Hello everyone!
Thank you for inviting me to blog today about my latest release, The Mistress Memoirs. Those of you familiar with the Boscastle series might remember that Colin Boscastle is the second eldest brother to Sebastien (A Wicked Lord At The Wedding) and Gabriel (Wicked As Sin). If you are not acquainted with the Boscastles, that’s fine. Let’s just say that Colin Boscastle is a scoundrel in need of salvation. In the case of The Mistress Memoirs, however, it wasn’t the woman scorned who redeems our rogue, it’s her well-organized, overworked, and underappreciated companion and governess to her children.
Sir Colin Boscastle enters the story at a disadvantage that will take more than his legendary family charm to overcome. Georgette Lawson, the young woman he wronged years ago, has become a professional harlot and wants nothing to do with Colin. She doesn’t hold a grudge against him. But she is afraid that he’ll ruin her life again, and with good reason. Georgette is mistress to Colin’s long-time rival, and Colin isn’t about to let sentiment prevent him from confronting the man he believes murdered his father and stole the family fortune.
At least that is Colin’s intention until a forthright governess makes him realize that in order to satisfy his quest for revenge, he will have to put innocent lives at risk – those of the three boisterous children, a staff of servants who depend on Georgette’s income, and the ever-present governess who does her best to run the house like a decent country manor and not the brothel that it is.
In this scene, Georgette and Colin meet for the first time in years. Kate, the governess, stands in the corner, annoyed with both of them for not having controlled their passions in the past and their tempers in the present moment.
“Well, well, well,” Georgette said from her indolent position on the couch. “Look what my beloved companion dragged in from the garden—the prodigal rake. Kate, haven’t I warned you not to talk to strangers?”
“Georgette,” Colin said slowly, drawing a chair before her. “You look every bit as beautiful as the last time I saw you.”
“Oh, do I really?” she asked tartly. “Do you remember the last time you saw me?”
“Well, I—”
“I was bawling my eyes out from the window of that miserable cottage where I was born and might have died for all you cared.”
“But you were— are—still beautiful,” he said hastily, “bawling or not. What difference does it make where we parted?”
“I don’t want your flattery,” she said, flinging down her fan. “It doesn’t move me in the least. You can’t return after all this time and expect me to be the same giddy-headed virgin I was before I met you. And you shouldn’t be surprised to learn—”
“You have made a living on your back? I’m in no place to pass judgment on what you’ve done to survive.”
“Thank you ever so much for the stamp of approval,” she retorted. “What is this nonsense that you told my companion about Mason? He’s the most placid man I have ever met.”
“Why shouldn’t he be?” Colin asked with a shrug. “He is sleeping with the woman who once loved me and paying her bills with the profits of the investments of the man he poisoned.”
Georgette regarded him with reluctant sympathy. “Once upon a time you could have persuaded me that th
e moon rose in the morning. I imagined—I wished a plethora of foul fates upon you when you left me. Poor Colin. Of all the excuses I made up for your abandonment it never occurred to me that you had gone utterly mad. I hope it isn’t hereditary.”
Excerpt of The Mistress Memoirs by Jillian Hunter. Copyright March 2013. Published with permission of New American
Library, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA).
Visit Jillian’s site at www.jillianhunterauthor.com
Comment for a chance to win a print copy!
The cover looks so amazing! Congratulations on the new release!
Would love to win a copy of your book!
I always like to read series in order. This certainly seems like a series where that may be the best way to read these books. If I were to win I would have to get my hands on the others as well.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Patti, congratulations! You were the randomly selected winner of this book. Please send your mailing address to staff.trs@gmail.com. Thank you!
How great!!!! Thank you.
oh yes count me in I will love to win a copy of your book
Have a nice evening
Cheers
Oh my, I’ll have to re-read Wicked as Sin and Wicked Lord at the Wedding (I’m finishing up The Duchess Diaries right now—wonderful!)
This is a great excerpt and I’d love to read Colin’s story! Thank you for the giveaway chance!
That is a beautiful cover for the book. I need to look into getting this series! Thanks for sharing!
I love the Boscastle! I have read a lot of books but your Boscastle have always been my favorite literary family
!!
The dress and colour combination used on the cover is absolutely fabulous!!
Loved the excerpt.
Will have to get my hands on the series now!
Definetely on my TBR and to buy List
Would love to win a copy.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win it
Best wishes,
Sydney W
I adore historical romance and Jillian Hunter’s books are favorites. Thanks for the chance to win.
Definitely on my TBR list now. I guess I need to get A Wicked Lord At The Wedding and Wicked As Sin. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything by Ms Hunter.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win it
There’s nothing like a good scoundrel to get one’s blood pumping on a Monday morning. I am not familiar with the series but it appeals to me immensely. I love Historical romance! Have a great day, Jillian. Thanks for sharing!
Congrats on the new release. I have not seen a new Boscastle release in awhile. I love this family. they are great. I also love Jillian’s writing and all of her books. Not disapppointed in one of them. Definately adding to my must buy list. Thanks for the chance to win.
So sorry I didn’t have the link yesterday to respond to all your wonderful comments. I’ll try to make up for it! First, thank you, Chris, for the kind words! Melly, you’re right. A good scoundrel is a rousing way to start the week.
Thank you also to Monica, pc, and Savannah. I’m delighted you have enjoyed the Boscastles. If anyone here is on Facebook, please drop by to enter the current contest. And if you have any questions, please ask away!
Liked and shared the page too on Facebook and entered the contest.
Thank you for the heads Up!!!
Best Wishes,
Sydney W,
Bookaddict100(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you, Sydney, and thank you all again for welcoming me here!