I’m so excited to be back on the Casa blog and introducing
you to Checkmate, My Lord, the second
book in my Nexus series.
Like all conflict-ridden romances, Sebastian Danvers and
Catherine Ashcroft’s road to happiness was not an easy one. Sebastian, aka Lord
Somerton, aka Chief of the Nexus, trusts no one and will do anything to protect England from a
French invasion. In Checkmate,
“anything” included allowing a respectable widow to seduce him. What better way
for a spymaster to discover why a respectable woman would jeopardize her reputation and her
daughter’s future happiness?
Poor Sebastian. Had he known succumbing to the Catherine's oddly
innocent caresses would eventually heal his lonely heart and make him yearn for
a life he’d sacrificed years ago, he might have steered clear of the beautiful,
organizing Mrs. Ashcroft. But he didn’t, which made me a happy author.
Opportunities to torture my heroes always bring a smile to my face. J
Here’s our first glimpse at Sebastian’s slow fall into love…
“I believe
you wanted to see these.” Catherine held out a packet of letters, tied together
with a black ribbon. The ribbon trembled.
“Thank you.” He studied her face as he accepted the bundle, but her
even features gave nothing away. “I know how hard it must be to share your
private correspondence.”
“Yes, but
worth it if they help you find my husband’s murderer.” She swallowed. “Did you
learn anything from the others I gave you?” She turned the full force of those
beautiful eyes on him.
“Unfortunately,
no.” He held up the new stash. “We need to decipher these in order to fully
understand Ashcroft’s message.”
“I see.”
“Tell me,
Mrs. Ashcroft.” He stepped closer, his gaze sliding over the delicate contours
of her face. “What will you do if it’s decided that your husband’s death was an
unfortunate case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time?”
Her eyes widened a fraction, but her answer came swift and determined.
“I’ll take the letters to someone else.”
Sebastian’s
body went hard. Desire like nothing he had ever felt before rushed through his
veins. Not for the first time, he wondered what it would be like to have such a
fierce champion. “Are you this loyal to everyone you care about?”
“What can
you mean, sir?” she asked. “Would you not do the same for a wife?”
“I have
never been married, madam. Therefore, I cannot answer your question.” Closer
now, he drew in a long, slow breath until her scent drenched his senses.
Tantalizing and fresh. Understated, yet feminine. His chest expanded around
another deep inhalation. “But I find I like the idea of a wife defending my
cause. No matter the obstacles placed in her path.”
“You make me sound heroic.” She folded her hands in front of her. “I
assure you, I am not. Merely practical.”
He studied
the pulse point on her slender throat, noted its frantic rhythm. Blood streamed
into his extremities. “I don’t believe you. My tenants provided several
testimonials yesterday that would make you eligible for sainthood.”
“Don’t be
ridiculous,” she said in a breathless voice. “Unlike your tenants, I had
nothing to lose by holding Mr. Blake accountable for his actions.”
“Yes, Mrs.
Ashcroft.” He raised his hand and brushed the backs of his fingers along the
curve of her neck. “Unlike you, not everyone would have bothered to right the injustice.”
“M-my, lord, what are you doing?”
He settled a
hand on her waist, bringing their bodies closer together. His gaze transfixed
on her lush full lips. Lips that would mold to his in an exquisite embrace. His
insides curled into a tight knot of anticipation. He shouldn’t want her, his
agent’s widow, but he did, with staggering force. Ashcroft’s final request
faded behind his fevered desire.
It was then he knew she was in danger. And perhaps so was he.
“I’m going to kiss you now.”
It was then he knew she was in danger. And perhaps so was he.
“I’m going to kiss you now.”
---
I had such a great time writing Checkmate, My Lord. Catherine’s seven-year-old daughter Sophie made my journey of discovering these characters all that much more fun. She was a delight and enriched the story in countless ways. I’ll be forever grateful to the benevolent force that brought her to my attention. J
Hugs and Happy February!
Tracey
PRAISE FOR CHECKMATE, MY LORD
“Devlyn’s seamless writing will entice readers and keep them eager for the next installment.” ~ Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
“Devlyn delivers an emotional, powerful read.” ~ RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“Devlyn’s edgy and sexy series is gaining momentum, and historical-romantic suspense fans, particularly those who enjoy Brenda Joyce, will delight in this.” ~ Booklist
GIVEAWAY
To win a copy of Checkmate,
My Lord, answer the following question in the comments below. Be sure to leave your email address!
Is
there one thing in this world that you would do anything to protect?
VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR
Hope to see you around the Internet! I'll be visiting several blogs and websites to discuss CHECKMATE and giving away tons of prizes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tracey Devlyn writes historical
romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey Toward the
heroine’s happy ending). She’s a co-founder of Romance University, a group blog
dedicated to readers and writers of romance, and Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville,
Chicagoland’s exciting new reading salon devoted to romantic fiction.
An Illinois native, Tracey spends her
evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing
her characters. For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts,
contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website
at: www.TraceyDevlyn.com.
Dangerous Darlings Street Team | Newsletter | Discover a New Love
Twitter.com/TraceyDevlyn | Facebook.com/AuthorTraceyDevlyn
LadyJanesSalonNaperville.com | Goodreads.com/TraceyDevlyn
Twitter.com/TraceyDevlyn | Facebook.com/AuthorTraceyDevlyn
LadyJanesSalonNaperville.com | Goodreads.com/TraceyDevlyn
Don't enter me for the giveaway, I already got the book! Can't wait to read it. And yes, I would do anything to protect my son.
ReplyDeleteI would do anything to protect my children. Congrats on your release, Tracey!! XO ~ Amy
ReplyDeleteamymanemann@gmail.com
Tracey, this looks great!!! Can't wait to read this one! :) So excited about your newest release! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI would do just about anything to protect my family! Congrats, Tracey!
ReplyDeleteAmy at Remus dot net
Congratulations, Tracey!
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see you at the NJ conference. I hope you'll be signing this next fall.
Tracey -
ReplyDeleteAs with most women, I'd do anything to protect my kiddo. I have a feeling I'd do the same for my dogs :-).
Hugs on this great release!
Kelsey
I would do anything to protect my family. Even thinking about it conjures up the strongest emotions.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about Checkmate, My Lord. Can't wait to escape between its covers.
Nancy
PS -- GORGEOUS COVER!!!!
Congratulations on your release! So excited for you. This is such an amazing read and I know your readers will love it!
ReplyDeleteI'd do whatever I had to in order to protect my son.
Congratulations on the new release! Sourcebooks authors are rockin'!
ReplyDeleteI'm a mother. Need I say more?
Congratulations on the new release!...I would protect my husband Harry...we have no children...if it was a thing, it would be a heart shape stone HARRY had given me, A VIVID COLOUR OF OCEAN BLUE!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying A Lady's Revenge very much; can't wait to read Somerton's story!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book. Sounds awesome. I love the cover. I would do anything to protect my family.
ReplyDeleteCrystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
I'd do anything to protect my children and grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteNew book sounds like a fun read, and love the cover..
I'd do anything to protect my family and loved ones. They're my greatest support and I don't know what I'd do without them.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Loved that excerpt and though not normally a fan of historicals, I confess that reading this little bit has me excited about the book (I could be converted yet LOL)!!!
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question posed, my family. I would do anything to protect my family. To me, my family represents all that is good in this world - the love, the laughter, the loyalty that exists between people that, if they weren't family, you might not even like! :)
Oh, definitely my two daughters - anything! Sounds great and what a lovely cover!
ReplyDeletecatslady5(at)aol.com
Nicole - I wasn't a fan of historicals either, but trust me, with Tracey's books you will be converted. She has spies in her books and some romance and rocking women. Oh and Sophie in this book is so incredibly fun. You will like it!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, I love your excerpt, Tracey! Sexy and captivating. Congratulations on your release. The cover is beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteOh I can't wait to read about these two. I'm hoping to pop open my copy soon. I am definitely eager to learn more about Sebastian and watch him get his HEA.
ReplyDeleteBrooklyn Ann - thank you so much! Yes, there's nothing like a mother's love.
ReplyDeleteAmy M - Thanks for stopping by!
Terry - *Hugs*
Amy R - Family is so important!
Ashlyn - Loved chatting with you at NJRWA! My conference going will be severely limited this year, because my husband and I are going on a long vacation for the first time in YEARS! I know I'll be at the RWA National conf--that's all I have confirmed right now. Take care
Kelsey - Yep, our 4-legged critters quickly become one of the family
Nancy - Sourcebooks does a fabulous job with the covers. That literally stop folks in their tracks at book signings!
Adrienne - thank you so much!
Victoria - Nope, that one word says it all!
Juanita - Love it. Thank you for sharing.
Maria - So glad you're enjoying ALR!
CrystalGB - thanks for stopping by
Sheila - thanks for bringing up grandchildren. My mother-in-law is FIERCE when it comes to her GKs.
Isis - family keeps us anchored, that's for sure
Nicole - I've got my historical author eye on you now!
Catslady - thanks!
Tracy M - Really appreciate you stopping by!
Amy R - Muuwah!
ReplyDeleteI don't have children so I would have to say that I would do anything to protect my hubby and I would probably go a long way to protect my friends and extended family as well.
ReplyDeleteelewkf1 at yahoo dot com
Nice excerpt. Protect my family.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love that cover! Wow! And sounds like the book will be another winner! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAmelia
Congrats on your new release!
ReplyDeleteI don't have children of my own, but I'll definitely protect my nieces and nephews.
kliu107(at)gmail(dot)com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm in the majority, like most mothers I'd say my son.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
My family :)
ReplyDeleteThanks,
lorih824 at yahoo dot com
That would be my son Sam. He's pretty special in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release!
I would do anything to protect my son, daughter, and/or granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for putting a 7-year-old in the book. I am always too scared to write a kid into the story. can't wait to see how you handle it.
ReplyDelete100% without question I would do anything to protect my family.
ReplyDeleteyadkny@hotmail.com
Danielle - I hope you love Sebastian! He's such a complicated guy. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteElf - hubby's are pretty darn awesome, aren't they?!
bn100 - thanks
Amelia - thanks so much!!
Kristy - I have some pretty awesome nieces and nephews, too!
Barbara E - thanks so much for stopping by!
Beautiful Disaster - thanks
Cheryl - Your son Sam sounds great. He's a pretty lucky guy to have you as a mom. Hugs
Betty - thanks for sharing!
Shana - Yes, I was a little hesitant at first, but Sophie came to me pretty clearly so I had to write her. Thanks so much!
Yadkny - Awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy mum; she's the dearest person in the world to me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release. Absolutely loved A Lady's Revenge & can't wait to read this one.
thumbelinda03@yahoo.com
My family!!!
ReplyDeletemlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Big congratulations on your new release! It sounds great! Love, love all your gorgeous covers! Protect my son...oh, honey, I could go from sweet old grandma to a raging momma in five seconds for my son! And he is a grown man and already a grandfather!
ReplyDeleteLinda, your mum is one lucky lady. So glad you loved ALR!
ReplyDeleteMartha - thanks!
Carolyn - love it! Doesn't sound like we ever lose our motherly instincts.
HUGE thanks to everyone who participated in my launch party giveaway!
ReplyDeleteRandom.org selected KRISTY as the winner. Kristy, I'll be in touch.
Thanks again, everyone!
Tracey
I would do anything to protect those I love. Friends and family..
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new release!
ReplyDelete