Breaking
Ties
Lost
Colony Series, Book
One
by Jo
Grafford
Genre: historical romance
Publisher: Astraea Press
Date of Publication: October 16,
2013
ISBN: 978-1-62135-219-8
ASIN: B00FYIYM7A
Number of pages: 404
Word Count: 121,390
Cover Artist: Mande Matthews
Book Description:
Intelligent and well ahead of her
times, ROSE PAYNE'S world is shattered after a secret betrothal to the duke’s
son costs her job as a clerk in his father's household. Without a letter of
recommendation, she becomes an easy target for recruiters to the Colonies.
Desperate for work, she signs up for a risky overseas venture and sails for the
New World, vowing never again fall for a wealthy gentleman.
Returning from a diplomatic tour
in London, CHIEF MANTEO is bewitched by the elusive, fiery-haired ship clerk
and determined to overcome her distrust. He contrives a daring plan to win her
heart – a plan he prays will protect her from a chilling conspiracy involving
murder, blood money, and a betrayal of their fledgling colony so terrifying it
can only be revealed in BREAKING TIES.
Special
Note: BREAKING TIES is the never-before-told rest of the story of the Lost
Colony.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nBB8_qcG-9I
Available at:
Amazon
BN Smashwords Kobo Astraea
Press iTunes
Excerpt:
"You want my help."
'Twas an accusation.
"Aye."
His eyes darkened. "I save your life.
I give gifts. I offer marriage." He closed the remaining distance between
us, his eyes burning into mine.
I stumbled back.
"You give nothing in return," he
snarled. "You only ask for more."
"I would had I something to
offer," I whispered. "But I have nothing. I am nothing."
"Then what use are you to me?"
He wheeled away.
I sagged against the door, eyes stinging.
I blinked rapidly and pressed a hand to my stomach. Nausea rolled at the
thought of informing the others of my failure.
Manteo circled the cabin like a hawk
stalking its prey. 'Twas a fine room with ornately carved shelves lining one
wall. Bunks were built into the next wall. A generous desk jutted from the
third, overflowing with maps and navigational devices. I recognized the compass
and hourglass but could not identify the other instruments. I jerked in
surprise when Manteo swooped down upon me.
"I know our location." His arms
shot out and slapped the wall on either side of me, hemming me to the door.
"I could swim ashore from here."
"Then why do ye stay if ye can leave
and save yourself?"
"Governor White gave his word to
deliver me home."
"We are going to starve, Manteo. 'Tis
only a matter of days now."
"Nay. You alone starve. The others
eat."
"I have no appetite."
"You act as one already dead."
I straightened my back. "I accept
what I cannot change."
"And I change what I cannot
accept." He shifted his weight to the wall, one arm propped over my head.
He drew his fingertips down the side of my face in a feather-light caress.
I closed my eyes against the rush of
unbearable sweetness. He made me long for things forbidden. "'Tis within
your power to help us. I am begging you."
"Very well."
My eyes flew open. "Ye will do this
for us."
"For you." His voice was silken,
his features as hard as granite.
I smiled tremulously. "I thank thee,
Manteo. Chief Manteo, that is." The new title felt strange on my lips. I
beheld him with a mixture of awe and pride.
"I have yet to name my price."
I stared, confused.
He grunted in disgust. "You refuse me
as both husband and lover, so you are left with the hiring of my
services."
I worried my lower lip between my teeth.
At least he was willing to negotiate. His eyes flashed with lust as he followed
my movements.
"I will entreat the Dares for
payment."
"Nay. You are the one in my
debt."
I raised and dropped my hands helplessly.
"You serve this company, no? You can
serve my people, too."
"Ye would hire me as clerk?"
Hope leaped in my chest at the possibilities. I would not have to part from him
so soon.
"My people have no clerks." His
eyes narrowed. "We have slaves."
My breath hitched. "Ye wish to punish
me, humiliate me?"
"Nay, I only wish to marry you."
I briefly closed my eyes against the pain.
He already knew the reason for my refusal.
"Rose."
"Say no more. I will do it. 'Twill be
punishment enough to see you so often and—“ I clamped my lips.
Exultation flickered briefly across his
face. "You would give up your freedom to save your friends?"
"Without question."
"Swear it," he said grimly.
"I swear it."
His eyes flared with emotion. He bent
slowly 'til his breath stirred my lips. My eyelids fluttered closed. Heaven
help me, for I had no will left to resist him.
"Now you will eat," Manteo
commanded hoarsely. He stepped back, surveying me from head to feet.
"Eat?"
"I have no slaves so thin and weak.
Go. Collect your rations." He turned from me and bent to pore over a map
on the table.
I reached for the door handle,
disbelieving at the curt dismissal.
"And send for Anthony. I have need of
him."
I glared at his back. Faith, should I
press my face to the floor as well? "Aye, master." I bit the words
out and fled.
Trail
of Crosses
Lost
Colony Series, Book
Two
by Jo
Grafford
Genre: historical romance
Publisher: Astraea Press
Word Count: 112,300
Cover Artist: Mande Matthews
Buy Link: Amazon
Book Description:
Jane Mannering can shoot a rifle
and handle a knife as well as any Englishman. However, she is no match for the
red-painted warriors who ambush her section of a Colonial caravan the moment
she and her comrades reach the shores of Virginia.
Jane plots their escape during a
forced march inland, leaving a trail of maltese crosses carved on the trees –
their pre-agreed upon signal of distress. All the while, she fumes over what
interest their captors could possibly have in a twenty-three-year-old spinster
and a rugged band of brick masons, sawyers, and farmers.
When the ruthless Chief Wanchese
intercepts them at the crossroads of the Great Trading Path, Jane is shaken to
discover their greatest enemy plans to keep her for himself. It’s a pity he’s
the only man on two continents who’s ever stirred her heart. Alas, she has an
entire colony to save, and capturing his attentions is not part of their escape
plan.
Special
Note: The Lost Colony Seires is the never-before-told rest of the story of the
Lost Colony on Roanoke Island.
Excerpt:
PREFACE
July 26, 1587 -
Roanoke Island
If it had not
been for the barking of the dogs and chattering of the lads who scampered at my
side, I might have heard the shot - the low vibration of the string as the
thin, wooden shaft released, the faint whistle of the arrow as it sliced an
invisible yet deadly path through the air, the scattering of wildlife as the
forest itself braced before the world's most fearsome predator. Instead, I
merely felt the gentle lifting of my late father's top hat as the arrowhead
sank into the aged leather and pinned it to the heart of the oak behind me.
The men assigned
to guard me fired their muskets wildly into the perimeter of trees. My ears
rang with their gunfire and frenzied oaths. Then the slow burn of anger took
over.
I pivoted to
yank the arrow, top hat and all, from the trunk. Separating the two, I jammed
the damaged hat back on my head and tapped the lone arrow against my gloved
hand. The miss was deliberate, meant as a taunt. Had the shadowy creature
intended to kill me, I would already be dead.
I glared over my
shoulder as the gunfire ceased. He remained out there, I was certain. Watching.
This was a reminder that he is the hunter. I am the hunted.
About
the Author:
Jo is a mega reader of all genres
and loves to indulge in marathon showings of Big Bang Theory, NCIS, and Castle.
Her favorite books are rich in Colonial and Elizabethan history, romance,
strong women, alpha males, Native Americans, and creatures from the paranormal
- an occasional dragon, vampire, or time traveler.
From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo
moves a lot with her soldier husband. She has lived in the Midwest, the deep
South, and now resides in Bavaria. Jo holds an M.B.A. and has served as a
banker, college finance instructor, and high school business teacher. She is a
member of Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers RWA
Chapter, and the Writers Group of Ansbach/Katterbach/Illesheim.
Website: www.JoGrafford.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jografford
YouTube Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nBB8_qcG-9I
Highlighted Author: www.HighlightedAuthor.com
Amazon.com Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/jografford
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JoGrafford/
Tour
giveaway:
2 dropcard gift cards with six
free eBooks on each card (including Breaking Ties)
1 grand prize – a reader’s tote
bag with a Lost Colony t-shirt, signed paperback of Breaking Ties, and signed
bookmark
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment