A Sweet Surrender, a short historical romance (originally published in the anthology FOR LOVE & LIBERY), is now available for only $.99!
BLURB:
Siaragowaeh of the Onyota’aka tribe has a love for all things living and when a fallen British solider is severely wounded, Siara secretly nurtures the officer back to health, putting her own position in her tribe at risk. Sergeant James Blake of His Majesty’s elite assault troops vaguely remembers the ambush that left him at the mercy of a beautiful native woman…a woman he isn’t yet certain he can trust. When a narrow escape from Siara’s village forces them on the trail together, desire soon flares even brighter between them. In a journey driven by duty and complicated by loyalty, Siara and James must determine if they will follow their predestined paths or surrender to their hearts and chart anew…
EXCERPT:
Sergeant James Blake steeled himself against the stabbing pain and slowly took in the sounds around him. He was still alive. A miracle to say the least. The vague sounds of a cannon blast and the faint stench of smoke were still very tangible to him. His body ached still and his leg hurt like hell, but he was grateful to be alive.
It was morning now. The loud chirping of the early birds and the smell of fresh dew in the air told him that much. He kept his eyes closed, not moving a muscle. The soft voice that had spoken hours earlier was near. She spoke in a language he didn’t understand, but it was her.
His dream woman.
His angel.
No, not an angel. Just a woman. A beautiful woman…but only a woman. He had finally managed to open his eyes yesterday—or had it been the day before? He couldn’t remember. Time swirled in his mind, and he lost what little memory he remembered of the ambush that had sent him flying from his horse.
What he did remember was sun-kissed brown skin and large, chestnut-colored eyes.
James continued to lie still when she came near him again. She was alone this time. Whoever it was she had spoken to had left her behind. The woman knelt beside him and briefly placed a warm hand on his cheek. Her light touch on his face and body was soothing—and jarring.
 James opened his eyes to slits, peering down at her bent head as she lifted the linen from his naked body. She removed the bandage from his thigh, exposing the wound. He gritted his teeth against the pain of the cool air scraping against his fiery flesh. She applied a slippery salve to the injury, which began to numb the area and chase away the pain. Her movements were deft and unhurried. In the soft morning light, he made out her dark, delicate features. Her long, wavy black hair was braided in two large plaits, though the long strands were pulled to one side of her head, exposing the oak-brown skin of her smooth neck. A slender, elegant neck. One made for kissing.
He wanted to touch her. To pull her over him and nuzzle the tender spot. But he could do neither. His member was willing but his body was beyond weary.
Her slender frame was hidden by her native overdress and skirt, but her perched position left enough of her leg exposed for him to formulate his own thoughts of their softness. He lowered his gaze until he caught sight of the flint knife tied to the sash at her waist. The blade served as a rude reminder that he was defenseless and completely at her mercy. ♥
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