The Bastard Son

The Bastard Son

by Jerri Hines

Series: Winds of Change, #2

Genre: Historical Romance
Cover Designer:  Erin Dameron-Hill at edhGraphics

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Sumner Meador walked in a world of wealth and privilege as part of Charles Town’s elite, but that was years ago. Now he fights in the Southern backwoods driven by the passion he holds for the Patriot cause, shadowed by his past. Reeling from a devastating defeat at the hands of the British, Sumner seeks haven at his farm, only to find an interloper—an unwelcome and unwanted distraction. He has no time for the young woman or the complications she brings with her, but soon discovers he has no option but to give aid to the stubborn, courageous beauty whether she wants it or not.

Jane Kilmer has been violently thrust into the midst of the civil war ensuing in the backwoods. Hiding from one of the most dangerous vigilantes, Jane trusts no one. Suddenly, she has no choice but to put her life in Sumner’s hands. Both desire revenge, but neither wants what happens—to fall completely, undeniably in love with each other. As the war rages around them, their love is put to the ultimate test. The question becomes not whether their love will survive, but will they.

Author's Note: This book was previously published with Whiskey Creek Press as Another Night Falls under the Tides of Charleston Series.

Night had fallen. Everything had been set for the evening. The horses fed; the dishes cleaned. Warren promised to bring a cow next time out, although Sumner didn’t see the necessity since he wasn’t planning to be around here for long. But there again, the girl might enjoy fresh milk.

Jane prepared another fine meal for supper. She was a good cook, but he expected she had cooked from an early age.

Walking back from the barn, he found her sitting on the porch, smiling up at him. In the fading light, she looked beautiful. She had taken off her cap, leaving her hair down in a braid over her shoulder.

For the life of him, he couldn’t get the thought of having her in his arms out of his head, with her firm breasts pressed against him…her body arching instinctively to his.

Warren hadn’t even suggested it would be harmful to leave a young, innocent in his care. Perhaps, Warren thought it the lesser of the evils in her life.

“Thank you for the supper, Jane. I was thinking of retiring for the night.”

“I will do so shortly.” Rising, she moved over to the railing and stared out into the coming night.

Go, leave her. Instead, he came up behind her. “Are you feeling well? I know you still have the effects of the bump upon your head.”

“I have recovered,” she whispered. “It is not what bothers me. I feel so lost. I had thought I would at least have my grandfather’s land after…”

“We are working on a plan to remove you from this area. I know of people where you would be safe and won’t have to worry until after this war is finally over.”

Turning, her eyes met his. “I don’t want your pity.”

“It isn’t pity I feel for you.” With the words, all his good intentions dissipated with a strong craving to have her back in his arms. He gently caressed her cheek. “Run, Jane, from me.”

She made no movement to leave him. She lifted her face up to his. He needed nothing else for his lips to descend upon hers. He would have stopped if she pulled away. She did not.

His kiss deepened, devouring her with his lips. His hand lowered, caressing and smoothing along the curves of her body.

“I want you, Jane,” he whispered. “More than I have ever wanted another. You feel it also…this longing between us. Tell me you do.”

“Yes, Sumner, yes.”

He talked no more, but swept her in his arms and answered the dictates of his body. In quick strides, they were in the bedroom, making quick work of the barrier that lay between their bodies and their desire.

Book One: The Governor's Daughter

Jerri Hines is an Amazon bestselling author of the Winds of the Betrayal series and Southern Legacy serial that were inspired by her fascination with history. She is a Southern gal who has lived the last thirty years near Boston with her Yankee husband. She believes in love and the power it holds. It is the reason she writes romances. Her next release under Jerri Hines will be the much anticipated conclusion to Winds of Betrayal, Set Fire To the Rain, coming in 2016.

She is also an Amazon Bestselling author under her penname, Colleen Connally. Her historical romance series, Secret Lives, is riddled with romantic suspense and a touch of paranormal. Fragmented, Book One Boston's Crimes of Passion, marks her first contemporary suspense thriller. Framed, Book Two, will be released in 2016.

She is a supporter of The Home For Little Wanderers in Boston and the Alzheimer's Association.

Jerri has limited spots open on her Street Team. If you are interested, please click here to send her an email.

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The Governor's Daughter

The Governor's Daughter

by Jerri Hines

Series: Winds of Change, #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Cover Designer:  Erin Dameron-Hill at edhGraphics

Release Date: June 14, 2016

Cathryn Blankenship has no desire for a season in London! Why on earth would her father want her to leave her home in Charles Town? Upon Cathryn’s steadfast refusal, Governor Blankenship is forced to assign a young lieutenant to watch over Cathryn on the journey and ensure his daughter’s appearance in London. Cathryn finds Lieutenant Jake Pennington the most aggravating, maddening man she has ever met...a man Cathryn soon admits she is in no hurry to see leave.

But fate has other plans for her in a world she is ill prepared to enter. She descends into a place where love and betrayal go hand and hand, where greed and treachery are second nature, but moreover the threat her father believes he has sent her is awaiting her arrival. When fate tears her apart from her Lieutenant, Cathryn finds herself desolate and alone. Soon, Cathryn makes fateful decisions that will send her back to her home.

A home far different than the one she left. A war rages. Soon, she discovers her life is in danger and the only one that can save her is the one who left her heartbroken.

Author's Note: This book was previously published with Whiskey Creek Press as The Judas Kiss and The Promise under the Tides of Charleston Series.

A chill was in the air. Pulling her shawl tighter around her, she stood in the night’s breeze and inhaled deeply.

Tacy hadn’t said a word. There was no need. Cathryn realized Tacy feared she was asking for trouble. She was. She had to see him.

Above her, a quarter moon sat in the cloudless sky and reflected off the still ocean water. Cathryn stared upward hoping…praying Jake would appear. Then he was there.

“I’m glad to have found you here,” he said, walking up beside her.

“I’ve been warned, Lieutenant, not to linger long in your company. Mrs. Montgomery is afraid people will begin to talk. I don’t think she wants to be held responsible for my tarnished reputation.”

“I see nothing wrong,” he said. “Your maid is within reaching distance and I imagine can hear every word we say.”

She turned abruptly right into him. His hand went around her waist. Instinctively, she looked up into his eyes.

Mesmerized, she couldn’t breathe as he reached over and caressed her face. She melted with his touch…his look. In an endless moment in time, she couldn’t take her eyes off of his. She thought he was going to kiss her, but the moment passed.

He released his grip. Her heart sank. Feeling dejected, she turned from him.

“Don’t, Cathryn. Mrs. Montgomery isn’t wrong to be concerned,” he said. “The ship is tight quarters when two feel as we do. I see you every day. You are within my reach. The ship will dock tomorrow and everything will change.”

She whipped back around. Her eyes blazing, she challenged him, “That is why you came tonight? You have come to say goodbye to me. Do not lie. I can see it in your eyes.

“Tell me…tell me, Jake. Are you are leaving me? Is that what you have come to do? To say it was nothing, only the close quarters upon a ship! How dare you! Make me want you and now back away. Don’t you tell me what I’m supposed to feel!”

“Tomorrow is a different day,” he said. “You will see how it is. I have my own responsibilities as you have yours. Remember when you first came aboard, you said you were only biding your time for a year? Now you believe you want something else. How do you know what you will feel on the morrow?”

She wanted to scream at him that she had never felt what she did when she was around him. Why did this have to change? He had told her he was only a simple lieutenant.

She didn’t care. Oh, Heavens! She had fallen hopelessly in love with him.

“So you don’t care for me,” she cried. “Don’t tell me such! I could not take those words.”

“I don’t know what I want you to take with you,” he whispered. “It is for your best if we take this no further. You will see.”

Her temper exploded. She hit his chest with her fist, over and over again. “For my best! How dare you try to tell me leaving me is for the best! How can you say such—”

She didn’t have a chance for another word. He cupped her face in his hands and his lips came down upon hers, softly at first, then harder. Trembling in his arms, her lips pulsed against his with her own desire.

Somewhere in the madness, the reason for meeting this night escaped her mind. Only being with him…in his arms with his lips upon hers mattered. He kissed her again and again, ravishing her mouth.

Gasps of pleasure escaped her. Her body was shocked at the depth of emotion he provoked within her. She was lost in his essence.

Slowly, his lips broke from hers. “See what you made me do. This is why I can’t—”

She wouldn’t let him say the word. Instead, she pleaded, “No, please, Jake, don’t leave me. Don’t tell me I won’t see you again.”

“It’s not to be, Cathryn. By God, I wish it was.”

“Don’t tell me that, Jake. Tell me what to do so we can be together.”

“I can’t ask that of you.”

She took his hand and kissed it, terrified of losing him…losing what they had before it had a chance to begin.

“Why? Tell me, Jake. Why? Can you not give me hope? This can’t be goodbye. It can’t. I would die.”

He stood in silence for a moment. His gaze fixed upon hers reflecting a longing that both suffered. He took her one last time in his arms and kissed her. Breaking from her, he caressed her face one last time, turned and walked away.

Jerri Hines is an Amazon bestselling author of the Winds of the Betrayal series and Southern Legacy serial that were inspired by her fascination with history. She is a Southern gal who has lived the last thirty years near Boston with her Yankee husband. She believes in love and the power it holds. It is the reason she writes romances. Her next release under Jerri Hines will be the much anticipated conclusion to Winds of Betrayal, Set Fire To the Rain, coming in 2016.

She is also an Amazon Bestselling author under her penname, Colleen Connally. Her historical romance series, Secret Lives, is riddled with romantic suspense and a touch of paranormal. Fragmented, Book One Boston's Crimes of Passion, marks her first contemporary suspense thriller. Framed, Book Two, will be released in 2016.

She is a supporter of The Home For Little Wanderers in Boston and the Alzheimer's Association.

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