Sunday, January 10, 2010

MISTLETOE EVERYWHERE-Cover, Blurb and Excerpt

My Wild Rose Press editor sent my cover along with the edits for my Regency Christmas novella, Mistletoe Everywhere, so here are cover, blurb and excerpt. This blurb is slightly different from the one I posted before--my editor worked her magic and made it better.

BLURB:
A man who sees mistletoe everywhere is mad--or in love.

Charles sees mistletoe. Not surprising, since he's spending Christmas at Mistletoe Manor. But why does no one else see it? And why does it always appear above Penelope, the despised lady who jilted him after their last meeting?

Penelope wants nothing to do with the faithless Charles, the man who cried off after she accepted his marriage proposal. But he still stirs her heart--and he stares at her all the time. Or rather, he stares at the empty ceiling over her head…What does he see?

According to folklore, mistletoe is the plant of peace. Can Penelope and Charles, so full of hurt and anger, heed the mistletoe's message and make peace?

EXCERPT:
After Charles had heaped his plate with more food than he wanted, he took one of the empty places at the table bottom, as far from Penelope as possible.

His tensed muscles eased as he joked with his friends. Smythe made a comment and Charles turned to answer. He caught sight of Penelope…and a monstrous sprig of mistletoe over her head.

"Gordon? What is it?" Smythe swiveled in the direction Charles was staring. He looked up and down, and from one side to the other. "I say, with your mouth hanging open like that, you must see something spectacular, but damned if I know what it is."

With an audible click, Charles clamped his jaw shut. "I thought I saw…" He forced his gaze back to his companion. "Nothing. I imagined I saw mistletoe."

Smythe's eyebrows rose. "Mistletoe?"

"Yes. The house is named 'Mistletoe Manor', so the place is filled with mistletoe decorations. Pictures, wall hangings, ceiling trim, whatnot."

"Indeed." Smythe's eyebrows rose higher. "That 'mistletoe' you saw is over Miss Lawrence. Lovely little filly." His lips curved into a knowing grin. "My jaw dropped the first time I saw her, too."

Charles stiffened. "I was not looking at Miss Lawrence. I believed I saw mistletoe over her."

"'Mistletoe'." Symthe's grin widened. "Of course."

Thank you all,
Linda

6 comments:

Penny Watson said...

Oh my God! That cover is absolutely adorable!!!! I am so happy for you, Linda! That has got to be the best cover of the year....seriously! Love it! Do you mind if I post it on my Penelope page?

Linda Banche said...

Thanks, Penny. Sure, you can put the cover on your blog. I appreciate it.

Kaye Manro said...

I must say this is a wonderful post Christmas cover! I love your excerpt and we shall have a treat next season when this book releases. Good work!

The romantic query letter and the happy-ever-after said...

It's all very beautiful. Your charming cover, enticing blurb and your oh so well written excerpt. I'm very happy for you.
...And Linda my dear, my thanks to you for your kind support on one of my lower days. You were kind and and I shall never forget it.
Every success with 'MISTLETOE EVERYWHERE'
Sincerely,
Simone

Linda Banche said...

Kaye, thank you so much.

Hi Simone, thank you, too, and you're very welcome. This business is rough, and we have to help each other, or none of us would survive.

Lindsay Townsend said...

Beautiful and apt cover, Linda!

Super excerpt! Congratulations again!!