Three Sexy Deets about the Lost Colony Series
Welcome to the Lost Colony book tour, and thank you for
hosting me on Roxanne’s Realm today! I’ve been asked many times…why write about
hunky Native Americans? Why not Highlanders or medieval knights, or Vikings?
Actually, I DO have a steamy Viking story coming out mid-October called Viking
For Hire, but back to the alpha Natives for now. Here is why I LOVE to write
about First Nation heroes:
1.
SCULPTED
TO PERFECTION: In the original sailing journals (transposed to various websites online) that I
researched, the Native American men in 1587 were described as taller and more
built than the average Englishman. Meaning…these dudes were totally ripped,
ladies!!! Back in London, the gents wore Mr. Darcy top hats, gorgeous Hessian
riding boots, and carried swords. In the New World, the men wore very little
and sometimes nothing at all in the dead of summer. They were sun-kissed, lords
of the woods who could fade into their environments and protect their land,
their cities, and their women as well as any modern special ops / black ops
uniform. OH YEAH.
2.
CLEAN AND
NIBBLE WORTHY: The Native Americans were many times labeled savage and
heathen by the European explorers. However, they bathed a LOT MORE FREQUENTLY
than the Europeans back in the day, which is probably why they had a habit of
stripping down new arrivals, grooming them, and giving them new clothes. Not to
mention, the number of fresh springs and unpolluted streams and waterfalls they
had at their disposal for bathing in the New World. Can you imagine all those
rivulets of water running down endless inches of coppery skin? Sigh…
3.
THRILL OF
THE HUNT: Okay…now for the ladies in my Lost Colony Series. Do you really
think the average debutante in London would have given up her staff of
servants, frequent balls, and opulent parties to risk her life on a six or
seven week journey across the Atlantic knowing she might NEVER get to return
home? Nope. Nope and nope. The average gal who hopped on these trans-Atlantic
“cruises” to become a colonist, were working class girls, risk-takers, spunky,
adventurous, sometimes gun-toting, sassy, strong minded, single, and looking.
Now THAT’S sexy!!!
Hope you enjoyed my sexy Lost Colony facts. Don’t forget to
enter my Lost Colony drawing for a chance to win a limited edition Lost Colony
t-shirt, a signed paperback copy of BREAKING TIES (book one in the Lost Colony
Series), a signed Lost Colony bookmark, and two packs of six free eBooks. Happy
reading and best wishes on winning! –Jo
Breaking Ties
Lost Colony Series
Book One
Jo Grafford
Genre: historical romance
Publisher: Astraea Press
Date of Publication: October 16, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62135-219-8
ASIN: B00FYIYM7A
Number of pages: 404
Word Count: 121,390
Cover Artist: Mande Matthews
Book Description:
Intelligent and well ahead of her times, ROSE PAYNE'S world is shattered after a secret betrothal to the duke’s son costs her job as a clerk in his father's household. Without a letter of recommendation, she becomes an easy target for recruiters to the Colonies. Desperate for work, she signs up for a risky overseas venture and sails for the New World, vowing never again fall for a wealthy gentleman.
Returning from a diplomatic tour in London, CHIEF MANTEO is bewitched by the elusive, fiery-haired ship clerk and determined to overcome her distrust. He contrives a daring plan to win her heart – a plan he prays will protect her from a chilling conspiracy involving murder, blood money, and a betrayal of their fledgling colony so terrifying it can only be revealed in BREAKING TIES.
Special Note: BREAKING TIES is the never-before-told rest of the story of the Lost Colony.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nBB8_qcG-9I
Available at Amazon BN Smashwords Kobo Astraea Press iTunes
Excerpt:
"You want my help." 'Twas an accusation.
"Aye."
His eyes darkened. "I save your life. I give gifts. I offer marriage." He closed the remaining distance between us, his eyes burning into mine.
I stumbled back.
"You give nothing in return," he snarled. "You only ask for more."
"I would had I something to offer," I whispered. "But I have nothing. I am nothing."
"Then what use are you to me?" He wheeled away.
I sagged against the door, eyes stinging. I blinked rapidly and pressed a hand to my stomach. Nausea rolled at the thought of informing the others of my failure.
Manteo circled the cabin like a hawk stalking its prey. 'Twas a fine room with ornately carved shelves lining one wall. Bunks were built into the next wall. A generous desk jutted from the third, overflowing with maps and navigational devices. I recognized the compass and hourglass but could not identify the other instruments. I jerked in surprise when Manteo swooped down upon me.
"I know our location." His arms shot out and slapped the wall on either side of me, hemming me to the door. "I could swim ashore from here."
"Then why do ye stay if ye can leave and save yourself?"
"Governor White gave his word to deliver me home."
"We are going to starve, Manteo. 'Tis only a matter of days now."
"Nay. You alone starve. The others eat."
"I have no appetite."
"You act as one already dead."
I straightened my back. "I accept what I cannot change."
"And I change what I cannot accept." He shifted his weight to the wall, one arm propped over my head. He drew his fingertips down the side of my face in a feather-light caress.
I closed my eyes against the rush of unbearable sweetness. He made me long for things forbidden. "'Tis within your power to help us. I am begging you."
"Very well."
My eyes flew open. "Ye will do this for us."
"For you." His voice was silken, his features as hard as granite.
I smiled tremulously. "I thank thee, Manteo. Chief Manteo, that is." The new title felt strange on my lips. I beheld him with a mixture of awe and pride.
"I have yet to name my price."
I stared, confused.
He grunted in disgust. "You refuse me as both husband and lover, so you are left with the hiring of my services."
I worried my lower lip between my teeth. At least he was willing to negotiate. His eyes flashed with lust as he followed my movements.
"I will entreat the Dares for payment."
"Nay. You are the one in my debt."
I raised and dropped my hands helplessly.
"You serve this company, no? You can serve my people, too."
"Ye would hire me as clerk?" Hope leaped in my chest at the possibilities. I would not have to part from him so soon.
"My people have no clerks." His eyes narrowed. "We have slaves."
My breath hitched. "Ye wish to punish me, humiliate me?"
"Nay, I only wish to marry you."
I briefly closed my eyes against the pain. He already knew the reason for my refusal.
"Rose."
"Say no more. I will do it. 'Twill be punishment enough to see you so often and—“ I clamped my lips.
Exultation flickered briefly across his face. "You would give up your freedom to save your friends?"
"Without question."
"Swear it," he said grimly.
"I swear it."
His eyes flared with emotion. He bent slowly 'til his breath stirred my lips. My eyelids fluttered closed. Heaven help me, for I had no will left to resist him.
"Now you will eat," Manteo commanded hoarsely. He stepped back, surveying me from head to feet.
"Eat?"
"I have no slaves so thin and weak. Go. Collect your rations." He turned from me and bent to pore over a map on the table.
I reached for the door handle, disbelieving at the curt dismissal.
"And send for Anthony. I have need of him."
I glared at his back. Faith, should I press my face to the floor as well? "Aye, master." I bit the words out and fled.
Lost Colony Series
Book Two
Jo Grafford
Genre: historical romance
Publisher: Astraea Press
Word Count: 112,300
Cover Artist: Mande Matthews
Book Description:
Jane Mannering can shoot a rifle
and handle a knife as well as any Englishman. However, she is no match for the
red-painted warriors who ambush her section of a Colonial caravan the moment she
and her comrades reach the shores of Virginia.
Jane plots their escape during a
forced march inland, leaving a trail of maltese crosses carved on the trees –
their pre-agreed upon signal of distress. All the while, she fumes over what
interest their captors could possibly have in a twenty-three-year-old spinster
and a rugged band of brick masons, sawyers, and farmers.
When the ruthless Chief Wanchese
intercepts them at the crossroads of the Great Trading Path, Jane is shaken to
discover their greatest enemy plans to keep her for himself. It’s a pity he’s
the only man on two continents who’s ever stirred her heart. Alas, she has an
entire colony to save, and capturing his attentions is not part of their escape
plan.
Special
Note: The Lost Colony Seires is the never-before-told rest of the story of the
Lost Colony on Roanoke Island.
EXCERPT #2
My eyes drank in
the massive arms and broad chest that tapered down to a narrow torso. He was nothing
like the slender dandies in London who paraded about in excessive amounts of
clothing. Nay, this man required no starched shirts and ruffs or padded
doublets to enhance his frame. Silk hosiery and buckled shoes would have made a
mockery of such unfettered male strength. The sun-bleached buckskins and
well-worn moccasins were the only adornments a man of his ilk would ever
require.
“You take
pleasure in what you see, no?” He leaned towards me again. I backed up until
the wall of the cavern pressed into my shoulder blades.
Of course, I
liked what I saw, but ‘twould be unladylike in the extreme to admit it and
grossly conceited of him to question me in such a manner. I straightened and
returned stare for stare. The intensity of his gaze unsettled me. Though
unsmiling, a wealth of emotions radiated from him. Curiosity. Interest. Desire.
And ironclad determination.
“You mean to
take me for yourself,” I stated in a dull voice.
Wanchese placed
his hands against the wall on either side of me. “When I am ready, aye.”
I sniffed. “Then
you are no better than the rest of those savages who —”
“Heathen and
savage,” he corrected tersely. “A phrase I’ve heard oft enough in your own
Queen’s Court.”
I scowled at the
reference to his stint as a diplomat in my homeland. A fine time it was to rub
my nose in his superior social status. Born into a life of servitude, ’twas
ironic how my lot had not changed one whit on the other side of the world.
My chest heaved
with the effort to control my alarm. Too tired to fight him off, I searched his
face for any sign of compassion beneath the hard outer shell.
Humor deepened
the color of his eyes as he rolled to his back in one swift movement and
cradled his head in clasped hands. “You will come to me.”
“Indeed I will
not,” I gasped, both relieved at the distance between us and puzzled by the
game he played, a game for which I knew not the rules. “’Twould be unseemly.”
“Aye, you will,”
he retorted, clearly enjoying himself. “Beneath your…” He nodded at the
remnants of my gown. “… finery…is a passionate woman who is accustomed to
taking what she wants. ’Tis I, methinks, who will be taken by you and not the
other way around.”
About the Author:
Jo is a mega reader of all genres and loves to indulge in marathon showings of Big Bang Theory, NCIS, and Castle. Her favorite books are rich in Colonial and Elizabethan history, romance, strong women, alpha males, Native Americans, and creatures from the paranormal - an occasional dragon, vampire, or time traveler.
From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo moves a lot with her soldier husband. She has lived in the Midwest, the deep South, and now resides in Bavaria. Jo holds an M.B.A. and has served as a banker, college finance instructor, and high school business teacher. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter, and the Writers Group of Ansbach/Katterbach/Illesheim.
Website: www.JoGrafford.com
Twitter: @jografford
YouTube Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nBB8_qcG-9I
Highlighted Author: www.HighlightedAuthor.com
Amazon.com Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/jografford
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