Her favorite past time? Sessions like the one at McKinnon's Irish Pub every Wednesday night from 7:30 - 10:00 led by the lovely Jeanne Freeman.
Lucky us, she's here to share a bit of her new book that releases March 30th.
Drogheda, Ireland 1075
The sixth son bears a curse as
certain as the seventh son bears a blessing. When Tadhg MacNaughton’s betrothed
is ripped from his arms and married to another, he believes the legend is true.
Tisa O'Brien's life slams into a
downward spiral at the news she is no longer betrothed to the love of her life
but to the tanist of a warring, prideful clan with dangerous political
aspirations, the Meic Lochlainn. She faces her destiny with all the strength and
dignity of her Irish heritage despite dealing with a husband who resents her
and meets his needs in the arms of others, fighting off the lustful advances of
her father-in-law, Aodh, and longing for the husband of her heart.
Tadhg MacNaughton makes a deal
with the devil to ensure the survival of his clan as he is commanded to fight for
Aodh who envisions himself the new High King of Eire. Up close and personal,
Tadhg must witness his true love's marriage and remain silent even as it rips
him apart. When a sinister plot to overthrow King William of England led by the
exiled Leofrid Godwin and Clan Meic Lochlainn comes to light, Tadhg is faced
with saving his clan or endangering his sister and her Norman husband.
An Irish beauty and a warrior
betrayed, doomed in love from the start or does fate have something else in
store for them?
Breandan slept between the fire
and the front door, a good distance from where Tisa lay flat on her back beside
her husband. She had donned a heavy rail brought to her by Caireann who had
spent her afternoon making friends with the villagers. Once Aodh had left, they
decided sharing the small pallet was necessary while Malcolm stayed with them.
He'd not returned by the time she drifted off to sleep.
Darragh's
quiet voice came to her in the dark. "Tisa? Turn toward me.''
Tisa
fought against a heavy sleep and opened her eyes. Caireann's familiar snoring
was the only other sound she heard. She turned toward him, unsure if he'd
actually spoken.
"Were
ye not pleased with me tonight?" he asked.
Even
through a whisper, she heard his smile. He had been quite convincing with Aodh,
indeed. "Aye."
He
moved his mouth closer to her. "Have I made amends with ye for my anger
earlier?"
"Ye
have."
"Bestow
a kiss upon yer husband." His voice held an urgency. Or was it just
louder?
Darragh's
hand, heavy on her hip, drew her nearer. When he started to move it as if to
caress her, warning bells sounded in her head.
"Do
ye need a kiss now?" she asked.
His
face was cast in shadow. His white teeth showed clearly in the darkness.
"I do."
She
leaned over intending a quick kiss on the lips but he snaked his arm around
her, pulling her on top of him.
Startled,
she made to break the kiss but he held her head in place and devoured her mouth
as if he had only one thing on his mind. His fingers ran along her back,
slipping beneath her gown with little effort. She shivered. Hot against her
cold skin, his hands stroked along her thigh, up and down, until he cupped her
bottom. He pressed against her but his earlier condition was no longer evident.
She
did not resist. Not his kiss or his caresses. He did not desire her. Even when
she'd lain naked beneath him on their wedding night, and him between her legs,
his body remained unaffected.
Darragh
put his lips to her ear, his voice quiet again. "Are ye afeared of me? Of
what I may do to ye?"
"Nae."
He
held her still as he moved his hips against her. Again. And again. "Are ye
afeard I may be getting stiff for ye?"
"Ye
are not."
"Then
kiss me like a lover. Pretend I am the man ye dreamed of."
Before
she could react to that telling statement, he covered her mouth with his. How
did he know of her dream? Malcolm had known. Why would he tell Darragh? He
pulled back to whisper in the small space between them. "Nae, ye need to
focus, lovely lady. I will be yer dream lover."
Perhaps
she was not yet fully awake. Perhaps she had been affected by Darragh and
Breandan but Tisa's dream and her own longing came swiftly back to her. The
sounds of the birds. The smell of the grass. The feel of Tadhg beneath her.
Darragh's warm tongue invaded her mouth but it was Tadhg and she kissed him
back. Their tongues stroking and sparring. The hands tracing her bare thighs
were Tadhg's firm hands. Massaging. Caressing. Spreading her legs. Rubbing
against her.
She
cried out.
Darragh's
mouth muffled the single word.
Tadhg.
Her
hips pressed against him, her knees on either side as he rocked into her.
"That's
it, sweet Tisa. Dunna hold yerself back. Show me yer passion."
Tisa
moaned into his mouth. Her hips undulating against him. Coming nearer.
He
slipped a finger close to her wetness.
"Do
not." Her only coherent thought.
"I
can ease yer need," his words whispered into her ear.
And it
was a true need. Deep inside. Growing. But she did not want him to touch her.
The thought of Tadhg alone being with her, holding her, and her world exploded.
She was swept away. Small tremors rippling like waves from the unanswered need
at her core. The need only Tadhg could have met. The feelings slipped away like
the morning mist, only partly remembered in the bright light of day.
She
fell slack against Darragh and the tears came. He cradled her, turning her
gently to lie beside him, her head on his chest. He held her tight, muffling
her quiet sobs, and caressing her cheek. His breath against her face, he said
not a word.
The
sound of the curtain dropping worked its way into her thoughts.
Darragh
wiped at her tears then caressed her arm with long, soothing strokes. "Wheesht."
She
glanced toward the curtain. There was no one there. The sound of the door
opening was unmistakable.
"I
dunna understand."
"My
father will trouble ye no more." Darragh kissed her forehead like a loving
father comforting a hurting child. "My wife, ye are a lovely, passionate
woman that deserves a man who can love ye back just as deeply. Thank ye for
sharing with me what ye feel for this Tadhg. I am sorry I am not he."
His
quiet heartbeat beneath her ear soothed her. The fears and frustrations floated
away, only the memory of Tadhg's arms surrounding her remained. She drifted off
to a peaceful sleep.
Connect
with Ashley online at:
Website:
www.ashleyyorkauthor.com
Email:
ashleyyork1066@gmail.com
Twitter:
@ashleyyork1066
4 comments:
Thanks for having me over for a visit,Vonnie. You have a lovely blog :)
I'm thrilled to have you, Ashley. Thanks for the compliment.
Ashley, that book cover will certainly grab the readers. Best wishes for lots of sales!
I hope so. It's a little different than my other covers :)
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