All it takes is Fate to entice him with the very thing he never wanted.
ONCE UPON A LADY
The Soul Mate Tree
Addie Jo Ryleigh
Releasing Aug 16, 2017
Soul Mate Publishing
Lady Katherine Baxton, striving to meet the requirements of her station, has
become the ultimate dutiful daughter. And now, the Duke of Blackthorn’s
betrothed. Far from a love match, Kate is nevertheless determined to do as
expected and marry. That all changes the night she panics at her impending
future and runs, stumbling upon a private grove, a mysterious tree. . . and a
half-naked man.
The
youngest son of a viscount widely thought to have purchased his title, Jackson
Cooper demonstrates his disdain for the aristocracy by affording himself every
luxury available—drinking, wenching, and gambling—while eschewing anything
representing the ton. Jackson has little care for his reputation and no desire
to marry. His escape from London is all but complete.
Until
fate—in the form of a beautiful, mysterious lady—interrupts his plans, enticing
him with the very thing he never wanted.
EXCERPT:
Kate
felt his approach before she saw him. Which wasn’t all that surprising since
her body had remained mindful of his presence. Fighting the impulse proved
fruitless.
When
his tall frame blocked the sun and cast her in shadow, she knew besides giving
him a direct cut, she had no escape. If only she hadn’t ventured from her
sister’s side. At the time, abandoning Helena had been her singular option
since their slow stroll through the gathering had traveled too close to the
very man standing beside her. She’d been delaying the inevitable.
Kate
was now alone, as she tried to keep her attention on the lawn activities before
her, hoping no one would witness what was about to happen.
“Aren’t
sprites confined to the trees?” His deep voice washed over her.
She
didn’t turn to acknowledge him. “How nice to see you properly dressed for
once.”
His
chuckle warmed her. “Are you following me?”
An
unladylike snort refused to be repressed. “Hardly. You are rather difficult to
overlook, being the only unknown face here.”
“That’s
not true. You’ve seen my face . . . as well as other, more
interesting parts.”
Kate
wished she’d listened to her sister and worn a bonnet. Anything to mask the
heat flaring in her cheeks.
Thankfully
he remained at her side and hadn’t a clear view of her face. “We have not been
introduced. I can’t be seen speaking to you.”
“Then
let us go where we can't be seen.”
Her
heart raced at his boldness. Why was this man so tempting? She was spoken for,
though still unofficially. Proper ladies didn’t follow strange men to private
locations, regardless of their marital status. “Absolutely not.”
“Even
if I have something of yours?”
Blast! Her ring. Given her luck lately, she
would have lost it in the grove of all places. Her aunt would toss in her grave
knowing Kate had misplaced her gift.
“A
true gentleman would return it.”
His
deep laugh caused her pulse to flutter. “I’m no gentleman. Or haven’t you
heard?”
Addie
Jo Ryleigh writes historical regency romances that feature rakish heroes and
strong feisty heroines.
Addie
Jo has lived in the same cold-winter-hot-summer area of Minnesota her entire
life. Sharing in the raising of her three extremely rambunctious boys is her
very understanding husband who endured being dubbed “The Duke” by his
co-workers. Keeping Addie Jo company while she writes (besides her wonderfully
loud children) is her yorkipoo, Bella, who is never far from her side. And
recently the newest addition to their family, a black lab named Max.
Addie
Jo has always had a love and passion for romance books and became engrossed in
historical romance (particularly Regency) soon after graduating from Lurlene
McDaniel’s young adult books. Currently, she reads any genre that has a great
emotional story that keeps her reading into the early hours of the morning.
Addie
Jo has a bachelor degree in accounting and is a financial coordinator when not
playing chauffeur for her hockey-playing boys, cuddled up with a good book, or
writing her next story.
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