Virtual Book Tour: The Highwayman's Bride by Jane Beckenham with author interview

The Highwayman’s Bride

by Jane Beckenham

Jane will be awarding $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

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BLURB:

England, 1813

Forced into a marriage . . .

Compelled by her uncle to marry a man who has a predilection for violence, Tess Stanhope resorts to a ploy from her favorite novels to fund an escape—highway robbery. But her attempt is botched by a maddening, handsome rogue named Aiden.

Driven by revenge . . .

Aiden Masters, the Earl of Charnley, is hell-bent on avenging his sister’s brutal treatment at the hands of the criminal Florian Nash. He single-mindedly seeks vengeance at the expense of all else—even by furtively roaming the highways at night.

Blackmailed for love . . .

At a London party Tess meets up with Aiden once again and blackmails him...marry her or she’ll divulge to society his clandestine life as a highwayman. She desires a marriage in name only—but the more time they spend fighting their desire, the closer they come giving in.

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Excerpt:

Alone on a darkened road, beneath the constant drip of a damp autumn rain, Tess Stanhope sat atop her stolen horse and waited for the unsuspecting travelers.

Tugging her cloak closer, she wished again that she had been able to find a better nag. Something more suited for a speedy getaway would have eased her sense of dread.

Her jaw tightened, teeth grinding. Thinking about what she was about to do—holding up a carriage, for goodness sake—scared her witless and would definitely rank high on a list of her sins. But she was out of options—and desperate.

Tess had witnessed the appalling treatment of Percy Harrow’s first wife too many times. The poor woman had lived in fear of her husband, the esteemed pastor’s brutal drunken belligerence. Rumor had it, he’d even killed her puppy when she’d not had his supper cooked just how he liked it.

And Tess’s uncle had determined that she would be the hateful man’s second wife.

Marry him?

Never! Simply thinking of the man elicited fear to crawl the length of her spine. He did not deserve anyone’s respect and would never have hers.

But disguising herself as a man and holding up a carriage in order to escape her fate made her stomach swirl with nausea. She bit down hard on her bottom lip. She scanned the chilling dank copse and wondered if she would ever be warm again.

A single tear trailed down her cheek, and she brushed it roughly away with the back of her gloved hand as a sad hiccup purged from her chest.

It was never like this in her books. Those tales of adventure never mentioned the cold or the constant fear. The stark reality was disheartening.

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Author Interview:

Can you tell us about your book, The Highwayman's Bride, in 10 words or less?

Can I have 12 word???? Pretty please -

Driven by revenge, blackmailed for love, her highway rogue steals her heart.

How long did it take you to write your book, The Highwayman's Bride?

I sold this book on a partial and at the time of contract had 15k words. The rest took me about 2 months because I was heading off for a six week holiday and had to get it done before we left!

What was your favorite scene to write?

One of them was a barn scene where really the hero and heroine can just be themselves and shut out the world, another is actually a scene with the hero and his son where the hero is finally realizing what being a parent means.

If you could cast anyone to play some of the main characters, who would you choose?

I think it definitely be Hugh Jackman for the role of Aiden, and possibly Reese Witherspoon for the heroine though she’d need to dye her hair, however, I’m open to offers for alternative heroine/actresses for the role of Tess

Did any music inspire you while writing ?

Unforunately not. Sometimes at the end of the writing I’ll listen to something particular, but generally I don’t play music while I write at all.

What is currently in your TBR pile?

Frances Housden’s The Chieftan’s Cursse, and I’m currently reading one of Mary Jo Putney’s Lost Lords books.

Chocolate or Vanilla? 

Chocolate for sure

Cats or Dogs? 

We have both, but our dog Bingo is my baby and he knows mummy adores him!

Once Upon a Time or Grim? 

Oh, definitely Once upon a time.

The Hunger Games or The Mortal Instruments? 

The Hunger Games.

Chinese or Italian?

Chinese, hopefully less colories with all those vegetables.

Ebooks or Hardcopies? 

Both, but I admit to being an ebook convert

Coffee or Tea?

Neither, I don’t really drink hot drinks but I’m a diet coke gal

Best book you’ve read recently? 

Loving those Mary Jo Putney’s lost lord series, I came across it recently and have downloaded them all.

Favorite TV show? 

I’m a decorating nut and I love anything to do with decorating. Particularly, Canadian Sarah Richardson’s shows.

Celebrity Crush? 

George Clooney, I know he’d prefer an older woman (waving my hand madly pick me, pick me)

Current Favorite Song? 

Sadly, none. I do like music, but I’m an old music gal, I love the Beatles, and the 50’s and 60’s music mostly.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Multi-published author Jane Beckenham lives in a tiny slice of paradise just north of Auckland, New Zealand. From her office she can watch the tuis and fantails flit about, along with families of pukeko and quails and a pair of lorikeets have taken up residence.

Along with the menagerie of bird life, are Jane’s husband of thirty years and two daughters, and her beloved dog, Bingo.

For the last ten years Jane has sat in her office every day, writing stories of hope and dreams that bring a smile to her face and hopefully her readers too. Romance, love and honor are the words in Jane’s tag line, and words she believes are the centre of all her romances.

Jane’s love of reading began as a child when she spent years in hospital. Those days inspired her dreams, which over the years have become a crucial part of her life. Dreaming of being able to walk again, then dreaming of her own happy after, and dreaming of becoming a mother, and subsequently adopting her daughters from Russia.

Come and dream a little while with Jane.

Visit Jane’s web site www.janebeckenham.com

Email neiljane@ihug.co.nz

Twitter @JaneBeckenham

Facebook www.facebook.com/JaneBeckenham

BUY LINKS

Amazon – pre order - http://amzn.to/1gInBzg

Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1cTxQQr