Today is my post on the To Win her Hand by Jen Geigle Johnson blog tour read all about the book and my excerpt
Enjoy!
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Series: A Gentleman’s Match (Book 1)
Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: King’s Row Press (December 15, 2022)
Length: (272) pages
Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, & eBook
ISBN: 978-1737592174
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS
Overview:An expert at winning a woman's hand. A woman who cannot be won.
Lord Featherstone has the world on his shoulders. Or at least his world. With two brothers and a failing estate he must make funds somehow. But what happens when he falls for a woman? Will his tactics work when the situation is so close and personal?
Everyone thinks Lady Loveluck is a wealthy widow. What they don't know is that she is on the brink of hiring herself out as a Governess in order to pay for her next meal. The only thing keeping her from employment is a growing reputation as a matchmaker. As long as she never falls for another man, as long as she doesn't allow herself to be fooled into marrying, she will be just fine.
But she never counted on being caught up in the beguiling tactics of London's renowned and not so secret matchmaker for men.
Read an excerpt:
She pursed her lips. “What are they doing?”
Lady Loveluck sighed. “I imagine they are primping like
peacocks in the hope we will notice and stand at their sides.”
“Oh? Then let’s make our way over.”
She shook her head. “We cannot. That is a most ridiculous
display, and I, for one, am not a woman to chase after a man simply because he
waved hello in an overly friendly way and then looked away.” She shook her head
again. “No, we will instead turn to the side, right here, and speak to this
group.”
Three young men stood not too far from them. One had
glanced toward Miss Anna more than once. He was tall, pleasing, and would do
nicely, if not for a beau, at least for a distraction. And luckily for them
all, Lady Loveluck knew the man to his right.
She approached with a smile. “Is that Lord Templeton I
see?”
A large smile responded, along with an offer of his elbow.
“It is indeed. I am most pleased to see you, Lady Loveluck. And who is this
vision at your side?”
“This, I’m so pleased to present, is Miss Anna. And might I
add that you are among the first to boast an acquaintance with my particular
friend.”
“Then I am most fortunate.” He reached for her hand and
placed his lips on it. “Lord Templeton at your service.”
Miss Anna’s smile was genuine as she looked up into his
face. “I’m pleased to meet you. How are you enjoying this lovely weather?”
“Oh, it is grand indeed and has made it possible for us to
meet so many who will be participating this Season.”
“Yes, most fortunate to be blessed with good weather.”
She looked as though she might panic for a moment with nothing
to say, but Lord Templeton smiled. “Have you just recently arrived, then?”
She nodded in obvious relief at an easy topic. “I have,
yes. I’ve been living on our country estate in Hereford until now.”
“Your first time in London, then?” His smile grew. “I’d be
pleased to offer my assistance. Shall we promenade? Perhaps meet some more
people you will see at the dinners and balls?”
“Oh yes, I would like that, thank you.”
Lady Loveluck dashed a grateful expression toward Lord
Templeton, but he didn’t see it. His focus had shifted to Miss Anna. Good news
indeed. Perhaps the ever-agreeable Lord Templeton would be distracted by
someone at last. If Miss Anna had caught his eye, she was fortunate, and Lady
Loveluck’s work would be complete. Time to collect on her wager. Her smile
grew. She checked the surrounding groups for any sign of Lord Featherstone or
Mr. Hartsworth. They had disappeared from view.
Unfortunate.
This new possible victory for Miss Anna would be some‐ thing lovely to show off to
her new rival.
She turned away from the group and shifted attention to the
area around them. In many ways, it would be lovely to leave London, to relax,
do what she wished, when she wished. But there would be no opportunity for any
of that anytime soon, not while she needed food to eat. Almost all potential
clients would be here in London or perhaps Bath or Brighton. Where clients
were, she needed to also be. She’d been selling off properties, hoping no one
would be any wiser to her situation. With everyone around her assuming her to
be one of the more wealthy women in the Ton, the likes of Miss Anna herself,
she had to keep up appearances, if only to continue her business. The solicitor
had told her how long it would take to pay off her late husband’s debts. She daren’t
think of the amount of years. Every new client carved off a few more of those
years.
A lovely smell made her smile and melt a little bit.
“Looking concerned. Things not going well for you with Miss Anna?”
She relaxed her face and calmed her expression, turning to
Lord Featherstone. “Just the man I wished to gloat to.”
“Gloat?” He lifted his chin, searching the area. “Ah,
Templeton? You can’t be serious—or rather, he certainly is not.”
“Isn’t he? He barely glanced in my direction once he laid
eyes on Miss Anna. You should not be so quick to judge.”
“I would be surprised indeed, but I’ve been known to be
wrong . . . once.” He laughed but then studied her again. His eyes dashed with
hints of concern. “Then why the troubled expression? I felt as if the world
weighed for a moment on your shoulders. Are you Atlas? Bearing the burdens for
us all?”
His tone was jovial, but his expression caring. For the
briefest moment, she would have shared a portion of her burden, testing his
empathy, but someone laughed nearby and reminded her that no one wanted to hear
her burdens, not really. They didn’t care, or they were pleased to hear her
suffering. And so, she lifted a shoulder. “Lord Featherstone, don’t we all have
our concerns now and again? This shall pass.”
“But will it? Perhaps it need not pass alone?” He stepped
closer. “Lady Loveluck.” His eyes were wide, sincere, his face tenderly turned
toward her, his hand lifted as though to place on the side of her face, but it
lowered.
For a moment she was at his command, drawn into the depths
of his eyes, cradled in the embrace of his words. What a relief to share her
burdens, to trust another . . . She blinked and remembered that she was
standing in front of the expert of wooing women in all of London. “Oh, you are
too good.” She stepped away. “I don’t need your methods on me. I see they are
effective.” She mock fanned herself. “But unnecessary. Practice on someone
else.”
A bit of something sad crossed his expression and then it
was gone. He bowed with a flourish. “I see I have met my match indeed. Do not
underestimate your own power, my lady. You are quite captivating, even for me.”
She did not believe him, but smiled and played his game.
“It’s a wonder you aren’t married yourself.”
“Perhaps if I find the woman who accepts my offerings as
what they are, a woman who believes my sincerity, who laughs at my jokes and
cries at my sorrows. Perhaps if there is such a woman, and she and I connect in
the right manner with the exact right timing, perhaps I would find myself
married.” He shrugged.
“It’s a wonder anyone finds a match when you think of it
that way.”
“A wonder indeed.” The longing in his expression was
curious to Lady Loveluck. Did Lord Featherstone wish for a wife? She could hardly
believe it.
Chapter two, page 31-37
From To Win Her Hand © 2022, Jen Geigle Johnson,
published by King’s Row Press
Praise:
"I loved the character growth, watching them learn more about the other’s heart and hardships, and the realization that perhaps they had more choices than they first thought. Such a sweet regency. I’m so grateful I had the chance to read this one."— Makayla Branson, Reading Past Bedtime“The house party, the quiet moments, the collection of other characters, and much more all combined together made this is delightful read.”— Julie Carpenter, Goodreads
“Two matchmakers with a wager. What fun for all! [A] heart touching story.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads
About the author:
Jen has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well.
Six children and an inspiring husband keep her going and make certain she doesn't stay glued to a keyboard or lost in obscure fascinating details of old castles.
Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
This sounds good and I enjoy Regency romance.
ReplyDeleteit does sound good
DeleteThat sounds like it would be a great romantic read.
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