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  • First Kiss Friday with C.H. Admirand and a Giveaway! – Sherry Ewing


    Welcome back to my First Kiss Friday blog! I’m happy to have my friend C.H. Admirand back to give you an excerpt from her next release, The Duke’s Champion. You can preorder it now for only $0.99 for a June 24th release. She’s also offering a giveaway so be sure to read all the way to the end to enter. Happy reading, my lovelies, and enjoy!

    Excerpt:

    “Ye wanted to see me, lass?”

    Her head whipped around so fast, he was afraid she’d be dizzy from the movement. “I was not sure that you’d come.”

    “And why wouldn’t I come when the lass I’ve been courting summons me?” Mary Kate rose from her seat, and he motioned for her to sit back down. “No need to stand up. I’ll join ye, if ye don’t mind.”

    She met his gaze and settled onto her chair. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

    He did not say anything when his orders had been to come “at once.” Surely she remembered making that demand. Didn’t she? 

    She lifted the teapot and held it poised over his cup. “Er…tea?”

    “Aye, thank ye, lass.”

    “No sugar, just cream?”

    Ah, so she did remember, though they hadn’t taken tea all that many times together. Not trusting his voice to give away the emotions colliding inside of him at his being this close to her, he nodded.

    “Mrs. Romney made lemon and lavender scones. Would you like one of each?”

    Flaherty’s stomach chose that moment to announce itself. He shrugged as Mary Kate giggled. 

    “I’ll take that as a yes.” She served him his tea and scones before pouring herself a cup.

    “Are ye not having anything to eat?” He wondered if she was suffering to the same extent as he had been. Plagued with lack of sleep, awake and replaying a scene he had no memory of, so he was not certain if he really had barked at her, or if his voice had been stern. Why in the bloody hell could he not recall?

    “Lass?” When she did not look up right away, he sighed and said, “Mary Kate, how are ye feeling today?”

    Her teacup rattled against its saucer until she set it on the table and placed her hands in her lap. 

    “Ye look pale to me. Are ye not sleeping?”

    The emotions in her gaze tugged at his heart and heaped a pile of worry onto his head. He had caused her to fall into this melancholy. ’Twas his fault she was despondent and not carrying on her half of the conversation. 

    This shite had to end. Now! He rose to his feet, reached for her hand, and pulled her into his embrace. “Lass? What’s wrong?” She trembled against him. “Can ye not tell me?” He felt her shake her head against his chest. He nearly chuckled, then remembered what he was supposed to do and the need to laugh evaporated. “Mary Kate, will ye accept me heartfelt apology? I do not recall telling ye to leave, nor saying such terrible things to ye.”

    Her trembling slowed until she was eerily still in his arms. “Never would I willingly hurt yer tender sensibilities, lass. Ye mean too much to me.”

    Still she did not speak, and thereby refused to accept his apology. What could he say to convince her? He racked his brain until it ached, and then it hit him—he’d respond in kind. 

    Easing back, he gently placed his knuckle beneath her chin and lifted her beautiful face so he could gaze into her blue-violet eyes. She blinked, and he claimed her lips, pouring every ounce of regret that she’d suffered because of him into the kiss. When her mouth softened beneath his, he coaxed her to kiss him back with a quick nip of her lips followed by his tongue soothing where he’d nibbled.

    Her soft sigh was music to his ears. Not wanting to risk conversation yet, when she still hadn’t responded, he continued to kiss her. Pleading his case without words, he placed a hand to her waist, encouraging her acquiescence with the pressure of his lips and heat of his body.

    Drawn to him like a moth to candle flame, she burrowed into his arms until he groaned with need, as every bit of her curves molded to the hard planes of his body, awakening the desire he felt for the lass. Her soft gasp had him easing his hold on her. Rather than point out the obvious, not willing to have that particular conversation with her until she’d forgiven him and until after they said their vows, he brushed an errant curl from her cheek, tucking it behind the tiny shell of her ear. 

    Needing her to be the one to speak first, as she had yet to reply verbally, he waited. ’Twasn’t as awkward as he thought it might be, the waiting. 

    Finally she drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I do.”

    “Do what?”

    She frowned, then sighed. “I forgive you, Seamus.”

    The Duke’s Champion (TDG, Bk 13)
    By C.H. Admirand
    Release Date: June 24, 2025
    Preorder for $0.99

    The Duke’s Guard: The men in black who have sworn an oath to protect the Duke of Wyndmere and his family from those who would stop at nothing to destroy him!

    Flaherty asks permission to court Mary Kate, but his jealous reaction to her gregarious nature stalls their courtship.

    Mary Kate Donovan has had Flaherty tied up in knots from the moment he pulled her free from the duke’s overturned carriage. But the lass hasn’t been saving her smiles only for Flaherty—and worse, she seems to have forgotten his rescuing her, telling everyone of Garahan’s earlier rescue when she was kicked to the curb by Lady Kittrick’s cook.

    Mary Kate is abducted—twice—and a misunderstanding has Flaherty leaving his position and resigning from the duke’s guard!

    A suitor who cannot take no for an answer, despite Mary Kate’s insistence that she and Flaherty are courting, causes a rift between the two, leaving Flaherty to doubt Mary Kate’s feelings, until he regains consciousness bound hand and foot next to her…in a burning barn!

    It will take the patience of a saint—which Flaherty isn’t—and the understanding of the woman he loves to straighten out the situation that threatens the very fiber that holds the men in the duke’s guard together.

    Danger stalks in the night, but it will have to get past the Duke’s Champion before he will let harm come to those he has sworn to protect with his strength, his honor, and his heart.

    The Duke’s Champion (TDG, Bk 13) Buy Links:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9QY519S
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9QY519S
    https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F9QY519S
    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0F9QY519S

    Tropes & Themes You’ll Love:

    ✔ Historical Romance
    ✔ Regency Romance
    ✔ Hero to the Rescue
    ✔ Hardheaded Heroes
    ✔ Feisty Heroines
    ✔ Marriage of Convenience
    ✔ Second Chances
    ✔ Happily Ever After
    ✔ Forced Proximity
    ✔ Different Social Classes

    Read in Kindle Unlimited!
    The Duke’s Guard
    Book 1 – The Duke’s Sword
    Book 2 – The Duke’s Protector
    Book 3 – The Duke’s Shield
    Book 4 – The Duke’s Dragoon
    Book 5 – The Duke’s Hammer
    Book 6 – The Duke’s Defender
    Book 7 – The Duke’s Saber
    Book 8 – The Duke’s Enforcer
    Book 9 – The Duke’s Mercenary
    Book 10 – The Duke’s Rapier
    Book 11 – The Duke’s Man-at-Arms
    Book 12 – The Duke’s Lance
    Book 13 – The Duke’s Champion
    Book 14 – The Duke’s Sharpshooter
    Book 15 – The Duke’s Cavalier
    Book 16 – The Duke’s Blade

    C.H. Admirand Bio:

     If we have not met yet, I’m delighted to meet you! Here’s a little bit about me…

    I have been writing romance novels for almost half my life, well at least for the last 30 years. I’m a diehard romantic and have to confess the broad shoulders and wicked glint in the brilliant green eyes of a stranger had my breath snagging in my breast, my heart beating madly, and my future flashing before my eyes. At the age of seventeen, I’d met the man I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with.

    I write Historical & Contemporary Romance featuring characters that I know so well: hardheaded heroes and feisty heroines! They rarely listen to me and in fact, I think they enjoy messing with my plans for them. Over the years I have learned to listen to them! I have always used family names in my books and love adding bits and pieces of my ancestors and ancestry in them, too! 

    C.H.’s Social Media Links:

    Website:

    https://www.chadmirand.com

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.-H.-Admirand/author/B001JPBUMC

    BookBub:

    https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-h-admirand

    Facebook Author Page:

    https://www.facebook.com/CHAdmirandAuthor

    GoodReads:

    https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/212657.C_H_Admirand

    Dragonblade Publishing: https://www.dragonbladepublishing.com/team/c-h-admirand/

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/c.h.admirand

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRSXBeqEY52VV3mHdtg5fXw

    Giveaway Opportunity

    C.H. Admirand is offering a giveaway of the e-book copy of The Duke’s Champion or winner’s choice from her website. To be in the running, comment below on any special plans you have this summer and good luck, fabulous readers!





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  • First Kiss Friday with Deb Marlowe and a Giveaway! – Sherry Ewing

    First Kiss Friday with Deb Marlowe and a Giveaway! – Sherry Ewing


    Welcome to my First Kiss Friday bog. We’re thrilled you can join us today. Today’s guest is Deb Marlowe who a first kiss scene between Niall Kier and Kara Levett, the two main characters in her Kier and Levett Mystery Series—Victorian Mysteries with a Slow Burn Romance. Deb is also offering a giveaway so be sure to read all the way to the end. Leave a comment to be in the running and enjoy this excerpt. Happy reading, my lovelies, and good luck!

    Excerpt:

    When they pulled up before the house, Niall craned to look out, but there was no sign of Turner or any of the other servants. The hour must be late indeed. Gently, he reached out to wake Kara.

    She came awake slowly. Turning her head, her eyes opened. She caught sight of him and gave a sleepy, contented smile.

    It made his heart twist painfully.

    The bond of their friendship ran deep. How much better might it be, if he were he free to take it further? What might it be like, to open his eyes every morning to that smile? To know the day ahead—all the days ahead—would be full of her wit and laughter and talent and beauty?

    He longed to find out. And his urge to follow that thread was growing as strong as the worries that prevented it.

    He climbed down and turned to assist her. The bracing night air prodded her awake, although she gave a great yawn that left him smiling.

    She squeezed his hand. The carriage moved on, heading for the stables. They stood alone in the dark, with the sky full of the sparkling beauty of a multitude of stars and his heart full of conflicting emotions.

    “Thank you, Niall.”

    It was thanks offered for more than his help out of the carriage. He heard the breadth of her meaning in her tone.

    He smiled in answer, returned the squeeze and let her go.

    With a sigh, she began to move toward the house. He watched her for a moment, before turning toward his forge and the loft above.

    The sound of her footsteps in the gravel stopped.

    “Niall?”

    He turned around. She faced him, her hair coming down a little on one side and wafting in the night breeze. He drank in the beauty of her. She was a mad combination of exuberance, stubborn determination, extraordinary vision and the lovely sweetness of her soul. It almost hurt to look at her.

    And suddenly, she was moving. Lifting her skirts and racing toward him. As she drew closer, she let go and reached out—and leapt into his arms.

    He caught her. Staggered back a step. And her lips were on his and he was lost.

    Her fingers were in his hair. Her legs wrapped around his waist. He braced one hand across her back to hold her close and the other beneath the curve of her bottom, to keep her, high and hot and pressed against him, with her mouth locked to his.

    She’d gone soft and pliant. Need sprang to heated life in his chest and he felt the answering sensation in her. Together, their longings rose and combined, whirling between them, spiraling higher and fueling the fervent, dangerous beauty of their kiss.

    She was inexperienced. He showed her subtly, delicately, how it was done. An enthusiastic pupil, she let him coax her mouth open. Their embrace deepened, transforming this encounter into something more demanding and desperate. Something that fought and railed against the cold knowledge of its fleeting nature.

    She moaned, a low sound of aching want, and he clutched her closer still, wishing he could pull her right inside, so that this might never end.

    But end, it did. She pulled away and looked down at him, her face filled with sorrow.
    Slowly, he let her drop, felt the forbidden slide of her down the front of him. But he could not let go, not yet. He bent his head so that their lips hovered close.

    “I wanted to know,” she whispered. “When you are long gone and I am lying awake, making myself miserable with what might have been, I want to know exactly what I will be missing.” She ducked her head, pressing against his chest and gripping him tightly for a moment, before looking back up, her expression gone stern. “Perhaps I wanted you to know, too.”

    She whirled, then, and was gone, running for the house.

    Links:

    The Kier and Levett Mysteries take place in Victorian London. Miss Kara Levett is an artist and creator of automatons and case clocks. Niall Kier is a forge artist from the Highlands with secrets in his past. Follow them to Victorian London as they explore art, science, their own romance . . . and murder.

    www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTRP6LVM?binding=kindle_edition&r

    https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22The+Kier+and+Levett+Mystery%22?Ntk=P_Series_Title&Ns=P_Series_Number&Ntx=mode+matchall

    About the Author:

    USA Today Bestselling Author Deb Marlowe grew up with her nose in a book.  Luckily, she’d read enough romances to recognize the hero she met at a college Halloween party—even though he wore a tuxedo t-shirt instead of breeches and boots.  They married, settled in North Carolina and raised two handsome, funny, and genuinely intelligent boys.

    A Golden Heart winner and Rita Nominee, Deb writes Victorian Mysteries, Regency Romance and Regency Fantasy Romance.  A proud geek, history buff, and story addict, she loves to talk with readers!  Find her discussing books, movies, TV, recipes and Men in Boots on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky and Pinterest.

    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deb.marlowe

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debmarlowewrites/

    BlueSky: debmarlowe.bsky.social

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DebMarloweWrite/

    Giveaway!

    Deb will give away an autographed copy of A Killer in the Crystal Palace and some fun Kier and Levett swag.  Just comment and tell us:  If you could be a professional artist, what kind of art would you create?

    Giveaway open through the weekend.  Winner chosen on Monday!





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  • Busiest and Least Crowded National Parks of 2021

    Busiest and Least Crowded National Parks of 2021


    5 Most Crowded National Parks

    The entire year of 2021 seemed crazy and unpredictable, but millions of people still looked for solace in nature, leading to some seriously crowded national parks. Are you curious which ones were the busiest? Which were the least visited? You might be able to avoid the crowds this summer, if you’re willing to trek to the Arctic, that is. Who’s up for an adventure? I’ve heard it’s stunningly beautiful!

    (These numbers are brought to you by the National Park Service, and I’m only including those NPS units officially classified as national parks, not monuments or other types of sites. The most visited site of all was actually the Blue Ridge Parkway at 15.9 million visits. Yikes!)

    Busiest

    1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 14.1 million visits.
    2. Zion National Park, 5 million.
    3. Yellowstone National Park, 4.9 million.
    4. Grand Canyon National Park, 4.5 million.
    5. Rocky Mountain National Park, 4.4 million.

    Least Crowded

    1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 7,362
    2. National Park of American Samoa, 8,495
    3. Kobuk Valley National Park, 11,540
    4. North Cascades National Park, 17,855
    5. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, 18,278

    Did any of these surprise you? I’m trying to figure out why Washington’s North Cascades National Park has such low visitation. That’s one I’ve always wanted to see, and it only takes a few hours to drive there from Seattle. My family is hoping to visit this summer–so we’ll add a few numbers to their count for 2022.

    So, which of the national parks would you most like to visit this year?



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  • Redwood National and State Parks: My Favorite Things

    Redwood National and State Parks: My Favorite Things


    Graphic showing Redwood forest. Text: Park-It. Favorite Things in Redwood National and State Parks

    Every national park has its own unique spirit and will impact visitors in different ways. Redwood National and State Parks? They will change you–almost down to the core of your being. My 21-year-old daughter and I visited recently for book research and to try out our new camper van. As I stared up at the ancient and giant trees, I was suddenly aware that the 50-odd years I’ve spent on this planet were but a tiny blip in the lifetime of these gentle giants. Even so, I felt welcomed. Does that sound strange? Maybe so, but I’m not sure how else to describe it.

    Here are some of our favorite things we saw in Redwood National and State Parks.

    A person (tiny) surrounded by ferns and looking straight up at the massive redwood trees. Redwood National and State Parks.
    Photo by Karen Barnett

    Trees

    Well, duh, right? The trees dwarfed everything else–both literally and figuratively. For the five days we were there, we found ourselves routinely pointing out trees to each other. “Look at THAT one!” You’d think it would get old, but it really doesn’t.

    A giant trillium plant with a hand next to it for perspective.
    Photo by Karen Barnett

    Gigantic ferns and trilliums

    We were starting to understand the references to Paul Bunyan. Seriously, they grow things ridiculously large in California. The photo shows a well-named “Giant Trillium: (Trillium chloropetalum) with my hand for reference. In my home state of Oregon, we usually see Trillium ovatum which is about 1/3 this size.

    A yellow banana slug crawling across green ferns.
    Photo by Karen Barnett

    Banana slugs and other crawly things.

    After the first few hours of hiking, we finally started looking down as well as up. That’s when we spotted some really cool wildlife in the understory. Banana slugs, Pacific sideband snails, beaded lancetooth snails, and tons of yellow-spotted millipedes.

    Three elk bulls, one with its nose lifted in the air. Their antlers are covered in velvet. Photo taken at Redwood National and State Parks.
    Photo by Karen Barnett

    Elk and deer

    So. Many. Elk. We enjoyed seeing elk wandering around our campground (we stayed at a nearby RV park since the state park campgrounds were full) and then seeing many more of them grazing in a meadow at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. While we were observing the elk herd, a large number of black-tailed deer came out to graze in the meadow as well.

    Brown sign on gate that reads "Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is located on the land of the Tolowa Dee-ni'. The name of this place is Chvn-su'lh-dvn." The text is bordered by a geometric pattern.
    Creative Commons Photo, Richard A. Walker

    References to Indigenous Peoples

    I was impressed by the number of signs paying honor to the local indigenous peoples. The National Park Service doesn’t have a stellar reputation when it comes to its treatment of tribes, but it looks like the current administration of Redwood National and State Parks is making some positive changes. Nearly every building had a sign explaining the names native tribes use to refer to specific locations. My daughter and I also noticed that when displays discussed indigenous tribes, they used present-tense verbs. It’s a subtle difference, but when you write about tribes using only the past tense, you’re planting the idea that they no longer exist (or at least, no longer play an active role). By using the present tense, you’re recognizing that the indigenous people are still here! This type of wording can make a big difference in how visitors think about the situation. I did get a sense that the parks were coordinating their work with several of the local tribes.

    What we took home

    How does that saying go? Take only memories, leave only footprints? We’re taking home a lot of memories from our time in the Redwoods–specifically, a sense of our place in the world. I’ve been reading a lot about the history of logging and conservation in this region. But as I laid my hand on the bark of one specific tree and stared up at its impossibly-tall trunk, I thought, are we really caretakers of these trees? Were the Yurok and Tolowa before us? This tree has stood here for as many as 1500 years. With any luck, it might stand for hundreds of more years. That’s a humbling thought. I’m thankful that I got to stand at its base and contemplate my place in God’s intricate creation.

    Author hiking away from camera surrounded by massive trees at Redwood National and State Parks.
    Photo by B. Barnett
    White Winnebago Solis camper van parked in front of massive redwood trees at Redwood National and State Parks.
    Photo by Karen Barnett

    Blessings!



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  • Daughters of Desire Celebration! New Release, Free and 99¢ Books, and More!

    Daughters of Desire Celebration! New Release, Free and 99¢ Books, and More!


    New Daughters of Desire Release!

    HIS ONE AND ONLY LADY

     

    Daughters of Desire (Scandalous Ladies), Book 4

    Love comes easily to some. Others have to fight for it…

    Purity Mayfield doesn’t entertain romantic notions. She knows marriage isn’t a possibility and has accepted her lot in life is that of a governess. She’s good at her job, too. So, when she sees a little girl being mistreated by her so-called caretaker, Purity doesn’t hesitate to step in and help. Unfortunately, the girl’s cynical and entirely too attractive father is neither grateful nor impressed by her intervention…

    Theran Rutland had—and lost—one great love. He has no intention of seeking another. So, romance is the last thing on his mind when the beautiful Purity accuses his sister-in-law of abusing his daughter. But when her allegations prove true, Theran offers Purity a governess position. Imagine his surprise when he starts to develop actual feelings for her…

    When all is said and done, Purity and Theran might have a shot at happily ever after. But only if a jealous, vengeful rival and a shocking revelation about Purity’s past don’t ruin everything first…

    Purchase HIS ONE AND ONLY LADY now:

    Amazon

    Free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers

     

    On sale for only 99¢ now!

    A LADY, A KISS, A CHRISTMAS WISH
    Daughters of Desire (Scandalous Ladies), Book 1

    Sometimes you have to take a few risks on the road to happily ever after…

    Purchase A LADY, A KISS, A CHRISTMAS WISH for only 99¢ here!
    Offer good though April 4, 2022

    FREE now!

    NO LADY FOR THE LORD
    Daughters of Desire (Scandalous Ladies), Book 2

    She was only supposed to care for his wards…not fall in love with him.

    Download NO LADY FOR THE LORD for FREE here!
    Offer good though April 4, 2022

     

    On sale for only $1.99 now!

    LOVE LESSONS FOR A LADY
    Daughters of Desire (Scandalous Ladies), Book 3

    Yielding to their hearts’ desires would be oh-so-sweet…and oh-so-dangerous…

    Purchase LOVE LESSONS FOR A LADY for only $1.99 here!
    Offer good though April 4, 2022

     

     

     

     





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