Sunday, September 16, 2012

Sneak Peek Sunday


Karen Hawkins takes readers back to Scotland with her new historical romance, How to Capture a Countess, the first book in her new Duchess Diaries series (out September 18).  Here's a sneak peek excerpt!  




God, she tasted of sunshine and heat. Had she tasted this good when he'd kissed her six years ago, too? The thought was barely coherent over the thundering of his own blood. He tasted and teased her, and she responded instantly, so that he, in return, was tempted and tormented. 
Suddenly, he knew that it was exactly as it had happened all those years ago: he’d touched her and something primal and heated beyond anything he’d ever experienced had roared through his blood. Just as it was doing now.
     She moaned against his mouth and he gloried in her submission, in how she opened to him like a bud under a hot sun. With an eagerness he couldn't contain, he answered her silent plea.
Rose thought she would drown in her own madness: her entire body was aflame as she responded to delicious kiss after delicious kiss. She moved against him, restless and unable to think of any reason to stop. How could something so wonderful, so overwhelming, so incredibly perfect be wrong in any way? His touch was exactly as she remembered, passion and instant heat.
She opened her hand to grasp his lapel and as she did so, something slipped from her fingers. My book! Rose instinctively broke the kiss and grabbed for her book.
Thunk!
The book hit the floor just as her forehead smacked Sin squarely in the chin.
She closed her eyes and slapped a hand over her forehead. Bright colors flashed behind her eyelids and she clenched her teeth against the pain. “Ow, ow, ow!”
     Silence met her gasped agony. After a moment, Rose cracked open her lids to see Sin rubbing his chin, a thin trickle of blood showed between his fingers. “Oh no!” she said. “I’m so sorry, but I dropped my book and I didn’t think—your chin is—“
     “It’s but a scrape,” he said curtly.
Stung by his tone and deeply embarrassed, she snapped back, “It was a bad idea to hold a conversation on a ladder -- as I told you repeatedly.”
Despite the pain of his chin, Sin lifted his brows. “I wouldn’t exactly call what we were having ‘a conversation.’”
Her face turned a lovely pink. “It started out as one,” she said, suddenly prim. “It’s dangerous being on this ladder, especially in skirts, which is why I tried to convince you to talk in the chairs by the fireplace, but nooooo, you had to talk here.“ She shook her head. “What were we thinking? Here, I have a kerchief. Let me wipe your chin for you—” She twisted to reach into her pocket. As she did so, her shoulder mashed Sin’s fingers against the ladder. 
He instinctively jerked his hand free. The second he let go, he knew his mistake, but it was too late and he was already falling from the ladder, the floor rushing up to meet him . . .

HOW TO CAPTURE A COUNTESS will be available for sale and download on September 18th.  Karen is giving away a $20 gift card to the online bookstore of your choice for one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment. Enjoy!

97 comments:

  1. Wonderful excerpt, now I'm more eager to read How to Capture a Countess more than ever!

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    1. Me too, Barbara! Looks like it's going to be a fun book.

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  2. Karen, OMG, I must get this book, just like all the rest of your books; pre-ordering now!

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  3. Congrats to Karen on the upcoming release. I'm a fan of her contemporaries, too.

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    1. Jane, I adore her contemporaries. The nursing home scenes are a riot!

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  4. Congrats on the book whoo, cute cover, whoo, havevabgreat. Week
    Kimh

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  5. Thank you for the wonderful sneak peek excerpt. I loved it.

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  6. Congrats on the new book Karen! It seems a wonderful story.

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  7. Wow! This book sounds like it's as HOT as the cover! Karen writes such fabulous novels and I have been wanting to read this ever since the first time I saw the cover.

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  8. Oh I love stories taking place in Scotland and after reading this bit I want to know what happens next :D

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    1. I love Scotland too. It's my favorite historical romance setting.

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  9. Congratulations and best wishes on the wonderful release. Karen's books are always a joy to read.

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  10. Congrats!! I can't wait to read this I love Karen's books :)!!

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  11. Yay, Karen. This book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway.

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  12. Congratulations, Karen! I love your books and How to Capture A Countess sounds musty (must have).

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  13. Ladies, I'm reading this book right now and loving it! Lots of romance and humor. :)

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  14. This is exactly the type of read that I enjoy the most - thanks!

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  15. what's that old saying about love hurts ;) thanks for the chuckle :)

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    1. Chuckles are always guaranteed in a Karen Hawkins book!

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  16. How To Capture a Countess Sounds fabulous. Enjoyed the excerpt. Lovely cover.

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  17. Intriguing excerpt, a promise of what will be delivered throughout the entire book. Love it!
    minadecaro at hotmail dot com

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    1. Intriguing excerpt, a promise of what will be delivered throughout the entire book. Love it!

      Me too! :)

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  18. Awesome cover! Love the excerpt. Can't wait for it to come out, must have this to read.

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  19. Oo... Can't wait to read the whole book.

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  20. Spectacular preview...way to tease us!! Can't wait! :)

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    1. We aim to tease. Oh, wait! Please! We aim to please! (and maybe tease...just a little bit) ;-)

      Thanks for stopping by, Mrs. Reddog! Hope you visit us again!

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    1. Just two more days...

      Thanks for visiting us today!

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  22. Can't wait to read the whole book, thank you for the preview. Nothing is better than a free read, unless of course you add free chocolate :)

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    1. Free reads and free chocolates. Now that's an unbeatable combination!

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  23. Can't wait to read the whole book!

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  24. Thank you for the tease!!!

    smurfettev AT gmail DOT com

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  25. Looking forward to reading the book, and the series.. :)

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    1. Hope you enjoy them, Najrana. Love your beautiful name!

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  26. Thank you all for giving HOW TO CAPTURE A COUNTESS a chance! I had a great time writing this one and it's an historical romantic comedy rather than an historical adventure comedy, which is what the Hurst Amulet Series was, so it's a bit of a departure from the last series.

    I am having a GREAT time with this series and I hope you guys will, too! :)

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    1. Hi Karen! Thanks for popping in! Love the sound of this book!

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  27. Can't wait to read this one. I have all of Karen's books. The cover looks so sexy

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  28. Icant wait to read this one i love , love historical romantic comedy's.

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  29. Great preview. Can't wait to read the book.

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  30. I love Karen's sense of humor in her writig!! Thanks for sharing!!

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  31. Sounds like another great read. I cannot wait to get one. I love all your other stories. Just a few more days.... yippie.
    Thanks for the teaser.

    Melissa Porter
    porter32vasquez(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

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  32. Yippee! cant wait to read it!

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  33. Yay, a new series! Great excerpt. :-)

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    1. The beginning of a new series is always such fun, isn't it?

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  34. I loved the Hurst Amulet Series! Can't wait for this new book & series! Thanks for the chance to win, but it's on my list either way!

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  35. I can't wait to read this one, it sounds really good.


    Alana

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  36. Seems like forever we have been waiting for this book... I love this excerpt....

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  37. Thanks so much for sharing that excerpt with us. Sounds great, can't wait.

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  38. Mmm, I can't wait to read what happens as Sin learns How to Capture a Countess! This will be my first Karen Hawkins novel. I have a strong feeling that it won't be my last!!

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    1. You first Karen Hawkins book? Oh, Amanda, you have some wonderful reading ahead! :)

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  39. ooo...from sensuous heat to slapstick. I really want to read this.
    winnie968 at yahoo dot com

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  40. Awesome! :)

    my1lulabug at yahoo dot com

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  41. You are an amazing author. I love your books. I can't wait for this one to come out.

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  42. Can't Wait! I have my alarm set on my phone so I can dowload it to my Kindle ASAP! relllii@aol.com

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    1. I have my alarm set on my phone so I can dowload it to my Kindle ASAP!

      What a good idea!

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  43. Hi Karen.
    I love the heros name Sin. I look forward to Tuesday's release. Have a great evening.

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    1. I love the heros name Sin.

      Me too! Some of my favorite heroes are named Sin.

      Thanks for coming by today!

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  44. I never thought about what a lad tasted like when kissing him (other than what he had eaten or just drank). I need to see about this "sunshine and heat". Love me some Karen... Helen in Ark

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    1. I need to see about this "sunshine and heat".

      I love that description!

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  45. The 18th can't come soon enough after reading the excerpt! I'm ready!!!!!

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  46. What can I say other than ,"Sin......sighhhhh" while batting my lashes, LOL! Can't wait! :)

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  47. Love the excerpt. This sounds like a fun read! I can't wait!

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  48. I enjoy Karen's writing! Humor, engaging characters and sexuality laced together in a satisfying treat!

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  49. I have pre order the book for my nook, loved the excerpt and can't wait to start reading it.
    kittyrourke929@yahoo.com

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  50. This book sounds great, love the cover. Loved the excerpt and definately want to read. Thanks for the giveaway.
    christinebails at yahoo dot com

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  51. I would like to take a trip to Scotland. Those settings are fun to read for me.

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  52. I LOVE Karen's Books! Great writer! Can't wait to get this book!

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