For the Love of a Soldier Book Cover, Blurb and an Excerpt!

It's here!  Berkley sent my book cover, and I love it!  

It was a bit of a journey and an interesting one as this is my first book and the whole publishing process is new to me. I sent my editor a bunch of covers I liked, gave my character descriptions, and general ideas of what I like. However, when the e-mail arrives with the final cover, nerves kick in before the file is opened. It's a classic Price is Right moment. What's behind Curtain #1? A winning BMW convertible or the booby prize - a complete set of sea breeze air fresheners for the car you didn't win... Then a huge exhale when you hit jack pot! So exciting! Better than a BMW car (or at least for this debut author). And there's my name on the cover.....surreal.  

There's more. While Berkley did a lovely job with the cover, I love the book blurb and their excerpt, which of course, I have to share with you. 

P.S. -- Get me -- the 'enthralling new voice in historical romance...'  Loving that!

COMING SOON in March!

From an enthralling new voice in historical romance comes a heartfelt tale of love, deception, and redemption in the face of mortal danger…

Captain Garrett Sinclair, the Earl of Kendall, has returned to England a changed man. As a survivor of the legendary Charge of the Light Brigade, he has spent months as a remorseless rake and dissolute inebriate to forget it. But Garrett also has also made powerful enemies who want him dead…

Desperate and down to her last pound, Lady Alexandra Langdon has disguised herself as a man for a place at the gaming tables. But when a hard-eyed, handsome man wins the pot, he surprises her by refusing her money. Indebted, she reveals to him an overheard plot against him, and promises to help him find his foes—for a price.

But even as Alexandra fights her growing desire to reveal herself—and her heart—to the determined Garrett, she cannot shed the fear that the cost of her alliance with the earl may be a price too dear…her own secret betrayal.

the opposite of never . . .
The carriage made another turn and his mood crested. Riding on this wave of exuberance, he leaned down and gently kissed Alexandra on her parted lips. A murmur escaped her and she lifted her hand to cup his cheek. Her fingers slid to the nape of his neck, curling into his hair, and he groaned. God she felt so good, tasted better. Desire coursed through him, and he wrapped his arms around her body and crushed her to him, deepening the kiss.
Alexandra’s eyes flew open and she stared into his, wide- eyed and still.
His lips curved into a smile against hers.
She pushed against his chest, straining away from him. “Stop that,” she cried. “You can’t keep kissing me.”
“But I like kissing you. And your response tells me you liked it, too.”
“I was half asleep!” she protested.
He lowered his voice and pulled her back against him, liking the feel of her soft body against his. “Then imagine how much better it will be when you’re awake.”
She averted her face. “Lord Kendall, I told you—” “Garrett.”
She looked at him, frowning in confusion.
“That’s my name. You used it earlier today. And nowwe’ve been intimate.”
She gasped and shoved against his chest so hard that he
released her. “We most certainly have not! A few stolen kisses do not constitute intimacy.”
“Good, then let’s do it again.” “Absolutely—”
Absolutely worked for him . . . 

Inspiration for Changing Fortunes

I love historical romance because while I want a romantic happily-ever-after, I enjoy learning about the time period in which the book was set.  Whether it's learning about how ships were built in the 19th century or the strict rules of social etiquette during the Victorian era, I love books that weave small kernels of historical facts into the story (without giving a tutorial information dump).  


Changing Fortunes was inspired by Lord Alfred Tennyson's infamous poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade.  It fascinated me that the poem glorified a battle that was a colossal failure.  The men who rode were embarking on a suicidal charge, as Tennyson eloquently laments 'into the Valley of Death Rode the six hundred'.  I started wondering about those men and what the survivors might have felt when so many of their comrades had died in battle.  These men lived in a period before post traumatic stress was identified.  Thus my hero, Garrett Sinclair, the Earl of Kendall was born.  I then introduced Lady Alexandra Langdon, a practical heroine who is strong enough to combat Garrett's demons.  Below is a book blurb and a short excerpt.

Changing Fortunes is the story of Garrett Sinclair, the Earl of Kendall who is a survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade. Suffering from post-traumatic stress and survivor guilt, he has spent the last six months trying to drink himself to death. It is not until he learns of a plot to kill him, that he is surprised to discover he wishes to live.

The only person holding clues to the men plotting his murder is Lady Alexandra Langdon, who recently lost her fortune to Garrett in hand of cards. While preferring to see the murderous plot succeed and Garrett six-feet under, Alexandra reluctantly agrees to assist Garrett in identifying his assassins. If the two don't kill each other first, Garrett might survive.

Despite these obstacles threatening to tear them apart, the two are drawn together when Alexandra assists Garrett with his post-traumatic stress and Garrett begins to unravel the secrets to Alexandra's past. Defenses are lowered, hearts are opened, and they find that their life together is worth fighting for.

Changing Fortunes Excerpt:

Chapter One

London, England 1855

         Sometimes a woman runs out of choices.

         Alexandra Langdon glowered at the door, willing herself to turn its brass knob.  She didn't belong inside the chamber.  She risked discovery, expulsion and scandal.  Her stomach growled and reminded her why she was entering anyway.  What did the pampered heirs inside their exclusive chamber know about hunger?  The hollow, empty rumble of it.  The slow insidious gnaw of it.  She had experienced it for so long, it was like a familiar adversary.  One she vowed to conquer.

        That is, if she could open the damn door and cross the forbidden threshold.

        There was money to be had inside the gentlemen's card room.  The Duke of Hammond hosted the grandest balls of the season.  The cream of society attended, and while wives and debutants danced the night away, husbands and bachelors sought refuge behind those doors. Rich men with fortunes to win or lose at the turn of a card.  Alex just needed to possess the winning hand -- and she would.

        Her father had given her a gift and she planned to use it.  It was the only thing he had given her.  For this, she loved and hated him.

        She shook her head, wiped her clammy hands down her black trousers, and for the third time in her life, crossed into forbidden territory.