This week, we’re welcoming author Tara Chevrestt whose title MAIDEN BEHIND THE MASK occurs in the 19th century, with the strong heroine Catalina as a crusader for justice. Join us Sunday, when Tara will be here to talk about the novel and offer a copy of the book to a lucky winner. Here's the blurb:
When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by
the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome
man, but also vows that she’ll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the
timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and
becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from
robbers and rough handling.
However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and
Catalina to marry. Not immune to each other’s charms, their marriage starts
fiery, but when one of Catalina’s nightly escapades results in dire
consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband’s amorous advances…or reveal a
secret that could turn him away from her forever.
Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife
having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay.
**An Excerpt from MAIDEN BEHIND THE MASK**
She
tore her gaze away from the mare and said firmly. “Cinco pesos. And only
because this yegua has fire, not because of your terms. Selena, pay him.”
Selena’s hand shook, but the pesos were
transferred to the dirty palm. The man laughed with glee, the crowd dispersed,
and Catalina was left with a dirty, starving horse.
“We shall get you fed and cleaned up.” She
patted the mare’s neck. A cloud of dirt rose in the air, and Catalina struggled
not to cough. “I shall call you La Reina, because once in my establo, I shall
treat you like a queen. Your body may be beaten, but your spirit is not
broken.”
“Catalina?” Her maid’s voice was tentative as it
interrupted her quiet chattering. “Whatever possessed you—”
“Fetch me a mozo,” Catalina interrupted her.
“Take the remaining pesos and fetch me a groom. La Reina is going to her
castle.” She wasn’t offering more explanation than that. She didn’t owe anyone
an explanation. She’d done what was right.
As her maid turned to comply, heading toward the
livery, a loud pffffht rent the air.
Catalina stared at her new acquisition in surprise.
Selena froze and swung around to admonish her
charge. “Señorita! Your behavior has been questionable enough this day. Mind
yourself.” She shook her head and her finger both before turning back to the
task at hand.
Catalina heard her muttering as she sashayed
away. She was too surprised and too tired to defend herself, but the breeze
picked up, and a waft of foul air assaulted her. Catalina immediately tugged a
delicate, lace handkerchief from her sleeve and placed it over her nose as she
glared at the horse.
La Reina snorted and pawed the ground. Catalina
could swear the mare was laughing at her. She merely shook her head. “Dios mío,
and you let me take the blame for that?”
Pffffhht.
Pfffht.
La Reina whinnied and bared her teeth as
though she were smiling.
Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman,
former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about
planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of
writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with
her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She
is very happily married.
Tara
also writes as Sonia Hightower. Sonia writes the racy stuff and argues that she
was here first. She just wasn't allowed to be unleashed until the last year.
While Tara and Sonia continue to fight over the
laptop and debate who writes the next book, you can find buy links, blurbs, and
other fun bits on their website or their Facebook page.
