Title: Rogue’s Hostage
Author: Linda McLaughlin
Genre: American Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
Fate delivered them into each other’s arms. Will love set them free?
The Pennsylvania frontier, 1758. Mara Dupré never got used to living in fear. As danger lurks in every shadow, supporting her husband’s farming efforts while France and Britain battle in the New World has worn her down. But her life shatters when an invading war party kills her spouse, and she is taken captive by a dashing French officer.
Lieutenant Jacques Corbeau thought he’d lost his honor years ago. But something about the spirited woman whose scalp he saved from his Indian partners tugs deeply on his desire to redeem his past. And now as they undertake a dangerous trek to return to the fort, he swears a silent oath to protect her with his life.
In desperation, Mara attempts to bargain her virtue in exchange for her freedom, but her captor surprises her with his staunch valor. Though Jacques would gladly bed the fetching widow, he’s determined to banish his misdeeds and atone for his actions.
Will their tragic union fall to a murderous musket, or can they find everlasting love?
Rogue’s Hostage is a riveting standalone historical romance. If you like strong characters, enemies-to-lovers stories, and richly detailed histories, then you’ll adore Linda McLaughlin’s sensual adventure.
Buy Rogue’s Hostage to untie the bonds of desire today! Only 99 cents for a limited time only.
Excerpt:
Mara hurried down the path, but Corbeau darted ahead of her and set a bruising pace that soon had her gasping for breath. By mid-morning they arrived at the spot where they had stopped the previous afternoon.
“That way,” he said, stopping and pointing to a side path. “If you had not run away yesterday, we could have taken the easier route. But now we need to make up for lost time.”
Mara faltered as the narrow trail plunged deep into a grove of fir trees as dark, cold, and austere as a Gothic church. The deep shade and dense foliage shut out all traces of the world beyond the forest. The air was damp, filled with the bitter, resinous odor of the decaying hemlock needles crushed beneath their feet. She sensed solitude so all-encompassing it chilled her heart.
“Where are we?”
When Corbeau turned, she sensed the tension coming from him and suddenly knew the answer.
“The Shades of Death,” she whispered, remembering the stories Gideon had told her of the dark forest dreaded by all who had to travel through it.
“It is just a forest, madame. You have nothing to fear.” He held out a hand to her. “Come, we have no time to waste.”
Fear made her swallow her pride. Placing her cold hand in his warm one, she let him lead her through the twisting maze. Huge tree trunks soared upwards like stone columns, and branches arched overhead, so closely intertwined the sun barely filtered through. A forest cathedral, abandoned by all gods known to man.
Growing up in Geneva, she had often stared across the lake at the far distant Juras, their white peaks jutting majestically into the blue sky. Heaven must be like that, she used to think, clean, pure and pristine. If that had been a glimpse of Heaven, then this dark, dank labyrinth must be an outpost of Hell.
She breathed a sigh of relief when the path merged with a wider trail, and the light grew brighter. She again recognized familiar beech and maple trees.
Late in the afternoon, Mara stopped suddenly. “Do you hear that?” she asked.
They listened intently for a moment. “Someone is coming,” Corbeau whispered. “Quick, off the path.”
He pulled her through the trees and into a thicket where they watched without being seen. As the sound of footsteps came closer, he grabbed hold of her from behind, one arm around her waist, pinning her arms to her side. His other hand covered her mouth to keep her from crying out. As a group of soldiers passed by, she saw glimpses of scarlet uniforms and heard snatches of conversation she recognized as English.
Twisting in Corbeau’s arms and arching her body, she struggled to get free, but was unable to break his ironclad hold. Tears of anger and frustration streamed silently down her face.
After a few minutes, she gave up. It was hopeless; he was too strong. She was acutely conscious of his muscular arms holding her against his hard chest. She would never get away from this man, not unless he let her go of his own accord.
He continued to hold her until long after the British were out of sight. Finally, he loosened his grip and turned her to face him, one arm still around her waist. With his free hand he brushed away her tears.
“Hush,” he murmured into her ear.
She opened her eyes and pleaded with him. “Let me go after them. By the time I catch up, you can be far away. I won’t tell them which way you went, I swear it. Only let me go.”
“Oh, no, madame, I cannot. Too much is at stake.”
“What?” she demanded in a shrill tone. “Your bounty money? Just how much am I worth to you? What is the value placed on a human life these days?”
“I do not care about the money, but Gray Wolf would be disappointed in me if I showed up without you. It is imperative that I retain his respect. And I have my pride to consider.”
She placed her hands on her hips and faced him defiantly. “Are you so arrogant that you think the world revolves around your desires? Did I not know better, I might think you an aristocrat.”
“How perceptive you are, madame,” he drawled. “It so happens that my father is the Comte d’Archambault.”
“At least you came by your arrogance honestly. You inherited it. But tell me, Monsieur, what does your father think of his noble son?”
For a second a glimpse of pain flashed in his eyes. “My father thinks highly of his noble son. But he has no use for his bastard.”
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
Rogue’s Hostage is an exciting, adventurous Enemies-to-Lovers romance set during the French and Indian War. The book was in large part inspired by the most recent movie version of The Last of the Mohicans, starring a dashing Daniel Day Lewis, but with a happier ending. If you enjoy history and romantic adventure, this book is for you!
Giveaway –
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Author Biography:
Linda McLaughlin grew up with a love of history fostered by her paternal grandmother and an incurable case of wanderlust inherited from her father. She has traveled extensively within the United States and has visited Mexico, Canada, Australia, Europe and Iceland. She now lives near the ocean in Orange County, California.
Linda writes historical and Regency romance under her real name and spicier romance under the pseudonym Lyndi Lamont.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://lindalyndi.com
Blog: https://lindalyndi.com/reading-room-blog/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/lindamclaughlin
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lyndilamont