THE SPINSTER AND MR. GLOVER (Blind Cupid Series #1)
By Karyn Gerrard
KG Publishing
Approx 15,000 words Short Story/Historical/Victorian
BLURB: His
male beauty moved her. His vulnerability touched her. His past horrified her...
Anne Sommer, a spinster firmly on the shelf, does the unthinkable. She hires a man from the Blind Cupid brothel for a night of scandalous pleasure. Anne wants the sensual memories to keep her company in the lonely years ahead. However, she did not expect the young man to move her in ways she never imagined.
Anne Sommer, a spinster firmly on the shelf, does the unthinkable. She hires a man from the Blind Cupid brothel for a night of scandalous pleasure. Anne wants the sensual memories to keep her company in the lonely years ahead. However, she did not expect the young man to move her in ways she never imagined.
Desmond Glover gives sexual gratification—for a price. An orphan whose childhood was mired in scandal and poverty, Desmond has learned to close off his emotions with regard to his occupation. He did not count on a lonely spinster to awaken his hidden passion.
Not only do the years separate them, but so do their social standing. Can Anne and Desmond cross such a chasm and find mutual desire—or love?
This is book one of the Blind Cupid series. Book two is The Governess and the Beast. Book three is The Copper and the Madam
~~~~~~
Here's the dirt. This was originally called The Blind Cupid, a short story for Decadent Publishing's The Edge line where the story had to be mega hot and no more than 7000 words. It was released December 2012. It is now called THE SPINSTER AND MR. GLOVER, self-pubbed, and the story is now 14,995 words. I also dialed back the heat a notch or two. I also expanded the plot and characters.
I have written more than a few stories about a couple caught in strange circumstances and falling in love during a short period of time, the situation fascinates me. Two unlikely people, alone, emotions are intense, desire even more so. Yes, they fall in love quickly, but isn't a lot of romance based in fantasy? Besides, though rare, people in real life can fall in love at first sight, so why not my hero and heroine? :) Hope you enjoy!
EXCERPT:“Miss Sommer? I am Desmond Glover.
I believe we have an engagement.” His speech possessed a deep, husky cadence
and every syllable rounded and well-modulated, as if he’d been trained to speak
as a gentleman. Handsome did not seem adequate enough to describe his
astounding countenance. The prospect of sending him away with a flea in his ear
and ten pounds in his satchel no longer appealed. The man was stunning, absolute
masculine perfection. No. She would not dismiss him. This opportunity should
not be tossed aside so cavalierly. Never had a man’s good looks caused her to
act in a rash manner. First time for
everything. She stepped back. “Please, do come in, Mr. Glover.”
After offering to take his hat and
long cloak, she hung them on the hall tree. Stealing a glance, she marveled at his
stunning profile. How appealing. With a quick nod, he followed her into the
parlor. Inhaling, she could make out his scent which consisted of a light
fragrance of bay rum and clean linen. There was no denying his thoroughly male presence
as it dominated the room. “Please, take a seat. Would you care for a cup of tea?”
she asked politely.
How prim, proper, and well-mannered
she sounded, considering her nerves were in knots. She picked up the pot with
both hands to stem the shaking. With a quick flick of his suit coat, he sat
across from her, and with slow purpose removed his leather gloves. “Very well.
Milk, no sugar.”
Anne added the milk then poured,
and passed him the cup which rattled slightly on the saucer from her trembling grasp.
As Mr. Glover took the tea, one of his long fingers brushed hers and he stroked
it intimately before moving away. Rolling, raw heat traveled up her arm from
the innocent touch or perhaps the deliberate contact was all part of his game
of seduction.
Taking a sip of the beverage, Anne
stole another glance at her visitor over the top of the cup. His hair shone as
gold as the bright morning sun, the curling locks touching his broad shoulders.
How scandalous, far too long for the fashion. How pleasing to discover he was clean-shaven
when most men of a certain age wore facial hair or those silly sideburns. Better
to show off his prominent cheekbones and well-formed jawline, she mused. The shade
of his eyes was similar to the color of a snifter of warmed brandy, his gaze
mesmerizing. However, she read no real warmth there, only a cool detachment.
Not boredom as such, but a disturbing lack of emotion.
He crossed his long legs. “Perhaps
we should discuss terms. I am here for two hours. The carriage driver will then
return and if I am not out within five minutes, he will depart and return in
another two hours and the cost will rise in accordance with the stipulations
the abbess relayed to you. If you would be so kind as to pay in advance for the
first block of time?”
Anne blushed, reached for her
reticule, and slid a handful of pound notes across the table.
“Excellent. If you wish for us to
sit and drink tea for this period, I can oblige you. However, I am here for
more carnal pleasures. Do you wish to begin?”
Cover art by Cora Graphics
Cover art by Cora Graphics
*Note: I have already been informed by Decadent Publishing I will receive the rights back to The Governess and the Beast May 1st,(but not audio rights) and The Copper and The Madam December 1st. They will be revised and eventually self-published. Until then, they are still available.
THE GOVERNESS AND THE BEAST (Blind Cupid Series Book 2)
BLURB: With a new name and an eagerness to begin a new life, Lila Jenner answers an ad for a governess and embarks on an adventure she did not expect. Hiding secrets and a past she longs to forget, she is disappointed to find out she has been employed to be a companion of a different sort: To a man who embodies both beauty and the beast.
In a gothic, crumbling manor on the edge of a North Sea cliff, Baron Simon Wolstenholme is cloistered away from society. Horribly scarred from battle wounds, the baron lives up to his infamous title “The Beast of Stonecliff” in appearance and attitude and comes to the realization he’s been alone too long.
Simon bargains with Lila for a singular night of passion. A storm rages outside, but it cannot compare to the clash of emotions between a lonely man and a distrustful woman. Secret desires are revealed, hearts are laid bare. Many obstacles lay before them until they can admit their true feelings, though pride could destroy the fairy tale before it begins.
In a gothic, crumbling manor on the edge of a North Sea cliff, Baron Simon Wolstenholme is cloistered away from society. Horribly scarred from battle wounds, the baron lives up to his infamous title “The Beast of Stonecliff” in appearance and attitude and comes to the realization he’s been alone too long.
Simon bargains with Lila for a singular night of passion. A storm rages outside, but it cannot compare to the clash of emotions between a lonely man and a distrustful woman. Secret desires are revealed, hearts are laid bare. Many obstacles lay before them until they can admit their true feelings, though pride could destroy the fairy tale before it begins.
THE COPPER AND THE MADAM (Blind Cupid Series Book 3)
BLURB:
In 1897 London, Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Rory Kerrigan never expected to find love among the crime-ridden streets he vowed to protect. Kerrigan, a man with a wretched past and hardened heart, keeps emotion from his life and its interference with his police work.
Abbess Rea is owner of the brothel, The Blind Cupid, and a woman with a secret and desolate past of her own. Rubenesque and leery of men, Rea lets no one close. Yet, she cannot deny the ruggedly handsome Rory touches her heart.
A grisly murder on Kerrigan’s turf has Rory and Rea teaming up to bring the killer to justice. As danger lurks closer, secrets are revealed and passion is ignited. Will the copper and the madam acknowledge their mutual yearning even at the peril of their lives?
KARYN GERRARD
Karyn Gerrard, born and raised in the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada, now makes her home in a small town in Northwestern Ontario. When she’s not cheering on the Red Sox or travelling in the summer with her teacher husband, she writes, reads romance, and drinks copious amounts of Earl Grey tea.
Even at a young age Karyn’s storytelling skills were apparent, thrilling her fellow Girl Guides with off-the-cuff horror stories around the campfire. A multi-published author, she loves to write sensual historicals, particularly in the Victorian era. She also writes contemporaries. Tortured heroes are an absolute must.
As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden. Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement and loving support keeps her moving forward. To learn more about Karyn and her
books, visit www.karyngerrard.com.
Karyn's Site/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Amazon Page
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