This is the 1st book in the box.
Resisting Romeo By Samantha Grace.
Blurb:
French actress and aspiring playwright Claudine Bellerose
recently closed the curtains on a bad romance and has returned to center stage
at a small London playhouse where she is about to premiere her first production.
Enter Russell Hawke, the new owner of the Drayton Theatre, to deliver
disturbing news. If Claudine’s play doesn’t turn a profit, he’ll have no choice
except to close the theatre. To further complicate matters, her leading man
just suffered an accident and can’t perform. Russell is confident he is capable
of stepping in to star opposite the lovely Claudine, but she quickly realizes
his horrible acting is threatening to turn her romantic play into a farce. Her
only option is to tutor him in his role, and hope she can resist the charms of
this handsome Romeo.
Excerpt:
The women took turns showing her
how to punch, block, and evade capture if a man leapt out of the shadows.
“Miss Darlington was a splendid
teacher,” Rachel said, “but I don’t see how a woman is supposed to flip a man
to the ground if he attacks from behind. Won’t he be too heavy?”
Claudine smiled, recalling she
had asked a similar question of Regina. “You don’t actually lift him. You throw
off his balance. Size can work in your favor. The bigger the man, the harder it
will be for him to catch himself, especially if he doesn’t have use of his
hands. Let me show you.”
She waved for Anastasia to come
forward for a demonstration. Claudine chose her, because she was nearly twice
Claudine’s height. Anastasia often stood in for one of the male parts in shows
simply because she was tall. A bit of make-up, padding, and a hat could hide
her beauty well enough to make it somewhat believable, if she didn’t have many
lines.
“I want you to grab me from
behind,” Claudine said. Anastasia’s blond eyebrows shot up on her forehead. “I
promise not to take you to the ground. I only want to show everyone the steps
again.”
“Would you like an actual man for
the demonstration?” Mr. Hawke called from the floor.
A delicious shiver ran through
her at the thought of him touching her. “That isn’t necessary, sir. Ana will
work well enough for our purpose.”
“I wouldn’t mind,” the actress
said.
Rachel raised her hand as if
Claudine had asked to take a count. “I would like to see Mr. Hawke stand in. I
would feel more confident if I can see it is possible with a real man.”
The others agreed.
He was already climbing the stage
stairs, and she couldn’t think of a valid excuse to refuse his assistance. Her
body tingled in places she really wished it wouldn’t, as his long legs carried
him across the stage with a stride that was deliberate, yet unhurried. When he
stopped in front of her, a broad smile spread across his face and revealed a
dimple in his left cheek. “I am at your service.”
“You may take my place,”
Anastasia said and rejoined the group.
Mr. Hawke claimed Anastasia’s
spot on stage. “Did I hear correctly that I am to grab you from behind, Miss
Bellerose?”
“Yes, Mr. Hawke,” she said,
adding in French, “and you better not enjoy it.”
He laughed. “I promise to despise
every moment.”
She flinched, having forgotten he
could understand her.
“I told you I studied French,” he
said. “I also know German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Can you speak with an
American accent? I barely understand a word they say. That would be a safe bet
if you want to insult me without me becoming the wiser.”
He winked and the other women
giggled.
“I wasn’t insulting you,” she
said for the benefit of her fellow actresses. If Mr. Hawke closed the theatre
after all, she didn’t want to be blamed.
“No, you didn’t, Miss Bellerose.
I simply was offering you options in case you want to abuse me in the future.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Merci.”
She only knew French and English,
and a few German words Tilde had taught her. Growing up, her father had always
spoken French to her. He’d never stopped missing his native land, but as he’d
often reminded himself, there was nothing left for them in France. Claudine was
an infant when her father fled their home with her. When she was old enough to
understand, Papa told her about the unrest in France and the rumor that he was
to be called before the Tribunal. He said Maximilien Robespierre used the trials as an excuse
to execute his political opposition, and Papa had been vocal in his
commendation of the violence.
She and her father had arrived
safely in England, but a distant cousin turned them away. Papa had always said
he left everything behind except his most precious treasure. Sometimes he would
pretend he couldn’t remember what it was and ask her to guess. She knew he was
teasing about having forgotten, because at night, he would tuck her in bed and
whisper, “Mon
trésor.” Claudine had always felt
fortunate that he loved her as he did.
She took a cleansing breath to
bring herself back to the present, and turned away from Mr. Hawke. “Whenever
you are ready, I want you to pretend to attack me.”
It must be instinct--or perhaps
boys were taught how to grab a woman as part of their education--but it seemed
all men tried to hook a woman around the neck when he meant her harm. Mr. Hawke
was the exception. He draped his arm across her body, cradling her against his
firm chest. His gentleness caught her by surprise, and instead of trying to
break free of his hold, she closed her eyes and sank against him.
“If you promise not to hurt me,”
he whispered in her ear, “you may take me to the ground.”
Sacre
bleu.
He smelled magnificent, like a cozy wood fire on a cold night blended with a
hint of spice. She swallowed hard and nodded. “W-when a man grabs you, try to
get your hand between his arm and your neck, so you have a little room to
breathe.” She demonstrated as she walked through the steps. “Now hug his arm to
your chest and duck low, throwing your shoulder forward and thrusting out your
leg.”
Mr. Hawke pitched forward,
tripping over her leg, and landed on the stage with a thunderous bang. She
gasped as he winced.
“Mr. Hawke!” Rachel rushed to
kneel at his side. “Are you hurt?” She glared at Claudine. “Look what you did.
What were you thinking?”
Claudine was frozen, unable to
speak or move. He peered up at her. She braced herself for the insults and
derogatory names that were sure to come. Any moment she expected Mr. Hawke to
rail at her--to shout insults and call her names.He laughed.
MY REVIEW;
Russell Hawke has inherited a theatre along with his father's estate. Unfortunately as much as he would like to keep it, it has not been profitable, and with a mother and three sisters to provide for he must sell it.
Claudine Bellerose is an actress and now a playwright. Her first production is due to start soon. Then the company is told the theatre will close before they get the chance to put on the play. Claudine has had enough of men controlling her life, and will not stand for it. This is the second book in a series but is easily read as a stand alone. It is a fun story with a little unexpected danger. Our hero is very unusual in his view of his responsibilities. Our heroine is only just coming to realize how good life can be, after years of struggle and abuse. The secondary characters are some that show up in the previous book, and hopefully the ones still to come. I will definitely be eagerly waiting for the next book.
BUY LINKS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
RITA-nominated
historical romance author, Samantha Grace, discovered the appeal of a great
love story at the age of four, thanks to Disney’s “Robin Hood”. She didn’t care
that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first
happily-ever-after experience, and she didn’t want the warm fuzzies to end. Now
that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for
characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher’s Weekly
describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm.
Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever. Part-time medical
social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and
hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.
Samantha Grace Author Website http://samanthagraceauthor.com
Newsletter http://samanthagraceauthor.com/contact.html
Thank you for hosting our set!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Petula!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for highlighting our book and for your thoughtful review. :)