House of Croft, Book One
Mystery, Romance
Date Published: July 30th, 2024
The only thing more lethal than his need for revenge, is the woman who's
tasked with bringing him down.
Adrian Croft dreams of quitting the shady business he stands to inherit, of settling down, and of raising a family free from a life of crime. But when tragedy strikes, this fanciful dream is destroyed. All he wants now is revenge. His anger, however, threatens to cloud his judgment, making it harder for him to recognize danger when it approaches in the form of a beautiful woman.
Trained for covert operations as part of a secret government program, Samantha Carmichael's mission is to give British law enforcement a reason to prosecute the most powerful man in the country. But when common sense and duty begin to blur, can she remain steadfast in her goal, or will her loyalties shift as she gradually loses her heart to the one man she cannot afford to love?
-One series, one couple, and the brutal challenges they must face-
Read an excerpt below
If you like What Angels Fear, Silent in the Grave, and Murder on Black Swan Lake, you’ll devour Sophie Barnes’ thrilling new series.
About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her books have been published internationally in eight languages. With a fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents, and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
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Excerpt from "A Vengeful King Rises"
C H A P T E R O N E
September, 1817
Alice Irvine hastened along the pleasure garden’s
illuminated cross-walk. Fireworks popped over‐ head in vibrant displays of
shimmering light while Mozart’s “Moonlight Sonata” drifted between the trees.
The air was cool. Soon, the leaves would change color as summer gave way to
autumn.
Alice quickened her pace. She could not be gone long before
her parents noticed her absence. For now, they were preoccupied with the
ballet. But like most of Vauxhall’s distractions, it offered only brief
entertain‐ ment. She had to return to them before the show ended
and they realized she no longer stood in the crowd of onlookers.
Up ahead, a small group of revelers rounded a corner. All
were flamboyantly dressed in accordance with the masquerade theme. Their joyous
mood was evident in their hoots and whistles as they drew nearer.
“Oh no,” one of the men in their midst exclaimed, his
attention fixing on Alice. “A lonely shepherdess.”
Disguised as Harlequin, he pranced toward her and grasped
her hand before she gauged his intention. Star‐ tled, she nearly tripped over her
feet when he pulled her into a waltz.
She did her best to keep up, spinning and twirling across
the path. His gaze caught hers and he laughed, enchanting her with his
playfulness.
His companions cheered and clapped and one of them, a woman
wearing a lavish Marie Antoinette costume, called, “Bring her along. The more
the merrier.”
Alice’s dance partner slowed his movements until they came
to a halt. He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
“Well?” he asked, his voice slightly muffled behind his
mask. “Will you favor us with your company or must we part ways?”
“Thank you for the dance,” Alice said, “but I’m afraid it
must be the latter.”
His eyes pierced hers from behind his black mask. A grin
caught the edge of his mouth, concealing the brief disappointment she’d
glimpsed a mere second before. “A pity.”
He released her with a flourish, executed a deep bow, and
spun away, his movements fluid as he darted after his friends.
Alice breathed a sigh of relief and resumed her own
progress. Hopefully the mask she wore had made her just as unrecognizable to
him as he’d been to her. A soft smile curved her lips as she hastened onward.
The anonymity of her encounter added a hint of exhilara‐ tion to the
pleasure she felt in response to the stranger’s attention.
It also made her more eager to reach her destination where
heated kisses and ardent caresses awaited.
Her heart pounded faster. She knew the danger that lurked
ahead - the undeniable risk of scandal - but she couldn’t resist the thrill of
meeting the man who promised her passion unlike any other.
Ever since he’d first kissed her in an alcove at the Foxhill
ball, she’d welcomed every chance to be alone with him, if only for a few
moments. No one had ever affected her so. He made her come alive in ways she’d
never before experienced.
Inexplicably, the impropriety and the daring, the prospect
of being caught, only fueled her desire for more. As did the rogue himself. The
wicked words he’d whispered in her ear when last they’d met still sizzled in
her veins.
Reaching a thick copse of trees, she sent a swift glance
over her shoulder, then stepped off the path. Darkness closed in around her as
she moved forward through the brush, but she wasn’t afraid. Instead, she
welcomed the increased privacy offered by the secluded location.
Despite the heavy scent of dirt and leaves, she smelled the
musky perfume of the man she’d come to meet. She could almost feel the heat of
his body encom‐ passing hers, the powerful strength of his presence
urging her onward.
A twig snapped and a strong arm encircled her waist, pulling
her backward, flush against a masculine chest. Alice’s breath caught and her
pulse leapt with increased excitement. This was one of the things she loved
best about their assignations – his ability to surprise her.
“You’re finally here,” he murmured, the low vibra‐
tion of his voice sending hot little shivers straight down her spine as he drew
her more firmly against his hard frame.
“Yes,” she whispered in anticipation of what would come
next. If he wished to claim her in earnest this time, she’d happily let him do
so.
His head dipped and his mask grazed her neck as he breathed
her in. Alice moaned. Who would have thought such a tiny abrasion could feel so
incredibly good? And yet it was nothing compared to the rousing sensations
igniting within her when he slid his hands over her body, the intimate
exploration making the passion between them burn brighter than any flame.
Heaven have mercy, she wanted more. She wanted him - needed
him - more than anything else in the world. So she leaned back against his
sturdy frame, and surrendered to pleasure.
This looks like a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing and hosting this tour.
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