SPOTLIGHT - HISTORICAL - THE LADY AND THE BARRISTER (The Ladies of Sommer by the Sea, #1) by Ruth A. Casie

The Lady and the Barrister
Return to the Ladies of Sommer By the Sea, #1

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BLURB

Two men vie for Lady Anna, but who will she choose? The smooth politician or the down-to-earth barrister turned duke?

Lady Anna Ravencroft shines brightly as a much-admired organizer and hostess. In her mind it is the one thing at which she succeeds. Inwardly she is shy, retiring… a wallflower. With two failed seasons that ended in disaster she has accepted marriage might not be in her future.

Lord Fraser Castleton, a London barrister is shocked when he inherits a title and estate from his mother’s great aunt and becomes the 8th Duke of Willbury. He returns to Sommer-by-the-Sea to take up permanent residence. He crosses paths with his longtime friend, Lady Anna. He confides that he is the target of every mother with an unmarried daughter. She commiserates with him. Every eligible gentleman sees the Ravencroft purse rather than her. Together they decide to find a mate for each other. Anna presents him with a list of several eligible women. Castleton is receptive, but not enthusiastic. He gives her the same reaction with the subsequent two lists. Will she realize he has already found his match?

Reginald Younge, who doesn’t always play by the rules, wants to be the next Member of Parliament for his borough. His political backer will support him if Younge can finance the campaign himself. He suggests Younge find a wealthy wife to support his political plans. Marrying a Ravencroft would all but guarantee not only his backer’s continued support but provide the steady stream of money needed to claim his place amongst the gentry. He calls on Lady Anna for assistance with a campaign event and has an ulterior motive.

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Return to the Ladies of Sommer By the Sea

1. The Lady and the Barrister - 99 cents & in Kindle Unlimited
2. The Lady and the Earl - pre-order now Releases June 1, 2023
3. The Lady and the Rogue- Release date: August 9, 2023

Excerpt

“Lady Anna. Lord Castleton. Welcome to the Tea Room.” Tanya took off her apron and set off a small cloud of flour as she put the pinnie down on the counter.

Anna glanced around the dining room. An older couple sat at the only other occupied table.

Castleton helped her into her chair as Tanya made her way to the front of the tearoom. He turned to her with his irresistibly devastating grin.

Anna busied herself by removing her gloves and putting them into her reticule, then placing it on her lap all to avoid his gaze. When she could no longer stall, she raised her head and found him sitting across from her and still staring.

What should she say? It was as if she didn’t know this man when they had been friends most of their lives. Well, she certainly didn’t know him as a military man, a barrister, a duke, and especially not as someone courting her. All she knew was the boy with whom she grew up and in a moment of panic, she wanted to leave.

“I didn’t intend to embarrass you. I can’t help the way I look at you.” His elbow was on the table with his chin in his hand. “One glance and I find myself smiling.”

He removed his hand and struck a more proper attitude, opened his serviette, and draped it on his lap.

Was he playing his part? She glanced at the couple at the other table and concluded he was courting her for their sake. Perhaps she could play the game as well.

“You flatter me, Fraser,” she gracefully placed her hand to her throat. “Or should I say you flatter yourself if you think I’m embarrassed.” She sat up straighter and looked down her nose following propriety. For two Seasons she observed and learned as girls struck that position.

“Oh?” He dared to struggle to hide his chuckle.

“Ginger biscuits, really, Fraser. I would have thought you’d had your fill as a boy and moved on to other more tempting morsels.”

He leaned closer toward her. His eyes were even more passionate than they had been moments before. He took her hand and her breath caught.

“Oh, but I am moved by a more temping… morsel. Much more tempting. Would you like me to elaborate?” With that he raised her hand to his lips.

Copyright © 2023 Timeless Scribes Publishing LLC

Author Info

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.

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SPOTLIGHT w/EXCERPT - HISTORICAL - THE LADY AND HER DUKE (Ladies of Sommer by the Sea, #3) by Ruth A. Casie

The Lady and Her Duke

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Could she use her skills as a lockpick to crack open the secrets to the murder as well as unlock his heart?

BLURB

Lady Katherine Thornton has no interest in men after an indiscretion at her disastrous Season in London. No man can be trusted. Instead, she indulges in her fascination for gears and all things mechanical. Her unique drafting skill is an asset to her uncle Bennett Sutton, who is automating his textile factory. She doesn’t need anything else.

Lord Ian Wallace, the 4th Duke of Blackhall, is a retired military officer. An accidental duke after the deaths of his father and brother, he retreats from society and the clawing mothers and debutantes who stalk him. He’s focused all his energy on his partnership with Sutton. He’s satisfied and needs nothing else.

An oath to marry, a family legend to preserve, an uprising of the factory workers, and Sutton’s murder, throw Katherine and Wallace together to find a blackmailer and murderer.

They also will find two things neither knew they were missing…each other and their happily ever after.

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The Ladies of Sommer by the Sea

The Lady and her Quill

The Lady and the Spy

The Lady and Her Duke

EXCERPT

The Frenchman, his back to Wallace, had Roddy pinned to the ground and his sword raised over his head.

This was not going to end well. Wallace searched the ground for something to use. A flash of teal peeked out from beneath a discarded shield. He threw the shield to the side and grabbed Roddy’s sword.

“À moi! Thornton à la rescousse!” Wallace shouted and thrust the sword high over his head.

To me! Thornton to the rescue! The Knights Templar battle cry echoed off the stone walls of the castle. The crowd stood and shouted it as loud as they could.

Everything stopped. The fighting. The noise. Everyone held their breath and waited.

Wallace stood in his shirt sleeves. His dark hair ruffled in the breeze. Every muscle taut and hard. He had enough of these troublemakers. They wanted to fight. Wallace had no intention of stopping them. He had every intention of finishing them.

The echo of the battle cry had barely faded when the man standing over Roddy turned and faced him. Ollie. Not one of the factory workers, but a man paid to agitate and disrupt. This was not part of the pageant. Someone intended it to be a brawl.

A single ray of sun fought its way through the clouds and caught the polished blade Wallace still held high. A flash of light from the blade lit the bailey. A hushed murmur spread from one person to the next, to the next, and to the next, and then silence.

Wallace lowered his arm. He didn’t give the man time to think or plan. There would be no mercy in his attack. Four more attackers broke through the crowd and came at him. But Wallace would have none of that. His sword moved from one stroke to the next. The warrior slashed on the down stroke and again on the backswing, sweeping his weapon to the side, repeating the deadly arc until he cleared his way to the man who stood over Roddy.

He focused on Ollie. From the looks of the man, he was used to people running from him, intimidated by his size and meanness. His tactic wouldn’t work here.

No sense watching the man’s sword. Ollie’s eyes would tell him what he needed to know, who he would attack. Wallace or Roddy. When he would strike. And how he would strike. It was all in his eyes.

The roar of the battle cry faded from the bailey, but still rang in Wallace’s head along with the image of Sutton’s face before he died.

Ollie scoured the crowd looking for support. He found none. Barrington’s men had removed the men who came with him. The man switched his focus to him and gave him his best intimidating stare.

Wallace planted his feet, straightened his spine, and came to his full height. He brought his shoulders back making himself bigger and wider. His body ached with built up energy.

Ollie took his foot off Roddy and helped him up.

Several Sutton men hurried into the courtyard and helped the foreman to safety.

Only a few short yards separated Wallace and Ollie.

Wallace knew what it was like before a battle. This was no different. He faced fear and danger with courage and a clear head.

Ollie started to breathe heavily, working himself up. He stepped toward Wallace, his eyes not on him but someone amid the crowd.

Wallace would not retreat. He remained resolute and waited for Ollie to decide the next move.

Ollie halted mid-stride, gave an almost unnoticeable nod to someone in the crowd, then tossed down his sword.

The bailey erupted as Ollie walked away.

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Author Info

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.

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Read an Excerpt

“We thought we were close, no secrets between us. We understand you’re under a great deal of strain with your uncle’s death. But this?”

Katherine took a breath, then began to get angry. “I clearly have no idea what the three of you are talking about. I do not keep secrets from you, just as you do not keep them from me.”

Effie got to her feet so quickly Katherine stepped back. Her friend handed her the London Gazette, a circle drawn around an article.

She took the newspaper and read the noted item.

“The very eligible and handsome Lord Wallace, 4^th Duke of Blackhall, is finally off the market. He’s made his vow. Does Lady Ivy-Rose T. even know she snagged the wealthiest and handsomest man in London? And does Lady RH realize she’s missed her opportunity? This should be something to watch unfold. All the best to the happy (?) couple. No matter who becomes the next Duchess of Blackhall.”

Katherine slowly sank down into the chair. Her friends looked at each other than at her.

“You’re the only Lady Ivy-Rose T. we know. And Lord Wallace is mentioned.”

“Hush,” Hattie snapped and elbowed Effie. “Eat a biscuit.”

Katherine re-read the article a second, then a third time. Who is Lady RH? Did someone else have his heart? Her breath came in spurts.

“Are you all right? You haven’t said a word.” Anna knelt next to her.

Katherine clenched her hands, her fingernails digging into her palms. She turned and stared at her close friend.

Anna studied Katherine’s face.

“You had no idea, did you?” Anna’s voice faded to a hushed silence. Her expression changed from hurt to horror.

 

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SPOTLIGHT w/EXCERPT - THE LADY AND THE SPY (Ladies of Sommer by the Sea, #2) by Ruth A. Casie

A snow storm, a Russian spy and a puzzle loving widow await you in The Lady and the Spy by Ruth A. Casie. This is the second standalone regency romance in the Ladies of Summer by the Sea. I am excited to share its release and two fun giveaways with you.

The Lady and the Spy

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With each encounter her heartbeat quickened. With each encounter his need for her grew stronger. 

Lady Patrice Montgomery Edgemont always did what was expected of her and look where that got her, married off by her father into a loveless relationship. She solved the puzzle that was prospective husband number two, another of her father’s choices and quickly made him a distant memory. Lady Patrice is not playing games. She is through with men. 

Nikolai Baranov is the son of a Russian grand duke and spy for Tzar Alexander I. When his father and associates are killed, Nikolai doesn’t play games. The only thing worth winning is revenge for his family. When a blizzard blankets Sommer-by-the-Sea, Lady Patrice is the only one who can help the mysterious wounded Russian she finds in her hunting lodge. 

It will take Nikolai’s skill as a spy and Lady Patrice’s expertise at solving puzzles to play through and win the game, a happily ever after.

Read an Excerpt

She made her way deeper into the forest where the pine canopy captured the snow and shielded the forest floor. Here the snow wasn’t as deep. As she followed the forest path, a pattern of prints in the snow caught her attention, not an animal’s, but a human’s, prints. Her gaze followed the track. It led toward the lodge.

She hurried on and stopped to bend down for a closer look. Her stomach squeezed. Blood stains spattered the prints. She looked up toward the lodge.

Henry? The wild boar? She stood and checked the sky in the direction of the lodge. No smoke. Was the boy too badly hurt to start a fire?

She took off at a run. Her only thought was Henry.

Her muffled footfalls pounded and crunched on the forest ground as she ran. Afraid of what she’d find when she reached the lodge, she hurried. She pushed dangling branches out of her way as she broke past them, sending a cascade of snow in her wake.

There was only one set of footprints, but the blood stains were getting bigger as she raced along.

Had the boy made it to the lodge? Would she find him buried in the snow?

The gusts of wind picked up as she came to the clearing. The snow was coming down heavily now, making it nearly impossible to see more than a few feet in front of her. She could deal with that, but it covered the prints and blood. If Henry moved off the path, she might not find him in time.

Exhausted, her legs and back aching, she stopped and clung onto a tree as she caught her breath. She didn’t usually go to the lodge from this direction but was close.

Moving on, she kept watch through the snow drenched branches and finally made out the faint outline of the lodge ahead. Relieved, she hurried to the building. She wiped the ice from her eyelashes and climbed the steps onto the porch.

Blood stained the lodge door. Without stopping, she hurried inside, ready to help the boy, but she stopped with legs-shaking, heart-straining, chest-tightening, fear.

An unconscious person lay face-down on her sofa.

It wasn’t Henry.

The Series

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Coming May 2022 - The Lady and Her Duke

Author Info

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter

Giveaways

Enter the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win an eCopy of The Lady and Her Quill, along with a $10 US Amazon gift card. Open through March 3, 2022.

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Decipher the Puzzle and Win

If you read The Lady and the Spy, you will find the key. You need to solve the puzzle and win a $50.00 Amazon gift card. You'll also get the chance for a bonus entry when you answer a question about our heroine. Contest open until March 17, 2022. Best of luck!

Learn more & decipher the puzzle to win ➡️ https://bit.ly/34NdH0L

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