Reese Ryan Romance

Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Giveaways

#Reader #Giveaway — Journal and Handmade Jewelry Giveaway Winding Down

by

Reese Ryan Summer VIP Reader Giveaway

Happy Friday Dear Reader!

Hope your week was absolutely fantastic. Today’s note is just a quick one to remind you that if you haven’t already entered my reader giveaway of a very cool journal and a handmade jewelry set I call Midnight Butterflies, you have just seven days to do it. The jewelry is part of a new line I’ll be releasing in my online shop, Sinfully Sweet Handmade. Stay tuned for the launch coming in the next few weeks. 🙂

If you’re already registered for the contest, you can score a few more entries each day you tweet about the contest. So share the love and get a little extra love for yourself. 🙂

Have a great weekend!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating New Flames and Saying Goodbye to Old Habits

by

Happy Friday!

Authors Reese Ryan and Cheris Hodges
Me and fellow Hot M.A.M.A. Cheris Hodges.

Hope the week has been good to you. Mine has been busy, with lots of unexpected monkey wrenches thrown into the works (like leaking radiators). But we’re making it work and finding a way to keep on smiling, despite what’s going on around me. Learning to stay positive even when the walls seem to be falling down around me is a trick I learned a few years ago. So much better than the woe-is-me approach, don’t you think?

I’m also feeling pretty good because today was the 28th day of my 30-day Yoga Challenge. I’m still on board and going strong. Loving it more each day. I’m feeling pretty good about making #YogaEveryDamnDay a habit and saying sayonara to the stop-and-start workout routine I normally follow. Healthy living here I come!

And I’m still on a high from my official initiation into the Hot M.A.M.A.s as a New Flame along with author Di Topaz. The ceremony happened during the Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet at the Greensboro Central Library this past Saturday. (Check out a few of the pictures below.) It was fantastic meeting new readers and the Hot M.A.M.A.s, the majority of whom I hadn’t met in person. The event was barely over before I was already excited for our next event in 2016. Stay tuned for news on where that will be and how you can be part of it by joining my VIP Reader mailing list here.

Speaking of my VIP Readers, it was great to welcome new readers onto the list who signed up at the Hot M.A.M.A event. I held a drawing for a cool journal and a bracelet and earring set. Reader Kay E. was the winner, pictured below in her absolutely fabulous fly hat.

If you weren’t able to join us at the live event, no worries. You can still enter to win a similar journal and a different handcrafted bracelet and earring set. Just join the list and complete the form below. For additional daily entries, be sure to share the love by spreading the news of the contest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Happy Fourth of July

by

Fireworks courtesy of Eustaquio Santimano

Today’s weather has been especially crazy, even for North Carolina. It was hot. Then raining. Then even hotter. Then raining again. But it turned out to be a great day, just the same.

First, I fell down the rabbit hole in a craft store. I bought way too many goodies in preparation for some giveaways I’ll be making for one of the lucky attendees at our upcoming Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Luncheon on Saturday, July 11th in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Later, my husband and I attended a get-together my community hosted for members of our development. It was fun getting to know some of my neighbors better and finally meeting some of the people I’d only waved at in passing during the year we’ve lived here.

We ended the night with fireworks, courtesy of our town. Luckily, we live within a stones throw of the park where the fireworks were happening. So we got to watch the fireworks inside from a bedroom window while staying nice and dry.

Here’s hoping your Fourth of July weekend is off to a lovely start, regardless of the weather. 😉

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Fireworks courtesy of Eustaquio Santimano.

Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet Reader Event

by

If you follow me on Facebook, you know I’ve committed to a yoga challenge called 30 Days of Yoga. Seven days in, I’m so stoked about staying on track that I want to add a new commitment to the mix: posting here every Friday.

Life has been a bit crazy, and I’ve been M.I.A. here. I’ve missed connecting with you, so I’ll do my best to pop in here and touch base. Let you know what’s going on in my world and find out what’s going on in yours.

First, if you haven’t joined my mailing list, you’ll want to do that here. Giveaways connected with my upcoming contemporary romance series will be coming soon.

We’re on the countdown to the Hot MAMA Land Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet. The event will take place on July 11, 2015 from 2-6PM at the Greensboro Central Library in Greensboro, North Carolina. We’d love to have you there with us. Wear your flyest hat and join the Fly Hat Contest. I’m going to be a judge, so this will be fun.

Still haven’t reserved your space? Maybe you’ve been waiting for a personal invitation. In that case, I’ve got you covered. See mine below the event graphic. Then I hope to see you there. 🙂

Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet on July 11, 2015 in Greensboro, NC
Hot M.A.M.A. Fly Hat Society Meet & Greet on July 11, 2015 in Greensboro, NC

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

The #ShadesOfDesire Bundle is Available Today

by

 ShadesofDesireBoxedSetPromoGraphic_Medium

NEW RELEASE: Shades of Desire Box Set (10 Sweet & Spicy Romances)

Now available! Ten titillating tales from USA Today, bestselling and award-winning authors. Step into the world of some of the freshest voices in romance. From spicy secrets to sweet second chances. Come find your perfect shade of desire. Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post.

Only $.99 for a limited time only!

J.A. Coffey – Bestselling Author
LIAR, LIAR
Divorced certified fraud examiner Jessica Barlow catches liars for a living. Sparks fly when she’s assigned to investigate a dating website owned by a man determined to guarantee she finds love—even if he has to pretend to be a client!

Wendy Ely – USA Today Bestselling Author
DANGEROUS FLAMES 
Sometimes good men are taught to do evil things and it takes the strength of a sheltered woman to make things right. When Gabi learns of her father, she is asked to leave for her own safety. Fine. She’ll go… but she is taking her secret love with her, even if it’s at gun-point.

Dorothy Callahan – Bestselling Author
A DECADE FOR DARIUS 
Jess never forgot her first kiss, especially since it came from the guy who taught her everything she knows about antiques, her livelihood. But if she wins the priceless inheritance, Jess will risk losing Darius Covington all over again.

Diane Escalera – Bestselling Author
STILL HOT FOR YOU 
Shay LaCosta screwed up a damn good marriage. Now she’s on a mission to get a little submission, and get her hunky husband back in her bed.

Lena Hart – Bestselling Author
HIS BEDPOST QUEEN 
Athena Lewis has a sharp mind and an even sharper attitude. Except when it comes to “Davie,” the only man who’s ever truly made her feel safe. Yet to protect the only family she has left, she must embark on a mission that goes against everything she believes in—and that includes using the last trick she has left. Her body.

Chanta Rand – Bestselling Author and Debut Author of the Year
RESISTING DESTINY 
Thrown together for ninety days by a spiteful judge, womanizing attorney, Cayson Sullivan and street-smart hustler, Destiny Jackson find the only thing they can agree on is their red-hot attraction for each other.

Emma Leigh Reed
TRUSTING LOVE 
Pregnant and running from her abusive boyfriend, Chloe Wilder takes refuge in the sleepy coastal town of Arden. Police chief, Jayden Peterson, thinks the worst crime that could happen in Arden is jaywalking. Could the real danger be the two of them falling for each other?

Cindy Stark – Bestselling Author
WOUNDED 
Battle-worn soldier, Jerry returns home intending to avoid his ex-fiancée. The shrapnel that wounded him pales in comparison to the gash she left in his heart. Kimber lost everything when she broke off her engagement, and she’ll fight to win him back.

Valerie Twombly – Bestselling Author
SPANISH NIGHTS
Armand has lost everything. His magic and his freedom are taken when an evil curse is placed on the Jinn, but a newcomer to town may be his savior. When evil emerges from the shadows, Makayla learns she must choose between her mortality and Armand’s freedom.

Kristina Knight – Bestselling Author
MR. RIGHT NOW 
Dumped by her celebrity boyfriend, unlucky-in-love author Casey Cash needs a break. But, between the male escort trying to get into her bed and the tabloid reporter intent on getting her story, Casey might have been smarter to stay in New York…

Get Yours Today

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00VQYVU1M

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shades-of-desire/id983263845?mt=11

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1121700462?ean=2940152217230

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/shades-of-desire-2

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shadesofdesire-1777727-166.html

Google:https://play.google.com/store/books/details/J_A_Coffey_Shades_Of_Desire?id=parkBwAAQBAJ&hl=en

Don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY: Kindle Fire 7” HD

Link: http://www.lenahartsite.com/grand-prize.html
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Kiss and Tell Blog Tour: Making the First Move Scene

by

The Kiss and Tell Blog Tour

Today, I’m participating in the Kiss and Tell Blog Tour. Read the scene below. Then, in the comments, tell me whether Raine is trying to steal a kiss or tell Melanie something. One random tour commenter will be picked each day for a $5 Amazon or B&N gift card.

 

Summary

Making the First Move by Reese Ryan
Making the First Move is available at these fine booksellers:
Amazon | B & N | B-A-M | iTunes | Amazon United Kingdom | Audible

Melanie Gordon has spent the past five years obsessing over her career to dull the pain of a devastating breakup and the loss of her father. Her effort pays off when she receives the promotion that could be her big break. Only it means returning to her hometown to face her past while leaving behind the man who could be her future.

Selfless (and insanely sexy) philanthropist, Raine Mason, is committed to his cause. But his passion for rescuing high-risk young males from the road to disaster is fueled by his own dark and tragic past.

When Raine is ready to take his casual friendship with Melanie to sizzling new heights, her one-way ticket to Cleveland is already booked. But a steamy night of passion leaves them both wanting more, even if Melanie is afraid to admit it. She reluctantly agrees to a long-distance relationship with no promises and no commitments.

Melanie may finally be ready to give Raine her heart…but then she discovers startling news that causes her to question everything she knows about him. Worse, he’s harboring a dark secret from his past that threatens to shatter any hope of a future for them unless he can convince her that their love is worth the risk.

Add Making the First Move to Goodreads

Excerpt from Making the First Move

Thirty minutes later, Raine is standing in my doorway in a camel-colored cashmere sweater and a pair of Levi’s. A white, button-down shirt peeks underneath the collar. Chin-length, caramel-colored locs are pulled back at the crown of his head, with the remaining hair hanging free. He is, in a word, gorgeous.

My eyes trace the curve of his biceps. I lick my lips, cheeks flushed, and hope he hasn’t noticed I’ve spent the past five seconds checking him out from head to toe. Twice.

“I see you’re ready to go.” He nods toward the wrap draped over my arm and my clutch tucked underneath it.

“I am.”

“Then shall we?” Raine extends his hand in the direction of the narrow stairwell leading down to the first floor.

“Let’s.” I offer a nervous smile.

He slips his hand to the small of my back. I try not to notice the heat emanating from his hand. But it’s nearly impossible to ignore the jolt of electricity, which travels through his long, elegant fingers and enters the base of my spine.

I’m sure his hand has been on that exact spot when he’s guided me through a crowd or we’ve danced together at charity functions. His touch seemed incidental then. Tonight, there’s something about the placement and pressure of his hand that feels deliberate, significant. Or maybe I’m transferring my own well-guarded desire to an innocent gesture.

Raine guides me down the stairs, out the front door and into his car, his hand still on my back.

“Thanks for doing this,” I say. “I know it’s short notice.”

“I couldn’t leave you standing there dressed, with no place to go.” He tries to hide a smirk as he turns the ignition.

“How’d you know I was already dressed when I called?”

“You’ve never been ready when I came to pick you up. There’s not a chance in hell you threw this together in thirty minutes. You look…amazing.”

“Very clever,” I say. “And thank you, I think.”

“It’s too bad, actually.”

“What’s too bad?”

“That you were ready. I was hoping to catch you in a towel, just out of the shower,” he says, his eyes straight ahead.

My cheeks grow warm. I’m not offended, just surprised. Our social conversations have been mildly flirtatious, but never anything so easily decipherable. We prefer our flirtation so well-coded that only a world-class hacker has a chance in hell of sorting it all out.

I stifle a giggle. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

He smiles.

We ride in silence for a while. He pays strict attention to the road. I pretend to be fascinated by the houses and apartments that fly by my window. The same ones I’ve seen nearly every day for the past five years.

“How about some music?” Raine finally breaks the silence.

“Sure. What’ve you got?”

“There should be something in there you can tolerate.” He nods toward his iPod then gestures for an elderly gentleman—who is halfway into the intersection—to cross the street.

I scroll through his iPod. “The Collection by Alanis Morissette?” I laugh. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for an Alanis fan.”

“I’m a complicated kind of guy.” He winks at me.

“Let’s see just how complicated.” I keep scrolling until I come across Learn to Speak Spanish. “I didn’t know you were learning Spanish.”

“I’ve had that forever. All I can say is No hablo español.” He shrugs. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“Why are you learning it?”

There’s a slight pause before he answers. “A lot of my clients speak English as a second language. Communicating with them in their native tongue lends to a more powerful experience. Besides, as you know—Ms. Regional Talent Manager, is it?—being bilingual makes me more marketable.”

“It’s the Great Lakes Regional Talent Acquisition Manager,” I practically sing, “thank you very much. And I’m glad you’re thinking about your marketability. The work you’re doing at the Center is important, but I wouldn’t blame you if you went for a corporate job. You’ve got a lot to offer.”

Raine turns toward me at a stoplight. There’s something intense, brooding about his eyes, like dark gray clouds rolling in ahead of a fierce storm. He wants to say something but isn’t quite ready to say it.

The light turns green, and the driver behind us blows the horn. Raine pulls off.

“Personally or professionally?” He stares ahead again.

“Both, of course.”

“So as a headhunter you’d consider me a viable candidate?”

“Sure. You have years of experience in social services and nonprofit administration. You’re passionate about making a difference in the community. Dozens of organizations—nonprofits, corporations, government agencies—are desperate for a candidate like you. I could have you placed in a week, easy.”

“That’s good to know.” Raine turns into the parking lot of Spinelli’s and finds a spot. “What about personally? Would someone like you, for instance—a successful, professional woman—think I have a lot to offer?”

My heart beats faster. I nod. “Yes. Someone like me would.”

Raine bites his lower lip. The left side of his mouth slowly spreads into a subdued smile. He pushes his door open. “Don’t move. I’ll be right there.”

He walks around, opens my door and extends his hand. I stare at it, as if he’s a smiling stranger offering candy. Taking a deep breath, I gently place my hand in his. He tightens his grip and draws me out of the car.

We stand so close our bodies practically touch. His delicious scent fills my nostrils. For a fleeting moment it seems he’s going to lean in and kiss me. Instead he steps back, extends his elbow and leads me inside the restaurant.

<=====END OF EXCERPT=====>

Don’t forget to leave your comment below. Is Raine trying to kiss Melanie or tell her something? Good luck!
Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Hot M.A.M.A. Holiday #Giveaway Days Kickoff Party

by

Hot M.A.M.A. Land Holiday Giveaway Party Kickoff

You’re invited to help the authors of Hot M.A.M.A. Land kick off our Hot Holiday Giveaway Days with a party on Facebook tonight starting at 7:30 PM Eastern.

The fun begins tonight and opportunities to win extend through December 19th. So don’t miss your chance to win holiday romances, a $50 gift card and one of two handbags during our holiday giveaway days.

The authors of Hot Multicultural Authors of the Mid Atlantic (M.A.M.A.) include:

  • Kianna Alexander
  • Iris Bolling
  • Angie Daniels
  • Yvette Hines
  • Cheris Hodges
  • Denise Jeffries
  • Bridget Midway
  • Reese Ryan
  • Loretta Walls
  • Altonya Washington

Hope to see you there!

Reese Ryan. Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

 

Gypsy Girl Guide to the Outer Banks and Gift Card #Giveaway

by

Sanderling aerial view courtesy of Sanderling Resort.It’s gotten much warmer here in North Carolina and it looks like the never-ending winter has finally come to an end. I love the mild weather in spring and watching all of the flowers bloom. Right now I smell honeysuckle every time I step outside of my door.

Most of us are beginning to focus on summer and vacations. If you’ve ever considered going to the Outer Banks, or you’ve been there before but would like to experience a different part, I’ve got just the thing for you.

My recent post over on All Things Girl, the Gypsy Girl Guide to the Outer Banks, explores Duck, North Carolina. It has no public beaches, so it’s not nearly as crowded as more popular areas of the Outer Banks. Plus, the Atlantic Ocean is on one side of the street and the Currituck Sound is on the other. It’s pretty tough not to get a room with a view in this town. Duck is definitely worth checking out for anyone who loves the ocean or just wants a quiet, peaceful place to relax.

Also, I wanted to give you a quick reminder that there are just a few hours left in my current giveaway of a $20 Amazon Gift Card and a $10 Starbucks Gift Card. The contest has been extended through Mother’s Day. So be sure to enter now and pass it on to a friend. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Once you’ve entered the giveaway, I’d love to see you over to All Things Girl. See pictures and get highlights of my trip to Duck, North Carolina in the Outer Banks.

Hugs!

ReeseRyanSignature

 

 

 

 

Sanderling Aerial View courtesy of Sanderling Resort.

Deleted scene from Love Me Not, Reader Events and VIP List #Giveaway

by

Last week I invited you to join my VIP list (just click the pink bar on the left, or go here) because I have lots of news and goodies for readers in April and May. Here’s a little of what’s in store:

Upcoming Reader Events in Morrisville, North Carolina

  • Love Me Not by Reese RyanApril 30th: Lady Jane’s Salon RDU — Lady Jane’s Salons are fabulous events where romance authors and readers get together to celebrate the genre while also championing important causes. At each salon, three romance authors read from their work. Admission is a gently used romance novel or $5. The proceeds benefit the fight against cervical cancer and a local shelter for battered women. I’ll be reading scenes from Love Me Not at the event held at Another Broken Egg Cafe at 7PM. If you’re not too far from the Triangle, I’d love to see you there!
  • September 13th: Fly Hat Society Luncheon — The authors behind the blog Hot M.A.M.A. (Multicultural Authors of the Mid Atlantic) Land will be hosting their annual Fly Hat Society Luncheon. This catered event will give readers and authors the opportunity to hang out, enjoy delicious food and talk about sizzling romance novels. Fly hat required. ;-)I snagged my ticket and I’m excited to meet the Hot M.A.M.A. authors I don’t already know and to chat with readers. Now, if only I could find the right hat! We’d love to see you at the luncheon which runs from 11:30AM to 4:30PM. You can register for it here.

Today on Sulia I shared a snippet of a deleted scene from my latest release, Love Me Not. However, members of the VIP list will be able to read the scene in its entirety.

Last, but not least, I’m doing a giveaway from now through May 10th exclusively for readers on my mailing list. To enter:

  1. Join the Reese Ryan VIP (Newsletter) list.
  2. Spread the news and contest link on either Facebook or Twitter.

It’s that simple! You’ll get more chances to win every time you share the love on Facebook or Twitter. Just use the rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time!

ReeseRyanSignature

Michelle Miles: Countdown Release Party for A Knight to Remember!

by

Hello! First thanks to Reese for allowing me to come to the blog today and talk about my upcoming release, A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER. I’m very excited about this book and looking forward to getting it into the hands of readers. I hope you love it!

Michelle MilesA little about me. I’m Michelle Miles. I write contemporary, fantasy and paranormal romance. You can find my books online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Sony and other fine online retailers. What makes my fiction different? It’s a blend of romance, high adventure, fast-paced action, sassy heroines and sexy heroes.

Why am I here today? I want you to give my undying thanks to all my readers by giving away a Nook Simple Touch Reader. How do you enter? Come by the blog every day from January 4 through January 14 to the Countdown Release Party to enter! There are daily prizes as well as the grand prize. All you have to do is comment. Every day you do gets you another entry into the grand prize drawing. Isn’t that exciting?

Plus, other authors are joining in the fun. Come meet authors Vicki Batman, Sylvia McDaniel and Misty Evans. I’m giving away books from the Realm of Honor series including ONE KNIGHT ONLY, ONLY FOR A KNIGHT and A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER. PLUS get a sneak preview of the fourth book, A KNIGHT LIKE NO OTHER!

What’s all the fuss about? If you love fantasy romance, then you’ll love this series. Here’s the blurb:

Henry Chase is desperate to find his daughter lost in the Highlands. When he steps through a stone circle, he’s transported to the Otherworld. With his human form hidden by glamour, he masquerades as a Fae knight. He’s instantly besotted by Queen Maeve and determined to break down the walls she’s erected around her heart.

In the aftermath of war, Queen Maeve’s kingdom has been destroyed. She must close the portals to the human realm and restore her lost magic. But before she can set things straight, her archenemy, the Goddess of War, attacks, seeking revenge.

When the goddess captures the queen, Henry offers his life for Maeve’s in the hope his bravery will earn the queen’s love. Discovering Henry is human and knowing she must send him back to his world, Maeve tries to fight her feelings for him. Now she must choose—life at court or life with Henry—before she loses him forever.

And now get a sneak peek of the book!

He must be crazy to even consider asking her to dance. She looked so bored though. As though she might die of it any moment.

A Knight to Remember by Michelle MilesHenry stood, his palms damp with sweat. No, he couldn’t do it. He sat again, picked up his tankard and took a healthy swig. Perhaps if he drank more, he would have more gumption to ask her. He took another quaff of the—what was this stuff? Mead? He liked the way it warmed his veins. He stood again. But his damn palms still sweated.

“Dad, what are you doing?” Maggie’s rough whisper came from his left. She tugged on his tunic. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Yes, he was going to do this. He was going to ask the queen to dance. And if she rejected him, he would hang his head in shame and leave. She would never see him again.

“I’m going to ask the queen for a dance.”

“Are you mad?” Maggie jumped to her feet next to him, her hand on his arm, keeping him in place. “You can’t do that.”

“Why not?” he asked and it sounded more like a challenge than a question.

“B-because she’s the queen.” Maggie stole a glance at her before looking back at him. “And I forbid it.”

He nearly laughed. “You forbid it?”

“You…you can’t, Dad.”

“Why not?” he asked again, this time wanting a real answer.

“She’s….she’s the mother of my best friend. It would be…weird.”

“Mags, you’re a grown woman. Married. I seriously doubt it would be weird to ask her for a dance.” He paused, thought about his words when his daughter raised an eyebrow. “Okay, aside from the fact she’s a queen and I’m a…a…you know.”

“Human,” she whispered roughly.

“But she doesn’t know that.”

“Not yet!” She fisted her hands and perched them on her hips. “What if she says no? Then what?”

“Then I’ll look silly, won’t I?” He straightened his tunic. “Don’t worry, my little magpie. If she says no, I swear not to bother her again. But I don’t think she will. I may be old, but I still have some charms.”

Maggie scowled, looking every bit like the teenager he remembered. “Dad. Ew.”

“Hey, don’t look so disgusted. Your mother and I—”

“All right, all right. I get it. No need to explain.” She held up her hands in surrender. “But be careful. She doesn’t like humans.”

“Hey, who you calling human? I’m a Fae now.” He thumbed at his chest as he winked and Maggie laughed. “See you later, magpie.”

He headed for the front of the room, steeling his nerves. The delay with Maggie had made him nearly lose his nerve. But no. He was seriously going to do it. He wouldn’t let the fact she was royalty and he was…nothing, deter him. He stepped up to her, held his hand out across the table.

“Your majesty, would you do me the honor of this dance?”

The Elven king dropped his chicken leg in shock. Elyne stared at him wide-eyed. Derron clenched his jaw. Maeve’s expression hadn’t changed from bored and annoyed and he wondered if that was now directed to him.

“Sir Henry…?” Elyne asked, but her words waned and she didn’t continue.

“It would be my honor,” he said.

“And who are you, exactly?” Her silky voice caressed his senses.

He dropped his hand and gave a quick bow. “Sir Henry. At your service, my queen.” That sounded convincing, didn’t it? He almost believed it himself.

“Are you new to the Queen’s Guard?” She still didn’t seem convinced as she looked him over, sizing him up.

“I am,” he said, feeling rather confident. She was going to say yes. He knew it.

“I see. And how did you end up here?”

Crap. A question he didn’t have an answer to. Thankfully, Elyne piped up.

“He helped round up some of the orcs and humans wandering the realm, Mother. He came to the palace yesterday.”

Not an untruth. Points to Elyne for thinking fast and offering an explanation. He liked the princess more and more.

Maeve’s gaze never left his face as she peered at him with something he couldn’t read. Not mistrust. She seemed to trust him. It was something else. Curiosity. Interest. She bit her lip as though on the verge of agreeing to dance with him. He held out his hand again.

“Do me the honor of a dance?”

“I don’t think that’s—”

“I will.” Maeve cut Derron off as she rose.

Henry’s heart leapt as he watched her round the table. Her grace and poise was impeccable. She was every bit the dignified queen she appeared to be. She took his hand, his fingers closing around hers. Her warmth penetrated him to his soul. God, she feels good! His heart hammered a happy cadence as he led her to the dance floor. The tune had been lively, upbeat. Now it was something slower. Softer. He cheered at the thought of holding her close and feeling her body press against him.

As he took her in his arms, he realized he had no clue what the dances were of the time or the realm. How did the Fae dance here? He did a quick cursory glance around the room. The others had practically deserted the floor to give way for the queen. A few brave couples remained dancing side by side, their fingertips barely touching.

Henry would not do that. He wanted her in his arms, next to him. He wanted to smell her beautiful, heady scent. What was it? Jasmine? Whatever it was, it was exotic. And she was ethereal. He was acutely aware of the gawks and stares from those around the room.

Had it been a bold move to ask her to dance? Because he was a lowly Fae knight did that mean he was not allowed to speak with his queen? Knowing she really wasn’t his queen made it okay in his mind. He slipped his arm around her waist, pulled her close, while holding her other hand shoulder height.

“What are you doing?” She flinched and for a moment he thought she might pull away.

He tightened his grip, keeping her firmly in place. “Where I come from this is how we dance. I’ll show you. All you have to do is follow my lead.”

“Where exactly do you come from?” An eyebrow quirked in question.

Ah, yet another question he couldn’t answer. “Across the realm.” Did that sound plausible?

“Hm,” was her response.

He led her through the steps, keeping her as close to him as possible. Then turned with her still in his arms.

“You learned to dance like this there?” she asked.

“I did.”

Actually, he learned before his wedding. Maggie’s mother had made him take lessons so they could dance together and not look like fools. Her words, not his. He had reluctantly agreed. He wasn’t for the ballroom dancing but now he was glad he had learned. Now he was with this lovely woman whose curves seemed made for him.

“I have never seen such a dance,” she said.

“Mayhap, your majesty, you should relax and enjoy it instead of questioning it every few seconds.”

She blinked surprise. Had no one talked to her like that before?

“I would remove the head of most who spoke to me like that.”

“Like what?”

“In that insolent tone.”

“Apologies, your majesty. I hope I can keep my head. For my lips are attached and they’ve yet to have a taste of you.”

“You are bold, aren’t you?” She tilted her head back, gave him a look down her nose that he suspected she’d perfected eons ago.

“Too bold for her majesty?”

“That remains to be seen,” she said. And her mouth quirked into almost a grin.

Henry’s heart thumped and for the first time he could acknowledge the attraction he had for her. His nerve endings tingled and even his buddy in his pants was in agreement.

“Too bold to kiss you here?” He knew he pushed it but he didn’t care. He wanted to see what she’d say.

Her face hardened. “Definitely too bold.”

He slanted his head, as though ready to kiss her. She licked her lips, as though ready to let him. His mouth was close to hers. Oh so close. He could feel her warm breath tickling his face.

“Tempting me, your majesty?”

How to enter the giveaway:
All you have to do is visit my blog and comment on the Countdown Release Party posts. That’s it! You will be entered in the grand prize drawing as well as eligible for the daily prizes. Hope to see you there. In the meantime, happy reading!

Michelle Miles frequently gets lost in the pages of a good fantasy romance and can often been seen daydreaming about knights on white steeds and princess who know how to save themselves. Check out her blog for fun stuff, follow her on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for her newsletter at her website.