Trade Winds, my debut novel, is out in September. Here is a short blurb and excerpt:-
>>
It’s 1732 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and strong-willed merchant’s daughter Jess van Sandt knows only too well that it’s a man’s world. She believes she’s being swindled out of her inheritance by her step-father and she’s determined to stop it. When help appears in the unlikely form of handsome Scotsman Killian Kinross, Jess finds herself both intrigued and infuriated by him …
>>
Short excerpt from Trade Winds:-
>>
Jess walked out of her step-father’s study with her head held high. As always, she closed the door behind her as quietly as she could, instead of slamming it hard the way she’d like to do. Gritting her teeth, she ran towards the stairs, only to barrel straight into someone who was just coming in from the hall.>>
‘Ooof! I beg your pardon.’>>
Disconcerted, she took a step back and was about to apologise again, but as she looked up the words died on her lips. In front of her stood the handsomest man she had ever seen and she couldn’t do anything except stare at him for a moment. He had shining dark auburn hair, pulled back into an untidy queue, cornflower-blue eyes surrounded by sweeping black lashes, and impossibly perfect features. She blinked and wondered if he was real. Perhaps he was one of the archangels spoken of in the Bible? She shook herself mentally. What a ridiculous thought. >>
‘No, it is I who should apologise. Miss Fergusson, is it?’ He bowed. ‘Killian Kinross at your service. I’ve come to see your father and was told to wait over there.’ He indicated a chair obviously placed for this purpose against the wall outside Robert’s study. ‘I should have looked before entering this hallway. My mistake.’>>
‘He is not my father,’ she hissed, reminded again of the recent encounter and ignoring the rest of the man’s sentence. ‘He is the devil reincarnated.’ This was perhaps a gross exaggeration, but saying the words out loud gave vent to her pent-up frustration and made her feel a whole lot better.>>
Mr Kinross raised his brows a fraction and a slow smile spread over his features. Jess almost gasped as the effect of it was like a physical blow to her solar plexus. ‘Riled you, has he?’ he enquired with amusement in his voice. ‘Ah, but of course, he’s related to my grandfather. Stands to reason.’>>
Jess didn’t follow the logic of this statement. In fact, she had trouble thinking coherently at all with that devastating smile dazzling her, but she closed her eyes and gathered what few wits she had left. ‘I don’t wish to discuss it. Good day to you, Mr Kinross.’>>
And with that parting shot, she stepped around him and ran up the stairs, lifting her skirts to take the steps an unladylike two at a time. Glancing down from the first floor landing, she saw him staring after her with a thoughtful look on his face. When he noticed her pause, he smiled again and bowed in a lazy, almost insolent salute.>>
Jess ignored him and continued upstairs. She’d had more than enough of men to last her a lifetime and she wanted nothing to do with any of them, handsome or not.>>
>>
If you'd like to read more, you can find the first two chapters here (or on my website):-
http://www.choc-lit.co.uk/html/christina_courtenay.html>>
>>