My novella, ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE & SEDUCTION is coming out next month. I have the date as April 12th, which I’m desperately trying to hit. If I end up being a little late, please forgive me. 🙂 I’ve managed to nail down the back cover blurb and a short excerpt. I would love to know what you think.

ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE & SEDUCTION
The Elusive Lords – Novella
Beverley Kendall
Format: Digital
Release Date: April 12, 2011

For Miss Elizabeth Bartlett, sharing her first kiss with the charming Lord Derek Creswell is nothing short of a dream come true…that is, until she is spotted by one of the most relentless gossips of the ton. With scandal nipping at her heels, the only way Elizabeth can avoid total social ruin is by presenting a fiancé within the week.

Viscount Derek Creswell believes Elizabeth set out to trap him into marriage. After all, her sister attempted the very same thing with his brother six years ago. Derek would rather see her ruined than be forced to marry a woman capable of such deception—even one as undeniably tempting as Miss Bartlett. But scandal is a double-edged sword, and when a woman is determined, all’s fair in love and seduction.

 

EXCERPT

***In the following scene, Derek intends to force Elizabeth to give up in trying to compel him to marry her by placing her viriginity on the line. The one thing he knows for certain is that young ladies in society will not participate in the bedding before they have been properly wedded. What Derek does not know is how completely improper Elizabeth can be.

“If I may be frank, Miss Bartlett—Elizabeth.” Somehow her Christian name on his lips sounded more intimate than a kiss. “I am a man who likes to leave nothing to chance. If I am to consider marrying you and courting you in such unfashionable haste, I would like some assurance that you and I suit when it comes to the intimacies of the marriage bed.”

At his words, lust in its most pure form accosted her. Parts of her went soft while other parts became rigid, pinpoints of pleasure to come. When she spoke, she tried for shock and reticence—to sound like the properly scandalized virgin.  “You would like us to have marital relations outside the sanctity of marriage?”

Virgin she could claim, but scandalized she was not.

Lord Creswell turned to face the bedchamber door, his back now to her, but she glimpsed the satisfied smile curving the edges of his mouth. “I have no desire to saddle myself with a wife who cannot perform adequately in that area.”

For several long seconds, Elizabeth said nothing, allowing him believe she was grappling in indecision. His hand released its grasp on the door handle and he straightened as if ready to claim victory.

“Very well, if that’s what it will take to ease your mind—ease both our minds—that our marriage will not be a disaster in that arena, let us proceed. But I must have your assurances that once we’ve established that we suit, um, in that way, we will announce our betrothal and set a date for the wedding before the end of the Season.”

Elizabeth took great satisfaction in watching Lord Creswell’s entire form stiffen and his hand still in mid-air. Slowly, he angled his head over his shoulder to regard her, incredulity in the blue-green depths of his eyes. “You are in agreement?”

Feigning the stalwartness of that of a virgin about to be sacrificed for the good of God and country, Elizabeth gave a tremulous but firm nod.

“And if we do not suit, what then?” His question came out strained and low. He was nervous and uncertain, for he knew as did she, they would suit in that way very well. Better than most, she imagined, given the two kisses they’d shared in the past several days.

“Then we must continue in our efforts until we make it so. As the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day. This may require a good deal of effort on both our parts. But by my estimates, we still have six more days available to us.” She gave him a bright smile. “Shall we proceed, milord?”

 

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By Avon Books, Giveaways, self-publishing61 Comments on Sneak Peek!

61 Replies to “Sneak Peek!”

  2. Love it, Bev! Love heroines who are confident and clever enough to turn the tables on such a haughty man. Look forward to reading the whole story!

  4. I just love the eccentric heroines, trying to appear conventional. This has such a tongue-in-cheek flavor to it.

  5. OMG, I cannot wait for your novella!! That excerpt already has be eager to read the rest of their deliciously scandalous story!

    PS: Don’t enter me in the contest…I already have WHEN BEAUTY TAMED THE BEAST and it was fantastic.

  7. I wasn’t so sure after I’d only read the blurb, but the excerpt is definitely a good hook for the story. I like unconventional heroines who are willing to back up their words with actions and that’s what she sounds like. I would love to read this.

  13. How wonderful of your heroine to grasp the bull by the bollocks, as it were! LOL

  14. Souds great! Bet he didn’t see that one comming. Love a girl that takes matter into her own hand. 😀

  16. Looks and sounds like you have another winner on your hands, Beverley! I just love feisty heroines and the men they love! Looking forward to reading it soon, and also looking forward to Alex’s story.

  18. Beverly, I absolutely love it and can’t wait to read Elizabeths and Derek’s story. My bet is on Elizabeth catching just the right man for her!

  25. Best of luck going the ebook route. I still haven’t gotten an ereader. Maybe someday.

  26. The back cover blurb and the excerpt were very enticing, now I really can’t wait to read All’s Fair in Love and Seduction. It sounds delightful.

  28. Hilarious! I loved this charming excerpt. The role reversals here are terrific. How fun that he is trying to play her when the heroine is actually in control of the scene. An intriguing romance that promises humor, zip and lots of fun.

  29. I already liked your books you have now became my favorite author for life April 12 is too far away so please make the deadline and make me a happy woman. The excerpt is great you sure it can’t be a whole book

  31. Good heavens, I do believe she would make a wickedly good poker player. Enjoyed the excerpt. Hope you do well when it comes out.

  33. Congratulations on your upcoming release! I really can’t wait to read it, especially after reading the excerpt you gave us.

  36. Bev this dialogue hooked me immediately! Love a strong heroine and the chemistry between the two is palpable. Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it. Spiffy cover too 🙂

  42. What a teaser! Sounds awesome- can’t wait til it comes out- and alas I am one who still has no copy of EJ’s Beauty and the Beast so what a blessing a win would be.
    In the meantime- happy Spring!

  43. Pingback: Apologies and a sneak peek ;) « Historical Romance Addicts

  45. Sounds good, Beverley. It’s only digital? I wish I could hold it in my hands! The cover is beautiful. SCANDAL!

  48. ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE & SEDUCTION sounds great and the cover is wonderful. I look forward in reading it.

  49. The book sounds really good. I like reading Eloisa’s books. Her covers are always pretty too.

  50. Bev, thanks for posting the great excerpt! I’m eager to read your novella! Pretty cover and intriguing blurb!! 🙂

    ***Don’t enter me in this contest, I just recently got this book.

  54. I enjoyed the excerpt, too. I’ve bought my Nook. E-books, here I come. I’d love to read your new romance. 🙂

  56. Thanks so much, everyone! I thought I need to put out something fun and lighter before the dark brooding quality of An Heir. 🙂

  57. It sounds great. As I said on Twitter. I think this will be another one to get my eyes stuck to a computer screen for longer than I need to be.

    Good luck with release.

  60. All’s Fair in Love and Seduction sounds like your best book yet! I’ve loved your books and can’t wait for this to be released!

  61. I love this!!! I can’t wait for it to come out. Good luck to you in your career.
    Best wishes, Raye.

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