Category: Teatime Tattler Page 97 of 152

He belongs to me…

On December 29, 2018

Jade Calloway made her way into the Great Hall of Berwyck Castle still feeling overwhelmed by the miracle of her slipping through time. She saw Thomas standing near the massive fireplace with a group of his fellow knights. He raised a tankard of mead to his lips but paused when he saw her across the room. A smile reached his eyes and Jade blushed while she remembered their first kiss.

With a sudden urge to be near Thomas, Jade began to make her way through the hall before a serf bumped into her. Wine from the pitcher the young woman held sloshed onto Jade gown. A gasp of surprise rushed passed her lips when her garment became soaked to her skin.

“Ye best leave and return from whence ye came,” the girl said through clenched teeth.

Jade’s brow rose while she tried to remember the woman’s name. “Fira, isn’t it?”

“Aye.”

“No apology for ruining my gown?” Jade asked wondering why Fira was looking like she would have no problem thrusting a dagger into Jade’s back.

“He belongs to me,” Fira growled out.

Jade’s gaze went to Thomas who began to make his way towards her. “Who? Sir Thomas?”

“Nay… not him. Sir Gaillard. Stay away from him because he is mine.” Her eyes darted about the hall before she let out a curse and fled.

“Gaillard? You can have him,” Jade murmured watching Fira’s departure before she felt Thomas’s hand reach around her waist.

“Is she troubling you?” he whispered in her ear causing Jade to shiver with his nearness.

“No but that one is trouble, mark my words.”

“She is but a woman,” Thomas replied taking her arm.

“Said all men throughout time when they can’t see what is right before them,” Jade said with a laugh.

“Go change your gown and let us be about our day. Forget about Fira. These things have a way of working themselves out for the best,” Thomas said ushering Jade to her chamber.

And with his words, Jade forgot about the angry serf who was under some impression that Jade was after Gaillard. She had better things to do with her time here in twelfth century England than worry about a jealous woman.

You can learn more about Jade and Thomas by reading One Last Kissby Belle Sherry Ewing found in the Bluestocking Belles’ holiday box set Follow Your Star Home.

Sometimes it takes a miracle to find your heart’s desire…

Banished from his homeland, Thomas of Clan Kincaid lives among distant relatives, reluctantly accepting he may never return home… Until an encounter with the castle’s healer tells him of a woman travelling across time—for him.

Dare he believe the impossible?

Jade Calloway is used to being alone, and as Christmas approaches, she’s skeptical when told she’ll embark on an extraordinary journey. How could a trip to San Francisco be anything but ordinary? But when a ring magically appears, and she sees a ghostly man in her dreams…

Dare she believe in the possible?

Thrust back in time, Jade encounters Thomas—her fantasy ghost. Talk about extraordinary. But as time works against them, they must learn to trust in miracles.

Can they accept impossible love before time interferes?

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Sherry is proud to be one of the Bluestocking Belles. Sherry picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. A bestselling author, she writes historical and time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. When not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist.

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Will the orphan thaw her frozen heart?

By Guest author

On December 19, 2018

In Guest author, Teatime Tattler

Ophelia Breckensole linked her elbow with her twin’s as they sauntered into the parlor. “Gabriella, did you see the way the Duke of Sheffield looked at Everleigh last evening?”

“Indeed. Like a man completely awestruck.I didn’t think he was capable of any expression except a scowl.” Chuckling, Gabriella sat on the brocade settee. One finger on her chin, she cocked her head. “And for once, our dear cousin didn’t turn her frigid glance on another befuddled swain.” Brow arched, she gave a sage nod. “That’s very telling, dearest.”

“It was the child, you know.” Ophelia settled on the cushion beside her sister, pushing a ridiculously frilly pillow aside as she made herself comfortable. “The moment Everleigh picked the little imp up and the child stopped wailing, I could tell she was smitten.”

“Sheffield could too. I had no idea he’d adopted an orphan—one from India, no less,” Gabriella said as she poured their tea.

Setting the silver teapot down, she considered Everleigh beyond the diamond-paned windows. She strolled the lawns with the duke’s ward toddling along beside her, their hands clasped. A moment later, his grace ambled into view.

“I wonder…” Gabriella pulled her brows together in thoughtful contemplation.

Ophelia followed the direction of her sister’s focus. “We could help them along. They’ll both be here for the house party’s duration.”

Gabriella sighed and shook her head. “Everleigh would never permit it. I believe she’s truly sworn off men.” She pressed her mouth into a tense line. “’Tis no wonder, considering the vile creature she was forced to marry. I doubt anyone shed a tear when he met his violent end. I know Everleigh didn’t.”

“True, but she’s still young, and just look how magnificent she is with the little darling.” Ophelia dropped two lumps of sugar into her cup. Slowly stirring her tea, she murmured, “She so wanted children of her own.” She stopped stirring and pulled her spine straight.

Everleigh was laughing at something the duke said. Actually laughing.

And the duke?

Well, he looked about to gobble up their beautiful cousin.

“Gabriella?”

“Yes?” Her twin pulled her attention back inside the cozy parlor.

Angling her head toward the frost outlined windows, Ophelia permitted a self-satisfied smile. “What if we drop a hint or two or three in the duke’s ear on the best way to woo our cousin?”

A December with a Duke

Seductive Scoundrels Book 3

He’s entirely the wrong sort of man. That’s what makes him so utterly right.

After a horrific marriage, widow Everleigh Chatterton is cynical and leery of men. She rarely ventures into society, and when she must, she barely speaks to them. Her one regret for refusing to marry again is that she’ll never bear children. As a favor to a friend, she reluctantly agrees to attend a Christmas house-party. Unfortunately, Griffin, Duke of Sheffield is also in attendance. Even though Everleigh has previously snubbed him, she can’t deny her attraction to the confident, darkly handsome duke.

For almost a year, Griffin has searched for the perfect duchess to help care for the orphan he’s taken on. He sets his sights on the exquisite, but unapproachable widow after her sweet interactions with the child impress him. Everleigh vows she’s not interested in him or any other man. But Griffin is convinced he can thaw her icy exterior and free the warm, passionate woman lurking behind the arctic facade. Only, as he pursues her, it’s his heart that’s transformed.

Can Everleigh learn to trust and love again? Will Griffin get his Christmas wish and make her his bride? Or, has he underestimated her wounds and fears and be forced to let her go?

Excerpt

For the second time that night, Everleigh stopped on the last riser.

He truly didn’t know?

“Yes, my daughter, Meredith.”

She touched the locket again. A lock of wispy, thistle-down soft white hair lay tucked inside. Struggling to wrestle her grief into submission, she focused on the long case clock’s pendulum swinging back and forth.

She paced her breathing with the slow tick-tock for a handful of rhythmic beats.

Did a parent ever recover from the loss of a child?

No. Life just took on a new reality.

“Tomorrow is the three-year anniversary of her death.”

Why had she shared that?

The Duke of Sheffield did the most startling, the most perfect thing in all the world.

He drew her into his arms and held her. He didn’t offer condolences or advice. He didn’t try to change the subject or pretend he hadn’t heard her at all.

He simply offered her comfort, and it felt so utterly splendid, just allowing someone to hold her. Someone who permitted her to show her grief for a child conceived in the worst sort of violation and violence, but who had been adored nevertheless.

For this brief interlude, Everleigh didn’t have to be strong. Didn’t have to maintain her frigid façade, and it was wonderful to be herself. That almost brought her to tears as well.

What was more astonishing was she wasn’t afraid of his touch.

How long had it been since she didn’t flinch when a man touched her?

They stood chest to chest and thigh to thigh in intimate silence for several moments until the clocked chimed the quarter hour, interrupting the tranquility. They really must join the others for dinner, or God only knew what sort of unsavory tattle might arise.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace.”

She disengaged herself, more aware of him as a man than she’d any business being.

He simply nodded, though the amber starburst in his eyes glowed with a warmth she couldn’t identify.

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Viking Star Ring Hoax or Not?

By Rue Allyn

On December 15, 2018

In Teatime Tattler

To Mr. Clemens, Editor of The Teatime Tattler, London and its faithful readers everywhere.

Dear Sir and Fellow Readers,

I feel compelled to respond to the “scientifically minded” lady’s letter published here on December 5^th. The lady presents what, I am certain, she feels is a reasoned argument. However, this lady’s own letter reveals her to be not as ‘scientifically minded’ as she believes. Her claims that the Viking Star Ring is a hoax, perpetrated by the fictive tales of The Bluestocking Belles, has no basis in science. The lady presents no empirical evidence to support her claim.

This is the only known image of the ring in dispute

A subsequent Tattler article about the sale at Bowkers of a ring that failed to produce the desired result is also insufficient evidence that The Viking Star ring is or is not a hoax. The provenance of the Bowkers’ ring was not detailed sufficiently to prove whether or not the ring that was sold was the actual The Viking Star Ring.

My point, sir, is that without empirical evidence of any kind, the veracity of The Viking Star Ring legends cannot be termed true or false; certainty or hoax. I call for the owners of The Viking Star Ring (past, present, and future) to come forward and provide the evidence necessary to prove or disprove the tales surrounding the ring.

It is a shame that such evidence cannot be presented before this day ends, as it would demonstrate to many the worth of purchasing The Bluestocking Belles, Follow Your Star Home collection. The discounted price of the boxset ends today. I would urge The Tattler’s reader sand their friends to get this book. The empirical evidence notwithstanding, the novellas contained in Follow Your Star Home are as much about faith as they are about a magical ring.

To the ‘scientifically minded lady’ I wish to remind her that even science cannot prove everything. I am certain this lady believes in the divinity, yet no scientist that I know of has proven God’s existence. How much poorer our lives would be, if we could only believe what our five senses could perceive.

Thank you, Mr. Clemens, for this opportunity to clear the air over the differences between what science and faith require. I hope your readers will comment with their opinions on the matter.

Sincerely,

A lady who agrees with Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your [or anyone’s] philosophy.”

Follow Your Star Home:
A Bluestocking Belles Collection
On sale through December 15th for $0.99!

Be sure to grab Follow Your Star Home while it’s still on sale.

Divided sweethearts seek love and forgiveness in this collection of seasonal novellas.

Forged for lovers, the Viking star ring is said to bring lovers together, no matter how far, no matter how hard.

In eight stories covering more than a thousand years, our heroes and heroines put this legend to the test. Watch the star work its magic as prodigals return home in the season of goodwill, uncertain of their welcome.

25% of the proceeds benefit our mutual charity the Malala Fund.

Amazon US | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Smashwords

Belles’ Blog Hop on now!

Come join our blog hop to see the interlinking stories between all eight of the stories in our new Follow Your Star Home!

It’s here: https://lizzitremayne.com/holiday/

FAKE RING IN AUCTION SCANDAL

By Bluestocking Belles

On December 12, 2018

In Jude Knight, Teatime Tattler

The ring recently sold by auction by Bowker, Bowker and Bowker is not the famous ring of Follow Your Star Home, or if it is, the ring does not work.

Your intrepid reporter can state this categorically, since he managed to borrow it from the auctioneer to try its power. His sister wore it for a whole afternoon, and was not united with the young man she desired.

The Teatime Tattler leaves no stone unturned to bring you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, no matter the scandal.

We caution readers that the auctioneer could not prove that said ring was the ring in the stories, which continue on the Belles’ blog hop.

Does the true ring bring true lovers together? Could it be that your reporter’s sister is merely infatuated, and not truly in love? Could it be that the ring is a fake, while the true ring is the real deal? Read the stories, dear reader, and make up your own mind. And while you do, listen to the playlist chosen by the authors for each story.

Magic Ring is Superstitious Nonsense

By Bluestocking Belles

On December 5, 2018

In Bluestocking Belles, Teatime Tattler

To Mr. Clemens, Editor of The Teatime Tattler, London.

Sir

I protest the nonsense currently being printed in your formerly esteemed publication. Rings that change size from one wearer to the next? Rings that act as a love potion? Rings that—for Heaven’s sake—take their wearer through time itself?

You are supporting a hoax, good sir.

I have no objection to fiction, and the good ladies known as the Bluestocking Belles are welcome to purvey their nonsense stories to amuse those in need of light relief from the serious business of living. But you have gone too far, sir, with the recent nonsense from a member of the cloth who should know better.

Cease and desist, I beg of you. Let people read Follow Your Star Home, especially since all 600 pages are currently on special at less than a United States dollar. Let them read for free the shorter tales of the Belles’ blog hop. But do not not confuse fiction with reality and encourage your readers to do the same.

Yours

A scientifically minded lady.