Excerpt & Giveaway - Trifling Favors by Heather Hiestand

 

Trifling Favors

by Heather Hiestand 

GENRE: Historical Romance (Victorian) 

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BLURB: 

The sweetest treat is a kiss… 

Greggory Redcake's plate is full. Widowed young and left with two small children, the manager of the Kensington location of the illustrious tea shop is besieged on all sides between the bakery and family matters. If only his remarkably efficient shop assistant, Betsy Popham, could manage his home life, too! But Greggory can't linger on thoughts of Betsy's fetching smile when a dead body is discovered in the bakery… 

Betsy has no time for romance, not even with the delectable Mr. Redcake, whose kisses are all too unforgettable. Haunted by a specter from her family's past, Betsy is terrified that the man blackmailing her has turned to deadly violence. Yet the only way to save her position--and possibly her life--is to accept Greggory's help as their delicious attraction sweetens into the tantalizing promise of true love… 

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Exclusive Excerpt: 

Betsy shrugged, not wanting to give him any ideas. “Nice to see you, Victor. You are welcome for the tobacco, but it is time to leave.”

He tilted his head as if processing her words, then snatched up her father’s tobacco supply and tucked it into a pocket with a sneer. She turned away to go into the hall and escort him out the front door. A hand came down on her arm and he pulled her against him in a rough embrace. 

“Guess I need a wife now to care for Violet an’ me,” he said, blowing more acrid smoke into her face. “Ye’re too old, but at least you work.” He tilted his head again. “Get all your money that way, right?” 

As she pulled back, outraged, he pushed his mouth against her in a revolting, tarry kiss. She stomped on his foot and he let go of her, swearing. Reaching a hand behind her, she felt for the fireplace poker and picked it up. If she left the room to escape him, he might destroy their furnishings, so she held her ground. He was an opportunist but also a coward. She hoped. 

Victor wiped spittle from the corner of his mouth and grinned. “What I wouldn’t do for a chance to tame a spitfire like you, Betsy. But I don’t suppose they’d keep you on at that fancy place you work with your face all bruised up, and I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from flattening that snotty nose.” 

She lifted her chin defiantly and brought up the poker to lay it across her chest. 

He snorted. “Like I don’t know where you keep the money.” 

He stood on his tiptoes and pulled down what appeared to be an old Bible from their shelf. Chortling to himself, he opened it. He poured coins into his fist, then tossed the fake book into the fireplace. “Ha-ha, Betsy Popham. Outsmarted you yet again.” 

The hand holding the poker trembled. Her only recourse at this point was physical attack, but she couldn’t strike. She doubted the court would be merciful to a girl who killed the son of the man her own executed murderess of a mother had killed. All she could do was hold her ground, powerless. He trod on her skirt as he passed by. She ignored the sound of rending fabric with difficulty and kept her gaze on him. He walked out of the house and down to the street without another word. 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Heather Hiestand was born in Illinois, but her family migrated west before she started school. Since then she has claimed Washington State as home, except for a few years in California. She wrote her first story at age seven and went on to major in creative writing at the University of Washington. Her first published fiction was a mystery short story, but since then it has been all about the many flavors of romance. Heather’s first published romance short story was set in the Victorian period, and she continues to return, fascinated by the rapid changes of the nineteenth century. The author of many novels, novellas, and short stories, she has achieved best-seller status at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. With her husband and son, she makes her home in a small town and supposedly works out of her tiny office, though she mostly writes in her easy chair in the living room.

 

For more information, visit Heather’s website at www.heatherhiestand.com  
Heather loves to hear from readers! Her email is heather@heatherhiestand.com  

Social media: 

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-HiestandAnh-Leod/24271017921?ref=br_tf  

Twitter http://twitter.com/heatherhiestand  

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/heatherhiestand/

 

Buy Links: 

B&N 

Amazon 

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GIVEAWAY: 

Heather will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway