Title:
I Shot the Sheriff: Tragic Characters in Classic Lit Series Novel
Author:
Regina Jeffers
Genre:
Regency romance; historical fiction; British historical literature; classic romance fiction; classic literature; Robin Hood tale; series
Book Blurb:
I Shot the Sheriff: Tragic Characters in Classic Literature Series Novel
How does one reform the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham? Easy. With Patience.
William de Wendenal, the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham, has come to London, finally having wormed his way back into the good graces of the Royal family. Yet, not all of Society is prepared to forgive his former “supposed” transgressions, especially the Earl of Sherwood.
However, when de Wendenal is wounded in an attempt to protect Prince George from an assassin, he becomes caught up in a plot involving stolen artwork, kidnapping, murder, and seduction that brings him to Cheshire where he must willingly face a gun pointed directly at his chest and held by the one woman who stirs his soul, Miss Patience Busnick, the daughter of a man de Wendenal once escorted to prison.
I Shot the Sheriff is based on the classic tales of Robin Hood, but it is given a twist and brought into the early 19th Century’s Regency era. Can even de Wendenal achieve a Happily Ever After? If anyone can have the reader cheering for the Sheriff of Nottingham’s happiness, it is award-winning author Regina Jeffers.
Excerpt:
“The point is,” Pennington spoke in adamant tones, “the debts were Paulson’s fault, not Lord de Wendenal’s. De Wendenal simply did his duty to the Crown as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Just as you will execute your duty to the Home Office by accepting the role of Lord de Wendenal’s protector. Is that understood, Patience? De Wendenal was not the guilty party in this matter with your father. We have had this discussion many times, and it all comes back to the fact your father had a moment of weakness that set your family on a troublesome course. Your father. Not Lord de Wendenal.”
She nodded, as if processing what Pennington said. William watched her in fascination as she, quite literally, rolled her shoulders into place and turned to look upon him for a brief moment. For a few exquisite seconds, he was lost in her eyes, before she said, “I saw the man who shot you last evening.”
Her response was not what he expected. “You attended the event?” William thought if he had encountered Miss Busnik at the Prince’s party he might have managed a proper introduction and a dance. He realized, belatedly, that his response sounded as if she did not belong among the Regent’s guests. “I did not mean my question as one might assume. I simply thought I would have taken note of you at the supper.” His explanation had the lady lifting an eyebrow in skepticism. With a deep sigh, he asked, “Did you recognize my assailant?”
He wished he had not looked closely upon the woman. She possessed the oddest colored eyes he had ever seen. Green as the leaves during a perfect summer day mixed with flakes of gray from an overcast one. And there was a small mole at the edge of her hairline. William knew immediately he would enjoy kissing that mole. Her lips were pink and full, especially the bottom lip. He suppressed a groan of desire creeping up his throat from his chest. Kissing her would surely be a man’s demise, for he doubted one kiss would be enough. The idea had him considering how long it had been since he had a willing woman in his bed.
“I fear he was standing in the shadows, but I know something of his build and of his mannerisms. In fact, I felt as if I had met him previously, but I could not provide a name, as yet. And I know he was dark of head. I believe I would recognize him again if I encountered him,” she admitted.
It was William’s turn to experience reservations. “Exactly where were you when you observed my attacker?”
Pennington answered for Miss Busnik. “I received a report that indicated Dylan Monroe planned an attack on the Prince, but it did not have the details of Monroe’s design, and I could not be certain of the accuracy of the rumor. I had several men in place to detain him, and Miss Busnik was acting as a maid assisting the ladies in the room. Miss Busnik retreated to the balcony when Monroe was spotted to keep an eye on what was going on below. Everything changed when the elder Monroe made an appearance. Most assuredly, you must realize, Sir Carter’s involvement was a matter of the baronet’s quick thinking, not an orchestrated diversion.”
It bothered William to think Miss Busnik had been in danger when Monroe made his way to the balcony. “I now wish I had followed Monroe,” he said seriously. “I could have been of more service to both you and the Prince, Miss Busnik, than I was in stopping the man’s father.”
“Yet, you did not know the footman was Dylan Monroe, nor were you knowledgeable of Monroe’s intent,” Miss Busnik argued. “I thought your willingness to place yourself in danger an exemplary quality.”
Her praise did something to William’s heart—something he had never experienced previously. “And you were on the balcony throughout the events?” he asked.
“I was to protect the Prince,” she confessed.
A realization arrived. “You were to shoot Monroe?”
“Patience is one of my best marksmen,” Pennington said with pride. I have discovered over the years, women are often the better shot because they take their time to make certain others are not harmed when they take up a weapon.”
William swallowed the curse of dismay rushing to his lips. “I have never known a lady to take to a gun. Archery, certainly, but not a long gun.”
She said with another arch of an eyebrow. “I am an excellent shot with either bow or rifle. Do you disapprove, my lord?”
William barked a laugh. “Certainly not, Miss Busnik. Such makes you more interesting.”
Pennington cautioned, “No one, other than her brother Patrick, and, now, you, know of Miss Busnik’s involvement with the Home Office. I would prefer my disclosure remains between us. Do I have your agreement, de Wendenal?”
“Unquestionably,” William attested. “I would never purposely place Miss Busnik in danger.”
“Yet, if I am to play the role of your protector—” she began.
William held up his hand to prevent her response. “I could not in good conscience involve you in this matter, Miss Busnik.”
“You think me incapable of offering you protection?” she charged. “I assure you, at this very moment, I have a Queen Anne pistol in my reticule and a knife hidden upon my person.”
He hid the smile of anticipation rushing to his lips. He would love to discover that knife and remove it from her person while he explored all the subtle curves of her body. Instead, he said, “I said no such thing.”
“Then why do you refuse to accept my assistance?” she demanded.
People did not often question his decisions, and William felt his ire rise. He did not enjoy admitting aloud what he knew the beau monde thought of him. “No one would believe a woman of good standing and of such an age would show an interest in a man of eight and thirty, who has not always performed as he should have.”
“Pish posh,” she declared boldly as she stood. “Godfather, there is no need for you to see me home. Lord de Wendenal shall escort me to my door. The baron and I have much to settle between us. Come along, my lord.”
Pennington attempted to keep the smile from his lips as William struggled to his feet, but the man failed miserably. “You have met an immovable object, my lord,” the man said with a nod of what appeared to be sympathy. “I wish you well, Lord de Wendenal. I will be in touch.” With that, Aristotle Pennington strode away, leaving William looking on dumbfounded and Miss Busnik motioning her maid to follow them.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Available to Read in Kindle Unlimited
Audible (with Virtual Voice Narration) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY9H6P1Z
What makes your featured book a must-read?
We all have childhood stories we return to time and time again. For me, it the “Robin Hood” tales. In fact, I have an edition of the tales with a copyright of more than 100 years ago. Yet, why should a reader return to a familiar story when he/she already knows the ending? The answer is simple: We find such tales so appealing because we learn from their lessons. In this tale, the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham learns the “golden apple” he once sought is rotten to the core. We readers are fascinated when we see “people we know,” encounter obstacles and overcome them. It is part of the human spirit.
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Author Biography:
Before writing romance, Regina Jeffers wore many hats, including that of a tax preparer, journalist, choreographer, Broadway dancer, theatre director, history buff, teacher, grant writer, and media literacy consultant for school districts and public television. Now, “supposedly” retired, she writes full-time, skillfully enveloping her readers in the hearts and minds of her characters.
Social Media Links:
Every Woman Dreams (Blog) https://reginajeffers.wordpress.com
Always Austen (Group Blog) https://alwaysausten.com/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Regina-Jeffers/e/B008G0UI0I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1479079637&sr=8-1
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jeffers0306/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/darcy4ever/
You Tube Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzgjdUigkkU