Sizzling Book Blog: The Lost Colony Series by Jo Grafford + Giveaway

Breaking Ties

Lost Colony Series

Book One

Jo Grafford

Genre: historical romance

Publisher: Astraea Press

Date of Publication: October 16, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-62135-219-8

ASIN: B00FYIYM7A

Number of pages: 404

Word Count: 121,390

Cover Artist: Mande Matthews

Book Description:

Intelligent and well ahead of her times, ROSE PAYNE'S world is shattered after a secret betrothal to the duke’s son costs her job as a clerk in his father's household. Without a letter of recommendation, she becomes an easy target for recruiters to the Colonies. Desperate for work, she signs up for a risky overseas venture and sails for the New World, vowing never again fall for a wealthy gentleman.

Returning from a diplomatic tour in London, CHIEF MANTEO is bewitched by the elusive, fiery-haired ship clerk and determined to overcome her distrust. He contrives a daring plan to win her heart – a plan he prays will protect her from a chilling conspiracy involving murder, blood money, and a betrayal of their fledgling colony so terrifying it can only be revealed in BREAKING TIES.

Special Note: BREAKING TIES is the never-before-told rest of the story of the Lost Colony.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nBB8_qcG-9I

Available at Amazon BN Smashwords Kobo Astraea Press iTunes

Excerpt:

"You want my help." 'Twas an accusation.

"Aye."

His eyes darkened. "I save your life. I give gifts. I offer marriage." He closed the remaining distance between us, his eyes burning into mine.

I stumbled back.

"You give nothing in return," he snarled. "You only ask for more."

"I would had I something to offer," I whispered. "But I have nothing. I am nothing."

"Then what use are you to me?" He wheeled away.

I sagged against the door, eyes stinging. I blinked rapidly and pressed a hand to my stomach. Nausea rolled at the thought of informing the others of my failure.

Manteo circled the cabin like a hawk stalking its prey. 'Twas a fine room with ornately carved shelves lining one wall. Bunks were built into the next wall. A generous desk jutted from the third, overflowing with maps and navigational devices. I recognized the compass and hourglass but could not identify the other instruments. I jerked in surprise when Manteo swooped down upon me.

"I know our location." His arms shot out and slapped the wall on either side of me, hemming me to the door. "I could swim ashore from here."

"Then why do ye stay if ye can leave and save yourself?"

"Governor White gave his word to deliver me home."

"We are going to starve, Manteo. 'Tis only a matter of days now."

"Nay. You alone starve. The others eat."

"I have no appetite."

"You act as one already dead."

I straightened my back. "I accept what I cannot change."

"And I change what I cannot accept." He shifted his weight to the wall, one arm propped over my head. He drew his fingertips down the side of my face in a feather-light caress.

I closed my eyes against the rush of unbearable sweetness. He made me long for things forbidden. "'Tis within your power to help us. I am begging you."

"Very well."

My eyes flew open. "Ye will do this for us."

"For you." His voice was silken, his features as hard as granite.

I smiled tremulously. "I thank thee, Manteo. Chief Manteo, that is." The new title felt strange on my lips. I beheld him with a mixture of awe and pride.

"I have yet to name my price."

I stared, confused.

He grunted in disgust. "You refuse me as both husband and lover, so you are left with the hiring of my services."

I worried my lower lip between my teeth. At least he was willing to negotiate. His eyes flashed with lust as he followed my movements.

"I will entreat the Dares for payment."

"Nay. You are the one in my debt."

I raised and dropped my hands helplessly.

"You serve this company, no? You can serve my people, too."

"Ye would hire me as clerk?" Hope leaped in my chest at the possibilities. I would not have to part from him so soon.

"My people have no clerks." His eyes narrowed. "We have slaves."

My breath hitched. "Ye wish to punish me, humiliate me?"

"Nay, I only wish to marry you."

I briefly closed my eyes against the pain. He already knew the reason for my refusal.

"Rose."

"Say no more. I will do it. 'Twill be punishment enough to see you so often and—“ I clamped my lips.

Exultation flickered briefly across his face. "You would give up your freedom to save your friends?"

"Without question."

"Swear it," he said grimly.

"I swear it."

His eyes flared with emotion. He bent slowly 'til his breath stirred my lips. My eyelids fluttered closed. Heaven help me, for I had no will left to resist him.

"Now you will eat," Manteo commanded hoarsely. He stepped back, surveying me from head to feet.

"Eat?"

"I have no slaves so thin and weak. Go. Collect your rations." He turned from me and bent to pore over a map on the table.

I reached for the door handle, disbelieving at the curt dismissal.

"And send for Anthony. I have need of him."

I glared at his back. Faith, should I press my face to the floor as well? "Aye, master." I bit the words out and fled.

Trail of Crosses

Lost Colony Series

Book Two

Jo Grafford

Genre: historical romance

Publisher: Astraea Press

Word Count: 112,300

Cover Artist: Mande Matthews

Book Description:

Jane Mannering can shoot a rifle and handle a knife as well as any Englishman. However, she is no match for the red-painted warriors who ambush her section of a Colonial caravan the moment she and her comrades reach the shores of Virginia.

Jane plots their escape during a forced march inland, leaving a trail of maltese crosses carved on the trees – their pre-agreed upon signal of distress. All the while, she fumes over what interest their captors could possibly have in a twenty-three-year-old spinster and a rugged band of brick masons, sawyers, and farmers.

When the ruthless Chief Wanchese intercepts them at the crossroads of the Great Trading Path, Jane is shaken to discover their greatest enemy plans to keep her for himself. It’s a pity he’s the only man on two continents who’s ever stirred her heart. Alas, she has an entire colony to save, and capturing his attentions is not part of their escape plan.

Special Note: The Lost Colony Seires is the never-before-told rest of the story of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island.

EXCERPT

My eyes drank in the massive arms and broad chest that tapered down to a narrow torso. He was nothing like the slender dandies in London who paraded about in excessive amounts of clothing. Nay, this man required no starched shirts and ruffs or padded doublets to enhance his frame. Silk hosiery and buckled shoes would have made a mockery of such unfettered male strength. The sun-bleached buckskins and well-worn moccasins were the only adornments a man of his ilk would ever require.

“You take pleasure in what you see, no?” He leaned towards me again. I backed up until the wall of the cavern pressed into my shoulder blades.

Of course, I liked what I saw, but ‘twould be unladylike in the extreme to admit it and grossly conceited of him to question me in such a manner. I straightened and returned stare for stare. The intensity of his gaze unsettled me. Though unsmiling, a wealth of emotions radiated from him. Curiosity. Interest. Desire. And ironclad determination.

“You mean to take me for yourself,” I stated in a dull voice.

Wanchese placed his hands against the wall on either side of me. “When I am ready, aye.”

I sniffed. “Then you are no better than the rest of those savages who —”

“Heathen and savage,” he corrected tersely. “A phrase I’ve heard oft enough in your own Queen’s Court.”

I scowled at the reference to his stint as a diplomat in my homeland. A fine time it was to rub my nose in his superior social status. Born into a life of servitude, ’twas ironic how my lot had not changed one whit on the other side of the world.

My chest heaved with the effort to control my alarm. Too tired to fight him off, I searched his face for any sign of compassion beneath the hard outer shell.

Humor deepened the color of his eyes as he rolled to his back in one swift movement and cradled his head in clasped hands. “You will come to me.”

“Indeed I will not,” I gasped, both relieved at the distance between us and puzzled by the game he played, a game for which I knew not the rules. “’Twould be unseemly.”

“Aye, you will,” he retorted, clearly enjoying himself. “Beneath your…” He nodded at the remnants of my gown. “… finery…is a passionate woman who is accustomed to taking what she wants. ’Tis I, methinks, who will be taken by you and not the other way around.”

About the Author:

Jo is a mega reader of all genres and loves to indulge in marathon showings of Big Bang Theory, NCIS, and Castle. Her favorite books are rich in Colonial and Elizabethan history, romance, strong women, alpha males, Native Americans, and creatures from the paranormal - an occasional dragon, vampire, or time traveler.

From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo moves a lot with her soldier husband. She has lived in the Midwest, the deep South, and now resides in Bavaria. Jo holds an M.B.A. and has served as a banker, college finance instructor, and high school business teacher. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter, and the Writers Group of Ansbach/Katterbach/Illesheim.

Website: www.JoGrafford.com

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Twitter: @jografford

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YouTube Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nBB8_qcG-9I

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