The Astonishing Ella Quinn

I'm honored to highlight today the rising star of Regency romance, Ella Quinn! Ella astonishes me. She's incredibly energetic. My secret belief (secret no more) is that Ella is magic. Not only does she write fast and fabulously, but she's often in several different places at the same time. If that's not magic, what is?

Ella is here with an excerpt from her debut release, The Seduction of Lady Phoebe, which is the first in the Marriage Game series. Ella is giving away an e-book to one lucky commenter. 

“Lady Phoebe is a heroine Georgette Heyer would adore—plucky, pretty, and well worth the devotion of the dashing Lord Marcus. A marvelous find for Regency romance readers.” —Grace Burrowes, New York Times bestselling author

Polite society has its rules for marriage. But for Ella Quinn’s eligible bachelors, their brides will show them that rules are for the weak of heart…

Phoebe Stanhope is not a typical Lady. As feisty as she is quick witted, no one can catch her, especially when she is driving her dashing phaeton with its perfectly matched horses. And unlike her peers, experience has guarded her against a growing list of would-be suitors. But when she encounters Marcus Finley, what she fears most burns deep within his blue-eyed gaze…

For Lord Marcus, the spark of recognition is but a moment in the love he has held these many years. Now that he’s returned to England, all the happiness he desires rests on Lady Phoebe never finding out that he was the one who turned her heart so cold and distant. He must work fast to gain the advantage—to convince her what she wants is exactly what she denies—but in order to seduce her into his arms, he must be willing to give up more than he can control…

“A passionate tale full of humor, romance, and poignancy. Quinn writes classic Regency romance at its best!” —Shana Galen, author of If You Give a Rake a Ruby

Here's the excerpt:

St. Eth motioned to the coffee-pot and other cup. Marcus shook his head and the older man went on. “Lady St. Eth will not decide until the last moment. I recommend you offer to escort Lady Phoebe on foot. I shall do my best to bundle Lady St. Eth into the carriage.”

Marcus was stunned that St. Eth was still willing to help him.

St. Eth’s tone became serious. “On another note, I received a message from Caldecott this morning. Lady Hester is concerned that you and Lady Phoebe will be found in a compromising position. Her fears are well founded, if what I witnessed in the breakfast room is any indication.”

St. Eth waited, but Marcus remained silent. “Her main concern is if you are caught doing anything that would give rise to talk or, indeed, an immediate proposal of marriage, the ton will think you’ve offered for Lady Phoebe solely because you had no choice. That, as you must understand, would not be a comfortable position for either of you, or the families.”

Marcus nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“However,” Henry said, “if you keep to your plan, the gossips should begin to notice you are being very particular in your attentions to Phoebe. That will stop any talk if something should happen.”

St. Eth’s brows lowered. “I depend upon you to insure you are not caught. It clearly isn’t any good at all to rely on my niece to be discreet in this matter. She is, in general, a very sensible girl, quite up to snuff, but apparently not in this case.”

He poured another cup of coffee. “Despite some of Lady Phoebe’s independent starts, she has never set the gossips’ tongues wagging. But, she is a babe in the woods when it comes to your courtship, and her usual good sense has gone begging. Though that might be to your advantage.”

Henry fixed a stern gaze on Marcus. “Now as to your activities in my house . . . What the devil either of you thought you were doing in the breakfast room alone, not a servant in sight, with the door closed, is more than I can understand. You’re very lucky it was I, and not Lady St. Eth, who came upon you.”

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Will Marcus succeed in winning Lady Phoebe? You'll have to read the story to find out. Do you read historical novels? Specifically, Regencies? Why or why not? Do you believe in magic? Answer any of these questions or not - but leave a comment for a chance to win an e-book of The Seduction of Lady Phoebe.

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Ella’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.

She is married to her wonderful husband of twenty-nine years. They have a son and granddaughter, Great Dane and a Chartreux. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make St. Thomas, VI home.

Ella is a member of the Romance Writers of America, The Beau Monde and Hearts Across History. She is represented by Elizabeth Pomada of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency, and published by Kensington. Her debut novel, The Seduction of Lady Phoebe, was released in September 2013.

Website: www.ellaquinnauthor.com

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