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GENRE: Historical Romance
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BLURB:
New York City’s Gilded Age shines as bright as the power-wielding men of the Knickerbocker Club. And one pragmatic industrialist is about to learn that a man may make his own destiny, but love is a matter of fortune . . .
Born into one of New York’s most respected families, William Sloane is a railroad baron who has all the right friends in all the right places. But no matter how much success he achieves, he always wants more. Having secured his place atop the city’s highest echelons of society, he’s now setting his sights on a political run. Nothing can distract him from his next pursuit—except, perhaps, the enchanting con artist he never saw coming . . .
Ava Jones has eked out a living the only way she knows how. As “Madame Zolikoff,” she hoodwinks gullible audiences into believing she can communicate with the spirit world. But her carefully crafted persona is nearly destroyed when Will Sloane walks into her life—and lays bare her latest scheme. The charlatan is certain she can seduce the handsome millionaire into keeping her secret and using her skills for his campaign—unless he’s the one who’s already put a spell on her . . .
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EXCERPT
“And
what will you tell them?” He dragged a fingertip through a smudge of flour on
the side of her neck. She slapped his hand away.
“That
we are friends. Only Tom would suspect otherwise, and I hope to be able to
convince him this is innocent.”
He
leaned in and heard her breath hitch. Satisfaction caused his heart to pound.
“If he believes that, then he is a fool. You are far too beautiful for innocent
friendships with men.”
Her
eyes warmed considerably, her skin flushing once more at his compliment. “I
cannot be your mistress. I just…cannot.”
“If
it’s the word you object to, then we need not use one. I don’t want to own you,
Ava. I don’t need to have you languishing on silken sheets at my beck and call.
But for God’s sake, don’t tell me I cannot bed you a second time. I cannot stop
thinking about you.”
“Will…”
“Tell
me you haven’t thought of me—not once in two days and I’ll walk away. You’ll
never see me again. Otherwise, we will repeat what happened the other day. You
have my word.”
She
bristled, her shoulders straightening as her jaw tightened. “Your word is not
law here, railroad man, not with me. Everyone else may jump and do your
bidding, but I won’t.”
“You
did not answer my question. Have you thought of me? Of what happened in that
hotel room?”
“Of
course I have—but that doesn’t mean I want to meet you again.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Award-winning author Joanna Shupe has always loved history, ever since
she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. While in college, Joanna read every
romance she could get her hands on and soon started crafting her own racy
historical novels. She now lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters
and dashing husband.
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ReplyDeleteI like the premise, I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this book right now and it's deliciously good! I highly recommend the whole series.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful storyline. The characters seem complex. Cannot wait to meet them!!
ReplyDelete