working her way across Margaret’s head to the right ear. Then she moved to the front of Margaret’s head, massaging deeply, pressing her fingers firmly against Margaret’s scalp, kneading from front to back this time.
By the time she’d finished, she could tell Margaret was much more relaxed, her shoulders no longer tense, her brow no longer furrowed.
Eustacia bent and pressed her lips to Margaret’s still-exposed neck, kissing it with soft, light, butterfly kisses from left to right across her neck, ending at her right ear, which she gently sucked into her mouth and nibbled on. Eustacia blew into that ear, then began to kiss her way across to the other side and repeated her caress on the other ear.
“Mmm, feels so good.”
Eustacia let her hands rest on Margaret’s shoulders, rubbing them softly, then more firmly, soothing and stroking down to the elbows, and then back up again.
Margaret’s eyes were closed, her breath coming more harshly, her body totally relaxed in Eustacia’s hands.
Eustacia rested her palms on Margaret’s sides, and when Margaret made no move to complain, she ran them up to cup the younger woman’s breasts. Margaret’s nipples were hard little points under the soft velvet of her robe. Eustacia pushed the robe apart so she could touch Margaret’s breasts through the thin linen of her night rail. The breasts were full and round, her nipples now engorged, and just touching them made cream seep from Eustacia’s cunny.
“Take off your night rail. Let me see you naked.”
“You first.”

Naughty is the new NICE! Order your preorder or paperback of Naughty Spice today! #NaughtyLiterati #romance #menage #newrelease

Naughty Spice Kindle Preorder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078XCP2HB
Naughty Spice in Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983472433
Amazon: http://a.co/1BfGSBz
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Berengaria Brown

An excerpt from “Lady Esther’s Lesbian Lover” by Berengaria Brown. Part of the “Naughty Spice: 17 Lusty Love Stories” boxed set

Blurb: Lady Esther’s London season failed to find her a husband. She’d rather find a woman to love. But that’s impossible in Regency England. Or is it?

Excerpt: Lady Esther’s Lesbian Lover

More and more people arrived for the ball until the room was as overfull as if they’d been in town. That was the crown of a successful event for Patience, but it simply made Esther long for an excuse to walk outside in the gardens. Quietly she made her way around the room, until she reached a long window which opened into the garden. The door had been left open a crack, so it seemed other people had the same idea as she did. Esther drew in big lungfuls of air and walked down the shallow steps into the garden. Several men were standing over to one side, smoking cheroots, so she went the other way to a stone seat.
Sitting on it was Cecilia, her shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her head tipped up to the sky.
She startled as Esther approached and then smiled. “It’s so beautiful out here. I vow I could count the stars they’re so bright tonight.”
Esther looked up and agreed with her. “That’s true. I’m glad they’re there, but they don’t inspire me to number them.”
The other woman giggled. “Well, we could name the constellations if you prefer.”
Esther laughed. “Oh no. I doubt I can even remember them. Are you teaching the twins those kinds of things?”
“Not yet. Maybe in the middle of winter we could do that though. It gets dark much earlier and wouldn’t be so far past their bedtime.”
“I don’t really know anything about children. I’ve never lived with any before. I suppose if I were a good aunt, I’d spend more time with them.”
“Do you want to do that?”
Esther stared at Cecilia. “I do want to be a good aunt, but I don’t crave children, or long to be with them. I suppose I like older people. People I can hold a proper conversation with.” She closed her mouth quickly. That made her sound like an unnatural female. Wasn’t every woman supposed to ache to have children of her own? Babies to hold and nurture?
But instead of condemning her, Cecilia simply nodded. “I agree. I like teaching them things. Watching their eyes light up as they understand a new concept.”
“What else do you like doing?” Esther asked.
“Reading. The library here is amazing. There are so many books I’ve never seen before. It’s crammed with the most amazing treasures. I found a little volume of Lucius Livius Andronicus’s poetry last week. I’ve read it twice and still can’t bear to return it to the shelves.”
Esther adored reading herself but she had no idea who this Lucius was, or that the library was so well stocked. There was a shelf of her mother’s books, but her mother had been dead so long most of the books were very old.
“Clearly I need to look in the library. I haven’t been there yet. My father used it as his den before he became frail, so I wasn’t welcome there. Erasmus has arranged for the Circulating Library to bring me books, but I hadn’t even thought of the library here. My mother’s books are all very old indeed.”
“I don’t think many of these books have been read. They’re all on the upper shelves. The books your father preferred are likely the ones that are easy to reach.”
“That makes sense. Tomorrow I shall explore the upper shelves. Do you have free time? Shall we plan a sortie into the library together?”
Esther suddenly worried that she might be getting Cecilia into trouble. She was the governess, not family, after all.
“Edward still naps every afternoon and the twins are only with me in the mornings. Patience often needs my help with other tasks in the afternoon but not always, especially now she has your company.”
“I haven’t been much help yet. She was planning this ball all week. Oh dear. I’ve been out here quite long enough. I must go back. I hope to see you tomorrow afternoon.”
Esther stood up and walked back inside, but for the rest of the evening she was thinking about Cecilia. Patience was her sister-in-law and she loved her. But Cecilia might be her friend. That would be wonderful.

Naughty is the new NICE! Order your preorder or paperback of Naughty Spice today! #NaughtyLiterati #romance #menage #newrelease

Naughty Spice Kindle Preorder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078XCP2HB
Naughty Spice in Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983472433
Amazon: http://a.co/1BfGSBz
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble. com/w/naughty-spice-francesca- hawley/1127757320?ean=2940155437048
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ ebook/naughty-spice-2

Berengaria Brown

Playing with History

There’s always a risk when setting your story in a real historical background that you can later find out events or people of the day might actually have a real history that contradicts what you’re trying to do.

When I wrote my Passions series of books back in the early years of this millennium (and doesn’t that feel weird?), I did a lot of research on England in the fourteenth century, including major events and the main historical characters of importance. Because I’d studied Medieval literature fairly extensively in college, I had a fair grasp of the events of the period, but I tried to double-check details.

I put a date on the first book in the series but not on the subsequent ones because I didn’t want to be tied to a particular year.  There was a lot going in 14^th century England and I didn’t want to have to account for everything that might’ve happened in a year and how it would impact the characters and events. For the most part I’ve steered clear of using actual historical events and personages.

In my most recent release, Healing Passion, however, there are references to battle happening on the continent and a prince who is in charge. And there is a scene toward the end where the hero and heroine go to court and meet the king and prince.  I don’t name the king, though it’s not hard to figure out he’s meant to be Edward III, because I do allude to the prince present with him as the Black Prince.

Edward, the Black Prince, is granted Aquitaine by his father King Edward III. Initial letter "E" of miniature, 1390; British Library, shelfmark: Cotton MS Nero D VI, f.31
This picture is in the public domain.

And right there I take a couple of historical liberties.  First of all Edward of Woodstock, later Prince of Wales and Prince of Aquitaine, was not (as far as we know) ever referred to as the Black Prince while he was alive. The first written use of that name for him comes almost two centuries later. But I figured that there was likely a tradition that gave him that sobriquet well before that, possibly even during his lifetime.

The second was that from a young age, Edward spent most of his time on the continent, leading the English forces in what must have seemed like an unending war.  He was rarely in England until near the time of his death and even then he spent most of that time at his own estates, separate from the king’s.

If you’re interested, I have more interesting facts about The Black Prince at my website here:http://katherinekingston.com/playing-with-his…the-black-prince/

Meanwhile, Healing Passion, the last of the Passions series of Medieval Historical Erotic Romances is now available at all major outlets.

HEALING PASSION
Re-release date June 1, 2017
Genre: Medieval historical, domestic discipline, BDSM
Length: Novel
Order eBook from:  Amazon    B&N    Kobo    iTunes
More info

The king has charged Sir Thomas Carlwick with learning what became of Baron Groswick. No one has seen or heard from the man for more than a year. Thomas’ inquiries have so far turned up no sign of the Baron. When he goes to Groswick Keep, he gets a mixed reception. Young, lovely Lady Juliana welcomes him graciously, but that evening someone tries to kill him by firing a crossbow at him. Juliana apologizes and tends his injury. She also tells him she has no idea what happened to her husband, but she’s beginning to accept that he’s dead.

Thomas is attracted to Juliana, finding in her everything he’s wanted in a woman. Despite a past that was nearly destroyed by a woman’s lies, Thomas is ready to settle down again, and he believes Juliana is exactly what he’s looking for. As soon as he can prove Baron Groswick is dead, Juliana will be free to marry him.

But he may not want her anymore when he learns what really happened to Baron Groswick.

Research for Binding Passion

The third of my Passions series of Medieval historical stories (and the second full-length novel) has just released. Like its predecessors, Daring Passion and Ruling Passion, Binding Passion features some BDSM, spanking, and domestic discipline. In that I think they are more true to their time than some recent novels set in the time period would have us believe.

In college I was fascinated by the Medieval period, so even though History wasn’t my major I took several courses about those times. And I’ve continued to read and study the period. I have an entire shelf of books on the period, focused particularly on the high middle ages, the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries, in England.

Because my son lives in England, I’ve had a number of opportunities to visit there. One of favorite things to do is tour castle ruins, restored castles, and museums attached or related to them. Most of them spend plenty of time relating the battles and sieges the castle or its residents took part in, the strategic importance of the place, and how it was defended.

But I find myself more interested in the small details of daily life. What people ate and drank, how the food and beverages were prepared, what they wore and how the fabric was made, the entertainment, stories, festivities, and how they spent most of their time are the things I try to learn from each visit.

Recreated kitchen at Dover Castle

One of the most fun bits of research I did for Binding Passion was to learn about Christmas festivities in the fourteenth century. That required extensive dips into books and searching through websites for the details to bring those alive. What I found was fascinating because the celebrations of the time were so different from today.

No Christmas trees, greeting cards, Santa Claus and reindeer, or striped candy canes permeated the Medieval Christmas celebration. And Christmas Day was just the beginning of the twelve days of celebrations back then. (Yes, that song has its origins in the celebrations of the Middle Ages.) Unlike today when it sometimes seems like it builds up to December 25^th and is all over on the 26^th.

Christmas was more rooted in religious rituals in fourteenth-century England. Most towns were built around a church and religion played a central part in the lives of the people of the times. It wasn’t something they did; it was who they were. Christmas was still a fundamentally religious celebration of Christ’s birth and the beginning of salvation. Celebration was in order, but that often meant activities meant educate and remind people of Biblical stories and songs and verses memorializing the events of the Savior’s birth.

But some things we have in common with them. Special foods were a particular treat during the Christmas season. Sweets, uncommon during much of the year other than the natural ones in fruits, were more widely consumed. And drinking alcoholic beverages formed a very large part of the festivities. Charity toward the less fortunate was encouraged particularly during the dark days of mid-winter. Music, dancing, plays, and gatherings of friends and families helped brighten the days and nights. Deeply religious they might have been, but they still loved a good party!

First Comes Desire - NEW RELEASE - Contest & FB Party #GCGiveaway #FBParty #TinaDonahueBooks

A hunted pirate captain. A reverend's daughter determined to bring him down.

On a lush, secluded island, one passionate adventure leads to another….

First Comes Desire - Book 1 Pirate's Prize

AMAZON - AMAZON UK - AMAZON CA - BN - KOBO - iTUNES 

 GOOGLE PLAY - KENSINGTON 

Available for Preorder

Ready to Read February 7

ALL DAY FACEBOOK PARTY - FEBRUARY 9 - CLICK HERE FOR LOCATION

WIN a $120 GC

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Blurb:

A hunted pirate captain. A reverend's daughter determined to bring him down.

On a lush, secluded island, one passionate adventure leads to another….

Diana Fletcher means business. The beautiful, innocent, reverend’s daughter has traveled all the way to a tropical island off Madagascar on a mission: To find her brother—and to punish the man who drove him to a life of piracy. But when she comes face to face with the enemy in question, the handsome, powerfully seductive man is not at all what Diana expected…

Tristan Kent never intended to harm Diana’s brother. A man of humble origins, Tristan claims he tried to save him from another ruthless captain. Diana is desperate to believe he is telling the truth…and that the intoxicating desire that escalates between them is true as well. But can she trust him? Or is Tristan’s story—and his heart—nothing more than fool’s gold? Amid the haze of sensual delights and soaring ecstasy Tristan has in store for her, all will be revealed…

Excerpt:

Women hadn’t been born to yield. Women could yield. They might even enjoy doing so, but only with the right man. One they desired. First came desire. Respect and love followed.

She could only deliver her heart to a man like that.

Even if Tristan wasn’t facing the gallows, he wasn’t the one she needed. His skin was warm against hers but what of it. He was handsome as the devil, yet there was the rub, because he was also brutal, violent, taking what he wanted. His mouth on hers was something she refused to consider, though she could hardly forget how he’d spoken calmly when she’d railed. She insulted and he smiled. He claimed she wanted the same as him. Diana did not. She wanted to be home. She needed to be free.

Her eyes flew open. A sound or voice had awakened her. Reclined on her side, she faced away from the door. An oil lamp had gone out, telling her she’d slept far too long, recklessly too.

Oh my God. Peter.

Diana rolled onto her back but didn’t check his mattress, knowing he wasn’t there or in the cabin.

Tristan was. His long legs, muscular calves, and thighs blocked her view of the door. He’d placed his precious book on the table. The volume was safe. She was not.

Before she could push to a sitting position or think to fight, he straddled her, his hands circling her wrists, holding her arms to each side. His touch didn’t harm, at least not yet.

Her heart pounded.

He offered a smile.

How dare he be so smug. “Release me at once.”

He tightened his grip slightly and studied her mouth, then her eyes. “Violet.” Awe flooded his face. “I wondered about your eye color but never expected this.”

She pushed and writhed but did no good against his strength. Breathless, she stopped. “What have you done with Peter?”

Tristan stared at her eyes. “Amazing color, quite beautiful. Fits your dark hair and pale skin perfectly.”

She rammed her thighs into him.

He held her more firmly. “Stop that.”

“Not until you tell me what you’ve done with my brother.” She slammed into him.

He scooted down and trapped her legs. “Peter’s on the main deck with the other men.”

“He’s a child and proved it by helping you escape.”

“This wasn’t his doing, and you’ve no reason to fear for his safety. I have James, my quartermaster, looking after him.”

“A bloody pirate, you mean. The same as you. Perhaps even worse than you.”

“No. James is a good man.” A haunted look touched Tristan’s features before he shook off whatever had troubled him and became casual. “He saved my life. He’ll take great care to watch your brother.”

She wanted to retort but couldn’t reconcile her indignation with Tristan’s previous anguish and the mean scratches she’d left on his cheek. Dried blood had gone black, the surrounding skin swollen and red. “What do you mean he saved your life?”

“Just that, ask no more for I’ll give you no other answer.”

“The only thing I want from you is my freedom.”

He stroked her wrists. “You want the same as me.”

She pushed against him, straining with the effort.

He tightened his grip, proving she wasn’t a match for his strength. If he chose to take her now, she’d have no choice except to allow him what he willed.

She didn’t beg. Wouldn’t. Not to him or any man, including Bishop. They could conquer her body but not her spirit, never her heart. Reconciled to her fate, she grew limp as she could, pulse racing. “Take what you’ve come for and be quick about it.”

“I shan’t be quick, Diana. With you, I’ll never be quick.”

Heat stung her face and throat. “You won’t be the last, either.”

His gray eyes darkened as storm clouds do, danger building in them. “What do you mean?”

“When you’re finished with me, I go to the man to whom I truly belong. Nothing will change that no matter how long you intend to take raping me.”

Despite her harsh words, he didn’t flinch or frown.

“Who is this man with whom you’d willingly lie?”

“Willingly?” She laughed. “You believe I’ve chosen him any more than I’ve chosen you? The fact is you’ve driven me to him.”

“What do you mean? Who is he? Tell me.”

She turned her face away.

Tristan brushed his lips over her cheek and buried his face in her hair.

Her scalp tingled. She could scarcely draw enough air to speak. “I said, be quick about it.”

He took his time, his lips soft and warm against her temple and ear, breath heated and sweet.

She tensed even more, determined to resist.

“Why do you fight me when you want this as much as I do?” He kissed her jaw.

Pleasure rushed through her, delight making her come alive as she never had, the feelings new, troubling, far too exciting. Her lids slid down.

“Tell me who the man is.”

Tristan’s scent surrounded her, surprisingly clean, tinged with musk.

“Tell me, Diana.”

“Why?”

He suckled her neck.

She trembled, an unfamiliar ache building between her legs, tension mounting within her. Flustered, she fought his hold and failed, growing weak from his imposing size. However, she refused to surrender, wanting him to know what he’d done to her. “He’s a wealthy merchant who agreed to help me find Peter if I promised to become his mistress, which I shall.”

“Never.” His breath skipped over her skin. “No one will have you but me.”

She fumed, her previous weakness gone. “You’ll take me. You’ll never have me.”

“Nor will the wealthy merchant. He owns this ship? Is his name Benedict Bishop?”

Tristan kept surprising her, giving her no defense. She pushed against him.

He eased back. “Is that the merchant’s name?”

“Yes. He’s the man to whom I belong.”

“Not any longer.” 

About Tina:

Tina is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic novels were Readers' Choice Award winners. Another three were named finalists in the EPIC competition. One of her erotic contemporary romances was chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for one of her erotic romances. Two of her titles received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Another two won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

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The Virgins No More MF Regency Historical series

I have a Regency historical romance written for one of the upcoming 2017 Naughty Literati anthologies. Just to tempt your reading palate, here is an existing Regency series I wrote.

The Vicar's Virgin (Virgins No More Book 1) by Berengaria Brown

The Reverend Mr. Ridley needs a wife, so he focuses his attention on Georgina Arnott, a sensible, intelligent, and attractive woman. On their wedding night, he is relieved to discover his virgin enjoys the pleasures of the bed, and after a slow start, their evenings are full of passion. Unfortunately, when she takes an interest in his parish, it seems to involve filling his house with noisy people and children. He loves his new wife, but can their marriage withstand the test of time?

https://www.amazon.com/Vicars-Virgin-Virgins-More-Book-ebook/dp/B006C3W264/

Almost a Virgin (Virgins No More Book 2)

Theodora has loved John Smith ever since she was a little girl. But he's very wealthy and she's only a vicar's daughter. John had been waiting for Theodora to grow up. When he kisses her in the garden at the ball, lust roars through him and he takes her there in the garden, only a few yards away from a hundred people. It's not until the deed is done that he realizes he's just dishonored his best friend's sister. Theodora doesn't regret what she's done. She wants more. Even though John is only marrying her because he dishonored her, she doesn't care. She'll make him so happy in bed that he's bound to fall in love.

https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Virgin-Virgins-More-Book-ebook/dp/B006P2NNLA/

A Promising Virgin (Virgins No More Book 3)

Zethan, Earl of Mitcham, decides, after careful thought, that the stunningly beautiful Miss Sapphire Arnott will make him the perfect wife. It's only when she declines his oh-so-flattering offer that he realizes how rude and arrogant he'd been to her and her brother, and how much he loves her. The only solution is to woo her properly. The Season is almost over. Can Zethan win his lady's hand? Meanwhile Simeon Arnott is in love with Miss Anne Smith. But she's incredibly rich and he's a mere Baronet. Will she accept his proposal of marriage?

https://www.amazon.com/Promising-Virgin-Virgins-More-Book-ebook/dp/B0075YJ8XO/

Berengaria Brown

Blog: http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
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Where Destiny Plays Finally Re-Released! #99cents

I am beyond excited to announce the re-release of Where Destiny Plays, Book 3 in my Victorian erotic romance series, The Harwell Heirs. I am even more excited to show off the new cover:

The cover designer was Dar Albert of Wicked Smart Designs, who also did the covers for the re-release of The Pleasure Device and Disobedience By Design.

Rights for Where Destiny Plays reverted back to me as of December 31, 2016. I re-edited the book, including rewriting two scenes -- however, the story is still the same. So, if you've read it before, it's still the same erotic love story. However, isn't that cover simply gorgeous? I wouldn't feel bad if you bought the book just for the cover!

And to celebrate my new re-release I’ve priced the ebook at 99¢ for a limited time! You can find the ebook edition of Where Destiny Plays at the following retailer sites:
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon Australia
Barnes & Noble/Nook Press
Inktera/PageFoundry
iTunes/iBooks
Kobo

And, for the first time ever, Where Destiny Plays is available in paperback! Buy it here:
Amazon USA
CreateSpace
Barnes & Noble

Here's the book blurb:

After a night of passion at Victorian England’s most notorious masquerade, Arthur Harwell knows he’s met the woman of his dreams. A wealthy viscountess with deep political connections, Lavinia is surely the perfect match for the future marquess. But tragedy has left Lavinia unable to provide Arthur with the one thing he needs: an heir. Must Arthur abandon true love to satisfy aristocratic obligations?

A Vow Reconsidered

Ever since a tragedy twenty years ago, Arthur Harwell, the Earl of Petersham, has vowed to never fall in love again—or marry. Yet a passionate encounter with a veiled woman at a masquerade inflames his hopes, and he is determined to find her. When he discovers the stranger is Lavinia, a woman for whom he already carries a torch, he is certain his future is settled.

An Old Wound

Widowed, wealthy, and well-connected, Lavinia, the Viscountess Foxley-Graham, has her pick of lovers, including the far too appealing Lord Petersham. Yet a disastrous affair twenty years prior left her heartbroken and wary. She fights her demons to allow herself to fall in love with Arthur.

A Doomed Attraction

But disaster looms anew. As heir to the Marquessate of Richmond, Arthur is required to marry—and produce an heir. Lavinia’s scandalous liaison left her with more than just sorrow—she was rendered barren. Can Arthur reconcile familial duty with the needs of the heart?

And the series blurb:

The Harwell Heirs

Victorian aristocracy has very strict rules concerning marital connections and familial obligations. But the Harwell heirs—Helena, Sophia, and Arthur—discover love doesn’t always follow the rules. Scandalous affairs force these scions of society to choose between duty and desire, deference and destiny.
Book 1: The Pleasure Device, Helena and Nicholas’s story
Book 2: Disobedience By Design, Sophia and Joseph's story
Book 3: Where Destiny Plays, Arthur and Lavinia’s story

The journey to getting my rights back and republishing has been a very long and annoying one. But I love this book and this series, and I am so very thrilled to be able to offer Where Destiny Plays on my own terms!

About the Author

Regina Kammer is a librarian, an art historian, and an award-nominated, best-selling, multi-published writer of erotica and historical erotic romance. Her short stories and novels make history sexier, whether the era is Roman, Byzantine, Viking, American Revolution, or Victorian. She’s even sexed up contemporary settings, Steampunk, and Greco-Roman mythology. She has been published by Cleis Press, Go Deeper Press, Ellora’s Cave, House of Erotica, Story Ink, The Naughty Literati, and her own imprint, Viridium Press. She began writing historical fiction with romantic elements during National Novel Writing Month 2006, switching to erotica when all her characters suddenly demanded to have sex.

Keep up with Regina on her website

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Wicked Whispers - erotic historical - on sale for 99¢ #TinaDonahue #WickedWhispers #EroticHistorical #DangerousDesiresSeries #99¢

Wicked Whispers, book two of my erotic historical series Dangerous Desires, is on sale for 99¢ until July 31.

Dangerous Desires is set in medieval Spain 1488 and stars warrior knights who simply cannot tame the women they love.

AVAILABLE AT THESE FINE RETAILERS:

AMAZON - AMAZON UK - BN - KOBO - iTUNES - GOOGLE PLAY

Praise for Wicked Whispers

First I have to comment on the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous. This was an absolutely great read. It is the second in a series, but I didn't feel lost at all while reading it, which is good. However this story is so much a continuation of the first book that it would probably be a good idea to read Loving Lies, so that you could fully get to know all the characters. (Again, it isn't necessary, but I think that reading the first book might have made the book a bit more enjoyable for me)

This book is a wonderful mixture of history and sexy romance. I loved Enrique and how he wooed Sancha. If you are looking for something different in your historical romance this is a great book to start with. 

THE CERTIFIABLE WENCHES

This story was really delightful, edgy and had me turning the pages of my Kindle faster than I ever expected. This is a story of a fiery romance set with danger and excitement twisted within the plot. 

At first, as I began to read "Wicked Whispers," I wasn't sure what to expect. It begins with the knowledge that a wealthy nobleman "Enrique" is in love with a girl named "Sancha" and has been for quite some time. In whatever "passions" that were never met to Enrique - given his line to Isabella 

"It would appear your sister has never shared my passion,"

Sancha is not interested in marriage - belonging to a man in any way and staying independent to pursue her life's work as a healer. (Which is already tricky for the time era this novel takes place in.) Avoiding one marriage proposal already, (To Enrique's brother, Fernando), Sancha's sister Isabella takes it upon herself for her family and sister to go forward with the arrangement. (And kinda tricks Fernando too!) 

As the story unfolds, Sancha takes "refuge" in Enrique's home after having already hid away in his brother's castle. It is there the story between Sancha and Enrique and their passionate desire for one another soon begins to unravel. 

Rumors begin of Sancha being a witch and Enrique does everything he can to protect the woman he has loved for so long. 

I was really impressed by the fantastic character development and the immersive world that Tina created for all of the readers. (And you can't forget about the steamy scenes!) 

You will come to love this novel! (And don't worry, I hadn't even known there had been a book before this! This novel really works as a stand alone romance!)

THE GADOURY DREAMER

Granted life is busy and we all have a lot to do. Personally, I’m in grad school and have endless piles of thought-provoking, densely written textbooks to go through. So what better way to scape my overwhelming homework than reading, right? LOL But that’s exactly what I do! I take a break from reading by reading some more. It’s always been like this. I tend to balance out ‘heavy’ – those that require a lot of higher order thinking skills –  texts with ‘lighter’ ones. You know, the books one chooses just for the fun of it.

When I picked Wicked Whispers up, I thought it would fall into the latter category. I mean, it’s the end of quarter and I have tons of deadlines to comply with. I just needed an easy read to unwind with for a couple of hours. Well, did I pick the wrong book! Wicked Whispers sucked me in from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. However, the setting and plot grabbed my imagination in quite an unexpected way. Plus, the topics the book deals with made me pause to reflect on that time period and the many hardships people in general faced back then. I’m a History buff and a feminist so the Inquisition is one of my favorite periods of time; but I hadn’t read anything interesting about it for the longest time so it was a refreshing change.

And have I mentioned the story is HOT and STEAMY? It is and then some. As an avid reader of erotica and an author of erotic books, there’s very little that can still impress me. Tina Donahue’s writing did that! Her style is elegant and appropriate for a historical fiction while keeping the heat on, if you get my meaning. LOL She fleshes out her characters effortlessly and the story flows seamlessly. The main characters – Sancha and Enrique – are multi-faceted, complex, real, and believable. The supporting characters are just as great. What else do you want in a good book, right? Finally, Wicked Whispers is part of a series; however, it’s a stand-alone story. No huge cliffhangers here! Just the way I like it!

I recommend this book to those who like to read well-researched, beautifully- written historical fiction; to those who enjoy a complex erotica story about independent woman and the men who help them keep their freedom.

LIZ GAVIN'S BLOG

An awesome and unique historical romance!

I REALLY enjoyed reading this story. While I felt at a disadvantage in the beginning because of all of the references to the previous book, which I had not read, Tina did a wonderful job of explaining the pertinent information and filling in the gaps.

Enrique is absolutely adorable (in a sexy "I know exactly who I want and I want you" kind of way). His devotion to Sancha was so endearing, even while he struggled at times to justify the deeds she did with the social mores of the time.

I admired Sancha and her dedication to her perceived duty of helping others. Again, I think I would have learned much more about her from the first book, which I have on my wish list and will be purchasing shortly :)

All in all, this was a wonderful historical romance and I absolutely LOVE Tina's work!!!

ROMANCE NOVEL GIVEAWAYS

Blurb:

Follow the heart through darkness…

As the Inquisition gains force, even the faintest rumor can brand one a heretic. In this world it is Sancha's gift--or curse--to be blessed with the gift of healing. But the villagers are in need of her arts more than ever, and she feels it is her duty to help them at the risk of losing her life. And at the sacrifice of her heart…

Enrique has never wanted a woman as he does Sancha. Determined to have her love, he woos her with exquisite passion, giving her refuge to pursue her healing in secret. But their very desire and escape from the ruthless forces of the world may be their undoing. And together, they must pit themselves against a jealous rival and archaic tradition to secure their place in a hopeful new dawn…

Excerpt:

He looked at her. “Never have I met women like you.”

She inclined her head slightly to concede his point. “Now you understand why I said you must find another more in accord with your needs.”

“I want no one but you.”

“Enrique.”

He’d cupped her face, his thumb skimming her bottom lip. Her mouth tingled. Her breath spilled out on a wanting sigh at the tenderness and desire in his expression.

He reined in his gelding and lowered his mouth to hers.

She couldn’t fight him. Didn’t want to. The night was perfect for love, their attraction too intense, his kiss soft and searching at first then filled with raw male need, his tongue slipping into her mouth.

Sancha sagged against him, suckling his tongue as though she’d been born for the task, loving his clean flavor, his strong caress.

With the reins in one hand, he eased his other beneath her shirt, fingertips grazing her skin, hand cupping her naked breast.

She should have pulled away, told him to stop. Trembling with unbearable need, she opened her mouth even more to his tongue, inviting him to invade her deeply, intoxicated by his scent and strength.

Emboldened by her willing surrender, he dragged his thumb over her nipple, making the tip even harder. She ached for him in a way she couldn’t deny. All her life others had told her how sinful lust was. For her to avoid it at all cost. A woman’s purity was worth more than love. Passion could fade in a moment. Chastity alone proved a female’s honor the same as valor did with a man.

She’d never doubted those truths, having rarely thought of them until now.

Within Enrique’s embrace, she was complete for the first time, even though they had no future. Somehow, this moment and a few others seemed enough. On some level, she knew her sentiments were wrong. A better woman would fight for what was right, denying herself and him.

She gripped Enrique’s thigh, not wanting him to stop. Her touch seemed to excite him even more. He tore his mouth free and lifted her shirt, exposing her breasts to the ebbing moon and night air. The cool breeze skipped lightly against her feverish skin. His mouth was hot and damp on her throat.

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