Saturday, November 9, 2013

Sneak Peek - - The Greatest Lover Ever


Our thanks to Christina Brooke for allowing us to open the cover and take a peek at The Greatest Lover Ever, the next book in her Westruthers series.  I don't know about you but I've fallen in love with these sexy cousins and can't wait to read Beckenham's story. The book doesn't come out until December 31st but one lucky reader who leaves a comment today will have the opportunity to read it now!  Check out the details at the end of the excerpt.  

For more information about Christina Brooke and her books, visit her website and connect with her online at Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.





The Greatest Lover Ever
The Westruthers - Book 2
By Christina Brooke
St. Martin's Press
December 31, 2013


Excerpt:

“Becks is bride hunting,” Xavier said to Lydgate.
Lydgate choked a little on his ale, set the tankard down. “No! Damn me but you’re full of surprises this morning.” He straightened in his chair, eyes widened. “Not to the Shady Lady?”
“Most definitely not,” agreed Xavier. “Beckenham wants a quiet, dutiful bride who won’t give him any trouble. Someone biddable, no doubt.” The last sentence was said with something of a sneer.
Beckenham focused on his plate. His wish for a bride seemed to belong to another century.
With an effort, he hauled his mind out of the quagmire of his encounter with Georgie. “I wouldn’t have put it quite so crudely.”
“Women,” said Lydgate darkly, “are nothing but trouble. If there’s one out there who isn’t, I haven’t met her.”
Beckenham didn’t agree. “You will admit that your experience of virtuous ladies is limited.”
Xavier’s lips curved in an unpleasant smile. “Lydgate’s right. It is a wife’s duty to make her husband’s life as hellish as possible, as far as I can see. The docile ones are usually hiding their claws until the wedding band is securely upon their pretty fingers. The beauties are vain and far too demanding, the bluestockings are dead bores… Need I go on?”
Lydgate tilted his head. “Never knew you were such a misogynist. I love women,” he said on a sigh. “I can find something to admire in the worst of them. That’s my curse.”
“Yes,” Beckenham said. “Your total lack of discrimination was a factor in my decision to ask Xavier’s advice rather than yours.” He cocked an eyebrow at the marquis. “You cannot recommend even one lady to me as a suitable bride?”
Xavier curled his lip. “I leave the matchmaking to our former guardian.”
“Why haven’t you asked Montford?” said Lydgate.
“I’m not interested in shoring up the Westruther dynasty.” Beckenham shrugged. “Besides, Montford washed his hands of my affairs after the debacle with Georgie Black.”
That was the only time Beckenham could recall thinking the duke was a complete cloth-head. Any reasonable man could see Beckenham had no choice but to accept his congĂ© with good grace. Montford had thought otherwise, mocking him for his stubborn pride. Which just showed how skewed the duke’s thinking had been. Montford deplored vulgar scenes and scandal; he ought to have been wishing the fiery-haired termagant good riddance.
No matter how well-matched their inheritances, the Earl of Beckenham and Georgiana Black were wholly unsuited to be husband and wife.



Readers, do you like second-chance love stories?  Do you enjoy a feisty heroine turning a hero's perception of the perfect wife on its head?  Do you enjoy enemies to lovers stories?  Share your thoughts with us.  And, while you're at it, tell me why an advance copy of The Greatest Lover Ever should land on your doorstep!  

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment before Midnight, Sunday, November 10th (EST) will win a print advance reader copy of The Greatest Lover Ever.  (U.S. addresses only)




The sweetest scandal  
Beautiful, exuberant, and stubborn Georgiana Black has more spirit than sense—which she learns when an ultimatum to the Earl of Beckenham ends their engagement. Six years later, Georgie is less concerned with impending spinsterhood than with making sure her young sister doesn’t make the same mistakes she did. But soon Georgie stumbles into a scandalous encounter with none other than her former fiancĂ©. Beckenham is still breathtakingly desirable—and as iron-willed as ever...
 THE TRUEST TEMPTATION
Beckenham’s brief engagement to Georgie taught him one thing—when it comes to a wife, he wants a woman who will do her duty and cause no trouble. When the fiery Georgie falls unexpectedly into his arms, Beckenham remembers just how lushly delectable she is. Suddenly, the idea of actually marrying Georgie is irresistible. In The Greatest Lover Ever, convincing her will take more than a simple proposal, however. In a battle of wills, can passion conquer pride?

56 comments:

  1. Hi Christina,
    I enjoy second chance stories, but enemies to lovers are one of my favorite tropes. It is refreshing to have a heroine with a unique outlook on their roles as wife and in society.

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    1. Jane, I like those unique heroines too and I love Christina's books. A win-win for me! :)

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    2. Hi Jane, thanks for commenting today! PJ, you're too kind. Thank you for having me here.

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  2. Second chance stories are pleasing in that they let the reader know sometimes relationships in life aren’t always “over.” If love is real, second chances can happen. A feisty heroine is good as long as she maintains her “lady” demeanor. I admit that I do not like a heroine who arrogantly puts a man down. No man wants a woman who emasculates him. As for enemies to lovers, I would say I prefer the premise of someone finding that another person is not the “bad guy/bad girl” they thought they were. I would love to win an Advance Reader’s Copy of “The Greatest Lover Ever” because I always enjoy Christina Brooke’s novel. Would love to read this and place a review on our blog, bookworm2bookworm.

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    1. Connie, I'm not fond of heroines or heroes who arrogantly put the other person down. I do love me some friction though! :)

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    2. Hi Connie, what a thoughtful reply. I don't like heroines who put down the hero either. Most of the arguments in this book really stem from clashes of pride. Each of them acknowledge each other's good qualities all the way through. I think that's important or I wouldn't believe in the romance.

      PJ, there's friction aplenty!

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  3. Christina Brooke's books are always terrific. Looking forward to this one too.
    Ruth Atkinson

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    1. I agree, Ruth. I love Christina's writing and I'm especially enjoying the Ministry of Marriage and Westruther books!

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    2. Thank you to you both! Hope you enjoy this one!

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  4. I'm with you about the cousins, PJ. This is a great series, and I look forward to reading The Greatest Lover Ever.

    Reunion/Second Chance at Love is my favorite trope! I'm less enthusiastic about enemies to lovers, but when the book is by an author I trust I know she will make a believer of me--and I do trust Christina.

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    1. I trust Christina's writing too, Janga. And I don't know that Becks and Georgie are so much enemies as filled with animosity toward the other, especially Becks. Of course, we all know what's likely to be simmering below all that animosity... *grin*

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    2. Hi Janga, lovely to see you here. I'm sorry I must have missed this comment first time. Thank you so much, I'm thrilled you're enjoying the series. I think PJ is right--they are not enemies but they've hurt each other in the past and there's a lot of tension flowing from that. But I like to think they both give each other credit for their respective excellent qualities, which is important to me. Otherwise, how could they really love one another? Hope you enjoy this one, Janga!

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  5. I love both the feisty heroine and one that completely baffles the hero about what he wants in a wife. Fighting the attraction they feel is also good. I don't think I have read any of this series

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    1. Regencygirl, this is the second book in Brooke's trilogy about the male Westruther cousins. Her previous Ministry of Marriage trilogy focused on the female cousins. I highly recommend them!

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    2. Hi Regencygirl, hope you give the series a try! Thank you for the recommendation, PJ :)

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  6. Delicious cover and great post! I like it that the harder a hero and heroine have to work for it, the happier I am. I also get it intrigued by the story because the relationship is already complicated, the damage already done, the hero and heroine already seething with resentment or regret or hurt or the determination. I get to see how the characters rediscover love while they battle a heightened sexual tension and a natural wariness that makes their story that much more interesting.
    kac_030 at yahoo dot com

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    1. I like it that the harder a hero and heroine have to work for it, the happier I am. I also get it intrigued by the story because the relationship is already complicated, the damage already done, the hero and heroine already seething with resentment or regret or hurt or the determination. I get to see how the characters rediscover love while they battle a heightened sexual tension and a natural wariness that makes their story that much more interesting.

      What kimmy said. *grin*

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    2. Kimmy, what a lovely response (I am tempted to steal it for myself). Hope you enjoy Beckenham and Georgie's book!

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  7. I love the enemy to lovers... and the second chances! I love the give-and-take of the characters!! I would love to read this book before anyone else :)

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    1. I would love to read this book before anyone else :)

      Such a delicious prospect, isn't it? :) Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. LOL, Shar, that's the joy of ARCs! Good luck in the draw.

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  8. do enjoy when a hero learns everything he thought he wanted is anything but what he needs & desires ;) sounds delightful, thanks for the early peek

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    1. Hi Gamistress! *Waving* Some heroes are so blind, aren't they? LOL

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  9. Yes to all of the above. I like twists and turns in my stories, especially enemies to lovers and the feistier the heroine the better. Also love the brother's best friend fighting feelings for the younger sister he suddenly realizes is all grown up. And Christina is a favorite author of mine, so definitely would love to receive the arc, especially with winter closing in on us.

    Sue P.
    suepete12atyahoodotcom

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    1. Sue, how lovely to hear you enjoy my books! It's hard to think of you all in the northern hemisphere shivering while we're sweltering down here in Oz!

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  10. Ooh, can't wait to read this and the excerpt has only whetted my appetite! I've loved every book in this series - LONDON'S LAST TRUE SCOUNDREL was fabulous fun. Really looking forward to THE GREATEST LOVER EVER! Waving madly to Christina, PJ and Andrea! Thanks for the preview even if it has made me antsy for the book!

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    1. Hi Anna, lovely of you to drop in! So glad you enjoyed LONDON'S LAST TRUE SCOUNDREL. You will have Beckenham in your hot little hands very soon, I'm sure!

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  11. I definitely want to read this! Love what I've read so far in just the excerpt. Would love to win an arc.

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  12. Someone in the cover art department must love the author. It sounds great too!

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    1. JCP, I think you're right! Lucky, aren't I? You should see the cover for THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE!

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  13. Second chance love and feisty heroines are wonderful, but as for enemies to lovers that depends, I'm more of 'antagonists due to misunderstandings to lovers' fan I'll have to check out this series - don't know how I missed it!
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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    1. Hi Di, I agree, these two definitely are not enemies and there is a big issue they have to work through before they can be together. Hope you enjoy it!

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  14. I love second chance love stories and feisty heroines. Usually I love enemies to lovers stories, but not always. I think this wonderful book should end up in my hot little hands because I love Christina Brooke's stories.

    kscathyATyahooDOTcom

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  15. I like second chance at love tropes. There's usually an intriguing backstory, plus the characters have to change in order to succeed a second time.

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    1. Kim, I think that's really true. Second chances are about getting it right this time and that means they can't go on the way they did before. Something has to shift dramatically.

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  16. I'm fond of second chance love stories because I'm the recipient of one. My second husband and I have been married for 33 years now and have had a wonderful life. And I like feisty heroines because they are usually intelligent, self-confident and can stand on their own if need be. Clingy, vapid bombshell type heroines are definitely not my style and usually are the victims of their own poor choices. And I think enemies to lovers is probably not the usual successful relationship or marriage...but if it happens then it probably is a winner! And I don't think I'm any more deserving of a free copy of this newest story by Christine than any other commenter; but historical romance is my go-to favorite for romance reading and I'm always looking for new authors in that genre. Christine is a new-to-me author and I would like to try one of her stories. jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Janice, what a thoughtful reply, thank you! I like feisty heroines who aren't stupid about it and I hope I've created a heroine like that in Georgie.

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  17. OMG... that has all of my fav tropes!! I love enemies to lovers, second chance and fiesty heroines! I'm definitely dying to read this book! Congrats to Christina on the new release!

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    1. Thanks for the congrats, Erin and good luck in the draw!

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  18. Love the excerpt - so amusing to read what these men think they want in a woman! This second chance at love premise sounds great and I'd love to be entered in the draw. Sounds like an enjoyable story!

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    1. Hi Laurie, thanks so much for dropping in. Glad you like the excerpt. I have a lot of fun writing conversations between my men :) Good luck in the draw!

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  19. Love the sound of this book. I must have been under a rock because I totally missed the start of this series. Must rush to get the first book now and the 3rd book is already on my BTB list. Thanks for the giveaway too.

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Karen! Thanks so much for your interest. Good luck in the draw!

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  20. Oh I want that bod of his on the cover!!! And I love it when the man comes crawling back, slowly~ because they knew you were the right one all along but were just too afraid to admit defeat!

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    1. Kipha, LOL, you're not the first to admire the bod! Tune in to Romance Bandits tomorrow and you can read the scene that inspired the cover. *wink*

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  21. Love the reunion of 2 people that had a misunderstanding... and I certainly came late to this discussion, but wow!! Some really great comments!!!

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    1. Hi Girlygirl, yes there are some very thoughtful comments here, aren't there? I'm constantly amazed at how much romance readers think about what they like in a romance and why. Thanks for dropping in!

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  22. I am a big fan of 2nd chance romances and enemies to lovers romances. I love to see a man get his head turned around by a woman!

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    1. Sharlene, it's always fun to torment these poor heroes with a heroine who utterly confounds them. They're so accustomed to being in control in every other aspect of their lives.

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  23. I love second chance romances. Stories with strong determined women that do not swoon at the slightest thing are wonderful! I like when a heroine can put her hero in Tilt-mode and their love comes out stronger for it! Your new book would go with a good cuppa tea....scones are in the oven! Thanks for the mini vacations you give us all!

    Lisa
    lisascrapbooker@yahoo.com

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  24. Fun to see how what people think they want and what they really want can be so very different. I haven't read any of the books in this series, but this sounds like a good series. I have some catching up to do. I like feisty heroines, so this one should be fun.

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  25. Now that is a tease Christina...sigh!

    Can't wait to see how Georgie falls into Becks arms. She sounds like trouble with a capital T, for Becks that is.

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  26. I love second chance romances...and feisty heroines. Especially those with a sense of humor.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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