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Friday, December 19, 2014

A Duke Surrender's His Heart...with Lorraine Heath and Giveaway


A Duke Surrender's His Heart on Christmas Eve - Lorraine Heath

Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals and computer code, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since, for both adult and young adult readers (as Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker and with her son as J. A. London).

Places to find Lorraine:

The Duke of Ainsley and Lady Jayne Walfort are the hero and heroine of WAKING UP WITH THE DUKE. Lady Jayne enchanted Ainsley the moment they met, but alas she was betrothed to another. But fate will play a role in bringing them together. This scene takes place before their story begins…

A DUKE SURRENDERS HIS HEART ON CHRISTMAS EVE

It was a mistake to come to Lord and Lady Walfort’s Christmas Eve ball. The Duke of Ainsley had known it would be, and yet he’d been unable to stay away. The couple had only recently married, and when his dear friend and cousin, the Marquess of Walfort, had asked him to attend the affair because his wife was nervous about hosting their first ball, Ainsley had been unable to come up with a believable excuse not to show his face.

So here he was, standing at the edge of the ballroom, grateful that he was known for dancing with only one lady before leaving. He merely had to determine with whom he should dance. A wallflower, perhaps. While he was not vain, he was well aware that a turn about the floor in his arms would elevate her and ensure that the following Season a few gents would take a closer look at her. The Duke of Ainsley was known to have unparalleled taste when it came to the ladies.

“Ainsley, have you seen Walfort about?”

His heart kicked against his ribs with the realization that the lady whom he most wanted in his arms was now standing before him. Lady Jayne Walfort, a beauty beyond compare with raven black hair and startling blue eyes. The feelings he held for her were unconscionable. She was his trusted friend’s wife. And yet he seemed unable to move beyond how desperately he yearned to have her for himself. He had from the moment he’d met her, but it had already been too late. She already belonged to Walfort.

“Afraid not,” he said. At least not since he’d seen the man slipping out for a secret assignation with his mistress. Why his friend continued to have a skirt on the side when he had this exquisite creature in his bed was beyond Ainsley’s comprehension. If she were his, he would never want for anything or anyone else.

Releasing a soft sigh, she gave him a gentle smile that speared his heart. “He hates balls,” she said quietly. “Agreeing to our hosting this one was my Christmas present.”

He despised balls as well, but if she were his, he would host one every night if it was what she wanted. But he would stand by her side throughout the entire evening. He would never do anything that would cause her to have to search him out.

“It’s a wonderful affair,” he told her. “All the greenery, the red bows and ribbons. So festive.”

Her smile deepened. “I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of year, and my dearest wish is that by the next, we shall have a little one with whom to share it.”

He would give her that as well, if he could. What was he thinking? She was not his, she would never be his.

“That would please Walfort very much,” he said.

“I hope so.” A furrow creased her brow. “Although sometimes I’m not certain I’m the wife he wishes I was.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. Not certain why I said that.”

“New bride insecurities, I’m sure. Quite common.”

She arched a brow. “What makes you an expert on how new brides feel?”

“Excellent point. I suppose I don’t really know. But I do know with absolute certainty that you are loved beyond all reason.”

Her cheeks flushed a lovely pink hue. “I suppose a woman can ask for no more than that.”

This woman could ask for anything and he would grant it.

“Are you going to dance?” she asked.

“I think not.” It would be unfair to dance with another when, on this night, he realized that he had surrendered his heart to her.



From New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath, comes the second book in a brand new series, The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, featuring three eligible bachelors...and the scoundrels that reside within each.

Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can't escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he's not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning, he realizes she doesn't remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she's his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

While Ophelia might not recall her life before Drake, she has little doubt she belongs with him. The desire she feels for her dark, brooding employer can't be denied, regardless of consequences. So when Ophelia's memory returns, she is devastated by the depth of his betrayal. Now Drake must risk everything to prove she can trust this rogue with her heart once more.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |
 


 Check out what's up for grabs.


Up For Grabs:
  • 3 copies of Once More, My Darling Rogue & Deck The Halls with Love

To Enter: 
  • Please leave a comment or question for Lorraine.
  • US shipping ONLY.
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter for entry.

**Don't forget to enter the grand prize giveaway!


Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Lorraine Heath for sponsoring this giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

41 comments :

  1. Hi Lorraine. What a treat to visit Ainsley and Jayne again! I loved their story. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

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    1. Thank you! May you have a wonderful holiday season as well!

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  2. Enjoyed reading the excerpt for this book. Loved it and love the cover too!

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  3. My heart aches for him. How terrible knowing the lady you love has a cheating husband.

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  4. Wish she could have found him first. Nice little set up piece.

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  5. How sad to love someone who's taken!! Now I definitely need to go find their book :) Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Love, love, love your books!! Can't decide which is my favorite. Anxiously awaiting The Duke & the Lady in Red!

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  7. I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason, tho it often takes a while to see what has happened instead of what we thought we wanted.

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  8. Thanks for the story. It was nice seeing Ainsley and Jane again. Waking Up With the Duke was my first introduction to your books.

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    1. Thank you so much! I might have to consider writing the next generation.

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  9. Love your stories, Lorraine! I read your Deck the Halls with Love every Christmas season as one of my auto-holiday reads. :-) As to Once More My Darling Rogue, who could EVER forget Drake and Ophelia's courtship!! Not I! Thanks so much for your participation in this annual event put on by RFTC. It's such fun! jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. Janice: I'm honored Deck the Halls would be one of your auto-holiday reads. Thanks for the kind words about Drake and Ophelia. This RFTC event is such fun.

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  10. Lorraine I have been reading your books for years. I love the excerpt and cover for this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  11. I enjoyed the Christmas Eve Ball scene. And I really love the dark cover on your new book!

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I loved the cover when I saw it. It's always a little like Christmas when I open the email with cover jpg attached.

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  12. Sorry to have been absent much of the day. I had to pick up the grand dog. Thought my son and I were going to do the exchange yesterday, but the rain held us off so we did it today. I got caught in traffic and it took much longer (nearly 6 hours) than I expected; then had to get the grand dog and our dog comfortable with each other. I'll post replies tomorrow but so appreciate everyone stopping by. You are all so special.

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  13. Loved the story. Thanks for the chance and hope you have a great holiday

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    1. Sheryl: Thank you! Happy Holidays to you and everyone!

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  14. What a sad comment on the character of Lady Jayne Walfort's husband. This should be a most interesting book. I enjoy your books and look forward to reading these.

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    1. Thank you. I enjoy reading the other scenes that are posted here.

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  16. I can't believe I'm reading a short scene with Ainsley and Jayne! I absolutely love Waking Up with the Duke and I have reread this book multiple times! Can't wait for the next book the the Scandalous series!

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  17. I'm glad I already knew these 2 would have a happy ending - very bittersweet story. ;-) Thanks!

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  18. I miss reading Ainsley and Jayne's story; I need to go back and read it again. I was glad that they both got their happy ending. HOw do you come up with the titles for your books or the series name? Have a happy holiday!

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  19. I enjoy reading this author's work. She is such a great author and always has the greatest covers.
    Happy Holidays,
    Lori

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  20. Poor Ainsley! I'm glad he'll end up with a happy ending.

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  21. Such great stories and so romantic ;)

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  22. Merry Christmas 8D
    Great excerpt from Waking up with the Duke, Loraine.

    Mindy :)

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  23. I love a tormented hero, thank you for all of your books, Lorraine!

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