Category: Branding

The Captain’s Lady

Published on by Robecca Austin

Get swept away in this marriage of convenience historical romance.

The Captain’s Lady

ROBECCA AUSTIN

978-1-9990032-3-4 Paperback|$12.99

978-1-9990032-4-1 Ebook

Read the captain’s lady today

Lady Isabella Pennington’s life is mired in scandal, but not of her own making. 

As London’s gentry bask in her heartache, she devises a plan to avoid another disastrous engagement. But those plans go awry as she struggles to forget the rogue Captain Nicholas years after the passionate afternoon they spent together.

Her intention to adhere to societal demands is admirable but short-lived when Nicholas shocks everyone by asking for her hand in marriage. What unfolds leaves Lady Isabella torn between societal expectations and her long-held desire.

Captain Nicholas is far from an aristocrat yet is held in high regard in some circles. With his attention focused on Lady Isabella, it’s all she can do to resist the handsome devil. Will a marriage of convenience be a means to a much-coveted end, or will it lead to another humiliating failure for Lady Isabella?

Excerpt from The Captain’s Lady

“Are you drowning, Lady Isabella?” His Scottish accent was a bath in hot springs. His thumb brushed the tip of her nose. Lingered. Her nostrils flared and the scent of him invaded her senses. His hands snaked around her waist, guiding her closer.

“You,” Isabella whispered.

“Aye, me.” He kissed her cheek. “Is your nose still covered in freckles, lass?”

“No!”

“Liar.” He brushed the tip of her nose with his. “Did he kiss you?” His lids lowered to watch her mouth. “I’ll be damned if I kiss you after him.”

“No.” She shivered, the sensation curling her toes in anticipation. “Emsley didn’t kiss me.” The man holding her in strong arms was something old, from her past, something forgotten. Isabella relaxed, molding against the captain. Oh, but she needed this, to feel like a woman again, alive and desired. His tongue brushed against her lips, not once but twice, tracing the outline of her mouth—a delightful distraction from her recent episode.

“Let me in, lass.”

His warm breath fanned her face. She had dreamed of this, years ago, when she was young and thought the world not full of danger but adventure. His gaze moved from her mouth, wet from the tantalizing brushes of his tongue, to her eyes. In the darkness of the night, his eyes were black fire. Hot. Wicked.

“What a bonnie reward for my second rescue.”

“You’ve botched your count, sir.”

“A new tally is in order, then.”

“Brilliant.”

He smiled. His lips descended in slow torture, groaning his approval when his tongue brushed hers. All rational thoughts scattered. He explored her mouth. Heat pooled. Fanned out. The shudder that shook her was not from anger, but fear and desire.

The sea, that’s what he was. Raging waves that didn’t settle in the wee hours of dawn.

Read The Captain’s Lady today.

On Publishing: Taking the Leap

Published on by Robecca Austin2 Comments

(My publishing and self-publishing Journey) 

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Those of you who read this blog know that I’ve not been posting over the summer. I wanted to, but my time seemed to be swiped by editing, working, and preparing for the Northern Hearts Conference. As I type this, the conference is days away. I’ve also had little time to create new stories… blah. I’m sure you’re not new to the feeling of time slipping by or feeling unproductive. But I have been productive, at least in the none visible sort of way. I’ve thought about narrowing the theme of this site (at least the post that I write). I have been editing stories for a publisher I’m considering forming a working relationship with. We’ve been discussing cover art and other aspects that would make for a smooth relationship. And while all this is happening, the contract is being negotiated. All of that took a considerable amount of time and thought. More updates on that later…

When I thought my summer schedule was set, and did my happy dance with some back patting in tow, a couple of my close author friends, Christine Colorado and Laurie Hazel (yes, I’m naming you) decided anthologies were a great idea for the upcoming romance conference. 

The conference is September 20th. When I attended last year’s conference I really didn’t know what to expect. I signed up for some workshops and met some incredible authors, both traditionally and self-published. I quickly found out that for the event to be productive, I needed to know what I wanted to get out of it and I needed to do some research of the presenters.

Last year one of the workshops I attended was boring (to me anyway) and the information presented was not in line with my future writing career, yet I sat there, not sure what the etiquette was for walking out of the room (via the back door of course). This year, I’m a little bolder and I’m armed with a learning agenda. But I digress…more on what I’m learning to come.

So, we were able to put together not one anthology series but two – because these ladies are bad ass. One is a paranormal mystery called Illusions of Power and the second is a contemporary romance called Path of the Heart.

They were great fun to write and put together– high stress and high dedication. I think we might have even shed a few tears in the process.

During the entire process, I was navigating my way through the self-publishing world. I know, I’m so late to the game. There is so much to learn and do. About 15 years ago, when self-publishing was new, I did dip my toes into the water (but I wasn’t ready, not by a long shot). I was still working full time and didn’t have a back list of stories to publish.

Fast forward. I’ve made commitments to cultivating my writing career. Novels and stories are in the works and I’m reading/learning from smart people. I’m in the business of publishing again and it feels damn great.