Firstly, a big thanks to Ginger for her generousity in hosting these great author promotional weeks!
I'm Aussie author, Anne Whitfield, and I'm posting a little bit about my new release, which is a Victorian historical set in England titled, Her Shadowed Heart.
Set in Yorkshire England 1864, Her Shadowed Heart is a historical saga of family secrets, betrayals, love, and of new beginnings.
Blurb
Anna Thornton leads a privileged life, but she’s not content. When the dashing Matt Cowan sweeps her off her feet, she thinks her boring existence has changed for the better, only all is not as it seems. Although Matt loves her, he lies and leaves her. Once he has gone she finds she is pregnant. Heartbroken Anna flees her home with her trusted maid. She buys a run-down farm in Yorkshire and is determined to make a new life and be independent. She begins again, but events occur that will test her strength and self belief. An Irishman, O'Mara comes along looking for work. Anna reluctantly hires him, but she's wary of men, of love, and hates to find herself attracted to him, a penniless labourer, so she fights her feelings. Then, just when Anna believes she is getting on with her new life, the past returns to confront her.
Excerpt
Twin rays of sun streamed through the tall sash windows of Anna’s bedroom when she awoke the following morning. In her large, soft bed, she lay thinking of the night before and of the man whose face swam in front of her eyes. Today, she would see him again. She bit her lip to stop a smile from spreading.
Something had happened to her last night. For the first time ever a man had grabbed her attention and held it, no mean feat for anyone. Yet, Matt Cowan had done it with ease and she was glad. Perhaps it was time for her to spread her wings and feel the giddiness of being the centre of attention. Arabella did it all the time and kept a string of beaus hanging on her every word.
Anna frowned. Could she do it? Could she keep Mr. Cowan’s interest? She’d had no practise, having spent her adult life shying away from entering the marriage market. Did she have the skills to capture a husband? Did she want one?
Slowly she sat up, deep in thought. A husband? The idea wasn’t new, but neither had it been a pressing concern. Secretly she had assumed she’d be content becoming a spinster, riding her horse and being a lovable aunt to her siblings’ offspring. She hadn’t expected to be swept away by the idea of some romantic hero coming into her life. That was until Mr. Cowan looked at her with his smoky eyes. Mr. Cowan as a husband? The thought gave her a thrill, made her heart thump. Would he be the kind to let her remain herself?
Maisie breezed into the room carrying fresh towels and a jug of warm water. “Good morning, Miss. Did yer enjoy yer evenin’? I didn’t want to ask last night with the Mistress feeling so poorly. I hope she’s better this mornin’.”
Anna threw back the bedcovers and then went into the dressing room. She stripped as Maisie poured warm water into the basin. “It was interesting.” She lathered the scented soap on her arms. The aroma of lavender filled the room.
“That’s grand.” Maisie pulled open the doors of the double wardrobe. “What do yer wish to wear today, Miss?”
Donning a clean chemise, Anna observed her clothes. “My blue riding habit. I met a gentleman last night. He is calling today and we’re going riding.” Maisie’s mouth gaped. “There is no need to look like that, Maisie.”
“Eh, I’m sorry, Miss,” Maisie mumbled, helping her with the dress. “I’m surprised, that’s all.”
“Well, to be honest, I am surprised too.” Anna grinned. Anticipation bubbled up inside her. If this was the feeling when one went courting, then she could kick herself for waiting so long to begin.
Her Shadowed Heart is available from Amazon.com and avilable to order from all bookstores.
Buy from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Her-Shadowed-Heart-Anne-Whitfield/dp/0978486595/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211400918&sr=1-9
Regards, Anne.~
Twin rays of sun streamed through the tall sash windows of Anna’s bedroom when she awoke the following morning. In her large, soft bed, she lay thinking of the night before and of the man whose face swam in front of her eyes. Today, she would see him again. She bit her lip to stop a smile from spreading.
Something had happened to her last night. For the first time ever a man had grabbed her attention and held it, no mean feat for anyone. Yet, Matt Cowan had done it with ease and she was glad. Perhaps it was time for her to spread her wings and feel the giddiness of being the centre of attention. Arabella did it all the time and kept a string of beaus hanging on her every word.
Anna frowned. Could she do it? Could she keep Mr. Cowan’s interest? She’d had no practise, having spent her adult life shying away from entering the marriage market. Did she have the skills to capture a husband? Did she want one?
Slowly she sat up, deep in thought. A husband? The idea wasn’t new, but neither had it been a pressing concern. Secretly she had assumed she’d be content becoming a spinster, riding her horse and being a lovable aunt to her siblings’ offspring. She hadn’t expected to be swept away by the idea of some romantic hero coming into her life. That was until Mr. Cowan looked at her with his smoky eyes. Mr. Cowan as a husband? The thought gave her a thrill, made her heart thump. Would he be the kind to let her remain herself?
Maisie breezed into the room carrying fresh towels and a jug of warm water. “Good morning, Miss. Did yer enjoy yer evenin’? I didn’t want to ask last night with the Mistress feeling so poorly. I hope she’s better this mornin’.”
Anna threw back the bedcovers and then went into the dressing room. She stripped as Maisie poured warm water into the basin. “It was interesting.” She lathered the scented soap on her arms. The aroma of lavender filled the room.
“That’s grand.” Maisie pulled open the doors of the double wardrobe. “What do yer wish to wear today, Miss?”
Donning a clean chemise, Anna observed her clothes. “My blue riding habit. I met a gentleman last night. He is calling today and we’re going riding.” Maisie’s mouth gaped. “There is no need to look like that, Maisie.”
“Eh, I’m sorry, Miss,” Maisie mumbled, helping her with the dress. “I’m surprised, that’s all.”
“Well, to be honest, I am surprised too.” Anna grinned. Anticipation bubbled up inside her. If this was the feeling when one went courting, then she could kick herself for waiting so long to begin.
Her Shadowed Heart is available from Amazon.com and avilable to order from all bookstores.
Buy from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Her-Shadowed-Heart-Anne-Whitfield/dp/0978486595/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211400918&sr=1-9
Regards, Anne.~
Her Shadowed Heart out now! Check website for details.
Woodland Daughter released July 1st!
You're very welcome, Anne. I'm always happy when you can join in the fun. Love reading about your work, even though I've read most of it. :)
ReplyDeleteGinger