Love Continuance and Increasing: now available for pre-order!

[julian_griffith]

It's here! Love Continuance and Increasing is available for pre-order from Storm Moon Press!

Lieutenant William Thorne, of His Majesty's Navy, was a man of humble origins. He knew that his affair with Major Anthony Rockingham of the 43rd Infantry couldn't last forever, not only because the war against Napoleon sent him on blockade duty in the English Channel while the major's regiment trained ashore, but because Rockingham was a viscount, and viscounts must marry. When Rockingham's letter reached him, saying that he'd chosen Miss Caroline Filmer as his bride, it was no more than Thorne had expected.

 

What he had not expected, when he returned home after the Battle of Trafalgar, was to find an invitation to the christening of Rockingham's son. He had not expected, when he met the young viscountess, that he would fall instantly and passionately in love with her. And he had certainly never expected that Caroline would fall just as desperately in love with him. Thorne was sure that their feelings for each other could only lead to disaster, even more so as his love for Rockingham had never gone away. While the war with France continued, he found himself fighting a war within his own heart...

e-book: $6.99 $5.59 softcover: $13.99 $11.19 bundle: $15.99 $12.79 20% discount applies until August 2 release date!

"She's well practiced at arranging such things," Anthony said. "But I fear it was very tiring for you, even so. Do you wish to sleep?"

"I do." Caroline drew in a breath, gathering her courage. "But, Anthony, I would speak with you."

 

"Of course, my darling. What did you wish to say?"

 

Caroline curled tighter against him, trying to reassure herself that she would not soon be pushed away. "Do you remember, before we wed, when you bid me that should I ever find myself in love, I should tell you of it, and you would not reproach me?"

 

Anthony kissed her hair, and rubbed his hand in circles on her back. "I remember well. Are you telling me of that now?"

 

Caroline found that she could answer him only in the smallest of voices. "I am."

 

He kissed her again. "I'm glad to hear you tell me," he said. "I hoped very much that you would believe me when I said I'd not be angry, and trust me enough to do so. I'm glad you find me worthy of that trust. But you are unhappy. Will you tell me more?"

 

Caroline blinked back the tears that were welling in her eyes. "I did not wish this," she said. "It came all unbidden. I hoped it might be a moment's fancy, but I cannot put him from my thoughts. I fear I am in love with Lieutenant Thorne." She sniffled. "And I was right. Being in love is most uncomfortable."

 

Anthony held her close, resting his lips at the crown of her head as she hid her face against his shoulder. He moved his hand in slow strokes down her spine. "Oh, my darling. I'm sorry it grieves you so. I don't blame you for an instant. William is the best of men, and it's no surprise you should love him. I love him, too."

 

"But hardly in the same way, I think, my lord?"

 

"In very much the same way, I should think. I'll speak it plain: you wish to lie with him?"

 

The tears would not be stopped. "I do."

 

"As do I," Anthony said softly. "We were lovers once, and I care for him still."

 

The surprise was enough to do what comfort could not. Lovers? Well, Anthony had said, upon their very wedding night, that he'd lain at times with men. She'd not taken much notice of it at the time, being intent on other concerns, and he'd never spoken of it since. But he'd told her privately of Captain Birtwhistle's love for Alexander Godwin, not with any distaste, but only so that she might not trouble them with questions about sweethearts; and with Mr. Godwin one of Stephen's godfathers, it was clear at least that Anthony counted it no sin, never mind who might think otherwise. And could she fault him for desiring William, when she did the same? But that they'd once been lovers... she'd never have suspected.

Comments

[seventhbard]

Eeeeee all around! So many kudos to the cover artist, that is GORGEOUS.

I'm still ecstatic for you, and looking forward to finding work because I so plan on purchasing this. :D MMF and historical in one? Well heck it's like there's a party in my pants AND my literary gland! XD

[julian_griffith]

*grin* Thank you! I hope there are more readers like you out there who want to go to the same party, and that they find their way to it! (Seriously. Feel free to promote. If you're broke and jonesing to read it we could talk about reviews.)

[seventhbard]

Dude, for an ecopy of the book I would be ecstatic to do a review in a public DW post with xpost to LJ (also public obvs) with sections for characters, setting/ambience, prose, general feel, and sexy scenes, plus anything else that happens to come to mind as I read (like if something strikes me as particularly interesting), with as few spoilers as possible (for a good depth of review though, some will be required more than likely), and poke it around to anyone I think might find it interesting and encourage it getting spread about. If you don't think that's quite enough of the kind of press you were hoping for, fair enough no harm done, I'll probably buy it in paperback eventually either way anyway, but at the moment trying to organize another site or program a page is beyond my mojo, what with the whole international moving thing and all.

[julian_griffith]

DW/LJ is awesome... could you use the same text for an Amazon customer review? Reviews on-site there are helpful things.

look, ping me by email so we can get the details set.