Book Blitz/Guest Post & Giveaway: Heating It Up by Various Authors~~ Visiting author, Tara Kingston

Love Across the Ages...Seven best-selling and award-winning authors bring readers historical romantic adventures set in Medieval Scotland, Regency England, Civil War America, the Wild West, and Gilded Age America. We’re Heating It Up one hero at a time with Scottish Highlanders, Regency Rakes, Civil War Spies, Mountain Men & Sexy Smugglers.

This LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET contains seven sensual, full-length novels.

NIGHT STORM by Tracey Devlyn

A promising young apothecary picks up the pieces of her life, only to collide with the ruthless thief-taker who once shattered her dreams and her heart.

RAFE'S REDEMPTION by Jennifer Jakes

He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman…

SECRETS, SPIES & SWEET LITTLE LIES by Tara Kingston

A heart's destiny cannot be denied when a daring Union spy abducts a beautiful runaway bride he suspects of being a traitor.

THE HIGHLANDER'S TEMPTATION by Eliza Knight

A warrior on a mission is tempted by an alluring lass, and though she's been forbidden she'll break every rule for the pleasure of his

intoxicating kiss.

CAMERON by Lane McFarland

To heal a warrior’s heart takes patience. But to resist a warrior’s

heart takes fortitude.

THE CAPTAIN'S TEMPTRESS by Averil Reisman

Blackmailing her way onto a ship of gunrunners bound for the Caribbean, Samantha Etheridge proves to be more than a mere opportunistic reporter to Captain Sean Nolan--perhaps even a first mate.

A ROGUE'S DEADLY REDEMPTION by Jeannie Ruesch

Proving his worth to the woman he loves might cost them both their lives.

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Excerpt

SECRETS, SPIES & SWEET LITTLE LIES - Tara Kingston

In this scene from Secrets, Spies & Sweet Little Lies, the heroine binds her captor’s wound—an injury he sustained during her abduction. Driven by compassion as well as the realization that the woods surrounding his forest hideaway present dangers she’s never encountered in the city, she tends Cole’s wound, only to experience an unexpected touch of tenderness at the hands of a man she regards as an enemy.

“Now, please remove your shirt.”

“I understand,” he said, the humor ebbing from his tone as he unfastened the closures on the four-button placket. He pulled the garment over his head, then draped it on the back of a chair.

Her mouth went dry.

From his powerful shoulders to the flat planes of his abdomen, her captor was all lean muscle and bronzed skin. Copper-tinged brown hair dusted his broad chest, tapering to a line that disappeared beneath his trousers. A scar the size of a dollar coin marked the flesh directly beneath his collarbone. A bullet wound, most likely. But he’d survived. He was a fighter.

Gingerly pressing her fingers to his skin, she examined the wound. He tensed beneath her touch. Invisible claws dug into her belly, piercing deeper as he sucked in a ragged breath.

Blood flowed from an uneven gash in his upper arm, staining his skin from shoulder to elbow. The bullet had not become embedded. The punishing claws eased their grip on her insides.

He seemed to read her expression. “I got lucky this time. I told you it was a flesh wound. I know what it feels like when a slug enters you.”

The image of a bullet tearing into his body startled her with sickening intensity. She pushed the thought far to the back of her mind and glanced around the cabin. “I need a knife.”

A glint of humor returned to Cole’s eyes. “Going to finish the job?”

“I need to fashion a bandage. The cloth you used on your arm isn’t at all suitable.”

“I’d planned to gag you with that rag if you started to scream.” His brows lifted. “Still intend to act as my nurse?”

The revelation doused any sympathy. Still, she couldn’t have his strength depleted. If a bear happened by, she might need Cole to defend her, at least until she could retrieve her gun.

“Unfortunately, that changes nothing.” She extended her hand, palm up. “A knife, please. Surely you have one on your person.”

“What self-respecting desperado would be caught without one?” He pulled a folding knife from his pocket.

Flashing a scowl, she took the knife in hand and got to work. Wasting no time on modesty, she hiked her outer skirt to expose her corded petticoat.

His hooded eyes watched with masculine interest. “This almost makes it worth getting shot.”

Ignoring him, she sliced the bottom of her petticoat into strips, then poured water into a basin and saturated a few pieces of fabric. “The wound needs to be cleaned. Where is your soap?”

He nodded toward a canvas bag he’d dropped at the entrance of the cabin. She rummaged in the bag until she found a cake of lye soap, then cleaned and dried the gash.

Emma tore another strip from her petticoat. “Extend your arm.” she said. With any luck, he wouldn’t notice her hands’ slight trembling.

He complied with her instruction, stretching his arm out and holding it steady while she wrapped the wound.

His skin was slightly rough beneath her fingertips while the densely packed muscle was warm and taut with restrained power. She’d never looked at a man before, not like this, and now she stood so close, touching him as her pulse thundered in her ears. Her behavior was scandalous, but she had no choice. His wound had to be tended, and necessity dictated she sacrifice at least a bit of her modesty.

“Finished.”

Strangely quiet, he pulled on his shirt. Had her unladylike behavior taken him aback? Her aunt was right. Even a desperado would find her actions shocking.

But when he looked at her, he regarded her with a look of respect. For the briefest of moments, it was easy to forget he was a man she should fear.

“You’re a surprising woman. I hadn’t expected such…resourcefulness.”

Steadying her hands, Emma smoothed her skirt back into place. Now that she’d finished the task, the intimacy of their contact flooded over her. His skin felt so warm, and he smelled clean and healthy and…male. Her thoughts wandered to the crisp dark curls on his chest. Would the texture match the slight coarseness of the hair sprinkled over his forearms?

He took her hand, silently examining her fingers. “It’s my turn,” he said after a long moment.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re bleeding. You must have cut yourself when you attacked your petticoat.”

Emma blinked. Crimson surrounded the tip of her index finger. She hadn’t even felt the knife slice into her.

He released her and went to the wash basin. After replacing its contents with fresh water from the pitcher, he moistened a few strips of fabric she’d cut from her petticoat and came back to where she stood.

His forehead furrowed as he cupped his hand around hers. Awareness of his touch rippled through her. No trace of brutality there. Only gentleness. She had no words to describe it. If he had been any other man, she would have thought his actions tender, but the notion was ridiculous. The man was her captor, not her lover.

She jerked away. He frowned. Did he think he’d hurt her? But then, he took her hand again. Brushing his thumb over her palm in a circular motion, he moved slowly, deliberately.

“Relax, Miss Davenport. Let me take care of you.”

Romancing the Readers would like to thank Tara Kingston for stopping by! 

Author Extras

1. What do you love about the era(s) in which you write?

I am drawn to the Victorian era, an exciting time of great social, technological and scientific progress. Women were tearing down boundaries and restrictions on their education and lifestyles, while advances in industry and professions enabled men to establish themselves in society despite their status at birth. The Victorian era was a time of great change and passion, and I love the possibilities for bringing together a powerful man and a strong woman who can stand toe-to-toe with him, discovering the love that will enrich their lives and make them both even stronger as individuals.

During the Victorian era, the Civil War years were a time of great upheaval and turmoil in America. I love writing books set against the backdrop of the Civil War because there was so much intrigue and passion during this conflict. Petticoat spies used seduction as a weapon, and espionage and technology innovations were crucial to both sides. The potential for conflict and passion between heroes and heroines is so rich in stories set during the Civil War, it’s one of my favorite eras for historical romance.

2. What one thing can readers expect from your books?

My readers can count on a love story that takes the hero and heroine on a sensuous and romantic adventure of the heart—danger, intrigue, and a pinch of humor blend in a passionate romance.

Author Bio

Award-winning author Tara Kingston writes romance laced with intrigue, danger, and adventures of the heart. A Southern Navy brat transplanted to a quaint Pennsylvania town, she lives her own love story with her real-life hero in a cozy Victorian. The mother of two sons, Tara’s a former librarian whose love of books is evident in her popping-at-the-seams bookcases and collection of unusual bookmarks. It goes without saying that Tara’s husband is thankful for the invention of digital books, thereby eliminating the need for yet another bookcase.

When she’s not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys cycling, hiking, and cheering on her favorite football team. Learn more about Tara at www.tarakingston.com.

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