Welcome to the first MFRW Book Hooks blog hop of 2024!
This week’s excerpt is from my January 1st release, Captain’s Mercy. The book had been previously published, but has been re-edited and contains two additional scenes after the main story.
In this excerpt, Mercy has just started her new position in the Barnes house.
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Happy Reading!
Captain’s Mercy
by Kate Hill
Series: The Barnes Family
Format(s): Ebook
Heat Level: Spicy
Pairing(s): M/F
Genre/Themes: Historical, Victorian, Suspense
Length: Novel
Purchase Links: Amazon / Smashwords
When Mercy Brown accepts a position as companion to the sister of Jonah Barnes, a wealthy and rugged former sea captain, she has no idea that she’ll soon be entangled in their quirky family’s secrets.
Prowlers, disturbances from the attic, and eerie howls on the property are just the start. After meeting several strange members of the household, including a groundskeeper who works by night and the mischievous Maxwell Barnes, Mercy wonders if she should flee while she can. Her fondness for her young companion, Faith, and her deep attraction to Jonah prevent her from leaving.
Jonah’s mixed messages regarding his feelings for her leave Mercy confused. With encouragement from Faith, she begins her first novel, an erotic adventure featuring a hero modeled after Jonah. When pages from it go missing, she fears that her gruff employer will discover the nature of her feelings for him and possibly dismiss her. That might be for the best, because if she stays, her attachment to the Barnes family could endanger her life.
Note: Captain’s Mercy was previously published. It has been re-edited and includes two extra scenes after the main story. Captain’s Mercy is an opposites attract historical romance with suspense, some spice, and a story within a story.
Excerpt:
Faith smiled and raised her eyes to heaven. “It’s just an expression, Jonah. Honestly, you can be so sensitive at times.”
He scowled. “Sensitive? You’re the only one who’s ever accused me of that.”
“Perhaps because I’m the only one who’s ever really noticed.”
He pointed his fork in her direction and said, “That’s enough of your cheek.”
Faith chuckled, but Mercy couldn’t help being mortified by his lack of manners.
Then those dark, penetrating eyes fixed on Mercy.
“I trust Michaels gave you the ground rules, as I directed in the note.”
“I’m afraid, sir, he never received the note. Your younger brother, impersonating Michaels, confiscated it as soon as I arrived.”
Jonah stopped chewing and his eyes narrowed. After a moment, he swallowed, wiped his lips on his napkin, and shook his head, muttering under his breath. Mercy thought she detected several foul words, but she couldn’t be sure.
“Sometimes I wonder if Max will ever grow up.” That he said loud and clear. “Faith, did you at least, inform her of the rules?”
“I gave her a tour of the house,” Faith said a bit weakly. “I’m afraid we got so wrapped up in conversation, that I didn’t tell her everything she needs to know.”
Mercy glanced at them warily. What on earth were they talking about?
“I’d better explain, then,” Jonah said. “We’ve had a problem with prowlers over the past two years. A few times they’ve broken into the house. You’ve noticed there’s a lock on your bedroom door. Use it. After ten o’clock at night, don’t venture out for any reason.”
“Sir, that’s highly unusual—”
“Unusual or not, it’s for your own good. If you can’t obey, you can leave right now.”
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Sounds like an interesting story
This sounds like a good old-fashioned Gothic romance with some added spice. Tweeted and Tumbled.
Jonah seems like a tough nut to crack. Good luck, Mercy!
Gothic is the perfect description for this. Makes me want to read more!