New Victorian Christmas Story – A Gift for Lara

I’d like to announce the release of my Victorian Christmas short story, A Gift for Lara.

Blurb:

Can the spirit of Christmas mend two broken hearts?

Lara Robinson wrote a love letter four years ago, but received no reply. Now the man to whom she gave her heart will visit Blythe Manor for Christmas. How can she enjoy the holidays knowing Miles Greystoke must despise her for revealing her feelings in such an unguarded fashion?

As an awkward youth, Miles fell in love with a kindred spirit…but his love was unrequited. Against his wishes, he’s now obliged to spend the holidays at Blythe Manor. Time has wrought changes in his physique, but his devotion to Lara Robinson has never wavered. He searches for the perfect present to show her how he feels, but nothing seems quite right…until he realizes the best sort of gift will embrace the true meaning of Christmas.

Excerpt:

“I have an idea,” Angelica said. “Papa has invited us to Blythe Manor for Christmas. I’ll write back and ask if the invitation could be extended to Miles.” She slid her husband a mischievous glance. “Mistletoe can be quite inspirational to a young man if he’s in good company.”

William lifted an eyebrow. “You’re not suggesting he should consider marriage to one of the twins, are you?”

“Why not? He got along particularly well with Lara at our wedding, as I recall.”

“That was four years ago. The lad has changed a great deal since then.”

“For the better, in many ways. Miles used to be shorter than either Lara or Fiona, and a great deal thicker ’round the middle. At any rate, perhaps he and Lara will reestablish their relationship.”

“I think it’s an excellent notion,” William said. “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t interfere. In this case, however, a little intervention is warranted.”

Available now as a Kindle download HERE.

Saturday Snippet – Clash of Wills by S.G. Rogers

Excerpt from Clash of Wills:

Suddenly Samantha spotted a mud demon skating toward her through the bulrushes. Unlike her father, she usually reveled in magical creatures. Demons, however, were an entirely different matter. One tiny scratch from a mud demon would ruin her day, and a bite would send her into a bout of depression for weeks. She reached for the sling in her pocket, and loaded a handy acorn into the cradle. With an expert flick of her wrist, Samantha struck the mud demon with the impromptu missile. The creature went flying to the center of the creek, where the fast current carried it off. It shook its little brown fist at her, but it could do nothing except float downstream.

Samantha coiled the sling and returned it to her pocket. The sling had been a gift from her older brother, a long time ago. David had taught her how to use it. She’d always had such uncanny aim, she’d often wondered whether or not the sling was magical. If only Father hadn’t sent David away, how different things would be now, she mused. Perhaps Mother wouldn’t lapse into tears when she thought no one was around. Maybe Father’s hair wouldn’t have turned white so quickly. And she wouldn’t have to wonder why David had left that curious compass-like device under her pillow, with a cryptic message that read, “If you ever need to find me.”

Buy this magical novelette at: Amazon (Kindle format), BN.com (Nook Format), and The Wild Rose Press (all e-formats)

Can Princess Samantha battle desperate highwaymen, evil snow demons and a handsome wayward prince to bring her brother home?

Princess Samantha’s magical compass will help her locate her long-lost brother, but only if she manages to escape her royal parents for a few weeks. When an unwelcome suitor comes to call, Samantha seizes her chance. She beguiles the prince into taking her north, intending to abandon him at her earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, his captivating good looks and charming manner present an unforeseen complication–especially when she is forced to accept help from the very man she has deceived.

To maintain his bachelorhood, handsome Prince Wills is not above deception. Although reluctantly entangled in Samantha’s scheme, he vows to protect her…until a lie threatens to destroy their alliance. Can his powerful attraction to Samantha overcome his mistrust? And can they survive a dangerous quest to the wild and magical Uncharted Region?