I am so excited to be bringing you an excerpt of this gorgeous looking book, The Knight's Bride Prize by Ella Matthews. It was published yesterday and looks like a cracking read.
The Blurb
A dramatic Medieval convenient marriage story.
Will he risk his mission… for her hand in marriage?
Part of The Knights' Missions. On a secret quest to expose a traitor, Sir Hugh enlists in a tournament to win the hand of his target’s daughter, Lady Bronwen. But the clever, driven maiden jeopardises his plans when their unexpected attraction threatens to distract him from his duty! She’s desperate to escape her father, and Hugh can protect her by claiming his prize and marrying her. Yet honour demands the noble knight keeps their desire at bay, for completing his mission means betraying his new bride’s trust…
Book Details
ISBN: 978 0263321012
Publisher: Harlequin/Mills & Boon
Formats: e-book and paperback
No. of Pages: 336 (paperback)
The Excerpt
Introduction to the extract: In The Knight’s Bride Prize Bronwen is a young lady desperate to escape her home and her oppressive father. A tournament is held for with the winner offered her hand in marriage. Sir Hugh is one of the contestants but he is not who he seems, for he is there to investigate her father for treason, a fact he must keep hidden from Bronwen. In the below extract, Bronwen has come across two men while out of her father’s castle before the contest has begun. Her fear soon turns to something else…
‘I...’ Fear was trickling down her spine, weakening her knees. The two men were large, far larger than any of the men at her father’s castle, and their broad shoulders hinted at their latent power. There would be nothing she could do if they were hostile. She knew she should respond in some way, even if it was just to return to the woodland and move out of their sight, but her terror held her still.
The second man snorted and, muttering something under his breath, pushed to the front. ‘Are you lost, milady?’ he asked, his voice brisk and direct. It shouldn’t have released the tension in her shoulders, but it did. His practicality, a mirror of her own normal behaviour, was unthreatening, and his calm voice snapped through her fright. Although she kept her grip on her dagger, she relaxed enough to speak.
‘No,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘I am not off track, but I thank you for your concern.’
He moved forward again, blocking her view of the man behind completely. As he did so, the sun threw his face into sharp relief, and her breath caught in her lungs in a way that had nothing to do with fear. The stranger was not handsome as such, but there was something so striking about his features. His dark hair was cropped short, although not entirely evenly. His face was clean-shaven. Thick brows shadowed blue eyes. It was the eyes that held her gaze and had her heart racing faster.
‘May we escort you somewhere?’ he asked, his voice warm and gentle. ‘I can assure you that we mean you no harm.’
She wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. ‘I would be grateful if you would let me pass, and then I will be on my way.’
‘Of course.’ He twisted in his saddle, his broad body moving with ease. ‘Tristan, pull to the side to allow the lady room to pass.’
She moved slowly. Even though they had been nothing but courteous, she half expected one of them to make a grab for her when she was close, but both men held still. Her senses heightened as she began to move towards them, time seemed to slow, and she was aware of her horse’s every footfall, the crunch of the twigs, the way her hands trembled on her reins.
When she was level with the dark-haired man, her head seemed to turn of its own accord so that she was looking straight at him. For a long moment, they stared at each other. Later, she would question her strange behaviour, but right now, she couldn’t tear her gaze away as everything centred on him.
Purchase Links
bookgroup.org (supports independent book sellers)
About the Author
Ella Matthews writes sweeping historical novels with a dash of danger, steamy scenes and full of romantic heart. She writes for Mills & Boon / Harlequin but is also planning some self-published novels, so watch this space for those.
She writes in beautiful South Wales, where you can’t go for a walk without tripping over the remains of a castle. She lives with her husband, who’s very technical and who’s set up her website but still doesn’t seem to know how to use a washing machine, her two children and an exceptionally timid rescue guinea pig. When she’s not writing, she’s working with teenagers on their literacy skills (she’s discovered there’s nothing a thirteen year old loves more than discussing commas!). She loves to hear from her readers, so please get in touch.
You can find Ella at:
(media and excerpt courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)
(all opinions are my own)
(bookshop.org affiliated)
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