I am delighted to share an extract today for the book birthday blitz ~ thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for organizing.
Genre: Historical Romance (medieval)
Publication Date: 26th October 2023
Publisher: Mills and Boon
Standalone Novel in the Brothers and Rivals series
In the below extract, Ruaidhri has returned to Ireland after a period of eight years. He’s been greeted by his lost love, Sorcha. Neither of them truly understands what happened to separate them all those years ago and now they are on opposing sides of a battle.
Extract from Her Warrior’s Surprise Return
‘Are you going to stab me, Sorcha?’ Her name felt strange on his tongue. It had been many years since he’d uttered it and even longer since he had said it to her.
‘Yes.’ But the blade didn’t move and he took a moment to study her. She’d changed. Not surprisingly as it had been years since he’d last seen her. Her dark blonde hair was still unruly, still trying to escape from the haphazard binding she’d no doubt attempted in a hurry. She’d gained muscle, losing the girlish innocence that had radiated from her and acquiring a hard ferocity that didn’t distract from her attractiveness at all. That he still noticed the way she looked was irritating and did nothing to improve his mood.
‘Why isn’t Dunlang here with you to form a bigger welcoming party?’ Mentioning her husband, the man she had married as soon as Ruaidhri was no longer around, was the best way to remind himself that she would never be his, not even if they could erase all that had happened.
‘Dunlang is dead,’ she said bluntly, no hint of emotion in her dark eyes.
‘Oh.’ For a beat the world shifted. Everything he’d thought about for years—Dunlang and Sorcha laughing together, their children playing around their feet—all of it gone in a moment, leaving Ruaidhri reeling, as if he’d had too many ales and wasn’t sure which way was up or down. He shook his head to clear his thoughts; this new reality was insignificant.
Dunlang’s death changed nothing. Sorcha was still the woman who had taken Ruaidhri’s heart and obliterated it. He would not allow any such vulnerability to happen again. Once this meeting was over, he would never allow himself to think of her in that way again. It was obvious that she hated him and, if the blade to his chest was anything to go by, wanted him dead. Although her hatred was unjust considering it was not his family that had destroyed her and it was not he who had married someone else.
Book blurb:
It’s been years since Ruaidhri abandoned Sorcha, and she’s no longer the woman she once was. Now leader of the Suibhne clan, she must unite her people against invading forces. When rumours of Ruaidhri’s return to Ireland prove true, she’s unsettled at seeing him again. He offers to help her, but his past betrayal still burns—even if desire is as strong as ever. Should Sorcha trust her head…or her heart?
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Author Bio – Ella Matthews writes sweeping historical novels with a dash of danger, steamy scenes and full of romantic heart. She writes for Mills & Boon / Harlequin but is also planning some self-published novels, so watch this space for those.
She writes in beautiful South Wales, where you can’t go for a walk without tripping over the remains of a castle. She lives with her husband, who’s very technical and who’s set up her website but still doesn’t seem to know how to use a washing machine, her two children and an exceptionally timid rescue guinea pig. When she’s not writing, she’s working with teenagers on their literacy skills (she’s discovered there’s nothing a thirteen year old loves more than discussing commas!). She loves to hear from her readers, so please get in touch – ella@ella-matthews.com
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