Title Smuggler’s Bounty
Author Vanessa Liebe
Genre Historical Erotic Romance / Mystery & Suspense
Publisher Blushing Books
Book Blurb
Elizabeth Thornton is left all alone in Georgian England after losing her parents in a tragic accident, so she travels to Cornwall to live with her kindly, older, and very proper Aunt Judith. Soon, however, she begins to suspect her aunt of hiding something nefarious. Determined to learn the truth behind the strange goings on, she sets out on a quest for the truth. A quest that leads to danger, and trouble with the law, and a very handsome smuggler with a firm hand and smoldering, sexy eyes who is as determined to keep Elizabeth safe as she seems to be to put herself in harm's way. William is growing tired of the smuggler's life of danger and instability. If he can just finish his last run, he can give it all up and finally settle down, find love, and start a family. But he already has a preventative officer hot on his heels who is determined to end his career and throw him in jail – or worse. The beautiful, headstrong Elizabeth is a complication he does not need. But she, too, is hot on his heels – and irresistible. Now he must avoid capture, and find time to discipline this woman with an appetite for adventure, who seems determined to steal his heart. When these two are together passions ignite, sparks fly, and danger lurks around every corner. Can Elizabeth and William avoid the law? Will they finally find the happiness that has so long eluded them both?
Excerpt
She closed the library door and immediately went over to the fireplace with her lantern.
She managed to light the candle in it with the tinder box she’d been given and then pulled on the fire poker once more. The entrance slid open and she ducked down to go inside. She was so keen to explore that she didn’t consider that it might be dangerous, and simply stepped into the tunnel. There was a catch just inside the tunnel that closed the door behind her.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and walked forward with her lantern lighting the way. The tunnel was all wooden paneling at first and so she thought she must still be inside the house. But she soon came to some steps that led a long way down. Then she had to be careful, holding the lantern and her skirts up around her as she made her way carefully down them. When she reached the bottom, the walls were roughly hewn rock and she felt that thrill of adventure again as she realized that she must be underground somewhere.
Elizabeth was so preoccupied with her thoughts that it was a complete shock when she was suddenly grabbed from the side. She dropped her lantern with a shriek and the glass casing smashed. The candle sputtered out and she was left in complete darkness with the man who had grabbed her. He covered her mouth to stop her cries and held her tightly against him.
Elizabeth kicked and struggled in panic before biting hard into the hand that covered her mouth. The man swore but held onto her.
“Curiosity killed the cat, sweetness,” the man purred into her ear, causing her neck hairs to stand on end. “And if you bite me again you little hell cat, I’ll bite back.”
She shivered in fear, and something else she’d rather not admit to, at the sound of that voice. It was the handsome smuggler from last night – the leader. Although Elizabeth was scared of what he might do with her for meddling, she hoped that she could reason with him, especially if she let him know who her aunt was. However, all coherent thought stopped as he ran a hand over her body.
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Giveaway:
I’m one of the authors participating in the Be Mine Bookish Giveaway and you can win a basketful of smuggling/spy goodies including a DVD, book, reward poster, a lighter with a spy camera, plus sea-themed items (16 items in all).
Runs February 1 - 28 and is open internationally.
Winner will be drawn March 1, 2019.
Author Biography
Vanessa Liebe is the author of fun, sexy erotic romance and erotica, both contemporary and historical. She mostly writes in the Fantasy and Paranormal categories as she likes a man with bite. Vanessa is married with three children and resides in Hampshire, South East England. When not house training her children, reading or writing, she likes to sit in the garden with a glass of rose wine.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/author_vanessa
Title: Taming the Spy
Author Vanessa Liebe
Genre: Historical Erotic Romance / Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Blushing Books
Book Blurb:
Cameron Blakeney is a man on a mission. Well, more than one, actually. Not only does he wish to reunite his brothers, separated from him in childhood, but he's a spy for the Crown. When he's tasked to observe two French spies in Portsmouth, he hopes to use the opportunity to locate his youngest brother, too. What he's not expecting is to be working with a co-agent in the form of the lovely, undisciplined Lady Arabella. Lady Arabella Willoughby enjoys working as a female spy and is looking forward to her latest assignment. However, when she discovers her co-agent is Cameron Blakeney, she's not so enthralled. Her one-time childhood friend and hero seems to relish taking her to task over the slightest 'misdemeanor'. Their mission sees them traveling across the beautiful English countryside, but it is all they can do to stay focused on their goal and not each other. For his part, Cameron is enjoying teaching Arabella new things. Things like how to reveal secrets written in invisible ink, and how to pleasure a man with her mouth. Arabella is a devoted student and learns all of her lessons well. Lessons that include learning to find pleasure in being over Cameron's knee, bare bottom upturned, legs spread, and with his hand coming down to help her realize the error of her headstrong, reckless actions. Publishers note: This suspenseful romantic spy story contains scenes of domestic discipline and explicitly described sexual scenes.
Excerpt:
Arabella watched an exhausted Cam finally enter his room. He jumped, almost dropping his candle as she made her presence known.
“Arabella.” He peered into the semi-darkness where the candle light didn’t quite reach. Then he frowned. “What the hell are you doing in here?”
She glared up at him from her position on his bed, arms folded. “Waiting for you to come back.”
“Why?” He took a step forward, looking furious. “More to the point. How did you get into my room? I was under the distinct impression that I had locked it.”
She ought to be wary of the man with his sheer, lethal grace. He was like a caged tiger. But she was annoyed with him and it lent her courage. “I picked the lock of course.”
Cam’s eyes widened as he took another step closer, before shaking his head. “My god. Arabella.” He huffed out a laugh. “Is there no end to your talents?”
Her eyes narrowed as he walked to the end of his bed. “Are you mocking me?” she demanded.
“Not at all. I’m impressed.” He sat down on the end of the bed with his back to her and prised off his boots.
She was glad he couldn’t see how his words had pleased her. Somehow he didn’t seem an easy man to impress, so his compliment meant a lot. His next words, however, roused her temper once more.
“Although I should give you another spanking for having the audacity to break into my room.”
Arabella sucked in a breath. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Relax,” Cam said, swivelling to face her. “I’m too shattered, Arabella.”
She remained poised to bolt from the bed all the same. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to come here after all. He did look very tired, but no less dangerous.
Cam raised a brow at her. “I’m waiting.”
“For what?”
Suddenly she was aware of how close they were. Her sensible cotton night gown with her thick dressing gown didn’t seem much protection against his penetrating gaze. He boldly perused her body, down to her bare feet. Was he going to pounce on her? She gulped.
“Why have you come here?”
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Title: The Highwayman’s Proposal
Author: Vanessa Liebe
Genre: Historical Erotic Romance / Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Blushing Books
Book Blurb:
Gabriel Blakeney is a man who protects those he loves at all costs. If that means becoming a highwayman to help support the community that raised him, then that’s what he’ll do. Risking his life each night, he robs from the rich to redistribute among the poor. He does it to survive. But what he’d really like is to find a woman of his own to protect and love. Despairing of ever finding her, things change one night when he meets Lady Caroline Godwin. Here is a lady who needs protecting, all right – from herself.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. And Caroline Godwin is desperate. Her father has lost a fortune at cards and is bed bound after a stroke. Somehow, she must raise the money within a month or lose her home. Worse, she may be forced to marry the despicable Lord Shard – her father’s creditor – to protect the family name and pay the debt. Frantic, Lady Caroline remembers being held up a few weeks ago. She makes the audacious decision to rob the handsome highwayman. But Caroline gets far more than she bargained for.
With card sharps, traitors, and the militia to worry about, Gabriel and Caroline find danger ever present. He is determined to keep her safe throughout, even if that means a trip over his knee.
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Excerpt
It had been a good haul. He wanted to see how good. However, he needed to leave the area first. He urged Samson into a canter, heading in the opposite direction to the coach he’d just robbed. After a few miles, he slowed, then took a path off into some woods.
Gabe dismounted, secured Samson’s reins to a tree and sat down on a log nearby. He took the heavy pouch out of his pocket, feeling the satisfying weight of it in his hand. Whistling a tune under his breath, he opened the pouch, tipping the contents out into his hand. He looked closely at each item, completely absorbed in his task.
“I’ll take those.”
Gabe froze at the softly spoken words as well as the pistol he felt pressed against his back. He frowned. He was being held up by a woman?
“Put them back in the pouch and hand it to me.”
Yes. Definitely a woman. And there was something familiar about her voice. He needed to hear her speak some more, though, to be sure. So, he did as she asked, holding the pouch over his shoulder for her to take. “Here you are.”
“Thank you.” The pouch was pulled out of his hand and Gabe heard the rustle of clothing as it must have been secreted away somewhere. The pistol remained pressed into his back, though.
“May I know who is robbing me?” He wasn’t afraid. He was amused by the situation.
“No. Now your pistol, please.”
Gabe paused. Whoever she was, she had clearly watched him holding up the coach because she knew about the pouch and his pistol. She must have followed him. Smiling at the novelty of a robber being robbed, he took his pistol out of his cloak and held it up. It was taken from his hand and he heard more rustling.
“Wait five minutes after I’ve gone before you move,” she told him.
Ah. Gabe could place her voice now, despite the slight muffling effect of the scarf or whatever it was she must have over her mouth. An educated and well-spoken lady—his feisty lady from a few weeks ago—the one with the sweet lips. He couldn’t possibly let her leave him so soon.
“Is that it?” he asked as he felt the pistol break contact with his back.
There was a slight hesitation, before she responded. “What do you mean?”
Gabe smiled at the hint of puzzlement in her voice. Now he had her and he willed her to come around to the front of him. He wanted to know for certain that it was his lady with the paste jewels. “Don’t I get anything?”
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Title: The Pirate’s Temptation
Author: Vanessa Liebe
Genre: Historical Erotic Romance
Publisher: Blushing Books
Book Blurb:
Zac Blakeney has a dark past, with blood on his hands. He's a pirate captain willing to do anything for revenge, even board an English merchant ship to kidnap his enemy's daughter. Except Charlotte Huntington is not what she seems. Forbidden fruit becomes undeniably tempting. Charlotte has only ever known violence at the hands of men. Now, sold into marriage, she is on her way to India when her ship is stopped by pirates. The captain is as handsome as he is intimidating. Charlotte soon receives discipline under his firm hand. Yet, she soon realizes this man holds the key to her heart along with her freedom. Publisher’s Note: This steamy historical romance includes elements of power exchange.
Excerpt
“They’re boarding us, Miss,” Ruby whispered, squeezing Charlotte’s hand tightly.
“Yes. I think so.” Charlotte strained her ears to listen. There were a few shouts then silence. It was eerie, not knowing what was happening up on deck. The two women waited and waited while the silence continued.
“Oh, what is happening?” muttered Charlotte rather crossly. If the pirates had been and gone, why didn’t someone come to fetch them?
Suddenly there were lighter thuds above them and Charlotte heard someone shout, “I’m going to get the girl.” She froze.
There were only two female passengers on board. Somehow, she doubted the pirate captain meant Ruby.
“Oh, Miss. He’s after you. We must hide you,” said Ruby jumping up from the bed. “Quick.”
Charlotte let her maid pull her up, half in shock. “But where?”
Ruby glanced frantically around. “In that clothes chest.” She pointed to the wooden trunk Charlotte had brought on board with her, or rather her father’s footmen had carried on. It was rather small.
“I don’t know about this.”
But Ruby hurried over to the chest. The lid was thrown up and the maid quickly took clothes out and shoved them under the bunk. “Hurry, Miss. Climb inside. You’ll have to curl up. Then I’ll put the lid on, with things on top.”
Charlotte gasped at the sound of booted feet descending the ladder to their deck. Whoever it was, they were close. She shook her head, coming out of a daze. She climbed inside the trunk, curling up on her side as Ruby suggested. “What about you, Ruby?” she asked, concerned for the girl. She needed to hide, too.
“I’m going to pretend to be you.”
The lid came down, cutting off further conversation. It also left Charlotte in darkness.
Charlotte was so surprised that she didn’t argue. Instead she listened while items were placed on top of the trunk. It was the kindest and bravest thing anyone had ever done for her. To place themselves in danger. A tear slipped down her cheek, while she desperately tried to stay quiet. Please let Ruby be all right. The sweet girl would hopefully be let go, unharmed, once the pirates realized they had the wrong girl.
The door was suddenly kicked open, almost making Charlotte yelp. God, she must not give away where she was.
“Miss Charlotte Huntington?” She heard a deep voice enquire.
“That would be me,” Ruby replied. God, if the situation wasn’t so dire, Charlotte would have been amused at the haughty tone her maid used. She sounded quite the lady of quality.
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