Hello, lovely readers!

This month the next book in The Gentleman's Guide to Courtship releases! First Comes Courtship is about a marriage in trouble between an aloof erotic poet and an impulsive former vicar, accidental viscount. We met Cora and Liam and got part of their story in book 3, Between Courting and Kissing, and now we'll get their happy ever after!

How about a look at the opening paragraphs of the prologue!

***

Prologue

From Miss Cora Eastwood’s personal diary

April 30, 1820

I finally know how it feels to be one of the heroines in my poems—compromised and without hope. Viscount Norton would not have caught me had Prudence not gone missing. But she did. And I, of course, went looking for her. Our identical costumes and thick, black veils transformed us into shadows at home in the dark. I had wanted to go as Maid Marian, originally, but Prudence thought dressing as midnight an excellent idea for Bellingham’s masquerade. And I thought so, too. Twin dark ladies who, beneath their thick disguises, look nothing alike. A diversion to heighten the drama of the poem I was to recite tonight. The room had been chosen, abandoned and far from the dancing crush. The select audience had been informed. They knew well how to keep a secret. I had my lines memorized, and I needed only Prudence to help set up the candles. I saw her rush into the garden and followed. 

Norton cornered me in a grotto, ripped at my sleeve, and ravished me.

Worse yet, I allowed him. I won’t deny it here. If my poems are all fantasy, these pages must remain all fact. I allowed Norton to catch me and kiss me breathless.

Only—and here is where a cliff to fling oneself off would be useful—he had no idea he was kissing me.

The veil I wore hid everything above my lips. To his mind, he’d been ravishing Prudence. 

And Mother caught us. Mortification, thy name is Cora.

He acted the perfect gentleman and made a gallant request of my hand in marriage. I accepted. What other choice did I have?

Now I marry a man who would prefer to marry someone else.

I always thought that marriage, if I decided to enter into such a state, would provide a remedy to my habitual loneliness. I see now it will only drive me farther into those cold, solitary shadows.

***

Poor Cora! She was so fun to write, to keep her aloof with eyebrow arched even though her husband was bouncing with energy and uncontrollable urges right next to her. Liam's exuberance, of course, wins out in the end. But what a wild ride to get there!

First Comes Courtship is on special pre-order discount right now at the Wolf store!

Discover a New Book

All three of my book recs today are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, so if you have a subscription, you can download all three of these now!

Are you ready for the August rake? I am, and Kathleen Ayers is serving him up HOT. If you haven't already, check out An Heiress for August!

Check out Sara Adrien's A Sight to Behold!

Then enjoy another by Ellie St. Clair--Her Runaway Duke!

Don't you just love enemies to lovers? I do. The sparks. The banter. Gah! Here's a collection of books (both in KU and available at a variety of online retailers) feature this beloved trope!

Looking for an escape? I usually am. 🤣 Try these books to get it away from it all! This collection of books is only available all together for a few more days!

Finally, if you haven't downloaded your FREE copy of the Curves and Cravats teaser collection, featuring 4 brand new short stories, you still can, but it won't be available much longer! You can grab your copy here for a taste of what's to come and for some super quick and curvy reads!

Happy reading!

Charlie

(these books will be in KU)

Pre-Order Curves and Counterfeit Now!

(these books are in KU)

Read the entire series now!