Good afternoon! It’s been a while since I’ve had a newsletter, but I’m going to start again with a short weekly update on Sundays. If you have any comments or suggestions about what you’d like included, please let me know.
Thank you!
Kate/Saloni
Guest Bloggers This Week:
Tuesday November 4th – Tina Donahue
Kate/Saloni Upcoming Events:
I will be participating in the release party at The Romance Studio on Thursday November 6th.
Hope to see you there!
Excerpt of the Week: Swordmaster
by Saloni Quinby
“As much as I’d like to spend the rest of the day lying here with you, I have to return to the palace,” Hugh said.
“I know.” Briar kissed his chest, then met Hugh’s gaze. “And I’m going to the village. I promised the local healer I’d help him with his rounds.”
Hugh caressed Briar’s face. This man was everything he admired and everything he’d ever wanted in a companion — strong, intelligent, and compassionate.
“After supper, come to my chamber and spend the night,” Hugh said.
A teasing smile on his lips, Briar said, “Is that a royal command?”
“No. It’s a royal plea,” Hugh said with a playful smile of his own.
“In that case I can’t refuse.” Briar brushed his lips against Hugh’s, but before he could rise, the prince cupped the back of his head and deepened the kiss.
After a moment, they reluctantly broke apart and rose to pull on their clothes.
They walked back together and parted ways near the village. For the rest of the day,
Hugh found it difficult to concentrate. He could scarcely wait to see Briar again.
That evening before dinner, while discussing the feast with his father, the king noticed his distraction.
“What’s wrong with you? I’m tired of repeating myself. Your mind is elsewhere.”
“I was thinking of today’s lessons.”
“The fencing lessons, most likely. The boy is teaching you well.”
“He’s not a boy.”
“All that matters is he’s capable, but any student of Abel’s would be. Still, I hope he returns quickly. My arrangement was with him, not his student. Not only that, there’s something about the boy I don’t like.”
“He’s a good man.”
The king studied him carefully. “You’re quite taken with him.”
“He’s an excellent swordsman and a good healer. The people like him.”
Snorting, the king said, “Pay no mind to the judgment of commoners. He offers free healing services. That’s all they care about.”
“I can understand why. You’ve raised the taxes again. It’s been a bad season for crops. Funds are scarce.”
The king slapped the back of Hugh’s neck so hard it stung. “Don’t be soft. Common folk take compassion as a sign of weakness. If you’re to be king, Hugh, you must never be weak. Not in front of anyone.”
Hugh held his father’s gaze. “Compassion isn’t weakness.”
“You’re young and idealistic. Instead of spending so much time with the scholars, I want you to spend it with me in court. From now on, I want you to start making more decisions, just to see how you do.”
Hugh knew what his father meant. He wanted to see him judge with the same rigidity as he did. Hugh wasn’t a fool. He’d do what he must while his father lived, but once the monster died, Alistwall would be his, to rule as he saw fit.
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