Revealing Ruby (Bound and Determined #1.5)(30)
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The Editor’s Corner
Happy New Year, everyone! Have you made your resolution yet? I have—to read more Loveswept romance—and maybe we can make it your New Year’s resolution too? Take a look at some of our fabulous January new releases….
New York Times bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor kicks off the month with a bad boy Loveswept debut, Dangerous, the story of a driven female cop who teams up with an irresistible ex-con to bring a killer to justice—and discovers that breaking the rules is hotter on the wrong side of the law; followed by a Rolling Stones–inspired romance, Can’t Always Get What You Want, a deeply romantic and uplifting debut novel from Chelsey Krause about losing everything you thought you wanted—and getting exactly what you need. Claudia Connor follows up her heartfelt debut, Worth the Fall, with a novel about Matt’s brother, Stephen—and when a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind. Don’t miss Worth the Risk. Then Cecy Robson’s Once Loved continues the Shattered Past series: He’s the campus golden boy. She’s picking up the pieces of her broken past. But in this scorching novel of second chances, their differences only make their connection more explosive. Katie Rose’s Boys of Summer series returns for a delicious doubleheader, with the story of total opposites who are drawn to each other like moths to a flame in Too Hot to Handle. And welcome to the Devil’s Den series, written by a Loveswept debut author, Violetta Rand, who invites us to a Texas strip club where the air is heavy with desire—and sometimes dreams come true: Surrender.
Make Loveswept your 2015 romance resolution and start your New Year off right—you’ll have something new each month to voraciously devour. Yum!
~Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
Read on for a sneak peek of the next intoxicating erotic historical romance in Lavinia Kent’s Bound and Determined series
Bound by Bliss
Available from Loveswept
Chapter One
Lady Bliss Danser, second daughter of the Duke of Mirth, stared across the ballroom, her eyes fixed on the smiling blonde. The girl bounced up on her tiptoes, curls bobbing and sunset ruffles dancing. Her whole being radiated joy and happiness.
Bliss bit down on her lower lip. Hard. Her sharp incisors cut into the delicate skin, the pain holding her in the moment as it always did, keeping her firmly in the present. It was wrong to be miserable at another’s jubilation, but it was impossible to feel pleasure as the stones filling her belly multiplied. If Miss Amy Samson had received an invitation that meant there was one less to go around, one less chance at salvation.
Not that the invitation offered salvation exactly. More likely it led to a lesser ring of hell.
“Do you have yours yet? Do you have yours yet?” The soft, breathy voice floated over Bliss’s shoulder, disrupting her thoughts.
Pulling in a deep puff of air, Bliss forced the corners of her mouth up and relaxed the tension in her brow. “My what?” She turned to face her dearest friend, Angela. It was important that not even Angela realize the extent of her inner turmoil.
“Oh don’t you pretend with me, Miss Danser. You know exactly what I mean.” Angela tried to sound cross, but her smile could not be kept down. Her dark pink cheeks glistened under her crown of ebony locks, her black eyes flashing.
Bliss pushed her own cheeks higher, hoping the strain did not show. “Lady Perse’s tea invitation? But why would I be wanting one of those? You know I’ve no interest in marriage.” Oh, if only that were true. If only the events of the past month had not forced her hand.
“You don’t fool me, Bliss. I saw you watching Miss Samson. There was no mistaking the look of desire upon your face. The more you smile, the more I see your disappointment.”
Blast. Angela knew her far too well. “I was just amazed at how happy she looked. She’s never still, but I’ve never before seen her quivering with emotion. I am surprised all the crystal within ten feet of her didn’t shatter.”
“You’re the only one I know who can accomplish that feat.” Angela wrinkled her nose.
“It was only once and you know very well it was because I’d tried to sew coins onto my dress so I’d look like a gypsy dancer. I never imagined that they’d all go flying off when I twirled. Can I help it if I like to twirl—and I am a lousy seamstress?”
“Don’t try to distract me. I saw you watching Miss Samson and it wasn’t merely interest that I saw cross your face. It was envy.”
Bliss tried again. She was not yet ready to admit to her own desires. “Maybe I simply wanted her dress.”
“Bliss, I know you too well, and besides her dress is the color of tangerine and has more ruffles than a bird has feathers. Even you,” Angela eyes swept over Bliss’s pink creation, “would not wear that shade.”
“Fine. Yes, I was watching her and yes, it upset me to see that she’d received an invitation. And I don’t see what is wrong with her dress.” The color really was quite cheerful.
“I don’t see why it should bother you to admit that you want an invitation. Every unmarried woman here dreams of receiving an invitation to one of Lady Perse’s teas. We all want a love match and nobody manages those as well as Lady Perse. And I will not comment again on Miss Samson’s dress.”