Continuing
on with our Bonus Materials which never made it to the final novel,
there are characters, scenes, chapters, and dialogue that were delegated
to the cutting room floor for various good reasons. Such was the case
with ONCE UPON a DUKE, my debut Regency novel with an element of
suspense.
Cutting to the chase for those who may not have read this romance: Serena,
an artist and widow, has no desire for another husband. When she meets
Geoffrey Austen, attraction sizzles to a scorch. Stolen days and nights
ignite forbidden passion. Geoffrey asks Serena to become his mistress,
but she wants commitment, love and marriage, not an affair with a
notorious rake.
Geoffrey
realizes Serena might be the one woman who can care for his tortured
soul, and maybe release his demons. The magic they shared is shattered
when he learns she’s been forced into betrothal with another and held
captive. He vows to save her even at the cost of his own life.
Gallantly,
and at the risk of his life and that of his covert intelligence
companions, he saves her from a horrific marriage. In the end, the evil
betrothed is killed in a fair sword fight. Serena and Geoffrey marry and
the story ends with their marriage in the novel. It’s a
happily-ever-after experience.
Serena’s Horse, Sheba Geoffrey’s Horse, Solomon Adonis, the puppy Serena, the Artist
If
you’re curious, my ‘scrapped’ last chapters, has the duke and his new
duchess, along with guards, after their nuptial, pay a visit to her
brother, Sir Henry, Minister of Defence, who was unaware of the current
circumstances, and behaved in his usual arrogant controlling manner to
our duke. His Grace, Duke of Sutton, our Geoffrey, is asked by Henry,
“What are you doing here?” Geoffrey smiles widely and answers, “I’d like
to introduce my new wife, the Duchess of Sutton.” Her grace remains in
the foyer. The duke strides to the door and asks his wife to come into
the room. When Sir Henry sees that it’s his sister, he’s ready to strike
her, but of course, Geoffrey steps in front of him. Her brother’s
unkind words unhinge Serena. With a nod of his head to one of the
guards, his duchess is escorted out of the room. Geoffrey approaches
her brother, declares she is under his protection, and pummels the man
bloody for his malice and mistreatment. With a curt command to her
brother never to enter their lives again, he turns on his heel, and
joins Serena. They leave and justice is served. It’s another
happily-ever-after emotionally satisfying ending.
Serena's PianoforteA gift from GeoffreyThe key to the Fortress doorsTime to read and relax
I
mention this because as an author, I want my readers to experience the
emotion, intrigue, suspense, fear of the future, and the ultimate
satisfaction in finding love despite all odds. Some reviewers wanted the
final retribution against Serena’s brother in more detail, rather than
in a one-sentence dismissal. It was a learning lesson for me, and I’d
like to think that I’ve come a long way since then.
P.S. You might ask why I use the term UnapologeticStory
Teller. In some venues, Story Tellers are not considered, for lack of a
better word, legitimate authors. I believe in Fairy Tales, so you may
think of me as a rebel author with a cause--and that is, I read and
write all genres of romance. ♥
Here’s a virtual toast to all romance readers everywhere. Ciao.
And:
The DUKE'S MAGNIFICENT BASTARD, book 4, coming soon late 2016, reunites
many of the characters in Book 2. Stunning events have happened to
affect the future of the dynasty. Consider it a family reunion. You'll
be the first to know when it's available if you signed up for this
newsletter on my website.
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