Sealed with A Kiss: Sara Lindsey + Giveaway (US)

Welcome to day nine of our Sealed with A Kiss event. A family with a mother obsessed with Shakespeare? Meet Sara Lindsey's Weston family.

WELCOME TO THE BLOG SARA!!!

Meet Sara:

SARA LINDSEY began writing during her senior year of college. The rest, as they say, is history… or rather, historical romance. A recent graduate of Pratt Institute’s School of Information and Library Science, Sara currently lives in Los Angeles.

Having read many romances featuring librarians, Sara figures this profession bodes well for someday getting her own happily ever after. In the meantime, she plans to turn as many unsuspecting library patrons as possible into fellow romance addicts.

Connect with Sara: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


I have always loved Valentine’s Day. A holiday devoted to hearts, flowers, chocolate and pretty cards—what’s not to love? Then again, I’m a hopeless romantic, much like the heroine in Tempting the Marquess, the second book in my Weston family series, which follows seven siblings with Shakespearean names and, much to their mother’s dismay, a definite affinity for impropriety.

Olivia Weston may be a hopeless romantic, but she’s pragmatic enough to know that marriage in real life will never measure up to the passionate romances she loves to read. When the opportunity for an adventure presents itself, Livvy seizes on the chance to have a bit of fun before settling into matrimonial complacency. She travels with her aunt and cousin to Wales, where they will spend the holidays with her aunt’s stepson (the titular marquess) in his haunted castle. Olivia is instantly attracted to the brooding, mysterious marquess, and she yearns to learn his deepest, darkest secrets… but will she discover them before she loses her heart to him?

As Tempting the Marquess is a romance, I don’t think I’m giving too much away by saying that Livvy does lose her heart to Jason. And sometime between locking Olivia out of his library and rescuing her from the Bow Street Runners, he falls in love with her. These letters are from Olivia and Jason’s first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, which takes place shortly before their first anniversary. (As you are seeing the hero and heroine post-epilogue, there is a minor spoiler, but I don’t think it will detract from anyone’s enjoyment of the book.)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

XOXO
Sara

St. Valentine’s Day

1800

I despaired of finding a worthy present to give you on this, our first St. Valentine’s Day as husband and wife. Your mother suggested a complete set of Shakespeare bound in red Morocco leather, but knew better than to follow her advice. Your sister suggested novels, so I visited Finsbury Square and asked young Lackington for his most lurid novels. He informed me that you had come in just the day before and purchased the very worst he had to offer.

Naturally, I considered jewels, and I stopped at Rundell and Bridge, but I saw nothing to compare to your natural beauty. I have always thought your eyes finer than any sapphires, your skin more lustrous than pearls. When you laugh, you shine more brilliantly than any diamond, and your love for me and for our children is worth more than all the gold in the kingdom.

I thought of writing you poetry, but I am afraid my efforts failed to impress you in the past. In any case, once I rhymed Livvy with privy, there was little point in forging ahead. I jest—you know I love to see you smile—but how does a man find the words to express the wonder that you are to me? I lived for so many years as but a shell of a man, and you, stubborn minx that you are, made me whole. You saved me from myself and taught me how to love again. You soothed old hurts and left happy memories in their place. You care for my son as though he was born of your body, and you graced me with a daughter every bit as beautiful and loquacious as her mother.

When I happened upon these dancing slippers, I imagined you standing before the window in my place. I knew these cherry-colored shoes would call to you, and I knew just as surely that you would walk away from them, doubtless having come up with several reasons why you should not have them. Too bold, too frivolous, too costly—you have no difficulty making lists, my love.

I decided I must have a pair made up for you. I remember how you once told me you believed your middle name suited you better than your Christian name. Olivia, you said, sounded like a heroine. You considered yourself a Jane, an ordinary girl reading novels and dreaming of grand adventures. I told you then, and I will tell you again, you are the most extraordinary woman I know. You do read an inordinate number of novels, but you are worthy of your very own. You were brave enough to tempt a marquess, after all, and love him.

You might have had a safe life where you knew how the story would end, but instead you chose to cherish our marriage as an adventure. I know I may reach for your hand if ever I feel lost, just as I know you will allow me to be your strength when you are weary. These shoes are to remind you of the path are walking—one filled with love and passion, risks and daring—and that together, we will always find our way.

Yours, heart and soul—

P.S. I did manage to acquire one rather scandalous volume I feel certain you have not yet come
across. If you meet me in the library at midnight, I might be persuaded to share it with you.

P.P.S. Livvy, when I arrive I expect you to be wearing the shoes. Only the shoes.

Genre: Historical
Length: 311 pages
Publisher: Signet (June 1, 2010)

The Weston siblings have been blessed with Shakespearean names and an affinity for impropriety.
Prepare to fall in love while discovering how the Westons are won.

While Olivia Weston loves matchmaking and romantic novels, she intends to make a suitable match. But first she wants an adventure, and when given the opportunity to visit a reclusive widower living in a haunted castle, Livvy can’t possibly resist.

After his wife’s death, Jason Traherne, Marquess of Sheldon, shut his heart to everyone but his son, and until now he has succeeded in maintaining his distance. But there’s something about Livvy—her unique blend of sweetness and sensuality—that tempts him beyond all reason.

Though there’s nothing suitable about the feelings he inspires in her, Livvy can’t help falling for the marquess. But can she persuade him to let go of the past and risk his heart again?

Get Your Own Copy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | indiebound | Powell's
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt
Other Book in Series:

We can't wait to read this book! Sara is offering a copy of Tempting The Marquess to one(1) lucky reader. Open to US readers. Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment about your favorite romance couple or couples --we know it's hard to decide sometimes.
• Fill out the rafflecopter form below. You must leave a comment. All other entries are optional.

Head over to Dani's blog for Olivia's letter to Jason.

Don't forget to enter for the grand prize! A giant box of books or $25 worth of books from The Book Depository.

Thank you to Sara for celebrating with us!


a Rafflecopter giveaway