Book Review: Blue Morning, Vol 6 by Shoko Hidaka

Blue Morning, Vol 6       

Author: Shoko Hidaka

Publisher: SuBLime Publishing

American release date: September 13, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Yaoi/250 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Katsuragi has become uncertain, both of himself and his relation with Akihito. He thinks himself weak and useless because Akihito no longer blindly obeys him—so what purpose does he serve? While dressing the morning after, at Akihito’s hotel, he notices ragged garments in the closet and wonders why they are there. And why won’t Akihito get the haircut Katsuragi keeps telling him he needs?

Akihito meets with Ishizaki at a hot pot restaurant, which irks Ishizaki because it’s a hot day. Akihito says he is about to retire to Kamakura, under the pretense of his fake illness. Much has changed since the evening at the Moriyama’s, and thanks to the reporters Katsuragi arranged for, is common knowledge. For example that Ishizaki has become the Kuze house guardian. Madam Kayoko’s trip to France and her estrangement from her husband. Akihito’s “lung illness.” One reporter asked Akihito about the importance of producing an heir, but that won’t happen, not while he has Katsuragi. Ishizaki muses that things would be easier if Katsuragi were a woman.

Master Ishizaki informs Katsuragi that he has purchased a mill and wishes him to become the president and make a profit. He accepts the position. When he tries to drop off some papers with Amamiya, the new Kuze butler insists he deliver it to Akihito himself, and also deliver something from Katsuragi’s brother, Takayuki, who Akihito has entrusted with the financial affairs of the Kuze house. Katsuragi goes to the hotel and wakes Akihito, informing him the government railways have finally given their approval. Now Akihito can set up a railway in the old fief.

Ishizaki returns home from a late night out to find Katsuragi in his room. Katsuragi tells Ishizaki to not see the geisha he’s been seeing, and if he must continue the relationship, then he must allow Katsuragi to buy her out of bondage in his own name. Akihito meets with Katsuragi’s brother, who also remonstrates with him about his unruly hair. Akihito reiterates that he will be leaving for Kamakura, as planned. When Akihito says that he wishes Tomoyuki and Takayuki, as brothers, were closer, Takayuki responds with the comment that they are not related by blood, to which Akihito enigmatically replies, “Do you really think so?”

Katsuragi calls on Saionji and catches up with him. It seems his former lover knows him pretty well, including the fact that he loves Akihito. Saionji is happy himself, with his wife and new baby. Saionji gives Katsuragi some advice on what he should do. Later, Katsuragi goes to the mill. His employees are apprehensive about what their new boss will be like, fearful they will be blamed for past failures and be let go, but Katsuragi is not what they expected.

Even as Akihito makes plans to study abroad, he is concerned with Katsuragi, knowing he wishes to know about his origins, whether he voices his desire or not. Akihito and Amamiya visit Kiku’s old house, and Amamiya wonders what might have been, know that he knows about Akihito and Katsuragi. Akihito confides his plans for the future, once the railway is in place. Despite what Katsuragi may think, he does have the best interests of the Kuze house in mind, as well as his future with Katsuragi. Will he be able to persuade Katsuragi to come with him to Kamakura?

Each volume of this series is wonderful, I can’t get enough of these characters, even as I am left on the edge of my seat, wondering when they will finally be in sync with one another. The only way I will be happy is if they end up together at the end, nothing less will do. The artwork is superb, both men are very handsome, especially Katsuragi. She is very expressive in portraying their emotions in their faces. I can see the lust that glazes Katsuragi’s eyes, feel Akihito’s own wonder and joy as he gazes at the man he loves during their intimate moments. As to who will end up with the house of Kuze, I would not venture a guess. There is a whole lot going on, and the plot just keeps on getting deeper.

Can’t wait for the next one, one of the best yaoi manga ever!

Book Review: Blue Morning, Vol 4 by Shoko Hidaka

Blue Morning, Vol 4        

Author: Shoko Hidaka

Publisher: SuBLime Publishing

American release date: February 11, 2014

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Yaoi/218 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Akihito has moved into humble lodgings, occupying part of a house once owned by Ishizaki’s old housekeeper. As far as the servants at the manor know, he is staying at the Ishizaki villa. This is a brand new world for Akihito, who has no practical knowledge of how anything works, including such basics as using a sink or a stove. He has a lot to learn! The reason for downgrading his lifestyle is that Akihito plans to relinquish his title in favor of Katsuragi, which he confides to Ishizaki, even as he strongly impresses upon him that Katsuragi must not find out.

Akihito confronts Amamiya at the manor. Amamiya is surprised that Akihito bears him no animosity, considering that he has been working to ensure Katsuragi inherits the Kuze house, unaware that Akihito has the same goal. His surprise becomes even greater when Akihito makes Amamiya the new butler of the Kuze household. However, Akihito is adamant that Amamiya not use Katsuragi’s old room.

Katsuragi has taken on the task of instructing Ishizaki, as once he did Akihito. While discussing the arranged marriage for Ishizaki, Katsuragi reveals knowledge of ishizaki’s true love, a geisha, and tries to tell him that he can have both. Ishizaki laughs, saying that is what Kuze has said too, so why can’t the two of them manage to do that themselves? Katsuragi has no answer to that, and Ishizaki silently wishes he could do something to help the two of them.

Getting into an argument with Katsuragi, Ishizaki inadvertently lets on that Akihito has done something stupid because of his former butler.  Learning the truth, Katsuragi goes to see Akihito in his new home, and Akihito serves him tea, while trying to gauge how much he knows. Akihito confesses to burning some bridges and the reason for doing so. Not surprisingly, a heated discussion between the two men ends with passion. The next day, Katsuragi is convinced he knows what he must do in order to save the Kuze house, but he must act quickly.

When Akihito returns to the manor, he is annoyed to learn Amamiya is in Katsuragi’s old room. But when he goes to confront him, he is surprised to find Katsuragi there as well. Amamiya leaves the two men alone, and they discuss the future of the Kuze house, which will necessitate their working together. Katsuragi makes the first move this time, and passion once more holds sway, which leads to a surprising admission on Katsuragi’s part.

It’s interesting to watch Akihito and Katsuragi go to such lengths, each for the other. It reminds me of The Gift of the Magi, in which a young couple each sacrifice something of value to them in order to give something of value to the other, but the sacrifices negate the gifts, leaving only the love. I’m hoping that’s how this turns out for these two. From the bottom of my heart, I want nothing more than for them to end up together, whether at the Kuze manor or somewhere else. I’m not sure they’re at that point, and it won’t be an easy road to happiness, but I believe they can do it. I love the passion between the two men, and the way Akihito doesn’t care about status or lack of it, he loves the man Katsuragi is and wants to be with him forever, even if he forfeits his own status and wealth to do so. Akihito is the seme in this relationship, and I wonder if Katsuragi’s accepting the role of uke is indicative of something in his past which we aren’t privy to yet. Only time will tell.

Ishizaki is proving to be a very good friend to Akihito. I have to believe his words spoken in anger to Katsuragi were simply a Freudian slip and that he wanted Katsuragi to do just what he did, in the hopes he would be able to talk some sense into Akihito. And now, with another candidate for head of the Kuze household looming on the horizon, what happens next remains to be seen. We’ll have to meet this other person to get a sense of his worth, or even his willingness to assume the Kuze title.

Wheels within wheels and a great deal of machination going on. Where will it end? No one knows. Loved this volume, can’t wait for the next one.

Virtual Book Tour: Saving Crofton Hall

Book Name: Saving Crofton Hall

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23286754-saving-crofton-hall

Author Name: Rebecca Cohen

Author Bio:

Rebecca Cohen is a Brit abroad. Having swapped the Thames for the Rhine, she has left London behind and now lives with her husband and baby son in Basel, Switzerland. She can often be found with a pen in one hand and a cup of Darjeeling in the other.

Author Contact: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.cohen.710, http://twitter.com/R_Cohen_writes

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Blurb(s):

Benjamin Redbourn, Earl of Crofton, has no intention of giving up his beloved ancestral home without a fight. Faced with his mother’s gambling debts, forgery, and the possibility of foreclosure by the bank, Ben vows to make Crofton Hall pay for herself. But opening an Elizabethan manor house  to the public isn’t a one man job. With time running out, Ben needs help—and fast.

Ashley Niven has experience managing events, and he also loves history. Being in charge of opening Crofton Hall is a dream come true. As he works with Ben to prepare the house as a venue for lavish weddings and receptions, Ashley finds himself drawn not just to the charm of the house but to the dashing Earl of Crofton.  Even if Ashley can look past Ben’s playboy reputation, he fears an affair could prove too much of a distraction.

But Crofton Hall has many secrets, and something hidden for over four hundred years is about to change all their lives.

Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance

Excerpt:

“How much?”

She wouldn’t meet his eye.

“Mum!”

“Just short of five million to the bank.”

Ben lost his balance and landed heavily on his arse in a nearby chair.

“How the hell did you manage that? I only agreed to borrow five hundred

thousand, and that was for essential repairs, and the estate could easily

repay the loan in ten years.”

“I approached the bank with a business case for a visitor attraction.

They were very enthusiastic.”

“What gave you the right?”

“Your father left us both in charge of Crofton Hall, Benjamin,” she

said sharply.

He glowered at her and she deflated.

“I needed the money, and the only way I could get it was to tell the

bank I wanted to open Crofton Hall to the public.”

“And they agreed to lend the money without my permission?” he

asked carefully, hardly believing his mother’s audacity, but getting the

feeling he knew what she was going to say next.

“They might have been under the impression that you’d agreed to it,

and I was acting on both our behalves.”

“Really. And how would they have thought that?”

“Your signature isn’t exactly hard to copy.”

Ben covered his face with his hands, understanding what his mother

had done.

“I know I shouldn’t have, not without your permission, but I was

desperate. And the bank thought our business plan was excellent.”

He looked up at her. Elena’s eyes were red from crying, but there

was still an edge of defiance in her face. “How much is left?”

She shrugged. “A few thousand, maybe.”

“And you used Crofton Hall as security?”

“Yes.”

The anger flashed through him, burning through his usual amicable

nature. “How could you have been so stupid? Were you even thinking past

your own selfishness?”

Elena cowered in her seat.

“You’ve ruined us, destroyed this family!”

“I didn’t mean—”

Ben didn’t want to hear her feeble excuses. “Oh, that’s all right, then.

We’ll tell the bank, you didn’t mean it, and they’ll forget all about it.”

Ben reined in his anger. Taking deep, slow breaths, he clenched and

unclenched his fists as he regained his calm. He watched Catlin pace up

and down. Harry stood slumped against the fireplace, shell-shocked. Now

was not the time to panic. He needed to know exactly how much trouble

they were in and deal with it. “Get me the paperwork.”

Without argument, Elena jumped to her feet and scurried over to the

writing bureau in the corner. From the folds of frills and ruffles of her

blouse, she fished out a key on a chain and unlocked the bureau. She drew

out a sheaf of paper. “It’s all here.”

“Right, let’s hope my economics degree wasn’t for nothing.” Ben

snatched the papers. “I suggest you all keep your distance until I’ve

finished reading.”

He sank into a chair by the unlit fireplace, blocking out the angry

thoughts as he scanned sheet after sheet. The figures danced before his

eyes, and he saw the terms and conditions his mother had agreed to. The

interest, compound interest, and payback terms were listed and

categorized in black and white with no way of denying the facts. They

were in deep shit, the bank would be at the door within weeks, and Ben

seethed internally at his mother’s gall.

The effort she’d put into defrauding the bank was amazing, the

business case had been full of fine details and promised an excellent

return, but little help would that do them now.

Unless….

Ben stared around the sitting room; generations of Redbourns had sat

in here. Men who’d fought at Blenheim, Waterloo, and El Alamein —they

would never have given in and surrendered Crofton Hall in the face of

adversity. And it wasn’t about to happen while Ben was Earl of Crofton

either. As much as he wanted to rail against it, their only hope was to

convince the bank they were following through with the idea of opening

the house to the public.

“We can probably sell the London apartment. That’ll raise around

two million. Our trust funds are protected, so we can’t release the equity

from those. If we’ve any hope of holding on to her, Crofton Hall is going

have to earn her keep.”

Tour Date/Stops:

November 17: Amanda C. Stone, Hearts on Fire

November 18: My Fiction Nook, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Multitasking Mommas

November 19: Inked Rainbow Reads, Velvet Panic, Fallen Angel Reviews

November 20: 3 Chicks After Dark, Cathy Brockman Romances

November 21: Prism Book Alliance, Love Bytes

November 24: MM Good Book Reviews, Cate Ashwood

November 25: Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, Michael Mandrake   

November 26: Nephylim, BFD Book Blog

November 27: The Novel Approach, Queer Town Abbey

November 28: Parker Williams, Full Moon Dreaming, Crystal’s Many Reviewers

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Rafflecopter Prize: E-book

Sales Links:

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http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5725

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http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5726

Tease Me Thursday #7: A Special Christmas

Welcome to Tease Me Thursday! When it's not quite Friday, but you want to have some fun!

Today I'm posting a little bit from my recent Christmas release, A Special Christmas. It's Prohibition-era Chicago, and two young immigrants meet in a speakeasy in Romeoville, Illinois. Florian is Italian, and works in his family's dry cleaning business. Nick is a young Greek, who has come to America to live with is aunt and uncle and help in the pharmacy. This is a little bit of their first meeting. Enjoy!

Turning back toward Florian, magnetized by him almost, Nick nodded, not trusting himself to speak quite yet. He was not as innocent as Florian appeared to be, although he thought that he was probably a little younger. When he lived in Greece, he'd flirted with a young man in his village. It was nothing serious, just for fun while they worked together in the fields. But that boy had not stirred him the way that Florian did; he had not wanted to kiss him the way that he wanted to kiss Florian. He pushed such thoughts away. He knew that most of the men in America were not like those in Greece. He'd been warned of that before he ever moved here. What was most important to him at the moment was that he not scare Florian away. "You have a pretty name," he said at last, when he felt his voice was more firmly under his control. Success! It didn't crack -- much.

"Grazie," Florian said. "I mean, thank you. In English, it means flower." He took care to enunciate his English very distinctly.

"Ah, you are Italian?" Nick realized, even as he thought to himself that it was an appropriate name. "You come from Italy, yes? I am Greek." He proudly pressed one hand against his chest, as if to punctuate his words. "Are you born there?"

"No, no, I am born here, in America. My parents, their parents, they come from Italy, a very long time ago. Before they come to Chicago, my parents live in New York. Someday I would like to go there."

"New York looks very big. I only see a little bit of it," Nick admitted. "I come here to live with my aunt and uncle and my cousins. We live in Elwood, Illinois. You probably do not hear of it. Where you live?"

"I live in Cicero," Florian said.

Nick's eyes grew big. He knew what kind of people lived in Cicero. The gangsters who populated his dreams. 

Now available at Torquere Press

Now go check out the other bloggers!

.

My Sexy Saturday #12: A Special Christmas

Happy Saturday everyone! I'm back with some more Sexy Saturday goodness! This week my seven sentences comes from my latest release, A Special Christmas, which was just released by Torquere Press. Set during the Prohibition era, it's the story of two young men, one Italian,  one Greek, who meet in a speakeasy in Romeoville and let nature take its course. To find the rest of this blog hop, go here.

Enjoy!

Nick didn't know just how it came about, but he felt his hand nestled inside of Florian's, both hands resting lightly on the table between them. Florian didn't seem to think anything wrong with that; how could Nick snatch his hand back? He couldn't. And he didn't really want to. No one was taking notice of them. It was dark. They were among strangers. All sorts of excuses flowed through his head. 

Guest Blogger Rebecca Cohen

Please welcome author Rebecca Cohen, whose newest release, Duty to the Crown, is at Dreamspinner

Press. Rebecca has bravely answered my infamous Rick Reed questions. Let's see what she has to say. Rebecca, why don't you get comfortable, and I'll fix us some drinks. Go ahead and start.

Oh, did I mention there will be a giveaway? Keep reading!

The Questions:

1)      You’re marooned on a small island with one person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you have?

Oh, this is a tough one! But I would go for Stephen Fry.  That way he can entertain me with his wonderful humor while we wait for rescue. I would wish for a mobile phone so Stephen could tweet his millions of followers and we’d be rescued pretty quickly.

  2)    Which musical would you say best exemplifies your life – and which character in that musical are you?

Not much of a fan of musicals if I’m honest so I’m reaching a bit here. So… The Return to the Forbidden

Planet and I’d be the Science Officer (aka Gloria)

3)      Take these three words and give me a 100 word or less scenario using them:  emergency, available, rock

In the event of an emergency, disregard all available logic and rescue pet rock

4)      You’ve just been let loose in the world of fiction, with permission to do anyone you want. Who do you fuck first and why?

Benedick from Much Ado About nothing. He’s a feisty one who needs taking down a peg or two, and I’m just the girl to do it!

   5)   What is your idea of how to spend romantic time with your significant other?

Given we’ve just had our first child, our romantic time is pretty much zilch at the mo. I’d be happy with a home-cooked meal, a nice glass of vino, and a long cuddle on the sofa

6)      When you start a new story, do you begin with a character, or a plot?

Depends on the story, but I would say in most cases I have an idea of a character and the plot builds around them. There’s a great technique called clustering where you put an idea/character in the center of the page and you build a sort of mind map around it, I’ve done this more than a few times with some of my characters who are more difficult to get a handle on.

7)      If they were to make the story of your life into a movie, who should play you?

I’m torn between someone like Helen Mirren or Judy Dench for their acting gravitas or picking someone

with large breasts, because, hey, I do have quite a large bosom…

8)      Who’s your favorite horror villain and why?

Here’s where I go totally old school and say Nosferatu. He was a proper shit scary vampire (this might give you an indication of my level of contempt for Edward Cullen!)

   9)     Do you have an historical crush and if so, who is it?

I have several – although in most cases it’s for their mind not their body! Elizabeth I, Emily Pankhurst,

Douglas Bader, William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Charles Dickens, Edward Jenner, Charles Darwin… I could go on and on…

10)   Is there a story that you’d like to tell but you think the world isn’t ready to receive it?

I’m not sure if it is the world which is not ready or if I’m not ready to write it. But I have an idea for a speculative fiction novel set several hundred years in the future where there is only Europe and the current countries in the world are its territories e.g. USA would be North West Europe, Australia South West Europe and so on. The idea is that there are pockets of resistance left in the world and the European army do what is necessary to stamp them out. It alternates between an army doctor in the European Army and a Captain in the US militia.

Links:

Blog: http://rebeccacohenwrites.wordpress.com/

The Actor and the Earl: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3429

Duty to the Crown: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3637

Blurb for Duty to the Crown

Despite the uncomfortable clothing and the gossip at court, Sebastian Hewel is still enjoying the role of Lady Bronwyn, wife of Earl Anthony Crofton. But when Queen Elizabeth asks a favor of Anthony, Sebastian’s world fractures and his heart threatens to break. The Queen wants Anthony to seduce Marie Valois, the beautiful daughter of a French noble, to discover the whereabouts of her father, who is wanted by the King of France.

Sebastian knows Anthony can’t refuse the Queen, especially since he has something of a reputation at court. But the situation is further complicated when Marie meets Sebastian without his disguise—and starts flirting with him. Her brother, Nicholas, arrives at Crofton Hall, not happy that his sister has been linked to a man like Anthony, only to find his own head turned by Lady Bronwyn and her acerbic wit. Contending with the attentions of both siblings—and a very jealous Anthony—would be bad enough. But then Sebastian’s uncle demands Sebastian and Anthony stage Bronwyn’s death to avoid discovery….

Extract

They left the tavern early the next morning, returning to the townhouse in time to have breakfast. Sebastian felt a little guilty at the state they’d left the room in, but Anthony assured him that the extra coins he had left would more than compensate for the cleanup required. They had just sat down to eat when a messenger bearing the royal crest arrived. The messenger handed Anthony a sealed letter, which he tore open, his brow furrowing as he read.

“Is there a problem?” asked Sebastian, not liking Anthony’s expression.

“I’m to report to the palace immediately. The Queen requests my presence.”

Anthony dismissed the messenger with a curt reply that he would return to Richmond directly. Sebastian didn’t know what to make of it, but didn’t think it could be a good thing. “What do you think she wants to talk to you about?”

Anthony shrugged. “I don’t know. Get changed and return to Crofton Hall. I’ll follow as soon as I can.”

“I could wait for you to return,” offered Sebastian.

“No, I think it would be better if you went. Just in case.”

“Just in case of what?” asked Sebastian, concerned.

“Last time I was summoned in such a fashion, my loyalty to the crown was challenged, Sebastian, and I narrowly avoided a stint in the Tower of London. I don’t want Bronwyn to be in the city in case someone has made another unfounded accusation and has decided my wife should accompany me there.”

Sebastian almost dropped the cup of beer he was holding. “Do you really think that’s likely?”

“Probably not, but I’m not willing to take the chance.” Anthony knocked back the contents of his cup. “I should go. It is never a good idea to keep Her Majesty waiting. I will send word if there is an issue that will prevent me returning home by tonight.”

Sebastian watched Anthony depart, his appetite for breakfast leaving with him. He made his way upstairs to his room to dress to travel back to Crofton Hall, and he was ready and waiting in his shift and hose when Miriam arrived with his clothes for the day.

“I must say, you look a good sight better than when I last saw you,” she said, laying down his clothes on the bed.

“It’s amazing what a day in normal clothing can do for a man,” he said with a smile.

Miriam laughed. “I’m afraid it’s back to Bronwyn today. I’ve tried to find you something that won’t be as heavy to wear; not sure if I’ve had much success, mind, but at least it’s not velvet.”

On went the farthingale, corset, and roll, and Sebastian was resigned to another day weighed down by the female paraphernalia that were necessary to masquerade successfully as his sister. Miriam had brought with her a green silk gown and yellow skirt that she usually kept for grander occasions.

“It will crease horribly during the journey,” she said, sounding as if the material were doing her a personal disservice, “but the dress is light enough that you should get to Crofton Hall without passing out. And since you’re not heading back to court, we’ll leave your corset looser than normal.”

He put on his wig. “I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies.”

“And with heat like we’ve got at the moment, you should be thankful Lord Anthony banned his wife from wearing the white paint unless at court,” she said as she tied his ruff in place.

“That was one of His Lordship’s decrees I was happy to accept.”

Ready to depart for Crofton Hall, Sebastian returned downstairs to find the coach ready. And with no desire to stay in London longer than necessary, due to the heat, and Anthony’s dire warning about a possible stay in the Tower of London, Sebastian was relieved when the carriage trundled on its way. They negotiated the busy streets until they reached the outskirts of the city and the open road.

Sebastian was half-asleep when he was jolted wide awake as something struck the side of the carriage. He sat upright, and was about to stick his head out of the window when a crossbow bolt whizzed past him and lodged in the inside of the opposite door. For a moment Sebastian stared at the bolt as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, but was brought dramatically to his senses as the coach lurched forward. The driver cracked the whip and the horses whinnied in protest but picked up speed. Sebastian dived to the floor of the carriage and searched under the seat for a stiletto blade hidden for just this eventuality. Sebastian knew bandits were a real threat on the roads out of London, and he’d counted himself blessed that up to now he’d been lucky enough not to come to their attention.

The sounds of hooves tearing up the ground alongside the coach made Sebastian scramble backward. A hand grabbed the frame of the window, and Sebastian knew that if he didn’t do something they would be boarded. With as much force as he could muster, he drove home the blade into the bandit’s hand; a scream of pain accompanied the sound of a man falling to the ground.

Sebastian stuck his head out of the window to see the bandit roll into a tree, his horse galloping away into the woods. There were others on foot, but it appeared they were lucky and the gang of robbers only had one horse. Another crossbow bolt embedded in the frame of the carriage, missing him by inches, and Sebastian ducked back inside.

One lucky commenter will win an e-book copy of either The Actor and the Earl or Duty to the Crown. Don't forget to leave an email address!

Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca! Come back again soon!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie