One of the things I have been trying to improve on is visiting more blogs each week.
Doing this has led me to some very interesting blog posts so I am going to use
Saturday Surfin” to bring some of these posts to your attention.
I received an email this week from author Anya Wylde. Her book The Wicked Wager ( A Regency Murder Mystery & Romance )
Book Description
The infamous rake, Lord Richard Hamilton, has finally chosen his bride—the very appropriate Miss Emma Grey.
The ton approves, Lord Grey is pleased, Lady Grey delighted, and Emma is over the moon, but her uncle, (the blasted) Duke of Arden opposes the match, and Emma is ordered to move to the duke’s estate to think things over.
Richard Hamilton refuses to take things lying down and concocts a plan. A plan that should have brought the lovers together and had them married within a month. It was a simple matter of masquerading as the duke’s gardener, compromising the lady, and then having the duke rush them off to Gretna Green.
Alas, he underestimates the duke’s intelligence and the tangled situation on the estate—never had he imagined that compromising a lady could be so difficult.
His endeavours lead to a comedy of errors, charades, and knotty love affairs. Yet he forges ahead in spite of pesky house guests, a flea bitten mattress, his lovesick best friend, and a blackmailer.
Just when things seem to be going well, someone is murdered (very inconvenient), and he happens to be one of the suspects (extremely inconvenient).
His simple plan for winning the wager suddenly becomes … a tad complicated.
Excerpt
Emma walked into the dining room and was momentarily stunned speechless. The guests were already seated, but she wished they hadn’t been …
… Mrs Barker had her assets spilling out of her scarlet gown, and a hysterical Emma wondered if the waiter could balance the soup plate on the gigantic breasts on display. Her upright position gave her a splendid view down the never-ending depths of Mrs Barker’s ample bosom.
She hurried to take her seat beside Catherine.
They caught each other’s eyes and stifled a giggle. Catherine discreetly tilted her head towards her right. Emma glanced in the direction indicated and once more forced her open mouth to close.
Prudence Barker sat in a deep pink gown, wearing a hairdo that rivalled the Tower of London. Emma could scarcely see the hovering servant behind the pile of curls. A massive teapot was placed carefully in the nest of black curls.
‘’ That is an interesting hairstyle, Prudence, ’’ remarked the duchess. Even she had been brought out of her haze by the extraordinary vision.
‘’ It is, isn’t it? It is all the rage in France. Why, the Countess of Elridge, who as we all know is the very epitome of fashion, had a ship perched atop her head. It is difficult to move one’s head lest the tea dribble down and ruins one’s dress, but I think I have mastered the art, ’’ replied Prudence, pink with pleasure at the thought of creating such a stir.
‘’ Surely you do not need to fill the tea pot with tea? It is not as if you are going to drink it, since it must be stone cold by now. And getting it out of your hair must be a task in itself, ’’ commented the duke blandly.
‘’ Oh, but if one does something, then one must do it right, ’’ chirped Mrs Barker. ‘’ My daughter has been out long enough to know what is deemed proper, ’’ she finished, glancing meaningfully at Catherine.
Catherine, to give her credit, did not change colour but smiled back amiably. Her own hair was brushed back into an elegant, low coif.
They paused briefly while the soup was served. Once the servers departed, Mrs Barker leaned forward and once again addressed the duke,
‘’ I did not want to wear such a bold colour tonight, My Lord, I mean, ’’ she said simpering, ’’ I am too old to wear such things, but Poo Poo positively insisted, she would have it no other way. ’’
Emma mouthed ‘Poo Poo’ to Catherine, who promptly disappeared under the table pretending to retrieve a fallen fork. Her shoulders shook alarmingly, and Emma had a hard time not joining her.
The duke could not but help peek at the aforementioned dress. That had been the lady’s intent all along. He quickly looked away and clearing his throat said,
‘’ It is a … flattering colour, and you are not so old yet, Mrs Barker. ’’
‘’ I feel miles better now that you have stated you approve. I was terribly worried about being inappropriate in your household, but now I may wear such colours without any qualms, ’’ she tittered.
Emma dug her nails in; it was not the colour that was inappropriate, as the lady well knew, but the cut of the dress.
Author Bio
Anya Wylde lives in Ireland along with her husband and a fat French poodle (now on a diet). She can cook a mean curry, and her idea of exercise is occasionally stretching her toes. She holds a degree in English literature and adores reading and writing.
Sharon at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews is tooting her own horn this week!
She is sharing her own wonderful books!!
The authors over at Mystery Lover’s Kitchen are sharing Halloween recipes!!
Pumpkin Cake! Antipesto! Alligator Pie!
You have to check these out!!
Several blogs are offering giveaways for the To Kill A Mockingbird 50th Anniversary!
You could win a copy of the book and tickets to see the movie in theaters November 15.
Contests Ends Tomorrow!
Visit
Teresa’s Book Corner
Red Headed Book Child
Bermuda Onion’s Weblog
Bookhounds
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
That’s it for week 6 of Saturday Surfin’. If you see some posts you feel should be shared please leave the links in the comments section for people to visit. The weeks are too short to travel to all the wonderful blogs in the blogosphere but together we can help find and direct each other to at least a few.
I loved the Wicked Wager. I hope others read and like it also.