Excerpt & Giveaway: Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer

Title: Loving Lady Marcia
Series:  The House of Brady #1 

Author:  Kieran Kramer
Reading level:  Adult

Genre:  Historical Romance

Size: 368 pages

Release Date: August 28tht 2012

Publisher: St Martin's Paperbacks

Find It: Goodreads | Amazon | BN | The Book Depository

Marcia gets schooled…

Of the three Brady sisters, Lady Marcia has always seemed the girl most likely to lead a perfectly charmed life. But after a handsome cad breaks her heart, she swears off love and devotes her life to teaching girls at a private school. In spite of her family’s wish for a London debut, Marcia is happy where she is—until terrible news sends her back to the Brady clan…and into the arms of an unexpected suitor.

On the subject of love

A dark and dashing earl who knows Marcia’s past, Duncan Lattimore is surprised by what a fascinating and independent woman she’s become. Marcia, too, is surprised—by the fiery attraction she feels for Duncan. But why—why—must he be the brother of the scoundrel who broke her heart? Why must Marcia’s rival at school forbid her from seeing him? How can this lady possibly resist this fellow—when they know that it’s much more than a hunch…?

Chapter 1

  1814

            A girl knows when her life really begins, and for fifteen-year-old Lady Marcia Sherwood, daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Brady, it was the moment she met the two Lattimore brothers. 

            When the first one took his seat in the Brady carriage, she had to clamp her teeth together to keep her mouth from falling open. If her friends at school could only see him. They’d never believe he was this handsome. 

            “I’m Finn,” he said. “Pleased to meet you.” He gave a half-grin, his eyes gleaming with something.

             He must guess. He must know she found him attractive. Or perhaps he found her attractive.

             Oh, dear. Could that be so? 

            That would make life so much more interesting. The brothers were to be her traveling companions to Liverpool, and then across the Irish Sea to Dublin, where she’d reunite with her family. 

            Marcia smiled, being careful to keep her expression demure, but inside, her heart was pounding. “I’m Lady Marcia Sherwood,” she said, feeling like an idiot. “But please--call me Marcia.” 

            Her maid nudged her in the side. “Lady Marcia will do, young man.” 

            His clothes were of the finest tailoring, setting off his good looks so well that Marcia had to wonder how he lived with himself.  Had he gotten used to being so handsome?  

             “Right,” he said lightly, “of course,” and smiled at her as if to say, When we’re alone, I’ll call you Marcia. 

            She already adored him. 

            A shadow fell across his face as another figure entered the carriage. This young man was just as tall but more solidly built and definitely the older of the two. Marcia had to move her knees sideways to allow him proper room to settle. Once he had, he looked directly at her. 

            He was striking in his own way, with compelling dark brown eyes, but he lacked the charm—or should she say, the obvious delight in his surroundings--that the younger brother exuded. In fact, his tightly furrowed brow suggested he was slightly irritated before the trip had even begun. 

            The very exciting, adventurous trip she’d been looking forward to for ages. 

            “Good morning.” His imperturbable gaze encompassed both her and her maid. “I’m Lord Chadwick,” he threw out in bored tones, as if they should be very grateful he’d spoken at all. 

            “Good morning,” Marcia answered. 

            She did not like him. Her body felt all prickly and hot, and it was clearly his fault. 

            The maid smiled at the earl. Marcia could tell she was gratified that he’d included a mere servant in his greeting. But Marcia didn’t give him credit for it. She wouldn’t. He’d put her off. 

            The carriage rolled forward. 

            Lord Chadwick inclined his head at her. “You must be Lady Marcia Sherwood.” 

            It was a statement, not a question. And he said it as if he didn’t give a fig who she was. 

            “Indeed, I am.” Marcia forced a corner of her mouth to tilt up--to please Mama. She’d been brought up with manners, after all.        

            “I’ve heard much of your family.” His tone was cordial but cool.  He was going through the motions of polite behavior, nothing more. 

            What would Mama do? 

            She’d probably say something complimentary—and sincere--to put the person at ease, so Marcia wracked her brains. “My parents and I are grateful for your escort all the way to Dublin. That’s a trek.” She gave a little laugh. 

            His distracted gaze didn’t change. “It’s no trouble.” 

Double Rita®-finalist and USA Today bestseller Kieran Kramer is the author of the lighthearted Regency historical romance series, The Impossible Bachelors, published by St. Martin’s Press. She has a new six-book contract with St. Martin’s for another Regency series called The House of Brady, premiering in August 2012 with LOVING LADY MARCIA. A former CIA employee, journalist, and English teacher, Kieran’s also a game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer. Without doubt her greatest adventure, which she’s taken hand-in-hand with her husband of 23 years, a commander in the US Navy Reserves, has been mothering their three children.

Connect with the Author:  Website  | Twitter | Facebook

40 Super swag packages during the tour, containing the following:

●    1 pink Loving Lady Marcia Pen

●    1 Loving Lady Marcia wine charm

●    1 Loving Lady Marcia bookmark

●    1 Kieran Kramer post-it notes

●    1 set of Impossible Bachelors romance trading cards

●    1 Loving Lady Marcia romance trading card

●    1 signed bookplate

●    1 “Autographed by the Author” gold sticker

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